Matthew 23:8-12 MKJV But you must not be called Rabbi, for One is your teacher, Christ, and you are all brothers. (9) And call no one your father on the earth, for One is your Father in Heaven. (10) Nor be called teachers, for One is your Teacher, even Christ. (11) But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. (12) And whoever shall exalt himself shall be abased, and he who shall humble himself shall be exalted.
For who is my father or my son, who is my family? If they are followers of Jesus Christ are we not brothers and sisters serving the same Master? Do we not each have a direct line to the Father through His Son Jesus Christ? I’m all for Christian books, twelve step programs, motivational speaking, and tools that help us understand better the people God has designed us to be, in as much as they follow the Bible but if the vary, wavier, or turn from God’s Word or cover up His will then I have no use for them!
There have been very few books that really have touched the core of who I am and the same were simply tools that magnified the Word of God through someone else’s revelation of the Holy Spirit helping me to see better what God meant for me as a believer in Christ in a particular area of my life. The same can be said of pastors, evangelists, and teachers, the ones that touch me most deeply are the ones that confirm what the Holy Spirit of God has already been busy doing in my life. We simply cannot get caught up in placing things or people on pedestals in our lives; in every case we will be let down because in so doing we are trying to fill a God-shaped hole in our hearts. You see God created a void inside of you and me that only He can fill, now He uses people’s testimonies and revelations (which is evidence of God’s Holy Spirit) to move others and point them back to Christ but we must understand those thoughts and ideas are but a glimpse of what God has in store for us and we will only realize the whole matter through relationship with Jesus Christ! No program, book, or motivational speaking can take the place of an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.
Matthew 12:46-50 MKJV But while He yet talked with the people, behold, His mother and His brothers stood outside, desiring to speak with Him. (47) Then one said to Him, Behold, Your mother and Your brothers stand outside, desiring to speak with You. (48) And He answered and said to him who told Him, Who is My mother? And who are My brothers? (49) And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, Behold, My mother and My brothers! (50) For whoever shall do the will of My Father in Heaven, the same is My brother and sister and mother.
In the end people are people, meaning though we are all at different places in our walks with God and learning what that looks like, even those who seem to have all the answers, at our core we are all desperately in need of a Savior ~ Jesus Christ. Do not follow the revelation of this brother or that sister for if that revelation is from God then it was spoken specifically to them. That does not mean it does not apply to my life but those who don’t understand a real relationship is possible with the unseen God tend to hold onto whatever is tangible, even if that is someone else’s dream or vision. In the end that other person cannot know your story like God does, because we ourselves don’t know it like He does. You see we limit ourselves by avoiding the faith that is required to have relationship with the one true God. Following people, even those who have college degrees and have been professionally trained can only take you so far and if they get puffed up pride will enter and what God meant for leading and directing becomes twisted and ugly because of sin. Is that not where the scribes and Pharisees were, did they not use their human understanding of God’s law to condemn others, did not pride blind them and place them on some weird power trip and did not Jesus bring to light the condemnation they brought upon themselves?
Luke 6:41-42 MKJV And why do you look at the splinter that is in your brother's eye, but do not see the beam that is in your own eye? (42) Or how can you say to your brother, Brother, let me pull out the splinter in your eye, when you yourself do not see the beam that is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First cast out the beam out of your own eye, and then you shall see clearly to pull out the splinter that is in your brother's eye.
Who is man that he should be the go between for me and God whom sent His Son to die for my sins – I ask you what could be more personal than that? That being said we are not to forsake gathering with our Christian brothers and sisters, for that is good and right and as God intended
Proverbs 27:17 MKJV Iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the face of his friend.
Hebrews 10:23-25 MKJV Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering (for He is faithful who promised), (24) and let us consider one another to provoke to love and to good works, (25) not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
but if it all should fall apart tomorrow, no more twelve step programs, no more motivational speaking, and the church had to hide because it became illegal to meet would our faith fall apart or would we become stronger in Christ Jesus? In the end the only thing that matters is relationship with Jesus Christ.
Matthew 7:21-23 MKJV Not everyone who says to Me, Lord! Lord! shall enter the kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in Heaven. (22) Many will say to Me in that day, Lord! Lord! Did we not prophesy in Your name, and through Your name throw out demons, and through Your name do many wonderful works? (23) And then I will say to them I never knew you! Depart from Me, those working lawlessness!
Friday, December 19, 2014
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
My shield and my strength
Psalms 3:3 KJV But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
How many times have I looked down because I knew I was unworthy of love? Yet just as many times has God reached down to gently lift my eyes so that I may look into His and know that He loves me in spite of all my failures and shortcomings. We often have to remind ourselves that God’s love cannot be earned or purchased but only received humbly through the accepting, by faith, the work His Son Jesus Christ did for us. Furthermore, He knows the cry of our heart and waits patiently for us to ask for His help.
