Fulfillment is nourishment to the soul. You can try to get nourishment from a lot of different things in life but only God’s will brings satisfaction. The world tries to convince us everyday that we not be satisfied us unless we do this, get that, try something better but what does the world really know?
Just look at all the things us humans have consumed, bought, believed, tried, and now are useless or forgotten. Things are constantly changing, becoming unpractical, no longer in style, are worthless and lose value shortly after we buy them.
God's will however never changes and his will is perfect for our very soul. It brings us fulfillment that the world can not even understand or touch.
Jesus spoke of this right after talking to the Samaritan woman at the well. The disciples were trying to urge Jesus to eat but he smiled and said "No. I have food you don’t know about." Seeing his disciples were confused and fixated on the physical and not the spiritual of this matter, Jesus the awesome and merciful Lord he is, explained to his disciples what he meant.
John 4:34 Jesus says to his disciples "My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work. Do you think the work of harvesting will not begin until the summer ends four months from now? Look around you! Vast fields are ripening all around us and are ready now for the harvest. The harvesters are paid in good wages, and the fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life. What joy awaits both the planter and the harvester alike! You know the saying, ‘One person plants and someone else harvests’ And it’s true. I sent you to harvest where you didn’t plant; others had already done the work, and you will gather the harvest."
Doing the will of God brings lasting fulfillment. It brings a type of nourishment and fruit that will be long lasting.
Jesus says in John 15. "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned for greater fruitfulness by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine and you cannot be fruitful apart from me."
You cannot have joy or lasting fulfillment apart from Christ. You can not understand and mature in Christ and be fulfilled with lasting joy if you do not stay in the will of God.
Paul writes in Galatians 6:8 "Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful desires will harvest the consequences of decay and death. But those who live to please the Spirit (of God) will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit."
Jesus tells us, ‘Yes I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I remain in them, will produce much fruit. Apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who parts from me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into pile to be burned. But if you stay joined to me and my words remain in you, you may ask any request you like, and it will be granted! My true disciples produce much fruit. This brings great glory to my Father."
A satisfied soul produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control which perfectly fits and lives in God's will and you are free from "internal" conflict. Galatians 5:22.
If you just follow your basic instincts and sinful desires you will produce evil results: sexual immorality, impure thoughts, eagerness for lustful pleasure, idolatry, participation in demonic activities, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outburst of anger, selfish ambition, divisions, the feeling that everyone is wrong except those in your own little group, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other kinds of sinful behaviors that lead to destruction. Paul writes anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21
God wants us to live a fulfilling life but we are hard headed and stubborn and we just have to figure things out in the most difficult ways. You and I can not have a fulfilling life apart from God’s will and we can not accomplish anything fulfilling away from Christ. If you and I part from Christ our efforts will be worthless and will only bring us heartache and strife. But in accord and/or harmony to God’s will we do produce fulfilling results.
Jesus concludes with "I have loved you even as the Father as loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey me, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father and I remain in his love. I have told you this so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! I command you to love each other in the same way that I love you. And here is how to measure it- the greatest love is shown when people lay down their lives for their friends. You are my friends if you obey me. I no longer call you servants, because a master doesn’t confide in his servants. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for using my name. I command you to love each other."
Yes to find lasting fulfillment we must give up our old lives that we cling to. Our old lives only continue to hinder our way to lasting fulfillment. Our old lives and old ways of thinking only makes us run from first to second base and sometimes not even that far. Wouldn’t you rather just hit home runs instead? Would you rather make that basket then have the ball stolen from you as you are heading up court? Wouldn’t you rather make it over all those hurtles then trip over each and every one and never make it to the finish line?
Our old lives not only never give us fulfillment- but put us in real danger of never knowing Christ and his power to save and enrich our lives beyond anything we knew possible.
If you are looking for fulfillment in everything else but in Christ then it is pretty obvious Christ has chosen you but you haven’t found him yet.
I like Psalms 1 "Oh the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with scoffers. But they delight in everything the Lord wants; day and night they think about his law. They are trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season with out fail. Their leaves never wither and in all they do, they prosper."
Find the will of God in Christ Jesus and fulfillment and joy will start maturing on those branches of yours.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
There is no GOD???
I have been thinking lately about those individuals who seem to have no idea what their life would be like without God. I am talking about those who people who don’t believe there is a God.
God is around us 24/7. His fingerprints are on everything that surrounds us everyday. His omnipresent Spirit is everywhere, his angels are "silently" and constantly watching over us (well most of the time silent) and even down to our next breath... God has created. Our breath something we so often take for granted is a gift from God. No matter if we are deserving or undeserving of it God gives it.
When a person says there is no God, they really have NO idea what their life would be like with the absence of God in their life.
Knowing there is a God, do you know what it would feel like if God made himself absent from you? Absent meaning you could not experience this life as you are currently experience in God's grace and power that some of us take for granted or deny in one way or another.
Do you know what it would feel like in the absence of God? Do you know what would happen to the things around you?
Things would rapidly die. Creation is dependant on God. If God made himself absent, it would be like pulling the plug on a vacuum cleaner and throwing it off a ship into the deepest part of the ocean to sink to the bottom but even that would not go far enough to explain God's presence in our lives.
People who walk around and claim there is no God can’t possibly understand or see the power of God unplugged them. They just seem to think that everything just magically works in their life because of luck or some human logic. That is just not so or true.
You want to know what if feels like to really feel the absence of God in an individual, I can humbly tell you because I have felt it personally. My description and words probably don’t even come close to the full range and intensity of emotions I had experienced when I felt the absence of God but I will try to describe it to you. It has been several years now and it is not an error I will make again.
I made the unfortunate mistake of not speaking the truth in the presence of the God after being confronted by God. Immediately after speaking this lie an enormous loss or void and sensation of death closed in around me as the Holy Spirit yanked itself from me. A roaring vision of a skull of death then appeared as I tried to breath and register all what was going on. I could feel myself slipping and drowning in this horrible place that was totally void of the characteristics of God and life as we experience it right now. I immediately and frantically stumbled to the altar for prayer not fully knowing what I had done and the danger I had put myself in. To put it simply, I feared of my life.
No one knew what exactly had happened to me but I knew I had to do something quick and with a fear surging through my veins, I asked for our pastor to pray over me and he did. You see I thought all the works I was doing for the church somehow made me right with God but really I was lost. I had no real relationship with God, I just had my deeds which looked good on the surface but really didn't give God what he wanted which was my heart and focus. Good deeds are dead without God moving and directing them. My life of good deeds where chaff not wheat and my life was may of looked good on the outside but I was just a white washed tomb in God's eyes.
It was a hard lesson but I am glad God did that to me now instead of when I go meet him and he says "I never knew you." I have experienced something not many but a few have experienced. I thank God for his mercy and that I am still here. I believe one of the reasons I am still here is to share this and other testimonies with those who will listen.
Humbly I tell you and warn you, don’t mess or fool around with God. Being hard headed is no excuse and I can only imagine that hell is much worse then feeling the absence of God and his Holy Spirit. It will be a death like no other.
God’s source of power that surrounds us everyday is beyond our understanding. God, Jesus
Christ, and the Holy Spirit are real and you can take my word second to God’s word, which should always be first.
God is around us 24/7. His fingerprints are on everything that surrounds us everyday. His omnipresent Spirit is everywhere, his angels are "silently" and constantly watching over us (well most of the time silent) and even down to our next breath... God has created. Our breath something we so often take for granted is a gift from God. No matter if we are deserving or undeserving of it God gives it.
When a person says there is no God, they really have NO idea what their life would be like with the absence of God in their life.
Knowing there is a God, do you know what it would feel like if God made himself absent from you? Absent meaning you could not experience this life as you are currently experience in God's grace and power that some of us take for granted or deny in one way or another.
Do you know what it would feel like in the absence of God? Do you know what would happen to the things around you?
Things would rapidly die. Creation is dependant on God. If God made himself absent, it would be like pulling the plug on a vacuum cleaner and throwing it off a ship into the deepest part of the ocean to sink to the bottom but even that would not go far enough to explain God's presence in our lives.
People who walk around and claim there is no God can’t possibly understand or see the power of God unplugged them. They just seem to think that everything just magically works in their life because of luck or some human logic. That is just not so or true.
You want to know what if feels like to really feel the absence of God in an individual, I can humbly tell you because I have felt it personally. My description and words probably don’t even come close to the full range and intensity of emotions I had experienced when I felt the absence of God but I will try to describe it to you. It has been several years now and it is not an error I will make again.
I made the unfortunate mistake of not speaking the truth in the presence of the God after being confronted by God. Immediately after speaking this lie an enormous loss or void and sensation of death closed in around me as the Holy Spirit yanked itself from me. A roaring vision of a skull of death then appeared as I tried to breath and register all what was going on. I could feel myself slipping and drowning in this horrible place that was totally void of the characteristics of God and life as we experience it right now. I immediately and frantically stumbled to the altar for prayer not fully knowing what I had done and the danger I had put myself in. To put it simply, I feared of my life.
No one knew what exactly had happened to me but I knew I had to do something quick and with a fear surging through my veins, I asked for our pastor to pray over me and he did. You see I thought all the works I was doing for the church somehow made me right with God but really I was lost. I had no real relationship with God, I just had my deeds which looked good on the surface but really didn't give God what he wanted which was my heart and focus. Good deeds are dead without God moving and directing them. My life of good deeds where chaff not wheat and my life was may of looked good on the outside but I was just a white washed tomb in God's eyes.
It was a hard lesson but I am glad God did that to me now instead of when I go meet him and he says "I never knew you." I have experienced something not many but a few have experienced. I thank God for his mercy and that I am still here. I believe one of the reasons I am still here is to share this and other testimonies with those who will listen.
Humbly I tell you and warn you, don’t mess or fool around with God. Being hard headed is no excuse and I can only imagine that hell is much worse then feeling the absence of God and his Holy Spirit. It will be a death like no other.
God’s source of power that surrounds us everyday is beyond our understanding. God, Jesus
Christ, and the Holy Spirit are real and you can take my word second to God’s word, which should always be first.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Making Works Part of the Equation of Salvation?
I recently watched a 30 minute movie at our church. It was about a church with enormous youth following. The movie has some good messages but it had a couple of things that bothered me. The interns that worked there kept saying two phrases. I have “burned the boat” and “I have burned the bridges”.
Naturally I understood what they meant. We, who have genuine faith in Christ Jesus have “burned our boat,” so to speak. We “burned our boat”, so we wouldn’t sail back into our old lives of enjoying sin. We have also “burned the bridges” in the same way. We know those old bridges that led us into temptation and sin so we have laid a torch to them so we would be able to cross back over them again.
The concept however of “burning the boat” and “burning the bridges” became a problem to me when they associated the feelings of guilt with going “home”. “Home” was now considered a problem when "home" was not considered the intern’s place of service? The interns mentioning they were going “home” for Christmas or to visiting family because of a loss ” rose flashing red lights in the leadership.
Why did I sense guilt and shame by the interns when they went “home” see family?
What kind of pressure were they receiving? Was this pressure and guilt from themselves or from the leadership to keep numbers high? Why did I feel that the interns saw their service as part of the equation of their salvation?
Our service in the body of Christ and in our community should never be the part of the equation of our salvation, which comes from Christ and Christ alone. Guilt should never be used to keep members in a certain body of Christ.
A person should receive joy for their Christian service. They should never look at their service as a way to make brownie points with God or add to some resume for God to consider when we enter heaven. God knows what we do and not do. He will judge us according to our works but our works have nothing to do with making ourselves righteous before God. Works can not give us some kind of edge on our salvation.
Our human efforts are useless. It is only when the Holy Spirit works through us that we give glory to God and show the love of Christ to others. God should be the one to receive the credit for our good works for He was the one who changed our hearts in the first place.
Were we not dead in our trespasses and sin before we came to Christ or Christ came to us? Did God not bring us back to life and bring us into a new existence that did not exist before?” We did not become this new creature in Christ by ourselves. (Colossians 3:10)
Paul says in Romans 4 “When people work, their wages are not gift. Workers earn what they receive. But people are declared righteous because of their faith not because of their work.”
Paul continues in Romans 4:24 to say, “assuring us that God will also declare us to be righteous if we believe in God, who brought Jesus our Lord back from the dead. He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised from the dead to make us right with God. Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith Christ has brought us into this place of highest privilege where we now stand confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.”
I have made this mistake of trying to score points with God by doing “Christian activities and services” and it only made me burned out and miserable. When you do things by your own accord, understanding and efforts you soon find there is no joy or peace in the work you do.
Joy is fully trusting in God in faith. Remind you that joy doesn’t mean you don’t get tired in doing the work but you find the work rewarding and encouraging. Trusting in God produces a good attitude and works which will be light to show others the goodness of God. (James 2:17-24, 1 Peter 2:9)
Salvation and peace come from Christ and Christ alone.
Jesus says in John 6:63 “It is the Spirit who gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.”
Paul writes in Galatians 3:3 “Have you lost your senses? After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort? You have suffered so much for the Good News. Surely it was not in vain, was it? Are you now going to just throw it all away?”
Do not make works part of the equation of your salvation or life.
Naturally I understood what they meant. We, who have genuine faith in Christ Jesus have “burned our boat,” so to speak. We “burned our boat”, so we wouldn’t sail back into our old lives of enjoying sin. We have also “burned the bridges” in the same way. We know those old bridges that led us into temptation and sin so we have laid a torch to them so we would be able to cross back over them again.
The concept however of “burning the boat” and “burning the bridges” became a problem to me when they associated the feelings of guilt with going “home”. “Home” was now considered a problem when "home" was not considered the intern’s place of service? The interns mentioning they were going “home” for Christmas or to visiting family because of a loss ” rose flashing red lights in the leadership.
Why did I sense guilt and shame by the interns when they went “home” see family?
