“LORD HEARS AND DELIVERS THEM!”

 Psalm 34:17                            (ESV)

    “[17] When the righteous cry for help, the LORD HEARS

        AND DELIVERS THEM out of all their troubles.”

“WORD OF GOD!”

 Hebrews 4:11-13 (ESV)

“[11] Let us therefore STRIVE TO ENTER THAT REST, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. [12] For the “WORD OF GOD” is LIVING and ACTIVE, SHARPER THAN ANY TWO-EDGED SWORD, piercing to the DIVISION OF SOUL AND SPIRIT, of JOINTS and of MARROW, and discerning the THOUGHTS and INTENTIONS of the heart. [13] And no creature is hidden from HIS sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of HIM to WHOM we must give account.”




Usually when I read an entry on a social media page it is after I have determined that the author is credible? But who is it that is writing what I post?  

What I should be doing is making certain that the “WORD OF GOD” is what I am allowing to be used to cultivate the message being spoken by my life!!!

“I WILL GIVE YOU!”

 Luke 21:14-15.                (ESV)

“Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, for “I WILL GIVE YOU” a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict”

“HE CHOSE US!”

Ephesians 1:3-10                      (ESV)

Spiritual Blessings in Christ

“[3] Blessed be the GOD and FATHER of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, WHO has blessed us in CHRIST with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, [4] even as “HE CHOSE US” in HIM before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before HIM. In love [5] HE predestined us for adoption to HIMSELF as sons through JESUS CHRIST, according to the purpose of HIS will, [6] to the praise of his glorious grace, with which HE has blessed us in the Beloved. [7] In HIM we have redemption through HIS blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of HIS grace, [8] which HE lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight [9] making known to us the mystery of HIS will, according to HIS purpose, which HE set forth in CHRIST [10] as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in HIM, things in heaven and things on earth.”

It is very difficult to SEE our worthiness of Salvation when a proper view of CALVARY has been given to us!!!

“KEEPS SILENT!”

 I shared this a few days ago, and TODAY I awoke with this sentiment on my mind…….

Proverbs 17:28                          (ESV)

    “Even a fool who “KEEPS SILENT” is considered wise;

        when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.”

Proverbs 17:28

 Proverbs 17:28                          (ESV)

    “Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise;

        when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.”

“DO NOT LEAN ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING!”

 Proverbs 3:5-6                    (ESV)

    “[5] Trust in the LORD with all your heart,

        and “DO NOT LEAN ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING”. 

    [6] In all your ways acknowledge HIM,

        and HE will make straight your paths.”

“BE STILL” (Psalms 46:10) can also be translated “LET GO”, as I have shared often over the past few years.  Recognizing and realizing that is something that can be missed by our worldly vision!!  Recently I was “pressed for time” as my wife had a funeral she wanted to attend and I needed to be in our insurance office.  My “prayer time” was cut into and I tried operating on minimal time with OUR CREATOR.  Definitely, I was NOT BEING STILL nor LETTING GO, rather doing everything I could to get to the office.  

The Brain Hemorrhage 15 years ago had affected a major impact in my life.   The assumed changes might be physical, as we NEED cognitive abilities to operate our bodies in a healthy environment.  Me SLOWING DOWN my life has OPENED my EYES to SEE what was previously ignored (or undetected!) when I was TOO BUSY to seek GOD’s guidance.  The “hurriedness” I placed on myself in the days mentioned above caused me to SEE that what I choose to do with the seemingly “small things” in my life could make me “miss” hearing from my CREATOR!  

Doing what we think, and possibly even believe, is the correct thing to do might be something that seems right to “this world”, but isn’t where GOD would have us be!  We are DOOMED if we trust our own instincts when making decisions about the direction we take.  Unless we SLOW DOWN and “DO NOT LEAN ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING”, we might not be able to hear that “still, small voice” (1 Kings 19:13 KJV) from our CREATOR???

