"On This Account"

 "And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me." (John 11:42 KJV)

  "While Jesus was on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the one who could rescue him from death. And God heard his prayers because of his deep reverence for God. Even though Jesus was God's Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered. In this way, God qualified him as a perfect High Priest, and he became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey him. And God designated him to be a High Priest in the order of Melchizedek." (Hebrews 5:7-10 NLT)

 I am sorry if I didn't go any further with that last verse, because I could have continued on for several more days. The whole meaning of the title, "A Breath Away," is mostly based on the fact that God can change us with a single breath, as He always does, as He always will do! Yes, it also had to do a little bit with our mortality, because we are always just one breath from death; but even then, we will be change in that very instant! 

 On that account, we must live this life with that wonderful understanding, that our lives are in God's hand! He decides when we go and how long we have on this earth, we are just the clay, He is the Potter that molds us and makes us, and He decides when and where we will go. Oh, I hope that didn't offend you, if you thought that you were the one that makes all the discissions? 

 Therefore, let me make myself clear about something I might have misrepresented in my curiosity. That which has past, is past; no matter how much we might regret anything we did or did not do, there is no going back to make things different or change those things which could have been or should have been done. 

 That said, God, who is that Master of the universe, can make things work out, amazingly, towards the good, even from that which seemed terribly wrong, He can make everything right! I could try to give you proof of that, in some form or fashion, but it's really not mine to elaborate on. If I were to try, I could be terribly wrong, because most of which is done, has not yet happened or been completed.

 I believe that I am a child of God; and as His child, I do not make the rules! If anything, I break the rules, hardly can keep the rules, and try very hard to make my own rules. But, because I am His Child, my rules don't count, they don't work, and they wind up making me a wreck; so wrecked, that I end up on my knees begging for Him to help me! 

 That's my story, and I will faithfully be sticking to it! Besides that, as long as we are faithfully counting on Him to see us through to the other side, no matter what might happen or how high the waves might get, we are going to safely at the other side, sooner or later. I expect to see quite a few of those I love there with me! 

 Other than that, there is really not much more to share about this verse, because Jesus makes it all pretty much plain and simple. He is speaking out load to the Father, making those around Him know, that the Father hears Him and has sent Him. Some still won't get the message...

"There is so much more we would like to say about this, but it is difficult to explain, especially since you are spiritually dull and don't seem to listen. You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God's word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn't know how to do what is right. Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong." (Hebrews 5:11-14 NLT) 

"A Breath Away"

 "Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me." (John 11:41 KJV)

   "I lift my eyes to you, O God, enthroned in heaven. We keep looking to the LORD our God for his mercy, just as servants keep their eyes on their master, as a slave girl watches her mistress for the slightest signal." (Psalm 123:1-2 NLT) 

 Don't know why, but as I pictured Lazarus inside the tomb, I did not imagine he was laid down, but was standing, as though a soldier, waiting for orders from his King to march forth. I know, it sounds weird, but it is possible! Anything with God is possible! I wish I could remember that more often, then maybe I too would be standing at attention waiting for orders; instead, I keep finding myself working on getting things done on my own. 

 Anywho, it really doesn't get much clearer than this: What is in your way from fully trusting the Lord? If you could narrow it down to one thing, what would it be? Lately, or maybe, for the last forty years, I have been feeling as though God wants me to do something else, but I have not felt strong enough to do it.

 Truth be told, maybe I just haven't been weak enough, to surrender completely to God's mercy! Don't quite know how else to describe it, but slaves don't stand around looking for grace, they are thankfully seeking and holding to mercy! In return, grace is given as a reward, not as a payment for service, as if they are being paid to ask and seek for mercy. 

 It is a fine line that separates the two, worker and servant; that line might be crossed over easily and without any warning, at all! For some, it might just be recognition, for others, it might just be grace! Amazingly, grace is freely given, but mercy is what we seek and ask for...

"Did I keep my heart pure for nothing? Did I keep myself innocent for no reason? I get nothing but trouble all day long; every morning brings me pain. If I had really spoken this way to others, I would have been a traitor to your people. So I tried to understand why the wicked prosper. But what a difficult task it is! Then I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked. Truly, you put them on a slippery path and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction. In an instant they are destroyed, completely swept away by terrors. When you arise, O Lord, you will laugh at their silly ideas as a person laughs at dreams in the morning. Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside. I was so foolish and ignorant - I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you. Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on this earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever." (Psalm 73:13-26 NLT)  

"Erase All Doubt" - Too

 "Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?" (John 11:40 KJV)

  "Yes, even today when they read Moses' writings, their hearts are covered with that veil, and they do not understand. But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord - who is the Spirit - makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image." (2 Corinthians 3:15-18 NLT)

 It really isn't a matter of us doing works, for the sake of being righteous, but Christ is doing a work in us, that we can display His righteousness. That said, you must work at making that happen! You cannot just live out righteousness because Christ has made you righteous, but you live out righteousness because Christ has called you righteous! 

 My mom sometimes said, "Don't do what I do, do what I say!" But Christ Jesus says, "Do what I say, because I say what I do!" Or something to that affect. Besides, Paul tells us in Romans 13:14, "Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don't let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires." Sounds a little bit like doing to me! 

 Yes, we get hindered by our unbelief, because our belief is most times tied to ourselves. We imagine how we should be, and then reality sets in, and we get discouraged by thinking we have somehow failed. Well, I have news for you, in case you didn't know: You fail because you are human! Yes, you are still a Saint, but that crown is stowed away in heaven! 

 But the Good News is, that Jesus Christ did not fail, and He will not fail you now! Put all your trust in Him, leaning not on your own understanding! Seriously, stop trying to figure out a way for you to do it yourself, or trying to figure out the human way that God will get it done! Trust Him with ALL! 

 (Man, do I need some serious help!) "Where is the God of Elijah?" is probably not the question we should be asking when we are dealing with doubt, but, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" What that basically means, is to ask yourself, 'Am I a child of the KING, or what?' 

 Be the child...

"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) 

 

"Erase All Doubt"

 "Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?" (John 11:40 KJV)

  "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare and not carnal but mighty in God for the pulling down of strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled." (2 Corinthians 10:4-6 NKJV) 

 Not quite sure what I said, but someone was not happy about my post yesterday. Regardless, this is more than just some sort of hinderance to faith, it holds back those who God wants to use, by making them think they are unusable! Think about that poor widow, she gave as a sacrifice, not out of her abundance. She could have easily thought to herself, this offering is worthless, and compares nothing with that which others are giving. But she gave it based upon faith! 

 Okay, so maybe the simplicity of that statement gets overused and has grown stale. But faith is only as good as what you put that faith into! Do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God? If so, then put down your physical weapons, whatever that represents, and start using your spiritual weapons, for the tearing down of the strongholds in your life! What is a stronghold, besides that which is holding back! 

 What was blocking Martha from seeing God's glory? Well, her brother being dead for one; that surely set her up for needing a little recovery. But being that he had been dead for four days, that was pretty much the clincher. Jewish tradition of belief, supposed that the soul would circle around the body for two or three days, hoping to get back inside; but after decay started setting in, the soul would give up and leave. 

 Really, it doesn't matter what was going on inside her heart and mind, she just needed to believe in Jesus Christ, which means, she needed to believe that what He said was what He meant, period! If He said that it is so, then it is so! If Jesus said your sins are forgiven, then they are no more, and you can start living a sinless life!

 But I still sin! Then start sinning less! And when you have removed sin, replace it with good deeds, not with a lesser sin! Sin is still sin, regardless of what it might be; if God is asking you not to do certain things, then you must be obedient to what He says. And if God is telling you to do certain things, then you must be obedient to do them, otherwise, that becomes sin, for not being obedient! 

 Think about this and place yourself in Abraham's shoes. God told Abraham to leave his father's land, and to go into a land that God would show him. Abraham's leaving the land is what God used to count Abraham righteous. Did Abraham sin after God called him righteous? If lying is a sin, then that would count against him; but God did not count a sin against him, and still called him righteous.

 We get so caught up on what we see with our own eyes, but fail to see what God sees! God is Judge, Jury, and Prosecutor, there is no one else that we will answer to, period...

