HE knows

Have you ever been surprised?  GOD has never been surprised.  HE never has to rethink anything since the LORD has always known everything that would ever happen HE never learns anything new.

“Now are we sure that YOU (JESUS) know all things…” (John 16:30)

“JESUS said to him… Simon, son of Jonas, do you love ME? Peter replied LORD, YOU know all things; YOU know that I love thee…” (John 21:17)

“… GOD is greater than our heart, and HE knows everything.” (1 John 3:20)

“… Does HE who teaches mankind lack knowledge?” (Psalm 94:10).

If we think about it most believers in JESUS who read and believe their Bibles will agree that the LORD knows all things.  But have you considered that GOD never had to learn anything because before anything happened HE knew all that would happen. Not because HE forces it to happen but because of HIS AWESOME quality called FOREKNOWLEDGE (Acts 2:23, 1 Peter 1:2) along with HIS pre-creation choice to preset the times and places setting the stage for people to choose from (Acts 17:26-27).

But we must not think that by setting the stage GOD is forcing the characters act a certain way.  Each person has been given the gift of choice>>>that is each one determines what he/she will do in any given situation and thereby is responsible for the action taken.

GOD is LORD of all, but HE is not a puppeteer.

“JESUS therefore, knowing all things that should come upon HIM (before they happened), went forth,…” (John 18:4).

“Known unto GOD are all HIS works FROM the beginning of the world” (Acts 15:18 KJ). Through HIS amazingFOREKNOWLEDGE GOD knew how HE would answer every prayer before HE created the world.

“… the LAMB (JESUS) slain from the foundation of the world” (Revelation 13:8 KJ).  JESUS was crucified in the eternal plan of GOD before HE (JESUS Hebrews 1:1-3) created the world.  Therefore, HE had to know people would sin and would need a Savior and volunteered for the job.

In Psalm 139 it says GOD (the FATHER, SON and HOLY SPIRIT) knows what we will say before we form the words in our minds.  The LORD knows what we will say before we do.  Amazing isn’t it? 

In this way, our eternal Creator knew what choices individual people would make before HE even made them.  Yet the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY chose to make people in HIS image and give them the ability to choose.  They could choose right or wrong.  They could choose to believe and follow GOD or suppress the truth and turn away from GOD to the things of the world (Romans 1:18-21).

GOD’s amazing FOREKNOWLEDGE (definition = to know/to see before it happens) is the basis on which GOD could give mankind the ability to choose and yet remain completely Sovereign= in control.

“HIM (JESUS), being delivered by the determinate will and FOREKNOWLEDGE of GOD, you have taken and by wicked hands have crucified and slain.” Acts 2:23  

There we see GOD’s purposes and Sovereignty played out by man’s choice.  Remember GOD sets the stage with purpose in FOREKNOWLEDGE of man’s heart and what he will do, but it is man who decides what to do. (Acts 17:26-27).  I can’t say I understand how it all works but know from GOD’s word that it does.

“Remember the former things of old for I AM GOD and there is none else.  I AM GOD and there is none like ME declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying MY counsel shall stand and I will do all MY pleasure.  …I have spoken it, and I will do it.” (Isaiah 46:9-11)

“Elect (chosen/ called) according to the FOREKNOWLEDGE of GOD the FATHER” (1 Peter 1:4 KJ).   We see that FORKNOWLEDGE comes 1^st and is foundational.

What did GOD FOREKNOW for some to be elected (called and chosen)?  I would say HE knew who would believe and who would refuse to believe even though given light to believe (Romans 1:18-21).

“…In CHRIST JESUS called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of JESUS CHRIST our LORD, both theirs and ours.” (1 Corinthians 1:2 KJ).   So those who call on the name of the LORD are the called.  And what happens when one chooses to call upon the name of the LORD?  “For whoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved” (Romans 10:13 KJ).

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love GOD, to them that are the called according to HIS purpose.  For whom HE did FOREKNOW, HE did predestinate to be conformed to the image of HIS SON, that HE (JESUS) might be the firstborn among many brethren” (Romans 8:28-29).