Time invested in quiet meditation with JESUS is never wasted time!  We MUST recognize that we “DO NOT LEAN ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING” if we want to accomplish HIS PLAN for our lives!  Surrendering to HIS PLAN is FAR BETTER than ours!!!  “DO NOT LEAN ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING!!!”

“WHO SEEK REFUGE!”

 Psalm 17:6-7                         (ESV)

    “[6] I 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.”

There are times when I am “tired and worn out” when I get a glimpse of who I REALLY am!  Being REMINDED of the Brain Hemorrhage is something that I try to recall with humility as I am UNDERSTANDING more and more that it was GOD ALONE WHO delivered me from the “valley of the shadow of death”!!!

Saturday was the 62nd anniversary of my birthday!  The day was spent with my youngest son watching a professional football game.  Yes, the team we were rooting for won, but spending time solely with a gift ALMIGHTY GOD blessed me with many years prior was wonderful!  We spoke about the morning when my brain developed a leak and my EYES were OPENED to SEE that even though he did everything he could, he could not prevent what was about to happen anymore than I could!!!

Why do we SEEK TO DO anything more than what ALMIGHTY GOD has CALLED us to accomplish FOR HIS GLORY?  When we become those “WHO SEEK REFUGE”, we seem to realize that we are unable to DO IT ON OUR OWN!  GOD even supplies the oxygen required for our next breath (Isaiah 42:5)!  We can do NOTHING outside of HIS GRACE and MERCY!  Even for our failures and shortcomings we have to have AIR to breathe!!!

From time to time I am led to understand that I am one “WHO SEEKS REFUGE” more than others because I SEE that the SPIRIT of THE CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSES is living inside of me!  Whenever I am traveling a path of my own the end might be running away from HIS direction?  I NEED to be a servant “WHO SEEKS REFUGE” from the ONE WHO SPOKE THESE WORLDS INTO EXISTENCE, not anything less!!!

“I KNEW YOU!”

 Jeremiah 1:4-5                         (ESV)

“[4] Now the Word of the LORD came to me, saying,

    [5] “BEFORE I FORMED YOU IN THE WOMB “I KNEW YOU”,

    and BEFORE YOU WERE BORN I CONSECRATED YOU;

    I appointed you a prophet to the nations.””

VERY SOON I will experience ANOTHER birthday!  I’ve already received cards via the US Postal service.  I usually get a couple of hundred (or so!) wishes on social media.   But tomorrow will be SPECIAL, not because it is the anniversary of me being born, but because I will get to spend time with family and friends who display their love for me!  

That concept is precisely what we fail to acknowledge from OUR CREATOR!  “I KNEW YOU” BEFORE YOU WERE BORN opens my EYES to SEE that ALMIGHTY GOD knew about the difficult childhood I experienced, the absolutely WONDERFUL wife HE was preparing for me, and how many children/grandchildren (and possibly great grandchildren!) I would be BLESSED with long before I drew my first breath!  Sure, these WORDS were written about Jeremiah a LONG TIME ago, but GOD has NOT diminished in HIS abilities, and HIS PLAN for my life is still being unfurled.  

The SAME CREATOR thought out ALL THINGS (Colossians 1:16) long before I came into existence, and IN ALL ETERNITY has YET to make a mistake!  Yes, HE even uses imperfections in HIS PLAN, if not I would have been “culled” a LONG TIME AGO!  “I KNEW YOU” BEFORE I FORMED YOU IN THE WOMB, yet I STILL MADE you for MY GLORY!!!

“HE HIMSELF GIVES!”

 Acts 17:24-29                       (ESV)

“[24] The GOD who made the world and everything in it, being LORD of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, [25] nor is HE served by human hands, as though HE needed anything, SINCE HE HIMSELF GIVES TO ALL MANKIND LIFE AND BREATH AND EVERYTHING. [26] And HE made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, [27] that they should seek GOD, and perhaps feel their way toward HIM and find HIM. Yet HE is actually not far from each one of us, [28] for 

    “‘In HIM we live and move and have our being’;

    as even some of your own poets have said, 

    “‘For we are indeed HIS offspring.’

