"For Your Information"

"Then said the Jews, Will he kill himself? because he saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come." (John 8:22 KJV)

  "But I am a worm and not a man. I am scorned and despised by all! Everyone who sees me mocks me. They sneer and shake their heads, saying, "Is this the one who relies on the LORD? Then let the LORD save him! If the LORD loves him so much, let the LORD rescue him!"" (Psalm 22:6-8 NLT)

 Yes, it is true, in a strange sort of way; He did talk about His death, and yes, He did lay down His life, and surrender Himself over to be killed! And nobody, absolutely no one, could ever in millions of millions of years, do what He was about to do! Only God was holy and worthy enough to sacrifice Himself for the sins of all of us! 

 So, if you wanted something special to write home about or tell your children, then speak to anyone that will listen, and show them what the LORD GOD has done, because it was only Him that could make it happen! And besides all of that, He could have saved Himself, if He had wanted to, that is the real kick in the story. All He had to do was speak the word, and it would have all been stopped.

 Wow, what kind of strength it takes to make yourself weak enough to take on such pain and agony, all for the sake of those that you love...

"My life is poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart is like wax, melting within me. My strength is dried up like sunbaked clay. My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. You have laid me in the dust and left me for dead. My enemies surround me like a pack of dogs; an evil gang closes in on me. They have pierced my hands and feet. I can count all my bones. My enemies stare at me and gloat. They divided my garments among themselves and throw dice for my clothing." (Psalm 22:14-18 NLT) 

"Double Down" - Too

"Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come." (John 8:21 KJV) 

  "After seven days the LORD gave me a message. He said, "Son of man, I have appointed you as a watchman for Israel. Whenever you receive a message from me, warn people immediately. If I warn the wicked, saying, 'You are under the penalty of death,' but you fail to deliver the warning, they will die in their sins. And I will hold you responsible for their deaths. If you warn them and they refuse to repent and keep on sinning, they will die in their sins. But you will have saved yourself because you have obeyed me."" (Ezekiel 3:16-19 NLT)

 Before I started this journey, as I call it, there were several issues that seemed important to my life; one in particular was the interest I had in trying to support a certain political party. Even up to the middle of the year of 2021, I still was trying to contribute, but have since stopped and haven't given anything since. Not that it no longer matters, because I believe that it does; but in this current climate, or shall we say spiral, I feel that the culture has been changed, and there is really nothing else that we can do to correct it.

 I know that might sound like I have given up, but my focus has changed to dealing with things on a totally different level. Whether or not you care to believe it, that is totally up to you, but these are the last days that we are living in, and we need to be about the Father's business! 

 God is waiting for something, what I do not know! But everything is pretty much ready here, now it is all up to Him. When He gives the command, "Son, go get your bride!", that will be it; within the blink of an eye, the church will be raptured, and the earth will go through something that they could have never expected to happen. 

 There will be a multitude of people, fence-sitters and the like, which will suddenly know that all they had scoffed at and thought couldn't happen, it just happened! They missed out on being taken, and now they were going to tested like never before! I really hope that I don't get left, but if I do, I will have known that it was my own fault! 

 Now then: this is a very special message that John is putting down, as he recalls all that Jesus has said, and tries to show us why He said it, having to say it again! All of these Jewish leaders are seriously stuck on stupid: they fail to see that Jesus is not of this world, that He is not just a man, and that He has come to this world to do something that the world has never seen before! 

 This is our comma period of the story, as Pastor Jack has put it. There between, "to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD," and, "and the day of vengeance of our God," there is a comma! Right now, in this moment, we are living at the end of that comma, the pause between liberty and vengeance! When Jesus took the scroll and began reading this, He ended reading at, "the year of the LORD," and then rolled up the scroll, or closed the book, saying, "This day is this Scripture fulfilled in your ears." 

 The scroll is about to be opened, very soon! But then again, what do I know? I know that this stuff going on currently is really stupid, beyond anything we have ever seen before. Common sense has been thrown out the window, as if the majority of people's minds are lost in the cloud, literally...  

"But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:8-9 KJV) 

"Double Down"

 "Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come." (John 8:21 KJV)

  "Jesus replied, "Do wedding guests fast while celebrating with the groom? Of course not. They can't fast while the groom is with them. But someday the groom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast. "Besides, who would patch old clothing with new cloth? For the new patch would shrink, and rip away from the old cloth, leaving an even bigger tear than before. "And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the wine would burst the wineskins, and the wine and the skins would both be lost. New wine calls for new wineskins."" (Mark 2:19-22 NLT)

 Whether you can see it or not, this message delivered by Jesus is Him speaking of something on a whole new level of understanding, both in regard to the customs by which they live, and the law by which they think that they must live by. But more than anything else, this is about a whole different way for people to draw near to and fellowship with God! 

 On the other note, as I was sharing yesterday, it is really not a question of whether or not we should get involved in the political arena, because that is not the level of fight that must be taken on. This is not about fighting flesh and blood; although, flesh and blood is involved in the fight! There are lives at stake all around us! Souls that are being sucked into a big black whole! And who do you think it is that is behind all of that? 

 I know it is not my place to get involved, but it must be talked about at our kitchen tables. Don't take my word for anything, but look for yourselves at what is being said, and don't forget to pray for God's Spirit to give you discernment. For example, the clip I saw this morning, about the award for the Teacher of the Year, 'The Big Guy' said something that sort of let the cat out of the bag: "These children belong to us." 

 This is not something that is all that new, because it has been going on for at least forty or fifty years; it just has become bolder and, in your face, as there are more and more ways to place barriers between the parents' rights, to train and raise their own children, as they see fit. Not sure if this has gotten through to anyone: but if you Home-School your children or if they are raised in a school that does not teach the way that they, so called, should be taught, then their chances for employment in certain areas or positions will have been eliminated. 

 Anywho, I am done with that, because today we must focus upon Jesus! What Jesus is saying, in very little words, is that those who choose to like by their own ways, will not go with Him where He is going! They will die in their sins, most assuredly, unless they choose to believe in Him! You must try hard to not only understand that message, but to be able to share that message to those that you care for and what to see later on! 

 This is not a topic for light discussion and catchy phrases! This is a fight for souls that are being ripped from our arms and into the pit of hell, and we don't even know it...  

"With Christ as my witness, I speak with utter truthfulness. My conscience and the Holy Spirit confirm it. My heart is filled with bitter sorrow and unending grief for my people, my Jewish brothers and sisters. I would be willing to be forever cursed - cut off from Christ! - if that would save them. They are the people of Israel, chosen to be God's adopted children. God revealed his glory to them. He made covenants with them and gave them his law. He gave them the privilege of worshiping him and receiving his wonderful promises. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are their ancestors, and Christ himself was an Israelite as far as his human nature is concerned. And he is God, the one who rules over everything and is worthy of eternal praise! Amen." (Romans 9:1-5 NLT) 

"The Unbelieving People Warned"

  "Later Jesus said to them again, "I am going away. You will search for me but will die in your sin. You cannot come where I am going." 

 The people asked, "Is he planning to commit suicide? What does he mean, 'You cannot come where I am going'?"

