A psalm of David. Who may worship in Your sanctuary, LORD? Who may enter Your presence on Your holy hill? Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts. Those who refuse to gossip or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends. Those who despise flagrant sinners, and honor the faithful followers of the LORD, and keep their promises even when it hurts. Those who lend money without charging interest, and who cannot be bribed to lie about the innocent. Such people will stand firm forever.
(Psalms 15:1-5 NLT)
King David recognized the things that separated God’s people from people of the world because God was teaching him and his heart was able to be molded and soft in the Master’s hands but even David’s journey was not without struggles. What kept David returning on the occasions when he wondered off course? He had an intense, burning desire to please the Lord God and the ability to see own his desperate situation and his depravity without God in his life. Even though David was king he did not allow pride to blind him from the realization that without Jehovah he had nothing.
Have we come to the same conclusion that King David came to? That there is nothing I can do, nothing that I could ever accomplish that could possibly take the place of Jesus Christ living in my heart or have we become too comfortable with the life we’ve made for ourselves, out of touch with what true value we lose by depending on ourselves and trusting in the riches we’ve stored up?
“For the LORD disciplines those He loves, and He punishes each one He accepts as His child." As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as His own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? If God doesn't discipline you as He does all of His children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really His children at all.
(Hebrews 12:6-8 NLT)
Have you ever been corrected by God, let me ask in another way. Have you ever gone through a situation that brought you to the point of desperation and when you hit bottom did you finally look into the face of God knowing that none of your own devices would save you? God loves us unconditionally but long before we were created God’s law of sowing and reaping had already been established. God loves us too much to allow us to escape the plan He has set in motion but often long before we go through the trial God’s Holy Spirit has been trying to lead us and if that be the case and you have refused to listen on the other side of the trial He will remind you of His loving ways even before the fall. All for this one purpose – that you may learn God’s voice and know He is trust worthy in all situations. Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord and like King David love the ways of God so that your days may be blessed. Don’t think you can do what you want, remain stubborn with deaf ears to the Lord’s call and then depend on His mercy when you are caught as King Saul did before David became king.
But Samuel replied, "What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to His voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.
(1 Samuel 15:22 NLT)
Saul became filled with pride and God replaced him as king over Israel with a young shepherd whose heart remained pliable all the days of his life. David was not perfect and many times was disciplined by God but David always returned to God’s side because he knew there was no other place for him, in all the world David desired to rest under the shadow of the All Mighty and he knew the Master’s voice.
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Thursday, September 25, 2014
Good deeds do not equate to good fruit
There are many people who are kind, show compassion, who are generous, and give of themselves but unless they are dead to sin and have been born a new creature through believing Christ Jesus is the Son of God come down to earth and lived among us in flesh to show us how to love, who died for our sins and was raised to life on the third day there can be no good fruit produced.
Romans 7 tells us until we believe we are married to a sinful nature and no matter what we do the law of God points out where we have fallen short, everything we do only produces fruit for the master we serve, which is sin and death but once we believe in Christ Jesus we die to sin, effectively freeing us from the law of works, and alive in Christ! Now everything we do that is pleasing to God, every time we serve someone putting their needs before our own or compassion moves us to help someone or we give to those in need we no longer produce fruit for our old master, which was sin, but the fruit we produce is good and righteous and pleasing to God and like a wife who longs to please her husband such is the bride of Christ who long to please God! For we have died to sin and have been reborn to Christ Jesus so that every work produced in us is now a pleasing offering unto God.
Again, our dying to sin imitates the death of Christ and believing in Jesus has raised us to new life as Christ has risen! God planted within our hearts a godly seed that when matures brings forth a good harvest, holy and pleasing to Him, for His purpose. This is why a “good” person cannot enter the gates of heaven. You see it’s not our actions but whether the fruit we produce is for the Lord God or for sin and death.
Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'
(Matthew 7:17-23 NIV)
It’s not what we did but who we did it for, it’s not about what you know but who you know, and it’s not about serving but who you served. Don’t be deceived good works won’t save you
All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.
(Isaiah 64:6 NIV)
but believing Christ Jesus is God’s Son and forsaking your ways by following His leading makes you to die to sin and you are then reborn to new life so that the fruit you produce is righteous and holy.
Romans 7 tells us until we believe we are married to a sinful nature and no matter what we do the law of God points out where we have fallen short, everything we do only produces fruit for the master we serve, which is sin and death but once we believe in Christ Jesus we die to sin, effectively freeing us from the law of works, and alive in Christ! Now everything we do that is pleasing to God, every time we serve someone putting their needs before our own or compassion moves us to help someone or we give to those in need we no longer produce fruit for our old master, which was sin, but the fruit we produce is good and righteous and pleasing to God and like a wife who longs to please her husband such is the bride of Christ who long to please God! For we have died to sin and have been reborn to Christ Jesus so that every work produced in us is now a pleasing offering unto God.
Again, our dying to sin imitates the death of Christ and believing in Jesus has raised us to new life as Christ has risen! God planted within our hearts a godly seed that when matures brings forth a good harvest, holy and pleasing to Him, for His purpose. This is why a “good” person cannot enter the gates of heaven. You see it’s not our actions but whether the fruit we produce is for the Lord God or for sin and death.
Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'
(Matthew 7:17-23 NIV)
It’s not what we did but who we did it for, it’s not about what you know but who you know, and it’s not about serving but who you served. Don’t be deceived good works won’t save you
All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.
(Isaiah 64:6 NIV)
but believing Christ Jesus is God’s Son and forsaking your ways by following His leading makes you to die to sin and you are then reborn to new life so that the fruit you produce is righteous and holy.
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
Giving from a clean heart
Jesus taught this way,
Watch out! Don't do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. When you give to someone in need, don't do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. But when you give to someone in need, don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
(Matthew 6:1-4 NLT)
What is our motivation for giving? Selfishness or compassion, blessing or need, you decide. God’s Word teaches if we are giving to God the only gift that is received will be the ones given with a clean heart. Again Jesus taught this,
But I say, if you are even angry with someone [without cause], you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell. So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.
(Matthew 5:22-24 NLT)
You see it’s not just what is being placed on the altar but our very lives are to be a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God. We are not to judge others but according to God’s commandments we are to judge our own action, motivations, and even thoughts so that God doesn’t have to. My friend do not think so highly of yourself as to place your needs and desires above others but trust that the Master knows the heart of each man and woman and sees our true needs and intentions and will give to each the portion they deserve. Once again Jesus teaches this,
"When you are invited to a wedding feast, don't sit in the seat of honor. What if someone who is more distinguished than you has also been invited? The host will come and say, 'Give this person your seat.' Then you will be embarrassed, and you will have to take whatever seat is left at the foot of the table! "Instead, take the lowest place at the foot of the table. Then when your host sees you, he will come and say, 'Friend, we have a better place for you!' Then you will be honored in front of all the other guests. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."
(Luke 14:8-11 NLT)
It’s about looking to God and knowing that He knows each heart and His intent is to bless His people through the vessels of His choosing. In this way His blessings not only cover the needy but those who humble themselves and allow God to work through them as well. You see though the gift passes from you to the one receiving it you are not the giver but simply the vessel from which the gift has been poured. Though you worked for the money that blesses someone God is the One that provided the job for you to have the money and so it goes. No matter how much you give you cannot out give the Lord God whether it be finances, compassion, mercy, forgiveness, or many, many other things.
I grew up understanding this scripture to mean finances but it is about so much more! Malachi the prophet spoke as God gave him the words, giving God’s people the choice and proving His blessings are conditional but thankful His love and long suffering is not. Even when we turn our backs to God His Holy Spirit reminds us of His love, wooing back into relationship with Him. In the Old Testament, before the Holy Spirit came God used His prophets such as Malachi to correct and teach – this is God loving a people who turned their backs to Him and He still does it today!
Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in My Temple. If you do," says the LORD of Heaven's Armies, "I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won't have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put Me to the test!
(Malachi 3:10 NLT)
Don’t cheat God, get your selfishness out of the equation and let Him do the work He has purposed through you as His living sacrifice. When His people are arrogant and refuse to be God’s vessel we will see very quickly God can use anything He chooses, even a donkey!
But God was angry that Balaam was going, so He sent the angel of the LORD to stand in the road to block his way. As Balaam and two servants were riding along, Balaam's donkey saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand. The donkey bolted off the road into a field, but Balaam beat it and turned it back onto the road. Then the angel of the LORD stood at a place where the road narrowed between two vineyard walls. When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, it tried to squeeze by and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall. So Balaam beat the donkey again. Then the angel of the LORD moved farther down the road and stood in a place too narrow for the donkey to get by at all. This time when the donkey saw the angel, it lay down under Balaam. In a fit of rage Balaam beat the animal again with his staff. Then the LORD gave the donkey the ability to speak. "What have I done to you that deserves your beating me three times?" it asked Balaam. "You have made me look like a fool!" Balaam shouted. "If I had a sword with me, I would kill you!" "But I am the same donkey you have ridden all your life," the donkey answered. "Have I ever done anything like this before?" "No," Balaam admitted. Then the LORD opened Balaam's eyes, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the roadway with a drawn sword in his hand. Balaam bowed his head and fell face down on the ground before him. "Why did you beat your donkey those three times?" the angel of the LORD demanded. "Look, I have come to block your way because you are stubbornly resisting me. Three times the donkey saw me and shied away; otherwise, I would certainly have killed you by now and spared the donkey."
