“DESPERATELY SICK!”

Jeremiah 17:7-10                                   (ESV)

“7 "Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. 

8 He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and IS NOT ANXIOUS IN THE YEAR OF DROUGHT, for IT DOES NOT CEASE TO BEAR FRUIT." 

9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and “DESPERATELY SICK”; who can understand it? 

10 "I the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds."

Would you prefer being caught in a “white” lie or caught sexuality abusing an infant?  We typically classify sins we have a chance of being guilty of as “lesser” sins, while Scripture says in Romans 14:23 that anything that proceeds NOT from FAITH is sin!  And those who commit more heinous acts we want to scrutinize to the extreme. Society usually says that there are sins (crimes) that are worse than others, but GOD SEES anything where we aren’t fully trusting in HIM as us trusting in something else, and we are placing it above HIM!  

In Jeremiah 17:8, Scripture records “He (the man who TRUSTS in the LORD) is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and IS NOT ANXIOUS IN THE YEAR OF DROUGHT, for IT DOES NOT CEASE TO BEAR FRUIT."  Most of us have people we know who TRUSTS in the LORD that we run to whenever we need an answer for an issue in our lives.  It’s not because they are “good people”, it is because they are close to GOD and hopefully are “rightly connected” to HIM!

Jeremiah 17:9 is the VERY next verse and it says “The heart is deceitful above all things, and “DESPERATELY SICK”; who can understand it?”  Just because we are TRUSTING IN THE LORD doesn’t mean that we aren’t “DESPERATELY SICK”!  What TRUSTING IN THE LORD does accomplish is that we know we are “DESPERATELY SICK”, in need of a Spiritual Healer, and WHO else is more qualified than our CREATOR?  

1 Timothy 1:15 was written by the Apostle Paul, who many believe was one of the strongest Believers ever.  He wrote “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.”  Paul realized that the closer he got to JESUS, the filthier he really was!! He was “DESPERATELY SICK”!!  The closer I get to the LORD, I too realize that I am “DESPERATELY SICK”!  Just let me be used by YOU, oh FATHER, a tiny bit before YOU call me home.  

“NO ANSWER!”

Matthew 27:11-14                  (ESV)

“11 Now JESUS stood before the governor, and the governor asked HIM, "Are YOU the King of the Jews?" JESUS said, "You have said so."

12 But when HE was accused by the chief priests and elders, HE gave no answer.

13 Then Pilate said to HIM, "Do YOU not hear how many things they testify against YOU?"

14 But HE gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.”

There is speculation that an owner of a sports  team will do something with one of the coaches of the teams he owns, and it is all because of the owners silence regarding the situation.   Regardless of what my opinion is of modern-day journalistic integrity, it is indicative of the status in “this world” today!  There isn’t a story..... as of YET, so we speculate on what the outcome will be.  

GOD IN THE FLESH (aka JESUS) gave “NO ANSWER” when HE was asked to prove HIS innocence before Pilate of the charges levied against HIM by the chief priests and elders of the tabernacle.  JESUS, the ONE that Created the heavens and the earth and everything within them, yet when HE could have opened the EYES of the chief priests, elders and Pilate and explained the deceit of the enemy chose to give no response to sacrifice HIMSELF for me!  Fulfilling the will of the FATHER was the most important thing HE could accomplish, not proving HIS innocence!

From time to time I feel led to give “NO ANSWER” to my adversaries, not because they are right, but because their EYES have yet to be opened to THE TRUTH.  When someone is “dead set” on their point of view, arguing usually doesn’t solve anything. Most of the time we are so set on proving our point of view to others that we lose sight of edifying JESUS, being used by HIM to draw people to HIM!  How could I be so selfish and self-centered?  

Just like the reporter who wants to get the story out and presumes what isn’t fact yet, we typically are so interested advancing our own agenda that we can’t SEE the damage that our point of view will have on others!  We would be better served to give “NO ANSWER” than to win an argument, or get our way in a conversation.  After all, our very salvation was bought when JESUS gave “NO ANSWER” to Pilate.  Sometimes “NO ANSWER” may prove to be GOD’s Plan for our lives???

“I AM THE LORD!”

Exodus 14:4-9                               (ESV)

“4 And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he will pursue them, and I WILL GET GLORY over Pharaoh and all his host, and the EGYPTIANS SHALL KNOW that “I AM THE LORD”." And they did so.

5 When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, THE MIND OF PHARAOH AND HIS SERVANTS WAS CHANGED toward the people, and they said, "What is this we have done, that we have let Israel go from serving us?"

6 So he made ready his chariot and took his army with him,

7 and took six hundred chosen chariots and all the other chariots of Egypt with officers over all of them.

8 And the LORD HARDENED THE HEART of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and HE PURSUED THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL while the people of Israel were going out defiantly.

9 The Egyptians pursued them, all Pharaoh's horses and chariots and his horsemen and his army, and OVERTOOK THEM ENCAMPED at the sea, by Pi-hahiroth, in front of Baal-zephon.”

