“THE FIRE IS NOT QUENCHED!”

 Mark 9:42-50                    (ESV)

Temptations to Sin

“[42] “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in ME to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. [43] And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. [45] And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell. [47] And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of GOD with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, [48] ‘where their worm does not die and “THE FIRE IS NOT QUENCHED”.’ [49] For everyone will be salted with fire. [50] Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.””

One of my most addictive things to do is to watch brief videos on social media.  They generally last less than one minute and can cause me to THINK about things!!  

This morning I watched a video of what happens when you attempt to drill through this entire planet we call EARTH!  One estimate says that the temperature of the core of the earth is UNBELIEVABLE!!!  One website says that “Earth’s core is a scorching 10,754°F on average, although this can fluctuate between 9,854°F to 11,654°F depending on varying environmental factors”.  That would evaporate a human being very rapidly!

But something else shook me as the aforementioned video was played.  They reported that once an object reached the core (center) of the earth, gravity would keep it there FOREVER!!!  Therefore, realizing what Scripture says about Hell, FOREVER (Eternity) is how long the sentence of Hell will be for those who reject JESUS!!!

We can’t adequately express the torment and suffering associated with TOTAL separation from GOD!!!  People can’t IMAGINE the AGONY that people will be subjected to simply because of their own choice! Slowly read this verse and consider the CHOICES that you have….. ‘where their worm does not die and “THE FIRE IS NOT QUENCHED”.’  Make certain you are understanding the decision you are making???  “THE FIRE IS NOT QUENCHED” could be 10,000+ degrees……FOREVER?!?!?

“THEY KNEW HIM!”

 Mark 1:32-39                    (ESV)

“[32] That evening at sundown they brought to HIM all who were sick or oppressed by demons. [33] And the whole city was gathered together at the door. [34] And HE healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And HE WOULD NOT PERMIT THE DEMONS TO SPEAK, because “THEY KNEW HIM”.

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 HIM.” [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.”

Being in the midst of the holidays and spending time with my family, I don’t take the time to “get alone with GOD” like I normally do!?!  My wife is simply AMAZING, taking care of me AND the grandchildren, but my desire is to spend more time with them when they are in our presence!!

JESUS must be EVERYTHING??  HE exhibited HIS DEITY to everyone whose EYES were OPENED to SEE HIM.  However HE departed from one group of people and went to another group CASTING OUT DEMONS.  How did HE KNOW who was CHOSEN???  The Apostle Paul writes in Ephesians 1:4 that we were CHOSEN “before the foundation of the world”!!!

A key factor that mustn’t be overlooked is that the ministry of JESUS WAS NOT solely to heal the sick or forgive the sins of some of humanity.  JESUS only ministered for a period of time (3 1/2 years) on earth!  But HIS impact was felt for ALL TO SEE……..IF they were CHOSEN!!!  There were/are many people who were NOT CHOSEN!?!  These were NOT PERMITTED TO SPEAK simply because “THEY KNEW HIM”!!!

Because my FINITE mind is tremendously weak, GOD’S PLAN for my responsibilities is LIMITED by what HIS WILL is for my life!  The aforementioned demons were NOT permitted to speak because “THEY KNEW HIM”!  Others may be CHOSEN to SPEAK because “THEY KNOW HIM”???  I pray that I will SPEAK for HIM when my CHOSEN time arises!!!

“Ecclesiastes 7:14”

 Ecclesiastes 7:14                    (ESV)

“In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider: GOD has made the one as well as the other, so that man may not find out ANYTHING that will be after HIM.”

“Isaiah 42:5”

 Isaiah 42:5                    (ESV)

    “[5] Thus says GOD, THE LORD,

        WHO created the heavens and stretched them out,

        WHO spread out the earth and what comes from it,

    WHO GIVES BREATH TO THE PEOPLE ON IT

        and SPIRIT to those who walk in it:”

I need to DAILY remember that ALMIGHTY GOD supernaturally grants me EVERY breath that I am allowed to breathe!!!  Am I using these breaths wisely???

“CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST!”

 Galatians 2:20-21                    (ESV)

“[20] I have been “CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST” . It is no longer I who live, but CHRIST WHO lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by FAITH in the SON of GOD, WHO loved me and gave HIMSELF for me. [21] I do not nullify the grace of GOD, for IF righteousness were through the law, then CHRIST died for no purpose.”

Tomorrow we celebrate the BIRTH of our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST.  What we fail to grasp is that JESUS was born to specifically die at a set time for the sins of ALL mankind, but the fact that I am humbled most, JESUS CHRIST DIED FOR ME!!!