(Numbers 22:22-33 NLT)
Watch out! Don't do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. When you give to someone in need, don't do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. But when you give to someone in need, don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
(Matthew 6:1-4 NLT)
What is our motivation for giving? Selfishness or compassion, blessing or need, you decide. God’s Word teaches if we are giving to God the only gift that is received will be the ones given with a clean heart. Again Jesus taught this,
But I say, if you are even angry with someone [without cause], you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell. So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.
(Matthew 5:22-24 NLT)
You see it’s not just what is being placed on the altar but our very lives are to be a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God. We are not to judge others but according to God’s commandments we are to judge our own action, motivations, and even thoughts so that God doesn’t have to. My friend do not think so highly of yourself as to place your needs and desires above others but trust that the Master knows the heart of each man and woman and sees our true needs and intentions and will give to each the portion they deserve. Once again Jesus teaches this,
"When you are invited to a wedding feast, don't sit in the seat of honor. What if someone who is more distinguished than you has also been invited? The host will come and say, 'Give this person your seat.' Then you will be embarrassed, and you will have to take whatever seat is left at the foot of the table! "Instead, take the lowest place at the foot of the table. Then when your host sees you, he will come and say, 'Friend, we have a better place for you!' Then you will be honored in front of all the other guests. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."
(Luke 14:8-11 NLT)
It’s about looking to God and knowing that He knows each heart and His intent is to bless His people through the vessels of His choosing. In this way His blessings not only cover the needy but those who humble themselves and allow God to work through them as well. You see though the gift passes from you to the one receiving it you are not the giver but simply the vessel from which the gift has been poured. Though you worked for the money that blesses someone God is the One that provided the job for you to have the money and so it goes. No matter how much you give you cannot out give the Lord God whether it be finances, compassion, mercy, forgiveness, or many, many other things.
I grew up understanding this scripture to mean finances but it is about so much more! Malachi the prophet spoke as God gave him the words, giving God’s people the choice and proving His blessings are conditional but thankful His love and long suffering is not. Even when we turn our backs to God His Holy Spirit reminds us of His love, wooing back into relationship with Him. In the Old Testament, before the Holy Spirit came God used His prophets such as Malachi to correct and teach – this is God loving a people who turned their backs to Him and He still does it today!
Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in My Temple. If you do," says the LORD of Heaven's Armies, "I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won't have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put Me to the test!
(Malachi 3:10 NLT)
Don’t cheat God, get your selfishness out of the equation and let Him do the work He has purposed through you as His living sacrifice. When His people are arrogant and refuse to be God’s vessel we will see very quickly God can use anything He chooses, even a donkey!
But God was angry that Balaam was going, so He sent the angel of the LORD to stand in the road to block his way. As Balaam and two servants were riding along, Balaam's donkey saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand. The donkey bolted off the road into a field, but Balaam beat it and turned it back onto the road. Then the angel of the LORD stood at a place where the road narrowed between two vineyard walls. When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, it tried to squeeze by and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall. So Balaam beat the donkey again. Then the angel of the LORD moved farther down the road and stood in a place too narrow for the donkey to get by at all. This time when the donkey saw the angel, it lay down under Balaam. In a fit of rage Balaam beat the animal again with his staff. Then the LORD gave the donkey the ability to speak. "What have I done to you that deserves your beating me three times?" it asked Balaam. "You have made me look like a fool!" Balaam shouted. "If I had a sword with me, I would kill you!" "But I am the same donkey you have ridden all your life," the donkey answered. "Have I ever done anything like this before?" "No," Balaam admitted. Then the LORD opened Balaam's eyes, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the roadway with a drawn sword in his hand. Balaam bowed his head and fell face down on the ground before him. "Why did you beat your donkey those three times?" the angel of the LORD demanded. "Look, I have come to block your way because you are stubbornly resisting me. Three times the donkey saw me and shied away; otherwise, I would certainly have killed you by now and spared the donkey."
(Numbers 22:22-33 NLT)
Monday, September 22, 2014
Worry
Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for Him to act. Don't worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes. Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper—it only leads to harm. For the wicked will be destroyed, but those who trust in the LORD will possess the land.
(Psalms 37:7-9 NLT)
How many times, now that I am older, wish that I would just learn to remain silent? Too many times similar situations would occur in my youth and I would hope for just the opposite, getting frustrated because I would not respond fast enough. Unfortunately I learned to do just that but by the grace of God I am still quiet by nature and in most cases I am who God has made me to be.
I believe at the heart of this matter is worry and Psalms 37:7-9 hits the mark. It is the injustice done to the innocent and the resilience of the arrogant and an unexplainable need to set straight the wrong. In my heart there is a drive to resolve the reasons that derail people within my circles of influence, which I know God uses this drive within me to accomplish His purpose if I can get out of the way by practicing humility and obedience.
If I can get the person to think about what they are doing and the reasons why my soul is satisfied but if they refuse to listen or are in a place where they are unable to listen or they continue to fall to the same bad reasoning it is at that point that I begin to worry and obsess, forgetting that God knows the situation better than I do. This is the very reason so many parents nag their children to do what is right, you see it is not just for the parent’s peace of mind but the parents who care (even if somewhat misguided) understand the consequences that are coming because of the child’s bad decisions. Parents naturally don’t want to see their children go through difficult times but in the end their intervention too often robs the next generation of the understanding God purposed through His law about reaping and sowing.
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows, that he also will reap.
(Galatians 6:7 MKJV)
Sometimes loving someone means letting them experience things that seem to be bad for them but in every situation not worrying and letting God instruct either by speaking through us, no more and no less or some other means is right and should they fail to listen then they learn by consequences for this is also right. If the other person listens you have won a brother or sister but if they refuse then you must trust God that He loves them even more than you do and as with you He knows what that person needs and His timing is never off. I’ve said it many times before but it’s worth saying again, God is more concerned with our spiritual condition than with our physical comfort. Meaning that if your flesh must endure difficulty there is a lesson your spirit must learn, even if it is as simple as knowing what God has said and trusting He is good in all things. Finally, it is our part to listen and obey not to control the outcome for we do not understand the things of God in whole but in part. Jesus asked (Mat. 6:27) “Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?” How do you respond?
(Psalms 37:7-9 NLT)
How many times, now that I am older, wish that I would just learn to remain silent? Too many times similar situations would occur in my youth and I would hope for just the opposite, getting frustrated because I would not respond fast enough. Unfortunately I learned to do just that but by the grace of God I am still quiet by nature and in most cases I am who God has made me to be.
I believe at the heart of this matter is worry and Psalms 37:7-9 hits the mark. It is the injustice done to the innocent and the resilience of the arrogant and an unexplainable need to set straight the wrong. In my heart there is a drive to resolve the reasons that derail people within my circles of influence, which I know God uses this drive within me to accomplish His purpose if I can get out of the way by practicing humility and obedience.
If I can get the person to think about what they are doing and the reasons why my soul is satisfied but if they refuse to listen or are in a place where they are unable to listen or they continue to fall to the same bad reasoning it is at that point that I begin to worry and obsess, forgetting that God knows the situation better than I do. This is the very reason so many parents nag their children to do what is right, you see it is not just for the parent’s peace of mind but the parents who care (even if somewhat misguided) understand the consequences that are coming because of the child’s bad decisions. Parents naturally don’t want to see their children go through difficult times but in the end their intervention too often robs the next generation of the understanding God purposed through His law about reaping and sowing.
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows, that he also will reap.
(Galatians 6:7 MKJV)
Sometimes loving someone means letting them experience things that seem to be bad for them but in every situation not worrying and letting God instruct either by speaking through us, no more and no less or some other means is right and should they fail to listen then they learn by consequences for this is also right. If the other person listens you have won a brother or sister but if they refuse then you must trust God that He loves them even more than you do and as with you He knows what that person needs and His timing is never off. I’ve said it many times before but it’s worth saying again, God is more concerned with our spiritual condition than with our physical comfort. Meaning that if your flesh must endure difficulty there is a lesson your spirit must learn, even if it is as simple as knowing what God has said and trusting He is good in all things. Finally, it is our part to listen and obey not to control the outcome for we do not understand the things of God in whole but in part. Jesus asked (Mat. 6:27) “Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?” How do you respond?
Saturday, September 20, 2014
That which I do
But how can that be? Did the law, which is good, cause my death? Of course not! Sin used what was good to bring about my condemnation to death. So we can see how terrible sin really is. It uses God's good commands for its own evil purposes.
(Romans 7:13 NLT)
The very thing I purpose in my heart to do, that is what I will be tested in and if I don’t prepare for battle by seeking God’s provisions then I am bound to failure. If I say to myself, “I will show my wife how much I love her.” That is when I find myself being frustrated by the things she does. The law points to the very reason why I need a Savior! Sin uses the law to tell me how bad I really am but God’s Holy Spirit uses the law to lead me to Jesus. Sin is relentless and does not give up, no matter how close my walk with Jesus or for how long the moment I step outside of His provisions for me, the moment I think I understand how things work, the moment I design a plan to change myself, that is when I fall.
