“BY GRACE!”

Ephesians 2:4-10                                       (ESV)

“4 But GOD, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which HE loved us,

5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with CHRIST - “BY GRACE” you have been saved-

6 and raised us up with HIM and seated us with HIM in the heavenly places in CHRIST JESUS,

7 so that in the coming ages HE might show the immeasurable riches of HIS grace in kindness toward us in CHRIST JESUS.

8 For “BY GRACE” you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the GIFT OF GOD,

9 not a result of works, SO THAT NO ONE MAY BOAST.

10 For we are HIS workmanship, CREATED in CHRIST JESUS for good works, which GOD prepared beforehand, THAT WE SHOULD WALK IN THEM.”

To me, nothing turns me off as quickly as someone BOASTING about what they have done.  Since we are placed on this earth to glorify GOD ALMIGHTY, the best we can hope for is to completely fulfill HIS mission for us to the fullest.  Being placed on a pedestal by those of “this world” does not last, and can skew our vision of our true status before a HOLY GOD.  

The FACT that anything I do for HIM is simply “BY GRACE” and because of HIS Plan for my life is something that I cannot forget.  Looking at life through the eyes of “this world” causes us to become terribly short-sighted, and ultimately what resulted in Satan being expelled from Heaven.  Anytime we elevate ourselves above who we REALLY are, we are trying to become the god of our own small surroundings.  JESUS came to earth and HUMBLED HIMSELF (Philippians 2:8) to the point of death on the cross, all because I needed HIS Perfect sacrifice!

There are many Scriptures that point out that we Believers have “been called” out from the darkness of “this world”.   There are some who have a false impression that they are “chosen” because of the “good” things they have done.  However, the Apostle Paul wasn’t one of those.  In 1 Timothy 1:15 he writes “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that CHRIST JESUS came into the world to save sinners, OF WHOM I AM THE FOREMOST”!  The way Paul saw things, it took every drop of the Blood of JESUS to save his soul.  I think I am as guilty of being THE FOREMOST, even on my good days!

BUT GOD had other Plans!  “BY GRACE” HE saved my soul, it is not anything I was worthy of, IT IS A GIFT FROM GOD!  We are selected by HIM to perform good works, in CHRIST JESUS, which GOD prepared beforehand, all to Glorify HIM!  I’m not worthy!  I have just been selected “BY GRACE” to fulfill HIS Plan.

“THE TRUTH!”

John 14:6                                       (ESV)

“JESUS said to him, "I am the way, and “THE TRUTH”, and the life. No one comes to the FATHER except through ME.”

It seems that there are people who don’t know that they can research something for themselves?  Some go to a social media account and ask a question that others respond to with no regard to whether or not their answer is true or not!  This can be extremely dangerous, depending on the magnitude of the question at hand.  

Now no one knows “THE TRUTH” about everything.   But we can have the resources to be in the know!  JESUS CHRIST says in John 14:6 “I am the way, AND “THE TRUTH”, and the life!  No one comes to the FATHER except through ME”!  When an answer is provided by the SON of GOD, you can rest assured that it is “THE TRUTH”!

But just like people who are looking for answers from an “easier” source, many people are trying to find answers that satisfy what THEY WANT “THE TRUTH” to be.   Many of us desire to live a “good life”, but we don’t want to be accused of being a “holy roller”!  If we live our lives “by the BOOK”, we are probably going to be labeled as a religious nut who is “all mixed-up”!  

That is why JESUS said in Matthew 10:22 “you will be hated for MY Name’s sake”!  HE knew we would have to DENY OURSELVES DAILY (Luke 9:23-24) in order to serve HIM!  Asking JESUS is a lot better than an internet search engine!  And HE is always waiting to hear from us. We just have to humble ourselves and seek “THE TRUTH” and HE will guide us down the path HE would have us go!!!

“THE LORD OPENED THE EYES!”

Numbers 22:22-35                                    (ESV)

“22 But GOD's anger was kindled because he went, and the angel of the LORD took HIS stand in the way as HIS adversary. Now he was riding on the donkey, and his two servants were with him.

