“DO NOT BE AFRAID!”

 Mark 6:45-52                         (ESV)

JESUS Walks on the Water

“[45] Immediately HE made HIS disciples get into the boat and GO BEFORE HIM TO THE OTHER SIDE, to Bethsaida, while HE dismissed the crowd. [46] And after HE had taken leave of them, HE went up on the mountain to pray. [47] And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. [48] And HE saw that THEY WERE MAKING HEADWAY PAINFULLY, for THE WIND WAS AGAINST THEM. And about the fourth watch of the night HE came to them, WALKING ON THE SEA. HE meant to pass by them, [49] but when they saw HIM walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out, [50] for they all saw HIM and were terrified. But immediately HE spoke to them and said, “Take heart; it is I. “DO NOT BE AFRAID”.”

These verses of Scripture spoke to me most of the day recently!  If you are being attacked by “the enemy”, “Take heart; DO NOT BE AFRAID” because it is I” is STILL IN CONTROL!!!”

“LET US FLEE!”

 Exodus 14:21-29                                   (ESV)

“[21] Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and THE LORD DROVE THE SEA BACK by a strong east wind all night and made the sea dry land, and THE WATERS WERE DIVIDED. [22] And the people of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. [23] The Egyptians pursued and went in after them into the midst of the sea, ALL PHARAOH’S HORSES, HIS CHARIOTS, AND HIS HORSEMEN. [24] And in the morning watch the LORD in the pillar of fire and of cloud LOOKED DOWN on the Egyptian forces and THREW the EGYPTIAN FORCES INTO A PANIC, [25] clogging their chariot wheels so that THEY DROVE HEAVILY. And the Egyptians said, “”LET US FLEE” from before Israel, for the LORD fights for them against the Egyptians.”

[26] Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea, THAT THE WATER MAY COME BACK upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen.” [27] So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to its normal course when the morning appeared. And as THE EGYPTIANS FLED into it, the LORD THREW THE EGYPTIANS INTO THE MIDST OF THE SEA. [28] The waters returned and covered the chariots and the horsemen; of ALL THE HOSTS OF PHARAOH that had followed them into the sea, NOT ONE OF THEM REMAINED. [29] BUT THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL WALKED ON DRY GROUND THROUGH THE SEA, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.”

There is SO MUCH that is said in the nine verses of Scripture above that I could literally write about what transpired for days!  Moses was “leading” the Children of Israel, but ALMIGHTY GOD was doing what ONLY HE could to gain GLORY over ALL PHARAOH’S HORSES, HIS CHARIOTS, AND HIS HORSEMEN!  The Egyptian army was recognized as a fierce foe, but they proved to be “easy prey” for the CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSES and HIS PLAN! 

In verse 24b & 25 it is recorded “the LORD in the pillar of fire and of cloud LOOKED DOWN on the Egyptian forces and THREW the EGYPTIAN FORCES INTO A PANIC, clogging their chariot wheels so that THEY DROVE HEAVILY. And the Egyptians said, “”LET US FLEE”from before Israel, for the LORD fights for them against the Egyptians.”  All GOD had to do was LOOK DOWN on the Egyptians and it threw them INTO A PANIC!  “LET US FLEE” did not work out for the Egyptians as NOT ONE OF THEM REMAINED when the day was over!  

Why did GOD ALMIGHTY allow the Egyptians to enslave the Israelites in the first place?  Why did HE allow the Israelites to be enslaved and 430 years later miraculously deliver them from Pharaoh’s captivity?  Why did HE lead the Israelites to the Red Sea and cause them to WAIT?  GOD HAD A PLAN and HE ORCHESTRATED HIS PLAN in HIS TIMING!  

It “might” be wise for us to allow ALMIGHTY GOD to work on HIS TIMING and accomplish HIS PURPOSE for the future?  We are SO inept in our thoughts and incapable strength-wise compared to what GOD can cause.  Our enemies, like the Egyptians who pursued GOD’S CHOSEN, are NO MATCH for THE CREATOR! They will be squealing “LET US FLEE”, but ALMIGHTY GOD is capable of wiping them out, just like the Egyptians!!!

“THEY COULD NOT BELIEVE!”

