"Submitting to One's Control"

 "For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak." (Hebrews 2:5 KJV)

  "But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord isn't really slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. But the day of the Lord will come as unexpected as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment." (2 Peter 3:8-10 NLT)

 So, without trying to write something into the story, which might or might not be of any interest, I feel as though the nothing, which is sometimes spoken of, is actually something. In other words, God has always existed, within some form or mighty power; most likely that which consist of elements, by which He has made everything to exist, even the very Light, which He called into existence. 

 Not that there is something new that we might be talking about; but as it was when Jesus performed that very first miracle, the wine was not made from nothing; He caused the water within those ceremonial cleansing pots, to instantly turn into wine. And not just any kind of wine, such as basic grape-juice; but very good wine, the kind that has been aged and had alcoholic properties! 

 Some will refute that principle, because they do not believe Jesus made something containing alcohol; but the message from the governor of the marriage party said otherwise! What makes it really interesting, was Mary's boldness and positive expression, as if this was something that was meant to happen; even though Jesus at first rejected the opportunity to perform the miracle. 

 This is not just something that was a mistake, or something which was not meant to be; because there are many things throughout the entire Bible that are done, without God's intention or specific plan; at least it doesn't seem as though He planned for it; but He absolutely was prepared to bring everything into focus, and make it part of His amazing masterpiece... 

"But you aren't in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won't be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief. For you are all children of the light and of the day, we don't belong to darkness and night. So be on your guard, not asleep like others. Stay alert and be clearheaded. Night is the time when people sleep and drinkers get drunk. But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation. For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing." (1 Thessalonians 5:4-11 NLT)      

"Jesus, the Man"

  "And furthermore, it is not angels who will control the future world we are talking about. For in one place the Scriptures say, "What are mere mortals that you should think about them, or a son of man that you should care for him? Yet you made them only a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. You gave them authority over all things."" (Hebrews 2:5-8 NLT)

  "O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who has set thy glory above the heavens. Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger. When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visited him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and has crowned him with glory and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet: All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas. O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!" (PSALM 8 KJV)

  When I was growing up, much of what I had been told about God's creation was without any real explanation; it pretty much was just the fact that God did it, and that was it! "Don't question it, and don't try to figure it out; just believe it, because the Bible says that it is so!" 

 For the most part, I was okay with that, and it carried me through the times of being tested; as public schools made the theory of evolution to be the science that was meant to prove what was right and wrong. Yet I never did believe it, nor accept it, even to this very day. 

 Taking it to the next level, I furthermore believe that God created the entire world in six days; not six days based upon a thousand years; but six actual days based upon a twenty-four-hour period of a day: which is what God's says, over and over: "And evening passed and morning came, marking another day!" 

 You would be surprised how many current believers don't believe God could do all that He did in a matter of days! I guess that they are just trying to help God out, as if He really needed more time in order to make something out of nothing; as if that is actually how He created everything, from the beginning of time. 

 When I first started this blog, I had to share a picture of something I heard on the radio, it was how a group of scientists were overwhelmed by a picture of a magnified brain cell. As they stood around a table, they thought that it looked strikingly familiar, because it actually looked like a picture of the universe, with all the galaxies and lights and vapors, and endless mass! 

 The very first miracle that Jesus performed, was the one where He turned water into wine. What I have come to understand with that, is that God created a world that was mature and had parts which could be considered very old, because that is how He made them, as they should be. 

 When He made the animals, they were fully grown, completely ready to mate and reproduce, when He created man, He did it the same, but added a little independent passion...

"But now, O Jacob, listen to the LORD who created you. O Isreal, the one who formed you says, "Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I gave Egypt as a ransom for your freedom; I gave Ethiopia and Seba in your place. Others were given in exchange for you. I traded their lives for yours because you are precious to me. You are honored, and I love you."" (Isaiah 43:1-4 NLT)   

"According To God's Will"

 "God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?" (Hebrews 2:4 KJV)

  "All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing into to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along will all wisdom and understanding. God has revealed to us his mysterious plan regarding Christ, a plan to fulfill his own good pleasure. And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ - everything in heaven and on earth. Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan." (Ephesians 1:3-11 NLT) 

 There are certain things we have been told about God's plans, most of which we have been shown what is easily seen in the Scriptures; none of which is unexplainable or hard to imagine why God does what He does, because everything is done according to His will; even the stuff that might seem unfair. As Pastor Bryan said the other night: "God is just, He isn't fair!" 

