“MY NAME!”

John 16:16-24                        (ESV)

“16 "A little while, and you will see ME no longer; and again a little while, and you will SEE ME."

17 So some of his disciples said to one another, "What is this that he says to us, 'A little while, and you will not see ME, and again a little while, and you will SEE ME'; and, 'because I am going to the FATHER'?"

18 So they were saying, "What does HE mean by 'a little while'? We do not know what HE is talking about."

19 JESUS knew that they wanted to ask HIM, so HE said to them, "Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I meant by saying, 'A little while and you will not see ME, and again a little while and you will SEE ME'?

20 Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.

21 When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world.

22 So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.

23 In that day you will ask nothing of ME. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the FATHER in “MY NAME”name, HE will give it to you.

24 Until now you have asked nothing in “MY NAME”. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.”

There is much that has been written about the verses above where JESUS instructs HIS disciples to “Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.”  Most people only want to SEE that which they want to see, and how they want to see what they are looking at!  One commentary puts it in the words, “GOD promises to answer whatever we ask in HIS name ACCORDING TO HIS WILL. This is why WE MUST KNOW THE WILL OF GOD in order to pray with the authority of JESUS.”

Being able to see is an amazing feat in and of itself.  When we turn our eyes to observe an object, generally our eyes reflect what we are observing.  It’s all science.  But when we are able to Spiritually look past the physical, sometimes we can SEE things we previously could not see.  In Luke 24:16 two disciples were walking on the road to Emmaus.  JESUS began taking to them and carried on a lengthy conversation.  However, in Luke 24:31 it is written “And their eyes were opened, and they recognized HIM.  And HE vanished from their sight.”  Their physical eyesight hadn’t changed, but the ONE they were conversing with was no longer with them.  What they were able to SEE was determined by WHO they were observing.  

When we ask for something in “MY NAME”, we need to be careful not to expect a rubber stamp from Heaven because of the words we are using.   “WE MUST KNOW THE WILL OF GOD in order to pray with the authority of JESUS”, according to the commentary used above.  The enemy will use any tool imaginable to distort the WORD OF GOD, and he is a master of deceit.  Only my GOD opening our EYES can we SEE our need for a Savior!  Can you picture praying for something directly in opposition to the WILL OF GOD?  Who could have imagined a HOLY GOD sentencing HIS only SON to a heinously cruel death on a cross just because I was in need of a PERFECT SACRIFICE for my sins?  That doesn’t make sense!  

But GRACE doesn’t make sense. It confounds the wise (1 Corinthians 1:27)!  We can’t explain why a PERFECT GOD would sacrifice HIS PERFECT SON for a wretch like me?  JESUS said “the world will rejoice” at HIS death, but JESUS overcame death, hell, and the grave and now lives victoriously!  Don’t you think that JESUS would have prevented HIS torment and crucifixion had HE could?  HE prayed in Luke 22:42 “...FATHER, if YOU are willing, remove this cup from ME. Nevertheless, not MY will, BUT YOURS, be done."   HE did this so the FATHER would be Glorified, and I would have the sacrifice I needed.  Yes, HE did that in “MY NAME”, and it wasn’t so I could live in wealth, luxury and fame!  

“HOLY ONE!”

Isaiah 30:8-11                    (ESV)

“8 And now, go, write it before them on a tablet and inscribe it in a book, that it may be for the time to come as a witness forever. 

9 For they are a REBELLIOUS people, LYING CHILDREN, children UNWILLING TO HEAR THE INSTRUCTION OF THE LORD; 

10 who say to the seers, "Do not see," and to the prophets, "DO NOT PROPHESY TO US WHAT US RIGHT; SPEAK UNTO US SMOOTH THINGS, PROPHESY ILLUSIONS, 

11 leave the way, turn aside from the path, let us hear no more about the “HOLY ONE” of Israel."  

There are times that we are so intent on hearing what we want to hear that we cannot hear the VOICE OF GOD speaking to us.  GOD’s instructions are seldom easy to accept by humanity, for HIS Spirit is generally opposed to our humanity.  Galatians 5:17 says “For the desires of the flesh are against the SPIRIT, and the desires of the SPIRIT are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.”  

