Being Constructive.

As I was working yesterday, the live oaks were losing their leaves like a ticker tape parade in the brisk wind. The leaves were then racked in the breeze to all these low areas and ditches where they made these golden mounds which if not taken care of will turn to temporary breeding grounds for blood sucking mosquitoes.

We have to be careful not to dig ditches for ourselves when the concerns of life blow from the trees in our life. We have to make sure they don’t become like cherished gold. We must be constructive in taking care of the leaf litter in life or else it can turn into fear and fear only breeds life sucking mosquitoes. Mosquito bites torment us to scratch -and if we scratch-they cannot just scare us but those around us.

Think about what we do when we fret. Some of us withdraw, some of us become irritable, some of us become sick, some of us become depressed, some of us become angry, some of us become annoyed, some of become disillusioned, unproductive, preoccupied and if we don’t watch what we say and do, we can accidentally scare others. We can’t take back what we have regretfully done. It’s out there and we can apologize but like a nail that is taken out of a piece of wood- it still leaves a mark.

We need to try to see with God’s help that the concerns and testings in life are to build us up in the Lord not tear us down. They are to help us realign and strengthen our focus on God

God is building us into a spiritual house and like building a house there are issues that arise because of the human understanding and mindsets. God has the building plans but because of a lack of focus on Him -the construction project can be held up and can cause more hassles and breed things like moldy doubt and rot of faith.

“We have nothing to fear but fear itself,” Martin Luther King

“The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” Psalm 118:6

Fear is the absence of faith.

“So, you see, it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that there is a God and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him,” Hebrews 11:6

We have to ask ourselves when fears want to take roost do we sincerely seek God?

Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light." Matthew 11:28-30

We are pretty useless to do anything positive when we carry heavy burdens- real or ones that have not yet come to light.

To further this thought, God tells us everything not done in love is worthless and even a sin.

“Be on guard. Stand true to what you believe. Be courageous. Be strong. And everything you do must be done with love.” 1 Corinthians 16:13

“Do not fear anything except the LORD Almighty. He alone is the Holy One. If you fear him, you need fear nothing else.” Isaiah 8:13

I find the causes of fear are sometimes unfounded and most often temporary and if we had given them over to God they wouldn’t had caused us grief. The leaves just like issues will fall in our life but we have to decide if we are going to dig ditches for those issues, which will grow into fears or go to the high ground. The choice is ours to make.

May the Lord help and remind us of this fact before we become ditch diggers, in Jesus Name Amen.

A Note to Christians in Japan

Knowing there are readers who read this blog from Japan…. I have been quiet about recent tragedies there. (Besides who needs another voice.) I know you have had more quakes and power outages in recent days that I know it hasn’t been easy especially with the chilly weather. Then add loss, uncertainty and fears of radiation poisoning and what is one to say?

I know there are many Christians in Japan and YOU know what makes a people resilient... you know a people’s faith in God's love helps them endure all things. You know nothing is impossible with God. You remember all God had done in the past and is going to do in the future. You are able to look past all this mess because you see all the small things God is doing behind the scenes. You are reminded like all of us that life even though precious is very temporary and your true home is else where. You remember that even though these are tough times you wouldn’t go back to living your old ways because of all the things God has shown you. You praise God because He brought you to the faith and it has been a ladder to help you climb out of the dark happenings around you. You remember God has prepared you for such a time as this. What a better time to show the love and light of Christ to others then this time of great loss and searching. I hope you’re ministering to each other and being a comforting presence even though few words may be spoken and there is little to go around. I hope you remember God’s empowering grace and you remember Jesus’ loving warning that these things would happen. Mark 13/ Thessalonians 5:1-3

Knowing only little of what is to come anywhere on this earth, may God animate you -for that is the only way it is going to turn out right. May God bring life to your tired daily bones. May he anoint your eyes and put white linens on your nakedness as you walk amongst those who don’t hold your same hope. May he let the inner spring that is constantly being tried and deluged be a magnificent geyser of a volcano of genuine praise. May you feel free to cry out to him knowing he is your strength and refuge. And as one of God’s trees, let Him constantly root you deep in His love. Let His whisper amplify in your spiritual ears, as the wind is made known in the branches of the trees. Let your villa lights never go dim on the nighttime hills and the vines of your lowly and humble vineyard always produce the sweetest fruit. In Jesus Name Amen.

Isaiah 40:31 “But those who wait on the LORD will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”

Hillsong United- AfterMath Album Review

Hillsong United has created a varied and textured album in their recent joint effort called "Aftermath". This album is more of a "personal" experience album then an album that reaches an entire Christian audience but in saying that -this album offers a buffet of songs to choose from to download to their favorite listening devices. This patchwork of music styles and messages comes off sounding a little disjointed but just as a body of Christ has different personalities that reflect their musical style so are the seasonal needs of a church incorporated into the music. If you are a Hillsong fan you will definitely find some songs that you will like right away and some that will grow on you after a couple of listens.

If you like the Texas band "Leeland" you will appreciate the Hillsong United songs "Nova" and "Bones" and "Search my Heart" (not the radio version). If you are looking for more of Hillsong's Celtic hymn sounding songs your ear will be attracted to "Like an Avalanche" and "Take Heart." If you liked Hillsong's Faith Hope Love Album you will like "Go" and "Light will Shine." Then you have a song like "Father" which I scratch my head at. It should be a uplifting song but it never seems get lose from it sticky rainy day mood melody.

You can't appreciate them all I guess. Anyway.... Hope this helps... :)

Shining Wisdom

Ever read the first couple of chapters of proverbs and what it says about wisdom? Wisdom is wonderful but it only wonderful with the right heart and mindset.

Satan has Godly wisdom but it is useless because it is not carried out in love. He twists God's wisdom just as he does the principles of God's love. He takes God's wisdom and uses to maim, wickedly condemn, encourage flames of pride, to be "politically correct" and cause division amongst followers in Christ and those in this world. Satan hates to see peace in God's chosen creation and he rather use God's wisdom to steal, kill and destroy.

Wisdom is not presumption or hunch or supposing or take a jab in the dark. It's not unfairly using someone's past against them. Those only do more harm then good.

Godly wisdom is trusting in the Lord with all your heart and not depending on your own understanding. It is seeking his will in all you do and having him direct your path. (Proverbs 3:5-6) God's wisdom provides an opening or portal of light and many sometimes that opening is not just for the person who receives that wisdom but also for the person who gives that word of wisdom. He/she who uses God's wisdom in love sees the precious positive affects it can cultivate. I find many times in teachings I am not just teachings those around me but God is teaching me as well.

