2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 (ESV)
"10 and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to LOVE "THE TRUTH" and so be saved.
11 Therefore GOD sends them a STRONG DELUSION, so that they MAY BELIEVE WHAT IS FALSE,
12 in order that all may be condemned who did not believe "THE TRUTH" but had pleasure in unrighteousness."
This passage was recently shared by a dear friend whom I respect greatly. Like so many times, I had read these words before often and had yet to SEE the meaning that GOD revealed to me when I observed them this time. Not being "formally" educated, I I don't have to rely on the ability to SEE somethings that I feel I should, but GOD to REVEALS things to me at HIS pleasure and discretion. And and when HE opens your EYES to something, the impact is generally lasting!
The words "STRONG DELUSION" have always stood out to me, I guess because it focuses on the negative, and that is what the natural man tends to observe more quickly. But when reading verse 10 this time the words LOVE "THE TRUTH" in a the recent message were followed by (Jesus Christ) (John 14:6) in parentheses!
The very next few words indicates that GOD would send a STRONG DELUSION because they refused to LOVE "THE TRUTH"! It doesn't say they didn't know "THE TRUTH", but it regretfully says they didn't LOVE "THE TRUTH"! JESUS HIMSELF said "you cannot serve two masters", so if you do not love HIM, you must love the enemy!
In Isaiah 42:8 scripture records "I am the LORD; that is MY name; MY glory I give to no other, nor MY praise to carved idols". Yet how many times do I want to BRAG that "I" was used by GOD to accomplish HIS work? GOD can "use" anybody to glorify HIS name, as Pharaoh found out in Exodus 14:4! GOD deserves to be PRAISED by us, no matter how HE decides to "use" us and whether we agree with HIS Plan! We should be humbled that GOD would chose to use us IF HE does. GOD even chose to have a donkey speak for HIM (Numbers 22:28), so HE is honoring us when HE selects us to speak for HIM!
When we LOVE "THE TRUTH" there can be no substitute HIM in our lives! The enemy can attempt to deceive all he cares to, but he has nothing that can compare to "THE TRUTH"! However, when our relationship with "THE TRUTH" is weakened by a lackluster prayer life, a less than hearty study of HIS WORD, and replaced with personal reasonings and emotions, GOD will sometimes send STRONG DELUSIONS to add to our problems and confusion! GOD will not share HIS glory with another and we must guard against being those who don't LOVE THE TRUTH"!!!
Tuesday, May 31, 2016
Sunday, May 29, 2016
"TRUTH!"
John 9:13-34 (ESV)
"13 They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind.
14 Now it was a Sabbath day when JESUS made the mud and opened his eyes.
15 So the Pharisees again asked him how he had received his sight. And he said to them, "HE put mud on my eyes, and I washed, and I see."
16 Some of the Pharisees said, "This man is not from GOD, for HE does not keep the Sabbath." But others said, "How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?" And there was a DIVISION AMONG THEM.
17 So they said again to the blind man, "What do you say about HIM, since HE has opened your eyes?" He said, "HE is a prophet."
18 The Jews did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight, until they called the parents of the man who had received his sight
19 and asked them, "Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?"
20 His parents answered, "We know that this is our son and that he was born blind.
21 But how he now sees we do not know, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age. He will speak for himself."
22 (His parents said these things because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone should confess JESUS to be CHRIST, he was to be put out of the synagogue.)
23 Therefore his parents said, "He is of age; ask him."
24 So for the second time they called the man who had been blind and said to him, "Give glory to GOD. We know that this man is a sinner."
25 He answered, "Whether he is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see."
26 They said to him, "What did HE do to you? How did HE open your eyes?"
27 He answered them, "I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become HIS disciples?"
28 And they reviled him, saying, "You are HIS disciple, but we are disciples of Moses.
29 We know that GOD has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where HE comes from."
30 The man answered, "Why, this is an amazing thing! You do not know where HE comes from, and yet HE opened my eyes.
31 We know that GOD does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of GOD and does HIS will, GOD listens to him.
32 Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind.
