Those Closest To You

Psalms 55:12 (KJV)

For it was not an enemy that (reproached) me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him:

Reproached- Critical and Criticism

Often we take for granted that those we love will understand and yet constantly, they do not!

The greatest pain doesn’t come from our enemies because we expect no quarter or understanding from them.

But so often we mistakenly assume our friends and family will understand…

Pain from an aggressive enemy we can compute

But oh what a surprise when it comes from someone we love…

Dealing with the Unexpected Betrayals from Our Inner Circle Hurts…

Child You’re Not Alone-Jesus Not Only Was Betrayed by His Own People, But Those He Loved Cursed, Lied, and Ran Away…

His Final Words as the Spirit of Life Departed His Mortal Body Was,

“Why hast thou forsaken me?”

It’s not so much (What) happens as it is (Who)…

RDF

牧師 Pastor, R.D. Frazier

1 Peter 4:11

Stop Trusting in Mere Man

Isaiah 2:22

[22] Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of?

AMP Isaiah 2:22

[22] Cease to trust in [weak, frail, and dying] man, whose breath is in his nostrils [for so short a time]; in what sense can he be counted as having intrinsic worth?

From Medicine Men, Tribal Indigenous Fire Breathers to Shouting Purveyors of Cure All’s from Aboard Wagons in Western Towns to The Entertainment of So Called Doctors of Pop Psychology-

Men Have Been Proclaiming Their Remedies and Advice for Centuries!

And Yet We Are No Better Off or Cured-

Whether it Be an Elixir or a Crystal Ball, It Seems We Are Always Trusting “Mere Mortals” Who Can’t Even Help, Themselves…

Men Have Breath And Are Not Gods-

Just Mere Mortals Who Will Perish…

BUT GOD…

Creator, Eternal Physician, King and Prince, Alpha Omega Beginning and Ending-

Who Is the Very Breath of Life-

Who Knows All and Is All-

Awaits Your Arrival and Attendance…

To Trust Him Completely…

RDF

牧師 Pastor, R.D. Frazier

1 Peter 4:11

The Chameleon Effect

Proverbs 22:24-25

[24] Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go:

[25] Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.

Exposure Causes Influance…

The Chameleon Effect is when you unconsciously through (exposure) Adapt to Another’s Behavior…

As Humans we naturally gravitate without thought toward people like ourselves without deliberation…

This Can Be Dangerous If Not Fatal for Those Trying to Live For God!

That’s Why the Bible is Rife with Words Like -

⁃ Flee

⁃ Run

⁃ Escape

⁃ Come Out

Because if we are to be successful in Living for God

We Must Make a Conscience Effort in Who and What Influences Us…

Who You Hang With Will Affect You!

Not the other way around…

RDF

牧師 Pastor, R.D. Frazier

1 Peter 4:11

Ruin

Ecclesiastes 10:1

[1] Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.

Ruin-The disintegration, contamination of potential…

The Ointment or Remedy is “Ruined”

Because of Dead Flies-

Unattended and Unprotected, Ruins What Was Supposed to Be Used For Healing and Good…

Ruin Occurs When What You Possess (such as) Wisdom…

Is Rendered (Useless) Because of a Little Folly-(foolishness)…

Without Close Attention and Protective Measures, That Which is Precious and or Valuable Becomes Vulnerable to “Ruin”

The Ointment had the Potential to Heal and Relieve pain and infection

But because someone was not watching and protecting, it was Ruined…

Don’t Let the Flies of Life “Ruin” What God Has Provided as Healing and Relief…

RDF

牧師 Pastor, R.D. Frazier

1 Peter 4:11

Time and Chance

Ecclesiastes 9:11

[11] I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.

Getting It All Wrong…

We thought that-

⁃ The Race was to the Swift

⁃ The Battle to the Strong

⁃ The Bread(reward) to the Wise

⁃ The Riches to men of Understanding

⁃ The Favor to men of Skill

May I Offer Another Translation of the Same Scripture?

Ecclesiastes 9:11

[11] I have observed something else under the sun.

The fastest runner doesn't always win the race, and the strongest warrior doesn't always win the battle.

The wise sometimes go hungry, and the skillful are not necessarily wealthy.

And those who are educated don't always lead successful lives.

**It is all decided by chance, by being in the right place at the right time.

Just When You Think You Have Got It All Handled and You Still End Up Empty…

Remember It Is Still a “God Thing” not a (Man Thing)…

Without God- It’s a Gamble a Roll of the Dice…

RDF

牧師 Pastor, R.D. Frazier

1 Peter 4:11

When Lightning Doesn’t Strike

Ecclesiastes 8:11

[11] Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.

Delayed Judgement is Not Approval…

Delayed sentencing often causes a false calm

Remember God never changes

His word is steadfast whether executed immediately or later…

more often as not we should consider that the delay is not so much His approval but maybe it is His mercy…

When we assume “acceptance” this insults His mercy (time to repent)

Then when the sentence(judgement) comes, it comes with wrath…

Rather than think that we got away with something we ought to rather think, thank you Lord for a space to repent…

RDF

牧師 Pastor, R.D. Frazier

1 Peter 4:11

Sorrow

2 Corinthians 7:10

10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

⁃ Godly Sorrow

⁃ Worldly Sorrow

*Sorrow means Sadness…or Disappointment and Grief…

While this generation flees from sorrow at all costs-Through-

⁃ Drugs

⁃ Alchohol

⁃ Aphrodisiacs

⁃ Money

⁃ Fame

There is *Good sorrow and *Bad Sorrow…

When “Sorrow” Leads You to Repentance and Change in Your Life-

This is Good!

But When “Sorrow” Leads You to Depression and Alternative Drugs and Other Means this Will Lead You to (Death)

Worldly Sorrow Means You Can’t Have What You Want and Your Own Way…

This is Destructive ….

Destructive Sorrow addicts you to more and Endless destruction…

To (Medicate) and not Change What Causes the Sorrow-

The Devil says there is no way out-

but Jesus says “I Am the Way”

So To Really Flee (Destructive Sorrow) You “Must” Embrace

(Godly Sorrow)…

All Sorrow is Not Bad-

Only Worldly Sorrows…

RDF

牧師 Pastor, R.D. Frazier

1 Peter 4:11