 Jesus continued, "You are from below; I am from above. You belong to this world; I do not. That is why I said that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I AM who I claim to be, you will die in your sins." 

 "Who are you?" they demanded. Jesus replied, "The one I have always claimed to be. I have much to say about you and much to condemn, but I won't. For I say only what I have heard from the one who sent me, and he is completely truthful." But they didn't understand that he was talking about his Father.

 So Jesus said, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man on the cross, then you will understand that I AM he. I do nothing on my own but say only what the Father taught me. And the one who sent me is with me - he has not deserted me. For I always do what pleases him." Then many who heard him say these things believed in him." (John 8:21-30 NLT)

  "Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: so shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man. Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." (Proverbs 3:3-6 KJV) 

 Believe it or not, but time is really not on our side, when it comes to doing our part. As a matter of fact, I seriously doubt that I can do enough to make up for everything that God has done for me! It sure is good to know that He does not require us to pay for that which is freely given! 

 Matthew Henry finishes his observation of that previous section saying: "To all God's purposes there is a time." Just because it has not happened yet, does not mean it will not happen! That goes for just about anything in this life, whether it is for us or for those who we earnestly pray for; just because it has not happened yet, does not mean it will not happen. 

 With that, I am really somewhat troubled by the things many of our fellow believer's don't really think are worth caring about, or think are they should even get involved in the conversation. Yes, we are not of the world, so there are certain things that we cannot and should not participate in or be part of; but standing up for the truth, protection of children, protecting our families, or the basic rule of law; these are things that must not be left for the ungodly and the evil people to have full control of. 

 I know, this is a touchy subject, that many feel we should not touch. It is because of that type of understanding that it has gotten as far as has, as quick as it has. Looking at the Scripture from Proverbs, Solomon is giving a simple instruction about the basic way we are to represent God. The way we are to represent God, is that we effect some sort of change in the world around us.

 The light we have in us, needs to shine...

"Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid." (Matthew 5:13-14 KJV)  

 

"A Time and Place"

 "These words spake Jesus in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come." (John 8:20 KJV) 

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." (Jeremiah 29:11 KJV) 

 Just so you know, I was really praying for some sort of special message about, "the treasury," as if there was something John was trying to say in mentioning the place, whether it might matter or not. As I sat here this morning, somewhat disappointed, I apparently have nothing to contribute to this special area of the Temple where people came to deposit their tithes and offerings. 

 Now about that little thing that I said, concerning heaven and hell: I have every expectation of being in Heaven with Jesus; hell is not a threat to me, so I do not make it my personal concern. But I do have a major concern for the people that I love and pray for, knowing full well that hell is real, I do not want to see them perish! 

 Additionally, after I had given my life to the Lord, salvation became abundantly clear: there was more to this new life that just fellowship with my Creator, it involved purpose, a hope towards eternity, and peace that everything was assured to be well. Well, is not exactly free from disaster and heartache, as many of you probably know from experience; but it is specifically just like a well, which is where others might come to get a drink of water. 

 That is really a pretty deep subject to talk about, but in the sake of time, I think it can wait for another day and hour. This is the most important part of why we came to Christ, not that we should be saved from hell, because that is pretty much a given; but that we should be part of something that is so spectacular, that even the angels are in awe of what takes place! 

 Each and every one of us are just a small little piece of something that is so spectacular and amazing, it is an honor for God to show us all that He has done; as He will do, when that time has come! In the meantime, we contribute to and become a part of His wonderful plan, just doing our part! It really is very similar to the Treasury in that Temple, as not everyone can contribute the same amount, but they all can contribute their part, which is just the same as the same amount! 

 Having something that is the same, no matter who we are or how much we might think we have, time is the only thing which is equal for everyone to give the same amount of: we all have the same number of minutes in every day...

"Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God's work from beginning to end." (Ecclesiastes 1:11 NLT) 

"A Line in the Sand"

 "Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also." (John 8:19 KJV)

  "If the Good News we preach is hidden behind a veil, it is hidden only from people who are perishing. Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don't believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don't understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God. You see, we don't go around preaching about ourselves. We preach that Jesus Christ is Lord, and we ourselves are your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, "Let there be light in the darkness," has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves." (2 Corinthians 4:3-7 NLT)

 Well then, isn't this interesting? We are speaking about the Light of the world, isn't that the topic in which Jesus first brought up? Light, as it does, brightens up the surroundings and exposes things which might otherwise be hidden. Light shines in darkness, exposing that which is trying to stay hidden and out of sight. What is it that makes people hate the name of Jesus? 

 There are things going on behind the walls we have built around our lives, things that are making it more and more, shall we say, controversial, to take a stand for Jesus Christ. I can't and won't complain about it, because it is meant to happen. Jesus clearly said, "If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first." (John 15:18 NLT) If we actually make it to that verse, I will most likely be somewhat disappointed! 

 Basically, it all comes down to one choice: You either accept God's Son as your personal Savior, or you perish! The majority of the world is just not okay with that, plain and simple! Nothing has really changed, it is still the same, just on a much bigger level. Today, news travels as fast as the speed of light; anything that is made public, is made public a million times faster. 

 There is no stopping that which is meant to be, because it must happen just as it is written. The strange and totally crazy thing is, those that are against God's way, cannot see the way that it all plays out. If they could, then they would not press those buttons that they are pressing; they would not shake their fists at God, if they knew what was in store for them. Or would they? 

 I can totally understand how that is, as I too once had that kind of a heart. My life was more important than any threat of hell, because if there was a hell, it wouldn't change the direction in which I wanted to live. But, without even that option set before me, God reached down and touched my heart. When I received Jesus into my life, I wasn't worried about hell, I was amazed that He did what He did, and I wanted to know Him with all of my heart! 

 That my friend is the true line in the sand; not that we are trying to make our options heaven or hell: but whether or not we want to have a personal relationship with our Creator...

"We know that we are children of God and that the world around us is under the control of the evil one. And we know that the Son of God has come, and he has given us understanding so that we can know the true God. And now we live in fellowship with the true God because we live in fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and he is eternal life. Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God's place in your hearts." (1 John 5:19-21 NLT)  

"The Testimony"

"I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me." (John 8:18 KJV)

  "But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, "Abba, Father." Now you are no longer a slave but God's own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir." (Galatians 4:4-7 NLT)

 Look at this as something we can point to for proof, because the way I see it, if God has declared it so, then there is really nothing else that needs to be proven! If you know your Bible, this is pretty much a settled case of proven identity: God said He would do it and how, and Jesus was living proof that it was done. One declared it to be, the other was the manifestation of what was declared: Proven! 

 Do you need further clarification? Okay, in summary of the proof, it was basically three steps, and then the podium. The first was the declaration God made to Satan regarding Eve's seed, in Genesis 3:15, "And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel." This was the declaration that Jesus would come to defeat the devil, and that He would come being born of a virgin; as the woman has no seed, but has an egg, the seed comes from a man. 

