“I AM CHOSEN!”

 “I AM CHOSEN!”

https://youtu.be/nE50gfQUUC4?si=NWVkQOMNKy7fA4ZV

“I CHOSE YOU!”

 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.”

These words were SPOKEN by JESUS, the CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSES!!!  “I CHOSE YOU” is the most MAGNANIMOUS phrases ever spoken!!!

“PRAYING AND SINGING HYMNS TO GOD!”

Acts 16:25-40                         (ESV)

“[25] About midnight Paul and Silas were “PRAYING AND SINGING HYMNS TO GOD”, and the prisoners were listening to them, [26] and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And IMMEDIATELY all the doors were opened, and EVERYONE’S bonds were unfastened. [27] When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. [28] But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” [29] And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. [30] Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” [31] And they said, “Believe in the LORD JESUS, and you will be saved, you and your household.” [32] And they spoke the WORD of the LORD to him and to all who were in his house. [33] And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. [34] Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in GOD.

[35] But when it was day, the magistrates sent the police, saying, “Let those men go.” [36] And the jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, “The magistrates have sent to let you go. Therefore come out now and go in peace.” [37] But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men who are Roman citizens, and have thrown us into prison; and do they now throw us out secretly? No! Let them come themselves and take us out.” [38] The police reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Roman citizens. [39] So they came and APOLOGIZED to them. And they took them out and asked them to leave the city. [40] So they went out of the prison and visited Lydia. And when they had seen the brothers, they encouraged them and departed.”

Briefly this morning, the recorded events show that Paul and Silas were imprisoned at the beginning of the happenings, but they found themselves “PRAYING AND SINGING HYMNS TO GOD”, something that seemed almost absurd to most!  Why would they be IMPRISONED yet still be “PRAYING AND SINGING HYMNS TO GOD”?  

I “could” speculate and give many reasons, but ultimately they were MIRACULOUS delivered from prison, led the jailer AND HIS FAMILY to a relationship with THE LORD, then not only were released from prison but had their “captors” visit then AND APOLOGIZED to them!!!

Perhaps I need to focus on my various DELIVERANCES and not be so engrossed with the difficulties I might experience along the way?  “PRAYING AND SINGING HYMNS TO GOD” sure sounds better than worrying and fretting about what may, or may not, be in my future???

“THE LORD!”

 1 Samuel 13:13-14                    (ESV)

[13] And Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You HAVE NOT KEPT THE COMMAND of the LORD your GOD, with which HE commanded you. For then the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel forever.

[14] But now your kingdom shall not continue. “”THE LORD” HAS SOUGHT OUT A MAN AFTER HIS OWN HEART”, and the LORD has commanded him to be PRINCE over HIS people, because you have not kept what the LORD commanded you.”

1 Samuel 16:13                    (ESV)

[“13] Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the SPIRIT of “THE LORD” rushed upon David from that day forward. And Samuel rose up and went to Ramah.”

Just a THOUGHT this morning that caught my attention; “THE LORD” revealed that HE CHOSE David to be “prince” over HIS CHOSEN PEOPLE in 1 Samuel 13:14.  Then in 1 Samuel 16:13 THE MESSENGER from GOD actually CHOSE the teenage David to be the “prince”.  But David didn’t ACTUALLY become “prince” until he was 30 years old???  Why did David have to WAIT for the TIMING OF GOD before he could ascend to the THRONE when GOD had CHOSEN him in 1 Samuel 13:14?  

The TIMING OF “THE LORD” can be terrible to WAIT upon, ESPECIALLY when we allow our own choices to enter into our equations!!  David was actually known as a king, but Scripture lists him as a PRINCE in 1 Samuel 13:14, something that I have never seen or heard of before???  GOD KNEW and UNDERSTOOD that David would be used for HIS GLORY, even though David was imperfect in his life.  

Why didn’t GOD select a person who lived a life that was more “holy” than the life David would wind up living?  GOD has the POWER to cause us to act the way that will GLORIFY HIM (Philippians 2:13)!  It could be that GOD wanted HIS CREATIONS to understand that we are not capable of living a life worthy of HIS standards, so HE came as “THE LORD” to live it on our behalf???

Oh what a SAVIOR!!!!

“SERVE HIM ONLY!”

 1 Samuel 7:3-4                    (ESV)

Samuel Judges Israel

“[3] And Samuel said to all the house of Israel, “If you are returning to the LORD with ALL YOUR HEART, then PUT AWAY THE FOREIGN gods and the Ashtaroth from among you and direct your heart to the LORD and “SERVE HIM ONLY”, and HE WILL DELIVER YOU out of the hand of the Philistines.” [4] So the people of Israel put away the Baals and the Ashtaroth, and they served the LORD only.”

Samuel was a Messenger from GOD ALMIGHTY, a person who was tasked with making sure that the people he was speaking to HEARD the TRUE MESSAGE from the CREATOR!!  Listening to “other gods”, no matter how magnificent they “sound”, can be a flaw that can prove to be fatalistic.  Making certain that the people who one is CALLED to deliver the MESSAGE to “SERVE HIM ONLY” is received and implemented has to be THE MOST monumental task??  But when GOD ALMIGHTY is behind something, NOTHING SHALL BE IMPOSSIBLE!!!

The Apostle Paul writes about halfway through his letter to the Roman Church (Romans 7:15-20) that he has “the desire to do what is right, but NOT the ability to carry it out”!!  Why then does an immature BELIEVER such as I actually think that I am able to “SERVE HIM ONLY” when OUTSIDE OF JESUS there hasn’t been ONE SOUL who has lived a sinless life???

Back to the focal passages, the Philistines were a greatly feared adversary.  Certainly their reputation placed them far above any standards that “this world” could imagine.  But inside of 1 Samuel 7:10 it is WRITTEN  “….the LORD thundered with a MIGHTY SOUND that day against the Philistines and threw them into confusion, and THEY WERE DEFEATED BEFORE ISRAEL.”

It might be very wise for us to “SERVE HIM ONLY” with our entire beings, THROUGH JESUS!  Too many times I find myself listening to what could be considered FOREIGN GODS INSTEAD of WAITING to “SERVE HIM ONLY”!!!  Psalms 27:14 (KJV) says “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and HE shall strengthen thine heart: WAIT, I SAY, ON THE LORD”. 

“TO KEEP ONESELF UNSTAINED!”

 James 1:26-27                    (ESV)

“[26] If anyone “thinks” he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. [27] Religion that is PURE and UNDEFILED before GOD the FATHER is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and “TO KEEP ONESELF UNSTAINED” from the world.”

It isn’t often that I am requested to write a devotional regarding a specific matter, but recently this request was made known by an acquaintance oh a social media site.  I almost always write from my heart, mainly through the path that GOD ALMIGHTY has delivered me through.  

For someone to request something from “the chief of sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15) is humbling, but to write that we need “TO KEEP ONESELF UNSTAINED” from the world seems unattainable, putting it mildly!  

BUT GOD had a PLAN for the redemption of humanity laid out “even as he CHOSE us in HIM BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD, that we SHOULD BE HOLY AND BLAMELESS BEFORE HIM!” (Ephesians 1:4). The Apostle Paul also writes in Corinthians 5:21 “For our sake HE made HIM to be sin WHO knew no sin, so that in HIM we might become the RIGHTEOUSNESS of GOD.”  

Speaking for this humble servant, and for the author of at least thirteen of the New Testament books, I am the “chief of sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15) and I fail living for JESUS CHRIST daily!  My ONLY HOPE is permitting HIS HOLINESS to be credited (or IMPUTED) to my account, therefore allowing me “TO KEEP ONESELF UNSTAINED” to HIS GLORY!!!

 

“A NEW SONG!”

 Psalm 96:1-2                    (ESV)

Worship in the Splendor of HOLINESS 

    “[1] Oh sing to the LORD “A NEW SONG”;

        sing to the LORD, all the earth! 

    [2] Sing to the LORD, bless HIS name;

        tell of HIIS salvation from day to day.”

Watching videos on a social media platform is one of my biggest distractions in life.  Recently there was a “country music” entertainer who was talking about how he was put in a questionable situation at a huge public event.  He knew right away that he was in a “testing situation” and thank THE LORD he responded with BIBLICAL guidance.  

This started SPEAKING to my heart and caused me to PAUSE until the RIGHT WORDS came into my brain damaged mind.  How often would I laugh at a “off color joke” in my circle to fit in and NOT be “set apart”?  If I TRULY desire to be different from “this world”, shouldn’t I be someone who others would be uncomfortable saying anything that offends my SAVIOR???  JESUS gave HIS LIFE for me AND CALLED me to be HIS servant, and I need to be willing to endure a little distress for HIS SACRIFICE!!!

The BLOOD of JESUS gives HIS BELIEVERS “A NEW SONG” that needs to be forever in my lungs and on my lips!!!  Like the country music man on social media, I must be searching for any opportunity to share “A NEW SONG” with every opportunity that is presented to me!!!

“I WILL HOPE IN HIM!”

 Lamentations 3:22-24                (ESV)

    “[22] The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;

        HIS mercies NEVER come to an end; 

    [23] they are new every morning;

        great is YOUR faithfulness. 

    [24] “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul,

        therefore “I WILL HOPE IN HIM”.”

Most every morning I attempt to to find a verse of Scripture that I can write about.  This selection causes me to have ponder these verses as I progress through the day THAT THE LORD HAS BLESSED ME WITH!!!

Not having a college degree has already been something that “the enemy” has used to make me feel “inferior”, or less than those who have been BLESSED with more education. At the time, I felt like I had to earn a salary more than I needed more schooling.  So my efforts were placed on making a paycheck instead of making a reputation and GOD BLESSED me with the ONLY thing that mattered, WHAT HE THOUGHT OF ME!!!

THE CREATOR and SUSTAINER of LIFE is the ONE WHO determines what we will need to succeed in life.  HE KNEW that I would have a “massive brain hemorrhage” in 2007 and would need to be placed into a coma for seventeen days!  HE knew that my doctor would write in my medical records “However, he has had a remarkable recovery that could only be defined as a miracle from GOD"!!!  

My preference for today forward shall be to be remembered for what GOD has done FOR ME more than anything that I could accomplish in my own!!  “I WILL HOPE IN HIM” for my EVERYTHING and let HIM continue to AUTHOR HIS finish for my time on earth!!!

“GRACE AND PEACE!”

 2 Peter 1:1-2                    (ESV)

Greeting

“[1] Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of JESUS CHRIST, 

To those who have obtained a faith of EQUAL STANDING with ours by the righteousness of our GOD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST:

[2] May “GRACE AND PEACE” be multiplied to you in the knowledge of GOD and of JESUS our LORD.”

At odd times my mind is almost captured by something I hear or see and I can’t get past the life lesson that THE LORD is teaching me.  In a recently viewed video a pastor says that “GRACE AND PEACE” are ALWAYS listed in Scripture with GRACE listed in front of PEACE!  

As I was “growing up”, I was taught that an acronym for GRACE was GODS RICHES AT CHRISTS EXPENSE.  Then I SEE that I was CHOSEN BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD (Ephesians 1:4) and the realization that I HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH my salvation means precisely what I said…..NOTHING MEANS NO-THING!!!  CHRIST CHOSE me before I was ever conceived.  I had NO-THING to do with it!!

CHRIST (GOD IN FLESH) knew that I would need a PERFECT SACRIFICE, so HE GAVE HIMSELF for me in the most brutal death possible because I was a bottom of the barrel!  HIS GRACE was provided to give me HIS PEACE, which can only be achieved through HIS PLAN!!

HIS “GRACE AND PEACE” are NOT written haphazardly in Scripture!  “GRACE AND PEACE” are mandated by GOD because I would have failed miserably had I been included in HIS PLAN.  “GRACE AND PEACE” is something far beyond what humanity could EVER have imagined!!  “GRACE AND PEACE” TRULY was GODS RICHES AT CHRISTS EXPENSE!!!

“Psalms 143:8”

 Psalm 143:8                    (ESV)

    “Let me hear in the morning of YOUR steadfast love,

        for in YOU  I trust.

    Make me know the way I should go,

        for to YOU I lift up my soul.”

“I WILL MAKE IT HAPPEN!”

 Isaiah 60:22                    (ESV)

    “[22] 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.”

DELIVER ME, O GOD, FROM EVIL MEN!”

 Psalm 140:1-5                    (ESV)

Deliver Me, O LORD, from Evil Men

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

    [1] “DELIVER ME, O LORD, FROM EVIL MEN”;

        preserve me from violent men, 

    [2] who plan evil things in their heart

        and stir up wars continually. 

    [3] They make their tongue sharp as a serpent’s,

        and under their lips is the venom of asps. Selah

    [4] Guard me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked;

        preserve me from violent men,

        who have planned to trip up my feet. 

    [5] The arrogant have hidden a trap for me,

        and with cords they have spread a net;

        beside the way they have set snares for me. Selah”

Although I am 6’6” tall and my personalized license plate says BIG RAY, I have always considered myself to be a “gentle giant”!  Never did I think of my size as a BLESSING, rather it was almost a curse when my mom was still buying my shoes because they didn’t last very long, at all!!!

Turning 65 years old in a few months and recalling the journey I have been assigned, I am far beyond trying to please anyone, let alone “the enemy”!  I can, however, understand King David’s mindset when he wrote “DELIVER ME, O LORD, FROM EVIL MEN”!  Formerly it possibly would have been because I didn’t want to be in conflict with anyone, but lately it is because don’t want to cause shame and disgrace to be brought upon my LORD!

Even though I am CHOSEN BY MY CREATOR, I still have to guard against “the enemy” and his evil temptations.  I AM IMPERFECT and certainly replete with sin, but I pray that GOD will “DELIVER ME, O GOD, FROM EVIL MEN” and allow me to live in YOUR GRACE!!!

“YOU HAVE SEARCHED ME!”

 Psalm 139:1-6                    (ESV)

Search Me, O GOD, and Know My Heart

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

    “[1] O LORD, “YOU HAVE SEARCHED ME” and known me! 

    [2] YOU know when I sit down and when I rise up;

        YOU discern my thoughts from afar. 

    [3] YOU search out my path and my lying down

        and are acquainted with all my ways. 

    [4] EVEN BEFORE A WORD IS ON MY TONGUE,

        behold, O LORD, YOU KNOW IT ALTOGETHER.

    [5] YOU hem me in, behind and before,

        and WAY YOUR HAND upon me. 

    [6] Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;

        it is high; I cannot attain it.”

King David was imperfect, but he was “a man after GOD’S OWN HEART” (1 Samuel 13:14)!!  When writing this Psalm, David writes “O LORD, “YOU HAVE SEARCHED ME” and known me”!  Yet near the end of this Psalm he  would write “Search me, O GOD, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts”! WHY would a person begin a Psalm with a statement showing that GOD ALMIGHTY had ALREADY been where HE was needed, LONG BEFORE HIS child actually recognized the need of HIM???

King David began his life as a shepherd, quietly spending an inordinate amount of time away from the busyness of “this world”.  As he matured he may have “gotten so busy” that he elected to NOT HEAR from his CREATOR, the RULER OF THE UNIVERSE!  

GOD HAS ALWAYS BEEN and FOREVER WILL BE!!!  Whether I “take time” to acknowledge HIM or not, HE WILL ALWAYS BE THE SAME!  I am NOT a man began my life walking closely with the ONE WHO CREATED me, but HE was ALWAYS. been there for me!  HE just had to SLOW ME DOWN and OPEN MY EYES to SEE HIM!!

GOD has HIS WAYS!  HE has the ability to operate FAR more quickly than humanity has the ability to comprehend.  And from experience, HE ALSO has the ability to SLOW THINGS DOWN (Psalms 46:10)!!!  “YOU HAVE SEARCHED ME” doesn’t indicate that we have ANYTHING to do with the SEARCHING!  GOD might be CREATING HIS MASTERPIECE……..and HE just needs us to BE STILL, AND KNOW THAT HE IS GOD???