“THE TRUTH!”

 

Romans 1:18-23                 (ESV)

GOD’s Wrath on Unrighteousness

“[18] For THE WRATH OF GOD is revealed from Heaven against ALL UNGODLINESS AND UNRIGHTEOUSNESS of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress “THE TRUTH”. [19] For what can be known about GOD is plain to them, because GOD has shown it to them. [20] For HIS INVISIBLE ATTRIBUTES, namely, HIS ETERNAL POWER AND DIVINE NATURE, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So THEY ARE WITHOUT EXCUSE. [21] For although they knew GOD, they did not honor him as GOD or give thanks to HIM, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. [22] CLAIMING TO BE WISE, THEY BECAME FOOLS, [23] and exchanged the glory of the immortal GOD for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.”

The six verses of Scripture listed above are replete with “THE TRUTH”, but my finite mind and limited vocabulary prohibits me from discovering many of these??  

The MAIN THING that has to be written is that “THE TRUTH” MUST BE THE MAIN THING, regardless of what it is surrounded by in “this world”!!!

“THE TRUTH” needs to be acknowledged and respected, for when “THE TRUTH” is “lifted up” (John 12:32), it will draw all men to HIMSELF!!!

“FOR THREE DAYS!”

 

Acts 9:1-9                 (ESV)

The Conversion of Saul

“[1] But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the LORD, went to the high priest [2] and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to THE WAY, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. [3] Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. [4] And falling to the ground, he heard A VOICE saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting ME?” [5] And he said, “Who are you, LORD?” And he said, “I am JESUS, whom you are persecuting. [6] But rise and enter the city, and YOU WILL BE TOLD WHAT YOU ARE TO DO.” [7] The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing THE VOICE but seeing no one. [8] Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. [9] And “FOR THREE DAYS” he was WITHOUT SIGHT, and NEITHER ATE NOR DRANK.”

Saul, later known as Paul from Acts 13:9, was persecuting members of THE WAY (Acts 9:2) as harshly as he could!  JESUS had a conversation with Saul culminating with Acts 9:9 where it is recorded “And “FOR THREE DAYS” he (Saul) was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

Saul was apparently a “very confident” person?  But in his letter to the church at Philippi he wrote in chapter 3 verse 8 of Philippians, “Indeed, I count EVERYTHING as loss because of the surpassing WORTH of knowing CHRIST JESUS my LORD. For HIS SAKE I have suffered the LOSS OF ALL THINGS and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain CHRIST”.  Paul WILLINGLY gave EVERYTHING he ever wanted to be to be a “slave” to THE MASTER!!!

My curiosity inquires about what Saul did “FOR THREE DAYS” while awaiting hearing “…YOU WILL BE TOLD WHAT YOU ARE TO DO”??  He wasn’t told who would be telling him his message, nor how the message would be delivered to him??  Saul had to have been guided by the HOLY SPIRIT because JESUS told Ananias (the soon to be revealed MESSENGER from THE LORD) “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of MINE to carry MY NAME before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of MY NAME.” (Acts 9:15-16).  

It is VERY PLAIN TO SEE that JESUS HAD A PLAN for Saul/Paul!!!  It is should NOT SURPRISE us that THE CREATOR HAS A PLAN for us also!!  Saul didn’t KNOW precisely how long it would take for Ananias to deliver the MESSAGE to him, but “FOR THREE DAYS” he waited OBEDIENTLY to HIS CREATOR!!!

Would this lowly subject wait “FOR THREE DAYS”???

“OPEN MY EYES!”

 Psalm 119:18                 (ESV)

    [18] “OPEN MY EYES, that I may behold

        wondrous things out of YOUR law.”

“OUR BROTHER QUARTUS!”

 YOU AIN’T WORTH NOTHING 

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/17YRvdcrf7/?mibextid=wwXIfr

“OUR BROTHER QUARTUS!”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭16‬:‭21‬-‭24‬ ‭                (HCSB‬‬)

“Timothy, my coworker, and Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my fellow countrymen, greet you. I Tertius, WHO WROTE THIS LETTER, greet you in the LORD. Gaius, who is host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer, and “OUR BROTHER QUARTUS” greet you. The grace of our LORD JESUS CHRIST be with you all.”

