“IS THERE ANYTHING TOO HARD FOR ME!”

 Jeremiah 32:26-30                     (ESV)

“[26] The WORD of the LORD came to Jeremiah: [27] “Behold, I AM THE LORD, the GOD of all flesh. “IS ANYTHING TOO HARD FOR ME?” [28] Therefore, thus says the LORD: Behold, I am giving this city into the hands of the Chaldeans and into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and he shall capture it. [29] The Chaldeans who are fighting against this city shall come and set this city on fire and burn it, with the houses on whose roofs offerings have been made to Baal and drink offerings have been poured out to other gods, to provoke ME to anger. [30] For the children of Israel and the children of Judah have done nothing but evil in MY sight from their youth. The children of Israel have done nothing but provoke ME to anger by the work of their hands, declares the LORD.”

NOBODYS EYES should be OPENED to SEE the MAJESTY OF GOD like mine?  Almost Fifteen years ago I experienced a massive Brain Hemorrhage that could have been fatal, certainly worse than what it wound up???  ALMIGHTY GOD displayed HIS OMNISCIENCE by SLOWING me down to where I HAD to wait on HIM, WHETHER I LIKED IT OR NOT!   

In Jeremiah 32:30, “The children of Israel have done nothing but provoke ME to anger by the work of their hands, declares the LORD” could have been written about me!  My life was operating at a pace that wasn’t healthy for me, nor any other human, as I was doing what I THOUGHT was best FOR ME!  The following Fifteen years GOD has displayed that HE IS THE ONE IN CONTROL, NOT ME!  My EYES are now OPEN to SEE that HE even controls the BREATHS that I am allowed to take, including the deeds that I perform for HIM daily!

Jeremiah lived from c. 650 - c. 570 BC and he was used as a prophet of YAHWEH like few others.  In Jeremiah 32:26 it is written “Behold, I AM THE LORD, the GOD of all flesh. “IS ANYTHING TOO HARD FOR ME?”  GOD didn’t have to get Jeremiah’s attention, but HE needed to display to ALL OF US reading THE WORD that I AM THE LORD!  “IS ANYTHING TOO HARD FOR ME” might have been used by YAHWEH when I was in the seventeen day coma, that HE had EVERYTHING in HIS CONTROL and HE DID NOT NEED ANY ASSISTANCE FROM ME!!!

There are times when I have to be reminded “IS ANYTHING TOO HARD FOR ME?”  When JESUS lives in me, and GOD is living in JESUS (John 17:23), it SHOULD make it very plain!  The CREATOR is working ALL THINGS together for HIS GOOD (Romans 8:28) and HE loved me enough to SUFFER and DIE for me on Calvary!  Hearing “IS THERE ANYTHING TO HARD FOR ME” should remind us of what HE has already done for us in the past, and what HE has PROMISED to do for us as we GLORIFY HIS NAME in the future!!!

“THE GLORY OF THE LORD SHALL BE REVEALED!”

 Isaiah 40:3-5                         (ESV)

    “[3] A voice cries:

    “In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD;

        make straight in the desert a highway for our GOD. 

    [4] EVERY VALLEY shall be lifted up,

        and EVERY MOUNTAIN and hill be made low;

    the uneven ground shall become level,

        and the rough places a plain. 

    [5] And “THE GLORY OF THE LORD SHALL BE REVEALED”,

        and ALL FLESH SHALL SEE it together,

        for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.””

Before the Brain Hemorrhage in 2007 I had the mentality of being a person who “made things happen”!  Sometimes those things turned out to be “good”, but sometimes the results weren’t what I desired.  There seem to ALWAYS be a harvest time for the seeds that we plant, it’s just that my focus wasn’t on the bad seeds that I HASTILY was sewing!  But when GOD “gently” caused my brain to leak on July 09, 2007, my thoughts were not driven as before, they were seemingly sporadic with no focus nor purpose???

A little more than five years later, after trying to get “back into the groove” for years, ALMIGHTY GOD led me to a place in life where HE changed my course!  The Brain Hemorrhage was huge, but getting me to the point where I was able to “BE STILL, AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD” was IN CONTROL of everything was a LIFE CHANGING event!!!  

