But we didn't know Lord!

John 1:6-14
There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.

The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.  

He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.

Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
NIV

John 16:2-11
They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me. I have told you this, so that when the time comes you will remember that I warned you . I did not tell you this at first because I was with you. 

"Now I am going to him who sent me, yet none of you asks me, 'Where are you going?' Because I have said these things, you are filled with grief. 

But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 

When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; 

in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned. 
NIV

Jer 1:4-19

The word of the LORD came to me, saying,

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart;I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."

"Ah, Sovereign LORD," I said, "I do not know how to speak; I am only a child."

But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a child.' You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the LORD.

Then the LORD reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, "Now, I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant."

The word of the LORD came to me: "What do you see, Jeremiah?"
"I see the branch of an almond tree," I replied.

The LORD said to me, "You have seen correctly, for I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled."

The word of the LORD came to me again: "What do you see?"
"I see a boiling pot, tilting away from the north," I answered.

The LORD said to me, "From the north disaster will be poured out on all who live in the land.

I am about to summon all the peoples of the northern kingdoms," declares the LORD.
"Their kings will come and set up their thrones in the entrance of the gates of Jerusalem;they will come against all her surrounding walls and against all the towns of Judah.

I will pronounce my judgments on my people because of their wickedness in forsaking me,in burning incense to other gods and in worshiping what their hands have made.

"Get yourself ready! Stand up and say to them whatever I command you. Do not be terrified by them, or I will terrify you before them.

Today I have made you a fortified city, an iron pillar and a bronze wall to stand against the whole land — against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests and the people of the land.

They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the LORD.
NIV

Luke 19:39-44
Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!"

"I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out ."  

As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, "If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace — but now it is hidden from your eyes. 

The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. 

They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God's coming to you."  
NIV

Alienated

Is your eternal salvation held secure only by what you choose to believe also to be "True"?

The question the spirit of God has been asking all men since his fall in the Garden is, "Who told You"?

Have you found it difficult to understand the collective word(s) of "God" as if what you assume you do know has been based upon what man has taught you?

What can a man teach about a "Person" as if the Love of God unless he too has encountered the Love that is also of God?

Even then is that man's ability to translate his own encounter the exact thing which limits the more complete explanation and commentary concerning the Lord (God)?

In terms of an even more accurate depiction of God what has ANY person assumed they can teach you as it pertains to the Son of God?

The same Son of GOD said "Christianity" has been trying to "Represent" for several centuries?

If the primary task as if placed upon the individual and the collective church were in question, what would that task be if not "Believing"? Yet what does that involve if not everything that we claim to be?

In terms of failure, how would one know IF Christianity is failing or falling short in the attempts made as if the Church (physical body OF Christ) which goes about the daily affairs as if the continuance of the daily business carried out on behalf of the Son of GOD?

Couldn't the simple test be, does the collective church look and or perform like the Son of God yet on a larger and MORE wide spread scale? Are the same qualities found at the same address where He (Jesus) has said he will also be in their midst in terms of believers?

Are there recorded reports of thousands at a time being converted as was after Christ was crucified? As though we're still reading the history of the body of Christ in the making?

Just how difficult is it to hear different teachings that conflict with each other? Those which fail to come into agreement with the remainder of what's being presented as if on God's behalf?

More often all that's accomplished is ones own frustration when conflict (strife) rears its head. Once this takes place 'Pride" steps in and has its way with you which then leads you right back to where you were before you were while being "Introduced" to the word "GOD" which stands in order to represents his person.

Why does most teaching about God and His Son find conflict whenever the original design of everything God also created has been painted as the perfect picture which was intended to represent His person?

The same God who created ALL things great and small to include everything that enjoys breath and life?

Have you ever heard it said in terms of God being confusing, "It requires someone other than God to complicate what God has otherwise gone to great lengths to make plain to man"?

I believe that whatever it is that's being taught that goes against what God has otherwise explained through ALL that He's created is a lie.

As if someone that's just beginning to step out and discover who God is what could you conclude about God if all you were to first read is the following words ABOUT God? recorded words as if God spoke them to mankind so that He could share those words with his fellow man?

What would you consider to be missing?

Could it be "Belief"? That to mean believing what has been said about GOD is also True?

Ps 146:9
The LORD watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.
NIV

Prov 22:12
The eyes of the LORD keep watch over knowledge, but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.
NIV

Just for the record, what God has created includes His son Jesus the Christ who God also purposed as the savior of man!

