“HE WAS AFRAID TO LOOK AT GOD!”

 Exodus 3:1-6                             (ESV)

The Burning Bush

“[1] Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of GOD. [2] And the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. [3] And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, WHY THE BUSH IS NOT BURNED.” [4] When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, GOD called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” [5] Then HE said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” [6] And HE said, “I am the GOD of your father, the GOD of Abraham, the GOD of Isaac, and the GOD of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, “FOR HE WAS AFRAID TO LOOK AT GOD”.”

This morning is kind of special for me.  It is the 92nd anniversary of the birth of my mother.  It also is the 15th anniversary of being brought out of a coma!  Emotions aren’t as deep as I thought they would be.  As a matter of fact, I almost seem “disconnected” as I write these words???

Moses might have been in a similar situation at Mount Horeb in the Scriptures above?  He was about to have an encounter with THE CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSES and he was a murderer who fled from Egypt many years prior to avoid the consequences of his actions.  He must have been ashamed of himself knowing that ALMIGHTY GOD knows ALL, including his past actions of slaying an Egyptian so many years ago.  

GOD used Moses to deliver HIS people from Egyptian captivity, not because he was blameless, but because he was CHOSEN!  Moses even tried letting GOD know of his “imperfections”, but GOD used him anyway!  This demonstrates to me that even though I am Brain Damaged and the worst among sinners (1 Timothy 1:15), GOD IS ABLE to use me to GLORIFY HIS NAME to a lost and dying world!

Could it be that I am “ashamed” of who I am and what I have YET to become when I SEE who I am, even though I am the beneficiary of SO MUCH of GOD’S GRACE???  One might imagine that I would acknowledge that GOD IS SUPREME from the path I have been assigned?  Although like Paul I am the worst of sinners, it is my aim to never be one that is labeled “FOR HE WAS AFRAID TO LOOK AT GOD”!!!  HE hasn’t abandoned me, and I MUST remember that!!!

“FAN INTO FLAME!”

 2 Timothy 1:6-7                       (ESV)

“[6] For this reason I remind you to “FAN INTO FLAME” the GIFT OF GOD, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, [7] for GOD gave us a SPIRIT NOT OF FEAR but of POWER and LOVE and SELF-CONTROL.”

One year ago I shared 2 Timothy 1:7, “for GOD gave us a SPIRIT NOT OF FEAR but of POWER and LOVE and SELF-CONTROL.”  Just as the Apostle Paul found it necessary to remind Timothy that fear is from “the enemy” and from GOD, I have TRUTH constantly infused into my life!  The cares of “this world” has the affects of diluting our FAITH in GOD ALMIGHTY to a position where we are consumed with them rather than Philippians 4:8 and “think on these things”!

Have you ever attempted to begin a fire during a driving rainstorm?  Commencing a fire is usually done with dry materials and no wind involved?  But when ALMIGHTY GOD is behind the ignition of a fire, HE isn’t restrained by the cares of “this world”, rather HE works IN SPITE OF them!  When GOD ALMIGHTY acts as ONLY HE can, there is NO DOUBT that the results are from HIM!  

“FAN INTO FLAME” gives the impression that whomever is FANNING is beginning the FLAME?  But the next few words (the GIFT OF GOD) set the story straight!  Our Salvation is so INCREDIBLY DIVINE that we could NEVER accept any credit for what has transpired. “FAN INTO FLAME” will NEVER happen unless there is the GIFT OF GOD there to begin with!  

A man by the name of Kurt Kaiser wrote a song entitled “PASS IT ON”.  The chorus goes “It only takes a spark to get a fire going, and soon all those around can warm up in its glowing. That's how it is with GOD's love once you've experienced it; you spread his love to everyone; you want to pass it on.”  My prayer is that I will “FAN INTO FLAME” the spark that GOD has begun and NOT try to start my own fire!!!

“RUTH AND BOAZ!”

 Ruth 4:13-17                        (ESV)

Ruth and Boaz Marry

“[13] So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife. And he went in to her, and the LORD gave her conception, and she bore a son. [14] Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the LORD, who has not left you this day without a redeemer, and may his name be renowned in Israel! [15] He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age, for your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has given birth to him.” [16] Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her lap and became his nurse. [17] And the women of the neighborhood gave him a name, saying, “A son has been born to Naomi.” They named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.”