EVERY VALLEY and EVERY MOUNTAIN shall be used as a TEACHING POINT in our lives is what I am SEEING almost 15 years later!  CREATION doesn’t center on my finite, Brain Damaged mind!  GOD has a PLAN, a FANTASTIC, DELIBERATE PLAN that we are NOT REQUIRED to understand nor comprehend!  One of the GREATEST BLESSINGS of HIS CREATION is that “THE GLORY OF THE LORD SHALL BE REVEALED” to us, and it is usually when we SLOW DOWN and recognize that our frail humanity is NOT part of the HOLINESS OF GOD! 

When JESUS CHRIST came to earth HE COMPLETED HIS PLAN to inhabit our bodies through the HOLY SPIRIT.  Understanding the intricacies of this process is beyond my current Brain Damaged mind, but that doesn’t make it any less REAL!  “THE GLORY OF THE LORD SHALL BE REVEALED” whether we are ready to HEAR or SEE IT!  GOD might have to place us in a coma to get us ready for what HE has PLANNED???  

“STAY DRESSED FOR ACTION!”

 

Luke 12:35-40                                     (ESV)

You Must Be Ready

“[35] “STAY DRESSED FOR ACTION” and keep your lamps burning, [36] and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks. [37] Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them. [38] If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, BLESSED ARE THOSE SERVANTS! [39] But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into. [40] You also must be ready, for the SON of MAN is coming at an HOUR YOU DO NOT EXPECT.””

With the news being swamped by stories of the tragic deaths in the lower portion of Texas, there isn’t a lot to say to calm and console those who have suffered a loss from the despicable acts.  These were children, supposedly trusting school officials to keep them safe from a reported 18 year old young man who was killed by an official, but after he killed more than 20 people.

Almost the entire chapter of Luke 12 (59 total verses) is text spoken by our CREATOR, noted in my BIBLE by Red Letters.  For me, when JESUS speaks, people should listen!  The verses captioned in the passages today begins with “STAY DRESSED FOR ACTION”!  JESUS is instructing us to “STAY DRESSED FOR ACTION”, but HE doesn’t say that we should allow evil to progress without recourse.  ETERNAL JUDGMENT is nothing that can be duplicated by humans.  It is better left to the ONE WHO is capable of doing what ONLY HE can do!

In our humanity, we tend to respond to calamity with even more calamity.  It has to be very difficult to determine precisely what needs to be done to treat the wounds of an event so tragic with a mind that isn’t affected by the hurt caused by the mayhem.  As an older person who has lived through many “catastrophes”, we MUST “STAY DRESSED FOR ACTION” while we TRUST JESUS with recompensing the deeds.

There is a meme regarding this tragic event that says “thoughts & prayers” with a line drawn through it and “policy & change” written beneath??  While I am not the brightest bulb in the socket, it is very clear to me that “thoughts & prayers” isn’t something that we need to give up on.  We need to “STAY DRESSED FOR ACTION”, but also pray that ALMIGHTY GOD protect and preserve our posterity.  HE is FAR MORE CAPABLE of exacting adequate punishment than mankind is!!!

“DO NOT BE ANXIOUS!”

 Matthew 6:25-33                     (ESV)

“DO NOT BE ANXIOUS”

[25] “”Therefore I tell you, “DO NOT BE ANXIOUS” about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? [26] Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your HEAVENLY FATHER feeds them. ARE YOU NOT MORE VALUE THAN THEY? [27] And which of you by being ANXIOUS can add a single hour to his span of life? [28] And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, [29] yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. [30] But if GOD so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will HE not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? [31] Therefore “DO NOT BE ANXIOUS”, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ [32] For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your HEAVENLY FATHER knows that you need them all. [33] But SEEK FIRST the KINGDOM OF GOD and HIS righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

Speaking as a Brain Hemorrhage survivor puts me in a category that most will never experience.  The fact that I have recovered so fully and completely is best stated in my medical records of September 2007 when my physician stated “The fact that he has recovered the way he has is nothing short of a MIRACLE FROM GOD"!  Since I HAVE this “recovery” as an almost constant reminder of HIS GRACE, HOW am I EVER questioning HIS interest in HIS future PLAN for my life???  