23 And the donkey saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road, with a drawn sword in his hand. And the donkey turned aside out of the road and went into the field. And Balaam struck the donkey, to turn her into the road.

24 Then the angel of the LORD stood in a narrow path between the vineyards, with a wall on either side.

25 And when the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she pushed against the wall and pressed Balaam's foot against the wall. So he struck her again.

26 Then the angel of the LORD went ahead and stood in a narrow place, where there was no way to turn either to the right or to the left.

27 When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she lay down under Balaam. And Balaam's anger was kindled, and he struck the donkey with his staff.

28 Then the LORD opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, "What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?"

29 And Balaam said to the donkey, "Because you have made a fool of me. I wish I had a sword in my hand, for then I would kill you."

30 And the donkey said to Balaam, "Am I not your donkey, on which you have ridden all your life long to this day? Is it my habit to treat you this way?" And he said, "No."

31 Then “THE LORD OPENED THE EYES” of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, with his drawn sword in his hand. And he bowed down and fell on his face.

32 And the angel of the LORD said to him, "Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out to oppose you because your way is perverse before ME.

33 The donkey saw ME and turned aside before ME these three times. If she had not turned aside from ME, surely just now I would have killed you and let her live."

34 Then Balaam said to the angel of the LORD, "I HAVE SINNED, for I did not know that you stood in the road against me. Now therefore, if it is evil in your sight, I will turn back."

35 And the angel of the LORD said to Balaam, "Go with the men, but speak only the word that I tell you." So Balaam went on with the princes of Balak.”

The above passage of Scripture is lengthy compared to what I commonly use in my devotionals, but everything here must be included to SEE what ALMIGHTY GOD is saying to me this morning.  There is a website that has a story entitled “8 ways GOD speaks to us today” written in July 2012.  The same website has an article written in April 2016 entitled “10 powerful ways GOD speaks in the Bible”!  Those ten ways are:

God can speak through circumstances. 

God can speak through wise counsel.

God can speak through peace

God can speak through people. 

God can speak through dreams and visions. 

God can speak through our thoughts. 

God can speak through natural manifestations.

God can speak through supernatural manifestations. 

God can speak through the Bible. 

God can speak through a whisper. 

My reason for sharing these like this is to say that GOD isn’t limited by what our minds perceive as HIS chosen way to speak to us.  Today’s Scripture displays that Balaam simply REFUSED to listen to GOD when GOD was trying to get his attention.  Please don’t misquote me, GOD most often speaks to me through HIS Word.  But recently while driving, GOD spoke clearly to me about how HE wanted me to proceed in my earthly journey.  My journey lasted about 3 hours, and even though I strongly desired to hear more from HIM, all I heard was the one thing.  

When “THE LORD OPENED THE EYES” of Balaam, he was moving so quickly and purposefully (at this worlds pace!) that he couldn’t SEE the danger that was before him!  Isaiah 55:8-9 says GOD’s ways are not our ways, and HIS thoughts are not our thoughts!  Like Balaam, we may be trying to accomplish things in our own wisdom and are heading towards a path that leads to destruction.  My prayer is that “THE LORD OPENED THE EYES” of me before I take one step that HE is displeased with!!!

“DENY HIMSELF!”

Matthew 16:24-27                        (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.

26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? OR WHAT SHALL A MAN GIVE IN RETURN FOR HIS SOUL?

27 For the SON of MAN is going to come with HIS angels in the glory of his FATHER, and then HE will repay each person according to what he has done.”

It is amazing how many people are seemingly consumed with trying to improve their looks, health, wealth, social status, or any other physical thing you care to insert here, but they appear to neglect the things of the Spirit, which will last for eternity!  Both men and women are guilty, for the enemy seeks whom he may devour to steal, kill, and destroy!  We can’t be beautiful enough, healthy enough, rich enough, live long enough, or exercise enough to earn our way into Heaven!  

