Breaking Ranks 3

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 The Invitation Has Been Sent Out

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.”  Let each one who hears them say, “Come.”  Let the thirsty ones   Let them come and drink the water of life without charge.” Revelation 22:17

come- anyone who wants to.

Thirsty? Come! 

No matter who you are, no matter how long you have or have not been a Christian- God wants to change your life!   I believe he said, “Life and Life more abundantly.” 

I believe if life falls short of “abundantly”….

It’s time to break ranks. 

Just as people cannot break free from the bondage that holds them, people cannot break ranks unless they turn to Jesus, repent, let go and start letting God/Jesus teach you to live in the understanding/will of the Spirit of God.

Let this be a refreshing living word for us

Romans 12:2 says “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.  Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is.”

I think we can get into this rut or believe some lie that holds us back and from breaking rank where we truly experience what God wants for us.   

To truly live as God intends us to live we must “let” be reliant on Him in all things.  I mean how much of the burden do you carry? Are you “yoked” with God or not?   

Our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ lived in this way of thinking… and because He did, He continually broke ranks with the ways of men.  Think about it.  He crossed lines that men set.  He went against the grain of society norms.  Men hated and resented Him and do to this day because of who He IS -not truly understanding He is God- not us.

 

He even breaks ranks in the people He chooses to represent Him expecting us to break ranks as well and live by His example- in only being captive in Spirit (Him/God), not to ways of men. 

When we start to believe we are contained by “something” other then God what happens? I can tell you it’s pretty lousy.

But what happens to our cup when we allow God to stir and fill it up?

 Psalm 23:5-6 says…

“You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies.  You welcome me as a guest, anointing my head with oil.  My cup overflows with blessings.   Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life and I will live in the house of the LORD forever.”

 And Proverbs 21:1 says…

“The king’s heart is like a stream of water directed by the LORD; he turns it wherever he pleases.”

 Think about it....

Breaking Ranks 2

 

…. God says, “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.  I have called you by name; you are Mine. When you go through the deep waters, I will be with you.” Isaiah 43:1-2

I was reminded of a passage written by the prophet Ezekiel.  A man (probably Jesus) showed Ezekiel water that was coming up from beneath the threshold of the temple.  The stream passed to the right of the alter and went though the south side of the east gate. The man measured the stream every 1750 feet.  He did this four times and each time told Ezekiel to cross the stream.  The first time it was up to Ezekiel’s ankles.  The second time it was up to his knees.  The third time it was up to his waist and the fourth time the stream had turned into a river that was too deep to cross without swimming.  The man led Ezekiel back along the riverbank and to Ezekiel’s surprise there were suddenly fruit trees growing on both sides of the river producing a new fruit crop every month.  This fruit was for food and the leaves from these trees for healing (Revelation 22). The river then flowed into the desert where it entered the Dead Sea where it turned the salt water into fresh water.  Fish of every kind abound there and fishermen would stand along the opposite of shores drying their nets but the marshes and swamps did not become purified but became sources for salt.  (Note Ezekiel 47:1-12)

What a WONDROUS illustration this should be to us….

Combined God’s word and Spirit (the stream/river) is the source of power and life for His temple (us).  His Word and Holy Spirit purify and flow from within, maturing, sanctifying and clothing us.

1 Corinthians 3:16 says “Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in your midst?”

His Spirit brings an understanding of His GREAT love until we are literally swimming in it (Ephesians 3:17-20, 2 Peter 1:5-8).  God’s Spirit goes where? The desert.  He sought me out in the desert.  He brought me life and he planted me along the riverbank (Psalm 1) where we produce the fruit of the Spirit and gifts of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11).

His Spirit brings life to where there was nothing.  He touches people of every kind and leaves us examples of what happens when we don’t trust God, try to control, are not obedient to HIM and look to and practice sin -hence the salt marshes and swamps where nothing lives and death remains.

