Knowing

Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know. 1 Corinthians 8:2

The Poor Master

Figuring it was safe to linger a little, the master wandered through the halls where he saw great statues and busts of warn bronze -warmed by glowing glass lanterns hanging in their high arched wood surroundings. 

Yet in all these earthly treasures, the delight of the eye did not hinder him from his companions.  For the master knew what it felt like to be worrisome of other people‘s whereabouts and did not want to burden others with his.  He joined them in a room beside a marble stairway. 

Inside the queen spoke of the jewels that were being shown to her but before the master could hear what had been spoken a gruff voice charged at him from the shadows, “And how is it a stupid looking fool like yourself that is good for nothing be with such companions?”

The master turned to see an old man who was overseer of the room, “I suppose it is by the grace of God, that I am.” 

The humble response gave no reason for the old man to reply and the master joined his companions but for some reason the stranger’s question was like a hard heavy shard of sharp medal that had fallen into the depths and slid from one shelf to another until it struck the master’s soft heart and echoed something terrible back.

It wasn’t apparent how troubling these words were until their business was completed and they exited the great hall where their horses were awaiting.

Everyone saddled, the master saddled his own horse and hanging his head a little he spoke the rusty words that came from the haul of his soul, “You don’t think I am stupid fool do you?  I am of some use to you aren’t I?” 

His companions looked at him, “You are no fool nor a stupid fool.  And of course we are in need of your services,” they replied.

The master wondered how this was true.  They had a map.  They didn’t seem to have any problem handling themselves in large or small crowds.   All the master did was pack and haul their possessions and keep them away from certain establishments.  They could have done this all on their own.

The queen, only looking down the road said, “Don’t let that man’s words get to you.”

For the rest of the trip the master remained quiet but his brain was not for it busily dug through dusty pages thought to be forgotten and lost.

When they arrived at hilltop.  He unloaded their things and when out to the garden.    

There he sifted through the pages that his memory had put aside and like slow leak in a ship he swallowed each and every one of them until tears came from the creases of his eyes and down his cheeks.  He remembered all the flickers of chastisement.   He remembered being told he wasn’t good enough, smart enough or handsome enough.   Acidic memories smoldered in the master’s mind.    He worked three times as hard as anyone yet for some reason it was never good enough.   “NEVER GOOD ENOUGH,” seemed to be the theme through the pages of the master’s life.   He was stripped of everything…. He was a man labeled a master but was poor in the sights of this world.   He was just a simple caretaker.  He was a… nobody.

That night he crawled inside his bunk.  Not a word fell from his lips in the moonlight.  He let the peaceful quiet blanket him until he was fast asleep.

It wasn’t until the next day when he then remembered something that walloped the curtains of darkness and a reminding light came… not saying he forgot the pain but like two oars gracing the water, he began to row in the truth of the light he been shown and out from what was there to shipwreck him in the darkness. 

We all come into this world with nothing and leave this world with nothing.

And when the day comes… the master knew he would walk through that small gate and grab hold of the hand that awaits for him and they we will run as if never had run before up that tall grassy hill to see what awaits on the other side in the bright happy yellow light.

“No one is good enough” and only faith in Jesus Christ makes it so we can enter heaven. It won’t be our earthly achievements, our earthly failures, our abilities, or job titles or our looks that get us into heaven.   It will be Jesus Christ. 

Pay Attention to Your Own Work

"Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won't need to compare yourself to anyone else."
Galatians 6:4

Capricious

Three words awoke me a recent morning.  It was 4:24AM.  I wrote them down on the palm of my hand in the dark.  Capricious, Rebellious... and one other I couldn't read or remember so I have since given up on the third word.

Capricious isn't a word I use in either my verbal or written vocabulary.  Those who know me and have read this blog know this. 

To be completely honestly, I didn't even know what capricious meant exactly until I looked it up.  

I wasn't even sure if "capricious" was even in the bible but to my surprise it is.  

