"NO LONGER"
Galatians 2:20-21 (ESV)
"20 I have been crucified with CHRIST. It is "NO LONGER" I who live, but CHRIST who lives in me. And THE LIFE I NOW LIVE IN THE FLESH I live by faith in the SON OF GOD, who loved me and gave HIMSELF for me.
21 I do not nullify the grace of GOD, for if righteousness were through the law, then CHRIST DIED FOR NO PURPOSE!"
A Roman Crucifixion was one of the most brutal forms of capital punishment ever known to mankind. JESUS' crucifixion was made all the worse for HE was beaten and tortured even before being hung on a cross. The price JESUS paid in order for my Spirit to have the opportunity to spend eternity in Heaven is unimaginable. When I see people who claim to be BELIEVERS talk about themselves in the past tense (in the flesh), I cringe with shame as my SAVIOR paid a heavy price to release us from the bondage of the flesh! We BELIEVERS should never refer to our OLD statuses as the price JESUS paid to remove us from that status was so great!
Everybody is susceptible to this lie, as even I formerly was. Isaiah 44:18 says the enemy has blinded our eyes so we cannot see, and closed our minds so we cannot understand, when THE TRUTH (John 14:6) is right before us, just as JESUS stood in the midst of HIS persecutors! CHRIST died a horrific death on Calvary in order that I could allow myself to yield myself to HIS SPIRIT and become a NEW CREATION (2 Corinthians 5:17) in HIM. My old self has been regenerated into a NEW CREATION, so why do I allow the enemy to bring up my past? If I do, then 'CHRIST DIED FOR NO PURPOSE'!!
THE LIFE I NOW LIVE IN THE FLESH has surrendered to the SPIRIT of CHRIST JESUS living inside of me! I "NO LONGER" get to make decisions about my life and what I may perceive as "best" for me, as I have been crucified with CHRIST! While it is true I am still housed in this 6'6" frame, HIS SPIRIT has control of my operations center and I need to submit to HIS Plan for my life.
GOD speaks to us in numerous ways (Job 33:14 "For GOD speaks in one way, and in two, though man does not perceive it."), but then in scripture goes on to say in the following verses " THEN HE opens the ears of men" and we can hear TRUTH from HIM. Our hearts have to be seeking HIS WILL for our lives before we can have our eyes and ears opened by the FATHER (2 Chronicles 16:9a "For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward HIM). My prayer is that I will keep my heart blameless before HIM and that I will "NO LONGER" try to hijack this vessel I now live in with HIM!
Thursday, April 7, 2016
Wednesday, April 6, 2016
"BE STILL BEFORE THE LORD!"
Psalms 37:7 (ESV)
"BE STILL BEFORE THE LORD" and wait patiently for HIM; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!"
The sermon last Sunday at the church I attend was on Exodus 20:17, "Do not covet..."! Scripture indicates we are not to desire another persons possessions, instead be grateful for what the LORD has blessed us with. It is rather easy, and sometimes quite tempting, to daydream about living a life of luxury with "no worries" and lots of wealth. During his recent sermon, our Pastor said life would possibly made simpler IF we KNEW what was ahead of us, what we could expect, as it kept our focus on THE PRIZE all believers have in JESUS CHRIST. As Christians, we CAN know what lies ahead of us! Scripture reveals it to us!
My "WAR ROOM PRAYER LIST" begins with the following statement from a devotional I read one time, "Only by choosing NOT TO BE SLAVES to our own reasonings and emotions can we win the battle for our minds and begin hearing the voice of GOD within us." When we cease being so concerned about "our own reasonings and emotions" we can begin to draw closer to HIS guidance and leadership in our lives. When we CHOOSE hearing from GOD over our own thoughts and desires, a certain PEACE transforms our lives into what we are designed by GOD to accomplish.
Most are aware that GOD placed Psalms 46:10 in my heart following the brain hemorrhage. But Psalms 37:7 is almost as impactful in my life, as it instructs me to "wait patiently for HIM" and HIS blessings to fill your life. We can, and I often find myself trying to, get so busy trying to "do THINGS" for THE LORD that we can't hear from HIM about HIS PLAN for our lives. GOD isn't interested in competing with our selfish wishes and desires only to see us cease communing with HIM. Our goals and desires should be to SERVE HIM and to do HIS will! When we "covet" our attention has shifted from our CREATOR to HIS creation. Exodus 34:14 says GOD is a jealous god, and HE should not compete for our affection!