The children of Israel, eerily similar to The United States of America, were becoming so worldly that they wanted to hear no more about the “HOLY ONE”!  Not only has It become unpopular to openly discuss GOD or HIS precepts, it has been ruled by some courts to be illegal to proclaim the WORD OF GOD in a public setting.  "DO NOT PROPHESY TO US WHAT US RIGHT; SPEAK UNTO US SMOOTH THINGS,” could be coming off of a modern news telecast or blog.  There seems to be tolerance for everything behavior EXCEPT Godly behavior!  

The LIGHT (John 8:12))is reflecting in fewer and fewer people and “this world” is quickly becoming darker by the day.  Apparently folks don’t want to be like the “HOLY ONE” any longer.  One definition of HOLY is to “set apart”.  Since JESUS is the “HOLY ONE” and we are to emulate HIM, we should not be surprised by having fewer and fewer who reflect HIS love and character.   But we need to strive to NOT be those who “are a REBELLIOUS people, LYING CHILDREN, children UNWILLING TO HEAR THE INSTRUCTION OF THE LORD;”.  We need to SLOW DOWN and LISTEN for HIS VOICE and follow HIS direction in our lives.

Writing many times previous about my grandfathers gardens, he would give a lot of his crops to friends and strangers.  In doing so, he would not send anyone to gather produce that would be given to others, rather he would go pick the best to give to the friends while his family would eat what remained.  Don’t be surprised when others appear to get the best of things here in “this world”!  We have the “HOLY ONE” living inside of us and we are family!  Having RELATIONSHIP with the “HOLY ONE”, our CREATOR, has its privileges!!!

“CURSED IS THE MAN!”

Jeremiah 17:1-5                                (ESV)

“7 "1 "The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron; with a point of diamond it is engraved on the tablet of their heart, and on the horns of their altars,

2 while their children remember their altars and their Asherim, beside every green tree and on the high hills,

3 on the mountains in the open country. Your wealth and all your treasures I will give for spoil as the price of your high places for sin throughout all your territory.

4 You shall loosen your hand from your heritage that I gave to you, and I will make you serve your enemies in a land that you do not know, for in my anger a fire is kindled that shall burn forever."

5 Thus says the LORD: "CURSED IS THE MAN” who TRUSTS in man and makes FLESH HIS STRENGTH, whose heart turns away from the LORD..”

Today my thoughts were on mankind TRUSTING in his intellect and ingenuity to deliver him from the troubles of life that ensnare so many.  So I went to Jeremiah 17:9  (“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?”) and began to read the surrounding verses to make certain that what I was thinking wasn’t taken out of context what I thought I was hearing.  While reading the entire chapter of Jeremiah 17, I couldn’t get passed GOD saying “CURSED IS THE MAN” who trusts in man!

The GOD OF CREATION is declaring that when we turn away from the LORD that our paths will be CURSED.   Why should we be questioning why “the enemy” has such freedom to roam “to and fro” among us?  “You shall loosen your hand from your heritage that I GAVE TO YOU, and I will MAKE YOU SERVE your enemies in a land that you do not know” is a pretty clear indicator of what is happening to “this world”!  

It is more than amazing that ALMIGHTY GOD, our CREATOR and Sustainer, who formed us from dust, and breathed the breath of LIFE into our nostrils, and continues to guide us through our lives with us failing to even acknowledge HIS existence!  Apparently, we are content with TRUSTING IN OUR STRENGTH and so-called intelligence to guide us, but that usually leads straight to disaster!  GOD’s Word will NOT return void, and HE says “CURSED IS THE MAN” who TRUSTS in man and MAKES FLESH HIS STRENGTH!  

Do not read these words as a preacher who has a captive audience.  Read these words as a sojourner who is finding TRUTH in Scripture and doing his best to alert anyone who will listen.  ALMIGHTY GOD is declaring HIS TRUTH and HE is making certain that we have ample opportunity to correct our ways.  Do we want to TRUST IN HIM?  Or do we want to be “CURSED IS THE MAN”???

“I AM THE VINE!”

John 15:5-8                         (ESV)

“5 “I AM THE VINE”; you are the branches. Whoever abides in ME and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from ME you can do nothing.

6 If anyone does not abide in ME he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.

7 If you abide in ME, and MY words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

8 By this MY FATHER is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be MY disciples.”

It is interesting to me that in the passage of scripture above JESUS left NO MISTAKE about WHO HE is, and also who mankind is comparatively.  HE is GOD, and we are not!  

