From Bishop Robert E Smith Sr!

 From Bishop Robert E. Smith Sr.!

“Christ is the image of God (Heb.1:3; Col.1:14,15); others are made in the Son's image (Gen.1:26).  Some of us look like Him (Rom.8:29; Col.3:10), but many don't (Gal.4:19).”

John 14:27

 John 14:27                      (ESV)

“Peace I leave with you; MY peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

Psalms 74:12

 Psalm 74:12                           (ESV)

        “Yet GOD my KING is from of old,

        working salvation in the midst of the earth.”

Proverbs 1:28

 Proverbs 1:28                            (ESV)

    “[28] Then they will call upon ME, “BUT I WILL NOT ANSWER”;

        they will seek ME diligently but will not find ME.”

Psalms 1:23

 Proverbs 1:23                   (ESV)

    “[23] “IF YOU TURN” at MY reproof,

    behold, I will pour out MY SPIRIT to you;

        I will make MY WORDS known to you.”

“WE HOPE IN YOU!”

 Psalm 33:20-22                        (ESV)

    “[20] Our soul waits for the LORD;

        HE is our help and our shield. 

    [21] For our heart is glad in HIM,

        because we trust in HIS HOLY NAME. 

    [22] Let YOUR steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us,

        even as “WE HOPE IN YOU”.”

In reality, our lives are a stage of WHO and WHAT is important to us.  Our spouse, children and grandchildren are certainly important in our lives.  LIFE has so many distractions that can be brought about by everything that we associate with “living”, BUT where do we run when “life” gets too complicated???

These three verses give a glimpse into what WE SHOULD have as our compass, our chief focus.  “WE HOPE IN YOU”, JESUS, for our guidance and sustenance SHOULD be the FIRST resort, especially for we who are CHOSEN!  Why would someone whom ALMIGHTY GOD CHOSE before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4) even consider doing something without seeking the approval of our CREATOR?  

“WE HOPE IN YOU” needs to be at the forefront of our thought process, not as a last resort when everything else had failed.  Maybe we need to experience NOT being able to solve our problems to learn that “WE HOPE IN YOU” IS the answer to every problem in our lives?  

“I DO NOT UNDERSTAND!”

 Romans 7:13-20                      (RSV)

“[13] Did that which is good, then, bring death to me? By no means! It was sin, producing death in me through what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure. [14] For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. [15] For “I DO NOT UNDERSTAND” MY OWN ACTIONS. For I do not do what I want, but I DO THE VERY THING I HATE. [16] Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. [17] So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. [18] For I know that NOTHING GOOD DWELLS IN ME, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but NOT THE ABILITY TO CARRY IT OUT. [19] For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. [20] Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but SIN THAT DWELLS IN ME.”

For a long time, the above Scriptures have been some of my favorites.  Paul, the author of the Letter to the Roman Church (Romans 1:1), was SO much more articulate than I ever expected to be, even before the Brain Hemorrhage in 2007. Yet even he had a difficult time finding the words to properly articulate why sin was so difficult to overcome in his life?  

Paul wrote in Romans 7:15 “I DO NOT UNDERSTAND” MY OWN ACTIONS, giving us ample evidence that he disapproved (putting it mildly!) of his actions.  The SIN THAT DWELLS IN ME caused him MUCH grief, and even takes up much of this chapter of his letter to the Roman Church.  But the final verses of this chapter say “WRETCHED MAN that I am! WHO will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to GOD through JESUS CHRIST our LORD! So then, I myself serve the law of GOD with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.”

We need to be reminded that we are not going to be able to “graduate” to PURE Holiness until we are in the presence of our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST!  I am “the foremost” (1 Timothy 1:15) of sinners, so I need to keep my EYES on JESUS and keep HIM as my FOCUS!!  Why do I live a seemingly defeated life at times?  It could be that “I DO NOT UNDERSTAND” that my righteousness is TOTALLY and COMPLETELY through the SACRIFICE of JESUS CHRIST, nothing that I have done nor will do!!!

Why was I CHOSEN (Ephesians 1:4) before the foundation of the world ??  That “I DO NOT UNDERSTAND”???

“HE CHOSE US!”