Remember Job and his buddies? They presumed the reason for Job's gigantic misfortune was because of some kind of sin Job had not confessed.

Remember Peter asking Jesus if the man was blind because the man's parent's sin or the man's sin? And Jesus replies "He was born blind so the power of God could be seen in him." (John 9) We were born spiritually blind so the power of God could be seen in us after God has touched us.

Remember the Jew's who knew God's word but were blind to their own Savior standing before them? (John 8) Remember where your true insight comes from.

Remember you can speak God's word in not the right mindset and cause more hurt and damage then healing and insight? God's word is a sword. It is sharp. (Hebrews 4:12) You respect a knife when you are using it do you not? Do you love the word of God to use it correctly? Are you listening to the direction of Holy Spirit as he guides you through the spiritual operation of life or are you doing it to prove your own point? Sometimes we don't even need to be proving a point but we ignore God's wisdom because we are focused and wrapped up in other things in life and we see with human eyes instead of Spirit-filled eyes. That is when we stumble. (Proverbs 4:12)

God said everything is useless if not done in love. True useful wisdom goes hand in hand with love. If your are spewing God's words of wisdom because of irritability and religion then you have lost the entire point. What are you trying to prove? God can't prove himself? Guard your heart for it affects everything you do. (Proverbs 4:23) Remember love is patient, kind, not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It doesn't demand it's own way. It is not keeps no record of when it has been wronged. It is never glad about injustice but rejoices when the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful and endures through every circumstance. (1 Cor 13:4-7) We can go to church and gain all this great knowledge about God but if we don't embrace it and share it in a loving manner then it is wasted.

I suppose that comes partially with maturity as well..... Oh Lord have mercy. I don't mean you become suddenly boring but you are earnest and humbly passionate about God's powerful ways of grace. True wisdom brings down walls doesn't help put more up.

God's wisdom in God's love is true, honorable, right, pure, admirable, excellent, and worthy of praise. (Philippians 4:8) God's wisdom gives an individual integrity. It isn't about pleasing the norms of society.

Godly wisdom seat belted into Godly knowledge brings joy. (Proverbs 2:10-11)

True wisdom shines the light of Christ.
"The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day." (Proverbs 4:18)

Elusively Suppressed

EVER had a problem you just couldn’t put your finger on? A bombardment of issues sits in front and all around you but the one that makes them all irritating is an elusive one. It’s vague, obscure, and indescribable yet it entangles you. It causes you to stumble. Normally those other stacks of irritations wouldn’t bother you but lately they have been particularly difficult, vexing and maddening and you have been helpless, powerless and unrestrained to act effectively. You notice the effects particularly in your impatience and out bursts of anger. You feel filthy, incompetent and useless and guilty because a Christian shouldn’t have those types of thoughts or feel or act the way you have been living sporadically. If you didn't know any better you would think you have gone back to living your old ways but your faith in Jesus Christ causes you to hang on, to continue to take that step forward instead of backward.

Seeing the issue as elusive, you don’t put much effort into looking for it because if you did somehow find it you would wonder if you even recognized as the elusive issue. This period of time feels like no valley you have been in before. Your Godly advice to others goes void or silent and you withdraw from anything that might present some kind of conflict or challenge. The bible is hard to even pick up and read but you run your hands over the pages anyway to see what you might find. In appearance it looks like depression but you don’t feel depressed just hardened. The cup of life seems only to have a few drops of water and it clear by the hard water stain where the water used to be. Thirsty? Not you... you feel as though you might as well just lay on your back and look at the sun and circling vultures.

You think about the fruits of the Spirit and the aspects of Godly love and wonder what’s nibbling on your root system in this strange place. It doesn't matter if the things are old or new in your life- just the dust is bothersome enough. You wonder how Holy Spirit can live in you and allow these darkened tinges.

Burdened but burdened by what? Wrestling but wrestling with what? How can you wrestle something you can't even see? It could be anything…. small or big. Some of the smallest things set you off and other things just knock against your soul as if you were standing in a hallow metal chimney-stack.

Sooner or later you will be confronted by those close to you. They will ask things like “Are you okay? or "You don't seem like yourself?" You will have to make a choice of becoming prideful and saying nothing or humbling yourself and admitting something IS bothering you.

I suggest you confide your frustrations, haunts and horrors of war with those Christians you trust. Those whom have noticed this obvious change. Know they are only a sounding board- not the solution. Ask for prayer and realize in order to receive peace and reprieve you have to accept them from God. Realize that having "dismay" in your life is a choice. Continue to submit and call on God’s wonderful mercy and powerful grace. Realize there are tunnels in life that are just dark by nature and God is the best one to carry us through them.

“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 than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. 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. 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. Peace to all who place themselves in his hands.” Philippians 4:6-9

Issues will come and go but realize everything good happens in his timing but we just have to allow God to do his job.

God Bless

The Author the Hero

In all once upon a times and love and treasured pages… to old leather bond books to hard canvas covers and flimsy paperbacks a hero emerges for those in need of assistance.

The hero is part of what we can see on the page and part of the one who types out the page. For the one who creates often can’t help but put him or her self into the beloved story they have written.

And God who passed these creative talents to his choice creation is no different. He knew what would cause a character to fall and one to rise to a place of honor. He knew they all had to love even if that love was manipulated and transformed into something hideous by their own minds.

They would either love darkness or love light but what would cause them to choose? What factors would cause them to love darkness or light? What would cause them to turn from darkness to light? How would they manage to stand even if they were seemingly alone?

God would have to call to them and be a part of their lives- of course some would hear his calling and some would not. For God made his chosen creation to have a mind of choice. They were to be masters on earth but would have a choice on who mastered them while they lived on earth. Would it be Satan or God? Of course those who decided to ignore God and continued to walk in stubborn disobedience would not make it to the lasting pages of eternity in heaven.

God knew many would look at his creations, see and read about his historic examples of ruin and success and the lay the bible in front many people’s fingertips. He knew people would betray the itched words inside each example by believing the ignorant wisdom of man and the forked tongue lies of demons. He knew they would pick and choose his qualities like they were some food buffet. He knew they would even foolishly denying his existence in hopes they would not have to answer for the things they had done in this life and allowed to live in their hearts.

His chosen creation have flaws… even the ones who trust in Him- so how would God, a righteous God who weights murder and lies as equals make it so those who stand in the dusty faults of humanity be consider worthy of the only entrance into heaven? Would it be by deed? No. Then how?

Here is where the true hero emerges … God himself would become human. He would put himself deeper within the story. He would be called Jesus, the Son of God. He would endure all the testing and temptations of life and darkness and come out victorious over every one and then he, innocent of any wrongdoing, would lay his life down for all of humanity. He would become a human sacrifice – the atonement/ amends for the sins of humanity.

