"REVELATIONS"!

Mankind continues to become "smarter", more intelligent.   Yet "WISDOM" (GODLY WISDOM) has become in less demand.  And I think the moral decline is in direct correlation with the lack of GODLY WISDOM!

People seem astonished that GOD chooses to reveal HIMSELF and HIS ways to the humble and "unlearned"!  Acts 4:13 is one of the most revealing scriptures in The Bible.  It says "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were "unlearned and ignorant men", they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, THAT THEY HAD BEEN WITH JESUS."  Just being with "JESUS" gave them a manner of utterance that made them significant.  

In Luke's Gospel chapter 10 verses 21-24 JESUS spoke "In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the *wise and prudent*, and hast REVEALED them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight. All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will REVEAL him.  And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see: For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and HAVE NOT SEEN them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and HAVE NOT HEARD them."  Dreams happen with regularity.  GODLY revelations are unique and special.  "Many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see", yet only GOD can open our understanding.  

Do not be amazed that people cannot understand (SEE) the things GOD has revealed to you.  In John 10:24-27 it is REVEALED  "Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me. But ye believe not, because ye are NOT OF MY sheep, as I said unto you. my sheep HEAR MY VOICE, and I know them, and THEY FOLLOW ME."  

If they are not "HIS sheep", they will not "hear" HIM (v.25).  GOD has a plan!  It is my desire to fulfill HIS plan to the fullest for HIS GLORY!! 

"IN THE END"!

On my Facebook home page I keep this verse as a reminder that when life gets TOO busy, that I must slow things down and refocus/reprioritize my life!

Psalms 46:10 says "Be Still, and know that I am GOD...."

The JOY and PEACE that I enjoy when I am "in tune" with GOD is indescribable.   The enemy will cause so much "busy ness" to enter our lives that we forget WHO our focus is on!  Sometimes I just need to "Be Still"!   

Why do we trade in such JOY and PEACE for worry, fear, and turmoil?   Ephesians 6:12 states "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."  

We (I mainly) need to realize and understand  that there is a HOLY war going on for control of our bodies and minds!   The devil will use anything he can to win a battle!   He will even use those we love to drag us down.  

But, in the end, the BIBLE tells us what is going down!   We need to ALWAYS remember that death and hell have been defeated and JESUS is LORD OF ALL!  

Glenn Davis

Revelation 2:10B

" be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life."

Glenn Davis was as devout a Christian man as I have had the privilege to know in this world.  Glenn's earthly body gave in to the effects of colon cancer this morning. 

I love Glenn Davis and Becky, his wife.  While visiting Glenn recently in his home, his daughter read from Romans 1:16 that says "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek."

That was Glenn's favorite verse!  I am proud to call Glenn Davis my friend.  I am going to miss his testimony.  Glenn, I know you are in Heaven now!  In about "ten thousand years or so, a million, maybe two, look for me, I will be there too"!  

http://youtu.be/SIr0gNTgl6w

"INDIVIDUALLY"!

Isaiah 1:3   (ESV)

"The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master's crib, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand." 

The children of GOD have made it a habit of seeing how far they can manage without letting GOD have HIS rightful place.  The Israelites continuously turned from GOD and it brought about defeat and destruction.  You would think they would learn from their mistakes???

But America is doing the same!  The leaders are certainly doing their part to lead us down the "path of destruction", but the real BLAME rests on the individuals.  

"We The People" individually "USE TO BE" a prayer army that was revered and respected as none other prior.  Now, rogue countries flaunt their false gods in our face and dare us to do anything about it.  We have forfeited our vaunted position in the world for political correctness and appeasement.  

While studying a book called The Harbinger it is pointed out that  Isaiah 9:10 was quoted by numerous politicians after the 9-11 terrorist attacks.  Isaiah 9:10 says "The bricks are fallen down, but we will build with hewn stones: the sycomores are cut down, but we will change them into cedars."  The verse sounds good, but it was an indictment AGAINST the children of Israel for taking their eyes (focus) off the GOD who granted then success.  They were going to build stronger, mightier fortresses to withstand there enemies.  Instead, their enemies prevailed against them.  