So why do we put so much emphasis on the physical well being and so little attention is spent on our Spiritual health?  There are those who wouldn’t dare miss a week of going to the Gym, but you never see them in GOD’s House?  Now I am probably as guilty as anyone about not being as physically fit as I should be, but I cannot neglect spending time in HIS Word, listening to HIS instructions for my life.  My Spiritual hunger pains require me to take “manna” at least daily, and frequently more often than that.  I’m just not Spiritually strong enough to get by with any less!  

Many try to cover their age wrinkles and evidence of the life they have lived with tanning beds, make-up, medication, and any other number of products designed to keep a youthful appearance.  There is an eight inch scar on my chest from open heart surgery last year.  More than likely, it will always be there, until I decay in the grave.   My heart is repaired, but the evidence of the reparations will remain.   The scars of sin are similar.  The sins can be forgiven, but the scars will remain.  

Watching my 34 year old sister enter Heaven was extremely hard for me, especially when I was only at the age of 36.  Watching a friend enter Heaven around the age of 10 was equally difficult.   No person can say they are going to live a long time with any confidence.  Yet we all say what we are going to do when we get old?  As another of my birthdays is approximately 6 months away, my mortality is more real to me than ever before.  My prayer is that my Spiritual body is fit for the Kingdom, for I will “DENY HIMSELF” leave this physical body behind!!!

“SHARE IN SUFFERING!”

2 Timothy 1:8-10                                        (ESV)

“8 Therefore DO NOT BE ASHAMED of the testimony about our LORD, nor of me HIS  prisoner, but “SHARE IN SUFFERING” for the gospel by the power of GOD,

9 WHO saved us and called us to a Holy calling, not because of our works but because of HIS OWN PURPOSE AND GRACE, which HE gave us in CHRIST JESUS before the ages began,

10 and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our SAVIOR CHRIST JESUS, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,”

Going through difficult and frustrating experiences can teach us far more than we care to admit.  Usually I just want to be through the “learning experience” QUICKLY and reflect on the lessons from the other side, hopefully where I am in less distress!  

But WHY do I have to go through some of the things I have experienced?  WHY was I raised in a single parent family?  WHY haven’t I been a more successful business man?  Why wasn’t I a more committed Believer when my children were growing up to exemplify GOD’s faithfulness for all to see?  WHY did I have to go through the Brain Hemorrhage.  WHY the heart surgery?  

When GOD brings us through “valleys of the shadow of death”, does HE do it for our glory?  Hardly!  ALMIGHTY GOD doesn’t glorify humans to help our reputations or bank accounts.  Exodus 14:4 says “......And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he will pursue them, and I WILL GET GLORY over Pharaoh and all his host,....”!  GOD didn’t bring the Israelites into the Promised Land so Moses or Joshua could be remembered as great leaders.  GOD “delivered” the children of Israel so HE would GET GLORY “over Pharaoh and all his host,....”.  

The deliverance GOD brings us isn’t so we can glory in the escape from captivity either.  We should be willing to “SHARE IN SUFFERING” in order to be used by HIM.  But how many times do we see people “SUFFERING” and our desire is to DELIVER them, instead of letting GOD be GOD?  I understand we are called to feed the poor and help the widows and orphans, but when we start trying to “help” without HIS Leadership, we are outside of what we are called to do!  

1 Corinthians 7:17 tells us to “lead the life GOD has assigned” to us.  If GOD has assigned me to SUFFER for HIS Kingdom, who am I to question that?  However, becoming willing to “SHARE IN SUFFERING” is not for the “weak in Spirit”!  Making sure that it is ALMIGHTY GOD leading you is of paramount importance.  Only HE can cause you to “SHARE IN SUFFERING” with a smile on your face and a song in your heart!!!

“THE LORD!”

Psalms 146:8                                (ESV)

“THE LORD” opens the eyes of the blind. “THE LORD” lifts up those who are bowed down; “THE LORD” loves the righteous.”