From my PRAYER LIST::

Sunday May 08, 2022 at 9:49 in Sunday School Ruth going from destitution to marrying Boaz!!!  BECAUSE OF GOD’S PLAN 

Some rather interesting tidbits about Ruth and Boaz!  

Ruth was INITIALLY married to Naomi’s son who died, along with her father-in-law and brother-in-law.  

Ruth remained with Naomi, assisting in her (gleaning) dilemma of being destitute, poor and hungry.  

Boaz took note of Ruth providing for Naomi, his relative, with no apparent benefit to herself. 

Boaz then married Ruth

Boaz and Ruth are in the lineage of CHRIST (Matthew 1:5 “and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse,)

To understand that Boaz is definitely of Jewish lineage is not disputed.  Ruth, on the other hand, was of Moabite descent.  Yet Boaz married Ruth after he witnessed the way she cared for Naomi, the mother of her deceased husband.  She was in the fields “gleaning” BEHIND the harvesters, but her humble actions were not ignored by Boaz, and more importantly by GOD ALMIGHTY!  

We need to have our EYES OPENED to SEE that what we do isn’t ignored by some, but MOST IMPORTANTLY our CREATOR!  Through the humility of a Moabite woman, and the obedience of a Jewish man, the lineage of CHRIST was fulfilled!  The seemingly insignificant things we are CALLED to do might be used to GLORIFY HIM!!!

“BLESSED IS THE MAN WHO TRUSTS IN THE LORD!”

 Jeremiah 17:7-8                     (ESV)

    “[7] “BLESSED IS THE MAN WHO TRUSTS IN THE LORD”,

        whose trust is the LORD. 

    [8] He is like a tree planted by water,

        that sends out its roots by the stream,

    and does not fear when heat comes,

        for its leaves remain green,

    and is not anxious in the year of drought,

        for it does not cease to bear fruit.””

As I have recovered from the Brain Hemorrhage fifteen years ago I have found the need to write a lot more things down, because I realize that my memory isn’t as good as it was when I was younger.  During a devotional time one day I wrote the text below onto my prayer list:

GOD desires to be TRUSTED!  Do you TRUST HIM?  STRENGTHENING OUR HEARTS USUALLY TAKES MORE TIME THAN WE ARE COMFORTABLE IN GIVING!!!

Typically I have always been a “hurried” person, wanting everything to be completed already!  Fifteen years ago this Friday I was brought out of a SEVENTEEN DAY COMA, something that was completely unexpected and unplanned in my life.  The Brain Hemorrhage I experienced came very close to taking my life, especially on July 24 as my blood pressure was “out of control”!  Early in the morning of July 25 my blood pressure plummeted and nurses were trying to fight to keep me from dropping too low!  

DO I TRUST GOD is a question that I still have to answer, even after HE brought me through a near death experience!  GOD “gives breath to the people on” earth, “and Spirit to those who walk in it” (Isaiah 42:5), but most of us act as though HE is “subservient” to our wishes?  We MUST have our EYES OPENED to SEE that we are the “servants”, and HE is our LORD and MASTER!

There will UNDOUBTEDLY be another post or two about the FIFTEEN YEAR ANNIVERSARY of my DELIVERANCE from the “valley of the shadow of death”, as I STILL get misty-eyed when I remember where HE brought me from!  A SEVENTEEN DAY COMA is not something I wish on anyone, or especially their families!  One thing that I must say though is “BLESSED IS THE MAN WHO TRUSTS IN THE LORD”, even when the path we are assigned looks rather bleak!!!

“SIT HERE!”

 Matthew 26:36                        (ESV)

“Then JESUS went with them (HIS disciples) to a place called Gethsemane, and HE said to HIS disciples, “SIT HERE”, while I go over there and pray.””

Probably the most agonizing punishment ever dispersed on this servant was when I was told to “SIT HERE” when I wanted to have an answer to what I felt I needed to know!  Knowing that JESUS KNOWS what is going to happen doesn’t indicate that HE is going to let me KNOW so I can be at ease!  That could eliminate the need for FAITH in our daily walk with HIM.  JESUS KNEW that Peter would deny knowing HIM three times, but Scripture says in Matthew 26:35 “And ALL THE DISCIPLES DID THE SAME”, which was PROMISE that they would die with JESUS!  

