I'm Married to a Broken Vessel Who Rarely, if EVER, Lets a FIERY TRIAL Go To WASTE

"If there's one thing we ALL know something about, it's PAIN! ..."

*Based on Paul's experience written in  2 Corinthians 12:5-11*

NEW Podcast *NEVER LET A FIERY TRIAL GO TO WASTE! -- The Benefit We Gain from Suffering in the Flames is GETTING to Glorify God's Holy Name!*

Listen In... Pass It On @ http://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/id/4261070

Who hasn't suffered broken dreams, moments of doubt or weakness, growing pains, anxiety, panic attacks, insecurities, injustice, lost hope, passion for a turning point, feelings of hopelessness, loss, worries about the future, needs that went unmet, lost opportunities, fear of failure, unanswered prayers, rejection, ...(your experience)?!

Most of our trials and tribulations come because of our own bad choices, but we keep PRESSIN' IN and keep on learnin' and growin'.

~  "Between The Lines Video Podcast" on our Vimeo Channel 

One week ago today, this was the miracle that began and promises great progress and returns over the next week, 3 months, and 365 days!Praise The Lord for His divine appointments and answering our prayers!

      We are IN the flames, and IN pain, but we won't let it be the END of us.  Instead, we're doing our best to offer up a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to God.  Each prayer and word of strength and encouragement from our faithful friends means more than you can ever know! Keith's pain is much worse than I thought it would be at this point. I know that one thing we ALL know something about is PAIN. Each one of your experiences that you share with others can be such a tremendous inspiration! It has been a tough week here! Keith and I have to keep reminding ourselves that his healing neck wound from, what we didn't exactly think would be such, extensive surgery is not like a "simple paper cut!"  And the blood, bruising, unexpected intermittent swelling, and pain that is taking much longer than we expected to improve in his broken body, is part of it all. Whew! We're hangin' in there and in constant prayer until things get settled down... in time. Patience is a virtue, right?? It's a daily development here. Thank you to all who took time to send us your love, prayers, and words of encouragement and strength!!  If you have any favorite Scripture or advice you might offer, for waiting patiently in faith and rest, please do share.  Thank you, in advance!!

(BEFORE 3-hours in surgery)                         (AFTER 3-hour surgery)

We soon became very encouraged by facebook comments and direct messages that kept coming.  I was charging my phone as much as I could in the hospital, so I could check in more often and read to Keith.  What I saw really helped lift him up as he suffered in post-op pain, so terribly.  Every one of those kind comments, emails, and direct messages, helped take our minds away from the draining effects of the physical condition Keith's body was in, and of the raw emotions (worry, doubt, sadness, sorrow, ...) we seemed to work hard to overcome, and remain optimistic. Have you been in a place in your life when your glass seemed unusually half empty? How did you handle things and what was the result? To share a testimony with us, please  e-mail us. Also feel free to write a letter and mail it to TOWARD THE MARK, P.O. Box 1152, Yorktown, VA 23692-1152.

The waiting room attendant, very nice lady, with great character qualities for doing a job like hers, was finally able to tell me that Keith was in post-op recovery and I would be able to see him, soon. I decided to look for something unique that might cheer him up.  Look at this cute little "Air Walker Balloon Puppy" I found in the hospital gift shop. I simply named him "Buddy for Keiffy."

     We so appreciate you, your friendship, prayers, and generous contribution to us here at this small ministry!  Each of the notes, cards, calls, and words given to Keith in prayer and for strength and encouragement means more to us than you'll ever know. In our every day prayers, we make sure to stand with each friend and/or acquaintance who has let us know about a trial, pain, or tribulation they are in.  And we also make sure to stand with each friend in their heart's deepest desires, that they be fulfilled by our Most Holy, Wonder-full, Living, Loving God and Heavenly Father. Jesus Christ is returning soon and very soon! Hallelujah! Amen!