Let NO man say to you and you then believe what's been said as if about GOD, if that same voice includes the inference "I don't know God or There is NO God"! That's no more factual in terms of stating the truth than is someone that says there is a GOD who sent His Son some two thousand years AGO.

Especially when neither can be seen without first "Believing" what's been said ABOUT any type of a GOD for that matter.

Is there any difference between some one who denies the truth and someone who looks to "Suppress" the truth" so that person won't be forced to accept what's said as IF it is the "Truth"?

When the said truth of a matter eventually does show up, does that always mean everyone involved automatically accepts "Truth" as if absolute?

Is there truly anything "Worse" than someone who thinks they only suppress knowledge?

Now, a question aimed at those who do believe in Jesus the Christ and Son of God, "Is there anything worse than the person or voice who finds personal comfort by way of suppressing what is TRUE concerning God or Christ Jesus?

If "NO", who then makes the determination concerning what is true among any said "Group" of believers? Who ultimately decides what is true and what is false if NOT that same group (congregation) as IF one opinion that gets expressed?

If that be true how does each sitting member then cast their personal ballot (Lot) concerning not only what is corporately being taught, but more importantly 'What is true that is Being Taught" which then gets taxed with expectations which are then placed upon what Christ is WILLING to do on behalf of WHO He is?

Not to dwell there, but it is food for thought.

The higher point is, what should those same congregates (members) then expect the Lord to manifest as if what they say they believe is NOT true concerning His person?

Who then among that same group gets to enjoy the intimacy of a TRUE relationship with Christ while in the midst of such things? Just how much of a struggle comes along when an individual chooses to think otherwise concerning who Christ Is AND all that He is WILLING to do and why?

There is no accuracy in corporate prayer unless everyone believes the same thing. Accuracy to mean who did Jesus respond to in terms of ones Faith, belief and absolute confidence in Him (Christ). How so?

It's too easy for one person to then come along and explain away how or what Jesus is being accredited for.

Those that Represent God were NOT intended to be or become politicians. The despised "World already has enough of those".

You truly want to find out who are the righteous people are in ANY congregation?

The "First" issue you'll need to flesh out is "What qualifies a righteous man in God sight"!

Where would you find such qualifications?

In the very Book you're claiming you consider to also be Holy!

Playing with the words of God historically has always proven fatal when given ENOUGH time, yet same can only be seen when each event has been truthfully examined and pieced together according to ALL that is True.

Some still enjoy playing with words AND time simply because God is merciful and has NOT struck them dead on the spot and yes it is proving to be fatal within the body of those who say they believe what Jesus said.

We do have an enemy and his MO is to kill, steal and destroy what might otherwise have proven to be the manifest truth God's word was intended to produce.

It's easy to explain away what's not being heard, yet it's proves to be much harder to try and explain the unexplainable.

What is Faith and what Is does the word Believe" truly mean? Even more what is the end result?

Has God's word(s) become "Old news" or just news that keeps getting older and fading away OR is it still your daily bread?

Occasionally God will give you enough bread that last for two days, yet the real strengthening comes day to day in our dependence upon everything God's word supplies daily and in accordance with what we perceive to be our NEED.

Heb 11:1-2
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. 
NIV

To be continued.....

Amazed and taken

"Amazed' is a powerful word when it's found flowing in the veins of commentary, yet today it seems to have little influence in the absence of miracles as such that Only God can perform. sw

I hope to set the tone for this blog entry by introducing the thought that Jesus was and is the ULTIMATE believer! Believer in what some might ask?

That He was the SON of God All mighty who actually DOES maintain and from everlasting to everlasting sustains all power and authority in Heaven AND on earth.

The question for humanity still remains open for most in that, "Who do we say that we are"? And that in relation to Christ"?

The next question should be, "Have we taken ownership of that response as Jesus also had to do whenever we try to consider what God has asked of us as believers in HIM"?

The word says that those that have ears to hear will only be those who are are also raised unto life eternal. I think it a good question that needs consideration today primarily among those stating they follow Christ.

I'm not talking about hearing your preacher, your father or mother, I'm speaking about distinctly hearing the voice of the Spirit of Christ as Your God and then responding? What does He tell YOU to do from one day or moment to the next?

Does the distinct sound of His voice break through the noise of this world? Have you trained your ears to hear His voice as opposed to the voice of your own soul?

Can you or have you heard the voice of God and with clarity enough that you can say with the utmost confidence you're being lead by His spirit in your daily affairs here on earth?

