Deuteronomy 24:17-18 (ESV)
"17 "You shall not pervert the justice due to the sojourner or to the fatherless, or take a widow's garment in pledge,
18 but "YOU SHALL REMEMBER" that you were a slave in Egypt and the LORD your GOD redeemed you from there; therefore I command you to do this."
We are SO blessed to live in a country where, at least according to our founding documents, the people are the rulers and are the ones in control. Sometimes we get so caught up in our busy lives that we tend to forget, not only where we are coming from, but where we are headed to? "This world is not my home, I'm just passing through " needs to be more than a line of a song, it should reflect a lifestyle we live!
Me, personally, my mother and father divorced when I was four years old, leaving my two sisters and I to be raised by my mom, with NO input, financial support, or love from my father. As a matter of fact, he moved to Canada to avoid paying child support to my mom, and for us kids. I often expressed to my sons while they were growing up that I didn't have an example to rely upon and that I was "playing it by ear", for I didn't want to be anything like my dad! My formative years were not something that I wanted to focus on, and so it was difficult to say to me "YOU SHALL REMEMBER", as I was mostly trying to forget!
Last evening my wife and I were blessed to attend a fellowship about an hour from where we live where a group of people are being used to reach youth and children, a lot of whom are being reared in unfavorable circumstances. Some of these kids come from homes where there is little, or no, parental involvement. I could remember my childhood and the feeling of being "disconnected" while watching some of these children. Although there will always be neglected children in "this world", NO CHILD should have to feel the "disconnected" feeling of a parent who isn't involved with their lives.
They say you can't fully appreciate where YOU ARE unless you can remember where you have been. To be placed where "YOU SHALL REMEMBER" isn't an extremely comfortable position, but to see where I am now (comparatively) makes me see how blessed I really am. The Israelites could do nothing about being slaves in Egypt, until GOD delivered then from bondage. Last night, seeing "the bondage" of these children caused "YOU SHALL REMEMBER" to flood my mind. JESUS paid a tremendous price to deliver me from the bondage of sin, and I pray "YOU SHALL REMEMBER" will always be at the forefront of my memories!!
Thursday, January 7, 2016
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
"THE NAME OF THE LORD!"
1 Samuel 17:41-47 (ESV)
" 41 And the Philistine moved forward and came near to David, with his shield-bearer in front of him.
42 And when the Philistine looked and saw David, he disdained him, for he was but a youth, ruddy and handsome in appearance.
43 And the Philistine said to David, "Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?" And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.
44 The Philistine said to David, "Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and to the beasts of the field."
45 Then David said to the Philistine, "You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in "THE NAME OF THE LORD" of hosts, the GOD of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.
46 This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head. And I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a GOD in Israel,
47 and that all this assembly may know that the LORD saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the LORD's, and he will give you into our hand."
David's father, Jesse, must have been shocked at how his son responded to the enemy of GOD ALMIGHTY, known as Goliath. David's older brothers and all of the Israeli army saw how large and ferocious Goliath appeared before their military strength, but David compared Goliath to "the GOD of the armies of Israel", not the armies themselves!
When the conversation was controlled by Goliath, the enemy, his attributes were what he tried to focus on. When David had an opportunity to speak, the focal point swapped to "THE NAME OF THE LORD" of hosts, the GOD of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied". Have you ever asked the question why didn't David talk about himself and all of the lion and bear he had killed, instead he spoke of "THE NAME OF THE LORD" and what GOD was able to accomplish. Obviously, David knew to focus on "THE NAME OF THE LORD"!
Don't get caught up in what the LORD has used you to make happen. Keep your focus on what "THE NAME OF THE LORD" has brought about in your life, knowing HE can use you, or HE can use someone else to bring HIM Glory! We all have read how this story plays out, and Goliath wasn't long for "this world"! "THE NAME OF THE LORD" will be glorified, and HE will not share HIS glory with anyone (Isaiah 42:8)! We need to elevate and magnify "THE NAME OF THE LORD" and let HIM take care of the battles (v.47)!!!
" 41 And the Philistine moved forward and came near to David, with his shield-bearer in front of him.
42 And when the Philistine looked and saw David, he disdained him, for he was but a youth, ruddy and handsome in appearance.
43 And the Philistine said to David, "Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?" And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.