Yes, those GOD foreknew would call upon the name of the LORD HE planned for/ predestinated that they would be conformed to the image of CHRIST JESUS.  Each believer is GOD’s workmanship in CHRIST JESUS for GOD preset times and places for everything that occurs in their lives to work together to conform them to their LORD and Savior JESUS.

“For you are GOD’s workmanship created in CHRIST JESUS unto good works that GOD prepared in advance that you should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).

The infinity/ limitlessness of the ALMIGHTY’s wisdom, power and love blows my mind! Yet at the same time makes me feel so secure for HE has promised me eternal life (John 3:16).

Hugs

Sharon

Choices

My son got 2 very young kittens a few weeks back. Knowing that after they ate they would have to do their business somewhere, we got two litter boxes.  We did not know what we know now. The kittens did not know what litter boxes were and became frightened when we would place them in one.  To cut down on the mess, I asked the LORD what to do. Then thought to put down cardboard with liter on it in the spots the kittens favored going (which is in my bedroom, under my bed). They are getting better on doing their business on the litter, but I still don’t know how to graduate them to the litter boxes.   

One of so many things I love about the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY is that HE knows all things (John 16:30), not just things past and present but also future. That simple mind-boggling fact helps me accept so much I cannot grasp.

GOD in three persons makes up the GODHEAD (Matthew 28:19) and in the counsels of heaven HE chose to make mankind to fellowship with HIM.  HE chose to make them in HIS image (Genesis 1:26).  Part of that image is the ability to make choices. Yet GOD did not make man to be in control.

Many scripture texts show that GOD allows men to do wrong to show us what is in us and why we need a Savior. Each person is always responsible for their own choices and choices have consequences. Often the MOST HIGH allows wicked men to do wrong.  But as Genesis 50:20 (and many other texts) show when GOD allows men to do wrong with evil intent, GOD has pre-planned to use their actions for an end result of good to those who love HIM (Romans 8:28).  There is always a plan in place (see 2 Corinthians 4:15-18) and GOD is always in control (Ephesians 1:11).

In making man with the ability to choose that meant they could either accept and love HIM or reject HIM.  HE knew before creation which would do what.  Yet for GOD to give the ability to choose meant HE had to 1st choose to allow HIMSELF to selectively suffer certain things because of mankind’s choices while GOD HIMSELF maintained complete Sovereign control. GOD is never at man’s mercy.

GOD the HOLY SPIRIT is said to grieve at times because of our actions (Ephesians 4:30). HE is holy and anything unholy grieves HIM. GOD the SON, our LORD JESUS, consented and chose to suffer much on earth from humiliation to carrying all the punishment for the sins of mankind in torture on the cross of Calvary.  GOD the FATHER suffered as HE laid HIS wrath for sin on HIS beloved SON.  HE did it out of HIS love for mankind.  But our triune GOD chose to do that because HE wanted us. 

“GOD devised means, that HIS banished be not expelled from HIM” (2 Samuel 14:14).

Interestingly, we find that GOD preset (past tense) the times and places (Acts 17:26) thereby set the stage where we make our choices.  In HIS astounding foreknowledge HE knew what choices would be made and synchronized it all.  It’s beyond amazing, just blows my mind thinking of it.

Hugs

Sharon

HIS Purpose

Immutable is a big word we seldom use that means unchanging. Sometimes the word immutable is used by preachers to speak of GOD.   In connection with GOD, immutable does NOT mean that GOD is rigid for HE is far from that. GOD’s unchangeableness speaks of HIS faithfulness to HIS own nature/character and purposes.  For instance, the LORD cannot get better for HE is already the best.  HE cannot lie for HE is the truth.  HE cannot learn anything for HE knows all things.

When the bible speaks about GOD never changing it tells us that we can rely on HIM to do what HE says HE will do. HIS promises speak of HIS eternal purposes.  All of GOD’s ways spring from HIS character and purposes. 