God is the God who makes all things new.  His thoughts are higher then our thoughts and His ways are higher then our ways. (Isaiah 55:8-9, Revelation 21:5)

Without God’s Spirit at work within us, we are naked. 

Jesus said 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 poor and blind and naked.”  Revelation 3:15-17

 

We have no relationship with God if we don’t have the Spirit of God at work within us... Remember the foolish brides/virgins in Matthew 25?

 

A people, who experience spiritual death and spiritual birth/LIFE, should break ranks.  They should want to experience renewal and LIFE and not settle.  Remember God speaking to the dry bones in the valley and giving them tendons and them with flesh and skin and breath again? (Ezekiel 37:1-14) 

Breaking Ranks 1

Just as there is a time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones, there is a time to close ranks and a time to break ranks.

New Christian Jews grew up with the law and though they could not live up to them, they had a difficult time leaving them behind.  The law was what the Jews “knew”- this living by the grace of God through Jesus Christ was all new to them.  They were breaking ranks with the old ways.   No longer did they have to bring their sacrifices to the temple for their sins, which were “tangible”… and made them feel in this sort control but now they had to trust in the “intangible”. 

In all honesty, churches in this age have the same problem.  They want “comfort” that is controlled by them. 

This past December my wife and I walked into a young man's hospital room whom we loved and appreciated.  Just by looking at his body you would have thought he was just sleeping.  Even the monitors in the room recorded a steady heartbeat but upon closer examination all brain function had stopped.

A life support machine gave his body the appearance of "life" keeping his organs and tissue viable for transplant.  

The church can be on "life-support".  It can look alive but spiritually "dead".  It can have the appearance of "life" with programs, events, bible studies, teaching and so on but "activity" doesn't necessary mean it's spiritually" alive "

Jesus said to the church of Sardis, "I know all the things you do, and you have a reputation for being alive- but you are dead." Revelation 3:1

 … the intangible is unpredictable, challenging, unorthodox and at times irrational in our understanding.  I am sure when Jesus told the man to fill the containers with water and pour some for the master of ceremonies, he probably thought, "How can water be mistaken as wine?"     

I was given a picture once.  The Spirit of God was like a beautiful wild stallion and He comes when we are still.

He says, "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." Psalm 46:10

The Spirit of God cannot be tamed.  He does not fit or can he be contained nor does he feel welcomed by wayward hearts, lip service, man made customs and rules learned by rote. (Isaiah 29:13)

 He is the Spirit of God that must be FREE not shackled and directed by unreliable men!

This same stirring and restless should live in the believer!
 

For a people to live as GOD intends us to live, we must not only break ranks with the unjust ungodly rules, social norms, and sinful ideals of this world but religious mindsets.  

Ever hear, “That is the way we have always done it”?   

How about thinking and living too much in the past? What does this mean to the new Christian?!!!    How about compromising the word of God to appease the views of the world? Who is the church to reflect? God or the world?
 

Look at the beautiful cathedrals and church buildings in Europe where God’s people used gather.  Do you wonder why some nearly stand as empty shrines for tourist to visit and held religious ceremony?   
Why did they become to be this way?  What became law in their hearts? What encroached and infringed? What became censored?  How were they scrutinized? Were they persecuted?  Were they tamed by society? Did they compromise the word of God and in doing so... God became no one to honor or fear? 

When churches become like tombs, God becomes an absent “god” in people’s minds.  He becomes that “unknown God” that people give little thought to even when they walk through shadows of steeples that hold up a cross.  And the signs are obvious... a rot and decay of society... the suffering and loss of souls for lack of knowledge of God (Hosea 4:6).  The church building soon becomes just a social gathering place, a club for “Christians”.

Do we see this happening in America?

Comforts

A Christian church will die if:
1. It compromises to the ungodly pressures or thinks it's doing the world a service by agreeing with it's sin.   This is dangerous, laws are made in people's hearts and legislation and soon "anything evil" goes.  (Sin separates us from God.)