FATHER IN HEAVEN, cause me to "BE STILL BEFORE THE LORD" and to keep my eyes focused on what YOU would have me do to glorify YOUR Kingdom. It is awfully tempting at times to look at the worldly success of others and how we think YOUR Kingdom could benefit from the same manner of success. Remind us to "BE STILL BEFORE THE LORD" and get our own specific instructions for our lives to perform the tasks YOU will be most glorified in.
"BE STILL BEFORE THE LORD" and wait patiently for HIM; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!"
The sermon last Sunday at the church I attend was on Exodus 20:17, "Do not covet..."! Scripture indicates we are not to desire another persons possessions, instead be grateful for what the LORD has blessed us with. It is rather easy, and sometimes quite tempting, to daydream about living a life of luxury with "no worries" and lots of wealth. During his recent sermon, our Pastor said life would possibly made simpler IF we KNEW what was ahead of us, what we could expect, as it kept our focus on THE PRIZE all believers have in JESUS CHRIST. As Christians, we CAN know what lies ahead of us! Scripture reveals it to us!
My "WAR ROOM PRAYER LIST" begins with the following statement from a devotional I read one time, "Only by choosing NOT TO BE SLAVES to our own reasonings and emotions can we win the battle for our minds and begin hearing the voice of GOD within us." When we cease being so concerned about "our own reasonings and emotions" we can begin to draw closer to HIS guidance and leadership in our lives. When we CHOOSE hearing from GOD over our own thoughts and desires, a certain PEACE transforms our lives into what we are designed by GOD to accomplish.
Most are aware that GOD placed Psalms 46:10 in my heart following the brain hemorrhage. But Psalms 37:7 is almost as impactful in my life, as it instructs me to "wait patiently for HIM" and HIS blessings to fill your life. We can, and I often find myself trying to, get so busy trying to "do THINGS" for THE LORD that we can't hear from HIM about HIS PLAN for our lives. GOD isn't interested in competing with our selfish wishes and desires only to see us cease communing with HIM. Our goals and desires should be to SERVE HIM and to do HIS will! When we "covet" our attention has shifted from our CREATOR to HIS creation. Exodus 34:14 says GOD is a jealous god, and HE should not compete for our affection!
FATHER IN HEAVEN, cause me to "BE STILL BEFORE THE LORD" and to keep my eyes focused on what YOU would have me do to glorify YOUR Kingdom. It is awfully tempting at times to look at the worldly success of others and how we think YOUR Kingdom could benefit from the same manner of success. Remind us to "BE STILL BEFORE THE LORD" and get our own specific instructions for our lives to perform the tasks YOU will be most glorified in.
Tuesday, April 5, 2016
"DO NOT BE LIKE THEM!"
Matthew 6:7-15 (ESV)
"7 "And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words.
8 "DO NOT BE LIKE THEM", for your FATHER knows what you need before you ask HIM.
9 Pray then like this: "Our FATHER in Heaven, hallowed be YOUR name.
10 YOUR kingdom come, YOUR will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread,
12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your Heavenly FATHER will also forgive you,
15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your FATHER forgive your trespasses."
The fellowship I attend has a practice of having the deacon of the week offer a prayer every Sunday right before the Pastor steps into the pulpit to deliver his message from GOD. Being set aside as a deacon in the mid 1990's, I was asked to serve a couple of years back. With that being said, my "word-recall" since the brain hemorrhage has not quite been restored, and my belief is GOD's Plan does not include me NOT being CHANGED from the hemorrhage! When I pray on my assigned Sunday the words aren't as eloquent as others, but usually they are what GOD lays on my heart!