 John 12:36b-43                             (ESV)

The Unbelief of the People

“36b When JESUS had said these things, HE DEPARTED AND HID HIMSELF from them. [37] Though HE had done so many signs before them, THEY STILL DID NOT BELIEVE IN HIM, [38] so that the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: 

    “LORD, who has believed what he heard from us,

        and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?”

    [39] Therefore “THEY COULD NOT BELIEVE”. For again Isaiah said,

    [40] “He (the enemy) has blinded their eyes

        and hardened their heart,

    lest they SEE with their eyes,

        and UNDERSTAND with their heart, and TURN,

        and I WOULD HEAL THEM.” (Isaiah 44:18-20)

    [41] Isaiah said these things because he saw HIS Glory and spoke of HIM. [42] Nevertheless, MANY EVEN OF THE AUTHORITIES BELIEVED IN HIM, but for FEAR (of the enemy) of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; [43] for THEY LOVED THE GLORY THAT COMES FROM MAN more than the GLORY that comes from GOD!”  

“THEY COULD NOT BELIEVE!” isn’t because they were unlearned or illiterate, it was because THEIR EYES HAD NOT BEEN OPENED, SUPERNATURALLY, by THE ONLY ONE WHO had the capability of revealing HIMSELF to those who were unable not see!  At the beginning of the focal passages above, JESUS “DEPARTED AND HID HIMSELF from them”.  Why did JESUS DEPART and HIDE HIMSELF from the ones who did not SEE who was in their very midst?  

JESUS KNEW precisely who GOD had CHOSEN from before the FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD (Ephesians 1:4) to be Believers, so no one can decide to come to HIM at a time that is more to their liking!  Did GOD ordain me then to be blameless before HIM?  Apparently not, for my righteousness is but filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6 KJV) before a HOLY GOD!  

Some of my friends have YET to demonstrate that they are CHOSEN!  It could be that “THEY COULD NOT BELIEVE”, it is outside of their capabilities!  Maybe that is why GOD CHOSE me, the poor, wretched sinner that I am, to demonstrate HIS ABILITIES and my inabilities to deliver me from this darkness and into HIS MARVELOUS LIGHT (1 Peter 2:9) to a lost and dying world?  

Ephesians 2:8 says “For by GRACE you have been SAVED through FAITH. And this IS NOT YOUR OWN DOING; IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD”.  Since “THEY COULD NOT BELIEVE”, it is obvious that the GIFT of GRACE is not accepted by some?  Why would ANYONE deny an eternity in HEAVEN with their CREATOR?  Because their EYES have YET to be OPENED to SEE HIM!!!

“A LEVITE!”

 Judges 17:6-13                      (ESV)

“[6] In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.

[7] Now there was a young man of Bethlehem in Judah, of the family of Judah, who was “A LEVITE”, and he sojourned there. [8] And the man departed from the town of Bethlehem in Judah to sojourn where HE COULD FIND A PLACE. And as he journeyed, he came to the hill country of Ephraim to the house of Micah. [9] And Micah said to him, “Where do you come from?” And he said to him, “I am “A LEVITE” of Bethlehem in Judah, and I am going to sojourn where I may find a place.” [10] And Micah said to him, “Stay with me, and be to me a father and a priest, and I will give you ten pieces of silver a year and a suit of clothes and your living.” And the LEVITE went in. [11] And the LEVITE was content to dwell with the man, and the young man became to him like one of his sons. [12] And Micah ordained the LEVITE, and the young man became his priest, and was in the house of Micah. [13] Then Micah said, “Now I know that the LORD will prosper me, because I have “A LEVITE” as priest.””

“A LEVITE” means to be “set apart” according to one Biblical dictionary!  Some believe that this “A LEVITE” was “no other than a grandson of Moses”?  Regardless, this “young man” (Judges 17:7) was USED by GOD as a PRIEST who gave direction to “the house of Micah” (Judges 17:12) when HE COULD FIND A PLACE to serve THE LORD!  

May I take notice when ALMIGHTY GOD places “A LEVITE” in my path and listen to what THE ALMIGHTY has to say to me through him!!!

“STAND STILL!”

