7-18-2020 God is For Humanity

This morning (7-9-2020) has been strange.  Normally, I spend time with my blog, then 8-9 AM I’ll have breakfast, then start my morning session with Father. 

Interesting how this works out.  Father put a couple into my life just about the time Covid-19 hit in March.  They had been living just a few doors up the street with another person but the house they were in was condemned and they were about to become homeless so you can guess where they’ve been for the past few months.  Not only homeless but he had been jobless for some time, as well.  However, since the beginning of Covid-19, Father has blessed him with a job from a company that manufactures building supplies and which pays decently (PTL).  Public transportation has not been convenient for the hours he works so I’ve been somewhat of a taxi.  My time has not always been my own as my schedule has been frequently rearranged.  This AM, Father rearranged my rearranged schedule.

I’m going to share my heart about three things Father showed me this particular morning.  It’s interesting because they all came within an hour.  I’m sharing my spirit with you so I may not refer to a lot of scripture (as the Lord leads).  So, sit back, buckle up and hang on.

I usually check my e-mail in the AM, what’s up with family, friends or other posts of interest. Two things caught my attention. 

I tried, not long ago, to gather biblical info from a sight called “Quora Digest”.  It had a byline which peaked my interest.  I didn’t join, but (I guess) because I looked, now they send me updates via e-mail.  This particular AM, in Quora, the question was asked “Why do some say that the God of the Bible is actually a derivation of an earlier Semitic god?”

Part of the argument is that Abraham, who is considered the father of the Israeli nation, emerged from what we would call a ‘pagan’ environment.  Note that Israel did not have its own territory until after Moses brought them out of Egypt and Joshua brought them into the ‘promised land’, which had been promised to Abraham (Gen. 12:1-8), @500 years or so after Abraham.  Moses died and the God took 

Israel, led by Joshua, into the Promised Land (Josh. 1:1-9). 

Quora states that in Abraham’s time, people worshipped many gods and history bears this out.  History reveals that the Sumerians (who are credited with creating written language) and the people of the Indus Valley (in India) had been around @2000 years before Abraham and they apparently worshipped many gods. 

However, what Quora doesn’t account for is how man, after a period of time, though beginning with God, deviates from God’s words as they get farther separated from the original source.  This has been true throughout Israel’s history.  God would bring Israel back into alignment, then they would stray.

Now, Adam and Eve were given the run of the Garden in Eden.  They could do anything or partake of anything they desired except to eat the forbidden fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil (Gen. 1:26-31, 2:7-9, 2:15-17).  Once Adam and Eve were ‘booted’ from the Garden and started having children and grandchildren, man started forming his own ideas as to who God was.  Read the rest of Genesis, Exod., Lev., Num. & Deut., Judges, Kings and Chronicles.  Read the prophets!  When they messed up, Israel would repent and come back into God’s fold, but after a generation (or even maybe just a few years) man was continually forming his own opinions about God and started heading off in his own direction.  We even see the same trend in the New Testament.  Paul had to write letters to the fledgling churches because they had quickly strayed and were sidetracked from what he taught them about God (1 Corinth. 4:1-17).  Not even a generation.  Depending with whom we agree, a generation is either 30 or 40 years.  After the death and resurrection of Jesus, Paul’s ministry lasted about thirty years (@35 AD - @ 65 AD).   It doesn’t take man long to stray from original teachings.

All those people (before Jesus) had the same root.  Originally Adam, then the flood came leaving only Noah, his three sons and their wives as the only human life on earth, that’s eight people.  It wasn’t until the tower of Babel that God started spreading man out across the earth (Gen. 11:1-9).  As man spread out, he got farther away from his roots.  And the farther he got from his roots, the farther he got from the truth.  Man tries to explain things in terms he can understand o which suit him the best.  So, of course, today, he uses his ‘wisdom’ to explain not who God is, rather to explain God away so that there is no obligation to follow His rules.  I wanna do it my way!

As man has become ‘smarter’, he has created ‘rationale’ as to why things are (or perhaps are not).  Man becomes very comfortable in developing rules that he can break or change when the mood strikes.  God gave Adam freedom with two rules – take care of My garden and don’t eat the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil.  Then God gave Moses (to give to Israel) the Ten Commandments which contained five “dos’ and five restrictions (Exod. 20:1-17).  How long did it take Israel to get amendments to those original ten requirements?  Israel quickly, to justify themselves, asked “what if?”  God replied “because of the hardness of their hearts (Matt. 19:8), He would allow adjustments.  Man has been saying “what if” ever since. 

God created the angels, one third who fell with Lucifer/Satan and the two thirds who stayed with the Creator of all things (Rev. 12:4-9).  Angels are servants, whether Satan or Yaweh (Jehova, God the Father) and they do serve one or the other.  No one can serve (obey) two masters (Matt. 6:24).  Father has charged His angels to serve those who inherit eternal life (Heb. 1:13-14, Psalm 34:7-8), the true children God (obedient to His Word).

Demons can pose as ‘other gods’ because even Satan, himself, was an angel of light (2 Corinth.  Angels are powerful beings 11:10-14), more powerful than man.  So, it shouldn’t be surprising that they can seem to be something which they actually are not.  Satan demands ‘no loyalty to the Creator of heaven and earth’.  In turning man from the Father, he leaves man with only one alternative.  And the end of that is not pleasant (Rev. 20:10-14).

It is no surprise that Quora argues as they did, for this argument takes away responsibility to the living God who loves us (whether we believe it or not).  No responsibility removes (in man’s sight) the need or requirement to abide by God’s rules.  In actuality, this puts man into anarchy – do what I want, when I want or how I want, everything is OK as long as I’m good with it.  Even though taught right (in the beginning), man quickly strays from he had originally learned.              

On a Facebook post, I saw a post about Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemming.

Growing up and in school, I was aware of only two black personalities, George Washington Carver and Frederick Douglas.  Carver developed a concept of crop rotation to regenerate soil depleted by the continual planting of cotton and developed many uses for the peanut (d. 1943). Frederick Douglass escaped slavery in Maryland to become a renowned social reformer, abolitionist, orator, writer and statesman and (in my knowledge) being noteworthy for standing his ground for his beliefs (d. 1895).  He rose from being a uneducated slave to promoting equal rights for all humans.  People can rise up out of not so good beginnings!

I feel that no matter what I say here, somebody will be upset but I asked the Lord go give me the words especially here.  Sally Hemming was a slave owned by Thomas Jefferson and by whom she mothered at least six children.  Jefferson is one of our nation’s founding fathers.  This item, of course was posted on Facebook in respects to “Black Lives Matter”.  Now, what I’m about to say is not condoning, but rather a statement of what was.  Egypt was ruled by both black and light-skinned pharaohs.  All who enjoyed mighty kingdoms built on the backs of slaves.  Question – because their empires were built upon the backs of slaves, should Egypt discount centuries of their history?   