When JESUS was instructing the crowds how to pray, HE began by telling them "DO NOT BE LIKE THEM", meaning the people who thought their prayers would be heard because of their fancy words. HE followed those words with "for your FATHER knows what you need before you ask HIM." GOD knows our hearts and minds, so we can't camouflage what we have in our hearts and deceive GOD! JESUS is/was GOD IN THE FLESH, and HE instructed them to come before GOD with both humility and adoration. The word HALLOWED in verse 9 defined in one dictionary means to be regarded as HOLY; VENERATED; SACRED. We can come boldly before HIS throne (Hebrews 4:16), but that doesn't mean we can nonchalantly with no reverence. While it is true HE is our HEAVENLY FATHER, even JESUS said HIS name was to be HALLOWED!
One thing about the model prayer that needs to be addressed before moving on, in verse 11 JESUS instructs us to pray "Give us this day our daily bread". Notice JESUS doesn't pray for unlimited wealth and an easy life. In spite of what many "television preachers" would have you believe, the health, wealth, and prosperity gospel didn't originate from the poor carpenter from Galilee! GOD may grant earthly wealth to some, but it is no sign of a greater love for them than the remainder of us. Surely HE loved JESUS, so why wasn't wealth and comfort on HIS list of blessings???
We could come to the THRONE ROOM with an oratory that would sound like a regal sonnet to OUR FATHER, but GOD knows that isn't me, and HE knows it probably isn't you either! Our prayers should be a plain spoken with "heart-felt", respectful conversation with the CREATOR of the Universe, and CREATOR of our lives! "DO NOT BE LIKE THEM" when you approach your HEAVENLY FATHER. Certainly you wouldn't want HIM saying of you "DO NOT BE LIKE THEM"???
"7 "And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words.
8 "DO NOT BE LIKE THEM", for your FATHER knows what you need before you ask HIM.
9 Pray then like this: "Our FATHER in Heaven, hallowed be YOUR name.
10 YOUR kingdom come, YOUR will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread,
12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your Heavenly FATHER will also forgive you,
15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your FATHER forgive your trespasses."
The fellowship I attend has a practice of having the deacon of the week offer a prayer every Sunday right before the Pastor steps into the pulpit to deliver his message from GOD. Being set aside as a deacon in the mid 1990's, I was asked to serve a couple of years back. With that being said, my "word-recall" since the brain hemorrhage has not quite been restored, and my belief is GOD's Plan does not include me NOT being CHANGED from the hemorrhage! When I pray on my assigned Sunday the words aren't as eloquent as others, but usually they are what GOD lays on my heart!
When JESUS was instructing the crowds how to pray, HE began by telling them "DO NOT BE LIKE THEM", meaning the people who thought their prayers would be heard because of their fancy words. HE followed those words with "for your FATHER knows what you need before you ask HIM." GOD knows our hearts and minds, so we can't camouflage what we have in our hearts and deceive GOD! JESUS is/was GOD IN THE FLESH, and HE instructed them to come before GOD with both humility and adoration. The word HALLOWED in verse 9 defined in one dictionary means to be regarded as HOLY; VENERATED; SACRED. We can come boldly before HIS throne (Hebrews 4:16), but that doesn't mean we can nonchalantly with no reverence. While it is true HE is our HEAVENLY FATHER, even JESUS said HIS name was to be HALLOWED!
One thing about the model prayer that needs to be addressed before moving on, in verse 11 JESUS instructs us to pray "Give us this day our daily bread". Notice JESUS doesn't pray for unlimited wealth and an easy life. In spite of what many "television preachers" would have you believe, the health, wealth, and prosperity gospel didn't originate from the poor carpenter from Galilee! GOD may grant earthly wealth to some, but it is no sign of a greater love for them than the remainder of us. Surely HE loved JESUS, so why wasn't wealth and comfort on HIS list of blessings???
We could come to the THRONE ROOM with an oratory that would sound like a regal sonnet to OUR FATHER, but GOD knows that isn't me, and HE knows it probably isn't you either! Our prayers should be a plain spoken with "heart-felt", respectful conversation with the CREATOR of the Universe, and CREATOR of our lives! "DO NOT BE LIKE THEM" when you approach your HEAVENLY FATHER. Certainly you wouldn't want HIM saying of you "DO NOT BE LIKE THEM"???
Monday, April 4, 2016
"MIND OF A MAN!"
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."