33 If this man were not from GOD, HE could do nothing."
34 They answered him, "You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?" And they cast him out."
The scriptures above are lengthy, but they are shared in entirety to demonstrate the fallacy of the enemy's plan to attack TRUTH! The Pharisees brought this formerly blind man to them to try and build their case that JESUS (TRUTH) was a farce. And after his Testimony of the TRUTH, they "cast him out"!
Modern day examples of this are present in abundance as the TRUTH is rejected for the deceit of the enemy! When you can see deceit being glorified by "this world", don't get discouraged! JESUS said in John 16:33b ".....In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." TRUTH!!!
"13 They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind.
14 Now it was a Sabbath day when JESUS made the mud and opened his eyes.
15 So the Pharisees again asked him how he had received his sight. And he said to them, "HE put mud on my eyes, and I washed, and I see."
16 Some of the Pharisees said, "This man is not from GOD, for HE does not keep the Sabbath." But others said, "How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?" And there was a DIVISION AMONG THEM.
17 So they said again to the blind man, "What do you say about HIM, since HE has opened your eyes?" He said, "HE is a prophet."
18 The Jews did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight, until they called the parents of the man who had received his sight
19 and asked them, "Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?"
20 His parents answered, "We know that this is our son and that he was born blind.
21 But how he now sees we do not know, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age. He will speak for himself."
22 (His parents said these things because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone should confess JESUS to be CHRIST, he was to be put out of the synagogue.)
23 Therefore his parents said, "He is of age; ask him."
24 So for the second time they called the man who had been blind and said to him, "Give glory to GOD. We know that this man is a sinner."
25 He answered, "Whether he is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see."
26 They said to him, "What did HE do to you? How did HE open your eyes?"
27 He answered them, "I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become HIS disciples?"
28 And they reviled him, saying, "You are HIS disciple, but we are disciples of Moses.
29 We know that GOD has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where HE comes from."
30 The man answered, "Why, this is an amazing thing! You do not know where HE comes from, and yet HE opened my eyes.
31 We know that GOD does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of GOD and does HIS will, GOD listens to him.
32 Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind.
33 If this man were not from GOD, HE could do nothing."
34 They answered him, "You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?" And they cast him out."
The scriptures above are lengthy, but they are shared in entirety to demonstrate the fallacy of the enemy's plan to attack TRUTH! The Pharisees brought this formerly blind man to them to try and build their case that JESUS (TRUTH) was a farce. And after his Testimony of the TRUTH, they "cast him out"!
Modern day examples of this are present in abundance as the TRUTH is rejected for the deceit of the enemy! When you can see deceit being glorified by "this world", don't get discouraged! JESUS said in John 16:33b ".....In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." TRUTH!!!
Friday, May 27, 2016
"THEY THAT FEAR THE LORD!"
Malachi 3:16-18 (KJV)
"Then "THEY THAT FEARED THE LORD" spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before HIM for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon HIS name. And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth GOD and him that serveth HIM not."
There are many who desire to take one or two verses of scripture, isolate them to fit their perceived meaning, while all the time missing the true intent of what is being said. In Luke 6:37 is the often quoted "Judge not, and YE shall not be judged..."! But if you stop there and proceed no further in Scripture study, how do you then deal with 1 Peter 1:16 which states ""Because it is written, Be YE Holy (set apart); for I AM HOLY"? If there is no delineation between that which is GOOD, and that which is EVIL, JUDGEMENT will be a fantasy, for everything might be acceptable? Why would JESUS have died on the cross when my sins didn't separate me from GOD?
We do a disservice to people who are yet to have their sin revealed to them if they believe their actions carry no consequences. There has to be a way of lovingly explaining to "the lost" where the road they are traveling is leading them. I do not say this with any pride, hate, nor righteous indignation, only a fear that those who think GOD will never JUDGE them are being misled by silent pulpits and Believers! Judgement IS coming! It isn't that GOD is so loving that HE will let all of our transgressions "slide"! We must claim the Blood of JESUS CHRIST to cover our sins before we can "commune" with the FATHER!
