Who you are, Who I am, Who HE is.

[Jerod W. Rickert]

Greetings again my precious family and friends. Prepare yourself as a new journey is about to begin. This simple concept has long been a seed thought in me that God has been watering and tending. It has been touched on in some other threads (notably the Hebrews 11 thread amongst others), and I (mistakenly) believed it was a simple sidebar that would eventually find it's way into a simple post or 2 inside of the "Practical Living" thread. What God has been bringing me into is something far greater and life changing to me, and I hope to you as well.

As we begin I want to look at one of the most sacred and widely accepted mediums of spreading important messages... the Bumper sticker. Well, ok, so maybe overstated, but we have all seen them. Political, religious, kind, rude, classy, trashy and all points in-between. But there is one in particular we need to look at and debunk before we begin this journey. It at first seems so innocuous and even true, but that is part of the problem for us all, is we have been taught and believed the following statement:

"God said it. I believe it. That settles it."

At first glance it seems such a simple and cute (if not over-used) statement of faith. I would contend that it is part of our problem as believers in the United States and to a lesser degree many places world-wide. The problem here is we have taken a two-part statement and converted it into a three-part excuse for our behaviour.

One of two things is true. The Holy Bible is, IN IT'S ENTIRETY, the unadulterated, pure, perfect love letter from the very lips and hand of God. Or it is not. It is not a buffet line to be sampled and picked through for what makes us happy and content and tastes good. It is Christmas dinner at Grandma's when you were a youth. (Some of you younger readers may not fully understand that, as times have changed, but ask an older friend or parent for further explanation.) Did you have the luxury of turning it down because you "didn't like it"? Did I have the green light to wrinkle up my nose and pass because I didn't care for the smell or appearance? Not at the tables I sat at! We were served with a "gentle reminder" from mom or dad to clean our plate (with either a verbal or inferred "or else").

So this simple bumper sticker must be re-evaluated for us to move forward here. What if I do NOT believe it? Does that change the "settling" of it? Is my "giving God the thumbs up" really required here? Or is the simple fact that HE said it, in and of itself, enough to settle it? Do you understand why it is so important we get past this 2nd, erroneous point of this phrase? If it is MY belief, MY acceptance, MY acknowledgment that settles God's correctness... well, then we are all in trouble, as the scriptures no longer contain a blueprint for success, they simply contain some good suggestions and a bunch of "take what you like, toss the rest"isms no different from any self help book.

To truly begin to understand God's will and desires for our lives, to walk in the daily victory we all desire, to KNOW HIM as intimately as we yearn for; we must first accept that HIS Word is perfect, holy and true. Regardless of how I might feel or view it or even WANT it to be, it doesn't change the Truth. Either HIS Word contains an absolute Truth that there is no argument or defense against, or it is a wonderful little book of cute stories, terrible deeds and useful life lessons (kind of an Aesop's Fables on steroids).

So, now we are at a cross-roads. You can accept HIS Word is perfect. Or you can reject it. If you know that HE is the author and finisher of EVERYthing and that HE has left us a love letter through the ages, then come along on this amazing journey. You just might find a new way of seeing yourself.. and others. You might find that God is even MORE amazing in HIS love, grace, mercy and faithfulness than you have been led to believe and understand. However, if you do not know that the Holy Bible has been preserved and penned by HIS own mighty hand, then come along anyways, you just might meet a God and Saviour you never knew existed!!

So, as we prepare to move forward, let me assure you, my precious co-heirs, this next few days (weeks? months? lol, however long HE decides), and the journey we partake through HIS word, is all about YOU. Not the generic "you all", but specifically, targetedly, unabashedly and passionately about YOU, the individual. YOU, reading this right now. YOU, Jerod Rickert, even as God leads you to write it. YOU YOU YOU. This is a reminder of HIS all-encompassing love and desire for YOU. So buckle up, hold on and fly with me on the wings of eagles as we prepare to spend some amazing lap-time in the arms of Abba. I love each of you reading this and simply pray that God will open the eyes and ears of your understanding as we travel this road.

In closing, let me leave you with a few choice morsels from HIM. Please take the time to truly read these words and to think just what this means, because the beauty in these simple verses should take our breath away and make us weep in love and gratitude.

Psa 139:13 For you have possessed my inward parts: you have covered me in my mother’s womb.
Psa 139:14 I will praise you; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are your works; and that my soul knows right well.
Psa 139:15 My substance was not hid from you, when I was made in secret, and carefully formed in the depths of the earth.
Psa 139:16 Your eyes saw my substance, yet being imperfect; and in your book all my members were written, which continually were fashioned, when as yet there were none of them.
Psa 139:17 How precious also are your thoughts to me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
Psa 139:18 If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with you.


