And just as it happened in the days of Noah

So it will be also in the days of the SON of MAN

They were eating, they were drinking, they were marrying, they were being given in marriage,

Until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all.

“It was the same as happened in the days of Lot

They were eating, they were drinking, they were buying, they were selling, they were planting, they were building; but on the day that Lot went out from Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all.

“It will be just the same on the day that The SON of MAN is revealed.

Luke 17:26-30

This aforementioned passage in Luke, gives us a visual of complacency. The people who were destroyed in both the time of Noah and Lot, were “living their lives to the fullest” unaware that death and destruction were suddenly coming upon them.

Sadly, many are living complacently today. Though daily our Beloved ABBA FATHER is warning through HIS WORD (Heb 12:25-27), HIS messengers (Eze 3:16-21, Act 20:26-27), wonders in the sky above and signs on the earth below (Act 2:19-20); many ignore those warnings (Luk 10:16, 2 Tim 4:1-5) and mock HIS messengers (2 Pet 3:3-7).

We are not talking about the complacency of unbelievers, we are talking about the complacency of those who profess to know and walk with our Precious LORD JESUS CHRIST. They have embraced this world and the things in this world (1 Jhn 2:15-17). Their focus is on the things of this world (Php 3:18-19) and not on the heavenly things (Php 3:20-21). They live in this world as permanent residents, not as:

1. sojourners (a person who resides temporarily in a place – Psa 39:12, 1 Chr 29:15)
2. strangers (an outsider or foreigner – Psa 119:19, Jhn 17:14-19)
3. aliens (one who resides in a place but is not a citizen – Heb 11:13-16, 1 Pet 2:11)

In 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 our Beloved LORD GOD tells us as paraphrased (a rewording of something that has been said or written, to make it clearer) by The Message translation; “I do want to point out, friends that time is of the essence. There is no time to waste, so don’t complicate your lives unnecessarily. Keep it simple — in marriage, grief, joy, whatever. Even in ordinary things — your daily routines of shopping, and so on. Deal as sparingly as possible with the things the world thrusts on you. This world as you see it is on its way out.”

Our Precious LORD JESUS CHRIST also tells us in Luke 21:34-36―“Be on guard, so that your hearts will not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day will not come on you suddenly like a trap; for it will come upon all those who dwell on the face of all the earth. “But keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before The SON of MAN.”

Therefore if you have been raised up with CHRIST

Keep seeking the things above, where CHRIST is, seated at the right hand of GOD

Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.

For you have died and your life is hidden with CHRIST in GOD.

When CHRIST, who is our life, is revealed

Then you also will be revealed with HIM in glory.

Colossians 3:1-4

The LORD has made everything for its own purpose,

Even the wicked for the day of evil.

Proverbs 16:4

Throughout the years I have met many people who felt lost, confused, unsure, unclear, perplexed, disoriented, or even bewildered, because they didn’t know the purpose of their life. They would often ask one of two questions:

1. Does GOD have a purpose for my life?
2. How can I know the purpose of GOD for my life?

When asked “does GOD have a purpose for my life?” The answer is “absolutely!” HE has made everything for its own purpose (Prov 16:4); you are part of everything, so that includes you. Your being here is not happenstance (by chance or coincidence), HE created you (Isa 45:12), formed you in your mother’s womb (Psa 139:13). Before you were even born, our Beloved LORD GOD knew how long you would live (Psa 139:16) and where you would live (Deu 32:8, Act 17:26). And because HE has a purpose for your life, HE pays close attention to you, HE is aware of every aspect of your life. HE knows:

• when you sit up, and when you lay down (Psa 139:2-3)
• your goings and comings (2 Kin 19:27)
• the number of every hair on your head (Mat 10:30)
• when you cry (2 Kin 20:5); HE even captures and records each tear (Psa 56:8)
• your needs (Mat 6:32)
• your very thoughts (Psa 94:11, Psa 139:4)

But, before you can know GOD’s purpose for your life, you must know GOD. Why? Because a “purpose” is simply a goal, a plan or intention to do something. And if you don’t know someone, how can you know their goals, plans or intentions? Our Beloved LORD GOD is intimate with the upright or those who honor HIM (Psa 25:14, Pro 3:32). HE is a friend to them and confides in them (Pro 18:24, Jhn 15:14-15, Jam 2:23).

There are many examples in The BIBLE where GOD made HIS plans known to those who knew HIM. HE makes HIS plans known to HIS people, and even how those plans will affect them personally. HE made HIS plans known to Noah (Gen 6:11-22, Gen 7:1-24), to Abraham (Gen 18:1-33), to Moses (Exd 3:1-22), to King David (2 Sam 7:1-29), to Ezekiel (1 Kin 17:1-16), to King Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah (2 Chron 20:1-30), to King Nebuchadnezzar (Job 33:13-18, Dan 2:1-49, Dan 4:1-37), to Daniel (Dan chapters 7-12), to a righteous man and his fiancé (Mat 1:18-25, Luk 1:26-56, Luk 2:38). In HIS WORD, HE has made HIS plans known to all of us who carefully seek HIM (1 Cor 2:10-13). If you seek HIM, HE will make HIS plans known to you (Jer 29:11-13).