2. If it thinks it has "arrived".   It has experienced worldly success and soon sees no need for workings of Spirit of God.  It does what it feels is best without consulting God.

And just as the" law" did nothing for the Jews except to show their guilt of sin so are these so-called “comforts” that are like a plague to a church.

For as children of God we have heard these words, “The law kills but the Spirit gives life.” (2 Corinthians 3:6)

The “comforts” of man do little to sustain our spiritual house in fact I have found they actually weaken and brings instability into our life and those around us- for sanity and peace are gifts from God to those who trust and are guided by Him. 

 Colossians says," Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ." 2:8

Restoration

I am not going to be long.

The last few weeks have to do with "Restoration" of the church and individual.

There is much work still to be done.  No time to waste.  There is also "opposition" within the church to ignore the work that has to be done.   They want to cover up the problems and focus their attentions else where.

There are those who only want to play church and keep the status quo- madness.

The King has requested his priests to make repairs to the temple but nothing has been done so He will soon take things into his own hands.
    
The idea of obedience and deep reverence of God seems to be lost on some of the churches of this day.   We much rather talk about the grace and mercy and love of God instead of the justice and judgment of God.

The materials that were used before on the temple were not sustainable materials.  They did not lasted and the temple has suffered.

Pray, reflect and evaluate yourself.
Pray for the church.

Remember God is in control.  

Establish Your Hearts.

James 5:8 “You also, be patient.  Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.”

I find in this day and age, people aren’t as patient as they used to be.  They want things the day after they order them from a website.  They want their shows to be nicely wrapped up by the end of the episode.  They want a quick fix to their problems.  

People are offered a pill to solve their problem but does it? (Have you heard or read some of the side affects to some of these medications that can result in death?  They are often worse then the problem itself.)  And does it solve the problem or just mask the symptoms or issues? 

(Not much good to say about many of man's quick fixes as the mind goes to things like abortion and death at convenience.)

Patience is difficult.  It is also difficult in the most difficult of circumstances.  
 
When we don’t avail ourselves to God we don’t have patience.  When we think we should be the one in control, we don’t have patience. When things aren’t going the way we think they should go, what happens?  Many destructive and sad things happen when we try to control.  True in the bible and true now.

Do we really have control?

The word of God says that Spirit of God (The Holy Spirit) gives us self-control/self-restraint.  He is given to those who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.  He is to help us from wandering into the busy unsafe highways of lust, fear, depression, anxiety, hopelessness, worry, frustration, and doubt.

He establishes our heart.  He feeds the heart of what it needs most. He prepares our heart.  He encourages our heart.  He gives our heart hope.  He gives our heart boldness and strength yet humility.  He gives our heart the ability live in the satisfying will of Himself… IF we just avail ourselves to Him.

  

The issue is… we as people of Adam and Eve are accustomed to availing ourselves to us and our understanding, not to Him/God.  God says not to depend on our own understanding because often it leads to harm and hurt to us and others.

We each have been given a will and it is our choice to trust God or not.  God’s word says he has put a measure of faith of Himself in each one of us to see and know He exists.  God knows what is going on in our hearts and what is happening in our days.  Like flipping the pages of a small book with his fingers, He has seen our so brief life.  He also knows our eternity and our choice to trust in His Son, Jesus Christ, as our Savior or not.

The baby that was born of a virgin on Christmas morning will be returning as King for those who have surrendered their heart to Him (Jesus Christ).  Some have and will scoff at this and the bible speaks of people who will scoff at this.  BUT what matters more then the temporary scoffing, which will mean nothing in the complexity of eternity, is that our heart is established for His coming?

 

If this truth doesn’t warm our heart but unsettles our heart think why?

If our heart is unsettled maybe a reason is because we haven’t surrendered or completely surrendered our heart to Jesus (the reason for Christ-mas) who lives and establishes our heart with this comforting reality that He is coming back for us.