I AM NOT MY OWN!  JESUS CHRIST now lives inside of me!  So WHY do I try to “get my way” with every matter that comes up in my life ?  Since ALL Believers have been “CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST, shouldn’t we subject ourselves to DYING TO SELF MORE, instead of fighting to “get our way”??

“The CHRISTmas Season!!”

 The CHRISTmas Season!!!

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“THE TRUTH!”

 John 8:44-45                    (ESV)

“[44] You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in “THE TRUTH”, because there is no “TRUTH” in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. [45] But because I tell “THE TRUTH”, you do not believe ME.”

https://x.com/terrigreenusa/status/1869923535688224832?s=46&t=v-nCUFHOQhOc0d3RzRrtsA

I’ll not attempt to add to the MESSAGE delivered by Dr. John MacArthur!! This passage of Scripture is spoken by KING JESUS to followers of satan, the prince of “this world”!  

“The enemy” constantly is trying to mask how he is seen!!!  GOD is the ONLY WAY to SEE “THE TRUTH”!!!

“JESUS WOULD WITHDRAW TO DESOLATE PLACES AND PRAY!”

 Luke 5:15-16                    (ESV)

“[15] But now even more the report about HIM went abroad, and GREAT CROWDS gathered to hear HIM and TO BE HEALED OF THEIR INFIRMITIES . [16] But HE (JESUS) WOULD WITHDRAW TO DESOLATE PLACES AND PRAY.”

Life can be so CONVOLUTED, especially when we fail to GET ALONE and communicate with our HEAVENLY FATHER!  Before I get into my thoughts, CONVOLUTED has several synonyms in the dictionary: complicated; intricate; complex, sophisticated; tangled; elaborate, difficult; incomprehensible and inexplicable are but a few of them!  Now, read the first part of the previous sentence again!  Life can be so CONVOLUTED!!!

Exactly what can we do to GET ALONE with our CREATOR???  In my experience, being placed in a coma is a SURE FIRE example of NOT being “in control”!!!  But that happens to very few of humanity, so that isn’t a good example.  LETTING GO keeps coming to my mind, explicitly and intentionally connecting with our CREATOR to get a clear direction on what/how/when/where HE wants to cause us to be used for and by HIM!!!

JESUS CHRIST had JUST healed a diseased man with leprosy, an almost fatal disease that was prevalent during HIS physical time on earth.  Most people I know would have celebrated this happening with their compadres???  But JESUS the King James Version says “HE withdrew HIMSELF into the wilderness, and prayed”!!!  GOD IN FLESH displayed the importance of SPENDING TIME WITH THE FATHER, even though HE HIMSELF said in John 10:30 “I and the FATHER are ONE.”  

Why then did JESUS need to WITHDRAW when HE and THE FATHER were ONE?  There are many answers to this question, but the main reason for me is because JESUS wanted to display the INTENTIONAL effort required to CONNECT with THE FATHER!!!  I do NOT believe humanity can fathom what being in the PRESENCE OF ALMIGHTY GOD is TRULY akin to.  But “JESUS WOULD WITHDRAW TO DESOLATE PLACES AND PRAY” should give us a a glimpse of the PRIVILEGE and HONOR that experience is????  Why do I allow satan to rob me of the MONUMENTAL occurrence of this in my life????

“CHOSEN INSTRUMENT OF MINE!”

 Acts 9:10-19                    (ESV)

“[10] Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The LORD said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, LORD.” [11] And the LORD said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, [12] and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” [13] But Ananias answered, “LORD, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to YOUR saints at Jerusalem. [14] And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on YOUR name.” [15] But the LORD said to him, “Go, for he is a “CHOSEN INSTRUMENT OF MINE” to carry MY name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. [16] For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of MY name.” [17] So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the LORD JESUS WHO appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the HOLY SPIRIT.” [18] And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; [19] and taking food, he was strengthened.”

This piece of HIStory is absolutely FULL of the GOSPEL story!  As this chapter begins, Saul was “still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the LORD, went to the high priest.”  But GOD HAS A PLAN, and HIS PLAN WILL BE FULFILLED!!!  

Would you say after reading the Scripture passage above that Ananias was overly excited about witnessing to Saul???  Yet, JESUS CHRIST told Ananias that Saul was a “CHOSEN INSTRUMENT OF MINE” even BEFORE Ananias agreed to go see Saul in his blind state!!!  Saul had been “changed” immediately, something that Ananias was not very convinced about???  But Ananias went as JESUS instructed him to and Saul was waiting for him, BLIND and broken!!!

Even today it is difficult for us to understand that JESUS can change people like HE changed Saul!  But JESUS changed Saul (later named Paul) COMPLETELY, because he wrote in Ephesians 1:4 “even as HE (JESUS) CHOSE us in HIM BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD, that we should be holy and blameless before HIM.”  JESUS let Ananias know Saul would be a tremendous instrument for HIM in the future.  