 Exodus 14:13-14                   (KJV)

“13 And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, “STAND STILL”, and see the salvation of the LORD, which HE will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. 14 The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.”

Sometimes we need to “STAND STILL” and not try to “do it all” for the LORD and HIS kingdom!  HE doesn’t require our assistance to split the Red Sea,  nor changing people’s minds!!!

“I AM CHOSEN!”

 John 6:44-45                        (ESV)

“[44] NO ONE can come to ME unless the FATHER WHO sent ME draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. [45] It is written in the Prophets, ‘And THEY WILL ALL be taught by GOD.’ EVERYONE who has heard and learned from the FATHER COMES TO ME.”

John 15:16                             (ESV)

“[16] You did not choose ME, but “I CHOSE YOU” and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the FATHER in MY NAME, HE may give it to you.”

The verses of Scripture listed above are all RES LETTERS in my Bible, meaning that they were ALL spoken by JESUS!  When the CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSES says that “I CHOSE YOU” to be a being to spend ETERNITY with HIM, that should make headlines in our “worlds”. 

In Luke 15:10. JESUS says “Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of GOD over one sinner who repents.”  Since the CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSES says “I CHOSE YOU”, I must be special because I AM HIS and part of HIS PLAN!!!

“THE LORD HEARS!”

 Psalm 34:17-18                       (ESV)

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

        and DELIVERS THEM out of all their troubles. 

    [18] The LORD is near to the brokenhearted

        and saves the crushed in spirit.”

These words have the ability to encourage when a depressing situation hits us, whenever we are UNABLE TO SEE a way out of a situation we are in?  The words DELIVER THEM caused me to remember the birth of my sons. Their mother is/was rather small, but their father was rather large!  They became men over 6 feet tall, rather active and very healthy!  

When both of them were in the womb, I PRAYED that they both would be healthy.  Although I was probably not, and most likely still aren’t, the most righteous man living, “THE LORD HEARS” the request of HIS servant and granted my requests!  

Although I am older now, I am “Brain Damaged” and “the enemy” tries to use depression to derail my thoughts and emotions every day, or so it seems!  FATHER IN HEAVEN, cause me to ALWAYS remember that “THE LORD HEARS” my cries and will DELIVER ME out of all my troubles.

“THE WORD OF GOD!”

 Hebrews 4:11-13                     (KJV)

“11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

12 For “THE WORD OF GOD” IS QUICKi and POWERFUL, and SHARPER than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of Soul and Spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in HIS sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of HIM with whom we have to do.”

In a study of Hebrews 4:12, the following script was written by one author regarding Hebrews 4:12:

“The word QUICK means to be ALIVE or to IMPART LIFE. It is the opposite of lifeless, for the WORD of GOD is ALIVE, LIVING, and REAL, unlike the average book that oftentimes contains information that becomes obsolete and/or outdated. In contrast, our GOD’s WORD is LIVING and becomes more renewed and concise in the hearts of our own understanding.”

In John 14:6 Scripture records “JESUS said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and THE LIFE. NO ONE comes to the FATHER except through ME.”  

FAR too often I find myself searching for LIFE, or to satisfy in LIFE, from the things of “this world”?  You would think that I would have LEARNED by now that LIFE, and the satisfaction from LIFE, can ONLY be experienced from “THE WORD OF GOD”???

“ALWAYS ABOUNDING!”

 1 Corinthians 15:58                     (ESV)

“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, “ALWAYS ABOUNDING” in the work of the LORD, knowing that IN THE LORD your labor is not in vain.”

“THE WILL OF GOD!”

 Romans 8:26-30                     (ESV)

“[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 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.”

“I WHO SPEAK TO YOU AM HE!”

 John 4:4-26                   (ESV)

“[4] And HE had to pass through Samaria. [5] So HE came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the field that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. [6] Jacob’s well was there; so JESUS, wearied as HE was from HIS journey, was sitting beside the well. It was about the sixth hour (noon).

[7] A woman from Samaria came to draw water. JESUS said to her, “Give ME a drink.” [8] (For HIS disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.) [9] The Samaritan woman said to HIM, “How is it that YOU, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) [10] JESUS answered her, “If you knew the gift of GOD, and WHO it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked HIM, and HE WOULD HAVE GIVEN YOU living water.” [11] The woman said to HIM, “Sir, YOU have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do YOU get that living water? [12] Are YOU greater than our father Jacob? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock.” [13] JESUS said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, [14] but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” [15] The woman said to HIM, “Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water.”