*Although Keith and I were having a good time with our new Air Walker Buddy, MarGirl didn't share our sentiment. She managed to tolerate his presence with us. We love this faithful little companion, and her flexible character we've been enjoying now for 8 fabulous years!*
We hope you are able to take joy this beautiful day that the Lord has made. What a day to do some of our best thinking, singing, and talking with The Lord.

Keep PRESSIN' IN!

            Read more messages, twelve of them, based on God's Life-Giving Scriptures and how it has been applied to Keith in his life, in our book, "XII Smooth Stones" available on our website at TowardTheMark.com.

            Would you write and let us know if this, or another particular blog, message has fanned the flame in your heart for Christ Jesus, His wonder-full Ways, and His Plan and Purpose for you in this life? To place a special order for "XII Smooth Stones" or another Keith Shealy and Toward The Mark book or original music CD,  click here to e-mail your request or write us a letter and mail it to us at the address below, or  as shown on our website.

Toward The Mark, Inc., P.O. Box 1152, Yorktown, VA 23692-1152

XII SMOOTH STONES by Keith Shealy and Toward The Mark is a 12-message collection:

No Matter What!	The Magnetic Mantle...Cats Should Have Kitties;
Fire, Pressure, and Them Slithery... Snakes	The Ultimate Home Gym
Vampires In The Church	STOP...
The Great Deception	The Invisible Man
God Is So Much Bigger Than You Think!	Die Empty!
Building Godly Friendships	The Secret To A Happy Life

We pray God uses this message to fan the flame in your heart for Christ Jesus, His wonder-full Ways, and His Plan and Purpose for you in this life. If you have any questions about our work, or if you would like to make a special tax-deductible donation, place a special order for any of our books, magazines, or CDs, or to share a testimony or prayer request with us, please  e-mail us. Also feel free to write a letter and mail it to TOWARD THE MARK, P.O. Box 1152, Yorktown, VA 23692-1152.

May God bless you greatly as you carry this truth in your heart. We are eternally grateful for our loving Toward The Mark Family of sponsors who make this blog, and all of our resources, possible by their faithful prayer and monthly financial support!

Your friends and servants in Christ,

    

To Show GOD BIG in a World that Sees Him small… 
sums up the reason Keith stepped out in faith to focus on reaching the lost and strengthening believers everywhere, through Toward The Mark, Inc.  Keith and Brenda's prayer is that you will be encouraged and edified by the Secrets from God's Word that Keith recounts in our written and recorded products.

We couldn't do this without the help of our friends!
This blog message, along with the complete collection of original podcasts, music, blogs, books, CDs, and other Bible-based resources of Toward The Mark, Inc. is made possible by the faithful prayer and financial support of the TTM Sponsorship Family. We'd like to invite you to come on-board, to become a part of the TTM Family as well by becoming a monthly financial partner? Your support will go toward fulfilling our God-given calling to help provide effective, contemporary outreach tools that are available to everyone, the churched and un-churched alike, who desire to know more of the love, truth, and salvation of Jesus Christ. We invite you to partner with us as we "press Toward The Mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:14)

We INVITE You ... to follow and share these resources that are also available, for helping build your faith in God, His Will, and His Ways: 

~  "Keith Shealy & Wisdom-Packed Wednesday" on Facebook 

~   "TTM Singing Sergeant" on Twitter 

~  "Sharing Messages God Whispers" on the website 

CLICK HERE to make a tax-deductible contribution securely by PayPal.

Every gift is tax-deductible and helps, and we thank you for it!

Mail tax-deductible contributions by check or money order made out to:
Toward The Mark, Inc., P.O. Box 1152, Yorktown, VA 23692-1152. 

Thank you in advance for sowing your financial seed into the fertile soil of this ministry! We pray God bless you with a 100-fold return for your generosity!

Keep PRESSIN' IN!

           Take me back to the top of this post.

           Take me back to "The Magnetic Mantle...Why Cats Should Have Kitties".