 Wrap your mind around that, because it really does matter how we interpret what is being said! If God was fair, then we might get what we deserve, what is the real result for things we have done; instead, He is just, giving us what we need, not what we deserve, based upon His great love for us, not according to our love for Him! 

 So many people think of God being the kind of God who returns kindness for kindness, or love for love; as if God is saying, 'You obey me, and I will care for you.' They hardly ever stop to see the love He has for us, isn't based upon what we do, but is totally and completely based upon what He does, we just need to receive His love, and be abundantly blessed, beyond what we could ever imagine...

"But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God's grace that you have been saved!) For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus. God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boost about it. For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." (Ephesians 2:4-10 NLT) 

"Our Great Salvation!" - To

 "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;" (Hebrews 2:3 KJV)

  "Dear friends, don't be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad - for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world. So be happy when you are insulted for being a Christian, for then the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you. If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people's affairs. But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name!" (1 Peter 4:12-16 NLT)

 For those who might not understand the whole escape thing, it involves a lack of surrender, which is that part of our salvation which makes us His, meaning that this salvation is not really ours, it belongs to the Lord! Jesus is Jehovah; with basically means, He is Salvation! Therefore, this is something that He brings and makes new; He establishes it, and He completes it! 

 By the way, the sin is something that has been washed away, and left here to be absorbed by the earth; in other words, your sinful acts of the past, or future, will play out in results of punishment towards your flesh, which do not harm your soul and your justification with God; but they can cause you to be torn and discouraged, just knowing that there are circumstances for the bad things you have done. 

 Not that it makes any difference, because the things which happen here on earth, stay here on earth as the saying goes! We don't get to take anything with us, because the new body will be totally pure, without any baggage, whatsoever! Thanks be to the LORD for making us new. 

 This might be one of those incidents where the gang to starting to disclose themselves; as all three of these men did not have did not have a relationship with the Lord, as the disciples had. Paul did not actually meet Jesus until he was on the road to Damascus; Luke had not been accustomed to the Lord's ministry until he was taken in by Paul, in Greece; and Mark had barely started to follow Jesus, when Jesus was arrested in the Garden; and yes, Mark was the young man wrapped in the sheet, who grabbed hold of Jesus' legs, as they took Him away; only to run away naked after his sheet came off.

 Not that it makes a whole lot of difference, but from my point of view, spending time in jail as a new believer, you start sharing with two brothers, and you end up with Jesus in the mix; making for quite the conversation, that can go on for hours and hours, even days of sharing about this great salvation we have been given; because it never ends...

"We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning, whom we have heard and seen. We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. He is the Word of life. This one who is life itself was revealed to us, and we have seen him. And now we testify and proclaim to you that he is the one who is eternal life. He was with the Father, and then he was revealed to us. We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that you may fully share our joy." (1 John 1:1-4 NLT)

"Our Great Salvation!"

 "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken be the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;" (Hebrews 2:3 KJV)

  ""Listen to me, my people. Hear me, Israel, for my law will be proclaimed, and my justice will become a light to the nations. My mercy and justice are coming soon. My salvation is on the way. My strong arm will bring justice to the nations. All distant lands will look to me and wait in hope for my powerful arm. Look up to the skies above, and gaze down on the earth below. For the skies will disappear like smoke, and the earth will wear out like a piece of clothing. The people of the earth will die like flies, but my salvation lasts forever. My righteous rule will never end! "Listen to me, you who know right from wrong, you who cherish my law in your hearts. Do not be afraid of people's scorn, nor fear their insults. For the moth will devour them as it devours clothing. The worm will eat at them as it eats wool. But my righteousness will last forever. My salvation will continue from generation to generation."" (Isaiah 51:4-8 NLT)

 There was something else that God did to Abraham that day when He signed that covenant for the both of them; He allowed him to see the condition of his descendants, in a dream, of them being slaves in a foreign land for 400 years; and how they would come away from that land with great wealth. Basically, this was his way to see the reality of the descendants that would come from him, making them real and now cherished within his heart. 

