If we even had a "smidgen" of an understanding of WHO GOD is, our prayers would definitely change and our "attitude" would not be an "attitude". Prayer would not be some ritual (something to check off the list), it would be the most intimate revelation of WHO JESUS is, and who we are. Do we really think we can go before the ONE WHO knows everything about us, WHO was tortured by people we don't even know; with half-truths and feel some sort of relief? Coming before JESUS with confidence can only happen when we are so humbled with the Truth about HIM and ourselves; we become confident of HIS MERCY AND LOVE for us. Hebrews 4:16, "Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of Grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." When we come before JESUS for Mercy with the total unaltered Truth, DO WE REALLY THINK JESUS IS SURPRISED?
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD!
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Is that how the world would describe our insatiable compelling admiration for JESUS? Or are we one of those Christians the world loves because we are not FANATICS? Think about this, there was a man who began preaching in the desert (nobody around) and continued to preach. They some heard him and word traveled fast. Then all came to hear him, rich, politicians, generals of the army and sinners (really the word Sinner pretty well covers in all, Right?). And why was he baptizing, that was way before JESUS came? John’s innovative Baptism was really a form of “mikvah” which was a Jewish ritual immersion bath, it was representative of Spiritual Cleaning (A New Beginning). So John the Baptist added “REPENTANCE” TURN FROM YOUR SINS! He was preparing the way for the LORD, by preparing people’s hearts to receive HIM. Matthew 3:1-6, “…all the region…were going out to him…and were baptized…confessing their sins.” Preaching the WORD of GOD has POWER and only LOVE gives the renewed enthusiastic, compelling admiration and intimacy with JESUS! Does our love for JESUS and our desire for others to know him leave the world with the impression that we are a little BIZARRE, FANATIC OR “ONE SANDWICH LITE OF A PICNIC’?
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! How can we have more of JESUS? Have less of ourselves! John 3:30, "HE must increase, but I must decrease." When we continue to act according to our own authority (selfishness, understanding of mine, and wanting stature among men), we want to become MORE, but we are fading away and become LESS and LESS. When our hopelessness leaves us with nothing, there is room for JESUS to heal and INCREASE our understanding, desire (I should say, PASSION) to obey, Trust in HIM, and become more like HIM. It is sufficient honor for us to tell others about JESUS and just be permitted to be in HIS presence. Not only does HE give us INCREASE, HE gives it to our children and those around us too (Psalm 116:14). The LESS flesh, the MORE Spirit. As others begin to see MORE of GOD in you, they will realize LESS IS MORE.
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! "We are not waging war according to the flesh. The weapons of our warfare ... have Divine power. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of GOD..." (2 Corinthians 10:3-6). How many homeless do we walk past, how many prisons, hospitals, food shelters, and the wealthy do we go by and not tell them about CHRIST? We abhor what is happening in the Mideast and yet we are letting those around us die everyday when we don't tell them about CHRIST, with words, actions, thoughts, and yes, Spontaneous Hugs. How many times do we NOT tell someone about CHRIST because "it's just not the right time", "I don't want to change their opinion of me", or "I just don't think it's cool"? We are KILLING them and letting them die; are we any different than those in the Mideast? Let us find someone today an "NUKE" them! Because they NEED UR KINDNESS EVERYDAY, "NUKE"!
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! How many of us would die for someone else to know JESUS? How many of us really want to be like JESUS where this could become a reality? The disciples were a cowardly group until the HOLY SPIRIT came upon them. Then what happened? As they shared the Gospel; Andrew, Bartholomew, Peter, Simon and Jude were all crucified. Matthias and Stephen were stoned; Luke was hanged on an olive tree; James was beaten, stoned and then clubbed to death; James (the Great) and Paul were beheaded. In historical fact, as James was on his way to his death, his accuser was so moved by James's Courage and Faith that he fell at James's feet, asked forgiveness and was converted. He then asked the authorities for a Pardon for James's or to execute him with James. Both were beheaded! When Stephen was being stoned he had a smile and complete peace as he saw JESUS. Philippians 4:7, "And the peace of GOD which surpasses all understanding..." Romans 8:38-39, "For I know, that neither death, nor life...nor things present, nor things to come...shall be able to separate us from the love of GOD..." It is revealed and confirmed that there is no pain when we act for the Glory of GOD. JESUS looked "beyond the Cross" to the Glory of Heaven. Do we look beyond our circumstances and fears until only the Glory of GOD is what matters? Have we ever experienced the absolute fullness of HIS presence in any situation? If so, then we know IT'S THE "FEAR" NOT THE "ACT" THAT CAUSES PAIN! Do you think the disciples knew something we don't; that when all is said and done, there is truly only a Remnant that wants to be like JESUS.