However, so many times we refuse to submit to our HIGHER POWER seemingly because we THINK we know better than......maybe GOD?  When a loved one is battling a life threatening illness, or when financial difficulties arise, when a child is lost in the woods, the power of GOD is more than likely required to bail us out!  As a matter of fact, our very breath comes from HIM according to Isaiah 42:5.  

We have the misconception that we are capable of doing things “my way” and taking credit for the results. Sometimes, even at church we try to worship the way we like to worship.   The dictionary defines WORSHIP as “reverent honor and homage paid to GOD....”, not doing what we feel good doing.  JESUS said “By this MY FATHER is glorified”, “if you abide in ME, and MY words abide in you”.  HE didn’t say to have the craziest light show, or the most eloquent pews, but to abide in HIM and HIS words abide in us!  

JESUS also said “apart from ME you can do nothing.”  We can’t function without HIM.  Colossians 1:16 says “For by HIM ALL THINGS were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities-all things were created through HIM and for HIM”.  Branches cannot grow unless they are connected to the VINE.  We cannot grow unless we are connected to “I AM THE VINE”!!!

“PEACE OF GOD!”

Philippians 4:4-7                     (ESV)

“4 REJOICE in the LORD always; again I will say, REJOICE.

5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The LORD is at hand;

6 do not be anxious about anything, but IN EVERYTHING by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving LET YOUR REQUESTS be made known to GOD.

7 And the “PEACE OF GOD”, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in CHRIST JESUS.”

So many times it can become real easy to be fixated on one part of a verse of the Bible and never SEE a message from GOD written right before our eyes.  One “for instance” could be in the passage of scripture above.  It can be difficult to encourage people to “REJOICE in the LORD always; again I will say, REJOICE” when they have just experienced the physical death of a loved one, or when we get a bad report from the doctor, or when your house has just burned to the ground!  

When my younger sister was diagnosed with stomach cancer at the age of 33, my REQUEST to GOD was that she would be healed because I love her and didn’t want to see her suffer.  I became so focused on what I wanted that I couldn’t SEE that GOD had a different Plan.  After all, there are plenty of Scriptures where JESUS HIMSELF “healed” people from their physical ailments and restored their health.  Why wouldn’t GOD heal my sister?  

Then July 09, 2007 comes around and my Brain Hemorrhaged!  One of the greatest “miracles” GOD ever worked in my life was to put me into a drug-induced coma until July 29, 2007.  This removed any possibility of my taking credit or glory for HIS Work!  Since I have regained my physical functions completely, I was left wondering WHY GOD chose to heal me and not my little sister?  Isaiah 55:8-9 tells me that HIS ways are not my ways, and HIS thoughts are not my thoughts!  How can I question the CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSES when HE acts in a way that I don’t understand? 

It’s not as if GOD has ever, or will ever have, a momentary lapse of judgment.  The Bible is FULL of instances where GOD demonstrates HIS Sovereignty.  Just in my life alone HE has displayed that HE IS IN CONTROL.  The fall of man caused sickness and disease to enter “this world”.  However, knowing that GOD IS IN CONTROL brings the “PEACE OF GOD” that is unmistakable!  FATHER IN HEAVEN, please forgive me for my unbelief, or that YOU need to explain to me why YOU do the things YOU are doing, and to TRUST that the “PEACE OF GOD” is sufficient for me!!!

“WHO CHOSE ME!”

2 Samuel 6:20-23                      (ESV)

“20 And David returned to bless his household. But Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David and said, "How the king of Israel honored himself today, uncovering himself today before the eyes of his servants' female servants, as one of the vulgar fellows shamelessly uncovers himself!"

21 And David said to Michal, "It was before the LORD, “WHO CHOSE ME” above your father and above all his house, to appoint me as prince over Israel, the people of the LORD-and I will celebrate before the LORD.

22 I will make myself yet more contemptible than this, and I will be abased in your eyes. But by the female servants of whom you have spoken, by them I shall be held in honor."