‘Call to ME and I will answer you,

And I will tell you great and mighty things which you do not know.’

Jeremiah 33:3

Therefore The LORD longs to be gracious to you,

And therefore HE waits on high to have compassion on you.

For The LORD is a GOD of justice;

How blessed are all those who long for HIM.

Isaiah 30:18

Loneliness occurs both spiritually and physically. Often spiritual loneliness causes a person to experience the effects of physical loneliness.

Physical loneliness typically includes feelings of anxiousness, isolation, rejection, singleness, emptiness, discontent. It can be experienced even when surrounded by other people. When a person does not have a strong intimate relationship with our Beloved LORD GOD, one that provides peace and comfort regardless of the situation one might be in (2 Thes 3:16, Isa 26:3, Jhn 14:27, Jhn 16:33, Rom 8:6, Php 4:7―Psa 119:50-52, 2 Cor 1:3-4, 2 Cor 7:6); then certain life events will trigger physical loneliness. Events such as the lack of friendship, physical absence of meaningful people in one’s life, loss of a significant person in one’s life through death, divorce or simply the relationship ending.

Spiritual loneliness is an aching void in the middle of one’s being. It is a result of being disconnected from GOD because there is a lack of trust in HIM or HIS motives, disappointment (Jer 15:10-21), suffering (Job 23:8-10, Job 29:1-5, Psa 77:1-10), enduring persecution (Psa 25:16-22, Psa 143:3-4), or unresolved sin (Psa 31:9-10, Psa 32:3-7, Act 3:19-20). Spiritual loneliness will also occur when GOD’s Holy SPIRIT is calling for time with you (Isa 30:18, Jer 31:3, Hos 11:4).

Have you become so busy in your life that you have neglected to spend time with GOD? Our Beloved LORD JESUS gave us an example of two sisters, one whose focus was on earthly things, the other one was in HIS presence, listening to HIM speak (Luk 10:38-39). The sister focused on earthly things was distracted and frustrated (Luk 10:40), but our Beloved JESUS told her as HIS WORD tells us all, our focus should be on eternal not temporal things (Mat 6:25-33, Psa 27:8, Col 3:1-3, 1 Tim 4:8-10). We as faithful followers of CHRIST JESUS will always experience loneliness when our focus turns from our LORD to earthly things. Everything became vanity (Ecc 1:2, Ecc 1:12-14, Ecc 2:1-26) for King Solomon when he forsook our Beloved LORD GOD (1 Kin 11:1-3) and realized how temporal, empty, and unsatisfactory our lives here on earth are without HIM (Psa 144:4, Ecc 2:9-11, Ecc 12:1-8, Mat 16:26).

If you are experiencing loneliness for whatever reason, remember our LORD is a good GOD (Psa 86:5, Psa 100:5, Nah 1:7), WHO is The Lifter of our heads (Psa 3:3), HE is that FATHER scouring the horizon for you (Luk 15:20), so respond to HIS drawing you (SS 1:4).

GOD makes a home for the lonely;

HE leads out the prisoners into prosperity,

Only the rebellious dwell in a parched land.

Psalm 68:6

I am often disturbed when I hear professing christians speak as the world speaks. People who profess to know and love The LORD JESUS CHRIST, yet they:

• revile those who rule over them (government leaders, pastors, bosses…); by criticizing in an abusive or hostile way, or spreading negative information about them (Exd 22:28, Ecc 10:20, Act 23:5, Rom 13:1-2)
• complain about adversity (Num 11:1, 1 Cor 10:9-10, 1 The 5:16)
• complain about others (Jam 5:9, Jam 4:11-12)
• gossip or reveal personal information about others (Pro 20:19, Pro 13:3, Rom 1:28-32)
• lie continually (Pro 14:5, Pro 12:22)
• lie to others (Pro 12:17-19, Pro 19:5, Eph 4:25, Col 3:9, Zec 8:16)
• tell coarse jokes (jokes lacking in refinement or good taste; vulgar; crude) – (Eph 5:4)
• use unwholesome words (Eph 4:29-31) and filthy language (Col 3:8)

In Matthew 12:33-37 our Beloved LORD JESUS CHRIST shows us that our words reveal our character:

Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad

For the tree is known by its fruit

You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good?

For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart.

The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good;

And the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil.

But I tell you that every careless word that people speak

They shall give an accounting for it in the Day of Judgment

“For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Matthew 12:33-37

Our Beloved LORD GOD tells us in James 3:2, “For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well.” Our Beloved LORD GOD, tells us two things in this passage of Scripture:

1)     For we all stumble or sin in many ways. The following examples show us how we can sin in many ways:

a) The NLT translation of James 2:10-11 plainly shows us ― “the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of GOD’s laws. For the same GOD WHO said, “You must not commit adultery,” also said, “You must not murder.” So if you murder someone but do not commit adultery, you have still broken the law.”

b) Our Beloved LORD GOD tells us in Hosea 4:6 ― “MY people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” An example of this truth is when GOD’s people do not know HIS character or HIS WORD. Our GOD has called us to serve HIM in our innermost being, in our spirit (Psa 51:6, Psa 15:2, Jhn 4:24). For it is there HIS Holy SPIRIT dwells within us (Jhn 7:38-39) and from there we walk righteously or we sin. Most are aware of HIS commandment not to commit murder (Exd 20:13) or adultery (Exd 20:14), but very few are aware that our Awesome GOD’s definition of sin, does not start with the physical act, but starts with the heart as demonstrated from the ensuing versus. “You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY’; but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (Mat 5:27-28). Also “everyone who hates his brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.” (1 Jhn 3:15).

2)      If we do not sin (stumble) in what we say, we are perfect (spiritually mature), able to keep from sinning in other ways. To fully understand what is being said here, we must understand that the mouth does not drive the behavior of man, but it is the spirit within the man that drives both his behavior and his mouth. For example a man who has no guile or deceit in his spirit, is a man who walks with integrity and does not lie (Psa 24:3-5, Mal 2:6, Jhn 1:47, 1 Pet 2:22, Rev 14:5), his very heart is filled with truth (Psa 15:1-2, Psa 37:30-31).

The person who does not sin in what they say, is a person who has:

o   accepted our Beloved LORD GOD’s free gift of eternal life (Rom 5:15-17, Rom 6:23)

o   been delivered from the bondage of sin (Jhn 8:32-36)

o   been rescued by our Almighty GOD from the authority of darkness (Col 1:13), and the hands of our enemies (Psa 107:2, Psa 136:24, Luk 1:73-74, Jhn 8:31-36)

o   been transferred (Col 1:12-14) from the kingdom of darkness (Act 26:18) to the Kingdom of Light (1 Jhn 1:5, Rev 21:23, Rev 22:5), the Kingdom of HIS Beloved SON (Col 1:13).

o   had their minds renewed (Rom 12:2, Tit 3:5), through the transforming power of GOD’S Holy SPIRIT

o   become mature by continually denying the flesh to practice righteousness (Luk 9:23, Rom 8:13, Heb 5:14)

This is a person who lives in a new way, thinks differently, and speaks a new language; because the old life is gone (2 Cor 5:17); they are now a child of Light (Jhn 8:12, Jhn 12:36, 1 Thes 5:5).

Though the person was formerly a child of darkness (Eph 5:8), lived as a person of darkness (Eph 2:1-3), thought as person of darkness (Gen 6:5, Pro 24:1-2, Isa 59:7, Mic 2:1-2) and spoke as person of darkness (Psa 10:3-7, Psa 12:2-4, Psa 28:3). They have been transferred (Col 1:13) and transformed (Rom 12:2, 2 Cor 3:18).

Our Beloved LORD GOD tells us to examine ourselves to see if we are truly living a life of faith. A life of faith is one in which are becoming less and less like the person we were before trusting in CHRIST JESUS and all HE did for us, and more and more like our Beloved SAVIOR HIMSELF (Rom 8:29):

o   having a constant desire is to be pleasing to our LORD (Jhn 8:29, Eph 5:10, 1 Jhn 3:22)

o   always seeking to do HIS will (Jhn 4:34, 1 Jhn 2:3-4), even at great personal sacrifice (Mat 26:39, Rev 12:11)

o   continually spending intimate time with ABBA FATHER through prayer (Luk 6:12, Mat 14:23, Mar 6:46, Luk 9:28, Col 4:2) and meditation upon HIS WORD (Psa 119:15-16, Psa 119:48, Psa 119:97-104)

o   loving and serving HIS people (Luk 22:31-32, Jhn 21:15-17, Jhn 13:34-35, 1 Ths 4:9, 1 Pet 1:22, 1 Jhn 4:7-20)

Are you being transformed into the image of CHRIST JESUS or are you languishing (failing to advance or move forward)?

Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was near

Therefore JESUS, lifting up HIS eyes and seeing

That a large crowd was coming to HIM, said to Philip

“Where are we to buy bread, so that these may eat?”

This HE was saying to test him, for HE HIMSELF knew

What HE was intending to do.

Philip answered HIM, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread

Is not sufficient for them, for everyone to receive a little.”

One of HIS disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to HIM,

“There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two fish,

But what are these for so many people?”

JESUS said, “Have the people sit down.”

Now there was much grass in the place.

So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.

JESUS then took the loaves, and having given thanks,

HE distributed to those who were seated; likewise also of the fish as much as they wanted.

When they were filled, HE said to HIS disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments so that nothing will be lost.”

So they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves

Which were left over by those who had eaten.

