Category: Recent Blogs

1 John 1:5-10 This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.

One of my favorite scenes in the Wizard of Oz is Toto (the little dog) pulling down the curtain surrounding the wizard. He wasn’t intimidated by all the bells, whistles, and sirens. The deep voice echoing through the room, did not keep him frozen. Just as Dorothy and her crew were ready to leave in discouragement (they had already fulfilled the wizard’s command to defeat the wicked witch), Toto reveals the wizard is nothing but a small bully with a big microphone.

It seems to me that our world is filling up with a lot of wanna be wizards, who are nothing more than small, hate filled, bullies behind the curtain of “IT IS I, the Greatest Show On Earth!

But, hey, DON’T ask them to perform – JUST BELIEVE!”

Fortunately for us and for the wanna be wizards, it isn’t little Toto who reveals the truth behind their curtains. It is God! Using our own words, along with our actions, He exposes the lies and their bells, whistles, and sirens, we attempt hide the lies behind.

God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all… sometimes, some of us, go to extravagant measures to build impressive machines that will elevate us to the status of God’s Administrative Director. Therefor if you or anyone need to know what God is thinking, planning, and/or doing about things, just consult me. In comparison to God, I am His go to person – I have it on good authority (me) that He counts on me to mold Him into a globally acceptable mini me.

Deuteronomy 6:4 “ Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one!

Lesson number one to wanna be wizards… DO NOT compare God to you but compare you to God. God is the highest and ONLY standard of good, and righteous, and acceptable and perfect. Mankind does not create Him, He creates mankind! We don’t even begin to MEASURE UP! If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth… 

Lesson number two to wanna be wizards… don’t Lie! If you claim to KNOW about God (and we all do, even unbelievers claim an intimate knowledge of who God is – or isn’t) and yet you walk in your own perception of Him, you lie and do not practice the truth.

True fellowship with God will be a heart filled with love!

Deuteronomy 6:5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.

Not because you were TOLD to love God, but because GOD IS LOVE and true fellowship with Him fills you with HIS LOVE – pressed down, shaken, full and overflowing!

Not only will you love God but you shall love your neighbor as yourself.

There is no other commandment greater (and as powerful) than these.” (Mark 12:31) 

For all of us wizard wanna bees out there… I bow my knees and pray before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant all of us, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith; and that we, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:14-19

Lesson number three to wanna be wizards… Don’t deceive yourself! If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.

We are not perfect, and in this world no one will achieve perfection. There is not one of us without sin… as it is written, “ There is none righteous, not even one; (Romans 3:10)

But God…“so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. (John 3:16-17)

Lesson number four to the wanna be wizards… Don’t make God a liar! If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned (and don’t NEED Him), we make Him a liar and His word (Jesus IS His Word!) is not in us.

What are you waiting for little wizard wanna be?

When your curtain of woes is pulled back and it is revealed that you are helpless to clean the inside of your own beautiful bling filled house, with all it’s bells, whistles, and sirens, much less be helpful in helping others clean theirs, who you gonna call? Glenda the good witch?

While you’re tapping your little red shoes saying,”There’s no place like home…” Remember…

Your Father in heaven is waiting… So he (the one tiered of the pigsty) got up and came to his father.

But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.

Just say Jesus, “Come Lord, Come! (Bo Yeshua!)

And our Father will say to His angels, “Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of Mine was dead and has come to life again; HE WAS LOST AND HAS BEEN FOUND.”

And they (all of heaven) will began to celebrate. Luke 15:20,22-24 

No amount of wizard words shouted to the loudest decibels, will ever – ever replace or transcend the TRUTH HAPPENING when a son/daughter comes home to God.

So much for wanting to be and/or trying to be a wizard!

Go for the gold… BE a Child of God!!!!!!

**All Scripture quoted comes from the “Bible Gateway” app and is the NASB version of the Bible unless otherwise noted.

Philippians 1:6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

Am I confident?

For you, ABSOLUTELY! Because… It is God who is at work in you! 

Like Paul, I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all (in Texas we spell that y’all), in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. (Philippians 1:3-5)

Being raised by a perfectionist who wouldn’t let herself or anyone else think she or we were “good enough”, I have trouble in the confidence department. Sometimes I find it hard to know that God doesn’t view me the same way as my mother used to.

So many imperfections! Am I salvageable as His work? Will He complete His work (to perfection) or will He throw me into His “projects left undone” box. Projects that were wonderful in the idea stage, but turned out to MORE FRUSTRATING (or boring) than their ideal is worth sweating over.

I have a project box like that. I don’t throw the project (me?) away. The not so mangled, untangled, material might be of use in another project, or, there might come a day, when I am finally able to mold and manipulate this one into SOMETHING useful or decorative.

When Satan wants to harass me, He whispers that God has a box just like it. Using the easiest arrows given to him to discourage and destroy what is mostly this little lump of clay, Satan forms His weapon of choice – ME!

I know what I’d do if he were threatening and harassing you, but what SHOULD I do when his arrows hit my brain?

The SAME THING I would do with you – speaking to one another (my brain, my soul and my spirit) in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with my heart to the Lord; (Ephesians 5:19) I NEED TO… put on the armor of God!

