“I AM NOT OUT OF MY MIND!”

 Acts 26:24-25                    (ESV)

“[24] And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.” [25] But Paul said, “”I AM NOT OUT OF MY MIND”, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words.”

Paul was one of the most profound and powerful speakers of all time, in my humble and honest opinion!  But speaking TRUTH to an unbeliever has the propensity to cause them to believe that you are a “madman”!  

Just who was Paul responding to in the passage of Scripture above?  Porcius Festus was the 5th procurator of Judea from about 59AD to 62AD, succeeding Antonio Felix.  Herod Agrippa II, officially named Marcus Julius Agrippa and sometimes shortened to Agrippa, was the last ruler from the Herodian dynasty reigning over territories outside of Judea as a Roman client. So these “Romans” were rather elevated in the current societal order, certainly not people to be taken lightly!  

When Festus told Paul in Acts 26:24 “Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind”, the Apostle Paul promptly responded “I AM NOT OUT OF MY MIND”!!!  Paul could have been chastised greatly for his correction of Felix.  But Paul was speaking TRUTH, something that is greatly underestimated in today’s modern society.  

Would I have been so bold to contradict a Roman procurator in that day and time?  It wasn’t as if the Apostle Paul was talking about something that was unknown to him, it was verifiable events that has happened shortly beforehand.   In Acts 26:28 King Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?”  He knew, others knew, but Paul had appealed to Rome so the matter was out of his hands.  

TRUTH is something that has a sneaky way of making itself known!  When Paul said “I AM NOT OUT OF MY MIND”, he was saying these words as a testimony of how JESUS CHRIST had CHANGED his life!  

When I am ridiculed for a stance that “makes no sense” to “this world”, I need to recall the words of the Apostle Paul, “I AM NOT OUT OF MY MIND”, I just BELIEVE in JESUS and the WORK HE accomplished for me, and the entire world!!!

“IN HIM WAS LIFE!”

 John 1:1-5                    (ESV)

The WORD Became FLESH 

“[1] In the beginning was THE WORD, and THE WORD was with GOD, and the WORD was GOD. [2] HE was in the beginning with GOD. [3] ALL THINGS were made through HIM, and without HIM was not any thing made that was made. [4] “IN HIM WAS LIFE”, and THE LIFE was THE LIGHT of men. [5] THE LIGHT shines in the darkness, and the darkness HAS NOT overcome it.”

I just watched a video of a grey-bearded man testifying about his son dying while the mother and father and his other sons watched, unable to assist him in any way!  My mind was almost immediately taken to my younger sister in 1996 dying from stomach cancer and I was unable to assist her in any way!  Words are incapable of describing the PAIN and IMPOTENCE that a family member experiences when a part of them slips into eternity AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO TO KEEP THEM HERE!!!

The Apostle John wrote many entries in the BIBLE.  The fourth book of the New Testament is named by The 1599 Geneva Bible “The Holy Gospel of JESUS CHRIST, according to John”.  Verse six says “There was a man sent from GOD, whose name was John.”  John was an eyewitness of the ministry of JESUS, the CHRIST!  John KNEW that JESUS was THE WORD.  He also KNEW that “IN HIM WAS LIFE”!  The words KNEW are capitalized because ONLY GOD could OPEN the EYES to SEE THE CHRIST living in the midst of a brutally corrupt regime that had control of “this world”!!

Why would GOD orchestrate DIVINE INTERVENTION for mankind and STILL permit HIS CHILDREN to fall prey to the enemy’s vices?  My little sister’s body was devoured by gastric carcinoma in less than six months. But when she exited “this world” she immediately was in the presence of GOD and forever more praises and adores HIM like I can only imagine!  

I may never understand with my feeble mind how GOD can get GLORY from humanity suffering in “this world”??  But JESUS suffered GREATLY for my salvation, even though John wrote “IN HIM WAS LIFE”!!  HE experienced brutality even though “IN HIM WAS LIFE” because HE wanted me to have ETERNAL LIFE due to HIS sacrifice!!!  Since JESUS OVERCAME death, shouldn’t we ALL be able to SEE (Acts 26:12-18) that “IN HIM WAS LIFE”???

“IT IS THE LORD WHO JUDGES ME!”

1 Corinthians 4:1-4                    (ESV)

The Ministry of Apostles

“[1] This is how one should regard us, as servants of CHRIST and stewards of the mysteries of GOD. [2] Moreover, IT IS REQUIRED OF STEWARDS THAT THEY BE FOUND FAITHFUL. [3] But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. [4] For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. “IT IS THE LORD WHO JUDGES ME.”

The author of this letter to the church at Corinth was Paul, the FORMER persecutor of THE WAY (Acts 9:2)!  By the end of this chapter of the BIBLE Paul was proclaiming the GOOD NEWS to everyone that would listen to him.  He wasn’t PERFECTED, but he was FORGIVEN!!!