23 And Michal the daughter of Saul had no child to the day of her death.”

Michal was a daughter of King Saul, predecessor of King David, a man after GOD’s own heart, who understood that GOD, “WHO CHOSE ME”, could have picked anyone to be the King of Israel.  It can be perplexing to the human mind to try to figure out what GOD is doing when HIS ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9).  She thought that the way King David worshipped GOD was unseemly, and she told him so.  But David told her that “....the LORD, “WHO CHOSE ME” above your father and above all his house, to appoint me as prince over Israel, the people of the LORD-and I will celebrate before the LORD”, and he did.   

As Believers, we don’t appreciate enough “WHO CHOSE ME” out of HIS entire Creation to become HIS servant.  And remember, we are HIS SERVANTS.  Kind David was the “prince over Israel, but he also was a servant to GOD ALMIGHTY!  Could it be that acknowledging that we are subservient to ALMIGHTY GOD is quickly being replaced with pride and arrogance, so much so that we don’t/won’t seek HIS guidance and leadership with our daily decisions?  Perhaps we have the idea that god we can handle things on our own and we don’t need to “bother” GOD with our menial tasks?   Our CREATOR provides even our every breath, we aren’t “bothering” HIM with our concerns, but mostly our PRAISES!  King David was PRAISING GOD for restoring HIS presence in the ark of the Covenant to Israel.  We must be extremely careful about criticizing the worship of others, for GOD is worthy of ALL our praises (Psalms 145:3).  

Even King David questioned GOD when he didn’t understand what GOD was doing.  In 2 Samuel 6:8, after Uzzah was stricken down for steadying the ark of the covenant, King David was “ displeased” with GOD.  But GOD didn’t change HIS requirements just because “a man after HIS own heart” didn’t understand HIS ways!  GOD is HOLY and HIS WORD had forewarned about how the ark of the Covenant was to be transported.  When GOD’s Law was ignored, payment for the transgression was demanded, even though King David didn’t understand.  

We will not fully understand the ways of GOD ALMIGHTY until we are in HIS presence.  Even though Scripture tells me “For GOD so loved the world that HE gave HIS only SON....”, I still cannot fathom HIM sacrificing JESUS just because we had no other was to REDEEM us!  John 15:16 says “You did not choose ME, but I chose you and appointed you that you....”.  Just as King David said that GOD, “WHO CHOSE ME”, selected him over the rest of the world, ALMIGHTY GOD chose me to be one of HIS flock.  I may dance like King David!!!

“LET HIM ASK OF GOD!”

James 1:5-6                                (ESV)

“5 If any of you LACKS WISDOM, “LET HIM ASK GOD”, WHO GIVES GENEROUSLY to ALL without reproach, and IT WILL be given him.

6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.”

This passage of Scripture has so many lessons, and mankind is in such great need, it causes us to wonder why we can’t SLOW DOWN and absorb what we don’t?  To begin with, “If any of you LACKS WISDOM” is akin to asking if any of us need oxygen?  Everyone MUST HAVE oxygen to survive.  But some choose to ingest other items into their bodies to replace oxygen, something we MUST HAVE!  For most of my adult life I was one of these people, but was delivered from the habit in 2007.  

The word WISDOM is mistaken sometimes for KNOWLEDGE as some people have a tendency to think that a degree from a institute of higher learning indicates WISDOM.   However, Proverbs 3:6 says “For the LORD gives WISDOM; from HIS mouth come knowledge and understanding;”.  A person can have unlimited college degrees and still be the most illiterate person known to man.   Unless we recognize that GOD ALMIGHTY is the source of true WISDOM, HE is not apt to bestow tremendous amounts on us.  

GOD tells us in James 1:5 when we recognize that we need WISDOM, “LET HIM ASK OF GOD”, WHO GIVES GENEROUSLY to ALL....!  Now in my personal experience, most of the time GOD doesn’t necessarily act on our timetable.  As a matter of fact, GOD still has to SLOW DOWN my life because I try to “make things happen”!  GOD may give GENEROUSLY to ALL, but HIS timing can scare us immensely!  Chapter 14 of Exodus should teach us that.  

“LET HIM ASK OF GOD” isn’t a promise that GOD will reply on out timeline.  Scripture does indicate that GOD GIVES GENEROUSLY to ALL.......on HIS TIMELINE!  We serve, not A creator, but the CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSES, and we needed to recognize that HE loves us unconditionally.  HE WILL give generously to ALL as HE gets Glory for doing so.  My prayer is that I will be one who “LET HIM ASK OF GOD” is like breathing air, I will do it because I have to have it!!!