"Clearly. God's promise to give the whole earth to Abraham and his descendants was based not on his obedience to God's law, but on a right relationship with God that comes from faith, If God's promise is only for those who obey the law, then faith is not necessary and the promise is pointless. For the law always brings punishment on those who try to obey it. (The only way to avoid breaking the law is to have no law to break!) So the promise is received by faith. It is given as a free gift. And we are all certain to receive it, whether or not we live according to the law of Moses, if we have faith like Abraham's. For Abraham is the father of all who believe. That is what the Scriptures when God told him, "I have made you the father of many nations." This happened because Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and who creates new things out of nothing." (Romans 4:13-17 NLT) 

 

"Stinkin' Thinkin'"

 "Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he sinketh: for he hath been dead four days." (John 11:39 KJV) 

  ""Don't call me Naomi," she responded. "Instead, call me Mara, for the Almighty has made life very bitter for me. I went away full, but the LORD has brought me home empty. Why call me Naomi when the LORD has caused me to suffer and the Almighty has sent such tragedy upon me?"" (Ruth 1:20-21 NLT)

 I have been waiting for three days to get to this Scripture; I hope it was worth it! This portion of Scripture from the Book of Ruth, as you should know, is when Naomi returns from Moab to Bethlehem, and is complaining that people greeted her by her name, Naomi, which means pleasant. She really didn't feel very pleasant, having left home with a husband and two sons, and returned home empty! 

 As you might know, if you have been following this blog long enough, I shared on this Book one Mother's Day at my friend's church. At this point of the message, I needed to point out that Naomi was not alone, as she had stated; she had Ruth standing right beside her! Ruth, the one who would happen to be the grandmother of king David. 

 Anywho; this point is about the ones that try to say, "You can't," when you know that you should! Why do you listen to them, as if they know anything about what you're going to do, because they haven't done it themselves? Seriously, if you want to get someone's opinion, then talk to someone that has experience in doing what you feel God is telling you to do! 

 Even then, you might get a person that had a bummer time, was left unfunded, or had a door shut in their face; but at least you will have some proper insight into what could go wrong. This is really something we must understand: God does not make mistakes! We, on the other hand, make mistakes all the time! But, the God we serve, turns those mistakes into opportunities for His will to be done! 

 It was no mistake that Jesus waited until four days to ask for that stone to be taken away, He knew full well what condition Lazarus was in; but He was going to change all of that, regardless! Think about His first miracle, turning water into wine. That was more than just making wine, that was about changing time! 

 I have had some very testy talks with brothers and sisters about this topic, 'Seven Days of Creation', and no matter how hard I tried, they would not even try to see past the time aspect of creation. As if God couldn't just make something old and mature! God can do whatever He wants! 

 Which reminds me of a message I listened to yesterday, from Pastor Robert, who was sharing on one of my favorite verses, from Malachi 3:8-12, as God is speaking about His people cheating Him. As Robert pointed out, God does not need money; but He does want to bless His people! Yes, that's right! They were robbing God from blessing them! 

 Go figure! And all this time you assumed He just wanted your money...

"Jesus sat down near the collection box in the Temple and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts. Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins. Jesus called his disciples to him and said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on."" (Mark 12:41-44 NLT) 

"Hiding-Place" - 2

 "Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it." (John 11:38 KJV) 

  "What does all this mean? Even though the Gentiles were not trying to follow God's standards, they were made right with God. And it was by faith that this took place. But the people of Israel, who tried so hard to get right with God be keeping the law, never succeeded. Why not? Because they were trying to get right with God by keeping the law instead of by trusting in him. They stumbled over the great rock in their path. God warned them of this in the Scriptures when he said, "I am placing a stone in Jerusalem thar makes people stumble, a rock that makes them fall. But anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced."" (Romans 9:30-33 NLT)

 Okay, so I opened this box, now I need to display what might be inside of it! Just so you know, Jesus groaned because His heart hurt for His people! Yes, it was pretty obvious that they scoffed and accused Him of failure; but He knew full well He was not going to fail, so at that, He would have laughed. No, His heart hurt for them that would never trust Him, because the simple fact that they could not see the Way! 

 I can recall, several times when I was a child, getting away into a place where I could be all alone, just so I could groan inside and cry out to God. Some of those places were where I was forced to be alone, like when I was incarcerated and really couldn't go anywhere, even if I wanted to. 

 But none of them were as meaningful as the place on a mountaintop, a place where I was free, at night as I gazed up into the heavens. I had run away from home, and I just was feeling remorse for my mother, as I knew she was worried about me, as it had already been several weeks that I was gone. So, I just started talking to God. 

 What made that so special was my concern for my mother and not for myself. Those times when I was behind bars, I was always concerned for myself, my freedom to do the things I wanted to do; but that night, it wasn't about me, it was for my mother that I groaned. 

 So, you can see just a little of what Jesus was feeling, it was for these that could not trust in Him, because they thought they could do it on their own! This cave is like the place where we think we are secure; even though we are dead and stinky, we feel as though we can please God behind the Rock that covers the opening, and that opening is Life! 

 The law, good deeds, tithes and offerings; whatever it is that we do that makes us feel right, we hide behind them, the Rock covers the opening, yet we are still dead! Yes, we can still see Jesus, but we must go through Him to be brought to life! Nothing else really matters, because anything else is just us trying to get out of that tomb on our own. Can you see how that looks? It wasn't working out thus far for Lazarus! 

 Don't judge me, but a little clip from the movie, "How to Be a Latin Lover," just popped into my head, as Kristen Bell was singing the song for the Ice Cream Store, and she was asked, "Do they make you sing that song?" and she says, "No, I get to sing that song!" 

 We get to follow Jesus...

""But now, as to whether the dead will be raised - haven't you ever read about this in the writings of Moses, in the story of the burning bush? Long after Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had died, God said to Moses, 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.' So he is the God of the living, not the dead. You have made a serious error."" (Mark 12:26-27 NLT)   

"Hiding-Place"

 "Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it." (John 11:38 KJV)

  ""Son of man, groan before the people! Groan before them with bitter anguish and a broken heart. When they ask why you are groaning, tell them, 'I groan because of the terrifying news I have heard. When it comes true, the boldest heart will melt with fear; all strength will disappear. Every spirit will faint; strong knees will become weak as water. And the Sovereign LORD says: It is coming! It's on its way!'"" (Ezekiel 21:6-7 NLT)

 Hope you are having a wonderful day! I am about to start making a Thanksgiving dinner; hopefully it will be good! Hopefully this post will also be good, as it is meant to be one that give thanks and lifts up, even the most miserable of hearts! 

 You might want to know what this Title, "Hiding-Place," is all about? Basically, it has three parts to it, with one being the cave, the other being the rock that covers the opening, and the third being the man that is waiting inside to come out! Yes, it sounds like it has a little suspense or mystery; but there is absolutely nothing that can be hidden from God! 

 However, on the other hand! (One of the meanings listed for the word, groaning!) When God is your hiding-place, you are safe and secure, guaranteed! I think we forget that from time to time, as we go through storms or feel fear from anything that might threaten us in this world. 

 We should not fear, is more than just something we hear from time to time, it is a fact that needs to be branded upon our hearts! To be more direct, it is the opposite of love, as love makes a way, but fear takes away! (You really have got to get this figured out!)

 Put your eyes upon Jesus, looking at what He does, figuring out what it is that keeps Him so set upon the task set before Him. He knows the outcome! There is no possible chance that the plan can change, when it is already going to be what it is going to be, absolutely none! 

 To wrap this up, so I can get my turkey in the oven by the time it needs to start, let me share what Jesus is groaning about, because it is actually quite funny. (Not all groans are based on sadness, some are based on hilarious things happening all around us!) 

 God has set all of this up! Yes, the dead man in the tomb, is only dead because he needs to be brought back to life. No strange mystery to that, so we can all agree that is correct. But those who are there to witness what is going to take place, they have no idea whatsoever why he died, in the first place.

 I feel sometimes like there needs to be more happening, but the more things that happen, never satisfy my needs. This is because my real place is somewhere else, not this world! We have this great privilege of knowing where we are going and how glorious that place is going to be. So why are we still afraid? 

 Love is the answer...