If anyone should have CONFIDENCE in THE LORDS abilities to “make a way”, it should be me!  But I have to confess that I am mortal, needing a constant reminder that HE IS ABLE and I AM NOT!!!  Even though my life has PROVEN HIS GRACE many times over, I still want to have knowledge of THE PLAN has in store for me!  Isaiah 42:5 says “THUS SAYS GOD, the LORD, WHO created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, WHO GIVES BREATH TO THE PEOPLE ON IT and Spirit to those who walk in it:”. When will my EYES be OPENED and FAITH be displayed into a life that has been BLESSED as graciously as mine to the point that I TRUST HIM completely???

“DO NOT BE ANXIOUS” SHOULD be etched GREATLY into my heart and mind as I walk through my life on earth!  GOD wants me (us) to TRUST HIM, but I (we) want to be able to SEE the way before taking a step!  I NEED to “DO NOT BE ANXIOUS” about how HE is going to do what HE says HE will do and display FAITH that HE WILL DO precisely what HE SAYS HE WILL DO!!!

“I AM THE DOOR”!

 

John 10:1-9                     (ESV)

I AM the Good Shepherd

“[1] “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. [2] But he who enters by the door is the SHEPHERD of the sheep. [3] To him the GATEKEEPER opens. The sheep hear HIS voice, and HE calls HIS OWN sheep by name and leads them out. [4] When HE has brought out all HIS own, HE goes before them, and the sheep follow HIM, for they know HIS voice. [5] A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” [6] This figure of speech JESUS used with them, but THEY DID NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT HE WAS SAYING to them.

[7] So JESUS again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, “I AM THE DOOR” of the sheep. [8] All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. [9] “I AM THE DOOR”. If anyone enters by ME, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.”

The LIFE OF JESUS is NOT always understood.    THEY DID NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT HE WAS SAYING (John 10:6) to them could probably be written about everything HE said during HIS time on earth.  Regardless of our human “preparedness”, we are not able to SEE things unless our EYES are opened to SEE them by DIVINE intervention!  In the passage of Scripture above JESUS was speaking to THE JEWS, the hierarchy of the JEWISH FAITH who placed their faith in who they were physically instead of WHO they were or weren’t SPIRITUALLY!  

In John 8:58 “JESUS said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.”  HE didn’t attempt to “convince” the top members of THE JEWS. In John 3:1 it is written “Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of THE JEWS”.  A “ruler of THE JEWS” was asking JESUS how he could experience ETERNAL LIFE?  Nicodemus came to JESUS “by night” apparently because he didn’t want to be seen associating with JESUS, but he wanted WHAT JESUS offered, ETERNAL LIFE!!!  John 6:44 says “No one can come to ME unless the FATHER WHO sent ME draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.”  

A VERY REVEALING point is that ALMIGHTY GOD is the GATEKEEPER and JESUS is the SHEPHERD in John 10:2-3.  The “deceivers” (thieves and robber) are NOT ALLOWED to enter the gate for ALMIGHTY GOD controls who is permitted entrance!  ONLY TRUTH (John 14:6) is welcomed into the fold as JESUS paid the ULTIMATE PRICE to defeat the enemy at Calvary!  That is precisely why HE states in John 14:6 “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH ME.”  There is NO OTHER WAY, NO OTHER TRUTH, and NO OTHER LIFE!!!

JESUS culminated this dialogue by saying “I AM THE DOOR”!  If ANYONE enters by ME, HE WILL BE SAVED!  ALMIGHTY GOD is the GATEKEEPER and JESUS is the SHEPHERD!  Nobody can improve the PLAN set forth by THE CREATOR!  We are SAVED and PRESERVED by GOD and no one can circumvent HIS wishes!  HIS CHOSEN will exemplify that “I AM THE DOOR” is the ONLY WAY into HEAVEN!!!

“RAHAB and RUTH!”

 Matthew 1:5-6                         (ESV)

“[5] and Salmon the father of Boaz by “RAHAB”, and Boaz the father of Obed by “RUTH”, and Obed the father of Jesse, [6] and Jesse the father of David the king. 

And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah,”

It is understandable that Rahab might have been remembered as “Rahab the harlot” in the wall in the early chapters of the book of Joshua.  But Rahab had FAITH according to Hebrews 11:31!

