Did GOD write the Bible for HIMSELF?  Or is it HIS Diary, where HE shares HIMSELF with  us?  Why?  It is for our good, "good" we can't imagine.  It is for us to know HIM, really know HIM.  Is everything going to be alright when we get to Heaven, as we continue to do the same things we do now, but FOREVER?  Or is Heaven the "Intimate Relationship with GOD" learning  more each moment; which Begins NOW?  GOD SAYS, "Before I formed thee in the belly, I knew thee... (Jeremiah 1:5); "If any man is in CHRIST, he is a new creature..." (2 Corinthians 5:17); "who calls upon the name of the LORD shall be saved..." (Romans 10:13);  "Confess our sins...and HE forgives us...." (1 John 1:9); "The LORD is not willing that any should perish, but all should come to  repentance" (2 Peter 3:9).  The next time we hear, rather emphatically I might add, "IT'S ALL ABOUT GOD, IT'S NOT ALL ABOUT YOU"!  We might want to remember what GOD wrote in HIS Diary; "IT'S ALL ABOUT GOD; AND US TOO!" 

We have heard stories about things we have done when we  were young.  They  have been repeated so many times that we begin to think of them as though we actually "think we remember" the events for ourselves; when in fact we don't.  People we trust tell us about what the Scriptures mean , when, this too can be wrong.  Galatians 1:8-9, "But if I myself, or even an angel our of Heaven should preach to you something out of keeping with what I have preached to you, let him be cursed!"  We have the RESPONSIBILITY to place what the Bible says over what people (even well intentioned and respected people) may say. Acts 17:11, "...examine the Scriptures daily to see if these things are so."  Reading the Scriptures is not just some Bible Study, it is a constant awareness of GOD'S WILL for our lives.  IT IS AN AWESOME RESPONSIBILITY!   

Do we "try" to walk in the SPIRIT?  Do we "try" to do the "right" things at least for a "while"?  The only time we do anything to our most "perfect perfection" is when we do what is natural, free and uninhibited.  We only really know what  we want, when we are in agreement with GOD.  "walk by the SPIRIT..." (Galatians 5:16).  Then what we WANT is "exciting", "can't wait to tell everyone" JOY, and is not an EFFORT at all.  It is the POWER OF THE SPIRIT that enables our WANT TO BECOME GOD'S PERFECTION

"For I know the plans I have for you...plans for welfare and  not for evil, to give you a future and hope." (Jeremiah 29:11).  Even when we may be "old" by the world's comparison, when we read this scripture we are forever young by GOD'S comparison.  It is a time when we seek any, and  all, knowledge GOD will bless us with.  A time when we ask for Revelations of Truth, minute by minute; a time when we don't separate ourselves from GOD.  Infinity does not exist, as we come close to our FATHER and WE are no longer limited in KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING.  "There have been times that we sought other god's to our own harm, where we could not be in this place".  YES, TOO MANY TIMES; BUT NOT TODAY! 

NOT TODAY...

"Is CHRIST divided?"  (1 Corinthians 1:13).   Do we go to Church because we have a Great Preacher?  Do we listen to T.V. evangelists because of their "non-convicting eloquence" of speech?  In fact, do we identify with the Messenger and not THE MESSAGE?  Have we become so divided through our allegiance to different Preachers and Denominations that we have made CHRISTIANITY INEFFECTIVE?  Did the Preacher or Denominations DIE ON THE CROSS FOR US?  The evil-one cannot take away our Salvation or our Eternity in Heaven for what JESUS did on the CROSS, but when we believe or choose his GUILT AND LIES  we are rendered INEFFECTIVE.  Is somehow, the evil-one, through ELOQUENCE AND DENOMINATIONS trying to DESTROY CHRISTIANITY?  Are we sent to "preach the Gospel", but not with words of ELOQUENT WISDOM, lest THE CROSS OF CHRIST BE EMPTIED OF  ITS POWER"! 