           Take me to "Valentine's 5-Step Prep" post.

           Take me to "Run TO the Roar!" post.

           Take me to "Overcoming Intimidation" post.

           Take me to "The Heart of Thanksgiving" post.

           Take me to "The Invisible Man" post.

           Take me to "The Abomination of Misrepresentation" post.

           Take me to "Living Among Thorns" post.

           Take me to Keith's Journey through Chapter ONE of *Keep the FAITH*.

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Sin Makes Ya STEW-PIT

Just as someone would trade one item for another, the sinner trades God and everything He has for us that is good, for a life that is, actually, no life at all.

A nyone who knows me can probably tell you that one of my favorite television networks is Animal Planet and that my favorite show on that channel was the Crocodile Hunter. Who of us who has seen the show has not been impressed and thoroughly entertained by the skillful antics of the show’s late host, Steve Irwin?

His unparalleled knowledge of animals was fascinating; but it was his lifelong experience with reptiles, namely snakes, that I would like to bring to your attention. If you have watched the show, you would have seen Steve, on many occasions, handling the most dangerous and highly venomous snakes in the world.

And if there is one thing that he has made abundantly clear to his viewers it is the crippling and even deadly effects that snake venom can and does have on the human body. Extreme caution must be exercised when anyone is ever around one of these slithery critters! As a matter of fact, the best thing you can do if ever confronted by a venomous snake is to turn and run away immediately!!

The majority of all snake venom falls in the category of poisons that the toxicology community refers to as hematoxins and neurotoxins. A hematoxin is a two-part word with “hema” meaning “blood” and “toxin” meaning a “toxic poison.” A hematoxin is a poison that causes the blood to coagulate or thicken on contact. The word “neurotoxin” is also made up of two words. “Neuro” meaning “the nervous system” and the word “toxin” meaning a “toxic poison.” Simply put, when a person is envenomed by one of these fanged creatures, both their circulatory and nervous systems become brutally traumatized. Shortly thereafter, muscle tissue begins to dissolve, and vital organs of the body begin to fail resulting in numbness, blurred vision, impaired judgment, a decreased sense of hearing, excruciating pain, eventual unconsciousness and, if not treated in time, permanent paralysis or certain death.

Like sin, death actually begins at the point of envenomization. If there could ever be a clear parallel drawn between natural and spiritual things, it’s here. For example, in the spiritual sense, sin, like the snake’s venom in our story inflicts upon the souls of its victims trauma that also results in numbness, blurred vision, impaired judgment, drowsiness, a dulled sense of hearing, excruciating pain, eventual unconsciousness, permanent paralysis and ultimate death if not dealt with in time. James, knowing full well the toxic effects of sin teaches, "Blessed is the man that endures temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it brings forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, brings forth death." (James 1:12-15)

The most widely publicized example of someone yielding to the temptation of a certain serpent's allure would be Eve in the third chapter of Genesis. "Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat."(Genesis 3:1-12)

This chapter then tells us of the amazing and heartbreaking shift that took place in Adam and Eve’s circumstances as a result of their yielding to temptation and therefore allowing sin’s entrance into their lives. As a result of what I call "sin’venomation”, they experienced the most terrifying and horrible death known to all of mankind, separation from God. One moment they were in a close, intimate, love relationship with Him, enjoying all of His abundant riches, and the next they found themselves in utter poverty. Talk about a riches to rags story. Not only did their disobedience affect them, but it has also affected every generation that has followed. Don't be deceived by thinking the act of sin only affects the life of the one who has committed it. Satan enjoys immensely the thought of being able to kill two or more birds with one stone, so to speak!