God himself would reconcile his chosen creation on a wooden cross, for there was no other blood purer then his own blood to cleanse humanity for all their wrong doings. On the third day He would take up his crucified flesh again and rise from the tomb and those who believed in faith of this act would be saved from eternity in hell.

In faith of Jesus Christ and according to God’s will, a person then receives the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit teaches the followers of Jesus the ways of God as they continue to submit their life to Him. Through God’s Spirit ones eyes are opened their heart is softened. They are born again spiritually, they do not practice the ways of sin and they are assured a place in heaven as they continue to live in the faith of Jesus Christ knowing he is God the author and hero who saves them.

The Right Door

Exhausted every avenue in prayer and action then you will see when the right door opens.

Attending Church- Your Important Role

A person, who I love dearly, had conversation with me this week about going to church. She didn’t think it was all that big a deal about not attending church. She figured that as long as she believes Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior, she is fine. The problem with that kind of thinking is it based on our own perception of life and as long as we are in our own way of thinking we are never going to be enlightened and see how God can use us as a member of his body.

Ever see a foot or hand all by itself? Some of you may have on a battlefield or a real bad car accident. A hand and foot cannot function without the rest of the body. To be a part of Christ’s body you have to be a participant in Christ’s body. Just as blood flows all throughout the body; a person must be ministered to and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, which flows through the gathering of believers.

I used to spend hours in front of my parents fireplace on cold wet Puget Sound days. In front of the fire I would do homework, eat, and watch television. The logs would become this bright hot orange lava color and occasionally an amber would pop out of the fire and land on the black slate hearth. Where it’s glowing beauty would fade and become as cold and dark as the hearth itself.

If an individual chooses not to gather with their church, they can become like a amber that has popped out of a hot fireplace.

Our own perception of life can make us blind to our Christian calling within the church. Consider the words of Jesus to the Laodicea Church. “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, I will spit you out of my mouth! ‘You say, I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and power and blind and naked. I advice you to buy gold from me- gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. And also buy white garments so you will not be ashamed by your nakedness. And buy ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. I am the one who corrects and disciplines everyone I love. Be diligent and turn from your indifference. Look! Here I stand at the door and knock. If you hear me calling and open the door, I will come in and we will share a meal as friends. I will invite everyone who is victorious to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne. Anyone who is willing to hear should listen to the Spirit and understand what the Spirit is saying to the churches.” Revelation 3:15-22

Roles are very important in the body of Christ. We may think the church only consists of a Pastor, Sunday school teachers, and a congregation but if you believe that then your robbing yourself of the role God has for you.

The body of Christ is a city on a hill (Matt. 5:14) and just like a city it needs people for God appointed roles to fill so it can be growing and healthy.

Romans 13:4-8 says: “Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with the Christ’s body. We are all parts of one body, and each of us has different work to do. And since we are all one body in Christ, we belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others. God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out when you have the faith that God is speaking through you. If your gift is that of serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, do a good job of teaching. If you have money, share it generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have the a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.”

1 Corinthians 12:28-13 says: “Here is a list of some of the members that God has placed in the body of Christ. First are apostles, second are prophets, third are teachers, then those who do miracles, those who have the gift of healing, those who can help others, those who can get other to work together, those who speak in unknown languages. Is everyone an apostle? Of course not. Is everyone a prophet? No. Are all teachers? Does everyone have the power to do miracles? Does everyone have the gift of healing? Of course not. Does God give all of us the ability to speak in unknown languages? No! And in any event, you should desire the most helpful gifts.”

Ephesians: 4:9-13 says: “He is the one who gave these gifts to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ, until we come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature and full grown in the Lord, measuring up to the full stature of Christ.

Abram called out 318 trained men in his household and went in pursuit of those who took his nephew Lot and their possessions - they recovered everything the Kedorlaomer army took from them.

Abraham took trained men, men who knew their individual roles and took them seriously. It takes people filled with the gifts of the Holy Spirit to stand against, battle and get back what the enemy has taken from the church family – not just physical but spiritual needs. It takes people disciplined in the faith to stand against what is evil and provide assistance when needed.

Jesus said in Matthew 18:18 “I tell you this: Whatever you prohibit on earth is prohibited in heaven, and whatever you allow on earth is allowed in heaven.”

If man does nothing to stop evil, heaven can do nothing about it. If man stands against what is evil then heaven will bound it but if no man does his role that God intended than the church that supports a community will fall apart. What is your role in your church?

Accountability

I was thinking about the founding fathers of the United States. Why did they set up under the constitution the three branches government (legislative, executive, and judicial branches)? They do so because they saw first hand the tyrannies and power a monarch had over its people. They wanted to ensure no single branch would have supreme reign. They wanted a system of accountability or checks and balances. The next thought was how did they come up with such an idea and after considering many of the founding fathers of the United States held degrees in seminary and Christian theology and published the first bible and required it’s teachings in public school I came down to this conclusion- our accountability to God and our fellow man.

Keeping others accountability has been a problem in the United States. Just make a list for yourselves and you will see the following: government officials, law makers, stock brokers, car and truck manufacturers-dealerships -and mechanics, doctors, lawyers, insurance companies, utility companies, contractors, those in public office all the way down to parents not making their children accountable for their own actions and children blaming their dog or sibling for eating their homework.

We see more finger pointing, shrugged shoulders of “I could care less”, denial, lies, debt, bailouts and people just accepting things as just the way things are then people holding others accountable. I think part of reason of finding it hard to make people accountable is the process of finding ways in which to make people accountable.

I should draw a cartoon of a bank robber holding up the U.S. treasury and a government official telling the bank robber to hold on- they have to warm up printer. It is an embarrassment to a have government that is so ignorant of its own nation’s history and what it “is” founded upon. It’s an embarrassment to have government consider abortion as health care and a way to not hinder one’s successes. Since when were children not considered a blessing of many successes in life? It’s a shame I can’t take a politicians’, lawyers’, or mechanics’ word as truth without checking their information with other sources. It’s a shame I rather buy a Toyota or a Mazda over any new American car/truck such as Ford, Chevy, Jeep, Dodge/ Chrysler product. (I could go on but why… you already know this.)

God makes us accountable for our actions. He has made immoveable laws of nature that no one can move such as: you reap what you sow Gal 6:7, the consequences of sin are disease and death Gal 6:8 , our words and actions are a very powerful Pro 18:4 .

Every person, no matter if they to believe or not, will have to answer to God. They will be held accountable for their actions.

I will be responsible for what kind of fruit I bear and produced while I was on earth. The fruit I produced will be dependent on who I trusted when I spoke or acted. Did I trust God or myself Gal 5:22.