    [29] Being then GOD’s offspring, we ought NOT to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man.”

“VERY EARLY IN THE MORNING!”

 Mark 1:35-39                            (ESV)

JESUS Preaches in Galilee

“[35] And rising “VERY EARLY IN THE MORNING”, while it was still dark, HE departed and went out to a desolate place, and there HE prayed. [36] And Simon and those who were with HIM searched for HIM, [37] and they found HIM and said to HIM, “EVERYONE IS LOOKING FOR YOU.” [38] And HE said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.” [39] And HE went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.”

These verses give an extremely vivid depiction of being CHOSEN!  JESUS, THE CREATOR (Colossians 1:16), had arisen “very early in the morning, while it was still dark” to go to a “desolate” place to commune with HIS FATHER.  The word “desolate” indicates the place where HE went was “deserted” free from distractions!  Why did JESUS seclude HIMSELF from ALL DISTRACTIONS in order to communicate with HIS FATHER, which JESUS proclaimed in John 10:30 “I and the FATHER are ONE”?  While HE and the FATHER ARE ONE, our “unbelieving” eyes needed to SEE an example of what we SHOULD be doing, not just doing what we thought needed to be done!

Why is it that this particular time JESUS prayed “VERY EARLY IN THE MORNING”, apparently before others were awake to DISTRACT HIM?  When JESUS was in Gethsemane before HIS arrest, HE was praying AT NIGHT! HIS acts were performed to display to HIS followers how they needed to react when the time came!  

How sad is it that this humble servant has to EXPERIENCE the depths of solitude rather than having Scripture OPEN my EYES to TRUTH!  JESUS arose “VERY EARLY IN THE MORNING” for our benefit, to OPEN our EYES to the necessity of steering our vessels through the storms of “this world”!  You would think that I would SEE more clearly the NEED to COMMUNE with THE FATHER “VERY EARLY IN THE MORNING”???   

Jeremiah 17:7

 Jeremiah 17:7                  (ESV)

    [7] “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,

        whose trust is the LORD.”

“WHICH IS THE SPIRIT OF GOD!”

 Ephesians 6:16-20                         (ESV)

“[16] IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES take up the shield of FAITH, with which YOU CAN EXTINGUISH ALL THE FLAMING DARTS OF THE EVIL ONE; [17] and take the HELMET OF SALVATION, and the SWORD OF THE SPIRIT, “WHICH IS THE WORD OF GOD”, [18] praying at ALL TIMES in the SPIRIT, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, KEEP ALERT with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, [19] and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly TO PROCLAIM THE MYSTERY OF THE GOSPEL, [20] for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.”

How many times do we want to HEAR from GOD ALMIGHTY “without” opening that “WHICH IS THE WORD OF GOD”, the HOLY BIBLE?  From experience, GOD is ABLE to speak to us even when we are listening to or for HIM, but we probably don’t want to reach that extreme!  We are instructed in MANY WAYS to SEEK to find HIM in ALL SITUATIONS!  But the tendency on my part is to “wallow in self pity” and reject hearing from THE CREATOR what HE might be trying to TEACH me!

When we are searching for an ANSWER from ABOVE, our immediate default should be to look at SCRIPTURE, “WHICH IS THE WORD OF GOD”!  Books and Hymns can speak to us, but the “…SWORD OF THE SPIRIT, “WHICH IS THE WORD OF GOD” is written by THE ONE WHO spoke these worlds into existence!  Why do we seek answers anywhere else???

“A LIVING SACRIFICE!”

