Hold Fast

I love the way that GOD gives HIS messengers the same message. These men who don’t know each other giving the same message verifies it’s truth. For in the mouth of 2 or 3 witnesses are things established. This past weekend I heard 4 pastors one on the East Coast- in the Washington DC area, one from Cleavland, one from here in Colorado, and one in Southern California on the West Coast.  From coast to coast these men of GOD each spoke on the need to HOLD FAST to our faith in GOD and the truths of the Bible.  The messages used different verses (John 8:51, John 15:7, Hebrews 10:23, 2 Timothy 1:13), but basically they all 4 said the same thing.

There are many reasons to read and think about the truths of the bible.

The 1^st and foremost is that through study of the Bible we grow in our knowledge of GOD and our LORD JESUS CHRIST.  “Eternal life is to know the only true GOD and JESUS CHRIST” (John 17:3). Plus, through our knowledge GOD the FATHER and the LORD JESUS CHRIST we get faith, grace, peace and everything we need to live a godly life (2 Peter 1:1-3).

Within the bible are many great and precious promises that if we use GOD says will transform us so that we partake of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4).  We will never will we be gods but will display aspects of GOD’s glorious nature such as love, patience and discernment (for we are being transformed into the image of JESUS by GOD HIMSELF -Romans 8:29, 2 Corinthians 3:18).

As I sat talking with the LORD this morning HE took me back (directed my thoughts) to two of those promises.  Both state clearly that we must GRAB a HOLD on and HOLD on TIGHT to the Word of GOD as our compass. That is the truth I heard from the 4 pastors over the weekend.

In John 8:51 JESUS said, “IF a man would KEEP MY Words he will never see death.”  

JESUS is not speaking of physical death here but the death of trespasses and sin (Ephesian 2:1).

For when we turn from following the truth of GOD’s word to listen to the world’s ideas we fall into sin.

For it is very easy to get our focus off CHRIST and HIS word when life happens. We must beware of being like the Apostle Peter to whom JESUS said in Matthew 16:²³ JESUS turned and said to Peter, “Get behind ME, Satan! You are a stumbling block to ME; you do not have in mind the concerns of GOD, but merely human concerns.”

In John 15:7 JESUS said, IF you remain in ME and MY Words REMAIN in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

IF we are walking close to JESUS, talking everything over with HIM so HE can guide us (Proverbs 3:5-7) and we compare what others say with HIS Word (John 7:17) we will desire what GOD wants and HE will be able to give it to us for it will be HIS will.

But so easily our focus turn from the things of GOD, to the cares and things of this world.  Then our desires will be human concerns and when that is the case we have no reason to expect GOD to answer those requests.

Both John 8:51 and 15:7 are awesome promises but their condition of HOLDING on  to the teachings of the Word of GOD are a key to why some prayers are not being answered or why we slip into sin.

So, HOLD FAST the form of sound words (2 Timothy 1:13) found in the Bible and keep talking to the LORD for the days of deception are on us just as the Bible said were coming. (1 Timothy 4:1).

Hugs

Sharon

Put away

When I get to doing research or writing a lesson, I look very much like this puppy. And when I am into my researching it is very, very hard to get my attention or for me to lay aside the books and get up to take care of something needing to be done. I get lost (so into my study) that I can think of nothing else.

As I read a verse calling us to lay aside some stuff, it reminded me about how JESUS the eternal Word and the 2^nd person of the GODHEAD laid aside HIS high position, HIS wealth, HIS rights and privileges to humble HIMSELF and become a human baby so that HE could start as we did, and be tempted in all ways just as we are but without sin for the purpose that JESUS could die in our stead (Philippians 2:5-11).

Knowing how hard it can be to lay aside my books, I wondered if it was hard for JESUS to lay aside all the rights and privileges and standing that is HIS.

JESUS now resurrected and sitting at the right hand of the Majesty on High fully understands our troubles and struggles. Because HE suffered JESUS is able to help us in whatever we face and to intercede for us and save us to the uttermost. (Hebrews 4:14-16 Hebrews 7:25).

JESUS had to lay aside stuff to be able to help us.

Now HE asks us to lay aside some things so that HIS work might be completed in and through us.

1 Peter 2:1,2 KJ Therefore, laying aside (Greek- putting away) all malice and all deception (lies) and hypocrisy (pretense) and envies, and all evil speaking (detractions- talking against), and as newborn babies desire (long for) the pure milk of the Word that you may grow thereby (into the likeness of JESUS Romans 8:28-29).

Did you notice that as JESUS became a baby to prepare to save us, so HE asks us to be like a baby who desires his bottle of milk that helps him grow? HE urges us- you and me- to start drinking the Word of GOD just as a hungry baby slurps up his bottle. In that way we will grow up in our likeness of JESUS.

