All One Needs

Isaiah 61:1-3 - “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, 

Because the LORD has anointed Me 

To preach good tidings to the poor; 

He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, 

To proclaim liberty to the captives, 

And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; 

To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, 

And the day of vengeance of our God; 

To comfort all who mourn, 

To console those who mourn in Zion, 

To give them beauty for ashes, 

The oil of joy for mourning, 

The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; 

That they may be called trees of righteousness, 

The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified."

Who is Me in the above prophetic word? A prophetic word about Himself that Jesus

repeated to the anger and offense of some men when He preached them in a synagogue as His ministry first began. He did all the things listed. Go over them one by one. He did them all.

Our God, high and lifted up, watches from His throne of righteousness as men go their own way, do their own thing, apart from Him. He watches as they destroy life as it was intended to be. He knows His judgment must come to them. Yet He hopes they will turn and regard Him once again as Creator, Redeemer, Provider...their God. He desires their affection over the temporal things of this world. He desires they seek wisdom over folly. He desires obedience over sacrifice and humility over pride.

Why do some go against the things of God? How do they not see their Creator, the name above all names, in all that surrounds them? How do they take all of life into their own hands? How do they not see that they contribute to evil, which can be blatant or no more than turning God aside? How do they not see what is true, pure and just? How is pride of life so much greater than the things God has given us? Pride comes before the fall, we are told. (Proverbs 16:18)

Only God offers life abundantly. Only He gives eternal life. Man, in general, seeks only the things they find satisfy them in the here and now. When what today isn't enough, what about tomorrow? What will they seek then? What more will satisfy? 

Even the Church has sought their own ways seeking entertainment and soft words that leave one unprepared for tomorrow. They find no value in the simplicity, comforting and sometimes hard words of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Word is not enough. Their senses have to be heightened. You know who does that? For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12)  His name does not need to be spoken. 

This is what is in the world. All about me, my feelings, my dreams, my desires...apart from God. Life in Christ is all one needs. Search for all the riches in the world but they won't preserve a life. Seek prominence in the world; when all is said and done that prominence, after death, will eventually be forgotten. All things come to an end...unless one knows Christ. He brings eternal life. 

What good is having it all in this life when one does not first have the Lord? What does one cling to when all else is taken away, when sickness invades? When riches diminish, when life gets dicey, when evil surrounds and destroys? What hope does one cling to then? Life in Christ is all one needs. He supplies all riches in glory. But one must know Him to receive the glorious things He has for all.

But there is an evil one who has blinded the eyes of many. They cannot see the cliff they are headed for. They do not see the wisdom in Christ. They do not believe the promises of God. They do not see. They are blind. Like the song says, I once was blind but now I see... Like Jesus when He healed the blind man: One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see. (John 9:25) 

I was blind more than half my life. I was born that way. We all are. Oh, we see in the natural, but we do not see spiritually until Jesus opens our eyes to the miraculous things of God. Nothing looks the same. The evils of the world become visible and disheartening. The things of God become clearer and comforting. We see that the Lord has more for us than the world. 

It's hard living in this world when others don't "see" like you. When there's opposition to all good things and you see God, His name, His truths, His Word denied. And the days are growing darker. Blindness enlarges while truth fades. I'm so thankful, despite "seeing" all this happen in the world, that I know the Lord. I'm so thankful that I can say the same as the blind man, "One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see." I did nothing on my own to receive my sight. There is a darkness that has been pervading our world. It is rapidly taking over. The blind will not be able to have the chance to see some day. God is turning them over to their own lustful desires (Romans 1:24).

While there is still a glimmer of light, I pray many will take advantage of it. That they will seek Jesus, seek the truth and allow their blind eyes to be opened. There is still time individually and corporately. But the days are dwindling. The light in this world is fading. Evil is taking over. But there is One who still holds out for the last few, to open their eyes.

John 9:3-5 - Jesus answered, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. I must work the works of 

Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world."

God...We Have a Problem!

Deuteronomy 10:17 - For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome...

