“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”.”

Almost the entire 46th chapter of Isaiah is in quotation marks, as Isaiah was writing what YAHWEH had spoken to him.  “‘MY COUNSEL SHALL STAND, and I WILL ACCOMPLISH ALL MY PURPOSE’” doesn’t appear to me that GOD is trying to be passive or soft-spoken!   

“Remember this and stand firm” and “I AM GOD, and THERE IS NO OTHER; I AM GOD, and THERE IS NONE LIKE ME” should make it rather plain that HE isn’t interested in negotiating terms of obedience and compromise.  HE IS GOING TO BE GLORIFIED, whether mankind likes it OR NOT!  

Regardless of how this MESSAGE is received, “I HAVE SPOKEN, and I WILL BRING IT TO PASS; I HAVE PURPOSED, and “I WILL DO IT” needs to be accepted as basically a STATEMENT OF FACT!  When GOD says something IS going to happen, we need to understand that “I WILL DO IT” is coming!!!  ARE YOU READY???

“THE EARTH WAS DIVIDED!”

 

1 Chronicles 1:17-23                 (ESV)

“[17] The sons of Shem: Elam, Asshur, Arpachshad, Lud, and Aram. And the sons of Aram: Uz, Hul, Gether, and Meshech. [18] Arpachshad fathered Shelah, and Shelah fathered Eber. [19] To Eber were born two sons: the name of the one was Peleg (for in his days “THE EARTH WAS DIVIDED”), and his brother’s name was Joktan. [20] Joktan fathered Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah, [21] Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah, [22] Obal, Abimael, Sheba, [23] Ophir, Havilah, and Jobab; all these were the sons of Joktan.”

There are times when I SEE certain Scriptures and those Scriptures WILL NOT LET ME GO, SOMETIMES for even days!  Jeremiah 33:3, a highlighted verse in my online BIBLE, was the most recent verse of Scripture to STICK in my mind.  It says “Call to ME and I will answer you, and will tell you GREAT and HIDDEN THINGS that you have not known.”   A day or two later while looking through Scripture, the verse of 1 Chronicles 1:19 almost jumped out at me, which caused me to contemplate what was being said TO ME???

“Four generations after Noah, Genesis 10:25 records the birth of Peleg (meaning division) “for in his days “THE EARTH WAS DIVIDED”” is written in one commentary.  There is some speculation about whether “THE EARTH WAS DIVIDED” refers to a physical separation or maybe a more philosophical standpoint of the inhabitants of Creation?  Regardless of what you choose to Believe, ALMIGHTY GOD illustrates to me that HE orchestrated events throughout HIS CREATION to DRAW HIS CHOSEN to seek and serve HIM!

My mother and father divorced in 1964, another lifetime for most alive today.  Our family has never been of great means, so her attorney was only four or five years into his practice and wouldn’t succumb to the pressures being exerted by my father’s family.  Her pastor was over a flock of less than 100 people and never left for a larger congregation. He entered his eternal reward just a few years ago STILL pastoring the same fellowship of less than 100!  60+ years of leading a flock through ugliness and triumphs, and he left “this world” in the same position as in 1964!  The attorney that won the divorce settlement, therefore granting custody of me and my two sisters, went on to great notoriety and passed away a couple of years after my mom.  In an obituary it was revealed that he LOVED talking about his FAITH!  

ALMIGHTY GOD is ABLE to perform MIRACLES, no matter how dirty and ugly the situation being presented.  “THE EARTH WAS DIVIDED” by ALMIGHTY GOD as part of THE PLAN to display the NEED for a Savior!  Although mankind tends to make everything seem to appear like “they” have been an influence in “this world”, ONLY GOD has the ability to display “THE EARTH WAS DIVIDED” and HE IS THE ONLY SOLUTION to the division!!!

“THAT YOU MAY KNOW!”

 

1 John 5:13-15                                (ESV)

That You May Know

“[13] I write these things to you WHO BELIEVE in the NAME of the SON of GOD, “THAT YOU MAY KNOW” that you have eternal life. [14] And this is the confidence that we have toward HIM, that if we ask anything according to HIS will HE hears us. [15] And if we know that HE hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of HIM.”

How can we KNOW that we are a part of the CHOSEN of GOD?  Throughout Scripture the CHOSEN are referred to, but how do we BE CERTAIN that we will NOT be forgotten on Judgement Day and be CAST OUT into the lake of fire?  The focal Scriptures today begin with “I write these things”.  The entire book of 1 John might be what John was referring to, but especially 1 John 5:12 which says “Whoever has the SON has life; whoever does not have the SON of GOD does not have life.”