GOD's children were instructed in Malachi 3:16 to communicate often, and to keep a "book of remembrance" before them. There are many opinions about what the "book of remembrance" was, but I am led to believe that GOD's Word is what can change hearts and lives, so what else should we keep before us? Then in Malachi 3:18 it is written "Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked..."! The word "discern" can be a weighty responsibility! One dictionary defines "discern" as "1. to perceive by the sight or some other sense or by the intellect; SEE, recognize, or apprehend: 2. to distinguish mentally; recognize as distinctor different; discriminate:
3.to distinguish or discriminate.". Note the word "JUDGE" is not used, however we are instructed to "SEE" between the righteous and the wicked!
There are many who are still Spiritually blind, their eyes have yet to be able to SEE, the things of GOD and turn from their wicked ways. That doesn't make we that can SEE any better than them, we are BLESSED to have GRACE bestowed upon us by GOD through JESUS CHRIST! "THEY THAT FEARED THE LORD" have gotten a glimpse of the Holiness of GOD, while at the same time the "undoneness" of man, and have cried out for mercy and forgiveness to a HOLY GOD! Judgement IS coming, but "THEY THAT FEAR THE LORD" have nothing to fear as according to Romans 8:1 "There is therefore now NO CONDEMNATION for those who are in Christ Jesus"! The key receiving NO CONDEMNATION is to be apart of "THEY THAT FEAR THE LORD"!
"Then "THEY THAT FEARED THE LORD" spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before HIM for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon HIS name. And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth GOD and him that serveth HIM not."
There are many who desire to take one or two verses of scripture, isolate them to fit their perceived meaning, while all the time missing the true intent of what is being said. In Luke 6:37 is the often quoted "Judge not, and YE shall not be judged..."! But if you stop there and proceed no further in Scripture study, how do you then deal with 1 Peter 1:16 which states ""Because it is written, Be YE Holy (set apart); for I AM HOLY"? If there is no delineation between that which is GOOD, and that which is EVIL, JUDGEMENT will be a fantasy, for everything might be acceptable? Why would JESUS have died on the cross when my sins didn't separate me from GOD?
We do a disservice to people who are yet to have their sin revealed to them if they believe their actions carry no consequences. There has to be a way of lovingly explaining to "the lost" where the road they are traveling is leading them. I do not say this with any pride, hate, nor righteous indignation, only a fear that those who think GOD will never JUDGE them are being misled by silent pulpits and Believers! Judgement IS coming! It isn't that GOD is so loving that HE will let all of our transgressions "slide"! We must claim the Blood of JESUS CHRIST to cover our sins before we can "commune" with the FATHER!
GOD's children were instructed in Malachi 3:16 to communicate often, and to keep a "book of remembrance" before them. There are many opinions about what the "book of remembrance" was, but I am led to believe that GOD's Word is what can change hearts and lives, so what else should we keep before us? Then in Malachi 3:18 it is written "Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked..."! The word "discern" can be a weighty responsibility! One dictionary defines "discern" as "1. to perceive by the sight or some other sense or by the intellect; SEE, recognize, or apprehend: 2. to distinguish mentally; recognize as distinctor different; discriminate:
3.to distinguish or discriminate.". Note the word "JUDGE" is not used, however we are instructed to "SEE" between the righteous and the wicked!
There are many who are still Spiritually blind, their eyes have yet to be able to SEE, the things of GOD and turn from their wicked ways. That doesn't make we that can SEE any better than them, we are BLESSED to have GRACE bestowed upon us by GOD through JESUS CHRIST! "THEY THAT FEARED THE LORD" have gotten a glimpse of the Holiness of GOD, while at the same time the "undoneness" of man, and have cried out for mercy and forgiveness to a HOLY GOD! Judgement IS coming, but "THEY THAT FEAR THE LORD" have nothing to fear as according to Romans 8:1 "There is therefore now NO CONDEMNATION for those who are in Christ Jesus"! The key receiving NO CONDEMNATION is to be apart of "THEY THAT FEAR THE LORD"!
Thursday, May 26, 2016
"CALL TO ME!"
Jeremiah 33:1-3
"1 The WORD of the LORD came to Jeremiah a second time, while he was still shut up in the court of the guard:
2 "THUS SAYS THE LORD WHO MADE THE EARTH, the LORD who formed it to establish it-the LORD is his name:
3 "CALL TO ME" and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known."