The PAIN of growing up without a father present in our home was extremely difficult, mildly stating an obvious fact.  I am now 66 years old and I have never had this FACT explained to me so succinctly.  I have never understood why “OUR BROTHER QUARTUS” was anything special……..until I listened to this pastor explain it in the video above.  

Although Paul is said to have written this letter to the CHURCH in Rome, apparently TERTIUS did the actual penmanship according to Romans 16:22.  “OUR BROTHER QUARTUS” was the title given to the fourth son of a supposed slave mother who wasn’t thought enough of to be given a name by the current culture??  “OUR BROTHER QUARTUS” is documented in the WORD OF GOD, EVEN THOUGH those who were IN CHARGE of things didn’t even give him a name!!!

My EXTREMELY BEAUTIFUL WIFE and the two sons GOD proven to “this world” that THERE IS A GOD!!!  There is no way under HEAVEN that I could have ever imagined these BLESSINGS, plus a “massive brain hemorrhage”, and quadruple bypass surgery, while I was growing up!!!  And even though “OUR BROTHER QUARTUS” was special enough to be recorded in the letter from Paul to the church in Rome, my lowly  NAME has been WRITTEN in the LAMBS BOOK OF LIFE…..by none other than JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF!!! (Exodus 32:32-33). Now THAT IS SPECIAL!!!

“THE SPIRIT INTERCEDES FOR!”

 

Romans 8:26-30                 (ESV)

“[26] Likewise the SPIRIT helps us IN OUR WEAKNESSES. 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.”

When GOD ALMIGHTY, in HIS WISDOM beyond description, ordains several people to be involved in the meticulous process of rearing a servant to be USED to GLORIFY HIM, HE uses different men and methods, at different times, to mold HIS CHOSEN individual into the person HE DESIRES them to become.  GOD might even use some unchosen individuals as an example of what HE wants HIS CHOSEN individual to avoid becoming?  

GOD HAS A PLAN, and HIS PLAN doesn’t leave room for HIS CREATION to mess HIS PLAN up with erroneous behavior.  Why would GOD mess up a perfect PLAN with a nincompoop that doesn’t have enough sense to “get in out of the rain”?  HE might even place HIS SERVANT into a seventeen day coma to remove ANY CHANCE of his wishes interfering with HIS PLAN???

THE PLAN OF GOD doesn’t require another PERFECT person, for THE PERFECT PERSON IS JESUS CHRIST!!!  HIS PLAN requires me to do my best to HONOR and GLORIFY HIS NAME with every breath HE puts into my lungs!  Will I eternally perform that goal with my life??  I haven’t even done that for one day, even when I was in the coma!  I AM FLAWED, and I DON’T HAVE the capability of being HOLY!!!

My prayer is that I will grow into a servant of the MOST HIGH GOD, one who “THE SPIRIT INTERCEDES FOR” as part of HIS PLAN!!!  

“FOR THE LORD GIVES WISDOM!”

 

Proverbs 2:6-15                 (HCSB)

“FOR THE LORD GIVES WISDOM”; from HIS mouth come knowledge and understanding. HE STORES UP SUCCESS FOR THE UPRIGHT; HE is a shield for those who live with integrity so that HE MAY GUARD the paths of justice and PROTECT THE WAY of HIS loyal followers. Then you will understand righteousness, justice, and integrity — every good path. FOR WISDOM WILL ENTER YOUR MIND, and KNOWLEDGE WILL delight your heart.”

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There are sometimes when GOD USES HIS WORD in the most profound ways, but we must remember that HE IS GOD, and we ARE NOT!!!  We do not possess HIS KNOWLEDGE and INTELLECT, so Isaiah 55:8-9 becomes VERY REAL to us.  

HIS WISDOM and HIS WORD is something that can be ENLIGHTENED to us at various times, but when they are revealed to us at the same time simply HAVE TO accept that HE IS GOD and HE can do as HE PLEASES (Psalms 115:3)!  Our limited , finite minds are exquisitely incapable of thinking or understanding things that are readily available for us to SEE, but they still exist and occur every minute of every day!!!

Being a BRAIN DAMAGED Hemorrhagic Stroke Survivor, there are some things that I just have to accept and understand that HE IS GOD, and I AM NOT!!  I ALSO NEED TO UNDERSTAND that GOD can OPEN THE UNDERSTANDING of any finite mind THAT HE CHOOSES!  “FOR THE LORD GIVES WISDOM” to some, regardless of “how smart” we are NOT!!!  