What kind of pressure were they receiving? Was this pressure and guilt from themselves or from the leadership to keep numbers high? Why did I feel that the interns saw their service as part of the equation of their salvation?
Our service in the body of Christ and in our community should never be the part of the equation of our salvation, which comes from Christ and Christ alone. Guilt should never be used to keep members in a certain body of Christ.
A person should receive joy for their Christian service. They should never look at their service as a way to make brownie points with God or add to some resume for God to consider when we enter heaven. God knows what we do and not do. He will judge us according to our works but our works have nothing to do with making ourselves righteous before God. Works can not give us some kind of edge on our salvation.
Our human efforts are useless. It is only when the Holy Spirit works through us that we give glory to God and show the love of Christ to others. God should be the one to receive the credit for our good works for He was the one who changed our hearts in the first place.
Were we not dead in our trespasses and sin before we came to Christ or Christ came to us? Did God not bring us back to life and bring us into a new existence that did not exist before?” We did not become this new creature in Christ by ourselves. (Colossians 3:10)
Paul says in Romans 4 “When people work, their wages are not gift. Workers earn what they receive. But people are declared righteous because of their faith not because of their work.”
Paul continues in Romans 4:24 to say, “assuring us that God will also declare us to be righteous if we believe in God, who brought Jesus our Lord back from the dead. He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised from the dead to make us right with God. Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith Christ has brought us into this place of highest privilege where we now stand confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.”
I have made this mistake of trying to score points with God by doing “Christian activities and services” and it only made me burned out and miserable. When you do things by your own accord, understanding and efforts you soon find there is no joy or peace in the work you do.
Joy is fully trusting in God in faith. Remind you that joy doesn’t mean you don’t get tired in doing the work but you find the work rewarding and encouraging. Trusting in God produces a good attitude and works which will be light to show others the goodness of God. (James 2:17-24, 1 Peter 2:9)
Salvation and peace come from Christ and Christ alone.
Jesus says in John 6:63 “It is the Spirit who gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.”
Paul writes in Galatians 3:3 “Have you lost your senses? After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort? You have suffered so much for the Good News. Surely it was not in vain, was it? Are you now going to just throw it all away?”
Do not make works part of the equation of your salvation or life.
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Tension and Conflict within the Body of Christ.
In our men’s bible study group we have been studying the book of Acts. Like most bible study groups we come from a variety of different Christian churches and have found that tension and conflict aren’t rare within a specific church or among different churches.
These are some of the questions we have been asked in our study guide which I thought would be helpful to you, the believer.
What causes tension and disagreements in the church today?
Example answers: (Traditions, maturity, legalism, self-centered beliefs, demons, spirits, unguarded thoughts and speech, course jokes, different perspectives on God’s word, personal agendas.)
Why is it important for Christians to get along?
Example answers (To function as a body in love and purpose, to encourage those and reach those in our church and community for Christ. To show we can get along even when we disagree.)
What can we learn from the early church leaders about resolving our differences?
Example answers (They had an assigned group of people that prayed, considered solutions, and presented a solution to the people. The people were engaged in the solution process. They probably had individuals who also interceeded and had intercession.)
What do I usually do when I feel tension in a relationship?
Example answers (I get mad, a blow them off, I internalize everything until presumption, guess work, feelings of inadequacy, judgement has got the best of me or overwhelmed me.)
How can I improve the way I resolve conflict? (Stay calm in Christ, lament to Jesus and let him speak to you about the situation, acceptance on disagreement then agreement on both sides. Try to see if there has been a miscommunication. Why is there tension? Was it something as simple as a person's tone of voice or a misunderstanding of the chosen words that were actually said. Did you just happen to be the brunt of someone's bad day? Am I demonstrating and acting in love?)
What happens when believers criticize and argue with one another?
Examples: (Shows disobedience to God, God has a difficult time working through them "trespasses". Hurt, resentment, anxiety, murmuring, judgments can cause problems to get bigger and affect and involve more believers.)
What character traits do believers need to get along with each other?
Examples: (Love, forgiveness, allowances of misgivings and failures, Holy Spirit, obedience to Christ, a love for people, focus on Christ, understanding of different maturity levels, what God’s words says.)
How can we cultivate these qualities?
Examples: (Depend and trust in God, live them out by his Holy Spirit not our will, refer to scripture often, prayer, be respectful, seek a common interest or bond in the relationship. Drop the dispute)
Harmony among believers (EXCELLENT Scriptures references)
(Proverbs 17:14, Romans 12:16; 15:5-7; 1 Corinthians 1:10; 3:3; 6:1-7; Ephesians 4:2-4; Philippians 2:3,4; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-15; Hebrews 12:14, 1 Peter 3:8,9.)
Questions came from "Life Lessons, with Max Lucado. Book of Acts"
These are some of the questions we have been asked in our study guide which I thought would be helpful to you, the believer.
What causes tension and disagreements in the church today?
Example answers: (Traditions, maturity, legalism, self-centered beliefs, demons, spirits, unguarded thoughts and speech, course jokes, different perspectives on God’s word, personal agendas.)
Why is it important for Christians to get along?
Example answers (To function as a body in love and purpose, to encourage those and reach those in our church and community for Christ. To show we can get along even when we disagree.)
What can we learn from the early church leaders about resolving our differences?
Example answers (They had an assigned group of people that prayed, considered solutions, and presented a solution to the people. The people were engaged in the solution process. They probably had individuals who also interceeded and had intercession.)
What do I usually do when I feel tension in a relationship?
Example answers (I get mad, a blow them off, I internalize everything until presumption, guess work, feelings of inadequacy, judgement has got the best of me or overwhelmed me.)
How can I improve the way I resolve conflict? (Stay calm in Christ, lament to Jesus and let him speak to you about the situation, acceptance on disagreement then agreement on both sides. Try to see if there has been a miscommunication. Why is there tension? Was it something as simple as a person's tone of voice or a misunderstanding of the chosen words that were actually said. Did you just happen to be the brunt of someone's bad day? Am I demonstrating and acting in love?)
What happens when believers criticize and argue with one another?
Examples: (Shows disobedience to God, God has a difficult time working through them "trespasses". Hurt, resentment, anxiety, murmuring, judgments can cause problems to get bigger and affect and involve more believers.)
What character traits do believers need to get along with each other?
Examples: (Love, forgiveness, allowances of misgivings and failures, Holy Spirit, obedience to Christ, a love for people, focus on Christ, understanding of different maturity levels, what God’s words says.)
How can we cultivate these qualities?
Examples: (Depend and trust in God, live them out by his Holy Spirit not our will, refer to scripture often, prayer, be respectful, seek a common interest or bond in the relationship. Drop the dispute)
Harmony among believers (EXCELLENT Scriptures references)
(Proverbs 17:14, Romans 12:16; 15:5-7; 1 Corinthians 1:10; 3:3; 6:1-7; Ephesians 4:2-4; Philippians 2:3,4; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-15; Hebrews 12:14, 1 Peter 3:8,9.)
Questions came from "Life Lessons, with Max Lucado. Book of Acts"
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Faith and Marriage.
Trust in God as you love one another. (Psalm 23, Proverbs 3, (Matthew 22:37) (Romans 14:7-8) (Isaiah 40:29-31)
Your choices now don’t just effect you but effect your mate as well.
Always think pure, lovely, admirable thoughts of your spouse. (Philippians 4) (Romans12:9-11)
Acknowledge and think of reasons why your spouse is worthy of your praise. (Philippians 4) (Proverbs 16:24) (Proverbs 18:4) (Proverbs 18:20)
Tell your spouse what you need from him/ her and thank them for the things they have done. (Philippians 4) (Galatians 6:2)
Remember you are not just committed to your spouse but accountable to God. (Matthew 12:35-37) (Romans 15:2-7) (1 Corinthians 6:12-20) (Colossians 3:5-10)
Remember you were never designed to carry worries and fears… so give them to God who will give you both peace. (Matthew 11:28-30) (John 14:27) (Colossians 3:2)
Forget the past and look forward to what the future holds. (Romans 12:12) (Ephesians 2:10) (Philippians 3:13-14) (Jeremiah 29:11-12)
Realize that sometimes only God understands your joys and your sorrows. (Proverbs 14:10) (Matthew 5:4) (Ephesians 1:8)
Realize as one you are stronger then if you stand alone.
Realize it’s sometimes best to compromise on some things then have all things one person’s way. (Proverbs 18:15) (Proverbs 17:19)
Realize allowances must be given for each other’s faults and failures. I haven’t met a perfect person yet. Forgive and be blessed. (Luke 6:37-38) (Romans 12:17-18) (James 5:9)
Love is what will bind you in perfect harmony. (Colossians 3:14-15) (1 John 4:18)
Don’t think only about your own affairs but be interested in your mates too and what they are doing. (Galatians 6:3) (Philippians 2:4)
Don’t let pride, selfishness and making a good impression with others get in the way of your unity with your spouse. Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. (Philippians 4) (Proverbs 16:18) (Matthew 5:16)
Marriage is only great with great sacrifice by both a husband and a wife. (Romans 12:1-2) (1 Corinthians 7:3-5)
A man must love his wife as he loves himself and Christ loves the church and the wife must respect her husband as the church must live in obedience to Christ. (Matthew 7:12) (John 15:12-17) (Romans 9:38-39) (1 Corinthians 11:3) (Ephesians 6:21-32) (1 Peter 3:1-7)
May you always have love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and yes- even self-control. (Proverbs 16:32) (Galatians 5:22-23)
In times of disagreement you are still to act in love knowing that true love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful and endures through every circumstance and trial. (1 Corinthians 13:7)
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable and it keeps no record or when it has been wronged. (Matthew 5:22-24) (Romans 13:10) (1 Corinthians 13:4-5)
Your marriage will endure through faith, hope and love. (1 Corinthians 13:13) (Ephesians 3:17-19)
Your choices now don’t just effect you but effect your mate as well.
Always think pure, lovely, admirable thoughts of your spouse. (Philippians 4) (Romans12:9-11)
Acknowledge and think of reasons why your spouse is worthy of your praise. (Philippians 4) (Proverbs 16:24) (Proverbs 18:4) (Proverbs 18:20)
Tell your spouse what you need from him/ her and thank them for the things they have done. (Philippians 4) (Galatians 6:2)
Remember you are not just committed to your spouse but accountable to God. (Matthew 12:35-37) (Romans 15:2-7) (1 Corinthians 6:12-20) (Colossians 3:5-10)
Remember you were never designed to carry worries and fears… so give them to God who will give you both peace. (Matthew 11:28-30) (John 14:27) (Colossians 3:2)
Forget the past and look forward to what the future holds. (Romans 12:12) (Ephesians 2:10) (Philippians 3:13-14) (Jeremiah 29:11-12)
Realize that sometimes only God understands your joys and your sorrows. (Proverbs 14:10) (Matthew 5:4) (Ephesians 1:8)
Realize as one you are stronger then if you stand alone.
Realize it’s sometimes best to compromise on some things then have all things one person’s way. (Proverbs 18:15) (Proverbs 17:19)
Realize allowances must be given for each other’s faults and failures. I haven’t met a perfect person yet. Forgive and be blessed. (Luke 6:37-38) (Romans 12:17-18) (James 5:9)
Love is what will bind you in perfect harmony. (Colossians 3:14-15) (1 John 4:18)
Don’t think only about your own affairs but be interested in your mates too and what they are doing. (Galatians 6:3) (Philippians 2:4)
Don’t let pride, selfishness and making a good impression with others get in the way of your unity with your spouse. Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. (Philippians 4) (Proverbs 16:18) (Matthew 5:16)
Marriage is only great with great sacrifice by both a husband and a wife. (Romans 12:1-2) (1 Corinthians 7:3-5)
A man must love his wife as he loves himself and Christ loves the church and the wife must respect her husband as the church must live in obedience to Christ. (Matthew 7:12) (John 15:12-17) (Romans 9:38-39) (1 Corinthians 11:3) (Ephesians 6:21-32) (1 Peter 3:1-7)
May you always have love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and yes- even self-control. (Proverbs 16:32) (Galatians 5:22-23)
In times of disagreement you are still to act in love knowing that true love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful and endures through every circumstance and trial. (1 Corinthians 13:7)
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable and it keeps no record or when it has been wronged. (Matthew 5:22-24) (Romans 13:10) (1 Corinthians 13:4-5)
Your marriage will endure through faith, hope and love. (1 Corinthians 13:13) (Ephesians 3:17-19)
Monday, January 28, 2008
The Moving of the Spirit
Most Christians would agree in this statement, "God does not fit into a box or a specific doctrine." God is beyond any man or woman’s understanding. God goes where he is welcomed and even at times not welcomed. God is who he says he is in the bible and who we are as his creation. God is omnipotent. God is omniscient. God is omnipresent.
If we believe this, why is there this human idea that the Holy Spirit is no longer at work amongst us. I can tell you the Holy Spirit is at work amongst us and has to be at work amongst us or else we are not risen from our old lives and will not be risen from the dead when we leave this place.
I know there are many faithful believers who were raised in the church who just believe in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and live according but I know there are many others, including myself, who didn’t just believe wholeheartedly in God’s Good News and Word.