“SIT HERE” doesn’t say that we are free to do anything for our families, our friends, or even the Kingdom of Heaven!  “SIT HERE” probably indicated that the disciples were to be in prayer, because that is precisely what JESUS told them HE was going to be doing at the end of verse 36.  Scripture records that the disciples evidently weren’t as committed as they said they would be because they ALL went to sleep while JESUS conversed with HIS FATHER about HIS upcoming difficulties.  

JESUS IS THE WORD (John 1:1), so HE was very aware of the price HE was going to pay for the redemption of HIS CHOSEN!  MANY times HE went ALONE to pray, which HE needed to do for HIS upcoming journey!  The gruesome acts that HE experienced was said to be excruciatingly morbid, yet HE accepted HIS fate out of LOVE for us, AND LOVE FOR HIS FATHER!  HE paid a price that ONLY HE could pay, because HE was the ONLY spotless LAMB to redeem my wretched soul!

Although the ALL SAID they were committed, the disciples couldn’t even stay awake for the time JESUS was praying.  But I can’t follow JESUS in my actions for an entire day either!  When I am told to “SIT HERE” and let GOD be in control, I want to give my advice on what HE needs to do to benefit the Kingdom?!?  Why can’t I just “SIT HERE” and allow JESUS to be my Redeemer and be thankful that HE HAS CHOSEN me???

Psalm 37:23-25

 Psalm 37:23-25                        (ESV)

    “[23] The steps of a man are established by the LORD,

        when he delights in his way; 

    [24] though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong,

        for the LORD upholds his hand.

    [25] I have been young, and now am old,

        yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken

        or his children begging for bread.”

“FOLLOW ME!”

 John 10:22-28                          (ESV)

I and the FATHER Are ONE

“[22] At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. It was winter, [23] and JESUS was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon. [24] So the Jews gathered around HIM and said to HIM, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the CHRIST, tell us plainly.” [25] JESUS answered them, “I told you, and YOU DO NOT BELIEVE. The works that I do in my FATHER’S name bear witness about ME, [26] but YOU DO NOT BELIEVE because YOU ARE NOT among MY sheep. [27] MY sheep hear MY voice, and I know them, and they “FOLLOW ME”. [28] I GIVE them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of MY hand.”

The CREATOR had of everything (Colossians 1:16), including our languages, wasn’t caught off guard during HIS earthly ministry giving answers that weren’t “thought out”!  The same people that are credited with HIS crucifixion were trying to use words to trap JESUS into saying incriminatory statements, but the WORD HE presented them in response to their scheme was “FOLLOW ME”!  HE didn’t need to give them a long list of “commandments” like HE did in the book of Exodus, HE only said “FOLLOW ME”!!

Why do we want to convolute what THE ONE WHO spoke these worlds into existence instructed while walking among humanity?  Could it be because YOU DO NOT BELIEVE?  We “say” we believe, but our worry about the cares of life and trying to figure out which way to go, and we are supposed to have JESUS living inside of us??  

As I gaze upon photos of my grandchildren on a digital screen, one picture shows a grandchild sleeping in my chair.  Shouldn’t I rest in the arms of JESUS like my grandchildren rest in my arms?  The TRUST that they will be taken care of in the care of their grandparents!  Why don’t I have the same TRUST in my SAVIOR?

The Jews did not TRUST JESUS because they were unable to SEE WHO HE was!  Can we SEE HIM??  Will we TRUST HIM with our lives?  HE CREATED us all.  HE CHOSE a few for HIS GLORY!  The LEAST I should do is to “FOLLOW ME”!!!

“DID GOD ACTUALLY SAY?”

 Genesis 3:1                                       (ESV)

The Fall of Man

“[1] Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD GOD had made. 

He said to the woman, “DID GOD ACTUALLY SAY”, ‘You shall not eat of ANY tree in the garden’?””

Hearing the noise of “this world” will never compare to what is being spoken to us by THE CREATOR!!!  It is IMPERATIVE that as Believers we implant THE WORD OF GOD into our minds and memories so that we are able to SEE the lies of “the enemy”.  Although “the enemy” will dress up what he is offering with glitz and glamor, TRUTH will reveal his deceit and the pain that comes with it. 

