GOD Morning! May 7, Advanced Individual Training / Just Smile and Wave, Girls!

GOD Morning!  May 6

Advanced Individual Training

Just Smile and Wave, Girls!

Luke 12:1-31

God Knows and Cares

12 In the meantime, after so many thousands of the people had gathered that they were stepping on one another, Jesus began speaking first of all to His disciples, “Be continually on your guard against the leaven of the Pharisees [that is, their pervasive, corrupting influence and teaching], which is hypocrisy [producing self-righteousness]. ² But there is nothing [so carefully] concealed that it will not be revealed, nor so hidden that it will not be made known. ³ For that reason, whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed on the housetops.

Even though thousands of people were waiting to hear Jesus, He took time to speak first to His disciples.

According to Jesus’ words, there are religious hypocrites (in and out of church) who will try to push their beliefs on us.

This is more common that we realize. This happens to all of us but is especially confusing to a brand new disciple of Jesus.

Someone is transformed by Jesus, and of course she tells everyone. A “well meaning”, “seasoned” “Christian” will pretty much shut her down. Or try to “guide” her by “sharing” their “deep” knowledge of God with her.

Everyone reading this will relate. This has either happened to you or to someone you know.

Just smile and wave, girls! And keep on keeping on. Don’t let these not so well meaning naysayers faze you at all!

Simply follow Jesus’ counsel. Be on your guard against corruptive teaching of not so well meaning, self proclaimed religious authorities. These folks are sent by satan to deceive you.

⁴ “I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that have nothing more that they can do. ⁵ But I will point out to you whom you should fear: fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority and power to hurl [you] into hell; yes, I say to you, [stand in great awe of God and] fear Him! 

In the movie, War Room, Tony chose to give the stash of stolen meds back to the company. Knowing he would go to jail. This is a perfect example of not fearing what man can do to you.

⁶ Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? Yet not one of them has [ever] been forgotten in the presence of God. ⁷ Indeed the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not be afraid; you are far more valuable than many sparrows.

Is life hard right now? Are you worried about the future? You are valuable to God. His eye is on YOU. Even if you are totally and completely alone in the world, He will not forsake you. And that’s a promise.

The scripture passage below explains what will happen if we fear man more than God. It can’t get any more crystal clear than this…

⁸ “I say to you, whoever declares openly and confesses Me before men [speaking freely of Me as his Lord], the Son of Man also will declare openly and confess him [as one of His own] before the angels of God. ⁹ But he who denies Me before men will be denied in the presence of the angels of God. ¹⁰ And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit [that is, whoever intentionally discredits the Holy Spirit by attributing the authenticating miracles done by Me to Satan], it will not be forgiven him [for him there is no forgiveness]. 

This scripture is not referring to falling into sin. If you turn from your wicked ways, God is faithful to forgive you. He will take you back.

But what if you are a weak Christian and you continue repeating a cycle of slipping and repenting, slipping and repenting, and slipping and repenting? There IS hope for you. Continue to pray for deliverance. Continue to pray in the middle of your mess.

My dad always says, “God has an unlimited supply of fresh starts.”

On the other hand, have you ever known someone who only apologizes if they are caught? They tearfully apologize, but it’s all an act, because they are hoping that they will receive a lighter punishment if they show fake contrition. This isn’t real repentance, is it? It is fake repentance. This is the person to whom there will be no forgiveness. The person who is not really sorry.

There is no forgiveness for the one who makes up in her mind to serve satan. The one who deliberately turns her back on Christ and turns to evil. On purpose.

But remember! We are not to judge. Only God knows the heart.

I hope this makes sense.

¹¹ When they bring you before the synagogues and the magistrates and the authorities, do not be worried about how you are to defend yourselves or what you are to say; ¹² for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”

Don’t worry about that scary day when you are brought before the authorities because of your faith. The Holy Spirit will instantly give you the words to say.

This reminds me of my hero, Kim Davis. She refused to sign gay marriage licenses. God gave her the words to say and she won the case. Wow, what a prime example of this scripture.

And now, on to one of my favorite passages. Worry and fear ruled my life for many years.  

²² Jesus said to His disciples, “For this reason I tell you, do not worry about your life, as to what you will eat; or about your body, as to what you will wear. ²³ For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. ²⁴ Consider the ravens, for they neither sow [seed] nor reap [the crop]; they have no storehouse or barn, and yet God feeds them. How much more valuable are you than the birds! ²⁵ And which of you by worrying can add one hour to his life’s span? ²⁶ So if you are not even able to do a very little thing [such as that], why are you worried about the rest? ²⁷ Consider the lilies and wildflowers, how they grow [in the open field]. They neither labor nor spin [wool to make clothing]; yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory and splendor dressed himself like one of these. ²⁸ But if this is how God clothes the grass which is in the field today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you? You of little faith! ²⁹ So as for you, do not seek what you will eat and what you will drink; nor have an anxious and unsettled mind. ³⁰ For all the [pagan] nations of the world greedily seek these things; and your [heavenly] Father [already] knows that you need them. ³¹ But [strive for and actively] seek His kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

“Dear Jesus, thank You for Your Word for the day! I love, love, love studying Your word. Sometimes, I am in a fog. I am confused. Shaken. Most of the time, You clear everything up. Sometimes You simply hold my hand. And we ride out the storm together. How I love You, Jesus. AMEN.”