 Romans 12:1-2                          (ESV)

“A LIVING SACRIFICE”

“[1] I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of GOD, to present your bodies as “A LIVING SACRIFICE”, HOLY AND ACCEPTABLE TO GOD, which is your spiritual worship. [2] DO NOT BE CONFORMED (To be or act in accord with a set of standards, expectations, or specifications) TO THIS WORLD, but be TRANSFORMED by the renewal of your mind, that by testing YOU MAY DISCERN WHAT IS THE WILL OF GOD, what is GOOD and ACCEPTABLE and PERFECT.”

DO NOT BE CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD can be a difficult achievement, as a matter of fact, we need DIVINE INTERVENTION to accomplish this!  To surrender your body to the LORD indicates that we willingly giving up control of our lives to GLORIFY THE SON OF GOD, no matter the cost to ourselves!  Having SPIRIT OF GOD “lead, guide, and direct” you is NOT for the weak in SPIRIT!  It entails surrendering what we think are best for us to what the SPIRIT OF GOD “leads” us to do.  

“A LIVING SACRIFICE” is precisely what I am speaking about.  Yes, we are ALIVE, but we are SACRIFICING our wishes and desires for what ALMIGHTY GOD has chosen for us to become.  Doing what we think will be good isn’t always the CHOSEN PATH for us.  

Looking back at my life experiences, there are MANY times that I might have missed what GOD preferred to let me experience.  Of course, there are many times when I reaped the benefits of following HIS LEAD when the options left no other choice!  HIS WILL is ALWAYS best, regardless of what we are able to SEE!  To WALK THE PATH CHOSEN by ALMIGHTY GOD is always better than the path we think will be easier.  GROWING into a vessel that is USED to GLORIFY HIM is the ULTIMATE manifestation of being a SERVANT OF THE MOST HIGH GOD!!!

The Apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the church at Rome “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of GOD, to present your bodies as “A LIVING SACRIFICE”, HOLY AND ACCEPTABLE TO GOD, which is your spiritual worship.”  Later Paul was martyred by the Romans around age 66, after being delivered from death on many occasions.  He was a display of being “A LIVING SACRIFICE” for the GOSPEL OF JESUS!  Shouldn’t we also be willing to be “A LIVING SACRIFICE”???

“THE SPIRIT HELPS US IN OUR WEAKNESS!”

 “THE SPIRIT HELPS US IN OUR WEAKNESS!”

Romans 8:24-30                                       (ESV)

“[24] For in this hope we were saved. NOW HOPE THAT IS SEEN IS NOT HOPE. For who hopes for what he sees? [25] But if we hope for what we do not see, WE WAIT FOR IT WITH PATIENCE.

[26] Likewise “THE SPIRIT HELPS US IN OUR WEAKNESS”. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the SPIRIT HIMSELF intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. [27] And HE WHO searches hearts knows what is the mind of the SPIRIT, because the SPIRIT intercedes for the saints according to the WILL OF GOD. [28] And we know that for those who love GOD all things work together for good, for those who are called according to HIS PURPOSE. [29] For those whom HE foreknew HE also predestined to be conformed to the image of HIS SON, in order that HE might be the firstborn among many brothers. [30] And those whom HE predestined HE also called, and those whom HE called HE also justified, and those whom HE justified HE also glorified.”

My “desire” is to live a HOLY LIFE, a life that GLORIFIES the SON without exception!  If you know me, it is more than evident that I fail JESUS daily.  The above verses of Scripture reminded me this morning that even though I am the chief of sinners (1 Timothy 1:15 KJV), I will one day abide where sin isn’t allowed!   

Having your EYES OPENED to SEE who we are compared to THE SON OF GOD is a humbling experience.  Yet JESUS came to earth and lived the PERFECT LIFE that continues to be outside of my abilities in order to provide the sacrifice for my sinfulness.  ALMIGHTY GOD CHOSE me in HIM before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4) even though I was the chief of sinners (1 Timothy 1:15) with NO HOPE of redemption!  