An ignorant soul would tell you there is no God and there is no accountability. An ignorant soul will tell you there is a God but he has a hands off approach to his creation. An ignorant soul does not see the importance of Jesus Christ- why he came from heaven to take our punishment for our sins and raised to life on the third day so all who believe in him and trust in him have eternal life. (That was I once.)

A Christian soul, however, knows he/she will be held accountable for their poor actions just as those who don’t believe but the difference will be this:

Romans 3:22-31 We are made right in God's sight when we trust in Jesus Christ to take away our sins. And we all can be saved in this same way, no matter who we are or what we have done. For all have sinned; all fall short of God's glorious standard. Yet now God in his gracious kindness declares us not guilty. He has done this through Christ Jesus, who has freed us by taking away our sins. For God sent Jesus to take the punishment for our sins and to satisfy God's anger against us. We are made right with God when we believe that Jesus shed his blood, sacrificing his life for us. God was being entirely fair and just when he did not punish those who sinned in former times. And he is entirely fair and just in this present time when he declares sinners to be right in his sight because they believe in Jesus. Can we boast, then, that we have done anything to be accepted by God? No, because our acquittal is not based on our good deeds. It is based on our faith. So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law. After all, God is not the God of the Jews only, is he? Isn't he also the God of the Gentiles? Of course he is. There is only one God, and there is only one way of being accepted by him. He makes people right with himself only by faith, whether they are Jews or Gentiles. Well then, if we emphasize faith, does this mean that we can forget about the law? Of course not! In fact, only when we have faith do we truly fulfill the law.

A believer in Christ Jesus is accountable in their actions. You know it is cold- you dress in warm clothes. You know Jesus Christ is Lord – you live accordingly to how the Lord would want you to live. We don’t make a practice of sinning but when we do make a mistake we must try to make it right with the person we have hurt or offended and ask God for his forgiveness as well.

God disciplines all he loves so we will turn from our sinful ways and not spend eternity in hell. When no one holds you accountable then there is no maturity and heavenly virtues being instilled in you. When you are not held accountable you act and do as a spoiled uncorrected child does disrupting and affecting others around you. No accountability encourages a problem and does nothing to stop it. Uncorrected problems spread like a flame to straw.

A nation, a church, an individual can burn all way to it’s foundation and if that foundation is God, it can be rebuilt again but if a nation, a church or individual builds on something other then God- that nation is forever cursed and doomed for failure. Think of the nations of history that have come and gone- Be grateful God holds you accountable for a God who keeps you accountable is a real God.

A god that doesn’t keep you accountable is a false god and those who take a liking to them - do so they can continue to live in sin.

Those who want to deny accountability to God and to their peers will only try to cover it up or disguise it as something it is not. They will disguise it and say it is some form of love, freedom, pursuit of happiness, justice, democracy, normalcy, etc so you don’t smell their dark motives. Think how some Americans first perceived the Nazi’s when they were coming to power. Think how a person disguises and covers their sin? Why do they try to cover it up?

Why does the devil disguise himself as an angel of light probably because if you saw his real appearance you would shutter.

Is a half-truth the truth? You buy a cup of coffee only get a half of cup- are you going to settle for that? You ask for a 12-inch sub and only receive a 6-inch sub, are you going to settle for that?

A person who isn’t accountable is a slave to sin.

It is sad you have watch your back, you have to do the research to know what others is saying is actually true, you actually have to say, “That is not right” when it is obvious it is not right.

The world is becoming a very dark place but thank God I don’t have to live in fear because I know who my God is and I am accountable to Him.

A Nations Spiritual House

Jesus says in Matthew 12:29-30 “Let me illustrate this. You can’t enter a strong man’s house and rob him without first tying him up. Only then can his house be robbed! Anyone who isn’t helping me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me.”

So think of this story. There were some men who built a nation. They built this nation on Godly principles but when these builders were replaced by new men they swung open their doors to the nation's villa to enjoy the deceptive night air and fell asleep in a drunken slumber. And when they awoke the next morning all the efforts and successes of the founding builders were burned to ground by those who were ignorant and had no regard for the Godly principles that once made the nation great.

Visitors -Mormons

We had two young men come to our doorstep. I could tell right away by their age, black suits, ties and name tags they were probably Mormon boys. Soaked by the rain and they greeted me with a smile, their names and a handshake.

I give them credit for getting out there to spread their religion no matter what the weather might be.

Armed with their little blue book by Joseph Smith they asked me if I knew whom they represented and I said yes. Though they may sound like they are followers of Jesus Christ and will tell you they think highly of Jesus Christ they are disrespecting him all the same. For Jesus Christ is LORD and Savior. There is no other way to heaven except through him.

Respectfully, I simply told them I didn’t believe in their prophet and I respect what the scriptures says about not adding or taking anything away from what the bible says. This ended our conversation rather quickly but as they shook my hand I looked both of them in the eye and with a genuine Holy Spirit filled word said, “There are false prophets.” I was rather concerned for the younger one as I held his hand the longest. The older one said, “We know there are false prophets” and then they quickly left. I know God's word never goes void.

In all honesty, I didn’t want to answer the door once I saw who was standing behind it but then I was reminded of whom I represent and what my actions say about the one who transformed me- God the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.

For I came to the Father first, who then gave me the Son (Jesus Christ) who then baptized me in the Holy Spirit.

I felt sorry for the lads but fortunately I have known several people have turned from Mormonism to true Christian faith.

Mormons have many rules, which require some strong devotion but this is what the bible says about that.

Colossians 2:23 “These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, humility, and severe bodily discipline. But they have no effect when it comes to conquering a person's evil thoughts and desires.”

Mormons want to claim they are Christians but they are false apostles.

2 Corinthians 11:12-15 “But I will continue doing this to cut the ground out from under the feet of those who boast that their work is just like ours. These people are false apostles. They have fooled you by disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. But I am not surprised! Even Satan can disguise himself as an angel of light. So it is no wonder his servants can also do it by pretending to be godly ministers. In the end they will get every bit of punishment their wicked deeds deserve.

Mormons are like the false Christians in Paul's time who wanted Christians to follow Jewish regulations. Regulations are a way to control people but faith in Jesus is what makes you Holy and acceptable to God.

Galatians 2:4-5 Even that question wouldn't have come up except for some so-called Christians there--false ones, really --who came to spy on us and see our freedom in Christ Jesus. They wanted to force us, like slaves, to follow their Jewish regulations. But we refused to listen to them for a single moment. We wanted to preserve the truth of the Good News for you.

This is what the bible says about False Prophets such as Joseph Smith.