 Yes, I know, that is purely based upon the interpretation of the Text; so I will choose to agree with that interpretation, if you don't mind! There are several more examples of proof, if you are no convinced that God was making that point regarding the virgin birth. But the second proof is the actual virgin that was implanted with God's seed, Mary, the mother of Jesus. As the angel sent from God declared to her: "The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God." (Luke 1:35) 

 The third proof was when Jesus was baptized, as the Father declared Himself, saying, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." (Matthew 3:17) Which brings the testimony of the Son into the right and privilege to stand up to the podium and declare Himself as a witness, being the actual One! He who was, and is, and is to come! 

 Besides all of that, there are still many, who call themselves followers of Christ, but do not believe in the virgin birth...

"Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and call his name Emmanuel." (Isaiah 7:14 KJV) 

"Sufficient Evidence"

"It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true." (John 8:17 KJV) 

  "Before the way of faith in Christ was available to us, we were placed under guard by the law. We were kept in protective custody, so to speak, until the way of faith was revealed. 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 and 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 4:23-29 NLT) 

 Having taken this long, you would think by know it would all be figured out; but faith is not something you can just accept, set it aside, and then think it is always ready to use, any time you want to put it into action. Some people think that it is like riding a bike, as if that means you learn to ride it, and it will always be easy to pick it back up again. No! That's not exactly what it means! Like riding a bike, is to stay upright, you must keep the bike in motion, moving forward! 

 Anywho! I have so many things I would like to share about faith, but playing back the things we experience, although they were spectacular in the moment, not everyone gets that same experience by what we might have felt, living through something spectacular for us. It is a lot like when you hear a certain message, one that really shakes you and brings new life, looking for the same feeling again, by the same message, over and over, most likely is not going to happen. Live in the moment, not in the past! 

 I don't quite know if that makes any since, or even if it fits into this example of sufficient evidence. But between me and God, I feel as though He has convinced me enough to know, MY GOD IS REAL...

"You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls. This salvation was something even the prophets wanted to know more about when they prophesied about this gracious salvation prepared for you. They wondered what time or situation the Spirit of Christ within them was talking about when he told them in advance about Christ's suffering and his great glory afterward. They were told that their messages were not for themselves, but for you. And now this Good News has been announced to you by those who preached in the power of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. It is all so wonderful that even the angels are eagerly watching these things happen." (1 Peter 1:8-12 NLT)  

"Incontestable"

 "And yet if I do judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me." (John 8:16 KJV)

  "The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine. You will enlarge the nation of Israel, and its people will rejoice. They will rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest and like warriors dividing the plunder. For you will break the yoke of their slavery and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders. You will break the oppressor's rod, just as you did when you destroyed the army of Midian. The boots of the warrior and the uniforms bloodstained by war will be burned. They will be fuel for the fire." (Isaiah 9:2-5 NLT)

 Just so happens, we are more than able to withstand whatever test that we are given, because even if they destroy this body, they cannot touch or lay a finger upon our soul! I wonder what fire this portion of Scripture could be referring to, saying, "They will be fuel for the fire," because there is a fire that burns constant in heaven, that heats the coals that burn in the alter before the throne of God. 

 Those same coals are mentioned in Isaiah 6:6, which was touched to Isaiah's lips, making him clean and free from sin. Not that there is any mystery to the reason Isaiah felt unclean; because, any time we draw close to God, the closer we get, the more defiled we feel; the more defiled we feel, the more we need to be cleansed! 

 Fortunately for us, God loves to clean up His children! Which is exactly what that illustration represents: just like that, the coal from the alter of God, touched Isaiah's lips, and he was declared to be clean! Odd, as it might be, but this is God's ability, as the Great Judge of every soul: to grant us forgiveness based upon what He determines is adequate to make us clean! 

 Listening to Pastor Robert yesterday, I was beginning to think he might have bumped his head, as he spoke upon the judgement spoken of in Revelation 20:11-15. He kept speaking as though everyone, including saints, were going to be judged for all that they had done, based upon all the books that were opened before the great white thrown. As he moved into the approaching end, saying over and over, "and all the dead," over and over, as though it was meaning everyone, even the saints! Then I began to realize the purpose for this constant focus upon the judgment of all! 

 If we are born twice, we only die once! "Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death. And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire." (Revelation 20:15 NLT) Is your name written in the Lamb's Book of Life? If you have accepted His free gift of salvation, it surely is, and you are counted with those that are called, "Whosoever wills!" 

 Will you answer His call today? God is calling! His call is real, His cleansing is real, and His authority is incontestable...

"For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the LORD of Heaven's Armies will make this happen!" (Isaiah 9:6-7 NLT) 

"Partiality" - x10

"Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man." (John 8:15 KJV)

  "But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."" (1 Samuel 16:7 NLT)

 You might not believe this, but I heard at least 3 messages yesterday the dealt with this subject, about how God doesn't care about what you have done, but only about that you love what He has done for you! We get so hung up on our failures and weaknesses, that we can find ourselves carrying those feeling into the relationship that should be experiencing with God. That causes to hide things from God, as if we think that might be possible, but we know in our heart, it surely is not! 

 Don't know if I have shared this before, put God has a special way to wake me up in the morning, usually quite a bit earlier than our appointed time: two knocks, usually just, Knock - Knock! It's almost as if He wants to share something or have me pay special attention to my wife, as she might need something or needs to be suctioned. 

 I really don't know why I shared that, but it is just something that I appreciate, as I feel it encourages me to pay attention to our relationship, regardless of how I might otherwise feel about myself. We must not ever feel as though God does not love us, because He is not capable of that! If you are His child, there is nothing that you can do to stop Him from loving you, because you belong to Him! 

 If you are reading this, and you don't think you are one of His, it is only because you have not asked Him to have you as His own! He is never partial or unwilling to receive you, just as you are! Which reminds me about Pastor Roberts message, how he said, Repent is not a bad word, but a wonderful word: because it means, "change the way you think about God". You change the way you think about God, and then He changes your heart! 

 God does not need to judge us, because we have already been judged; we were born a sinner, from our very first breath, we were born separated from our Hevenly Father. He does not need to condemn us, because we are already condemned! He wants to save you and has proven that by what He has done! 

 Another message I heard yesterday was about how the Pharisees always complained about how Jesus hung out with sinners. If we don't think that we need to be saved, then we have no real fellowship with the Lord...

"Later, as Jesus left the town, he saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at his tax collector's booth. "Follow me and be my disciple," Jesus said to him. So Levi got up, left everything, and followed him. Later, Levi held a banquet in his home with Jesus as the guest of honor. Many of Levi's fellow tax collectors and other guest also are with them. But the Pharisees and their teachers of religious law complained bitterly to Jesus' disciples, "Why do you eat and drink with such scum?" Jesus answered them, "Healthy people don't need a doctor - sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent."" (Luke 5:27-32 NLT) 

"Partiality"

 "Ye Judge after the flesh; I judge no man." (John 8:15 KJV)

  "Can unjust leaders claim that God is on their side - leaders whose decrees permit injustice? They gang up against the righteous and condemn the innocent to death." (Psalm 94:20-21 NLT)

 In light of all that is happening in this world, I feel as though I should just focus upon what is being said, not trying to voice my own opinion about worldly matters. Besides, the war that we are fighting, is not of the flesh! 

