Follow Me into Eternity

7 - THE EMPTY NETS OF SUCCESS

VIEW: TRAILER - I AM THE PROMISE KEEPER

Jesus said to Peter, "Let me get into your boat."  Jesus begins to speak to the multitudes that had gathered on the shoreline. Peter is thinking, "Here is Jesus in my boat, and I've failed Him; I've let Him down.  I started to become His disciple; I even saw miracles.

This story of Peter is about a man who learned from his failure.  And how success happened because of a simple thing. It happened when Jesus came aboard his little boat and gave directions that he followed.  And that is where we will find success in our lives when we let Jesus be in control. We will all have failures, but we will learn more from our failures than our successes. When we have partial success, it’s because we only partially obeyed.  

Consequently, the reason Peter was pulling up empty nets was that he was outside God's will. If you know God has called you to do a sure thing, yet you refuse to do it, you are miserable and frustrated, and you're pulling up empty net after empty net.  It is time to return to your first love and do what God has told you to do, and you will be where you ought to be.

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MY “NO ROOM IN THE INN’ TRIALS BEGAN DECADES AGO

VIEW: TRAILER – NO ROOM IN THE INN

The trials of life started for me at an early age. Of course, I didn't know what I was going through had a name. Looking back over my life, I can testify there were plenty of them that helped in shaping the person whom I became.

When I was six months old, a drunk driver hit the side of our car, killing my mother. The invention of seatbelts or car seats came years later. Since I was in my mother's arms, the impact tossed both of us out of the car.  I was in the hospital for a few months with blood on the brain and had a few surgeries to relieve the pressure. Due to the operations, I have scarring on both sides of my head. 

My father later remarried, and we had a new set of rules in the house. One was we had to wave goodbye to the ice cream truck as it drove by our house. Another one was that a butch haircut (crew-cut) would help save on the cost of living. These types of financial decisions became a source of my anguish for many years. Don’t get me wrong. I am not complaining or blaming, just sharing a story from my life. Besides, I wasn’t the ideal child to raise.

My peers, who I thought were my friends, called me a scar head. These were my bullies of yesteryear, which we find in such behavior today. Once again, no name just the pain. I could have been on all the talk shows blaming everyone and maybe authored a book on the subject. Events in my entire childhood didn't help in building my self-esteem.

My mom told me to tell everyone that the Indians Scalped Me. Such a statement was politically correct in the '60s; however, it did not protect me from the onslaughts of my enemy-friends. Ridiculed continuously devastated my life for many years to come. One time I ran away was because I did not want to cut my hair.

I remember being in the sixth grade and trying to join a club within my school. The night that they were to vote me in and or vote me out, I was so excited that I would be a member of this elite society. Before the vote, they asked me to step outside so that I would not be in the room during their evaluation of me as a potential member of the group.

Back in the room after the vote, my excitement was so high because these guys were those kids that tormented me daily. Maybe I had some friends after all. However, to my dismay, they had not voted me into their group. Discouraged, hurt, and crying within my heart, I was a broken child. The adult leader in the room decided because of my reaction to call for another vote. So, uplifting my self-esteem to the point that I knew I had it in the bag! Anyhow, if the leader was on my side, how could they repeat no?

TO BE CONTINUED

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6 - THE SHORT CUT LIE IS QUID PRO QUO

 

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8).

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TRAILER - I AM THE PROMISE KEEPER

FALLING HARD IN THE GARDEN

GOD’S instruction to Adam and Eve was that they could eat any fruit in the Garden of Eden except one. He said: “But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die” (Genesis 2:17).

We so often try to assemble something without the owner’s manual. Likewise, we try to win a spiritual battle without the armor of God protecting us.  Sadly, prayer becomes the final cry for God’s help after first trying all carnal options and worsening the problem through our misguided self-determination!

God created everything in the Garden for Adam and Eve to eternally enjoy. However, He gave them one commandment to obey, and they failed by listening to the lies of the serpent. Paraphrased, "don't eat it, or you will die."  The Word precisely says what God said! 

Eve’s main problem was that she had a conversation with Satan in the first place! Scripture states: “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 4:7-8a).

Half-truths, lies, the world, and our old nature, which includes pride and greed are some of the most common strategies Satan uses to tempt us to sin against God. His goal is to keep us from God and eternal life. Reflecting the Image of God by the renewing of our minds is our calling now.

We win the battle for control over our mind as we 'put on the whole armor of God.’ The helmet of salvation will serve us well as we move forward in our relationship with God. The Apostle Paul writes, "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds; Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God and bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).