 Ephesians 1:3-8                     (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.”

Sometimes I need to be reminded that “HE CHOSE US” (JESUS CHOSE ME) BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD!!!  Even though I fail HIM daily, the fact that “HE CHOSE US” is the thing that makes the difference!!!

“OUR HOPE IS LOST?”

 Ezekiel 37:11-14                     (ESV)

“[11] Then HE said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Behold, they say, ‘Our bones are dried up, and “OUR HOPE IS LOST”; we are indeed cut off.’ [12] Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the LORD GOD: Behold, I will open your graves and raise you from your graves, O MY people. And I will bring you into the land of Israel. [13] And you shall know that I AM THE LORD, when I open your graves, and raise you from your graves, O MY people. [14] And I will put MY SPIRIT within you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I AM THE LORD; I have spoken, and I will do it, declares the LORD.””

There are times when this humble servant feels as though “OUR HOPE IS LOST”, mainly when I cannot SEE how GOD is going to extricate me from where I am, along with telling me how and when HE is going to get me where “I think” HE should take me!!  Getting me to a place HE has PROMISED I am going is sometimes difficult to comprehend, but I have been in “difficult” situations before, and I have to be reminded of that from time to time!

When Ezekiel was told that “I (Almighty GOD)will open your graves and raise you from your graves, O MY people.  And I will bring you into the land of Israel”, HIS TRUE FOLLOWERS had to BELIEVE!  The CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSES PROMISED something, and it wasn’t to be taken lightly!  Even though it was an “unbelievable” feat, GOD SPECIALIZES IN THE IMPOSSIBLE!  When things look rather bleak and chaotic, that is when GOD LOVES to reveal HIMSELF!!!

On July 24, 2007 my medical records indicate that I was given TREMENDOUS amounts of hypertension medication.  On July 25, 2007 in the wee hours of the morning, my blood pressure plummeted, UNEXPLAINABLY!  When ALMIGHTY GOD delivers HEALING, it can often be “beyond belief”!  

“This world” may say “OUR HOPE IS LOST”, but ALMIGHTY GOD isn’t swayed by the unbelief of those who are unable to SEE the THINGS from ABOVE!  From where I was in the summer of 2007, I couldn’t SEE anything!  “OUR HOPE IS LOST” might have been thought by some, but JESUS wasn’t through with me yet!!!

“THE VALLEY OF DRY BONES!”

 Ezekiel 37                                   (ESV)

“THE VALLEY OF DRY BONES”

“[1] The hand of the LORD was upon me, and he brought me out in the SPIRIT of the LORD and set me down in the middle of the valley; it was full of bones. [2] And HE led me around among them, and behold, there were very many on the surface of the valley, and behold, they were very dry. [3] And HE said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” And I answered, “O LORD GOD, YOU know.” [4] Then HE said to me, “Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the WORD of the LORD. [5] Thus says the LORD GOD to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. [6] And I will lay sinews upon you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live, and you shall know that I AM THE LORD.”

[7] So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I prophesied, there was a sound, and behold, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone. [8] And I looked, and behold, there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them. But there was no breath in them. [9] Then HE said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, Thus says the LORD GOD: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.” [10] So I prophesied as HE commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army.

[11] Then HE said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Behold, they say, ‘Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are indeed cut off.’ [12] Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the LORD GOD: Behold, I will open your graves and raise you from your graves, O MY people. And I will bring you into the land of Israel. [13] And you shall know that I AM THE LORD, when I open your graves, and raise you from your graves, O MY people. [14] And I will put MY SPIRIT within you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I AM THE LORD; I have spoken, and I will do it, declares the LORD.”

I Will Be Their GOD; They Shall Be MY People

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

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

“ACKNOWLEDGE HIM!”

 “Your job is to do the best you can, and leave the rest up to GOD!”   Grant Taylor in Facing the Giants

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.”

 

My life was a prime example of doing the most I could “for GOD”, at least until July 09, 2007!  I used quotation marks around “for GOD because that is what I would use to “justify” what I was working on to validate my wishes for HIS BLESSINGS!  Never did I think that GOD would use a 17-day coma to awaken me to how misguided my thoughts and actions were!  The quote at the top of this post is from the movie “Facing the Giants”, a story written by the Kendrick Brothers.  The Kendrick Brothers have been rather successful in their efforts, with more than a few successful films.  