VERIFY is defined as “to establish the TRUTH, accuracy, or reality of”.  WHO is going to VERIFY WHO is able to “enter into the Joy of your MASTER” (Matthew 25:23).  Since we have JESUS abiding WITH us through the HOLY SPIRIT, and we have the assurance that HE will NEVER leave us (Joshua 1:5), why shouldn’t we have the PEACE that HE has PROMISED (John 14:27)!  Living “in fear” is allowing “the enemy” to abide where he has ALREADY been expelled (removed) from.  We should NOT elect to allow the glitz and glamor of “the father of lies” (John 8:44) to infect our thoughts and minds when his defeat has been finalized by JESUS on Calvary!  

Staying IN THE WORD is imperative to we WHO BELIEVE in the NAME of the SON of GOD, “THAT YOU MAY KNOW” that you have eternal life!  Ingesting TRUTH is so paramount to sustaining LIFE and we need to have our EYES OPENED to that TRUTH. FATHER IN HEAVEN, cause this humble servant to understand that I must FEED on TRUTH and allow YOUR SPIRIT to continue to defeat “the enemy”!  Open my EYES to understand “THAT YOU MAY KNOW” needs to be nourished with YOUR WORD!!!

“I WILL SAVE THEM!”

 

Ezekiel 37:15-28                       (ESV)

I Will Be Their GOD; They Shall Be MY People

[15] The word of the LORD came to me: [16] “Son of man, take a stick and write on it, ‘For Judah, and the people of Israel associated with him’; then take another stick and write on it, ‘For Joseph (the stick of Ephraim) and all the house of Israel associated with him.’ [17] And join them one to another into one stick, that they may become one in your hand. [18] And when your people say to you, ‘Will you not tell us what you mean by these?’ [19] say to them, Thus says the LORD GOD: Behold, I am about to take the stick of Joseph (that is in the hand of Ephraim) and the tribes of Israel associated with him. And I will join with it the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, that they may be one in MY hand. [20] When the sticks on which you write are in your hand before their eyes, [21] then say to them, Thus says the LORD GOD: Behold, I will take the people of Israel from the nations among which they have gone, and will gather them from all around, and bring them to their own land. [22] And I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel. And one king shall be king over them all, and they shall be no longer two nations, and no longer divided into two kingdoms. [23] They shall not defile themselves anymore with their idols and their detestable things, or with any of their transgressions. But “I WILL SAVE THEM” from all the backslidings in which they have sinned, and will cleanse them; and they shall be my people, and I will be their GOD.

[24] “My servant David shall be king over them, and they shall all have one shepherd. They shall walk in MY rules and be careful to obey MY statutes. [25] They shall dwell in the land that I gave to MY servant Jacob, where your fathers lived. They and their children and their children’s children shall dwell there forever, and David MY servant shall be their prince forever. [26] I will make a covenant of peace with them. It shall be an everlasting covenant with them. And I will set them in their land and multiply them, and will set MY sanctuary in their midst forevermore. [27] MY dwelling place shall be with them, and I will be their GOD, and they shall be MY people. [28] Then the nations will know that I AM THE LORD WHO sanctifies Israel, when MY sanctuary is in their midst forevermore.””

My FOCUS right now is on::

“The word of the LORD came to me:”

And

“But “I WILL SAVE THEM” from all the backslidings in which they have sinned, and will cleanse them; and they shall be my people, and I will be their GOD.”

“HE HAS CHOSEN YOU!”

 

1 Thessalonians 1:2-10                       (ESV)

The Thessalonians’ Faith and Example

“[2] We give thanks to GOD always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, [3] remembering before our GOD and FATHER your work of FAITH and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our LORD JESUS CHRIST. [4] For we know, brothers loved by GOD, that “HE HAS CHOSEN YOU”, [5] because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the HOLY SPIRIT and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. [6] And you became imitators of us and of the LORD, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the HOLY SPIRIT, [7] SO THAT YOU BECAME AN EXAMPLE TO ALL THE BELIEVERS in Macedonia and in Achaia. [8] For not only has the WORD of the LORD sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your FAITH in GOD has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything. [9] For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to GOD from idols to serve the living and true GOD, [10] and to wait for HIS SON from heaven, WHOM HE raised from the dead, JESUS WHO delivers us from the wrath to come.”

“HE (GOD) HAS CHOSEN YOU!”

The Church at Thessalonica must have been very unique as the Apostle Paul wrote to them “HE HAS CHOSEN YOU”?  The HE that is being referred to is noted just prior when Paul wrote “For we know, brothers “loved by GOD”, that “HE HAS CHOSEN YOU”!  This same Apostle Paul was converted from Saul and GOD changed his physical name to Paul was NO DOUBT CHOSEN in Acts chapter nine on the road to Damascus, yet he found it necessary to write to the Thessalonians explicitly that “HE HAS CHOSEN YOU”!  Had I been told “HE HAS CHOSEN YOU”, my outlook would be greatly enhanced.  The GOD OF CREATION had CHOSEN me to serve HIM???  