I did not just say, "Well I think today is a good day to be saved so… Christ here is my life on a platter for you." No way was my untrusting and guarded feelings going to let God have his way in my life. I liked my miserable life…well at least I acted as if I did. I really didn’t try to do anything to change it. It was easy to be angry, frustrated, hurt, mad, depressed, opinionated, judgmental and focused on the "If I had only" and the "What ifs" of thought life. Thank God, even though I had many opinions and foolish ideas of him, he didn’t let that get in the way when I finally looked at the dark prison walls surrounding my life and looked up and said broken, "I can’t do this anymore God. Please help me." God’s reply wasn’t instant but he did answer. He answered through someone who was obedient to God’s Holy Spirit and prayed over me with one of her hands touching my back, in tongues and in interpretation of tongues. She spoke of things in my life I tried to hide and things I was burden with. Things she could have not known because she was a total stranger. She read my mail from God and God had one heck of a trash burning party inside of me. The door of God had opened after that. God was so thorough that I felt brand new. I had a new zeal that I had never known before- a zeal to read God’s Word and to live for Christ. I now could see and understand God’s Word where before it held little or no relevance in my life. People, whom I had wished for dead and had made me angry, I wrote letters to and called asking them for forgiveness. I am certain they questioned my sincerity and what exactly happened to me. I tried to tell friends what had happened to me and they seemed to withdraw as if I had joined a cult or gone crazy. It has been seven years since that experience and God’s Holy Spirit is still working in and on me. The Holy Spirit is still at work today bringing others like myself to God.
"And I will give them singleness in heart and put a new spirit within them. I will take away their hearts of stone and give them tender hearts instead so they will obey my laws and regulations. Then they will truly be my people, and I will be their God." Ezekiel 11:19-20
When I hear things such as the Holy Spirit is no longer moving and/or at work, I ask myself if these pour souls who speak such things actually understand what they are saying?
Since Jesus joined the right side of the Father, we are living in the last days are we not? Peter quotes Joel (Acts 2:16): ‘In the last days, God said, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams."
Jesus says in John 3:6-7 "Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives new life from heaven. So don't be surprised at my statement that you must be born again. Just as you can hear the wind but can't tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can't explain how people are born of the Spirit."
If God has called us, then we are able to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Jesus says in John 7:37 "If you are thirsty, come to me! If you believe in me, come and drink! For the Scriptures declare that rivers of living water will flow out from within." When he said "living water," he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory."
Jesus says in John 14:15-26 "If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor [or Comforter, Encourager, or Advocate] who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world at large cannot receive him and doesn’t recognize him. But you do, because he lives with you now and later will be in you. No, I will not abandon you as orphans- I will come to you. In just a little while the world will not see me again, but you will. For I will live again, and you will, too. When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Those who obey my commandments are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them, and I will love them. And I will reveal myself to each one of them… But when the Father sends the Counselor as my representative- and by my Counselor I mean the Holy Spirit- he will teach you everything I myself have told you."
Acts 19:2 "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" he asked them.
"No," they replied, "we don’t know what you mean. We haven’t even heard that there is a Holy Spirit."
"Then what baptism did you experience?" he (Paul) asked.
And they replied, "The baptism of John."
Paul said, "John’s baptism was to demonstrate a desire to turn from sin and turn to God. John himself told the people to believe in Jesus, the one John said would come later."
As soon as they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied."
The Holy Spirit is still moving and working just as he did in Pentecost.
You have given your life to Christ and want the Holy Spirit to come into your life? Ask for it! God wants to live inside of you and do wonders through you.... for His glory not our glory.
If we believe this, why is there this human idea that the Holy Spirit is no longer at work amongst us. I can tell you the Holy Spirit is at work amongst us and has to be at work amongst us or else we are not risen from our old lives and will not be risen from the dead when we leave this place.
I know there are many faithful believers who were raised in the church who just believe in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and live according but I know there are many others, including myself, who didn’t just believe wholeheartedly in God’s Good News and Word.
I did not just say, "Well I think today is a good day to be saved so… Christ here is my life on a platter for you." No way was my untrusting and guarded feelings going to let God have his way in my life. I liked my miserable life…well at least I acted as if I did. I really didn’t try to do anything to change it. It was easy to be angry, frustrated, hurt, mad, depressed, opinionated, judgmental and focused on the "If I had only" and the "What ifs" of thought life. Thank God, even though I had many opinions and foolish ideas of him, he didn’t let that get in the way when I finally looked at the dark prison walls surrounding my life and looked up and said broken, "I can’t do this anymore God. Please help me." God’s reply wasn’t instant but he did answer. He answered through someone who was obedient to God’s Holy Spirit and prayed over me with one of her hands touching my back, in tongues and in interpretation of tongues. She spoke of things in my life I tried to hide and things I was burden with. Things she could have not known because she was a total stranger. She read my mail from God and God had one heck of a trash burning party inside of me. The door of God had opened after that. God was so thorough that I felt brand new. I had a new zeal that I had never known before- a zeal to read God’s Word and to live for Christ. I now could see and understand God’s Word where before it held little or no relevance in my life. People, whom I had wished for dead and had made me angry, I wrote letters to and called asking them for forgiveness. I am certain they questioned my sincerity and what exactly happened to me. I tried to tell friends what had happened to me and they seemed to withdraw as if I had joined a cult or gone crazy. It has been seven years since that experience and God’s Holy Spirit is still working in and on me. The Holy Spirit is still at work today bringing others like myself to God.
"And I will give them singleness in heart and put a new spirit within them. I will take away their hearts of stone and give them tender hearts instead so they will obey my laws and regulations. Then they will truly be my people, and I will be their God." Ezekiel 11:19-20
When I hear things such as the Holy Spirit is no longer moving and/or at work, I ask myself if these pour souls who speak such things actually understand what they are saying?
Since Jesus joined the right side of the Father, we are living in the last days are we not? Peter quotes Joel (Acts 2:16): ‘In the last days, God said, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams."
Jesus says in John 3:6-7 "Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives new life from heaven. So don't be surprised at my statement that you must be born again. Just as you can hear the wind but can't tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can't explain how people are born of the Spirit."
If God has called us, then we are able to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Jesus says in John 7:37 "If you are thirsty, come to me! If you believe in me, come and drink! For the Scriptures declare that rivers of living water will flow out from within." When he said "living water," he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory."
Jesus says in John 14:15-26 "If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor [or Comforter, Encourager, or Advocate] who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world at large cannot receive him and doesn’t recognize him. But you do, because he lives with you now and later will be in you. No, I will not abandon you as orphans- I will come to you. In just a little while the world will not see me again, but you will. For I will live again, and you will, too. When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Those who obey my commandments are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them, and I will love them. And I will reveal myself to each one of them… But when the Father sends the Counselor as my representative- and by my Counselor I mean the Holy Spirit- he will teach you everything I myself have told you."
Acts 19:2 "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" he asked them.
"No," they replied, "we don’t know what you mean. We haven’t even heard that there is a Holy Spirit."
"Then what baptism did you experience?" he (Paul) asked.
And they replied, "The baptism of John."
Paul said, "John’s baptism was to demonstrate a desire to turn from sin and turn to God. John himself told the people to believe in Jesus, the one John said would come later."
As soon as they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied."
The Holy Spirit is still moving and working just as he did in Pentecost.
You have given your life to Christ and want the Holy Spirit to come into your life? Ask for it! God wants to live inside of you and do wonders through you.... for His glory not our glory.
Monday, January 21, 2008
What Needs to Remain Central
This morning, I ask the Lord to help me with my story for young adults and those who are just a kid at heart and as I was writing part of illustration of why these children in the story couldn't see what was on the pages of 'the book' - that spoke of them, it became clear that they couldn't read the pages because they hadn't received the message (the key) that allowed them to read the pages.
In our world Jesus Christ is the key to open the pages of the bible and to life. Without Jesus the pages of the bible and to life are meaningless and even difficult to understand.
Jesus is the foundation of our faith. He is the one who pursued us when we were far away from him. He is the one who allowed our 'blindness' to fall from our eyes and transformed our hearts and minds so we could forgive and be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and the needs of others.
Christ needs to be central in every thought, action and deed in our Christian lives.
Jesus is our hope. Not some hope we imagine but know in our hearts because He has touched and is continuing to touch our lives.
Jesus is who we trust in every aspect of our lives.
Jesus is the REAL love, the REAL understanding, the REAL authority, the REAL servant heart, the REAL consoling spirit, the REAL miracle maker, is the REAL LIFE and EVERLASTING LIFE.
Jesus needs to be central. Without him we are just lost and running around circles.
In our world Jesus Christ is the key to open the pages of the bible and to life. Without Jesus the pages of the bible and to life are meaningless and even difficult to understand.
Jesus is the foundation of our faith. He is the one who pursued us when we were far away from him. He is the one who allowed our 'blindness' to fall from our eyes and transformed our hearts and minds so we could forgive and be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and the needs of others.
Christ needs to be central in every thought, action and deed in our Christian lives.
Jesus is our hope. Not some hope we imagine but know in our hearts because He has touched and is continuing to touch our lives.
Jesus is who we trust in every aspect of our lives.
Jesus is the REAL love, the REAL understanding, the REAL authority, the REAL servant heart, the REAL consoling spirit, the REAL miracle maker, is the REAL LIFE and EVERLASTING LIFE.
Jesus needs to be central. Without him we are just lost and running around circles.
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
The Authority in Christ Jesus
You have no real authority unless it is in Christ Jesus.
God’s word says, " I want you to realize what a rich and glorious inheritance he has given to his people."
Paul then writes, " I pray that you will begin to under the incredible greatness of his power for us who believe in him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else in this world or in the world to come. And God has put all things under the authority of Christ, and he gave him this authority for the benefit of the church. And the church is his body; it is filled by Christ who fills everything everywhere with his presence." Ephesians 1:18-23
To my current understanding, the authority in Christ has very little to do with our understanding or even concept of authority. Imagine a container that holds a cancer-fighting drug. It not only holds the drug but also the instructions on how to administer the drug. Does the container have the powerful agents to fight the cancer or does the drug inside the container? We as Christians are merely the container that holds authority but like the drug container that sits on a shelf and doesn’t get used -so are we when we don’t look to God in how to use that authority. The Holy Spirit is living in us but he can only work through you and I if we listen and do as he specifies.
(To be quite honest this can take some patience at times. It seems easier when you get instruction right away- it’s not so easy when you have to wait for an answer.)
"For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." (Ephesians 2:10)
"For in Christ the fullness of God lives in a human body and you are complete through your union with Christ. He is the Lord over every ruler and authority in the universe." (Colossians 2:9)
"How stupid can you be? He is the Potter, and he is certainly greater than you. You are only jars he makes! Should the thing that was created say to the one who made it, "He didn’t make us"? Does a jar ever say, " the Potter who made me is stupid"? (Isaiah 29:16)
Obviously we are to use this authority but how?
We have all heard of stories where the servant, who’s master is a great king, is given a position of great authority. This unlikely recipient is not a person who we would see as a person in great authority. They are often timid, sometimes not all that ambitious. They have doubts and concerns. They more or less like to stay out of the public limelight. They have don’t look like a strong candidate for a leadership role but underneath that ordinary exterior is a patient, kind, fair, faithful, hopeful and endure soul who God knows will endure even through the worst of circumstances.
A great king chooses his warriors, commanders, counselors, advisers, and leadership - not so much on a person’s special abilities but in how a person accomplishes their role in respectful honest and faith manner using their abilities. For authority is useless and an embarrassment if not done in great care and/or consideration.
Our authority as Christians (under Christ) is useless if not done in love and we can only have great authority if we submit to God who is the greatest of great kings. We submit to God’s will and we not just see the authority of Christ but experience it.
Remember this authority is patient, kind, not jealous, boastful, proud or rude. It does not demand it’s own way or it’s own way in his or her understanding but goes God’s way. It is not irritable and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged. It is sadden by injustice but is joyful when the truth wins out. It never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7) This is as love.
Colossians 3:12-14 says: "Since God chose you to be holy people whom he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. You must make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. And the most important piece of clothing you must wear is love. Love is what binds us all together in perfect harmony."
I hear the shutter, "Where is the authority in that again? It sounds more like a doormat."
Authority is rising above it all. It is having peace knowing you didn’t retaliate or get agitated when could have. You didn’t go back to your boxing corner for round 2 after you received one to one the gut. You stayed cool and collected not trusting in your understanding but God and God’s way to work all things out. You stood and stayed on the rock when a ripple of a wave came toward you and you stayed dry.
Romans 12:17 "Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do your part to live in peace with everyone, as much as possible. Dear friends, never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God. For it is written, ‘I will take vengeance; I will repay those who deserve it," says the Lord. Instead, do what the Scriptures say: ‘If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink, and they will be ashamed of what they have done to you.’ Don’t let evil get the best of you, but conquer evil by doing good."
You are an acceptable living and holy sacrifice to God when you live this way.
Authority in Christ sounds very different to this world’s point of view of the understanding of authority doesn’t it? For some of us, we visualize authority as a harsh drill Sargent nose to nose and toe to toe yelling in someone's face like a rabid K9 and as if they, the person on the receiving end, were hard of hearing.
Our authority in encompassed by love, the leading of the Holy Spirit, trusting in Christ Jesus and standing up for what is true and right according to God’s word.
And the more we look to Christ in every aspect or our lives, the more maturity and peace we have with others and ourselves - even during times of conflict. (A picture of Yoda’s lightsaber absorbing the volts of Sith suddenly came to mind)
As my brother, Weaver put it, this betterment "is to wear out the earthly individual, for a more fruitful one which is Heavenly."
Once we see it’s all about Christ’s authority and not our authority, we can sink our teeth down into the true meaning of authority.
1. Christ submitted to his Father’s will.
2. Christ had all authority in heaven and on earth. (Matthew 28:18) by submitting to his Father’s will.
3. Our authority is not based on ourselves but solely on the submission of Christ’s authority.
Matthew 10:1 "He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness."
4. Our authority is prompted by directives by the Holy Spirit. Directives by the Holy Spirit are given to present, instruct, correct, awaken, and encourage everyone to the power and knowledge of Jesus Christ. Directives happen anywhere! From our prayers to our conversations to our workplace to our chat rooms on the Internet to the grocery store.
When the Holy Spirit lives in you, you know when He is agitated, correcting, leading, mourning and at peace. Ask Him what He wants you to do... don't let yourself tell you what to do! (Wink)
Here is an example of authority by Paul.