John 6:4-13

I absolutely love this passage of Scripture (I must confess, I absolutely love all passages of Scripture). There are seven reasons I absolutely love this particular passage of Scripture:

1. We have a compassionate LORD, WHO is concerned about both our spiritual and physical needs (Jhn 6:4-5, Mrk 6:33-37, Mat 6:25-33)
2. Our Beloved LORD JESUS is truly The ONE WHO initiates and completes our faith (Heb 12:2). HE knows what HE going to do (Jhn 6:6-7) even before HE gives us a faith growing experience (Jhn 6:8-11).
3. Our Beloved LORD is not stingy, HE is generous (Jam 1:5). HE didn’t provide just enough to stave off the hunger of five thousand men and their women and children, HE gave them what they needed to be filled (Jhn 11-12, Mat 14:20, Mrk 6:42), and there were still leftovers (Jhn 6:13).
4. Our Beloved LORD GOD does not asks of us to do anything (Deu 15:7-11, Pro 11:24-26, Pro 22:9) that HE does not already do (Luk 6:35-36, Mat 5:48, 1 Pet 1:15-16).
5. Our Beloved LORD GOD meets us right where we are at, HE takes what we have and multiplies it (Jhn 6:9, 1 Kin 17:8-16, 2 Kin 4:1-7).
6. Our Beloved LORD GOD loses or wastes nothing (Jhn 6:12); not us (Jhn 6:39, Jhn 17:12, Jhn 18:8-9) and not the experiences in our lives (Rom 8:28, Gen 50:15-21, Job 3:25, Psa 105:16-22).
7. Just as my Beloved LORD JESUS, took the five barley loaves, blessed them, broke them and gave the broken pieces to HIS disciples to distribute to the people (Jhn 6:11, Mat 14:19, Mar 6:41); HE still today, blesses HIS WORD, breaks it down by giving HIS servants understanding of HIS WORD, and then uses HIS servants to distribute or share HIS WORD (Ezr 7:10, Neh 8:1-8, Mal 2:7, Mat 28:19-20, 2 Tim 4:1-5).

Several years ago, my Beloved LORD GOD gave me my first miracle of multiplication. When Tribal Ministries was first formed, HE called us out of our secular jobs for a season. This was a season of learning to trust and rely on HIM, instead of ourselves. We had very little money, but we still desired to do the work of my Beloved LORD JESUS. We couldn’t afford to buy evangelistic tracts, so I made some. I only had 25 pages to print tracts on. So I created 4 tracts per page, allowing us to pass out 100 tracts. We were elated as we set out for a particular Washington state neighborhood. But all too quickly, I realized our 100 tracts didn’t cover very much of that neighborhood. I was heartbroken and I quietly sought forgiveness from my Beloved LORD GOD that I given all that I had, but it wasn’t enough. Within an hour after we had returned home from our evangelistic efforts, our phone rang; it was the University of Washington security office. The gentleman on the other end of the line issued a stern warning “leafleting was not allowed on their campus”. I explained to him that we had not been on the University of Washington campus. He then asked me incredulously, “so where do you think I got the number to call you?!” I said sir, I do not know. He then shouted into the phone his final warning before abruptly hanging up “every car, in every one of our parking lots has your leaflet with your phone number on it! If you ever do this again, we will bring charges against your ministry!!!” I sat there for a moment stunned, my Beloved LORD GOD had turned our 100 evangelical tracts into thousands. There is nothing impossible for my GOD!!! (Luk 1:37).

All these years later, my Beloved LORD GOD continues to remind me that when we place everything into HIS mighty hands, there is nothing HE cannot do. Recently, my heart was disturbed within me, as I sat talking with my Beloved LORD GOD about the apathy of many professing Christians today. They do not respond to HIS WORD, they do not want to hear truth they want affirmations; they do not want to worship, they want to be entertained; they do not want transformation, they want assimilation. Even though I am aware that we are currently living in the great apostasy, my heart was still sad. I prayed that HE would keep HIS faithful ministers encouraged, to continue to do HIS work until HIS return. The very next day, I received a devotional from Worthy Ministries in my e-mail. I wept, my Beloved once again reminded me of HIS divine power of multiplication.

The devotional was a testimony about a wheelwright, a carpenter and a Jewish atheist. The following, is the testimony of the Jewish atheist.

One day, being a very convinced atheist, I prayed to GOD. My prayer was something like this: “God, I know surely that You do not exist. But if perchance You exist, which I contest, it is not my duty to believe in You; it is Your duty to reveal Yourself to me.” I was an atheist, but atheism did not give peace to my heart.

During this time of inner turmoil, an old carpenter in a village high up in the mountains of Romania prayed like this: “My God, I have served you on earth and I wish to have my reward on earth as well in heaven. And my reward should be that I should not die before I bring a Jew to Christ, because Jesus was from the Jewish people. But I am poor, old and sick. I cannot go around seeking a Jew. In my village there are none. Bring a Jew into my village and I will do my best to bring him to Christ.”

Something irresistible drew me to that village. I had no reason to go there. Romania has twelve thousand villages, but I went to that one. Seeing I was a Jew, the old carpenter courted me as never a beautiful girl had been courted. He saw in me the answer to prayer and gave me a Bible to read. As he told me some time later, he and his wife prayed together for hours for my conversion and that of my wife. The Bible he gave me was written not so much in words, but in flames of love fired by his prayers. I could barely read it. I could only weep over it, comparing my bad life with the life of Jesus; my impurity with His righteousness, my hatred with His love―and He accepted me as one of His own. Soon thereafter, my wife was converted. A very short time later, the two of them led both Jews and Gentiles to CHRIST, and a church was launched in Romania.

Due to the prayers of an old faithful carpenter named Christian Wolfkes, Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand, founders of The Voice of the Martyrs, came to faith in 1938. Our Beloved LORD GOD used this couple to lead thousands into HIS Kingdom and support persecuted Christians across the globe.

Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand were both imprisoned for their faith. Sabina was imprisoned in a labor camp for over three years, and Richard was imprisoned and tortured for 14 years in Communist prisons. After Richard and his wife Sabina were freed, he was speaking to a large crowd of Christians, telling them how he came to know the Lord. As he spoke, he noticed an old man weeping. When he had finished, Pastor Wurmbrand approached the man to find out what was wrong. The man said his name was Pitter and that he was a wheelwright and had led the old carpenter, Christian Wolfkes, to the Lord long ago. Since then, he thought all he had ever accomplished in life was to lead a plain carpenter to Christ. It moved him to tears to hear how God had multiplied his ministry a hundredfold to bless Israel and see so many come to faith in the Messiah.

Today Richard and Sabina’s ministry, “The Voice of the Martyrs” is one of the largest organizations in the world aiding the persecuted church – all because a wheelwright led a carpenter to the Lord who then led a Jewish atheist and his Jewish wife to Jesus.”

Be encouraged and be reminded – your little in the hands of our Beloved and Mighty GOD becomes much!!!

 Ah LORD GOD!

Behold, YOU have made the heavens and the earth by YOUR great power and by YOUR outstretched arm!

Nothing is too difficult for YOU

Jeremiah 32:17

Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse GOD and die!”

But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks.

Shall we indeed accept good from GOD and not accept adversity?”

In all this Job did not sin with his lips.

Job 2:9-10

This is a powerful but brief conversation held between a man and his wife. This couple had lost everything they had, including their ten children, and his health (Job 1:12-19, Job 2:1-10).

She was suffering emotionally because of their losses, couldn’t stand to be near her husband (Job 19:17), and so she spoke as a foolish or ungodly woman (Psa 14:1, Pro 18:2); suggesting to her husband that he not just die, but curse GOD and die. She in essence was telling him to blame GOD for his adversity and then give up, lay down and die.

How many times when you were going through some real difficult times did you hear the enemy accuse our Beloved LORD GOD? This despicable spirit whispered; it’s GOD’s fault, HE doesn’t love you, HE doesn’t hear your prayers, turn from HIM, give up, it’s no use.

Our GOD is a good GOD (Psa 25:8, Psa 86:5, Nah 1:7). HE loves you and tests you through the furnace of affliction (Isa 48:10, Zec 13:9), not to destroy you but to purify and refine you (Dan 12:10, Rev 3:18-19). It is in that furnace that your weaknesses, your fears and your doubts are burned up, your faith becomes more genuine, authentic, real (1 Pet 1:7), and perseverance, proven character and hope are formed in you (Rom 5:3-4).

In returning to Job, the husband in the conversation in Job 2:9-10, we learn a few things about him as we read his story in the Book of Job:

• When he suffered debilitating economic loss, and at the very same time suffered the loss of all ten of his children, through his grief he continued to worship and trust GOD (Job 1:20-22)
• Job experienced his fear (Job 3:25) and came out on the other side of it (Job 42:16-17)
• He forgave those who tormented and abandoned him during his suffering (Job 42:7-11)

Today, let us who love our Beloved LORD GOD, be like Job, Habakkuk and all those who have gone before us; let us praise HIM not because of our circumstances but because of our trust in HIM despite our circumstances.

Though the fig tree should not blossom

And there be no fruit on the vines,

Though the yield of the olive should fail

And the fields produce no food,

Though the flock should be cut off from the fold

And there be no cattle in the stalls,

Yet I will exult in The LORD,

I will rejoice in The GOD of my salvation.

The LORD GOD is my strength,

And HE has made my feet like hinds’ feet,

And makes me walk on my high places.

Habakkuk 3:17-19

Lying lips are an abomination to The LORD,

But those who deal faithfully are HIS delight.

Proverbs 12:22

Have you ever had someone look you in the face and lie to you? And whether they make a false statement meant to deceive or perform an action meant to give a false impression, they are still lying to you.

Sadly it happens to every one of us, far more often than many know. In the world of business, marketing and advertising you must always read the fine print before signing or buying. Why because the truth lies in the fine print. The entertainment world constantly presents images of famous people that have been altered, and has created a multi-billion dollar business based on lies. Computer generated images create worlds that don’t exist and actors are paid millions in movies, commercials, etc. to deceive you into believing a character exists or a product is the key to success and happiness. It also happens at a personal level; when a boss, a co-worker, a friend, a parent, a sibling, a spouse, a child looks right at you and lies.

The world teaches that everyone does it, and when young children do it, it is cute. Faithful followers of JESUS CHRIST like JESUS HIMSELF do not practice lying (Isa 53:9, 1 Pet 2:22, Psa 101:7, Zep 3:13, 1 Jhn 2:29, 1 Jhn 3:7, Rev 14:5), and lying at any age is not cute.