REFUSING to listen to anything other than what the HOLY SPIRIT says is akin to telling THE CREATOR that we know what is best for our lives?  “The enemy” attempts to get us arguing about what he lies about, when GOD ALMIGHTY simply speaks TRUTH.  The TRUTH is either accepted from GOD, or a distorted version submitted by the great deceiver is accepted by humanity.  We whose EYES have been OPENED are able to SEE difference between TRUTH and the lies of “the enemy”!

In Genesis 2:16-17 Scripture records “And the LORD GOD commanded the man (Adam), saying, “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.””  Adam was instructed to EAT OF EVERY TREE OF THE GARDEN, BUT he was instructed AND WARNED NOT to eat “of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil” or he would SURELY die!  We all KNOW as fact what the TRUTH was!

The TRUTH is that “the enemy” twisted the WORD OF GOD and birthed lying!  In John 8:44-45 JESUS speaks to “the Scribes and Pharisees” (John 8:2) when HE said “You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I tell the TRUTH, you do not believe ME.”  We need to VERY OFTEN ask ourselves “DID GOD ACTUALLY SAY” what is being credited HIM, for “the enemy” seeks to devour people EVERYDAY he can before the JUDGMENT!!!

“STILL WATERS!”

 Psalm 23                        (ESV)

The LORD Is My Shepherd

A Psalm of David.

    “[1] The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 

    [2]     HE makes me lie down in green pastures.

    HE LEADS ME BESIDE “STILL WATERS”. 

    [3]     HE restores my soul.

    HE leads me in paths of righteousness

        for HIS NAME’S.

    [4] 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.

    [5] YOU prepare a table before me

        in the presence of my enemies;

    YOU anoint my head with oil;

        my cup overflows. 

    [6] Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

        all the days of my life,

    and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD

        forever.”

From the limited child-rearing experience that has gotten me into my 60’s, I have generally experienced turmoil when placing an active 2 year old down for a nap during a fun-filled afternoon.  Recently I was being Pops and a 2 year old grandson was laid down for a nap beside me and an uproar of emotions was “announced” rather loudly!  In my limited wisdom, being STILL for the nap was the main issue, taking a nap wasn’t!  

While it is true that a two year old will physically “grow out of” the faze of having to take a nap, most Believers (me included!) have an issue with SLOWING DOWN and walking beside “STILL WATERS”!  The author of this Psalm was King David, a man after GOD’S OWN HEART (1 Samuel 13:14).  I tend to “think” that I need to be “doing something” for the ONE WHO spoke these worlds into existence.  Could it be that ALMIGHTY GOD cherishes TIME ALONE with us far more than tithes and offerings, or anything else that we might be able to produce for HIM???

Just listen to the first two verses of this Psalm.  “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.  HE makes me lie down in green pastures.  HE LEADS ME BESIDE “STILL WATERS”.”  King David recognized that GOD was the Shepherd, something that he was rather experienced in, keeping his sheep of his earthly father.  We are instructed to “not want”, for our Shepherd knows what is best for us.  HE makes us to “lie down” in safe places for the most part, but protects us when danger surrounds us.  HE leads me to the “STILL WATERS”, maybe because I don’t need to be sidetracked by the commotion that rapidly moving streams tend to cause??

A two year old can be forgiven for their lack of understanding of needing a nap.  Although I am tremendously close to being 62, I am still not as patient as I need to be in my WAITING ON THE LORD!  HE LEADS ME BESIDE THE “STILL WATERS”, but I have to be reigned in at times to FOLLOW HIM!  FATHER IN HEAVEN, cause me to long for and cherish time spent with YOU beside the “STILL WATERS”!!!

“LORD, WE DO NOT KNOW!”

 John 14:1-7                            (ESV)

I Am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life

“[1] “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in GOD; believe also in ME. [2] In my FATHER’S house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? [3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to MYSELF, that where I am you may be also. [4] And YOU KNOW THE WAY TO WHERE I AM GOING.” [5] Thomas said to HIM, “”LORD, WE DO NOT KNOW” where YOU are going. How can we know the way?” [6] JESUS said to him, “I am THE WAY, and THE TRUTH, and THE LIFE. NO ONE comes to the FATHER except through ME. [7] If you had known ME, you would have known MY FATHER also. From now on you do know HIM and have seen HIM.””

DOUBTING THOMAS has always been associated with the account later in the book of John where the EYES of Thomas were OPENED and he was able to SEE the risen CHRIST.  IN John 20:28 it is written “Thomas answered HIM, “My LORD and my GOD!”  What a tremendous turn around once his EYES are OPENED?