This has been quite the week. While some of us, as our pastor said this morning, are not happy with the election results, there are some who are. It has been a week of reflection, introspection and prediction. I have been part of discussions on election results, the future of this country, who I am in Christ, the 10 Commandments, even the subject of Christian vs. disciple and where I fit in God's grand scheme, His will, for such a time as this.

It's important, first of all, to know what Deuteronomy 10:17 says...our God IS the God of gods and the Lord of lords...in all areas of life...from the smallest thing in my life to the biggest thing in this country or world...and universe. Everything begins and ends with God, something everyone needs to understand. And it's just as important to realize that if we are followers of Christ, we are disciples and it is our duty to help others understand the things of God, not that everyone wants to hear it!

It is up to us to speak the Word just the same, to show the relevance of knowing this great and glorious God. It is clearly the decision of hearers/readers whether they want to trust in the Lord or trust in man...or trust even in themselves. I just know Who I place my trust in because He knows the beginning from the end, He is the Life, the Truth and the Way. I count my time on earth as a stepping stone to a bigger and better life.

I blogged earlier how I felt even before I learned the election results. How the words came to me that no matter how it turned out, no matter who would be the leader of our country, it was God's plan and He is still in control. Hey, to be blunt, He can use anyone to cause His will to be done. ANYONE. We don't know what His plans are but they are for good and they will, in time, glorify Him. Those who put their faith and trust in Him, know this. We live by faith, not by sight...a lesson God may be trying to convey through this past election. Praise Him!

Today our Pastor, Rory Grooters, spoke on OK, Who is Your God Now? For those whose prayers were not answered regarding the election, do we put our trust in man, government, ourselves or do we put even more trust in our God, as we should? There are many who believe we got what we as a nation deserved in this election. And I don't mean that is a good way! God may be judging this nation...because we have turned our backs on Him. Of course many will laugh at this, but the truth is we have allowed society to dictate the needs of the people...no, the wants of the people.

We want instant abortion, alternative lifestyles, government handouts instead of work; we want whatever we want, the way we want it and we want it now. We want to go against what the Word of God says is proper living. Who cares anymore? It's an ancient book; it's outdated; it's so against what society wants. WANTS. What does God say? (There are those)...whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things. (Philippians 3:19)

What does God want? Pastor Rory said He wants us to hunger for holiness and God (which is foolishness to many). When we have that all else will be given to us, the Word tells us (Luke 12:31). He wants us. He wants us to be holy because He is holy. He created us in His image. In His image! Does our image reflect that of God? He wants that none should perish but have everlasting life. But some want to feed their selfish desires in the world where moth and rust destroy over the things of God which will not perish. Oh, let me tell you, I believed that lie once myself. But the freedom that comes when the truth is made known. The truth will set anyone free. But there is still much I need to be free of myself...

Pastor said we either want real power (that comes from God) or impotence (which comes from man, or a king...leader). I'll take the all knowing, all powerful, ever present God, thank you. He has lasted a lifetime. How many leaders, kings or presidents have? He stands the test of time. The Ancient of Days. As pastor said: When dependency on government replaces God, we have a problem. Our problems are bigger than what government can do. We must look higher.

Where is your strength? Is your identity in who you think you have made yourself to be (when actually God gave you your abilities and strengths that you might glorify Him). Where do you place your trust? Can you honestly say government has taken care of all your needs/desires? Where will you go for help when things really get rough? When illness strikes, or you lose someone? Who is your hope? Can you say our government will be the answer?

My strength is in the Lord. My hope is in the Lord. The Lord is my refuge, my strong tower...all who run into it are saved. The Lord is the Rock of my salvation. It is He, my God, in whom I place my trust. I will look up beyond the seat of our government and straight up into the throne room of God for my needs. Will you?

Deuteronomy 10:12-13 - And now, ... what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments of the Lord and His statutes which I command you today for your good?

Selective Hearing

Luke 18:22 - So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him [rich young ruler], "You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."

We all know what selective hearing is. We've all done it. If we don't agree with someone on a certain point we shut our minds off, especially when we might know that it's the truth, and sometimes truth is hard to hear.