A person might need a mental evaluation before trying to convince me that “HE (GOD) HAS CHOSEN ME”?  Why did GOD CHOOSE a Brain Damaged Hemorrhagic Stroke Survivor out of HIS entire CREATION as a representative for HIS KINGDOM?  SURELY, the CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSES, WHO had at HIS behest literally BILLIONS of people to select from, would be able to find someone more “qualified” to represent HIM than me?  Why would GOD choose the least of HIS CREATION to serve HIM!  1 Corinthians 1:27 says very plainly “But GOD chose what is FOOLISH in the world to shame the wise; GOD chose what is WEAK in the world to shame the strong;”!  Maybe GOD uses we who are the least because we SEE that it is HIM that is operating within us, accomplishing HIS WILL despite our infirmities and inabilities???

My comprehension is not the best, so I am required to TRUST HIS WORD to illuminate TRUTH for me.  Verse seven above says “SO THAT YOU BECAME AN EXAMPLE TO ALL THE BELIEVERS in Macedonia and in Achaia.”  My paths probably won’t carry me to Macedonia and Achaia, but GOD has so “orchestrated” my paths that I KNOW HE is in complete CONTROL!  “SO THAT YOU BECAME AN EXAMPLE TO ALL THE BELIEVERS” that are in the path that HE leads me is what I need to remember.  ALMIGHTY GOD gives me the very breath that I breathe (Job 33:4) so that I can fulfill HIS PURPOSE for my life!  My prayer is, and shall be, that “HE HAS CHOSEN YOU” to be an example to all of what JESUS can do with a lowly servant!!!

“MIRACLE FROM GOD!”

 

“MIRACLE FROM GOD!”

John 5:1-9                        (ESV)

The Healing at the Pool on the Sabbath

“[1] After this there was a feast of the Jews, and JESUS went up to Jerusalem.

[2] Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades. [3] In these lay a multitude of invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed. [5] One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. [6] When JESUS saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, HE said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” [7] The sick man answered HIM, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.” [8] JESUS said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” [9] And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked. 

Now that day was the Sabbath.”

A word that I was introduced to while reading the medical records from the Brain Hemorrhage in 2007 is APHASIA.  One dictionary defines the word as “Partial or total loss of the ability to articulate ideas or comprehend spoken or written language, resulting from DAMAGE TO THE BRAIN from injury or disease.”  At first it was uncomfortable to admit that I am BRAIN DAMAGED, but the alternative didn’t leave a tremendous amount of room either!  Whenever I feel disgruntled that I was left with APHASIA, my limited memory reminds me of the writings from medical records in September 2007.  “However, he has had a remarkable recovery that could only be described as a MIRACLE FROM GOD"!  

With these words in mind, how am I to question anything about how ALMIGHTY GOD chose to “restore” my health when the remaining outcome was seemingly not going to be very desirable?  The paralytic at the Pool of Bethesda was in a similar position as I was following my hospitalization.  I was initially unable to walk, speak (very much), or swallow properly, BUT I had THE BEST HEALER working on my behalf, JESUS CHRIST!  

Admitted to the Rehabilitation Hospital on August 09, 2007, I was “hemiplegic” on my right side, a form of trauma induced paralysis that affects either side of the body, often just one arm and one leg, but occasionally with symptoms extending partially into the torso.  I was unable to converse very effectively and had a “peg tube” placed into my stomach so I could receive nutrients from a liquid that was poured directly into my stomach from a can!  Without going through all of the tedious details, 21 MIRACULOUS days later I WALKED OUT OF REHAB with the help of a medical walker, AND DEFINITELY BY THE GRACE OF GOD!  

While watching THE CHOSEN series recently at church, the account of hearing the testimony from the paralyzed man was observed by me, a man at least according to my doctor is a “MIRACLE FROM GOD”!  While my recovery might not be as well known as the one written about in John 5, for we who have lived through “the valley of the shadow of death”, it is both humbling and greatly appreciated that GOD CHOSE ME to do something so MAGNANIMOUS!  While it is TRUTH that I have to be more selective and deliberate in the selection of the words I use, being CHOSEN to be a “MIRACLE FROM GOD” is a BLESSING from ABOVE, one that I am led to TELL others about every opportunity that I get!!!

“STEADFAST UNDER TRIAL!”