I am Caucasian (white - OK, off-pink) and I consider the good things that have happened to me.  I thank God for blessings and favor.  As I was faithful to my Lord, on an 18 grade scale on the US government pay scale, He raised me from a GS4 to a GS12, without a college education!  GS13 and above were either supervisory or professional positions (college degree).   About half of my tenure with FDA, my supervisor was a younger black woman (also with no college degree).  Though our paths separated, we both experienced a degree of success with minimal ‘documentation’.

That was in the ‘secular’ world.  In the churches, until Father put me in the current church I attend and except for the Baptist preacher, whom Father used to lead me to Christ, I wasn’t as fortunate.  In that Baptist church, Pastor Hartsfield must have seen something as He offered me the opportunity to help others AND grow myself.  My wife and I had the task of teaching children who were bussed in and missed too much of their Sunday School sessions.  My wife and I taught these kids during church regular services.  Alas, Father moved me out of that church because they were not equipped to carry me to where Father was taking me (I’ve learned later).  On a regular basis, I’ve attended, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist (sporadically) and a large variety of Pentecostal churches (including the United Pentecostal – ‘Jesus only’).  For me, personally, I had limited opportunities for growth and even fewer for service – unless, of course, I was in the ‘inner circle’ (which I wasn’t).  Remember, I’m just saying what happened to me.  I’ve learned over the years that Father was putting me where He wanted me, when He wanted me, even for time where I felt there was not a church I could really fit into.  I do feel I have (somewhat) of an insight to rejection (from the church) but Father has brought me beyond that.  Understand that no matter where I was (or wasn’t) Father was teaching me.  All my experiences weren’t idle or unnecessary but He was showing me that there are indeed wheat and tares in the church.  And over the years, a thing or three about His love.

Now, though people may get angry with me and though I’ve not been in the exact same situation, I do feel I have some experience with being put down and not being permitted to better myself. At least being stifled by those whom I thought would support me.  Was I hurt?  My ego surely was.  Did I seek revenge?  Definitely not.  I did set those things behind me and continued to look for what Father had for me.  Some may say “That’s easy for you to say!” and they may be right, but what I am saying is don’t get mad and give up, but keep trying the doors.  Opportunity is there.  Find it!   And, yes, I’ve forgiven those whom I felt were against me.

Now, I’m not black, but my enemy has used people of all color to ‘keep me down’ (in the world’s eyes),  BUT God has used people of all color to build me up as well.

And as I was eating my breakfast, a third item caught my attention.  I watched the show “Touched by an Angel” (TBA).  When it originally aired, my wife & I watched TBA because their stories were always moving, having a strong ‘faith’ content.  The episode “God Bless this Child” was no different as Monica (an angel of the Lord) was encouraging a young black girl to hang on to her dream of singing while giving up her path into drugs.  Monica shared with ‘Charnelle’ the story of Billie 

Holiday.

The young black girl was angry with whites, mankind and (in general), even God for dealing her such a rotten hand in life. Having lost father, mother and even her brother, she was living with grandma.  Monica took Charnelle to the museum where they met with grandma.   The girl’s grandma shared with her how she had learned to forgive and to love through letting Jesus into her heart.  Talking about the various pictures in the ‘black history section’, grandma explained that in the one picture, it was her brother hanging from the poplar tree and two of the white people watching were a playmate and the playmate’s father.  Black history was personal for grandma and no longer being just an abstract image, history became personal for Charnelle.  Listening to her grandma, by the end of the show, Charnelle decided not to pursue the drugs, but to hang on to grandma, with whom she was living, and her dream.  And she figured that maybe God wasn’t so bad after all.  One has to see the episode to feel the power of love overcoming anger and hatred.    

Now, all this to say this - with Black Lives Matter, COVID 19, all the social unrest of today – Father has had me take a step (or two) back to look at the ‘big’ picture.  Yes, ALL of these things matter, but Father has taken me out of the physical realm and had me look with spiritual eyes.  Whether we realize it or not, we don’t wrestle with flesh and blood.  Unfortunately, that IS where we all wrestle (all too often) and that’s where we stand and fight.  And as long as we stay in the natural, it’s a losing battle.  We’re fighting more powerful forces than mere humans.  We fight against spiritual forces.  Wait a minute!  Wait a minute!  God will never leave us nor forsake us (Deut. 31:6, Heb. 13:5-6)!  Correct, but we also have to stay in God’s will and trust Him (Mark 11:24).  We have to continually seek Father’s guidance in all things.  When we don’t, we’re out there in our own strength.  Satan and his cohorts are stronger than us.  They are angelic beings (though ‘fallen’ as it is) which makes them stronger than us in the ‘natural’.  However, we have Jesus living within our hearts (Matt. 28:20) in the form of the Holy Ghost.  Through Jesus (who strengthens us – Phil. 4:13), through our faith, we have the ability to stand firm and overcome anything the devil may throw at us.  But we Have to trust the Lord (Prov. 3:5-6)!

How much do we really trust God?  Paul and ‘Silas were in stocks in jail.  As they demonstrated their faith by singing to God.  Father freed them (Acts 16:23-40).   Likewise, Peter was in prison when the angel came and brought him out of chains so he could return to the other disciples (Acts 12:1-17).  

The apostle Paul was willing to die for Jesus, if necessary (Acts 21:13).

As I said, we don’t wrestle against flesh and blood and that’s where Satan would like to keep us – fighting in the flesh.  BUT we fight against principalities, powers, rulers of darkness in this world and spiritual wickedness in high places` (Eph. 6:12).  In short, our true battle is with spiritual entities.  An angel, bringing an answer to prayer to Daniel was delayed as he fought a spiritual battle (aided by Michael – Dan 10:10-14).  Peter told Jesus that they (the disciples) would not let anything happen to Him.  Jesus then rebuked, not Peter, but Satan, who prompted the words (Matt. 16:20-23).  The root of our problems is spiritual and they must be addressed in the spirit or they will never be resolved. 

Satan is laying the foundation for the anti-Christ.  Satan is separating humans!  Keeping us apart and driving various wedges of separation deeper and wider. 

The Book of Revelation tells us that when the anti-Christ rises up he will cause people to take a mark (“666” – Rev. 13:11-18) on the hand or forehead and we won’t be able to buy nor sell without that mark.  A false sense of unity.  But in reality, we technically won’t exist without that mark.  Look at and think about what’s going on in the world today!  Credit and bank cards are convenient but cards are a part of the system and the system can be controlled by the push of a button or the flip of a switch.  Who sells on E-bay and Amazon?  Who buys from them or even from other stores on line? 

