You would think that one thing, would be one thing.  Not so, there are several, one things, that the Lord desires we understand, know, and need to do and even some we lack.

~  “But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing,”  (2 Peter 3:8)
Here Peter is giving us a Spiritual Truth:  “Gods ways are not our ways”, His Timeline, Mercy and Grace, His Love is beyond our understanding. 
Deuteronomy 29:29a
“The secret things belong unto the Lord our God:”
We need to concern ourselves with the truths the Lord has revealed to us and do His will.

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“For I had not known lust:”

This portion of Romans 7, has caused me concern and confusion for 35 years.  I have always thought of “lust”, as a sexual problem and not much else.

In my studies lately I’ve discovered “lust” is an “I” problem.  In my post:  MY LUST SHALL BE SATISFIED:  I tried to explain.

Exodus 15:9
“The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.”

All these “I’s”, spell nothing, but “selfishness”.

(We build large monuments in hopes to be remembered).

I realized we  are born this way.  Try taking a toy from a child:  Mine, mine, mine… Is the familiar refrain.

It is the way of Natural Man.  It was the beginning of original sin.  The lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life.

We again find “selfishness”, “lust” and “envy”, raising it’s ugly head in the desert, God had  given them Manna.  They didn’t need to prepare the soil, weed, water or plant. 

Just harvest.   Yet they wanted more.  (We always want more).   Flesh.

“He heareth your murmurings”

“This shall be, when the Lord shall give you in the evening flesh to eat, and in the morning bread to the full; for that the Lord heareth your murmurings which ye murmur against him:”

God answered their request.

Psalm 106:14-16
King James Version (KJV)
“But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert.  And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.  They envied Moses also in the camp, and Aaron the saint of the Lord.”

They “lusted exceedingly”, “envied Moses and Aaron”.  He sent leanness into their soul.

Romans 7:7
King James Version (KJV)
“What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.”

We must learn not to “covet”, to “lust” after or to “envy” others.  Be content with our lot in life, with our mate, our ministry, our calling, our gifts.

Be faithful in all things, honest, upright, just.  Trusting as we walk in the Spirit, that the Lord will deliver us from our “lust”.

Timothy 4:18
King James Version (KJV)
“And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

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It was time for the Passover meal.  Jesus had this Word of Knowledge for Peter.

“And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:”

We need to consider it as a word of warning for us today.  Satan has a desire, to make us doubt, question, wonder, and walk away from the love of God.   Satan sifts us, and the Lord allows it.

Why?

So we consider, understand and know how strong our love is for the Lord and His for us.   He already knows the outcome.

He allows us to be tested so we understand the depth, width, length and breadth of  our love and trust for Him. 

He wants us to know and agree with the three Hebrew children, that the true God is able to deliver us from our fiery furnace.

“If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.  But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.” (Daniel 3)

God is able to deliver, God will deliver, If God doesn’t deliver, we will still serve Him.  What a testimony.

Jesus did not stop at the warning though, He also added:

“But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.”

Know this; in the midst of the fire, Jesus never leaves us or forsakes us, He walks with us, even carries us in that furnace. 

As we look to Him, the Author an finisher of our faith we become stronger, able to strengthen others, in their times of need.

When tested, it seems there is no end, it is hopeless, we are lost, alone in a hell that is forever. 

Look to the hills from whence comes our help.  Lord, open our eyes to see Your mighty army that surrounds and fights for us.

There is light and life at the end of the tunnel. Keep your eyes on Jesus, trust in Him to see you through.  He is FAITHFUL.

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“choose you this day whom ye will serve;”

The choice that affects our eternal residence.  The most important choice, we will ever make.  To serve God or self.  (Joshua 24:15)

It’s our other choices, the little things, that cause us daily grief or give us peace and joy.

I wonder how the choices we made today will affect our tomorrow. 

Choices I made just after finding Christ, (35+ years ago), are the root of my concerns today.

Pauls confession from Romans 9:1-2, could be my own today.

“I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,   That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.”

He was concerned over Isreal, who had not understood that Christ had redeemed them from the law of sin and death.

My concern is more personal.  “The sin that so easily besets me.”

A tiny thing, secretly holding on to something that displeaed my Lord and Savior. 

Such a small thing, who  thought it would be:  “a root of bitterness springing up to trouble, and thereby defile; – and it also laid upon me hard bondage:”

This little thing, all grown up, and choking the life, joy, peace and hope out of me.

Saints, don’t let the little foxes, “the little foxes, that spoil the vines:”  grow up to steal your victory. 

When the Lord delivers you, DO NOT HOLD ON TO ANYTHING…   Give it up to God, let Him have it.  You really do not need it, it will hurt you in the end.

“choose you this day”

Choose to give your all to the Lord, choose to follow Him.  Let Him have it all now, life will be better in the future.

