Follow the Instructions

When it comes to HIS children (those who believe JESUS- John 1:12), does GOD really say HE will not hear us (be willing to listen to our prayers, with the intent of answering them) if we refuse to listen to HIM and either turn from a sin HE has convicted us of, or do something HE asks of us?

“If I had cherished sin in my heart, the LORD would not have listened” (Psalm 66:18) This verse speaks of holding on to a sin that GOD has told us to let go of, by conviction that it is wrong.

“We know that GOD does not listen to sinners. HE listens to the godly man who does HIS will” (John 9:31).  That means man turns from 1) focusing and holding on to his sin, or 2) refusing to do what he knows he should.

“Show respect to your wives… that your prayers will not be hindered” (1 Peter 3:7).

When GOD has shown us something in us that is not right or has asked us to do something for another and we refuse, we are refusing to do HIS will. We have turned away from HIM. This doesn’t mean that we have to be perfect, just obedient.

Since it is the HOLY SPIRIT who explains GOD’s messages and HIS word to us, obedience to conviction from GOD’s Word and nudges to act, is what is called, walking in the SPIRIT. 

Now GOD doesn’t show us everything we do wrong or ask us to take care of all the problems of the world.  But, one by one HE reveals areas where HE wants us to act.  When HE shows an area and we refuse to listen to HIM, that means we have turned our back on HIM. 

When we do that, Almighty GOD, though HE is a loving Heavenly FATHER, generally will not answer any other questions for us, until we turn back around to face HIM, by following HIS instructions in the area HE pinpointed.

There is no reason to tell us more, when we refuse the instructions, HE has already given.

“Stop bringing meaningless offerings!” are the words that begin Isaiah 1:13-20. In other words, the LORD says coming to church and singing the songs are hateful to GOD, if your heart is not honoring HIM, by following HIS instructions. 

When you love someone, you desire to make them happy. Sin hurts us and others, so it grieves GOD. When we set out to do our own will, we grieve GOD for HE knows the outcome. 

Why would HE listen to our requests when we won’t follow HIS counsel?  Shocking as it seems, even our prayers, our gathering together in church and songs then become a burden to HIM. But, when we seek HIM with all our heart, even if there is something wrong, HE will hear. HE wants to help us, to show us the way to go, or give us the help we need and to forgive us.

The Lord is far from the wicked, but HE hears the prayers of those who (want to) do right (Proverbs 15:29).

If anyone turns a deaf ear to (refusing to hear the instructions of) the law (what is right), even his prayers are detestable (Proverbs 28:9).

So, if you want help, or directions on the way to go, turn back and do the one thing you know you should do.  When you do that, you are turning back to your GOD, and HE will honor you by showing you the next step.

Hugs

Sharon

Fear not

What do you think of when you hear the word submit?

In our culture submitting, or putting ourselves under another, is not seen in a positive light.  But I saw something about submitting that is new to me.

Sometimes stating a truth in different words makes it easier to understand.  As I listened to one speak of 2 types of fear, the word submit jumped into my mind.  With crystal clarity I saw that fear was submitting to what we focus on. Whatever we submit to, we allow to control us.

When we are stressed/ fear, we are focusing on a situation and depending on ourselves to find a way out.  By allowing the situation to control our thoughts, we are submitting to our fears.

The only way to get out of that bondage is to turn our thoughts to the problem solver-the LORD and submit to HIM and HIS ways by trusting GOD with the situation.

When we trust GOD in a situation, we are submitting to HIM.  When we submit to GOD, it shows that we fear HIM, and the fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge (Proverbs 1:7).  Therefore, GOD is more able to lead us.

When we fear the LORD and submit to HIS ways we can claim HIS promises.  One of those promises says, GOD is working all things together for an end result of good for those who love HIM and are the called according to HIS purposes. (Romans 8:28).

1 Corinthians 1:2 says, “… to them that are sanctified in CHRIST JESUS, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of JESUS CHRIST our LORD, both their’s and our’s:

So you see that all who call upon the name of JESUS CHRIST our LORD are the called, so qualify for that promise in Romans 8:28.

And “whosoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved” (Romans 10:13).

Just knowing that when I fear something, I am submitting to it makes it easier for me to take my eyes off that problem and refocus by turning to GOD by taking that thought to JESUS (2 Corinthians 10:5, Hebrews 4:16).

I’d not seen fear as submitting before… hmmm, there is so much to learn.

Hugs

Sharon

HE was made like us

I’ve been thinking of our great GOD and Savior JESUS CHRIST, Who gave HIMSELF for us… (Titus 2:13-14) the ONE who made all things (Hebrews 1:2).  I’ve been looking back at some of what HE endured for me and you before HE even went to the cross to bear our sin (Isaiah 53:4-6).

Let’s start with Hebrews 2:17: “Wherefore in ALL things it behoved (it was necessary for) HIM (JESUS) to be made like unto HIS brethren (those who would be born into the family of GOD through faith in JESUS John 1:9, Romans 8:29), that HE (JESUS) might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to GOD, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.”

JESUS was made like us so that we could be made like HIM (Romans 8:29).

I started a list of ways JESUS was made like us (it is not complete by a long shot) and want to share a few of those things.