 

James 1:12-15                    (ESV)

“[12] Blessed is the man who remains “STEADFAST UNDER TRIAL”, for when he has STOOD THE TEST he will receive the crown of life, which GOD has promised to those who love HIM. [13] Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by GOD,” for GOD cannot be tempted with evil, and HE HIMSELF TEMPTS NO ONE. [14] But each person is tempted when he is LURED AND ENTICED BY HIS OWN DESIRE . [15] Then DESIRE when it has conceived GIVES BIRTH TO SIN, and SIN when it is fully grown BRINGS FORTH DEATH.”

Wintley Phipps, noted pastor and Gospel music singer, once said “It is in the quiet “crucible” of your personal, private sufferings that your noblest dreams are born, and GOD’s greatest gifts are given in compensation for what you’ve been through.” A “crucible” has been defined as “a severe, searching test or trial”!  Having our EYES OPENED to fully understand that TRIALS (difficulties, tests, trying times) aren’t FROM GOD, but are used by GOD to mature us into a vessel that GLORIFIES HIM can be an EXTREMELY difficult experience.  However, these troubling times are invaluable to a Believer when we remain “STEADFAST UNDER TRIAL”!

It can be very easy to become enamored with those who claim that ALMIGHTY GOD desires to make us all wealthy and prosperous.  However, some of the most influential tools in my life have been people who were humble and NOT WEALTHY in the sight of man, but were BLESSED to be used by GOD to assist in my maturity.  Is my seemingly constant “immaturity” then due to a failure of their influence on me?  No, it is a result of “SIN when it is fully grown BRINGS FORTH DEATH”!  

It is my desire to be used by ALMIGHTY GOD to draw Honor and Glory to HIS NAME!  To remain “STEADFAST UNDER TRIAL” will magnify HIS NAME far better than singing a hymn to praying in front of a congregation.  HEAVENLY FATHER, cause this servant to desire to Glorify YOUR NAME and remain “STEADFAST UNDER TRIAL” in every opportunity presented to me!!!

“ENTANGLED!”

 

Exodus 14:1-4                      (KJV)

“1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2 Speak unto the children of Israel, that they turn and encamp before Pihahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, over against Baalzephon: before it shall ye encamp by the sea. 3 For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, THEY ARE “ENTANGLED” in the land, the wilderness HATH SHUT THEM IN. 4 And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, that he shall follow after them; and I will be honoured upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host; that the Egyptians may KNOW that I AM THE LORD. And they did so.”

Most days I prefer using the English Standard Version of the HOLY BIBLE as it is the closest translation of the original text that I have found.  Some days, however, the King James Version SPEAKS precisely what GOD has laid on my heart to be shared.  The Children of Israel had just been FREED from 430 years of bondage to the Egyptians.  ALMIGHTY GOD “spoke” to Moses and explained to him that Pharaoh and the Egyptians would SEE that the CHILDREN OF ISRAEL were trapped by their surroundings and didn’t know how to FREE themselves.  

Of course, we know that the CHILDREN OF ISRAEL were being LED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT and HE was directing Moses to have them “turn and encamp” at the Red Sea.  The CREATOR instructed Moses to “Speak unto the children of Israel, that they turn and encamp” near the Red Sea, and “And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued after the children of Israel” (Exodus 14:8)!  

GOD not only was preparing the CHILDREN OF ISRAEL for their Red Sea experience, HE had to harden the heart of Pharaoh as well!  Just as GOD used the throwing of Joseph in the well before Israel was in captivity, HE would use the Red Sea for HIS GLORY!  Just because we experience trying times, that doesn’t indicate that GOD has left us to figure the best way out by ourselves.   HIS SPIRIT is ready and able, but will we recognize our need for HIS assistance with everything, including breathing??? (Isaiah 42:5). 

One night recently I awoke around 2:30 and could NOT immediately get back to sleep.  The “cares” I was currently dealing with in life were weighing heavy on my heart and mind.  As I begin to search Scriptures for an answer from GOD ABOVE, I was reminded that the CHILDREN OF ISRAEL were in a position where they were THOUGHT to be “ENTANGLED”?  However, “the enemy” was only seeing what GOD allowed them to see?  What GOD ALLOWS our enemy to see and the actual TRUTH is probably different?  We mustn’t allow the TRUTH in our lives to appear as though we are “ENTANGLED”!  ALMIGHTY GOD could be just making “the enemy” THINK we are “ENTANGLED”???

“THE GOD OF PEACE WILL BE WITH YOU!”

 

Philippians 4:4-9                     (ESV)

“[4] Rejoice in the LORD always; again I will say, rejoice. [5] Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The LORD is at hand; [6] do not be anxious ABOUT ANYTHING, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving LET YOUR REQUESTS BE MADE KNOWN TO GOD. [7] And the PEACE OF GOD, WHICH SURPASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING, will guard your hearts and your minds in CHRIST JESUS.