It has to be SEEN that “THE LORD GIVES WISDOM”, and we need to accept that HE IS GOD, and I AM NOT!!!

“THE PURPOSE OF THE LORD!”

 

Proverbs 19:21                 (ESV)

    “Many are THE PLANS IN THE MIND OF A MAN,

        but it is “THE PURPOSE OF THE LORD” THAT WILL STAND.”

When you “experience” a potential “life and death” crisis, your EYES have the potential to be OPENED to SEE things through a different prism than you previously were able to comprehend.  When my brain hemorrhaged in 2007, I believed myself to be in TOTAL and COMPLETE “control” of everything in my life.  GOD used a ruptured blood vessel in the WORD RECALL portion of my brain to cause me to recognize that HE WAS IN CONTROL of EVERYTHING…..and I very plainly realized that I WAS NOT in control of anything!!!

When you go to bed after midnight “feeling fine”, then you wake up at 5:30am to go to the restroom, you feel like you are IN CONTROL!  But your legs fail to carry you one step, then your “words” are not the words you think you are saying, and you VERY QUICKLY SEE that YOU ARE NOT IN CONTROL……of ANYTHING!!!

THE PLANS IN THE MIND OF this MAN were to start a nonprofit that day.  “THE PURPOSE OF THE LORD” was to slow me down and have me recognize that HE was the ONE IN CONTROL, not just of the BIG THINGS in life, but EVERYTHING!!!  What I going to do was a “good thing”, but “THE PURPOSE OF THE LORD” was what I was going to do, regardless of what my plans were for that day!!!

GOD has VERY DELIBERATELY and PATIENTLY guided my steps preparing me to do precisely what HE HAS PLANNED for my life, including the portion of SLOWING me down over the past few years!!!  

FATHER IN HEAVEN, my prayer is that I will NOT pursue THE PLANS OF MY MIND, but that I will strive to do EXACTLY “THE PURPOSE OF THE LORD”!!!

“MY JOY MAY BE IN YOU!”

 

John 15:11                 (ESV)

“These things I have spoken to you, that “MY JOY MAY BE IN YOU”, and that your joy may be full.”

Depression is a VERY REAL thing with survivors of a Brain Hemorrhage.  When I was dismissed from the Rehabilitation Hospital, I was placed on prescription antidepressants.  I thought that “didn’t need” that, so I quit taking them.  About six weeks later a dear friend was killed and I telephoned my doctor begging for a new prescription!!  I quickly found a natural solution and was able to cease the new prescription, but the lesson learned was VERY VALUABLE!!!

Since that VERY DARK time in my life, my mental health is extremely important to me. I don’t have to take daily mood medications.  I usually can RECOGNIZE when I “might be in need” of assistance!!  

Understanding that “MY JOY MAY BE IN YOU” is kind of uplifting when you absorb what is TRULY being said!  The JOY that THE CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSES possesses abides within me, regardless of what trial I may experience.  “MY JOY MAY BE IN YOU” is saying that whether I realize it or not, JESUS walks with me down the PATH HE has PLANNED for my life!!!

Don’t permit “the enemy” to rob you of THE JOY that JESUS LIVED AND DIED to give you!!!  HE explicitly says in the verse above “MY JOY MAY BE IN YOU”, not “could be” in you!!!  Focusing on your problems instead of “MY JOY MAY BE IN YOU” is precisely what the enemy wants happening in our lives!!!  DON’T ALLOW the interference from “the enemy” to rob you of your JOY!!!

“WHEN YOU SEE”, “MUST FLEE”!!

 

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭24‬:‭15‬-‭16‬ ‭               (HCSB‬‬)

““So “WHEN YOU SEE” the ABOMINATION THAT CAUSES DESOLATION abominatio, spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place” (let the reader understand ), “then THOSE IN JUDEA “MUST FLEE” TO THE MOUNTAINS!”

THE WORD (John 1:1) didn’t just know what was written in Scripture, HE IS THE WORD!  HE is recorded in the Scriptures above saying  “WHEN YOU SEE” the turmoil and destruction of the “end times”, you “MUST FLEE” TO THE MOUNTAINS!!!