Oswald Chambers tells us in his August 17 My Utmost for His Highest devotion "Jesus Christ says a great deal that we listen to, but do not hear; when we do hear, His words are amazingly hard." The world has painted a picture that tells us having things is good. Having more things is satisfying. The more you have the happier you are. Now having things is okay, but when we are taking in more than we really need, we are seeking some "thing" to satisfy. Things don't do that and never will. We just don't always realize that letting go of something can be freeing. 

Jesus would say give those things up and follow Him because He has the water that will cause one to never thirst again. He is the living Bread. He has everything we could ever want if we choose Him over those things that rust and perish.

Jesus encountered people who listened but would not hear. People today do that same. He spoke the truth all the time. He had no choice, He was Truth. He is God and God does not lie. There were those who gladly gave up all they had to follow Jesus. Perhaps some had little to begin with and what Jesus offered was far greater than their expectations. Some definitely followed because Jesus healed them in some way and that secured their devotion to Him.

But what about those who had all the things they thought they needed in their lives, like this rich young ruler in the scripture above? It was hard to let go of his wealth. He sought the way to eternal life, but was reluctant to give up the things he loved. It tells us that after Jesus made the comment above, this man became sorrowful and discouraged. Is this why so many people don't want to put their entire lives in His hands? Are the words just too hard to bear that we might have to change our lifestyles? That we will have to set ourselves apart from others, including family and friends? We will have to look, act, think differently? Well, "having to" is not quite right; it comes with the territory and isn't that difficult to bear!

I should add here that God doesn't always take away all we have. He isn't asking us to give up our jobs, sell all our possessions or give everything to the poor and become destitute. He's trying to show us how to be thankful for just what we need and no more. 

If someone has nowhere else to look for comfort or healing and they earnestly reach out to God, they will find Him. It is then they choose to hear Jesus speak. So often it's in a weak moment we are willing to hear. Other things, other people have failed so what's left? Hmmm, maybe this Jesus thing will work, we might think. Maybe I've been too harsh in my thinking. Maybe I should listen, or try it and find out. Could it be in our weakest moments when we really do need an answer we have finally turned off our selective hearing and are finally open to listening and hearing?

Again, I bring up the country and world situation. I'm convinced that, like Glenn Beck says, we need to get God back into our lives. Our country has always been known for its wealth. How's that working today? Are those things we hold so dear going to keep us from recession? What happens if it does? I'm certain that if things continue as they are, we will get to a place where more people will be looking to God for their provision. Ears will hear. Without God we will falter; I'm convinced of that. 

I know believing that Jesus is the only answer is one of those very hard words that will be ignored. Jesus has told us I am the Way, the Truth and the Life... In Christ there is fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11). In Christ I am no longer condemned (Romans 8:1). In Christ I am redeemed (Romans 3:24). In Christ I am no longer separated from the love of God (Romans 8:39). In Christ I have eternal life (Romans 6:23). There are many other examples of who we can be in Christ. The words of Christ go against the thinking of this world. That's why His words are hard to hear.

I have recently begun to think about things I could give up if I had to. Yes, it would probably feel like they were being pulled out of my life but once gone I'd move on just fine. I think God does this for me so when it happens, it's not a surprise! I praise Him for that! Nothing we can physically hold on to lasts forever. Ask those who have had a house burn down or lost a loved one. It hurts but they move on. In the case of giving up all for Jesus, however, the more you lose the more you gain. Philippians 1:21 says For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Trusting in Christ is life and when you die to yourself and the things you think you must have, you live...in Christ.

Do I want to live my life with all the things the world can offer and miss out on the One who has everything of importance to give? No. Do I want what rust and moth can destroy and lose out on an eternal life that is secure in the Lord? No. I pray I will heed the hard words that Jesus speaks in His Word as well as what He whispers in my ear.

The Word of God is filled with hard words. They are there for us to learn from. We must be willing to first pick up that Book and read it. Then we must be willing to hear what the words are that are spoken. From the Old Testament through the New we are shown how we are to live and what is important in this world...no, Who is important. Do we want to miss that because it's a hard word? 

Hebrews 2:1-3 - Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him...