The EYES of Thomas are so much like the eyes of modern Believers.  We “claim” to be “a part of the family of GOD”, but we CANNOT SEE what we should because we expect to see something that our “imagination” has implanted in our feeble minds?  In the reality of TRUTH, we can’t fully understand and comprehend TRUTH until IT IS REVEALED to us, something that Thomas experienced ONLY when JESUS said to Thomas “Put your finger here” in John 20:27!  Only then could Thomas experience TRUTH in a manner that would revolutionize his mindset.  

”LORD, WE DO NOT KNOW” is Thomas openly saying what many of us don’t have the maturity to admit.  We WANT to do something for THE LORD, but we DON’T WANT to WAIT ON THE LORD (Psalm 27:14). for HIS PLAN to be manifested in our lives!  GOD can CREATE galaxies simply by speaking, HE has already proven that!  Making HIS CREATION SEE TRUTH and grasp that HE IS IN CONTROL quite another feat!!!

FATHER IN HEAVEN, forgive me for being too hurried to “do anything” for YOU and NOT just being content with YOUR PRESENCE in my life!  Cause this Brain Damaged mind to latch onto the words ”LORD, WE DO NOT KNOW” and WAIT ON THE LORD to make my paths straight!!!

“WE ARE ALL!”

 Isaiah 64:6                         (KJV)

“But “WE ARE ALL” as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.”

For this humble servant, one of the most appreciated human writers of Old Testament Scripture is Isaiah, an 8th-century BC prophet.  The latter chapters of Isaiah articulates very well the MAJESTY of THE LORD, but also how “undone” (Isaiah 6:5) is compared to GOD!  

Isaiah didn’t mince words!  He says “WE ARE ALL” pathetically inept when compared to a HOLY GOD!  We can say that we are as good as any human who has ever been created, but “WE ARE ALL” not worthy of being mentioned in the same conversation as GOD ALMIGHTY!  “WE ARE ALL” in need of a SAVIOR and I am SO grateful HE paid the price for my SALVATION!!!

“JACOB AND JOSEPH REUNITED!”

 Genesis 46:28-34                                            (ESV)

“JACOB AND JOSEPH REUNITED!”

“[28] He had sent Judah ahead of him to Joseph to show the way before him in Goshen, and they came into the land of Goshen. [29] Then Joseph prepared his chariot and went up to meet Israel his father in Goshen. He presented himself to him and fell on his neck and wept on his neck a good while. [30] Israel said to Joseph, “Now let me die, since I have seen your face and know that you are still alive.” [31] Joseph said to his brothers and to his father’s household, “I will go up and tell Pharaoh and will say to him, ‘My brothers and my father’s household, who were in the land of Canaan, have come to me. [32] And the men are shepherds, for they have been keepers of livestock, and they have brought their flocks and their herds and all that they have.’ [33] When Pharaoh calls you and says, ‘What is your occupation?’ [34] you shall say, ‘Your servants have been keepers of livestock from our youth even until now, both we and our fathers,’ in order that you may dwell in the land of Goshen, for every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians.””

Choosing a focal passage for this MESSAGE wasn’t very difficult as the writings from yesterday was about Joseph being elevated to second-in-command to Pharaoh.   Now his brothers have met the boy who they sold into slavery.  The brothers “sin” found themselves out and they were bowing to their brother as a potentate who would save his entire family.  

Joseph was rather special to Jacob (Genesis 37:3) who had taken it very hard when the brothers reported that he had been killed by a “fierce animal”.  Of course, the LIE came back on the brothers as Joseph was now the right hand man to Pharaoh.  But Joseph wouldn’t hold any ill feelings against his brothers as he KNEW the LORD was in CONTROL and was taking care of him……and he would take care of his family!

Far too many times I have “held a grudge” against those who might have done less than gratuitous things to me.  Joseph “wept on his neck a good while” when he saw his father Jacob.  Then he arranged for his family to settle in Goshen, knowing that GOD would move his kin back into the Promised Land in due time.  

Don’t allow grudges or retaliation interfere with GOD restoring relationships with those who have offended you or your loved ones.  Jacob (Israel) and Joseph were both carried to the Promised Land to be entombed.  What more could they ask for than to be “remembered” favorably by those who came behind them?  The thing that mattered most to BOTH of them is that “JACOB AND JOSEPH REUNITED!”

