The Uncertain sit at Jesus' feet and hear His word

'And behold, a CERTAIN lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?' He said to him, "What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?"
So he answered and said, " 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,' and 'Your neighbor as yourself.' " '

'And He said to him, "You have answered rightly; do this and you will live." But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" '

'Then Jesus answered and said: "A CERTAIN man went down from Jerusalem to Jerico, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a CERTAIN priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. But a CERTAIN Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, "Take care of him; and whatever you spend, when I come again, I will repay you." So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among thieves?'

'And he said, "He who showed mercy on him." Then Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise." '

'Now it happened as they went that He entered a CERTAIN village; and a CERTAIN woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me." And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her." ' (Luke 10:25-41, NKJV)

Notice that the only person, not labeled CERTAIN, was Mary who sat at His feet and heard His word. Even the Samaritan, labeled CERTAIN, was willing to be disarmed from the hatred they and the Jews had for each other to help that one who had fallen among thieves. A CERTAIN man tests Jesus and attempts to justify himself. Martha thought she could require that Jesus make Mary return to what was not necessary at the time.

CERTAIN men and CERTAIN women in CERTAIN villages and places will be given the opportunity to lay down their certainty through the 'faith which was once for all delivered to the saints' (Jude v.3, NKJV): the testimony of the Son of God.

You'll have to Check your pleasure by the Door

‘Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.' (John 10:1,2)

'Then said Jesus unto them again, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: BY ME if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture." '(John 10:7-9 KJV)

'An lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness." Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore, I TAKE PLEASURE in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.' (2 Corinthians 12:7-10 KJV)

'Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world MAKES himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, "The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously"? But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." Therefore submit to God (in His grace that humbles). Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let YOUR LAUGHTER be turned to mourning and YOUR JOY to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.(James 4:1-10 NKJV)

By the Door, the Holy Spirit shows us how to leave our desires for pleasure and take pleasure in Christ Jesus. We leave behind what pleases us for what pleases Him. A pruned tree always produces more fruit. Your laughter and your joy turned might seem dark, but the Lord promises to lift you up! Take what pleases God as He reveals his will to you.

Where did (do) You go for Thanksgiving? (Romans 1:16-22)

‘For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, the just shall live by faith. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness.'

'Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God has shown it to them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so they are without excuse: because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, NEITHER WERE THANKFUL; but BECAME VAIN in THEIR IMAGINATIONS, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools.'

This time of year you hear folks ask if another is going somewhere for Thanksgiving. Being thankful will recognize, receive and rejoice in the 'gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believeth'. How may we be thankful in this? Give yourself entirely to it by reading it, confessing it, and allowing the Holy Spirit to reveal the depth of it to you. You see, it is possible to 'hold the truth in unrighteousness': you can know it and yet not glorify God in your knowledge of it, being unthankful in it. We see what happens to those who become unthankful: vanity in what they imagine and darkness, or less light.

Paul begins this chapter, writing: 'Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, SEPARATED TO the gospel of God.' Go to these verses for thanksgiving.