Recently I saw a statement on a social media site saying quite simply "GOD, not you, is in control of all things"! This simple statement will not leave me alone. Most of us attempt to be somewhat godlike in our actions in that we try to make things work out in a way that people, especially the ones we love, experience the best outcome. But even while deliberating this statement/comment in my mind, the "MIND OF A MAN", I can see where GOD has used "difficulties" in my life to draw me closer to HIM throughout my life.
Isaiah 55:8-9 says "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 tend to always believe WE KNOW what s best in life and do our best to "make that happen". But GOD's Word says to "TRUST HIM", not do what we THINK is reasonable.
So how do we KNOW that we are ding GOD's Will for our lives? GOD has been known to in times of old to AUDIBLY speak to HIS followers. But scripture says in Romans 12:2 "Do not be conformed to this world, but be TRANSFORMED by the RENEWAL of your MIND, that by testing YOU MAY DISCERN WHAT IS THE WILL OF GOD, what is good and acceptable and perfect." GOD sometimes speaks to us in quiet, soft ways, and sometimes HE has to REALLY get our attention! From experience, it is usually not pleasant when GOD has to get my attention! It is much more gratifying when all GOD has to do is speak gently and I respond favorably.
When I was hospitalized in 2007 with the brain hemorrhage, my wife was driving home one night and heard Twila Paris singing "God is in control". Up until the hemorrhage I had always given every indication that I was in control. But while I was in the the coma there were days that I wasn't even in control of my own breathing! Since recovering from the hemorrhage, it is very easy to admit that, without JESUS, this "MIND OF A MAN" isn't qualified for many decisions I formerly made with little, or no, guidance from Heaven. This "MIND OF A MAN" is yielding to "the purpose of the LORD" for it WILL stand!
"Many are the plans in the "MIND OF A MAN", but it is the purpose of the LORD that will STAND."
Recently I saw a statement on a social media site saying quite simply "GOD, not you, is in control of all things"! This simple statement will not leave me alone. Most of us attempt to be somewhat godlike in our actions in that we try to make things work out in a way that people, especially the ones we love, experience the best outcome. But even while deliberating this statement/comment in my mind, the "MIND OF A MAN", I can see where GOD has used "difficulties" in my life to draw me closer to HIM throughout my life.
Isaiah 55:8-9 says "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 tend to always believe WE KNOW what s best in life and do our best to "make that happen". But GOD's Word says to "TRUST HIM", not do what we THINK is reasonable.
So how do we KNOW that we are ding GOD's Will for our lives? GOD has been known to in times of old to AUDIBLY speak to HIS followers. But scripture says in Romans 12:2 "Do not be conformed to this world, but be TRANSFORMED by the RENEWAL of your MIND, that by testing YOU MAY DISCERN WHAT IS THE WILL OF GOD, what is good and acceptable and perfect." GOD sometimes speaks to us in quiet, soft ways, and sometimes HE has to REALLY get our attention! From experience, it is usually not pleasant when GOD has to get my attention! It is much more gratifying when all GOD has to do is speak gently and I respond favorably.
When I was hospitalized in 2007 with the brain hemorrhage, my wife was driving home one night and heard Twila Paris singing "God is in control". Up until the hemorrhage I had always given every indication that I was in control. But while I was in the the coma there were days that I wasn't even in control of my own breathing! Since recovering from the hemorrhage, it is very easy to admit that, without JESUS, this "MIND OF A MAN" isn't qualified for many decisions I formerly made with little, or no, guidance from Heaven. This "MIND OF A MAN" is yielding to "the purpose of the LORD" for it WILL stand!
Sunday, April 3, 2016
""PRAY FOR US!"
1 Thessalonians 5:25 (ESV)
"Brothers, "PRAY FOR US"!
Many times of late I have witnessed friends and loved ones request "prayers and good thoughts" for someone who is sick, or in need of support during a difficult time. You would think that if somebody actually believed in their heart that requesting me to approach the CREATOR of the Universe on their behalf was going to happen within the next 24 hours that they would be expecting great results? But my prayer life apparently isn't strong enough to cause many people to respect, or even fear, a result!