In the times the enemy entices me into his wilderness, I need to gird my loins with truth… My Designer – God the Father, who does not see me as just a hobby but as His child for eternity (Psalm 139). I need to gird my loins with truth…  My Savior and Design Engineer – Jesus, who is building me with Him as the Cornerstone. I need to gird my loins with truth… the Artist – the Holy Spirit, who is the voice always saying, “This is the Way was in it” (Isaiah 30:21)

I need to put on the breastplate of righteousness… not my own but that of Christ, My Lord!

I need to shod my feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace… the good news of great joy – Emmanuel – God with us!

I MUST take up the shield of faith with which I will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one… not just my belief but my whole trust and reliable commitment to depend on and live for the One and Only God of Love!

And I MUST take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God… then I can safely enter our war with the enemy, boldly proclaiming as Jesus did in EVERY temptation (Matthew 4:4-11), – God is my Banner – Exodus 17:15 – and only then do I enter this wilderness, which is God’s workroom not His showroom.

As I march forward, one step at a time, I DO DECLARE over and over and over (don’t stop! NEVER stop, Mary!) again, “JESUS IS ENOUGH!”

Do I always “get it”?

Nope!

But, whether I turn to the right or to the left, I hear the voice saying, “You are My work in progress!”

And I know for this moment… He who began a good work in me will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

No mom, I’m not perfect yet. But… IT IS (from beginning to end)God who is at work in me, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. (Philippians 2:13)

When He is done with me… I WILL BE perfect!

He declares it so! “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9

He promises it so! “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth And making it bear and sprout, And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:10-11 

He make it so! “For you will go out with joy And be led forth with peace; The mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before you, And all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Isaiah 55:12 

I am indeed, His Work In Progress!

You are indeed, His Work In Progress!

Let us send the devil back his flaming arrows like Jesus did… Then Jesus *said to him, “Go, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.” Matthew 4:10

Guess what happened… Encouragement happened! Then the devil *left Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him. Matthew 4:11 

**All Scripture quoted comes from the “Bible Gateway” app and is the NASB version of the Bible unless otherwise noted.

John 14:1-4  “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.  In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way where I am going.”

To borrow a title from an awesome song… “I Can Only Imagine”!

However… I do think we (the members of Jesus’ Club) have let our imaginations RUN WILD!

We imagine… that “Once Saved Always Saved” means we no longer have to observe and obey the rules of the house.

We imagine… that the house will bend to our wills in decor, behavior, and maintenance.

We imagine… that the Owner of the house is obligated to be at our beck and call no matter who, what, where, when, how, and why, we or the house, are in the situations we find ourselves in.

We imagine… that the love of the house, means NEVER having to say we are sorry nor denying ourselves to live any which way we desire to.

And worst of all… we imagine… we are RIGHT! So, we preach this gospel of our own imagination, changing it as necessary to polish our pots of gold and bling, so they will blind those who sit in our pews and eat from the cauldrons of rubbish.

When did things change so drastically?

When sin entered our garden!

When we fail(ed) to kill Satan (the snake) with the hammer of truth (God IS and He IS GOOD… all the time)!

When we decided that, WE DECIDE what God really means!

When we treat God the way we WOULD NEVER ALLOW ANYONE to treat us or those who love us.

Let me ask you…

If someone (even your most loved child) came into your house, threw huge parties for your known enemies, blasted the music of sin and debauchery, burned every book you owned on the subject of proper behavior, locked you in your room if you threatened to complain, and had no remorse for the damage and degradation that resulted…

Would you… smile and nod? Hug and kiss every attendee? Take the doors off the castle so everyone could come in? Become the Ringmaster of this circus?

If you would do any of these things, I KNOW FOR A FACT, it is not your house we are in.

I KNOW FOR A FACT, you would invite Satan into EVERY house but your own!

I KNOW FOR A FACT, YOUR house would remain completely untouched. Walled in, professionally guarded, taken care of by an army of hired workers who must possess the best record ever! And…

I KNOW FOR A FACT, you would do everything in your power to keep it that way, including turning your back on the the Way, the Truth and the Life!

In My Father’s House… there are rules… no COMMANDS!

Matthew 22:37 You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and foremost commandment. 

In My Father’s House… there are ways to live!

Luke 19:45-46 Jesus entered the temple and began to drive out those who were selling, saying to them, “It is written, ‘And My house shall be a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a robbers’ den.”

In My Father’s House… as His children, you represent the Owner of the house!

1 John 3:2-3 Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

In My Father’s House… there is no condemnation… but there is the Spirit of God! For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
Romans 8:2-4 

If you are truly in My Father’s House… we will know you by your mind set!

Romans 8:5-8 For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

If you are a “robber” trying to steal God’s house, let me just say, it (stealing from God) WILL NOT be allowed while in His house!

If you are a child wanting to take your “inheritance” and run to play with the world, (Luke 15:11-24 *NOTE TO SELF* remember that the world will spend and give you nothing, while you dine on pig’s slop.) SQUANDERING God’s inheritance to us, WILL NOT be allowed while in His house. 17) But when he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger! 18) I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight; 19) I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men.”’

Squandering God’s inheritance won’t cost you what you deserve (excommunication/dismemberment) 20) So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21) And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 

It will cost “coming to your senses” and humbling yourself before the owner of the household.

Though you have none of the inheritance left to contribute to Your Father’s House… With God’s forgiveness, there will be new clothes, the family crest ring, shoes made for walking Gods land, fattened calfs for a feast beyond feasts. A celebration In The House! (Luke 15:22-23)

A celebration, not to condone or excuse a son’s (or daughter’s) worthless behavior… A celebration of RETURN to the Father’s House…

A celebration of a fallen child’s RESURRECTION!