Our relationship with God is suppose to be daily- (for me it needs to be an hourly thing… I need it.)  But in journaling, reading His word, listening and conversing with Him, God settles and confirms our heart.  As we avail ourselves to Him, God avails Himself to us.  

True. This takes time. Time not to be filled with just ourselves and our own schedule but time with God.  For we must remember this time in which we live is all we got.  There is no more and we really don't know how much we do have.  But time with God is worth every little bit to our soul.  And I am a bit amazed when He expands on what was previously thought already expanded upon.  And how what was so dry and crusty before can become a refreshing piece of food for my soul.    

 For the Word of God says, “For in Him we live and move and have our being.”

This experience we call “life” (this type of school, this type children’s camp, this type of hotel or boot camp) will soon be over, as we know it.  Jesus will be loading up the “spiritual buses” and taking us home… a home He has created for those who have trusted and believed in Him.

Some of you know this but let the "knowing"… remain in the living knowing of the heart not just the mind -for what comes out of the heart will also come out of our words and actions.  Amen.

Again, in love… “You also, be patient.  Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.”

 

Hindered Prayers Part 4

“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.” Romans 1:20

Did God answer my prayers when I lived as the world?  I must say, by His grace and mercy God did answer my prayers but why did he do so?  I mean my “god” was a salad version of the real God.  I now think back upon those answered prayers as if they were breadcrumbs or stones leading out of the desert of my misery to Him. 

I am reminded of this verse:

“This is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.  For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,” 1 Timothy 2:4-5

By answered prayers God was helping me come to the knowledge of the truth BUT by no means was I receiving “empowerment” from God.  I was still hindered.  I had escaped the “troubles” of that moment BUT I was not free for long before I was suffering from some other trouble.  Yep “Futile”.

It wasn’t until AFTER I gave my life to Christ Jesus I discovered another aspect of prayer- empowering prayer.

“Unhindered prayer” is “empowered prayer”.  Empowered prayer is allowing the Holy Spirit (God’s Spirit) to empower us and often that includes the word of God.

Example: We feel the urge to worry.  The Holy Spirit reminds us of a verse like: “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.” Philippians 4:6-7

Before I came to Christ Jesus I couldn’t “receive” this verse.  It was far out of my reach.   It wasn’t until I came to Christ Jesus that I received such a peace.  The Holy Spirit pinpoints the verse we need to “hear” so we can comply and when we comply -He then can implement this verse in our life.

Ephesians says by the Holy Spirit, we become God’s own people and receive everything God has promised in His word.  (Note Ephesians 1:13-14).

Don’t be fooled.   How can we be empowered if we don’t learn God’s word?  What can the Spirit work with to “activate” in our life if we don’t have truth in us?  THE Spirit activates “living” words in our life not myths? 

“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17

Colossians 3:16 “Let the words of Christ, in all their richness, live in your hearts and make you wise.  Use his words to teach and counsel each other.  Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.” 

Don't Be A Hard Hearted Fool

“He is so cold hearted!”

“She is so closed minded!”

“Where do they get off having this self entitled mentality?”

Foot traffic and the elements of the hot sun and hard rains can compress the ground where nothing grows but weeds.  Our heart and mind can be hardened by the circumstances of the world if we are not careful.

We can allow the past, the present and even our perceptions of the future harden our heart and mind to a point where we can spiritually live in a thorny weedy patch.  We can become a living Eeyore. 

In fact that is precisely what one king became because he choose to ignore God.  He became so full of himself that bible says King Nebuchadnezzar was driven away from mankind and began eating grass like cattle, and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair had grown like eagle’s feathers and his nails like birds’ claws. (Note: Daniel 4)

Sure we can go to church or listen or watch a sermon but what good is the sown word from God if the hard ground hasn’t been plowed?  What good is it? Might as well be given to the birds.  I remember going to church before I became a Christian. Did I receive anything…? No Not a thing because I had a hard heart.