Matthew 7:15 "Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep, but are really wolves that will tear you apart.”

2 Peter 2:1 “But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach their destructive heresies about God and even turn against their Master who bought them. Theirs will be a swift and terrible end.”

Know where you stand when you speak to a Mormon or any other false religion such as a Jehovah Witness.

1 John 4:4 But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won your fight with these false prophets, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.

Mormons come in Jesus’ name to lead many astray.

Matthew 24:4-5 Jesus told them, "Don't let anyone mislead you. For many will come in my name, saying, `I am the Messiah.' They will lead many astray.”

Jesus is God. Mormons don’t believe Jesus is God.

John 1:1 In the beginning the Word already existed. He was with God, and he was God.

1 John 1:1 The one who existed from the beginning is the one we have heard and seen. We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. He is Jesus Christ, the Word of life.

Revelation 19:13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and his title was the Word of God.

Mormons have added and disregarded God’s word.

Proverbs 30:5-6 “Every word of God proves true. He defends all who come to him for protection. Do not add to his words, or he may rebuke you, and you will be found a liar.”

Revelation 22:18-20 “And I solemnly declare to everyone who hears the prophetic words of this book: If anyone adds anything to what is written here, God will add to that person the plagues described in this book. And if anyone removes any of the words of this prophetic book, God will remove that person's share in the tree of life and in the holy city that are described in this book. He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon!" Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!”

A certain faith is not going to get you to heaven. Only the faith that Jesus who is GOD, became flesh, died and rose again will save you. If you are Mormon or you are practicing Mormonism or you are seeking God and have found yourself in the Mormon Church, I will strongly urge you to question what Joseph Smith has written. It is not the bible. It is not too late to come to the real Christ. If you care more about what God thinks then followers of Joseph Smith think- then ask God and he will reveal the truth to you.

All these verses that I was led to in the BIBLE should make it pretty plain and clear but ask him anyway.

“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 1:6-8)

Watching What You Think & Speak

Galatians 2:20-21 "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain."

Like a sponsored rock climber reaching for his next hand position I reach not just for myself but those around me and my God. Our actions speak of whom we represent and I cannot get that next hand position if I find competence in myself for I would look down from my position and become worry because the height is so high. I might as well become prideful of some sort of accomplishment and then lose sight of the entire point of the climb of life. So with no competence in myself I look up to the LORD. There he guides my hands and feet and I can see vistas that many may never see but they have seen me. They have seen my life and what it speaks. Just like a soldier in uniform speaks of whom they represent and what he/she is committed to.

Self-preservation did help spread the word of the Good News but it is not always helpful if it is constant in your and my life. Not if it freezes us up and never enlightens others. Self-preservation can make us “too” aware of our surroundings and cause us to slip and fall.

So we must watch what we think and speak into our life. Opportunities and time are precious. What better use of our time then to focus on God. By God’s powerful grace and love we don’t have do depend on our own faulty perspective of others or ourselves.

God puts the clouds in their place, which are only vapor, and has the sun’s rays reflect off of them. They can’t claim credit for the beautiful colors that they become in the morning, afternoon and evening sky.

Christ who lives in us does so via the Holy Spirit. He is our compass and counselor to guide us in all his grace, love, power and wisdom. A part from Him we can do nothing. So why limit ourselves by what we believe and what we think?

Give your life to God. Read and soak up the truth. Grasp and hold onto it tightly and live out the truth not as you -because within us is the ability to become ignorant and prideful but let Christ within you live it out. Then and only then can righteousness be achieved and you will understand it is not you that lives but Christ within you…. And then and only then you will feel and see freedom.

They Sense It.

It is interesting to listen to different pastors and speakers on the radio and how often there is this commonality in their subject matter. I will be brought a topic by God to share with the group and often that topic will also be shared in some scope or dimension on the radio and even our Pastor on Sunday morning.

The theme that God has been sharing lately has been Jesus’ return and living and trusting in God. Which for many may see broad in scope but is it really when you just narrow it down to our personal lives and our relationship with Jesus. God has been reminding his messengers to tell his people of His Son’s return.

Along with this encouraging and urgent message there has been, at least in my life, this lack of luster of the things of this world. This understanding that the material things are very temporary in usage and satisfaction.

Christmas has come and gone and it seems the world has gone back to business as usual.

For some however it hasn’t been business as usual. Some have lost family and friends over the Christmas break. Some even though they have been careful and good stewards of their money have found extra expenses they had not foreseen do to medical, home, and car repairs. I believe these people might be the most fortunate for they will have to look to God to help them fulfill their needs as they continue to tithe. These families won’t take for granted the simple pleasures such as water, electricity, and a roof over their head and food to fill their stomachs. They will cling to God and through this relationship of dependence will see the workings of God more clearly then those who don’t have any extra circumstances in their life to deal with. To others they are may seem unlucky, unfortunate, and tried to extremes but when there is nothing to cling I found there is always God who helps me see and live past my circumstances even though they may difficult.

“God blesses those who realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is given to them.” MATTHEW 5:3

Luke 17:26-37"When the Son of Man returns, the world will be like the people were in Noah's day. In those days before the flood, the people enjoyed banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat and the flood came to destroy them all. "And the world will be as it was in the days of Lot. People went about their daily business--eating and drinking, buying and selling, farming and building-- until the morning Lot left Sodom. Then fire and burning sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. Yes, it will be `business as usual' right up to the hour when the Son of Man returns. On that day a person outside the house must not go into the house to pack. A person in the field must not return to town. Remember what happened to Lot's wife! Whoever clings to this life will lose it, and whoever loses this life will save it. That night two people will be asleep in one bed; one will be taken away, and the other will be left. Two women will be grinding flour together at the mill; one will be taken, the other left.”

"Lord, where will this happen?" the disciples asked.

Jesus replied, "Just as the gathering of vultures shows there is a carcass nearby, so these signs indicate that the end is near."

The values we live by either will make us die spiritually or be uplifted and encouraged spiritually. Even the smallest gift of kindness isn’t ignored when someone is in need.

Our words and actions can nourish those around us or be tools for the enemy to bring down those around us.

What we embrace will affect our life. Is it the world ideals or God and Jesus? There one brings death and one brings life.

God does not share these messages to scare his people but to prepare his people because he loves them. And if we are scared, think why we are fearful of this message.

1 John 4:18 “Such love has no fear because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of judgment, and this shows that his love has not been perfected in us.”

1 John 2:28 “And now, dear children, continue to live in fellowship with Christ so that when he returns, you will be full of courage and not shrink back from him in shame.”

It is hard to keep up a meaningful relationship with someone when there is no communication.