Luke 15:24 for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate.

I do not believe God’s house nor His Kingdom is an OPEN BORDER to all beliefs, all behavior, all opinions, all methods of entering…  Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.
John 14:6 

I believe the only way to get to Our Father’s House is JESUS!

And I believe the only way to stay and live in the house is LOVE the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.

Deuteronomy 6:4 says it all… “Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one(YES, Israel is in the house too – not JUST our neighbor!)! 

If we dwell in THIS house of God… These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. WE SHALL…teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. WE SHALL… bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. WE SHALL… write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. (Deuteronomy 6:6-9) 

If your house is In My Father’s house, where there are many dwelling places; where Jesus is preparing a place for you. And if Jesus is preparing a place for you, He will come again and receive you to Himself, that where He is, there we may be also…

In Our Father’s House!

**All Scripture quoted comes from the “Bible Gateway” app and is the NASB version of the Bible unless otherwise noted.

Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.

But I didn’t mean to go there!

You see, I followed the directions of my friend, Bozo…

There is a saying, “The Road to hell is paved with good intentions!”

It seemed RIGHT at the time!

In this particular day and age, I sometimes wonder if the road we are on as a nation is REALLY where we want to go, or if we just want the band we lead to be the biggest band on ANY way which seems right. It’s a parade! A NEVER-ENDING parade! At any rate, for some, and maybe quite a few, it will be a road whose end is the way of death.

A way which seems right… I truly wonder if today’s people stop to calculate the “end of the road” before they take themselves and those marching in their parade to the destination which will come whether you plan/pack for it or not!

Apart from complete sociopaths, most people do not purposefully and willingly take themselves or anyone to death and or destruction.  Historically, apart from evil that sets out to KILL their enemies and those who are useless to them, most people would not encourage trends that will end badly. And MOST PEOPLE do not believe their favorite leaders will lead them to a “bad end”.

For instance, training up children to believe that whatever they desire is someone else’s job to provide (because they are SO DESERVING), is historically proven to be hellish when they meet an adversary that not only refuses to provide but takes away everything they already have.

Do their parents ever consider the end result of telling them how precious and wonderful they are without regard to teaching them that life (the cause and effect of living), is rarely fair, no matter how precious and wonderful you are. Do these same parents even acknowledge that their household economy only works as long as they, the parents, provide all that is necessary to sustain it.

Luke 15:11-14 And He said, “A man had two sons.  The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me.’ So he divided his wealth between them.  And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant country, and there he squandered his estate with loose living.  Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to be impoverished. 

Learning his lessons the hard way, he tried to make his own way, 15 -16 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.  And he would have gladly filled his stomach with the pods that the swine were eating, and no one was giving anything to him.

I love this next line… 17 but when he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger!

In our nation today, we are much like this young man. We, without forethought, take the riches and beauty this wonderful country provides, and throw it at whatever wind is blowing upon us at the moment. We didn’t have to do much of the work to earn it, but we surely believe it is our right to spend it any which way that seems right to us.

The mantra today is FREE! FREE! FREE! stuff for every desire and or action required in order to make everyone happy and willing to join MY BAND and MARCH IN my parade.

Warning… you may want to think this through…

Luke 14:28-29 For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it?  Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who observe it begin to ridicule him, 

Luke 14:31-32 Or what king, when he sets out to meet another king in battle, will not first sit down and consider whether he is strong enough with ten thousand men to encounter the one coming against him with twenty thousand?  Or else, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace.

Real life consequences for real life failure to calculate the WAY you want to go, may be, failure and defeat, or even, the way of death, as your destination.

There is a way which seems right to us, do you have it set in your heart? Calculate the cost,to you and those in the parade with you.

And…

Last but certainly NOT LEAST! Get directions! Not just a map from your favorite GPS, but from the Person who cares even more than you about your destination than even you! ETERNALLY!

John 10:7-10 So Jesus said to them again, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.  The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

Who do you BET YOUR LIFE ON?

The politician who depends on your donations to feed his favorite constituents and will sell you to the highest bidder for slaughter? The Hollywood actor/actress who acts the part but reads from the script of the movie currently running in their mind? The press who report what they want to be the truth? Your bestest friends and friends of friends, who enjoy all of the SAME THINGS you do?

Or… the One who loved you enough to give you His abundant life…  “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and is not concerned about the sheep. (John 10:11-13)

The FAKE shepherds of our world today, are obvious when they flee from loving you, when you refuse to be in the pens they have been hired to pack with sheep. You think you KNOW THEM and count on them to KNOW YOU!

But there is ONLY ONE who KNOWS YOU and willingly loves you act all cost to Him… I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. (John 10:14-15)

We ALL, every on of us, have a way that SEEMS RIGHT to us, but its end is the way of death. Remember the garden? Remember Adam (and Eve) who had everything they could ever imagine at their fingertips? Remember the snake, the enemy of God and all He has made?

We have the way… BUT GOD… has the direction…

Isaiah 55:8-9  “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.” Uncorrupted and incorruptible! God is good all the time…

And all the time…

GOD IS GOOD!

If you ask for His righteous direction, your ears will hear a word behind you, “ This is the way, walk in it,” whenever you turn to the right or to the left. (Isaiah 30:21)

His road will always lead to abundant life!