44 The Philistine said to David, "Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and to the beasts of the field."
45 Then David said to the Philistine, "You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in "THE NAME OF THE LORD" of hosts, the GOD of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.
46 This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head. And I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a GOD in Israel,
47 and that all this assembly may know that the LORD saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the LORD's, and he will give you into our hand."
David's father, Jesse, must have been shocked at how his son responded to the enemy of GOD ALMIGHTY, known as Goliath. David's older brothers and all of the Israeli army saw how large and ferocious Goliath appeared before their military strength, but David compared Goliath to "the GOD of the armies of Israel", not the armies themselves!
When the conversation was controlled by Goliath, the enemy, his attributes were what he tried to focus on. When David had an opportunity to speak, the focal point swapped to "THE NAME OF THE LORD" of hosts, the GOD of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied". Have you ever asked the question why didn't David talk about himself and all of the lion and bear he had killed, instead he spoke of "THE NAME OF THE LORD" and what GOD was able to accomplish. Obviously, David knew to focus on "THE NAME OF THE LORD"!
Don't get caught up in what the LORD has used you to make happen. Keep your focus on what "THE NAME OF THE LORD" has brought about in your life, knowing HE can use you, or HE can use someone else to bring HIM Glory! We all have read how this story plays out, and Goliath wasn't long for "this world"! "THE NAME OF THE LORD" will be glorified, and HE will not share HIS glory with anyone (Isaiah 42:8)! We need to elevate and magnify "THE NAME OF THE LORD" and let HIM take care of the battles (v.47)!!!
Tuesday, January 5, 2016
"TO DO IT!"
Ezra 7:1-10 (ESV)
"1 Now after this, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah, son of Azariah, son of Hilkiah,
2 son of Shallum, son of Zadok, son of Ahitub,
3 son of Amariah, son of Azariah, son of Meraioth,
4 son of Zerahiah, son of Uzzi, son of Bukki,
5 son of Abishua, son of Phinehas, son of Eleazar, son of Aaron the chief priest-
6 this Ezra went up from Babylonia. He was a scribe skilled in the Law of Moses that the LORD, the GOD of Israel, had given, and the king granted him all that he asked, for the hand of the LORD his GOD was on him.
7 And there went up also to Jerusalem, in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king, some of the people of Israel, and some of the priests and Levites, the singers and gatekeepers, and the temple servants.
8 And Ezra came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king.
9 For on the first day of the first month he began to go up from Babylonia, and on the first day of the fifth month he came to Jerusalem, for the good hand of his God was on him.
10 For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, and "TO DO IT" and to teach HIS statutes and rules in Israel."
In studying the HOLY BIBLE as a whole, one could be left pondering just who it is GOD uses to further HIS call. No one would argue that Moses was called of GOD to deliver HIS chosen people from the bondage of the Egyptians. Yet Moses was a lowly sheep herder, and murderer, who lived outside of mainstream of society, and away from the limelight. But GOD used Moses to in one of the most miraculous events to HIS Glory!
Ezra, on the other hand, had a lineage that would make most "proud"! "He was a scribe skilled in the Law of Moses" (v.6) and even found favor with the king of Persia! The hand of the LORD "his" GOD was on him, not the hand of the god of the Persian King! If GOD can "harden Pharaoh's heart" (Exodus 14:4) and cause him and his hosts to drown in the Red Sea, it shouldn't surprise us that GOD could cause the king of Persia to favor Ezra.
GOD reveals HIMSELF through scripture. HE can reveal TRUTHS in articles or books written by modern authors, but when a person MUST hear from GOD, HE will be found when you search HIS Word. In verse 10 above, scripture records that "Ezra had SET HIS HEART to study the Law of the LORD"! JESUS said in John 8:39-47 that the reason some CAN'T hear from GOD is because they are of the devil. Ezra was determined ("set his heart") to hear from GOD, but not only to hear from GOD, but "TO DO IT" and to set an example by teaching GOD's Word and rules in Israel.
The pedigree of the messenger is not what sets the messenger apart from others. The heart "TO DO IT" is what sets them apart! Although Ezra had a heritage to be proud of, he desired not only to hear from GOD, but "TO DO IT"! Too many times so-called men of GOD want to get a Word from GOD, but when it comes down to it they don't have a desire "TO DO IT", and their message is ineffective as the Holy Spirit hasn't been involved or consulted. HEAVENLY FATHER, I pray that my life would be one that reflects an attitude of obedience and that my Spirit would display a "TO DO IT" mentality!!!