GOD permits people who are unbelievers in HIMSELF to have terror inflicted upon them in an effort to draw people closer to HIM.  Saul/Paul in New Testament.  Joseph in the Old Testament.  And Pharaoh and the Egyptian army, they wanted the Israelites gone so quickly and so badly that Pharaoh told them in Exodus 12:31-32 Scripture records “Then he (Pharaoh) summoned Moses and Aaron by night and said, "Up, go out from among my people, both you and the people of Israel; and go, serve the LORD, as you have said. Take your flocks and your herds, as you have said, and be gone, AND BLESS ME ALSO!"

However, in Exodus 14 Pharaoh’s heart was ONCE AGAIN changed and he ordered his army to PURSUE THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL, in effect chasing GOD defiantly!  GOD had just delivered TEN PLAGUES on Egypt and the gods worshipped there, but ALMIGHTY GOD wasn’t through displaying that “I WILL GET GLORY” over Pharaoh.  Because Abraham (in Genesis 17:5) BELIEVED THE LORD (Genesis 15:6) and GOD “counted it to HIM as righteousness”, Abraham’s offspring (others who trusted GOD) were used to Glorify HIM.  

Now to my knowledge, I’m not of Jewish descent, but I KNOW GOD and I TRUST that HE can,and does, deliver me from the enemy whenever I am being pursued by him.  Our enemy has been defeated, but he still operates TO GIVE GOD GLORY!  Exodus 34:14 says “for you shall worship no other god, for the LORD, WHOSE name is Jealous, is a jealous GOD”!  

Remembering who we are (GOD’S CHOSEN) is very important on our sojourn through this world.  However, remembering that “I AM THE LORD” is something that we don’t ever want to forget.  Not only is HE IN CONTROL, HE even works ALL THINGS for good, for those who are CALLED according to HIS purpose (Romans 8:28)!  “I AM THE LORD” requires no added assistance.  It wasn’t GOD and ANYTHING that divided the Red Sea!  HE is sufficient, period!  HE LIVES IN ME!  Does HE live in you???

“EVERY WORD!”

Matthew 4:1-4                                (ESV)

“1 Then JESUS WAS LED UP BY THE SPIRIT into the wilderness TO BE TEMPTED by the devil.

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

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

4 But HE answered, "It is written, "'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by “EVERY WORD” that comes from the mouth of GOD.'" 

Being raised “in church”, I remember hearing this account of JESUS being tempted by the devil since I was a lad.  This morning, while reading these verses, I SEE something that I have never noticed before.  JESUS WAS LED UP BY THE SPIRIT (of GOD ) into the wilderness (away from HIS support system or away from earthly distractions?) TO BE TEMPTED by the enemy.  Evidently GOD had just spent 40 days and nights communing with JESUS and knew that HE was prepared to be challenged by the enemy, for HE was filled with “EVERY WORD” that comes from the mouth of GOD!  JESUS wasn’t “set-up” for failure by ALMIGHTY GOD, HE was prepared for a mission by HIM.  We need to realize that our enemy has already been defeated, all we need to do is allow GOD to display HIS might through our lives.  

The “temptor” was fighting a fight with the CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSES, and HE was no match for “EVERY WORD” being used to discredit the lies used by the deceiver.  You may argue that JESUS and GOD are ONE, (John 10:30 “I and the FATHER are ONE.") so HE had better standing than us before GOD.  But GOD also lives inside of us (Romans 8:11 “If the SPIRIT of HIM who raised JESUS from the dead dwells in you, HE WHO RAISED CHRIST JESUS from the dead will also give life to YOUR MORTAL BODIES through HIS SPIRIT WHO dwells in you.”).  We should always remember WHO lives within us, and the price HE had to pay to allow HIM to accomplish this, and live in the Victory that only HE can bring to draw honor and glory to HIS Name!  

With the phrase “EVERY WORD” fresh on my mind, I remember John 8:44 where JESUS says “You (speaking to the Jewish leadership) are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in THE TRUTH, because there is no TRUTH in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and THE FATHER OF LIES”.   These were church leaders, people who were deceived by the enemy into believing the lies used by him, according to what JESUS was saying.  Don’t accept anything from anyone unless it is confirmed through diligent study of GOD’S WORD.  JESUS was here to exhibit THE TRUTH for this world and most people couldn’t SEE HIM, even when HE was right before their eyes!

JESUS was very well versed with IT IS WRITTEN!  As a matter of fact, John 1:1 says “In the beginning was THE WORD, and THE WORD was with GOD, and THE WORD was GOD”.  We have THE WORD, readily available in most instances, but I don’t prepare myself for battle nearly as well as JESUS did, usually because I choose the things I want to do rather than the things that will Glorify HIM.

No, JESUS didn’t just stumble upon the enemy as HE was wondering through the wilderness, HE WAS LED UP BY THE SPIRIT TO BE TEMPTED BY THE DEVIL!  And it wasn’t like GOD wins a few and loses a few over the devil, GOD never loses!  We can SEE circumstances working poorly IN OUR EYES, but Genesis 50:20 says “As for you, YOU MEANT EVIL AGAINST ME, but GOD MEANT IT FOR GOOD, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.”  Just because we convinced evil is being done against us, GOD IS USING IT FOR HIS GOOD!  We can experience low spots (Genesis 37:18-24), but ultimately GOD WILL PREVAIL with “EVERY WORD” that comes from the mouth of GOD!!!