Which is never “A Road Too Far”!

**All Scripture quoted comes from the “Bible Gateway” app and is the NASB version of the Bible unless otherwise noted.

Luke 10:38-42 Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word. But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.” But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”

Sometimes I’m Martha… Martha was distracted with all her preparations(probably more times than I care to confess!).

And sometimes I’m Mary (well, I’m always Mary but sometimes I even act like this Mary)… Mary, was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word.

Martha went right up to the Lord to TELL HIM her need. Which she assumed would be His need also, after all it was ministering to His physical (and His followers) needs. They were having CHURCH right there! You know, church, with all the “righteous” people, like us. Just being in the same building as Him was a blessing! And it was! Martha might not have extended the invitation, herself, but she was excited and prepared to SERVE HIM WELL! She simply wanted Mary to help her complete her mission, for the good of all (well, mostly for the good of Martha).

Mary, on the other hand, didn’t want to (COULDN’T) leave her seat. It wasn’t JUST the words He spoke… it was the Word of God speaking! In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1) I don’t know if she really THOUGHT that, but I do believe she KNEW in her heart as she sat at His feet and gazed up at His eyes, that He was, is, and always will be The One!

Martha welcomed Jesus into her home and we know she had a heart to serve Him and wanted above all else to do it well. I believe, she also knew in her heart that He was, is, and aways will be the One.

In fact, I believe what we have here is two Jesus Freaks, going about the business of being the children of God. He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:11-13)

As much as I have been trained by and have become much like the many Martha’s throughout my life, I dream and wish to be Mary. “Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”

Sitting at the feet of Jesus. With no agenda other than to look into His eyes and hear His heart.

Just like Martha, so many servants of God want to know that all the physical needs of their friends, family, and congregations, are managed and taken care of. If there is someone who is free from other tasks at the moment, they SHOULD HELP with the overwhelming number of things yet to do. They want to “help God” make life perfect, then we can ALL sit down and enjoy the sermon. Born-again children should be trained up SERVE!

I agree, Scripture encourages all of us to serve, with love, all of our neighbors (especially those you find hard to love) just as we love ourselves… you shall love your neighbor as yourself… love, being an action verb not a noun. But first, don’t forget, we are to love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and foremost commandment. (Matthew 22:37-40)

The Martha’s of the world tend to assume this means to FIX their world so that when God visits, He will give praise to the fixer uppers. “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.”

Though I share the name of the sister that chose well, I am easily distracted by all the things needing and waiting to be done. I will put off sitting at the feet of Jesus so that I might accomplish some other task and/or study Scripture to find the best ways and means to handle such tasks. It’s not that I think God can’t/won’t handle the needs and desires of the many, I just want to HELP HIM!

But today, as I write this blog I realize He is waiting for me to SEE He is right here, right now. Today, I hear Him whisper,  “Martha, Martha, Mary, Mary, choose with your heart the good part (Me, in your midst), and it shall not be taken away from you.

Excuse me for a moment my fellow siblings… I’m gonna go sit at the feet of Jesus, gazing into the eyes of the One, the Word of God…care to join me?

**All Scripture quoted comes from the “Bible Gateway” app and is the NASB version of the Bible unless otherwise noted.

Romans 12:18-19 If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “ Vengeance is Mine , I will repay ,” says the Lord.

If possible… so far as it depends on you…

Romans 12:20-21 “ But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”

Bottom line…

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

To be overcome by evil is not about suffering retaliation or even death.

To be overcome by evil is to become like evil. To change our character from LOVE to HATE.

Remember… when God created man, He set us apart from all other creatures by creating us in His image and giving us the greatest gift of love – CHOICE, an act of our own will, to decide, judge, and then act to bring our choice to fruition. No other creature, including angels, has the authority and power.

Satan, who was once one of God’s powerful angels, without the authority to chose, judge, or act without God’s permission,  committed the act of hating God and His creation. For Satan, it was the act of becoming evil – the total and complete opposite of good. Without the free will to chose, this creature and any like him, will remain the way they are, with no hope for redemption.

Man, mankind, from minute one of receiving the breath of God, became God’s favored creature (the one next in line to the God Head)… and He does not wish for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)  Unlike Satan (who received the promise of defeat), God immediately instituted a plan to SAVE His greatest possession. Though He would not reverse the gift of free will, He promised to provide a way of escape from the wages of the sin (evil’s punishment) we introduced into all of creation.

God decides… For Satan and his minions, there is NO HOPE! But for God and those He calls His people… For we know Him who said, “ Vengeance is Mine, I will repay .” And again, “ The Lord will judge His people .” It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Hebrews 10:30-31) 

It is terrifying! Unless you know Him!

Romans 11:33-36  Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor? Or who has first given to Him  that it might be paid back to him again? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.

His vengeance is indeed SWEET! He will stop at nothing to give us our place and position He has always planned for us.

John 3:16-17 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 

Freely CHOOSE! If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15)

One of Satan’s weapons he frequently uses to show God his hatred, is to incite us to anger and wrath – his nature.  He would “love”  to steal us from God, kill us so God will never have us, and destroy God’s testimony in our life. He HATES God! We are only a morsel (a snack) to satisfy his hunger for victory over God – his victory over GOOD!

