A place in the Son
Many of us have heard the saying "searching for a place in the sun". This indicates the searching for a place where everything is always "Rosy", a place where nothing ever goes wrong. Sorry to say it, but no such place exists anywhere on this earth. JESUS tells us in John 16:33 that whilst ever we are in this world we will have tribulation.
This sounds like bad news, but please do not lose heart, because in the same verse JESUS goes on to tell us that HE has already overcome this world. (John 16:33 KJV) These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
There is an important thing that we also need to take note of at the start of that verse, our LORD tells us that HE spoke these words out so that we will have peace. But where do we have that peace? In HIM.
We have all heard that in Heaven every tear will be wiped away from our eyes and as the old song goes, "there will be no sorrow nor crying there", but we need to recognise that by us being "IN CHRIST JESUS" that same thing can happen right here on Earth. Even when tribulation comes against us we can still have the victory over that tribulation, because we can have the Peace of JESUS THROUGH THAT TRIBULATION.
Being IN HIM, being In CHRIST JESUS, being IN the Son of GOD gives us every last thing that we need to survive in this world, but wait, there's more, being IN HIM not only provides for our survival but it provides for our well being, our comfort and our peace right here in this world, right where we live at this time and in this place.
There is no need for us to wait until we get to Heaven to get all of the Blessings that GOD has stored up for us. HE has provided guidance for us in and through HIS Holy Word so that the Blessings that HE has promised us in Deuteronomy 28:1 – 14 can come into fruition. What GOD requires of us in these verses in order for HIS Blessings to come upon us is three simple things, (1) to Hearken diligently to HIS voice, (2) to observe (3) and do ALL OF HIS COMMANDMENTS.
Deu 28:1 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:
If a person in this world today had access to someone much smarter than themselves. And if that smarter person was to give them wise guidance, perhaps even a written list of obstacles and how to avoid them, then if that person was to disregard the wisdom of that smarter person, they would be very foolish indeed.
GOD has done just that, when GOD put those written instructions in HIS Holy Word they were not put there to keep the front cover from sticking to the back cover. They were put there to get us through all of the obstacles that GOD knows we will encounter in our walk through life.
By not following GOD's guidelines we allow the things of the enemy to overcome us, instead of us overcoming him. And we overcome the enemy of our Souls by listening to GOD and obeying what GOD has written down for us to do.
GOD even goes as far as to write down the consequences of NOT listening to and obeying HIM. These are found right after the instructions on what we are to do, they are found in Deuteronomy 28:15 to 68. There are 14 verses on what we should do, but there are 54 verses on the consequences of NOT being obedient.
JESUS said in John 14:23 that if a person loves HIM then they will obey HIS commands. (John 14:23 KJV) Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. This is not just something that JESUS said so that HE can LORD it over us, (no Pun intended), instead it is something that HE is inspiring us to do so that we can live a useful and successful life IN HIM. Obedience to HIS Word is the key to our success in this life.
By a person thinking that they don't need to obey every last thing that GOD's Word says is to say that they know more than GOD does. This makes them a small "g" god, at least in their own mind because they try to elevate their own thoughts above the thoughts of GOD. It is for that reason that GOD said in Proverbs 3:5 – 8 these gems of wisdom:--Pro 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not unto your own understanding. Pro 3:6 IN ALL YOUR WAYS ACKNOWLEDGE HIM, AND HE SHALL DIRECT YOUR PATHS. Pro 3:7 Be not wise in your own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. Pro 3:8 IT SHALL BE HEALTH TO YOUR BODY, AND STRENGTH TO YOUR BONES.
When we buy a new car, or anything else we expect that an instruction manual will come with that item, so it is with GOD. HE has given us an instruction manual for life, and it's so simple, if we follow the instructions laid out in GOD's HOLY WORD then everything regarding every step of out lives will follow GOD's plans. But when we allow ourselves to wander from those instructions then we walk off GOD's PATH onto the path that GOD is warning us about in Deuteronomy 28:15 – 68.
It really is so simple, GOD is fully aware of the plans of the evil one and HE (GOD) has laid out a pathway through the dangerous wilderness of our lives. This life is like walking through a live Minefield, one wrong step and everything blows up in our face. But GOD knows where we are to place each and every step so that we can get safely through that minefield of life.
So how do we do that, how do we keep on that narrow path (way) to life that JESUS spoke about in Matthew 7:14? (KJV) Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. By being IN CHRIST JESUS. GOD sent us HIS very own SON to take our hand and lead us through the minefield of life, and he came into this world we live in not only to save us from our own sins and the sins of our ForeParents, but to be set as an example for us to follow. By following JESUS WE ARE BEING "IN JESUS".
As we read the word of GOD, as we put what we read into practise we are walking in the footsteps of JESUS. And as we know, never once did life ever blow up on JESUS, When HE went to the Cross it was by HIS Obedience to the FATHER so that the penalty for our sins, (That is, the sins of all of Mankind) could be paid for. But the only way for that to happen, is by BEING IN HIM.
Paul described the weapons of the enemy as fiery darts, simply because they were one of the most effective tools of warfare in his time, but we all know from watching the news on TV that today one of the most dangerous weapons in warfare of our time is the IED (Improvised Explosive Device). This is a homemade mine or Bomb that is hidden along the path that the enemy has laid out for those whom they wish to kill and/or maim.
These can either be detonated by the enemy through remote control, or by tripwires that our troops can kick with their feet, this causes the IED to explode, usually taking the legs right out from under the ones caught in that trap. If we do not watch where we are placing our feet we can give the devil legal grounds to explode our actions and our lives right out from under us. And how do we give the enemy that legal grounds? By walking in "The devil's playground". And where is that playground? Anywhere where we walk apart from GOD. Remember, when we walk apart from GOD, then we are NOT in HIM.
In John 12;31, 14:30 and 16:11 we see JESUS indicate that satan is the prince of this world, that means those who are not in CHRIST JESUS are under the Lordship of that evil ruler. Because they are not being obedient to GOD and accepting GOD's SON they are being obedient to the devil.
In Ephesians 2:2 we see (Ephesians 2:1 KJV) And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; (Eph 2:2) Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, THE SPIRIT THAT NOW WORKETH IN THE CHILDREN OF DISOBEDIENCE: This is talking about those who are outside of GOD, those who are NOT In HIM, those who are NOT obedient to GOD. Sadly, just because we go to Church each week and give our Tithes etc. this can also apply to us as swell.
When we do NOT follow what GOD has laid out in HIS Word then we are walking off the path that GOD has laid out for us and we are walking in the devil's playground which is where he has legal rights to what he chooses with us. This a minefield of great proportions, something to be avoided at all costs.
However, when we are obedient to GOD then we are IN CHRIST JESUS and HE is in us. So as we place our feet exactly where HE dictates our path to be then that path is a safe one, and HE does that guiding through HIS HOLY SPIRIT. As we listen to that still small voice within us our LORD guides us through the dangers of this world. GOD knows where the devil has laid his traps for us, and HE warns us about them in HIS Holy Word.
I know that I must adhere to what the LORD has revealed to me, and now through me this day, so I encourage you, my Brothers and Sister IN CHRIST JESUS, look to GOD's Word for direction, listen for that still small voice and follow HIM, it truly is a safe road.
Lots of love.
Don Phillips
01/09/2019