Again the law is there to show me how much I really do need a Hero but it’s not Superman, Batman, or Spiderman, no a fictional children’s hero is a hallow representation of our real spiritual need for a Savior! While the one comes from another planet or an unexplainable determination because of some unjust circumstance or need that story can only mimic the truth about God’s Son, the Word made flesh, coming down from a place that knows no sin to rescue a world that cannot understand His holiness. In both the make believe and the real life the rescued needed to see their need, while the make believe is terrorized by an ugly villain, the real life is plagued with ugly sin. The hope comes when we see that there is a better way and God’s law is what opens our eyes. So is the law good, yes! Will the enemy use it to suppress, maim, and kill, yes! But remember God created the law to serve His purpose. It is but a reminder of who we were before coming to know His Son and each time we turn from Him it meets us face to face to once again serve God’s purpose to remind us where we would be without Jesus living in us.
(Romans 7:13 NLT)
The very thing I purpose in my heart to do, that is what I will be tested in and if I don’t prepare for battle by seeking God’s provisions then I am bound to failure. If I say to myself, “I will show my wife how much I love her.” That is when I find myself being frustrated by the things she does. The law points to the very reason why I need a Savior! Sin uses the law to tell me how bad I really am but God’s Holy Spirit uses the law to lead me to Jesus. Sin is relentless and does not give up, no matter how close my walk with Jesus or for how long the moment I step outside of His provisions for me, the moment I think I understand how things work, the moment I design a plan to change myself, that is when I fall.
Again the law is there to show me how much I really do need a Hero but it’s not Superman, Batman, or Spiderman, no a fictional children’s hero is a hallow representation of our real spiritual need for a Savior! While the one comes from another planet or an unexplainable determination because of some unjust circumstance or need that story can only mimic the truth about God’s Son, the Word made flesh, coming down from a place that knows no sin to rescue a world that cannot understand His holiness. In both the make believe and the real life the rescued needed to see their need, while the make believe is terrorized by an ugly villain, the real life is plagued with ugly sin. The hope comes when we see that there is a better way and God’s law is what opens our eyes. So is the law good, yes! Will the enemy use it to suppress, maim, and kill, yes! But remember God created the law to serve His purpose. It is but a reminder of who we were before coming to know His Son and each time we turn from Him it meets us face to face to once again serve God’s purpose to remind us where we would be without Jesus living in us.
Friday, September 19, 2014
From where does true wisdom come
Does wisdom come from life’s experiences? Many think so but what about those who make wrong decisions they also believe themselves to be wise, did their experiences help them to be wise? How do you know when you are not making the best decision? Who gives you discernment? Fortunately we have a teacher but if you think about it knowing someone who knows the way doesn’t necessarily mean we will listen. There was once a king who dreamed God told him to ask for anything and it would be given to him. The king didn’t ask for what most in his position would ask; knowing his position would cause enemies he could have asked for long life but he didn’t.
Solomon, was wise even before he asked because he watched how God loved his father David and protected him. Knowing God was the source of his father’s fame and seeing how David was loved by such a mighty number of people in Solomon’s dream he asked God for wisdom, an understanding heart and God was pleased. God was so pleased that He also blessed Solomon with what he didn’t ask for – riches and fame and long life (read 1 Kings 3).
Later much of the book of Proverbs was written by Solomon. Individual proverbs were, up until then, used by instructors to teach the children of Israel how to apply God’s wisdom to everyday living. Look at how Proverbs starts out.
Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
(Proverbs 1:7 NLT)
No one likes discipline but godly correction actually brings us to a better understanding of who God is and what righteousness looks like. God, like a good father longs to bless His children with good gifts but many of those gifts (not God’s love) is conditional. First we are to make an effort to know who God is and then to love Him. We love Him by listening to His Word and obeying His instructions but we must also ask and when we ask we must believe!
If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask Him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.
(James 1:5-8 NLT)
As you seek God and ask for understanding slow down and listen, not all who offer advise are as wise as they believe themselves to be. Judge every decision, every thought by the Word of God and how can you do that if you do not know it? Wisdom is not gained by winning a race, often those who are first with a smart saying are the farthest away from real wisdom. If we believe true wisdom comes from God then being quiet long enough to listen is required and if we are not listening then where is the instruction coming from as it spews out of the mouth? Don’t be fooled though many appear wise as they build their great kingdoms where will they turn when the storms come? Jesus taught us this…
"Anyone who listens to My teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won't collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears My teaching and doesn't obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash."
(Matthew 7:24-27 NLT)
Pride is the enemy of wisdom, for pride says, “I can do it” but wisdom says, “God can do it”
Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.
(Proverbs 16:18 NLT)
Solomon, was wise even before he asked because he watched how God loved his father David and protected him. Knowing God was the source of his father’s fame and seeing how David was loved by such a mighty number of people in Solomon’s dream he asked God for wisdom, an understanding heart and God was pleased. God was so pleased that He also blessed Solomon with what he didn’t ask for – riches and fame and long life (read 1 Kings 3).
Later much of the book of Proverbs was written by Solomon. Individual proverbs were, up until then, used by instructors to teach the children of Israel how to apply God’s wisdom to everyday living. Look at how Proverbs starts out.
Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
(Proverbs 1:7 NLT)
No one likes discipline but godly correction actually brings us to a better understanding of who God is and what righteousness looks like. God, like a good father longs to bless His children with good gifts but many of those gifts (not God’s love) is conditional. First we are to make an effort to know who God is and then to love Him. We love Him by listening to His Word and obeying His instructions but we must also ask and when we ask we must believe!
If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask Him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.
(James 1:5-8 NLT)
As you seek God and ask for understanding slow down and listen, not all who offer advise are as wise as they believe themselves to be. Judge every decision, every thought by the Word of God and how can you do that if you do not know it? Wisdom is not gained by winning a race, often those who are first with a smart saying are the farthest away from real wisdom. If we believe true wisdom comes from God then being quiet long enough to listen is required and if we are not listening then where is the instruction coming from as it spews out of the mouth? Don’t be fooled though many appear wise as they build their great kingdoms where will they turn when the storms come? Jesus taught us this…
"Anyone who listens to My teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won't collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears My teaching and doesn't obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash."
(Matthew 7:24-27 NLT)
Pride is the enemy of wisdom, for pride says, “I can do it” but wisdom says, “God can do it”
Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.
(Proverbs 16:18 NLT)
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
For all the world to see
But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God.
(Daniel 6:10 NLT)
And He answered, "If you had a sheep that fell into a well on the Sabbath, wouldn't you work to pull it out? Of course you would. And how much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Yes, the law permits a person to do good on the Sabbath." Then He said to the man, "Hold out your hand." So the man held out his hand, and it was restored, just like the other one! Then the Pharisees called a meeting to plot how to kill Jesus.
(Matthew 12:11-14 NLT)
The Jewish leaders were infuriated by Stephen's accusation, and they shook their fists at him in rage. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing in the place of honor at God's right hand. And he told them, "Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing in the place of honor at God's right hand!" Then they put their hands over their ears and began shouting. They rushed at him and dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. His accusers took off their coats and laid them at the feet of a young man named Saul.
(Acts 7:54-58 NLT)
The world will always do what it can to silence those who speak the truth, not the truth as man knows it but the truth as God’s Holy Spirit reveals it! For what is man’s truth but a narrow version of a single sided story used to manipulate others into believing as the one who is doing the speaking or is it something more than one man’s opinion over another? No, I tell you the truth does not originate in the heart of man but if someone knows the truth it is because God has revealed it to them through His Holy Spirit! When a lamp is illuminated by the Father of lights it drives shadows from every crevice and no corner remains hidden. No more is wrong free to roam and take hold in hearts unaware but those who do wrong must do so in broad daylight and those who choose evil over good must do it for all to see.
There will come a day when the light of God’s Truth can no longer be contained only within the hearts of His people and on that day the whole world will know that He is God! Until then the fire of His light will burn brightly in the hearts of His people and no amount of persecution, even unto death or any lie can suffocate it because it is the Lord Himself that fuels this fire with the Words of His mouth. Yes, the Word made flesh is alive and well and leads His people to a place where His glory is to be revealed. It is one thing to recognize and repeat a good saying for certainly truth was revealed to the one who originally said it but to dig into God’s Word, to pray for understanding, and then allow God to speak through you as His Holy Spirit leads is beyond compare and like Daniel, Stephen, and Jesus your words are no longer safe because you speak as God stirs your spirit and not simply repeating what someone else has already said. You see to repeat someone else points back to them but to speak as God leads you through His Word and through prayer does not point back to a person but to God and that is what darkness fears most. It is not your power or your words but God’s light shining through you that has made you dangerous.