Why did HE CHOOSE me?  That is something that I will have to ask in eternity, for my brain damaged mind cannot fathom HIS MERCY and FORGIVENESS!  All I know is that “THE SPIRIT HELPS US IN OUR WEAKNESS” because even my best is but “filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6) before a HOLY GOD!  My ONLY Salvation is that “THE SPIRIT HELPS US IN OUR WEAKNESS” and I simply fulfill HIS PLAN for my life!!!

“BE ANXIOUS FOR NOTHING!”

 I think my devotional for today was just REVEALED to me by something a dear friend shared………”BE ANXIOUS FOR NOTHING”!!!!  (Philippians 4:6). 

That is all!!!

“THE PRISONERS WERE LISTENING!”

 Acts 16:25-32 (ESV)

“[25] About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to GOD, and “THE PRISONERS WERE LISTENING” to them, [26] and suddenly there was a GREAT EARTHQUAKE, so that THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE PRISON WERE SHAKEN. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened. [27] When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was ABOUT TO KILL HIMSELF, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. [28] But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” [29] And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. [30] Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” [31] And they said, “Believe in the LORD JESUS, and YOU WILL BE SAVED, you and your household.” [32] And they spoke the word of the LORD to him and to all who were in his house.”

Allowing GOD to move you outside of your comfort zone can be a confusing place to be, especially for a person who isn’t SPIRITUALLY Mature. Thinking ourselves to be beyond trials is akin to Believing we are CANNOT be instructed by the HOLY SPIRIT on how to GLORIFY GOD! Paul and Silas were “in the inner prison” with their feet shackled in stocks, but only after they had been beaten by the magistrates and the crowds (Acts 16:22-24). It seemed NO ONE understood what they were going through!!!

Although we might not have to experience being “in the inner prison”, we can find ourselves in predicaments where it seems NO ONE UNDERSTANDS our plight. But do we fully grasp what JESUS went through ON OUR BEHALF on Calvary? Paul and Silas were “in the inner prison”, but the SPIRIT OF GOD was there WITH THEM! They were NOT ALONE, and NEITHER ARE WE!  

The SPIRIT OF GOD moved upon the guard of the prison to where he “drew his sword and was ABOUT TO KILL HIMSELF, supposing that the prisoners had escaped”! But, even though the restraints of the prison and inmates were reduced to rubbish, ALL of the prisoners were still there and there was no reason for him to KILL HIMSELF. He was led to ask “what must I do to be saved?” He probably wasn’t familiar enough with what BEING SAVED would mean, but he knew he needed the same SPIRIT that was IN CHARGE of the current situation living for and inside of him!

The SPIRIT OF GOD “NEVER” takes a break from the CARES of what is transpiring! There are BILLIONS of people alive today, yet the HOLY SPIRIT is working ALL THINGS (Romans 8:28) TOGETHER for HIS GOOD, even if we are “in the inner prison”! My prayer is that I will be aware that just as “THE PRISONERS WERE LISTENING” to Paul and Silas sing praises to GOD from the bowels of their confinement “in the inner prison”, GOD IS STILL ON THE THRONE even in our difficulties!!!

“HERE I AM, MY SON!”

 Genesis 22:7-8                       (ESV)

“[7] And Isaac said to his father Abraham, “My father!” And he said, “HERE I AM, MY SON.” He said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” [8] Abraham said, “GOD will provide for HIMSELF the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So they went both of them together.”

Last night in Bible Study the pastor of our church shared the twenty-second chapter of Genesis.  One thing keeps reverberating in my mind, and that is how Abraham told Isaac “HERE I AM, MY SON” when Ishmael was also fathered by Abraham through the handmaiden Hagar.  Did Abraham show Isaac favoritism because he was a son from Sarah, his WIFE!  

