“WHOEVER IS OF GOD HEARS THE WORDS OF GOD!”

 John 8:43-47                       (ESV)

“[43] Why do you not understand what I say? IT IS BECAUSE YOU CANNOT BEAR TO HEAR MY WORD. [44] You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. [45] But because I tell the truth, you do not believe ME. [46] Which one of you convicts ME of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe ME? [47] “WHOEVER IS OF GOD HEARS THE WORDS OF GOD”. THE REASON why YOU DO NOT HEAR them is that YOU ARE NOT OF GOD.”

While I see so many interviews of all kinds of people about the all of the craziness currently transpiring in this world, it can be readily understood when we apply the WORDS used by JESUS to those who were AGAINST HIM in the Scriptures above.  When people cannot hear the WORDS OF GOD consider that THE REASON YOU DO NOT HEAR them is YOU ARE NOT OF GOD?  

Doing “the right thing” isn’t very difficult WHEN THE RIGHT THINGS are plainly seen.  However, when we are SO BUSY with the things of “this world”, we can easily allow major things to slip by our awareness causing us to travel into places we NEVER intended on experiencing.  There are MANY things that I have learned from that I could have avoided IF I had chosen a different path?  Regrettably, I was SO BUSY with what I had chosen that my vision was obscured by poor choices.  

JESUS says in the Scripture above “WHOEVER IS OF GOD HEARS THE WORDS OF GOD”.  People who have yet to be OF GOD are not yet able to HEAR from GOD, thus missing what HE is trying to tell them.  It has taken me TOO much time of doing things MY WAY instead of SEEKING HIS WAY in my journey.  “WHOEVER IS OF GOD HEARS THE WORDS OF GOD” will keep us out of many pitfalls.  It is simply because of HIS MERCY and GRACE that any of us are part of “WHOEVER IS OF GOD HEARS THE WORDS OF GOD”!!!

“SET YOUR MINDS!”

Colossians 3:1-6                                     (ESV)

Put On the New Self

“[1] IF then YOU HAVE BEEN RAISED WITH CHRIST, SEEK THE THINGS THAT ARE ABOVE, WHERE CHRIST IS, SEATED AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD. [2] “SET YOUR MINDS” on THINGS THAT ARE ABOVE, NOT ON THINGS THAT ARE ON THE EARTH. [3] For you have died, and YOUR LIFE IS HIDDEN with CHRIST in GOD. [4] When CHRIST WHO is your life appears, then you also will appear with HIM in glory.

[5] PUT TO DEATH therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. [6] On account of these the wrath of GOD is coming.”

What we SEE is obviously things at which we are looking.  If our minds are fixated on anything other than JESUS, the possibility of missing HIS Message can become more prevalent in the “chaos” of keeping up with “this world”.  When we gander at whatever is outside of JESUS, the opportunity is to be working on temporal items can become paramount, causing us to lose focus on what our TRUE LOVE was in HIM!

It is crucial that we “SET YOUR MINDS” on THINGS THAT ARE ABOVE, not on the temporary items that will bring emptiness.  If our lives are HIDDEN with CHRIST in GOD our vision will be on things that are not filled with “sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”  Those temporary pleasures will bring heart break and misery.  

As I mature in my latter years, I am confident that I have IN ERROR omitted doing things that would bring me ETERNAL joy for what was temporary enjoyment.  HEAVENLY FATHER, forgive me for allowing my vision to be skewed by the pleasures of “this world” when I should have “SET YOUR MINDS” on eternal rewards.  Cause me to “SET YOUR MINDS” on THINGS THAT ARE ABOVE, NOT ON THINGS THAT ARE ON THE EARTH!!!

“ALL THINGS!”

 

Colossians 1:15-17                         (ESV)

The Preeminence of CHRIST

“[15] HE is the image of the INVISIBLE GOD, the FIRSTBORN of all creation. [16] 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. [17] And HE is before all things, and in HIM all things hold together.”