On the other hand, Ruth was “of the women of Moab” (approximately where modern day Jordan is) who married Boaz (after her previous husband died) and gave birth to Obed, the grandfather of King David, “a man after GOD’S OWN heart”!!  Ruth wasn’t an Israeli, but she is listed in the lineage of JESUS because she was FAITHFUL!  

King David, King Solomon, Father Abraham are all a part of the the lineage of JESUS.  Likewise I am part of this LINEAGE as John 17:23 says “I (JESUS) in them and YOU (GOD THE FATHER) in ME (JESUS), that they (“those who will Believe in ME (John 17:20)) may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent ME and loved them even as YOU loved ME.”  

Just because we are poor, fatherless, with very little notoriety does not indicate that we aren’t going to be used by ALMIGHTY GOD to accomplish HIS PURPOSE!  “RAHAB” and RUTH” are mentioned in the above passage of Scripture to confirm that GOD uses “the least” for HIS GLORY!  “RUTH” was gathering “tares” that were left behind for the helpless, but GOD sent Boaz where he needed to be to SEE her!  

DO NOT BE DECEIVED (Galatians 6:7;James 1:16), GOD will use IMPERFECT people for HIS GLORY and to accomplish HIS PURPOSE!  “RAHAB” and RUTH” are wonderful examples that GOD isn’t limited by the thoughts and minds of mankind!!!

“BE STILL, AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD!”

 Psalms 46:10                         (KJV)

“BE STILL, AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD”:  I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Above are some “Messages” THE LORD has sent me during my journey in serving HIM.  Psalms 46:10 (KJV) was given to me following the Brain Hemorrhage because I was in a coma for 17 days, and you can’t do anything else BUT Be Still!!!  Having my EYES OPENED to SEE the TRUTH that HE IS the ONE WHO is in CONTROL (not me!) and I need to stay out of HIS way!  I then saw the post about “let go” and how I probably needed to permit HIM to be ALMIGHTY GOD and stop trying to do things “on my own”!!!  Can you SEE what HE was/is trying to get me to SEE???

Far too often in my HASTE to “get results” I find myself trying to assist ALMIGHTY GOD, doing what “I think” HE needs me to accomplish.  GOD doesn’t need anyone or anything to prove that HE is THE CREATOR!  HE made “this world” and everything (including us!) that exists in it and we need to let HIM BE GOD all by HIMSELF.  

Probably the most difficult lesson that I am having to learn is that GOD doesn’t need ANYTHING from me to accomplish HIS PURPOSE!  HE created EVERYTHING by simply stating “And GOD said”, and this was without any human assistance!  If GOD can CREATE by HIMSELF, I simply need to WAIT FOR HIM to perform HIS PLAN!  

No matter how much I “want to help”, GOD sometimes REQUIRES us to “BE STILL, AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD”.  HE will be inside of us (John 17:23) if we surrender CONTROL and DOESN’T require ANY assistance!!   All we need to do is “BE STILL,  AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD”!!!

“WHO HAS QUALIFIED YOU!”

 

Colossians 1:9-14                       (ESV)

“[9] And so, from the day we heard, we HAVE NOT CEASED TO PRAY FOR YOU, asking that you may be FILLED WITH THE KNOWLEDGE of HIS will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, [10] so as to walk in a manner worthy of the LORD, fully pleasing to HIM: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of GOD; [11] being strengthened with all power, according to HIS glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; [12] giving thanks to the FATHER, “WHO HAS QUALIFIED YOU” to share in the inheritance of the saints in LIGHT. [13] HE has DELIVERED US FROM THE DOMAIN OF DARKNESS and transferred us to the KINGDOM OF HIS BELOVED SON, [14] in whom we have REDEMPTION, the FORGIVENESS OF SINS.”

One of my favorite passages of Scripture is Colossians 1:15-20.  Acknowledging that CHRIST is the IMAGE OF GOD and that HE HOLDS ALL THINGS TOGETHER is something that constantly uplifts this wretch of a man.  The WORD that speaks to me today is “the FATHER, “WHO HAS QUALIFIED YOU” to be one of the CHOSEN by HIM and to GLORIFY HIS SON!  

It must be acknowledged that “I’m just a sinner saved by Grace”, although my yearnings are FAR different than before I was CHOSEN.  However, even though my desire is to live a life that Glorifies JESUS, the result is mostly FAR SHORT of what is required.  That is the PURPOSE of the sacrifice paid by JESUS on Calvary’s cross, to provide a way for this broken vessel to REFLECT the GLORY of CHRIST to a lost and dying world!  