As we first mentioned in the opening paragraph, lying is a false statement meant to deceive or an action meant to give a false impression. Lying:

• Distorts (misrepresent; misstate; pervert; twist the truth)
• Deceives (to make (a person) believe what is not true; delude; mislead)
• Fabricates (to create, invent, make-up something or someone that isn’t real)
• Perjures (to knowingly and willfully make a false statement)

Our Beloved LORD GOD tells us a liar (someone who tells lies) is:

• A child of Satan (John 8:44)
• An abomination (someone or something that is disgusting, loathsome, or shameful ─ Pro 6:16-19, Pro 12:22)
• Treacherous (someone who is untrustworthy, dishonest, and inclined to betray confidence ─ Pro 14:25)
• A person who professes to know GOD but refuses to keep HIS COMMANDMENTS (1 Jhn 2:4)
• A person who professes to love GOD but hates the children of GOD (1 Jhn 4:20, 1 Jhn 2:9-11)
• One who denies that JESUS is The CHRIST (1 Jhn 2:22)
• A false teacher of GOD’s WORD (2 Pet 2:1-3)
• One who will spend eternity in the lake of fire and brimstone (Rev 21:8) and will never enter the city of our GOD (Rev 21:27)
• Deceitful (Pro 12:17)

Our Beloved LORD GOD commands us:

• Speak the truth to one another (Zec 8:16, Eph 4:25)
• Do not lie to one another (Col 3:9)
• Do not love perjury (Zec 8:17)

Before we close, let us be very clear here ─ a liar is a person who loves to lie and continually lies or practices lying (Rev 22:15)

 A false witness will not go unpunished,

And he who tells lies will perish.

Proverbs 19:9

But as for me, I trust in YOU, O LORD,

I say, “YOU are my GOD.”

Psalm 31:14

This statement was made by my Beloved LORD GOD’s servant during the time he in was in great distress because of the physical and verbal attacks against him (Psalm 31:9-13). Throughout Psalm 31, though he assessed and prayed about the trouble he was faced with, he didn’t succumb to fear and defeat because of his trust in The LORD GOD.

Why did he trust The LORD GOD? Because he knew HIM (Psalm 31:19-21) and had experienced HIS lovingkindness and deliverance before (Psalm 31:3-8, Psalm 31:23-24). This faithful servant, did not let the present circumstances cause him to forget all that our Beloved LORD GOD had done for him (Psalm 103:2), he indeed knew where his help came from (Psalm 121:2-3).

Each one of us who have experienced the goodness of The LORD GOD, should have the same heart displayed in Psalm 31:14: but as for me, I trust in YOU, O LORD, I say, “YOU are my GOD.”

If you say “I trust HIM”, but life’s circumstances causes you to collapse, do you really trust HIM?

To truly trust GOD, is to have complete confidence in, total reliance upon, and unquestioning certainty about HIM. This type of trust comes only with both experience and a believing heart. The children of Israel experienced great miracles of deliverance (Exodus chapters 7-12) and provision (Nehemiah 9:21) yet they never believed (Hebrews 3:16-19, Hebrews 4:1-2).

Just as you do not know the path of the wind, and how bones are formed in the womb of the pregnant woman; so you do not know the activity of GOD WHO makes all things (Ecclesiastes 11:5). So quit complaining about your life and your circumstances (Numbers 11:1) and began to trust GOD, that truly all things are being worked together for good (Romans 8:28) because you love Him and HE has a purpose for calling you.

“Woe to the one who quarrels with his MAKER —

An earthenware vessel among the vessels of earth!

Will the clay say to the potter, ‘What are you doing?’

Or the thing you are making say, ‘He has no hands’?

Isaiah 45:9

“This is eternal life, that they may know YOU, The only true GOD, and JESUS CHRIST whom YOU have sent.”

John 17:3

What do you believe eternal life is? Do you believe as the

• wealthy young ruler (Mat 19:16-23, Mrk 10:17-23, Luk 18:18-24 ‒‒ we purposely included the account of the wealthy young ruler in all three gospels, as this is an opportunity to see the harmony of the gospels at work. You need to read all three accounts to ascertain that the man who approached JESUS was young, wealthy and a ruler)
• lawyer who tested our Beloved LORD (Luk 10:25-28).

When does eternal life begin? Does it begin when this life is over, or does it begin sooner?

The answer to these two questions will be found in this BIBLE study. We will also see that HIS thoughts are not our thoughts, nor HIS ways are our ways (Isa 55:8-9); and we can never know HIS mind or understand HIS WORD (1 Cor 2:12-16) if HIS Spirit does not dwell within us (Rom 8:8-9, Act 5:32).

There are many who believe “eternal life” simply refers to continued life after death. Indeed the righteous will go on living after our earthly, perishable, mortal bodies are no more (Dan 12:2, Mat 25:46, Jhn 5:29, 1 Cor 15:51-55); but the righteous have eternal life right, here and now in this current life.

How can that be?

JESUS HIMSELF defines “eternal life” in John 17:3, as knowing The only true GOD and HIS SON JESUS CHRIST.

How can you know The only true GOD and HIS SON JESUS CHRIST?

We will give a two part answer to this question.