Abram and Sarai were husband and wife, yet GOD had yet to bless them with children.  Yet in Genesis 18:10 Scripture records “The LORD said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son.” And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him.”  In Genesis 17 GOD renamed the man Abram to Abraham and his wife Sarai was renamed Sarah.  The original name, Abram, means “exalted father” in Hebrew. His new name, Abraham, means “father of a multitude”.  On the other hand, the meaning of Sarai is recorded to be “She that strives," a contentious person wile Sarah is “princess; kings of peoples shall be of her”!  

Abraham and Sarah are NOT the focal point of this devotional though!  JESUS is!!!  Abraham KNEW GOD, and JESUS and GOD “are ONE” (John 10:30)!  “HERE I AM, MY SON” identified Abraham as the father of Isaac for “this world”, but it let me know that JESUS was IN THE MIDST of this event!  Even though we can’t SEE HIM in “the busyness” of our lives at times, JESUS is in our midst IF WE ARE ABLE TO IDENTIFY HIM!!!

Abraham KNEW that Isaac was coming back from Mount Moriah with him (Genesis 22:5), but he didn’t YET understand how??  As the story unfolds, we SEE that GOD was displaying HIS “substitutionary atonement” that JESUS would ULTIMATELY fulfill on Calvary!  It is difficult for us to grasp that the PERFECT CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSES would sacrificially give HIS LIFE for me?  But when I stand before ALMIGHTY GOD at THE JUDGEMENT with nothing but my “filthy rags” to offer, I will once again hear HIM say “HERE I AM, MY SON”!  What PEACE is that???

IN THE WISDOM OF GOD!”

1 Corinthians 1:18-25                                          (ESV)

CHRIST the Wisdom and Power of GOD

“[18] For the WORD OF THE CROSS is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of GOD. [19] For it is written, 

    “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,

        and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”

    [20] WHERE IS THE ONE WHO WAS WISE? WHERE IS THE SCRIBE? WHERE IS THE DEBATER OF THIS AGE? Has not GOD MADE FOOLISH THE WISDOM OF THE WORLD? [21] For since, “IN THE WISDOM OF GOD”, THE WORLD DID NOT KNOW GOD THROUGH WISDOM, it pleased GOD through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. [22] For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, [23] BUT WE PREACH CHRIST CRUCIFIED, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, [24] but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, CHRIST the power of GOD and the wisdom of GOD. [25] For the foolishness of GOD is wiser than men, and the weakness of GOD is stronger than men.”

Many humans glory their wealth, popularity, worldly position, or anything other than the ONE WHO CREATED us!  As humans, we have no business comparing ourselves to anyone or anything as our CREATOR brought us forth to GLORIFY HIM, not get ahead on the most “whatever” list!  When we take our EYES off of the ONE WHO CREATED us, we begin to see things that DO NOT GLORIFY CHRIST, things that build up whatever we choose to be on the throne of our lives!

The Apostle Paul writes in verse 20 above “WHERE IS THE ONE WHO WAS WISE? WHERE IS THE SCRIBE? WHERE IS THE DEBATER OF THIS AGE? Has not GOD MADE FOOLISH THE WISDOM OF THE WORLD?”  The “wisest” person alive more than likely hasn’t been identified, for with wisdom comes great humility, for we realize how much we DON’T KNOW!  As humans, we DON’T KNOW when we are going to be born, nor when we will die, but we CAN KNOW WHO LIFE comes from, IF HE CHOOSES TO OPEN OUR EYES!  

My life may never be confused with the wealthiest, WISEST, most handsome, most giving, nor most physically fit person alive!  But I can be known as the MOST BLESSED!  “IN THE WISDOM OF GOD” HE CHOSE me to be a follower of JESUS, a servant of THE MOST HIGH, not because I am healthier, wealthier, or wiser than others?  It is because “IN THE WISDOM OF GOD” HE CHOSE me from the foundation of the world  (Ephesians 1:4)!!!

“HIS STEADFAST LOVE ENDURES FOREVER!”