JESUS said in John 14:14 "If you ask me anything in MY name, I will do it". In the previous verse HE gave a clarification "that the FATHER may be glorified in the SON". Why don't I live a life so in tune with the desires of the FATHER that people are in awe of the power of GOD in my life? Don't you figure the enemy is aware that there are very few prayer WARRIORS who know how to lock onto the Throne-room of GOD and lead an onslaught on his armies? Embarrassment fills me as I consider how much of a Spiritual weakling I must appear to be, not just to the enemy, but to my friends and acquaintances who should be flocking to me to "PRAY FOR US"!
I'm sure that the author of the letter written to the church at Thessalonica (The Apostle Paul) understood that when he closed out his first letter to them what he was asking of them. If the Apostle Paul were praying for me I would expect GOD to answer, and with authority! Why then do my prayers not cause the devil to run with fear? Why when I pray don't the demons run for cover?
James 1:6 says "But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind". Maybe I'm so caught up in this world and earthly things that I never get to the FAITH things that I need to be praying about. On my prayer list is a quote from a devotional that I read daily that says "Only by choosing NOT TO BE SLAVES to our own reasonings and emotions can we win the battle for our minds and begin hearing the voice of GOD within us". When we remove our "reasonings and emotions" and begin to pray for HIS will in our lives we begin to see GOD do miraculous things in our lives!
FATHER IN HEAVEN, I pray that when someone requests me to "PRAY FOR US" that satan and his demons will have to start running for cover. We ALL should be recognized as having the Spirit of GOD living inside of our bodies and that should scare the enemy! "PRAY FOR US!!"
"Brothers, "PRAY FOR US"!
Many times of late I have witnessed friends and loved ones request "prayers and good thoughts" for someone who is sick, or in need of support during a difficult time. You would think that if somebody actually believed in their heart that requesting me to approach the CREATOR of the Universe on their behalf was going to happen within the next 24 hours that they would be expecting great results? But my prayer life apparently isn't strong enough to cause many people to respect, or even fear, a result!
JESUS said in John 14:14 "If you ask me anything in MY name, I will do it". In the previous verse HE gave a clarification "that the FATHER may be glorified in the SON". Why don't I live a life so in tune with the desires of the FATHER that people are in awe of the power of GOD in my life? Don't you figure the enemy is aware that there are very few prayer WARRIORS who know how to lock onto the Throne-room of GOD and lead an onslaught on his armies? Embarrassment fills me as I consider how much of a Spiritual weakling I must appear to be, not just to the enemy, but to my friends and acquaintances who should be flocking to me to "PRAY FOR US"!
I'm sure that the author of the letter written to the church at Thessalonica (The Apostle Paul) understood that when he closed out his first letter to them what he was asking of them. If the Apostle Paul were praying for me I would expect GOD to answer, and with authority! Why then do my prayers not cause the devil to run with fear? Why when I pray don't the demons run for cover?
James 1:6 says "But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind". Maybe I'm so caught up in this world and earthly things that I never get to the FAITH things that I need to be praying about. On my prayer list is a quote from a devotional that I read daily that says "Only by choosing NOT TO BE SLAVES to our own reasonings and emotions can we win the battle for our minds and begin hearing the voice of GOD within us". When we remove our "reasonings and emotions" and begin to pray for HIS will in our lives we begin to see GOD do miraculous things in our lives!
FATHER IN HEAVEN, I pray that when someone requests me to "PRAY FOR US" that satan and his demons will have to start running for cover. We ALL should be recognized as having the Spirit of GOD living inside of our bodies and that should scare the enemy! "PRAY FOR US!!"
Friday, April 1, 2016
"HIS GOOD PLEASURE!"
Philippians 2:12-13 (ESV)
"12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,
13 for it is GOD who works in you, both to will and to work for "HIS GOOD PLEASURE!"
Behind every observed action of mankind there is a Divine Plan that is being fulfilled. There are times when I do things in haste, sometimes with little or no prayer, and GOD uses it for "HIS GOOD PLEASURE"! When the dust is settled and I am able look back and see HIS handiwork, awe and amazement (and sometimes a fear tears!) flood my head. When you find GOD all over your seemingly minuscule efforts it sometimes can shake you to your core!