Hatred compounds the wars and rumors of war cited for the end times (Matt. 24:4:1-31 –v6).  The bible tells us they will be here until the end.  Think about the ‘mark’!  We’re quick to use our credit cards.  Like sheep, we’re quick to follow the crowd.  COVID 19 has us practicing ‘social distancing’.    No, we don’t want to spread sickness, but a little common sense should also be exercised.  Satan is using the situation as an attempt to isolate people.  He’s trying to isolate neighbors.  He would isolate families if he could.  There are already too many single parent homes and Satan wants to divide that even more.  Those who make the decisions are promoting home schooling via electronic interaction instead of the social, in person interaction which help us to communicate with others better as opposed to being our ‘own island’ – alone.  Not in unity (unless we take the mark)

In my lifetime, I’ve seen the struggles for integration and racial equality and now I see the ugly head of segregation rise up trying to drive a wedge into that progress.

I keep seeing how Satan keeps trying to take God, Creator of all things, out of the conscious mind of men.  “God’s dead”!  I don’t want my child exposed to religion (God) in the schools!  Keep the church and state separated!  We are a nation founded on God’s principles.  Now let’s ‘just’ cast God out?

Everything just happened – by chance.  Poof!  All these molecules just (by chance) happened to come together in the right sequences to create the various forms of life!  There’s no such thing as ‘intelligent design’!  God is a figment of ‘weak’ people’s imagination!  Even science tells us that the atoms and molecules coming together, as we see them today, has ‘bucked’ phenomenal odds – by the admission of even those same scientists. 

And yet we continue to fight in the ‘natural’ wondering why God let’s these things happen!  When things go wrong ‘how could God do this?  When things don’t go as we think they should, we wonder why God doesn’t fix it.  God has given us free will and through that we mess things up but, then expect God to fix it.  We want all the benefits without any of the responsibility! 

We say ‘God is dead’ yet we expect God to ‘not let things happen’.  God gives us freewill to make decisions.  We do reap what we sow!  When we make a bad decision we should repent. We need to make things right.  The Thomas Jefferson and Charnelle situations are examples of man making bad decisions, but also doing good things.  Yes, Jefferson owned slaves but he also helped found one of the most powerful nations on earth.  Yes, Charnelle was choosing (in her hurt) to do drugs, but in the end the made the right choice.  These examples emphasize the struggle we have with things in the ‘natural, but unless hearts change those conditions won’t.  And only God can truly change a heart.  

God is love and He will fill us with His love – if we let Him.  When this happens, then we will start seeing social issues change.  No matter who we once were, God’s love can make us who we are now.

Whether one agrees or not, God has made us all.  Satan knows this.  He also knows that there is strength in numbers and when we stand in unity (in Christ Jesus) it is his (Satan’s) kingdom that will fall.  We are more likely so succumb to the wiles of the devil when we stand alone.  We need to unite in ‘true’ love in Christ Jesus (our example).

Satan desires that no human join God in eternity.  But it is God who has opened the door to life.  That ole devil is still pissed that he couldn’t overthrow God so many (however man) millennia ago.  Father has given the devil certain leeway to prove men’s heart (read the book of Job), but it is the Father who has the final say – in the end.  We need to stand in unity with Jesus. 

I know a lot more could be said, but I pray this will get some to thinking about with whom we truly fight.

Yes, when we invite the Creator of all things into our heart, through His love, God is with us.   We discover that ‘yes’,  God is for humanity!     

Amen

9-2-2017          5 Things to get the Spiritual ball rolling

                                    

I look back upon my life and my relationship with Father though Jesus Christ and He points me forward to where the He is taking me.  The Holy Spirit helps me to realize one reality – though I have grown much since my salvation, I still have a long way to go in my relationship with the Creator of all things.

I don’t remember where “5 Things to get the Spiritual Ball Rolling” came from.  Normally, if I see something on the web, I copy the URL from which I obtain information.  Father may show me things, in the bible, birds in the front yard, a road sign, I may hear things, whatever.  I do know this concept may not be ‘original’.  I have no recollection of what inspired this topic.  Father gives me the topic then builds on that to show me what He wants me to learn.  If “5 Things” was on the web (I don’t remember), my apologies to however it originated, but thank You (Lord) for the spark it presented.

I do remember that for the month of Sept. 2017, our Sunday AM bible study theme was to be “Promises of God”.  I originally put the “5 Things” blog on 9/2/2017 post.  So the Holy Spirit may have used preparing for Sept. theme or something else in late August to stir this up.  Yet nearly three years later Father has said let’s revisit this issue.

When Father showed me this subject, I chuckled to myself because He’s showing me how so many things in this life dovetail together.  ‘Promises of God’, ‘Get the Spiritual Ball Rolling’ and how they interface and intertwine with each other.  We can’t get the  spiritual ball rolling unless we are standing on the promises of God.

To get our Spiritual ball rolling, we have to rely on, or should I say ‘learn’ to live in God’s promises.  These five areas of this discussion are not titled, but refer to as 1) our need and our acceptance of salvation, 2) setting fear of the unknown behind us, 3) learning how to hear and listen to God, 4) learning not to limit God and 5) coming to know and understand our benefits in our relationship with our Lord and Savior.

1.                  Focus on the positive

When I gave my life to the Lord, I had to trust Him.  I had to trust Him that His promise of salvation was indeed true and free and for me.  Here, God’s first promise to us is that He loves us unconditionally (John 3:16-17, Rom. 5:8-9).  Aside from accepting Jesus there is nothing we can do to gain or earn eternal life (Eph. 2:8-9).

Jesus went to the cross for us so we might have eternal life, even before we acknowledged Him, while we were yet sinners (Romans 5:8)!  So we have confidence knowing that when we vocalize (speak out) our belief in Jesus and believe in our heart that God indeed raised Him from the dead, we shall be saved (Romans 10:9).  We take further comfort knowing that he is preparing a place for us and He will come back for us so we can be with Him throughout all eternity (John 14:1-4).  These promises are not just for our salvation, but give us hope and to confirm our eternity.

God does not desire evil for us, so His thoughts for us are geared for our peace so He can work His work in us (Jeremiah 29:11) and our growth (Deut. 6:24-25).

He explains that to no matter what happens to us, He has called us according to His purpose (to abide in Him) so all things work together for our good (Romans 8:28).  As we seek Jesus Christ, nothing is by chance but by heavenly design.  Father guides our steps (Prov. 16:9).