This same Paul was having his FAITH assaulted by those who had no clue as to his life and actions.  He replies in 1 Corinthians 4:4 “IT IS THE LORD WHO JUDGES ME”, preferably meaning the ULTIMATE JUDGEMENT??  

As BELIEVERS, we shouldn’t have anything more weightier than that which our CREATOR knows about us?  HE IS the ULTIMATE JUDGE WHO will seated at THE JUDGEMENT (John 5:22-23)!  Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 4:4 “IT IS THE LORD WHO JUDGES ME” because he was TOTALLY focused on the “only” JUDGEMENT that anyone should be concerned with!!!

“MY SOUL THIRSTS FOR YOU!”

 Psalm 63                    (ESV)

“My Soul Thirsts for YOU”

A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah.

    [1] O GOD, YOU are my GOD; earnestly I seek YOU;

        my soul thirsts for YOU;

    my flesh faints for YOU,

        as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. 

    [2] So I have looked upon YOU in the sanctuary,

        beholding YOUR power and glory. 

    [3] Because YOUR steadfast love is better than life,

        my lips will praise YOU. 

    [4] So I will bless YOU as long as I live;

        in YOUR NAME I will lift up my hands.

    [5] My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food,

        and my mouth will praise YOU with joyful lips, 

    [6] when I remember YOU upon my bed,

        and meditate on YOU in the watches of the night; 

    [7] for YOU have been my help,

        and in the shadow of YOUR wings I will sing for joy. 

    [8] My soul clings to YOU;

       YOUR right hand upholds me.

    [9] But those who seek to destroy my life

        shall go down into the depths of the earth; 

    [10] they shall be given over to the power of the sword;

        they shall be a portion for jackals. 

    [11] But the king shall rejoice in GOD;

        all who swear by HIM shall exult,

        for the mouths of liars will be stopped.”

“IF WE LIVE BY THE SPIRIT!”

 Galatians 5:16-25                    (ESV)

KEEP IN STEP WITH THE SPIRIT 

“[16] But I say, WALK BY THE SPIRIT, and you will NOT gratify the desires of the flesh. [17] For the desires of the flesh are against the SPIRIT, and the desires of the SPIRIT are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you WANT to do. [18] But if you are led by the SPIRIT, you are NOT under the law. [19] Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, [20] idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, [21] envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will NOT inherit the kingdom of GOD. [22] But the fruit of the SPIRIT is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. [24] And those who belong to CHRIST JESUS have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

[25] “IF WE LIVE BY THE SPIRIT”, let us also KEEP IN STEP with the SPIRIT.

What characteristics should we exhibit “IF WE LIVE BY THE SPIRIT”?  That question is answered in the Scripture above, let us “ALSO KEEP IN STEP with the SPIRIT”!!  The character traits listed in verses 22 and 23 above states “the fruit of the SPIRIT is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law”!  

Regrettably, my life does NOT “always”demonstrate enough of the hallmarks of the fruits of the SPIRIT.  I am SO BLESSED to know that according to Romans 8:1 “There is therefore now NO CONDEMNATION for those who are in CHRIST JESUS.”  Even though I am “the chief of sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15), the SON OF GOD gave HIS LIFE for me, for me to PRAISE HIM for eternity!!!

“IF WE LIVE BY THE SPIRIT”, we will not constantly be PURE in our actions, but we WILL always demonstrate a GROWTH pattern demonstrative of a CHILD OF THE KING!!!  

“TRADITION OF THE ELDERS!”

 Mark 7:5-8                    (ESV)

“[5] And the PHARISEES and the SCRIBES asked HIM (JESUS), “Why do YOUR disciples not walk according to the “TRADITION OF THE ELDERS”, but eat with defiled hands?” [6] And HE said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, 

    “‘This people honors ME with their lips,

        but their heart is far from ME; 

    [7] in vain do they worship ME,

        teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’

    [8] You leave the commandment of GOD and hold to the tradition of men.””

How many times do I hold the “TRADITION OF THE ELDERS” in front of what THE WORD (John 1:1) instructs me to do???

We need to SLOW DOWN and spend more instructional time in THE WORD and NOT be so concerned with the “TRADITION OF THE ELDERS”!!!

“Mark 7:6b-7”

 Mark 7:6b-7                    (ESV)

“[6] b…“‘This people honors ME with their lips,

        but their heart is far from ME; 

    [7] IN VAIN do they worship ME,

        teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”

“CALL TO ME!”

 Jeremiah 33:3                    (ESV)

“[3] “CALL TO ME” and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.”

“The WORD of the LORD” (Jeremiah 33:1) is WHO is being recorded speaking to Jeremiah.  JESUS is referred to in John 1:1 as THE WORD! I find it “interesting” (to say the least!) that these two places in THE WORD OF GOD are meant to identify different beings???

