“WHEN DID WE SEE?”

Matthew 25:41-46                                             (ESV)

“41 "Then HE will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

42 For I was hungry and you gave ME no food, I was thirsty and you gave ME no drink,

43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome ME, naked and you did not clothe ME, sick and in prison and you did not visit ME.'

44 Then they also will answer, saying, 'LORD, “WHEN DID WE SEE” YOU hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to YOU?'

45 Then HE will answer them, saying, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to ME.'

46 And these will go away into ETERNAL PUNISHMENT, but the righteous into eternal life."

A huge portion of society, probably the vast majority, are TOO BUSY to RECOGNIZE JESUS, even when HE is right in our midst!  Regrettably, we Believers don’t exhibit the traits of “waiting patiently on GOD” as an example to a lost world how implicitly HE provides our needs!  In the passage of Scripture above, JESUS is speaking to HIS disciples, not to people who supposedly did not know who HE was.  Now HE is telling them about those who will say to HIM at the Judgement, “LORD, “WHEN DID WE SEE” YOU hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to YOU?'  Then HE will answer them, saying, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to ME.'

While JESUS was speaking to HIS disciples in this text, HE used the descriptive word in verse 44 of “THEY” and “THEM” when HE was identifying who HE was speaking about.  We Believers should RECOGNIZE JESUS whenever HE calls our name or shows up in our midst.  Sometimes, however, we get caught up in the hustle bustle of “this world” and can’t HEAR JESUS softly speaking HIS directions to us.  We might even not have the desire to hear HIM “telling us what to do”!  

Our NATURAL BEINGS (1 Corinthians 2:14) CANNOT understand the things of the Spirit!  We Believers have the “mind of CHRIST” (1 Corinthians 2:15-16) so we should reflect HIS LORDSHIP over our lives.  When we stray into ANYTHING that is outside of HIS LORDSHIP and having the mind of CHRIST, we are walking our OWN PATH which usually leads to trouble!  RECOGNIZING that is where TRULY following CHRIST becomes manifest in our lives.  

Considering how my life is operated, do I do as the Spirit leads me?  Or do I act on feelings and emotions most of the time?  “WHEN DID WE SEE” YOU should never be a concern to a Believer, for we should reflect JESUS in EVERYTHING we do.  As hurriedly as “this world” attempts to keep me moving, I should always be making certain that “WHEN DID WE SEE” is never because I am trying to move at it’s pace!  When I am BEING STILL, only then can I SEE what GOD has for me to accomplish!!!

“GOD IS NOT MAN!”

Numbers 23:19-20                                        (ESV)

“19 “GOD IS NOT MAN”, that HE should lie, or a son of man, that HE should change HIS mind. Has HE said, and will HE not do it? Or has HE spoken, and will HE not fulfill it? 

20 Behold, I received a command to bless: HE has blessed, and I cannot revoke it.”

How many nights has my family watched WALTER CRONKITE on the evening news when he relayed what was happening in our world?  Occasionally he would make a correction to something he had reported, having new evidence that would change the scenario.  Today, seeing the so-called “Main Stream Media” correct themselves is almost tabu, apparently because admitting they are human is unacceptable in today’s culture?

However, PRAISE HIS NAME, “GOD IS NOT MAN” so HIS WORD is dependable, and immutable!  We are instilled with DOUBT from our ancestral characteristics, all the way back to Adam and Eve.  They didn’t TRUST GOD to be GOD and our “nature” does the same thing.  It is seen as being “holy” to say that our GOD is everything we want HIM to be, but what does our “gut” really tell us?

Having shared this before, a little over two years ago when the doctor came into my room and advised that I needed to have coronary bypass surgery, a sense of FEAR began an assault on my mind.  But almost immediately, certainly within seconds, my mind recalled Genesis 50:20 where Joseph says to his brothers who sold him into slavery years before, “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.”  GOD brought me through the bypass surgery with very little discomfort.  HE even allowed me to share HIS LOVE to some of my caregivers, as well as rekindle some very old relationships!  

To say with our lips that “GOD IS NOT MAN” is one thing, but to SHOW that “GOD IS NOT MAN” with our actions is quite another!  Don’t misunderstand me, I did not do this on my own, for I was exhausted and malnourished when the pronouncement was made to me.  ALMIGHTY GOD overcame the fear bug that attempted to control me and exhibited HIS GRACE for HIS GLORY!  “GOD IS NOT MAN”, and HE continues to prove it to, and through, me daily!!!

“GOD WHO WORKS IN YOU!”

Philippians 2:12-13 

“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.”

Have you ever been frustrated by a feeling of defeat when sin keeps on revealing itself in your life?  Knowing that GOD HIMSELF “abides” (1 John 4:16) in us, we should rest assured that “GOD WHO WORKS IN YOU”, both to will and to work for HIS GOOD PLEASURE” is doing what HE SEES fit through us.  HE spoke CREATION into existence, and raised JESUS from the dead, and HE doesn’t NEED us to do anything!