God has known us from before birth and has a plan designed for each one of us (Jeremiah 1:5).  All we have to do is ask, seek and knock.  God will answer us (Rev. 3:20-21).  He will reveal Himself (and His will) to us, and He will surely open the door for us so as to continue our growth in Him (Matt. 7:7-8).

Our walk with Him is not always pleasant, though.  Just as we chastise (reprimand) our children, God reprimands us to keep us on track or get us back on track (Heb. 12:11).  So we see again, all things work to our good.  Wide is the path to destruction but straight and narrow is the path to life (Matt. 7:13-14).

So God approaches us from a positive standpoint.  Salvation is for our own good for when He first calls us, we surely aren’t deserving.  Then He guides us in His ways so we can be assured fellowship with Him throughout eternity.  All so that we can be with Him, when that time comes (natural death or rapture).  Read (especially) John’s gospel and his letters.  What’s love got to do with it?  Yet the whole bible shares God’s love for us so we can know that we can be with Him (1 John 5:13-15).   

2.                  Overcome fear

Fear is our greatest enemy and God promises us that His love conquers all fear.  If we fear things, we do not trust God completely.  We are not yet totally yielded to Christ because perfect love casts out fear, so those who are afraid are not yet in God’s perfect love (1 John 4:18-19).

I’ve operated in fear, in some form or fashion, for much too long.  I know that Father is the same yesterday, today and forever, but translating that into reality into my own life has always been difficult.  Too often I’ve not done good things, fearing the outcome may not be what I expect.  I’ve held my peace because I thought what I had to say would probably not be received or perhaps not even worth sharing (am I overstepping my bounds).  That’s me and that’s being afraid of how people may react to what I do or say.  And even though today, I say I don’t care what people think of me, I do care that they receive the good things I say.  I’ve also looked at things from an ‘authority level.  Other people have more education, better position in life and/or more substantial credentials than I.  So I yield to the ‘higher’ authorities letting them take precedence.  Now this may sound good on the surface, honoring authority and position, but God has shown me (more than once) that when He has shared something with me that He wants shared with a group, I should speak it out, no matter who is present.  Even if I am the bottom of the barrel.  At times I haven’t.  Though He may not have told anybody else, whom I consider to be in higher honor or authority than myself and more worthy to receive His Word, He chose me.

I have taken the yoke of Jesus upon myself (Mat. 11:29-30) and am still learning how to truly yield my life over to Him.  And that’s what ‘taking His yoke means – yielding to Him – all of me.

I have been slowly coming into the reality of boldly speaking in the Lord for He is my helper and when He is with me, why should I be afraid of what man can do to me (or think of me)? (Heb. 13:6).  After all, God gives me what to say (John 12:11-12).

When I was young, I looked at the ‘outlaw’ bikers and all the ‘tough’ guys and was concerned that they might kick my butt (I wasn’t a fighter back then, but neither was I a ‘lover’ [lol]), I was afraid of what they might do to me.  Father has helped me realize that they people are people, just like me, no matter what the exterior image is.  We all have confidence and fears.  We have a God-given talent to do some things well and minimal or none in others things.  And the same goes for famous people.  We’re all still just people!  Father has been bringing me  to a true realization that even when I consider someone better than me, my soul still belongs to Jesus and when this life ends, that’s where I’ll be, with Jesus (Matt.10:28).  And it is He to whom I am responsible.  So what is my problem?  Truly yielding my spirit over to the Lord, for I am persuaded that no matter what befalls me, unless I tempt the Lord, He has allowed things into my life.  It was for my own good, or learning.  That’s why Paul said to ‘Praise God in all things’ (Psalm 34:1, 1 Thess. 5:18).

Another truth I know in concept but have trouble truly realizing is if God is for me, who can stand against me?  Who can stand against the Creator of all things? (Rom. 8:31, Acts 5:34-39)).  So when God carries my burden and picks up for me why do I fear what man can do to me? 

Trusting God is yielding to God (all of me, again) and yielding to God is learning to live in His love (John 15:7-11) and living in His love is casting out all fear thus enabling me to do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13)

Overcoming our fears is putting into action that which is contrary to our fears.  Should we be afraid to speak to people, be bold and take a chance and start the

conversation.  People may listen.  Should the boss give us a new responsibility saying “I think you can do it”, especially if you’re feeling inadequate, be bold and set to the task – you will most likely be pleasantly surprised and find yourself more than capable.

The only way to defeat our fears is to take them head on and don’t back down, but for heaven’s sake, be sensible.  Don’t try to fly without an airplane, a parachute, a glider or wings (angel’s preferably).  Know our limitations!  We ought not to tempt God (Matt. 4:7), but trust Him in all situations (Prov. 3:5).  We speak with God’s authority and we serve with His strength, all for the glory of Jesus.  We shouldn’t think it strange when things come upon us, rather we should rejoice and consider it an honor to ‘suffer’ with Christ (1 Peter 4”11-13).  So I have to ask myself ‘why am I afraid?’  Poor self-image is not an excuse (though I’ve used it).  Truly trusting in the Lord overcomes self-image (or anything else) for when we truly trust Father, the Holy Ghost in us overcomes those things we fear.

       

3.                  Learn to discern God’s voice

When we love God, we have to learn how to hear God’s voice and we usually hear God’s voice through the Holy Ghost who dwells within us (1 Corinth. 3:16).  God’s voice is that inner voice that guides us.  Yet it is NOT our voice.  Have you ever said “I don’t know where ‘it’ came from but …”?  The Holy Ghost IS where ‘it’ came from!

Samuel had to go to Eli, when he thought his teacher had called him by name.  “Yes Rabi?”  And yet, it took Eli three times to realize that God was calling his charge.  Samuel responded to God on the 4^th call “Speak, for your servant hears.” (1 Samuel 3:8-10).  Samuel had learned not just to hear but recognize God’s voice.

While we are still on milk (spiritually young) it’s difficult to recognize God’s voice out of the many we may hear.  As we mature and the ‘meat of the word’ fills our heart, we learn to know God’s voice.  As sheep, we come to know our Master’s voice (John 10:14, 27-28)).  We know what is good, we know what is evil.  We have learned to discern what is the devil and what is God (Heb. 5:14).  We even come to realize that God has been talking to us all along – we just haven’t been listening.

The only way we really get to know God’s voice is to know the truths of the bible so we can learn God’s nature (God is love).  Jesus recognized a half truth, when He heard it.  When Jesus was being tempted by the devil, in the wilderness, He replied with the full truth (Matt. 4:1-10).  God’s voice will always be in full agreement with His word.

