Unfathomable

Unfathomable

1 Timothy 6: ¹³ Before God, who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus, who firmly professed his faith before Pontius Pilate, I command you ¹⁴ to obey your orders and keep them faithfully until the Day when our Lord Jesus Christ will appear. ¹⁵ His appearing will be brought about at the right time by God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and the Lord of lords. ¹⁶ He alone is immortal; he lives in the light that no one can approach. No one has ever seen him; no one can ever see him. To him be honor and eternal power! Amen.

 

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“How was GOD always three?” was one of my first questions I asked when I started my journey back to following HIM. This and many other questions led me to study to find out if GOD were a fable, myth or some made up story.

 

• I needed to know if I was being fooled.
• I saw hypocrites who spoke about JESUS and who lived like me, who wasn’t following JESUS.
• I questioned and questioned because I had little faith and needed answers.

 

 

Paul tells Timothy to obey until the “Day when our LORD JESUS CHRIST will appear.” This Day is not an ordinary day, rather the final erasure of all sin and the beginning of everlasting life, for some and everlasting separation for others. Paul explains the JESUS is unfathomable, no one has truly seen what and who HE is and never will.

 

My Observations

• I may not understand what and who GOD is, but I do know HE loves me dearly.
• I may not be able to explain “why” to every question but I do know JESUS died for me and is alive.
• I may not be able to apply logic or Cognos to GOD, but I can feel HIS presence when I am in need, hurt or elated.

 

I just know that I know that I know that JESUS loves me. I do not understand why, I just know. HE cared enough for me, that HE gave HIS life for me. I do not understand why, I just know. When I ask questions about HIM that I cannot answer, HE is not mean, but gentle.

 

HE seeks me and, for whatever reason, wants me to tell others about HIS love. When I look at HIS perfection, I stop asking questions and praise HIM and simply say “Thank YOU.” I am glad I will never know what and who HE is, but I am glad HE reveals all I need to know.

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer mention that “no one has ever seen HIM when people saw JESUS?”
• What questions are you afraid to ask about GOD, JESUS who is GOD, and about the HOLY SPIRIT?
• Will you seek a deeper relationship with JESUS and accept there are things about HIM we will never know or understand, but HE loves us and that’s all we need?

Being Sharp

 

Being Sharp

Romans 11: ⁷ What then? The people of Israel did not find what they were looking for. It was only the small group that God chose who found it; the rest grew deaf to God's call. ⁸ As the scripture says, “God made their minds and hearts dull; to this very day they cannot see or hear.” ⁹ And David says,

 

“May they be caught and trapped at their feasts;
    may they fall, may they be punished!
¹⁰ May their eyes be blinded so that they cannot see;
    and make them bend under their troubles at all times.”

 

 

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“OoWee! You look sharp!” someone told me as I donned my new suit. I felt pretty important walking around in a new suit. I heard the word “sharp” before but was never called it. Later in life, I met people who were moving up in the company. “That woman is sharp” they told me. I watched what she did and tried to emulate what I saw. I soon met other “sharp” people.

 

• I met many people who were classified as “sharp.”
• I met many people whose minds were classified as “sharp.”
• I met many people who led large crowds, who I thought were “sharp.”

 

The prophets and Paul talked about people who overlooked GOD. HIS chosen people denied JESUS being the Messiah so GOD made their minds and hearts dull. They can no longer see and hear GOD, so they follow who they label as “sharp.”

 

• GOD wants my heart so HE can keep it sharp.
• GOD wants my mind so HE can use it for HIS purpose.
• GOD wants my search to be over so HE provided JESUS.

 

Finding JESUS as the Savior keeps my mind and heart sharp. The news speaks of name after name. calling each person sharp or dull. BUT GOD is the only one who has the authority to do so.

 

HE blinds those who do not rely on HIS SON and sharpens the few who call on HIM for their troubles. I am glad JESUS entered into my life and ask that HE keeps my heart sharp for those HE wants me to bring to HIM.