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GOD’S ETERNAL PLAN FOR SALVATION

"For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23)

VIEW: TRAILER – NO ROOM IN THE INN

When we left Adam and Eve, they were Cast Out of The Garden with their punishments pronounced. They lost the privilege of living in Eden because God drove them out of the garden. The most important thing that Adam and Eve lost was their likeness to their Creator. (Genesis 3:22-24). 

THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE FALL

·         Spiritual Death: Fallen from their Triune Image

·         Physical Death: Age becomes a factor

·         Sin and Separation: Eternal Judgment

Don't find fault with Adam and Eve, when we so often make the very same choice that they made. We so often choose to fall to the temptations of Satan rather than the warnings of God. He knows that God knows everything, our sins we try to hide, our safe spaces we think He can't find, and blame-shifting is a game He doesn't play.

God looks to draw us to obedience through love. Satan seeks to entice us to disobey through lust.

The fall came from disobedience to the command of God by the exercising of their free choice. The fall resulted in spiritual death; hence, broken fellowship with the Holy God. The path they took was a one-way path, and there was no opportunity to undo that decision. When we die, there are no Do-Overs! We live or die by the decision we make concerning God. "Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves, slaves, to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death or of obedience leading to righteousness?” (Romans 6:16).

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5 – DON’T CHERRY PICK THE TREE OF LIFE

“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he that wins souls is wise” (Proverbs 11:30).

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TRAILER - I AM THE PROMISE KEEPER

APPLY WISDOM TO YOUR FREE CHOICE

Since we have free choice, we must make our decisions in life wisely. We need faith in God to begin anything we try to do. Applied wisdom is critical to the trials and temptations of life we face.

“Get wisdom, get understanding forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore, get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding” (Proverbs 4:5-7).

The temptation is familiar to us all. We will face it for the rest of our lives.  There is no escape other than through Jesus.  Spiritual maturity only causes Satan to increase pressure. The devil attacks us in all areas of our life, trying to deceive us and draw us away from our walk with God. Nevertheless, the Word of God helps us to overcome the things of this world.

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Chapter Five - LOVING FELLOWSHIP

That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

 1 John 1:3 (KJV)

AIRCRAFT

Of beauty from the light retired

Glows twilight bright in the height of the heart.

Bed-sleeping sun, the moons aflame,

As the Son lies fair.

Glimmering and vast, sweet the night air

Waves drawn back and flying.

VIEW: TRAILER – SON RUNNERS

CO-PILOT

You are there when I need you.

To comfort my wavering heart.

You are special to me

Because you are always there.

Therefore; I don't only need you,

I want more of you.

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God, and every one that loveth is born of God and knoweth God.

1 John 4:7 (KJV)

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HOW TO BE BORN AGAIN OF THE SPIRIT

VIEW: TRAILER – NO ROOM IN THE INN

UNLESS ONE IS BORN AGAIN

Jesus said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3).  We need a spiritual rebirth because that is where the Spirit lives. The flesh offers nothing of value.

When we are born again, God restores His original image in us. His Spirit breathes the breath of life in us, and we again become Spirit, soul, and body. God created man with a spirit that has a soul (a mind, will, and emotions) that exists within us.

When we are physically born, we enter life as fallen creatures, inheriting Adam's sinful nature.  God tells us to become as little children and to be born again according to His Spirit and truth. Children are teachable; they do not have preconceived ideas or prejudice; they accept things at face value.

God is triune, (three in one) He is God the Father, God the Son and, God the Holy Spirit. He is three individuals and one at the same time.  Water is a fitting example; it is liquid, vapor, and solid ice, all being separate in form, but still one; depending on its function.

Similarly, the typical pattern of prayer and worship involves the unique roles of each member of the Trinity: 

·         We address our prayers to the Father (the Source) 

·         We pray in the name of Jesus Christ (the Mediator) 

·         We pray with the power of the Holy Spirit (the Enabler).

The fall reversed Adams' triune nature, becoming the body, soul, and Spirit.  His appetite and allegiance changed, seeking body appetites first, soulish things second, and spiritual things last; if at all. When you are within the proper trinity (triune nature), you are Spirit, soul, and body.  Your soul (the conscience), guides your Spirit, and your body follows peacefully.

In your fallen state, (body, soul, and Spirit), the conscience, self-will, and inner man exist trapped between the body and the Spirit.  They battle one another, the body dictating to the conscience, the Spirit crying out. The Spirit can only be confused, making for incomprehensible sins and actions. God breathes spiritual life into our fallen nature, reversing our triune environment to its original state, and we become alive to God in Spirit and Truth. If we are to believe the Whole-Truth about Jesus’ work, we must believe in His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension.