"So Abraham placed the wood for the burnt offering on Isaac's shoulders, while he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them walked on together, Isaac turned to Abraham and said, "Father?" "Yes, my son?" Abraham replied. "We have the fire and the wood," the boy said, "but where is the sheep for the burnt offering?" "God will provide a sheep for the burnt offering, my son," Abraham answered. And they both walked on together." (Genesis 22:6-8 NLT) 

"Some, Still Say!"

"And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?" (John 11:37 KJV)

  "They forgot what he had done - the great wonders he had shown them, the miracles he did for their ancestors on the plain of Zoan in the land of Egypt. For he divided the sea and led them through, making the water stand up like walls! In the daytime he led them by a cloud, and all night by a pillar of fire. He split open the rocks in the wilderness to give them water, as from a gushing spring. He made steams pour from the rock, making the waters flow down like a river! Yet they kept on sinning against him, rebelling against the Most High in the desert. The stubbornly tested God in their hearts, demanding the foods they craved. They even spoke against God himself, saying, "God can't give us food in the wilderness. Yes, he can strike a rock so water gushes out, but he can't give his people bread and meat."" (Psalm 78:11-20 NLT)

 I am sometimes very excited when there seems no way, because I know that God makes a way! Then again, I have days, maybe weeks, where I see no way, believing that there is just no way anything can be done! (Jesus, please increase my faith!) 

 To be perfectly honest, the ways of God have no comparison to our ways! We plot things out in our minds, thinking how God should do this or that, and then when things don't happen the way that we had hoped, we become discouraged with God. Is He LORD? Because sometimes we act as though He should answer to us, not that we are the ones who answer to Him! 

 Pardon me if I seem a little upset, because I am mostly speaking about myself, as I am constantly waiting for something to happen, that is just not happening the way I would like! But don't let my little issue turn your hearts, because even though it is an issue, it does not change how I feel!

 I am so blessed! Yes, my prayers aren't always answered the way I would like, but God never stops showing me the error of my ways, because His ways are always better! We really can't see the end, so we don't really know what we should pray for; but God knows all things, and when things turn out different then we would like, He has a reason, and we need to be able to adjust our way of thinking! 

 There sure are a lot of exclamations today! There must be something stirring in my heart. Either that, or I just need to be thankful and think about all the blessings He has done...

"And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you have learned and received from me - everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you. How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn't have a chance to help me. Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:8-13 NLT) 

"O' How He Loves Us"

 "Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!" (John 11:36 KJV)

  "But it was the LORD'S good plan to crush him and cause him grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have many descendants. He will enjoy a long life, and the LORD'S good plan will prosper in his hands. When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins. I will give him the honors of a victorious soldier, because he exposed himself to death. He was counted among the rebels. He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels." (Isaiah 53:10-12 NLT)

 I could have gone on and on, having bearing scratched the surface of the reasons for Jesus to weep, most of which, would be the separation from the Father, as He would bare all our sins! Isn't it a little ironic how the Jews are always speaking about things which should pertain to them? Does it remind you of anyone else? 

 Growing up, I considered myself a rebel. As a matter of fact, I classified myself as one that was going to hell, and it almost became a badge to be worn, as if it were an honor to be part of the rebellion. If I had only known what I know now, what a fool it was to ignore the love being offered me, again and again! 

 Thankfully, God did not give up on me! Jesus said, "For many are called, but few are chosen." (Matthew 22:14) I heard the other day, someone said, "It has been said, God will call someone seven times, and then their chances are all used up." Well, I don't think I agree with that, because I think it might sometimes be, "Seventy times Seven!" 

 Sometimes the ones who have been chosen are some of the biggest wrecks...

"Dear brothers and sisters, I want you to understand that the gospel message I preach to you is not based on mere human reasoning. I received my message from no human source, and no one taught me. Instead, I received it by direct revelation from Jesus Christ. You know what I was like when I followed the Jewish religion - how I violently persecuted God's church. I did my best to destroy it. I was far ahead of my fellow Jews in my zeal for the traditions of my ancestors. But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace. Then it pleased him to reveal his Son to me so that I would proclaim the Good News about Jesus to the Gentiles. When this happened, I did not rush out to consult with any human being." (Galatians 1:11-16 NLT)     

"JESUS WEPT"

  "Jesus wept." (John 11:35 KJV)

  "He was despised and rejected - a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care. Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins! But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed." (Isaiah 53:3-5 NLT)

 You know, I shared on something once, something I had the chance to teach on from Genesis 15, which had to do with the moment that Abraham truly did believe God about him having descendants. This was a time when God was going to sign a contract with Abram, being as it was, God who signed for both of them! 

 But before God signed the contract, He showed Abram his descendants by telling him how they would be strangers in a foreign land, and how much they would suffer, being slaves for 400 years; and how they would be delivered, retuning back to the land that God would give him. This vision was burned into his heart, as his heart did break for them, and he could feel for them, knowing they were real. 

 I'm not saying that Jesus was having that kind of a moment, but this was going to be something that should have softened the hearts of many that doubted who He was; but as it would turn out, it actually made them harden their hearts, despising Him all the more! 

 This is why I believe that Jesus wept, not for the sake of death, because death was going to be defeated. Not for the sake of those that hurt, because they would soon be comforted and happy. But for the sake of those that were going to be lost, wicked men that should have known better, but despite what was more than obvious, they would all the more set out to kill Him. 

 Yes, God is angry with the wicked! All day and every day, He judges the righteous, and is angry with the wicked. But, His heart is still broken for their foolishness and rebellion! Over and over, He repeated the fate of those lost in the flood, both man and beasts, saying, "Everything that breaths through the nostrils did die!" 

 If you saw the movie, "Risen," you might recall the part where Jesus is sitting on the mountain with the Centurian, and asked him, "What are you looking for? A day without death?" And the Centurian gazed into Jesus' eyes, knowing that Jesus could see into his heart. 

 You can bet that Jesus could vividly see the punishment waiting for Him, but He could also see the punishment awaiting the wicked...

"Malicious witnesses testify against me. They accuse me of crimes I know nothing about. They repay me evil for good. I am sick with despair. Yet when they were ill, I grieved for them, but my prayers returned unanswered. I was sad, as though they were my friends or family, as if I were grieving for my own mother." (Psalm 35:11-14 NLT) 

"Hide N Seek"

 "And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see." (John 11:34 KJV) 

  "When the cool evening breezes were blowing, and man and his wife heard the LORD God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the LORD God among the trees. Then the LORD God called out to the man, "Where are you?" He replied, "I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked." "Who told you that you were naked?" the LORD God asked. "Have you eaten from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat?"" (Genesis 3:8-12 NLT)

 Some mornings are just pure fun! You have got to understand something about this verse, besides the fact that John makes it part of the message, it is here because Jesus needed to act as if He did not know where Lazarus was, not because He did not know, because He most certainly did! 

 Another thing you need to know, if you haven't heard this already: The LORD God who walked in the garden, in the cool evening breezes, was none-other-than Jesus, the Son of God! I know, it is something that is hard to prove, but is it? If you stop and think about it, no one has seen God, but yet, Jesus has been seen, throughout all of the generations, He has made Himself visible, in one form or another. 

 Anywho, this isn't really about a test of proving anything about the garden, because God knew full well where Adam was and what he had done, He only asked him where and what for him to answer! The real answer God was looking for, was not where Adam was, or even what he had done; but that Adam's reply would be one of confession and remorse, a little act of pleading for mercy, would have been nice! 

 Matthew Henry points out, that Jesus may have asked where Lazars was laid, to show Himself a man, and to also not give them the chance to think it was all just an act, that Lazarus was hiding in the cave, waiting for Jesus to call him out. Had Jesus just walked right up to the place he had been laid, the Jews would have thought it was all staged to show Jesus off. 

 Jesus never needed to show off who He was; He knew full well who He was, and He hid it pretty well! He knows what people think! Don't you think He knows where they hide! You can't hide from God! There is nothing that we do, that He doesn't know we have done! You want to know something else?

 Believe it or not, there is nothing you can do, that He already did not know that you would do...

""Listen to me, descendants of Jacob, all you who remain in Israel. I have cared for you since you were born. Yes, I carried you before you were born. I will be your God throughout your lifetime - until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you. 