Why is it so easy to ask GOD for Forgiveness and so hard (almost impossible) to ask the "Real" Person we offended, for Forgiveness?   Is it because we "accept" (not Believe in) there is "a GOD", and because we haven't seen HIM;  HE becomes "unreal" to us?  Or is it, when we have to ask a "real" person for forgiveness, we have to relive the "offense" all over again in seeking Forgiveness.  When we ask GOD for "Forgiveness", we say, "FATHER, forgive us our sins", then move on.  Has our GOD and our "REPENTANCE" become UNREAL and JUST WORDS?  Psalm 51:16, "For YOU will not delight in sacrifice...The sacrifices of GOD are a broken spirit."  Are we CONVICTED by the HOLY SPIRIT where we are "driven" to PRAISE and WORSHIP; or do we have GUILT by the evil one where we are "driven down" into an endless cycle?  Conviction focuses our heart on GOD (and becomes VERY REAL) where Guilt focuses our heart upon ourselves.   Forgiveness sets us free from Fear, anxiety, and free of ourselves.  When we FORGIVE, we are set free from resentment and other harmful thoughts and emotions running rampant in our mind, body and SPIRIT.  We should ask ourselves, are  we driven by CONVICTION or GUILT in seeking FORGIVENESS.  Is it with our REAL GOD, REAL PEOPLE or is it in our "Make Believe World" where FORGIVENESS is JUST WORDS?

Who do you expect to see in Heaven, and WHO DO YOU NOT EXPECT TO SEE?  How about someone whose actions hurt you and your family?  Someone who is a "hypocrite" surely can't be accepted to  Eternal Life.  Any of us "who would be surprised if 'so and so' goes to Heaven", might want to "check" OUR RELATIONSHIP with GOD.  Do we know the PLAN TO SALVATION?  Do we KNOW JESUS died for our sins, HE is the SON OF GOD, our SINS are forgiven and BELIEVING in JESUS is our FREE GIFT?  By knowing this, we should never be SURPRISED because GOD shows no favorites, and "...all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of GOD..." (Romans 3:22).  So don't be SURPRISED TO SEE ME THERE; AND I WON'T BE SURPRISED TO SEE YOU!  Amen!  Keep Preach'n! 

Why do we go through Trials, Tribulations and being Tested in life?  Is it to Prove to GOD that we are worthy?  GOD knows Everything, even how we are and will respond in all situations?  Job 7:18, "...YOU examine us every morning, and test us every moment..."  Testing teaches us we can't get through it on our own power.  It teaches us to Surrender even more and Trust GOD and HIS power within us.  The TEST, whether PASSING or FAILING, brings us closer to GOD; more confident in our FAITH.  It is a TEST that we actually ENJOY, because we have SOMETHING far greater, as we look BEYOND  the PAIN.    If TESTING isn't to CONVINCE GOD, WHOSE GOOD DO YOU THINK IT'S FOR?

How many times have we said, "let me think about it", or "let me pray about it", when we knew the right thing is to say NO?   We "put off" giving an answer.  Have we "drifted" or absolutely "ran" from the Truth so often, that we are no longer  "Convicted" by the PRECIOUSNESS OF GOD.  Have we become  so "fearful" of the TRUTH that we are afraid to say NO?    Our inability or willingness to say NO; Takes advantage of GOD'S time given us, Our tasks and priorities are pushed back, Eliminates time for things of greater need, We begin to Procrastinate then Stress and Frustration sets in.  "Sanctify them in the truth, YOUR WORD is TRUTH" (John 17:17).  The next time we are to say NO, SAY IT!  WE CAN ALWAYS PROCASTINATE TOMORROW.

When I have the time, I will volunteer.  When I have the money, I will donate.  When I feel better, I will do more.  All of these attitudes are another way of saying, WHAT'S IN IT FOR ME.  Do we assume (or dare we say, PRESUME) that because we have "good feelings", financial success, recognitions by others or avoid conflict  that we are Blessed with unmerited FAVOR, underserving LOVE, and MERCY?  Have we "COINED" the word GRACE to satisfy our own conscience?  Has our "manipulation" or "inattention" to GOD'S WORD  caused us to be SPIRITUALLY PRESUMPTIOUS?  Romans 2:4, "...do you presume on the riches of HIS kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that GOD'S kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?"  Do we think that we are only led to REPENT during "bad times"?  Don't we know that our SALVATION is the GRACE OF GOD?  Don't we know that we "PRESUME UPON THE GRACE OF GOD" if we don't REPENT when we are CONFRONTED with HIS HOLINESS?  The next time "we FEEL sooooo Blessed"  in our "good feelings", "recognition" and "worldly success"; we might want to stop and ask ourselves; WHO DO WE THINK WE ARE DEALING WITH?