[16] JESUS said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.” [17] The woman answered HIM, “I have no husband.” JESUS said to her, “You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband’; [18] for you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true.” [19] The woman said to HIM, “Sir, I perceive that YOU are a prophet. [20] Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but YOU say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.” [21] JESUS said to her, “Woman, believe ME, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the FATHER. [22] You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. [23] But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the FATHER in SPIRIT and TRUTH, for THE FATHER  IS SEEKING SUCH PEOPLE TO WORSHIP HIM. [24] GOD IS SPIRIT, and those who worship HIM must worship in SPIRIT and TRUTH.” [25] The woman said to HIM, “I know that Messiah is coming (HE who is called CHRIST). When HE comes, HE will tell us all things.” [26] JESUS said to her, “I WHO SPEAK TO YOU AM HE”.”

The Samaritan woman at the well, Jacob’s Well near a town named Sychar, was having a conversation with a Jew, of WHOM she had not met before.  In her conversation with JESUS she was SPIRITUALLY moved to SEE that there was something different about JESUS?  She told JESUS “that Messiah is coming”!  JESUS responded “I WHO SPEAK TO YOU AM HE”!!!

The woman at the well went telling people “Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the CHRIST?”  JESUS had just told her “I WHO SPEAK TO YOU AM HE”, so she needed to rest in what GOD IN THE FLESH said to her!  “I WHO SPEAK TO YOU AM HE” IS THE MAJORITY, regardless!!!

“YOU ARE WITH ME!”

Psalm 23:1-4                                 (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 sake.

    [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.”

Seeing what “this world” deems to be successful people displaying their earthly gains can be intimidating to the people who are CHOSEN to live in a different realm?  However following GOD’s PLAN for the lives HE has for us is where we should be yearning for.  Allowing HIM to “lead” us is my goal, even if that means going through THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH!!!  

As long as “YOU ARE WITH ME”, I will fear no evil!  We are on this “foreign territory” for a very short time, and we are here for a PURPOSE!  We need to display to ALL that “YOU ARE WITH ME” and that “this world” has NO HOLD on us!  Don’t get caught up in the cares of “this world”, rather DISPLAY that “YOU ARE WITH ME” to those who need to SEE!!!

“HE GAVE NO ANSWER!”

Matthew 27:11-14                                 (ESV)

JESUS Before Pilate

“[11] Now JESUS stood before the governor, and the governor asked HIM, “Are you the King of the Jews?” JESUS said, “You have said so.” [12] But when HE was accused by the chief priests and elders, “HE GAVE NO ANSWER”. [13] Then Pilate said to HIM, “Do you not hear how many things they testify against YOU?” [14] But HE gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that THE GOVERNOR WAS GREATLY AMAZED.”

A few days ago in my “quiet time” this passage of Scripture came to my mind.  JESUS, the CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSES, was telling Pilate NOTHING in HIS defense, and Pilate saying that he could find NO FAULT in JESUS (Luke 23:4) must have seen nothing proved that HE wasn’t guilty of anything?  The DIVINE PLAN of GOD was about to be exquisitely fulfilled and NOTHING in HEAVEN nor on earth could prevent JESUS from paying the price for the sins of the CHOSEN.

In JESUS, we are referring to the second person on the triune GOD, and yet HE chose to remain silent rather than vindicate HIMSELF to Pilate!  “HE GAVE NO ANSWER” wasn’t an indication that HE didn’t have the answer, but that the answer was for HIM to sacrificially lay down HIS LIFE on my behalf!  In the passage of Scripture above, Pilate thought he had the ability to prevent the crucifixion of JESUS, but how else could a sinner like me satisfy the sin debt I owed?  

“HE GAVE NO ANSWER” to Pilate because HE was stumped was certainly not the case for JESUS, as I often find myself.  HE KNEW what was ahead of HIM and HE willingly proceeded with LOVE in HIS HEART!  JESUS CHRIST came to earth from HIS THRONE in Heaven to provide the HEAVENLY Sacrifice required by lowly, undeserving sinners like me, and when HE had the opportunity to offer rebuttal to questions “HE GAVE NO ANSWER”!!!