If "Yes", what if you also knew that declaration were going to be placed on trial at some point in your life?

We can say we know who Christ is, and we can say we belong to Christ but can we say in all truth we KNOW what eternal life is as if the same way we know Christ?

If we can accept the following at face value, what could we as said believers conclude we need to fine tune our spiritual ears to?

John 17:3
Now this is eternal life : that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
NIV

Is that food for thought, or the kind of food you haven't acquired a taste for "Yet"?

Who is this man in this story and what was he NOT willing to believe prior to the arrival of a greater need than he'd previously perceived?

The salvation of all men will always pertain to what Love is willing to and all that Love can do

John 4:47-50
When this man heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and begged him to come and heal his son, who was close to death. 

"Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders," Jesus told him, "you will never believe ."  

The royal official said, "Sir, come down before my child dies." 

Jesus replied, "You may go. Your son will live." NIV

The man took Jesus at his word and departed. NIV


Matt 11:23
If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom , it would have remained to this day. NIV

Acts 13:12

When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord. NIV

If Christianity were only understood to be about faith "In Christ", should a unbeliever be amazed when they don't expect to see the evidence of the person being preached?

It was recorded of Pilate that he was "Amazed" yet it is NOT recorded that Pilate also believed in Christ.

Mark 15:4-5
So again Pilate asked him, "Aren't you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of."

But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed . NIV

A person can be amazed as well perplexed at what they see, yet still not believe in the person of Christ Jesus. Believing in what if not for all that He is capable of ? Capable as though the full vested power of God almighty does rest on Him as God's Son. Did Pilate fail to acknowledge such power actually did rest on Jesus as did all others that failed to believe in Him up to that point?

Such divine power that was given to Him to dispense at His discretion yet He did not always find opportunity to use that same power at all times.

If the reader of the account(s) of Jesus were to take what was written about such instances WITHOUT additional commentary, what would You conclude prevented Him from performing as is the GOD you've only heard about and are being asked to believe in?

He had at both at His discretion not only because he had been given all power and authority, but also because He has been entrusted to act as does His heavenly Father and within the same limitations.

Many seem to enjoy talking about why He didn't do many more miracles and healing's than He did yet even fewer will express "WHY" He did do as much as He did as if they "Know" him, yet when a prayer doesn't get answered Nobody seems to know much about God all the sudden.

It's just to easy to say, His ways are higher than ours and we just can't Know why He does what He does. How does that square with a father and son or husband and wife imagery Jesus constantly uses as the metaphor of an intimate relationship?

I believe much of what people DON'T seem to want to Know about Christ can be found in those same cracks that seem to continually prevent is from having a intimate relationship.

I personally believe that as a good and thorough of a teacher that Jesus IS, the essence of the very things that continue to plague most marital and parent/child relationships will prove to be an exact fit as to everything that prevents man from KNOWING his God better than he presently does.

We're not where we are by accident and without reason, yet what do we know right? I mean we're all imperfect or at least that's what our default claim to fame is, yet what does that say about victory that can only come through Christ? That is unless we can do what we need to do on our own in order to be considered righteous?

I believe God has not left anyone with a relational problem that is WITHOUT a solution IF and When He is heard the way He needs to be heard.

I believe every single relational issue a family has the cure for whatever that ails it can be found somewhere in Holy scripture, whether between the husband and wife, father and son, mother and daughter or any mixture of all the above.

Jesus set these godly relational metaphors before all humanity as if "Prime" example's yet man still chooses to throw out the guidelines that cause those examples to manifest in his own life. He continually looks to rewrite the script that defines Godliness.

When the words of God become flesh and dwell among us, guess whose flesh those words have chosen to wear?

In terms of teaching and or making disciples, how can a man explain to another that God can be trusted when all other earthly explanations do nothing more than try to prove that God is as unpredictable and unapproachable as man is?

Years ago I had a man ask me, "How do I know your God is the real God as compared to the God the Muslims and Buddhist try to tell me about"? He went on to suggest that my God was nothing more than words and stories as is the God(s) they worship and go into detail about.

Needless to expound it caused great pause within me....

What separates Jesus from all other God's? The fact that Jesus was real? The fact He IS real? The undeniable evidence He does have the authority to re-present God here in the earth?

If "Yes" then what would cause man to assume that Jesus would tell those that believe in Him to go and DO much more if they too didn't go with that same authority as if wearing the Signet Of "THE KING" as living proof?

