Who Do You Want Sup With?

The last post, we spoke about communion.  How it reminds us of the everlasting covenant we have with God because what Jesus Christ has done for us (Hebrews 12:24).  Through this covenant we can have life and life more abundantly (John 10:10).  We do not just have salvation (eternal life in heaven) but as children of God we can accept the gifts, blessings, promises and miracles of God.  We can even bestow those blessings on others through prayer, word and action. 

 ^“And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” Mark 16:17-18

We can accept God’s authority over our life in faith- not the lies and deception of the devil. We can see in the NEW as HIS new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17-18).         

And since we have crossed the line to have allegiance with God, we need to be more aware of the thief/Satan who comes to steal, kill and destroy.  Be aware of the cunning serpent who is sometimes very subtle with his suggestions, only for the unexpecting individual to find themselves in a swift current moving away from godly thoughts and actions. No matter how unpleasant this may sound we are in a war. Seduction and intimidation and manipulation are not off limits to Satan who unleashes these fiery of flaming arrows to see if he can swallow/devour and/or overwhelm us. He knows what buttons to try.  So be careful of what thoughts come to seed worry, anxiety, presumption, pride, lust, legalism, depression and so on... Careful of what might be trying to entice and influence your flesh.  Be careful of what is trying to divide.  Satan knows what happens to our assurance as a witness for God when we see ourselves guilty and lacking in the sight of God.  We become ineffective and those we could help spiritually fall asleep, become spiritually sick and even lose faith. Our tendency is to look inwardly to self in the midst of spiritual conflict but we are to look outwardly to God who quenches the evil tactics of the devil. We are to submit and humble ourselves before God and the evil will subside and cease and He will lift us up. (James 5:7). 

And if we do sin. Ask for forgiveness and turn away from sin.

"For if you eat the bread or drink the cup unworthily, not honoring the body of Christ, you are eating and drinking God's judgment upon yourself.  That is why many of you are weak and sick and some have even died. But if we examine ourselves, we will not be examined by God and judged in this way, but when we are judged and disciplined by the Lord, we will not be condemned with the world." 1 Corinthians 11:29-32 

We must be cognizant of WHO (God) or who (Satan) is trying to feed us spiritually? Is the spiritual food LIFE or is it death?

As I was thinking about all this and how it relates to communion and God’s covenant I was reminded of a section in Revelation. 

“I am the one who corrects and disciplines everyone I love. Be diligent and turn from your indifference. Look! Here I stand at the door and knock. If you hear me calling and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal as friends.  I will invite everyone who is victorious to sit with me on my throne, just I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne.  Anyone who is willing to hear should listen to the Spirit and understand what the Spirit is saying to the churches.” Revelation 3:19-22

You see this church Jesus was speaking to had become lukewarm.  They had gotten used to and comfortable with sin and in so doing acted and behaved much like people lost in the sinful appetites of world. They had become “indifferent” and spiritually dull.  They were no longer living and dependent on the spiritual riches of God. They had disregarded their covenant with God for the temporary things of this world. Their spiritual tastebuds had forgotten what REAL food tasted like.  In fact Jesus says to them, “You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.”  They had allowed themselves to be deceived. 

They were not eating from God’s LIFE giving covenant but death.  In love, Jesus rebukes them that they may turn from their foolish and blind ways.  That they may come to their senses and partake of covenant of the LORD who is LIFE not the false empty temporary things of this world that don't last or satisfy.   

And who doesn’t want the lasting and eternal things of God which are joy, peace, love, hope, mercy, grace, truth, faith…..

“I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit. And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God’s marvelous love.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high and how deep his love really is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Now glory to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope. May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages. Amen.” Ephesians 3:16-21

Relentless 2

In the movie, Tomorrowland, there was a quote I appreciated but without changing the meaning, I am going to exchange the word "wolves" with "spirits".

There are two spirits who are always fighting. One is darkness and despair. The other is light and hope. The question is… which spirit wins?
 
... The one you feed.

 

What would the difference be, in our life, if we continually laid aside the things that weigh us down and entangle us? What would it show the world, about WHO is your Lord?

Hebrews 12:1-3 says:

“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

What kinds of things can we lay aside?

·      We can lay aside this perverse world- all it approves, all it encourages, all it hates, all it denies, all it strikes at, resorts to, conspires, fights for and tries to hide.