Is it because I write these few words on occasion that I am “worthy” of being CHOSEN to SERVE HIM?  There is NOTHING that any can do that will JUSTIFY us before a HOLY GOD.  An eloquent sermon, a huge monetary gift, even giving our life for another will not be sufficient to cover our sin debt.  The Sacrifice of JESUS is the ONLY PRICE that will ever be SUFFICIENT before a HOLY GOD.  THE FATHER, in HIS infinite Wisdom, knew how vile and wretched I would be, yet HIS SON paid the MASSIVE PRICE for my Salvation and all I have to do is TRUST in HIS PLAN for my life!!!

The FATHER, “WHO HAS QUALIFIED YOU” to share in the inheritance of the saints in LIGHT has a PLAN, and I am BLESSED to be a part of that PLAN!  Not because I have qualified, or merited HIS FAVOR, but because of HIS MERCY!  I deserve JUDGMENT, but JESUS paid a debt HE did not owe so that I would be able to spend eternity with HIM, and with the ONE “WHO HAS QUALIFIED YOU”!!!

“I HAVE CHOSEN!”

Isaiah 43:8-9                              (ESV)

    “[8] Bring out the people who are blind, yet have eyes,

        who are deaf, yet have ears! 

    [9] All the nations gather together,

        and the peoples assemble.

    Who among them can declare this,

        and show us the former things?

    Let them bring their witnesses to prove them right,

        and let them hear and say, It is true. 

   [10] “You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD,

        “and MY servant whom “I HAVE CHOSEN”,

    that you may know and believe ME

        and understand that I AM HE.

    Before ME no god was formed,

        nor shall there be any after ME.”

    

In my earlier days I considered that being a part of the “people who are blind” must be a frustrating situation, for you aren’t able to SEE the beauty you experience in life?  Equally frustrating must be having ears, yet not being able to hear the sounds of the society that we are placed?  Contemplating NOT BEING ABLE to hear a loved one saying that they loved you, or seeing them show you how much they care has to be almost debilitating!  

There are those who cannot SEE nor HEAR the things of GOD, they are unable to comprehend that THE CREATOR is longing to “abide in me” (John 15:4)!  The problem is that sometimes we have a preconceived notion of what we expect to SEE and HEAR from GOD that HE has adjust our EYESIGHT and HEARING to RECEIVE what HE is trying to get across to us?  

Not that GOD had no other options, but in July 2007 HE placed me in a coma for 17 days to get my attention.  Did I HEAR HIM immediately?  No, for I was operating at a pace that I “refused” to “BE STILL, AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD”!  Following my “recovery”, I began trying to get back in the same “rat-race” from which I had just been DELIVERED!  

It has taken almost 15 years since my brain developed a leak, something that was 80% fatal at the time.  My EYES and EARS have been OPENED to SEE and HEAR what THE SPIRIT is saying to me!  ALMIGHTY GOD, OUR CREATOR, is saying “I HAVE CHOSEN” you to serve ME, “that you may know and believe ME and understand that I AM HE”!

“THEIR EYES WERE OPENED!”

 

Luke 24:28-35                        (ESV)

“[28] So they drew near to the village to which they were going. HE acted as if HE were going farther, [29] but they urged HIM strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So HE went in to stay with them. [30] When HE was at table with them, HE took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. [31] And “THEIR EYES WERE OPENED”, and THEY RECOGNIZED HIM. And HE VANISHED from THEIR SIGHT. [32] They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while HE talked to us on the road, while HE opened to us the Scriptures?” [33] And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, [34] saying, “The LORD has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” [35] Then they told what had happened on the road, and how HE WAS KNOWN TO THEM in the breaking of the bread.”