Psalms 3:4-6 KJV I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah. (5) I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me. (6) I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.
Through pain and the longing of our hearts we get to experience intimacy with God. Strangely, those are the very things the world says we should avoid. After all who wants to go through pain or know the desperation of one’s own heart but it’s these things that become the doorway to knowing God better and deeper than the average pew warmer. The longer we cover it up, ignore it, dismiss it, or drown it out with busyness the longer we miss out on knowing God intimately. Can we be saved without ever going there? Not sure but when have we ever settled for a small piece of pie on anything? And if that is so why settle for just enough of Jesus to make it to Heaven? For Heaven is not the destination but it is relationship with God, that’s where we are going! What was the number one thing Jesus corrected the religious and those with ambitions about? What did Jesus try to get the rich young ruler to see (Mark 10:17-22)? Was he not blinded to Jesus’ love for him by the things he owned, is it not relationship with Jesus that surpasses all of our accomplishments?
God said king David was a man after His own heart; do you think David was born special and without choice was made to be an instrument of God or could it be he knew what it meant to long for relationship as the least of eight brothers herding sheep all day long. David was passed over by his father when Samuel looked at Jesse’s sons for the next king of Israel. Still David knew who he was and who he served as we watch him face Goliath. Again David faced much pain as he ran for his life from Saul’s anger and again David also knew his own depravity when he sinned. It was only after all these things David came through that his relationship with God became intimate, for it could not have been any other way.
Yes David was selected by God before he was born but was it because of some special ability or was it because God knew these things would bring him closer to God and it could only be through this type of intimate relationship that God could lead the king who led His people?
May your heart always remain tender towards the things of God, in all situations. If you can keep the soil of your heart fertile there is no telling what God has in store for those who love Him and surely He will keep those whom He uses to serve His purpose.
How many times have I looked down because I knew I was unworthy of love? Yet just as many times has God reached down to gently lift my eyes so that I may look into His and know that He loves me in spite of all my failures and shortcomings. We often have to remind ourselves that God’s love cannot be earned or purchased but only received humbly through the accepting, by faith, the work His Son Jesus Christ did for us. Furthermore, He knows the cry of our heart and waits patiently for us to ask for His help.
Psalms 3:4-6 KJV I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah. (5) I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me. (6) I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.
Through pain and the longing of our hearts we get to experience intimacy with God. Strangely, those are the very things the world says we should avoid. After all who wants to go through pain or know the desperation of one’s own heart but it’s these things that become the doorway to knowing God better and deeper than the average pew warmer. The longer we cover it up, ignore it, dismiss it, or drown it out with busyness the longer we miss out on knowing God intimately. Can we be saved without ever going there? Not sure but when have we ever settled for a small piece of pie on anything? And if that is so why settle for just enough of Jesus to make it to Heaven? For Heaven is not the destination but it is relationship with God, that’s where we are going! What was the number one thing Jesus corrected the religious and those with ambitions about? What did Jesus try to get the rich young ruler to see (Mark 10:17-22)? Was he not blinded to Jesus’ love for him by the things he owned, is it not relationship with Jesus that surpasses all of our accomplishments?
God said king David was a man after His own heart; do you think David was born special and without choice was made to be an instrument of God or could it be he knew what it meant to long for relationship as the least of eight brothers herding sheep all day long. David was passed over by his father when Samuel looked at Jesse’s sons for the next king of Israel. Still David knew who he was and who he served as we watch him face Goliath. Again David faced much pain as he ran for his life from Saul’s anger and again David also knew his own depravity when he sinned. It was only after all these things David came through that his relationship with God became intimate, for it could not have been any other way.
Yes David was selected by God before he was born but was it because of some special ability or was it because God knew these things would bring him closer to God and it could only be through this type of intimate relationship that God could lead the king who led His people?
May your heart always remain tender towards the things of God, in all situations. If you can keep the soil of your heart fertile there is no telling what God has in store for those who love Him and surely He will keep those whom He uses to serve His purpose.
Monday, December 8, 2014
Why we turn away
Matthew 11:4-6 NLT Jesus told them, "Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen— (5) the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor. (6) And tell him, 'God blesses those who do not turn away because of Me. '"
What is it that we are looking for when we see Jesus but turn away? What about when we see Him in others? Is it that too much is required or that we have our eyes set on the wrong things? Are we looking at human frailties and weaknesses or do we see opportunities for God to grow our faith? Are we that easily offended that we would miss out on what God has in store because we don’t like the vessel He chose to deliver His message through? Does looking at the blemishes of others allow us to excuse our own shortcomings?