 This might be hard to explain, but it was the same for me at the moment I was saved. In a strange sort of way, there was a perfect illustration in my mind, of how badly I needed the salvation I was being offered. It wasn't my sins that revealed my great need, at least not at that particular moment; it was the reality of having separation from the God that loved me. 

 The salvation began with God showing me what I needed; that God-shaped whole I had been trying to fill all of my life, had been presented; now was my time to accept it and be born again! There may have been some discussion about sins and repentance, as I'm sure there was, but my focus on the Creator who I saw in my mind, as He sacrificed Himself on that cross! 

 As I have shared before, but without much interest: The second day of creation, God did not say that it was good; which was the day He created a divide, as it says, "And God called the firmament Heaven." This is where the separation began; as He is so Holy, even though the world had not yet fallen, it was already determined to happen. 

 When God made man, He wanted man to freely love Him; but in order to make that happen He needed to demonstrate the powerful love He had towards us...

""For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But everyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God's one and only Son."" (John 3:16-18 NLT) 

"Stedfast & Firm"

"For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;" (Hebrews 2:2 KJV)

  "Why then was the law given? It was given alongside the promise to show people their sins. But the law was designed to last only until the coming of the child who was promised. God gave his law through angels to Moses, who was the mediator between God and the people. Now a mediator is helpful if more than one party must reach an agreement. But God, who is one, did not use a mediator when he gave his promise to Abraham." (Galatians 3:19-20 NLT)

 Without getting too deep into this, my mind sometimes wonders outside of the actual text, which, I have been told, is not something that we should do, because we can get lost in the things imagined, instead of keeping to the script. The thing about me, is when I read the text, it's not just writings on a page, because I am playing a movie in my mind, which brings the happenings to life. 

 This promise God gave Abraham was actually provided and sealed with a covenant, the kind of covenant where both parties pass through the split-open bodies of several animals, as they pass through saying, "This much and more shall happen to me if I do not fulfill my side of the covenant." The strange thing is, God put Abraham to sleep, as He walked through the pieces for both of them! 

 God's love for us is not based upon what we do; He just loves us unconditionally and without favor. Which is also something that is hard for us to believe, even though it is meant to be part of the faith we have in Him; it is sometimes misplaced because we just don't feel worthy of His unconditional love. 

 This is what it is like to be human in a fallen world! But He has also taken care of that, by having Jesus be born as a human, wearing our skin, He suffered and could be put to death like anyone else...

  "Let me put it another way. The law was our guardian until Christ came; it protected us until we could be made right with God through faith. And now that the way of faith has come, we no longer need the law as our guardian. For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God's promise to Abraham belongs to you." (Galatians 3:24-29 NLT)  

"GIVE HEED" - Too"

 "Therefore we ought to give more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip." (Hebrews 2:1 KJV)

  "As they were crossing the lake, Jesus warned them, "Watch out! Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and of Herod." At this they began to argue with each other because they hadn't brought any bread. Jesus knew what they were saying, so he said, "Why are you arguing about having no bread? Don't you know or understand even yet? Are your hearts too hard to take it in? You have eyes - can't you see? You have ears - can't you hear? Don't you remember anything at all? When I fed the 5,000 with five loaves of bread, how many baskets of leftovers did you pick up afterward?" "Twelve," they said. "And when I fed the 4,000 with seven loaves, how many large baskets of leftovers did you pick up?" "Seven," they said. "Don't you understand yet?" he asked them." (Mark 8:15-21 NLT)

 Believe it or not, but we all have some sort of tendency to let certain things the Lord has shown us, to slip, which basically means that we have either forgot about the application we were shown, or our heart is too hard to just let the Lord take us further than we have gone before. Either way, we are going to lose out on an experience that might actually change our life; if, that is you are looking for the Lord's work to come alive in your life! 

 When we hear and know the truth, whatever it is: "God will not forsake you," or "You are God's child once and for all," or "I will never stop loving you." What are the things we see happening in our lives that make us doubt anything we are told, thinking that it wasn't God's voice, but our own? If you need proof, I believe that God will allow you to experience the proof, by something that might not feel pleasant.