God Bless you richly in the overwhelming delight of HIS grace and mercy.

[Jerod W. Rickert]

Jer 1:4 Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
Jer 1:5 Before I formed you in the belly I knew you; and before you came forth out of the womb I sanctified you, and I ordained you a prophet to the nations.

Gen_25:23 And the LORD said to her, Two nations are in your womb, and two kinds of people shall be separated from your womb; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.
Gen_25:24 And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb.


Gen_29:31 And when the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren.

Gen_30:22 And God remembered Rachel, and God heard and answered her, and opened her womb.

Jdg 13:2 And there was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren, and did not bear.
Jdg 13:3 And the angel of the LORD appeared to the woman, and said to her, Behold now, you are barren, and do not bear: but you shall conceive, and bear a son.
Jdg 13:4 Now therefore beware, I pray you, and do not drink wine nor strong drink, and do not eat any unclean thing:
Jdg 13:5 For, lo, you shall conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come on his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb: and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.

Psa 22:9 But you are he that took me out of the womb: you made me hope when I was upon my mother’s breasts.
Psa 22:10 I was cast upon you from the womb: you are my God from my mother’s belly.

Psa 71:5 For you are my hope, O Lord GOD: you are my trust from my youth.
Psa 71:6 By you have I been held up from the womb: you are he that took me out of my mother’s body: my praise shall be continually of you.
Psa 71:7 I am as a wonder to many; but you are my strong refuge.

Psa 139:13 For you have possessed my inward parts: you have covered me in my mother’s womb.
Psa 139:14 I will praise you; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are your works; and that my soul knows right well.
Psa 139:15 My substance was not hid from you, when I was made in secret, and carefully formed in the depths of the earth.
Psa 139:16 Your eyes saw my substance, yet being imperfect; and in your book all my members were written, which continually were fashioned, when as yet there were none of them.
Psa 139:17 How precious also are your thoughts to me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
Psa 139:18 If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with you.

Isa 44:1 Yet now hear, O Jacob my servant; and Israel, whom I have chosen:
Isa 44:2 Thus says the LORD who made you, and formed you from the womb, who will help you; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and you, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen.

Isa 44:24 Thus says the LORD, your redeemer, and he who formed you from the womb, I am the LORD who makes all things; who stretches out the heavens alone; who spreads abroad the earth by myself;


I could go on and on, obviously it is important enough to God that HE did go on and on about it. The bottom line and the undeniable fact here, is YOU, yes YOU! were created, specifically and for a purpose!! You were NOT an accident, just lucky, a mistake or anything else. You were designed for something great, by the very same hands that created the universe.

We all must accept this fact to truly begin to find our role and purpose in God's plan. No matter what science, society, your parents, popular psychology or ANYTHING else might tell you, GOD tells you that HE designed you, from the inside out, for HIS pleasure and joy of knowing you.

My precious friends, God loves us, HE created us perfectly. That's right, every strength, every weakness, every passion, every dream, every failing and every success, you were MADE, hand crafted by a Master Potter, Who's work is flawless. God took 9 full months (give or take, lol) to craft you perfectly. The God who made the world in 6 days, thought you were worth 9 months of care and crafting to make perfectly.

Do not EVER let anyone tell you that you are worthless or worth less, you were created by the author and finisher of everything. When things happen (and they WILL happen) remember and rest fully assured in this: HE made you for each moment. HE knew every step, every peak, every valley, and created you for this exact journey.

Is there pain? Absolutely. Will there be things we cannot begin to understand why? Oh, goodness yes! Will you cry? Rage? Laugh? Lose? Love? Seek? Find? Wander? Walk, crawl, run, fall, succeed, fail? Yes, Yes YES!! But it is a journey for YOU, no one else, just YOU! Your pain will be redeemed, your questions will become clear, your tears will be dried... if we but trust and KNOW that HE does nothing but what will be for our betterment if we are called by HIS name and we love HIM. I can't, and would not even try to, answer every question, to explain every pain, but i CAN, with absolute certainty say that it is for a greater purpose that we often can not yet see.

Let us never lose hope or sight of the fact that we are in HIS hands, HE will be faithful to save and to comfort. Just stand firm in the faith that HE is good and in control.

