“GOD SO LOVED!”

John 3:16                                        (KJV)

“For GOD SO LOVED the world, that HE GAVE HIS only begotten SON, that whosoever believeth in HIM should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

We all think we know what LOVE is.  I didn’t think the love I have for my wife could be more than I had for her when we were married.  But I now see that love was minuscule in comparison to the love I have for her today.  Then came my children and I couldn’t imagine my heart being more full!  Even though disappointment with their actions sometimes caused grief, my love for them continues to mature.  Now I am experiencing grandchildren and the love I now experience is unimaginable!  Great-grandchildren, should I be so blessed, will be.........well, GREAT!!

JESUS even says in scripture in John 15:13 “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” Would I lay down my life for my wife?  Or my children?  Do we even have to ask about my grandchildren?  Of course I would gladly lay down my life, in a heartbeat, for any of my offspring, and certainly for the one GOD gave me to love, honor and protect.  My life doesn’t seem like much of a price for any of the ones I love! 

But why would ALMIGHTY GOD sacrifice HIS only begotten SON for someone as selfish, egotistical, vile and corrupt as I am?  For certain, I don’t acknowledge HIM like I should, although I have been where few others have been, medically speaking.  But weren’t we ALL lost with NO HOPE before being called into HIS MARVELOUS LIGHT (1 Peter 2:9)?  Why would a HOLY GOD sacrifice a HIS only PERFECT SON for someone as despicable as me?  

John 3:16 begins with “GOD SO LOVED”!  HIS LOVE is something we can’t imagine nor describe. We can’t draw a picture of something so immense and inclusive.  My prayer is, that as I mature Spiritually, that the love I exhibit will look more like the “GOD SO LOVED” kind and HE will be honored and Glorified in my actions.  We are instructed to “die daily” (1 Corinthians 15:31) and allow HIS reflection to shine through our lives.  Why? So we can display that “GOD SO LOVED” and HE can use our lives to draw others to HIM!!!

“WHEN YOU MEET!”

James 1:2-4                                    (ESV)

“2 Count it all joy, my brothers, “WHEN YOU MEET” trials of various kinds,

3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.

4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

Today is Veterans Day in America, commemorating the end of “the war to end all wars”!  Actually, “Armistice Day” was First celebrated on the "eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month" of 1918 remembering the cessation of hostilities of World War I.  Most Americans are interested in celebrating anything that gets us another day off from work, especially a paid day off from work.  

However, how many of us remember the time when we surrendered our lives to JESUS as our LORD and SAVIOR.  The disciples had their “Armistice Day” documented as they all left their “way of life” to follow a path laid out for them by JESUS.  All but one of the disciples succumbed to a martyrs death as following JESUS is not a life of comfort and ease.  

Most of us have been taught since we were young that “hard work will pay off” some day.  But do we ever see anyone going around looking for “trials and tribulations” at the end of their earthly journey?  Scripture is rather plain that trials and heartaches will plague us until we complete our earthly journey.  

The passage of scripture above says “Count it all joy, my brothers, “WHEN YOU MEET” trials, not IF YOU MEET them!!!  We  “BROTHERS” are going to experience trials so that GOD can be glorified in our lives.  We should expect, maybe even relish in the fact, that we are BROTHERS and are considered worthy “WHEN YOU MEET” trials so GOD can be exalted in our lives.   After all, it’s all about HIM receiving Glory, not us being exalted, isn’t it???  

“LET YOUR WORDS BE FEW!”

Ecclesiastes 5:2                        (ESV)

“Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before GOD, for GOD is in Heaven and you are on earth. THEREFORE “LET YOUR WORDS BE FEW!””

Regrettably there are a number of people who have yet to have some things revealed to them.   Only GOD can change a heart, but some people need to understand that their heart needs changing by THE CREATOR!  