 "To whom will you compare me? Who is my equal? Some people pour out their silver and gold and hire a craftsman to make a god from it. Then they bow down and worship it! They carry it around on their shoulders, and when they set it down, it stays there. It can't even move! And when someone prays to it, there is no answer. It can't rescue anyone from trouble. 

 "Do not forget this! Keep it in mind! Remember this, you guilty ones. Remember the things I have done in the past. For I alone am God! I am God, and there is none like me. Only I can tell you the future before it even happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish. I will call a swift bird of prey from the east - a leader from a distant land to come and do my bidding. I have said what I will do, and I will do it. 

 "Listen to me, you stubborn people who are so far from doing right. For I am ready to set things right, not in the distant future, but right now! I am ready to save Jerusalem and show my glory to Israel!"" (Isaiah 46:3-13 NLT) 

"It's Complicated"

 "When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled," (John 11:33 KJV) 

  "The LORD observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and he saw that everything they thought and imagined was consistently and totally evil. So the LORD was sorry he had ever made them and put them on the earth. It broke his heart." (Genesis 6:5-6 NLT)

 When I was young, July 20, 1969, as I was listening to the television broadcast inside my Granny's house, I was outside in the front yard playing with my Tonka Truck and my pet hamster. I put my hamster inside the cab of the truck and rolled the truck down the hill of the yard, and the truck ended up tumbling down, with my hamster inside. 

 This was the day man first stepped foot on the moon; but for me, this was the day I caused my hamster to die! He didn't die right away, just was a little dizzy and disoriented. But that night, when he would have usually been spinning on the wheel in the cage, he just laid there in the woodchips, and died. I was really sorry for having it take a little spin in my Tonka Truck.

 I originally thought that my little buddy would enjoy the ride, but hamsters are not good at driving, to say the least. And they certainly don't do very well inside a toy truck, as it tumbles and flips over and over down the side of a hill! I guess I didn't think that all the way through! 

 God, on the other hand, does not have that excuse! Having the knowledge of both present and future, He knows what will happen, before it will happen. So why would he let it happen? Love is a pretty strange and complicated thing, because it does not think about that which is the worst, but only about that which is good and lovely.

 How do you mend a troubled heart? By love! You focus on and act upon love, doing those things that love does, regardless of the cost or the threat of being misunderstood... 

""No one has ever gone to heaven and returned. But the Son of Man has come down from heaven. And as Moses lifted up the bronze serpent in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life. For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believed 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."" (John 3:13-17 NLT) 

 

"The Raising of Lazarus"

 "When Jesus saw her weeping and saw the other people wailing with her, a deep anger welled up within him, and he was deeply troubled. "Where have you put him?" he asked them. 

 They told him, "Lord, come and see." Then Jesus wept. The people who were standing nearby said, "See how much he loved him!" But some said, "This man healed a blind man. Couldn't he have kept Lazarus from dying?" 

 Jesus was still angry as he arrived at the tomb, a cave with a stone rolled across its entrance. "Roll the stone aside," Jesus told them.

 But Martha, the dead man's sister, protested, "Lord, he has been dead for four days. The smell will be terrible." 

 Jesus responded, "Didn't I tell you that you would see God's glory if you believe?" Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, "Father, thank you for hearing me. You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so that they will believe you sent me." Then Jesus shouted, "Lazarus, come out!" And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in graveclothes, his face wrapped in a headcloth. Jesus told them, "Unwrap him and let him go!"" (John 11:33-44 NLT) 

  "Answer my prayers, O LORD, for your unfailing love is wonderful. Take care of me, for your mercy is so plentiful." (Psalm 69:16 NLT)

 If you don't mind, I would like to share something about yesterday and why I was so determined to try and make that point, "If You Like." It is mostly because I have learned something very important over these last nine-teen years of misery; that you do not have to be miserable! You do have a choice! 

 You know that saying, about the glass is half-empty or whether it is half-full; well, some people like the glass to be half-empty, because it might represent closure will be coming soon. Those who see that the cup is half-full, they are looking for goodness and blessings to be added, to any circumstance or any situation, no matter how hard it might get, the getting can only get better! 

 Even when it seems like it might be getting worse, the worse it might get, the better it will end up! That is what God can do with whatever it is that you are dealing with! Don't you know by now how that works? 

 In this situation with Lazarus, it really couldn't have gotten any worse. Jesus was angry, not because of the people that wept, or the fact that Lazarus was placed in a tomb, or even that Lazarus was dead! Jesus had a mission, a glass that was half-full and needed to be filled to overflowing! 

 Not to change the subject, but God does not harden hearts! Some people might think that God does, as the Bible says in several areas, "and God hardened their hearts." No, God shows off more on His goodness and glory, and then they harden their hearts against Him! 

 Pastor Robert shared something yesterday, saying, "God is angry with the wicked," and then adding, "When I say that, people say, 'Show me the verse that you get that from', and then I say, Here!" God is angry with the wicked every day...

"God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day." (Psalms 7:11 KJV) 

"If You Like"

 "Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died." (John 11:32 KJV)

  "O LORD, how long will you forget me? Forever? How long will you look the other way? How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul, with sorrow in my heart every day? How long will my enemy have the upper hand? Turn and answer me, O LORD my God! Restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die. Don't let me enemies gloat, saying, "We have defeated him!" Don't let them rejoice at me downfall. But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me. I will sing to the LORD because he is good to me." (PSALM 13 NLT) 

 Maybe this might seem a little familiar, mostly because Martha had pretty much said the same thing, "Lord, if only you had been here, my brother had not died." Does it really matter whether or not Jesus had been there? No! Absolutely not! Jesus can and does miracles from wherever He wants! All He needs to do, is to say the words, "Be healed!", because no matter how far away they might be, His word will perform that to which He sent it, guaranteed! 

 I choose to share PSALM 13 because it pretty much points out this, complex and misunderstood, concept of God's inability to do something, when there appears to be nothing being done! Call it, "a flip of the switch," if you like, because that is pretty much what it looks like. 

 Pastor Bryan illustrated something like this yesterday evening, as he shared his thoughts about Mark 13:24-26, comparing it to the way a jeweler might display his fine jewelry. Before he places his precious work of art out, he first lays out the sheet black velvet, providing the backdrop, that the beauty of what is put on display cannot be compromised by anything else. 

 Basically, what this looks like, in laymen's terms, is that of seeing everything wrong and sinister that might be within your thoughts, especially the thoughts of being overwhelmed and alone, and then flipping on the LIGHT! All of that darkness is ignored, because hope has been restored! If you like...

"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. So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while." (1 Peter 1:3-6 NLT) 

"Misconstrued"

 "The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there." (John 11:31 KJV)

  "Therefore, since we have been made right in God's sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God's glory. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love." (Romans 5:1-5 NLT)

 Something to think about, as we ponder where we might stand with God! As Paul points out, it is our faith that takes us to that place, not because of anything we have done, but because Christ has established that place of undeserved privilege, by the washing away of our sins. Therefore, judgment for sin is not something we need to be concerned about, because those sins are gone; trials and problems are looked upon as lessons and correction, not punishment! 

 Yes, I know, sometimes I can be such a Knucklehead! You would think by now I would have quit trying to figure out what it is I have been doing wrong, and start looking for that which I need to be paying attention to, like the lessons and changes God is working into my life. He loves me and is always working things out for the good! Why do I keep forgetting that?  

 As this portion of Scripture unfolds, this is the opening to something that God is working out! Yes, the Jews that followed Mary are saying that they are concerned where she is going, therefore they are going to follow her to comfort her as she mourns at the grave. But God has something way more practical and interesting going on; something to fortify those that hate Jesus, to cause them to set out to have Him killed. 

 Having known the story, we shouldn't be surprised or concerned by the outcome, because it is all God's plan; and God's plans are always for the good! No matter how bad things might look, God's ways are always for the good! 

 There is the proof, if you want to know more about how it looks when God turns tragedy into triumph! We can see it portrayed in the situation here, as Lazarus is officially dead; four days makes it official: but not with God! 

 Oh, what joy we get to have, even when things happening in our lives don't appear to be pleasant...