 This is where I am at: hoping this experience doesn't cripple me or ruin my business or cause me to go into bankruptcy as if that is even possible. However, I have determined to enjoy the ride, no matter how hard things might get, because, as I said before: Our God is faithful! We can't see what He is doing, but we can sure do our best to have faith and let Him be in control. 

 I believe that in trials, God will tell you certain things to do, which might seem silly or not practical. But it is not because He is testing you are making you feel like a fool; but because what He tells you to do is easy! It still might be hard to step out from your comfort zone, but it always simple and easy, as long as you don't try to figure out what He is doing, but just wait on Him, and enjoy the ride...

"One day Jesus said to his disciples, "Let's cross over to the other side of the lake." So they got into a boat and started out. As they sailed across, Jesus settled down for a nap. But soon a fierce storm came down on the lake. The boat was filling up with water, and they were in real danger. The disciples went and woke Jesus up, shouting, "Master, Master, we're going to drown!" When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and the raging waves. Suddenly the storm stopped and all was calm. Then he asked them, "Where is your faith?" The disciples were terrified and amazed. "Who is this man?" they asked each other. "When he gives a command, even the wind and waves obey him!"" (Luke 8:22-25 NLT)  

"GIVE HEED"

 "Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip." (Hebrews 2:1 KJV)

  {Beth}"How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word. I have tried hard to find you - don't let me wander from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. I praise you, O LORD; teach me your decrees. I have recited aloud all your regulations you have given us. I have rejoiced in your laws as much as in riches. I will study your commandments and reflect on your ways. I will delight in your decrees and not forget your word." (PSALM 119:9-16 NLT)

  Well, that was a little strange; but I believe God has gotten my attention: I am looking forward to what happens next; good or bad, it's all about the journey! When I finished my Thursday post, I closed my laptop and started out on my usual routine; headed to the office to begin a day of work. Within, what seemed like minutes, I was trying to get my wife taken care of, because something was happening with my body. I became short of breath and was losing strength; so, I needed to change her rather quickly.  

 Marianne's care giver showed up yearly, expecting I would still have issues, as I did on Wednesday, so she was able to finish what I usually had to do before her shift. And then my Mother-in-law shows us about a half hour yearly; and as she sees me laying on the sofa, she says, "Are you ready to go the hospital yet?" And I answered, "Yes, I think I should!" 

 By 8:45 I was checking into Shasta Reginal emergency, getting scanned and tested, blood draws and monitored; until they came up with a final observation: Heart Failure and an infection in one lung. So up to the third floor I went. I was released yesterday around 1:15 in the afternoon, to start a medication plan, or test, which ever you want to call it. Hopefully it works, or I might need a pacemaker, or worse. 

 No matter what, I will try my best to follow the doctor's orders, using caution when things don't make sense; but most of all, I am looking for God's voice in this, to see where He wants me to be, what He is trying to show me, and most of all, having faith that my Father knows best, because He knows what is good for me! 

 Anywho; as far as this blog goes, I was a little concerned about missing a couple of days, but I decided to just refer to it as being in the tomb; so, this is my blog's resurrection Sunday! Hopefully I will start obeying what I hear the Lord telling me to do, and giving heed to, all, His words...

"My father taught me, "Take my words to heart. Follow my commands, and you will live. Get wisdom; develop good judgment. Don't forget my words or turn away from them. Don't turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you. Love her, and she will guard you. Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment." (Proverbs 4:4-7 NLT) 

"Warning against Drifting Away"

  "So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it. For the massage God delivered through angels has always stood firm, and every violation of the law and every act of disobedience was punished. So what makes us think we can escape if we ignore this great salvation that was first announced by the Lord Jesus himself and then delivered to us by those who heard him speak? And God confirmed the message by giving signs and wonders and various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit whenever he chose." (Hebrews 2:1-4 NLT)

  "Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into." (1 Peter 1:12 KJV)

 So, yesterday was very interesting, to say the least. As I closed my computer after finishing my post, I had some kind of an attack; I seriously couldn't catch my breath. I has gone on all day and night; and I really don't know if it is still going on.