God’s SWEET revenge? “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. (Genesis 50:19-20)

And it gets even SWEETER! For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. (Romans 8:18-21) 

Were we to take it upon ourselves to administer our form of vengeance, it will quickly be filled with anger, and wrath, and hatred; ITS IN OUR DNA!

God’s desire is to set us and creation free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.

God is GOOD ALL THE TIME… there is no shadow of anything but LOVING KINDNESS!

And all the time GOD IS GOOD… everything HE does is FOR us NEVER AGAINST us!

Romans 8:37-39 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

Do you want revenge? Do you wish for the the ultimate payback  to every enemy that so much as harmed a hair on your head?

Genesis 12:3 And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.” (Yes, this is God’s promise to Abraham and to his descendants, of which WE ARE ALSO! Because of Jesus, we, the Jews and Gentiles, are one. He is our Messiah! We have His blood coursing through our veins!)

Let go of your desires and dreams… be at peace with all men… if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink…

Let God give us all SWEET VENGEANCE… Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

**All Scripture quoted comes from the “Bible Gateway” app and is the NASB version of the Bible unless otherwise noted.

 

 

Exodus 3:7 The Lord said, “I have surely seen the affliction of My people who are in Egypt, and have given heed to their cry because of their taskmasters, for I am aware of their sufferings.”

The Taskmasters of 2019?

STUFF and SUCH!

In this gorgeous and bountiful land, who or what is your taskmaster? Maybe you have more than one, maybe you have two or three, like work, or popularity. or just plain STUFF.

We all have them!  Unfortunately, we also are the one’s who give them the power and authority to rule – so in a sense we are as much the slaves as the Israelites and also the Pharaoh who refuses to let us go.

Matthew 6:21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Israel was a the treasure of all treasure’s to Pharaoh because Israel provided the work required to gain the treasured lifestyle only enjoyed by the richest and most famous. Why would Pharaoh let them go when he so enjoyed the fruits of their labors, “No, no! Let’s make them work harder with less!” Pharaoh had a heart filled with the desire (and the slaves to produce it) for more and  more and more… STUFF whether he needed it or not!

But, Mary, “What does this have to do with us today? We’re not the slaves!”

Wanna bet?

I have been on a journey this last month that started on the anniversary of the 46th year of my wedding day and the 67th year of my birth. A lot of time and opportunity to be blessed and God HAS INDEED blessed our socks off! Now, it seems, it is “burning bush” time to have a little talk with Jesus on His “holy ground” about… STUFF!

Exodus 3:2-5 The angel of the Lord appeared to him in a blazing fire from the midst of a bush; and he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, yet the bush was not consumed. So Moses said, “ I must turn aside now and see this marvelous sight, why the bush is not burned up.” When the Lord saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” Then He said, “Do not come near here; remove your sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.”

The results?

“Here I am.” DOWNSIZING! Which is somewhat like Israel tying to get their minds around leaving the place, people and things that, yes, have made them miserable at times, but have also supplied a faux comfort (roof over our head) and job security (plenty to do in taking care of the faux comfort).

We bought our house with the idea (dream) we would fill it with family, like we did in our younger days. We could/would/should possibly have grandchildren so we needed ROOMS.

Well, we filled it alright… with STUFF.

And now there is no REAL need for our ROOMS or STUFF!

They have become our co-taskmasters who keep too busy to SEE our slavery to the Pharaoh of the heart. “But what if I NEED it?!” (Thank you Ben and Matt for my favorite saying from your early years, “BUT I NEED…!!!!!”)

We (mostly me) have been blinded by our busyness of searching for the straw – to make the bricks – to build more room – to buy more stuff.

However, there is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven— (Ecclesiastes 3:1) and the time has come (before we have no choice in the matter) to PURGE the taskmasters of our life, ASSESS the value and necessity of tasks we will be obligated to do in keeping the rest, and LOVE GOD more than any pharaoh/idol we have allowed to usurp His throne in our life.

He has blessed us, has given us everything we have needed to build this temple (1 Corinthians 3:16 you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you) just as He prepared the people leaving Egypt with everything they needed (which by the way they asked and received from their Egyptian neighbors 🙂 Exodus 12:33 – 36, 36:7) to build Him a temple in the wilderness.

Bur, just like the Israelites, when Moses was away talking with God for TOO LONG, I too have gotten scared and made myself some golden calfs – just in case God was not going to keep on taking care of me in the style I have grown accustomed to. (Note to Self – golden calfs are STUFF that requires a lot of polishing and such)

Exodus 20:1-2 Then God spoke all these words, saying, “ I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.

Exodus 20:3 “ You shall have no other gods before Me.

Exodus 20:4 “ You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth.

Exodus 20:5-6 You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.

And thus, I have come full circle with my own journey of leaving Egypt and slavery behind.

“I have surely seen the affliction of My people who are in Egypt, and have given heed to their cry because of their taskmasters, for I am aware of their sufferings.”

God SAW the affliction I was creating, even though I didn’t.

God GAVE HEED to the silent cry of my soul with the help of the Holy Spirit, when I could not or did not want to hear, because of the taskmasters I have given myself over to.

God is AWARE of my need and prepared my journey.

In my case, He called my exodus from Egypt, “Downsizing” – or as my husband says, “Getting rid of the clutter!”.