We cannot fathom the PLAN that GOD has for our future???  Owning an insurance agency, surviving a massive brain hemorrhage, quadruple-bypass surgery ten years later, the bypassed blockages breaking loose three years later, selling the insurance agency this year……WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT IT???   GOD KNEW my future, just as HE does your future!!  Saul was a “CHOSEN INSTRUMENT OF MINE”, just like I am CHOSEN by HIM!!!  

John 15:16 says “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.”  HE CHOSE SAUL!  HE CHOSE ME!  DID HE CHOOSE YOU???

“THE LORD IS OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS!”

 Jeremiah 23:5-6                    (ESV)

“[5] “Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous BRANCH, and HE shall reign as KING and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. [6] In HIS days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which HE will be called: ‘“THE LORD IS OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS”.’

Why does humanity strive to live lives that are HOLY when we DON’T have the capability nor capacity to BE HOLY???  Many years prior to Jeremiah (630 and 580 B.C.) being written, GOD instructed HIS CHILDREN in Leviticus 11:44-45 (1440 B.C.) “FOR I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and BE HOLY, for I AM HOLY. You shall not defile yourselves with any swarming thing that crawls on the ground. FOR I AM THE LORD WHO am the LORD who brought you up out of the land of Egypt to be your GOD. You shall therefore BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.”

Roughly over 1,000+ years passed between Leviticus being written and Jeremiah being written, yet no one could discover how to BE HOLY?  In our humanness, we STILL can’t figure out how to BE HOLY!?!  There are over 8 BILLION people alive today, and probably more than that have pre deceased us, and NO ONE has ever lived HOLY.…….with the exception of JESUS CHRIST!!!

HE IS THE ANSWER!  JESUS CHRIST lived a sinless life and died a sacrificial death, all so that all of CREATION could have the opportunity to BE HOLY!!  “THE LORD IS OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS” is more than a catchy phrase that is used from the BIBLE to describe what we should already know?  “THE LORD IS OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS” was/is the ONLY WAY that I have the possibility of KNOWING HIM, and of spending ETERNITY with HIM!!!

“OUR AIM IS TO PLEASE HIM!”

 2 Corinthians 5:8-10                    (ESV)

“[8] Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be AWAY from the body and at HOME with the LORD. [9] So whether we are at HOME or AWAY, we make it “OUR AIM TO PLEASE HIM”. [10] For we must ALL appear before the judgment seat of CHRIST, so that each one may RECEIVE WHAT IS DUE for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.”

Briefly this morning, the Apostle Paul wrote in this letter to the Church at Corinth that he “would rather be AWAY from the body and at HOME with the LORD”, he understood that “OUR AIM TO PLEASE HIM” should prevail over his personal wishes!!!

The Judgement Seat of CHRIST is coming, just as sure as the HOLY BIBLE is TRUTH!  It SHOULD BE “OUR AIM TO PLEASE HIM”???

“JESUS WOULD WITHDRAW TO DESOLATE PLACES AND PRAY!”

 Luke 5:15-16                    (ESV)

“[15] But now even more the report about HIM went abroad, and GREAT CROWDS gathered to hear HIM and TO BE HEALED OF THEIR INFIRMITIES . [16] But HE (JESUS) WOULD WITHDRAW TO DESOLATE PLACES AND PRAY.”

Life can be so CONVOLUTED, especially when we fail to GET ALONE and communicate with our HEAVENLY FATHER!  Before I get into my thoughts, CONVOLUTED has several synonyms in the dictionary: complicated; intricate; complex, sophisticated; tangled; elaborate, difficult; incomprehensible and inexplicable are but a few of them!  Now, read the first part of the previous sentence again!  Life can be so CONVOLUTED!!!

Exactly what can we do to GET ALONE with our CREATOR???  In my experience, being placed in a coma is a SURE FIRE example of NOT being “in control”!!!  But that happens to very few of humanity, so that isn’t a good example.  LETTING GO keeps coming to my mind, explicitly and intentionally connecting with our CREATOR to get a clear direction on what/how/when/where HE wants to cause us to be used for and by HIM!!!

JESUS CHRIST had JUST healed a diseased man with leprosy, an almost fatal disease that was prevalent during HIS physical time on earth.  Most people I know would have celebrated this happening with their compadres???  But JESUS the King James Version says “HE withdrew HIMSELF into the wilderness, and prayed”!!!  GOD IN FLESH displayed the importance of SPENDING TIME WITH THE FATHER, even though HE HIMSELF said in John 10:30 “I and the FATHER are ONE.”  

