“PERFECT AND COMPLETE!”

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.”

Looking back over my life there are times when I can now SEE that I was experiencing a tremendous teaching moment during a trial or tribulation.  The tough times in life were simply periods of growing that occasionally were valleys of instruction that usually uncomfortable, maybe even painful!  Observing from where I am currently, I am able to SEE that the greatest difficulties were when I was trying to do things ON MY OWN with no DIVINE leadership.  

Walking in the dark can be painful.  We can stub our toe on unseen obstacles, bump into things that are in plain sight when walking in THE LIGHT, or get into some of the more dangerous times in our lives!  But when we WALK IN THE LIGHT, the pitfalls of life are sometimes able to be avoided.  Not experiencing those “teaching moments” is something we generally try to steer clear of, but whenever we are grimacing from that broken toe is is usually not the time to learn the lesson, it is a time to cry!

One day SOON we who BELIEVE will be “PERFECT AND COMPLETE”, LACKING IN NOTHING!  At least some of us!  Those who aren’t BROTHERS in the DARKNESS of “this world” will be relinquished to their judgement, forever !  Alerting them to their future destiny is an act of love, because they are headed to DEATH, and we have the answer to prevent it, IF THEY WILL LISTEN.  

As far as they can see, everything is fine in their lives, but very soon their EYES will be opened and they will realize the error of their ways.  They won’t be able to run from GOD any longer!  Their dependence on their intellect and what feels right will prove to be fatal.  What was thought to be the foolish notion that a god will judge as ALL will be glaringly TRUTH as they are found lacking, and we are found “PERFECT AND COMPLETE!!!”

“PATIENT IN TRIBULATION!”

Romans 12:9-13                                    (ESV)

“9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.

10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Out do one another in showing honor.

11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the LORD.

12 REJOICE in HOPE, be “PATIENT IN TRIBULATION”, be CONSTANT IN PRAYER.

13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.”

Why do I seem to always think that my answers are the best solution for my problems?  Not knowing what to do or when to do it can be very confusing.  We THINK the world is going to stop due to our decisions or indecision, but will it?  While it is true that our choices can affect others lives, GOD is in Control and we aren’t powerful enough to overcome HIS Will and Purpose.  

Most of us claim that we have FAITH.  But do we exhibit FAITH when things take longer to be revealed to us than we think they should?  Do I REST IN THE LORD, or do I jump to do something, ANYTHING, to show that I am “working for the Kingdom”?  We have allowed society and “this world” to determine our calendars, to operate on the devils pace while being a soldier of THE MOST HIGH GOD’s army!  IF WE TRUST GOD, WE HAVE TO TRUST HIS TIMING!!!

To be anything less than “PATIENT IN TRIBULATION” is proclaiming that GOD may have our future figured out, but we have to take care of when we want HIS BLESSINGS!?!  Romans 5:3 says “Not only that, BUT WE REJOICE IN OUR SUFFERINGS, KNOWING THAT SUFFERING PRODUCES ENDURANCE...”.  The word PRODUCES reminds me of growing a crop.  You can plant the seed hurriedly, water and cultivate the planted seed, but ONLY GOD determines the PRODUCE that will come from your labors (1 Corinthians 3:7)!  

Whether we admit it or not, we all were born with a desire to be god of AT LEAST our own lives.  But being “PATIENT IN TRIBULATION” is a sure fire way to demonstrate our FAITH, our total TRUST IN GOD!  If HE is GOD, then why do I think I can help HIM with HIS TIMING???  I am STILL learning to be “PATIENT IN TRIBULATION!!!” 

“ONLY BELIEVE!”

Luke 8:49-56                                                       

“49 While he was still speaking, someone from the ruler's house came and said, "Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the TEACHER any more."

50 But JESUS on hearing this answered him, "DO NOT FEAR; “ONLY BELIEVE”, AND SHE WILL BE WELL."

51 And when HE came to the house, HE allowed no one to enter with HIM, except Peter and John and James, and the father and mother of the child.

