Close to GOD - May 9, 2014

Scripture: Psalm 15-172 

1 Adonai, who can rest in your tent? Who can live on your holy mountain?
2 Those who live a blameless life, who behave uprightly,
who speak truth from their hearts
3 and keep their tongues from slander; who never do harm to others

or seek to discredit neighbors;
4 who look with scorn on the vile, but honor those who fear Adonai;
who hold to an oath, no matter the cost;
5 who refuse usury when they lend money and refuse a bribe to damage the innocent.
Those who do these things never will be moved.

Message:

The Secret to being close to GOD.

Observation/Promise:
Humans are not perfect. In fact we fail more than we succeed, we are evil more than we are good. But who can rest in the mountain of GOD or who can enter His most Holy presence? Who is worthy? Is anyone ever worthy? There is no one, no one is worthy but those who trust in His Son Yeshua who is worthy can enter the rest of GOD. For when we trust in His Son Yeshua, we begin to be transformed by His grace. We do not act as we used to, His grace and amazing power changes us into the likeness of Him.

Command/Application:

We are not perfect, but with everyday we live, we have to strive to be holy not by being perfect because we can never achieve holiness or perfection on our own. But by being dependent on GOD's grace and humble to accept and receive His mercy and forgiveness when we diligently ask for it each day. For every breath we breathe and the thoughts that my come in and out of our minds may not be pleasing to the LORD. How easy is it for us to judge others when the weakness that they have is our strength but when we remember to be merciful to others because GOD has shown us the same mercy, we ask forgiveness because we understand just how frail and sinful we are. It is not by being righteous that brings us close to GOD, it is by humility and trust in His Son Yeshua. The One who saves.

The Ultimate

10 He does great things too marvelous to understand.
He performs countless miracles.
11 “Yet when he comes near, I cannot see him.
When he moves by, I do not see him go.
12 If he snatches someone in death, who can stop him?
Who dares to ask, ‘What are you doing?’
13 And God does not restrain his anger.
Even the monsters of the sea are crushed beneath his feet.
14 “So who am I, that I should try to answer God
or even reason with him?
15 Even if I were right, I would have no defense.
I could only plead for mercy.

Job 9

The Great GOD of Miracles that created the Universe is the Ultimate to everything. HE does things so wonderful that human minds can't even begin to explain HIS works. We know HE exists because we see HIS created beings. This GOD who created nature and it's complexity, all animals and their various kinds, and we, a people of different race and tongues. But this great GOD is not out there, HE is everywhere in the midst of us, we just don't see HIM, we can feel HIM. But when we are not sensitiven, if we are not always looking out for HIS presence we miss HIM. HE is there but we don't even know it.

But when we are looking for HIM, especially when our souls are crushed with trials and tribulations.. it's easy to find HIM, because HE is always there and sometimes it just takes a wounded soul to see GOD. It's easy to think about GOD in death because HE is the giver and taker of life. Even the fiersest animal on earth tremble before HIM. So even when we reason with GOD, we are left to silence and could only ask GOD to change things in our behalf, we can only ask because HE is the ultimate end to everything.

Take the time

As you enter the house of God, keep your ears open and your mouth shut. It is evil to make mindless offerings to God. 2 Don’t make rash promises, and don’t be hasty in bringing matters before God. After all, God is in heaven, and you are here on earth. So let your words be few.
- Ecclesiastes 5:1-2

11 The more words you speak, the less they mean. So what good are they?
- Ecclesiastes 6:11

The house of GOD doesn't necessarily mean the church or a certain place where GOD is. For GOD is omni present meaning HE is everywhere. Entering His house is entering His presence. When you are in His presence, your focus is on the Most High Being. You enter His presence when you are aware of Him that He is there. Many of us live life without blinking, we do this and that and go through our everyday routine. Without a pause, we like the fast paced life because sometimes we are just scared to stop and think. But King Solomon's advice to enter GOD's presence is a wise thing. Everyday, not just on certain rest days where we go to church or synagogue, we enter into GOD's house. We enter when we begin to think about Him and focus all our attention on a Great GOD. We usually come to him with many words through prayers. But Solomon says to be silent when we enter and to just take the time to be still. Be still, GOD has a lot more to say to you than you have to Him. It is better to listen than to speak. 

Take the time to quiet your heart, enter into GOD's presence remembering that GOD is constantly the same. HIS love is permanent and always there waiting for you. When we have so many concerns and worries, most of the time we come to GOD with a lot of requests and petitions. When the right thing to do is to be still and listen to GOD's voice because before you know it, GOD wants to instruct you what to do with your situation so that everything will be well for you. One of GOD's greatest gift to mankind is the gift of peace that cannot be attained by any wealth or stability we may acquire. GOD's gift of peace is available when we take the time to be still and know that HE is GOD. We have to remember HIS greatness and sovereignity in order for us to get into HIS presence and understand that HE is in control and HE allows things to happen even the bad ones. We have to see through GOD's perspective and we cannot be able to see through HIS eyes when we do not climb up from where we are to where HE is. GOD's perspective is higher than what we can ever know or understand. HIS perspective is the very beginning until the very end. Our minds cannot fanthom even a the slightest plan when we do not understand HIS character. HE reveals Himself through the stories of the Bible. We have to know HIM because HE is a person that wants to be known. Yes, we still have all those problems or worries that bother us from day to day but GOD has the answers, so take the time to enter into HIS presence and dwell in under the shelter of His love where you will find peace. Take the time to be with GOD, just be aware that HE is there and take the time...