Refusing

As a young girl I lived in the mountainous tri lake area of northeastern California. I loved to climb rocks but often would rush ahead without thinking so became known as accident prone.  Except for breaking my clavicle at age 2 when I fell out of the bottom bunk (yep, the bottom bunk) and later in my 40s, breaking my big toe when I dropped a bench on it by trying to lift it by myself, my countless stumbles and falls produced little more than cuts and bruises, a bit of swelling and a tear or two.

But the stumbling and falls I read about in 1 Peter 2:4-8 are so much more serious.

1 Peter 2:8 says that men stumble and fall because they REFUSE (that Greek word is a present participle meaning they are continually REFUSING) to believe and obey/ comply with the Word of GOD.

The word REFUSE says 2 things to me.  1st, you cannot REFUSE what has not been offered, so they are offered salvation and/or direction and say NO!  2^nd to REFUSE is a deliberate choice.  They choose what they think they want.

That word REFUSE also makes me think of 2 Thessalonians 2:10-11.  Where GOD does something to the ones who REFUSE to receive the love of the truth.  After repeatedly offering HIS best to them and people’s REFUSAL of it, (as is told also in Romans 1:18-28) GOD gives them over to what they want. 

Yes, you heard me right. GOD gives them exactly what they are fighting so hard to get. They have consistently chosen lies over HIS word, they don’t want GOD or HIS ways so GOD gets out of their way and sends them powerful delusion that they will believe the lie (that they will no longer be able to see the truth they are fighting so hard against). 

Even we who do believe in JESUS and cling to HIS promises must carefully look at what is being said here.  People stumble when they refuse to take GOD’s word seriously as a command from their commander as strategic moves in the spiritual battle we are in.

When we do things our own way, we will also fall.  No, we won’t lose our salvation per se, but we can get pretty beat up. 

But GOD is faithful and will use even our falls for an end result of good for us who love GOD and are the called according to HIS purposes (Romans 8:28).  But why get bruised and bloody by listening to and following that liar who is the enemy of our LORD?  JESUS said that liar comes only to kill, steal and destroy (John 10:10).

GOD is good and knows what is right, let’s follow HIM.

Hugs

Sharon

Listen up

After praying about a deep concern and asking what part, if any, that I had to play.  The LORD spoke to me with a phrase as I read HIS word, but I had no clue the 2 were connected or that it was an answer to my prayer.

Then someone stopped by and as we talked, he asked, “How can we pray to control our minds from thoughts bombarding them, voices even”.  My response was simple, “Submit yourself to GOD and then resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7) and gave Isaiah 54:17 as a way to resist those unwelcome thoughts.

The phrase the LORD had given me came to mind and I shared it and how important it is for us to receive and comply with that still small voice of instruction we know are good. For if we reject the leading of the HOLY SPIRIT we reject the will/ purpose GOD has for us in that instance.

My visitor said in an accusing manner, “Why are you telling me to do thus and so”  Huh? I replied, ”I didn’t say that at all.  Gave you a part of a Bible verse and explained  that when they rejected to comply with what they knew (were convicted) they should do, then they rejected GOD’s will for them.”

“But the Pharisees and lawyers REJECTED the WILL of GOD for themselves, not having … (Luke 7:30 NKJV)

Apparently, the HOLY SPIRIT took my words and used them to convicted my visitor concerning a real issue he was dealing with.  Join me in praying my visitor will yield to GOD’s word convicting him.

And let’s be sure that we “listen up!” when GOD speaks to us.

Hugs

Sharon

What makes the difference?

WHY does not everyone who has heard the truth have faith?

Since FAITH comes from HEARING (Greek word means: to hear, listen to, pay attention, heed) and hearing comes through the WORD (rhema-spoken word) of CHRIST (Romans 10:17), WHY does not everyone who has heard the truth have faith?

We know they have heard for:
GOD the FATHER shows/ manifests the truth of HIS existence and HIS eternal power, wisdom and so much more about HIMSELF to everyone (Romans 1:19-20) so they are without excuse (Romans 1:20).

JESUS brings light (truth) to everyone who comes into the world (John 1:9).

When believers in JESUS are yielded to the HOLY SPIRIT and tell others about JESUS, the HOLY SPIRIT gives power to their message spoken (Acts 1:8) by clearly explaining the truth of GOD in the heart of man (1 Corinthians 2:10-12) and convicting those who hear (John 16:8).

2 Thessalonians 2:10 relates that some REFUSE to RECEIVE the love of the truth.

Romans 1:18 tells us men PUSH AWAY, SUPPRESS the knowledge of the truth they hear.

Zechariah 7:11-12 says when the Word of the LORD came men REFUSED to LISTEN, PULLED AWAY they TURNED FROM the truth and even STOPPED their EARS (like putting in ear plugs), that they should not hear and have MADE their hearts HARD as STONE.

John 3:19-20 relates men won’t come close (listen) and grab on to the truth because they don’t like what it says.

Every one of the things men did to avoid the truth shows that initially they understand what is being said, just like the Bible says in Romans 1:18-22.

I submit that faith is offered when the Word of CHRIST goes out and the HOLY SPIRIT shows its truth to the inner man. But faith must be RECEIVED, it is not shoved down the throats of men.

The scenario goes, I hear the truth and say YES! and I have RECEIVED faith.  Initially I did it to Receive CHRIST as my Savior, now I do it when I see more truth from the Word of GOD.  But I can say ‘NO!’ and turn away from the truth and the insight I had initially will go away (Mark 4:23-25, Luke 8:18).

JESUS said: “Anyone who is willing to hear should listen and he will understand! And be sure to pay attention to what you hear. The more you do this, the more you will understand, and even more, besides. To those who are open to MY teaching, more understanding will be given. But to those who are not listening, even what they (initially) have (understood) will be taken away” (Mark 4:23-25 NLT).

I urge you in CHRIST’s stead to consider these things and may the good LORD give you wisdom and understanding (James 1:5, 1 Corinthians 2:10). Then talk over your thoughts with HIM (2 Corinthians 10:5).

Remember you will either believe the truth or believe a lie…Note: take off the 1st 2 letters and the last to letters of the word believe and what do you have?   ( Lie) So don’t add or subtract from the Word of GOD.

Hugs
Sharon