I am finding it is difficult to depend on anything in this life except God. People though how lovely will misunderstand you and presume things of you. Things will breakdown and need repairs. The places that you thought you could depend on for permanence or being trustworthy will leave you stranded or take advantage of you. Nothing stays the same and sometimes that is a good thing and sometimes is a bad thing if you put prominence in that thing or place. Your body will even fail you.

Things will become just things. They are here today and quickly replaced tomorrow.

Sometimes it seems like people are running on a hamster wheel running to get nowhere.

Before I let the mind do what it wants let us ask where is the accountability? Where is the self-control?

Where do we stand at the end of day with God? Where to we put our trust? Where do we put our security and rest? Tangibles or intangibles? If it is tangibles, what happens when those tangibles fail us? Value is in what? What we can or not take with us after this life (that is but a breath and a passing shadow) is over?

I guess what we ought to ask ourselves is what are lasting values that really matter in the end and do they parallel to what God thinks is important.

Matthew 24:12-14 "Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. But those who endure to the end will be saved. And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then, finally, the end will come."

2 Peter 3:9-11 The Lord isn't really being slow about his promise to return, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to perish, so he is giving more time for everyone to repent. But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and everything in them will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be exposed to judgment. Since everything around us is going to melt away, what holy, godly lives you should be living!

May God help us live as if Christ were coming back tomorrow and knowing there are no guarantees for tomorrow.

Renew

A few years ago my wife had a boy in class that came to school as a different superhero everyday. One day he would be “Superman”, the next “Batman”, the day after “Spiderman”, the day after that “The Incredible Hulk”, the day after that “Wolverine” and so on….

He would not just wear the iconic shirts to show who he was but would come into class acting like those characters. The door of the classroom would open and in came flying superman in pre-1^st grade stature. The door of the classroom would swing up and in jumped a grimacing clutched fists miniature “Incredible Hulk.” This became so normal in her classroom that it never became a problem. Mr. Superhero would come in, do his entrance, hang up his backpack and my wife would just have to remember to call him by his right superhero name throughout the day. And my wife, not a real big superhero fan did a pretty good job remembering his identity for that day.

Can you imagine how fun it would be to wake up as a little kid and have the ability to be whatever superhero you wanted to be for that day? Everyday would be a new day. You would put on that superhero shirt and presto chango- you were the “Green Lantern.”

Why can’t we do that? I’m kidding of course but in all honesty why can’t we “renew” ourselves? Sometimes I think we are so stuck on what we can and cannot do or see in ourselves that we simply go about our daily lives as if this normalcy was all there is. We accept only the realities we can see not even considering the ones we can’t see.

It’s like there are all these “rooms” full of possibilities for our life but we limit ourselves to that one room in which we choose to stand. There are so many realities waiting for us to find but we limit God on what he can and cannot share and show us in our life.

God is continually making things new. Each day is new. Each season is new. Each year is new. Look at all the things that he created that are constantly changing from the mountains, to the forests, to the valleys, to the seas, to the skies to the stars above the skies.

He constantly is reinventing things. God said, “Look I am making all things new!” Revelation 21:5.

God is constantly doing good works some not always easily seen but hopefully understood in the future.

He renews our lives via the Holy Spirit (John 3:14) And through the Him we discover all the passages, meanings, rooms, worlds, experiences and advanced things to come as he prepared for us and are yoked (Matthew 11:29-30) and empower by Christ who works within us. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Psalm 119:40 “I long to obey your commandments! Renew my life with your goodness.”

In his goodness we are renewed and clothed in the best that God has to offer and we can fly through that classroom door of life knowing God who is our supernatural life is with us.

Have you asked him to take you into all the other rooms he has prepared for you? Ask Him. Ask while the leaves are still green in your life and the acorns haven't fallen from your canopy so when the leaves do change color and fall gracefully to the earth and the acorns are seeded- you and the others you leave behind will see God's mighty hand upon your life.

Suicide

Bloodied bodies dead and wounded lay on the ground- scattered all the way up the slopes of Mount Gilboa. Saul and his three sons and the remainder of his troops fought shoulder to shoulder. It had become clear that this battle would not end with their triumph but their demise. So with every ounce of loyalty and strength they fought with spear, sword, fist, rock and tree branch. They had taken down many Philistines in this last stand.

A row of Philistine archers took aim up to where Saul and his men stood. Their commanding officers ordered them to fire. Instantly their arrows shot into the blue and came down without warning like rains from the skies. Men fell on all sides of King Saul, some silently and some in the screams of horror and agony. Saul somewhat shocked stood with an arrow in him. He had seen this kind of wound before and it was always fetal. He slowly got up as he leaned on one of his dead.

Philistines went after the men who managed to escape the fiery of arrows leaving Saul alone. His armor bearer who had only suffered sacrificial cuts from the onslaught pushed a dead warrior who had fallen on him off him. It was then he heard the exhaled groan of his king.

The king’s legs shook as they tried to hold up his weight. A stony deathly expression filled Saul’s face.

Quickly his armor bearer went to his side. “Your majesty,” he said in disbelief as he saw the arrow sticking through the king’s armor.

Slowly and carefully the armor bear lifted the armor on the king and saw a large amount of blood netted in the king’s tunic where the arrow had entered.

Seeing his armor bear’s expression, Saul shook his head in confirmation to his belief of his wounded condition.

Armor bear slowly recovered the king’s wound with his armor seeing there was nothing he could do.

“Take your sword and kill me before those pagan Philistines run me through and humiliate me,” the king growled in disgust as he took the feathered end of the arrow and broke it with his hand.

The armor bearer was shocked. His pledge was to protect the king not kill him. He stood up and walked a few steps away as he considered the king’s request. He looked down at all the lifeless pile of bodies around him. A sense of hopelessness filled him. “Was this all there was to life? The heroic dreams he once carried faded like steam in the wind.

Saul knew the heart of his armor bearer. He knew he wouldn’t kill him and all this waiting only meant his enemy would have a greater chance of fulfilling his worst fears.

Saul took his sword and laid the handle on the ground. He then pointed the other end up under his armor and against his stomach. He then let go of the spear where his body weight fell sharp against the blade and into his unprotected gut. His body armor sounded as it hit the ground.

The armor bearer quickly turned and saw what Saul had done to himself. A man who had given in some type of value and hope was gone. He was an armor bearer to a dead king. He was nobody now. Hearing the galloping of horse, he looked to see dust rising into the air from the enemies’ approaching chariots below. The enemy would certainly not have mercy on him. He then took his own sword and fell on it for what was a good death for his king was a good death for him as well.