2 Corinthians 10:1-18"Now I, Paul, plead with you. I plead with the gentleness and kindness that Christ himself would use, even though some of you say I am bold in my letters but timid in person. I hope it won’t be necessary, but when I come I may have to be very bold with those who think we act from purely human motives. We are human, but we don’t wage war with human plans or methods. We use God’s mighty weapons, not merely worldly weapons, to knock down the Devil’s strongholds. With these weapons we break down every proud argument that keeps people from knowing God. With these weapons we conquer their rebellious ideas, and teach them to obey Christ. And we will punish those who remained disobedient after the rest of you become loyal and obedient. The trouble with you is that you make your decisions on the basis of appearance. You must recognize that we belong to Christ just as much as those who proudly declare that they belong to Christ. I may seem to be boasting too much about the authority given to us by the Lord. But this authority is to build you up, not to tear you down…"
God’s word says, " I want you to realize what a rich and glorious inheritance he has given to his people."
Paul then writes, " I pray that you will begin to under the incredible greatness of his power for us who believe in him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else in this world or in the world to come. And God has put all things under the authority of Christ, and he gave him this authority for the benefit of the church. And the church is his body; it is filled by Christ who fills everything everywhere with his presence." Ephesians 1:18-23
To my current understanding, the authority in Christ has very little to do with our understanding or even concept of authority. Imagine a container that holds a cancer-fighting drug. It not only holds the drug but also the instructions on how to administer the drug. Does the container have the powerful agents to fight the cancer or does the drug inside the container? We as Christians are merely the container that holds authority but like the drug container that sits on a shelf and doesn’t get used -so are we when we don’t look to God in how to use that authority. The Holy Spirit is living in us but he can only work through you and I if we listen and do as he specifies.
(To be quite honest this can take some patience at times. It seems easier when you get instruction right away- it’s not so easy when you have to wait for an answer.)
"For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." (Ephesians 2:10)
"For in Christ the fullness of God lives in a human body and you are complete through your union with Christ. He is the Lord over every ruler and authority in the universe." (Colossians 2:9)
"How stupid can you be? He is the Potter, and he is certainly greater than you. You are only jars he makes! Should the thing that was created say to the one who made it, "He didn’t make us"? Does a jar ever say, " the Potter who made me is stupid"? (Isaiah 29:16)
Obviously we are to use this authority but how?
We have all heard of stories where the servant, who’s master is a great king, is given a position of great authority. This unlikely recipient is not a person who we would see as a person in great authority. They are often timid, sometimes not all that ambitious. They have doubts and concerns. They more or less like to stay out of the public limelight. They have don’t look like a strong candidate for a leadership role but underneath that ordinary exterior is a patient, kind, fair, faithful, hopeful and endure soul who God knows will endure even through the worst of circumstances.
A great king chooses his warriors, commanders, counselors, advisers, and leadership - not so much on a person’s special abilities but in how a person accomplishes their role in respectful honest and faith manner using their abilities. For authority is useless and an embarrassment if not done in great care and/or consideration.
Our authority as Christians (under Christ) is useless if not done in love and we can only have great authority if we submit to God who is the greatest of great kings. We submit to God’s will and we not just see the authority of Christ but experience it.
Remember this authority is patient, kind, not jealous, boastful, proud or rude. It does not demand it’s own way or it’s own way in his or her understanding but goes God’s way. It is not irritable and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged. It is sadden by injustice but is joyful when the truth wins out. It never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7) This is as love.
Colossians 3:12-14 says: "Since God chose you to be holy people whom he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. You must make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. And the most important piece of clothing you must wear is love. Love is what binds us all together in perfect harmony."
I hear the shutter, "Where is the authority in that again? It sounds more like a doormat."
Authority is rising above it all. It is having peace knowing you didn’t retaliate or get agitated when could have. You didn’t go back to your boxing corner for round 2 after you received one to one the gut. You stayed cool and collected not trusting in your understanding but God and God’s way to work all things out. You stood and stayed on the rock when a ripple of a wave came toward you and you stayed dry.
Romans 12:17 "Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do your part to live in peace with everyone, as much as possible. Dear friends, never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God. For it is written, ‘I will take vengeance; I will repay those who deserve it," says the Lord. Instead, do what the Scriptures say: ‘If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink, and they will be ashamed of what they have done to you.’ Don’t let evil get the best of you, but conquer evil by doing good."
You are an acceptable living and holy sacrifice to God when you live this way.
Authority in Christ sounds very different to this world’s point of view of the understanding of authority doesn’t it? For some of us, we visualize authority as a harsh drill Sargent nose to nose and toe to toe yelling in someone's face like a rabid K9 and as if they, the person on the receiving end, were hard of hearing.
Our authority in encompassed by love, the leading of the Holy Spirit, trusting in Christ Jesus and standing up for what is true and right according to God’s word.
And the more we look to Christ in every aspect or our lives, the more maturity and peace we have with others and ourselves - even during times of conflict. (A picture of Yoda’s lightsaber absorbing the volts of Sith suddenly came to mind)
As my brother, Weaver put it, this betterment "is to wear out the earthly individual, for a more fruitful one which is Heavenly."
Once we see it’s all about Christ’s authority and not our authority, we can sink our teeth down into the true meaning of authority.
1. Christ submitted to his Father’s will.
2. Christ had all authority in heaven and on earth. (Matthew 28:18) by submitting to his Father’s will.
3. Our authority is not based on ourselves but solely on the submission of Christ’s authority.
Matthew 10:1 "He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness."
4. Our authority is prompted by directives by the Holy Spirit. Directives by the Holy Spirit are given to present, instruct, correct, awaken, and encourage everyone to the power and knowledge of Jesus Christ. Directives happen anywhere! From our prayers to our conversations to our workplace to our chat rooms on the Internet to the grocery store.
When the Holy Spirit lives in you, you know when He is agitated, correcting, leading, mourning and at peace. Ask Him what He wants you to do... don't let yourself tell you what to do! (Wink)
Here is an example of authority by Paul.
2 Corinthians 10:1-18"Now I, Paul, plead with you. I plead with the gentleness and kindness that Christ himself would use, even though some of you say I am bold in my letters but timid in person. I hope it won’t be necessary, but when I come I may have to be very bold with those who think we act from purely human motives. We are human, but we don’t wage war with human plans or methods. We use God’s mighty weapons, not merely worldly weapons, to knock down the Devil’s strongholds. With these weapons we break down every proud argument that keeps people from knowing God. With these weapons we conquer their rebellious ideas, and teach them to obey Christ. And we will punish those who remained disobedient after the rest of you become loyal and obedient. The trouble with you is that you make your decisions on the basis of appearance. You must recognize that we belong to Christ just as much as those who proudly declare that they belong to Christ. I may seem to be boasting too much about the authority given to us by the Lord. But this authority is to build you up, not to tear you down…"
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
The Testimony through the Holy Spirit
A lasting and powerful testimony is not done merely by one’s own self-esteem or personal will power, it is done by relying on a power outside of one’s self. A powerful testimony isn’t self-motivated or self-centered or done by human hands, methods or understandings but centered on a purpose driven and planned by God. Those people whose lives are self-motivated are never satisfied. They like coyotes that continue to search for something to satisfy and give them peace but everything, even religion, leaves them thirsty and hungry. But this is not all bad because their desire to find something lasting may lead them to find a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Acts 5:38-39
“So my advice is, leave these men alone. If they are teaching and doing these thing on their own, it will soon be overthrown. But if it is of God, you will not be able to stop them. You may even find yourselves fighting against God.”
1 Thessalonians 1:5
“For when we brought you the good news, it was not only with words but also with power, for the Holy Spirit gave you full assurance that what we said was true. And you know that the way we lived among you was further proof of the truth of our message.”
Acts 5:38-39
“So my advice is, leave these men alone. If they are teaching and doing these thing on their own, it will soon be overthrown. But if it is of God, you will not be able to stop them. You may even find yourselves fighting against God.”
1 Thessalonians 1:5
“For when we brought you the good news, it was not only with words but also with power, for the Holy Spirit gave you full assurance that what we said was true. And you know that the way we lived among you was further proof of the truth of our message.”
Monday, October 29, 2007
What the HECK!
You ever have one of those episodes where it seems like you are doing what God wants you do and then it seems like it has completely taken a wrong turn?
I know that is the way David felt when he was bringing the Ark of God back to Jerusalem. (2 Samuel 6). Here he was bringing the Ark of God back to God's people so they could be blessed and one of the escorts gets struck dead by God's anger for trying to stabilize the Ark of God.
You want to do what God wants but in your haste or passion it isn't necessary the way God wants something done or in the order God wants you or someone else to do it in. And when you try to force it to be done your way... you aren't in God's will. You are heading down that road marked of good intentions that lead only for a heartache. Thank God for his grace. Thank him helping us to steer us right and stand up again. Thank him for stopping the situation before it became even worse.
After the realization you hadn't done things the way God wanted them to, you probably become frustrated, sad, angry, and even thought God was upset with you. Your role or someone else's role wasn't what you thought it was suppose to be.
You find out that you were zealous and not careful with the position/role and responsibility God had given you. You assumed and ran with emotions as David had and it didn't turn out the way you expected. You even might have had to stare at some of your weakness and accept them along with opposition of those who came with you down this road or idea.
We all may have the zeal to do right but it's God's way or no way. Thank God he was there with his hand over our lives when we did go too far. When we were over zealous and assumed more then what we were suppose to take on. We said more then what we were suppose to say. We messed up but God does beautiful things with our mess ups too.
May the Lord help us all to be the person He wants us to be for today, in Jesus Name Amen.
I know that is the way David felt when he was bringing the Ark of God back to Jerusalem. (2 Samuel 6). Here he was bringing the Ark of God back to God's people so they could be blessed and one of the escorts gets struck dead by God's anger for trying to stabilize the Ark of God.
You want to do what God wants but in your haste or passion it isn't necessary the way God wants something done or in the order God wants you or someone else to do it in. And when you try to force it to be done your way... you aren't in God's will. You are heading down that road marked of good intentions that lead only for a heartache. Thank God for his grace. Thank him helping us to steer us right and stand up again. Thank him for stopping the situation before it became even worse.
After the realization you hadn't done things the way God wanted them to, you probably become frustrated, sad, angry, and even thought God was upset with you. Your role or someone else's role wasn't what you thought it was suppose to be.
You find out that you were zealous and not careful with the position/role and responsibility God had given you. You assumed and ran with emotions as David had and it didn't turn out the way you expected. You even might have had to stare at some of your weakness and accept them along with opposition of those who came with you down this road or idea.
We all may have the zeal to do right but it's God's way or no way. Thank God he was there with his hand over our lives when we did go too far. When we were over zealous and assumed more then what we were suppose to take on. We said more then what we were suppose to say. We messed up but God does beautiful things with our mess ups too.
May the Lord help us all to be the person He wants us to be for today, in Jesus Name Amen.
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
You Were Made For Such A Time As This. (Body of Christ)
(Ephesians 2:10) "For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago."
We have the power to deal with others through Christ and the Holy Spirit. (2 Corinthians 13:4)
So we may bring God glory (Romans 1:5)
Don't entangle yourself with how others think of you but what God thinks of you! Don't entangle yourself with emotions that weigh you down and chain you up and try to deafen you to God's voice and God's purpose for you in these moments and times!
"You are among those who have been called to belong to Jesus Christ, dear friends of Rome. God loves you dearly, and he has called you to be his very own people. May the grace and peace be yours from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 1:6)
You can only have grace and peace from God when you truly trust and obey God.
"All praise to the God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the source of every mercy and the God who comforts us. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. You can be sure that the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. So when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your benefit and salvation! For when God comforts us, it is so that we, in turn, can be an encouragement to you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer,you will also share God's comfort." (2 Corinthians 1:3-7)
"For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything. If you need wisdom- if you want to know what God wants you to do- ask him, and he will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking. But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to answer, for a doubtful mind is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. People like that should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. They can't make up their minds. They waver back and forth in everything they do." (James 1:3-7)
Go to God. Tell Him your troubles and leave your concerns and worries with Him. He will remind you what to think on and to fully rely on Him. Then you will be able to comfort and encourage others as a servant and friend. And when troubles try to overtake your peace of mind and the testing seems too great, He will direct you by wise counsel (A pastor or a mature Christian).
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us- they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confidence expectation of salvation. And this expectation will not disappoint us. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. (Romans 5:3-5)
Remember God's love is far greater then we can possibly imagine yet somehow (through God's Holy Spirit) we have the opportunity to experience it everyday of our lives no matter what problems and trials seem to present themselves. We have the opportunity to change and take another step in being the person and God wants us to be. People who see us are in wonder of how we can stay calm in such circumstances and when they ask you why you seem to not be bothered and negative by such trials, you can tell them that you have God, who far greater then theses temporary matters and concerns.
'People need more then bread for their life; they must feed on every word of God.' (Matthew 4:4) "...Real life comes by feeding on every word of the Lord." (Deuteronomy 8:3)
You and I must be in God's word everyday. When we read God's word and think on it, it will come back to us in our time of need. It will encourage us to continue on and to live the life God has called us to live. When we stumble, God's word can remind us of God's mercy and grace and quicken us to stand back up and walk again.
We can't go back and change something in the past or what we said or did. (If you hurt someone, humbly apologize and try to make it up to them.) If circumstances change that were beyond your control, don't try to carry the burden of trying to take on and understanding those changes. God knows what you and I are capable and not capable of handling at this moment in time but he also gives us insight and direction when changes do occur. If plans change, except those changes based on the insight you have been given and you will have peace and your burdens lightened.
I am finding that even if something was said or done in good intentions but wasn't intended in God's plan in the first place -you and I can't change God's plan. You and I can't stop the doors from being closed and the continual battle to come to a roaring halt.
We may not even realize God's plan destined for us and others because we are doing something that is biblically sound at the time- but in the scope of God's master plan, our role can be quite different then what we presumed in the first place. And when we come to this realization it can even be quite painful for a bit of time until we realize our true role in God's plan. God's word brings peace and lightens our load and shows us that even in times of good or bad He is with us.