 Psalm 118:1-4; 14                                               (ESV)

HIS STEADFAST LOVE ENDURES FOREVER

    “[1] Oh give thanks to the LORD, for HE is good;

        for HIS STEADFAST LOVE ENDURES FOREVER

    [2] Let Israel say,

        “HIS STEADFAST LOVE ENDURES FOREVER.” 

    [3] Let the house of Aaron say,

        “HIS STEADFAST LOVE ENDURES FOREVER.” 

    [4] Let THOSE WHO FEAR THE LORD say,

        The LORD is my strength and my song;

        HE HAS BECOME MY SALVATION.”

   

    [14] The LORD is my strength and my song;

        HE HAS BECOME MY SALVATION.”

The writings of King David are exquisitely recorded in Scripture, especially in the book of the Psalms.  King David was “gifted” from HEAVEN ABOVE to write the WORD given to him by our CREATOR!  In verse 4 & 14 above David writes “The LORD is my strength and my song; HE HAS BECOME MY SALVATION.”  Since David declared “The LORD is my strength and song”, the fact that the LORD was his SALVATION should be rather obvious to we who also have WALKED THROUGH THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH (Psalm 23:4)!  

However, THREE TIMES in THREE VERSES King David writes “HIS STEADFAST LOVE ENDURES FOREVER”!  Most writers tend to repeat what needs to be emphasized and remembered!  “HIS STEADFAST LOVE ENDURES FOREVER” is comforting to we who have placed our FAITH in JESUS.  HE has NEVER failed me, even when HE was crucified on Calvary, JESUS was being obedient to HIS FATHER in order to purchase my salvation!  “The LORD is my strength and my song; HE HAS BECOME MY SALVATION” can be sung because “HIS STEADFAST LOVE ENDURES FOREVER”!!!

“ALL SCRIPTURE!”

 2 Timothy 3:16-17                       (ESV)

“[16] “ALL SCRIPTURE” is breathed out by GOD and PROFITABLE for TEACHING, for REPROOF, for CORRECTION, and for TRAINING IN RIGHTEOUSNESS, [17] that the man of GOD may be complete, EQUIPPED FOR EVERY GOOD WORK.”

It is almost baffling that as Believers we want to look at every source available for what others offer to answer the questions presented to “this world”, when we are continually instructed by “ALL SCRIPTURE” to TRUST in HIS WORD.  Yet most of humanity finds what “this world” considers as true to be TRUTH, even though our CREATOR says in John 14:6 “I AM THE WAY, AND THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE”!  Looking for truth outside of TRUTH can be a confusing and dangerous conundrum (A paradoxical, insoluble, or difficult problem; a dilemma)!  

The same CREATOR that spoke in John 14:6 inspired the Apostle Paul to write in his second letter to Timothy “ALL SCRIPTURE” is breathed out by GOD and PROFITABLE for TEACHING, for REPROOF, for CORRECTION, and for TRAINING IN RIGHTEOUSNESS, that the man of GOD may be complete, EQUIPPED FOR EVERY GOOD WORK”!  HIS WORD is PROFITABLE for TEACHING, even the spiritually immature when it glorifies HIS NAME!  

HIS WORD not only is PROFITABLE for TEACHING, but for REPROOF (conviction), CORRECTION, and for TRAINING IN RIGHTEOUSNESS, EQUIPPING FOR EVERY GOOD WORK!  Why would anyone convolute HIS WORD with what “this world” offers as an alternative? “The enemy” comes to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10), yet we sometimes “prefer” to listen to his lies when THE TRUTH is TOO HARD for us to CHOOSE!  

We should store “ALL SCRIPTURE” in our hearts to cause us to avoid the traps and confines of “the enemy”!  OUR CREATOR formed us in our mother’s womb for a specific purpose, TO GLORIFY HIM!  HE gave us “ALL SCRIPTURE” for the same reason, TO GLORIFY HIM!  Achieving great worldly success IS NOT an indication of “being blessed”!  Exhibiting what we have instilled from “ALL SCRIPTURE” should be every Believers goal!!!