Of course, we have to have personal prayer time with the Lord.  One on one, Mano e mano (or may I say ‘womano e mano – lol).  We have to commune with God (Eph. 6:18 & Jude 20).  I speak, then I zip my lip and listen.  The Holy Ghost dwells within our hearts and that’s from where the Lord usually will speak to us.  The Word of God is our gauge as to ‘am I hearing God, or me, or something else’?  Our prayer life helps to confirm His voice – the more we hear, the more we know. Peter rebuked Jesus by saying that he would fight for Him and Jesus fired right back, not rebuking Peter but Satan (Matt. 16:22-23) who had motivated Peter’s words. 

So, who gets the glory in what you hear.  I didn’t say who might benefit.  I said who gets the glory.  If God does not get the glory, you are listening to someone else – yourself or a devil.  Peter may have thought he was doing the right thing, but Jesus knew with whom He was dealing.  He plowed right through Peter going straight to the source of the words spoken.  God does not glorify us, though we may benefit and receive favor from what He does.  That doesn’t mean He won’t edify us.  ‘Good job’, or ‘way to go’, encourage and build us up, reward us (blessings), but God reserves the ultimate glory for Himself.

Know people who carry the conversation and you just can’t get a word in edgewise?  How do we feel?  We need to learn to recognize God’s voice, then listen to it.  Knowing God’s Word (the bible) is the first step in knowing God’s voice.  Communication is a two-way street.  We need to quit just talking ‘to’ God or ‘at’ God but start listening to God as we commune with Him.  We come to truly know His voice.  Talking, then listening, that’s communication!

4.                  Don’t limit God

I believe God can and will do all things.  I believe He IS the same yesterday, today and forever (Heb. 13:8), BUT I still have problems accepting that He will do it for me.  The worthiness of my own self-image.  I’m better than I used to be, but here is where I still have a ways to go.  I know God’s calling upon my life and I know He will accomplish it, but if I trusted the Holy Ghost emphatically, I would do as He bids, first time, every time, no fear, no doubt, no hesitation and not wonder about how I’m going to get there. 

Father has shown me my ‘comfort zone’, that area in which I am more than willing to accept and work, but He has also put a prayer into my daily life “increase me and grow me that my comfort zone will know no fear, no doubt, no hesitations in serving You.”  I am yet a work in progress. 

Through my doubt (of myself) I quench the Holy Ghost so He can’t operate in me as He is intended.  He is grieved because He can’t do those things in my life He wants to do. I don’t let Him - yet.  I remember, Jesus could only heal a few sick folk when He returned to His home, Nazareth, because of the people’s unbelief (Matt. 13:53-58).  God will not force Himself upon us.  It’s our choice (Josh. 24:15).  Jesus is in me through the Holy Ghost. Ergo, in quenching the Holy Ghost, I limit how Jesus operates in my life.

Understanding who God is and what He can do is one thing.  Believing it at the personal level is where He wants all His children to be so we can do all that the early apostles and disciples did and follow the great commission which is to go and teach all nations everything.  Everything, that He taught His disciples and passed down to us (Matt. 28:19-20).  The commission also includes us being able to heal the sick, diseases and to cast out devils in His name (Jesus) (Matt. 10:1, Luke 10:1-17), speak with new tongues (our heavenly language) handle deadly serpents or drink deadly things with no harm and to lay hands on the sick and heal them (Mark 16:17-18).

God is the same yesterday, today and forever (Heb. 13:8).  Forever means that there is no end to who He is and no change in how He operates, even today.  We get confused because Father is so long suffering.  He endures our stupidity for a season for He desires that none should perish (2 Peter 3:9) and yet, understanding that, He won’t wrestle with us forever (Gen. 6:3).  He does ‘bear’ with us until we are ready to move to the next level.

After all, God created the heavens and the earth (Gen. 1:1) so all things are subject to Him (Eph. 1:20-23).  As all things are subject to Jesus (Phil. 2:10) I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13) and because with God all things are possible (Matt. 19:26) why should I limit Him?  I can only limit Him through my unbelief, my doubt.  Forgive me Father, for limiting your work in my life.

5.                  Plan of action

So my plan of action is to continue growing, learning what Father wants me to know and applying it into my life for I know that He is with me – all the way.  Father has already implemented a plan – in part.  Perhaps I should say He has started a plan for I am indeed still a work in progress.  But guess what!  I will be a work in progress until the day He calls me home, no matter what level of life I may reach at any given time.

I grab hold of God’s vision for my life and make it my own for man will perish where there is no vision (Prov. 29:18).

I count the cost for my vision to come to pass (Luke 14:28), for I need to have a plan to reach my goal and I need the Holy Spirit to reveal that plan for He will lead me into all truth (John 16:13) giving me the understanding that I need (2 Tim. 2:7)

I need to ask God to show me, then, as I press forward, He will open the doors (Matt. 7:7).  But I have to implement what He has shown me.

So, write the plan down, in a logical progression of achievement.  Here ‘as the Lord shows us’ for He may show us the goal of the plan, but then He may reveal to us each level as we are ready.  God is not slack in dealing with us (2 Peter 3:9) but does not put more on us than we are able to bear (1 Corinth. 10:13).  Everything is done in His timing (Isaiah 60:22). He knows our hearts (Jer. 17:10), what our very thoughts are and all that we do (Psalms 139:1-24).

We need to write down what we need to do in order to accomplish each task He sets before so we can see our growth.  Our tasks could include education or practical experience, then we need to put into practice what we have learned.  Personally, He has given me books I needed to read – as He puts those truths into my heart.  They contain information He has said is necessary for me to know.  I’ve watched movies He has told me to watch and observe attitudes. And He has exposed me to different people and things for the same reason.  And He continues to do so.

Father has shown me through the years, the emotions we experience are not uncommon to man reminding me that Father, too has emotions.  We desire friends and companionship.  Father desires our companionship and Jesus calls us ‘friend’ (John 15:13-16).  We desire love and Father tells us to give to receive.  Father not only gives love but He desires us to give love back.  We do this by abiding in His will via His Word.  I also show love for God by loving those around me (Matt. 25:34-40) by helping them by helping them as I can.  Helping them to become better people, having their best interests at heart. 

I cannot physically embrace Father, giving Him a hug, but I can allow the Holy Spirit freedom in my heart.  He gives me a ‘spiritual’ hug which is ten times greater than a ‘natural’ hug.  A ‘spiritual hug’?  By letting Him fill me with HIs love.  A place, where even for a moment, I have yielded completely over to Him.

We need to keep exercising what we learn as we go.  After all Rome wasn’t built in a day and even then not until after the first brick was laid and even then one brick at a time until the building is built.  Jesus didn’t turn His disciples out on their own the day He first called them.  But for three and a half years, He made sure they understood what they needed to know.  And even then, before He ‘cut them loose’ He gave them a trial run (Matt. 10:1, Luke 10:1-20).