 In the four words, "I judge no man," Jesus is speaking about His purpose here in the moment, not later on, when He actually returns, at the end of the Tribulation. This go-around, Jesus came to save the world; the judgment will be placed upon Him, not upon any man or woman on this planet! He came to take on the penalty for our sins; the judgment that will be placed upon man will be the rejection of Him, and that alone! 

 Not that I want to change the subject, because this is good to know; but there is a new bill that is being floated here in this State, without mentioning names, that is meant to make it legal to kill a baby after it has been born, for something like, three weeks after birth. A condition associated with this bill, is that the mother can't be charged with murder, and anyone that tries to charge her can be taken to court themselves. 

 Talk about injustice! Talk about condemning the innocent to death! If my wife was not in the state she is in now, I am pretty sure that she would be down there at the State Capital stomping up and down! Where is any justice for the life of a child? Who gives anyone the right to choose who lives or dies? This is only the beginning; you can bet the next step will be based upon the ability to contribute and pull your own weight! 

 Regardless of where you might stand on this, you are not in any way clear from not being placed in the category of, Unfit to Live! Just a little traffic accident, or a financial ruin, or reaching towards the end of your life expectancy; whatever the powers-to-be decide is unfit, and then you will be done, your life here will be over. 

 Anywho! This is seriously about picking one person over another...

"My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others?" (James 2:1 NLT) 

"The Partition"

"Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go." (John 8:14 KJV)

  "The Scriptures tell us, "The first man, Adam, became a living person." But the last Adam - that is, Christ - is a life-giving Spirit. What comes first is the natural body, then the spiritual body comes later. Adam, the first man, was made from the dust of the earth, while Christ, the second man, came from heaven. Earthly people are like the earthly man, and heavenly people are like the heavenly man. Just as we are now like the earthy man, we will someday be like the heavenly man." (1 Corinthians 15:45-49 NLT) 

 Now, I might not know all that I should, but this much I know: This is my temporary dwelling place, because I have a far better place waiting for me in Heaven! Oh, what a difference that makes in this life! No matter what this life here might throw upon me, it is all for not! Not even the thought of death can bother me, except for the thought of my wife being left alone and uncared for! 

 I hope you can partially see the great divide between those that don't know where they are going, and those that know exactly where they will be! And ours is just a little bit of faith: Jesus had a greater understanding, because He was going back from where He came! 

 I'm sorry for all of the exclamations, but this is a serious matter. We must be about knowing where we are going; our lives need to show that we have a greater hope within us, because the lives of those around us need to see the assurance that we have in Christ. Even when we mess up, which we will, we need to counter back with a greater assurance and the explanation for our mistaken insecurity.  

 Are we perfect? Far from it! But we are made perfect in Christ Jesus, therefore we have justification in Christ's finished work on that cross! His blood has washed away every sin, making us fit for Heaven; and because He rose and reins in Heaven, we shall do the same: Following Jesus is the goal; like a heal-catcher, there we will go...

"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 garbage, so that I could 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)  

"The Objection"

"The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true." (John 8:13 KJV) 

  ""My people bend their tongues like bows to shoot out lies. They refuse to stand up for the truth. They only go from bad to worse. They do not know me," says the LORD." (Jeremiah 9:3 NLT) 

 There is really only one way to put this, These, so called me of God, do not like Jesus! It's not as though they have not inquired about who He was before, because they most surely have; so why are they making such a fuss about His testimony, having been wanting to know, or did they? 

 I can recall some very familiar times, not only before I was saved, but even since that New Life experience, when I really didn't want the truth to be revealed. Before I was saved, it was more about the truth about Jesus. I might not have realized it then, but it was not really that I did not want to know who He was, but more like, I did not want to have any part in what He was offering.

 Those times sense, the messages that were sometimes the most convicting, I would consider them to be for someone else, and not for myself. It might not have been all that way, because if the message was really life changing, then it was about finding something wrong in the message, in order to tear down the impact of the it might have had on my life. 

 That might sound as though I rejected God's word, because in all honesty, that's what I surely did. It has been said, "We only hold onto the sins that we like," those are the sins that trip us up and cripple our ability to go all out for God. Just saying, because it is more common than we can actually see. It is really all about the heart! 

 Anywho: this would be the crimes that would be placed upon the Lord, His testimony of who is said that He was, and what He said that He could do. Without taking the time to actually investigate the truth, they had no desire to even listen for or look into the truth, because they were determined to destroy Him. Basically, their hearts were hardened towards the heart of God! 

 God loves mercy, which I believe makes the guilty feel all the more guilt for not pleading for His mercy. It is really all about how much we want to please God, verses, how much we please ourselves! 

 Following Jesus means that we try and do what He did...

"You must have the same attitude that Christ had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position as a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal's death on the cross." (Philippians 8:6-8 NLT) 

 

"The Light of Life" - To

 "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." (John 8:12 KJV) 

  ""Come, let us return to the LORD. He has torn us to pieces; now he will heal us. He has injured us; now he will bandage our wounds. In just a short time he will restore us, so that we may live in his presence. Oh, that we might know the LORD! Let us press on to know him. He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of the dawn or the coming of rains in early spring."" (Hosea 6:1-3 NLT) 

 As we are most likely well aware, this is called Resurrection Sunday, as it is a celebration of the day that Jesus rose to life, having defeated the grave! It is the celebration of hope, not just based upon faith, but fact, because He did rise, just as He said that He would! It has been proven time and time again, based upon the facts: the death really did happen, the solar eclipse did last for three hours, He was seen by a multitude of people, and His disciples were killed for their testimony of the Resurrection! 

 Now, I know that many people will mock and dispute every single one of those claims, as it has been the case for two thousand years; but the hope we have in the Resurrection is real, not based upon a myth, but can be proven, over and over again! So, what do we do with that? 

 The Light that Jesus is speaking of, is that of 'the power of understanding' which allows those that have the Light to understand spiritual truth. It might be easy to better understand, if we were to relate this to what Jesus said to Nicodemus: "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John 3:3 KJV) 

 When I accepted Jesus, my eyes were opened to a whole new view of life; this current life was torn away, and a new, everlasting life, was placed before me! I really don't know how else to explain it, but it changed my whole perspective of death. No longer was death a threat, because the grave was just a new beginning. 

 In other words, our understanding about death has been changed to the eternity of life! This fact, that there is life after death, was made abundantly clear by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ! Because He rose from the grave, we will rise also; that is a fact! You can take that to the grave, and actually do something with it...

"But tell me this - since we preach that Christ rose from the dead, why are some of you saying there will be no resurrection of the dead? For if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless. And we apostles would all be lying about God - for we have said that God raised Christ from the grave. But that can't be true if there is no resurrection of the dead. And if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then your is useless and you are guilty of your sins. In that case, all who have died believing in Christ are lost! And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world. But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died." (1 Corinthians 15:12-20 NLT) 

"The Light of Life"

 "Then spake Jesus again unto them saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." (John 8:12 KJV)

  "I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me? I will fulfill my vows to you, O God, and will offer a sacrifice of thanks for your help. For you have rescued me from death; you have kept my feet from slipping. So now I can walk in your presence, O God, in your life-giving light." (Psalm 56:11-13 NLT) 

 For the people that wonder what keeps someone like me doing this, seeming endless blog, it is based a vow. Believe it or not, but there are such things that still exist in this world; although, many of them are based upon revenge, almost every sincere vow has some sort of passion behind it, in order to keep it alive. The vow that Daivd is speaking about is connected to the security he knows that he has in God.