"And I will make mere lads their princes, and capricious children will rule over them." ISAIAH 3:4 

Children: The English translation is "children" but what does it say in the Hebrew?  This word "children" means servant or a young man or women in their twenties.  This is someone much older then a what we would think of as a child.  Then we must also think in terms of how God looks at human race...  we are but children to Him.   
  
Capricious: So what does "capricious" mean when translated? One who acts childish...  one who is ill-tempered, unreasonably ill-tempered, presumptuous, arrogant, insulting in manners, insolent, rude, disrespectful, impertinent or improper as to question God, a grown-up or one with more experience.

Princes:  In the Hebrew the root word prince means: leader, commander (especially over soldiers, or a royal body guard, a cup bearer, of a city, a prison, or cattle.  They are representative leaders of the people.  And in the book of Daniel 10:13,20 ) the term is used a "princes of angels"- the archangels that interceding with God. Then I was reminded of a dream I was given that had "princes" in it. 

When I referred to my notes, the dream was at the end January. In the dream, a friend (unknown to me as of right now) and I,  were given a large round box to deliver....  My friend and I went to deliver the box and when these group to earthly kings/princes came out and saw what we had to deliver they told tell us, "We don't want it because it is covenant."  So what were we to do... it was cold so we crossed the street with the unwanted box where it began to burn a fire inside of it...  Oddly stuck my hand into the box and did not get burned as a rummaged through it's contents.   Inside was a wood medallion as big as a dinner plate and underneath it some rings.  The rings don't seem to be anything of value to the human eye.  They look to be made of aluminum with strips of thin paper attached to on the top as if reminders.   At the bottom of the box was a cashiers check written to the United States of America but the amount of the check was left blank.  A blank check from God? And they didn't want it because they didn't want a covenant with God which meant they would have to obey the very statutes of God that bring life not destroy it.

These princes/kings looked at God's gifts as cheap and religious.  God was giving the princes and kings of the United States a blank check but they didn't want it... they would rather govern and dictate in capricious ways then submit and obey God.

The means of capriciousness..... 

A capricious person is one who casts off restraint.  

• They do what is right in their own sight. 
• They do not seek godly truth, godly reason or godly direction.
• They chase and follow and fall into every whim.  
• They stay away from, obscure and diffuse the light or what is right. 
• They are double minded and unstable... James 1:8  because their allegiance isn't solely on God.    

"Arbitrary" is another close description of capricious.... which describes a course of action or a decision that is not based on reason or judgment but on personal will or discretion without regard to rules or standards.  

I am reminded of our last ballot.... "Should those in government abide by the same laws as their they they govern?"

Is this type of capricious thinking preached and taught in television shows?  Revenge and lawlessness is okay as long as it gets what you want.  Sex is okay if it gets you what you want.  Lies are okay if it gets you what you want.  The list goes on and on.   It is without regard that all will have to stand before God.   Without saying it implements bad faith and erroneous thinking.   There is no godly logic or understanding.... and yet how many times have we seen this in history?  And how this has become the framework of oppressive rulers who do hideous things.   Think about when the anti-Christ comes to rule the world.  How difficult will it be for him to take reign when godly reason and logic are not even whispers in the streets?   And even though there is a God their minds and hearts will blind to Him like dark clouds that put a veil in front of the sun.     

Are we not living more and more in a capricious society? 

A society with complete disregard of the things of God.   A society that is estranged from God.  A society that believes "Whatever goes except God."  And it seems the more we try to better ourselves in our own understanding the more unrecognizable and undefined morality becomes.

Again... "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not depend on your own understanding." says the bible. Proverbs 3:5

It is as if everything on this world (that isn't anchored to God) is on a slippery slope and it has nothing to grab hold of to stop it from slippery further.  It is helpless to stop itself.  

Is any government not submitted to God not becoming more indifferent, arbitrary and capricious?  