“I WILL BE GLORIFIED!”

Leviticus 10:1-3                                        (ESV)

“[1] Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it and laid incense on it and offered unauthorized fire before the LORD, which he had not commanded them. [2] And fire came out from before the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD. [3] Then Moses said to Aaron, “THIS IS WHAT THE LORD HAS SAID : ‘Among those who are near ME I will be sanctified, and before all the people “I WILL BE GLORIFIED”.’” And Aaron held his peace.”

Aaron was a brother of Moses, apparently well spoken, but also apparently not well grounded in his FAITH?  In Exodus 32 Aaron melted the gold from the Israelites and formed a golden calf, and he led them in worshiping the calf instead of GOD ALMIGHTY!

In the passage of Scripture above, Aaron held his peace when his own sons were consumed by fire by the LORD!  Can you visualize having your own sons totally consumed by fire while you stood by and watched?  It was as if Aaron knew that his sons were wrong in their actions, but he did nothing to correct their behavior???  This “inaction” cost his sons their lives, AND to observe the punishment!

GOD ALMIGHTY unmistakably says in verse three above “I WILL BE GLORIFIED”, and missing the mark on this costs Nadab and Abihu there lives in apparently a gruesome manner!  Whenever we SEE results that are FROM GOD, we should always remember Nadab and Abihu and the penalty they paid for missing their mark!  “I WILL BE GLORIFIED” should ALWAYS be reserved by GOD ALMIGHTY, and NOBODY ELSE!

“JACOB WAS LEFT ALONE!”

 Genesis 32:22-32                         (ESV)

Jacob Wrestles with GOD

“[22] The same night he (Jacob) arose and took his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. [23] He took them and sent them across the stream, and everything else that he had. [24] AND “JACOB WAS LEFT ALONE”. And a MAN wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. [25] When the MAN saw that HE did not prevail against Jacob, HE touched his hip socket, and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with HIM. [26] Then HE said, “Let me go, for the day has broken.” But Jacob said, “I will not let YOU go unless you bless me.” [27] And HE said to him, “What is your name?” And HE said, “Jacob.” [28] Then HE said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with GOD and with men, and have prevailed.” [29] Then Jacob asked HIM, “Please tell me YOUR NAME.” But HE said, “Why is it that you ask MY NAME?” And there HE BLESSED HIM. [30] So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen GOD face to face, and yet my life has been delivered.” [31] The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip. [32] Therefore to this day the people of Israel do not eat the sinew of the thigh that is on the hip socket, because HE touched the socket of Jacob’s hip on the sinew of the thigh.”

There is something to be said about BEING ALONE WITH GOD!  Over the past 15 years I have “grown” more and more comfortable with the solitude of BEING ALONE WITH GOD, especially since 2013 when I began my QUIET TIME with the LORD!  

When “JACOB WAS LEFT ALONE” with “a MAN”, his life was completely changed!  The MAN left Jacob with a hitch in his giddy-up as “HE touched his hip socket”.  Apparently Jacob’s gate was affected so that he would NEVER FORGET the changes brought about by “a MAN”???

When I awoke from the coma in July 2009, I didn’t realize it at the time, but my life was drastically changed, and I had NO CONTROL over it!  My personality used to be very outgoing.  It is now rather reserved.  There is NO DOUBT that ALMIGHTY GOD is the reason behind this change, in my opinion.  None of my physical abilities have changed, but my ability to choose words has drastically changed, something that I am convinced that was DIVINELY orchestrated!  Slowing down my ability to verbalize has made me THINK about what is coming out of my mouth, something that I wasn’t very good at doing previously.

Could I be wrong?  Of course!  When “JACOB WAS LEFT ALONE” to deal with “a MAN”, he was convinced in verse 30 that GOD ALONE had changed his life!  Of course Scripture tells us WHO changed Jacob in verse 30.  You can either believe that I was “just lucky”, or as my doctor wrote in September 2007 “However, he (me!) has had a remarkable recovery that could only be defined as a miracle from GOD!”  Sure “JACOB WAS LEFT ALONE”, but he was alone WITH GOD!  There is NOTHING LIKE THAT IN THIS WORLD!!!

“CHOSEN AND PRECIOUS!”

 1 Peter 2:4-9                                   (ESV)

“[4] As you come to HIM, a living stone rejected by men but IN THE SIGHT OF GOD “CHOSEN AND PRECIOUS”, [5] you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to GOD through JESUS CHRIST. [6] For it stands in Scripture: 

    “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone,

        a cornerstone “CHOSEN AND PRECIOUS”,

    and whoever believes in HIM will NOT BE PUT TO SHAME.”

    [7] So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe,

    “The stone that the builders rejected

        has become the cornerstone,”

    [8] and 

     “A stone of stumbling,

        and a rock of offense.”

    They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. 

    [9] But YOU ARE a CHOSEN race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, A PEOPLE FOR HIS OWN POSSESSION, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

Precisely, WHO ARE WE in CHRIST JESUS?  I’ve always examined myself knowing what I knew my failures were, sometimes being almost overwhelmed by my sinful life that I wouldn’t find myself WORTHY of being considered “CHOSEN AND PRECIOUS”!  

But what ALMIGHTY GOD sees when HE looks at me is what counts, and because of the SACRIFICIAL atonement provided by JESUS I am BLESSED to say that “IN THE SIGHT OF GOD “CHOSEN AND PRECIOUS”!!!

Ephesians 1:3-6

“[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 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.”

“LISTEN TO ME!”

Proverbs 8:32-36                     (ESV)

    “[32] “And now, O sons, “LISTEN TO ME”:

        blessed are those who keep MY ways. 

    [33] Hear instruction and be wise,

        and DO NOT NEGLECT IT. 

    [34] BLESSED IS THE ONE WHO LISTENS TO ME,

        watching daily at MY gates,

        waiting beside MY doors. 

    [35] For WHOEVER FINDS ME FINDS LIFE

        and obtains favor from the LORD, 

    [36] but he who fails to find ME injures himself;

        all who hate ME love death.””

The author of the book of Proverbs is widely accepted as King Solomon, the son of King David and Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah (Matthew 1:6).  Yes, King David was a man after GOD’S OWN heart (1 Samuel 13:14), but GOD used the sin of HIS servant to glorify HIM, as King Solomon was granted WISDOM (1 King 3) by ALMIGHTY GOD, from WHOM all WISDOM originates (Daniel 2:20; Psalms 19:7).  

Perhaps Solomon was granted WISDOM because he understood he was “…but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in” (1 Kings 3:7)!  At the time, Solomon understood that GOD’s strength was his ONLY HOPE of serving in a capacity of which he was being CALLED.  When Solomon was writing these specific Proverbs, they were written as GOD HIMSELF were speaking to whom ever was reading the MESSAGE.  Solomon might have understood from being as “a little child” that he might not have the experience of keeping HIS ways, so he needed to rely only on what GOD was saying???

“And now, O sons, “LISTEN TO ME”: blessed are those who keep MY ways” is what ALMIGHTY GOD was/is saying to we who are CALLED “O sons”!  Since I am a son, I am REQUIRED to “LISTEN TO ME” and not do “what I think is best”!?!  GOD never PROMISES to direct us into the easiest way out!  HE often gets GLORY from deliverance from us “the valley of the shadow of death” (Psalms 23:4)!  Like Solomon, I am “but a little child” who needs to “LISTEN TO ME” and do what HE directs me to do, not “what I think is best”!!!

“TO THE SAINTS!”

 Ephesians 1:1-4                (ESV)

“[1] Paul, an apostle of CHRIST JESUS  by the will of GOD, 

“TO THE SAINTS” who are in Ephesus, and ARE FAITHFUL are faithful in Christ Jesus: 

[2] Grace to you and peace from GOD our FATHER and the LORD JESUS 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.”

The inclination to emphasize HE CHOSE US is so great, maybe because GOD ALMIGHTY selected us before the foundation of the world to be one of HIS!  Paul wasn’t writing to anyone who wanted to read this, only “TO THE SAINTS”, the CHOSEN of GOD!!!

