"LED UP BY THE SPIRIT!"

Matthew 4:1-4                           (ESV)

"1 Then JESUS was "LED UP BY THE SPIRIT" into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

2 And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.

3 And the tempter came and said to HIM, "If YOU are the SON of GOD, command these stones to become loaves of bread."

4 But he answered, "It is written, "'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of GOD.'"  

JESUS "knew" WHO HE was.  HE didn't worry or waiver about "if" GOD could rescue HIM, or if GOD could defeat Satan, HE "knew" that HE was the SON of GOD and HE also "knew" who HIS enemy was!  Knowing and recognizing the enemy is a vital part of being a good soldier, as the enemy can disguise himself as a friend, while all the time being a foe!  JESUS "knew" the foe very well, because HE "knew" WHO HIS FATHER was!

JESUS was then "LED UP BY THE SPIRIT"!  Now I would be very cautious and surely would have thought I had missed the will of GOD if I were having to fast for forty days and forty nights!   But JESUS "knew" the SPIRIT, for the SPIRT has been around since Genesis 1:1-2.  HE was familiar with the SPIRIT of GOD leading HIM for HE had seen the SPIRIT in action since the foundations of the world.  Even when the SPIRIT of GOD led HIM to Golgotha HE trusted that GOD would be glorified by HIS obedience.

The tempter came to JESUS at a time when HE was physically at HIS weakest.  The enemy immediately questioned the faith of JESUS when he said "IF YOU are the SON of GOD, command these stones to become loaves of bread"!  Now don't you think that JESUS could have spoken a word and the stones would have immediately became bread?  But JESUS responded with what HE "knew".  HE responded with the Word of GOD (Deuteronomy 8:3) where Moses reminder the children of Israel 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of GOD.'  

Could it be that I don't recognize the enemy as readily as JESUS because I don't "know" GOD as intimately as HIM?  Would I be more obedient to the SPIRIT of GOD if I "knew" HIM better?  Maybe if I "knew" GOD's Word better I could apply it better when opportunities to defeat the enemy present themselves!  FATHER IN HEAVEN, I pray that my desire will be to know YOU better and that I will TRUST in YOU when I am "LED UP BY THE SPIRIT!"

"ENEMY OF GOD!"

James 4:4                             (ESV)

"You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with GOD? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an "ENEMY OF GOD"."

The similarity of the time of JESUS living on earth and modern day times have to be rather scary!  JESUS was loved by most ONE week prior to HIS death, as HE rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday to throngs of people shouting "Hosanna in the Highest!" (Matthew 21:1-11; Mark  11:1-11; Luke 19:28-40; John 12:12-19).  According to one source "The word hosanna (Latin hosanna, Greek ὡσαννά, hōsanná) is from Hebrew הושיעה־נא, הושיעה נא hôshia-nā’ which is short for hôšî‘â-nā’ from Aramaic הושע נא meaning "save, rescue, savior".  JESUS was recognized by nearly ALL of Jerusalem one week as a Savior, yet HE was quickly rejected and crucified.  No one (save HIS Mother and a few family friends) stepped up to prevent HIS being a sacrifice for the sins of the whole world.  

Not realizing what I was thinking, I used to think that I would have never allowed my JESUS to be crucified on a cross.  But had HE not been SACRIFICED for my sins we would still be under the "old covenant", trying to live a blameless life in a imperfect world!  

Today "this world" is moving at such a pace that it is easy to get caught up in the enemy's rat-race and not recognize when JESUS is speaking to us.  We try to fit into a "worldly" system, when we are "not of this world"!  JESUS said in John 15:19 "If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you".  Then in James 4:4 scripture says "You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with GOD? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an "ENEMY OF GOD."  We tend to act offended when "the world" rejects us, but JESUS lets us know to expect this.   HE also lets us know that "they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake.  And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another.  And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.  And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.  But the one who endures to the end will be saved."  

"This world" has no claim on JESUS (John 14:30), and since HE lives in me "this world" has no claim on me either!  Those who are friends of "this world" makes themselves an "ENEMY OF GOD, according to James 4:4.   Don't get caught up in the enemy's trap of making us so busy that we don't take time for JESUS!  We need to make certain we aren't an "ENEMY OF GOD"!!