Are they not deciding what is best based on their own reasoning and whims?

Yet why does God put such people over our lives?   Read Isaiah 3.  What will God take away from an unfaithful nation? Those with wisdom have been let go of... and in their place are put individuals who do not have the experience or know how.    People makes decisions based on what they think is right but they aren't anchored to God's statutes. 

Now lets look the log in our eye?   Let us humble ourselves before God seeing our erroneous thinking and knowing God has no favorites. 

Have churches in the past and are some churches today capricious in not abiding in what is written clearly in the bible?

Leaders! Ask yourself, are you estranging people from God and the things of God to make yourself comfortable and others comfortable?   Is your reasoning conducive to God or just to people?

I am reminded of Moses who chased of the shepherds away who wouldn't allow the woman to come and drink and water their animals at the well.  Is the bride of Christ not being allowed to drink from the well? Are they only given what you dictate?  If Moses only chased them away, what will Christ do to such shepherds when he comes?   

Church, those who claim Jesus is Lord and Savior, examine if you have become capricious in anyway? Examine if you in your ideals of "comfort" have favored people over God? Examine if you have become ashamed of God in anyway? Is the bible true from cover to cover?         

God is not capricious.... He is the same yesterday, today and forever. Hebrews 13:8

Clearly man left to only his own "tactic" is capricious.   A capricious man doesn't say, "Lord willing" but he goes right ahead and does it anyway suffering the consequences of his godless ways.

Faith..... is submission to God is it not?

For in the measure of faith given and grown and tended to by the Spirit of God- capriciousness is limited and put in restraint.  The lungs that breath such godly understanding do well and gracefully grow in the unlimited resources of God- not the limited understanding of man or the whims of the man.  

When the Spirit is allowed freedom in one's life it becomes evident of the anchor one has in the love and wisdom of God.    

Capriciousness is born and bred from our own selfish understanding which limits us.  For our own "fickle" understanding is like a barrier stopping us from entering the will of God.  For this we already know through experience but in capricious thinking we make a fatal error- thinking God is capricious as well in all he decides and orchestrates. 

AND in capriciousness that is where the bad type of fear has it's place towards God.  Where can a man stand in his faith if God is capricious?  No where!  No man can stand on what is unsettle.  Praise God! He is called our ROCK!  He does not change.

God maybe unorthodox but he is not capricious in his ways and all he has set up from the beginning.

AND God hasn't given us the spirit of fear - but gives us the ability to have a sound mind.  For the Spirit goes to work taking the selfish rebellious sword in all it's capriciousness and turns it into a godly plowshare.  He, the Spirit, tills up the hard ground of erroneous capricious thinking so new godly growth can flourish in what was veiled before by our own selfish understanding.  For mere human might or power does nothing but by the Spirit of God accomplishes what God has purposed and ordained.   

For who can find the well of life in the desert when one can only see sand?  And who can bring life to a desert?



  

 

Root Bound

By Rebecca Brogan

Never claiming to know it all, I have assumed much in my life and about God and in that assumption lived out what I have assumed. 

I enjoy growing trees and plants… and as they grow I have to put them in bigger pots so they don’t become root bound or pot bound.  Root bound or pot bounds means they don’t have enough potting soil left to give them the nutrition they need to grow because the roots have taken up all the space in the container or pot.

 “I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit. 17 And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God. 20 Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope. 21 May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages. Amen.”  Ephesians 3:16-21

In a very real way God needs to take us out of the pot we have put ourselves into so we may grow in the fullness of Him not some varying degrees of Him or human rational of Him.   You see we can become pot bound in our understandings of God.  We can assume that just because we haven’t experienced anything different of God that “this” is the way it “is” or is suppose to be -not realizing outside the pot of our understanding is a universe God wants us to discover and experience and live in. 

ROMANS 1:21-23 "For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.  Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures… ROMANS 1:21-23

We do not worship Buddha or the creation or worship some Hindu god but in what ways have we “professing to be wise, become fools, exchanging the glory of the incorruptible God for something more suitable to man’s liking?