 I can remember a simple message I heard, maybe back in the mid-eighties. It involved at traffic-cone, as the top part of the cone has a small hole, while the bottom part of it has a large hole. Wednesday night Pastor Bryan had us looking at the world, starting with our current situation, and then, bit by bit, thinking about the room, to the city, the state, and on and on; until we could look back and try and see ourselves in that vast universe. I felt like a speck!   

 It might be hard to understand, but we do not live for ourselves: we live for God! You might have heard the saying of JFK, "Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country." It was meant to motivate people to commit to the better good, or something in that regard. We have a God that loves us, so much so, that He gave the ultimate sacrifice, in order to be able to allow us to be in His presence! 

 Maybe that is not what you expected? Maybe you had some other reason in mind, that was more towards the streets of gold, light so bright we could be feel radiant, and an abondance of eternal care and tranquility? None of that is what is important; everything is for Him! 

 Surprisingly, not everyone is alright with that! 'Where is my share in all of this?' is what some might say. You know, since we are on that subject about share, let me share this little bit of information with anyone who cares to know: This life consumes us, whether you like it or not, living in this life takes and does not give back! Our best hope is for another life after this, seemingly endless blog, or should I say, dash! How about dot? Maybe you like speck?

 As for me, I just want to get home as soon as my work here is done; until then, I have a vow to fulfill...

"In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: who is the image if the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: for by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: and he is before all things, and by him all things consist: and he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have preeminence." (Colossians 1:15-18 KJV) 

"Jesus, the Light of the World"

 "Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life."

 The Pharisees replied, "You are making those claims about yourself! Such testimony is not valid." 

 Jesus told them, "These claims are valid even though I make them about myself. For I know where I came from and where I am going, but you don't know this about me. You judge me by human standards, but I do not judge anyone. And if I did, my judgment would be correct in every respect because I am not alone. The Father who sent me is with me. Your own law says that if two people agree about something, their witness is accepted as fact. I am one witness, and my Father who sent me is the other."

 "Where is your Father?" they asked.

 Jesus answered, "Since you don't know who I am, you don't know who my Father is. If you knew me, you would also know my Father." Jesus made these statements while he was teaching in the section of the Temple known as the Treasury. But he was not arrested because his time had not yet come." (John 8:12-20 NLT)

    "Praise the LORD, all you nations. Praise him, all you people of the earth. For he loves us with unfailing love; the LORD'S faithfulness endures forever. Paise the LORD!" (PSALM 117 NLT)

 Well, I could have gone on and on, but let's just say, Jesus proved who He was by what He said to the woman, because He forgave her of her sins! Not that this is all there is to it, because there is so much more that is beyond what we could ever know or think. John would not have made this part of his message, if he didn't think it was part of the Story! 

 Besides, this next portion of Scripture is about the big difference between two very important places, light and darkness! Once, I lived in darkness, having no clue who Jesus really is; but then, on that Sunday morning, September something, in 1981, I went from being in darkness, and into the Light! 

 What a difference that made, like two very different worlds...

""Look at my servant, whom I strengthen. He is my chosen one, who pleases me. I have put my Spirit upon him. He will bring justice to the nations. He will not shout or raise his voice in public. He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle. He will bring justice to all who have been wronged. He will not falter or lose heart until justice prevails throughout the earth. Even distant lands beyond the sea will wait for his instruction."

 God, the LORD, created the heavens and stretched them out. He created the earth and everything in it. He gives breath to everyone, life to everyone who walks the earth. And it is he who says,

 "I, the LORD have called you to demonstrate my righteousness. I will take you by the hand and guard you, and I will give you to my people, Israel, as a symbol of my covenant with them. And you will be a light to guide nations. You will open the eyes of the blind. You will free captives from prison, releasing those who sit in dark dungeons. 

 "I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not give my glory to anyone else, nor share my praise with carved idols. Everything I prophesied has come true, and now I will prophesy again. I will tell you the future before it happens."" (Isaiah 42:1-9 NLT) 

"God and Judge!"

"She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more." (John 8:11 KJV)

  "Seek the LORD while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the LORD that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously." (Isaiah 55:6-7 NLT)

 Getting back to something I said earlier, (actually, a lot of somethings,) we must believe that Jesus was, is, and always will be God! There was no other way for all mankind to be saved, except that God would come and offer Himself as a sacrifice for the sins of the entire world. Only He could pay the price, because only He is worthy enough to be that perfect unblemished sacrifice for all of our sins! 

 I have had so many discussions with many J.W. followers; much of which ended in a deeper wedge being planted between us. It is much the same as the situation here, as the Scribes and Pharisees were held by a certain power, call it envy or whatever you want, but their hearts were hardened against the truth. To be clear: it was God's will for them to be the way that they were, as it was what must be, for them to be able to insist that Jesus be put to death.  

 This might not be the reason that this portion of Scripture was taken out of this story, because John has been making the same case all along: God became flesh and dwelt among us! But there are certain things about what was done in order to make us free from sin, things that we just absolutely cannot take for granted.

 As we enter into this coming weekend, we must remember what it is that we are celebrating, and the incredible power that was brought into our world! We need to be looking up, because He is not quite done dealing with this world yet...

"But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as a day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness." (2 Peter 3:8-13 KJV) 

"The Ultimate Witness!"

 "When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?" (John 8:10 KJV)

 ""But as for you, Israel my servant, Jacob my chosen one, descended from Abraham my friend, I have called you back from the ends of the earth, saying, 'You are my servant.' For I have chosen you and will not throw you away. Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand."" (Isaiah 41:8-10 NLT) 

 Believe it or not, but there are many people among us that still haven't figured it out. We can try so hard to understand what it is that makes us free from sin, something that is absolutely up to God, His will and grace, freely given for all of those that are willing to accept it; but we still look for some sort of sign or acknowledgement that it has actually happened. 

 Martin Luther is a really good example of what I am trying to talk about, if you have tried to study his life. The portion of Romans, which many use to show our constant struggle with sin and the flesh, is where Paul says:

  "For I delight in the law of God after the inward: but I see another law in my members, warring against the law in my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I think God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin." (Romans 7:22-25 KJV) 

 There is proof! We seriously must embrace it and walk accordingly! We have help, if we will choose to obey and stop leaning on our own understanding, which is will and might, and the power we think we might have to overcome. None of that is going to work, because it is only by God's Spirit that we can overcome! 

 Something else, as mentioned by Matthew Henry, was the little phase, "When Jesus had lifted up himself," he mentioned King David, who had lifted up himself after the death of the child. The deed was done, there was no more pleading for forgiveness, because the death he had wanted to avoid had already happened. 

 Now, we must brush ourselves off, and walk in a new understanding of life: Eternal life in Christ Jesus, who paid the ultimate price! And He waits for us, arms wide open...

"Wherefor, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:1-2 KJV) 

 

"Can I Get a Witness" - Too

 "And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst." (John 8:9 KJV)

  "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do." (Hebrews 4:12-13 KJV) 

 Okay then, now that we have determined God is quite justified to do whatever He wants, because He owns all things, knows all things, and can do all things, what might have been demonstrated here in this story? Before you close the book on this, somewhat seeming unimportant contact with the Judge of all creation, take a little closer look at what might have been discovered. 

 First of all, those that were of the cloth, being the so-called keepers of the law, were cut to the heart by the words Jesus spoke! Matthew Henry shows a very direct connection between Jesus' writing on the floor, and the hand-writing on the wall; as Belshazzar was frightened, so too were these Scribes and Pharisees! Not to make a big deal about what this indicates, but when the Judge of the soul speaks, the soul must react and will take on a reaction!

 I know it might not seem as though it is all that important, but then again, what keeps the world from coming to Jesus in the first place? 

 Secondly, there is the woman; left all alone, no accusers remained, and she is left with only One to judge her, Jesus! Come on, tell me you don't see the connection...

"This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all. So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth. But if we are living in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin. If we claim to have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts." (1 John 1:5-10 NLT)   

"Can I Get a Witness"

"And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst." (John 8:9 KJV) 

  "For you are not a true Jew just because you were born of Jewish parents or you have gone through the ceremony of circumcision. No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of the heart produced by God's Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people." (Romans 2:28-29 NLT)

 You would be surprised by the number of times each day that I call out for God's forgiveness; little things will prick my heart, sparked by some sort of familiar sign, which will remind me of something that I said or did not say, did or should have done. I am pretty sure we are getting closer to the end; or maybe it's just me! 

 I can recall reading this portion of Scripture when I first got saved. The first thing I read, as I was instructed, was the Gospel of John; and why this stood out to me, I really can't remember, except that I wondered why the eldest left first, and the youngest left last. Maybe it was because of the verse, "But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first." (Matthew 19:30 KJV) 

 The most amazing thing that I have noticed, true Christianity is not based upon merit, as in what a person can do, or how long a person has been walking with the Lord; it is merely based upon a person being in Christ. With Him we are perfectly fine; without Him we are lost...

""That evening he told the foreman to call the workers in and pay them, beginning with the last workers first. When those hired at five o'clock were paid, each received a full day's wage. When those hired first came to get their pay, they assumed they would receive more. But they, too, were paid a day's wage. When they received their pay, they protested to the owner, 'Those people worked only one hour, and yet you've paid them just as much as you paid us who worked all day in the scorching heat.'

 "He answered one of them, 'Friend, I haven't been unfair! Didn't you agree to work all day for the usual wage? Take your money and go. I wanted to pay this last worker the same as you. Is it against the law for me to do what I want with my money? Should you be jealous because I am kind to others?'

 "So those who are last now will be first then, and those who are first will be last."" (Matthew 20:8-16 NLT)    

"Ponder!"

 "And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground." (John 8:8 KJV)

  ""Come now, let's settle this," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool. If you will only obey me, you will have plenty to eat. But if you turn away and refuse to listen, you will be devoured by the sword of your enemies. I, the LORD, have spoken!"" (Isaiah 1:18-20 NLT)

 Good to know! That's pretty much the results of what we come away with; and then we place it on a shelf, saving it for some other time! James shares the reality of what this looks like, saying:

  "So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls. But don't just listen to God's word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don't obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don't forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it." (James 1:21-25 NLT) 

 To the message about Isaiah 18:1, most of us know this verse very well, but the next two verses really don't get focused upon as much. It might not sink in right away, but God will almost always show us the blessings first, and then give us the alternate version of what happens if we don't want to get blessed! Like, who doesn't want to receive a blessing? Weird point of view, don't you think? 

 Just so you know, I borrowed "Come Then" from Matthew Henry, as he was showing how Christ threw their judgment right back at them, saying, "Come then," saith Christ, "according to your own tradition will I judge you; if you are without sin, stand to the charge, and let the adulteress be executed; but if not, though she be guilty, while you that present her are equally so, according to your own rule she shall be free."

 As we enter into this upcoming week, I pray that we are paying attention to the meaning of what Easter represents, because it's not about the bunny that somehow lays eggs! It is about the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the grave! Because He lives, we get to resurrect also, into eternal life...

""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 anyone 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) 

 

"Come Then"

 "So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her." (John 8:7 KJV) 

  "You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things. And we know that God, in his justice, will punish anyone who does such things. Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God's judgment when you do the same things? Don't you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can't you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?" (Romans 2:1-4 NLT)

 Having seen the other side of this, those that might say Jesus was not God, I can totally understand how important it is to try and destroy any proof of His authority to claim Himself to be God, either by word or action. Why is this simple little encounter so important? If John put this into the text, why would anyone want to remove it? 

 I can remember my mother saying, "Jesus was not without sin because He got angry and chased everyone out of the Temple." This she said while we were all spending a great amount of time studying with the Jehovah Witness organization; quite a bit of time, like almost every day, so it seemed. I can recall the times when we would meet, studying the new publications, as the practice was to read what was being taught, then look up a particular verse in the Bible, and then agree together, saying, 'So it is written,' as if that proved that the publication was authentic, and from God. 

 This is not just a story about some woman that has been caught doing something: this is about a Man with authority from Heaven...

""Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink - even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine or milk - it's all free! Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength? Why pay for food that does you no good? Listen to me, and you will eat what is good. You will enjoy the finest food."" (Isaiah 55:1-2 NLT) 

"Keen Observation" - Two

 "This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote of the ground, as though he heard them not." (John 8:6 KJV)

  "Meanwhile, my enemies lay traps to kill me. Those who wish me harm make plans to ruin me. All day long they plan their treachery. But I am deaf to all their threats. I am silent before them as one who cannot speak. I choose to hear nothing, and I make no reply." (Psalm 38:12-14 NLT)

 As said before, John goes through every chance available to make known the deity of Jesus Christ. It might seem unimportant, but there must have been a reason that this portion of Scripture was removed from many early manuscripts. Weirdly enough but figuring out what might be the reason for the removal, is just the same as trying to figure out what Jesus wrote on the ground with His finger! 

 You might not agree with this, as many there are that don't, but the whole notion that Jesus was writing in the dust or sand or dirt, that is all so anyone reading can imagine there was something for Him to push around on that Temple floor with His finger. When you picture the Temple floor, this area was where people would sit down to hear a message and was most likely swept and kept free from dirt and debris. 

 There are a few other times recorded in the Bible where God wrote upon stone, with His finger; why not here! I'm not saying that this was the reason, because that would pure speculation. But the two times that I can think of, both involved judgment: The original tablets with the Ten Commandments, and the wall to judge Belshazzar for mocking God...

"Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was in Jerusalem; and the king and his princes, his wives and his concubines, drank in them. They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, and of stone. In the same hour came forth fingers of a man's hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaster of the wall of the king's palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote. Then the king's countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another." (Daniel 5:3-6 KJV)  

"Keen Observation"

"This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not." (John 8:6 KJV)

  ""The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? But I, the LORD, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve."" (Jeremiah 17:9-10 NLT) 

 I had originally wanted to break this up into two segments, the first one being their motivation towards Jesus, the second being Jesus' response. But then I discovered why they needed to be connected, as if John had planned to link this together, in order to show us something special about how God works. 

 Usually, I don't share about results that I see from particular posts, high traffic, low traffic; none of that really moves me or makes me change anything that I might be doing and what I feel like speaking about. But the response from yesterday's post was one that made me wonder: What is it about loving, or lack thereof, that pushes people apart? 

 I seriously don't want to go there, because there are just too many complicated issues that harden hearts, but the simplest and shortest way to make this point, is to realize that we have a serious disadvantage to love as God loves! Try as we may, we are going to get frustrated by trying! Better yet, if we try too hard, we will end up hating ourselves in the process; even possibly hardening our hearts to God, thinking that He expects too much from us. 

 I would like to remind anyone that really cares: When God tells us to move something that is impossible for us to move on our own, He expects us to discover that we cannot do it on our own! Sure, we will get stronger, somewhat, to a certain extent; but it is actually our weakness that needs to be realized, because in our own strength, we can do nothing! 

 If that offends anyone, I am not sorry! Personally, if I think I can do anything, especially love others as I should, then I need to be aware of my mistaken identity. Strangely enough, we are earthen vessels, totally void of godliness, unless we are filled with God. 

 Anywho; back on the subject at hand. Deuteronomy 20:22 says, ""If a man is discovered committing adultery, both he and the woman must die. In this way, you will purge Israel of such evil."" Excuse me if I might be mistaken, but last I understood, it was Adam that sinned, Eve was deceived; meaning that the man is always judged more than the woman. 

 That might seem way too far to the right of center, but there is more to this than meets the eye...

"For God made Adam first, and afterward he made Eve. And it was not Adam who was deceived by Satan. The woman was deceived, and sin was the result." (1 Timothy 2:13-14 NLT) 

"The Missing Link"

 "Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned, but what sayest thou?" (John 8:5 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)

 First of all, we must understand the opposite of hate; which is equal with murder, as in taking a life: is to give life, spare a life, offer yourself to preserve life; which is all based upon love. Man, sometimes I can surely miss that understanding! It is really not that hard to do! Anytime you place yourself before the needs of others, you are setting yourself up to hate! 

 If you think that I am making too much of this, you must examine the motives, and then look for the missing link. What is it that would cause us to hate? Is there such a thing as a little hate? Can just a little hate for anyone be controlled or managed properly? "A little leaven leavens the whole lump," which my mother would sometimes say, most likely quoting from Paul in Galatians 5:9.

 The point in Paul's letter, was about living by grace and keeping the law: if you are, on the one hand believing that you are redeemed by God's grace, and on the other hand, that you are made right by keeping the law, even if it is a small part of the law; then you frustrate the whole meaning of God's grace! Just a little bit of the opposite, a lie, will corrupt the whole meaning of what is right, the truth! 

 I really don't have all the answers to just about anything! But I absolutely know the One who holds all the answers to everything that I need to know about some things! We just need to know the basics and leave all the rest of the stuff, we cannot figure out, out of our reasoning to do what is right. 

 Secondly, we must walk humbly with God! To truly love as we should, requires God's help; without His help, we are helplessly broken and disconnected from the love we need, which is complete in God, and in God alone...

"We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here on this earth. Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. We love each other because he loved us first." (1 John 4:16-19 NLT) 

"That Big Question"

"And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery, and when they had set her in the midst, they say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act." (John 8:3-4 KJV)

 ""I warned the proud, 'Stop your boasting!' I told the wicked, 'Don't raise your fists! Don't raise your fists in defiance at the heavens or speak with such arrogance.'"" (Psalm 75:4-5 NLT)

 In case you were expecting to hear about this woman, that is not the big question that is being talked about; the bigger question is the arrogance of these scribes and Pharisees, who acknowledge that Jesus is one that teaches the things of God, but still plan and attempt to destroy Him! What was going on inside their head's? What might have caused them to be so overrun with arrogance, that they cannot see that God was being represented, right in their midst? 

 As it is, those that believe that they are untouchable or more righteous than others, they are the ones that seem to miss the arrogance of their own understanding, of who they are, what they represent, and who it is that they will ultimately answer to. We should never think of ourselves as being above anyone else. We all have the very same thing in common! We are all born in sin, subject to temptation, and in need of a Savior! 

 Besides praying for our children, we need to also be praying for our Pastors! If you have a Pastor who is making a difference and is being used of God to shakeup the camp of the enemy and is tearing down strongholds, then that man of God needs to be constantly prayed for! There is a big bullseye on his back and the enemy is waiting for just the right moment to strike. 

 In this situation, the scribes and Pharisees thought that they would have the upper hand. John does not share on what Jesus was teaching, but whatever He was teaching on, He was interrupted by these arrogant leaders, who felt that their mission was more important than His. Little did they know, but they were not only being controlled by their own arrogance, but they were filled with hate!

 We all know what hate does and why it is so hard to overcome...

"When it was time for the harvest, Cain presented some of his crops as a gift to the LORD. Abel also brought a gift - the best of the firstborn lambs from his flock. The LORD accepted Abel and his gift, but he did not accept Cain and his gift. This made Cain very angry, and he looked dejected. "Why are you so angry?" the LORD asked Cain. "Why do you look so dejected? You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master."" (Genesis 4:3-7 NLT) 

"God Speaks!" -Too

 "And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them." (John 8:2 KJV)

  "Whatever you do, do well. For when you go to the grave, there will be no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom." (Ecclesiastes 9:10 NLT) 

  Don't ask; it just so happens, it happens regardless of whether you are saved or lost: good things will happen to bad people, and bad things happen to the good people! It is what it is, because this world is cruel and broken! 

 That said, what a joy it is to know that there is something else, far better and more meaningful that is waiting on the other side of this! Without hope, as Solomon said, "Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher; all is vanity." (Ecclesiastes 12:8 NLT) 

 Yesterday we were blessed to have Pastor Don share his testimony. As it was, I was reminded that God does not aways heal us, or someone we love, not because He wants to see us suffer, but because He wants us to be more in touch with Him, then we otherwise would be. That might seem like a strange statement or observation; but it all comes down to Him, not our needs and wants, but His perfect will for what purpose we will be used for, whether we are in a trial or a blessing, we must remain dependent upon Him for everything, including our breath of life! 

 Don used the loss of his eye as an example of that which God would not heal; comparing that to the others that have lost something, like John the Baptist, who lost his head. It was rather funny to see the illustration of what that looks like, as he complained to Peter about the loss of his eye, and then showed Peter asking John, 'John, what do you think of that?' Then John, holding his head, questions the comparison, saying, 'Not a big deal!' (My interpretation, no word for word.) 