But before we can get nourishment from the Word, we must lay aside some things. Until we lay them aside, we are not able to get what we need from the Bible. Let’s think about what JESUS has asked us to lay aside. All malice (wanting to hurt another) all deception (lies-even little white ones) all hypocrisy (pretense of any kind) envies (wanting what another has) all evil speaking (detractions- gossip, talking against another); hmmmm

Just as I must turn from my books and study to answer the phone, so we must put aside anything that keeps us from hearing GOD.

“But your iniquities have separated between you and your GOD…” Isaiah 59:2. That is because when we do what we know we should not do we have turned away from GOD the light of the world and turned to the darkness and we cannot hear HIS voice clearly anymore.

Just thinking of that urges me to stop and think before acting.

Hugs

Sharon

IF means there are conditions

I came to Isaiah 58 in my reading this morning.  And like it does every time I read those beginning verses they gripped me and I stopped to consider myself.

“Cry aloud, spare not, lift up your voice like a trumpet, and show my people … their sins… they seek ME daily, and delight to know MY ways, as if they did right, and forsook not the ways of their GOD: they ask of ME how to do justice; they take delight in approaching to GOD (Isaiah 58:1-2).

From there on are words of correction and promise.  I want to talk about just one of the verses for it speaks of something too easy to fall into while it explains why some of our prayers go unanswered.

The verse I want to mention contains that little word IF. That word IF shows that the promise to answer prayer has conditions connected to it.  Conditions that must be met before GOD will hear prayer. Isaiah 59:2, puts it this way: “But your iniquities have separated you from your GOD, and your sins have hidden HIS face from you, that HE will not hear.”

Isaiah 58 is talking about people who gathered to worship GOD, they daily sought to hear and understand GOD’s word and they prayed.  Therefore, it is safe to conclude that the things mentioned in this chapter are things they don’t consider sin, but things GOD hates.

^“Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you shalt cry, and HE shall say, ‘Here I am.’ IF you take away … the yoke (nonbiblical rules and expectations), the pointing of the finger (she did thus and so) and speaking vanity (I’d never do anything like that!)” (Isaiah 58:9).

That verse makes me stop and examine myself by asking some questions.

1-Are the standards I demand of others really found in the Bible or are they just my person preferences?

2-Do I have a right to point the finger of blame to others?  Am I making judgments without all the facts? Even if it is obvious, public sin, do I have the right to speak of it to ones who cannot help them do right?

3-By focusing on another’s sin, do I say/ or think I am guiltless?

GOD says, “You are inexcusable o man, whoever you are who judges another, for when you judge another you condemn yourself for you who judges do the same things yourselves (Romans 2:1).

Since I learned Romans 2:1, when I find myself judging another’s actions, I ask GOD to forgive me and show me where even a speck of the problem is within me.

That is just one verse, but doesn’t it says a lot?  Since I want my prayers answered I am going to reread the whole chapter and see if there is something I have overlooked.

Hugs

Sharon

Burn off the mist

This morning I awoke praying. During that conversation with my heavenly FATHER, a dear friend came to mind.  This friend recently was greatly disappointed when another barraged her with lies.  Although she denied their validity little things she is saying and the subjects she chooses to speak on show that those lies are haranguing her, taunting her and it appears they have made way into and even infected her thinking, blocking her vision of truth. 

When I got out of bed and walked into my office, I automatically glanced out my window to catch a glimpse of the early morning beauty of the grass and the flowers and the trees. But I was dumbfounded when what greeted me was a thick murky mist, one I could not see through.  It shrouded from my sight all that was out there. Being it was so unexpected I was mystified by what I saw.  So, I went to the kitchen and brewed a cup of coffee to regain my bearings.  Then upon returning to my little office the bright glare of sunshine hit me. For as the sun had risen it had melted off that heavy mist, reminding me of truth.  “The entrance of THY (GOD’s) words gives light, it gives understanding to the simple” (Psalm 119:130).

Today there are many issues clouding the vision of millions.  Those issues stir up anger and hostility in our country and around the world.  3 them came up in my time with my heavenly FATHER this morning.  These three seem to have blurred the vision of several I love and millions of others.  They concern gender, race, and rights.  For me the spin these issues have taken baffle me for I come from a different era since I am just weeks away from 77.  But GOD reminded me of a simple truth this morning that excludes me from judging.

When I sinned and each time I sinned against another I was saying, “I am more important than you.”

When I refused to walk in GOD’s ways spoken of in HIS word I was saying, “I know better than YOU (GOD) what is best for me.”

Those 2 simple truths cover all the issues don’t they?

GOD says, “Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever you are that judges: for wherein you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you that judge do the same things” Romans 2:1.

So, instead of judging (1 Corinthians 4:5) let’s pray (1 John 5:16) for only GOD can open blind eyes to truth (2 Timothy 2:24-26). Let us gently speak lovingly the Words of GOD, for the entrance of GOD’s word brings light (Psalm 119:130) and will melt the thick mist of lies that blinds them.

Hugs

Sharon