When “the WORD of the LORD” instructs us to do ANYTHING, it would obviously DRAW us to do what HE is saying???  But sometimes we are moving TOO FAST in the pace of “this world” to HEAR from our CREATOR!?!  When HE tells us to “CALL TO ME”, it makes sense to me that I need to “CALL TO ME” rather quickly and fervently!!!

Are our EYES OPENED to fully understand that the BEING that gives us life is saying to us “CALL TO ME”???  HE is patiently waiting to hear from we who HE has given air to breathe!  I am headed to my PRAYER CLOSET to “CALL TO ME”!!!

“THE LORD ESTABLISHES HIS STEPS!”

 Proverbs 16:9                    (ESV)

   “The heart of man plans his way,

        but “THE LORD ESTABLISHES HIS STEPS.”

In talking with a dear friend recently, we were speaking about the “turmoil” that his family has experienced this year.  He and his wife have had a period of time where NOTHING seemed to go right!  

But a LOT of times that is the case for humanity!  Another translation of the BIBLE says “We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps”!! ALMIGHTY GOD must have a way of recording what “we plan” versus what and how HIS PLAN plays out???  

On July 09, 2007 my mind was only beginning to be ILLUMINATED to SEE how much I was missing the MARK!  The events of the next few years OPENED my EYES to the FULLNESS of HIS GRACE in a WAY HE can only be credited with!!!  I could never have imagined how things have transpired.  BUT GOD!!!

We make “our plans”, but very often GOD has to adjust our schedules to “fit” HIS PLAN!! We need to come to grips with the fact that “THE LORD ESTABLISHES HIS STEPS”, we only get to walk the PATH HE designed for us!!!

“Psalms 87:7”

 Psalms 87:7                    (NASB)

“Then those who sing as well as those who play the flutes will say, “All my springs of joy are in YOU.”

“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.”

So many times I find myself in a rush for a decision, and almost inevitably the timing is at a critical moment in my life!  Relying on what “I believe” is the correct answer for my future might be the most critical decision I could make, and that is usually when “the enemy” BLOCKS me from HEARING from my CREATOR?  Usually the biggest problem is I am not TRUSTING IN THE LORD, but I tend to LEAN ON MY UNDERSTANDING to do what is right???

Making excuses about what is the CORRECT thing to do can be PRECISELY what GOD is trying to teach me. Had I been consulted regarding my condition in July 2007, I probably would have “pulled the plug” after about a week in the coma?  BUT GOD HAD A PLAN that entailed me SLOWING DOWN, so HE left me in a coma for SEVENTEEN DAYS!  SEVENTEEN YEARS later I am eternally changed, operating more closely to HIS TIMEFRAME!!

There are “somethings” that I have to EXPERIENCE to fully comprehend what GOD is trying to teach me???  “DO NOT LEAN ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING” is not a suggestion to me, it is a COMMAND!!!  It might be an uncomfortable position, but I have to understand that TRUE HEALING takes more time than what this novice understands!!  I MUST have the premise of “DO NOT LEAN ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING” engrained in my mind to avoid allowing “the enemy” to control my actions!!!

“MY WORDS!”

Proverbs 4:20-27                    (ESV)

   “[20] My son, be attentive to “MY WORDS”;

        incline your ear to MY sayings. 

    [21] Let them not escape from your sight;

        KEEP THEM WITHIN YOUR HEART””. 

    [22] For THEY ARE LIFE to those who find them,

        and healing to all their flesh. 

    [23] Keep your heart with all vigilance,

        for from it flow the springs of life. 

    [24] Put away from you crooked speech,

        and put devious talk far from you. 

    [25] Let your eyes look DIRECTLY FORWARD,

        and your gaze be straight before you. 

    [26] PONDER the path of your feet;

        then all your ways will be sure. 

    [27] Do not swerve to the right or to the left;

        TURN YOUR FOOT AWAY FROM EVIL.”

As I “ponder” the path that I have taken in my life, I am left almost bewildered by how vile and disgusting of my oftentimes behavior.  The “choices” in my life were not always the ones that I am proud of, nor the results of those choices!  Yet I have been BLESSED with a wife and children/grandchildren who make decisions that draw honor and glory to our CREATOR!

Our behavior is not always what we are proud of.  As a matter of fact, the “choices” I made have often caused me to regret my decisions to travel the journey I have traveled.  But ALMIGHTY GOD takes those “choices” to manifest HIS SOVEREIGNTY and deliver me FOR HIS GLORY!  

One thing that I need to have etched into my heart is to be more attentive to “MY WORDS”; incline your ear to MY sayings”!  ALMIGHTY GOD desires for us to look DIRECTLY FORWARD and to avoid some of the things that will harm us.  “MY WORDS” may lead us into turmoil, but HE WILL DELIVER us through and ALL of the GLORY will belong to HIM!!!