It wasn’t long after this when an Amaliekite hiding in the forest crossed the area where Saul, his sons, and men had fallen. He imaged everyone dead but surprisingly he heard someone still alive clutching on to a pole of spear. The man recognized that this was no ordinary man but one of royalty. “How may I help you lord?”

Saul had not finished the job he had hoped by falling on his sword. He tried to find a way to hide himself but he could not. He looked up to the man who appeared only as a dark silhouette in the sun’s light. “Who are you?” he asked in a short breath hoping he was not a Philistine.

“I am an Amaliekite,” the man answered.

“Come over here and put me out of my misery, for I am in terrible pain and want to die,” Saul requested.

The Amaliekite knowing the man’s wounds would kill him shortly anyway helped the badly wounded man onto the ground. He put one hand over Saul’s eyes. One knee on Saul’s chest and with quick deadly precision removed Saul’s sword from his gut and thrust it back in again.

There Saul’s body shook and then went motionless.

The Amaliekite quickly scoured the dead man’s body for riches and to his astonishment he found a royal crown and gold and silver bracelets.

Hearing some men approaching, he quickly grabbed Saul’s crown and one of his large gold bracelets and disappeared into the dense forest.

There in the safety of the trees he heard that the man he had put out of his misery was no other then King Saul.

Biblical story information came from 1 Samuel 31 & 2 Samuel 1 in your bible.

Suicide.

Suicide is not some heroic act. Suicide is an act of selfishness. The road to suicide is only seeing one’s value in material possessions and the way people see you. Suicide is driven by hopelessness and a lack of ignorance and understanding of God and His love and grace.

Saul’s tried to commit suicide why? What led him there?

Ahithophel, advisor, committed suicide because his advice was no longer sought out as worthy by Absalom. (2 Samuel 17:23)

Judas, the disciple who the devil entered and betrayed Jesus committed suicide because of guilt. (Matthew 27) Once Judas fell for the devil's temptations, he used him until he was no longer useful to him and then he dropped him in the pit that Judas himself had dug.

Jesus said, “The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness.” (John 10:10)

The only way out of a situation a person has found themselves in (because of their own sin) is through God.

People are “played” by the devil. People who think they are serving God by killing themselves and others are being “played” by the devil. Your actions either serve the devil or serve God.

“For the commandments against adultery and murder and stealing and coveting--and any other commandment--are all summed up in this one commandment: "Love your neighbor as yourself.” Romans 13:9

If you love yourself, as God wants you to love yourself, you would not kill your neighbor.

1 Peter 5:8 “Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour.”

You would never easily let a lion devour you…

Remember the true lion, the lion of your salvation- Jesus Christ. The lion of Judah, the lion that is portrayed as the great Aslan of Narnia. Your faithful friend and protector.

People who are being played by the devil open themselves up to every suggestion and temptation he has in his arsenal. They open the door of their soul and let the enemy of their soul steal what they instinctively know what is right from wrong.

“Yes they know 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 became utter fools instead.” Romans 1: 21

“When they refused to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their evil minds and let them do things that should never be done. Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, fighting, deception, malicious behavior and gossip. They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They are forever inventing new ways of sinning and are disobedient to their parents. They refuse to understand, break their promises and are heartless and unforgiving. They are fully aware of God’s death penalty for those who do these things, yet they go right ahead and do them anyway. And, worst yet, they encourage others to do them, too.” Romans 1:28-32

What is a person encouraging by committing suicide… more suicide.

Satan will manipulate a person into thinking suicide is the only option. He convince you that you are surrounded and there is no way out. He will make an individual so overwhelmed in his or her own thinking and emotions that they can see no way out. There is no clarity of God in those who commit suicide.

I am not talking about someone who takes a bullet for someone they love for that is murder by the hand of another human being -not suicide. Jesus Christ didn’t commit suicide. He willing and supernaturally laid down his life for our sins because he knew our sins would lead to our eternity in hell without his sinless sacrifice as the Lamb of God.

People have killed themselves because they lost every cent in the stock market… People have killed themselves because they have seen no cure to their disease. People have killed themselves because of pride and feeling humiliated. People have killed themselves because of failure. People have killed themselves because- who they thought was the love of their life had left them. People have killed themselves because they believed no one loved and appreciated them. People have killed themselves because they saw no reason or point in their life.

Strongholds of the devil in the human mind are to kill, steal and destroy a human being and those that surrounded that person. The devil wants to sift you. He wants to find your incompetence and use it against you.

That is why it is so important we don’t take God’s grace, love and wisdom for granted.

A person who commits suicide has either forgotten about God’s grace or knows very little about God’s grace. That is the same for God’s love and wisdom as well.

God’s grace is to empower us even in our weakest moment. God’s grace can be a powerful weapon. It can help us overtake and rise above where others and ourselves have failed. Be mindful of God's presence in your life.

A person who commits suicide has taken their destiny out of God’s hands. They have placed their destiny in themselves.

Jeremiah 29:11-12 “For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen."

Where is your hope and future if you have not placed it with God?

A person who commits suicide either has no hope or has a false hope and no future.

Do not take God for granted. Do not take what God has given you for granted.

Lamentations 3:22-26 “The unfailing love of the LORD never ends! By his mercies we have been kept from complete destruction. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each day. I say to myself, The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him! The LORD is wonderfully good to those who wait for him and seek him. So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the LORD.”

Overcoming Thorns

Yesterday my youngest child and I were putting up cedar branches on our porch with lights and there are some thorns on those branches. Ouch! We got bit by a few but thank God they weren't permanent painful reminders of the 60 minutes we dressed the porch up for Christmas.

In 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 the Apostle Paul is writing to the Corinth Church near Athens about a thorn in his flesh that just will not go away.

“I don’t want anyone to think more highly of me than what they can actually see in my life and my message even though I have received wonderful revelations from God. But to keep me from getting puffed up, I was given a throne in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from getting me proud. Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me. Since I know it is all for Christ’s good, I am quite content with my weaknesses and with insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (NLV)

I have heard several scholars speak on this passage and some say this infirmity was Paul losing his eyesight but as I read it I find it has more to do with issue of pride not some physical infirmity.

Paul’s weakness was his temptation to become prideful or boastful which stems from pride. He speaks of being boastful several times before in the previous verses. (Look at 11:16, 11:21, & 12:1.)

He says in 11: 23 “They say they serve Christ? I know I sound like a madman, but I have served him far more!” He then goes on to list all the things that have happened to him and then stops as he realizes where his thoughts have taken him and says “I have plenty to boast about and would be no fool in doing it, because I would be telling the truth. But I won’t do it. I don’t want anyone to think more highly of me than what they can actually see in my life and my message.”