 ”You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you, for he wrote,  ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me^.  Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God.’” MATTHEW 15:7-9

We claim to be wise in the things of God yet we deny the very things God wants us to know and experience and we ignore, do away with  and replace them with versions that we think are sound for this day and age.  We do so to make others and ourselves feel more comfortable yet estranging them and us of God and the things of God.   We claim God is the same yesterday, today and forever yet…some churches say God doesn’t have people work in the Spiritual gifts anymore…  

“‘In the last days, God says,
    I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
    your young men will see visions,
    your old men will dream dreams.
¹⁸ Even on my servants, both men and women,
    I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
    and they will prophesy. Acts 2:17-18

“A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. ⁸ To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge.⁹ The same Spirit gives great faith to another, and to someone else the one Spirit gives the gift of healing. ¹⁰ He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and another the ability to prophesy. He gives someone else the ability to discern whether a message is from the Spirit of God or from another spirit. Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages, while another is given the ability to interpret what is being said. ¹¹ It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have.”  1 Corinthians 12:7-11

What do you suppose a Pastor works in if he doesn’t work in the gifts given to him by God?

If he just works in “himself” … is his teaching done in Spirit and truth?

Jesus said, “ ….. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” JOHN 6:63

Jesus also said, “God is Spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth."  JOHN 4:24

For we know when a Pastor preaches it should do what?  His sermon should address the spiritual needs of God’s people.

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.”  2 Timothy 3:16-17

You are living what if not in Spirit and truth?

If it is raining outside and you say it is sunny outside – are you lying? If you are living in denial because of your want to sin does that mean you are not living in sin?

 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.  Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever.  So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.  I know that you are Abraham’s descendants. Yet you are looking for a way to kill me, because you have no room for my word.   I am telling you what I have seen in the Father’s presence, and you are doing what you have heard from your father.” JOHN 8:34-38

Ask yourself people of God: Do you have room for Jesus word in your hearts?  Or is it crowded and filled up with your own understanding?  Are you pot bound? Whose word do you go by- God’s or man’s?

“How can a young person stay on the path of purity?
    By living according to your word.
¹⁰ I seek you with all my heart;
    do not let me stray from your commands.
¹¹ I have hidden your word in my heart
    that I might not sin against you.
¹² Praise be to you, Lord;
    teach me your decrees.
¹³ With my lips I recount
    all the laws that come from your mouth.
¹⁴ I rejoice in following your statutes
    as one rejoices in great riches.
¹⁵ I meditate on your precepts
    and consider your ways.
¹⁶ I delight in your decrees;
    I will not neglect your word.”   Psalm 119:9-16

Are you just living in your pot of understanding?  Are you doing so because you have not considered all God’s ways, have you not considered all his decrees? What He said would happen and what he had done from before we know as the beginning?  Are you neglecting some of His word?

Have we become comfortable in our own understanding of God that we unwelcome God fully in how he wants to work in His people?

 "Then Jesus told them, “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his relatives and his own family.” And because of their unbelief, he couldn’t do any miracles among them except to place his hands on a few sick people and heal them. And he was amazed at their unbelief." MARK 6:4-6

Think about it?  I don’t think God is amazed of our unbelief but he wants to unbind us of the understanding and unbelief and plant us in the marvelous soil of His love.

Does God Challenge You? 6

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GOING TO GOD FOR CLARIFICATION

When service ended, God had healed and touched many but when I got home that night… actually that morning… 12 AM, I was very challenged…. I went to the LORD in silent prayer.  I brought up Peter and John and the man who couldn’t walk.

Peter said, "I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene-- walk!" And seizing him by the right hand, he raised him up; and immediately his feet and his ankles were strengthened.…” Acts 3:6

Why didn’t something like this just happen?  Why all this other stuff?