While their movies have been very successful, the phrase above “jumped” all over me when I saw it recently.  The Children of Israel did absolutely NOTHING on the banks of the Red Sea, but ALMIGHTY GOD showed out TREMENDOUSLY when they needed it most!  In 2007, I was sedated for 17 days, not able to even breathe on my own.  ALMIGHTY GOD performed a WORK that even my doctor gives all credit for, because HE IS WORTHY!!

Sometimes HE needs to act alone and “not share HIS GLORY with another” (Isaiah 42:8)!!  When there is a situation that demands DIVINE intervention, GOD deserves to be ACKNOWLEDGED!  Looking the word ACKNOWLEDGE up in the dictionary reveals “To admit the existence or TRUTH of; To express recognition of; make notice of.;To express gratitude or appreciation for or to.”!  It appears that even we who are Believers are TOO BUSY trying to gain more wealth that we don’t take time to BE STILL, AND KNOW THAT HE IS GOD!!!

In my life, I now can SEE that I am in a position to “ACKNOWLEDGE HIM” and let HIM keep my paths straight!  It seems that my path direction always leads me toward disaster, but GOD promises to make STRAIGHT our paths!  My prayer is that I will “ACKNOWLEDGE HIM” with my life and HE WILL make straight my paths!!!

“REMEMBER!”

 Psalm 105:1-5                         (ESV)

Tell of All HIS Wondrous Works

    “[1] Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon HIS name;

        make known HIS deeds among the peoples! 

    [2] Sing to HIM, sing praises to HIM;

        tell of all HIS wondrous works! 

    [3] Glory in HIS HOLY NAME;

        let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice! 

    [4] Seek the LORD and HIS strength;

        seek HIS presence continually! 

    [5] “REMEMBER” the wondrous works that HE has done,

        HIS miracles, and the judgments HE uttered, 

   [6] O offspring of Abraham, HIS servant,

        children of Jacob, HIS CHOSEN ones!”

The word “REMEMBER” is used very often on September 11 most years since 2001 as “the enemy” (Luke 10:19)used foreign mercenaries to attack the United States and bring “this world” to a complete halt!  We fail to appreciate and acknowledge that PEACE comes from ABOVE, and we do not acknowledge HIM for PEACE!  We need to “REMEMBER” WHO our PEACE comes from and acknowledge HIM as the giver and provider of PEACE!!!

If “the CHURCH” truly would “REMEMBER” what the first four verses of Psalms 105 says, we wouldn’t have time to fret and fear about what “the enemy” was attempting to pull off.  Sixteen years ago the United States economy was in a tremendous slump, our entire nation was struggling greatly, and we were blaming everyone besides ourselves!  Not only was GOD not being PRAISED for BLESSING the United States to lead the world in 2001, but we wanted to know how we got to the point where we were as the World Trade Center’s were being destroyed???

Sixteen years ago (2007) I was in out-patient rehab, recovering from a “massive brain hemorrhage”!  I was just happy to be alive and not concerned with what was happening politically or socially.  I have to “REMEMBER” from time to time precisely where GOD brought me and that I am HIS CHOSEN!  Why else would I still be here???

No matter from what road you have been delivered from, nor what you are going through, please “REMEMBER” to “Sing to HIM, sing praises to HIM; tell of all HIS wondrous works!”  It is hard to fret and complain about our situation when we “REMEMBER” WHO we belong to!!!

“YOU HAVE ONLY TO BE SILENT!”

 Exodus 14:10-14                         (ESV)

“[10] When Pharaoh drew near, the people of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and THEY FEARED GREATLY. And the people of Israel cried out to the LORD. [11] They said to Moses, “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us in bringing us out of Egypt? [12] Is not this what we said to you in Egypt: ‘Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.” [13] And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which HE WILL WORK FOR YOU TODAY. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. [14] The LORD will fight for you, and “YOU HAVE ONLY TO BE SILENT”.”