You were made for such a time as this. May what we learn now from these experience never be forgotten, in Jesus Name Amen.
We have the power to deal with others through Christ and the Holy Spirit. (2 Corinthians 13:4)
So we may bring God glory (Romans 1:5)
Don't entangle yourself with how others think of you but what God thinks of you! Don't entangle yourself with emotions that weigh you down and chain you up and try to deafen you to God's voice and God's purpose for you in these moments and times!
"You are among those who have been called to belong to Jesus Christ, dear friends of Rome. God loves you dearly, and he has called you to be his very own people. May the grace and peace be yours from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 1:6)
You can only have grace and peace from God when you truly trust and obey God.
"All praise to the God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the source of every mercy and the God who comforts us. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. You can be sure that the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. So when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your benefit and salvation! For when God comforts us, it is so that we, in turn, can be an encouragement to you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer,you will also share God's comfort." (2 Corinthians 1:3-7)
"For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything. If you need wisdom- if you want to know what God wants you to do- ask him, and he will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking. But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to answer, for a doubtful mind is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. People like that should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. They can't make up their minds. They waver back and forth in everything they do." (James 1:3-7)
Go to God. Tell Him your troubles and leave your concerns and worries with Him. He will remind you what to think on and to fully rely on Him. Then you will be able to comfort and encourage others as a servant and friend. And when troubles try to overtake your peace of mind and the testing seems too great, He will direct you by wise counsel (A pastor or a mature Christian).
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us- they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confidence expectation of salvation. And this expectation will not disappoint us. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. (Romans 5:3-5)
Remember God's love is far greater then we can possibly imagine yet somehow (through God's Holy Spirit) we have the opportunity to experience it everyday of our lives no matter what problems and trials seem to present themselves. We have the opportunity to change and take another step in being the person and God wants us to be. People who see us are in wonder of how we can stay calm in such circumstances and when they ask you why you seem to not be bothered and negative by such trials, you can tell them that you have God, who far greater then theses temporary matters and concerns.
'People need more then bread for their life; they must feed on every word of God.' (Matthew 4:4) "...Real life comes by feeding on every word of the Lord." (Deuteronomy 8:3)
You and I must be in God's word everyday. When we read God's word and think on it, it will come back to us in our time of need. It will encourage us to continue on and to live the life God has called us to live. When we stumble, God's word can remind us of God's mercy and grace and quicken us to stand back up and walk again.
We can't go back and change something in the past or what we said or did. (If you hurt someone, humbly apologize and try to make it up to them.) If circumstances change that were beyond your control, don't try to carry the burden of trying to take on and understanding those changes. God knows what you and I are capable and not capable of handling at this moment in time but he also gives us insight and direction when changes do occur. If plans change, except those changes based on the insight you have been given and you will have peace and your burdens lightened.
I am finding that even if something was said or done in good intentions but wasn't intended in God's plan in the first place -you and I can't change God's plan. You and I can't stop the doors from being closed and the continual battle to come to a roaring halt.
We may not even realize God's plan destined for us and others because we are doing something that is biblically sound at the time- but in the scope of God's master plan, our role can be quite different then what we presumed in the first place. And when we come to this realization it can even be quite painful for a bit of time until we realize our true role in God's plan. God's word brings peace and lightens our load and shows us that even in times of good or bad He is with us.
You were made for such a time as this. May what we learn now from these experience never be forgotten, in Jesus Name Amen.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Keep Your Fork (Better Things to Come.)
There was a young woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. So as she was getting her things "in order," she contacted her Pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes. She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in. Everything was in order and the Pastor was preparing to leave when the young woman suddenly remembered something very important to her."There's one more thing," she said excitedly.
"What's that?" came the Pastor's reply.
"This is very important," the young woman continued . "I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand."
The Pastor stood looking at the young woman, not knowing quite what to say.
"That surprises you, doesn't it?" the young woman asked.
"Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request," said the Pastor.
The young woman explained. "My grandmother once told me this story, and from that time on I have always tried to pass along its message to those I love and those who are in need of encouragement. In all my years of attending socials and dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, 'Keep your fork.' It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming...like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance!' So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder "What's with the fork?" Then I want you to tell them : "Keep your fork, the best is yet to come."
The Pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the young woman good-bye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew that the young woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did. She had a better grasp of what heaven would be like than many people twice her age, with twice as much experience and knowledge. She KNEW that something better was coming.
At the funeral people were walking by the young woman's casket and they saw the cloak she was wearing and the fork placed in her right hand. Over and over, the Pastor heard the question, "What's with the fork?" And over and over he smiled.
During his message, the Pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the young woman shortly before she died. He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her. He told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would Not be able to stop thinking about it either. He was right.
So the next time you reach down for your fork let it remind you, ever so gently, that the best is yet to come.
Remember to keep your fork.
Philippians 4:6 "Don't worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful then the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Matthew 18:4-5 "Therefore, anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven and anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my half is welcoming me." (Childlike faith)
Psalm 34:7-8 "For the angel of the Lord guards all who fear Him, and rescues them. Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who trust in Him! Let the Lord's people show Him reverence, for those who honor Him will have all they need."
"What's that?" came the Pastor's reply.
"This is very important," the young woman continued . "I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand."
The Pastor stood looking at the young woman, not knowing quite what to say.
"That surprises you, doesn't it?" the young woman asked.
"Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request," said the Pastor.
The young woman explained. "My grandmother once told me this story, and from that time on I have always tried to pass along its message to those I love and those who are in need of encouragement. In all my years of attending socials and dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, 'Keep your fork.' It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming...like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance!' So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder "What's with the fork?" Then I want you to tell them : "Keep your fork, the best is yet to come."
The Pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the young woman good-bye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew that the young woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did. She had a better grasp of what heaven would be like than many people twice her age, with twice as much experience and knowledge. She KNEW that something better was coming.
At the funeral people were walking by the young woman's casket and they saw the cloak she was wearing and the fork placed in her right hand. Over and over, the Pastor heard the question, "What's with the fork?" And over and over he smiled.
During his message, the Pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the young woman shortly before she died. He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her. He told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would Not be able to stop thinking about it either. He was right.
So the next time you reach down for your fork let it remind you, ever so gently, that the best is yet to come.
Remember to keep your fork.
Philippians 4:6 "Don't worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful then the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Matthew 18:4-5 "Therefore, anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven and anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my half is welcoming me." (Childlike faith)
Psalm 34:7-8 "For the angel of the Lord guards all who fear Him, and rescues them. Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who trust in Him! Let the Lord's people show Him reverence, for those who honor Him will have all they need."
Friday, September 21, 2007
Where Is The Hope? Christians that are Wounded.
There has got to be more then just pulling yourself out of bed each morning… and in some cases "each after noon". There has got to be more then just the "have to(s)" in life.
Where has this negative slant on life come from? Where is the life filled with expectation and love for others gone? Where is the daily assurance in Jesus Christ gone? When did the opinions of men and women become more important then God’s opinion of us?
Why is there more importance on the material things, which will soon find their way to a landfill? Why embrace worldly ideals, which will soon change like the wind? Why chase such things that will make you lost and empty? Why run a race that is on a treadmill? Why turn from Godly wisdom and understanding?
I am concerned for such individuals who seem to turn to from and/or choose something other then what God’s word states. I am not talking about being discouraged for just a few days or weeks but months and years.
When someone is discouraged and depressed for that long period of time I wonder what has happened to those people. What has happened to their faith that they think God has forgotten them or isn’t interested in them?
I don’t want to sound like an Eliphaz, where I am "as unreliable as a season brook that overflows its banks in the spring when it swollen with ice and melting snow but when the hot weather arrives, the water disappears. The brook vanishes in the heat. The caravans turn aside to be refreshed, but there is nothing there to drink, and so they perish in the desert. With high hopes, the caravans from Tema and from Sheba stop for water, but finding nothing, their hopes are dashed." (Job 6:15-21) I want to be of some help, hope and encouragement.
Have they denied the words of God?. I don’t know... but seems as if doubt has taken up permanent residence in their hearts. Some have fear and some don’t. Some just don’t care anymore. Some have grown impatient and hardened- setting themselves up for thoughts that God will never intervene on their behalf. I don’t ever what to experience what they are experiencing.
"As a face is reflected in the water, so the heart reflects the person." Proverbs 27:19
So is a man who thinks in his heart so he becomes…. Is this not true?
I can only imagine that the devil himself has carefully placed these debilitating false ideas into a welcoming wounded specimen where the victim hashes over them in some way or form until they become as if fact in their minds. Some people are even aware that these debilitating thoughts have come from the devil himself but they couldn’t care less. They have stripped off their armor accepting whatever comes.
Paul writes, "Be strong with the Lord’s mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the Devil. For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms. Use every piece of God’s armor to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle you will still be standing firm." (Ephesians 6)
The devil has no power over you unless you give it to him! The devil is the father of lies. He tells you something, you know the opposite is true. If he wants to get in your face, "Tell him to go see your older brother, Jesus Christ, and your Father, God Almighty."
You say but my enemy is flesh and blood. I say, pray for your enemy and if you don’t have the power and love to pray for them then ask God for the power and love to do so. Why do we base our worth on how others treat us? I did this and made myself miserable. People are like grass; they are here today and gone tomorrow. God is forever and I know He thinks more of you then those who think negatively about you.
Helpful Scriptures:
Galatians 6:9 "So don't get tired of doing what is good. Don't get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time."
1John 5:4 "For every child of God defeats this evil world by trusting Christ to give the victory"
Psalm 37:5 "Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you. 37:6 He will make your innocence as clear as the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun. 37:7 Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for him to act. Don't worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes."
Philippians 4:6-9 4 "Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again- rejoice! 5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. 6 Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. 8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, let me say one more thing as I close this letter. Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 9 Keep putting into practice all you learned from me and heard from me and saw me doing, and the God of peace will be with you."
Philippians 1:6 "And I am sure that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again." 2:13 "For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him."
Philippians 1:29 "For you have been given no only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him."
Hebrews 10:35-36 "Do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord, no matter what happens. Remember the great reward it brings you! 10:36 Patient endurance is what you need now, so you will continue to do God's will. Then you will receive all that he has promised."
Romans 8:26-27 "26 And the Holy Spirit helps us in our distress. For we don't even know what we should pray for, nor how we should pray. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. 27 And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God's own will."
1 Corinthians 6:19 "Or don't you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself,"
1 Corinthians 8:3 "But the person who loves God is the one God knows and cares for."
1 Corinthians 10:13 "But remember that the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can't stand up against it. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it."
Matthew 16:25-27 "25 If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for me, you will find true life. 26 And how do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul in the process? Is anything worth more than your soul? 27 For I, the Son of Man, will come in the glory of my Father with his angels and will judge all people according to their deeds."
Colossians 1:23 "But you must continue to believe this truth and stand in it firmly. Don’t drift away from the assurance you received when you heard the good news."
A person conquers evil thoughts and desires when they think on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits at God’s right hand in place of honor and power. (Colossians 3:1-2)
Where has this negative slant on life come from? Where is the life filled with expectation and love for others gone? Where is the daily assurance in Jesus Christ gone? When did the opinions of men and women become more important then God’s opinion of us?
Why is there more importance on the material things, which will soon find their way to a landfill? Why embrace worldly ideals, which will soon change like the wind? Why chase such things that will make you lost and empty? Why run a race that is on a treadmill? Why turn from Godly wisdom and understanding?
I am concerned for such individuals who seem to turn to from and/or choose something other then what God’s word states. I am not talking about being discouraged for just a few days or weeks but months and years.
When someone is discouraged and depressed for that long period of time I wonder what has happened to those people. What has happened to their faith that they think God has forgotten them or isn’t interested in them?
I don’t want to sound like an Eliphaz, where I am "as unreliable as a season brook that overflows its banks in the spring when it swollen with ice and melting snow but when the hot weather arrives, the water disappears. The brook vanishes in the heat. The caravans turn aside to be refreshed, but there is nothing there to drink, and so they perish in the desert. With high hopes, the caravans from Tema and from Sheba stop for water, but finding nothing, their hopes are dashed." (Job 6:15-21) I want to be of some help, hope and encouragement.
Have they denied the words of God?. I don’t know... but seems as if doubt has taken up permanent residence in their hearts. Some have fear and some don’t. Some just don’t care anymore. Some have grown impatient and hardened- setting themselves up for thoughts that God will never intervene on their behalf. I don’t ever what to experience what they are experiencing.
"As a face is reflected in the water, so the heart reflects the person." Proverbs 27:19
So is a man who thinks in his heart so he becomes…. Is this not true?
I can only imagine that the devil himself has carefully placed these debilitating false ideas into a welcoming wounded specimen where the victim hashes over them in some way or form until they become as if fact in their minds. Some people are even aware that these debilitating thoughts have come from the devil himself but they couldn’t care less. They have stripped off their armor accepting whatever comes.
Paul writes, "Be strong with the Lord’s mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the Devil. For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms. Use every piece of God’s armor to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle you will still be standing firm." (Ephesians 6)
The devil has no power over you unless you give it to him! The devil is the father of lies. He tells you something, you know the opposite is true. If he wants to get in your face, "Tell him to go see your older brother, Jesus Christ, and your Father, God Almighty."
You say but my enemy is flesh and blood. I say, pray for your enemy and if you don’t have the power and love to pray for them then ask God for the power and love to do so. Why do we base our worth on how others treat us? I did this and made myself miserable. People are like grass; they are here today and gone tomorrow. God is forever and I know He thinks more of you then those who think negatively about you.
Helpful Scriptures:
Galatians 6:9 "So don't get tired of doing what is good. Don't get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time."