First, we must establish that The FATHER of JESUS CHRIST is:

1. The only true GOD, there are no others (Deu 4:35, Deu 4:39, Isa 43:10-11, Isa 44:6-8, Isa 45:5-7)
2. The Creator of all things (Gen 1:1-31, Gen 2:1-7, Isa 42:5, Isa 45:18, Jer 10:12-13). HE is living (Deu 5:26, Jer 10:10, Act 14:15, 1 The 1:9), and does what HE pleases (Psa 115:3, Psa 135:6-7, Dan 4:35); unlike false gods created by the hands of men, unable to speak, see, hear, smell, feel or even walk (Psa 115:4-8, Isa 44:9-20, Isa 46:6-7, Jer 10:3-5)
3. The GOD WHO does indeed have a SON (Psa 2:7-12, Mat 16:16, 1 Jhn 5:20) and no man can come to HIM but through HIS SON JESUS CHRIST (Jhn 14:6)

Second, to “know” as used in John 17:3 does not mean to merely be familiar with, because you know their name (Mat 7:21-23); it means to have an intimate knowledge of HIM and HIS SON JESUS CHRIST based on experience as demonstrated by the translation of the English word “know” as follows:

In Jeremiah 31:31-34, our Beloved LORD GOD speaks of making a new covenant with Israel (the very covenant JESUS enacted with HIS sacrifice and death ‒‒ Luk 22:20, Heb 12:24), one in which they would know HIM personally. The English word “know” in Jer 31:34, was translated from the Hebrew word “yada” (OT: 3045) and it means to have an intimate experiential knowledge of Him.

In John 17:3 The English word “know” was translated from the Greek word “ginosko” (NT: 1097) and it frequently indicates a relationship between the person “knowing” and The ONE known. In John 17:3 this relationship is not obtained through mere intellectual activity, but by the operation of The Holy SPIRIT (Rom 8:9, Act 5:32). An intimate relationship that begins in this present life and continues throughout eternity (1 Jhn 5:11, 1 Jhn 5:20).

Exactly how can you know, that you truly know The only true GOD and HIS SON JESUS CHRIST? According to our Beloved LORD GOD in 2 Cor 13:5, it is a two-step process. You first test yourself to see if you are in the faith, and then you examine yourself.  When you test yourself to see if you are in the faith, prayerfully, truthfully and carefully look at your core beliefs and then examine your life to see if you are living out those beliefs:

• Do you believe The entire BIBLE was not an act of any human will, but written by GOD (2 Pet 1:20-21, Rom 15:4, 2 Tim 3:16, 1 Cor 10:6-11)
• Do you believe The BIBLE is infallible (always perfect and right, without any errors or mistakes) ‒‒ (Isa 40:6-8, Mat 5:17-18, 1 Pet 1:24-25)
• Do you believe that JESUS CHRIST is The only way to salvation (Act 4:10-12, Mat 1:21, Act 10:43, 1 Tim 2:5)
• Do you believe that GOD is a GOD of Truth (Isa 65:16) and it is impossible for HIM to lie (Tit 1:2, Heb 6:18)
• Do you believe every word, and every promise in The BIBLE (2 Cor 1:18-20)

If you cannot honestly say yes to all these questions, then you are not in the faith.

When prayerfully analyzing your day-to-day life:

• Does your life reflect true repentance (turning from your former life of sin to GOD) ‒‒ (Act 26:15-20)
• Are you in love with GOD (Psa 18:1-2, Psa 116:1, Psa 119:47-48, Jer 2:1-2, Jhn 14:15, Jhn 14:18) and continually sing HIS praises (Psa 34:1, Exd 15:2, Psa 30:4)
• Do you have a sincere desire to please The LORD GOD in all circumstances at all times (2 Cor 5:9, Eph 5:10)
• Do you daily hunger and thirst for The presence and WORD of GOD (Psa 42:1-2, Psa 119:131, Psa 84:10, Psa 27:4, Mat 5:6)
• Do you daily set your heart and your soul to seek GOD and HIS WORD to satisfy your hunger and thirst (Psa 27:8, Psa 105:4)
• Do you daily study HIS WORD (Deu 17:18-20, Ezr 7:10, Pro 8:34) and practice it continually (Psa 119:33, Psa 119:44, )
• Are you being transformed from the inside out, because your mind is continually being renewed by The WORD of GOD and HIS HOLY SPIRIT (Rom 12:2, Eph 4:23, Tit 3:5)
• Is your focus on the things of GOD (Rom 8:5-8, Col 3:1-4, Php 3:18-20)
• Do you truly know that your body is the temple of GOD, because GOD’s SPIRIT dwells there, and as such you are careful how you live and what you do in your body (Rom 12:1, Rom 6:12-23)
• Do you abstain (choose not to do something, hold oneself back) from sinful pleasures and purposes, such as:
  • sexual immorality (1 Cor 6:18-20, 1 Ths 4:3-4)
  • every form of evil ‒‒ not only evil itself, but even that which seems to be wrong (1 Ths 5:22)
  • wickedness (2 Tim 2:19)
  • lusts of the flesh (1 Jhn 2:15-17, 1 Pet 2:11, Rom 13:14, Gal 5:24, Luk 9:23, Tit 2:12)

If you cannot honestly say yes to all these questions, then you take heed, you are not abiding in CHRIST JESUS or HIS WORDS.