"1 Now after this, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah, son of Azariah, son of Hilkiah,
2 son of Shallum, son of Zadok, son of Ahitub,
3 son of Amariah, son of Azariah, son of Meraioth,
4 son of Zerahiah, son of Uzzi, son of Bukki,
5 son of Abishua, son of Phinehas, son of Eleazar, son of Aaron the chief priest-
6 this Ezra went up from Babylonia. He was a scribe skilled in the Law of Moses that the LORD, the GOD of Israel, had given, and the king granted him all that he asked, for the hand of the LORD his GOD was on him.
7 And there went up also to Jerusalem, in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king, some of the people of Israel, and some of the priests and Levites, the singers and gatekeepers, and the temple servants.
8 And Ezra came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king.
9 For on the first day of the first month he began to go up from Babylonia, and on the first day of the fifth month he came to Jerusalem, for the good hand of his God was on him.
10 For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, and "TO DO IT" and to teach HIS statutes and rules in Israel."
In studying the HOLY BIBLE as a whole, one could be left pondering just who it is GOD uses to further HIS call. No one would argue that Moses was called of GOD to deliver HIS chosen people from the bondage of the Egyptians. Yet Moses was a lowly sheep herder, and murderer, who lived outside of mainstream of society, and away from the limelight. But GOD used Moses to in one of the most miraculous events to HIS Glory!
Ezra, on the other hand, had a lineage that would make most "proud"! "He was a scribe skilled in the Law of Moses" (v.6) and even found favor with the king of Persia! The hand of the LORD "his" GOD was on him, not the hand of the god of the Persian King! If GOD can "harden Pharaoh's heart" (Exodus 14:4) and cause him and his hosts to drown in the Red Sea, it shouldn't surprise us that GOD could cause the king of Persia to favor Ezra.
GOD reveals HIMSELF through scripture. HE can reveal TRUTHS in articles or books written by modern authors, but when a person MUST hear from GOD, HE will be found when you search HIS Word. In verse 10 above, scripture records that "Ezra had SET HIS HEART to study the Law of the LORD"! JESUS said in John 8:39-47 that the reason some CAN'T hear from GOD is because they are of the devil. Ezra was determined ("set his heart") to hear from GOD, but not only to hear from GOD, but "TO DO IT" and to set an example by teaching GOD's Word and rules in Israel.
The pedigree of the messenger is not what sets the messenger apart from others. The heart "TO DO IT" is what sets them apart! Although Ezra had a heritage to be proud of, he desired not only to hear from GOD, but "TO DO IT"! Too many times so-called men of GOD want to get a Word from GOD, but when it comes down to it they don't have a desire "TO DO IT", and their message is ineffective as the Holy Spirit hasn't been involved or consulted. HEAVENLY FATHER, I pray that my life would be one that reflects an attitude of obedience and that my Spirit would display a "TO DO IT" mentality!!!
Monday, January 4, 2016
"JESUS CHRIST IS THE SAME!"
Hebrews 13:8-10 (ESV)
"8 "JESUS CHRIST IS THE SAME" yesterday and today and forever.
9 Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them.
10 We have an altar from which those who serve the tent have no right to eat."
Have you ever witnessed someone acting totally out of character, doing things that don't quite line up with who they really are? Better still, have YOU ever experienced yourself having an apparent change in personality traits so dramatic that you think there may be something wrong with you? When JESUS comes into a life and changes that life they have a NEW character, a new basis for living their life.
But changing for the sake of change will not bring about lasting, meaningful results. While it is true that times are constantly changing, and maybe even progressing, "JESUS CHRIST IS THE SAME" for eternity. When a person surrenders to JESUS they are not just getting a get-out-of-jail free card. But that is the way a lot of people live their lives. Even "teachers" of (what are supposed to be) biblical principles get caught up in the frenzy of "this world" and give advice that isn't scriptural. If there's no scripture to confirm, or base a teaching from, you might need to make sure it is from GOD?