There's not a lot of time for conversation, so I will get right down to the meat of the matter. Scripture says that Jeremiah "STILL shut up in the court of the guard"! I'm sure if I studied this a little deeper I could discover exactly what the court of the guard was, but suffice it to say that Jeremiah was LISTENING TO THE LORD! It seems modern day Believers are TOO BUSY with the things of "this world" to discern what GOD is saying to them. Even Believers can be deceived into following their own plans instead of WAITING ON THE LORD!
Jeremiah 17:9-10 says "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? 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." The enemy knows how impatient I am so he attempts to offer a cheap alternative to GOD's Plan that "appears" to be a viable solution for the problems facing mankind today. GOD is the only ONE WHO has answers to the issues that lie before us, but we have declared GOD to be "off limits" from our politics and public square? We don't want to wait on an answer from HIM, instead we want a solution offered by man to problems that are too big for man to comprehend! When will we SEE that GOD IS THE SOLUTION and not the problem?
GOD is telling us "CALL TO ME" and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known, yet we are moving at such a pace that we cannot hear HIM! I'm not even sure we WANT to hear from HIM! Who in today's society would "shut (themselves) up in the court of the guard" to be able to hear from GOD? Who would want to slow down enough to get directions from a SPIRIT WHO cannot be confirmed by "this world"? On the other hand, WHO can give any better direction????
Until we stop looking to a human for direction and return to WAITING for a WORD from the LORD, we will continue in the whirlpool of following "this world" into destruction. Our only hope is to "CALL TO ME" and seek HIS guidance from this storm we are in and TRUST HIM to lead us in the path we should go. GOD made the earth so it's only right that we TRUST HIM to lead us! Jeremiah knew that he had to be "shut up" from the rat-race of society to hear from GOD! It's time we get alone with GOD, listen for HIS direction, and "CALL TO ME" and TRUST that HE will answer!!!
"1 The WORD of the LORD came to Jeremiah a second time, while he was still shut up in the court of the guard:
2 "THUS SAYS THE LORD WHO MADE THE EARTH, the LORD who formed it to establish it-the LORD is his name:
3 "CALL TO ME" and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known."
There's not a lot of time for conversation, so I will get right down to the meat of the matter. Scripture says that Jeremiah "STILL shut up in the court of the guard"! I'm sure if I studied this a little deeper I could discover exactly what the court of the guard was, but suffice it to say that Jeremiah was LISTENING TO THE LORD! It seems modern day Believers are TOO BUSY with the things of "this world" to discern what GOD is saying to them. Even Believers can be deceived into following their own plans instead of WAITING ON THE LORD!
Jeremiah 17:9-10 says "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? 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." The enemy knows how impatient I am so he attempts to offer a cheap alternative to GOD's Plan that "appears" to be a viable solution for the problems facing mankind today. GOD is the only ONE WHO has answers to the issues that lie before us, but we have declared GOD to be "off limits" from our politics and public square? We don't want to wait on an answer from HIM, instead we want a solution offered by man to problems that are too big for man to comprehend! When will we SEE that GOD IS THE SOLUTION and not the problem?
GOD is telling us "CALL TO ME" and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known, yet we are moving at such a pace that we cannot hear HIM! I'm not even sure we WANT to hear from HIM! Who in today's society would "shut (themselves) up in the court of the guard" to be able to hear from GOD? Who would want to slow down enough to get directions from a SPIRIT WHO cannot be confirmed by "this world"? On the other hand, WHO can give any better direction????
Until we stop looking to a human for direction and return to WAITING for a WORD from the LORD, we will continue in the whirlpool of following "this world" into destruction. Our only hope is to "CALL TO ME" and seek HIS guidance from this storm we are in and TRUST HIM to lead us in the path we should go. GOD made the earth so it's only right that we TRUST HIM to lead us! Jeremiah knew that he had to be "shut up" from the rat-race of society to hear from GOD! It's time we get alone with GOD, listen for HIS direction, and "CALL TO ME" and TRUST that HE will answer!!!