Jesus reminded me.... of the unconventional ways he worked in.  He did not just lay hands on sick and they were instantly healed but he did other things as well.

“Then he spit on the ground, made mud with the saliva, and spread the mud over the blind man's eyes and said to him, ‘Go, wash in the pool of Siloam’ (which is translated, Sent). So he went away and washed, and came back seeing.…” John 9:6

Jesus took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village. Then, spitting on the man’s eyes, he laid his hands on him and asked, “Can you see anything now?”

The man looked around. “Yes,” he said, “I see people, but I can’t see them very clearly. They look like trees walking around.”

Then Jesus placed his hands on the man’s eyes again, and his eyes were opened. His sight was completely restored, and he could see everything clearly. Mark 8:23-25

A deaf man with a speech impediment was brought to him, and the people begged Jesus to lay his hands on the man to heal him.

Jesus led him away from the crowd so they could be alone. He put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then, spitting on his own fingers, he touched the man’s tongue.  Looking up to heaven, he sighed and said, “Ephphatha,” which means, “Be opened!” Instantly the man could hear perfectly, and his tongue was freed so he could speak plainly! Mark 7:32-35

“When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick.” Matthew 18:6

^"So Naaman went with his horses and chariots and waited at the door of Elisha’s house.  But Elisha sent a messenger out to him with this message: “Go and wash yourself seven times in the Jordan River. Then your skin will be restored, and you will be healed of your leprosy.”

But Naaman became angry and stalked away. “I thought he would certainly come out to meet me!” he said. “I expected him to wave his hand over the leprosy and call on the name of the Lord his God and heal me! Aren’t the rivers of Damascus, the Abana and the Pharpar, better than any of the rivers of Israel? Why shouldn’t I wash in them and be healed?” So Naaman turned and went away in a rage.

But his officers tried to reason with him and said, “Sir, if the prophet had told you to do something very difficult, wouldn’t you have done it? So you should certainly obey him when he says simply, ‘Go and wash and be cured!’”  So Naaman went down to the Jordan River and dipped himself seven times, as the man of God had instructed him. And his skin became as healthy as the skin of a young child’s, and he was healed!" 2 Kings 5:9-14

I think when we are uncertain or overwhelmed or beside ourselves about something God has shown us or told us to do, instead of excusing it or disregarding it, or becoming hardened by it, or running away from it… go to Him.

He will give you reassurance you need to settle the unrest within – to let go and let God - and you can add to the never-ending dimension of the understanding of God. You will realize the challenges were to awaken you to more of God.

Does God Challenge You? 5

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EXPECTATIONS

Recently others and myself were challenged again when God sent Pastor Onesmus from Kenya Africa to our little church in the hill country.

Sunday, the day of Onesmus' arrival I received this word….

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on our own understanding.  Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6

Yes… I know I have read this many times… I got it… but did I really get it? Did I really take it to heart the way I should have? 

Ever come with expectation to something? How about a movie, a destination, a new purchased item, a project, a new member of the family?

We set high expectations and low expectations.  We even set expectations of unbelief. We write them down with our invisible pens as if we are authors of our days and when these expectations are broken we are usually either discouraged or pleasantly surprised.

But then again there are other times when they are just… challenged.

I think expectations can be good but expectations we set up in our mind about how God works verses the complexity of how God really works can be hard hurtles to cross over at times….  Especially when God does the unexpected.   

Again…. If you think you have figured out how God works… watch out!!!

  

Expectations need to be on God and God alone.... not your own preconceived notions of what may or may not happen. 

EXPECTATION MEET THE UNEXPECTED

I am not certain what my expectation was... I knew there was going to be some "unconventional" happenings with Onesmus' visit but I was challenged by what God had Him do.

Some of the things seemed down right cruel and rude and MORE unconventional then I expected. 

Onesmus, hands COVERED in olive oil, began to do as directed by the Spirit, the congregation – some who came all the way from Arizona, Houston and Austin, prayed.