1John 5:4 "For every child of God defeats this evil world by trusting Christ to give the victory"
Psalm 37:5 "Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you. 37:6 He will make your innocence as clear as the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun. 37:7 Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for him to act. Don't worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes."
Philippians 4:6-9 4 "Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again- rejoice! 5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. 6 Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. 8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, let me say one more thing as I close this letter. Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 9 Keep putting into practice all you learned from me and heard from me and saw me doing, and the God of peace will be with you."
Philippians 1:6 "And I am sure that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again." 2:13 "For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him."
Philippians 1:29 "For you have been given no only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him."
Hebrews 10:35-36 "Do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord, no matter what happens. Remember the great reward it brings you! 10:36 Patient endurance is what you need now, so you will continue to do God's will. Then you will receive all that he has promised."
Romans 8:26-27 "26 And the Holy Spirit helps us in our distress. For we don't even know what we should pray for, nor how we should pray. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. 27 And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God's own will."
1 Corinthians 6:19 "Or don't you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself,"
1 Corinthians 8:3 "But the person who loves God is the one God knows and cares for."
1 Corinthians 10:13 "But remember that the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can't stand up against it. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it."
Matthew 16:25-27 "25 If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for me, you will find true life. 26 And how do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul in the process? Is anything worth more than your soul? 27 For I, the Son of Man, will come in the glory of my Father with his angels and will judge all people according to their deeds."
Colossians 1:23 "But you must continue to believe this truth and stand in it firmly. Don’t drift away from the assurance you received when you heard the good news."
A person conquers evil thoughts and desires when they think on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits at God’s right hand in place of honor and power. (Colossians 3:1-2)
Friday, August 24, 2007
Taking on the Attributes of a Child
Steve Hanks (Sand Castle)
Proverbs 27:19 says: "As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the person." Another bible translation says, "As a man thinks in his heart, so does he become."
Ever ask a child what they want to be when they grow up? It is always something like, "I want to be a fireman, a marine, a police officer, a doctor, an architect, a writer, an artist, a biologists, a …… You never hear a child say, "Well, if it works out and I have enough cash, I am going to be a _____, when I grow up. They all have definite answers not answers that sound like possibilities.
As the body of Christ we need to stop thinking of the possibilities of God and stand in what the word says. The definite answers from God are? A little child is resilient. We too need to be resilent.
Mark 4:23-25 Jesus says "Anyone who is willing to hear should listen and understand! And be sure to the pay attention to what you hear. The more you do this, the more you will understand- and even more, besides. To those who are open to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But to those who are not listening, even what they have will be take away from them."
Another bible translation says:
"The measure [of thought and study] you give [to the truth you hear] will be the measure [of virtue and knowledge] that comes back to you."
A child accepts and believes what they are told by their parents- positive or negative. As adults we should accept and believe that in which comes from God. (Our Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.) What does God’s word speak to you personally? What has the pastor of your church received from the Lord that speaks to your soul and understanding?
A child who cares only of what their parents thinks of them doesn’t care if others approval or disapproves of them.
In John 5:41 Jesus speaks to the Jewish leader and says "Your approval or disapproval means nothing to me because I know you don’t have God’s love within you. For I have come to you representing my Father, and you refuse to welcome me, even though you readily accept others who represent only themselves. No wonder you can’t believe! For you gladly honor each other, but you don’t care about the honor that comes from God alone."
The Lord didn’t care what others thought about Him only what the Father thought of him. His focus was and is always on the Father. He committed and trusted everything to the Father and in doing so the Father gave Him victory. Through our child-like faith in Jesus Christ we too should not be entangled by the approval or disapproval of others but concerned only with what the Father and Jesus Christ thinks of us and it is only then we too have victory over opposition.
Where an adult sees only a scribbled picture on a page, a child sees a wonderful castle where all their unwritten scripts of imagination take place and are carried out.
Do you remember a time when you picked up the bible and tried to read it and could not comprehend its’ meaning? And it wasn’t until you gave your life to Christ and became a child of God that His Word started to make sense and came alive.
John 8:31 " Jesus said to the people who believed in him, "You are truly my disciples if you keep obeying my teachings. And you will know the truth and the truth will set you free."
A child is free from the concerns of this life because they trust that their parents are going to make sure they are feed and taken care of. We too need too see that in the God the Father and Jesus Christ.
Matthew 11:25 "Oh Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding the truth from those who think themselves so wise and clever, and for revealing it to the childlike."
Ask a child of a parent of faith, why they are disciplined by their parents and they will tell you that they get disciplined by their parents because their parents love them and want them to know the difference between right and wrong.
Proverbs 3:11 "My child, don’t ignore it when the LORD disciplines you, and don’t be discouraged when he corrects you. For the LORD corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights."
Children delight in the natural wonders around them - where as the adult mind has forgotten to think about such simple pleasures. Ever see a child get excited over a sunset?
Genesis 1:1 "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."
Where the adult mind sees as a routine and a chore, the child sees an adventure with a special someone they love.
Robert Duncan
1 Corinthians 13:7 "Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance."
1 Peter 3:10 "For let Him who wants to enjoy life and see good days [good- whether apparent or not] keep his tongue from evil and his lips from guile (treachery, deceit)."
Being poor or rich has nothing to do with material possessions but what is in the heart and by who surrounds them.
When a child prays, it is simple and genuine.
Matthew 6:7 "When you pray, don’t babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered only by repeating their words again and again. Don’t be like them, because your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!"
How easy a child believes in miracles but a mind of the world excuses them for luck and chance.
Romans 1:21 "Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. The result was that their minds became dark and confused. Claiming to be wise, they become utter fools instead."
Matthew 18:2 Jesus called a small child over to him and put the child among them. Then he said, "I assure you, unless you turn from your sins and become as little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven."
Humble is a child when he/ she is shown his or her wrongs. Humble a child is when he/ she gives to another. Humble is a child who comes to the realization of the truth.
Psalm 10:4 "These wicked people are too proud to seek God. They seem to think that God is dead."
Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Colossians 1:16 "Christ is the one through whom God created everything in heaven and earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can't see -kings, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities. Everything has been created through him and for him. He existed before everything else began, and he holds all creation together."
A child accepts this and knows this, how about you my friend?
Please add more if you would like:
Thursday, August 16, 2007
My Continued and Daily Surrender
I surrender my pride.
I surrender my understanding.
I surrender my hurt.
I surrender my shame.
I surrender my fear.
I surrender all that goes against the knowledge and power of God.
I surrender all, in order to gain all that God has to give me.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
The Fear of God Intervening
When God starts to move his Spirit in a congregation, people are either going to get very uncomfortable or they going to embrace what God has to give them.
Religious rituals or methods don’t limit God but you …the things you accept limit you from seeing how God wants to interact in your life. How you view God may also limit how you accept or not accept God’s blessings.
I have learned it is better to accept what God has to give you and I then pretend that you don’t need any growth, any correction, any giftings, any word, any healing from God. Someone who wants to believe they are perfect and don’t need anything from God is fooling himself or herself.
Also the things God may have to give us may not even be for us but for someone else. Yep. As soon as I said that some of you starting thinking why would God want to use me to give a message to someone else? You aren’t alone. I am pretty sure Moses and my other prophets thought the same thing. In fact I am almost certain. The other thing that may pop up in your mind is, if I tell this person or even congregation what God wants me to tell them… they are going to think I am crazy! And what if I am wrong?"
Check the Spirit. Did you bring it up or did God bring it up? Is it your issue or is it God’s issue? Does it come from the mind or does it come from the heart and love of Christ in you? Are you being a legalist or are you the hands and feet of Christ?
People are afraid of God intervening sometimes because they are afraid of what God might tell them. God intervenes in our lives everyday… but we tend to not recognize it.
It’s hard to imagine that if God didn’t use a stranger intervene in my life ... by giving a message they recieved for me from God, I’d probably not be the person I am today. I would be struggling with hate issues, maybe divorced, and not caring about a lot. When God's words spoke to me, they broke the emotional and psychological chains that imprisoned me. They not only freed me but gave me a rivived spirit. It sounds funny but he made me new again.
We all need a refreshing of the Spirit in our soul. I think every week would be good… Hum? Joking aside, isn’t that what is suppose to happen every week?
We go to church to worship but we also go to leave our burdens and to let God work in our lives.
That is why we are called the body of Christ. If we don’t allow God to work in our lives then how can we possibly be the body of Christ? If we submit to God then he can work, move and minister in our lives. If we don’t allow God to work, move and minister to us then we are just a group of people that meet together in some building to hear some preacher or minister or pastor speak to us. We might as well stay home and watch TV...… Do you want that?
God is endless and beyond any expectation that we may even hold up to him. God is beyond our understanding and he sometimes works through our limited understanding to give us more understanding about Him and his love for us.
God wants to work, move and minister to our lives. When you sing in church don’t just sing the words but sing them to the Lord. If you feel Him lifting up your hands, then lift up your hands. If you feel like dancing then dance but do this for God not for the benefit of those who surround you. Spend time at the altar - that is why it is there. The altar is not there just to look nice and hold flowers and provide a nice looking space between the choir, musicians, pastor and the congregation. What could you be ashamed of by taking a step and going to that altar? The altar it is there for you and me.
We all have to move by faith in order for God to work in the body of Christ. We can only please God by faith.
Faith is not about fearing God to intervene in our lives.
Religious rituals or methods don’t limit God but you …the things you accept limit you from seeing how God wants to interact in your life. How you view God may also limit how you accept or not accept God’s blessings.
I have learned it is better to accept what God has to give you and I then pretend that you don’t need any growth, any correction, any giftings, any word, any healing from God. Someone who wants to believe they are perfect and don’t need anything from God is fooling himself or herself.
Also the things God may have to give us may not even be for us but for someone else. Yep. As soon as I said that some of you starting thinking why would God want to use me to give a message to someone else? You aren’t alone. I am pretty sure Moses and my other prophets thought the same thing. In fact I am almost certain. The other thing that may pop up in your mind is, if I tell this person or even congregation what God wants me to tell them… they are going to think I am crazy! And what if I am wrong?"
Check the Spirit. Did you bring it up or did God bring it up? Is it your issue or is it God’s issue? Does it come from the mind or does it come from the heart and love of Christ in you? Are you being a legalist or are you the hands and feet of Christ?
People are afraid of God intervening sometimes because they are afraid of what God might tell them. God intervenes in our lives everyday… but we tend to not recognize it.
It’s hard to imagine that if God didn’t use a stranger intervene in my life ... by giving a message they recieved for me from God, I’d probably not be the person I am today. I would be struggling with hate issues, maybe divorced, and not caring about a lot. When God's words spoke to me, they broke the emotional and psychological chains that imprisoned me. They not only freed me but gave me a rivived spirit. It sounds funny but he made me new again.
We all need a refreshing of the Spirit in our soul. I think every week would be good… Hum? Joking aside, isn’t that what is suppose to happen every week?
We go to church to worship but we also go to leave our burdens and to let God work in our lives.
That is why we are called the body of Christ. If we don’t allow God to work in our lives then how can we possibly be the body of Christ? If we submit to God then he can work, move and minister in our lives. If we don’t allow God to work, move and minister to us then we are just a group of people that meet together in some building to hear some preacher or minister or pastor speak to us. We might as well stay home and watch TV...… Do you want that?
God is endless and beyond any expectation that we may even hold up to him. God is beyond our understanding and he sometimes works through our limited understanding to give us more understanding about Him and his love for us.
God wants to work, move and minister to our lives. When you sing in church don’t just sing the words but sing them to the Lord. If you feel Him lifting up your hands, then lift up your hands. If you feel like dancing then dance but do this for God not for the benefit of those who surround you. Spend time at the altar - that is why it is there. The altar is not there just to look nice and hold flowers and provide a nice looking space between the choir, musicians, pastor and the congregation. What could you be ashamed of by taking a step and going to that altar? The altar it is there for you and me.
We all have to move by faith in order for God to work in the body of Christ. We can only please God by faith.
Faith is not about fearing God to intervene in our lives.
Thursday, July 05, 2007
What Does Your Character Resemble?
With all that taken place this past week with the failed car bombs in England I am thankful to God that no one was hurt or killed. Why do these radical Muslims want to kill innocent people?
These individuals are well educated people, ABC news reported that they were doctors. Doctors are to save lives not take them away. Radical Muslims want to rule the world through whatever means -through terror, murder, political position, their wife's womb, etc. What is here that is so worthy having?
These radical Muslims are under the impression that they will get some reward by killing us but what do they truly represent when they do such acts and what message do they send to people who are not Muslim?
People's actions tell others who they are as people and if they represent Muslims then what kind of poster boy image are they sending to the rest of the world about Muslims? What is the character they represent?
Killing someone is a sin and if you practice sin then you are not free. You are a slave. You are tethered to chains that you can not brake and hell is your only destination without the help of the real Messiah, the real King of kings and Lord of lords. Let's take it John 8:21-59.
21 Later Jesus said to them again, "I am going away. You will search for me and die in your sin. You cannot come where I am going." 22 The Jewish leaders asked, "Is he planning to commit suicide? What does he mean, 'You cannot come where I am going'?" 23 Then he said to them, "You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not. 24 That is why I said that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am who I say I am, you will die in your sins." 25 "Tell us who you are," they demanded. Jesus replied, "I am the one I have always claimed to be. F38 26 I have much to say about you and much to condemn, but I won't. For I say only what I have heard from the one who sent me, and he is true." 27 But they still didn't understand that he was talking to them about his Father. 28 So Jesus said, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man on the cross, then you will realize that I am he and that I do nothing on my own, but I speak what the Father taught me. 29 And the one who sent me is with me ? he has not deserted me. For I always do those things that are pleasing to him." 30 Then many who heard him say these things believed in him.