There will not be an immense amount of study about the writings of Daniel today, but I do want to say that “WHEN YOU SEE”, you “MUST FLEE” TO THE MOUNTAINS, away from the busyness of “this world”!!  

“BE STILL, AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD” (Psalms 46:10) might be easier to understand and accomplish IN THE MOUNTAINS???  We need to have our EYES OPENED to be willing to “WHEN YOU SEE”, you “MUST FLEE” TO THE MOUNTAINS!!!

 

“COVENANT-KEEPING DEITY!”

Psalm 135:5-6                 (ESV)

    “[5] For I know that the LORD is great,

        and that our LORD is above all gods. 

    [6] WHATEVER THE LORD PLEASES, HE DOES,

        in heaven and on earth,

        in the seas and all deeps.”

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.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭135‬:‭5-6‬ ‭.               (HCSB‬‬)

“For I know that YAHWEH is great; our LORD is greater than all gods.  YAHWEH does whatever HE pleases in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all the depths.”

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From wwwdotbiblehubdotcom

“YAHWEH is the personal name of GOD as revealed in the Hebrew Scriptures, particularly in the Old Testament. It is the most sacred, distinctive, and incommunicable name of GOD, often rendered as "LORD" in English translations of the Bible. The name YAHWEH is derived from the Hebrew consonants YHWH, known as the Tetragrammaton. This name is CENTRAL to the identity of GOD as the “COVENANT-KEEPING DEITY” of Israel.”

This “COVENANT-KEEPING DEITY” is UNIQUE to WHO GOD IS and the best way, that is the closest way, that mankind can describe HIM.  Because of THE FALL of mankind, humanity is inherently UNCLEAN, filled with unholiness.  We mortals are incapable of living a life of HOLINESS because of our sinful nature, and HIS PLAN to redeem us!  The sacrificial LIFE lived by JESUS is THE ONLY POSSIBLE WAY we can enjoy HIS GIFT for ALL ETERNITY!!!

Understanding precisely what GOD’s PLAN was trying to accomplish is far too deep and involved for this humble servant to understand!  BUT HIS “COVENANT-KEEPING DEITY” traits is part of WHO HE IS that I humbly acknowledge and respect for ALL ETERNITY!!!  HIS PLAN is far more POWERFUL and COMPLEX on HIS END, but very simple to accept on our behalf!!!  HE is the “COVENANT-KEEPING DEITY”!!!

“WAIT ON THE LORD!”

 

Psalms 27:14                 (KJV)

“”WAIT ON THE LORD”: be of good courage, and HE shall strengthen thine heart: WAIT, I SAY, ON THE LORD.”

The speed that “this world” operates seems to move faster and faster every minute of every day!  I just saw an old newspaper article from 1963 after the President was assassinated.  I was three years old at the time, so it didn’t make much of an impact in my life.  My grandfather was 53 years old, but the assassination probably didn’t impact him as much as things weren’t moving as quickly as they currently move!  

HOW LONG , then, should we “WAIT ON THE LORD”?  An abrupt answer to this question SHOULD be “as long as it takes”!  Regardless of how we perceive ourselves, we are NOT strong enough, nor smart enough, to move ANYWHERE without the GOD OF CREATION leading us!  

This devotional will be brief this morning!!  We MUST “WAIT ON THE LORD” because moving without HIS LEADERSHIP is not only sinful, but it really is SCARY!  When we “WAIT ON THE LORD”, we have PEACE!!  When we attempt to “do it on our own”, turmoil and strife usually isn’t far behind!!

“WAIT, I SAY, ON THE LORD”!!!

“LET NOT YOUR HEARTS BE TROUBLED!”

 

John 14:1-7                 (ESV)

I Am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life

[1] “”LET NOT YOUR HEARTS BE TROUBLED”. Believe in GOD; believe also in ME. [2] In my FATHER’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? [3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to MYSELF, that where I am you may be also. [4] And you know the way to where I am going.” [5] Thomas said to HIM, “LORD, we do not know where YOU are going. How can we know the way?” [6] JESUS said to him, “I am THE WAY, and THE TRUTH, and THE LIFE. NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH ME. [7] If you had known ME, you would have known MY FATHER also. From now on you DO know HIM and have seen HIM.”