I never intended for this mission to become a spiritual journey, but God does! I didn’t have a really valid reason (which makes it VERY EASY to procrastinate) until I heard the shout of God, over the illegitimate pharaoh  trying to take over the throne of my life. “LET MY PEOPLE GO!”

I also have to confess, I have a very hard time letting go of ANYTHING… but… it is God who is at work in me – both to will and to work for His GOOD pleasure… and He has begun a work in me through this journey (hopefully it isn’t 40 years in the wilderness) that has opened my eyes to the taskmasters called STUFF.

God is not asking me to get rid of His blessings nor is He taking them away! My escape from Egypt hinges on what I have used God’s blessings for in my life and what I will use them for in the rest of my life.

I am PURGING (Trash, Give, Keep, Organize) my house, but I am also experiencing an “intentional” FREEDOM to pursue the “intentional” PLAN of God for my life.

That is… the plan that trains me up in the way I should go… as a child of the Lord my God, who says to me…

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” (Revelation 1:8)

My mission, should I choose to accept it, is to downsize… MYSELF!

John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

I just have one thing too say, “Bye, bye Taskmasters of 2019! I am on the road to the promised land.”

**All Scripture quoted comes from the “Bible Gateway” app and is the NASB version of the Bible unless otherwise noted.

Exodus 17:15 Moses built an altar and named it The Lord is My Banner;

When you’re called – Own It!

When you’re tested – Own It!

When you’re sold into slavery – Own It!

When you’re fired up – Own It!

When you’re wrong – Own It!

When you’re wronged – Own It!

When you’re instructed – Own It!

When you’re tortured – Own It!

Just Own It!

This is not a normal directive people want to hear when they  come to you for encouragement, sympathy, or peace. When dramatic trouble happens, we desperately need to share it. We want everyone to FEEL our pain, thinking that the shared “freak out” will calm us, the victim. We really want someone to take it from us with  their magic words of healing. At the very least we want to be on the center stage of their thoughts, prayers, and activity.

I think most of us would love to be able to give them what they want. We’d love to be declared the savior. We’d love to think we could handle the events MUCH BETTER than they are.

There are just two things I want to point out before you go about throwing down the gauntlet, “Own It!” to every victim of today’s troubles (don’t worry there will be plenty to practice on each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34)… we already DO own it.

Whether we want to or not, we really do OWN our days. Whether we realize it or not, no one else can live our day for us. Owning it is NOT the new directive for encouragement,  neither is the building an altar and hanging a banner.

As Adam’s children we all, everyone of us, believe we have the right to be in control (own) of living life the way we demand. When Adam and Eve attached blame, they were not giving away their altar building permit  or the authority to name it and claim it. Through blame, they were simply trying to FIX the evidence in their favor and mitigate the consequences to someone else.

Our inheritance from Adam… is an altar dedicated to me.  When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. (Genesis 3:6)

They taught me how make it my own. The eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings. (Genesis 3:7) It’s ok this will work – just a minor glitch! In fact, maybe we open our own House of Design. (Thousands of years from now our product will work well for those who fear the destruction of the planet and wish for a Green New Deal.)

They even showed me the best bet was to proactively mitigate the consequences by re-telling their story. It was theirs but they didn’t own ALL of it!

They heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden… 

God: Where are you?

Adam: I heard the sound of You in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself. 

God: Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?

Adam? Maybe, BUT… the woman YOU gave me… Eve?… the serpent deceived me…

They owned everything but the WHOLE TRUTH.

THEY were LUSTING (lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, pride of life) to fill their own altar with all things they considered worth having, NOT lusting for ALL THINGS GOD. They built their altar and named it “Adam and Eve Rock and Rule!”

PLEASE hear me… I am not saying that all trouble that attacks me is my fault, or is punishment for some sin I have committed.  But I am saying… all trouble is a result of giving evil access to God’s possession.

Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places… John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;

When Adam and Eve ate from the tree the knew good and evil – and the difference between the two. Before they ate they only knew good and lived in a world where evil was not allowed – a perfect world!

We live in a world that is groaning with labor pains to be re-born perfect again. Until that time comes (and it will – God promises), there is more than enough TROUBLE! Let’s Own ALL of It! Let’s do what Adam and Eve didn’t do. Let’s build an altar and name it… The Lord is My Banner!!!!!!! 

Even after Adam and Eve gave evil access to God’s Kingdom (which is the reason they HAD TO be sent out of Paradise… Perfect Goodness could not live with evil & protection was necessary to prevent them from eating from the tree of life, making this event eternal), I believe, had they acknowledged the difference they now knew between good and evil, and  knowing,  they chose and confessed with every fiber of their life, to love and serve The One and Only Perfect Good God, evil would have been defeated.

Had they owned the knowledge the fruit of the tree provided, their banner would have said, “The Lord is My Banner!”! Victory over the enemy of God and His possessions, would have been theirs!

As an encourager, I can not promise a happy, healthy and wise life. I also cannot judge and condemn anyone for lack of such a life (John 8:7 “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.”). But I can say to myself and others, especially in time of trouble and stress… Let’s Own It… Let’s Own ALL of it!

When you’re called, like Moses – Own It! He built an altar and named it The Lord is My Banner;

When you’re tested, like Job – Own It! He did not sin nor did he blame God… He worshipped Him, “ Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked I shall return there. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.” (Job 1:21-22)

When you’re sold into slavery like Joseph – Own It! He did his best and became the authority second only to the king. When it came time to reveal the truth, he did not boast of his own hard times or his hard work to succeed. He said to the brothers who had done the dirty deed, “Do not be afraid, for am I in God’s place? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.” (Genesis 50:19-20)

When you’re fired up – Own It!… check out Daniel!

