"Called of God"

 "Called of God a high priest after the order of Melchisedec." (Hebrews 5:10 KJV)

  ""Anyone who belongs to God listens gladly to the words of God. But you don't listen because you don't belong to God." The people retorted, "You Samaritan devil! Didn't we say all along that you were possessed by a demon?" "No," Jesus said, "I have no demon in me. For I honor my Father - and you dishonor me. And though I have no wish to glorify myself, God is going to glorify me. He is the true judge. I tell you the truth, anyone who obeys my teaching will never die!" The people said, "Now we know you are possessed by a demon. Even Abraham and the prophets died, but you say, 'Anyone who obeys my teaching will never die!' Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?"" (John 8:47-53 NLT)

 Much like many other things that Jesus had said, those who didn't want to listen, really never could understand what He was telling them; as a matter of fact, His words, which should have given them hope, ended up offending them and making them turn against Him. This is really not that difficult to figure out, we are all protective of the things we try to hold onto, so when we feel convicted, we tend to fight for the right to have our own way. 

 Just so happens, there are several things happening in our nation right now, that is very familiar to what we are seeing here today, on so many different levels. The main thing we must understand, which we often forget, is that the devil is the one that is pulling the strings and causing the people to gather together and fight against that which is good. It is the devil that causes the chaos, because that is nature, to upset and cause people to hate what is good! 

 There is nothing I love more than hearing the Word of God taught and explained in ways that cause me to take it to heart, and to not only listen, but try and apply what I heard to my life. We are meant to apply what we hear God say, not just listen! There is a really big difference between listening gladly and listening sadly; those who choose to hear what God says and don't receive it, usually end up offended. 

 If you don't believe it, go back to the beginning, when God gave instruction to Cain, before Cain killed his brother, Able... 

"Jesus answered, "If I want glory for myself, it doesn't count. But it is my Father who will glorify me. You say, 'He is our God,' but you don't even know him. I know him. If I said otherwise, I would be as great a liar as you! But I do know him and obey him. Your father Abraham rejoiced as he looked forward to my coming. He saw it and was glad." The people said, "You aren't even fifty years old. How can you say you have seen Abraham?" Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I AM!" At that point they picked up stones to throw at him. But Jesus was hidden from them and left the Temple." (John 8:54-59 NLT)