Jesus did not fit into the box of who the Jews thought the Messiah ought to be, their understanding of their deliverer would have to change if they were to accept who He said that He was. They saw the signs and wonders yet could not explain who He was, still they refused to take Him at His word; what a shame but don’t we do the same today? If Jesus visits us by speaking through others do we miss out because we have judged the book by its cover? When someone speaks truth from the Word of God is our first reaction to decide whether we should listen or not based on the appearance of the vessel from which the truth is poured out of? If so haven’t we just made the same mistake the Jewish people made when Jesus walked among them? Our understanding is not aligned with who Jesus tells us He is through His Word and in order for us to come into alignment with Him we must change but many finds it easier to remain as they are and wonder where God is and why He doesn’t show up when they need Him.
Hebrews 13:1-2 NLT Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters. (2) Don't forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!
Who are the angels Hebrews 13:2 speaks of? In Revelation the seven angels of the seven churches were men, pastors chosen by God to lead His people. If God choses to lead you by speaking through someone else have you not come face to face with an angel?
So the next time someone shares with you be challenged to not look at human limitations but instead to the possibilities of God but you will only be able to do this by discovering who God says that He is. It is true reading the Bible doesn’t save you but if you truly love God and we believe the Bible is His Holy Word given to us so that we may know Him better why wouldn’t we read it… unless our eyes are fixed on the wrong things and our hearts are too frail to hear the call that has been placed on our lives. Turning our eyes doesn’t excuse us from accountability but instead only blinds us to the truth. In the end not listening or saying, “I didn’t know” won’t allow you to squeak by. No one gets to Heaven by the skin of their teeth but instead by knowing and having relationship with Jesus Christ, listening to His call, and following with simple obedience.
What is it that we are looking for when we see Jesus but turn away? What about when we see Him in others? Is it that too much is required or that we have our eyes set on the wrong things? Are we looking at human frailties and weaknesses or do we see opportunities for God to grow our faith? Are we that easily offended that we would miss out on what God has in store because we don’t like the vessel He chose to deliver His message through? Does looking at the blemishes of others allow us to excuse our own shortcomings?
Jesus did not fit into the box of who the Jews thought the Messiah ought to be, their understanding of their deliverer would have to change if they were to accept who He said that He was. They saw the signs and wonders yet could not explain who He was, still they refused to take Him at His word; what a shame but don’t we do the same today? If Jesus visits us by speaking through others do we miss out because we have judged the book by its cover? When someone speaks truth from the Word of God is our first reaction to decide whether we should listen or not based on the appearance of the vessel from which the truth is poured out of? If so haven’t we just made the same mistake the Jewish people made when Jesus walked among them? Our understanding is not aligned with who Jesus tells us He is through His Word and in order for us to come into alignment with Him we must change but many finds it easier to remain as they are and wonder where God is and why He doesn’t show up when they need Him.
Hebrews 13:1-2 NLT Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters. (2) Don't forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!
Who are the angels Hebrews 13:2 speaks of? In Revelation the seven angels of the seven churches were men, pastors chosen by God to lead His people. If God choses to lead you by speaking through someone else have you not come face to face with an angel?
So the next time someone shares with you be challenged to not look at human limitations but instead to the possibilities of God but you will only be able to do this by discovering who God says that He is. It is true reading the Bible doesn’t save you but if you truly love God and we believe the Bible is His Holy Word given to us so that we may know Him better why wouldn’t we read it… unless our eyes are fixed on the wrong things and our hearts are too frail to hear the call that has been placed on our lives. Turning our eyes doesn’t excuse us from accountability but instead only blinds us to the truth. In the end not listening or saying, “I didn’t know” won’t allow you to squeak by. No one gets to Heaven by the skin of their teeth but instead by knowing and having relationship with Jesus Christ, listening to His call, and following with simple obedience.
Thursday, December 4, 2014
Freedom, Warrior, and Builder
"Waiting On Your Love" by Justin McRoberts
There's nothing so heavy, Weighing down the soul
As the weight of nothing, Worth my strength to hold
There's no pain so cutting, No battle as in vain
As the constant battle, To avoid the pain
You were poor when you were born
You could see Your Father clearly
Through the nothing that You owned
Free me from these binds, Lord
I am choking on the gifts this world gives, Jesus
I am waiting on Your love
So as Your Word has promised, I must clearly choose
To lose my life and gain Your love, Or love my life and lose
You were poor when you were born
You could see Your Father clearly
Through the nothing that You owned
Free me from these binds, Lord
I am choking on the gifts this world gives, Jesus
I am waiting on Your love
Free me Lord to live this life
Believing all I really have is You
I am waiting on Your love
(bridge)
Man verses himself, Man verses machine
Man verses the world, Mankind verses me
The struggles go on, The wisdom I lack
The burdens keep piling upon my back
So hard to breath, to take the next step
The mountain is high, I wade in the depths
Yearning for grace and hoping for peace
Dear God increase
My dearest daughter and sons do you remember when I told each of you about God having a new name for you? I had just returned from learning about the “Wild at Heart” message from John Eldredge in 2004. Do you remember what those names were? Burgandy yours was “Freedom”, Isaac yours was “Warrior”, and Malachi yours was “Builder”. Lately God has reminded me of this time of discovery, for they were not names that I gave you but I believe they came from your Father in Heaven. As we have relationship with God He gives us new names that are descriptive of the purpose He has placed in each of us. One of the names He gave me about the same time was, “Messenger”. Though as we continue to grow in Him we receive new names that have new meaning they never contradict the names He previously gave us, if they were indeed from Him.