The good news is if you have tested your faith and examined yourself through this study of GOD’s WORD and you have found yourself lacking, HE has promised in 1 Jhn 1:9, “If we confess our sins, HE is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Would you please take this moment to be reconciled to our Beloved LORD GOD, HE’s waiting….

Fight the good fight of faith

Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called

And you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses

1 Timothy 6:12

“The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent.”

Exodus 14:14

This is a very powerful promise from our Beloved LORD GOD that many will never experience. Not only will they not have the extraordinary privilege of having GOD ALMIGHTY fight on their behalf, without their assistance; they will never know the peace, the confidence, the strength that comes from relying completely on a faithful, all knowing, and all powerful GOD.

To fully explain the foregoing statement let’s first take a look at what it means to “keep silent”. To keep silent is not merely the absence of talking, it is a person’s entire demeanor (the way a person behaves). To keep silent means every part of you is:

• still (quiet; calm; not moving) ‒‒ Psa 131:2
• at rest (have peace of mind; is calm mentally and emotionally; tranquil) ‒‒ Psa 37:7
• at peace (undisturbed state of mind; absence of mental conflict; serenity) ‒‒ Isa 26:3-4, 2 Thes 3:16
• waiting (to stay in a place or remain in readiness; to delay movement or action until the arrival or occurrence of) ‒‒ Psa 40:1, Psa 130:6, Isa 64:4, Lam 3:26

To truly allow our Beloved LORD GOD to fight a battle on your behalf (Exd 15:3-13, Deu 1:29-30, Jos 23:3, Neh 4:20) while you remain silent (Psa 62:1-8), you must:

• humble yourself (Rom 12:3, Rom 12:16)
• surrender your need to handle it (Isa 30:15-17, Psa 33:16-20)
• trust The LORD to do it (Psa 37:5, Jhn 14:14, Heb 11:6)

Did you know that wise or godly people, are people who do not sin with their mouth (Pro 11:12, Jam 3:2)? They understand the times to remain silent and the times to speak (Ecc 3:7, Amo 5:13, Mat 7:6); they keep their mouth in check or measure their words carefully (Pro 10:13, Pro 17:27); they are not only disciplined in what they say, they are disciplined in how they act (Jam 3:2).

Whereas fools (or ungodly, wicked people) cannot keep quiet (Isa 57:20); they continually talk (Pro 15:2, Ecc 5:3, Ecc 10:14), they have no interest in gaining understanding, they are only interested in making their mind (or opinion) known to others (Pro 18:2) and they have no peace (Isa 57:21).

Did you know that a tranquil and quiet life, in all godliness and dignity, is good and acceptable in the sight of our Beloved LORD GOD (1 Tim 2:2-3)? And that a gentle and quiet spirit is precious to HIM (1 Pet 3:4)?

Our Beloved LORD JESUS showed us what a gentle and quiet spirit looks like in Isaiah 42:2-4 (using the MESSAGE translation for clarity):

HE won’t call attention to what HE does

with loud speeches or gaudy parades

HE won’t brush aside the bruised and the hurt

and HE won’t disregard the small and insignificant

but HE will steadily and firmly set things right

HE won’t tire out and quit

HE won’t be stopped

until HE’s finished HIS work — to set things right on earth.

Far-flung ocean islands, wait expectantly for HIS teaching.”

HE also shows us throughout several passages in the New Testament, how a godly person responds in the midst of adversity. We will take this moment to look at HIS behavior in John 8:2-11. JESUS was teaching the people in the temple (Jhn 8:2), when the scribes and the Pharisees interrupted HIM, bringing the woman caught in adultery into the very center of the temple court where HE was teaching (Jhn 8:3). In this passage of Scripture HE gives us a visual of James 1:19 (quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger):

• JESUS heard the scribes and Pharisees condemning the adulterous woman as they misquoted (by only partially quoting) The WORD of GOD (Jhn 8:4-5, Lev 20:10, Deu 22:22).
• HE listened but did not speak until the scribe and Pharisees persisted in their questioning HIM (Jhn 8:6-9), and even then, HE did not participate in the spectacle they had created. Instead, HE ended it by piercing the hearts of the condemners with one statement, “he who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.”
• JESUS never got angry about their interruption, their testing HIM, their misquoting The WORD, their failure to bring both people caught in adultery, and their humiliation of the woman. HE simply convicted them (or made them aware of) their sin, while offering her mercy and a command to sin no more.

One final point before closing, silence is not weakness. It takes much more faith, strength and discipline to remain silent (Pro 29:11, Psa 4:4). When a fool remains silent, he is considered wise (Pro 12:16, Pro 17:28).

If you are a person who desires to be silent and let The LORD GOD fight your battles, who desires to have a gentle and quiet spirit, and lead a tranquil and quiet life, pray; not just once but continually. Purpose in your heart to be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to get angry. When you truly take the time to listen carefully to another, not with the intent to reply but with the intent to understand, you will find yourself much more prayerful about what you’re hearing and much slower to speak, or even get angry.

Ask, and it will be given to you

Seek, and you will find

Knock, and it will be opened to you

For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened

Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone?

Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he?

If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children

How much more will your FATHER WHO is in heaven give what is good to those who ask HIM!

Matthew 7:7-11