We have to have a plan of approach.  Father may show us the end goal, but then reveal each step to get there as we become ready.  We need to write it down (so we don’t forget).  We need to look at our ‘battle strategy’ to stay focused on where we are going and to see what Father has already accomplished (in our lives).

Practical experience breeds confidence.  We do it (God is with us), we see that we can do it and that encourages us on.  Putting it into practice is activating (doing) what Father has given us.

As Confucius says a journey starts with the first step.  So taking our first step is giving our life to Jesus.  Father will then show us what He wants us to do and to know and how He expects us to go about doing it (1 Sam. 15:22-23).  What are we sitting around for?

Get the ball rolling!

I know this seems a bit long, but Father said I needed to revisit this and share it again.  I’ve just given you what He has given me.  I know that I needed this again. I suspect that someone else out there needs this, as well.

Amen

6-20-2020 Temptations of Christ

              Stones to Bread                      Angels shall catch you           I will give You all this

After His baptism by John, in the Jordan, Jesus had a ‘little’ encounter with the Devil

Matt. 4:1-11, Luke 4:1-13

1          Returning from Jordan and being full of the Holy Ghost, Jesus was led, by the Spirit, into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

2          After fasting and having been tempted by the devil for forty days, Jesus became hungry.

3          And when the tempter came to Him, he said “If You’re the Son of God, command these stones to be made bread.”

4          But, Jesus answered “It is written that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.

5          Then, the devil took Him up to the holy city and set Him upon a pinnacle of the temple.

6          He said to Him “If you are the Son of God, cast yourself down for it is written that He will give His angels charge concerning You and that their hands should bear you up unless You should dash your foot against a stone.”

7          Then, Jesus said “It is written that “You shall not tempt the Lord, your God.” (Matt. 4: 5-7 corresponds with Luke 4:9-12).

8          Again, the devil took Him to an exceedingly high mountain and in a moment of time showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory and said “I will give You all this power with their glory.  It is given to me to give to whomsoever I will.”

9          And he said to Jesus “I will give you all these things if You will fall down and worship me.”

10        Then, Jesus responded “Get away, Satan, for it is written you shall worship the Lord your God and only Him shall you worship” (Matt. 4:8-10 correspond with Luke 4:5-7).

11        Then, when the devil had ended, he left Him and behold, angels came and ministered unto Him.

Back on February 16, 2019, I talked briefly about how the angels in heaven are organized to fight Satan’s three-pronged attack against man.  I mentioned that there are three spheres of angels, each with three choirs.  Each sphere has a realm of operation and each choir has responsibilities within its sphere.  Origen (184 AD) is the primary source who ordered the spheres and choirs of angels and though others may have adjusted it from time to time, Origen’s version is what we generally accept.

Okay, the stage is set.

Look at the three temptations Jesus faced in the wilderness.  Note that Luke says that Jesus was tempted for forty days, then these last three temptations came as the ‘icing on the cake’ (if your will).

These three temptations are important because they depict the three main areas in which Satan attacks us – the body, the soul and the spirit.  All three of these areas are involved in spiritual warfare.

The first temptation, the bread:

At this stage of the game, Satan knows Father will give Jesus anything He asks so he knows that Jesus can easily command the stones of the ground to become edible bread to satisfy His hunger.  This is the ‘natural’ man, or the body.  Meeting the physical needs of our body, sustenance (where are my twinkies! Lol). 

Jesus knows there is something more important than just taking in physical sustenance.  He realizes that our spirit also needs to be fed.  We do that by reading the bible to gain understanding how Father operates in our lives and then through us.  The bible helps us to qualify God’s Word and how His love operates in and around us.  Yes, we live here on planet earth and (because we are temporal (temporarily here)) we need food to survive but our spirits also need to be fed.  When we don’t eat food on a regularly basis, our bodies will eventually waste away and die.  Likewise, if we don’t feed our spirits by reading the bible and prayer, our spirits will also waste away – become dead to God.  Just as God takes care of the animals of the land, birds of the air, fish in the sea and plants in the ground, He will take care of us and our needs.  Yes?  As we walk with God, He will give us what we need and even our heart’s, desire as we line up with His will (Luke 12:22-31).

We need to trust more in Father rather than what we see in a situation.  So this first temptation addresses what we can hear, see, taste, etc., our physical needs, the body.

The second temptation, Jump off!?: 

Satan knew that the angels were set in charge of protecting Jesus in everything He did.  But, Jesus easily recognized this as a challenge to Father’s intent (Psalm 91:11-12).  Are we flippant in receiving what Father has for us or do we take it seriously?

Paul was unaware of the poisonous snake in the sticks he had gathered on the isle of Miletus.  The snake bit Paul.  The people knew that this snake’s bite meant and it would quickly bring death.  Paul shook it off into the fire having no ill effect (Acts 28:3-5).  God’s protection! 

Israel challenged God about bringing them into the wilderness to die of thirst at Massah.  Father did provide but He was not pleased that Israel had doubted Him (Exod. 17:1-7).  God had already brought them out of Egypt and parted the Red Sea, yet they weren’t trusting Him for a simple drink of water.

Father tells us not to tempt Him (Deut. 6:16-18).  Jesus knows that we should always trust Father for what we need (Psalm 104:1-30).

Paul didn’t see the snake saying to himself “I see the snake, but I’m going to grab this bunch of sticks anyway for God will protect me.”  He was unaware of the snake, and in His innocence, Father did protect Him.  In short, don’t put ourselves in obvious jeopardy, then expect Father to bail us out.  But, when we unwittingly find ourselves in a situation, He will protect us.    

I bought my first motorcycle from a dealership in Hyattsville, Md.  It was a lightweight, dirt bike, a Triumph 250cc, with knobby tires which put out less than 30 Horsepower (hp).  I had never ridden a bike at that time and the salesman asked me if I wanted to take a quick test spin.  Being bold and brazen, I said “sure.”  At the time, I owned a 383, 4 barrel, Hi-performance Plymouth Roadrunner putting out @335 hp.  A no brainer, the bike had about a tenth the power of my car.  A snap, right?  I hopped on, fired it up and took off.  In the blink of an eye, I was off the lot and into the street, narrowly missing a car coming up the road, which narrowly missed a telephone pole on the other side.  I had no clue how quick that little rascal was.  I let off the gas, turned around and came back into the lot.  My buddy (who came with me), the salesman and the staff were all ‘bustin’ a gut.  I didn’t even know God back then, but, as with Paul, He was watching over me (and the lady in the car). 