“We do not fight flesh and blood but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” 

·      We can lay aside the enemy.  Satan hates God and those who represent God and those formed in the image of God.  Satan often uses what he hates to destroy what he hates.   Satan is a thief who comes to steal, kill and destroy.   He is the father of all lies and deception.  He has an enchanted tongue -manipulative, slippery and dangerous.  He loves to draw us in for a fight but when he comes soliciting a response ask Jesus “Will you get that?”  

But if you take the bait, and find yourself down on the mat of this life and Satan starts counting down… remember he is not the refereeing official of your life but God is.  And by God’s amazing mercy and grace, get up because He who is in you is greater then he who is the world.  

Remember Jesus has won the fight for us- now we just have to finish the race and we aren’t even to do that alone.

·      We can lay aside circumstances of life, the false illusions of what the world calls life, and the burdens of this life that so easily tires us.

Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

·      We can lay aside the subtle things that cause us to inadvertently step down from the ROCK that gave us LIFE and LIFE MORE ABUNDANTLY.  Stay alert of precarious rickety ladders of consciousness that set the mind in motion to themes of bleak, mundane, barren, hopeless outlooks. Watch out for fears, anxieties, imaginations, ideals of productivity, human philosophy, and unsatisfying self-filling prophecy that gets the best of us.

“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." Jeremiah 1:9

"Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;" 2 Corinthians 10:5

"But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.  For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:37-39
 
  ·   And finally lay aside the sin.  Don’t travel down sins tempting highway, seek Jesus who was tempted by never sinned.  Ask God to show you a way out.  

“This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.” Hebrews 4:15

“The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” 1 Corinthians 10:13

“Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.  And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

Sin leads to death… Sin steals our joy, peace, hope… it separates us from living in the power of God, which gives us life.  Shame and guilt of sin keeps us from speaking the truth to others and if we do speak it, it feels false because of conviction of sin.  When we sin our mindset is tarnish and our reputation is hurt and even destroyed.
 

“If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.” 1 John 1:9

But undeservedly, there is renewal and strengthening of one’s soul when one genuinely confesses their sin to God and seeks Him for forgiveness because Jesus, who is paid for our unrighteous, separates us from the burdens of our sinfulness that we may learn from our mistakes, remain hopeful and finish the race.

“He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.” Psalm 103:12

So let me ask again ... What would the difference be, in our life, if we let go of these things that weigh us down and entangle us?  What would say about the LORD of our life? Would they aid in helping you remain in God's relentless Spirit?

These Last Days pt.6

Tempted to Retaliate

The world's mentality is an Eye for an Eye.  Revenge is sweet.  They did it to me so I can do it back to them.   It's, "seek our own type of justice and even "vigilante" justice.  Many Hollywood movies and television shows play into this type of thinking but the word of God says:

"Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.   Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good, pleasing and perfect." Romans 12:2  

Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times? 
“No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!” Matthew 18:21-22

When we are tempted to act on the flesh - see what is tugging at the other end.      

“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it”.  1 Corinthians 10:13

“Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” Hebrews 2:18

“But you must be Holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy.” 1 Peter 1:15

Mindset  

If we can imagine for moment… Jesus has been beaten and nailed to the cross by the very men he is going to the cross for.  And Jesus says with no partiality, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34

James 3:17 says, “But the wisdom that is from heaven is first of all pure.  It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others.  It is full of mercy and good deeds.  It shows no partiality and is always sincere.”

We are not to gratify our own flesh by physical vengeance and/or harden verbal words of discontent but do as Jesus did. NOTE: Galatians 5:16

“So get rid of all evil behavior.  Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech.”  1 Peter 2:1

“For it is God’s will and intention that by doing right [your good and honest lives] should silence (muzzle, gag) the ignorant charges and ill-informed criticisms of foolish persons. [Live] as free people, [yet] without employing your freedom as a pretext for wickedness; but [live at all times] as servants of God.” 1 Peter 2:15-16 (AMP)

Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.  If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?  And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.  Matthew 5:43-48

“In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, ²⁷ and do not give the devil a foothold. “  Ephesians 4:26-27

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7

Never Being Disgraced

1 Peter 2:5-6 “And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple.  What’s more, you are his holy priests.  Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God. As the Scriptures say, “I am placing a cornerstone in Jerusalem, chosen for great honor, and anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.”

Jesus says, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand,  and it gives light to everyone in the house.   In the same way, let your lightshine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16

I am finding there are those who simply don't care about right and wrong anymore.  They don't care if their actions are evil.  They are going to do what they want to do regardless.   You have probably found the same but it doesn't matter what they do- you and I have do right.  Pray fro those who do wrong that they may come to God.

 John 3:19 "And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil."