“I AM GRATEFUL!”

 

1 Timothy 1:12-17                 (LSB)

“12  “I AM GRATEFUL” to CHRIST JESUS our LORD, WHO has strengthened me, because HE REGARDED ME FAITHFUL, putting ME INTO HIS SERVICE, 13 even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. YET I WAS SHOWN MERCY BECAUSE I ACTED IGNORANTLY IN UNBELIEF; 14 and THE GRACE of our LORD was more than ABUNDANT, with THE FAITH and LOVE which are in CHRIST JESUS. 15 It is a trustworthy saying and deserving full acceptance: that CHRIST JESUS came into the world to save sinners, AMONG WHOM I AM THE FOREMOST. 16 Yet for this reason I WAS SHOWN MERCY, so that in me as the foremost, CHRIST JESUS might demonstrate all HIS patience as an example for those who are going to BELIEVE upon HIM for eternal life. 17 Now to the KING of the ages, immortal, invisible, the ONLY GOD, behonor and glory forever and ever. Amen.”

Simply because of the GRACE and MERCY of THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, I WAS CHOSEN to be brought into this portion of my LIFE!  Just as the Apostle Paul was DELIVERED on the “road to Damascus” (Acts 9!), I experienced “the Brain Hemorrhage” of 2007!  Both instances were used to by THE CREATOR AND SUSTAINER OF LIFE as a demonstration of HIS POWER AND STRENGTH to do WHATEVER HE NEEDED to do to OPEN OUR EYES to SEE TRUTH and BE USED for HIS GLORY!!!

To say GOD WAS GRACIOUS is the biggest UNDERSTATEMENT ever, as HE certainly COULD HAVE allowed me to continue on my own “road to Damascus”?  To unceremoniously say that “I AM GRATEFUL” to be RESTORED to a PHYSICALLY “operable” life is one thing, but to ALWAYS be reminded of where I “was going” is something that is TOTALLY in another realm!  

GOD is CONTINUALLY REVEALING to me that HIS GRACE and MERCY far exceeds my expectations!  To simply say “I AM GRATEFUL” seems so inadequate, yet there are NO WORDS that can encapsulate my TOTAL DEPENDENCE on HIM for giving me LIFE (Isaiah 42:5) and allowing me to continue living in “this world”…..for HIS GLORY!!!

The mortal words “I AM GRATEFUL” seems so INADEQUATE, not only for surviving life thus far, but to have HOPE for ETERNITY adds a WHOLE NEW DIMENSION, as ONLY HE CAN!!!  Yes, “I AM GRATEFUL” that HE HAS BLESSED me so TREMENDOUSLY in the past, but THE HIS GREATEST MIRACLE OF ALL was when HE SAVED MY WRETCHED SOUL from an eternity without HIM!!!

“THE WORD OF THE LORD!”

 

1 Kings 19:9-15                 (ESV)

 The LORD Speaks to Elijah

“[9] There he (Elijah) came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, “THE WORD OF THE LORD” came to him, and HE said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” [10] He said, “I have been very jealous for THE LORD, the GOD of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken YOUR covenant, thrown down YOUR altars, and killed YOUR prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” [11] And HE said, “Go out and stand on the mount before THE LORD.” And behold, THE LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before THE LORD, but THE LORD was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but THE LORD was not in the earthquake. [12] And after the earthquake a fire, but THE LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. [13] And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” [14] He said, “I have been very jealous for THE LORD, the  GOD of hosts. For THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL HAVE FORSAKEN YOUR COVENANT, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” [15] And THE LORD said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. And when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria.”

Getting directly to the point today, Elijah must not have thought that he was very effective in his mission for THE LORD because he didn’t SEE results that were very indicative of success, at least in “worldly” standards???

GOD PLAINLY STATES in Isaiah 55:8-9 “For MY thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways MY ways, declares the LORD.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are MY ways higher than your ways and MY thoughts than your thoughts”.  

We are not always placed in a place of success and earthly rewards to GLORIFY JESUS?!?  Sometimes we have to get ALONE and LISTEN INTENTLY to be able to HEAR “THE WORD OF THE LORD”???  We get our minds so “busy” that we forget that GOD can speak to us, even if HE has no place us in a SEVENTEEN DAY COMA!!!

“THE WORD OF THE LORD” is quite capable of getting through to us without any help!  But HE USES the circumstances that we are placed in FOR HIS GLORY to accomplish HIS PLAN for our lives!  Elijah was taken to HEAVEN by a windstorm (2 Kings 2:11), something that only happened one other time (Genesis 5:24) in the history of mankind!  

“THE WORD OF THE LORD” sometimes has to get us alone to where we are able to HEAR HIM SPEAKING to us?!?  Are we listening to AND for HIM???

“THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD!”

 

Ephesians 6:10-20                 (ESV)

The Whole Armor of GOD

“[10] Finally, be strong in the LORD and in the strength of HIS might. [11] Put on “THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD”, that you may be able to STAND against the schemes of the devil. [12] For we DO NOT WRESTLE against flesh and blood, BUT AGAINST the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. [13] Therefore take up “THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD”, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to STAND FIRM. [14] STAND therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, [15] and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. [16] In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; [17] and take the helmet of salvation, and the SWORD OF THE SPIRIT, which is the WORD OF GOD, [18] praying at all times IN THE SPIRIT , with all prayer and supplication. To that end, KEEP ALERT with ALL PERSEVERANCE, making supplication for all the saints, [19] and also for me, that words may be GIVEN to me in opening my mouth boldly to PROCLAIM THE MYSTERY OF THE GOSPEL, [20] for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.”

There are times, and MANY THEY ARE, when I NEGLECT discovering a TRUTH OF SCRIPTURE to find something else that is surrounding whatever I am focused on at the time!!

The MAIN THING that I must glean from the passage above is that “THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD” has to be kept in my Brain Damaged Mind when I am contemplating THE WORD OF GOD!!

John 1:1-5 informs me that JESUS, GOD IN THE FLESH, is THE WORD!!  I can do NOTHING GREATER than to put on “THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD” to GUIDE my life into HIS PLAN!!

“WHO SAT AT THE LORD’S FEET!”

 

Luke 10:38-42                 (ESV)

Martha and Mary

“[38] Now as they went on their way, JESUS entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. [39] And she had a sister called Mary, “WHO SAT AT THE LORD’S FEET” and listened to HIS teaching. [40] But MARTHA WAS DISTRACTED WITH MUCH SERVING. And she went up to HIM and said, “LORD, do YOU not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? TELL HER THEN TO HELP ME.” [41] But THE LORD answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about MANY THINGS, [42] but one thing is necessary. Mary has CHOSEN the good portion, which will NOT BE TAKEN AWAY from her.””

My wife is THE BEST caretaker ever!  She used to have company over to our home and cook EVERYTHING, AND serve EVERYTHING, then clean up EVERYTHING, with hardly any assistance!  My grandmother was precisely like this.  She would do EVERYTHING for her family and guests, except she would permit the dishes to be washed by others.  

But JESUS was dealing with Mary and Martha at this particular moment.  Martha was SO engrossed with performing the “earthly needs” of those around her that she was unable to SEE the HEAVENLY NEEDS of those who THE LORD had allowed to be in her presence!  Mary was “content” hearing THE WORD from THE LORD, when Martha was consumed with filling their stomachs, while THE SOULS of the guests were what JESUS was dealing with at the time!!!

My wife has “the gift” of taking care of the physical needs of the guests who GOD has assigned to our family, probably as well as my grandmother!!  But I don’t fulfill the “heavenly needs” requirement NEARLY as well as my SAVIOR!!!  Mary, “WHO SAT AT THE LORD’S FEET”, was yielding to HIS TEACHINGS.  Martha was TOO BUSY “doing” rather than making sure that the SPIRITUAL NEEDS were being addressed!!!

People wouldn’t appreciate my culinary skills if a meal was served to them by me!  But do I perform the servant skills that I have been SET ASIDE to perform???  I need to discover what GOD has set me aside to do and perform those DEEDS precisely how HE reveals them to me!!!  Perhaps I can provide the scenario for those “WHO SAT AT THE LORD’S FEET” to be alone with HIM???

“IN THE MORNING!”

 

Psalm 5:1-3                 (ESV)

Lead Me in YOUR Righteousness

To the choirmaster: for the flutes. A Psalm of David.

    “[1] Give EAR to my words, O LORD;

        consider my groaning. 

    [2] Give ATTENTION to the sound of my cry,

        my KING and my GOD,

        for to YOU do I pray. 

    [3] O LORD, “IN THE MORNING” YOU hear my voice;

        “IN THE MORNING” I prepare a sacrifice for YOU AND WATCH.”

King David began this Psalm pleading with THE LORD to Give EAR to his pleading and groaning!  It is EVIDENT to say that King David understood that the ONLY ONE WHO had the power and authority to get him out of the predicament that he was experiencing was THE CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSES!!!

Notice that David writes “IN THE MORNING”, or when everything is starting for a new day, he needed THE ALMIGHTY to direct his thoughts and mind!!  Most of the time I begin my day without thinking that GOD in HEAVEN, busy with the “cares of this world”, might not be concerned with an insignificant being in an insignificant place?  But John 17:23 says “I (JESUS) in them and YOU (THE FATHER) in , that they may become PERFECTLY ONE, so that the world may know that YOU sent ME  and LOVED THEM even as YOU loved ME.”  GOD IN THE FLESH freely gave HIMSELF on Calvary’s tree to PURCHASE Salvation for this “insignificant” creature, so HE CARES ABOUT ME!!!

HEARING the Stillness and Quietness (silence ) of before the birds start chirping, traffic begins to make noise, and everything starts trying to gain our attention is a TREASURE that isn’t duplicated by anything in “this world”! Maybe that is why I awake sometimes “very early in the morning” and can HEAR instructions from HIM, when distractions are limited….”IN THE MORNING”???  

“HE BECAME POOR!”

 

2 Corinthians 8:8-15                 (ESV)

“[8] I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine. [9] For you know the grace of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, that though HE WAS RICH, yet for your sake “HE BECAME POOR”, so that you by HIS poverty might become rich. [10] And in this matter I give my judgment: this benefits you, who a year ago started not only to do this work BUT ALSO to desire to do it. [11] So now finish doing it as well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of WHAT YOU HAVE. [12] For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. [13] For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness [14] YOUR ABUNDANCE AT THE PRESENT TIME SHOULD SUPPLY THEIR NEED, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness. [15] As it is written, “WHOEVER GATHERED MUCH HAD NOTHING LEFT OVER, AND WHOEVER GATHERED LITTLE HAD NO LACK.””

Accumulating a tremendous amount of wealth is something that from time to time I have dreamed about, but whenever I had the opportunity to INCREASE MY WEALTH, supplying “the needs of others” always seemed to be more important???

In HIS OMNISCIENCE, JESUS CHRIST surrendered HIS POSITION in HEAVEN to come among the unholiness of humanity, in poverty, to PURCHASE the salvation of ALL, even me!  “HE BECAME POOR” has to reflect “worldly wealth” (or lack there of) because HE was STILL THE CREATOR walking amongst us!  “HE BECAME POOR” so that HE WOULD NOT have worldly status interfering with HIS MISSION!!!  

Do I have that mindset in my life???  Or do I have the desire to be wealthy enough to do whatever I please??  

Saying this with ALL HUMILITY, I BELIEVE that because THE SPIRIT OF JESUS lives inside of me, that I CANNOT HELP but to live as HE did during HIS MANIFESTATION to “this world”!  My heart, the heart that JESUS CHRIST now lives in, tells me that “HE BECAME POOR”, and I will never be better than HIM!!!

“THOSE WHO ARE TRYING TO DECEIVE YOU?”

 

1 John 2:15-27                 (ESV)

Do Not Love the World

“[15] DO NOT LOVE THE WORLD or THE THINGS OF THE WORLD. If ANYONE loves the world, the love of the FATHER is NOT in him. [16] For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is NOT from the FATHER but is from the world. [17] And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the WILL OF GOD ABIDES FOREVER.

Warning Concerning Antichrists

[18] Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist IS COMING, so now many antichrists HAVE COME. Therefore we know that it is the last hour. [19] They went out from us, but they were NOT ALL of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are NOT of us. [20] But you have been anointed by the HOLY ONE, and you all have knowledge. [21] I write to you, not because you do not know THE TRUTH, but BECAUSE YOU KNOW IT, and because no lie is of THE TRUTH. [22] Who is the liar but he who denies that JESUS s is the CHRIST? This is the antichrist, he who denies the FATHER and the SON. [23] No one who denies the SON has the FATHER. Whoever confesses the SON has the FATHER also. [24] Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the SON AND IN THE FATHER. [25] And this is the promise that HE made to us—eternal life.

[26] I write these things to you about “THOSE WHO ARE TRYING TO DECEIVE YOU”. [27] But THE ANOINTING that you received FROM HIM ABIDES IN YOU, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as HIS ANOINTING teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, ABIDE IN HIM.”

Briefly this morning, GOD is PLAINLY telling me that I MUST NOT listen to “THOSE WHO ARE TRYING TO DECEIVE YOU”!  This morning HE wakened me and I COULD NOT get back to sleep!  Was GOD trying to get across to me that “the enemy” will “dress up” in raiment so very close to THE TRUTH that it will be difficult to SEE, ESPECIALLY if our EYES are engaged in looking at “this world”!!!!

“DO NOT LOVE THE WORLD or THE THINGS OF THE WORLD. If ANYONE loves the world, the love of the FATHER is NOT in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is NOT from the FATHER BUT IS FROM THE WORLD.” (Verses 15 & 16)

“THOSE WHO ARE TRYING TO DECEIVE YOU” have NO INTEREST in seeing you GROW in the SPIRIT of THE LORD!!!  Please consider this FACT when determining who you are listening to.  

From Bishop Robert E Smith Sr

 From Bishop Robert E. Smith!

“Are you among the firstfruits (Rom. 8:23; Rev. 14:4); or in the harvest (Matt. 13:30; Rev. 14:15)?  To be otherwise is unthinkable (Mark 13:20; Rev. 19:15).”

“IF WE DO NOT GIVE UP!”

 Galatians 6:9                 (ESV)

“And LET US NOT GROW WEARY of doing good, for in due season WE WILL REAP, “IF WE DO NOT GIVE UP”!”

It seems like these 65 years GOD has allowed me to exist on “this world” is such a long period of time?  But ETERNITY IS COMING, and that will be FOREVER!!!!

“THE LORD!”

 

Proverbs 16:9                 (ESV)

    “The heart of man plans his way,

        but “THE LORD” establishes his steps.”

Living life is a very difficult and complex thing!   On the other hand, living a LIFE under the DIRECTION and GUIDANCE of JESUS CHRIST is a rewarding experience, with HIM DIRECTING (Proverbs 3:5-6) our PATHS!!!

In 2 Corinthians 5:7, the Apostle Paul writes “for we walk by FAITH (in GOD), NOT BY (our) SIGHT!”  Humanity is CREATED with a CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM that is pretty sufficient to make us complete, but has ONE GLARING DEFICIT!!   We MUST have a GUIDE to get through the DARKNESS that inevitably will challenge our decisions!!!

“THE LORD” is what we NEED to make the RIGHT DECISIONS in LIFE (Proverbs 3:5-6)!  Like “sheep”, we definitely NEED A SHEPHERD to keep us from walking into TRAPS that GOD is trying to steer us clear of as we progress through life!  

We ALL need a GUIDE to make our way STRAIGHT!  So why don’t we UNDERSTAND that we need a “tour guide” to get through “this world” and to our HEAVENLY HOME?  Unless JESUS CALLS US, our EYES will not SEE the NEED for a SAVIOR, “THE LORD”!!!

“HE CHOSE ME!”

 GOD THE FATHER, GOD THE SON, and GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT “CHOSE” ALL CHOSE me BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD to serve THEM, even though I am imperfect and lacking !!!

“THEIR EYES WERE OPENED!”

 

Luke 24:13-45                 (ESV)

On the Road to Emmaus

“[13] That very day two of them (followers of JESUS) were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, [14] and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. [15] While they were talking and discussing together, JESUS HIMSELF drew near and went with them. [16] BUT THEIR EYES WERE KEPT FROM RECOGNIZING HIM. [17] And HE said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, LOOKING SAD. [18] Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered HIM, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” [19] And HE said to them, “What things?” And they said to HIM , “Concerning JESUS of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before GOD and ALL THE PEOPLE, [20] and how OUR CHIEF PRIESTS and RULERS delivered HIM up to be condemned to death, and crucified HIM. [21] But WE HAD HOPED that HE was the ONE to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. [22] Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, [23] and when THEY DID NOT find HIS BODY, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that HE WAS ALIVE. [24] Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but HIM THEY DID NOT SEE.” [25] And HE said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! [26] Was it not necessary that the CHRIST should suffer these things and enter into HIS GLORY?” [27] And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, HE interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning HIMSELF.

[28] So they drew near to the village to which they were going. HE acted as if he were going farther, [29] but they urged HIM strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So HE went in to stay with them. [30] When HE was at table with them, HE took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. [31] AND “THEIR EYES WERE OPENED”, and THEY RECOGNIZED HIM. And HE VANISHED FROM THEIR SIGHT. [32] They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while HE talked to us on the road, while HE opened to us the Scriptures?” [33] And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, [34] saying, “THE LORD HAS RISEN INDEED, and has appeared to Simon!” [35] Then they told what had happened on the road, and how HE was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

JESUS Appears to HIS Disciples

[36] As they were talking about these things, JESUS himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” [37] But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. [38] And HE said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? [39] See MY hands and MY feet, that it is I MYSELF. Touch ME, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” [40] And when HE had said this, HE showed them HIS hands and HIS feet. [41] And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, HE said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” [42] They gave HIM a piece of broiled fish, [43] and HE TOOK IT AND ATE BEFORE THEM.

[44] Then HE said to them, “These are MY WORDS that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about ME in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms MUST BE FULFILLED.” [45] THEN HE OPENED THEIR MINDS TO UNDERSTAND THE SCRIPTURES, [46] and said to them, “Thus it is written, that THE CHRIST should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, [47] and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed IN HIS NAME to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. [48] YOU ARE WITNESSES OF THESE THINGS. [49] And behold, I AM sending the promise of MY FATHER upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from ON HIGH.”

Because of the length of the text of Scripture I am submitting today, my comments will be brief.

JESUS was in the midst of two BELIEVERS, people who no doubt had listened to HIM before HE was crucified.  However, “THEIR EYES WERE OPENED” and THEY RECOGNIZED HIM, and HE promptly VANISHED FROM THEIR SIGHT (verse 31)!  

Even when HE was with HIS OWN disciples (verse 45), HE HAD TO OPEN THEIR MINDS TO UNDERSTAND THE SCRIPTURES!  

No matter how much time you have spent “in church”, and no matter how many songs you have sung, UNTIL “THEIR EYES WERE OPENED” by your CREATOR, you WILL NOT SEE THE KINGDOM OF GOD!!!

2 Corinthians 9:15  “Thanks be to GOD for his inexpressible gift!”

Ephesians 2:8-9   “For BY GRACE (the unmerited, free, and UNDESERVED favor, love, and kindness of GOD toward humanity) you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of GOD, NOT A RESULT OF WORKS, so that no one may boast.”