The most prevalent manner in which GOD speaks to us is through HIS Word, not through our mouths!  There are some “ministers” who act as though they are the only mouthpiece for GOD, even though HE spoke through a donkey in Numbers 22:21-39.  When difficult times arise, like we are PROMISED they will, we are not instructed to go to “the preacher” for an answer from GOD.   JESUS HIMSELF tells us in Matthew 6:5-15 “......go into your room and shut the door and pray to your FATHER.......”!  

The pace of “this world” dictates a swift, concise response to most calamities.  But GOD doesn’t operate on “this worlds” timetable.  We are called to be Holy (set apart) to/from “this world”.   Since we are called to be different from most people, we will be ridiculed for our way of doing things, IF we obey HIS Word!  

Pleasing GOD will not endear us to those who are opposed to HIM.  When we “LET YOUR WORDS BE FEW” it might be categorically opposite of what they are looking for.  But that may be the only way they will be able to hear from GOD ALMIGHTY!  They will HAVE to listen to HIM, If we “LET YOUR WORDS BE FEW!””

“WHO HEARS!”

Matthew 7:24-25                           (ESV)

“24 "Everyone then “WHO HEARS” these WORDS OF MINE and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.”

There is a lot of talk about a song performed by Carrie Underwood’s last night entitled “Softly and Tenderly”.   No, I didn’t watch it for I hardly watch television, but Carrie Underwood’s rendition of “How Great Thou Art” with Vince Gill in the guitar a few years ago was something to remember.  There is little doubt in my mind that the song last night was also memorable.  

Isn’t it amazing how some people listen to a recording artist with expectations of hearing a song performed that will be remembered for a long time, but when we are searching for answers to questions in our lives we want to figure it out on our own?  Not everyone “WHO HEARS” can hear the voice of GOD.   JESUS said in the scripture above that everyone “WHO HEARS”, leaving me to understand that some people can’t hear because their ears aren’t tuned into the things of GOD.   

 In Matthew 13:13-16 JESUS says that some people can hear HIM talking, but they don’t understand what HE is saying.  There are MANY other verses that speak about listening to ALMIGHTY GOD, but perhaps one of the best is Jeremiah 17:23 which states “Yet they DID NOT LISTEN or “incline” their ear, but stiffened their neck, that they might not hear and receive instruction.”  

We are directed not only to LISTEN to GOD, but to “incline” our ears to obey HIM!   Having an “inclination” to do something usually means we are leaning towards doing it.   So why do I have an “inclination” to do that which I “don’t want to do”?  The Apostle Paul writes in Romans 7:15 “For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do THE VERY THING I HATE”!   The answer to his dilemma is in verses 24 & 25 of the same chapter where he identifies JESUS CHRIST as the only solution to his problem!

Being one of the Chosen “WHO HEARS” GOD doesn’t mean that is all we are required to do.   We must not only HEAR, but DO what we are told to DO.  When the rains fall, and the floods come, and the winds blow, we must rest assured that we are part of the group “WHO HEARS” our LORD leading and guiding us to HIS reward!!!

“GROW!”

2 Peter 3:17-18                               (ESV)

“17 You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are NOT CARRIED AWAY with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability.

18 But “GROW” in the grace and knowledge of our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST. To HIM be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.”

My grandfather forgot more about “GROW”ing things than most people (myself included) will ever know, mainly because he had plenty of practice at his craft!  He began helping in the family garden long before he ever went to school (around 1916) and finished gardening in his late 80’s (1997).  Passing on his knowledge was not one of his greatest gifts, so what little I learned was from distant admiration and respect.   

To be able to “GROW” in the grace and knowledge of our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST takes a dogged determination, probably similar to my grandfathers gardening.   He gardened during the Great Depression when his very  survival was dependent upon his ability to raise crops.  There can be times when we have no hope but to trust in a Holy GOD to provide our needs.   At least for me, the path isn’t that far away, but I can’t SEE it because my eyes are may have “scales” over them, like the Apostle Paul did in Acts 9:18.  It’s not as if we don’t want to SEE, but ALMIGHTY GOD may not be ready for us to have the answers to our needs just yet because we aren’t ready yet?  