31 Jesus said to the people F39 who believed in him, "You are truly my disciples if you keep obeying my teachings. 32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." 33 "But we are descendants of Abraham," they said. "We have never been slaves to anyone on earth. What do you mean, 'set free'?" 34 Jesus replied, "I assure you that everyone who sins is a slave of sin. 35 A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will indeed be free. 37 Yes, I realize that you are descendants of Abraham. And yet some of you are trying to kill me because my message does not find a place in your hearts.
38 I am telling you what I saw when I was with my Father. But you are following the advice of your father." 39 "Our father is Abraham," they declared. "No," Jesus replied, "for if you were children of Abraham, you would follow his good example. F40 40 I told you the truth I heard from God, but you are trying to kill me. Abraham wouldn't do a thing like that. 41 No, you are obeying your real father when you act that way." They replied, "We were not born out of wedlock! Our true Father is God himself." 42 Jesus told them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, because I have come to you from God. I am not here on my own, but he sent me. 43 Why can't you understand what I am saying? It is because you are unable to do so! 44 For you are the children of your father the Devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning and has always hated the truth. There is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 So when I tell the truth, you just naturally don't believe me!
46 Which of you can truthfully accuse me of sin? And since I am telling you the truth, why don't you believe me? 47 Anyone whose Father is God listens gladly to the words of God. Since you don't, it proves you aren't God's children." 48 The people retorted, "You Samaritan devil! Didn't we say all along that you were possessed by a demon?" 49 "No," Jesus said, "I have no demon in me. For I honor my Father ? and you dishonor me. 50 And though I have no wish to glorify myself, God wants to glorify me. Let him be the judge.
51 I assure you, anyone who obeys my teaching will never die!" 52 The people said, "Now we know you are possessed by a demon. Even Abraham and the prophets died, but you say that those who obey your teaching will never die! 53 Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? Are you greater than the prophets, who died? Who do you think you are?" 54 Jesus answered, "If I am merely boasting about myself, it doesn't count. But it is my Father who says these glorious things about me. You say, 'He is our God,' 55 but you do not even know him. I know him. If I said otherwise, I would be as great a liar as you! But it is true ? I know him and obey him. 56 Your ancestor Abraham rejoiced as he looked forward to my coming. He saw it and was glad." 57 The people said, "You aren't even fifty years old. How can you say you have seen Abraham? F41 " 58 Jesus answered, "The truth is, I existed before Abraham was even born!" F42 59 At that point they picked up stones to kill him. But Jesus hid himself from them and left the Temple.
These individuals are well educated people, ABC news reported that they were doctors. Doctors are to save lives not take them away. Radical Muslims want to rule the world through whatever means -through terror, murder, political position, their wife's womb, etc. What is here that is so worthy having?
These radical Muslims are under the impression that they will get some reward by killing us but what do they truly represent when they do such acts and what message do they send to people who are not Muslim?
People's actions tell others who they are as people and if they represent Muslims then what kind of poster boy image are they sending to the rest of the world about Muslims? What is the character they represent?
Killing someone is a sin and if you practice sin then you are not free. You are a slave. You are tethered to chains that you can not brake and hell is your only destination without the help of the real Messiah, the real King of kings and Lord of lords. Let's take it John 8:21-59.
21 Later Jesus said to them again, "I am going away. You will search for me and die in your sin. You cannot come where I am going." 22 The Jewish leaders asked, "Is he planning to commit suicide? What does he mean, 'You cannot come where I am going'?" 23 Then he said to them, "You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not. 24 That is why I said that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am who I say I am, you will die in your sins." 25 "Tell us who you are," they demanded. Jesus replied, "I am the one I have always claimed to be. F38 26 I have much to say about you and much to condemn, but I won't. For I say only what I have heard from the one who sent me, and he is true." 27 But they still didn't understand that he was talking to them about his Father. 28 So Jesus said, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man on the cross, then you will realize that I am he and that I do nothing on my own, but I speak what the Father taught me. 29 And the one who sent me is with me ? he has not deserted me. For I always do those things that are pleasing to him." 30 Then many who heard him say these things believed in him.
31 Jesus said to the people F39 who believed in him, "You are truly my disciples if you keep obeying my teachings. 32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." 33 "But we are descendants of Abraham," they said. "We have never been slaves to anyone on earth. What do you mean, 'set free'?" 34 Jesus replied, "I assure you that everyone who sins is a slave of sin. 35 A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will indeed be free. 37 Yes, I realize that you are descendants of Abraham. And yet some of you are trying to kill me because my message does not find a place in your hearts.
38 I am telling you what I saw when I was with my Father. But you are following the advice of your father." 39 "Our father is Abraham," they declared. "No," Jesus replied, "for if you were children of Abraham, you would follow his good example. F40 40 I told you the truth I heard from God, but you are trying to kill me. Abraham wouldn't do a thing like that. 41 No, you are obeying your real father when you act that way." They replied, "We were not born out of wedlock! Our true Father is God himself." 42 Jesus told them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, because I have come to you from God. I am not here on my own, but he sent me. 43 Why can't you understand what I am saying? It is because you are unable to do so! 44 For you are the children of your father the Devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning and has always hated the truth. There is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 So when I tell the truth, you just naturally don't believe me!
46 Which of you can truthfully accuse me of sin? And since I am telling you the truth, why don't you believe me? 47 Anyone whose Father is God listens gladly to the words of God. Since you don't, it proves you aren't God's children." 48 The people retorted, "You Samaritan devil! Didn't we say all along that you were possessed by a demon?" 49 "No," Jesus said, "I have no demon in me. For I honor my Father ? and you dishonor me. 50 And though I have no wish to glorify myself, God wants to glorify me. Let him be the judge.
51 I assure you, anyone who obeys my teaching will never die!" 52 The people said, "Now we know you are possessed by a demon. Even Abraham and the prophets died, but you say that those who obey your teaching will never die! 53 Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? Are you greater than the prophets, who died? Who do you think you are?" 54 Jesus answered, "If I am merely boasting about myself, it doesn't count. But it is my Father who says these glorious things about me. You say, 'He is our God,' 55 but you do not even know him. I know him. If I said otherwise, I would be as great a liar as you! But it is true ? I know him and obey him. 56 Your ancestor Abraham rejoiced as he looked forward to my coming. He saw it and was glad." 57 The people said, "You aren't even fifty years old. How can you say you have seen Abraham? F41 " 58 Jesus answered, "The truth is, I existed before Abraham was even born!" F42 59 At that point they picked up stones to kill him. But Jesus hid himself from them and left the Temple.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
He Rejoices Over You and Me: An Encouraging Note
It is amazing to think that we, who are his, are rejoiced over by God. Some may say it is our song (our lives) that sing to the Lord but why do our lives sing to the Lord?
We sing because it is the love song God sang to us at the beginning and continues to sing to this day.
God helps us realize in our humbleness that we need Him, we weren’t able to get through all the situations and events in our lives without him, he’s the one who gives us peace, the one who makes us truly happy and he makes all things possible. When we are troubled he pleads with us to come to him so we don’t get carried away in our own ways and our own understandings. He is the one who delivers us and restores us from all things. He helps us see that we can come before him even though He is Holy. He is not about religion but relationship. The more we are allowed to understand his splendor and majesty and his authority the more we see how grateful we should be… He sings to you and me everyday if we just look to him. He helps us see the wonders of his love. We seem so small in the universe or scope of things yet he sets us on his knee and listens. (He even listens when he knows we won’t listen when it’s his time to speak.) Through his son, Jesus Christ, we have an unbreakable line of communication and friendship. We are saved by His love alone.
Listen to God’s song that He is singing to you and glorify Him in all that you do.
Zephaniah 3:17
For the LORD your God has arrived to live among you. He is a mighty savior. He will rejoice over you with great gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will exult over you by singing a happy song.
We sing because it is the love song God sang to us at the beginning and continues to sing to this day.
God helps us realize in our humbleness that we need Him, we weren’t able to get through all the situations and events in our lives without him, he’s the one who gives us peace, the one who makes us truly happy and he makes all things possible. When we are troubled he pleads with us to come to him so we don’t get carried away in our own ways and our own understandings. He is the one who delivers us and restores us from all things. He helps us see that we can come before him even though He is Holy. He is not about religion but relationship. The more we are allowed to understand his splendor and majesty and his authority the more we see how grateful we should be… He sings to you and me everyday if we just look to him. He helps us see the wonders of his love. We seem so small in the universe or scope of things yet he sets us on his knee and listens. (He even listens when he knows we won’t listen when it’s his time to speak.) Through his son, Jesus Christ, we have an unbreakable line of communication and friendship. We are saved by His love alone.
Listen to God’s song that He is singing to you and glorify Him in all that you do.
Zephaniah 3:17
For the LORD your God has arrived to live among you. He is a mighty savior. He will rejoice over you with great gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will exult over you by singing a happy song.
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Actions Speak Louder then Words
A friend from church sent me this one. It's pretty good!
His name is Bill. He has wild hair, wears a T-shirt with holes in it, jeans, and no shoes. This was literally his wardrobe for his entire four years of college.
He is brilliant. Kind of profound and very, very bright. He became a Christian while attending college.
Across the street from the campus is a well-dressed, very conservative church. They want to develop a ministry to the students but are not sure how to go about it.
One day Bill decides to go there. He walks in with no shoes, jeans, his T-shirt, and wild hair. The service has already started and so Bill starts down the aisle looking for a seat.
The church is completely packed and he can't find a seat. By now, people are really looking a bit uncomfortable, but no one says anything.
Bill gets closer and closer and closer to the pulpit, and when he realizes there are no seats, he just squats down right on the carpet.
By now the people are really uptight, and the tension in the air is thick.
About this time, the minister realizes that from way at the back of the church, a deacon is slowly making his way toward Bill.
Now the deacon is in his eighties, has silver-gray hair, and a three-piece suit. A godly man, very elegant, very dignified, very courtly. He walks with a cane and, as he starts walking toward this boy, everyone is saying to themselves that you can't blame him for what he's going to do.
How can you expect a man of his age and of his background to understand some college kid on the floor?
It takes a long time for the man to reach the boy.
The church is utterly silent except for the clicking of the man's cane. All eyes are focused on him. You can't even hear anyone breathing. The minister can't even preach the sermon until the deacon does what he has to do.
And now they see this elderly man drop his cane on the floor. With great difficulty, he lowers himself and sits down next to Bill and worships with him so he won't be alone.
Everyone chokes up with emotion.
When the minister gains control, he says, "What I'm about to preach, you will never remember. What you have just seen, you will never forget."
"Be careful how you live. You may be the only Bible some people will ever read!"
His name is Bill. He has wild hair, wears a T-shirt with holes in it, jeans, and no shoes. This was literally his wardrobe for his entire four years of college.
He is brilliant. Kind of profound and very, very bright. He became a Christian while attending college.
Across the street from the campus is a well-dressed, very conservative church. They want to develop a ministry to the students but are not sure how to go about it.
One day Bill decides to go there. He walks in with no shoes, jeans, his T-shirt, and wild hair. The service has already started and so Bill starts down the aisle looking for a seat.
The church is completely packed and he can't find a seat. By now, people are really looking a bit uncomfortable, but no one says anything.
Bill gets closer and closer and closer to the pulpit, and when he realizes there are no seats, he just squats down right on the carpet.
By now the people are really uptight, and the tension in the air is thick.
About this time, the minister realizes that from way at the back of the church, a deacon is slowly making his way toward Bill.
Now the deacon is in his eighties, has silver-gray hair, and a three-piece suit. A godly man, very elegant, very dignified, very courtly. He walks with a cane and, as he starts walking toward this boy, everyone is saying to themselves that you can't blame him for what he's going to do.
How can you expect a man of his age and of his background to understand some college kid on the floor?
It takes a long time for the man to reach the boy.
The church is utterly silent except for the clicking of the man's cane. All eyes are focused on him. You can't even hear anyone breathing. The minister can't even preach the sermon until the deacon does what he has to do.
And now they see this elderly man drop his cane on the floor. With great difficulty, he lowers himself and sits down next to Bill and worships with him so he won't be alone.
Everyone chokes up with emotion.
When the minister gains control, he says, "What I'm about to preach, you will never remember. What you have just seen, you will never forget."
"Be careful how you live. You may be the only Bible some people will ever read!"
Friday, June 01, 2007
Toss out Your Presumptions.
The world is full of presumptions or judgements.
I bet even you make presumptions on people by the way they dress, talk, walk, or act.
Presumptions cause us to act out of personal judgements instead of fact. Presumptions of others limit enrichment in our lives. It causes us to put up walls and barriers instead of welcome mats.
I am not saying make a buddy with everyone you see… common sense should tell you that - but ask yourself if you are acting "this way or that way" to someone based on presumption or fact?
Jeremiah 1:4
"The LORD gave me a message. He said, "I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my spokesman to the world."
"O’ Sovereign LORD," I said, "I can’t speak to you! I’m too young!"
"Don’t say that," The LORD replied, "for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. And don’t be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and take care of you. I, the LORD, have spoken!"
Then the LORD touched my mouth and said, "See, I have put my words in your mouth! Today I appoint you to stand up against the nations and kingdoms. You are to uproot some and tear them down, to destroy and overthrow them. You are to build others up and plant them."
You see if we make presumptions about God and ourselves how can we build up others and plant them in the faith of Christ Jesus? How can we stand up for what is right and stand up against what is wrong? How can a person live according to God’s will if they don’t trust what God says?
Pride and presumption - Jonah suffered from pride and presumption. He didn’t want to go to Nineveh because of his own pride and presumption. His presumptions of God caused him to run away and his pride only made him think about himself and not God’s plan for mercy for the people of Nineveh.
"I knew that you were a gracious and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. I knew how easily you would cancel your plans for destroying these people. Just kill me now, LORD! I’d rather be dead than alive because nothing I predicted is going to happen." Jonah 4:2
People make presumptions of others based on blessings and tragedies. Take the story of Job for example. Job lost all his children and riches and came down with a terrible case of boils and had to leave his home and sit outside the city where people dumped their trash. His friends thought God was cursing Job because he had sinned against God but they were wrong.