Just because we cannot comprehend what we are involved with, maybe even explicitly, DOES NOT indicate that OUR EYES will not be OPENED to TRUTH later on as we PROGRESS through our lives?  In Luke 24:15-16 it is written “While they were talking and discussing together, JESUS HIMSELF drew near and went with them.  But THEIR EYES WERE KEPT FROM RECOGNIZING HIM.”  Cleopas and his companion were walking on the Road to Emmaus (about seven miles from Jerusalem) when they were “joined” by JESUS HIMSELF!  “Cleopas was not one of the Twelve, but some have surmised that he was one of the seventy (Luke 10). Scripture does not give us any details about Cleopas other than he and an unknown disciple saw the risen Lord on their way to Emmaus” says one commentary.  But one thing is undeniable, THEIR EYES WERE KEPT FROM RECOGNIZING HIM (JESUS) until “THEIR EYES WERE OPENED”, and THEY RECOGNIZED HIM!!!

A fellow BELIEVER IN CHRIST once was expounding to me about 2 Corinthians 5:16-17 and how the Apostle Paul’s EYES WERE OPENED to TRUTH and JESUS CHRIST had “eliminated” racial hostilities through HIS sacrifice for ALL SIN!  Accepting what my friend had made known to himself didn’t happen immediately AS MY MIND WAS MOVING TOO QUICKLY TO COMPREHEND WHAT WAS BEING SAID!  Over time I was able to understand what ONLY GOD was getting through my understanding!  But ONLY because “THEIR EYES WERE OPENED”!!!

Cleopas and his friend could not SEE JESUS, even though HE was walking IN THEIR MIDST!  THE CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSES was on the Road to Emmaus, yet their EYES were not OPENED until HE was vanishing from their sight!  To my knowledge, SPIRITUAL ENLIGHTENMENT isn’t something that is replicated precisely the same way at exactly the same time in everyone’s life.  When the HOLY SPIRIT reveals to your heart THE TRUTH, I pray that you will be receptive and SEE THE NEED for a SAVIOR!  “THEIR EYES WERE OPENED “ will then have a NEW meaning for you!!!

“I WILL CALL UPON YOU!”

 

Psalm 17:6-7                          (ESV)

    “[6] “I WILL CALL UPON YOU”, FOR YOU WILL ANSWER ME, O GOD;

        INCLINE YOUR EAR TO ME; HEAR MY WORDS. 

    [7] Wondrously show YOUR steadfast love,

        O SAVIOR of those who seek refuge

        from their adversaries at YOUR right hand.”

Like many of the Psalms, this one has a statement written by King David, “a man after GOD’s OWN heart” (1 Samuel 13:14) stating his BELIEF that GOD will hear his prayers!  For the earthly dweller, relying on the things of earth to deliver us from entrapments that can seem to be earthly, but are originated by the SPIRITUAL.  And when the totality of our complexities are considered, WHO else would we prefer to communicate with about our trials than our CREATOR???

King David only lived for 70 years on earth.  He didn’t have a long tenure as a Ruler, but he IS/WAS considered “a man after GOD’s OWN HEART” (1 Samuel 13:14) by most people, but more importantly by GOD ALMIGHTY.  What more can a human desire than to have THE CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSES to actually LISTEN to them when we approach HIM?  WHO else would we prefer than to have the ONE WHO SPOKE these worlds into existence (Romans 4:16-25)?  

Yet we get so concerned with “the cares of this world” that we place our FAITH in earthly things and seemingly forget ALL ABOUT the CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSES patiently waiting for us to “pull over” and converse with HIM!  “I WILL CALL UPON YOU”, FOR YOU WILL ANSWER ME, O GOD; INCLINE YOUR EAR TO ME; HEAR MY WORDS” is what King David KNEW GOD to be!  But even he needed to be reminded that “I WILL CALL UPON YOU” was THE option that he needed to rely upon!

“I WILL CALL UPON YOU” needs to be our priority, not our failsafe!  For me, I get so caught up in GETTING THINGS DONE QUICKLY that I fail to SEE JESUS just waiting for me to PULL OVER and “I WILL CALL UPON YOU”!  FATHER IN HEAVEN, cause this humble servant to keep at the forefront of my mind to say “I WILL CALL UPON YOU” and not keep it as a reflex to calamity!!!

“FREE GIFT!”

 

Romans 6:20-23                         (ESV)

“[20] For when YOU WERE SLAVES of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. [21] But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. [22] But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of GOD, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. [23] For THE WAGES OF SIN is death, but the “FREE GIFT” of GOD is eternal life in CHRIST JESUS our LORD.”