We will notice in this list JESUS submits to GOD the FATHER and GOD the HOLY SPIRIT instead of doing HIS own thing (Isaiah 58:13-14) as we ought to submit to the eternal triune GODHEAD’s instructions and will for us.

1-JESUS, though equal with GOD the FATHER and being a SPIRIT by nature (John 4:24), didn’t grasp at HIS rights but took on a human body, a body like we have so HE could die for us since GOD cannot die (Hebrews 2:9, Philippians 2:7-8). It was a second birth: HE was a SPIRIT then born (took on a human body) by the working of the HOLY SPIRIT (Luke 1:35) as we are born again (2^nd birth) into GOD’s family and our spirit comes alive (we who were dead in spirit by our trespasses and sin are made alive through the work of the HOLY SPIRIT Ephesians 2:1, John 3:3, 5-6).

2-JESUS was led by the HOLY SPIRIT (Matthew 4:1, Luke 4:1) as we ought to allow the HOLY SPIRIT to lead us (Romans 8:1, Galatians 5:16-18).

3-JESUS was filled with and empowered to serve by the HOLY SPIRIT (John 3:34, Luke 4:1, 14) as we also are told to pray and ask to be filled with and empowered by the HOLY SPIRIT to serve GOD (Luke 11:13, Acts 1:8, 4:31, Ephesians 5:18).

4-GOD anointed JESUS of Nazareth with the HOLY SPIRIT and power (Acts 10:38), just as we the believers also are anointed with the HOLY SPIRIT (John 14:26, 1 John 2:20, 27).

5-JESUS was tempted in ALL ways just as we are, but HE was without sin (Hebrews 2:18, 4:15).

6-In order to bring us to glory (HIS assignment), JESUS was prepared through the things that HE suffered (Hebrews 2:10, 5:9).  We believers of JESUS are prepared for service (our assignments) through suffering (2 Corinthians 1:3-4, 7).

7-JESUS, the eternal Word (John 1:1-3, 14), could only teach HIS disciples through the work of the HOLY SPIRIT (Acts 1:2).  The inner witness of the HOLY SPIRIT was necessary for the disciples to understand even though it was JESUS do the teaching (1 Corinthians 2:10-12, Luke 4:18).  How much more do we need the power and witness of the HOLY SPIRIT when we teach and preach the Word of GOD? (Acts 1:8).

As it is written, “that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.” (Deuteronomy 19:15, Matthew 18:16).

Amazing, isn’t it that our Creator (Hebrews 1:2) would choose to be made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death… that HE by the grace of GOD should taste death for every man (Hebrews 2:9)?

Hugs

Sharon

What can I do?

Have you ever made a foolish choice that keeps affecting you?

Although I came to Christ when I was 12, when I left the safety of my grandmother’s home at 15, I began making foolish choices. It began with little sins like smoking and skipping out of church after singing in the choir with my friends to drive fast over the joy bumps just out of town.  Slowly my sensitivity to right and wrong dulled. It took a lot for the LORD to finally show me that I was going the wrong way.  But GOD in HIS time and unchanging faithfulness did what was necessary to show me/ to bring me to the place of repentance so I could escape the snare of the evil one who had taken me captive by lies (2 Timothy 2:25-26). 

Once I cried out to GOD and bowed before HIM in submission, the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY broke off the chains of my past.  I praise HIM and rejoice that GOD’s amazing unceasing love and mercy are new every morning (Lamentation 3:22-23) not just for me but for anyone who will admit their need and call out to the LORD in submission (James 4:7). 

I have a friend who made some foolish choices concerning drug use and has come into the snare of the evil one.  When he tries to break loose the voices (that is how he describes them) badger him mercilessly.  Although he has not had drugs for a couple months the voices attack him and he hits himself trying to get them to stop. His face is badly bruised.

I often cry out to GOD for my friend and GOD impressed on me that my friend would have to submit to HIM before GOD could deliver him from the voices/demonic attacks he had opened himself up to through sin. 

Recently, I have seen my friend fighting the voices and it tears me up.  I felt a need to sing to him songs of GOD, he calmed down and sang with me.  That made me think of King Saul.  He was being attacked by evil spirits and a boy was summoned to play music for him.  When the music was played the evil spirit would leave (1 Samuel 16:23).

It kills me to see my friend fighting the voices.  So, I asked the LORD what, if anything, I could do for my friend for I had no direction and reminded GOD that HE promised to direct me if I asked (Proverbs 3:5-7).  Then I remembered something (John 14:26).  An army was coming against Israel, so the king of Israel went to the prophet Elisha and asked him for a word of direction from the LORD. 

Do you know what that prophet did? He said, “bring me a minstrel.” Doesn’t that seem like a strange thing for a man of GOD to do?  Well, it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the LORD came upon Elisha and he was given precise details in what should be done (read all about it in 2 Samuel 3).

I took that memory as direction so I turned on some instrumental gospel music.  Tears came as I sang with the music and knew without a doubt my part was to pray for my friend to be open to GOD and submit to HIM and also to tell my friend about the role of music in both of these Bible stories, then leave the rest to GOD.

Godly music both drove away evil spirits and opened up a good person’s ears to hear what GOD was saying.  That says to me that I should have more gospel music in my life.  What part does gospel music play in your life?

Hugs

Sharon