The intelligence of man is an amazing phenomenon. Less than 100 years ago automobiles were a rarity! Today it seems like every family in the United States has multiple vehicles. Medicine, growing of crops, manufacturing of clothing, indoor utilities, and we can't leave out TECHNOLOGY, are things we take for granted as nothing seems out of the realm of possibility for mankind.
But we have allowed our so-called intelligence to so cloud our minds and thinking that we fail to proclaim that there is a GOD who is in control and HE has a Plan that WILL come to fruition. JESUS said that just like it was in the days of Noah when people were eating, drinking, and being given in marriage until the day that Noah entered the ark and judgement of the sins of man was sealed, will the coming of he SON of MAN be! The fear, the dread, the impending doom had to be intense, yet Noah had told them for many years that Judgement Day was coming..........and now it was too late!!!
The fact that "JESUS CHRIST IS THE SAME" yesterday, today, and forever informs us that no matter our intelligence, our progress, our TECHNOLOGY, our sin WILL BE JUDGED! Exodus 34:7 says GOD "will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children's children, to the third and the fourth generation." GOD IS HOLY and you should not be deceived that HE will not judge our sin! Unless we can claim GRACE through "JESUS CHRIST IS THE SAME", we will experience judgement!
"8 "JESUS CHRIST IS THE SAME" yesterday and today and forever.
9 Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them.
10 We have an altar from which those who serve the tent have no right to eat."
Have you ever witnessed someone acting totally out of character, doing things that don't quite line up with who they really are? Better still, have YOU ever experienced yourself having an apparent change in personality traits so dramatic that you think there may be something wrong with you? When JESUS comes into a life and changes that life they have a NEW character, a new basis for living their life.
But changing for the sake of change will not bring about lasting, meaningful results. While it is true that times are constantly changing, and maybe even progressing, "JESUS CHRIST IS THE SAME" for eternity. When a person surrenders to JESUS they are not just getting a get-out-of-jail free card. But that is the way a lot of people live their lives. Even "teachers" of (what are supposed to be) biblical principles get caught up in the frenzy of "this world" and give advice that isn't scriptural. If there's no scripture to confirm, or base a teaching from, you might need to make sure it is from GOD?
The intelligence of man is an amazing phenomenon. Less than 100 years ago automobiles were a rarity! Today it seems like every family in the United States has multiple vehicles. Medicine, growing of crops, manufacturing of clothing, indoor utilities, and we can't leave out TECHNOLOGY, are things we take for granted as nothing seems out of the realm of possibility for mankind.
But we have allowed our so-called intelligence to so cloud our minds and thinking that we fail to proclaim that there is a GOD who is in control and HE has a Plan that WILL come to fruition. JESUS said that just like it was in the days of Noah when people were eating, drinking, and being given in marriage until the day that Noah entered the ark and judgement of the sins of man was sealed, will the coming of he SON of MAN be! The fear, the dread, the impending doom had to be intense, yet Noah had told them for many years that Judgement Day was coming..........and now it was too late!!!
The fact that "JESUS CHRIST IS THE SAME" yesterday, today, and forever informs us that no matter our intelligence, our progress, our TECHNOLOGY, our sin WILL BE JUDGED! Exodus 34:7 says GOD "will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children's children, to the third and the fourth generation." GOD IS HOLY and you should not be deceived that HE will not judge our sin! Unless we can claim GRACE through "JESUS CHRIST IS THE SAME", we will experience judgement!
Sunday, January 3, 2016
"TEACH ME YOUR WAY!"
Psalms 86:11 (ESV)
"TEACH ME YOUR WAY", O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name."
Trusting GOD to work HIS will in my life, on HIS timing, for HIS glory requires more than patience on my part, it requires a humble obedience, demonstrating a complete surrender to HIS leadership and direction of where, when, and how, HE can be most glorified in my existence.
Have thine own way LORD, have thine own way
Thou art the Potter, I am the clay
Mold me and make me, after thy will
Will I am WAITING, yielded and still
"TEACH ME YOUR WAY", O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name."
Trusting GOD to work HIS will in my life, on HIS timing, for HIS glory requires more than patience on my part, it requires a humble obedience, demonstrating a complete surrender to HIS leadership and direction of where, when, and how, HE can be most glorified in my existence.