On the contrary, we are privileged to be used Glorify HIS Kingdom, but we have to understand that we may be caused to SUFFER in doing so.  Acts 9:15-16 JESUS tells Ananias “..."Go, for he is a CHOSEN INSTRUMENT of mine to carry MY name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.  For I will show him how much he must SUFFER FOR THE SAKE OF MY NAME."  Notice the Saul/Paul wasn’t promised a BMW, nor a huge earthly estate, nor the finest “this world” has to offer!  Instead Paul was PROMISED TO SUFFER FOR MY NAMES’ SAKE!  

In John 16:33 IT IS WRITTEN “I (JESUS) have said these things to you, that in ME you may have peace. In THE WORLD YOU WILL HAVE TRIBULATION. But take heart; I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD."  JESUS didn’t say HE had overcome the world so we WOULDN’T have tribulations!  No, HE promised to be with us is spite of our troubles.  

ALL of the disciples were martyred for the cause of CHRIST.  And we expect to escape trials and tribulations because “we are chosen”?  Wasn’t Paul CHOSEN?  Yes, but he was CHOSEN to SUFFER FOR MY NAMES’ SAKE!  When GOD took on flesh and came to earth, HE didn’t come in grandeur and royalty.  HE suffered through poverty and rejection HIS entire life, all for me!  Maybe we need to adjust our expectations and come to grips with the fact that when “GOD WHO WORKS IN YOU”, it might be through suffering and tribulations???

“THIS WORLD WILL HATE YOU!”

John 15:18-21                              (ESV)

“18 "If the world hates you, know that it has hated ME before it hated you.

19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I CHOSE YOU OUT OF THE WORLD, therefore “THE WORLD HATES YOU”.

20 Remember the word that I said to you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted ME, they will also persecute you. If they kept MY Word, they will also keep yours.

21 But all these things they will do to you on account of MY name, because they do not know HIM who sent ME.”

There is so much banter these days about “not offending” those who don’t SEE things as we Believers do.  It is as though they believe that we will “turn them off” and ruin the chances of them becoming Believers like we have?  We definitely need to LOVE , ESPECIALLY, the lost, but making it easier for them to go to HELL isn’t very loving!  We must come to the realization that we can LOVINGLY explain to them that JESUS is the ONLY answer to the problems mankind will face, both today, and in the future!  

Because “I (JESUS) CHOSE YOU OUT OF THE WORLD”, our lives should be diametrically opposed to the worldly living that unbelievers are experiencing.  ALMIGHTY GOD, our CREATOR and architect, has set it up where Believers and unbelievers don’t mix, similar to oil and water.  That is why GOD instructs Believers to share HIS WORD to those who are blinded by the enemy AND LET HIM DRAW THOSE HE SELECTS TO HIM (John 6:44). JESUS drew Saul to HIMSELF in Acts 9, but Ananias had to GO to Saul, THEN Saul’s sight was restored and he was filled with the HOLY SPIRIT (Acts 9:17)!!!

Imagine if Ananias had not wanted to offend Saul?  While it is true that JESUS CHRIST has Saul’s undivided attention, and that Saul was saved through the finished work of this same JESUS, Ananias STILL had to OBEY the HOLY SPIRIT and GO SEE a lost man who was on his way to persecute the church.  

The church must understand that we are in DIRECT OPPOSITION to the lifestyles of “this world”!  Only ALMIGHTY GOD can change a heart.  When “this world” finds out that a Believer is shining a LIGHT that is contrary to their witness, they will NATURALLY be offended!  “THIS WORLD WILL HATE YOU” does not give us permission to hate them, quite the opposite!  JESUS says in Matthew 5:44 “....Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,..”.  They hated HIM.  SINCE He lives in us, “THIS WORLD WILL HATE YOU”!!!

“UNAWARE!”

Romans 1:11-15                                           (ESV)

“11 For I long to see you, that I may IMPART to you some SPIRITUAL GIFT to STRENGTHEN you-

12 that is, THAT WE MAY BE MUTUALLY ENCOURAGED BY EACH OTHER’S FAITH, both YOURS and MINE.

13 I do NOT want you to be “UNAWARE”, brothers, that I have often INTENDED TO COME TO YOU (but thus far HAVE BEEN PREVENTED), in order that I MAY REAP some harvest AMONG YOU as well as among the REST of the GENTILES.

14 I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, BOTH to the WISE and to the FOOLISH.

15 So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.”

Recognizing that we ALL are used to Glorify ALMIGHTY GOD, no matter how Holy we live (1 Peter 1:15-16), or unholy we live (Exodus 14:4), shouldn’t surprise we who Believe Scriptures.  The HOLY BIBLE is full of instances where GOD uses all kinds of people to Glorify HIS Name, whether they realized it or not!  

The Apostle Paul wanted the body of Believers at Rome to understand that, although he was used to STRENGTHEN them, he also DREW Spiritual nourishment from them through his fellowship with them.  His desire was to come to them, but the HOLY SPIRIT hadn’t worked that out....YET!  Yes, he was planning to IMPART SPIRITUAL GIFTS to the Romans, but he also yearned for GOD to refresh himself with their fellowship.  