"When we tell you these things, we do not use words that come from human wisdom. Instead, we speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit's words to explain spiritual truths. But people who aren't spiritual can't receive these truths from God's Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can't understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means. Those who are spiritual can evaluate all things, but they themselves cannot be evaluated by others. For, "Who can know the LORD'S thoughts? Who knows enough to teach him?" But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ." (1 Corinthians 2:13-16 NLT) 

"That Place"

"Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him." (John 11:30 KJV)

  "We have an altar, wherefore they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle. For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come." (Hebrews 13:10-14 KJV)

 Not quite sure we still get it, because there are just so many avenues to be taken, it is really hard to make one that place where we get off. The best place to be, is that place where Jesus is waiting! Sounds kind of mysterious, but it is really not such a mystery to the Spirit, if we would just stop and listen. 

 There is a reason that John points out this place, not just because it is the place where Martha met him, but is also the place where He is about to do something extraordinary; the whole reason that He delayed coming, in the first place! 

 Believe it or not, but there is such a thing as being in the right place, at just the right time! The problem is, we usually are not looking for the opportunity to happen, mostly because of our stressful and busy lives. Not sure how your lives go, but from the time I wake up, to the time I go to bed, it's, go, go, go, until I get to lay down my head. And even then, it might be a few more hours before I really get to sleep. 

 Here is the thing about yesterday's verses from S.O.S. and these verses from Hebrews, both of them are speaking to the fact that we are meant to be pliable and flexible to what to Lord would have us to do. Like a servant, we are to be alert to the commands of the Master; like a child, we are to be obedient to what we must do! 

 Having so little time, or so we say, is really not a good excuse! We really have all the time in the world, if we are seeking the right place...

"Let this message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father." (Colossians 3:16-17 NLT)  

"Run To Jesus!"

"As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him." (John 11:29 KJV)

  "LORD, you are mine! I promise to obey your words! With all of my heart I want your blessings. Be merciful as you promised. I pondered the direction of my life, and I turned to follow your laws. I will hurry, without delay, to obey your commands." (Psalm 119:57-60 NLT)

 Sometimes we forget the simple message about putting all of our trust in the Lord! You know, like the one: "Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding." (Proverbs 3:5 NLT) As I was thinking about this, I remembered something especially important to my own situation; as I have noticed that my focus lately has been what happens tomorrow, more than it has been on that which needs to happen today.

 If you know what I am talking about, it involves the issue of money! I was reminded of that yesterday, as Pastor Bryan mentioned something that I have previously been very passionate about, but as of late, I have been not living out what I know to be truth. The message was about, "The Economy of God!" 

 I simply just keep forgetting, God is my provider, I do not provide for myself! As soon as I start thinking that I have the power to control my own finances, (which is totally a joke,) I find out how little I contribute to anything, and how much I start worrying about everything! It's just that simple!

 If you focus upon that which might happen tomorrow, you will always be chasing tomorrow, but not be able to enjoy today! Count your blessings and live in today! Remember the commands of Jesus, as He spoke about those things which should matter the most, like: "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:21)

  If you want to focus upon tomorrow, make it about being with the Lord in heaven, but don't worry about the materials things in the world! And by all means, as soon as you come to your senses, don't walk, but run to Jesus...

"One night as I lay in bed, I yearned for my lover. I yearned for him, but he did not come. So I said to myself, "I will get up and roam the city, searching in all the streets and squares. I will search for the one I love." So I searched everywhere but did not find him. The watchmen stopped me as they made their rounds, and I asked, "Have you seen the one I love?" Then scarcely had I left them when I found my love! I caught and held him tightly, then brought him to my mother's house, into my mother's bed, where I had been conceived." (Song Of Songs 3:1-4 NLT) 

"Our Master Comes!"

 "And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee." (John 11:28 KJV) 

  "Ah, I hear my lover coming! He is leaping over the mountains, bounding over the hills. My lover is like a swift gazelle or a young stag. Look, there he is behind the wall, looking through the window, peering into the room. My lover said to me, "Rise up my darling! Come away with me, my fair one! Look, the winter is past, and the rains are over and gone. The flowers are springing up, the season of singing birds has come, and the cooing of the turtledoves fills the air. The fig trees are forming young fruit, and the fragrant grapevines are blossoming. Rise up, my darling! Come away with me, my fair one!" My dove is hiding behind the rocks, behind an outcrop on the cliff. Let me see your face; let me hear your voice. For your voice is pleasant, and your face is lovely." (Song Of Songs 2:8-14 NLT)

 So, there was this man who happened to be walking along the edge of a cliff, along the side of a very steep mountain. As he walked, he stumbled on a rock, causing him to fall over the edge of the cliff. On his way down, he was fortunate enough to grab hold of a root that was growing out of the side of the cliff; and he was able to stop his fall. 

 However, he was not able to pull himself up, and was only able to dangle there, holding onto the root. So he cried out for help, "Hello, is anyone up there?" he said, hoping that someone would answer, saying again, "Can anyone help me?" Frantically, he cried out, "Can anyone hear me? Is anyone there?"

 Suddenly there was a voice, "I am here", said the voice. So, the man, with some relief, said, "Can you help me?" "I can help you", said the voice. "Will you please help me?" begged the man. "Yes, I will help you," said the voice. And then the man said, with desperation, "What must I do!" 

 "Let go of the root", the voice replied. So, the man raised his voice a little louder, saying, "Is there anyone else up there!" 

 Oddly enough, I was brought up to the front of the class in my eleventh-grade creative writing class, to read my short story, called, "The Sparrow's Flight." There was only a few of us chosen to read our stories, each of which the teacher liked and wanted us to narrate our stories to the class. 

 My story was basically about a man that leaped off a cliff, only to be able to view the side of the cliff, which he could not see from the top. Of course, doing so, costed him his life, but he satisfied his curiosity on the way down. Don't ask me way she thought I should read it, because while reading it out loud, I realized it seemed a little morbid and dark.

 But here is the thing. If we are going to follow Christ, then we must die to ourselves! In all seriousness, we are only fooling ourselves if we think we can hold onto this world, while trying to surrender our lives to Christ! It just doesn't work, and we will be unbearably desperate for some sort of relief! 

 I shared that portion of the Song of Solomon, because it identifies with that type of assumption. As the Young woman is eagerly listening to her lover, watching and focusing on his every move; and then she suddenly noticed he was just outside the room, looking in, peering into the room, saying, "Come away with me!"

 He gives her all of the reasons to make her move, but she hides behind the rocks, behind the outcrop on the cliff! What is holding you back? Is it something that you need to step out from behind? Or is it something that is in your way? Hopefully, it is just something you are holding onto, because if it is, sheer gravity will help you let go! 

 Matthew Henry expresses this in a way that might make sense: 'Note: When Christ our Master comes, he calls for us. He comes in his word and ordinances, calls us to them, calls us by them, calls us to himself. He calls for thee in particular, for thee by name (Ps. 27:8); and, if he calls thee, he will cure thee, he will comfort thee." 

 Let go of the root...

"The one thing I ask of the LORD - the thing I seek most - is to live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, delighting in the LORD'S perfections and meditating in his Temple. For he will conceal me there when troubles come; he will hide me in his sanctuary. He will place me out of reach on a high rock. Then I will hold my head high above my enemies who surround me. At his sanctuary I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy, singing and praising the LORD with music. Hear me as I pray, O LORD. Be merciful and answer me! My heart has heard you say, "Come and talk with me." And my heart responds, "LORD, I am coming."" (Psalm 27:4-8 NLT) 

"Believest Thou This?"

"She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world?" (John 11:27 KJV)

  "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." (1 John 5:19-20 NLT)

 So, when I went to sleep last night, I thought I had conjured up a real catchy title, "You Don't Know Me", which floated around inside my head, as I kept repeating it in verse, as I remembered the song. Then, as I was preparing to start this blog, I decided to read Matthew Henry's comments on this verse, which caused me to change my mind. 

 As a Christian, I believe that the most important thing for us to get right, is Jesus Christ! If we do not have Jesus right, we don't understand most of what we believe! Seriously, this is a pretty big issue! I think most of the problems with a lot of churches today, isn't just teaching the Word, but putting the Word forth in flesh and blood, by focusing on the Christ, the Son of God, which came into the world! 