[8] Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, THINK ABOUT THESE THINGS. [9] What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—PRACTICE THESE THINGS, and “THE GOD OF PEACE WILL BE WITH YOU!”.”

Briefly today, “the enemy”, known by most as Satan, has a mission to prevent ALMIGHTY GOD from receiving GLORY from anyone, but primarily from HIS FOLLOWERS!  These six verses of Scripture need to be plastered onto my forehead and etched into my memory as my countenance and demeanor falls into a rut at times when GOD doesn’t WORK on a timeline that I preferred HIM to act.

ALMIGHTY GOD has a PLAN, and we mortals are UNABLE to figure HIM out!  The Children of Israel WAITING at the Red Sea?  Abraham and Sarah WAITING on Isaac?  David WAITING on King Saul to be removed?  Simeon WAITING for “the LORD’S CHRIST”!  Many other instances of man WAITING on GOD are recorded in Scripture, but GOD has YET to fulfill HIS PLAN!  

Because I abide inside of the same human body, my humanity NEEDS to be overridden by THE SPIRIT, BOTH inhabiting my being.  Growing SPIRITUALLY isn’t for the weak in SPIRIT as our humanity is SO very weak!  May “THE GOD OF PEACE WILL BE WITH YOU” as I grow SPIRITUALLY to honor HIM!!!

“CATCH HIM!”

 

Luke 11:45-54                                           (ESV)

“[45] One of the lawyers answered HIM, “TEACHER, in saying these things YOU insult us also.” [46] And HE said, “Woe to you lawyers also! For you load people with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not touch the burdens with one of your fingers. [47] Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets whom your fathers killed. [48] So you are witnesses and you consent to the deeds of your fathers, for they killed them, and you build their tombs. [49] Therefore also the Wisdom of GOD said, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill and persecute,’ [50] so that the blood of all the prophets, shed from the foundation of the world, may be charged against this generation, [51] from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, it will be required of this generation. [52] Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge. You did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering.”

[53] As HE went away from there, the scribes and the Pharisees began to press HIM hard and to provoke HIM to speak about many things, [54] LYING IN WAIT for HIM, to “CATCH HIM” in something HE might say.”

There are those who make it part of their lives to find fault with others, often simply to claim that their point is valid.  Apparently they aren’t concerned with TRUTH, only with how they are perceived to be!  The “lawyers” written about in the Scriptures above illustrate precisely what is being illustrated by them, people who were LYING IN WAIT for JESUS to say something that they could twist for their purposes!  However TRUTH (John 14:6) isn’t something that can be twisted or distorted.  It simply relies on 

According to JESUS, the “lawyers” spoken to by JESUS in the Scriptures above weren’t interested in assisting others with their burdens, only about their position being validated, at least in the opinion of those following them.  HE used Scripture (“The Wisdom of GOD said”) to remind them that they were NOT what their eyes perceived.  

Being aware of what Scripture has to say about a matter is imperative to WALKING IN THE SPIRIT!  The HOLY SPIRIT has the ability within HIM to “gently” remind us, or to abruptly startle us with TRUTH!  Making certain that we aren’t “twisting” Scripture to say what is convenient is something that can be dangerous.  

FATHER IN HEAVEN, cause this uneducated, lowly servant to WAIT ON THE LORD and NOT be trying to “CATCH HIM” into doing what I want, but to do YOUR PLAN for my life!!!

“SIN THAT DWELLS IN ME!”

 

Romans 7:14-20                                 (ESV)

“[14] For we know that the law is spiritual, but I AM OF THE FLESH, sold under sin. [15] “FOR I DO NOT UNDERSTAND MY OWN ACTIONS”. For I DO NOT do what I want, but I DO THE VERY THING I HATE. [16] Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. [17] So now it is no longer I who do it, but SIN THAT DWELLS WITHIN ME. [18] For I know that NOTHING GOOD dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but NOT THE ABILITY TO CARRY IT OUT. [19] For I do not do the good I want, but THE EVIL I DO NOT WANT IS WHAT I KEEP DOING. [20] Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but “SIN THAT DWELLS WITHIN ME”.”

The letter to the church located in the city of Rome was probably written in 57 or 58 A.D., or thereabouts.  Most say JESUS was crucified in the early 30’s, so the letter to the Romans was probably written about 25 years following the Crucifixion of JESUS. Most likely, Saul (later known as Paul) was converted about 6 to 8 years following the crucifixion of JESUS. Assuming these dates are valid, Paul wrote these verses over 20 years after being converted by the HOLY SPIRIT, yet he was left with sin “in his life”, as we all have been.   

The seven verses of Scripture above end with “SIN THAT DWELLS WITHIN ME”.  My limited understanding has always seen Paul as the ultimate BELIEVER, one who I seem to picture as above sin?  What Paul wrote about his weaknesses though, not only in Romans but in several letters, was that “in his weaknesses he was made strong” (2 Corinthians 12:9)!  

My feeble attempt at living “above sin” is frustratingly weak for the most part.  Why can’t I just live a HOLY life, one that exudes JESUS with every breath I am permitted to breathe?  Verse 17 above says “So now it is no longer I who do it, but SIN THAT DWELLS WITHIN ME”.  What I FREQUENTLY need to be reminded of is that JESUS paid the ultimate penalty to REDEEM the lowest of creation and grow me into a man that HE is able to use for HIS GLORY!

Do I facilitate HOLINESS being exhibited in my life, or am I too wrapped up in the cares of “this world” to be made into a vessel that GLORIFIES HIS NAME?  “SIN THAT DWELLS WITHIN ME” can rear its ugly head at the most unexpected moments.  FATHER IN HEAVEN, YOU have worked TREMENDOUSLY HEAVENLY miracles in my life.  Cause me to yield to YOUR guidance and allow the “SIN THAT DWELLS WITHIN ME” to be overcome!!!

“THAT LEADS TO LIFE!”

 

Matthew 7:13-14                           (ESV)

“[13] “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. [14] For the gate is narrow and the way is hard “THAT LEADS TO LIFE”, and THOSE WHO FIND IT ARE FEW.”

The road less traveled????

Recently driving home from out of town the decision was made to take a longer path than was taken driving from home because of the Interstate highway.  The journey is much less stressful!  The two-lane highway has A LOT more “less attentive” driving and my tolerance wasn’t what I needed it to be, so I avoided the temptation of dealing with others!  Traveling the less traveled road can be more challenging than the “easy” way, but a traffic jam or accident would have proven to take more time than taking the shorter distance.  

Almost the entire seventh chapter of Matthew are WORDS spoken by JESUS.  HE lovingly advises us to CHOOSE the path that “avoids” DESTRUCTION, a path that is CHOSEN by MANY!  Why would we “elect” to travel a path that has known “traffic jams” or vehicles broken down?  Maybe because our CREATOR has it in HIS PLAN to USE us in a way that only HE can?  

Personally, I don’t have the wisdom nor intellect to select a path FREE from pitfalls!  While I might “think” that I “know” what is best for my life, only ALMIGHTY GOD “knows” what our future holds!  HE could be leading us down a path where we will be used to GLORIFY HIS NAME that will be TREMENDOUSLY worth our journey?  Only HE “knows” the path “THAT LEADS TO LIFE” and it is our OBEDIENCE to follow HIS lead!!!  TRUSTING JESUS is the way “THAT LEADS TO LIFE”, something I pray that my goal will always be?!?!?

“SLAVES!”

 

Romans 6:15-19                       (ESV)

“SLAVES” to Righteousness

“[15] What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! [16] Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as OBEDIENT “SLAVES”, you are “SLAVES” of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? [17] But thanks be to GOD, that you who WERE ONCE SLAVES OF SIN have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, [18] and, having been SET FREE FROM SIN, have become “SLAVES” OF RIGHTEOUSNESS. [19] I am speaking in human terms, because of your NATURAL LIMITATIONS. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification.”

Never being PHYSICALLY held as a “SLAVE”knowing what having FREEDOM restrained is totally foreign to me.  But being SPIRITUALLY captive as a “SLAVE” to sin is a familiarity that I can attest to!  Not being FREE from sin is a death sentence that can be cured, but ONLY through FAITH in JESUS CHRIST!  

Sin is similar to a cancer!  It can be cut out, poisoned with chemotherapy and radiation, and fought with everything that humans are able to imagine.  However we have no guarantee that the cancer will never return.  The pastor who was preaching when GOD saved my soul experienced this.  He had previously had a cancerous tumor removed from his body, but many years later the cancer returned and ended his physical existence.  He is NO LONGER a “SLAVE” to drugs and treatments as on February 11, 2009 he finished his course on earth and entered his eternal reward!

Being SET FREE from the eternal effects of sin is akin to no longer being a “SLAVE”!  We don’t have to be concerned with eating the right things, avoiding certain exposures, or doing the “right things”!  Celebrating LIFE with NO CANCER would be something that would be fantastic as we all have lost loved ones to numerous types of carcinomas.  FREEDOM from the affects of SIN has that result. When we understand that the SAME JESUS WHO died on Calvary’s cross to forgive our sins ALSO gives us VICTORY over sin in our lives!  