52 And all were weeping and mourning for her, but HE said, "Do not weep, for she is not dead but sleeping."

53 And THEY LAUGHED AT HIM, knowing that she was dead.

54 But taking her by the hand HE called, saying, "Child, arise."

55 And her spirit returned, and she got up at once. And HE directed that something should be given her to eat.

56 And her parents were amazed, but HE charged them to tell no one what had happened.”

As I near my 59th year on this earth, I am becoming more and more aware that we are not physically Created to last forever!  It may just be me, but the older I get the more frequent it seems that a younger person doesn’t live even into their teenage years?  Either disease, or accidents, or anything else can cause death to visit earthly bodies with seemingly no respecter of age, nationality, or social status!  If GOD IS IN CONTROL, and HE is, then HE IS IN CONTROL of what we SEE as the bad things as well as the good things! 

While JESUS walked among us, a daughter of a ruler of the synagogue named Jarius was 12 years old, and SHE WAS DYING (Luke 8:41-42)!  Observing a child die is one of the most difficult things I have ever experienced.  I have witnessed my younger sister die (34 years and 3 days old), but only a few years later watched a friend’s daughter die around her 10th birthday.  Not being GOD, we still like to THINK that we know what is best for everyone.  Being upset with GOD for taking someone we love so dearly is not uncommon, but when we realize HE literally holds our lives in HIS HANDS, we can quickly have our SIGHT adjusted.  

The pain of death is something that I don’t have words to describe.  Jarius was a RULER OF THE SYNAGOGUE, yet he watched as his daughter was dying.  While she was raised from her illness, eventually she had to die!  We ALL do!  One day I will die.  When that time comes, I pray that those who love me understand that ALMIGHTY GOD determined (Psalms 39) a long time ago how long HE would use me for HIS GLORY, and when my days of Glorifying HIM are over, HE will call me HOME!  

ONLY until then, others can LAUGH AT GOD for HIS decision to leave me here, but I WILL PRAISE HIS NAME for HIS mercies!  When sin entered “this world”, our ability to live eternally left “this world”.   We are created IN HIS IMAGE, but we are NOT GOD, no matter how much we think we are!  JESUS, OUR CREATOR, says “DO NOT FEAR; “ONLY BELIEVE”, AND SHE WILL BE WELL."   Likewise, we too can be well, but we MUST “ONLY BELIEVE”!!!

“THERE ARE MANY!”

Titus 1:10-16                                           (ESV)

“10 For “THERE ARE MANY” who are insubordinate (rebellious), empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party.

11 They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach.

12 One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, "Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons."

13 This testimony is true. Therefore REBUKE THEM SHARPLY, that they may be sound in the faith,

14 not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth.

15 To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, NOTHING IS PURE; but both their MINDS and their CONSCIENCES are DEFILED.

16 They profess to know GOD, but they deny HIM by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.”

It is dangerous to lump ALL people of a sect into a broad category, for everyone can be changed by the Grace of GOD.  As a matter of fact, it is just like GOD to use someone who appears to be too “sinful”, too vile and despicable, to be used for a HOLY purpose.  “THERE ARE MANY” in today’s society of free speech that use their platform for empty talk and deception.  But it has been that way since mankind was created and was DECEIVED by “the enemy”!  

Life has become SO FAST-PACED that we move so quickly to not be over ran by “this world” that we fail to identify “the enemy”, and recognize ALMIGHTY GOD as being the driving forces behind all actions.  In verse 12 of Titus chapter one, it says “ONE OF THE CRETANS, a prophet of their own, said, "CRETANS ARE ALWAYS LIARS, evil beasts, lazy gluttons."  Well since CRETANS ARE ALWAYS LIARS, why should we listen to him as he is a Cretan???  

Acts 17:11 states “Now these Jews (at Berea) were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received THE WORD with all eagerness, EXAMINING THE SCRIPTURES DAILY to see if these things were so.”  Once again, we get in trouble when we lump all of one group into a category.   We must judge everything that is planted in our minds against Scripture to determine if it is TRUTH!  No matter their denomination, their culture, their social status, nothing can elevate them above what Scripture tells us!  Even when, and ESPECIALLY when, it is exactly what we WANT TO HEAR!!!

“THERE ARE MANY” in today’s world that need to be REBUKED SHARPLY because their message doesn’t line up with Scripture.  We cannot BE DECEIVED by their nice suits and slick talking, by their manipulative words and deeds!  We must be like Berean Believers who SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES DAILY in search of TRUTH.  JESUS said in John 8:31-32 “...."If you abide in MY word, you are truly MY disciples, and you will know the TRUTH, and the TRUTH will set you free."  We won’t be in the majority, BY FAR, and even though “THERE ARE MANY” opposing TRUTH, WE WILL BE SET FREE because we know THE TRUTH!!!