We can get so accustomed to filling our “prescribed” roles that we prepare to be Blessed by the ALMIGHTY through others.  GOD isn’t constrained by mankind’s limitations on HIS abilities.  Imagine how the earth would be different if we only saw what “we know” about Creation?  GOD can do whatever HE chooses (Psalms 135:6) and we (again mainly I) need to understand that HE IS GOD and I am NOT!  HE is ABLE to SEE the future, while I can’t even SEE what is going on across town!  The Brain Hemorrhage in 2007 happened and I didn’t understand what happened for months AFTER it occurred!  GOD had me write a letter supporting getting the Neurologist HE used to help keep me alive FIVE YEARS BEFORE!!!

We should REJOICE when we face those when we are able to “IMPART to you some SPIRITUAL GIFT to STRENGTHEN you”, but we also should REJOICE when we are BLESSED by GOD through the actions of others.  GOD is present in everything, even though our evil deeds.  We are inherently imperfect, and GOD IS NOT!  We do NOT be “UNAWARE” that HE is always in our presence, whether we can appreciate that or not.

“NO ONE ELSE!”

Acts 4:5-12                             (ESV)

“5 On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem,

6 with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family.

7 And when they had set them (Peter and John) in the midst, they inquired, "By what power or by what name did you do this?"

8 Then Peter, filled with the HOLY SPIRIT, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders,

9 if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed,

10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of JESUS CHRIST of Nazareth, WHOM you crucified, WHOM GOD raised from the dead-by HIM this man is standing before you well.

11 This JESUS is the STONE that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.

12 And there is salvation in “NO ONE ELSE”, for there is NO OTHER NAME under heaven given among men by which we MUST be saved." - 

EVERY PERSON who has ever lived has been flawed, IMPERFECT, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ONE, JESUS CHRIST!  Politicians, pastors, deacons and drug dealers, we ALL must have a Sacrifice for our sins before we can approach a HOLY GOD.  The ONLY Sacrifice that has ever been, or ever will be, worthy to cover my (and your) wickedness is JESUS!  

Recently a devotional shared by this servant had Psalms 139:13 in it.  It says “For YOU “formed” my inward parts; YOU knitted me together IN MY MOTHER’S WOMB.”  Later that day I was driving and passed by a church whose sign said “Sunday Message: REFORMING A TERRORIST”.  Since GOD “formed” my inward parts, it stands to reason that ONLY HE is able to REFORM any part of us?  HE is our ONLY HOPE!  There is NO OTHER!!!

Dear people, “...there is NO OTHER NAME under heaven given among men by which we MUST be saved”!  “NO ONE ELSE” can change us from the horrible sentence of death we deserve.  “NO ONE ELSE” has the Mercy, Grace, and Compassion to seek a wretch such as I and reward me with Heaven!  ALL of the other “false gods” demands something from their followers.  GOD ONLY requires that we Believe that HIS SON completed our salvation.......”NO ONE ELSE”!!!

“FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY!”

Psalms 139:13-19                                    (ESV)

“13 For YOU formed my inward parts; YOU knitted me together IN MY MOTHER’S WOMB. 

14 I praise YOU, for I am “FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY” made. Wonderful are YOUR WORKS; my soul knows it very well. 

15 My frame was not hidden from YOU, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. 

16 YOUR EYES saw my unformed substance; in YOUR book were written, EVERY ONE OF THEM, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. 

17 How precious to me are YOUR thoughts, O GOD! How vast is the sum of them! 

18 If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with YOU. 

19 Oh that you would slay the wicked, O GOD! O men of blood, depart from me!”

Hospitals are full of people who have medical conditions that confound doctors and medical professionals.  A friend of mine is currently in ICU and they can’t determine what the problem is regarding the health of this individual.  Even yours truly continues having problems with my blood pressure.  Although I am larger than most, I have a friend who is in their early 30’s who is very slim, yet is taking blood pressure medication, and another friend who is in their early sixties, weighing in excess of 400 pounds and numerous other medical issues, and yet their blood pressure is 110/70???

Scripture states that we are “FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY” made.  Also that YOU formed me together IN MY MOTHER’S WOMB! Since GOD formed each one of us IN OUR MOTHER’S WOMB, why are we shocked when people who we esteem to be medical experts are dumbfounded by what they can’t comprehend?  Everyone of us have different diseases and illnesses, but we are ALL formed by the same GOD!  We all have issues that make us unique as HIS CREATION!  If that weren’t the case, why are there literally thousands of blood pressure medications prescribed for thin people all the way to us “more robust”?  

This may strike a nerve with some, but none of our bodies are ours to do with as we see fit!  ALMIGHTY GOD formed each one of us in our MOTHER’S WOMB!  There are NO unplanned pregnancies!  GOD doesn’t make mistakes!  HE uses imperfect people to accomplish HIS Plan, and we CANNOT figure HIS Plan out (Ecclesiastes 8:14-17)!  When we (HIS CREATION) finally come to grips that we are NOT a CREATOR, but rather a CREATION, maybe we we will understand that GOD doesn’t require us to understand HIS reasoning and methods of operation?  HE IS GOD AND WE ARE NOT, and we are “FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY” made by HIM!!!