It can be extremely difficult for we who are “created” to be objective of our CREATOR as we are simply a part of the creation HE has made.  When we have TRUTH made available for our feeble minds and we understand that “ALL THINGS” were created through JESUS and for JESUS, it causes me to pause and wonder what I am doing?  

Knowing that we are imperfect in “ALL THINGS” doesn’t mean that we are allowed to not make the attempt to adequately enunciate HIS perfection.  Until we are “completed” in HIS PLAN, we will not be able to wrap mortal words around HIS immortality.  HE is complete in “ALL THINGS” and that we must never lose sight of!!!

“AS I GO TO SPAIN!”

 Romans 15:22-29                             (ESV)

Paul’s Plan to Visit Rome

“[22] This is the reason why I have so often been hindered from coming to you. [23] But now, since I no longer have any room for work in these regions, and since I have longed for many years to come to you, [24] I hope to see you in passing “AS I GO TO SPAIN”, and to be helped on my journey there by you, once I have enjoyed your company for a while. [25] At present, however, I AM GOING TO JERUSALEM  bringing aid to the saints. [26] For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. [27] For they were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings. [28] When therefore I have completed this and have delivered to them what has been collected, I will leave for Spain by way of you. [29] I know that when I come to you I will come in the fullness of the blessing of CHRIST.”

The Apostle Paul was, in my opinion, one of the most persecuted Believers of the New Testament.  Outside of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, the atrocities dispensed to Paul were probably more heinous than our finite minds can comprehend.  His maltreatment should be foreseen as Acts 9:16 says “For I (the LORD) will show him (Saul/Paul) how much he must suffer for the sake of MY name.” It wasn’t that Paul was promised a ministry with minimal resistance.  No, “the enemy” (1 Peter 5:8-9) was ALWAYS seeking someone to devour and was continually nipping at his heels!  

When Paul writes in his letter to the church at Rome he was planning to do missionary work in Spain (15:24,28) and thus visit the Romans for prayer and financial support.  Knowing what we know now, Spain never came to fruition as Paul was beheaded in Rome, never making his planned journey.  “AS I GO TO SPAIN” was merely an inclination, rather had it been in The LORD’S PLAN Paul would have undoubtedly made a tremendous impact in those he came in contact with, even on the path to his destination.  

When our INTENDED “plan” conflicts with GOD’S PLAN for our future, sometimes we are kept from KNOWING what GOD knows, as self-preservation might interfere with our DESTINATION.  Isaiah 42:5 states “…Isaiah 42:5 “Thus says GOD, the LORD, WHO created the heavens and stretched them out, WHO spread out the earth and what comes from it, WHO GIVES BREATH TO THE PEOPLE ON IT and Spirit to those who walk in it:”, not to walk in fear, but to BOLDLY proclaim that HE IS LORD over everything, including death, hell, and the grave!  

Most of us have a ”plan” that we attempt to fulfill in life.  My “plans” are numerous and involved.  But GOD’S PLAN might be for me to do something different, either here on earth or a HIGHER CALLING?  Paul even wrote that his plan involved going to a foreign country to spread the “good NEWS” about JESUS.  “AS I GO TO SPAIN” was never fulfilled for Paul, but GOD’S PLAN for him was.  My prayer is that “my plans” will be whatever HIS PLAN is for my life, no matter the costs!!!

“MY SOUL MAGNIFIES THE LORD!”

 “MY SOUL MAGNIFIES THE LORD!”

Luke 1:46-55                                     (ESV)

Mary’s Song of Praise: The Magnificat

[46] And Mary said, 

      “”MY SOUL MAGNIFIES THE LORD”, 

    [47]  and my spirit rejoices in GOD my SAVIOR, 

    [48] for HE HAS LOOKED ON THE HUMBLE ESTATE OF HIS SERVANT.

        For behold, FROM NOW ON all generations will call me blessed; 

    [49] for HE WHO is mighty has done great things for me,

        and HOLY is HIS NAME. 

    [50] And HIS MERCY IS FOR THOSE WHO FEAR HIM

        from generation to generation. 