And this is God's plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God's children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus. By God's grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving Him by spreading this Good News. Though I am the least deserving of all God's people, He graciously gave me the privilege of telling the Gentiles about the endless treasures available to them in Christ. I was chosen to explain to everyone this mysterious plan that God, the Creator of all things, had kept secret from the beginning. God's purpose in all this was to use the church to display His wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was His eternal plan, which He carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord. Because of Christ and our faith in Him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God's presence.
(Ephesians 3:6-12 NLT)
(Daniel 6:10 NLT)
And He answered, "If you had a sheep that fell into a well on the Sabbath, wouldn't you work to pull it out? Of course you would. And how much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Yes, the law permits a person to do good on the Sabbath." Then He said to the man, "Hold out your hand." So the man held out his hand, and it was restored, just like the other one! Then the Pharisees called a meeting to plot how to kill Jesus.
(Matthew 12:11-14 NLT)
The Jewish leaders were infuriated by Stephen's accusation, and they shook their fists at him in rage. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing in the place of honor at God's right hand. And he told them, "Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing in the place of honor at God's right hand!" Then they put their hands over their ears and began shouting. They rushed at him and dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. His accusers took off their coats and laid them at the feet of a young man named Saul.
(Acts 7:54-58 NLT)
The world will always do what it can to silence those who speak the truth, not the truth as man knows it but the truth as God’s Holy Spirit reveals it! For what is man’s truth but a narrow version of a single sided story used to manipulate others into believing as the one who is doing the speaking or is it something more than one man’s opinion over another? No, I tell you the truth does not originate in the heart of man but if someone knows the truth it is because God has revealed it to them through His Holy Spirit! When a lamp is illuminated by the Father of lights it drives shadows from every crevice and no corner remains hidden. No more is wrong free to roam and take hold in hearts unaware but those who do wrong must do so in broad daylight and those who choose evil over good must do it for all to see.
There will come a day when the light of God’s Truth can no longer be contained only within the hearts of His people and on that day the whole world will know that He is God! Until then the fire of His light will burn brightly in the hearts of His people and no amount of persecution, even unto death or any lie can suffocate it because it is the Lord Himself that fuels this fire with the Words of His mouth. Yes, the Word made flesh is alive and well and leads His people to a place where His glory is to be revealed. It is one thing to recognize and repeat a good saying for certainly truth was revealed to the one who originally said it but to dig into God’s Word, to pray for understanding, and then allow God to speak through you as His Holy Spirit leads is beyond compare and like Daniel, Stephen, and Jesus your words are no longer safe because you speak as God stirs your spirit and not simply repeating what someone else has already said. You see to repeat someone else points back to them but to speak as God leads you through His Word and through prayer does not point back to a person but to God and that is what darkness fears most. It is not your power or your words but God’s light shining through you that has made you dangerous.
And this is God's plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God's children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus. By God's grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving Him by spreading this Good News. Though I am the least deserving of all God's people, He graciously gave me the privilege of telling the Gentiles about the endless treasures available to them in Christ. I was chosen to explain to everyone this mysterious plan that God, the Creator of all things, had kept secret from the beginning. God's purpose in all this was to use the church to display His wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was His eternal plan, which He carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord. Because of Christ and our faith in Him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God's presence.
(Ephesians 3:6-12 NLT)
Monday, September 15, 2014
A house divided
He knew their thoughts, so He said, "Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed. A family splintered by feuding will fall apart.
(Luke 11:17 NLT)
Can two be joined together yet be divided in heart? What about parent and child, can they support or encourage each other if there is division between them? No, I tell you this relationship will follow the prior and if there are cracks in the foundation the entire house will be unstable.
What happens when the wife cannot submit to the husband and the husband cannot love the wife? When the Bible says something we must consider it carefully. Too many times I’ve seen politically correct preachers teach wives the word submit doesn’t really mean submit and then as to reinforce their thought they go directly into how God created men and women to be equals. While truth is mixed into the point being made it leads couples further into distress. It is no better for men, in order to be kind, gentle, loving, and avoid confrontation our God-given desire to lead has been subdued to the point of almost nonexistent and church leaders wonder why they have such a hard time getting men to participate making them seem lazy and uninterested. These problems are compounded when children are raised in a home where these questions go unanswered.
And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting for those who belong to the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly. Children, always obey your parents, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not aggravate your children, or they will become discouraged. Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything you do. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. Serve them sincerely because of your reverent fear of the Lord. Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.
(Colossians 3:17-23 NLT)
The following is an excerpt from the Matthew Henry commentary:
“We must never separate the privileges and duties of the gospel religion.
I. He begins with the duties of wives and husbands (Col_3:18): Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Submission is the duty of wives, hupotassesthe. It is the same word which is used to express our duty to magistrates (Rom_13:1, Let every soul be subject to the higher powers), and is expressed by subjection and reverence, Eph_5:24, Eph_5:33. The reason is that Adam was first formed, then Eve: and Adam was not deceived, but the woman, being deceived, was in the transgression, 1Ti_2:13, 1Ti_2:14. He was first in the creation and last in the transgression. The head of the woman is the man; and the man is not of the woman, but the woman of the man; neither was the man created for the woman, but the woman for the man, 1Co_11:3, 1Co_11:8, 1Co_11:9. It is agreeable to the order of nature and the reason of things, as well as the appointment and will of God. But then it is submission, not to a rigorous lord or absolute tyrant, who may do his will and is without restraints, but to a husband, and to her own husband, who stands in the nearest relation, and is under strict engagements to proper duty too. And this is fit in the Lord, it is becoming the relation, and what they are bound in duty to do, as an instance of obedience to the authority and law of Christ. On the other hand, husbands must love their wives, and not be bitter against them, Col_3:19. They must love them with tender and faithful affection, as Christ loved the church, and as their own bodies, and even as themselves (Eph_5:25, Eph_5:28, Eph_5:33), with a love peculiar to the nearest relation and the greatest comfort and blessing of life. And they must not be bitter against them, not use them unkindly, with harsh language or severe treatment, but be kind and obliging to them in all things; for the woman was made for the man, neither is the man without the woman, and the man also is by the woman, 1Co_11:9, 1Co_11:11, 1Co_11:12.”
The husband has the greater responsibility of the two and therefore the Lord requires more of him. On Judgment Day they both must give an account of how they lived their lives and many will be surprised. Husbands who have a strong wives must love them regardless of their actions or words and show Christ’s love to them at all times but know this in every situation where the wife is strong the husband’s strength is subdued and many times they even appear weak to others, which in turn causes the wife to justify her display of strength. In this case she is searching for something but does not know what, God has not blessed her in the area of leading in place of her husband and therefore she will not be satisfied. That’s not to say the woman cannot lead if the husband is absent but she must not do this if he is present and purposes to follow God’s leading. The wife’s purpose is to help him hear and follow God’s leading and by doing this the entire household is strengthened as God intended. The husband with a strong wife also has a responsibility to teach her why she cannot lead, to help her hear God’s voice, but he must do it without becoming frustrated and should the wife refuse to listen the husband must fall back on the promise he made before God to love and care for her, even cherish her.
A wife of noble character is her husband's crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.
(Proverbs 12:4 NIV)
Husbands don’t blame your wives and wives don’t blame your husbands but instead allow God to open your spiritual eyes so that you might see how today’s culture has drifted so far away from what God’s plan was for the family. If your children are rebellious first examine your relationship with God and then with your spouse, are you following His precepts? Matthew Henry may have said it best when he said, “We must never separate the privileges and duties of the gospel religion.” If you want the spouse God intended then you have to be the spouse He intended and if you want the children He promised would be a blessing then you have to be the parents He promised to bless.
(Luke 11:17 NLT)
Can two be joined together yet be divided in heart? What about parent and child, can they support or encourage each other if there is division between them? No, I tell you this relationship will follow the prior and if there are cracks in the foundation the entire house will be unstable.
What happens when the wife cannot submit to the husband and the husband cannot love the wife? When the Bible says something we must consider it carefully. Too many times I’ve seen politically correct preachers teach wives the word submit doesn’t really mean submit and then as to reinforce their thought they go directly into how God created men and women to be equals. While truth is mixed into the point being made it leads couples further into distress. It is no better for men, in order to be kind, gentle, loving, and avoid confrontation our God-given desire to lead has been subdued to the point of almost nonexistent and church leaders wonder why they have such a hard time getting men to participate making them seem lazy and uninterested. These problems are compounded when children are raised in a home where these questions go unanswered.
And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting for those who belong to the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly. Children, always obey your parents, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not aggravate your children, or they will become discouraged. Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything you do. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. Serve them sincerely because of your reverent fear of the Lord. Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.
(Colossians 3:17-23 NLT)
The following is an excerpt from the Matthew Henry commentary:
“We must never separate the privileges and duties of the gospel religion.