America was sent a warning on September 11, 2001 and we responded much the same as Israel centuries ago.  Galatians 6:7 reminds us that "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."  

Our only hope is found in 2 Chronicles 7:14 "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."

Individually, we MUST return to HIM and pray it is not too late!  

"SLOW TO SPEAK"!

Colossians 4:5-6  (ESV)

"Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.  Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."

James 1:19  (ESV)

"Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger"

So many times I find myself not having the "right" words for the conversation I am having.   When that occurs, I often find myself being silent until I figure out just what is appropriate to say.  As it turns out, that may be scriptural!

The scriptures listed above tell me that I may NOT need to be talking! My speech should always be gracious!   The words "be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger" were not put in Scripture by accident!   It has been said "GOD gave you TWO ears and ONE mouth for a reason"!  Should we listen TWICE as much as we speak?  

Carrying this a step further, when I pray should I listen to GOD more than I make requests of HIM?  Am I a bit selfish in my "Prayer Time"?  Do I dump my requests on the altar and run, sort of like at the fast food restaurant?  

GOD desires a "RELATIONSHIP" with us.   HE loves providing our needs, but HE also loves us to spend time with HIM!  

Father, I am sorry for the times I have appeared too busy to spend time alone with YOU.  Cause me to realize that my problems may be easily solved by YOU, but I have to listen to YOU for answers!  

"IS IT TRUE"?

Colossians 2:6-8 (KJV) "As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ." On Sunday evenings my pastor has recently spoke on "FALSE TEACHERS" after listening to a video by Shai Linne (A Christian Rap Artist) entitled the same. You may view it on YouTube by clicking below: http://youtu.be/pl4WevY-GPU The Apostle Paul is telling us in Colossians that we are responsible for NOT being deceived by anything that is not CHRIST! He writes that "any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world" we should BEWARE of! In the Acts of the Apostles, chapter 17 verse 10-11 (ESV) scripture records "The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to BEREA, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so." The BEREAN Christians were determined to live their lives as scripture directed. They did not, and neither should we, rely on any man to give his opinion on matters related to Christian living. The end of v. 11 says "examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so"! LORD, cause me to rely totally on how YOUR WORD instructs me to live for you! I trust in YOU alone for my guidance!

"Turning back"!

Jeremiah 29:11-14 (KJV) "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. And I (GOD) will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I (GOD) will turn away your captivity, and I (GOD) will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I (GOD) have driven you, saith the LORD; and I (GOD) will bring you again into the place whence I (GOD) caused you to be carried away captive." I do my BIBLE study on my iPhone. My wife says that the iPhone should be grown INTO my body, because I use it so much! One thing I love is I have four BIBLE apps on my phone and I can go from one to the other without losing my place in scripture. Every night, before going to sleep, I try to read a few verses so my mind will be set "on things above" (Col 3:2). Last night I read Jeremiah 29:11. This morning I was reading "around" and I was caused to linger on Jeremiah 29:14. The Israelites were in captivity because of sin. GOD always protected HIS children, UNTIL their hearts turned to other gods. But, HE is always there for us WHEN we turn back to HIM. I have taken the liberty of inserting the word (GOD) into v. 14 for emphasis. GOD never is out-of-control! The children of Israel were taken captive (bondage) by other nations and GOD orchestrated it! Now, HE was "causing" them to be set free! Make no mistake, GOD is sovereign. (Proverbs 16:1-4) My life is very similar to the children of Israel. From time to time I lose my focus on "keeping my eyes on JESUS". But HE is always there for me when I turn back to HIM! LORD, I pray that my desire and focus is on being what YOU desire me to be.....FOR YOUR GLORY!!!