2 Timothy 2:23

 2 Timothy 2:23                    (ESV)

“[23] Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.”

“YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING!”

Proverbs 3:5-6                                  (ESV)

    “[5] Trust in the LORD with all your heart,

        and do not lean on “YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING”. 

    [6] In all your ways acknowledge HIM,

        and HE will make straight your paths.”

Waking in the middle of the night can be a frustrating thing, especially when you physically weary from the cares of “this world”!  Escaping from the “rat race” we so often find ourselves in can be difficult, even unnerving, especially when we can’t SEE the guidance from ABOVE trying to guide our lives???  Then I SEE that GOD might have me AWAKENED in PEACE and QUIET to SPEAK to me on an uninterrupted wavelength to REVEAL TRUTH to me, so maybe I can truly HEAR from HIM without “the enemy” influencing my thoughts!

So many times I have relied upon “YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING” when trying to figure out THE PATH GOD has planned for me and my future.  Why would I rely on “YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING” when the SPIRIT OF GOD abides within me (1 Corinthians 6:19)?  Yielding to the CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSES should be my default position, instead of doing WHAT I THINK is best?

HEAVENLY FATHER, cause me to ALWAYS SEE that YOU are here trying to LEAD my life, especially when I awake from a night of peaceful sleep!  I DON’T want to lean on “YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING” when I have YOUR SPIRIT to guide me through “this world”!!!

“WAIT PATIENTLY FOR HIM!”

 Psalm 37:7-9                       (ESV)

    “[7] BE STILL before the LORD and “WAIT PATIENTLY FOR HIM”;

        fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way,

        over the man who carries out evil devices!

    [8] REFRAIN from anger, and FORSAKE wrath!

        FRET NOT yourself; it tends only to evil. 

    [9] For the evildoers shall be cut off,

        but those who “WAIT” for the LORD shall inherit the land.”

MOST of the time in my life has been spent in an “on the go” mentality, doing anything to stay busy!  Now it appears that BEING STILL and WAITING might be recognized by scientists as healthy, even Biblical, which might confuse “the learned” of “this world”???

In an article published within the last few days a term about the so-called “Default Mode Network” offers the possibility that BEING STILL and “WAIT PATIENTLY FOR HIM” might be good advice?!?  An excerpt from the article states “And dysfunction in the default mode network was floated as a potential feature of nearly every psychiatric and neurological disorder, including depression, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer’s disease.”  Later in the article this paragraph was used, “It was as if these areas (Default Mode Network) had been active when the person wasn’t doing anything, and then turned off when the mind had to concentrate on something external.”  In my feeble understanding, the “Default Mode Network” study was saying that when a brain disengages from specific tasks and RESTS, it is free to do whatever ALMIGHTY GOD is trying to get the individual to do for HIM……..for we that are CHOSEN!!

Could it be that King David KNEW that GOD required him to BE STILL and “WAIT PATIENTLY FOR HIM”?  Modern secular scientists have only found out within the last few days what King David knew over 3,000 years ago!  GOD needs us to “WAIT PATIENTLY FOR HIM”!!!  HE hasn’t changed!!!

“DO NOT BE CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD!”

 Romans 12:1-2                    (ESV)

A Living Sacrifice

“[1] I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of GOD, to present your bodies as a LIVING SACRIFICE, holy and acceptable to GOD, which is your spiritual worship. [2] “DO NOT BE CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD”, but be TRANSFORMED by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of GOD, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Ephesians 5:1-2               (ESV)

Walk in Love

“[1] Therefore be IMITATORS of GOD, as beloved children. [2] And walk in love, as CHRIST loved us and gave HIMSELF up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to GOD.”

CONFORM: To act, often unquestioningly, in accordance with traditional customs or prevailing standards.

TRANSFORM: To change the nature, function, or condition of; convert: synonym: convert

IMITATOR: Someone who copies the words or behavior of another.

There is a tremendous amount of talk these days about “just fitting in”, trying to “just get along”?  Both passages of Scripture above mention that we are to be a “sacrifice” to our CREATOR, not someone who attempts to get along with society.

As a matter of fact, Romans 12:2 instructs us “DO NOT BE CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD”!  When the definition of CONFORM is applied that should mean “DO NOT BE “To act, often unquestioningly, in accordance with traditional customs or prevailing standards” TO THIS WORLD”. Scripture is saying we SHOULD NOT FIT IN to the cares of “this world”!  

Our lives need to be TRANSFORMED by the renewal of our minds and for the GLORY of the FATHER!  We don’t need to be like everyone who is going to hell, do we???  I prefer “DO NOT BE CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD” but more like where I am going……..soon!!!

Ephesians 6:23

 Ephesians 6:23                         (ESV)

“[23] Peace be to the brothers, and love with FAITH, from GOD the FATHER and the LORD JESUS CHRIST.”

“FOR ALL!”

 

Romans 3:21-26                        (ESV)

The Righteousness of GOD Through FAITH

“[21] But now the righteousness of GOD has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it—[22] the righteousness of GOD through FAITH in JESUS CHRIST “FOR ALL” who BELIEVE. For there is no distinction: [23] “FOR ALL” have sinned and fall short of the glory of GOD, [24] and are justified by HIS grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in CHRIST JESUS, [25] WHOM GOD put forward as a propitiation by HIS blood, to be received by FAITH. This was to show GOD’s righteousness, because in HIS divine forbearance HE had passed over former sins. [26] It was to show HIS righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has FAITH in JESUS.”

Briefly this morning, there are two “FOR ALL” instances in the focal passage above.  One is for the people who have BELIEVED in JESUS CHRIST, and the other is for the people that have violated the laws of GOD!  

Scripture declares “FOR ALL” have sinned and fall short of the glory of GOD, meaning that we NEED a Savior in order to SEE the Kingdom of GOD!  I am SO GLAD that I have been CHOSEN, for I have NO HOPE outside of the SACRIFICE paid by my SAVIOR “FOR ALL” who BELIEVE on HIM!!!

“GIVE EAR!”

 Psalm 5:1-2                         (ESV)

Lead Me in Your Righteousness

To the choirmaster: for the flutes. A Psalm of David.

    “[1] “GIVE EAR” to my words, O LORD;

        consider my groaning. 

     [2] Give attention to the sound of my cry,

        my KING and my GOD,

        for to  do I pray.”

BEING CONFIDENT and KNOWING that the PRAYERS of this “broken vessel” are NOT falling on deaf ears is more than comforting, it is redeeming and rewarding!  For the CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSES to “GIVE EAR” to a wretch such as I is more than enough to sustain and deliver me!!!