Wednesday, May 25, 2016
"YOUR SERVANT HEARS!"
1 Samuel 3:10-14;20 (ESV)
"10 And the LORD came and stood, calling as at other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" And Samuel said, "Speak, for "YOUR SERVANT HEARS"."
11 Then the LORD said to Samuel, "Behold, I am about to do a thing in Israel at which the two ears of everyone who hears it will tingle.
12 On that day I will fulfill against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end.
13 And I declare to him that I am about to PUNISH HIS HOUSE FOREVER, for the iniquity that he knew, because his sons were blaspheming God, and HE DID NOT RESTRAIN THEM.
14 Therefore I swear to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be atoned for by sacrifice or offering forever."
"20 And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established as a prophet of the LORD."
Samuel was "set apart" by GOD from before ice was born for the purpose of glorifying HIM. The mother of Samuel, Hannah, had been unable to conceive, for the LORD had closed her womb (1 Samuel 1:5). She prayed to GOD that if HE gave her a son, she would give him to the LORD, and so it was! Samson was born and Hannah remembered her vow to the LORD. As soon as Samson was weaned, he was carried to the temple and he began serving the LORD under Eli, the priest.
The sons of the priest Eli were not Godly men (1 Samuel 2:12) and did not know, nor fear, the LORD! Just because Eli was the priest did not extrapolate to his sons following GOD. Everybody loves talking about how GOD is a loving GOD, but it seems no one wants to discuss GOD being a Holy, just GOD WHO judges sin, and rather harshly at times! When GOD declares HIS patience is waning, a wise person might show a little remorse? But the sons of Eli didn't even flinch!
1 Samuel 3:1 says that "...the word of the LORD was rare in those days. .". As a matter of fact, Samuel had yet to develop his Spiritual hearing (1 Samuel 3:7) and HE couldn't discern who was calling out to him when GOD was speaking to him. In verse 10 though, Samuel says "Speak, for "YOUR SERVANT HEARS" because Eli had told him to respond this way.
GOD did speak and HIS Words did not prove to be good news for the sons of Eli. In 1 Samuel 4:17 Eli was told "He who brought the news answered and said, "Your two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God has been captured." Eli heard the news and then he fell dead!
When GOD has had enough, someone who hears the voice of GOD better be telling people what GOD is saying! From 1 Samuel 3:1 we know GOD's voice wasn't known by many in these days. Samuel told Eli what was about to happen and he said "It is the LORD. Let HIM do what seems good to HIM!" When GOD's servant says "YOUR SERVANT HEARS", it might be prudent to listen AND HEED the warning he is hearing! If you cannot hear GOD, who do you trust to relay messages from HIM? As for me, I elect to say "YOUR SERVANT HEARS" and obeys!!!
"10 And the LORD came and stood, calling as at other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" And Samuel said, "Speak, for "YOUR SERVANT HEARS"."
11 Then the LORD said to Samuel, "Behold, I am about to do a thing in Israel at which the two ears of everyone who hears it will tingle.
12 On that day I will fulfill against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end.
13 And I declare to him that I am about to PUNISH HIS HOUSE FOREVER, for the iniquity that he knew, because his sons were blaspheming God, and HE DID NOT RESTRAIN THEM.
14 Therefore I swear to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be atoned for by sacrifice or offering forever."
"20 And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established as a prophet of the LORD."
Samuel was "set apart" by GOD from before ice was born for the purpose of glorifying HIM. The mother of Samuel, Hannah, had been unable to conceive, for the LORD had closed her womb (1 Samuel 1:5). She prayed to GOD that if HE gave her a son, she would give him to the LORD, and so it was! Samson was born and Hannah remembered her vow to the LORD. As soon as Samson was weaned, he was carried to the temple and he began serving the LORD under Eli, the priest.
The sons of the priest Eli were not Godly men (1 Samuel 2:12) and did not know, nor fear, the LORD! Just because Eli was the priest did not extrapolate to his sons following GOD. Everybody loves talking about how GOD is a loving GOD, but it seems no one wants to discuss GOD being a Holy, just GOD WHO judges sin, and rather harshly at times! When GOD declares HIS patience is waning, a wise person might show a little remorse? But the sons of Eli didn't even flinch!