Job 42:7 "After the LORD had finished speaking to Job, he said to Eliphaz the Temanite; "I am angry with you and your two friends, for you have not been right in what you said about me, as my servant Job was. Now take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and offer a burnt offering for yourselves. My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer on your behalf. I will not treat you as you deserve, for you have not been right in what you said about me, as my servant Job was."
Just because this or that has happened to a person don’t make presumptions and especially not about God.
Isaiah 55:8 "My thoughts are completely different then yours," says the LORD. "And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher then your thoughts."
Here are two other warnings to keep in mind when it comes to presumptions about ourselves.
1 Corinthians 10:12
" If you think you are standing strong, be careful, for you, too, may fall into the same sin."
James 4:11
"Don’t speak evil against each other, my dear brothers and sisters. If you criticize each other and condemn each other, then you are criticizing and condemning God’s law. But you are not a judge who can decide whether the law is right or wrong. Your job is to obey it. God alone, who made the law, can rightly judge among us. He alone has the power to save or to destroy. So what right do you have to condemn your neighbor?"
So presumption ends with God’s wisdom and we build up and plant others in Christ Jesus as we live in that wisdom.
"But the wisdom that comes 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. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of goodness." James 3:17
I bet even you make presumptions on people by the way they dress, talk, walk, or act.
Presumptions cause us to act out of personal judgements instead of fact. Presumptions of others limit enrichment in our lives. It causes us to put up walls and barriers instead of welcome mats.
I am not saying make a buddy with everyone you see… common sense should tell you that - but ask yourself if you are acting "this way or that way" to someone based on presumption or fact?
Jeremiah 1:4
"The LORD gave me a message. He said, "I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my spokesman to the world."
"O’ Sovereign LORD," I said, "I can’t speak to you! I’m too young!"
"Don’t say that," The LORD replied, "for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. And don’t be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and take care of you. I, the LORD, have spoken!"
Then the LORD touched my mouth and said, "See, I have put my words in your mouth! Today I appoint you to stand up against the nations and kingdoms. You are to uproot some and tear them down, to destroy and overthrow them. You are to build others up and plant them."
You see if we make presumptions about God and ourselves how can we build up others and plant them in the faith of Christ Jesus? How can we stand up for what is right and stand up against what is wrong? How can a person live according to God’s will if they don’t trust what God says?
Pride and presumption - Jonah suffered from pride and presumption. He didn’t want to go to Nineveh because of his own pride and presumption. His presumptions of God caused him to run away and his pride only made him think about himself and not God’s plan for mercy for the people of Nineveh.
"I knew that you were a gracious and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. I knew how easily you would cancel your plans for destroying these people. Just kill me now, LORD! I’d rather be dead than alive because nothing I predicted is going to happen." Jonah 4:2
People make presumptions of others based on blessings and tragedies. Take the story of Job for example. Job lost all his children and riches and came down with a terrible case of boils and had to leave his home and sit outside the city where people dumped their trash. His friends thought God was cursing Job because he had sinned against God but they were wrong.
Job 42:7 "After the LORD had finished speaking to Job, he said to Eliphaz the Temanite; "I am angry with you and your two friends, for you have not been right in what you said about me, as my servant Job was. Now take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and offer a burnt offering for yourselves. My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer on your behalf. I will not treat you as you deserve, for you have not been right in what you said about me, as my servant Job was."
Just because this or that has happened to a person don’t make presumptions and especially not about God.
Isaiah 55:8 "My thoughts are completely different then yours," says the LORD. "And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher then your thoughts."
Here are two other warnings to keep in mind when it comes to presumptions about ourselves.
1 Corinthians 10:12
" If you think you are standing strong, be careful, for you, too, may fall into the same sin."
James 4:11
"Don’t speak evil against each other, my dear brothers and sisters. If you criticize each other and condemn each other, then you are criticizing and condemning God’s law. But you are not a judge who can decide whether the law is right or wrong. Your job is to obey it. God alone, who made the law, can rightly judge among us. He alone has the power to save or to destroy. So what right do you have to condemn your neighbor?"
So presumption ends with God’s wisdom and we build up and plant others in Christ Jesus as we live in that wisdom.
"But the wisdom that comes 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. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of goodness." James 3:17
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
The Spiritual Reality We Don't See and Waiting For Our Answer to Prayer
Do you know there are individuals out there that can see the spiritual realms around them?
Sometimes I can sense evil but I can’t literally see the source of it. Sometimes I feel God but can’t literally see God. I bet you have felt it too a time or two in your life. Some however can actually see not just feel the presence of evil that lurks or possesses an environment or a person’s life. Some can also actually see God’s angels, the river of God flow through a place, and even Jesus in visions and dreams, - not just feel the presence of God that lives or surrounds an environment or a person’s life. Not saying that feeling the presence of God isn’t powerful enough because it is very powerful and maybe just AS powerful.
We as Christians often think of two levels. The level we live in right now and the level where Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father interceding for us but we hardly think of the level in between. The level where unseen battles are played out between angels and fallen angels. (I think God’s angels like it that way for they only want to glorify God and not themselves. That is the way it should be for Christians too, that our works and actions would glorify God and not us.)
"When a servant comes in from plowing or taking care of the sheep, he doesn't just sit down and eat. He must first prepare his master's meal and serve him his supper before eating his own. And the servant is not even thanked, because he is merely doing what he is supposed to do. In the same way, when you obey me you should say, 'We are not worthy of praise. We are servants who have simply done our duty.'" Luke 17:7-10
Some may think, why bring up this unseen reality where battles are fought between angels and fallen angels for it isn’t mentioned all the much in the church today. What is the purpose in bringing it up?
Well this is my reasoning. Do you pray and when you pray does it seem that your prayers don’t get answered? Does it seem at times that it takes a long time for your prayers to get answered? Do you start to wonder and search for reasons why God might not be answering your prayers? Do you ask God, "Have I done something to upset you?"
Sometimes our prayers don’t get answered for a lot of reasons. Reasons beyond our understanding. Reasons that only God holds. Reasons that have to do with perfect timing and the perfect will of God.
It’s often frustrating when your prayers don’t get answered immediately. It’s even more trying when the situation you are praying for is pounding on your heartstrings. We cry out, "Father God why aren’t you taking care of this?"
It’s like our prayers are in this prayer chrysalis and we are just waiting and waiting for this beautiful monarch answer to burst forth and so we can feel that everything is how it should be once again.
Some may think that being a child of God means instant answers to prayer. Heck our brother Jesus is on the right hand of the Father, making intercession for us. We are allowed to come bounding into the throne room whenever we want because of Jesus spilt blood on Calvary. Our Father, creator of the universe, made us from the dust of this earth so nothing is impossible with Him. And both our Father and our brother Jesus have got plenty of angels to watch over us. Why the hold up?
When I get headed in this mindset I have to remind myself of what it says in the book of Daniel, Chapter 10.
"When this vision came to me, I, Daniel, had been in mourning for three weeks. All that time I had eaten no rich food or meat, had drunk no wine, and had used no fragrant oils. On April 23, as I was standing beside the great Tigris River, I looked up and saw a man dressed in linen clothing, with a belt of pure gold around his waist. His body looked like a dazzling gem. From his face came flashes like lightening, and his eyes were like flaming torches. His arms and feet shone like polished bronze, and his voice was like the roaring of a vast multitude of people.
I, Daniel, am the only one who saw this vision. The men with me saw nothing. But they were suddenly terrified and ran away to hide. So I was left there alone to watch this amazing vision. My strength left me, my face grew deathly pale, and I felt very weak. When I heard him speak, I fainted and lay there with my face to the ground.
Just then a hand touched me and lifted me, still trembling to my hands and knees. And the man said to me, "O Daniel, greatly loved of God, listen carefully to what I have to say to you." When he said this to me, I stood up, still trembling with fear.
Then he said, "Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer. But for the twenty-one days the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels, came to help me, and I left him there with the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia. Now I am here to explain what will happen to your people in the future, for this vision concerns a time yet to come."
Paul writes in his letter to the church in Thessalonica, "We wanted very much to come, and I, Paul, tried again and again, but Satan prevented us. After all, what gives us hope and joy, and what is our proud reward and crown? It is you! Yes, you will bring us much joy as we stand together before our Lord Jesus when he comes back again. For you are our pride and joy." 1 Thessalonians 2:18
We must continue to believe that God hears our prayers even though it seems nothing is happening. Armies of angels are fighting to ensure your prayers are answered in accordance to God’s will and to bring you to the full assurance of God’s love for you. Remember our prayers may be answered in ways that are unconventional in our ways of thinking.
Here’s an example. An evangelist and his family were traveling on the road from one church to another. They had no more money and just the gas in the gas tank. They prayed that God would see them through. They were on a highway when very angry man flagged them over to the side of the road. They pulled over to see what was wrong and the father got out. The angry man marched over to their car and pulled out his wallet and said, "I don’t know who you are or why I am doing this but I have to give you this!" The angry man gave the father one hundred dollars and before the father could thank him, the angry man marched back to his car and speeded away.
May you stay strong in the faith of The Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.
Jeff Johnson
Sometimes I can sense evil but I can’t literally see the source of it. Sometimes I feel God but can’t literally see God. I bet you have felt it too a time or two in your life. Some however can actually see not just feel the presence of evil that lurks or possesses an environment or a person’s life. Some can also actually see God’s angels, the river of God flow through a place, and even Jesus in visions and dreams, - not just feel the presence of God that lives or surrounds an environment or a person’s life. Not saying that feeling the presence of God isn’t powerful enough because it is very powerful and maybe just AS powerful.
We as Christians often think of two levels. The level we live in right now and the level where Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father interceding for us but we hardly think of the level in between. The level where unseen battles are played out between angels and fallen angels. (I think God’s angels like it that way for they only want to glorify God and not themselves. That is the way it should be for Christians too, that our works and actions would glorify God and not us.)
"When a servant comes in from plowing or taking care of the sheep, he doesn't just sit down and eat. He must first prepare his master's meal and serve him his supper before eating his own. And the servant is not even thanked, because he is merely doing what he is supposed to do. In the same way, when you obey me you should say, 'We are not worthy of praise. We are servants who have simply done our duty.'" Luke 17:7-10
Some may think, why bring up this unseen reality where battles are fought between angels and fallen angels for it isn’t mentioned all the much in the church today. What is the purpose in bringing it up?
Well this is my reasoning. Do you pray and when you pray does it seem that your prayers don’t get answered? Does it seem at times that it takes a long time for your prayers to get answered? Do you start to wonder and search for reasons why God might not be answering your prayers? Do you ask God, "Have I done something to upset you?"
Sometimes our prayers don’t get answered for a lot of reasons. Reasons beyond our understanding. Reasons that only God holds. Reasons that have to do with perfect timing and the perfect will of God.
It’s often frustrating when your prayers don’t get answered immediately. It’s even more trying when the situation you are praying for is pounding on your heartstrings. We cry out, "Father God why aren’t you taking care of this?"
It’s like our prayers are in this prayer chrysalis and we are just waiting and waiting for this beautiful monarch answer to burst forth and so we can feel that everything is how it should be once again.
Some may think that being a child of God means instant answers to prayer. Heck our brother Jesus is on the right hand of the Father, making intercession for us. We are allowed to come bounding into the throne room whenever we want because of Jesus spilt blood on Calvary. Our Father, creator of the universe, made us from the dust of this earth so nothing is impossible with Him. And both our Father and our brother Jesus have got plenty of angels to watch over us. Why the hold up?
When I get headed in this mindset I have to remind myself of what it says in the book of Daniel, Chapter 10.
"When this vision came to me, I, Daniel, had been in mourning for three weeks. All that time I had eaten no rich food or meat, had drunk no wine, and had used no fragrant oils. On April 23, as I was standing beside the great Tigris River, I looked up and saw a man dressed in linen clothing, with a belt of pure gold around his waist. His body looked like a dazzling gem. From his face came flashes like lightening, and his eyes were like flaming torches. His arms and feet shone like polished bronze, and his voice was like the roaring of a vast multitude of people.
I, Daniel, am the only one who saw this vision. The men with me saw nothing. But they were suddenly terrified and ran away to hide. So I was left there alone to watch this amazing vision. My strength left me, my face grew deathly pale, and I felt very weak. When I heard him speak, I fainted and lay there with my face to the ground.
Just then a hand touched me and lifted me, still trembling to my hands and knees. And the man said to me, "O Daniel, greatly loved of God, listen carefully to what I have to say to you." When he said this to me, I stood up, still trembling with fear.
Then he said, "Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer. But for the twenty-one days the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels, came to help me, and I left him there with the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia. Now I am here to explain what will happen to your people in the future, for this vision concerns a time yet to come."
Paul writes in his letter to the church in Thessalonica, "We wanted very much to come, and I, Paul, tried again and again, but Satan prevented us. After all, what gives us hope and joy, and what is our proud reward and crown? It is you! Yes, you will bring us much joy as we stand together before our Lord Jesus when he comes back again. For you are our pride and joy." 1 Thessalonians 2:18
We must continue to believe that God hears our prayers even though it seems nothing is happening. Armies of angels are fighting to ensure your prayers are answered in accordance to God’s will and to bring you to the full assurance of God’s love for you. Remember our prayers may be answered in ways that are unconventional in our ways of thinking.
Here’s an example. An evangelist and his family were traveling on the road from one church to another. They had no more money and just the gas in the gas tank. They prayed that God would see them through. They were on a highway when very angry man flagged them over to the side of the road. They pulled over to see what was wrong and the father got out. The angry man marched over to their car and pulled out his wallet and said, "I don’t know who you are or why I am doing this but I have to give you this!" The angry man gave the father one hundred dollars and before the father could thank him, the angry man marched back to his car and speeded away.
May you stay strong in the faith of The Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.
Jeff Johnson
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