I. He begins with the duties of wives and husbands (Col_3:18): Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Submission is the duty of wives, hupotassesthe. It is the same word which is used to express our duty to magistrates (Rom_13:1, Let every soul be subject to the higher powers), and is expressed by subjection and reverence, Eph_5:24, Eph_5:33. The reason is that Adam was first formed, then Eve: and Adam was not deceived, but the woman, being deceived, was in the transgression, 1Ti_2:13, 1Ti_2:14. He was first in the creation and last in the transgression. The head of the woman is the man; and the man is not of the woman, but the woman of the man; neither was the man created for the woman, but the woman for the man, 1Co_11:3, 1Co_11:8, 1Co_11:9. It is agreeable to the order of nature and the reason of things, as well as the appointment and will of God. But then it is submission, not to a rigorous lord or absolute tyrant, who may do his will and is without restraints, but to a husband, and to her own husband, who stands in the nearest relation, and is under strict engagements to proper duty too. And this is fit in the Lord, it is becoming the relation, and what they are bound in duty to do, as an instance of obedience to the authority and law of Christ. On the other hand, husbands must love their wives, and not be bitter against them, Col_3:19. They must love them with tender and faithful affection, as Christ loved the church, and as their own bodies, and even as themselves (Eph_5:25, Eph_5:28, Eph_5:33), with a love peculiar to the nearest relation and the greatest comfort and blessing of life. And they must not be bitter against them, not use them unkindly, with harsh language or severe treatment, but be kind and obliging to them in all things; for the woman was made for the man, neither is the man without the woman, and the man also is by the woman, 1Co_11:9, 1Co_11:11, 1Co_11:12.”
The husband has the greater responsibility of the two and therefore the Lord requires more of him. On Judgment Day they both must give an account of how they lived their lives and many will be surprised. Husbands who have a strong wives must love them regardless of their actions or words and show Christ’s love to them at all times but know this in every situation where the wife is strong the husband’s strength is subdued and many times they even appear weak to others, which in turn causes the wife to justify her display of strength. In this case she is searching for something but does not know what, God has not blessed her in the area of leading in place of her husband and therefore she will not be satisfied. That’s not to say the woman cannot lead if the husband is absent but she must not do this if he is present and purposes to follow God’s leading. The wife’s purpose is to help him hear and follow God’s leading and by doing this the entire household is strengthened as God intended. The husband with a strong wife also has a responsibility to teach her why she cannot lead, to help her hear God’s voice, but he must do it without becoming frustrated and should the wife refuse to listen the husband must fall back on the promise he made before God to love and care for her, even cherish her.
A wife of noble character is her husband's crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.
(Proverbs 12:4 NIV)
Husbands don’t blame your wives and wives don’t blame your husbands but instead allow God to open your spiritual eyes so that you might see how today’s culture has drifted so far away from what God’s plan was for the family. If your children are rebellious first examine your relationship with God and then with your spouse, are you following His precepts? Matthew Henry may have said it best when he said, “We must never separate the privileges and duties of the gospel religion.” If you want the spouse God intended then you have to be the spouse He intended and if you want the children He promised would be a blessing then you have to be the parents He promised to bless.
Saturday, September 13, 2014
You lack because you don't ask
Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.
(Matthew 7:7-8 NLT)
As you would expect a good father to bless his children when they honor him and withhold his blessings when they don’t so does our Heavenly Father but even more so. Where do you think this model for us comes from? Look at the life of Moses and God’s people as He led them out of bondage. God cared for them and provided for all their needs but when their wicked hearts turned from God what happened? In our grown up, politically correct culture today we read the Old Testament and view it as harsh or even cruel but for all the changes we’ve made is the world a better place to live in now? Really, look closer at current events, look behind the scenes not just what the media wants you to hear; the stage is being set for the final battle and the love of humanity will begin to grow cold as fear replaces compassion.
God still protects and provides for His children and in Matthew chapter 7 Jesus tells us to ask and keep on asking. Why ask more than once you say, because our hearts are not in alignment with our Heavenly Father’s and as we seek Him the things we ask for will change, reflecting the changes He is making inside of us (by this He leads His children out of bondage, even today). As our hearts begin to honor our Heavenly Father the door to His blessing also begins to open and He welcomes us in to a bounty never before seen! In this place the territory given to us increases and what limited us before has strangely disappeared leaving in its wake faith, hope, and love and a better understanding of each and the role they play in God’s great adventure! You see humanity and the enemy are not the only ones preparing for the end. God wants to bless and prepare His children but to what extent is determined by the individual and only by the individual because of free will, which is a gift from God alone; by the limits of our own faith and because of the walls created by our ability to obey, it is by these things our territory will have boundaries. The boundaries are (as difficult as it is to understand and for lack of a better way to explain) predetermined by God Himself, as Jesus told us by His example in Matthew chapter 25. Starting at verse 14 the master knowing his servants divided his money to each one according to what they could handle. It was because of the love the master had for each servant he did not give to them more than their abilities would allow and in the end cause failure. Each one equally had the opportunity to fail or succeed, to be faithful or selfish, to honor the master or advance their own purpose. Starting at verse 21 the master rewards each servant according to their works, knowing without works faith is dead. The two that were faithful saw the door of the master’s blessings open before them but to the one that was evil saw the power and might of the master’s righteous indignation as it was revealed the master is our Lord and Savior and the lesson goes from storybook characters to a light revealing the dark corners of our own hearts! For we know it is only God who has such discernment as to divide responsibilities equally so that when we stand before His throne of judgment we will have no defense except Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.
Like this lazy servant there will be those who know of God, even living in God’s house but do not take the time to know God – this is the difference between an acquaintance and having a deep personal relationship with someone. Unfortunately knowing of God deceives the individual into believing they too can receive God’s blessings and in part they are correct but there is so much more to be discovered if only they would learn to walk in humility. Fortunately, God knows the heart of each man and woman and He sees the motives behind each request. With time the motives are even revealed to other people if they see with the spirit and not the flesh and with understanding provided by the Holy Spirit of God. Read the following from James chapter 4 and see if it doesn’t sound like events taking place today. You don’t have to look very far to see it on Facebook, the news, or anywhere there are people gathered for any length of time. Parts of the passage are quoted but taken out of context, look at who is being addressed and hear the conditions of God’s blessings. To ask for the right things yet still have evil desires and pride only forfeits your ability to receive.
What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don't they come from the evil desires at war within you? You want what you don't have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can't get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don't have what you want because you don't ask God for it. And even when you ask, you don't get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure. You adulterers! Don't you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God. What do you think the Scriptures mean when they say that the spirit God has placed within us is filled with envy? But He gives us even more grace to stand against such evil desires. As the Scriptures say, "God opposes the proud but favors the humble." So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up in honor. Don't speak evil against each other, dear brothers and sisters. If you criticize and judge each other, then you are criticizing and judging God's law. But your job is to obey the law, not to judge whether it applies to you. God alone, who gave the law, is the Judge. He alone has the power to save or to destroy. So what right do you have to judge your neighbor?
(James 4:1-12 NLT)
Though this message is stern it is given in love and hope that God’s people will awaken to the workings of the enemy and cast off the stained garments so that God’s people will be set apart and prepared for that which is coming.
(Matthew 7:7-8 NLT)
As you would expect a good father to bless his children when they honor him and withhold his blessings when they don’t so does our Heavenly Father but even more so. Where do you think this model for us comes from? Look at the life of Moses and God’s people as He led them out of bondage. God cared for them and provided for all their needs but when their wicked hearts turned from God what happened? In our grown up, politically correct culture today we read the Old Testament and view it as harsh or even cruel but for all the changes we’ve made is the world a better place to live in now? Really, look closer at current events, look behind the scenes not just what the media wants you to hear; the stage is being set for the final battle and the love of humanity will begin to grow cold as fear replaces compassion.
God still protects and provides for His children and in Matthew chapter 7 Jesus tells us to ask and keep on asking. Why ask more than once you say, because our hearts are not in alignment with our Heavenly Father’s and as we seek Him the things we ask for will change, reflecting the changes He is making inside of us (by this He leads His children out of bondage, even today). As our hearts begin to honor our Heavenly Father the door to His blessing also begins to open and He welcomes us in to a bounty never before seen! In this place the territory given to us increases and what limited us before has strangely disappeared leaving in its wake faith, hope, and love and a better understanding of each and the role they play in God’s great adventure! You see humanity and the enemy are not the only ones preparing for the end. God wants to bless and prepare His children but to what extent is determined by the individual and only by the individual because of free will, which is a gift from God alone; by the limits of our own faith and because of the walls created by our ability to obey, it is by these things our territory will have boundaries. The boundaries are (as difficult as it is to understand and for lack of a better way to explain) predetermined by God Himself, as Jesus told us by His example in Matthew chapter 25. Starting at verse 14 the master knowing his servants divided his money to each one according to what they could handle. It was because of the love the master had for each servant he did not give to them more than their abilities would allow and in the end cause failure. Each one equally had the opportunity to fail or succeed, to be faithful or selfish, to honor the master or advance their own purpose. Starting at verse 21 the master rewards each servant according to their works, knowing without works faith is dead. The two that were faithful saw the door of the master’s blessings open before them but to the one that was evil saw the power and might of the master’s righteous indignation as it was revealed the master is our Lord and Savior and the lesson goes from storybook characters to a light revealing the dark corners of our own hearts! For we know it is only God who has such discernment as to divide responsibilities equally so that when we stand before His throne of judgment we will have no defense except Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.
Like this lazy servant there will be those who know of God, even living in God’s house but do not take the time to know God – this is the difference between an acquaintance and having a deep personal relationship with someone. Unfortunately knowing of God deceives the individual into believing they too can receive God’s blessings and in part they are correct but there is so much more to be discovered if only they would learn to walk in humility. Fortunately, God knows the heart of each man and woman and He sees the motives behind each request. With time the motives are even revealed to other people if they see with the spirit and not the flesh and with understanding provided by the Holy Spirit of God. Read the following from James chapter 4 and see if it doesn’t sound like events taking place today. You don’t have to look very far to see it on Facebook, the news, or anywhere there are people gathered for any length of time. Parts of the passage are quoted but taken out of context, look at who is being addressed and hear the conditions of God’s blessings. To ask for the right things yet still have evil desires and pride only forfeits your ability to receive.
What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don't they come from the evil desires at war within you? You want what you don't have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can't get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don't have what you want because you don't ask God for it. And even when you ask, you don't get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure. You adulterers! Don't you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God. What do you think the Scriptures mean when they say that the spirit God has placed within us is filled with envy? But He gives us even more grace to stand against such evil desires. As the Scriptures say, "God opposes the proud but favors the humble." So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up in honor. Don't speak evil against each other, dear brothers and sisters. If you criticize and judge each other, then you are criticizing and judging God's law. But your job is to obey the law, not to judge whether it applies to you. God alone, who gave the law, is the Judge. He alone has the power to save or to destroy. So what right do you have to judge your neighbor?
(James 4:1-12 NLT)
Though this message is stern it is given in love and hope that God’s people will awaken to the workings of the enemy and cast off the stained garments so that God’s people will be set apart and prepared for that which is coming.
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
The Lord delights in you
The LORD your God will delight in you if you obey His voice and keep the commands and decrees written in this Book of Instruction, and if you turn to the LORD your God with all your heart and soul.
(Deuteronomy 30:10 NLT)
Why do we place such a high value on other people’s opinions or broadcast to others how much a particular opinion does not count when in the end it’s all part of the same game. The one thing it does without us know it is reveal where our time is spent. Did you know the Lord Himself delights in you if you obey His voice and keep His commandments? Do you think we can keep one eye on God and the other on people’s opinions? Wanting to be liked is a strong pull but are we to allow it to direct our paths?
God gave us free will and anyone or anything we surrender that free will to can be summed up with one word ~ sin! We don’t understand how important the gift God gave is. Do you know why drunkenness is sin? Who’s in control? What about anger, jealousy, bitterness, or strife? All these things cost us the gift God gave specifically to each one of us. You see He delights in us and with free will we are able to choose to delight ourselves in Him. As a matter of fact He is waiting for you to meet Him in this place with arms wide open and blessings abounding but days turn into weeks and weeks into years before we realize what we are missing. If this is the case there is little wonder in the tragedy that is allowed in our lives that causes us to refocus our attention upon our Lord and Savior.
Take delight in the LORD, and He will give you your heart's desires.
(Psalms 37:4 NLT)
There is something deceitful about our hearts, though we’ve seen God’s goodness and righteousness with our own eyes our hearts, without warning, will turn from God. Be on guard day and night so that you may remain in God’s presence and keep the gift (free will) that has cost Him His Son’s life. Do not take it lightly and do not give it away to lesser things, for you will be judged according to your ability to hold on to it.
"The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? But I, the LORD, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve."
(Jeremiah 17:9-10 NLT)
(Deuteronomy 30:10 NLT)
Why do we place such a high value on other people’s opinions or broadcast to others how much a particular opinion does not count when in the end it’s all part of the same game. The one thing it does without us know it is reveal where our time is spent. Did you know the Lord Himself delights in you if you obey His voice and keep His commandments? Do you think we can keep one eye on God and the other on people’s opinions? Wanting to be liked is a strong pull but are we to allow it to direct our paths?
God gave us free will and anyone or anything we surrender that free will to can be summed up with one word ~ sin! We don’t understand how important the gift God gave is. Do you know why drunkenness is sin? Who’s in control? What about anger, jealousy, bitterness, or strife? All these things cost us the gift God gave specifically to each one of us. You see He delights in us and with free will we are able to choose to delight ourselves in Him. As a matter of fact He is waiting for you to meet Him in this place with arms wide open and blessings abounding but days turn into weeks and weeks into years before we realize what we are missing. If this is the case there is little wonder in the tragedy that is allowed in our lives that causes us to refocus our attention upon our Lord and Savior.
Take delight in the LORD, and He will give you your heart's desires.
(Psalms 37:4 NLT)
There is something deceitful about our hearts, though we’ve seen God’s goodness and righteousness with our own eyes our hearts, without warning, will turn from God. Be on guard day and night so that you may remain in God’s presence and keep the gift (free will) that has cost Him His Son’s life. Do not take it lightly and do not give it away to lesser things, for you will be judged according to your ability to hold on to it.
"The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? But I, the LORD, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve."
(Jeremiah 17:9-10 NLT)
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
My Protector and my Provider
David sang this song to the LORD on the day the LORD rescued him from all his enemies and from Saul. He sang: "The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. He is my refuge, my savior, the One who saves me from violence.”
(2 Samuel 22:1-3 NLT)
Have you ever been in a place that you know the potential for danger was high? You are not tempting or testing God by doing something foolish but still you want the assurance that God is with you. Sometimes it’s a physical place and sometimes it’s a spiritual one. David was able to call upon the Lord because He had spent time with God prior to his need and therefore knew God was with Him regardless of where he was. God is not a magic genie and does not appear in a cloud of smoke when you need Him most. It is real simple He is our Heavenly Father and His children are the apple of His eye and He hears our cries for help.
But in my distress I cried out to the LORD; yes, I cried to my God for help. He heard me from His sanctuary; my cry reached His ears.
(2 Samuel 22:7 NLT)
Over and over the Bible points to our need for God and His desire to have relationship with His children, not just when it benefits our wants but to dwell in His presence. Then will you know Him as Protector and Provider and with assurance you will face the enemy when you are surrounded on all sides. God’s love for us moves us towards being more and more like Jesus and with that His purpose replaces our human desires so that we might fulfill His plan for mankind and when this life is over we will not fear the end but with eager anticipation we will be focused on the prize. No longer will we be homesick but will see the Author and Finisher of our faith with our own eyes.
All who confess that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in His love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face Him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced His perfect love.
(1 John 4:15-18 NLT)
(2 Samuel 22:1-3 NLT)
Have you ever been in a place that you know the potential for danger was high? You are not tempting or testing God by doing something foolish but still you want the assurance that God is with you. Sometimes it’s a physical place and sometimes it’s a spiritual one. David was able to call upon the Lord because He had spent time with God prior to his need and therefore knew God was with Him regardless of where he was. God is not a magic genie and does not appear in a cloud of smoke when you need Him most. It is real simple He is our Heavenly Father and His children are the apple of His eye and He hears our cries for help.
But in my distress I cried out to the LORD; yes, I cried to my God for help. He heard me from His sanctuary; my cry reached His ears.
(2 Samuel 22:7 NLT)
Over and over the Bible points to our need for God and His desire to have relationship with His children, not just when it benefits our wants but to dwell in His presence. Then will you know Him as Protector and Provider and with assurance you will face the enemy when you are surrounded on all sides. God’s love for us moves us towards being more and more like Jesus and with that His purpose replaces our human desires so that we might fulfill His plan for mankind and when this life is over we will not fear the end but with eager anticipation we will be focused on the prize. No longer will we be homesick but will see the Author and Finisher of our faith with our own eyes.
All who confess that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in His love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face Him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced His perfect love.
(1 John 4:15-18 NLT)
Monday, September 8, 2014
Single minded, whole hearted
We are most driven when the unnecessary has been stripped from us. I believe most fear this place but those who have been realize the value of it and allow it to propel them to do that which they would not have been able to do otherwise. Look at Job, Noah, Moses, Abraham, David, Ruth and all the Old Testament people God used to see if this is not true. Now look at Paul who was Saul, Peter, Luke, John and the ones who started the church, many were martyrs for Christ yet they did not back down, no instead they become more determined and so must we if we are to be followers of Christ.
I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives. Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity. Anyone who wants to be My disciple must follow Me, because My servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves Me.
(John 12:24-26 NLT)
The early church was scattered because of persecution but they could not be silenced, for what drove their spirit was stronger than what their flesh feared. Most Christians today have lost sight of the eternal and have surrounded themselves with things and people that make them feel good about who they are but a time is coming when the true followers of Christ will be called to let go of the temporary to gain the eternal. Those who have already done so without waiting for the trumpet to sound will be honored by God.
Meanwhile, the believers who had been scattered during the persecution after Stephen's death traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch of Syria. They preached the word of God, but only to Jews. However, some of the believers who went to Antioch from Cyprus and Cyrene began preaching to the Gentiles about the Lord Jesus. The power of the Lord was with them, and a large number of these Gentiles believed and turned to the Lord.
(Acts 11:19-21 NLT)
One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), was not with the others when Jesus came. They told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he replied, "I won't believe it unless I see the nail wounds in His hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in His side." Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. "Peace be with you," He said. Then He said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and look at My hands. Put your hand into the wound in My side. Don't be faithless any longer. Believe!" "My Lord and my God!" Thomas exclaimed. Then Jesus told him, "You believe because you have seen Me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing Me."
(John 20:24-29 NLT)
Jesus said, “You believe because you have seen Me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing Me.” What will it take to fully surrender to the Lord Jesus? Must we see Him face to face first or is the presence of His Holy Spirit enough? I pray that the Lord Jesus causes the church to rise to their feet so that we may serve His purpose now and not wait until he reveals Himself in physical form. How much greater the reunion will be for those who have been faithful and depended upon the leading of God’s Holy Spirit then those who had to be convinced.
Are you tired of losing battles? Look to Jesus and to Him alone. Discipline your mind so that it doesn’t wonder and train your eyes that they remain focused. In a world of multi-tasking Jesus calls us back to be single minded and whole hearted.
I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives. Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity. Anyone who wants to be My disciple must follow Me, because My servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves Me.
(John 12:24-26 NLT)
The early church was scattered because of persecution but they could not be silenced, for what drove their spirit was stronger than what their flesh feared. Most Christians today have lost sight of the eternal and have surrounded themselves with things and people that make them feel good about who they are but a time is coming when the true followers of Christ will be called to let go of the temporary to gain the eternal. Those who have already done so without waiting for the trumpet to sound will be honored by God.
Meanwhile, the believers who had been scattered during the persecution after Stephen's death traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch of Syria. They preached the word of God, but only to Jews. However, some of the believers who went to Antioch from Cyprus and Cyrene began preaching to the Gentiles about the Lord Jesus. The power of the Lord was with them, and a large number of these Gentiles believed and turned to the Lord.
(Acts 11:19-21 NLT)
One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), was not with the others when Jesus came. They told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he replied, "I won't believe it unless I see the nail wounds in His hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in His side." Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. "Peace be with you," He said. Then He said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and look at My hands. Put your hand into the wound in My side. Don't be faithless any longer. Believe!" "My Lord and my God!" Thomas exclaimed. Then Jesus told him, "You believe because you have seen Me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing Me."
(John 20:24-29 NLT)
Jesus said, “You believe because you have seen Me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing Me.” What will it take to fully surrender to the Lord Jesus? Must we see Him face to face first or is the presence of His Holy Spirit enough? I pray that the Lord Jesus causes the church to rise to their feet so that we may serve His purpose now and not wait until he reveals Himself in physical form. How much greater the reunion will be for those who have been faithful and depended upon the leading of God’s Holy Spirit then those who had to be convinced.
Are you tired of losing battles? Look to Jesus and to Him alone. Discipline your mind so that it doesn’t wonder and train your eyes that they remain focused. In a world of multi-tasking Jesus calls us back to be single minded and whole hearted.
Saturday, September 6, 2014
The perfect delivered through the flawed
The Word of God is within His children but it is by their faith and the leading of God’s Holy Spirit that the words they read come to life and form a unending well on the inside. For many have read the Bible and did not see any difference from other history or story books.
Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet's own understanding, or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God.
(2 Peter 1:20-21 NLT)
How clear our understanding of scripture is in direct relation to how much we get out of our own way and allow the Holy Spirit to reveal God’s purpose. Without realizing it we believe God to be a certain way and that understanding of who we think God is bends our perception of the meaning of His Word (God’s Word does not change but our understanding or what we allow ourselves to believe does change with time). It is life that shapes and molds each of us and therefore our view on the world and on heaven is tinted, it is because of this each perspective is unique but not complete. We are then introduced to Jesus and as new Christians we are fed the milk of His Word. As we grow so does our understanding of His Word. It has been proven that we learn more rapidly and are more willing to believe as babes than any other time in our lives but we also lack experience and we have yet to understand our own need. As mature Christians we have the experience of seeing God make a way where one did not exist and we have the understanding of what it is like to fail and therefore know our need for Jesus but we become set in our ways and all too often we tend to box God in or compartmentalize how life should go because we don’t have the energy we once had. Now think about how our understanding of God’s Word changes and grows with us as we get older. When two Christians who love God, one older and the other younger have different views this is what is going on and Jesus makes reference to it in Luke chapter 5.
Then Jesus gave them this illustration: "No one tears a piece of cloth from a new garment and uses it to patch an old garment. For then the new garment would be ruined, and the new patch wouldn't even match the old garment. "And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the new wine would burst the wineskins, spilling the wine and ruining the skins. New wine must be stored in new wineskins. But no one who drinks the old wine seems to want the new wine. 'The old is just fine,' they say."
(Luke 5:36-39 NLT)
All this points to one truth ~ throughout life we must look to and trust fully our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to lead us by His Holy Spirit. We must also understand that our view or understanding is not like standing on a watchtower but instead like looking through a crack in a wall in that we see just glimpses of God’s glory that one day will be revealed in whole. There are times God calls us to sound an alarm and He uses us as a watchman but if you think you can camp there to keep other Christians on the straight and narrow you’ve missed the mark and when you open your eyes you’ll find yourself alone in the middle of a field somewhere (recognize your need and repent) but that’s ok because God’s grace is more than enough and that’s part of the experience that must be gained. Younger Christians don’t disregard the experiences of older Christians and older Christians don’t box God in causing younger Christians to doubt. God knows exactly what we need no matter where we are in our walk with Him. Do we really think our view is so complete that we can disregard how God has led someone else?
Now our knowledge is partial and incomplete, and even the gift of prophecy reveals only part of the whole picture! But when full understanding comes, these partial things will become useless. When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. Now we see things imperfectly as in a cloudy mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely. Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.
(1 Corinthians 13:9-13 NLT)
Be quick to forgive and never let go of love. The list of things that are sure is also short but they become clouded by things that have no guarantee so know God that you might sense His leading and practice obedience that you might be pleasing to Him and He may renew your strength.
Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of His understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
(Isaiah 40:28-31 NLT)
Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet's own understanding, or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God.
(2 Peter 1:20-21 NLT)
How clear our understanding of scripture is in direct relation to how much we get out of our own way and allow the Holy Spirit to reveal God’s purpose. Without realizing it we believe God to be a certain way and that understanding of who we think God is bends our perception of the meaning of His Word (God’s Word does not change but our understanding or what we allow ourselves to believe does change with time). It is life that shapes and molds each of us and therefore our view on the world and on heaven is tinted, it is because of this each perspective is unique but not complete. We are then introduced to Jesus and as new Christians we are fed the milk of His Word. As we grow so does our understanding of His Word. It has been proven that we learn more rapidly and are more willing to believe as babes than any other time in our lives but we also lack experience and we have yet to understand our own need. As mature Christians we have the experience of seeing God make a way where one did not exist and we have the understanding of what it is like to fail and therefore know our need for Jesus but we become set in our ways and all too often we tend to box God in or compartmentalize how life should go because we don’t have the energy we once had. Now think about how our understanding of God’s Word changes and grows with us as we get older. When two Christians who love God, one older and the other younger have different views this is what is going on and Jesus makes reference to it in Luke chapter 5.
Then Jesus gave them this illustration: "No one tears a piece of cloth from a new garment and uses it to patch an old garment. For then the new garment would be ruined, and the new patch wouldn't even match the old garment. "And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the new wine would burst the wineskins, spilling the wine and ruining the skins. New wine must be stored in new wineskins. But no one who drinks the old wine seems to want the new wine. 'The old is just fine,' they say."
(Luke 5:36-39 NLT)
All this points to one truth ~ throughout life we must look to and trust fully our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to lead us by His Holy Spirit. We must also understand that our view or understanding is not like standing on a watchtower but instead like looking through a crack in a wall in that we see just glimpses of God’s glory that one day will be revealed in whole. There are times God calls us to sound an alarm and He uses us as a watchman but if you think you can camp there to keep other Christians on the straight and narrow you’ve missed the mark and when you open your eyes you’ll find yourself alone in the middle of a field somewhere (recognize your need and repent) but that’s ok because God’s grace is more than enough and that’s part of the experience that must be gained. Younger Christians don’t disregard the experiences of older Christians and older Christians don’t box God in causing younger Christians to doubt. God knows exactly what we need no matter where we are in our walk with Him. Do we really think our view is so complete that we can disregard how God has led someone else?
Now our knowledge is partial and incomplete, and even the gift of prophecy reveals only part of the whole picture! But when full understanding comes, these partial things will become useless. When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. Now we see things imperfectly as in a cloudy mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely. Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.
(1 Corinthians 13:9-13 NLT)
Be quick to forgive and never let go of love. The list of things that are sure is also short but they become clouded by things that have no guarantee so know God that you might sense His leading and practice obedience that you might be pleasing to Him and He may renew your strength.
Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of His understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
(Isaiah 40:28-31 NLT)
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
Wars and rumors of war
Jesus told them, "Don't let anyone mislead you, for many will come in My name, claiming, 'I am the Messiah.' They will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don't panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won't follow immediately.