Burgandy look around you, you have no binds other than the ones you have chosen. Not all binds are bad, you have a loving husband and that is good but you are independent and make up your own mind about things unhindered by what others think. Isaac, the fact that you are excelling in the ROTC, even though you were told multiple times you had no future in the military because of your injury, is really no surprise to me for God knew His plans for you way before any of that happened and I am blessed He let me in on it. Malachi, I used to think you were destined to be an architect or something but I look at you and realize you faithfully build relationships and mend what is broken, what comes natural for you I’ve seen many who were trained do less. I want you three to know that it is no wonder you are my children because your names are my names too but what you do with them will be far greater than I could have ever done.
This song has been playing over and over in my mind as of late. It has touched me deeply as I come to this point in my journey for the Lord has brought me to this choice – will I love my life and lose it or lose my life to gain His love? You see sometimes age is required for certain types of wisdom as I have come face to face with my own depravity and I understand better now exactly what relationship with Jesus is worth, no wonder He said this,
Luke 14:26-28 NLT "If you want to be My disciple, you must hate everyone else by comparison—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be My disciple. (27) And if you do not carry your own cross and follow Me, you cannot be My disciple. (28) "But don't begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it?
To truly follow Jesus it costs us everything but in the end what we give up is nothing in comparison to His great love. Be encouraged children, God has great plans for you but you will never know the depths of His love without the kind of relationship that cost so much! I believe we (people) medicate our pain and/or hunger for lesser things to the point we can no longer experience the richness of His love that we once knew before we filled our warehouses with stuff (read Luke 12:13-21).
You were poor when you were born
You could see Your Father clearly
Through the nothing that You owned
Free me from these binds, Lord
I am choking on the gifts this world gives, Jesus
I am waiting on Your love
Free me Lord to live this life
Believing all I really have is You
I am waiting on Your love
There's nothing so heavy, Weighing down the soul
As the weight of nothing, Worth my strength to hold
There's no pain so cutting, No battle as in vain
As the constant battle, To avoid the pain
You were poor when you were born
You could see Your Father clearly
Through the nothing that You owned
Free me from these binds, Lord
I am choking on the gifts this world gives, Jesus
I am waiting on Your love
So as Your Word has promised, I must clearly choose
To lose my life and gain Your love, Or love my life and lose
You were poor when you were born
You could see Your Father clearly
Through the nothing that You owned
Free me from these binds, Lord
I am choking on the gifts this world gives, Jesus
I am waiting on Your love
Free me Lord to live this life
Believing all I really have is You
I am waiting on Your love
(bridge)
Man verses himself, Man verses machine
Man verses the world, Mankind verses me
The struggles go on, The wisdom I lack
The burdens keep piling upon my back
So hard to breath, to take the next step
The mountain is high, I wade in the depths
Yearning for grace and hoping for peace
Dear God increase
My dearest daughter and sons do you remember when I told each of you about God having a new name for you? I had just returned from learning about the “Wild at Heart” message from John Eldredge in 2004. Do you remember what those names were? Burgandy yours was “Freedom”, Isaac yours was “Warrior”, and Malachi yours was “Builder”. Lately God has reminded me of this time of discovery, for they were not names that I gave you but I believe they came from your Father in Heaven. As we have relationship with God He gives us new names that are descriptive of the purpose He has placed in each of us. One of the names He gave me about the same time was, “Messenger”. Though as we continue to grow in Him we receive new names that have new meaning they never contradict the names He previously gave us, if they were indeed from Him.
Burgandy look around you, you have no binds other than the ones you have chosen. Not all binds are bad, you have a loving husband and that is good but you are independent and make up your own mind about things unhindered by what others think. Isaac, the fact that you are excelling in the ROTC, even though you were told multiple times you had no future in the military because of your injury, is really no surprise to me for God knew His plans for you way before any of that happened and I am blessed He let me in on it. Malachi, I used to think you were destined to be an architect or something but I look at you and realize you faithfully build relationships and mend what is broken, what comes natural for you I’ve seen many who were trained do less. I want you three to know that it is no wonder you are my children because your names are my names too but what you do with them will be far greater than I could have ever done.