 I'm sorry, but the fact that God, the Creator of heaven and earth, would step down into the world He created, in the form of a baby, no less, and have Himself nailed upon a cross, in order to save the men and women He created, that is not only incredible, it is the God that loves us! We can complain about this world, with all of the injustice and wickedness all we want; but none of that compares to what God did to save us from our sins! 

 I heard someone call in yesterday, to T.E.M.A., who was drastically upset with God, as if it was God who was responsible for all of the abortions and sickness going on in this world. There was a part of me that wanted to complain as well, and maybe I already have; but there was another part of me that felt like I wanted to put my hand over that man's mouth, and then show him the cross! 

 When Jesus told His disciples about what was going to happen, I seriously don't think they got the illustration right in their minds. He clearly said, He would be betrayed, arrested, spit upon, whipped, and then put to death; but either they didn't listen, or all they heard was that He would rise again on the third day, making everything else okay. 

 If you have an issue with something that is going on in this world, then you need to pray! Don't start complaining to people about other people; and surely don't complain about God to anyone, especially on a public radio station! If you have a problem with the way God is doing anything, the take your issue to God, let Him show you what's up! 

 I feel as though I really don't have the right to say anything, because I complain as much as anyone else. But I don't blame anything on God! He takes bad and makes it good; He turns ashes into beautiful flowers; He turns dead people into living saints! He is always good! 

 There is really only one thing we should be focused upon, if we have some sort on complaint: "Come Lord Jesus, Come!" Soon and very soon, we are going to see the KING...

"Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again - rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:4-7 NLT)  

"Life Everlasting!" - 2

 "And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believeth thou this?" (John 11:26 KJV)

  "O God, listen to my cry! Hear my prayer! From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety, for you are my safe refuge, a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me. Let me live forever in your sanctuary, safe beneath the shelter of your wings!" (Psalm 61:1-4 NLT)

 Looking at this question, "Believeth thou this?", it is really not a question about the actual truth to the never die part of that statement, because in reality, knowing what we know about His resurrection from the grave, it is pretty obvious that He defeated death! No, this is about the simplicity of believing in Jesus for having given us, meaning you and I, that eternal life freely! 

 Let me try to explain what I mean, because this really gets twisted and overlooked, pretty much in most everyone's life, at certain times of their lives. There are two very important factors that cause us to have doubts about this salvation we have been given, having a sinful nature is one of them; the other is the doubt! 

 Are those two connected? Maybe, sometimes that is the case; but not always, because doubt can be brought on by so many different factors, and sometimes, just by imaginations and fear; something that is part of just being human. Really something that is hard to avoid, even for the greatest of God's saints! 

 Truth be told, we live in two worlds at once; one is simply surviving here on earth, and the other in the power of God's Spirit, which overcomes the weakness and frailty of this flesh, if and when we are walking in the Spirit. God's Spirit is in us, those that have believed upon the saving grace of Christ, so there is no denying that He is there and that He is our helper; but we deny ourselves worthy of the supernatural power that the Helper provides! 

 These things are hard to talk about, because they are only realized by living them out; and even then, they are not things that you continually live in, because we never as strong as we think we are, and sooner or later we fall or stumble. But it is never about us! It is about what Christ Jesus has done for us; what He is doing for us now; and what He will do for us, when the doing is done...

"So Christ has truly set you free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery of the law. Listen! I, Paul, tell you this: If you are counting on circumcision to make you right with God, then Christ will be of no benefit to you. I'll say it again. If you are trying to find favor with God by being circumcised, you must obey every regulation in the whole law of Moses. For if you are trying to make yourselves right with God by keeping the law, you have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from grace. But we who live by the Spirit eagerly wait to receive by faith the righteousness God has promised to us. For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, there is no benefit in being circumcised or being uncircumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love." (Galatians 5:1-6 NLT)  

"Life Everlasting!"

 "And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?" (John 11:26 KJV)

  "I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life." (1 John 5:13 NLT)

 Having been in a few storms, (could be in one now,) I know what it is like to feel as though everything is slipping away; the more you try to hold onto anything, the more it seems impossible to grip or hold, as it is really not mine to begin with. As a matter of fact, pretty much the only thing we can claim as our own, is our own sins. 

 They say, "You brought nothing into this world, and you will take nothing with you when you leave." Well, to be perfectly truthful, 'You were born in sin, and you might take those sins with you when you leave!' You don't have to, but you might; unless you confess them, and lay them at the cross! 

 I have heard some preachers try to say, 'You don't automatically receive eternal life when you first come to Jesus, you only receive forgiveness of your sins; the eternal life is manifested in you when you are baptized.' I do not accept that, no matter who might try to say it, or how famous they might be; it is not so! 

 When we are washed from our sins, we automatically have our names written in the Lamb's Book of Life! Baptism is only an outward expression of an inward work that has already been done; much like it is to confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord, we are accepting and displaying what has been done in us, already! 

 You can mess up your life in so many ways, maybe even to the point where you feel as though there is no way to come back to God; but that's not how this works! We are not judged by our sins, if we no longer have any sins! And, as long as we have no more sins, we are a child of God! And as long as we are a child of God, then we are guaranteed to have eternal life! 

 Welcome to God's Kingdom, now stop waiting for His Kingdom, and start living as a citizen of it...

"Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has become a child of God. And everyone who loves the Father loves his children, too. We know we love God's children if we love God and obey his commandments. Loving God means keeping his commandments, and commandments are not burdensome. For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God." (1 John 5:1-5 NLT) 

"This Is Now!"

 "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:" (John 11:25 KJV) 

  "He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them. So we stop evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now! This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!" (2 Corinthians 5:15-17 NLT)

 So that was fun, and seemingly what I expected! However it is that it looks, God is always several steps ahead of the devil, so there is always something that gets automatically corrected, just because it is going to fall into place. Someone digs a hole, but God has the remedy already waiting to fill that hole up! 

 Forty-one years or so ago, I was dead! I might not have realized that I was dead, because I lived and breathed the air in this world; but spiritually, I was 100% dead! Even though I had a soul, that soul was living within me, looking towards death, the kind of death that keeps on dying, forever and ever! 

 Not quite sure if we get the magnitude of what that represents, because it is so hard to imagine what it looks like. Though it might not seem real, having been set free from that death, I can tell you with great peace and joy, it is no longer a threat! 

 If you don't know what that means, it means that I now have life! Not just a life that is to come, but this new if is now! Right now, we can experience the eternal life, because we have it already, and there is no way anyone can take it away or try and disrupt it! Absolutely none!  

 Still not sure if we truly get the magnitude of what that means, because we cannot see it; but we sure can live in It, and It in us, by faith in Christ...

"So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God's will. Then you will receive all that he has promised. "For in just a little while, the Coming One will come and not delay. And my righteous ones will live by faith. But I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away." But we are not like those who turn away from God to their own destruction. We are the faithful ones, whose souls will be saved." (Hebrews 10:35-39 NLT)  

"Just a Little Bit"

 "Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day." (John 11:24 KJV)

  "How much more do I need to say? It would take too long to recount the stories of the faith of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and all the prophets. By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness was tuned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight. Women received their loved ones back again from death. But others were tortured, refusing to turn from God in order to be set free. They placed their hope in a better life after the resurrection." (Hebrews 11:12-35 NLT)

 There is only a hand full of times in this life when most people get a chance to shine; some are like shooting stars, and only get one chance to dazzle. Regardless of what you might think of your place in this world, you never know what you are capable of, until you are living out what God has called you to do!

 This little portion of Scripture is something that some might not pay too much attention to, mostly because this conversation is about two totally different events. Jesus is speaking of the here and now, while Martha, she is going from the past, to the present, and then skips to the future. But, if you really stop and think about it, isn't that how our minds usually operate? 

 You have probably heard it said that we only use about a tenth of our brains; but have you ever wondered why that that might be? Because, I think it might be because only a tenth of our brains are focused on the here and now! If we could focus upon that which is at hand, not being distracted by the things that do not matter, what amazing things we could do, with just a little bit of focus. 