 Maybe my post yesterday was too bold and opened a door for the devil to test me. I believe God will be faithful and has something to do with this. Our God is an awesome God... 

"Ministering Spirits" - Too

"Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?" (Hebrews 1:14 KJV)

  "What can we bring to the LORD? What kind of offerings should we give him? Should we bow before God with offerings of yearly calves? Should we offer him thousands of rams and ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Should we sacrifice our firstborn children to pay for our sins? No, O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6:6-8 NLT)

 Before you try and think how this might apply, try thinking about Paul and the thorn in his side, as it was, the devil was involved in that, as God allowed it; and it was to keep Paul humble. I really don't think the devil does certain things for our good, but what he has made for a way to harm us, God will turn it and make it something meant for good! 

 We can see this happening in so many ways, much as they did for Jesus, as they for Paul, and as He does for your and I. God allows certain things, which seriously seem devastating, in the moment; but as we do what is right, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God, He will poor out His grace and glorify us as His special children! 

 Believe in that, because it will always happen...

"What do you think the Scriptures mean when they say that the spirit God has placed within us is filled with envy? But he gives us even more grace to stand against such evil desires. As the Scriptures say, "God opposes the proud but favors the humble." So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the word. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor." (James 4:5-10 NLT) 

   

"Ministering Spirits"

 "Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?" (Hebrews 1:14 KJV)

  "If you make the LORD your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home. For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands so you won't even hurt foot on a stone. You will trample upon lions and cobras; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet! The LORD says, "I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation."" (PSALM 91:9-16 NLT)

 To those who are aware of angels, meaning that you believe they are all around us, and they have been given the role and ability to watch over our lives, this Scripture is making it clear that they are real, that they do minister for those who shall be heirs of salvation! To be specific, it means that you are kept safe and secure, protected for that day when you will inherit salvation! 

 I know, it seems weird to think that way; but I know for a fact that there were a least four times I should have been killed growing up; maybe even several more that I don't even know about, as I wasn't allowed to go down a certain road, or board a certain plane, or a whole host of other reasons God was protecting me and guiding me through life, keeping me safe and secure.

 Did that mean that I was never harmed? Absolutely not! There were several times when I had broken bones, major cuts, and crazy things which should have taken me out of this world. "But for the grace of God, there go I," is the story I will always believe...

"So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God's Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, "Abba, Father." For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are his children. And since we are his children, we are heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God's glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering." (Romans 8:15-17 NLT) 

"The One and Only" - 2

 "But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?" (Hebrews 1:13 KJV)

  "Who is this who comes from Edom, from the city of Bozrah, with his clothing stained red? Who is this in royal robes, marching in his great strength? "It is I, the LORD, announcing your salvation! It is I, the LORD, who has the power to save!"" (Isaiah 63:1 NLT)

  Don't think that I have been unfaithful or have walked away from the Lord, because that wasn't the meaning of what I shared yesterday. The point I was trying to make is that my sinful nature causes me to feel unworthy; but in reality, the blood of Jesus has made me worthy; I alone don't have a chance to be righteous, without the blood of Jesus making me whole! 

 And yes, there are days when I feel as though it doesn't work; something about discouragement or doubt, which are tools of the devil. That is when we must focus upon the cross of Christ, knowing that it was the work of the cross that makes me holy, not by anything I might do or not do. Anything I do, is based on my love for Him; anything I don't do, is based upon my love for others.   

 Basically, it is all about love! "For God so loved the world," is how has shown us His great love by the sacrifice of His one and only Son! We love Him back by the desire to obey and follow His commands, which are really quite simple, but hard to be consistent, in this life! That is why we struggle and have days that don't seem easy: We are His children, who live in a fallen world! 

 But there will be a day when this fight will be no more; a day when every tear is whipped away and there will be no more struggle and no more pain: Thank You Jesus...

"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. I heard a load shout from the throne, saying, "Look, God's home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they shall be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever."" (Revelation 21:1-4 NLT) 

"The One and Only"

"But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?" (Hebrews 1:13 KJV)

  "So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father's one and only Son." (John 1:14 NLT)

 I really can't imagine what it was like for Jesus growing up, except that at the age of twelve, He came to know that He was called and chosen to be in His Father's house. He was humble and remained patient, learning a trade and waiting until the age of thirty to actually begin His ministry, showing the world the Love of God! 