This song has been playing over and over in my mind as of late. It has touched me deeply as I come to this point in my journey for the Lord has brought me to this choice – will I love my life and lose it or lose my life to gain His love? You see sometimes age is required for certain types of wisdom as I have come face to face with my own depravity and I understand better now exactly what relationship with Jesus is worth, no wonder He said this,
Luke 14:26-28 NLT "If you want to be My disciple, you must hate everyone else by comparison—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be My disciple. (27) And if you do not carry your own cross and follow Me, you cannot be My disciple. (28) "But don't begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it?
To truly follow Jesus it costs us everything but in the end what we give up is nothing in comparison to His great love. Be encouraged children, God has great plans for you but you will never know the depths of His love without the kind of relationship that cost so much! I believe we (people) medicate our pain and/or hunger for lesser things to the point we can no longer experience the richness of His love that we once knew before we filled our warehouses with stuff (read Luke 12:13-21).
You were poor when you were born
You could see Your Father clearly
Through the nothing that You owned
Free me from these binds, Lord
I am choking on the gifts this world gives, Jesus
I am waiting on Your love
Free me Lord to live this life
Believing all I really have is You
I am waiting on Your love
Monday, November 24, 2014
To listen is to love
If you want me to listen to what you have to say then you have to show me that you care. You can’t say you care and then show me something else but instead I need to know you have listened to me and first know my story. People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. Otherwise, you are pushing an agenda and selling propaganda that I don’t need in my life.
Why do you think Jesus met the poor and the sick and the down trodden where they were? The religious leaders criticized Him for it but that did not matter, for the people He came to reach had His attention. Jesus did not come to buy or sell ideals but instead His purpose was to free those who were entangled in the legalism of those who thought they knew the way.
Head knowledge is great but if it does not reach the heart then it is born of man and not what God intended. What’s worse are those who take this head knowledge and try to push it on others. You know this is what you are doing when people refuse to listen because honestly they don’t want what you are selling! Jesus did not do this, first He met the wounded where they were; He came to them and offered a better way but never once did He force them to believe.
Luke 17:11-13 KJV
(11) And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.
(12) And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:
(13) And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.
Luke 19:5 KJV
(5) And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.
Matthew 19:21-22 KJV
(21) Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
(22) But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
The one who is pushing an agenda will continue to push until the one they are conversing with yields, surrenders, or walks away. Tell me something if you win the argument but the other one walks away in tears what have you won? The rights to say you were right? Have you convinced that other person or do they feel like they were not heard? What does God think about this type of behavior? You may be arguing for God but find yourself alone and hollow even though you have claimed the flag. Is this the example Jesus gave?
Why was Jesus able to challenge people without discouraging them? Because people could sense that He knew them and understood where they were coming from. Read John 4:1-26 and Matthew 15:21-28. Why was Jesus able to challenge these women yet they did not run away or get angry? He met them where they were and led them on a journey. He did not push or prod but He did make sure truth was revealed and when their journey was over they had come to the conclusion that Jesus knew what He was talking about but not because He told them so rather because He allowed them to discover it for themselves. Jesus did not have an agenda but instead came to show us what real love is all about and that is why people listened then and still do today.
1 Corinthians 13:1-13 KJV
(1) Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
(2) And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
(3) And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
(4) Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
(5) Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
(6) Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
(7) Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
(8) Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
(9) For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
(10) But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
(11) When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
(12) For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
(13) And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
The next time you are knee deep into a discussion about doctrine compare your thoughts and purpose with 1 Corinthians 13. If it does not follow these guidelines then you need to stop, rethink it, and try again. If you conversation is outside of this standard then you are most likely causing pain and division and unless anyone gets the wrong idea, this is first and foremost a message to myself but what matters to the individual is that they test their own purpose and heart.
Why do you think Jesus met the poor and the sick and the down trodden where they were? The religious leaders criticized Him for it but that did not matter, for the people He came to reach had His attention. Jesus did not come to buy or sell ideals but instead His purpose was to free those who were entangled in the legalism of those who thought they knew the way.
Head knowledge is great but if it does not reach the heart then it is born of man and not what God intended. What’s worse are those who take this head knowledge and try to push it on others. You know this is what you are doing when people refuse to listen because honestly they don’t want what you are selling! Jesus did not do this, first He met the wounded where they were; He came to them and offered a better way but never once did He force them to believe.
Luke 17:11-13 KJV
(11) And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.
(12) And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:
(13) And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.
Luke 19:5 KJV
(5) And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.
Matthew 19:21-22 KJV
(21) Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
(22) But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
The one who is pushing an agenda will continue to push until the one they are conversing with yields, surrenders, or walks away. Tell me something if you win the argument but the other one walks away in tears what have you won? The rights to say you were right? Have you convinced that other person or do they feel like they were not heard? What does God think about this type of behavior? You may be arguing for God but find yourself alone and hollow even though you have claimed the flag. Is this the example Jesus gave?