The Children of Israel had been “encamped” at the Red Sea for a period of time between 7 and 12 days, according to differing Biblical scholars.  The one thing that needs to be emphasized is THE ISRAELITES HAD TO WAIT for the enemy to threaten to overtake them for GOD to defeat the Egyptians (Exodus 14:28) and deliver the Israelites to victory!!!

For me, I would have been scheming and plotting to defeat the Egyptians in my own way, something that I thought up!  But GOD had instructed Moses and the Children of Israel that “YOU HAVE ONLY TO BE SILENT”!  GOD didn’t require any of HIS Children to do anything, ONLY “YOU HAVE ONLY TO BE SILENT”!

The most difficult thing for this humble servant is to “sit down and shut up”!  I want to be “in on the Plan”, but GOD might be telling me “YOU HAVE ONLY TO BE SILENT”?  I have been through some pretty scary times, and there was a time when ALMIGHTY GOD had to put me into a coma for me to let HIM be GOD and perform a MIRACLE that amazed even the doctors!  

As in Exodus 14, “YOU HAVE ONLY TO BE SILENT” is when GOD doesn’t need our assistance!!!

“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.”

Sometimes we Believers can become so pious with what we SEE as our RIGHTEOUS behavior that we lose sight of what/who we really are, FILTHY RAGS before a HOLY GOD!  Actually, some translations (Douay-Rheims Bible) refer to FILTHY RAGS as a polluted garment of a menstruous woman.  Isaiah says in the text above that “WE ARE ALL” as an unclean thing, not just Believers!  “WE ARE ALL” means ALL, including the most well thought of people who act as though they are above sin!!!  Whether you are Pastor of the local church, or you are an elected official, or possibly a poor, debilitated drunkard, “WE ARE ALL” as FILTHY RAGS before ALMIGHTY GOD!!!

When we stand before our HOLY JUDGE on JUDGEMENT DAY and EVERYTHING is revealed for ALL to see, “WE ARE ALL” going to be exposed as the vile, worthless people that we are!  But Romans 5:6 says “For while we were still weak, at the right time CHRIST died for the ungodly.”  CHRIST has always been the SUBSTITUTIONARY ATONEMENT for we who place our TRUST in HIM!  Even Isaiah 53:4-6 it is written “HE (JESUS) was crushed for our iniquities”!  JESUS has paid the sin debt for HIS CHOSEN, not because we are better than others, BUT BECAUSE HE LOVED US!!!

My sin is ever before me (Psalms 51:3) as King David so eloquently wrote, but JESUS paid the debt for me and I am eternally grateful HE did!  “WE ARE ALL” but FILTHY RAGS before GOD, but when HE looks at me HE SEES the BLOOD OF JESUS in my place!!!  WHAT A SACRIFICE!!!

“EXAMINE YOURSELVES!”

 2 Corinthians 13:5                         (ESV)

“[5] “EXAMINE YOURSELVES”, to see whether you are in the FAITH. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that JESUS CHRIST is in you?—UNLESS INDEED YOU FAIL TO MEET THE TEST!”

Failing to PROPERLY “EXAMINE YOURSELVES” might be something that hasn’t been done by many people in today’s society, most likely because the pace of “this world” operates so quickly that it is almost impossible to SEE things clearly!  

If, in fact, JESUS CHRIST is in you, then you CAN NOT be outside of HIS LORDSHIP!  John 10:27 plainly says “MY sheep hear MY voice, and I know them, AND THEY FOLLOW ME.”  IF you are following JESUS, then you are a part of HIS sheep!

However, if you are doing what “you think” is best, whether the results are “good” or “bad”, then you might NOT be a part of the KINGDOM OF GOD?

“EXAMINE YOURSELVES” needs to be performed in a thorough manner, much like when we see a physician regarding our physical health.  Most people don’t just go to the doctor when they have a problem, but the “check-ups” are for the physician to identify ANY abnormal conditions that might cause us harm!  

We should, at least, “EXAMINE YOURSELVES” as often as we see our physical doctor about our physical health.  A thorough examination of our SPIRITUAL CONDITION needs to be done on everyone who yearns to SEE JESUS!  One day it will be TOO LATE for any of us to “EXAMINE YOURSELVES”!!!!