People of God, "In exact and clear terms WHAT have we believed"?

What could frustrate such a suggestion though? The doctrines, traditions and opinions of men or being task with believing, given a commission to share that same Gospel without the power to go and do likewise?

Why would the mind oppose such a consideration? Because we know ourselves better than God? Because we've listened to what the "Man" has told us so that he too won't have this same expectation grinding on his soul?

Is the challenge what man can do or is what God can and is Willing to do when we find ourselves willing to go?

How can a man serve God unless God arrives at that location (address) first?

John 12:26
Whoever serves me must follow me ; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. NIV

Surely Jesus fed thousand's yet did those thousands believe in Him to deliver them unto their eternal salvation because He fed them bread and fish or was this act of kindness simply the personage of Jesus on any given day? The act of kindness clearly understood as though able to attract the one common interest of hunger found within all mankind unto to Himself? Sound like a man feeding hungry pigeons?

If life after death is an eternal matter, how does feeding someone cause them to believe in Jesus for their eternal life as their only means for existing once their bellies are full? Hungry pigeons see no relevance beyond being fed in the moment do they?

Many say they teach about the Lord through giving, yet how amazed are those listening once they've received what has been freely given? What CAN be freely given that can NOT be duplicated and counterfeited that also has "Eternal value"?

Where is the economy today where something of this type of value can also be redeemed and realized here and now?

Are said believers in their deity of choice today only teaching that their God and Lord is impotent or that their God of choice only responds when He or She is in the mood to respond to ones prayers?

Could it be that what  man believes concerning His chosen God is only capable of performing equal to all that same man is willing to believe to be true about that same God?

What if believing in the One true God proves to be more than saying "I Believe"? What if all that is wanting to be considered to be found full of truth also has to prove that truth has value?

What if believing In the one true God requires the full investment of everything that a man is?

What if that full requirement is met only by way of believing in the One that same God sent so that he (man) could accurately address and believe in the One and only true God?

That to include what a man thinks, says and Acts upon as compared to all that God says is real though presently unseen. True yet said to be false at nearly every turn and everlasting only because Jesus as his savior is the only one that can deliver the reward contained in any promise made as one that's been kept?

What if man has not been placed in the judgment seat of his own earnest state of mind in his pursuit of God? What if God does know when a man is fully invested in his pursuit? What if when wrestling with God, he knows when a man has exerted his full potential strength?

What if the refiner does test the purity of such a substance? It being weighed as such which should be found to be more precious than gold, rubies and riches of this world? What could prove the value of such a substance and how could it be established? Could it be ones faith which heralds, "I believe"?

The state of mind of a man which then shows forth as if the end results of his own thoughts? Such a man whose efforts are compelled by the desires of God? Those same desires being defined Only by the very words of God which actually gives those desires shape & form as if substance which exist?

Thoughts that have nothing but respect for the unrelenting pursuit of God (seeking) as though Jacob wrestling with the angel of God? That same type of man that is unwilling to let go until he'd received his blessing from God?

Unless God renames any of us who say we believe, what have we truly become unless that same name we all share also be "Israel"?

(Israel means he struggles with God) NIV

Gen 33:19-20
There he set up an altar and called it El Elohe Israel .  NIV

(El Elohe Israel can mean God, the God of Israel or mighty is the God of Israel) (NIV)

Gen 32:26-28

But Jacob replied, "I will not let you go unless you bless me."

The man asked him, "What is your name?"

"Jacob," he answered.

Then the man said, "Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome."
NIV

As though the Glory of God that is being used in the tug-a-war between the opinions of men and the everlasting effects of words of God.

Heb 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists AND that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
NIV

The basis of our mutual struggle with sin is nothing new to this day regardless of any other justification that would have you to believe to the contrary.

Gen 4:7
If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door ; it desires to have you, but you must master it."
NIV

Instead man aided by the false testimony concerning God continues to try and reinvent the rules of engagement. A venue where man finds himself engaged in his own efforts of trying to find himself reconciled unto God (rejoined with God).

Where's the doorway back to God?

Accept the truth that if it were NOT for the mercy of God being extended towards him, mankind could have never found his way back to God because He is Holy and righteous. Why? Because God is all in!

Your creator and savior (Christ Jesus) has spoken it and has placed His word above all else that can be said about Him...

With that said, are you truly wrestling with God and what He says or are your still wrestling with what mere men assume they have to say about God?