Why was Jesus able to challenge people without discouraging them? Because people could sense that He knew them and understood where they were coming from. Read John 4:1-26 and Matthew 15:21-28. Why was Jesus able to challenge these women yet they did not run away or get angry? He met them where they were and led them on a journey. He did not push or prod but He did make sure truth was revealed and when their journey was over they had come to the conclusion that Jesus knew what He was talking about but not because He told them so rather because He allowed them to discover it for themselves. Jesus did not have an agenda but instead came to show us what real love is all about and that is why people listened then and still do today.
1 Corinthians 13:1-13 KJV
(1) Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
(2) And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
(3) And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
(4) Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
(5) Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
(6) Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
(7) Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
(8) Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
(9) For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
(10) But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
(11) When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
(12) For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
(13) And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
The next time you are knee deep into a discussion about doctrine compare your thoughts and purpose with 1 Corinthians 13. If it does not follow these guidelines then you need to stop, rethink it, and try again. If you conversation is outside of this standard then you are most likely causing pain and division and unless anyone gets the wrong idea, this is first and foremost a message to myself but what matters to the individual is that they test their own purpose and heart.
Friday, November 21, 2014
I am made all things
1 Corinthians 9:22 KJV
(22) To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
Don’t you know that the trials you face in this life have happened, in part, so that you may witness to others about God’s goodness in the midst of hardship? God is able to use every circumstance as growth and every pain is as a building block for those who love Him. For King David could not have known what God had in store for him when he was but a shepherd boy but it was because of David’s heart for God that he became king. Furthermore his heart-felt cries out to God as he ran for his life from Saul has touched untold multitudes and has caused warriors in the faith to rise up. In this his weakness was made known so that others would be made strong, all the while pointing to God as his salvation and refuge.
Psalms 61:2-4 KJV
(2) From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
(3) For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.
(4) I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.
Many days I am tempted to ask why me Lord but before the words come off my tongue I am reminded of God’s purpose and that He delights in me and if I endure this trial with my heart for God intact then that purpose will be revealed in His timing. It is at that point I have the opportunity to show simple faith and consistent obedience thereby allowing God to complete the good work which He began in me. For we do not know or understand God’s ways, except He leads us by His Holy Spirit and we are faithful to His call.
Hebrews 11:6 KJV
(6) But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
But to those who’s eyes have been opened by the Holy Spirit and believe by faith God is doing a good work in them and through them for it is he who has seen the Kingdom of God! Knowing that in this way God reaches out to the broken and down trodden, the sick and the lame, so that all might be made whole as a new creature in Christ Jesus.
1 Corinthians 9:23-24 KJV
(23) And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.
(24) Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
(22) To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
Don’t you know that the trials you face in this life have happened, in part, so that you may witness to others about God’s goodness in the midst of hardship? God is able to use every circumstance as growth and every pain is as a building block for those who love Him. For King David could not have known what God had in store for him when he was but a shepherd boy but it was because of David’s heart for God that he became king. Furthermore his heart-felt cries out to God as he ran for his life from Saul has touched untold multitudes and has caused warriors in the faith to rise up. In this his weakness was made known so that others would be made strong, all the while pointing to God as his salvation and refuge.
Psalms 61:2-4 KJV
(2) From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
(3) For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.
(4) I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.
Many days I am tempted to ask why me Lord but before the words come off my tongue I am reminded of God’s purpose and that He delights in me and if I endure this trial with my heart for God intact then that purpose will be revealed in His timing. It is at that point I have the opportunity to show simple faith and consistent obedience thereby allowing God to complete the good work which He began in me. For we do not know or understand God’s ways, except He leads us by His Holy Spirit and we are faithful to His call.
Hebrews 11:6 KJV
(6) But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
But to those who’s eyes have been opened by the Holy Spirit and believe by faith God is doing a good work in them and through them for it is he who has seen the Kingdom of God! Knowing that in this way God reaches out to the broken and down trodden, the sick and the lame, so that all might be made whole as a new creature in Christ Jesus.
1 Corinthians 9:23-24 KJV
(23) And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.
(24) Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
Thursday, November 20, 2014
Free Will
The most important gift that was given to mankind from the Creator was and is Free Will and therefore freedom to live as God meant for us to – free to know Him and discover who He made us to be. We had it once in the Garden of Eden up until Adam and Eve gave it away to the snake after making the choice to trade it for the wisdom of good and evil, buying into the lie that they would be like God, they were tricked and did not understand the value of what they had been given.