Just a thought............

Just a thought..........

How refreshing it would be, rather than receiving an email soliciting campaign funds or asking for support for "their" position, for a candidate to humbly request that we, as a nation, return to worshipping GOD and turn our problems over to HIM?  

Proverbs 1:7 "The fear of the LORD is the BEGINNING of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction."

"RESTORE TO ME!"

Psalms 51:10-12                  (ESV)

"10 Create in me a clean heart, O GOD, and renew a right spirit within me. 

11 Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your HOLY SPIRIT from me. 

12 "RESTORE TO ME" the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit."

Recently a meme was shared with me that I have been ruminating over for days, "Satan's greatest weapon is man's ignorance of GOD's Word"!   As I have been convicted of the Spirit of GOD about these words, my heart continually reminisces about my past and how I might have been a better servant of the LORD.  How I could have been a better son, a better husband, a better father, a better church member, basically a person who loved the LORD more completely!

My desire was always to instill in my children a desire to learn, not only at school, but a desire to continue the learning process throughout their lives.  Something I should have done a better job of was making SURE I exhibited that KNOWLEDGE and WISDOM are two separate things that need to have a definitive line between them.  Proverbs 2:6-7 says "For the LORD gives WISDOM; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; HE stores up sound wisdom for the UPRIGHT; he is a shield to those who walk in INTEGRITY."  Had I imparted JUST THESE WORDS to my children their upbringing might have been less painful.  Having your EYES OPENED by GOD is a feeling that cannot be described or duplicated.

Having a relationship with THE FATHER brings a joy and peace that cannot limited by words!  For GOD to "RESTORE TO ME" a clean heart and renew a right spirit in me cannot be described.  And HE prepares our heart to receive HIS revelation by various means.  Through certain JOYS or certain TRIALS GOD can develop into vessels than give HIM nor it and glory.   Letting HIM have HIS way in our lives can be one of the most joyful, exhilarating feelings known to man, while resisting HIS leadership and guidance can be one of the most frustrating feelings.  

To have HIS WISDOM revealed to us, on HIS terms, is a phenomenon that only HE can receive glory for.  Trying to attain knowledge on our own is a losing proposition.  If "Satan's greatest weapon is man's ignorance of GOD's Word" then I need to know HIS Word more intimately!!  To have GOD "RESTORE TO ME" the joy of HIS salvation is to realize that I am not worthy to have a relationship with HIM in the first place, but am so grateful HE has chosen me!  Even knowing that I am imperfect, HE chooses to "RESTORE TO ME" the joy of HIS salvation!!

"THOSE WHO CAUSE DIVISIONS!"

Romans 16:17-20                (ESV)

"17 I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for "THOSE WHO CAUSE DIVISIONS" and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.

18 For such persons do not serve our LORD CHRIST, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.

19 For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil.

20 The GOD of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our LORD JESUS CHRIST be with you."

There are some warnings that are not very well stated, like a speed bump, or a tree limb down, or maybe a small bend in the road. There are other warnings that are broadcast with an urgency that could rival some military strategy.  Usually the latter are an effort to PROTECT something very dear to the person issuing said warning.  In Romans 16:17 the Apostle Paul is concluding his letter to the church at Rome and finished by stating "I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for "THOSE WHO CAUSE DIVISIONS" and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them."  

That Paul begins this warning with the words "I appeal to you" isn't coincidence, in my opinion. He wanted us (readers of his letter) to know that "THOSE WHO CAUSE DIVISIONS" will use tragedies and disappointments to their own benefit and we need to WATCH CAREFULLY for them.  Their only interest is to further 'their own appetites' through 'smooth talk and flattery', trying to change the focus from the real problem to what they want discussed. There are those whose apparent objective is to magnify discord and strife until the problem has been blown way out of proportion!  