Jesus recognized the difference between being in a situation and trusting Father than tempting Him so He was obedient to Father.  He told Satan to ‘buzz off’ (get behind Me).  We may still get ourselves into stupid situations as we are learning to live in God’s will, but we don’t deliberately put ourselves there.

This second temptation addresses what I will call spiritual one, the needs of our human spirit, the seat of our emotions and mental functions, our psyche aka or rationale (our soul?).

 The third temptation, the heart: 

This is also ‘spiritual’, but it is more of ‘where is our heart’?  Why do we do things rather than ‘just’ what have we decided to do.  This is the area that connects us with our Father.  This is the area where the Holy Ghost will take up resident within us and become our ‘driving force’ why do we do what we do.  Which drummer do we listen to motivate us?  Father showed me this by having me read “Pigs in the Parlor” by Frank and Ida Mae Hammond.  ‘Pneuma’ is the Greek word translated ‘spirit’ which is mostly used in reference to the Holy Spirit (or Ghost) where ‘psyche’ is the Greek word translated ‘soul’.  I’ve always believed that a demonic spirit and the Holy Ghost cannot occupy the same space at the same time ergo a Christian cannot be ‘possessed’.  Pigs in the Parlor is written to Christians so the church could be clean.  Father had to show me that though pneuma and psyche are in the same body, they are not the ‘same place’.  As Christians, we yield ourselves over to Father.  We give our ‘self-will’ over to being obedient to Father.  That is, we bring our soul (psyche, our decision making) into agreement with the Holy Ghost (residing in pneuma).  We give our heart over to the heart of God, uniting our will with Father’s will.  Without Jesus, our human spirit motivates what we do.  When we get ‘saved’, the Holy Ghost motivates what we do.  Which empowers the pneuma motivates our thinking in the psyche which will generated our actions in the body.   Get the picture?  When the enemy attacks, he attacks how we think and when the Holy Ghost is not present in ‘pneuma’ what’s to stop him?

Satan takes Jesus up on a high mountain and shows Him all the kingdoms of the earth and how glorious (how powerful and magnificent) they are.  Now, the ultimate challenge – where was the heart of Jesus? 

Satan makes Jesus an offer which would be tempting to most anybody.  A typical situation – you do this for me, I’ll do that for you.  So what is the offer?  Satan says “I’ll give you all the kingdoms of the world AND their riches and glory.  Basically, “I’ll give you anything and everything you ask and want.”  WOW!  No more worry about winning ‘Publisher’s Clearing House’ contest.  No more trying to ‘hit the lottery!  Never having any needs or wants anymore.  The first ‘trillionaire’!  People at my beck and call!  Who could resist?

The choice is ours and that choice brings results – good or bad.  Jesus stood fast against the devils because His heart was always in the right place (with Father).  Yes, He is the son of man, but He is also the Son of God – God Himself come into this world in the flesh.  Emmanuel (God is with us), Savior (our gateway into eternal heaven).  But consider, Satan thought he could tempt the human side of Jesus because He was in the flesh like us.  Not ‘just’ like us but similar.  Yes, He was born a ‘man’.  His Father is was not human but the Creator of all things, Almighty God!  Jesus resisted because He was filled with the Holy Ghost which Father gives us.  We, too, can resist the enemy because the Holy Ghost abides in us!  All we have to do is listen and obey!

So Jesus responded that we should worship the Lord God and worship only Him.  That is, our heart should be devoted totally to Father and we should always walk in His ways.  Jesus gave the devil a command “Get away, Satan!”  Jesus knew what Satan was doing, trying to draw the Son’s attention, steal His loyalty away from the Father.  Besides, Jesus is God (John 1:1).  He created everything so everything was already His (Gen. 1:1-31)!  Likewise, as soon as we realize Satan has taken the offensive against us, we need to do the same “Get behind me, Satan, for Jesus is my Lord and Savior.  He is my eternal salvation and I will serve only the Father through Him”.

And helping us to make the right moves is the Holy Spirit, God in us.  We don’t fight alone because we have the Holy Spirit and a multitude of brothers and sisters willing to stand with us against the wiles of our enemy.  Oh, and don’t forget, we also have angels fighting with us as well – spheres and choirs of angels.  Father has established three spheres of angel, each sphere with three choirs of angels.  One sphere with three choirs helps us as we fight what we see in the natural, the things of this earth, our body.  The second sphere deals with Satan’s armies in the heavenlies helping us with our psyche, our emotions and values.  The third sphere which surrounds the throne of God helps us with establishing and maintaining our heart in a solid relationship with Father.  So Father has angels helping in every aspect of our warfare as we remember we don’t fight against flesh and blood but against powers, principalities, rulers of darkness of this world and against spiritual wickedness in high places. 

We get an inkling to this warfare in Daniel where the angel is delayed, by the Prince of Persia, in bringing the answer to Daniel’s prayer (Dan. 10:10-14).  God is with us!  He gives us the Holy Spirit within and angels without.  We are surrounded by God’s angels, HIs love!  How can we lose (Acts 5:39, Rom. 8:31)?  All we have to do is listen to the Lord and be obedient to His Word.  And remember, Father will never put more on that than we are able to handle (1 Corinth. 10:13).

Though we battle in the natural, our true fight is in the spiritual.  When our heart is aligned with our Father, our emotions and thinking processes line up with His will.  When our ‘cognitive’ processes are lined up in God’s will, the body will follow suit. 

Our body and our desires line up with where our heart is and our heart is in tune with God’s love.  Body soul and spirit line up in unity and all is focused in God’s will.  We are not serving two masters, therefore we are not divided.  Jesus tells us that a house divided cannot stand.  So when the body, soul and spirit are lined up under the influence of the Holy Ghost (in the Father through Jesus) we become single.  Who can stand against us?

The body is more than just bread.  We need to know what our freedom and limitations in Christ really involves.  We have to know the Word to understand our relationship with Father so we can make the right decisions. And when our hearts are knitted together with the living God, we know that we are motivated by our heavenly Father and there is nothing Satan can offer us.  We know in Christ Jesus all power and authority lies.  We know who we are.  We know who is Lord and we know the Father!

Amen

6-6-2020    Two Masters

 I apologize for the delay in this week's entry.  What I had planned fizzled at the last moment and though I felt that it was what Father wanted me to post, I have to conclude "not yet".  So, instead, we have this post may God bless you:

                                                 

                      Walk with God                                                          Lured by Satan

                                                                        Who do we follow?

Matt. 6:24

No man can serve two masters.  He will either hate one and love the other or hold on to one and despise the other.  You cannot serve God and mammon.

Matt. 6:16-23

16                    Moreover, when you fast, don’t be like the hypocrites for they show a sad countenance and disfigure their faces.  They appear to be fasting before men, but I tell you, they have their reward.