1 Samuel 3:1 says that "...the word of the LORD was rare in those days. .". As a matter of fact, Samuel had yet to develop his Spiritual hearing (1 Samuel 3:7) and HE couldn't discern who was calling out to him when GOD was speaking to him. In verse 10 though, Samuel says "Speak, for "YOUR SERVANT HEARS" because Eli had told him to respond this way.
GOD did speak and HIS Words did not prove to be good news for the sons of Eli. In 1 Samuel 4:17 Eli was told "He who brought the news answered and said, "Your two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God has been captured." Eli heard the news and then he fell dead!
When GOD has had enough, someone who hears the voice of GOD better be telling people what GOD is saying! From 1 Samuel 3:1 we know GOD's voice wasn't known by many in these days. Samuel told Eli what was about to happen and he said "It is the LORD. Let HIM do what seems good to HIM!" When GOD's servant says "YOUR SERVANT HEARS", it might be prudent to listen AND HEED the warning he is hearing! If you cannot hear GOD, who do you trust to relay messages from HIM? As for me, I elect to say "YOUR SERVANT HEARS" and obeys!!!
Tuesday, May 24, 2016
"SHE HAS DONE WHAT SHE COULD!"
Mark 14:3-9 (ESV)
"3 And while HE was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as HE was reclining at table, a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the flask and poured it over HIS head.
4 There were some who said to themselves indignantly, "Why was the ointment "wasted" like that?
5 For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor." And they scolded her.
6 But JESUS said, "Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to ME.
7 For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good for them. But you will not always have ME.
8 "SHE HAS DONE WHAT SHE COULD"; she has anointed MY body beforehand for burial.
9 And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her."
For many years I was so upset with the torturous, humbling crucifixion of JESUS that I would say that had I been alive during the day I would have intervened and JESUS wouldn't have had to die! Of course, I now understand that a perfect sacrifice was REQUIRED, and the only ONE who was qualified to be that sacrifice was JESUS, the CHRIST (Hebrews 10:1-18). The Gospel of John identifies the woman spoken about above as Mary, but regardless of whom it was, "SHE HAD DONE WHAT SHE COULD" for JESUS!
In 1 Peter 1:20 scripture reveals that JESUS was chosen "before the foundation of the world" to provide the sacrifice for our sins. GOD had/has a Plan and NOTHING anyone could have done in an attempt to circumvent that Plan would have proven successful. Many times scripture records that JESUS "willingly" laid down HIS life for the sins of ALL mankind. From Adam and Eve until my latest failures, JESUS freely and willingly paid the penalty for mankind's failures out of HIS love for us, AND HIS obedience to the FATHER. HE knew when HE was a boy teaching in the temple (Luke 2:41:52) what HIS future held, and yet HE continued to live a perfect life for you and me!
The disciples had become so caught up in "ministry" that they couldn't "SEE" GOD IN FLESH was about to be slain for the sins of the entire world regardless of how many times JESUS told them what HIS fate would be. It is recorded in the Gospel of John 12:4 that the main culprit was Judas Iscariot, the disciple who would ultimately betray JESUS for 30 pieces of silver. This seems so hateful, deceitful, and underhanded!
But do we not do the same thing sometimes? Showing the LOVE OF CHRIST does NOT entail succumbing to "this worlds" lawless, sinful ways, but rather living in a Holy, respectful, GOD fearing manner as a testimony for HIM! About five years ago a wise mentor of mine told me words that continue to shape my actions to this day! He said "We try to be more than GOD ever intended us to be"! GOD does not need me to be anything other than what HIS Plan calls for me to be! Not only did GOD have a Plan for JESUS, but HE had a Plan for Mary, AND HE has a Plan for you and me! JESUS said of Mary "SHE HAS DONE WHAT SHE COULD" for HIM. I pray that I WILL DO WHAT I CAN, and NOTHING more or less!!!
"3 And while HE was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as HE was reclining at table, a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the flask and poured it over HIS head.