The last words of verse 17 is something we (me for certain) don't do enough, AVOID THEM!  If someone is trying to tear down by sowing discord and strife, Paul advises us to AVOID THEM in very plain language!  Conversely, Paul finishes his letter by saying "The GOD of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet".  The enemy is no match for 'the GOD of peace' and will soon find out when he is crushed under OUR feet!  

The Apostle Paul is warning us to be on the alert for "THOSE WHO CAUSE DIVISIONS" in our lives.   There are those of 'this world' who will glorify and elevate "THOSE WHO CAUSE DIVISIONS" and will demonize the peacemakers.  But scripture instructs us to search out the evil ones and AVOID THEM!  "THOSE WHO CAUSE DIVISIONS" are only interested in causing strife and eliminating peace.  The enemy has been deceptive like that from the beginning.  We have been warned!  We need to be on the lookout for "THOSE WHO CAUSE DIVISIONS"!!!

"I AM THE LORD!"

Isaiah 43:10-11                      (ESV)

"10 "You are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me. 

11 I, "I AM THE LORD", and besides me there is no savior."

Viewing a video recently on a social media site showed a man being helped by another man who supposedly had no prior knowledge of the first man. Someone though, knew of the act of kindness and recorded the "good deed" and posted it so the whole world could "witness".  A "witness" in court is someone who can give TRUTHFUL testimony of what they know or have seen to be!  

In Isaiah 43:10 GOD says we are HIS witnesses and servants "whom HE has chosen".  Being a part of the chosen doesn't mean we are deserving or better than others.  We are simply chosen to be HIS because of grace that cannot be described!  Not everyone is chosen, and we need to realize and accept that.  As a matter of fact, not everyone who claims to be chosen will be saved (Matthew 7:21-23)!  

To be part of a family, because of GOD's grace, where our matriarch is "I AM THE LORD" is a privilege beyond description!  To understand that "I AM THE LORD" not only created these universes (Colossians 1:16-17), but that HE came to earth to provide redemption for my sins, is indescribable!  HE saved me, even though HE knew I would fail HIM miserably!  Is there any wonder that a song was written named "Amazing Grace"?  

That I am a "witness" and "servant" is not the focal point here.  The fact that "I AM THE LORD" is who I testify about and serve is the point.  A video of my gratitude and appreciation could never capture the true feelings that I desired displayed.  My prayer is that my genuine actions will give evidence that I serve "I AM THE LORD" in everything I do!!!

"WHERE IS THE SCRIBE?"

1 Corinthians 1:20 ;25-27

"Where is the one who is wise? "WHERE IS THE SCRIBE?" Where is the debater of this age? Has not GOD made foolish the wisdom of the world?"

"But GOD chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; GOD chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; GOD chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of GOD. 

Mankind is bound and determined to show GOD how intelligent he has become.  We have put a man on the moon.  We have performed surgeries that were only dreamed of 15 years ago.  We have automobiles that will almost drive themselves.  We can fly around the earth in less than a day.  The intelligence of man continues to escalate rapidly!  Or does it??

But cancer runs abound at astounding rates.  Blood pressure problems can't be solved in some people. The vast intelligence has yet to find a cure for obesity.  We are wealthier, yet more out of shape than ever before!  Depression is out of control and nobody seems to understand why?  We are supposedly smarter than ever, but our wisdom is possibly at record lows!

We think we know better than GOD so we murder children in the womb to avoid taking responsibility for them when they might have been born. Our court system has determined that GOD must have made a mistake when HE defined marriage and they have offered their own definition.  A man thinks he should have been born a woman and so he "changes" his lifestyle to suit his desires!  Did you ever think that GOD has let some of us do things our own way to display our ineptness?  

"WHERE IS THE SCRIBE"?  Where is the leader who is wise enough to lead as GOD's Word directs?  President George Washington reportedly said "It is impossible to rightly govern the world without GOD and the Bible."  But today we try to limit GOD to Sunday mornings for a one hour "pit stop" and then back to our secular world and its distractions. Maybe we think we are smart enough to figure out what we need to get by?  We are NOT GOD, and we had better realize that before HE demonstrates just WHO HE is and "WHERE IS THE SCRIBE"???