“BLOOD!”

Hebrews 9:18-22.                                   (ESV)

“18 Therefore not even the first covenant was inaugurated without BLOOD.

19 For when every commandment of the law had been declared by Moses to all the people, he took THE “BLOOD” of calves and goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people,

20 saying, "This is THE “BLOOD” of the covenant that GOD commanded for you."

21 And in the same way he sprinkled with the blood both the tent and all the vessels used in worship.

22 Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and WITHOUT THE SHEDDING OF “BLOOD” there is no forgiveness of sins.”

When mankind first sinned in the garden of Eden, GOD had to give them clothing made from the skins of animals to cover their sin.  Now I am no animal psychiatrist, but I would suggest that these animals had NO say as to whether their lives would be spared because of the sin of man?  When the Children of Israel were held captive in Egypt and ALMIGHTY GOD told Moses that deliverance was coming, the Israelites were COMMANDED to sprinkle BLOOD over the entry of their house so the death angel would PASSOVER their house.  

It should not surprise us then that “BLOOD” is REQUIRED to forgive sin?  We don’t have to understand or explain, just accept it and Believe it!  Mankind cannot understand nor explain why a HOLY and RIGHTEOUS GOD would send HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON as the ULTIMATE SACRIFICE, never to be improved upon.  HIS SACRIFICIAL work was completed at Calvary.  

Then why do I try to offer my “good deeds” as a sacrifice when JESUS PAID IT ALL?  My righteousness is but “filthy rags” according to Isaiah 64:6 and we can do nothing to merit eternal life.  However, we are to DAILY SACRIFICE OUR WANTS and WISHES to HIM and accept HIS Plan for us.  

Just like the animals sacrificed for the sins of Adam and Eve, most of the time I don’t SACRIFICE willingly!  JESUS left HIS position in Heaven WILLINGLY to live the life of a carpenter’s helper, die a brutal death on Calvary, and defeat death, hell, and the grave for ALL MANKIND!  No longer do we depend on the “BLOOD” of goats and lambs, but we have FAITH IN THE “BLOOD” OF JESUS!!!

“PEACE!”

Matthew 10:34-39                                                  (ESV)

“34 "Do not think that I have come to bring “PEACE” to the earth. I have not come to bring “PEACE”, but a sword.

35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.

36 And a person's enemies will be those of his own household.

37 Whoever loves father or mother more than ME is not worthy of ME, and whoever loves son or daughter more than ME is not worthy of ME.

38 And whoever does not take his cross and follow ME is not worthy of ME.

39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for MY sake will find it.”

John 14:27                                                                (ESV)

“”PEACE” I leave with you; my “PEACE” I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

WORDS!  Using words at the wrong place or wrong time can be very hurtful, even when they aren’t meant to be.   Recovering from the Brain Hemorrhage has taught me how critical WORD SELECTION really is.   Before, I would simply almost disregard poor WORD SELECTION as talking too fast, not paying attention to what was being said.  Since, I am more CONSCIOUS of what words are coming out of my mouth because of where in my brain the hemorrhage occurred.  Desiring to select the correct word to verbalize exactly my thoughts is almost paramount now!

JESUS didn’t have the same problem that I do.  HE had an uncanny, maybe DIVINE (?), way of saying EXACTLY what HE needed to say to accomplish HIS FATHER’s Plan.  To say “Do not think that I have come to bring “PEACE” to the earth. I have not come to bring “PEACE”, but a sword”, and then in another place say “PEACE” I leave with you; my “PEACE” I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” sounds extremely contradictory!  If HE didn’t bring “PEACE”, how was HE going to leave “PEACE” with us?

Despite some current day teachings, JESUS didn’t come to UNITE the ungodly with HIS CHOSEN.  That doesn’t mean that we are to be hateful or condescending to one’s whose EYES haven’t been opened, but we should treat them as blind people who cannot see.  Most people would try to prevent a physically blind person from crossing a busy street unprotected.  Why do we act as though the Spiritually blind people are like piranhas that are going to annihilate us?   We can minister to them without being “yoked” (2 Corinthians 6:14) with them.  You don’t have to ABIDE with someone to offer assistance to them (Luke 10:25-37), as the Good Samaritan displayed.  

