True Greatness

True Greatness

John 8: ⁵² Then the Jews said to Him, “Now we know that You have a demon! Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and You say, ‘If anyone keeps My word he shall never taste death.’ ⁵³ Are You greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? And the prophets are dead. Who do You make Yourself out to be?”

⁵⁴ Jesus answered, “If I honor Myself, My honor is nothing. It is My Father who honors Me, of whom you say that He is your God. ⁵⁵ Yet you have not known Him, but I know Him. And if I say, ‘I do not know Him,’ I shall be a liar like you; but I do know Him and keep His word.⁵⁶ Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.”

⁵⁷ Then the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?”

⁵⁸ Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.”

⁵⁹ Then they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.

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JESUS declares that HE was the one who gave Moses the laws and the ten commandments by saying “Before Abraham was, I AM.” This infuriated the church leaders because they refused to bow down to HIM as their king. JESUS was saying HE has the power over death which was given to HIM by the FATHER.

• GOD wants me to give HIM more credit than I normally do.
• GOD wants me to see that HE is involved in every facet of my life.
• GOD wants me to understand that HE controls everything and has thrown Satan to earth.

Underestimating who JESUS is, was the church leader’s big mistake. I make this mistake often with people. I mean when I mistreat someone or overlook the throw away people, I am underestimating those GOD wants me to serve. This is just like the Pharisees.

• JESUS wants me to see HIS greatness so I can tell others about HIM.
• JESUS wants me to recognize HIS power to save me and those who also believe in HIM.
• JESUS wants me to accept that HE is the GREAT I AM.

JESUS was and is forever. HE was and is all powerful. HE was and is all seeing, all knowing and is everywhere. I serve the Living GOD.

• Who is JESUS to you?
• Do you think HE has forgotten you?
• Will you allow the Great I AM to take you to places you never dreamed of?

Not Alone

Not Alone

John 8: ¹³ The Pharisees therefore said to Him, “You bear witness of Yourself; Your witness is not true.”

¹⁴ Jesus answered and said to them, “Even if I bear witness of Myself, My witness is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from and where I am going. ¹⁵ You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. ¹⁶ And yet if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent Me. ¹⁷ It is also written in your law that the testimony of two men is true.¹⁸ I am One who bears witness of Myself, and the Father who sent Me bears witness of Me.”

¹⁹ Then they said to Him, “Where is Your Father?”

Jesus answered, “You know neither Me nor My Father. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also.”

²⁰ These words Jesus spoke in the treasury, as He taught in the temple; and no one laid hands on Him, for His hour had not yet come.

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Sitting in a room full of people, I felt alone. Everyone knew each other and no one knew me. I walked around for a while but that became tiresome. I decided to miss the evening festivities and dined in my room, alone.

• There were many times I felt alone.
• There were many times when I was around lots of people and still felt alone.
• There were many times when I had one viewpoint and the majority had another, so I felt alone.

JESUS was challenged by the church leaders stating “HE is bragging about HIMSELF and making up the story.” JESUS, being GOD, answered them back, letting them know how much they did not know about HIM. “You only see with the flesh and not the SPIRIT” JESUS implies. Then HE said “I AM not alone.”

• GOD wants me to live my life for HIS purpose.
• GOD wants me to stand firm even when it is not popular.
• GOD wants me to believe HE is with me and to help others do the same.

In the days of humans explaining away GOD, it seems quite illogical to believe in this higher being who controls everything. I mean there are explanations for human behavior, weather, volcano eruptions and why a building should remain standing. BUT GOD confounds those who think they are “wise.”

GOD laughs at those who think HE is not involved with everything and wants me to believe HE is. HE sends me to gather those who are in need of HIS love. HE lets me know I am not alone as HE sends me out with HIS purpose. I am grateful HE is with me always!

• Do you feel alone?
• Do you have a view of the love of GOD when no one around you speaks of HIM at all?
• Will you keep trusting in GOD and know HE loves you and is with you today?

New Beginnings

John 1: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was with God in the beginning. ³ Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. ⁴ In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. ⁵ The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

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Excitement filled my face as I went to the next grade. I put on my best clothes and looked forward to meeting new friends. Besides, everyone I knew was going to school, so being at home would be boring.

• I look forward to new beginnings
• I look forward to the start of something new.
• I look forward to the next phase of things.

The WORD was there in the beginning with GOD and was GOD. I could only imagine how excited GOD was when HE created everything. The WORD created all of humanity, heavens and the earth in six days. Life began with the WORD and HE became the light of all mankind.

• The WORD is what GOD wants me to believe in.
• The WORD give me life.
• The WORD lightens my path.

Dark times cannot overcome the light of the WORD. Even though I may walk in the valley of death I will fear no evil. Darkness may try but the WORD will always protect me. I look forward to each new beginning GOD has in store for me!

• Are you about to start a journey?
• Do you fear failure?
• Will you allow GOD to guide you on your new beginning today?

Needing Proof

Luke 16: ²⁴ “Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’ ²⁵ But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. ²⁶ And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’

²⁷ “Then he said, ‘I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house, ²⁸ for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.’ ²⁹ Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’ ³⁰ And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ ³¹ But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’ ”

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Feeling a bit unassured, I asked around to see if one of the higher ups was telling the truth about promoting me. When word got back to the person about my inquiries, they said, “I’m sorry, you may not be a fit for this opportunity.”

• There were times when I did not trust what was told to me.
• There were times when I did not completely believe in what was handed to me.
• There were times when I was taught something, yet doubted what I was taught.