“I, THE LORD, WILL MAKE IT HAPPEN!”

 Isaiah 60:22        

(ESV) “The least one shall become a clan, and the smallest one a mighty nation; I am the LORD; in its time I will hasten it.”

(NLT) “The smallest family will become a thousand people, and the tiniest group will become a mighty nation. At the right time, “I, THE LORD, WILL MAKE IT HAPPEN.”

(NASB) “The smallest one will become a thousand, And the least one a mighty nation. I, the LORD, will bring it about quickly in its time.”

(HCSB) “Even the smallest family will be a powerful nation. I am the LORD, and when the time comes, I will quickly do all this.”

ALL of these translations of the HOLY BIBLE points out that I AM THE LORD will cause HIS WILL to come about, IN HIS TIMING!!!

Isaiah 60:21 (ESV) sets the stage for the focal passage saying “Your people shall all be righteous; they shall possess the land forever, the branch of MY planting, the work of MY hands, that I might be glorified.”  The work of “MY hands” will cause  ALMIGHTY GOD TO BE GLORIFIED, not by my abilities!!!

“WAIT FOR IT!”

 Habakkuk 2:1-3                   (ESV)

    “[1] I will take my stand at my watchpost

        and station myself on the tower,

    and look out to see what HE will say to me,

        and what I will answer concerning my complaint.

[2] And THE LORD answered me:

    “Write the vision;

        make it plain on tablets,

        so he may run who reads it. 

    [3] For still the vision AWAITS ITS APPOINTED TIME;

        it hastens to the end—it will not lie.

    If it seems slow, WAIT FOR IT;

        IT WILL SURELY COME; IT WILL NOT DELAY.”

“FEAR NOT!”

 Deuteronomy 20:1-4                  (KJV)

“1 When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, and a people more than thou, BE NOT AFRAID OF THEM: for the LORD thy GOD is with thee, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. 2 And it shall be, when ye are come nigh unto the battle, that the priest shall approach and speak unto the people, 3 And shall say unto them, Hear, O Israel, ye approach this day unto battle against your enemies: let not your hearts faint, “FEAR NOT”, and do not tremble, neither be ye terrified because of them; 4 For the LORD your GOD is HE that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, TO SAVE YOU.”

“DO NOT FEAR!”

 Deuteronomy 20:2-4                     (ESV)

“[2] And WHEN YOU DRAW NEAR TO THE BATTLE, the priest shall come forward and speak to the people [3] and shall say to them, ‘Hear, O Israel, TODAY YOU ARE DRAWING NEAR FOR BATTLE AGAINST YOUR ENEMIES: let not your heart faint. “DO NOT FEAR” or panic or be in dread of them, [4] for the LORD your GOD is HE WHO goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, TO GIVE YOU THE VICTORY.’”

Going through life’s battle isn’t for the weak in SPIRIT!  The LORD your GOD will GIVE YOU THE VICTORY, if you are ONE of HIS CHOSEN and “DO NOT FEAR”!!!

“DON’T BE AFRAID!”

 https://youtu.be/IKr2HwK0XM8

“NONE IS RIGHTEOUS!”

 Romans 3:9-18                  (ESV)

No One Is Righteous

[9] What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, [10] as it is written: 

    “”NONE IS RIGHTEOUS”, NO, NOT ONE; 

    [11]     no one understands;

        no one seeks for GOD. 

    [12] All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;

        no one does good,

        not even one.” 

    [13] “Their throat is an open grave;

        THEY USE THEIR TONGUES TO DECEIVE.”

    “The venom of asps is under their lips.” 

    [14]     “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.” 

    [15] “Their feet are swift to shed blood; 

    [16]     in their paths are ruin and misery, 

    [17] and the way of peace they have not known.” 

    [18]     “There is no fear of GOD before their eyes.””

“NO CREATURE IS HIDDEN FROM HIS SIGHT!”

 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.”

There are some who appear to Believe that they are FIT Spiritually!  The “HIM to WHOM we must give account” isn’t another creation, rather THE CREATOR WHO was, and is, and is to come!!  “NO CREATURE IS HIDDEN FROM HIS SIGHT”,………NONE!!!