During the years of 1999-2007 I was EXTREMELY busy! I served on various boards and commissions, all in the name of community service. While serving on our local school board I was asked by a fellow board member to write a letter to our United States Senator in an effort to get a physician approved to come to a local hospital. He was in the United States on an 0-1 Visa which evidently required a U.S. Senator signing off on it. During this time I also served as the chairman of the local Republican Party, and in doing so was Chairman of the re-election campaign for the same U.S. Senator. I wrote the letter on August 15, 2002 and faxed it to Washington D.C. and promptly filed it away.
Of course, on July 09, 2007 I awoke experiencing a "massive brain hemorrhage" and spent 52 days hospitalized. Being unable to work for two years, my belongings were packed up and sent home with me. On July 1, 2009 we were able to purchase our insurance office from the previous owner and so the moving my "stuff" back to the office commenced.
One afternoon I came in to the office and my wife told me to sit down, that she had something she needed me to see, and that I had to sit down to read it. It didn't take long for me to understand her reasoning. The doctor that I wrote the letter in support of turned out to be the Neurologist assigned to me when my hemorrhage occurred in 2007! There are somethings you just can't make up! When I regained my composure after crying profusely that afternoon, I carried the letter to the physician's office and let him make a copy of it! He was shocked, I was shocked, but GOD's PLAN usually shocks those involved!
Now, do you see why I am such a zealot for HIM and "HIS GOOD PLEASURE"? Certainly there was no indication I would need any doctor is 2002, let alone a Neurologist! But GOD knew! GOD knew I would recover nicely, would return to work in just under two years, and would give HIM unshared glory for as long as I breath life into this body! So often I write that GOD has a PLAN and I am so glad HIS PLAN called for me to experience "HIS GOOD PLEASURE" in my life.
"12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,
13 for it is GOD who works in you, both to will and to work for "HIS GOOD PLEASURE!"
Behind every observed action of mankind there is a Divine Plan that is being fulfilled. There are times when I do things in haste, sometimes with little or no prayer, and GOD uses it for "HIS GOOD PLEASURE"! When the dust is settled and I am able look back and see HIS handiwork, awe and amazement (and sometimes a fear tears!) flood my head. When you find GOD all over your seemingly minuscule efforts it sometimes can shake you to your core!
During the years of 1999-2007 I was EXTREMELY busy! I served on various boards and commissions, all in the name of community service. While serving on our local school board I was asked by a fellow board member to write a letter to our United States Senator in an effort to get a physician approved to come to a local hospital. He was in the United States on an 0-1 Visa which evidently required a U.S. Senator signing off on it. During this time I also served as the chairman of the local Republican Party, and in doing so was Chairman of the re-election campaign for the same U.S. Senator. I wrote the letter on August 15, 2002 and faxed it to Washington D.C. and promptly filed it away.
Of course, on July 09, 2007 I awoke experiencing a "massive brain hemorrhage" and spent 52 days hospitalized. Being unable to work for two years, my belongings were packed up and sent home with me. On July 1, 2009 we were able to purchase our insurance office from the previous owner and so the moving my "stuff" back to the office commenced.
One afternoon I came in to the office and my wife told me to sit down, that she had something she needed me to see, and that I had to sit down to read it. It didn't take long for me to understand her reasoning. The doctor that I wrote the letter in support of turned out to be the Neurologist assigned to me when my hemorrhage occurred in 2007! There are somethings you just can't make up! When I regained my composure after crying profusely that afternoon, I carried the letter to the physician's office and let him make a copy of it! He was shocked, I was shocked, but GOD's PLAN usually shocks those involved!
Now, do you see why I am such a zealot for HIM and "HIS GOOD PLEASURE"? Certainly there was no indication I would need any doctor is 2002, let alone a Neurologist! But GOD knew! GOD knew I would recover nicely, would return to work in just under two years, and would give HIM unshared glory for as long as I breath life into this body! So often I write that GOD has a PLAN and I am so glad HIS PLAN called for me to experience "HIS GOOD PLEASURE" in my life.
"THERE IS NONE!"
Psalms 14:1-3 (ESV)
"1 The FOOL says in his heart, "There is no GOD." They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds, "THERE IS NONE" there is none who does good.