JESUS completes HIS recollection of the situation by telling the nameless rich man’s desire. The rich man begged for more comfort in eternity, remembering how comfortable he was on earth. Abraham, who showed his faith on earth, said “No, it’s too late.” Bargaining, the rich man begged specifically to send someone who would rise from the dead. “People won’t believe”, Abraham said.

• GOD wants me to believe in what the prophets wrote.
• GOD wants me to believe in HIS plan of salvation for HIS creation.
• GOD wants me to believe in things that are far out of my reach, yet easy for HIM.

Creation, life after death, Heaven and hell, demons and angels, and miracles are things GOD tells me to believe in, yet there were many times when I doubted. I went for the next best thing which was proof. I needed proof that everything happened as it was told. So I dug into research and could only come to one conclusion, GOD IS. I now fully believe and beg HIS forgiveness for needing proof.

• Do you doubt GOD’s love for you?
• Are you blaming HIM for your life or are you grabbing onto HIS love for you?
• Can you accept JESUS as your savior today without requiring more proof?
• If you need love, will you seek what HE says about HIS love for you today?

Prove It

Mark 14: ⁶⁰ And the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, saying, “Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?” ⁶¹ But He kept silent and answered nothing.

Again the high priest asked Him, saying to Him, “Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?”

⁶² Jesus said, “I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”

⁶³ Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “What further need do we have of witnesses? ⁶⁴ You have heard the blasphemy! What do you think?”

And they all condemned Him to be deserving of death.

⁶⁵ Then some began to spit on Him, and to blindfold Him, and to beat Him, and to say to Him, “Prophesy!” And the officers struck Him with the palms of their hands.

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“Please supply your driver’s license, passport, five years of bank statements, seven years of taxes, birth certificate and social security card please” was the overwhelming request made to me as I was going to assume a house note. “Why do you need all of this?” I asked. “To prove who you are” they said.

• There have been times when I had to prove my identity.
• There were times when I had to carry the right paperwork around with me to prove who I was.
• There have been times when I was worried about people believing in my identity.

“Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” was asked by the church leaders in an assumed authoritative way. They questioned JESUS as if to say “Prove it to us and we will let you go.” Their arrogance was noted by JESUS and HE answered “I AM” stating HE is GOD. They were furious!

• JESUS wants me to know HE IS the great I AM.
• JESUS wants me to know HE IS GOD.
• JESUS wants me to know HE IS alive, just as HE said HE would be.

“You will see the SON of MAN sitting at the right hand of the POWER, and coming with the clouds of heaven” were the words that incited pure anger. The church leaders decided to prove their power over JESUS by beating HIM, but they had no power at all. JESUS allowed every blow because HE wanted to forgive me for my sins.

• Do you believe in JESUS?
• Are you busy trying to make HIM prove HIMSELF in your life?
• Can you stop forcing GOD to show you signs and allow HIM to open your eyes in order to do a marvelous work in you?  

The ONLY Name

Zechariah 14: ⁹ The Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name.

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Parents were Lords to me at one time, telling me when and where to go. Teachers were Lords to me at another time, assigning homework and grading my performance. Bosses became Lords to me at yet another time, hovering money over my head in anticipation of raises and bonuses.

• GOD says to me “I AM THE LORD your GOD.”
• GOD says to me “I AM the Alpha and Omega, beginning and end.”
• GOD says to me “I AM.”

The great “I AM” is the only name that can be called LORD. HE has full authority to do as HE pleases with my life and my struggles are fewer when I let go and place full trust in HIM.

HE is WHO HE IS

Isaiah 44: ⁶ “This is what the Lord says—
    Israel’s King and Redeemer, the Lord Almighty:
I am the first and I am the last;
    apart from me there is no God.
⁷ Who then is like me? Let him proclaim it.
    Let him declare and lay out before me
what has happened since I established my ancient people,
    and what is yet to come—
    yes, let them foretell what will come.
⁸ Do not tremble, do not be afraid.
    Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago?
You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me?
    No, there is no other Rock; I know not one.”

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Pondering about the concept of GOD made me ask questions. “If GOD is real, why doesn’t HE just heal everybody?” I then decided this “GOD” thing isn’t enough for me. There has to be more. I mean I read parts of a self-help book and it said “I” should draw from my strengths.” I liked that because it put me in control. I soon started depending on “me” and got deeper into my mess. “I wonder if I should try GOD again” I thought to myself.

• There were times when I thought there has to be more than GOD.
• There were times when I thought GOD’s word was not enough.
• There were times when I thought GOD seems to not love me because I am in another mess.

Looking back on my relationship with GOD, I can see that I was the one who left HIM, not the other way around. During the time when I stopped praying and worshipping, I felt pretty good for a moment. I could do as I pleased and live as wild as I wanted to. But when problems happened, and boy did they happen, I had no place to turn. Should I rely on myself? No!

• GOD said to me “I AM the first and I AM the last; apart from me there is no GOD.”
• GOD said to me “Do not tremble; do not be afraid for I AM with you.”
• GOD said to me “You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one.”

GOD is my Rock and my salvation, whom shall I fear? After coming to my senses I soon realized I just wanted “my” way. I mean all those rules and not sinning didn’t seem “fun.” BUT GOD held onto me anyway. HE watched over me in spite of me and gently nudged me back to HIM. I am very glad to be in HIS arms. HE is the one and ONLY true GOD!

• Do you doubt GOD?
• Do you feel you need to add something to what HE said about life?
• Can you stop fighting GOD and let HIM work in your life?
• Will you turn your life over to HIM fully and watch HIS power unfold?