Onesmus would not just speak to the ailments but he would have the sick themselves speak to the ailments.  In his Kenyan accent he would say, “Cancer go back to your father!”  Deafness go back to your father! Confusion go back to your father!”  He would refer to the sickness as the devil.   “Devil go!”  He would have the people repeat after Him…

He would do all kinds of unorthodox things such as blowing on people, spitting in one person’s eyes, pouring olive oil in a person’s ears and then pouring water on their back, rubbing his hands on their body, and some would scream in terrible pain…. 

Yet when these seemingly cruel, rude and strange things were over- people were healed of their ailments, sicknesses, solicitations and oppressions.  And they had smiles on their faces...  What smiles?  How could this be?  What just happened? 

Does God Challenge You? 4

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BORN AGAIN?

Before I was saved, I believed there was a God and I believed there was a Jesus Christ…   We celebrated Jesus’ birthday on Christmas and his resurrection at Easter but just because I took in the material benefits of those holidays and believe there was a God and there was a Jesus Christ didn’t mean I was saved. I mean… even Satan, the Devil, the old serpent and his demons know there is a God and a Jesus Christ.     

So what does “born-again” mean?

Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.' The wind blows wherever it wants. 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.” John 3:5-8

"Born-Again"... means you have “trusted in” and “believe in” Jesus Christ as your LORD and Savior.  You have given Him your life, and He in return has given you "His" Spirit (Holy Spirit) who enlightens your understanding.  God's Spirit transforms your life as you learn to live/abide by the Holy Spirit and word of God- The Holy Bible.

 

A "Born-again" Christian does not continue to "practice, exercise, habitually or regularly do the sinful things they used to do.  Are they perfect?  No!... They make mistakes and they have to fight the lustful ways of the flesh and the solicitations of evil by God who is Spirit and the word of God. 

“The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you--they are full of the Spirit and life.” John 6:63

^"Then he said to me, 'This is what the Lord says to Zerubbabel: It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit', says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies."  Zechariah 4:6

No one is perfect that is why we all need Jesus Christ as our LORD and Savior.  The born-again Christian forgets at times to depend on God and succumbs to outside pressures and falls into sin.  The unbeliever needs Jesus just as all do to be saved and transformed.  A "born-again" believer wants to please God with their life and the unbeliever doesn’t want to please God but themselves. 

Ezekiel 36:26-27   "And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations."

The born-again Christian wants nothing to come between them and God so often even in challenges, revealed by God, a believer will go to God for clarification, understanding, and strength. 

The born-again Christian knows a guilty conscious wreaks havoc on the soul….  so they will quickly and humbly repent before God and other believers.

“Holding fast to faith (that leaning of the entire human personality on God in absolute trust and confidence) and having a good (clear) conscience. By rejecting and thrusting from them [their conscience], some individuals have made shipwreck of their faith.” 1 Timothy 1:19 AMP

CONTINUING TO BE CHALLENGED

As a born-again believer- I am not repulsed by those who speak in tongues.  A specialized word from the LORD given to the congregation is pretty regular… I am not uncomfortable when fellow believers raise their hands in worship.  Anointing oil and the laying of hands on people is pretty common. It is not unusually to see people dance in service.  "Slain" in the Spirit, laughter in the Spirit, drunk in the Spirit- isn’t commonplace but I have seen it and experienced it. - Yes and this is coming from one who was once a skeptic.  

I think as a Christian, it is important to ask God to direct you according to His Word when you are spiritually challenged.  For we know God, who is Spirit, is living spiritual truth… and that TRUTH inspired the scripture in the bible. 

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.” 2 Timothy 3:16

God can often challenge us to show we can’t put Him in a box of our own understanding- no matter how big or small the box maybe.   And sometimes I think God shows us new things so we will have a conversation with Him.  He loves us and he doesn’t want us to limit all he can be in our lives

Does God Challenge You? 3

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SPIRITUAL CHECK-UP

I think in America and probably else we have come to think, "This is how it should be"... when it comes to things concerning God…  But is it?  What is “normal” with God?