From that point on them and all of mankind lived under the curse of sin, no longer free but a slave to our own lusts and selfishness. We were and are consumed with thoughts of envy and strife and bitterness and are no longer able to see the path God put us on to discover all He has for us. Those who did what was right always had a taste of how it could be through obedience and sacrifice but it always fell short until the day Jesus, God’s Son, came to show us the way. He lived His life, here on earth free from the curse of sin and performed many miracles and signs of wonder and being different He attracted much attention. While God’s people were waiting for a hero God sent them a baby boy who was raised by a simple carpenter and his wife, hidden from the world until such a time He would restore the free will and freedom to choose God’s will once again by breaking the power of sin and death.
With Jesus’ death and resurrection those who believed upon Him to be the son of God, it is to those whom this wonderful gift has been restored and this time we must understand the value of this gift. It is so valuable that God Himself would not take it from us even if it meant we would fall again. This is who He is and if we don’t understand that then we haven’t understood His purpose for us yet. God wants a people who will follow Him because that is what they choose to do, not because they have been made to but of their own free will.
Think about the prodigal son, what pain and misery the father could have saved the son if he would have made him do what was right but that’s not what happened. The son had to experience, on his own, the consequences of his choices. While he was living wild and free (under the curse of sin) thoughts of the father and home were in the back of his mind and though he paid no attention they would serve him well once he hit bottom. You see it is the act of coming face to face with our own depravity that allows us to once again hear the truth.
If the son reasoned that his father would not take him back, even as a servant and did not start the long journey home he would have died in his sin. He was still physically his father’s son but his free will took him to the wilderness where later the father told him during that time he was dead to him but because he came home and was forgiven by the father he was once again alive to have relationship with the father and understand the father’s purpose for his life. (Luke 15:11-32)
When John the Revelator was directed to write to the seven churches we should find it very interesting. Obviously he is writing to those who have known God i.e. saved through the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ but what we find are stern warnings because they not unlike the prodigal son had left their first love. Look at the Father’s words…
Revelation 3:15-16 KJV
(15) I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
(16) So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
You see the gift that cost Jesus his life was not being held in a place of honor because they had given it to lesser things. The only thing worthy of that gift is service to the One who gave it, anything else and we like the prodigal son will also die in our sin, even after coming to know the Father because He will never take it away from us, that is the one thing He said that we must have and do with as we desire, not once but every day of our lives!
Now where people get confused is when they struggle, trust me I struggle almost every day and what’s more, often I fall down and it is here Jesus said nothing can separate us from His love.
Romans 8:35-39 KJV
(35) Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
(36) As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
(37) Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
(38) For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
(39) Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
And I believe it! My human frailty cannot separate me from God’s love or His salvation, as long as I am always willing to accept His correction and through it all love Him even when it means my flesh will suffer.
Matthew 13:3-9 KJV
(3) And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;
(4) And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:
(5) Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:
(6) And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.
(7) And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:
(8) But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.
(9) Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Did you get the different conditions of the soil (the heart of man)? Some never heard because they were distracted by their busy lives, some had a hard heart towards God because He seemed unfair to them, with some the seed took root but old habits choked out the seed and did not allow it to grow, but a few allowed the seed to grow and it produced a hundredfold, some sixtyfold, and others thirtyfold.
Obviously people would say well of course the ones where the seed produced are God’s children and know God and they would be correct but what gets overlooked is that the seed also took root among the thorns, meaning for a brief moment that person allowed God in their heart. I believe this person too was saved and on their way to knowing who God is and who they were meant to be but for whatever reason, whether it be from addictions or old friends and habits the seed gets choked out and the life of freedom is short lived.
My friends if we believe that once we are saved the ability to have free will is taken from us then we just devalued what Jesus did on the cross! Why did He go through pain and suffering, why did He show us how to live, why did He walk among us? Why not just pardon us and once we made the decision to be His go to heaven to be with the one we love? No I tell you this life is a race and even though we start that race by accepting the work Jesus has done for us it is not finished until we cross the finish line. It’s not how well we start but how we finish that matters. In this life there will be pain and suffering and loss, through that we can either draw closer to God and love Him knowing He is good at all times, even though we cannot understand or we will turn from Him, saying that He is a hard Master that requires too much.
Matthew 25:14-30 KJV
(14) For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
(15) And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
(16) Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.
(17) And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
(18) But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.
(19) After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
(20) And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.
(21) His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
(22) He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.
(23) His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
(24) Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:
(25) And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.
(26) His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
(27) Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
(28) Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
(29) For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
(30) And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
All three servants knew the lord but only two were faithful, only two experienced the lord’s intended purpose and so it is with us. Furthermore, it wasn’t the act of burying the talent but instead that was the indicator of the heart and it is by the heart that we will be judged. This is a good thing because those who have pure hearts before God will be accepted regardless of their struggles. God’s qualifications are different than man’s and to receive His salvation you must be led by the unseen Creator of all life. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. (Matthew 5:6).