Will I ever get to where I can PHYSICALLY live without sinning?  It has been said that “The closer you get to JESUS, the more imperfections you are able to see”!  1 Peter 2:11 says “Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.”  We MUST ABSTAIN FROM THE PASSIONS OF THE FLESH and refuse to be a “SLAVE” to sin, through the POWER and GRACE of JESUS!!!

ELIJAH THE PROPHET!”

 

2 Chronicles 21:12-15                                  (ESV)

“[12] And a letter came to him (King Jehoram) from “ELIJAH THE PROPHET”, saying, “Thus says the LORD, the GOD of David your father, ‘Because you have not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat your father, or in the ways of Asa king of Judah, [13] but have walked in the way of THE KINGS OF ISRAEL and HAVE ENTICED JUDAH and the inhabitants of Jerusalem INTO WHOREDOM, as the house of Ahab led Israel into whoredom, and also you have killed your brothers, of your father’s house, who were better than you, [14] behold, the LORD will bring a great plague on your people, your children, your wives, and all your possessions, [15] and you yourself will have a severe sickness with a disease of your bowels, until your bowels come out because of the disease, day by day.’””

Elijah might be remembered as one of the two men who have exited “this world” without experiencing physical death.  He and Enoch are the only ones that are described in GODS WORD that “were taken” by GOD without experiencing the trauma of their physical life ending.  My feeble, uneducated mind is unable to fully grasp all of implications of why or how this happened, but the WORD OF GOD says it happened, therefore it is settled!

Jehoram, on the other hand, DID NOT follow GOD.  He led “in the way of THE KINGS OF ISRAEL and HAVE ENTICED JUDAH and the inhabitants of Jerusalem INTO WHOREDOM”!  But I thought THE KINGS OF ISRAEL were known to follow the leadership of GOD?  Surely, through all of the difficult times that GOD delivered them from, it should be CLEAR to them that they should OBEY THE LORD?  SURELY???

Doing WHAT SEEMS right to us and others can be extremely detrimental to our Spiritual health, but also our physical health!  King Jehoram would suffer (some say for two years!) from a “disease of your bowels, until your bowels come out because of the disease”!  He died a, no doubt, MISERABLE death eight years after being elevated to king.  He was the King of Judah, but he couldn’t stave off the JUDGMENT OF GOD ALMIGHTY!

The penalty for sin is NOT something that most of us care to discuss.  Romans 6:23 says DEATH is the recompense for SIN!  But the “free gift” from ALMIGHTY GOD is “eternal life in CHRIST JESUS our LORD“!  We can placate the KINGS OF ISRAEL, but they will not save our souls!  JESUS CHRIST IS MY ONLY HOPE, for I have obliterated the hope of avoiding death, like “ELIJAH THE PROPHET” was able to do!

“ENOCH WALKED WITH GOD!”

 

“ENOCH WALKED WITH GOD!”

Genesis 5:21-24                             (ESV)

“[21] When Enoch had lived 65 years, he fathered Methuselah. [22] Enoch walked with GOD after he fathered Methuselah 300 years and had other sons and daughters. [23] Thus all the days of Enoch were 365 years. [24] “ENOCH WALKED WITH GOD”, and he was not, for GOD took him.”

Observing people who are “successful”, at least through the eyes of “this world”, it can be confusing to identify precisely what characteristic that sets them apart from others.  What is it that “elevates” some noble causes to heights of HOLINESS, able to accomplish MUCH for the Kingdom of GOD, yet still be flawed Spiritually?  (King) David was “a man after GODS OWN heart” (1 Samuel 13:14), yet he yielded to temptation and had an affair with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11), and then had her husband killed in battle WHILE IN SERVICE to David!  

In Genesis 5 it is recorded that “ENOCH WALKED WITH GOD”, meaning that GOD took Enoch to Heaven WITHOUT physical death entering into the equation.  To my knowledge, Hebrews 11:5 (Enoch) and 2 Kings 2:11-12 (Elijah) were instances of GOD “taking” humanity to Heaven without experiencing physical death.  Does this indicate that they lived perfect lives?  Romans 3:23 dispels that notion!  We ALL have sinned, but apparently Elijah and Enoch were not as evil as the rest of us?

When speaking of Enoch, Hebrews 11:5 says “BY FAITH Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death,…”!  Enoch KNEW GOD, he KNEW that GOD was not only THE CREATOR, but HE is the SUSTAINER OF LIFE!  “ENOCH WALKED WITH GOD” not because he HOPED that GOD was real, but because he KNEW GOD WAS REAL!  If I “really” KNEW and UNDERSTOOD that ALMIGHTY GOD was responsible for even the breath I breathe, my choices in life would be so much more HOLY!  “ENOCH WALKED WITH GOD” because he KNEW!!!  