This type of thinking “This is how it should be,” has only brought trouble… look at all the separated doctrine Christian churches!  Look how they have changed over time… I am not knocking the Methodist Church but I going to use them as an example.   Methodist Churches do MANY great works in their communities along with other churches but as the years have gone by they no longer work in or approve of the giftings of the Holy Spirit such a speaking in tongues and prophecy and interpretation of tongues.  What changed this?  It’s the understandings of man verse the reality of God.

 

Remember what Jesus says to the church of Ephesus?

“I know your industry and activities, laborious toil and trouble, and your patient endurance, and how you cannot tolerate wicked [men] and have tested and critically appraised those who call [themselves] apostles (special messengers of Christ) and yet are not, and have found them to be impostors and liars.

³ I know you are enduring patiently and are bearing up for My name’s sake, and you have not fainted or become exhausted or grown weary.

⁴ But I have this [one charge to make] against you: that you have left (abandoned) the love that you had at first [you have deserted Me, your first love].

⁵ Remember then from what heights you have fallen. Repent (change the inner man to meet God’s will) and do the works you did previously [when first you knew the Lord], or else I will visit you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you change your mind and repent.”  Revelation 2:2-5 AMP

That can go for any church or any individual in the church.  Religious activity can be just a meaningless to God as unreligious activity because God wants a relationship with us -and His will to be done. 

If we “do” -not in “both” Spirit and truth then what “it” is to God?

When the experience is of burden and empty of joy we must ask ourselves… where is God?  When the experience is only for our own gain- where is God? 

Where have we positioned ourselves in regards to the experience and God? Is it more about us then it is about God?  

AND how has this routine, regimented, foolish, thinking got us closer with God?  Look back that Revelation again my friend.

When the winds and storms start to blow in this life and the driving rains become rushing floodwaters to sweep away all that grows- what will become of us?  Is it about works or a relationship with God?

I am being reminded of Martha and Mary…

“As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home.  Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught.  But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.”

 But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Luke 10”38-42

Honestly ask yourself this question…  Do we just sit on the surface (roots and all)- knowing God has more but never seeking, never discovering and never anchoring our faith more deeply in HIM? 

What happens to our shallow understanding when troubles come?  God help us see our continual need in anchoring ourselves in relationship with HIM.  

We might be able to control and schedule our services and things in our lives but these things… what are they? These things are fragile things…  and these fragile things if not orchestrated by God are what?  Who really has control?  What are they really strengthening?

Was Jesus ever “routine” when he went about the Father’s business?  (Read it again.)  Who’s schedule and plans did Jesus go by?  What was Jesus addressing and strengthening and healing?  Did he not just challenge the unreligious but the religious as well?

I consider myself a pretty open minded Christian.  I was not always so.  Speaking in tongues would just "freak me out!"  Slain in the Spirit... I just thought that was fake....  And.... well anything else that fell along that side of the tracks was just STRANGE and SCARY....) 

In truth… I trusted in what I understood.  Anything that wasn't "traditional" just was WEIRD.....  Until GOD used the very things I wanted to stay FAR away from to touch and change my life.  

Speaking of which…let’s talk about the term “born again”

Does God Challenge You? 2

THE UNTAMED GOD

It isn’t uncommon to hear about a pastor who experiences the gifts of the Spirit to be asked to step down or even leave the church. 

People filled with the Spirit have been asked to refrain from such actions or leave the church for far less… such as raising their hands during worship, speaking in tongues and even coming to the alter to pray… and it’s the alter for crying out loud.

Why do you suppose this is?  One explanation is no matter if we like to admit it or not, people like to control.  We like to stay away from anything that might make others feel uncomfortable or look “messy” or “out of place.”  We control for reasons from power to comfort to erroneous thinking.    And what we can’t control or doesn’t fit within the confines of our worldly doctrine or religious doctrine we want to get rid of.