2 Corinthians 1:10
King James Version (KJV)
“Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;”

He will continue to love and deliver us, as long as we are willing.  He can deliver us totally at the first, if we allow Him.  Over time, if He must.

He promises to keep us blameless.

1 Corinthians 1:8
“Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless

in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Lord… help….

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We may have to experience a dark place, but the Tree of Life is there for those of us who believe.

John 3:16-17
King James Version (KJV)
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”

Thank You, Jesus

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Like Paul, I have a sin that so easily besets me.  Unlike Paul, I often, enjoy it.

Like Paul, I have often cried out, even proclaimed the Lords deliverance:

~ “deliver us from this present evil world”

~  “be delivered from the bondage of corruption”

~  “the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work”

Romans 8:2
“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.”

Like Paul, I know who delivers me, I do know who will set me free, and that I must be set free from the law of sin and death.

Like Paul, I cling to the words of the Lord:  for I am weak.

2 Corinthians 12:9
“My Grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”

2 Timothy 4:18
King James Version (KJV)
“And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

Shall deliver, … will preserve….. WONDERFUL….   How about my battle today?

2 Corinthians 1:10
King James Version (KJV)
“Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;”

Unfortunately, deliverance is apparently an ongoing process, like sanctification, We are delivered, We are daily being delvered, We will be completely delivered at some point.

This saddens me.  I long for complete deliverence, complete submission, and total reliance on the Holy Spirit.

The Lord has a lot to do in my life.

Change me O, Lord….

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As a young man, I was sure I would become a rich, famous and much loved, musician.

In reality, I have supplemented my income, for 50 years by playing  piano.  The painful truth is, no one comes specifically to hear me play.

If you happen to hear me play, you might recognize the tune and hum along, but I wouldn’t  dazzle you with frills or cause chills to run up your spine.

I never worked beyond the basic skills I acquired as a child.  As a result, I make a pleasent, un-remarkable noise.

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There are good resons we tend to go with our MAN PLAN,  rather then Gods.  Evan after we are Saved, we are more old man, then new.

Salvation is just the start of our Sanctification, (separation unto Gods service). 

We need to deliberatly draw closer to God, to allow the Holy Spirit to change us from our innermost man.

We tend to shy away from change.

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What is the MAN PLAN, and why is it so distructive?

First off, the MAN PLAN can be summed up in one sentence.

“It’s ok God, I’ve got it from here.”

(Yes, I know a good plan when I see it.  Hey somebody let me down).

When ever we take over for God, death and destruction follow.  So how do we take over?…and “death and destruction, really?”

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The all loving, all powerful, all knowing, Eternal, Creator and Supreme Ruler, had spoken Paradise into existence.

It was perfect, the lion lived in peace with the lamb, weeds grew beside, not in the flower beds, the wolves frolicked with the other animals. 

Life was a day in the park, pleasent, a joy filled existence that should last forever.

God walked with man and woman in the cool of the day.  All they ever needed or desired was theirs, at their finger tips, within reach.

Love was in the air, harmony prevailed, the weather was perfect, there was no rain on this parade.

Things were wonderful, exceptional, a dream come true.   Until …

Man had a better idea. (We can be like God).

This frustrated the plan of God.

The MAN PLAN, was instituted:  Death was introduced to Paridise.  Weeds invaded the crops, man had to work for what he desired.

Worst of all;  man was separated from God, no daily walk.  Envy, Pride and Strife replaced peace, joy and love.

What a mess.

Then, God sent His Son: 

Where are we today?  Reunited with God, in eternal fellowship, love joy and peace, can and should rule in our lives.

God walks with man and woman in the cool of the day.  All we ever need or desire is ours, at our finger tips, within reach.  All we need do, is ask.

Things are wonderful, exceptional, a dream come true.

Gods plan for us today, Build His Church.

His Spirit has come, bearing Gifts.  Gifts given specifically to Build His Church.

Perfect:   …  Until….

Man had a better idea,  (gifts, we don’t need no stinkin gifts), our way is better.

The MAN PLAN,  again.

Death was introduced to Paridise.  Weeds invaded the crops, man had to work for what he desired.

Worst of all;  man was separated from God, no daily walk.  Envy, Pride and Strife replaced peace, joy and love.

What a mess.

Saints.  We must learn from history.  Please ask the Lords forgiveness.  Ask the Spirit to empower to Build His Church.

If we walk in His power and grace…..we will experience victory.

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Saints I believe this to be the most important post I have written.  I believe it is Revelation Knowledge from the Lord.

Please prayerfully read, consider and comment, I desire to hear your thoughts.

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Are you saved, sanctified, Holy Ghost filled and water baptized, is Jesus on your mind?

If so, you have found a new life!!!  

Sadly there are many who have not. 

A new life, is a gift from God, a gift that we must except and experience.  (By allowing Jesus to live and reign in our hearts).  We must learn to walk with Him, as we allow Him, to increase in our lives.

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