 

• Are you trying to look good in front of people to gain their respect?
• Are you trying to mimic people who you think are “sharp?”
• Will you allow GOD to keep your heart and mind sharp by allowing JESUS to come into your life and  believe HE is the Savior of the world today?

Searching But Not Finding

 

Searching But Not Finding

Acts 28: ²³ They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. He witnessed to them from morning till evening, explaining about the kingdom of God, and from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets he tried to persuade them about Jesus. ²⁴ Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe. ²⁵ They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: “The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your ancestors when he said through Isaiah the prophet:

 

²⁶ “‘Go to this people and say,
“You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
    you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.”
²⁷ For this people’s heart has become calloused;
    they hardly hear with their ears,
    and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
    hear with their ears,
    understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them.

 

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Angrily, I stormed off from “those” people. They said the wrong thing again. When I got to the next group, I was okay for a while, but that group started acting the same as the other group. I got angry and stormed off from “those” people. When I got to the third group I said. “I will stay here no matter what.” This group seemed to act different.

 

• There were times when I was searching for problems and found them.
• There were times when I was searching for what is wrong and found it.
• There were times when I was searching for peace but could not find it because I found problems and only could see what was wrong.

 

The church leaders decided to meet with Paul and brought a large number with them. Some were looking for answers and others were looking for an argument. Both groups found what they were looking for, but one group did not get what they wanted. They overlooked the answer that would bring them peace.

 

• GOD says to me “See ME with your eyes.”
• GOD says to me “Hear ME with your ears.”
• GOD says to me “Understand ME with your heart.”

 

When I look for problems with other people, I don’t have to look very long. I mean their flaws jump out immediately. BUT GOD looks at the person differently. HE sees a creation HE made and said “Well done.” When I look at that person through sin filled, hurt eyes, I can search for something I want to see, but will not find it.

 

But when I ask GOD to heal my eyes, I can see what HE sees in “that” person. When I ask GOD to truly speak to me, I can hear the comfort HE wants me to give to “those” people. And when I ask GOD to change “me” I can understand with my heart what I must do. I am grateful GOD gives me another chance to be healed by HIM.

 

• What are you searching for in someone but not finding?
• Are you ready to leave a group because “they” are not acting right?
• Will you ask GOD to open your eyes, ears and heart to HIM so HE can heal you without expecting “them” to change?

Let Me See

Psalm 144: ⁸ The Lord is gracious and compassionate,
    slow to anger and rich in love.

⁹ The Lord is good to all;
    he has compassion on all he has made.
¹⁰ All your works praise you, Lord;
    your faithful people extol you.
¹¹ They tell of the glory of your kingdom
    and speak of your might,
¹² so that all people may know of your mighty acts
    and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
¹³ Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
    and your dominion endures through all generations.

The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises
    and faithful in all he does.

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Once when I woke up, my mind flooded with thoughts of the day. Immediately I started thinking about my priorities and problems I needed to solve. As I thought more and more I knew one of two things would happen; I would get deep into problem solving or painful pleading.

• Sometimes my thoughts are the culprit.
• Sometimes my thoughts are the problem.
• Sometimes my thoughts are not in control and are open to negativity.

Thoughts are wonderful and dangerous at the same time. I can be blessed with some creative ideas or I can be cursed with negative thoughts that spill only over myself. As I wake up “Thinking” I want to have my thoughts altered.

• I want GOD to open my eyes to see HIS grace and compassion because my thoughts blind me.
• I want GOD to open my eyes to HIS slowness to anger and richness in love so I won’t blame HIM for my wicked thoughts.
• I want GOD to open my eyes to HIS works, trustworthiness and faithfulness so I can go out and exclaim HIS blessings to all!

GOD wants me to roll out of bed and onto my knees in prayer so I can hold my thoughts captive for a moment while I ask HIM for peace. Only GOD can provide peace, especially when my thoughts can be hijacked. GOD opens my eyes and lets me see!

• Have you assessed your thoughts?
• Would you say your thoughts are mostly positive or negative?
• Do you know your heart is tied to your thoughts and the words you speak can affect many?
• Will you guard your thoughts today and speak encouraging words of wisdom and peace?