2 The LORD looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God.
3 They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; "THERE IS NONE" who does good, not even one."
Often we hear people saying "I accepted JESUS as my LORD and Savior....", giving the impression that they have something to do with their salvation. After all, JESUS said in John 3:3 "Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is BORN AGAIN he cannot see the kingdom of GOD." But when we 'BE STILL' long enough and absorb what JESUS said, how many babies have a choice of living or dying? Abortionists and Obstetricians do not keep records of how many of their victims/patients preferred death or life! We didn't have a choice when, where, how, or who we were physically born to, and I wouldn't have had the desire to Spiritually grow closer to HIM and to be used by HIM! GOD THE FATHER drew me!
SURRENDERING to a call from the LORD might be better said "GOD called me out of darkness"? 1 Peter 2:9 says "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for HIS own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of HIM who CALLED YOU OUT OF DARKNESS into HIS marvelous light". Speaking for myself, I didn't have enough intelligence, nor inclination, to SURRENDER to a HOLY GOD, so I'm sure blessed HE "called me out of darkness" into HIS marvelous light! None of us, "NO NOT ONE", had anything to do with our salvation, it is purely because GOD is merciful and "called" us!
Since today "this world" recognizes ALL FOOLS DAY on the calendar, these verses have a significant meaning. Some may claim they have NEVER said there is no GOD. But our actions speak louder than our words and when we worry and fret we are boldly pronouncing that GOD can't handle what lies before us! How many times in my life have I displayed by my actions that there was no GOD directing my path? How many times have I walked around with a large FOOL placard around my neck? To think GOD isn't IN CONTROL is to say HE isn't much of a GOD!
To those of us who have been CALLED OUT, there is nothing we have SURRENDERED to. We can only be thankful that HIS Grace sought us. "THERE IS NONE" who is intelligent enough, or wise enough, or lucky enough to figure out how to make it to Heaven. We are not a nationality, sect or race, we are CALLED OUT to be a light in a dark world. Regardless of what people want to claim, "THERE IS NONE" who is good enough to keep them in Heaven, or out of hell! "THERE IS NONE"!!!
"1 The FOOL says in his heart, "There is no GOD." They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds, "THERE IS NONE" there is none who does good.
2 The LORD looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God.
3 They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; "THERE IS NONE" who does good, not even one."
Often we hear people saying "I accepted JESUS as my LORD and Savior....", giving the impression that they have something to do with their salvation. After all, JESUS said in John 3:3 "Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is BORN AGAIN he cannot see the kingdom of GOD." But when we 'BE STILL' long enough and absorb what JESUS said, how many babies have a choice of living or dying? Abortionists and Obstetricians do not keep records of how many of their victims/patients preferred death or life! We didn't have a choice when, where, how, or who we were physically born to, and I wouldn't have had the desire to Spiritually grow closer to HIM and to be used by HIM! GOD THE FATHER drew me!
SURRENDERING to a call from the LORD might be better said "GOD called me out of darkness"? 1 Peter 2:9 says "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for HIS own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of HIM who CALLED YOU OUT OF DARKNESS into HIS marvelous light". Speaking for myself, I didn't have enough intelligence, nor inclination, to SURRENDER to a HOLY GOD, so I'm sure blessed HE "called me out of darkness" into HIS marvelous light! None of us, "NO NOT ONE", had anything to do with our salvation, it is purely because GOD is merciful and "called" us!
Since today "this world" recognizes ALL FOOLS DAY on the calendar, these verses have a significant meaning. Some may claim they have NEVER said there is no GOD. But our actions speak louder than our words and when we worry and fret we are boldly pronouncing that GOD can't handle what lies before us! How many times in my life have I displayed by my actions that there was no GOD directing my path? How many times have I walked around with a large FOOL placard around my neck? To think GOD isn't IN CONTROL is to say HE isn't much of a GOD!
To those of us who have been CALLED OUT, there is nothing we have SURRENDERED to. We can only be thankful that HIS Grace sought us. "THERE IS NONE" who is intelligent enough, or wise enough, or lucky enough to figure out how to make it to Heaven. We are not a nationality, sect or race, we are CALLED OUT to be a light in a dark world. Regardless of what people want to claim, "THERE IS NONE" who is good enough to keep them in Heaven, or out of hell! "THERE IS NONE"!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)