“GROW”ing to where we can be used for HIS Glory can be one of the most uncomfortable experiences you (or I) will ever go through.  To adequately “GROW” all weeds have to be pulled and proper fertilizer has to be apply.   Similarly, we almost continuously have to confess our sinful ways and stay in HIS WORD to fertilize our “GROW”th.  

Only GOD will be able to judge how much we “GROW”.   My grandfather has been receiving his eternal reward since May 2000, but his ability to “GROW” things continues to foster his legacy.   Will my legacy be to “GROW” anything?  We have to be careful to be NOT CARRIED AWAY by false teachings from “the enemy”!  True seeds are found in HIS WORD and we need to make sure we “GROW” those seeds!!!

“TOO MANY!”

Judges 7:2-7                                  (ESV)

“2 The LORD said to Gideon, "The people with you are “TOO MANY” for ME to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel boast over ME, saying, 'My own hand has saved me.'

3 Now therefore proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, 'Whoever is fearful and trembling, let him return home and hurry away from Mount Gilead.'" Then 22,000 of the people returned, and 10,000 remained.

4 And the LORD said to Gideon, "The people are still “TOO MANY”. Take them down to the water, and I will test them for you there, and anyone of whom I say to you, 'This one shall go with you,' shall go with you, and anyone of whom I say to you, 'This one shall not go with you,' shall not go."

5 So he brought the people down to the water. And the LORD said to Gideon, "Every one who laps the water with his tongue, as a dog laps, you shall set by himself. Likewise, every one who kneels down to drink."

6 And the number of those who lapped, putting their hands to their mouths, was 300 men, but all the rest of the people knelt down to drink water.

7 And the LORD said to Gideon, "With the 300 men who lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hand, and let all the others go every man to his home."”

ALMIGHTY GOD didn’t need thousands of men to fight for HIM with Gideon.  HE still doesn’t need a majority to accomplish HIS Plan today!  GOD only requires HIS chosen to have FAITH and trust HIS Word.  HE will do the work!   Exodus 14:14 says “The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent." 

We attempt to load up our army with “TOO MANY” people who aren’t qualified to be warriors when GOD only needs a few to be unquestionably committed to HIS cause.  GOD’s Promise was “I will save you and give the Midianites into your hand”!  Don’t try to “help” GOD, just “be silent” and let HIM do HIS thing!!!

“WISDOM!”

Proverbs 2:1-5                                (ESV)

“1 MY son, if you receive MY words and treasure up MY commandments with you, 

2 MAKING YOUR EAR attentive to “WISDOM” and INCLINING YOUR HEART to understanding; 

3 yes, if you CALL OUT for insight and raise your voice for understanding, 

4 if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, 

5 then you will UNDERSTAND the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of GOD.”

It seems we are bombarded with other people’s opinions and points of view!  Take television for example, they make a lot of money instructing others about what they should be doing according to this or that so-called “expert”, when in reality THE HOLY BIBLE is the only TRUTH people should be concerned with.  “This world” loves to tell us what everyone else has to say about anything under the sun, but they don’t want to KNOW what ALMIGHTY GOD has to say about how we should live out the life that we have been given by HIM?!?

It has taken me most of my life to come to the realization that I don’t have the answers to the many questions that mankind faces.  Why should we look to the world for answers to questions that arise when ALMIGHTY GOD grants wisdom to those who are humble enough to ask it of HIM (James 1:5).  We cannot just ASK from GOD and expect to be granted “WISDOM” by some great genie in the sky.  Our HEARTS must be INCLINED to hear from HIM and our EARS must be in tune with HIM or we will be working with no attainable goals.  Without having direction from the HOLY SPIRIT we are liken to a rudderless ship with no ability to reach a harbour safely.  

“WISDOM” from our MAKER is the only guidance that will lead us to our desired destiny.  The wisdom of “this world” will make sense to those who operate on “this world’s” principles.  HEAVENLY FATHER, cause me to SEEK YOU and YOUR “WISDOM” in all I do and leave the results to YOU!!!