 However, that was not the main event! The main message is one of importance to the details of what matters the most in our lives: Do we care more about saving ourselves in this life, or loosing this life and gaining eternal life with the Lord? 

 Don used the verse from Acts 20:24; which he shows was the verse that changed his life, his perspective on living, and his motivation to keep moving: "To never have been put to flight!" I felt as though God was speaking right into my soul! It was as if the skin was pealed off of me, and my soul was exposed to the open air; as crazy as that might sound. 

 Looking back over these last 18 plus years, although the ride has been up and down, with all sorts of emotions and much compassionate prayers, I can honestly say, "None of these things move me!" As many of you may or may not know, I have committed to, and said: I am going to keep doing what I promised my wife and my God that I would do, no matter what: Only death will pull us apart...

"But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God." (Acts 20:24 KJV) 

"God Speaks!"

"And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them." (John  8:2 KJV) 

  "Then Job replied to the LORD: "I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you. You asked, 'Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?' It is I - and I was talking about things I knew nothing about, things far too wonderful for me. You said, 'Listen and I will speak! I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.' I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes. I take back everything I said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance."" (Job 42:1-6 NLT) 

 So, if you have been in a situation where God does something that you did not expect, something that was completely unexpected, yet very entertaining; would it be okay to laugh? If you have some experience in giving your tithes or offerings in a tight situation, then you should know what it means to be a hilarious giver. You give laughingly, because you feel led to do what you have committed to give, even though you don't really know what happens after! What else can you do, but laugh! 

 Yesterday's message from Pastor John about Sarah's laughing at God, reminded me of the hilarious ways that God works things out, even when we least expect it! Is it really okay to laugh? Well, if you can't laugh, then what does it mean to have joy in the midst of persecution? How can you have a joyful heart in the midst of a storm, if you don't chuckle at the thought that God works all things out, and just enjoy the ride? 

 In case you might not have known, the name Isaac, means laughter; as Sarah might have laughed at God, concerning the thought of His claim that she would bear a child in her old age; but God laughed back, proclaiming it again, and saying it, not just with promise, but with certainty! "Can not God do all things?" Listen up and know, God can totally and absolutely do whatever He wants, whenever He wants! 

 I couldn't help but think about when Paul and Silas were beaten and thrown into prison; had they not been able to rejoice in their situation, then they would not have been so able to sing praises to God, letting all that heard, wonder with amazement at their joy. What was the result of their happiness? God spoke, shaking the earth, and opening the prison doors! 

 I might not know much about all that God is doing, but I do know that everything He does is for the best! We might not understand what and why, as it is really not our place to worry about every little detail of how He does or will do what needs to be done. We must, take the time to listen, obey what He tells us to do, and then enjoy the ride... 

"Are we beginning to praise ourselves again? Are we like others, who need to bring you letters of recommendation, or ask you to write such letters on our behalf? Surely not! The only letter of recommendation we need is you yourselves. Your lives are a letter written in our hearts; everyone can read it and recognize our good work among you. Clearly, you are a letter from Christ showing the result of our ministry among you. This "letter" is written not with pen and ink, but with the Spirit of the living God. It is carved not on tablets of stone, but on human hearts." (2 Corinthians 3:1-3 NLT) 

"The Mount of Olives"

"Jesus went unto the mount of Olives." (John 8:1 KJV)

  ""You will live in joy and peace. The mountains and hills will burst into song, and the trees of the field will clap their hands! Where once there were thorns, cypress trees will grow. Where nettles grew, myrtles will sprout up. These events will bring great honor to the LORD'S name; they will be an everlasting sign of his power and love."" (Isaiah 55:12-13 NLT)

 Seemingly one of His favorite places to go, it presents the place of special events to follow. If you could know what was coming and had the knowledge of where you would perform certain events, wouldn't you frequent that place, imagining what that would be like? 

 The upcoming task at the cross was going to be brutal, but it was going to be worth every painful moment! This is what the Father wanted, to give His Son as a sacrifice for our sins. Because this was His Father's will, it became His passion to do everything just as the Father wanted done. This place, Mount Oilvet, was the place of honor and glory; a place that made the pain and suffering to come, well worth it! 

 No matter what you might be going through, if you know that you are going to be perfectly fine in the end, it should make the suffering now seem easier to withstand and your hope is enlarged for what is waiting on the other side, of whatever you are going through. No matter what it is, it becomes less of a burden, if there is something better that awaits on the other side.  

 There are some very pressing issues in our world today, as I am sure that everyone is quite aware. One issue in particular is really being ramped up, almost as if it has taken on a life of its own. Probably because it has some very powerful demonic forces behind it, and it is gathering momentum almost every single day. 

 We must pray for our children! Right now, there is a whole generation of children that are being taken into some dark and harmful place, that will be hard to pull them out of. We must pray and seek God's help and direction! There are some things, like wars, pestilence, famine, and persecution, that have the ability to strengthen us and our families; but this evil being perpetrated upon our children, is meant to destroy families! 

 Anywho, that is what I think about that! Be strong in the Lord and pray for your children...

"We are human, but we don't wage war as humans do. We use God's mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ. And after you have become fully obedient, we will punish everyone who remains disobedient." (2 Corinthians 10:3-6 NLT)  

"A Woman Caught in Adultery"

  "Jesus returned to the Mount of Olives, but early the next morning he was back again at the Temple. A crowd soon gathered, and he sat down and taught them. As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd. 

 "Teacher," they said to Jesus, "this woman was caught in the act of adultery. The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?"

 They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, "All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!" Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust. 

 When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, "Where are your accusers? Didn't even one of them condemn you?" 

 "No, Lord," she said.

 And Jesus said, "Neither do I. Go and sin no more."" (John 8:1-11 NLT) 

  "Lord, all my desire is before thee; my groaning is not hid from thee. My heart panteth, my strength faileth me: as for the light of mine eyes, it also is gone from me. My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my sore; and my kinsmen stand afar off. They also that seek after my life lay snares for me; and they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and imagine deceits all the day long. But, I, as a deaf man, heard not; and I was as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth. Thus I was as a man that heareth not, and in whose mouth are no reproofs. For in thee, O LORD, do I hope: thou wilt hear, O LORD my God." (Psalms 38:9-15 KJV) 

 Very interesting, to say the least. Why would this, very popular and talked about Scripture, be left out of some of the oldest Greek manuscripts? The movie, "The Resurrection of Gavin Stone," has this as one of three very important parts in the performance of the play that they perform at their church. In this particular sequence, the one who plays the Woman, was the one that told on Gavin for having taken a gig in Hollywood, instead of performing his part as Jesus in the play that upcoming weekend. 

 For what it's worth, he changed his mind, coming back, and was given a chance to perform his role; as the Pastor's daughter said, "This is what we do!" This was a slogan used as the Pastor shows how we are to treat others, as we would like to be treated ourselves. Something to think about...

"We know what real love is because Jesus gave his life for us. So we ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion - how can God's love be in that person? Dear children, let's not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God. Even if we feel guilty, God is greater than our feelings, and he knows everything." (1 John 3:16-20 NLT)