17                    But, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face.

18                    So, when you are before men, don’t appear to be fasting rather fast unto the Father in secret and your Father who sees in secret (and knows your heart) will reward you openly.

19                    Don’t store your treasures in earthly things where moth and rust will destroy it or where thieves might break in and steal

20                    But let your treasures be worthy of heaven where neither moth nor rust can take it away nor where thieves can break in and steal it.

21                    For where your treasure is (those things you value most) that’s where your heart will be.

22                    The eye is the light of your body.  When your eye is single (focused), your whole body shall be full of light

23                    But if your eye is evil, your whole body is filled with darkness and if your light has become darkness, how great is that darkness.

Serve God and mammon at the same time?  We can’t walk down two paths, going in different directions, at the same time.  It is physically impossible for we cannot divide ourselves in two. 

Our lives should reflect what we truly believe and the true inclinations of our heart.  That means who do we follow?  Jesus or Satan?  What values do we cherish the most?  Pleasing God or pleasing the world? 

To follow the world is not just ‘doing our thing’ for Satan is the prince and the power of the air.  Father cast him down to earth (from heaven) and planet earth is now the devil’s domain (thank you Adam and Eve).  We may think ‘I did it all myself,’ but the thought to do ‘it (whatever) pops up into our little pea-pickin’ brains, is not self-generated.  It is prompted by spirits or Spirit. Good or evil.  The Holy Ghost proceeds from the Father and the Son.  Good is an extension of God (an extra ‘o’) while evil comes from the devil (delete the ‘d’).  Hey, it works in English!  Admit it or not, our decisions are influenced by sources beyond our being.  Thoughts just seem to be there.  ‘I don’t know where the idea came from, but there it was!’  ‘I just felt I needed to go left and not right, so I did’ and that was where I needed to go.  Get the picture?

Whether we admit it or not, we follow either Jesus or Satan.  There’s no middle ground.  Some may say “That’s pretty narrow thinking” but Father has given us the freedom to choose good or bad, right or wrong and to choose for ourselves (no matter where the thought come from).  Satan is not so loving to give us that kind of freedom.  Satan is a thief and the thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10).  He finds things to lure us, entice us to make the wrong choice.  The choice which draws us farther from God.

The devil knows that his ultimate fate is the lake of fire and his intent is to drag as much of God’s creation with him – kicking, screaming, whatever.

God is love and (believe it or not) He loves ALL His creation (1 Tim. 2:4-6), but He will not let evil dwell with Him (Psalm 5:3-5).  I said ‘dwell’.  We know that Satan approached God to gain access to Job (Job 1:6-12, Job 2:1-6).  But he didn’t stick around, did he?

Because God is love, He desires all His creation to love Him in return (Exod. 20:1-11).  But, alas, He knows that love is not love unless it is freely given.  So He gives us a choice – to love Him because He has loved us (Deut. 30:19-20).  He wants us to give that love back to Him of our own free will.  He will not force our love (Josh. 24:14-24).

I have to admit, when I met my wife, at first, I was in lust with her and I was trying to overcome my own insecurities with women so I forced myself to be bold.  My roommate (who was with me at the time) became irritated because I hemmed and hawed so much, building up the nerve to ask her for her phone number and in the deal, I got so much more.  A little over a year later we became man and wife. 

I also have to admit, I was the “weak” one in our relationship.  At first, from my perspective, my love was “eros” but later, I grew into “philia” but eventually I discovered God’s love “agape”.  If you’re not familiar, ‘eros’ is physical attraction (sex), ‘philia’ is brotherly love – a friend, a brother whom we truly care about but finally ‘agape’ is God’s love.  God’s love is loving us simply because we ‘are’ (alive, exist).  I remember when our first child (and later her brother) came into this world?  The desire to take care of them, show affection for them, to meet their needs and the desire to help them grow into all that they could be and grow as an independent person being able to function in society consumed my attention for my children.  Agape demands nothing in return, but it sure is nice when that love comes back – isn’t it? 

Agape is the example of our relationship with our heavenly Father.  There is no greater love than a man give his life for his friend, yet, Jesus shed His precious blood for us while we were yet alienated from Him.  Deep in our own sins.  Along with affection and adoration, we can show our love for God by being obedient to His Word.  Then we can share God’s love, by doing things that will edify others and encourage them to receive the Lord then grow in Him.  Love is giving, while demanding nor expecting nothing in return.  That love will come back, and even if it should linger, Father will reward us.

I have been a slow learner, but I have learned – God’s love.

I may have mentioned this before, but in High School, an underclassman took a shine to me.  She worked her free period in the school office (student files) so she did some research on me.  She discovered all that she could about me then asked ‘me’ to a dance. 

We have to discover something about God before we can make that decision to let Jesus into our heart.  But, from that moment on, our discovery of who our Father is and what our relationship with Him really is, begins.  We have an initial concept, but that image grows deeper as we grow.  As that schoolmate searched me out, who I was, what I liked, etc. we need to discover who God is, what He likes and what does He expect from me?  How can I return the love He has shown me? 

After my wife had gone to be with the Lord, I was told that my wife had told my son that if he turned out to be half the man I was, he would be OK.  I was surprised but pleased.  Over the years, I must’ve learned something!  My son has a pretty good handle on his relationship with the Lord, his family and the world around him.

When we love God, we focus on God.  As we focus on God, we discover more and more of His love abiding in our heart.  As more and more of His love abides in our heart, more and more of that love shines forth and reveals whom we follow and truly love.  Our love for our Father grows stronger and our lives are enriched.

Paul tells us that he was really perplexed, for it seemed those things he knew to do, he didn’t and those things he knew he shouldn’t be doing is what he was inclined to do.  Thank God for repentance.  When we confess and truly repent our sins, Father is faithful to forgive us those sins.  He puts them behind His back (Isa. 38:17).  Our sins are completely blotted out by the blood of Jesus so they become ‘gone’ (1 John 1:7). 

So Paul encourages us to run this life’s race with all our energy and strength, expecting to win (1 Corinth. 9:24).  Whether we are first or last across the line – don’t give up and press on and finish the race (Heb. 12:1-3).  In life’s race we are all winners (no matter who finishes ahead of us or behind us) because our prize is eternal fellowship with the Father through Jesus Christ our Lord.  And the Holy 

Ghost (within us) gives us that strength to cross that finish line.

We cannot serve two masters.  Will we follow Satan (world values) and end up in eternal separation from God (death)?  Or will we follow Jesus, ending up with eternal fellowship with the Father (eternal life)?  We all follow somebody.  Ask this question “Who do I follow?” 

Amen