Solomon in the book of Ecclesiastes warns of the terrible consequences of yielding to temptation when he said, "He that digs a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaks a hedge, a serpent shall bite him." (Ecclesiastes 10:8) A Pastor friend of mine when addressing the dangers of entertaining temptation says, If you mess around the ole creek bank long enough you'll eventually slip and fall in. The Webster's Dictionary definition of the word hedge is to surround for defense; to fortify. The Hebrew definition of the word hedge is, (Gadar) to wall in, enclose, fence up. If you recall, there is another mention of a hedge in the book of Job where Satan observed God's hedge of protection around Job, his family and his belongings. "And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that fears God, and eschews (avoids) evil? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for naught? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side?" (Job 1:8-10)

It is important to note that God's hedge of protection in this account was a direct result and benefit of Job's pure love for God, his obedience to God, his fear of God and his commitment to avoiding all manner of temptation and sin in his life. The hedge of protection that God places around our lives is simply one of the benefits of an obedient and intimate love relationship with Him. However, the problems begin when we break our focus on God and begin to entertain tempting spirits. This is what Solomon meant in the Ecclesiastes 10:8 scripture, whoever breaks an hedge. The fact is, a broken hedge results in sin's deadly entrance into our lives. As we also read in the Ecclesiastes (10:8) scripture, once we let our hedge of protection, or guard, then a serpent will bite us, hence envenomation or the entrance of sin occurs. Once we have allowed sin into our system, whether we like it or not, it IS going to run its painful course, damaging anything and everything that it comes in contact with. Never forget, no matter how carefree or void of consequence satan may present or package sin, its results are NEVER without damaging, and eventual deadly, circumstances.

Just as a snakebite victim must suffer through the excruciating effects of a venomous bite we too must suffer through the devastating effects of sin once we have allowed it to enter our lives. There is only one way to counteract the deadly effects of hematoxic or neurotoxic snake venom once it has entered the body - the immediate administration of an antivenom. The only way we can overcome the deadly effects of sin in our lives is to immediately administer, what I like to call, the "anti-sin'om" of confession and true repentance. Jesus says, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:8-9) However, the longer one waits to counteract the effects of sin the more devastating the final outcome will be. In order to avoid the painful effects of sin in our lives we must follow Job's example of complete avoidance of all temptation. “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” (2 Corinthians 6:17-18) My earlier advice applies even more here. “When confronted by temptation, turn immediately and run for your life!”

As I began researching the effects of hematoxins and neurotoxins on the human body I could not help but notice how closely they paralleled the definition of a word that I was researching for an earlier study on ignorance. The word that I am referring to is Stupid! The Webster's Dictionary defines Stupid as, very dull; insensible; senseless; wanting in understanding; heavy; sluggish; without the exercise of reason or judgment; numbness, etc. Hence the title of this message! Sin makes ya stewpit When we yield to temptation and invite sin into our lives, like Adam and Eve, we simply exchange access to God himself, His wisdom, knowledge, peace, provision, understanding, discernment and so much more for a fleeting moment of carnal pleasure. If you ask me... that's stupid! Like a fire that rages through a beautiful forest destroying everything in its path, sin leaves the heart, mind and soul charred and lifeless. The Webster's Dictionary defines Sin, The voluntary departure of a moral agent from a known rule of rectitude or duty, prescribed by God; any voluntary transgression of the divine law, or violation of a divine command; a wicked act; iniquity. I however like to define sin for what it really is, anything that separates us from our wonderful Heavenly Father.

The solution to the sin problem in our lives is really very simple. If we don't want to suffer the traumatic effects of a snakes deadly bite don't touch 'em! Likewise, if we don't want to suffer the pains of separation from God or the deadly effects of sin, i.e. stupidity, then don't touch it either! When tempting spirits come knocking on the door of your hedge, and they will, simply don't answer it. James instructs us, "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you." (James 4:7-8) Pursue God with all of your heart, stay in His word and meditate on it day and night! "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee."(Psalms 119:11)

If ever there has been a time to inspect the hedge around our lives for breakage it is now! Fortify yourself with continual meditation on both God and his word. Stay in continual communication with Him! "Pray without ceasing." (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Don't look on anything unclean. Keep company with people that love the Lord with all of their hearts. "He that walks with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed." (Proverbs 13:20) If there is a particular person or group of people that is weakening your relationship with God, walk away now!

"Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, says the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty." (2 Corinthians 6:17-18) And when satan comes around trying to make you regret putting your old ways and friends behind you, and he will, just remember what Jesus promised you, "Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake, Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting." (Luke 18:29-30) Think about it for a moment: everything you've got in exchange for everything God's got! I've managed several multi-million-dollar grossing companies over the past twenty years and can tell you for a fact that no better deal has ever been brokered!

Our Lord's triumphal return is much closer than we think! If we want to be included in His divine plan for these last days we cannot be burdened down by the weight of sin. We must be free to receive and carry out our orders from the General of the soon coming host of heaven. We must totally commit ourselves to staying pure in His sight at any cost. Repent of any sin that you may have allowed into your life, the ones you know of as well as the ones of which you are not even aware of. This is key to our being effective at reaching those who don’t know Jesus. The time to reach those around us with the life giving and life saving message of Jesus Christ is now! "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that wins souls is wise." (Proverbs 11:30)

I encourage you to step out boldly and present the Gospel to your friends, class mates, coworkers, and fellow church members. Bind in the name of Jesus Christ the intimidating spirits that WILL try to hinder you, and go for it! The reality is that you just might be the last opportunity they have to accept Jesus! Don’t let them down!

“And they overcame him (satan) by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” (Revelation 12:11)

Thank you so much for allowing Brenda and I this opportunity to share our heart with you.  We  pray that this blog message will, in many ways, help you as you “press toward” the high calling of God in Christ Jesus for your life. And, to help you further in your pursuit to fulfill God’s purpose for you in your life, read this message in its entirety, and eleven more messages, in our book Letters From The Front available at TowardTheMark.com. If you have any questions or would like to place a special request for multiple book copies, please send us an e-mail or order by mail at the address shown below.

Your friends & servants in Christ,

This message, and all of our Bible-based resources, is made possible by the support of our faithful partners. Would you consider helping us expand our outreach capabilities by becoming a monthly financial partner? Your support will go toward fulfilling our God-given calling to help provide effective, contemporary outreach tools for the churched and un-churched alike to know the love, truth, and salvation of Jesus Christ. We invite you to partner with us as we "press Toward The Mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:14)

CLICK HERE to make a tax-deductible contribution securely by PayPal.

Every gift is tax-deductible and helps, and we thank you for it!

Mail tax-deductible contributions by check to the order of:
Toward The Mark, Inc., P.O. Box 1152, Yorktown, VA 23692-1152.

Thank you in advance for sowing your financial seed into the fertile soil of this ministry! We pray God bless you with a 100-fold return for your generosity!

Also available in Audio Book

In this hour of darkness, it's OUR TIME to Shine...

"See flipcard titles"

"When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked bears rule, the people mourn (Proverb 29:2)."

Jesus tells us:
"Ye are the light of the world.  A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candle-stick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven (Matthew 5:14-16)."

On the nights of the 2008 and 2012 presidential elections, the hearts of those who know and love God were sickened.  For the body of Christ in America, I would be willing to say that, the general consensus of those two elections could be summed up thusly, "The hour we have feared has now come upon us."

For the first time in our nation's history, the majority of the American people have elected a person who, by most indicators, boldly stands for what God stands against.  However, as deceptive as this president's campaigns and terms have been, we cannot allow ourselves, even by our own righteous indignation, to be disqualified from helping those whose lives have been, and are being, terribly hurt by this administration’s assault on the very people that they were sworn to serve and protect.  It's our time to shine the Light of Christ!