(Matthew 24:4-6 NLT)
Jesus was preparing not only those who were following Him that day but He leads us even today, as His Word does in every other part of the Bible because it is alive and not dead. He said these things so that we might understand what the end will look like and know that God is in control regardless of what situations may seem but that does not mean things will be easy, as a matter of fact, we will know before it’s over the difference between needs and wants not unlike Job did. This will cause the true church to awaken and with their eyes no longer closed in slumber they will walk through the fire that purifies them with lamps full of oil and wicks trimmed and ready.
Are we not hearing about wars and rumors of war even now? Governments are busy crafting problems so its people will support their plans to go to war. As the populations fall in line their government prepares for devastating effects knowing many of the casualties will be their own people. You may ask why but it is all very simple the strong pull of power and money and it will be centralized in the oil rich countries of the Middle East. Look at how many people replay the videos of terrorists killing US reporters on Facebook, to what avail? Do we not help promote the original intent the terrorists had each time someone views it? The New World Order is sold as a package of goods by leaders so that one body can govern over all the nations, while agencies at home prepare for countless deaths by stacking plastic coffins in plain view and have already started tagging people to be marked like cattle in the name of convenience for the individual. Religious leaders are no better, seeing what is forming and instead of warning the people they also jockey for position for the opportunity to be a major power in this new rule. If the Anti-Christ is going to have the impact that is intended does he not need a stage for the whole world to view him from?
For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
(1Timothy 6:10 KJV)
Make no mistake World War III will be Armageddon and the nations are volleying for the upper hand even now. There is no turning back or backing down, the stage is under construction and what’s more the world leaders have the backing of the people because the people have been conditioned to accept the ideal of war but it will not go according to the plan of man or the government of man but according to what Jesus spoke to His disciples about in Matthew chapter 24. Jesus said these things must happen “but the end is not yet”. Not only will war be on everyone’s mind but the earth itself will have birthing pains in the form of earthquakes and massive unexplained storms. In verse 8 Jesus lets us know this is just the beginning and we, His children, must go through it for His sake.
All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.
(Matthew 24:8-9 KJV)
But those who are killed will be the fortunate ones, for those who remain will surely see even worse things as the hearts of people grow cold and turn inward as they claw their way to be on top. Even then there will be those that will cling to Jesus and He promises to be with those who seek Him all the way to the end, just before the final out poring of His wrath. Again for the purpose of making the final announcement so the world will know to come in from the darkness before it’s too late but very few will listen and even fewer will be able to hold on to their faith in the face of such an enemy.
But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
(Matthew 24:13-14 KJV)
“…and then shall the end come.” It is at this point God’s wrath will be known and all who have accepted God’s invitation will be brought in from the darkness that is about to overtake the earth and the season of grace will be no more. The plans of man will fall and as those who thought they were able to manipulate countless millions will only now realize it was they themselves that were manipulated to play a part they did not understand but it will be too late as they seek the end but cannot find it.
When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
(Matthew 24:15-22 KJV)
But fear not for though we face trouble that cannot be adequately described God will not depart and if we fear let us fear God who can destroy both the soul and the body in hell knowing man can only take the body but cannot touch the soul. It is not ours to understand why God said certain things must be so but only that we trust Him with our whole being and know that a day is coming when righteousness will prevail and evil will be no more.
A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
(Psalms 23:1-6 KJV)
(Matthew 24:4-6 NLT)
Jesus was preparing not only those who were following Him that day but He leads us even today, as His Word does in every other part of the Bible because it is alive and not dead. He said these things so that we might understand what the end will look like and know that God is in control regardless of what situations may seem but that does not mean things will be easy, as a matter of fact, we will know before it’s over the difference between needs and wants not unlike Job did. This will cause the true church to awaken and with their eyes no longer closed in slumber they will walk through the fire that purifies them with lamps full of oil and wicks trimmed and ready.
Are we not hearing about wars and rumors of war even now? Governments are busy crafting problems so its people will support their plans to go to war. As the populations fall in line their government prepares for devastating effects knowing many of the casualties will be their own people. You may ask why but it is all very simple the strong pull of power and money and it will be centralized in the oil rich countries of the Middle East. Look at how many people replay the videos of terrorists killing US reporters on Facebook, to what avail? Do we not help promote the original intent the terrorists had each time someone views it? The New World Order is sold as a package of goods by leaders so that one body can govern over all the nations, while agencies at home prepare for countless deaths by stacking plastic coffins in plain view and have already started tagging people to be marked like cattle in the name of convenience for the individual. Religious leaders are no better, seeing what is forming and instead of warning the people they also jockey for position for the opportunity to be a major power in this new rule. If the Anti-Christ is going to have the impact that is intended does he not need a stage for the whole world to view him from?
For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
(1Timothy 6:10 KJV)
Make no mistake World War III will be Armageddon and the nations are volleying for the upper hand even now. There is no turning back or backing down, the stage is under construction and what’s more the world leaders have the backing of the people because the people have been conditioned to accept the ideal of war but it will not go according to the plan of man or the government of man but according to what Jesus spoke to His disciples about in Matthew chapter 24. Jesus said these things must happen “but the end is not yet”. Not only will war be on everyone’s mind but the earth itself will have birthing pains in the form of earthquakes and massive unexplained storms. In verse 8 Jesus lets us know this is just the beginning and we, His children, must go through it for His sake.
All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.
(Matthew 24:8-9 KJV)
But those who are killed will be the fortunate ones, for those who remain will surely see even worse things as the hearts of people grow cold and turn inward as they claw their way to be on top. Even then there will be those that will cling to Jesus and He promises to be with those who seek Him all the way to the end, just before the final out poring of His wrath. Again for the purpose of making the final announcement so the world will know to come in from the darkness before it’s too late but very few will listen and even fewer will be able to hold on to their faith in the face of such an enemy.
But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
(Matthew 24:13-14 KJV)
“…and then shall the end come.” It is at this point God’s wrath will be known and all who have accepted God’s invitation will be brought in from the darkness that is about to overtake the earth and the season of grace will be no more. The plans of man will fall and as those who thought they were able to manipulate countless millions will only now realize it was they themselves that were manipulated to play a part they did not understand but it will be too late as they seek the end but cannot find it.
When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
(Matthew 24:15-22 KJV)
But fear not for though we face trouble that cannot be adequately described God will not depart and if we fear let us fear God who can destroy both the soul and the body in hell knowing man can only take the body but cannot touch the soul. It is not ours to understand why God said certain things must be so but only that we trust Him with our whole being and know that a day is coming when righteousness will prevail and evil will be no more.
A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
(Psalms 23:1-6 KJV)
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
Set apart
If we are to be leaders let us first be leaders in prayer for the world has its fair share of leaders who are accomplished in their own ways but the leader who values God’s direction is not limited by the boundaries of man but looks to Him to do the unexpected. And if we pray let it lead us to inner godliness so the world may know we are different, not because we say so but because we are. Paul told Timothy this…
The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith.
(1Timothy 1:5 NLT)
Which was contrary to the status quo for Paul knew when God’s people were sensitive to God’s leading the result would be polarizing. There would be those who were attracted and there would be those who would come against what God was doing but all would take notice. It was not because of the vessel but because of what was contained within and it is the same still today. There will always be someone better trained, better equipped, or more skilled but few choose to practice their ability to be led by the unseen God.
For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts. Never once did we try to win you with flattery, as you well know. And God is our witness that we were not pretending to be your friends just to get your money! As for human praise, we have never sought it from you or anyone else. As apostles of Christ we certainly had a right to make some demands of you, but instead we were like children among you. Or we were like a mother feeding and caring for her own children. We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God's Good News but our own lives, too.
(1 Thessalonians 2:4-8 NLT)
As we draw closer to God the course that He leads us on, regardless of what it looks like, will cause us to lead others; not to show our abilities or that we know more but simply because God wants to use you as an example of what being a vessel of His looks like. Do not turn away leadership opportunities because you have not been formally trained as a leader but instead trust that God knows what He is doing and be obedient to His call. In this way you will be set apart for the purpose of bringing glory to the Master and you will find that lesser things will fall away as they lose the value they once had in your life.
The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith.
(1Timothy 1:5 NLT)
Which was contrary to the status quo for Paul knew when God’s people were sensitive to God’s leading the result would be polarizing. There would be those who were attracted and there would be those who would come against what God was doing but all would take notice. It was not because of the vessel but because of what was contained within and it is the same still today. There will always be someone better trained, better equipped, or more skilled but few choose to practice their ability to be led by the unseen God.
For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts. Never once did we try to win you with flattery, as you well know. And God is our witness that we were not pretending to be your friends just to get your money! As for human praise, we have never sought it from you or anyone else. As apostles of Christ we certainly had a right to make some demands of you, but instead we were like children among you. Or we were like a mother feeding and caring for her own children. We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God's Good News but our own lives, too.
(1 Thessalonians 2:4-8 NLT)
As we draw closer to God the course that He leads us on, regardless of what it looks like, will cause us to lead others; not to show our abilities or that we know more but simply because God wants to use you as an example of what being a vessel of His looks like. Do not turn away leadership opportunities because you have not been formally trained as a leader but instead trust that God knows what He is doing and be obedient to His call. In this way you will be set apart for the purpose of bringing glory to the Master and you will find that lesser things will fall away as they lose the value they once had in your life.
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