“THE TRUTH!”

John 14:5-7                  (ESV)

“5 Thomas said to HIM, "LORD, we do not know where YOU are going. How can we know the way?"

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

7 If you had known me, you would have known MY FATHER also. From now on you do know HIM and have seen HIM."

It is very “interesting” that some people “LIKE” any post celebrating political views.  Others “LIKE” Spiritual matters.  Still other “LIKE” my family (mainly my granddaughters!!!) photos!  Most everyone is interested in SEEing “THE TRUTH”, only what they appreciate as being interesting?!?

The game called “political charades” is being played quite affectively on the American people by the majority of our elected officials who have very little or no interest in protecting “we the people”, only in making themselves look like “the only option” to the patient diagnosed with a terminal disease with very little time left to save our life!  And because we are blinded by fear of sickness and death, we get so tunnel-visioned on what the experts say is the only chance for survival that we will not SEE that our real problem lies in our diets, what fuel we are placing into our bodies.  We allow our minds to be sold lies that are dressed in half-truths and cannot SEE that the TRUTH, the only cure for all illness, is described in John 14:6 when JESUS says “....I AM THE WAY, and “THE TRUTH”, and THE LIFE. No one comes to the FATHER except through ME!”

A former President is quoted as saying, “Within the covers of the Bible are the answers for all the problems men face.”  The answer is as plain as the noses on our faces, but we believe the lies that are being sold to us by those whose only interests are in increasing the number of people who are blinded the same way they are, not being able to SEE the real reason we are sick is what we are being fed!  

This synopsis has a myriad of ways of being seen.  If you can SEE all of them, then you are aware of the problem.  If you still believe that one political party is good, and one political party is bad, then you still need to have the scales removed from your EYES!   My prayer is that you will SEE “THE TRUTH” and begin to look to HEAVEN ALONE “the answers for all the problems men face.”

“JESUS CHRIST and HIM crucified!”

1 Corinthians 2:1-2                 (ESV)

“1 And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of GOD with lofty speech or wisdom.

2 For I decided to know nothing among you except JESUS CHRIST and HIM crucified.”

When I began my writings nearly 8 years ago, my main goal was to increase my word recall following the Brain Hemorrhage in 2007. I can say that the process has increasingly brought me to the realization that anything I add to Scripture is but trash.  Flowery words can make things smell better, but the Spirit of GOD is the only thing that is able to change a heart!!!

“HIS SON!”

Hebrews 1:1-4                          (ESV)

“1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, GOD spoke to our fathers by the prophets,

2 but in these last days HE has spoken to us BY “HIS SON”, whom HE appointed the heir of ALL THINGS, through WHOM also HE CREATED THE WORLD.

3 HE is the radiance of the glory of GOD and the exact imprint of HIS nature, and HE upholds the universe by the word of HIS power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the MAJESTY ON HIGH,

4 having become as much superior to angels as the name HE has inherited is more excellent than theirs.”

Why do I attempt to begin my day with anything other than hearing from my CREATOR concerning the directions for my life on that day?   Now don’t get me wrong, ALMIGHTY GOD has, and can still, speak to me through various means, but ultimately HE IS THE ONE WHO is causing, and benefiting from HIS speaking.  

A few years ago my wife and I were on the Gulf of Mexico vacationing for a few days.  I was literally feet from the water in a lounging chair on Sunday Morning when a small amount of guilt entered my mind about not being in church services.  Just then, a seagull flying over was made known to me and the verses in Luke 12:4-7 came to my mind. GOD was telling me that a “church house” could not contain HIM!  With HIM, ALL THINGS are possible (Matthew 19:26)!  We cannot allow preconceived ideas to enter into where GOD desires us to go in our lives.  

GOD unmistakably spoke to Moses at Mt. Horeb when he was alone in Exodus 3 tending the sheep of Jethro, his father-in-law.  Moses was on the west side of the wilderness away from any distractions and interruptions.  He couldn’t seek confirmation from anyone to verify that he was hearing from ALMIGHTY GOD, but undoubtedly he was speaking with GOD.

In Acts 9, GOD unmistakably spoke to Saul on the road to Damascus when he was on his way “...still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the LORD...” with an entourage of men.  In Acts 9:7 Scripture records “The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one.”  In Acts 9:16 GOD chose Saul (soon to be known as Paul) to “....show him how much he must suffer for the sake of MY name."  

There are many avenues that GOD “could” still speak to us, but HE has chosen BY “HIS SON”, through WHOM HE CREATED THE WORLD, to guide the direction of our lives.  Whether I am alone on the backside of the wilderness, or on a road to Damascus with the “in crowd”, it is comforting to know that GOD is in Control.  Just like GOD used the seagull for HIS Glory that day, and just like with Moses and Paul, HE will guide me where HIS Plan is for me to be for the Glory of “HIS SON”!