It’s like Paul is realigning his thoughts here… when he says, “But I won’t do it.” He has however has "done it" in a matter of speaking because he wrote it down and sent it to the church of Corinth. Maybe he sent to show the church of Corinth his true colors and he was just as human as they are… I don’t know his reasoning.

Paul then speaks of this “thorn” in his flesh (Verse 12:7) and says it is a messenger from Satan to torment him and keep him from getting proud. (Often in scripture- "thorn" refers to "people" actually being a thorn in our side.

 

How many times has our own flesh and people's actions tempt us to sin?

A thorn in the Greek is translated as sharp stake. This “stake” isn’t going anywhere. It’s this presence that continually reminds Paul of his human weaknesses (Tendency of wanting to being prideful). So instead letting this dark presence overcome him, God has shown Paul a tool to overcome this "Thorn".

This tool is to bring light to his weaknesses,  to be submitted to God rather then his flesh in this thorny trying tempting situations.

Genesis 50:20 says, “As far as I am concerned, God turned into good what you meant for evil. He brought me to the high position I have today so I could save the lives of many people.” (NLT)

God can turn what was for evil for good in our lives if we focus on him.  We can be that light for Christ regardless of whom or what we face.

Sometimes it is a challenge to align ourselves with God but as soon as we get on the track that God is on we can move through what we perceived as a challenge or losing battle.

Paul says in 2 Corinthians verse 12:8-9 “Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness.” (NLT)

How often do we plead with God to take some of the thorns from our side away but in the end we see how that thorn has helped change us and become stronger as an individual in Christ? Ever notice how, a Christian, faced with a terminal condition becomes stronger spiritually? Their love becomes more refined. They no longer seem concerned for themselves but others. What changes in a person’s mindset with all the different kinds of thorns in our life?

I would have not become the person I am today and gained the knowledge I have today without some kind diversity, hardship, and challenge in my life.

Final verse: God says to Paul. (I like the New King James translation from the Greek to English better.) 2 Corinthians 12:9 And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (NKJV)

Grace (Gods Riches At Christ’s Expense). When God's grace moves in us through a situation wonders happen in us and often in others as well. 

We submit ourselves to God -our worries, anxieties, troubles, circumstances and/ or oppressions and God’s quiet strength works through us. Paul adds “Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

“Rest” in the Greek is to take possession of, to live in, descend upon, to work within and to give help to.  Similar the "rest" mentioned in Matthew 11:28 which is translated from the Hebrew word anapauō. Which means to keep quiet, be calm and have patient expectation. A “patient expectation” that God is watching over you and is working on your behalf. When you are patient you are often filled with the sense of peace. You are quiet inside. Your mind isn’t racing into dark corners and rabbit holes. It isn't depending on the justifying yourself an/or looking for a sift come back. You are calm.

When something rests upon you, it “overshadows” your life. You don’t "just" see God overseeing what is going on in your life but taking an active role in your life and that he is in charge. And as you let God’s Holy Spirit work within -you see and understand and are more appreciative for God working in your life as you enjoy his peace, comfort/hope, and joy.

CHRISTMAS not just another Holiday.

With all this talk about people having to replace Christmas with Happy Holidays it makes me wonder about the value of the word “Christmas”. I mean we value the words faithfulness, justice, freedom, love, hope, kindness, goodness, and unselfishness but where did those words originate? I maybe talking to the wrong crowd but what is the ultimate expression of these things that we value? How are they empowered in our lives and whom empowers them in our life?

You know, sometimes we are willing to give up something because it doesn’t mean much to us anymore.

Have we as a nation forgotten the true reason for the Christmas season so we let the few voices of opposition to the word “Christmas” make us tear down the things that say Christmas because it makes a few uncomfortable?

Are we suddenly a nation that changes just for a few? Are you willing to change what you wear, what you listen to, what you drive, what you watch just because someone doesn’t approve of what you like?

Someone doesn’t approve of Christ, the Lord of Lords, King of Kings, and Savior of all humanity so you get rid of the word “Christmas”?

What does the word Christmas mean? What happened to the Good News…? The Good News isn’t about being comfortable but about why Jesus Christ came.

“Christ”…. Are you ashamed of Christ? If you are ashamed of Christ what did Christ say about you being ashamed of him?

Christmas is suppose to bring glory to God’s son, Jesus Christ not about the other things the advertising industry makes it to be.

You say but what about the other holidays… What about them? You celebrate them then celebrate them but Christmas is Christmas. I don’t tell people they can put up the name Kwanzaa or Chanukah. In fact Chanukah is when the light triumphed over darkness… Christ is the true light that triumphs over darkness.

You who allow Christmas to be replaced by Happy Holidays, you have made the word Christmas worthless and false.

I was reading Isaiah and this is what it says. “Why do you keep parading through my courts with your worthless sacrifices? The incense you bring me is stench in my nostrils! Your celebrations of the new moon and the Sabbath day, and your special days for fasting- even your most pious meetings- are all sinful and false. I want nothing more to do with them. I hate all your festivals and sacrifices. I cannot stand the sight of them! For now on, when you lift up your hands in prayer, I will refuse to look. Even though you offer many prayers, I will not listen. For your hands are covered with the blood of your innocent victims. Wash yourselves and be clean! Let me no longer see your evil deeds. Give up your wicked ways. Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the orphan. Fight for the rights of widows.”

Then it says in verse 1:21 “See how Jerusalem, once so faithful, has become a prostitute. Once the home of justice and righteousness, she is now filled with murderers. Once like pure silver, you have become like worthless slag. Once so pure, you are now like watered-down wine. Your leaders are rebels, the companions of thieves. All of them take bribes and refuse to defend the orphans and the widows. Therefore, the Lord, the LORD Almighty, the Mighty One of Israel, says “I will pour out my fury on you. I will melt you down and skim off your slag. I will remove your impurities. Afterward I will give you good judges and wise counselors like the ones you use to have. Then Jerusalem will again be called the Home of Justice and the Faithful City. Because the LORD is just and righteous, the repentant people of Jerusalem will be redeemed. But all sinners will be completely destroyed, for they refused to come to the LORD.”

What does that say about America? It has become a prostitute. It accommodates who ever comes along. It calls murder of infants a choice. Justice and righteousness only come from the Lord and you want to allow a few to take down the name Christmas that points to Jesus Christ who is the only one who can save them from eternity in hell? People have watered down the meaning of Christmas to Santa Claus and his reindeer and the young who’s parents don’t attend church have no idea what Christmas means. I don’t even need to start with leaders…..

How much are you willing to let people take from you? Are you willing to prove to God and yourself that Christmas isn’t just some “Holiday”? Does the Lord’s birthday mean something to you?

Think about it.