JESUS CHRIST is LORD and SAVIOR.   He is the only way to heaven- to the FATHER. 

 Jesus said to him, “I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me.”  JOHN 14:6

He is the same yesterday, today and forever.

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” HEBREWS 3:18

Does God do ANYTHING that is unorthodox in your understanding?

Ask yourself- Do you honesty think you know how God works? – Do you really have Him ALL figured out?  Do you think any man or woman has Him ALL figured out?

Thus says the LORD:

“Cursed is the man who trusts in man
And makes flesh his strength,
Whose heart departs from the Lord.
 For he shall be like a shrub in the desert,
And shall not see when good comes,
But shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness,
In a salt land which is not inhabited.” JEREMIAH 17:5-6

"Then Jesus told them, 'A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his relatives and his own family.' And because of their unbelief, he could not do any miracles among them except to place his hands on a few sick people and heal them.   And he was amazed at their unbelief." Mark 6:4-6 

Is there also any root "Unbelief"?  Is there unbelief in the church?  Is Jesus, our LORD, not fully honored amongst HIS own relatives and own family (The children of God)? 

How have you and I excused, rationalized and explained away the things of God?

Again…. Why do you suppose we do this?  Does it go against what we feel God should do or not do?  Are we fearful of what we don’t understand?  Are we more comfortable in the religious doctrines of man then what God wants to reveal and show us outside the doctrines of man?  Do we not have the faith?  Are we putting emphasis on us then on God?  

I was telling a brother in Christ about a present day pastor who suddenly began to speak in tongues from the pulpit.   He was just as surprised as anyone else but the leadership of the church told him to step down and leave the church.  After the pastor left, God told him to share the gospel in the streets but he was barely making any money… so he decided to go farm.   He and his wife both received visions telling him to go back and preach the gospel in the streets but he stubbornly refused.   God seeing the man’s stubbornness, sent an angel before Him that put a double edge blade to his throat and said, “You will do as the Lord as commanded you to do or you will die!”

This idea of God sending an angel to put a blade to someone’s neck challenges our traditional thinking of God.  We want to claim it is a lie or a trick of the devil because it doesn’t relate to our understanding of a “loving” God.  And yet we say we believe God is the same yesterday, today and forever but do we really believe it?  

What was the purpose of this pastor in God's plan?  What is just about the pastor or the people God wanted to save through the pastor's words? 

My brother in Christ wanted to dismiss this challenging idea but then the Spirit of God quickened inside of him and reminded him of Balaam.  

Balaam in Numbers 22:31-33 

 ^“Then the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the roadway with a drawn sword in his hand. Balaam bowed his head and fell face down on the ground before him.

“Why did you beat your donkey those three times?” the angel of the Lord demanded. “Look, I have come to block your way because you are stubbornly resisting me.  Three times the donkey saw me and shied away; otherwise, I would certainly have killed you by now and spared the donkey.”

 

These challenging awakenings break the walls of our understanding about God.   We see just how little we know about the ways of God… We think we have Him somewhat figured out but we don’t.

This same modern day pastor was confronted in the streets by those practicing witchcraft.   They told him, “ If you don’t leave we will kill you…”

The man of God rebuked them and told them,” No! You will die if you do not leave”.

The next day those who threatened to kill him were either found dead or gone.    

This sounds like something out of the Old Testament but it is from this day and age yet God challenges our understanding and we want to disregard it. 

We read, “Fear of the Lord is the beginning of all wisdom” Proverbs 9:10. 

So what kind of rational do we characterize as fear of God/the Lord?  

Where on the scales of the human mind do you weigh the fear of the Lord?  What kind of “loving” bias do we think God has towards us when we read in his word, “God has no bias?”

 ^“For God does not show favoritism.” Romans 2:11