This morning my thoughts were as far away from the things of GOD as they could be.   It seems that I couldn’t “find” exactly where GOD was directing me to study.   Going to one of five Bible apps on my phone, this Bible verse was where I had left from recently.   Upon reading it, I knew I was where I needed to be!

Having our EYES opened by “THE LORD” is a must for people who desire to follow HIS Leadership.   Keep in mind, if our EYES  closed SEE everything going on around us, we probably would be scared to death!  In 2 Kings 6, Elisha prayed that “THE LORD” would open the EYES of a servant and allow him to SEE the armies of “THE LORD” encamped around them. GOD granted Elisha’s request and the servant saw “...the mountain was full of horses and chariots of Fire all around Elisha”!  GOD doesn’t lead us into battle to go it alone!  HE has always prepared the WAY for us!  

This scripture was used in a mid-week Bible Study at our fellowship recently.   My EYES were only opened to what “THE LORD” was trying to say to me this morning.  It’s no coincidence that I had to WAIT to hear from “THE LORD”regarding what HE wanted me to hear!  HE has been teaching me to WAIT on HIM for years.  HE may have a needed to get me to a quieter, more solitude setting before HE could open my EYES?  Whatever the case, I couldn’t SEE the lesson I needed to apply to my life until “THE LORD” said I was ready to SEE it!  

“THE LORD” lifts up those who are bowed down;” isn’t anything new!  James 4:6 says in part “...."GOD opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."”  HE constantly reminds me of how quickly HE changed how I SAW things on July 09, 2007!  It humbles me greatly that GOD restored my physical health completely and is still using me to Glorify HIM!

“THE LORD” loves the righteous” is a phrase that can be conflicting?  Romans 3:10 says THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, yet we try to live as though we are not sinners?!?  The only HOPE any of us have is to claim the blood of JESUS and accept HIS Grace in our lives!  “THE LORD” then SEES only HIS righteousness when we are observed.  That is why “THE LORD” is not only the title of this devotional, it should be the title of my life!!!

“SEARCHED THE SCRIPTURES DAILY!”

Acts 17:10-12                                (KJV)

“10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.

11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that THEY RECEIVED THE WORD WITH ALL READINESS of mind, and “SEARCHED THE SCRIPTURES DAILY”, whether those things were so.

12 Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.”

Trying to be “the best” we can be for the Kingdom can be a damning conundrum.  Doing things “our way” might lead to a big earthly following, but the end results will probably bring one heartache.   The enemy has come to “steal, kill, and destroy”, so we should be expecting his end result unless we are following ALMIGHTY GOD’s Plan!  

Human beings, Spiritually speaking, have a really difficult time “identifying the enemy”!  Even most ministers tend to have an issue with people who aren’t driven by the same spirit they are driven by.  Genesis 3:1 says that the devil is the slickest deceiver that GOD ever created.  JESUS CHRIST said in Matthew 16:23 TO PETER, “get thee behind me, Satan” as HE identified the enemy speaking through one of HIS chosen followers?  How could that happen?   A trusted follower of JESUS was temporarily being used as a mouthpiece for Satan, but JESUS identified the enemy and called him out!!!

We typically don’t take time to identify the enemy, we just react with emotion!  We get “hurt” and we react like we have been cut with a dull knife!  And it is EVIDENT the language we use.  When a person, or group of people, are praised or castigated for their actions (right or wrong), they may not be able to SEE that their deeds are originating from a spiritual source that is driving their actions.  Relationships are damaged or destroyed all in the interest of someone being hurt or damaged.  The pain is REAL, but the injury will either heal in time, or it will consume us?  

Unless EVERYONE OF US “SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES DAILY” our EYES won’t be opened to the TRUTHS of GOD and we can expect the onslaught from the enemy to continue!  No one person is immune, and we ALL HAVE SINNED AND FALLEN SHORT OF THE GLORY OF GOD!  We HAVE TO BE AWARE that we are at war, and the enemy is trying to take as many as he can into eternal damnation with him.  “SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES DAILY” is the best way to avoid injuries!  The choice is yours!!!!