From that point on them and all of mankind lived under the curse of sin, no longer free but a slave to our own lusts and selfishness. We were and are consumed with thoughts of envy and strife and bitterness and are no longer able to see the path God put us on to discover all He has for us. Those who did what was right always had a taste of how it could be through obedience and sacrifice but it always fell short until the day Jesus, God’s Son, came to show us the way. He lived His life, here on earth free from the curse of sin and performed many miracles and signs of wonder and being different He attracted much attention. While God’s people were waiting for a hero God sent them a baby boy who was raised by a simple carpenter and his wife, hidden from the world until such a time He would restore the free will and freedom to choose God’s will once again by breaking the power of sin and death.
With Jesus’ death and resurrection those who believed upon Him to be the son of God, it is to those whom this wonderful gift has been restored and this time we must understand the value of this gift. It is so valuable that God Himself would not take it from us even if it meant we would fall again. This is who He is and if we don’t understand that then we haven’t understood His purpose for us yet. God wants a people who will follow Him because that is what they choose to do, not because they have been made to but of their own free will.
Think about the prodigal son, what pain and misery the father could have saved the son if he would have made him do what was right but that’s not what happened. The son had to experience, on his own, the consequences of his choices. While he was living wild and free (under the curse of sin) thoughts of the father and home were in the back of his mind and though he paid no attention they would serve him well once he hit bottom. You see it is the act of coming face to face with our own depravity that allows us to once again hear the truth.
If the son reasoned that his father would not take him back, even as a servant and did not start the long journey home he would have died in his sin. He was still physically his father’s son but his free will took him to the wilderness where later the father told him during that time he was dead to him but because he came home and was forgiven by the father he was once again alive to have relationship with the father and understand the father’s purpose for his life. (Luke 15:11-32)
When John the Revelator was directed to write to the seven churches we should find it very interesting. Obviously he is writing to those who have known God i.e. saved through the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ but what we find are stern warnings because they not unlike the prodigal son had left their first love. Look at the Father’s words…
Revelation 3:15-16 KJV
(15) I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
(16) So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
You see the gift that cost Jesus his life was not being held in a place of honor because they had given it to lesser things. The only thing worthy of that gift is service to the One who gave it, anything else and we like the prodigal son will also die in our sin, even after coming to know the Father because He will never take it away from us, that is the one thing He said that we must have and do with as we desire, not once but every day of our lives!
Now where people get confused is when they struggle, trust me I struggle almost every day and what’s more, often I fall down and it is here Jesus said nothing can separate us from His love.
Romans 8:35-39 KJV
(35) Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
(36) As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
(37) Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
(38) For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
(39) Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
And I believe it! My human frailty cannot separate me from God’s love or His salvation, as long as I am always willing to accept His correction and through it all love Him even when it means my flesh will suffer.
Matthew 13:3-9 KJV
(3) And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;
(4) And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:
(5) Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:
(6) And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.
(7) And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:
(8) But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.
(9) Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Did you get the different conditions of the soil (the heart of man)? Some never heard because they were distracted by their busy lives, some had a hard heart towards God because He seemed unfair to them, with some the seed took root but old habits choked out the seed and did not allow it to grow, but a few allowed the seed to grow and it produced a hundredfold, some sixtyfold, and others thirtyfold.
Obviously people would say well of course the ones where the seed produced are God’s children and know God and they would be correct but what gets overlooked is that the seed also took root among the thorns, meaning for a brief moment that person allowed God in their heart. I believe this person too was saved and on their way to knowing who God is and who they were meant to be but for whatever reason, whether it be from addictions or old friends and habits the seed gets choked out and the life of freedom is short lived.
My friends if we believe that once we are saved the ability to have free will is taken from us then we just devalued what Jesus did on the cross! Why did He go through pain and suffering, why did He show us how to live, why did He walk among us? Why not just pardon us and once we made the decision to be His go to heaven to be with the one we love? No I tell you this life is a race and even though we start that race by accepting the work Jesus has done for us it is not finished until we cross the finish line. It’s not how well we start but how we finish that matters. In this life there will be pain and suffering and loss, through that we can either draw closer to God and love Him knowing He is good at all times, even though we cannot understand or we will turn from Him, saying that He is a hard Master that requires too much.
Matthew 25:14-30 KJV
(14) For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
(15) And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
(16) Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.
(17) And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
(18) But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.
(19) After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
(20) And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.
(21) His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
(22) He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.
(23) His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
(24) Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:
(25) And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.
(26) His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
(27) Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
(28) Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
(29) For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
(30) And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
All three servants knew the lord but only two were faithful, only two experienced the lord’s intended purpose and so it is with us. Furthermore, it wasn’t the act of burying the talent but instead that was the indicator of the heart and it is by the heart that we will be judged. This is a good thing because those who have pure hearts before God will be accepted regardless of their struggles. God’s qualifications are different than man’s and to receive His salvation you must be led by the unseen Creator of all life. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. (Matthew 5:6).
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