One of GOD’s ways is to hate sin and to punish it, while HE loves it when people do right, and HE will reward that.

“With the pure, YOU (GOD) show YOURSELF pure. With the sinful YOU show YOURSELF to be against them” (Psalm 18:26 NLV).

Christians face discipline when they do wrong (1 Corinthians 11:31-32, Hebrews 12:4-7, 10-11) just as the Jews have and do to this day.

Malachi 3:6 “For I am the LORD, I do not change.  Therefore, you are not consumed O sons of Jacob.”

The context is the Jews have sinned, but since GOD made a promise HE does not wipe them out. For HE always keeps HIS word.  Instead, the LORD in HIS longsuffering disciplines them until they change their attitude and actions, just like HE does with a Christian. 

A few Jews are accepting JESUS now and are saved. But for the most part the Jews are blinded and will not come to believe in JESUS until the end of the 7-year Tribulation (Zechariah 13:8-9, 12:10, Daniel 9:24, and Hebrews 8:7-12).  Daniel 9:25-26 shows that the Messiah (JESUS CHRIST) must be cut off/ die and other things happen before the Jews come to believe in HIM.  The text in Hebrews 8:7-12 was written in future tense (something yet to occur) several years AFTER JESUS died, was resurrected and went to heaven. Both are yet future and Romans 11:25-27 states clearly that the Jews have been blinded but every one of those Jews (the 1/3 which are purified Zechariah 13:8-9) who are still alive at the end of the Tribulation will come to believe when they see JESUS at HIS return at the end of the 7-year tribulation.

But you may wonder at the few times the Bible says, GOD repented/ was sorry that HE did something (Genesis 6:5-6).  What is that talking about?  It means that for GOD to be faithful to HIS nature and purposes/ for HIM to act in character which is to punish sin and reward doing right, certain things had to be done. (see Ezekiel 33:17-20).

When GOD made mankind in HIS image HE gave us the ability to choose.  GOD does not change that and even though HE does not like many of our choices, HE does not make us robots that must obey HIM. 

GOD does not take back our ability to choose.  Yet the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY is Sovereign for HE always sets the stage (determines the times and places with specific intent -Acts 17:26-27) and has complete foreknowledge of what we will do ( Acts 2:23, 1 Peter 1:2).  We in turn determine how to act in those times and places.

Now it is written that GOD is love (1 John 4:7) and that GOD so loved the world that HE gave HIS only SON (JESUS) that whoever would believe in JESUS would have eternal life (John 3:16).  Then John 3:36 says, He who believes in the SON has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the SON shall not see life, but the wrath of GOD (continues) to abide on him.

You see GOD is love (1 John 4:7) and in HIS love HE sent HIS SON JESUS to offer forgiveness and life (John 3:16).  But GOD’s love is in HIS SON (JESUS) (Romans 8:39).  If you receive the SON you receive GOD’s love and the forgiveness JESUS earned for us on the cross.  But if you reject the SON you reject GOD’s love, and your sins remain on you and must be punished for the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).

Sinclair Lewis said that GOD’s throwing those who reject JESUS into the lake of fire was GOD’s last act of respect/ for HE ratifies their rejection of HIM. 

In other words, GOD honors the unbelievers right to choose.  GOD acts at that time according to HIS nature to rejects those who already have rejected HIM. 

As it is written: “For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you” (Matthew 7:2).

Eternal life means being with GOD (John 17:3) and they want no part of GOD. Therefore, GOD turns them over and gives them what they have chosen (Revelation 20:10, 15).

Hugs

Sharon

HE can use anything

JESUS said HE would never leave us nor forsake those who have come to GOD through believing in HIM (Hebrews 13:5). But HIS ways are not ours (Isaiah 55:8-9). GOD used a donkey to speak to a rebellious prophet (Numbers 22:28) and a huge fish to save HIS messenger and transport him (Jonah 1:17) to where GOD wanted him, so GOD can use anything.