Why then did JESUS need to WITHDRAW when HE and THE FATHER were ONE?  There are many answers to this question, but the main reason for me is because JESUS wanted to display the INTENTIONAL effort required to CONNECT with THE FATHER!!!  I do NOT believe humanity can fathom what being in the PRESENCE OF ALMIGHTY GOD is TRULY akin to.  But “JESUS WOULD WITHDRAW TO DESOLATE PLACES AND PRAY” should give us a a glimpse of the PRIVILEGE and HONOR that experience is????  Why do I allow satan to Rob me of the MONUMENTAL occurrence of this in my life????

“From Bishop Robert E. Smith Sr.!”

 From Bishop Robert E. Smith Sr.!

“The Adversary (1 Pet. 5:8) is after our "faith" (Luke 22:31,32) through adversities (1 Pet. 1:7-9), to keep us from adding to Faith 7 qualities (2 Pet. 1:5-7) that advertises Kingdom entrance (Acts 14:22).”

“BUT GOD!”

 Ephesians 2:1-7                   (ESV)

By Grace Through Faith

“[1] And you WERE DEAD in the trespasses and sins [2] in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—[3] among whom we ALL once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. [4] “BUT GOD”, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which HE loved us, [5] even when WE WERE DEAD in our trespasses, made us alive together with CHRIST—by grace you have been saved—[6] and raised us up with HIM and seated us with HIM in the heavenly places in CHRIST JESUS, [7] so that in the coming ages HE might show the immeasurable riches of HIS grace in kindness toward us in CHRIST JESUS.”

ALL of humanity had NO ability, nor inclination, to even begin to search for JESUS without the DRAWING of JESUS HIMSELF!  

We were ALL headed to an eternity of damnation, “BUT GOD” intervened and provided SALVATION to us long before LIFE was possible!!!

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“YOU MAY DO WHAT IS RIGHT!”

 2 Corinthians 13:5-10                    (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! [6] I hope you will find out that we have not failed the test. [7] But we pray to GOD that you may not do wrong—not that we may appear to have met the test, but that “YOU MAY DO WHAT IS RIGHT”, though we may seem to have failed. [8] For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. [9] For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. Your restoration is what we pray for. [10] For this reason I write these things while I am away from you, that when I come I may not have to be severe in my use of the authority that the LORD has given me for building up and NOT for tearing down.”

Although this “letter” was addressed to “The CHURCH of GOD, that is at Corinth..” (2 Corinthians 1:1), it was placed in the Bible by ordination of the HOLY SPIRIT to be used by GOD and for HIS GLORY! (2 Timothy 3:16-17!). GOD has CHOSEN to use HIS WORD to DRAW certain people who have been CHOSEN since “before the foundation of the world” (Ephesians 1:4)!!!  Yes, ALMIGHTY GOD CHOSE me, knowing that I would be a reprobate, that would stray like a lost lamb from HIM, simply to display that HE saves THE WORST OF SINNERS (1 Timothy 1:15)!!!  

JESUS did not save me for me to wallow in my ineptness.  HE saved me to deliver me into a LIFE where “YOU MAY DO WHAT IS RIGHT”!!!  We are to EXAMINE YOURSELVES constantly in order to keep WALK PRECISELY where HE desires for us to be!  The road will not always be as smooth surface without curves or hills and valleys.  Doing everything you can to make sure “YOU MAY DO WHAT IS RIGHT”, though we may seem to have failed, is something that will provide GREAT DIVIDENDS in the end!!!

“THOSE WHO ARE CALLED!”

 

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 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.”

As for this humble servant, the passage of Scripture shared above that GOD uses to get my mind OFF OF what “the enemy” attempts to cloud my mind with, especially when GOD is about to do something that ONLY HE can do!!!  There are many WORDS that I might highlight this morning from this passage, but the point that stuck out to me was “THOSE WHO ARE CALLED”!  

Why would THE CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSES “elect” a Brain Damaged, financially challenged, retired person to do ANYTHING for and through?  I AM NOT WORTHY!  BUT GOD is the ONLY THING that I have going for me.  All I can offer HIM is my broken-down body that is controlled by HIS HOLY SPIRIT???  I pray that this is all HE requires, for it is ALL I have to offer HIM!!!

Remembering back SEVENTEEN YEARS is a humbling experience!  I was out of rehab following the “massive brain hemorrhage”, and I was trying to “find my place” in the world where I was living in.  The joy and excitement of being alive with all of my physical abilities seemed to be enough!  

As I type this devotional this morning my cup of coffee is right beside me!  

It says “I GOT THIS- GOD”!!!

ALL I have to offer GOD is that broken man who HE brought through “the valley of the shadow of death”!  But then I remember that I am “THOSE WHO ARE CALLED” and I recall how BLESSED that makes me!!!