When you’re wrong – Own It!… check out David!

When you’re wronged – Own It!… check out Jesus!

When you’re tortured – Own It!… check out Timothy and Paul and Peter and James and John!

You get the message. After the shock of hitting a brick wall in life… start building your altar! Not an altar to display the drama nor to display your war wounds. Build an altar to display whom you love and serve!

We all build altars and they do indeed bear evidence of whom they are dedicated to. Make sure in the midst of your grief, and suffering, and confusion, you NAME IT with the only NAME that loves you enough to SAVE YOU!

John 3:16-17 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 

Own It! Build It! Name It!

The Lord is My Banner!!!!!!!!

**All Scripture quoted comes from the “Bible Gateway” app and is the NASB version of the Bible unless otherwise noted.

1 Peter 1:2-3 As newborn babes, long for pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow toward salvation—

When I think of Side by Side and Hand in Hand, I mostly think of people just like me. Those with the same lifestyle, those with the same leanings toward life, those with the same maturity in the different areas of life. I don’t normally think of standing side by side or hand in hand with babies, or for that matter, children.

I am an encourager by gift, but I have often thought of this as only useful for counseling and/or solving problems. QUICKLY!

2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man/woman of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work… QUICKLY!

This week, I was reminded (by the Holy Spirit) that NOT EVERYONE grows up quickly. Yes, yes, everyone must be born again and GROW UP… (John 3:7 Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus *said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.  That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.  Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’…but I sometimes believe and act like this should only take a minute.  I celebrate EVERY new birth. But I forget  the months in utero and the labor pains it probably took to get here, I immediately begin to prepare a meal of, what some may call, college prep courses.

Jesus said, “Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:13-15

Does what I intend to be encouragement, actually hinder the children from coming to Jesus or staying close to Him?

Say it aint so!

Long for pure spiritual milk! Yes, to encourage them to grow toward salvation, but NOT by putting them on a torture rack of NOW YOU MUST know the Christian rules, follow all of the church’s regulations and memorize entire books of the Bible. Because, somehow stretching them beyond their capacity to learn, ordering them grow NOW, rather than patiently WAITING, allowing them to grow at the pace God knows they need will result in my job being done quickly, so I can move onto the next big baby.

Might be quicker and easier to force growth, but force without grace and mercy, is guaranteed to leave wounds and scars, not to mention bitterness and possible PTSD memories which could cause unintentional behavior in their future fellowship with God.

For the sake of Encouragement 101, I humbly realize, as the Holy Spirit gently reminded, I needed some MIND RENEWAL, on the subject of caring for God’s children! And so…by the mercies of God, I presented my body a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is my spiritual service of worship. And I will not be conformed to this world, but I will be transformed by the renewing of my mind, so that I may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:1-2) 

I needed…

A Renewed Position… not to be an authority on Child Rearing but a child of God who wishes to serve my siblings.

A Renewed Service… not to BE THE BOSS of them but to be an example of why I love God with my whole heart, my whole soul, and my whole strength.

A Renewed Life-Style…  a living and holy sacrifice (Romans 12:1), with the word of Christ richly dwelling within me, that I might, with all wisdom and teaching, admonishing myself and others, with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in our hearts to God. (Colossians 3:16)

Our Triune God is the ONLY perfect adult in the room. I am NOT! I never get His permission to bully my sibling or scare them into obedience with a false narrative of what their Daddy will do if they mess up. I only get to love them as I love myself! It isn’t the first time I’ve needed my mind renewed nor I’m sure it won’t be the last time!

But God!

Having…  purified my soul in obedience to the truth, leading to sincere brotherly love… 

I once again know it is God’s good and acceptable and perfect will that…

We shall love one another fervently from a pure heart.

We have been born again—not from perishable seed but imperishable—through the living and enduring word of God. (1 Peter 1:22-23)

Having tasted the kindness of the Lord. We come to Him, as living stones, being built up as a spiritual house—a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2:3-5) 

With Lots of Babies in the House, let me/us always remember that the first and immediate need is pure spiritual milk. The purest of which is knowing God and seeking first His kingdom. 

No matter what age we are, newborn, toddler, teenager, semi-adult parental unit, or almost older than dirt such as me, we are God’s children IF we have believed with our heart and confessed with our mouth that JESUS IS LORD.  Let us then remember who we are Standing Side by Side with. Let us then remember who we are Hand in Hand with.

Whether encouraging one another, or teaching one another, reproving one another, or just plain worshipping God with each other, let us always remember who we are talking to.

Whether talking to or about ourselves or any of our siblings, (regardless of age and/or position in our community), let us SEE THEM for who they/we are.

We are chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession,

so that we may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light;

We were once, not a people, but now we are the people of God ; we had not received mercy, but now we have received mercy. (1 Peter 2:9-10)

There are Lots of Babies in the House! Let us encourage/feed them with the purest of milk. The milk of God’s love! They are longing for it!

**All Scripture quoted comes from the “Bible Gateway” app and is the NASB version of the Bible unless otherwise noted.

 

Matthew 19:16 And someone came to Him and said, “Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life?”

Making plans for eternity… sounds like a plan!