 Pastor Bryan repeated something important, probably at least three times, on two different teaching, both Wednesday night's teaching and Sunday's teaching, regarding Mark 10:32. This is the point where Jesus was on His way up to Jerusalem, heading towards that special event, the reason He came to earth for, and what it was He was meant to do! 

 Mark illustrates the determination in His stride, as He walked past them and before them as if He was a man on a mission, walking as though and with determination, to take on the most important thing of His life. Mark said, "and they were amazed; and as they followed, they were afraid." 

 Something I had learned from the time of the lockdowns, social distancing, and mask mandates, that there are very few people who are willing to not do what they are told, even if it seems odd. Let alone the weird, forced vaccinations, that are seemingly still being pushed on people, even though they don't really work! They are by far, the most sinister thing about this whole ordeal, as the side-effects have not even been totally known or revealed. 

 I watched President Trump's rally in Florida the other night, and I could see the determination in his face as he tried to stay focused upon the message, while being drenched by rain. He kept repeating, "This might be the best rally ever!" It was amazing to watch; and I was amazed and afraid! 

 I'm sorry if that might offend you, but I actually do care about this Country we live in, as I know that there are people elsewhere that feel the same. I care about heaven more, but this is where we are now, and I truly believe the God is still working, and He is still making His righteousness known, to all who will listen! 

 Sometimes you need a little bit of darkness in order to see the Light... 

"They were now on the way up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. The disciples were filled with awe, and the people following behind were overwhelmed with fear. Taking the twelve disciples aside, Jesus once more began to describe everything that was about to happen to him. "Listen," he said, "we're going to Jerusalem, where the Son of Man will be betrayed to the leading priests and the teachers of religious law. They will sentence him to die and hand him over to the Romans. They will mock him, spit on him, flog him with a whip, and kill him, but after three days he will rise again."" (Mark 10:32-34 NLT) 

"Let It Be Known"

 "Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again." (11:23 KJV)

  "Now then, you kings, act wisely! Be warned, you rulers of the earth! Serve the LORD with reverent fear, and rejoice with trembling. Submit to God's royal son, or he will become angry, and you will be destroyed in the midst of all your activities - for his anger flares up in an instant. But what joy for all who take refuge in him!" (Psalm 2:10-12 NLT)

 Looking out to space, I can only imagine what God might have been thinking when He made that incredible vastness. There are more and more people that are certain there are others out there; mostly because the vastness goes on and on, there just must be more than just this little blue dot; otherwise, that's a huge amount of wasted space! 

 Tomorrow is a pretty important day, whether you care about it or not, your life will be influenced by it, in one way or another. Really, it doesn't matter where you live on this rock, what happens tomorrow is going to be important and meaningful to this entire planet. But, whatever happens, "God's will be done," needs to be the voice of the church! 

 Interesting enough, there is going to be a blood moon tomorrow, if that makes and difference to anyone that might be paying attention. I believe that God is wanting His people to make up their minds on who or what they are going to worship! Paul tells us in Romans, we become what we worship, which, if you really stop and think about what that implies, worshipping those things which are of this world, makes us become worldly! 

 You do know, Lazarus would only be raised up to die again, right? I was thinking about something yesterday, God's promise that we would enter His rest. As I thought about it, it dawned on me that His rest might actually mean something that is outside of this present world. 

 It doesn't matter who you are, how much money you might have, or how healthy you are, as long as you are here on this spinning rock, you really do not rest...

"But as I looked at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless - like chasing the wind. There was nothing really worthwhile anywhere. So I decided to compare wisdom with foolishness and madness (for who can do this better than I, the king?). I thought, "Wisdom is better than foolishness, just as light is better than darkness. For the wise can see where they are going, but fools walk in the dark." Yet I saw that the wise and the foolish share the same fate. Both will die. So I said to myself, "Since I will end up the same as the fool, what's the value of all my wisdom? This is all so meaningless!" For the wise and the foolish both die. The wise will not be remembered any longer than the fool. In the days to come, both will be forgotten. So I came to hate life because everything done here under the sun is so troubling. Everything is meaningless - like chasing the wind." (Ecclesiastes 2:11-17 NLT) 

"Hold That Thought!"

 "But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee." (John 11:22 KJV)

  "Why are the nations so angry? Why do they waste their time with futile plans? Thing kings of the earth prepare for battle; the rulers plot together against the LORD and against his anointed one. "Let us break their chains," they cry, "and free ourselves from slavery to God." But the one who rules in heaven laughs. The LORD scoffs at them, terrifying them with his fierce fury. For the LORD declares, "I have placed my chosen king on the throne in Jerusalem, on my holy mountain." The king proclaims the LORD'S decree: "The LORD said to me, 'You are my son. Today I have become your Father. Only ask, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance, the whole earth as your possession. You will break them with an iron rod and smash them like clay pots.'"" (Psalms 2:1-9 NLT)

 Oddly enough, this is a familiar and heart-felt thing I remember so intently; to realize that what I prayed for to happen, will most likely not happen, but nonetheless, God will make somethings else happen, as I prepare my heart for whatever it is that God is going to do! Not sure what was on her mind, but within her heart, she was still trusting the God would do whatever Jesus asked of Him. 

 As we shall see, bringing Lazarus back to life was not the thing that she thought about, when she said, "whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee." Isn't that how we approach God when we are out of options, and we feel that all is lost? We really don't know what we should ask for, because there seems to be no solution to fix whatever it is that has happened. 

 Basically, we just throw up our hands and surrender! Maybe she thought, since he is gone and won't come back, maybe Jesus can ask that she go to visit him? I can see that happening, as it would be my thought, if suddenly my wife should be taken from me. I long for the day that I can see her whole again, and I have pretty much settled on heaven being that day! 

 Anywho; this is by far the most important point that Martha has made, because it is pretty clear that she believes in Jesus with all her heart, and she knows in her heart that He has connections with God! This is something I feel is overlooked in many areas within the church, that the Holy Scriptures really do have a connection with God! 

 I have heard the Bible called, "The Good Book," which is good, but it has so much more within the pages, within the written word, that makes us fall in love with the God who loves us! It is His Book, written through men of God, inspired by the Holy Spirit, and filled to the brim with Jesus Christ! I doubt that you can find a single page in the Bible that does not have at least one reference to Christ or the power of His salvation.

 This is 100% all about Christ Jesus and His identity and power, every bit! As I have mentioned before, John starts this Gospel message with eighteen verses that are showing us who he is writing about and why His coming was so spectacular and profound; because, as per Revelation 1:8, He is, was, and is still to come; He always will be God...

"Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe. The Son radiates God's own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven." (Hebrews 1:1-3 NLT) 

"If Only You Had" - Too

 "Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died." (John 11:21 KJV)

  ""Don't store up treasures here on this earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be."" (Matthew 6:19-21 NLT)

 Most of the time, as I feel like there are issues with finances, business, or just about anything else that I feel somewhat dependent on for living, my first reaction is to blame the issue on something that the world is doing, as if the forces around me have caused something to go wrong. It is not my intention to try and fix anything on my own, but it is usually my first reaction to life's routine issues.

 I have heard it said, 'If it is something that man can do on his own, then God will not do it.' As I get older, having seen the situations and circumstances turn, amazingly different than I expected, I have come to the realization that this is somewhat a team effort. Not that we can do something out of the ordinary or make things happen, but we can and must be extraordinarily focused on God's will and purposes, because He does everything for His glory! 

 Taking this back to the start: I am a servant of the LORD; servants don't question God's intentions, but they do look for what He is intending to do! Not that we absolutely know, because we seldom do. But, in most cases, God will let us know what we are to do, as we need to do it; and then what happens after that, is totally up to Him. 

 Martha might have forgotten, Jesus didn't really need to have been there to heal her brother; He could have healed him from anywhere that He was, with just a word! We always assume God needs to do something a certain way, as if He operates as we do; or as if we see it happening like this, but God is going to do something totally different than we expected He could have done.

 Here it is, the thing we fail to understand, time and time again! God does not make mistakes, He is for you, He watches over you, and whatever you are going through, everything happens for His good purpose! Trust God and hold on tight...