4 There were some who said to themselves indignantly, "Why was the ointment "wasted" like that?
5 For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor." And they scolded her.
6 But JESUS said, "Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to ME.
7 For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good for them. But you will not always have ME.
8 "SHE HAS DONE WHAT SHE COULD"; she has anointed MY body beforehand for burial.
9 And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her."
For many years I was so upset with the torturous, humbling crucifixion of JESUS that I would say that had I been alive during the day I would have intervened and JESUS wouldn't have had to die! Of course, I now understand that a perfect sacrifice was REQUIRED, and the only ONE who was qualified to be that sacrifice was JESUS, the CHRIST (Hebrews 10:1-18). The Gospel of John identifies the woman spoken about above as Mary, but regardless of whom it was, "SHE HAD DONE WHAT SHE COULD" for JESUS!
In 1 Peter 1:20 scripture reveals that JESUS was chosen "before the foundation of the world" to provide the sacrifice for our sins. GOD had/has a Plan and NOTHING anyone could have done in an attempt to circumvent that Plan would have proven successful. Many times scripture records that JESUS "willingly" laid down HIS life for the sins of ALL mankind. From Adam and Eve until my latest failures, JESUS freely and willingly paid the penalty for mankind's failures out of HIS love for us, AND HIS obedience to the FATHER. HE knew when HE was a boy teaching in the temple (Luke 2:41:52) what HIS future held, and yet HE continued to live a perfect life for you and me!
The disciples had become so caught up in "ministry" that they couldn't "SEE" GOD IN FLESH was about to be slain for the sins of the entire world regardless of how many times JESUS told them what HIS fate would be. It is recorded in the Gospel of John 12:4 that the main culprit was Judas Iscariot, the disciple who would ultimately betray JESUS for 30 pieces of silver. This seems so hateful, deceitful, and underhanded!
But do we not do the same thing sometimes? Showing the LOVE OF CHRIST does NOT entail succumbing to "this worlds" lawless, sinful ways, but rather living in a Holy, respectful, GOD fearing manner as a testimony for HIM! About five years ago a wise mentor of mine told me words that continue to shape my actions to this day! He said "We try to be more than GOD ever intended us to be"! GOD does not need me to be anything other than what HIS Plan calls for me to be! Not only did GOD have a Plan for JESUS, but HE had a Plan for Mary, AND HE has a Plan for you and me! JESUS said of Mary "SHE HAS DONE WHAT SHE COULD" for HIM. I pray that I WILL DO WHAT I CAN, and NOTHING more or less!!!
Monday, May 23, 2016
"MY GLORY!"
Isaiah 48:11 (NASB)
"11 “For MY own sake, for MY own sake, I will act; For how can MY name be profaned? And "MY GLORY" I will not give to another."
The following are excerpts from a study on "GOD appointing evil leaders" that I am borrowing from an online study.
"".......you would think that God would only appoint benevolent leaders. After all, it’s supposed to be man and Satan who desire evil, not God. So why the evil leaders?
While Christians sometimes admit to struggling with this question, the suggestions they offer usually fall into two categories: 1) God does it to judge a people or nation and/or 2) God does it to bring about an even greater good.
The first possibility is that God wishes to serve up a heaping spoonful of wrath upon some well-deserving people or nation. Of course, God could just send a plague or rain down some fire and brimstone, but sometimes he prefers to let others do his dirty work for him.
The next suggestion is that God is attempting to bring about some greater good, such as saving souls or bringing about the end of the world. GotQuestions.org cites the persecution of the early church as an example. Clearly God didn’t think the early Christians deserved to be punished, he only punished them so they would scatter, which would help to spread the gospel!
Ultimately, it’s impossible to prove that any evil leader isn’t somehow bringing about some event that helps God in his mysterious plan, or that God isn’t punishing a nation that may have deserved it.""
Allow me to insert commentary and a verse from Exodus 14. In verse 4 GOD says "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." GOD HARDENED Pharaoh's heart! Pharaoh and ALL HIS HOSTS were drowned in the Red Sea. Some of these HOSTS were just doing what they had been ordered to do. Why would GOD get glory from destroying them? Why?