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! Do we "doubt" our Salvation? HE has set Eternity in our hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11). We want to believe but we doubt we know how. You have instilled in your heart a passion for more? Do you want an understanding of something beyond your mind? It is a special unsatisfiable part of you that needs understanding beyond this world, it is SPIRITUAL understanding. Do you find yourself "hating" sin (this is good, you are beginning to hate the things GOD hates)? Do you search for WHO JESUS IS and why HE died for our sins? Have you prayed (no matter how feeble it may seem) to know GOD? Have you repented your sins and begin to read about GOD'S promises (no matter how uncompromisable they may seem) and been encouraged just a little as you find they are True? Is your desire for Truth beyond anything else within your inner most Being? Are you beginning to know that JESUS not only lived on this earth but because of all of the Prophecies verifying (some written 600 years before it happened) HIS dying for our sins you are beginning to KNOW this is True? Are you beginning to Trust something greater than yourself and discovering this is GOD? Are you absolutely astounded that JESUS was raised from the dead (as verified by more than 500 witnesses, to help you in your unbelief) which confirms GOD'S Scriptures? Have you ever done something you did not really want to do (Faith begins) and later found out it brought JOY beyond this world? Have you prayed this prayer, Psalm 119:169, "Let my cry come near before THEE, O'LORD: give me understanding according to THY WORD..." Have you found you are more discerning of right and wrong? The SPIRIT is in you and you want not only to follow JESUS but you want to be like HIM! Did you repent and ask GOD to forgive you and know you are forgiven, did you tell HIM you know JESUS is HIS SON, did you tell HIM you know JESUS rose from the dead? Then there is no reason to doubt because SALVATION IS IMMEDIATE, UNDERSTANDING IS GRADUAL.
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! Does it depend on who you ask to discover how we are known? Would we be described by our special characteristics, form of dress or manner of speech? Would different people describe us differently? John 13:35, "By this all people will know you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." Will we be known by our deep, genuine love for one another? Will we be known as a special professed child of GOD where others see JESUS in us? If we were to ask the rich person, the dying person, the homeless person, our family or a child; WHAT WILL THEY SAY?
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! I used to find myself singing the old hymn "One Day at a Time, Sweet JESUS", until my wife said, that should be "One Step at a Time" because the day is so long and I need HIM to guide me every step. Why not make up our own songs? Songs are the most effective way of expressing our reverent praise, and only we know the fountain of renewed zeal and peaceful delight that the HOLY SPIRIT reveals within us. Old songs cannot fulfill the NEW knowledge of GOD and HIS new manifestations of HIS mercies and love. Psalm 149:1, "...Sing unto the LORD a new song..." The fullness of the HOLY SPIRIT prompts us to "make up" (or write) new songs and even "new words"! No one else can express our "NEWNESS" in the LORD as we sing of HIM, to HIM, for HIM and with HIM! Today is a NEW day, a day that the LORD has made; let us celebrate with with a NEW song. Maybe we will start with, "ONE STEP AT A TIME, SWEET JESUS!
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! Yesterday, I noticed families "walking" to Church. All were dressed in their "Sunday Go-to-Meetin" clothes; children skipping, laughing and their parents were joining in the fun. After Church, there were fresh vegetables being provided the families for whatever they could donate, again for the Church. Some had no money but received food anyway. Hebrews 13:16, "Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to GOD." After sharing recipes with each other, they began to "walk" home; children skipping and parents joining in. Don't you just love it, WHEN GOD PRAISES HIMSELF?
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! Some things are just so fearful, painful and "guiltful" to even think about, let alone talk about. VOWS, are voluntary promises that we commit to perform. Some "vows" are rash promises, some are intentional lies, but some are in the Presence of GOD and cannot be destroyed! Excessive or perpetual self-condemnation and using guilt to confirm Spiritual hopelessness, allows satan to distract us from prompt repentance and living in Peace instead of denial. If our vow was never intended to be fulfilled, it was a lie from the start, CHRIST said in Revelations 21:8, "...liars will not be allowed into the Kingdom of GOD..." But what about a prayerful vow, an intentional, voluntary VOW before GOD that you know you did not Glorify GOD, by not fulfilling that promise? Does it mean your VOW was meaningless? Does it mean you have destroyed lives as a result of your disobedience? The presence of GOD when you made that VOW doesn't change; the purity, radiance, power, energy and love at that moment will always be the Truth in your soul. But the "sins" after the VOW? GOD'S solution to any sin is "Repentance"! Repentance includes "GODLY SORROW", a deep, heartfelt, all-consuming regret and conviction for our actions, thoughts and words. GOD makes it clear to us in 2 Corinthians 7:10, "For GODLY grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret..." GODLY grief comes from GOD! Was that VOW a lie, or was it the closest to the Truth and Presence of GOD that you had ever known? Then ask forgiveness for the things you did that followed your VOW, and repent; for the VOW itself was made in the AWE and REVERENCE of GOD, and nothing will tarnish or destroy it! That moment is what you "hang" on to, for that is a time when you saw yourself as GOD sees you. GODLY VOWS do predestine our ultimate choices between right and wrong and our Salvation; do we choose life (Deuteronomy 30:19)? GOD has Mercy and Forgiveness to those who genuinely repent; HE takes away the wasted years; and restores those you might feel you have hurt. After all, your heart's desire is for their and your Salvation; so enjoy the intimacy and revelation of your VOWS; don't let them be SO DEEP, THAT YOU WON'T EVEN TALK WITH GOD ABOUT IT.
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! |
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December 2015
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