"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for what he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7 NLT)  

  

"If Only You Had"

 "Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died." (John 11:21 KJV)

  "They even spoke against God himself, saying, "God can't give us food in the wilderness. Yes, he can strike a rock so water gushes out, but he can't give his people bread and meat."" (Psalm 78:19-20 NLT)

 This is one of those verses that causes us to ponder those things we might have done or not done, as to, 'If only it happened this way, then things would be better.' Maybe it is me, because I have a multitude of things I which I would have done differently, and a mountain of garbage I wish I never had done. Be that as it may, God is more than able to make something out of anything, or out of nothing at all!

 Talking about this verse, it should move us to look at those things we might have asked God to do, and then what He does, seems as if it was pretty much opposite of what we expected. You know what I mean; you ask God to give you peace, and then your life gets turned upside-down! You ask Him to strengthen your faith, and your doubt becomes so intense, you feel as though you should just stop believing, all together.  

 Take a close look at these two verses from Psalm 78, because there is a major difference between that which God does and what we expect that He should do! We can realize how this works by those two times Jesus fed thousands of people, by the few loaves of bread and a couple of fish. 

 Basically, there are things which are meant to satisfy what we need, and then there are those things which we want, that might take away from what we actually need. God will always provide for us that which we need! Those things we might want, may not be in line with what we actually need; but, if we press Him hard enough, we might end up with that which we want; but then, that which we need will be change into something we do not want. 

 Don't let that cause you any confusion, because it isn't really that hard to understand. The main thing that I want to talk about, is that God can and will take anything you might do, whatever it is and how far off the mark it might become, and He can get you right back where you belong, which is right next to Him! 

 The bottom line in this, or any situation or circumstance, is that where you might be, no matter how bad it might be, is the place where you might belong, because God is doing something with you that requires you to be broken, undone, messed up, or giving up...

"Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me - now let me rejoice. Don't keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt. Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don't take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. Then I will teach your ways to rebels, and they will return to you." (Psalm 51:7-13 NLT)  

"To Be or Not to Be"

 "Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house." (John 11:20 KJV)

  "For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die. For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don't know which is better." (Philippians 1:20-22 NLT)

 Talk about something that seems rather strange, the current situations going on in the election results of Brazil, they might just be a test of upcoming situations here next week. But will anyone be allowed to talk about it? I guess we will know when it happens. 

 This is the thing I believe John is pointing out, as Martha, who is the type of person that does, making it a practice to always be busy doing this or that, has left the mourning party at the house, to meet the Lord as He was outside the city. She couldn't wait for Him to come to her, she had to be first to get to Him. 

 Mary, on the other hand, stayed where she was, taking in the current matter that was happening, not wanting to disrupt what was, to most people, a moment of respect and reverence for her brother. Which was pretty much her attitude when Jesus was in her home, she sat at His feet, giving all of her attention to Him, while Martha stayed busy entertaining and caring for all of the guest. 

 If you want to know my opinion, they are both in the right! There are those that pray and focus upon the spiritual aspects of ministry, and those that get things done, making things happen in the natural life of keeping the place for ministry to happen. There has to be both, those that do and make things happen, and those pray to keep things in order. 

 By the way, we need to pray! If you really care about anything happening around you, then it is your duty and obligation to pray for the situations and circumstances, that God's will be done, no matter what might happen! I know, there are some that say, 'How can we know what to pray?' Well, if you go to the Psalms, I think looking at several of them for clues, you will see that praying for justice, mercy, and all that is right, those are the things that we pray for; all that is wicked, ungodly, and wrong, those are the things that we pray against. 

 It really isn't that difficult to understand; it just takes a little of your time to understand why you must do it...

"For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him. We are in this struggle together. You have seen my struggle in the past, and you know that I am still in the midst of it. Is there and encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose." (Philippians 1:29 - 2:2 NLT)  

"A Little Wake"

 "And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother." (John 11:19 KJV)

  "Better to spend your time at funerals than at parties. After all, everyone dies - so the living should take this to heart." (Ecclesiastes 7:2 NLT)

 Any time I think about this, I tend to think about my wish for my funeral service, which my wife and I would joke about, from time to time. My wife never really wanted me to buy a motorcycle, even though I had my sights set upon a Fat Boy for about four years or so. One day I came into my office, and there was a miniature Fat Boy on my desk, almost identical to the one I wanted. 

 As for my wish, since I couldn't have one while I was alive, I wanted to be placed on one at my funeral. The way my dream went, I would be on the bike behind a curtain, and after everyone had been seated, the curtain would roll back, and there I would be, proudly sitting on the bike of my dreams. 

 Anywho; this is really not something we should make fun of, because death is something serious and is a major disturbance in many people's lives. You think everything is fine, and then someone dies! All of the sudden you feel as though the air has been sucked out of your life. 

 Isn't it strange, how you don't even really care so much about someone, whether that is a brother-in-law or cousin, or even a friend of a friend, and when they die, you feel as though there is a hole in part of your life. It's almost as if there was something you missed out on, and now you will never have that chance again. 

 Not sure if anyone is paying attention, but there are chances all around us to spread hope! That is the most important thing about saying goodbye to someone that has passed, the hope that one day you will see them again! So, make sure you do everything you can to make it happen!

 I know it isn't up to us, but, then again, it is! You have something inside of you, and you somehow need to make them aware why it is there. Sometimes it is you! You're the one they want to listen to, because they see the hope within you; so, tell them why you have hope...

"Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don't worry or be afraid of their threats. Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it." (1 Peter 3:13-15 NLT) 

 

"Just So You Know"

 "Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off:" (John 11:18 KJV)

   "That same day two of Jesus' followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem. As they walked along they were talking about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things, Jesus himself suddenly came and began walking with them. But God kept them from recognizing him. He asked them, "What are you discussing so intently as you walk along?" They stopped short, sadness written across their faces. Then one of them, Cleopas, replied, "You must be the only person in Jerusalem who hasn't heard about all the things that have happened there the last few days." "What things?" Jesus asked." "The things that happened to Jesus, the man from Nazareth," they said. "He was a prophet who did powerful miracles, and he was a mighty teacher in the eyes of God and all the people."" (Luke 24:13-19 NLT)

 It is interesting that John would mention this, because, basically, Bethany was close enough to the city of Jerusalem, that it could be considered as part of the city. It's like the towns I grew up in, none were in the actual city of Los Angeles, but if someone asked me where I grew up, it is easy for me to say that I grew up in East Los Angeles; instead of saying Bellflower, Downey, or Paramount. 

 The reason this is important is because the greatest miracles that Jesus did were in Jerusalem, or in those connecting little towns. This is where the greatest miracle of all was to happen, the place where Jesus would be taking on the sins of the entire world! 

 The place where I was actually saved was in the center of Los Angeles, oddly enough. It is also very close to one of the first places that I spent time in custody as a child, which was pretty much a stone-throw away from where the 5 FWY and 10 FWY connect. Any time I drive through that area, I can remember that place, as I look to the south, and remember looking out the window, down to the Freeway and seeing the tall buildings of L.A., through the smog. 

 I can also remember that is a place where I prayed to God, really prayed, asking for Him to help me to change my life. I think I was only about 12 or so, and it was the first time I had actually been a week or more in custody; so, it really was a somewhat traumatic time, for the first couple of days. After I made a few friends, the time didn't seem to matter so much, and I forgot about the prayer I had made to God. 

 Guess what! God did not forget! Less that 10 years later, there I was, in L.A. again; the place, where the most important thing that ever happened, happened...

""I create the light and make the darkness. I send good times and bad times. I, the LORD, am the one who does these things. "Open up, O heavens, and pour out your righteousness. Let the earth open wide so salvation and righteousness can sprout up together. I, the LORD, created them. "What sorrow awaits those who argue with their Creator. Does the clay dispute with its maker? Does the clay dispute with the one who shapes it, saying, 'Stop, you're doing it wrong!' Does the pot exclaim, 'How clumsy can you be?' How terrible it would be if a newborn baby said to its father, 'Why was I born?' or if it said to its mother, 'Why did you make me this way?'" This is what the LORD says - the Holy One of Israel and your Creator: "Do you question what I do for my children? Do you give me orders about the work of my hands? I am the one who made the earth and created people to live on it. With my hands I stretched out the heavens. All the stars are at my commend."" (Isaiah 45:7-12 NLT)