Seeking to be “a success” is only attainable through being led and guided by THE CREATOR of THE UNIVERSES!  Mankind has a terrible unholy trait that is enunciated in Romans 3:23 where the Apostle Paul writes “for ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of GOD”!   JESUS, like only HE can, has CHOSEN (Matthew 22:14) a few of HIS CREATION to further HIS KINGDOM, not because we are better than others, but because we have DIED TO SELF (Luke 9:23) and welcome HIM to live inside of us!

A “FREE GIFT” isn’t something that you earn through great sacrifice.  The next chapter of Romans illustrates the “FREE GIFT” very astutely.  Romans 7:4 says “Likewise, my brothers, YOU ALSO HAVE DIED TO THE LAW through the body of CHRIST, so that you may belong to another, to HIM WHO has been raised from the dead, IN ORDER THAT WE MAY BEAR FRUIT FOR GOD.”  We are CHOSEN to die in order to BEAR FRUIT FOR GOD,.

My grandfather was a very successful gardener.  He was able to make things grow in the most difficult situations.  OUR CREATOR can GROW the vilest,ugliest, most inept beings to be USED to GLORIFY HIS NAME in the most miraculous ways imaginable!  It is ONLY through HIS “FREE GIFT” that anyone HE has CHOSEN can do what HIS PLAN is for them!!!

“IN THEIR TIME!”

 Luke 1:5-25                              (ESV)

Birth of John the Baptist Foretold

“[5] In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. [6] And they were both righteous before GOD, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the LORD. [7] But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.

[8] Now while he was serving as priest before GOD when his division was on duty, [9] according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the LORD and burn incense. [10] And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. [11] And there appeared to him an angel of the LORD standing on the right side of the altar of incense. [12] And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. [13] But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. [14] And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, [15] for he will be great before the LORD. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the HOLY SPIRIT, even from his mother’s womb. [16] And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the LORD their GOD, [17] and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”

[18] And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” [19] And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of GOD, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you THIS GOOD NEWS. [20] And behold, YOU WILL BE SILENT and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, BECAUSE YOU DID NOT BELIEVE MY WORDS, which WILL BE FULFILLED “IN THEIR TIME”.” [21] And the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they were wondering at his delay in the temple. [22] And when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple. And he kept making signs to them and remained mute. [23] And when his time of service was ended, he went to his home.

[24] After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she kept herself hidden, saying, [25] “Thus the LORD has done for me in the days when HE looked on me, to TAKE AWAY MY REPROACH AMONG PEOPLE.””

Zechariah and Elizabeth “were up in years” in the passage of Scripture we are looking at today.  Gabriel, an archangel, was sent by ALMIGHTY GOD to DELIVER a MESSAGE to Zechariah, but the MESSAGE was difficult to accept because it took EXCEEDING amount of FAITH!  Zechariah and Elizabeth were “both advanced in years” and were IN MANS EYES probably past their childbearing years.  Gabriel brought Zechariah GOOD NEWS, but Zechariah could not wrap his mind around the TRUTH that Gabriel was delivering to him.  

The MESSAGE from Gabriel was emphatic and precise!  “I am Gabriel.  I stand in the presence of GOD, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you THIS GOOD NEWS. And behold, YOU WILL BE SILENT and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, BECAUSE YOU DID NOT BELIEVE MY WORDS, which WILL BE FULFILLED “IN THEIR TIME”!  Zechariah wasn’t a novice, someone who was unfamiliar with the things of GOD, yet he had a problem understanding HOW GOD was going to do what Gabriel said HE was going to do!  Because of his lack of FAITH, Zechariah was muted until “IN THEIR TIME” became a REALITY! 

When the OMNISCIENT, OMNIPRESENT, and OMNIPOTENT GOD OF THE UNIVERSES gives a MESSAGE that HE is going to do something, HE isn’t limited by science or historical perspectives!  GOD’S WORD will be FULFILLED “IN THEIR TIME”, regardless of how UNBELIEVABLE they appear!  Don’t worry about whether it is too late in human eyes.  Let GOD’S WORD come about “IN THEIR TIME”!!!

“THE LORD YOUR GOD IS IN YOUR MIDST!”

 

Zephaniah 3:14-17                      (ESV)

Israel’s Joy and Restoration

    “[14] Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion;

        shout, O Israel!