HEAVENLY FATHER, cause this servant’s EYES to SEE more precisely WHO I am following and be in AWE of YOUR guidance in my life!!!

 

“ENMITY WITH GOD!”

 

James 4:1-4                      (ESV)

Warning Against Worldliness

“[1] What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? [2] You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. [3] You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. [4] You adulterous people! Do you not know that FRIENDSHIP WITH THE WORLD is “ENMITY WITH GOD”? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of GOD.”

ENMITY: Deep-seated, often mutual hatred.

One of the most difficult things to do is to knowingly alienate people who live life in OPPOSITION to Scripture, antithetical (or opposite)to THE WORD OF GOD.  This morning I will allow the WORD OF GOD to deliver THE MESSAGE instead of my commentary!  

FRIENDSHIP WITH THE WORLD is “ENMITY WITH GOD”!!!

“YOU ARE OUR FATHER!”

 

Isaiah 64:8-12                       (ESV)

    “[8] 

    But now, O LORD, “YOU ARE OUR FATHER”;

        WE ARE THE CLAY, and YOU ARE OUR POTTER;

        we are all the work of YOUR hand. 

    [9] 

    Be not so terribly angry, O LORD,

        and remember not iniquity forever.

        Behold, please look, we are all YOUR people. 

    [10] 

    YOUR Holy cities have become a wilderness;

        Zion has become a wilderness,

        Jerusalem a desolation. 

    [11] 

    Our holy and beautiful house,

        where our fathers praised YOU,

    has been burned by fire,

        and all OUR PLEASANT PLACES have become ruins. 

    [12] 

    Will YOU restrain YOURSELF at these things, O LORD?

        Will YOU keep silent, and afflict us so terribly?”

In days past it was common to hear the question “who’s your daddy”.   To my knowledge it wasn’t meant to challenge anybody’s heritage as much as it was the “in” thing to ask.  It can be very easy to follow what “this world” uses as examples, especially when humor or acceptance is linked to the actions.  But do we grasp that with every breath we are living a testament that “YOU ARE OUR FATHER” to a lost and dying world?

There is a hymn reportedly written in 1906 which considered Isaiah 64 by the author.  

“Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Thou art the Potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after Thy will,
While I am waiting, yielded and still.”

Like the old hymn, Scripture states that YOU are the Potter, and we are, IN REALITY, simply clay to be formed into whatever GLORIFIES HIM!  By ourselves, we don’t even have the ability to BREATH on our own (Isaiah 42:5), let alone MAKE ourselves successful!  We need to have our EYES OPENED and SEE that HE is more than we could EVER imagine and HIS PLAN for our lives is our only hope for true PEACE!  

We might have to experience a wilderness and desolation?  OUR PLEASANT PLACES might become ruin!  But HE might be leading us to the Red Sea to perform HIS HANDIWORK in our lives and draw GLORY to HIS NAME!  When we acknowledge that “YOU ARE OUR FATHER”, we are proclaiming that WE ARE THE CLAY, and YOU ARE OUR POTTER, and we surrender to YOUR leadership in our lives!!!

“THE LORD LOVES!”

 

Psalm 87:1-2                       (ESV)

Glorious Things of You Are Spoken

A Psalm of the Sons of Korah. A Song.

    “[1] On the Holy mount stands the city HE founded; 

    [2]     “THE LORD LOVES” the gates of Zion

        more than all the dwelling places of Jacob.”

Psalm 87:1 brings fond memories to my mind as GOD spoke to me a few years back through this Scripture.  No, I wasn’t in the Rocky Mountains, nor was I on Mount Sinai in the Middle East.  GOD isn’t limited by anything that our “feeble” minds comprehend.  HE is able to “speak” these worlds into existence, and HE is able to speak to a Brain Damaged human when this broken person is listening for HIS VOICE!  

While remembering times past recently, my mind never considered what Psalm 87:2 was saying, even though it is an extension of Psalm 87:1, signified by a semi-colon.  “THE LORD LOVES” says to me that in John 3 GOD gave HIS ONLY SON for me because I had NO HOPE of spending eternity with HIM.  GOD provided a SPOTLESS SACRIFICE when all I had to offer was “filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6).  HE makes a prize out of junk, and I must focus on what HE has made, instead of what I was!

Remembering where we have come from is something that we must never forget, but we must NEVER FORGET why we have been CHOSEN by our SAVIOR.  “THE LORD LOVES” us so much that HE paid THE ULTIMATE price to afford us LIVING with HIM in HEAVEN!  We are HIS only because we are CHOSEN to be, not because we are worthy!  “THE LORD LOVES” because GOD IS LOVE (1 John 4:8), and we are HIS ONLY because “THE LORD LOVES“!!!