For those who hunger for God, who uphold righteousness, who cast their votes for the closest to godly candidates, who are in favor of raising the standard of what's right for the American people, they will be blessed.  For those who have allowed their hearts to become hardened toward God and His Word and His ways, they will suffer loss.  As the moral state of our nation erodes, I believe there will be countless new opportunities arise for those who WANT God to rise up FOR God.  While those who continue in righteousness will be provided for in miraculous ways, countless thousands of those who voted for candidates who stand against God and His Laws will increasingly suffer.  It is for this reason that we must not allow bitterness and anger to enter our hearts toward those who vote for those who stand against God and His Ways.  Allowing bitterness and anger into our hearts would disqualify us from participating in this historic opportunity to reach them for Christ.

This is not a time for discouragement or bitter, angry words.  You see, it is impossible for God to be overtaken or over thrown in any way!  Let the miraculous testimonies of God's greatness be in our lives and on our lips!  Rejoice and be exceedingly happy because now is our time to shine!  Never forget, when sin abounds, God's grace does MUCH MORE abound!

"Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.  For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.  Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound.  But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 5:18-21; with emphasis added)."

When darkness increases around us, the light that is within us will shine brighter and brighter.  But we must walk humbly with God.  "And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.  The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light (Romans 13:11-12)."

The final pruning has begun, and we have been given the wake-up call.  Will the Lord return and find us sleeping in the night, or will He come and find us watching and ready?  If we are to be found ready, then let us "cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light (Romans 13:12).”  The works of darkness characterize those who are not walking with God, because the works of Light are performed by those who have put on the Armor of Light.  Jesus is that Light and it is His Armor we are supposed to be wearing!

Remember, too, that since it is His Armor, we can only use it effectively through the Spirit.  We can never succeed on our own merit or by our own efforts.  God wants us to succeed, and He waits for us to enter into His presence with singing.  Before that can occur, we need to honestly assess our spiritual condition.  We cannot shine the glorious Light, if our hearts are cluttered with sin, including carrying with us the cares of this life.

"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:1-2)."

The Great Cloud of Witnesses in Heaven is watching as we run the race of faith - the Greatest Race of all.  Our Lord will never leave us nor forsake us.  So, as we keep our eyes on Him -the Author and Finisher of our faith- let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which does so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that God has set before us.  For now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.  The moment when we see our Savior face to face is drawing ever-near.

"Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:10-11).”

Do you like the sound of those words?  Do you desire an abundant entrance "into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ"?  You should, and the Lord desires it for you as well, because this is the eternal election.  So give diligence to make your calling and election sure, and in the Apostle Peter's words "do these things" which he described as follows...

"According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity (2 Peter 1:3-7).”

God, by His Divine Power, has given us all things that pertain unto life and godliness.  We receive these through the Knowledge of Jesus Christ.  Also, through Jesus we have received His "exceeding great and precious promises".  And, by the fulfillment of these promises, we partake of the Divine Nature, escaping the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Did you catch what I just said?  Think on these things again, and again, and again… continually.  Through Jesus we are made partakers of the Divine Nature!  How easy it is to get caught up in the affairs of this life, or to be overwhelmed by any number of circumstances.  God says, rise above them all through the power of Jesus Christ!  Give all diligence in adding virtue (praiseworthy conduct) to your faith; "and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity (2 Peter 1:7).”

What is “charity” and why is it essential for shining the light of Christ in the world?  I have heard it said that charity is just another word for “love”.  Though it is a kind of love, the meaning of what we know “love” to be is nowhere near on the same level with “charity”.  In order to understand "charity", we must first get understanding of the "love" that GOD has for His Children that is enormous beyond our comprehension, at this point.  There is only one way to get this understanding.  And that is by diligently seeking God, Himself.  Scripture tells us that God is a Rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.  So, what exactly is the "reward" for seeking Him?  It is God, Himself!  The Scripture also says that He, God, is our exceeding great Reward.  It is only when we seek, or pursue, God, with our whole heart, that we will be able to make our way into "One-ness" with God, as Jesus prayed in the garden.  We find in Psalm 100:4 the KEY for making our way into that "one-ness" with God.  The verse explains how we must enter His Gates with thanksgiving and His Courts with praise, making *Gratitude to God* the prerequisite for discovering Who He IS, thereby discovering who we are, as His children.  The "one-ness" we seek is the natural result of our coming to the place of knowing Him, and seeing through His eyes the enormity of His Love for us.  By entering "IN-to" the place of "one-ness", by way of gratitude for Him as Our Father, we then can see the enormity of His Love that comes as the result of seeing through His eyes, from our intimate position "IN Him".  Having and giving gratitude to God, for Who He IS more than for what He DOES, is e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g here because it begins the process of moving to be "IN Him” or in "one-ness" with Him. It is from that place of being "IN Him", being ever-grateful for Who He IS, that we are naturally positioned to see ourselves, as only He see us, through His eyes.