    Rejoice and exult with all your heart,

        O daughter of Jerusalem! 

    [15] The LORD has taken away the judgments against you;

        HE HAS CLEARED AWAY YOUR ENEMIES.

    The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst;

        you shall never again fear evil. 

    [16] On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem:

    “Fear not, O Zion;

        LET NOT YOUR HANDS GROW WEAK. 

    [17] “THE LORD YOUR GOD IS IN YOUR MIDST”,

        a mighty ONE WHO will save;

    HE will rejoice over you with gladness;

        HE will quiet you by HIS LOVE;

    HE will exult over you with loud singing.””

Seeing the caption over the verses above (Israel’s Joy and Restoration) is a GREAT COMFORT to this lowly servant!  “THE LORD YOUR GOD IS IN YOUR MIDST” allows me to SEE that even though I am “the foremost” (1 Timothy 1:15) of sinners, JESUS CHRIST will NEVER leave me (Hebrews 13:5-6)!  

Is it because I live my life in a WORTHY manner, free from the affects of sin?  Hardly!!!  I am astounded by HIS LOVE and MERCY that is forever restoring me into a RIGHT RELATIONSHIP with HIM, even though I fail HIM daily!  

The third verse of “THE LOVE OF GOD” (1917) expresses so eloquently what is on my heart this morning:

“Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade;
To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry;
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.”

“THE LORD YOUR GOD IS IN YOUR MIDST” is a PROMISE that I can NOT afford to allow “the enemy” to HIDE from my memory!  Even though my Exodus Journey carries me through various temptations and trials, remembering “THE LORD YOUR GOD IS IN YOUR MIDST” needs to be etched in my mind!  Having THE CREATOR with us is the GREATEST BLESSING of living for CHRIST!!!

“HE PUT ALL THINGS!”

 

Ephesians 1:15-23                      (ESV)

Thanksgiving and Prayer

“[15] For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the LORD JESUS and your love toward all the saints, [16] I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, [17] that the GOD of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, the FATHER of GLORY, may give you the SPIRIT of WISDOM and of REVELATION in the knowledge of HIM, [18] having THE EYES OF YOUR HEARTS ENLIGHTENED, that you may know what is the hope to which HE has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, [19] and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might [20] that HE worked in CHRIST when HE raised HIM from the dead and seated HIM at his right hand in the heavenly places, [21] far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. [22] And “HE PUT ALL THINGS” under HIS feet and gave HIM as head over all things to the church, [23] which is HIS body, the fullness of HIM WHO fills all in all.”

Our perception of how life is progressing doesn’t instill tremendous joy and confidence that everything is under control!  Even in my life I fall to SEE how the worsening of EVERYTHING is fulfilling THE PLAN OF GOD.  The subtitle of the passage of Scripture today states “Thanksgiving and Prayer”!  How are we supposed to give “Thanksgiving and Prayer” when we SEE society devolving into utter darkness with seemingly no concern?

In verse 20 above Scripture records “…HE worked in CHRIST when HE raised HIM from the dead and seated HIM at his right hand in the heavenly places,”.  ALMIGHTY GOD planned, caused, and orchestrated everything in the past and has the future ALL figured out to GLORIFY HIM, despite the unbelief of HIS of some.  The “gut wrenching” thing is that I AM A BELIEVER, yet there are times my actions do NOT display that I KNOW that HE IS IN CONTROL???

Obedience to the SPIRIT OF GOD can be a difficult conundrum! We should KNOW that “HE PUT ALL THINGS” under HIS feet and gave HIM as head over all things to the church”, yet we act as though HE is as surprised by our sins (or our obedience!) as we are disappointed by our actions???  Ephesians 1:4 is readily available for us AND SAYS “even as HE CHOSE US in HIM BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD, that we should be holy and blameless before HIM”!  Why did HE CHOOSE US when HE could have chosen any of the CREATED to serve HIM?  John 3:16 begins with the answer, “FOR GOD SO LOVED”!!!

JESUS is the head over ALL THINGS!!!  ALL means ALL!  HE allows each of us to breathe even when we are rebellious and self-serving!  “HE PUT ALL THINGS” in order to serve HIM.  We need to understand that ALL THINGS means ALL THINGS, not just what we want to give HIM!!!