    [51] HE has shown strength with HIS arm;

        HE has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; 

    [52] HE has brought down the mighty from their thrones

        and exalted those of humble estate; 

    [53] HE has filled the hungry with good things,

        and the rich HE  has sent away empty. 

    [54] HE has helped HIS servant Israel,

        in remembrance of HIS mercy, 

    [55] as HE spoke to our fathers,

        to Abraham and to his offspring forever.””

Mary was dealing with the revelation that the SON OF GOD would use her body to manifest HIMSELF to all of CREATION. Although she was “blessed and highly favored” (Luke 1:30), she was not of the “aristocratic” cult as it is written “HE HAS LOOKED ON THE HUMBLE ESTATE OF HIS SERVANT” in Luke 1:48.  Does GOD tend to “use” people who are “less known” than those who already have a name for themselves???

ALMIGHTY GOD “CHOSE” Mary, a poor humble servant, to be used by HIM to BLESS HIS CREATION.  She didn’t use her experience to write a book or profit monetarily.  In Luke 2:19 Scripture does record “But Mary TREASURED UP ALL THESE THINGS, pondering them in her heart.”  

My prayer is to be a person who reflects the GLORY OF GOD on people whose EYES are not yet OPENED to HIS MAJESTY!  While I might not be “well known” by the standards of “this world”, I desire to be one that can say “MY SOUL MAGNIFIES THE LORD” above everything else!!!

“NO, NOT AT ALL!”

 Romans 3:9-12                   (ESV)

No One Is Righteous

“[9] What then? Are we Jews any better off? “NO, NOT AT ALL”. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, [10] as it is written: 

        “NONE IS RIGHTEOUS, NO, NOT ONE; 

    [11]   no one understands;

        NO ONE SEEKS FOR GOD. 

    [12] All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;

        no one does good,

        NOT EVEN ONE.”

It can be extremely easy to look at someone else’s sin and condemn their actions.  When I find myself in that mindset, I have to adjust what I am observing.  My sins are so many and so heinous that I should have NO time to judge others!  We shouldn’t think that we are “good enough” based on our ancestry, social standing, man made titles, or anything else we offer other than JESUS!!!

Paul ask and answered a question that we ALL need to honestly think on!  “Are we Jews any better off” because of “who we are?  “NO, NOT AT ALL” was and is his reply!  The SPIRIT OF JESUS living within these temples ALMIGHTY GOD has loaned to us is our only hope.  But we aren’t as bad as some others?  YES, YES WE ARE!!!

“MY GLORY I WILL NOT SHARE WITH ANOTHER!”

 Isaiah 42:8                             (KJV)

“I AM THE LORD: that is MY name: and “MY GLORY I WILL NOT SHARE WITH ANOTHER”, neither MY praise to graven images.”

The words below are from a devotional written by HIS humble servant on January 16, 2015.  That year was monumental for me.  There were two granddaughters born into our family, and nothing else seems to be significant as grandchildren are the ultimate!  But when I began to reflect on what GOD was saying through AND TO me this particular morning, I am humbled to know how patient HE is with HIS child.

“”Today the world refuses to identify the enemy for who he really is.  YHWH is a just and righteous GOD and HE will share HIS glory with no other.  Isaiah 42:8 says "I am the LORD: that is MY name: and “MY GLORY WILL I NOT GIVE TO ANOTHER”, neither MY praise to graven images."  We cannot allow any other god to be considered equal to I AM, GOD JEHOVAH.””

The temptation can be to allow ourselves to become “so busy” that we don’t have time for the things of GOD, our CREATOR and SUSTAINER.  When we are “deceived” into believing this lie, we are elevating ourselves to the throne of our lives, something we are NOT qualified to operate as!  “MY GLORY WILL I NOT GIVE TO ANOTHER”, especially the ones HE created to Glorify HIM.  Even as wonderful as my grandchildren are, they don’t compare to the JOY and PEACE that is ONLY available through JESUS!  When “MY GLORY WILL I NOT GIVE TO ANOTHER” is fully understood, it becomes extremely evident that HE ALONE is worthy to be praised!!!