Have thine own way LORD, have thine own way
Thou art the Potter, I am the clay
Mold me and make me, after thy will
Will I am WAITING, yielded and still
Saturday, January 2, 2016
"IMPOSSIBLE!"
Hebrews 11:5-7 (ESV)
"5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because GOD had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased GOD.
6 And without faith it is "IMPOSSIBLE" to please HIM, for whoever would draw near to GOD must believe that HE exists and that HE rewards those who seek HIM.
7 By faith Noah, being warned by GOD concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by FAITH."
When I reflect on my life and all of the joy and successes I have enjoyed there is little doubt in my mind there is a loving GOD guiding my life. When I consider my past and all of the trials and turmoils I have endured, there remains NO DOUBT whatsoever that GOD has been there before I was formed in my mothers womb providing direction and sometimes by limiting choices where I would follow HIM. Even when I was unable to make wise decisions, namely during the brain hemorrhage of 2007, GOD directed Doctors to place me into a medically induced coma so I wouldn't interfere, nor gain any glory, from the greatest miracle provided in my life. The idea that GOD is not sovereign, while at the same time allowing us to have choices in our lives, is something I'm not sure I totally understand, but am so grateful for!
GOD cannot be seen by all. You must diligently search for HIM in order to find HIM. Jeremiah 29:13 says "You will seek ME and find ME, when you seek ME with all your heart". I did not realize that GOD was directing my life until I earnestly started seeking for HIM to be revealed in my life. Of course, when I set me eyes on HIM and HIS majesty seeing that HE has always been is an overwhelming observation.
Since GOD has always been there in my life and HE never fails, why do I fret about the future and what may lie ahead? One commentary states "God is eternal. Because He is eternal, He did not need to be created. In fact, because He is eternal, God could not have been created, since it is not possible to create something that already exists." Since GOD "is" and HE is sovereign over everything (ask Pharaoh in Exodus 14!), I must realize that if trials and turmoil are in my future, then GOD must be using the trials and turmoil for HIS glory!
In Luke 1:37 the same angel who foretold the birth of JESUS said "For nothing will be "IMPOSSIBLE" with GOD". In Hebrews 11:6 scripture says it IS "IMPOSSIBLE" to please GOD! The only conclusion that I can deduce is that one "must believe that HE exists and that HE rewards those who seek HIM"! Since GOD is eternal and is sovereign over everything in my life, I can rest assured that HE knows the plans (Jeremiah 29:11) HE has for me! My focus shall remain on HIM getting glory from my life in everything I do, and doing the "IMPOSSIBLE" for HIM!!!
"5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because GOD had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased GOD.
6 And without faith it is "IMPOSSIBLE" to please HIM, for whoever would draw near to GOD must believe that HE exists and that HE rewards those who seek HIM.
7 By faith Noah, being warned by GOD concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by FAITH."
When I reflect on my life and all of the joy and successes I have enjoyed there is little doubt in my mind there is a loving GOD guiding my life. When I consider my past and all of the trials and turmoils I have endured, there remains NO DOUBT whatsoever that GOD has been there before I was formed in my mothers womb providing direction and sometimes by limiting choices where I would follow HIM. Even when I was unable to make wise decisions, namely during the brain hemorrhage of 2007, GOD directed Doctors to place me into a medically induced coma so I wouldn't interfere, nor gain any glory, from the greatest miracle provided in my life. The idea that GOD is not sovereign, while at the same time allowing us to have choices in our lives, is something I'm not sure I totally understand, but am so grateful for!
GOD cannot be seen by all. You must diligently search for HIM in order to find HIM. Jeremiah 29:13 says "You will seek ME and find ME, when you seek ME with all your heart". I did not realize that GOD was directing my life until I earnestly started seeking for HIM to be revealed in my life. Of course, when I set me eyes on HIM and HIS majesty seeing that HE has always been is an overwhelming observation.
Since GOD has always been there in my life and HE never fails, why do I fret about the future and what may lie ahead? One commentary states "God is eternal. Because He is eternal, He did not need to be created. In fact, because He is eternal, God could not have been created, since it is not possible to create something that already exists." Since GOD "is" and HE is sovereign over everything (ask Pharaoh in Exodus 14!), I must realize that if trials and turmoil are in my future, then GOD must be using the trials and turmoil for HIS glory!