When I was in my early 20s, I answered an ad in the paper for a free puppy. He was so fluffy and beautiful- half Keeshod and half Samoyed with a mane like a lion. I was so tickled and felt blessed. I did not know anything about dogs and did not realize he was nearly completely blind when we got him as a tiny puppy.

I was about to have our 3^rd child and I was huge and moving very slowly. Well, our little blind dog carefully watched over our little rambunctious 2-year-old Kari. If he thought she tried to stray too far, Tuffy would gently, but firmly, grab her by the seat of her pants and pull her back. How my blind dog knew, only GOD knows.

GOD knew just what we needed when HE led me to that ad in the paper. That is just one reason I have to trust my all-wise Sovereign GOD to lead me in the way I need to go (Proverbs 3:5-7).

Hugs

Sharon

A heads up

Love does what it can to protect those they love. Sometimes children cannot understand our actions and often view our warnings as silly or mean.  That is even more true when we consider the warnings and choices of GOD, whose ways and thoughts are vastly higher and greater than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9).

GOD did not make puppets, HE made man in HIS image and gave him the ability to choose.  GOD did not make evil but choosing against GOD is harmful, and it is where evil came from back in the garden of Eden. Even though GOD warned him/ gave him a heads up, Adam’s choice to rebel against wisdom brought death and struggles to all people who ever lived as well as all creation (Romans 8:19-22).

Something I recognized the day when my 14-year-old grandson Ronnie died, GOD reminded me of again today as I prayed and cried for all that is happening around the world.  On that day, I wept for his last days were so difficult as he struggled with liver cancer.  Yet, looking back I see they were needed to do the work Ronnie was commissioned to do and will be rewarded for.

Throughout that day in hospice, questions bombarded my mind and I silently dialogued with GOD.  In HIS grace HE reminded me of verses preparing me for what HE’d arranged for me to do (Ephesians 2:10).  For during that day GOD engineered opportunities for me to share the saving Gospel of JESUS CHRIST with 2 seekers who had come to see Ronnie.  One was a 69-year-old man, the other was a 15-year-old friend of Ronnie’s.  Looking at Ronnie in his last hours made them consider themselves and wondered if they were ready to meet their MAKER.

Also, that day I watched as extended family members saw each other with Ronnie, walls were broken down and relationships were healed within the family.

Though all things definitely are not good, it is beyond impressive to know that GOD uses all things together for an end result of good to those who love HIM (Romans 8:28). 

In HIS astounding foreknowledge, GOD preset the exact times and places so that people would reach out to HIM (Acts 17:26-27).  That is simply mindboggling when you consider the amount of people worldwide and that each constantly are making choices.  GOD’s infinitude is unfathomable.

So how does that speak to our crazy world that has seemed to go mad?

As JESUS told us in Matthew 24:8 these signs increasing nature upheavals, storms, earthquakes, food shortages, men’s choices of violence, lawlessness, and greed, creating wars and rumors of wars are just the beginning of sorrows (pre-birth pains that increase in intensity until a baby is born).

GOD in wisdom designed pre-birth pains to prepare a woman’s body to give birth. The LORD is in control of nature, but also, HE allows men choices and GOD is using what we now see to cause people see their need of a Savior and call on the name of the LORD JESUS and be saved from GOD’s wrath on sin.  We call it the 7 year Tribulation. Which will also save them from an eternity in the everlasting lake of fire (Revelation 20:10, 15).

So in CHRIST’s stead I plead with you be reconciled to GOD,  for HE does not delight in the death of the wicked but that they turn (Ezekiel 18:23, 32, 33:11) and come to JESUS to obtain eternal life (John 3:16, Romans 10:9-10, 13) For HE does not want any to perish but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).

Hugs

Sharon

Roller coaster

I lived in the small mountain town of Quincy, California when I got my driver’s license.  Back in the day before roadwork, there was this windy, bumpy stretch amidst tall pines that went from the outskirts of town to the little Quincy hospital.  Two girl friends and I would speed through that stretch as fast as we could laughing hysterically as it felt like a wild roller coaster ride.  I love roller coasters.  We hated it when they straightened out the road.