I BELIEVE that EVERY WORD spoken by THE WORD (John 1:1) was spoken for HIM to be GLORIFIED!  In the first verse of the captioned passage, JESUS is quoted as saying “LET NOT YOUR HEARTS BE TROUBLED”.  We also know that only a few verses earlier that JESUS told Judas “What you are going to do, do quickly.”  We now know what it was that Judas would do, and JESUS knew it as well!!!  JESUS KNEW that Judas WAS going to betray HIM.  HE even told Judas to DO IT QUICKLY!  Yet HE proceeded with things without fear or trepidation.  

“LET NOT YOUR HEARTS BE TROUBLED” is followed very closely with “Believe in GOD; believe also in ME”.  Could GOD IN THE FLESH have been telling this uneducated fool that SINCE HE and the HOLY SPIRIT lives inside of me, that I should just TOTALLY rely on HIM???

JESUS said in John 10:30 “I and the FATHER are ONE.”  In John 14:16-17 JESUS says that HE WILL SEND the HOLY SPIRIT to be with us.  HE does this in Acts 2.  So we have THE TRINITY abiding with us, WHAT SHOULD WE BE CONCERNED WITH???  Most modern day people don’t familiarize ourselves with THE TRUTH enough to understand precisely what we HAVE, nor the PRICE that was PAID by our REDEEMER …….on our behalf!!!

My FAITH is far greater than it was, but I am remorseful that I can’t SEE that HE IS IN CONTROL……OF EVERYTHING……especially when I am not able to physically SEE evidence of HIM!!!  “LET NOT YOUR HEARTS BE TROUBLED” isn’t for the SPIRITUALLY weak or timid!  It is for the SPIRITUALLY MATURE!

“A 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.”

Saul (later renamed Paul) was VERY ZEALOUS about his goal, to strengthen “the so-called church” of the Jewish people.  Acts 9:1 that we went “breathing threats and murder AGAINST the disciples of the LORD”!  BUT JESUS knew (before the foundation of the world) that Saul was “A CHOSEN INSTRUMENT OF MINE” to perform a task that ONLY JESUS could do through Saul…..after a brief “cooling off” period!!!

ALMIGHTY GOD has done something very similar in my life!  I too was VERY BUSY doing whatever I felt that I was being led to do, but I was moving so quickly that I never made sure of what was leading me!  At least for me, I have found that the HOLY SPIRIT gets through my thick skull when I ‘LET GO’ and permit myself to be LED , AND NOT attempt to run things myself!!!  LETTING GO and permitting GOD to LEAD, GUIDE and DIRECT my actions is something that I MUST become more proficient at if I want to SEE HIS BLESSINGS!!!

On July 09, 2007 I HAD TO be put into a drug-induced coma BEFORE I was able to LET GO and GOD was able to “miraculously” heal me!!  HE wasn’t through with me yet, but HE had to alter my position to show me WHO WAS IN CONTROL!!  WHAT will it take NOW for me to GET MY HANDS OFF OF HIS WORK???  HE used the coma to “get me out of HIS way”, so THAT HE COULD DO WHATEVER HE NEEDED TO DO TO GET ME INTO COMPLIANCE WITH HIS WILL!?!

There were NO surprises in THE PLAN for ANYTHING that happened, from CREATION to current day happenings.  JESUS KNEW when HE was speaking to Ananias that the “murderous” Saul had been rendered useless and was patiently waiting for Ananias to visit him.  How could that information be available at this time?  JESUS KNEW that Saul was “A CHOSEN INSTRUMENT OF MINE”because GOD IS IN CONTROL OF EVERYTHING, and GOD WORKS ALL THINGS FOR HIS GLORY (Romans 8:28!). 

GOD HAS A PLAN!!!  HE responds to whatever HIS subjects do with HIS PRE-PLANNED response.  HE KNOWS PRECISELY how HE will respond to our actions…. or our inactions!  This is coming from someone who USED TO THINK that this humble servant could be used to make changes FOR HIS GLORY???  HE exquisitely displayed to me that HE is capable of doing ANYTHING - without any assistance from HIS CREATION - simply because HE IS GOD!!!

The FACT that HE uses AN INSTRUMENT OF MINE (Exodus 7:3-4; Hebrews 11:29) doesn’t make us any more acceptable to HIM, but being “A CHOSEN INSTRUMENT OF MINE” (Acts 9:15) certainly does!!!