Yes, JESUS came to separate the “wheat” from the “chaff” (Matthew 3:12), but HE also came to give we who Believe on HIM “PEACE”!  Being HOLY, by definition, does not allow for ANY SIN.  We should reject ANY SIN, but we should not reject a sinner.  Remember, JESUS saved Saul, turning him into possibly the greatest example of TRANSFORMATION in the New Testament.  JESUS changed me, and IS STILL changing me, to become more in HIS IMAGE.  The more I become like HIM, the more at “PEACE” I will be!!!

“HE MUST SUFFER!”

Acts 9:1-25                                                                (ESV)

“1 But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the LORD, went to the high priest

2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to THE WAY, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

3 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, AND SUDDENLY a light from Heaven shone around him.

4 And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting ME?"

5 And he said, "Who are you, LORD?" And HE said, "I am JESUS, WHOM you are persecuting.

6 But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do."

7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one.

8 Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, HE SAW NOTHING. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus.

9 And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

10 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The LORD said to him in a vision, "Ananias." And he said, "Here I am, LORD."

11 And the LORD said to him, "Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying,

12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight."

13 But Ananias answered, "LORD, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to YOUR saints at Jerusalem.

14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on YOUR NAME."

15 But the LORD said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of MINE to carry MY name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.

16 For I will show him how much “HE MUST SUFFER” for the sake of MY name."

17 So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, "Brother Saul, the LORD JESUS who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the HOLY SPIRIT."

18 AND IMMEDIATELY something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized;

19 and taking food, he was strengthened. For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus.

20 AND IMMEDIATELY he proclaimed JESUS in the synagogues, saying, "HE is the SON of GOD."

21 And all who heard him were amazed and said, "IS NOT THIS THE MAN who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called upon this name? And has he not come here for this purpose, to bring them bound before the chief priests?"

22 But Saul increased all the more in strength, and CONFOUNDED THE JEWS who lived in Damascus by proving that JESUS WAS THE CHRIST.

23 When many days had passed, THE JEWS PLOTTED TO KILL HIM,

24 but their plot became known to Saul. They were watching the gates day and night IN ORDER TO KILL HIM,

25 but his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, LOWERING HIM IN A BASKET.”

Twelve years ago I lay in a hospital about to embark on what would prove to be a journey where ALMIGHTY GOD would lead me with HIS merciful HAND, for HIS Glory.   Most are aware of the MIRACULOUS (all Praise to HIM) recovery that I have been Blessed with, but very few are interested, or want SEE and experience, the “valleys” where GOD grows me and restores me, again for HIS Glory!  Very few are chomping at the bit to sign-up for a 52-day hospital incarceration, a two-year hiatus from a life of productivity, AND an apparent permanent inability to select my choice of words to be used by ALMIGHTY GOD?  But when you are granted by our CREATOR with an extension of Grace, you accept it with thanks and humility, wondering why you were chosen to be a vessel for HIS purposes?

In Acts 9, Saul was “breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the LORD” in verse one, but less than twenty verses later “he proclaimed JESUS in the synagogues, saying, "HE is the SON of GOD."  What kind of transformation happened to so radically change the actions of Saul?  What about him was it that makes his story so special to be repeated all these years later?

The health, wealth and prosperity gospel charlatans prefer not to talk about how “HE MUST SUFFER” for the sake of MY name!  Saul was debilitated to where he had to WAIT ON THE LORD for Ananias to come and restore his sight.  He had to WAIT!  ALMIGHTY GOD had a Plan for Saul (later known as Paul) to SUFFER for CHRIST, for HIS Glory.  SUFFERING usually brings humility, something that is required to be used by GOD.  Proverbs 16:5 says “Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the LORD; be assured, he will not go unpunished”!  When GOD intends to humble you, HE generally accomplishes HIS Plan!

When JESUS spoke to Ananias that “HE MUST SUFFER”, HE more than likely didn’t have Rolls Royce’s and private jets in mind!  I’m sure that most of us wouldn’t volunteer to be at the front of the line for the “HE MUST SUFFER” brigade that Saul was about to join.  But JESUS CHRIST can accomplish ALL THINGS through our lives, even in twenty verse of Scripture!  HE can do it in a 52-day hospital stay as well!  When HE says “HE MUST SUFFER”, we are pleased to accomplish HIS PLAN!!!