GOD is HOLY and HE deserves to be praised and honored. In this case, the Egyptians, being led by Pharaoh, were one of the most false god worshipping dynasties of all time. It has been said that every "plague" GOD sent represented one of their false gods. Every one of their false gods were annihilated by YAHWEH in Egypt, now YAHWEH was about to get "HIS GLORY" over Pharaoh and ALL HIS HOSTS. GOD sent MANY warnings that HE wasn't playing around, but those warnings were ignored!
Why would YAHWEH cause "Pharaoh and all his hosts" to go to their watery grave, since HE is a loving GOD? One can speculate that for days, but GOD doesn't need a reason, HE IS GOD! Those who oppose HIM endanger themselves beyond description. There is no way to "open their eyes", as only GOD can do that, and HE is all about receiving HIS glory!
It's true that GOD may ordain Godless, ruthless leaders to carry out HIS purposes, but those purposes will ultimately give glory to The LORD! Be careful with giving anyone other than GOD HIS glory. Isaiah 48:11 (NASB) says "For MY OWN sake, for MY OWN sake, I will act; For how can MY NAME be profaned? And "MY GLORY" I will not give to another." GOD can still literally destroy a nation, or a world, if that glorifies HIS NAME! To me, it is a wise decision to give GOD glory before HE gets it on HIS own?!?!?!
"11 “For MY own sake, for MY own sake, I will act; For how can MY name be profaned? And "MY GLORY" I will not give to another."
The following are excerpts from a study on "GOD appointing evil leaders" that I am borrowing from an online study.
"".......you would think that God would only appoint benevolent leaders. After all, it’s supposed to be man and Satan who desire evil, not God. So why the evil leaders?
While Christians sometimes admit to struggling with this question, the suggestions they offer usually fall into two categories: 1) God does it to judge a people or nation and/or 2) God does it to bring about an even greater good.
The first possibility is that God wishes to serve up a heaping spoonful of wrath upon some well-deserving people or nation. Of course, God could just send a plague or rain down some fire and brimstone, but sometimes he prefers to let others do his dirty work for him.
The next suggestion is that God is attempting to bring about some greater good, such as saving souls or bringing about the end of the world. GotQuestions.org cites the persecution of the early church as an example. Clearly God didn’t think the early Christians deserved to be punished, he only punished them so they would scatter, which would help to spread the gospel!
Ultimately, it’s impossible to prove that any evil leader isn’t somehow bringing about some event that helps God in his mysterious plan, or that God isn’t punishing a nation that may have deserved it.""
Allow me to insert commentary and a verse from Exodus 14. In verse 4 GOD says "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." GOD HARDENED Pharaoh's heart! Pharaoh and ALL HIS HOSTS were drowned in the Red Sea. Some of these HOSTS were just doing what they had been ordered to do. Why would GOD get glory from destroying them? Why?
GOD is HOLY and HE deserves to be praised and honored. In this case, the Egyptians, being led by Pharaoh, were one of the most false god worshipping dynasties of all time. It has been said that every "plague" GOD sent represented one of their false gods. Every one of their false gods were annihilated by YAHWEH in Egypt, now YAHWEH was about to get "HIS GLORY" over Pharaoh and ALL HIS HOSTS. GOD sent MANY warnings that HE wasn't playing around, but those warnings were ignored!
Why would YAHWEH cause "Pharaoh and all his hosts" to go to their watery grave, since HE is a loving GOD? One can speculate that for days, but GOD doesn't need a reason, HE IS GOD! Those who oppose HIM endanger themselves beyond description. There is no way to "open their eyes", as only GOD can do that, and HE is all about receiving HIS glory!
It's true that GOD may ordain Godless, ruthless leaders to carry out HIS purposes, but those purposes will ultimately give glory to The LORD! Be careful with giving anyone other than GOD HIS glory. Isaiah 48:11 (NASB) says "For MY OWN sake, for MY OWN sake, I will act; For how can MY NAME be profaned? And "MY GLORY" I will not give to another." GOD can still literally destroy a nation, or a world, if that glorifies HIS NAME! To me, it is a wise decision to give GOD glory before HE gets it on HIS own?!?!?!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)