“WHOM IS THE SPIRIT OF GOD?”

 Genesis 41:14; 37-43

“[14] Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and THEY QUICKLY BROUGHT HIM OUT OF THE PIT. And when he had shaved himself and changed his clothes, he came in before Pharaoh.”

Joseph Rises to Power

“[37] This proposal pleased Pharaoh and all his servants. [38] And Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find a man like this, “IN WHOM IS THE SPIRIT OF GOD?”” [39] Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since GOD has shown you all this, there is none so discerning and wise as you are. [40] YOU SHALL BE OVER MY HOUSE, and ALL MY PEOPLE shall order themselves as you command. Only as regards the throne will I be greater than you.” [41] And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.” [42] Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand, and clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain about his neck. [43] And he made him ride in his second chariot. And they called out before him, “Bow the knee!” Thus he set him over all the land of Egypt.”

Most have heard the history of Joseph and him being used of GOD to minister during the famine that beset Egypt “a few years ago”!  The intriguing part of the story is that from “this world’s” standpoint Joseph was mistreated by his brothers and sold into slavery by them.  His father, Jacob (later known as Israel), was greatly disheartened by this happening and grieved over Joseph’s demise for years!  We MUST remember however that GOD HAS A PLAN and HE uses “bad things” done by HIS creation to draw Honor and Glory to HIS NAME!!!

The trials of Joseph didn’t stop when he was sold though.  Potiphar and his wife were used to elevate Joseph, AND THEN send him to the depths of the Egyptian prison.  But Genesis 39:21 so sweetly reminds us that “But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.”   The LORD never left Joseph, even when he was imprisoned and used his turmoil to Glorify HIS NAME!

In Genesis 41:14 Scripture records that “Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and THEY QUICKLY BROUGHT HIM OUT OF THE PIT”!  Joseph interpreted the dream of Pharaoh and Egypt made it through the famine without peril.  Was it because Joseph was a great scholar, or was well educated in the sight of man?  Conversely, Joseph was CHOSEN by GOD ALMIGHTY and fulfilling GOD’S PLAN was the greatest thing he could possibly do, even when he was falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife!

It was ONLY because ALMIGHTY GOD CHOSE Joseph that he was elevated to second in command over Egypt!  Yes, Joseph had to remain faithful at the bottom of the well before being sold into slavery by his own family!  Yes, Joseph had to SEE beyond the limited sight of Potiphar’s wife when temptation presented itself to him. When the TIME WAS RIGHT, GOD ALMIGHTY manifested “WHOM IS THE SPIRIT OF GOD” was in to the entire world!  Joseph was obedient, GOD IS FAITHFUL, and GOD ORCHESTRATED “WHOM IS THE SPIRIT OF GOD” was in for ALL to SEE!!!

“NO OTHER NAME!”

 Acts 4:5-12                            (ESV)

“[5] On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, [6] with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. [7] And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” [8] Then Peter, filled with the HOLY SPIRIT, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, [9] if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, [10] let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of JESUS CHRIST of Nazareth, WHOM you crucified, whom GOD raised from the dead—by HIM this man is standing before you well. [11] This JESUS is the STONE that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the CORNERSTONE. [12] And there is salvation in no one else, for there is “NO OTHER NAME” under Heaven given among men by which we must be saved.””

NO OTHER NAME BUT THE NAME OF JESUS is the name of a song written many years ago that comes to mind when I read this passage of Scripture.  The Apostle Peter was speaking to “Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family”, so intimidation might have been an issue for some, but not when Peter KNEW WHO JESUS was!  THE CREATOR ALWAYS HAS BEEN, but HE was made “incarnate” to provide for us an example, but chiefly to pay a price for the sins of THE CHOSEN ones of mankind to spend eternity worshiping HIM!

“Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family” weren’t bumbling fools!  They were perceived as the elite of the Jewish faith.  But their eyes were yet to be opened to recognize THE CHRIST, something that can only happen when the FATHER IN HEAVEN has predestined to be selected!  We who are in this select few aren’t CHOSEN because of our merit, we are CHOSEN because of HIS GRACE!

ALMIGHTY GOD already has HIS CHOSEN selected.  Are you a part of HIS FAMILY yet?  If you continue to “reject” HIM, one day you will hear “”I NEVER KNEW YOU”; depart from ME, you workers of lawlessness.’” All of our wealth, our accolades, everything we have done or collected will burn as it will be “rubbish” to our CREATOR!