 Obviously, the world wasn't ready to know or understand what had happened; they missed the message and only a small percentage of the world accepted the Good News. Much like the world today, those who follow Jesus are few, compared to the multitude of people that inhabit this earth. 

 I heard a small part of another message from Pastor Jack on Friday afternoon as he was sharing about when Jesus told a parable of the Net. In this parable, Jesus shows that all sorts of fish are caught, but not all fish are good; and those that aren't are discarded and thrown away.

 There are certain days when I feel as though my faith is not real, even though I truly believe in what I believe, my lack of righteousness and the ability to slip away, from time to time, makes me wonder if I was one of those fish that didn't belong. I guess there will be a day when I find out; but until that day is here, I am going to keep on trying, one day at a time...

"I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I can gain Christ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God's way of making us right with himself depends on faith. I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!" (Philippians 3:7-11 NLT)    

"Everything Else Will Change"

 "And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail." (Hebrews 1:12 KJV)

  "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?" 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 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 8:52-59 NLT) 

 Having believed who Jesus is, was, and evermore will be, I have understood that He had the ability to be able to appear and disappear, whenever He needed to do so. The same Jesus appeared in that upper room, after He rose from the dead, just as He did several times before He was put to death. The only difference was that He rose from the dead, as to be the First Resurrection, but He was still the same Jesus. 

 I hear some people say that Jesus rose as a spirit or a phantom; but from what I have come to know, He really didn't transform and shed His mortal body until He was lifted up into Heaven; if that is actually what took place, nobody knows! During the Thousand Year Rein, He will be ruling the earth; so, what will He be like then, if He is living here on this earth? 

 Anywho, it really isn't about what He might be or not be; it is about what He does and can do! Personally, I believe that Jesus made everything, therefore He can control everything, if He so pleases. The entire world, and everything in it is said the be atoms; so why shouldn't Jesus be able to control the atoms? If He wanted to walk through a door or a wall, then He could just go through any substance He wanted to, even a crowd of people.

 There are several times that Jesus appeared to Abraham; not each time was He manifested the same way. He appeared as Melchizedek, then He appeared as a Smoking Pot and a Flaming Torch, as He passed through the carcasses, and He signed the covenant for both He and Abraham; He also appeared to Abraham before He destroyed Sodom, as He was accompanied by two angels. 

 From what I have learned, He was the Flaming Sword at the gates to the Garden, when Adam and Eve were kicked out. He was also the fourth man in the Fiery Furnace, while He protected Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. In other words. He is always what He needs to be, but He never changes who He IS...

""I am the LORD, and I do not change. That is why you descendants of Jacob are not already destroyed. Ever since the days of your ancestors, you have scorned my decrees and failed to obey them. Now return to me, and I will return to you," says the LORD of Heaven's Armies." (Malachi 3:6-7a NLT)  

"He Remains!" - 2

 "They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment;" (Hebrews 1:11 KJV)

  "So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you." (1 Peter 5:6-7 NLT)

 Forgive me if I speak too directly about something that has caused some to fall away; but as I have said several times, over and over: 'If the blood of Jesus has washed you of your sins, you have been made clean, and you are now His, forever!' That is pretty much a promise, because God does not throw His children away; especially the ones who have been adopted! 

 Not sure everyone understands what that means, because when we are adopted, that means that God has chosen you to be His child, which actually gives you certain rights, that are more lenient than those of the child born into the family. Still not sure if everyone understands what that means, because being taken into a family means that you are made part of the family, with purpose and a special inheritance, more secure and untouchable than you know.  

 We are never going to be perfect here on the earth, so we should get our story straight and stop pretending that we have everything under control. Hopefully, you know by now, thinking you have it all under control is like jumping off a cliff and thinking you will not get hurt! As soon as you say that you have no more desire to sin, you set yourself up for a very serious fall! 

 Please don't get me wrong, we must be faithful and do our very best; but we also need to be perfectly honest with God, because He knows us better than we know ourselves. He loves us so much, more than we know! He is not letting you go...

"All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance - an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change or decay. And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see." (1 Peter 1:3-5 NLT)