In Luke 1:37 the same angel who foretold the birth of JESUS said "For nothing will be "IMPOSSIBLE" with GOD". In Hebrews 11:6 scripture says it IS "IMPOSSIBLE" to please GOD! The only conclusion that I can deduce is that one "must believe that HE exists and that HE rewards those who seek HIM"! Since GOD is eternal and is sovereign over everything in my life, I can rest assured that HE knows the plans (Jeremiah 29:11) HE has for me! My focus shall remain on HIM getting glory from my life in everything I do, and doing the "IMPOSSIBLE" for HIM!!!
Friday, January 1, 2016
"FOLLOW ME!"
Matthew 16:24-25 (ESV)
"24 Then JESUS told HIS disciples, "If anyone would come after ME, let him deny himself and take up his cross and "FOLLOW ME".
25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for MY sake will find it."
Not ever being one who reveled in coming in second, I remember always having a desire to lead the pack, especially when driving! My wife has been married to me for nearly 32 years and she still gets frustrated with me on not wanting to allow another vehicle to lead the way. I'm not saying that having (or being) a leader is bad, but that the designated leader must recognize his assignment and not lead down the wrong path!
The earthly ministry of JESUS lasted just over three years. The teachings HE left in that short period of time continue changing lives to this day! Matthew 16:24-28 could take months for an expository preacher to make his way through. In Matthew 16:24, a different translation says that "Those who want to come with me must say NO to the things they want". In a conversation with a friend recently they were speaking about praying that GOD would join them in THEIR PLANS, when GOD spoke to them about them joining GOD and HIS work! We are called to "FOLLOW ME", not for HIM to help us through our troubles!
When GOD was leading the children of Israel, HIS Holy Spirit preceded then in a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, leaving no room for them to stray. I, on the other hand, have been known to begin following HIM and I proceed down a path, ASSUMING that is the path GOD would have me travel. HIS cloud, or pillar of fire, may have taken a turn but I was so intent on leading the pack that I missed HIS leadership and continued on my own! All of the sudden, I am on my own with no guidance or direction, wondering what I did wrong?
Far too many times "followers of CHRIST" want to be out front expecting GOD to bless their efforts, even though they have abandoned following HIM. Now I see that the only way to effectively lead is to " FOLLOW ME"! When we make sure we are behind HIS cloud, or pillar of fire, we are placing HIS direction ahead of our wishes. GOD's protection, and following HIS Plan, can only be achieved when we "FOLLOW ME!"
"24 Then JESUS told HIS disciples, "If anyone would come after ME, let him deny himself and take up his cross and "FOLLOW ME".
25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for MY sake will find it."
Not ever being one who reveled in coming in second, I remember always having a desire to lead the pack, especially when driving! My wife has been married to me for nearly 32 years and she still gets frustrated with me on not wanting to allow another vehicle to lead the way. I'm not saying that having (or being) a leader is bad, but that the designated leader must recognize his assignment and not lead down the wrong path!
The earthly ministry of JESUS lasted just over three years. The teachings HE left in that short period of time continue changing lives to this day! Matthew 16:24-28 could take months for an expository preacher to make his way through. In Matthew 16:24, a different translation says that "Those who want to come with me must say NO to the things they want". In a conversation with a friend recently they were speaking about praying that GOD would join them in THEIR PLANS, when GOD spoke to them about them joining GOD and HIS work! We are called to "FOLLOW ME", not for HIM to help us through our troubles!
When GOD was leading the children of Israel, HIS Holy Spirit preceded then in a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, leaving no room for them to stray. I, on the other hand, have been known to begin following HIM and I proceed down a path, ASSUMING that is the path GOD would have me travel. HIS cloud, or pillar of fire, may have taken a turn but I was so intent on leading the pack that I missed HIS leadership and continued on my own! All of the sudden, I am on my own with no guidance or direction, wondering what I did wrong?
Far too many times "followers of CHRIST" want to be out front expecting GOD to bless their efforts, even though they have abandoned following HIM. Now I see that the only way to effectively lead is to " FOLLOW ME"! When we make sure we are behind HIS cloud, or pillar of fire, we are placing HIS direction ahead of our wishes. GOD's protection, and following HIS Plan, can only be achieved when we "FOLLOW ME!"
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