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)
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
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)
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