Sometimes life feels like a wild roller coaster ride but now we aren’t laughing are we?  Yet we can experience peace and even joy when our focus is on JESUS and GOD’s great and precious promises, that we find in HIS holy Word.

“But I want you to understand, brethren, that the things which have happened unto me have turned out unto the furtherance of the Gospel” (People got saved) (Philippians 1:12).

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love GOD, to them who are the called according to HIS purpose” (Romans 8:28).

The hardest things in my life, even the death of my 1st son, brought about good for me and others and my little one was with GOD in heaven having the time of his life. 

“For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of GOD. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.  For our light affliction, which is but for a MOMENT (compared to eternity), works for us a far more exceeding ETERNAL weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen (our situation), but at the things which are not seen (what GOD is achieving through our situation): for the things which are seen (the circumstances) are temporary; but the things which are not seen (things GOD is using the temporary situation to do)  are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:15-18).

Hard and confusing things will hit for JESUS said: John 16:33- “These things I have spoken unto you, that in ME you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

When problems come remember that GOD promises that HE will use whatever it is for your benefit and HIS glory.

Hugs

Sharon

Bad turns out good?

Can you name a time something seemingly bad turned out for good? 

GOD says that HE works all things together for a result of good to those who love HIM (Romans 8:28).  But in the middle of trouble do we believe that? Do we go a step further to obey GOD and thank GOD in the middle of a storm? (1 Thessalonians 5:18, Colossians 3:17, Philippians 4:6).

Yesterday I was working on a Christmas letter with pictures of all my offspring when I got chilly and tried to turn on my space heater and it wouldn’t go on.  Our electricity was out.  Then I tried to access new pictures I had sent to my phone through text and my email didn’t show them.  Well, the internet was out too. Bummer!

Praise the LORD I have a laptop that runs on batteries and so worked a bit longer until darkness overtook me.

It was getting colder and colder, so I put on a heavy coat, wrapped a blanket around my legs and we got out the old coal oil lamps just used as decorations since we moved here to Pueblo. Even though there was just a little oil in then it was enough and I thank the LORD we left the oil in them.

But there was a concern.  We live in a low area downhill from the east, north and slightly from the south so we depend on a stemp-pump to keep us from flooding.  Every 10-15 minutes it pumps out 7 to 15 gallons of water.  Well, no electricity, no stemp-pump (we had never invested in a battery for the alternate battery powered one that was included when we got the last stemp-pump). The water was rising.

Mac went down with a flashlight from time to time to check the water level for if it flooded much it would attack our water heater first and burn out the element.  Mac wanted to turn it off before that happened but hesitated to act too soon for it is really old and when flooded previously, he had a real problem getting it back on.

So, I prayed that the LORD would show us mercy and we would get electricity before the water got too high. We heard electricity was restored everywhere but our NW Pueblo area.  Praise the LORD for cell phones!

That is not the only praise.  In the dark, all of us who usually are doing their own thing, gathered together and there was much comradery, laughter, telling of times past and that was fun. Besides by losing our electricity and internet we realized how much we depend on them yet simply take them for granted instead of thanking GOD for all HE gives us.

The electricity came on around 8pm and then our internet came on at around 8 this morning. The water never rose above the floor line which was a definite answer to prayer and assured us anew of GOD’s protection and control even in little things. 

It also encourages us about what the judge will decide in court today (it is a long-term heart-breaking issue).  We have no idea what is best, but GOD does, and HE will turn the heart of the judge to do what is best of that I am convinced (Proverbs 21:1).

Again, it was through a trial that GOD proved HE is good and hears our prayers.  As never before I see the truth in Acts 17:26 (last clause) through 27.  What happens to us has purpose behind it, regardless of who or what is the secondary cause is, for it can only touch us as GOD allows it!

Hugs

Sharon