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IN THE VOLUME OF THE BOOK WE FIND CHRIST

Then I said, "Behold, I have come—In the volume of the book, it is written of Me—To do Your will, O God" (Hebrews 10:7).

VIEW: TRAILER – NO ROOM IN THE INN

My wife and I have always been concerned about where the baby Jesus was born. Foremost, there wasn't even “Room in the Inn” for this precious child. After all, wasn't He God's Son and our Redeemer? One would think that when a king is born, they would wrap him in silk and surround him with the pleasant smell of perfumes and spices. Nothing about this environment revealed the real and great significance of that newborn baby. 

Though He is the King of Kings, He was born in a stable filled with the smell of livestock. The fulfillment of the prophecy was satisfied in this stable. Thus, preparing the way for our salvation. 

On the human side, we say, "Not fair!" On the spiritual side, God preordained it, prophesied about it, and fulfilled according to His plan. Mary and Joseph endured the trials surrounding Jesus' birth. Their obedience brought forth the Savior of the World! Believers today and for Eternity reap the benefits of their faithfulness to God.

It certainly was interesting that when God came to visit the earth, there was no room for Him in the inn. This stable event was a precursor of His entire life. Even today, some people refuse to make room for Him in their lives. They have place and time for just about everything but Him — unfortunately, Jesus’ position is outside the heart of man.

Sometimes we feel there is “No Room in the Inn” for us. Our life takes a direction we had not planned. The trials of life consume us to the point of wanting to give up. A Five-Star Hotel is not in the budget. We begin listening to all the lies, bombarding our minds, and even questioning our salvation. We might not understand something now; however, at the end of the trial, there is a shining bright light awaiting our arrival. 

The good news is God is for us and not against us. He can use any situation in life to bless us. For example, because Mary and Joseph endured the “No Room in the Inn” trial, our Savior was born to die on the CROSS for WHOSOEVER would in faith believe and receive His gift of eternal life. Although salvation is free, we must repent of our sins and give God control over our lives. Our sojourn begins at our conversion, and He has much to do through us in this lifetime.
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4 – I AM THE PROMISE-KEEPER

“For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us” (2 Corinthians 1:20).

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TRAILER - I AM THE PROMISE KEEPER

GOD FULFILLS HIS PROMISES

“God’s promises will expire (in the twinkling of an eye) between our last breath and our entrance into eternity.”

In human terms, promises are easily broken. In God’s terms, they are a sure thing. Knowing what God has promised us and how he keeps his promises gives us assurance, hope, and peace. 

God has made many promises that He intends to keep. However, they are not without action on our part. Designed to bless us, assuming we meet His conditions. Those seeking to utilize any guarantee should be Seeking Him, Walking with Him, Living in Him, and Obeying Him.

There are over 3,000 promises in the Bible and finding one for any need is possible with God's guidance. However, we must believe in faith that God will fulfill His promises. Then we apply the principles of scripture to receive the benefits of His blessings. It is not enough to read a pledge, name it and claim it, expecting God to apply it in your life. Nor is it God's “Blab It and Grab It Doctrine”! God doesn’t play that game!

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FALLING HARD IN THE GARDEN

VIEW: TRAILER – NO ROOM IN THE INN

Half of the truth is the worst part of the lie. The problem with half-truths is that when we believe them, we receive the consequences of that decision. Half-truths are inciting, pleasant, and more natural path to take. Satan told Eve half of God's truth, deceiving her into partaking of the fruit of the tree. That decision resulted in the fall of man and the curses pronounced upon Satan, Adam, and Eve. Everyone today is experiencing the ramifications of their decision each day we live on earth.

Satan later tried this deception on Jesus in the wilderness, but Jesus wisely used the WORD to overcome the temptations. Jesus replies to every lie by speaking the Word of Truth; “For it is written . . . Worship the Lord thy God" (Matthew 4:10).

The greatest and most deceptive half-truth conceived by man is that "ALL ROADS LEAD TO GOD.” This eternally destructive lie states that since God is love, and you’re a good person, God will never send you to hell. The whole and complete truth are that all roads do lead to God but for distinct reasons and different ends: believers for their rewards and non-believers for judgment.

I think Alice-in-Wonderland said, "If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there." I am sure she was referring to the rabbit hole roads in her fairy tale. Maybe this is what people are miss quoting when they say, "All roads lead to Heaven." We will learn as we progress in this book what happens with this kind of Half-Truth-Thinking.

Indeed, God doesn't send anyone to hell. We alone choose between heaven or hell according to our belief in or rejection of Jesus Christ. Those who accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior will receive eternal life. Those who deny Christ will, by that decision alone, separate themselves from God for all eternity. Free choice can either be a gift or a curse.

 “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

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