When we, for the first time, see ourself the way God sees us, we catch the life-changing glimpse of the enormity of God's Love for each and every one of the His people, each as individuals, as He created us.  Once we have seen ourself in the unique way as only can be seen through the eyes of God, the way we see God, ourselves, and others causes a total paradigm shift in the way that we had always perceived God, ourselves, and others before that moment in time.  The kind of love that we see, with our own eyes, flowing out of God, literally changes us IN AN INSTANT.  The enormity of God's Love toward us, or "Charity", is such that the human mind is not wired to perceive it, therefore, until that exact moment, we could never have even imagined it!  I refer to that ultimate love God has as a "silken tsunami".  Your eyes could never be opened, even remotely, to anything more enormous than that LOVE you finally now see; God's LOVE for you, and God's LOVE for others. 

Let me explain this in a different way.  Until you have experienced the unfathomable degree by which God loves and celebrates you, as an individual, you cannot begin to understand the degree by which He loves and celebrates others.  By the Person of The Holy Spirit, we are able to go beyond the limitations of our human understanding.  Without the Person of The Holy Spirit, we are cut off from God.  It is only when The Holy Spirit provides us the ability to see God that we are able to be exposed to the enormity of God, Himself, and experience being overwhelmed by the love that God has for you.  Once His Love has overwhelmed you, then you become able to consider how overwhelming His Love also is for other individuals. 

The Person of The Holy Spirit reveals to what is incomparable, and nearly overwhelming, to anything you had ever been taught about Him before.  Only when we behold with our own eyes, by the Person of The Holy Spirit leading us to God, can we see His Love for us, as an individual.  Once we have seen His Love for us, the complacency that we had developed toward others becomes utterly vaporized.  The unfathomably extreme joy, that we now have seen for ourselves, is what we now can identify, and look for, as the extreme love God holds for every other individual as well.  That is the primary symptom of the paradigm shift I mentioned above.  The term you have heard from many in the church that identifies the moment, as we just described, is “being born again”.

It is when we have personally witnessed the immensity of the type of "love" that God has for His Children that we come to understand that this “love” is much more powerful than what we have known love as human beings to be.  The name used to describe this form of love that God has for His Children is “charity”.

Now, when we couple “charity” with faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance (self-control), patience, godliness, brotherly kindness abounding in our heart, then "the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God" will SHINE unto those around us (see 2 Corinthians 4:4)."  Then we will have the ability to play the part God has for us to play in these last days before Christ Jesus returns.  Only by “charity” (the love of God) flowing through us, are we going to be able to win the hearts and minds of those who have been swept away in the tide of Godlessness - the reason people vote for candidates who do not live according to God’s Word or His Ways.

"For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6).”  Remember always that "we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us (2 Corinthians 4:7).”  It's our time to shine the Light of Christ!

Thank you for hearing our heart today and our hearts’ passion for God, His written and spoken Word, and His People. We pray that this message has fanned the flame in your heart to "reach for God" in greater ways than ever before.

Your friends and servants in Christ Jesus,

Take me back to the top of this blog post.

To Show GOD BIG in a World that Sees Him small… 
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