Joseph, Samson, Moses, Noah, John the Baptist, Paul, David, Daniel, Sarah, Mary Magdalene... and countless others... MADE for a purpose, CREATED for a purpose, FORMED and HAND-CRAFTED for a purpose. All suffered, lost their way, felt abandoned, stumbled, hurt, cried out... But they held tight to HIM, and saw HIS glory. Even/especially Jesus, had more trial and temptation and hurt and betrayal and pain than ANYONE, EVER, but HE showed us an example, and walked a path to show us that God's goodness and provision is bigger than anything, and that there IS a plan, purpose and design, even in pain and hurt. HE is always with us, experiencing EVERYthing that we go through. So let us not lose hope, but keep fast to the promises of God, which are ALWAYS yes and amen!!!

Until next time my precious and beloved family and friends, I pray that HIS overwhelming love and mercy would rest upon you like a heavy cloak, shielding you, protecting you and keeping you warm in HIS glory. I remain humbly and lovingly yours...

[Jerod W. Rickert]

As we continue to look at who we are in HIM, let us take time to realize and understand that we are CREATED. HE has hand-crafted each and every one of us, specifically and individually for a purpose. From the very beginning, HE has taken an active and creative hand in each and every life that comes into being...

Gen_1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

Adam and Eve were created, formed from the dust of the ground and the rib of her husband, to walk with and fellowship daily in communion with HIM. God HIMSELF, even knowing what was to come, their failures, weaknesses and disobedience, still created them to be HIS. To be HIS friends and companions, to walk with HIM daily, to work and laugh and play and love. And, even knowing how miserably their disobedience would screw things up, and the ultimate price that it would require to "fix" things, HE still thought they were worth it.

It cannot more beautifully be seen why God is called "the Father". A Father's love is strong and unwavering, quick to anger and to discipline, and equally quick to forgive and comfort. So many have never seen the true love of a REAL father, yet HE stands, arms opened wide to show each and every one of us what it means to love and to be loved...


Psa_102:18 This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD.

The psalmist, in this simple verse serves to remind us that HIS Word is written as a love letter and instruction manual. Not one word is just for "yesterday" or "today". It is for then, now and forever. For the psalmist who wrote it, it is no more or less true and vital than it was for the Apostles, or for us still today. And the beauty is, it is not for "everyone that comes along by happenstance" it is for "the people which SHALL BE CREATED"!!! HIS creative and loving hands are not still, they are just as active today as in the Garden. God HIMSELF takes the responsibility for each and every life that comes into being.

Isa 45:12 I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded.
Mal 2:10 Have we not all one father? has not one God created us? why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, by profaning the covenant of our fathers?

These two verses serve to remind us of the commonality of man. We have ALL been created by the same loving God and Father. We ARE all brothers and sisters and should deal with each other accordingly. We are NOT called to compromise our faith or God's Word. We ARE called to stand strong on the Word and promises and commands of God. To be a light and beacon to call HIS children, our brothers and sisters, home.

As blood siblings born of the same mother, we fight, squabble, yell, curse and neglect each other. Yet when trials of life come and hurt and pain are the outcome, we would move heaven and earth to do what we can to help. When our sibling is wrong, we are quick to (in fact usually rather enjoy to) point it out. We will correct their political, sports, economic and relational views without a second thought (in fact, again, we rather look forward to and relish the job). Yet when things fall and fail, we will quickly drop the pretense of "being right" to simply be there and comfort them, to hold them, and to let them know they are loved. Do we try and make them see the error of their ways and WHY things fell, absolutely! But now it is done in love and consideration of their hurt and pain. Do we try and show them a better plan and offer to help them get back on the right road? Of course!! But now it is done as a co-laborer and best friend.

Let us learn to see the whole world as our sibling and we quickly begin to understand how we can "love the sinner, hate the sin". We start to see what it means to come before others in humility and meekness. We gain a new insight on "esteeming others higher than ourselves". My precious family, it is true that our "first" responsibility is too our Christian brothers and sisters, the scripture is clear on that. But nowhere is it stated, implied or even allowed that we do so at the neglect of a lost and dying world. Praise HIM for the wonderful believers HE brings into your lives, but praise HIM more for the lost and wandering family HE gives you the chance to touch and love.

Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God has appointed beforehand that we should walk in them.
Col 1:16 For by him were all things created that are in heaven, and that are in the earth, visible and invisible, whether they are thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
Col 1:17 And he is before all things, and by him all things hold together.
Col 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

I wanted to close with this series of verses as a beautiful reminder that HE has made us for HIS glory, to do good works, in Christ. ALL things were created by him, from the greatest to the smallest. Every person, every creature, every tree, rock, mountain and river. Every power, government, principality and regime has been allowed and placed there by HIM. We may not always understand why, or see HIS perfect plan until much later, but it is always there, working for us and through us, if we will but let it. Our circumstances do not dictate who we are, they simply allow us opportunity to prove it.

Until we next meet, I pray that the all-encompassing love of our Father would uphold, support and comfort you all.