What good thing shall I do?  We learn in just a little while that this young man is wealthy. Likely he is able to purchase whatever his heart desires and he is definitely looking for that ONE thing that will complete (make his life, forever PERFECT) his search.

I’m sure no disrespect is intended (along with no respect either) when he sidles up next to Jesus and calls him, “Teacher” (not Lord, not God, not someone to worship). I’m sure he has been listening as he mingled in the crowds surrounding Jesus. I’m sure he noticed that the “Elite Crowd” (the Pharisees) were attempting to shut Jesus down and I’m fairly certain he gave no regard to his own judgmental attitude toward this motley group of Jesus Freaks.

Matthew 19:17 And He said to him, “Why are you asking Me about what is good? (In other words, Jesus knew this young man was not seeking salvation but was seeking confirmation that he was already perfect with maybe just a little tweaking.)There is only One who is good; but if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.”

I’d venture to guess, he is sure and certain he has whatever it takes to compete, win the race and gain the winner’s crown and scepter. 

There is only One who is good…and it is NOT YOU! but if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments… this reminds me of when Jesus spoke to Jacob awhile back… “Let’s Rumble  Wrestle!”

Then he *said to Him, “Which ones?”

Matthew 19:18-19 And Jesus said, “You shall not commit murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; Honor your father and mother; and You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”I find it rather interesting that of the ten, Jesus focused on the commands regarding this young man’s peers – his neighbors.

I don’t believe Jesus was elevating these, I believe He was starting with our inability to accomplish even the simplest of the commands. I believe He was pointing out our inability (and you thought Jesus was just talking to/about this arrogant rich boy) to comprehend how far we miss the mark with ourselves and others much less WHO OWNS the mark we are commanded to shoot at and hit.

Matthew 19:20 The young man *said to Him, “All these things I have kept; what am I still lacking?” How many times have you heard someone say or you yourself have said, “I’m a good person! (with the secret additional phrase… How dare God not do for me as I demand!”)?

I’m sure he – you – we are VERY SINCERE in our assessment.

Unfortunately, we wrongly assess the bullseye of the target to be set by man, preferably using ME as the model of perfection. Wherever my shot lands, it is righteous because I meant for it to be perfect!

RIGHT???????

Matthew 19:21 Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”

WRONG!!!!!!! There is only One who is good… ONLY GOD is perfection and HE SETS and IS the righteous bullseye for all His commandments.

If you wish to be (complete)perfect in all you think, say, and do, “Go”… “Sell all your ways and means”… “Give earthly treasure/and Get heavenly treasure.”

And then…

“Come, follow Me” the Author and Perfecter of faith (Hebrews 12:1-2).

Matthew 19:22 But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property. He had invested everything in himself and his requirement for the happy, wealthy, wise life he desired to lead.

There are so many of us just like this young man. We set our requirements for the life we desire to live, believing that we can/should/will have it all. Everything is FINE (so proud of our accomplishment) until, heaven forbid, SOMEONE or SOMETHING threatens our perfection, like telling us to give it all away.

If I just weren’t SOOOOOOOO healthy, wealthy and wise.

**(This month I have tasted the fruit of this statement by DOWNSIZING – decluttering my life! It is the bitter fruit of grief, as I recall the memories of fun I have had in collecting the stuff and worrying I may need more of it for my future life-plan. CONFESSION…  have been tempted to turn and walk away from this particular mission prep God had given me to do.)**

Matthew 19:24-24 Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.

Good thing I’m not rich, huh?! God evidently doesn’t make it easy for the “Successful People” to help Him with His Kingdom business.

Matthew 19:25 When the disciples heard this, they were very astonished and said, “Then who can be saved?” 

NOT GOD, IT IS WE who don’t make it easy!!!!!!!!!

God doesn’t require us to give up ALL of our earthly wealth, nor does He require we never have more than just enough. As Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:25-32, “He’s a GOOD GOOD FATHER (also a song by Chris Tomlin – which I’m quite sure he got from Scripture)!” And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6)

!! Observe and Remember! God is good all the time and all the time God is good (from my favorite movie, “God’s Not Dead”)!!

God is SO VERY GOOD, He does not wish for any to perish because the heart  chose it’s own king and refused the One True King. The STUFF of happy, healthy and wise is not the danger, it’s loosing eternal life with God because the stuff was used for the heart choose an evil king.

Laying down OUR STUFF to RECEIVE HIM and His world to some is more grief than they care to bear.  But yet each of us, every man/woman/child must enter through narrow gate. We are indeed rich because God made us into His image and blew into us His breath of life. 

Regardless of our circumstances, our environment, our friends, our enemies, EVERY man/woman/child is just a little lower than the angels (Hebrews 2:6-7)… I’d say that is pretty rich… But with the gift that no other creature (including the angels) has been given (Free Will)… I’d say that is pretty powerful… we must choose the narrow gate to enter. We must choose to seek the ONE we LOVE which is for some, easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than to enter the kingdom of God.

NOT POSSIBLE! “Then who can be saved?”

Matthew 19:27 And looking at them Jesus said to them (shaking His head I’m sure), “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Having a hard time squeezing through the eye of a needle? Enter in to God’s kingdom… Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. (Revelation 3:20)

Be. a. doer. of. God!

**All Scripture quoted comes from the “Bible Gateway” app and is the NASB version of the Bible unless otherwise noted.