There is “NO OTHER NAME” under Heaven given among men by which we must be saved!  There won’t be any excuse/reason at the JUDGEMENT SEAT other than to claim the MERCY of JESUS CHRIST!  The older I get the more evident HIS GRACE is to me, for even days that I “do my best” are but “filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6) to HIM!  It should be IMPERATIVE that we exemplify that HIS GRACE is our ONLY HOPE, and there is “NO OTHER NAME” or method by which we can be saved!!!

“FIFTEEN YEARS AGO!”

 FIFTEEN YEARS AGO…..July 09, 2007 I awoke to go to the restroom at 5:30AM.  No big deal, I threw my legs out of bed and started standing up, but before I knew what was happening my face hit the floor!  I’ll save you all from hearing the details, but my Brain was hemorrhaging and I had no idea how serious the situation was. 

We went to the hospital and my doctor had already telephoned the Neurologist who met us and my doctor at the Emergency Room. 52 days later I was able to walk to our vehicle and eventually come home!  

Included in the 52 days of being hospitalized, 17 of those days were spent in a drug-induced coma!  Were you to ask the medical professionals working to save my life, for the most part they thought I WASN’T going to make it!  Two years later I was BLESSED to purchase the insurance agency I had sold 11 months prior to this traumatic day and have sold insurance ever since. 

I write this recollection to brag on ALMIGHTY GOD and to let EVERYONE know that WE ARE NOT DEFINED BY THE TRIALS WE ARE EXPERIENCING!  Acts 4:20 “for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” is written about Peter and John speaking to some rather highly respected leaders of the Jewish “church”!  I can’t say much about the 52 days of hospitalization, but I want to tell everyone where I am FIFTEEN YEARS LATER and WHO brought me through the “valley of the shadow of death”!!!

“SPEAK, FOR YOUR SERVANT HEARS!”

 1 Samuel 3:4-11                        (ESV)

“[4] Then the LORD called Samuel, and he said, “Here I am!” [5] and ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So he went and lay down.

[6] And the LORD called again, “Samuel!” and Samuel arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.” [7] Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, and the WORD of the LORD HAD NOT YET BEEN REVEALED TO HIM.

[8] And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the LORD was calling the boy. [9] Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, LORD, for your servant hears.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

[10] And the LORD came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “SPEAK, FOR YOUR SERVANT HEARS.” [11] Then the LORD said to Samuel, “Behold, I AM ABOUT TO DO A THING IN ISRAEL AT WHICH THE TWO EARS OF EVERYONE WHO HEARS IT WILL TINGLE.”

Have you ever thought that you NEEDED to hear from GOD to display HIS solution to an issue placed before you?  Samuel had been PLACED in the service of Eli when he was a very young child.  Eli was the Priest, sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the Temple of the LORD, ministering to GODS Children. His two sons (Hophni and Phinehas) were “rejected” by ALMIGHTY GOD and were killed in battle, along with 30,000 Israelites!!  The Priest Eli fell out of his seat and broke his neck and died according to 1 Samuel 4:18.  Suffering the consequences of NOT honoring GOD can be a perilous decision???

Samuel “hearing” GOD speaking to him wasn’t something to which that he was accustomed.  It didn’t take long after Samuel hear GOD speaking to him that Eli’s life ended!  Samuel was still young, but he was mature enough to understand that he needed to heed the WORD of THE LORD!  When Eli instructed him to say “SPEAK, FOR YOUR SERVANT HEARS” it was a message to Samuel that he needed to listen when ALMIGHTY GOD was speaking to him, even though what GOD has to say wasn’t “good news” for Eli and his sons!  

What GOD has to say to us might not be what we want to hear, but we still have to listen to the MESSAGE.  Hearing from THE CREATOR has to be monumental, but it also has to be a fearful experience when the HOLY MESSAGE is revealing Judgement on those who are being spoken about.  “SPEAK, FOR YOUR SERVANT HEARS” might be a painful MESSAGE to share, but we need to realize that we are simply messengers relaying whatever HE directs!  “SPEAK, FOR YOUR SERVANT HEARS” says that we are listening, and we NEED ALMIGHTY GOD TO SPEAK!!!