When we don’t acknowledge God for WHO HE is we don’t have self-restraint.  We are seeing this now in people actions.  They are exhibiting doubt, anger, fear, depression, hate and no self-control because they don’t believe God is in control.  They are practicing what they preach- atheism. 

Their internal compass is broken and they can’t find what is true north.    

A heart and mind compressed by the cares and affairs of this life leaves them a slave to the circumstances in life.

Our soul wasn’t designed by our Creator to be to sustained by “weeds.”  It craves the food that our Creator gives… and is only sustained by Him.

Without God people will blindly eat whatever they are given without a second thought of who is feeding them these “weedy” thoughts.    

We are no different at times in our life.  At times in our life we can’t see the “who” either.  The difficult circumstances can be so great that we can’t see Satan wanting to drown us in the dark discouraging things of this life.  The man named “Job” in the bible is a good example of this.

We can’t be obligated to put our hopes and cares only in the things of life! The things of this life are temporary.  Our perspective must consist of MORE!  And this MORE, WHO IS GOD, allows us to see that LIFE consists and exists far beyond the things of this so-called life.

When what fails- fails us, God needs to remain the strength of our heart.

“May the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every situation.” 2 Thessalonians 3:16

    

Hindered Prayers Part 3

“The evil spirit often makes him fall into the fire or the water, trying to kill him.  Have mercy on us and help us.  Do something if you can.”

What do you mean, “If I can?” Jesus asked.  “Anything is possible if a person believes.”

“Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, ‘I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” Mark 9:22-24

Have you ever said to God/Jesus Christ... “God touch this situation if you can?”

I have. And most likely in a difficult situation, like this one, you prayed in some kind of hope but not an expectant hope.

This word “unbelief” (in the text above) in the Greek is translated “apistia” (ap-is-tee’-ah).

Its definition is “a want of faith and trust”.

It is also means, “withholding belief in the divine power, or in the power and promises of God; in the divine mission of Jesus; in opposition of the gospel, with the added notion of obstinacy (stubbornness /inflexibility), and/or weakness of faith.”

Another way to define this idea is a “divided house” and/or a “divided mind”.

It’s being “double minded” which makes a person unstable in all their ways. James 1:8

Jesus made an interesting comment in Matthew 12:29

“How can anyone enter a strong man’s house and steal his possessions, unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder the house.”

The weight of doubt can lead to things like fear, depression, emptiness, and unfaithfulness.  Doubt is a way the “thief” of our soul blindfolds and chains us up to plunder what belief we do have.  Jesus says, “The thief comes to kill, steal, and destroy.  I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” John 10:10

In doubt we can find ourselves in need of grace and mercy.  In doubt we can find ourselves in need and want of belief and trust in God.

And in part this is not bad.  For one of my favorite verses in God’s word is, “God blesses those who realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is given to them.” Matthew 5:3

But if doubt stops us from “receiving” the things God has to give us that is problem.

For how can anyone walk in the authority of God, the love of God, the grace of God, the hope of God, the promises of God, the truth of God and so on… if doubt stops and ultimately robs us?

How can we expect to actually “receive” if we are hindered by doubt?

Jesus said, “Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be.” Matthew 6:21

When we are faced with doubt we must consider carefully and honestly what we are treasuring in our hearts.  Are we treasuring doubt?  Are we treasuring to be a victim? Treasuring what people have said over what God has said... Or are we treasuring life and life more abundantly regardless of circumstances? Difficult to swallow but is this not true?

I had a friend who was living with a rare cancer, she fought the good fight, ran the race well and instead of becoming a victim- she trusted in God and gained a deeper relationship with Him.  People would come to see her and there was not this victim mentality but a warm, confident, courage because of deep trust in God.

In times of doubt and pain we might only see one set of footprints in the sand and think we are alone, but what if those footprints in the sand aren’t really ours but Jesus carrying us?

 If we realized this we might be healed from our doubt and see life differently. 

The man asked what of Jesus?

“Help me overcome my unbelief.”

Let us not become a victim but place our unbelief in Jesus hands- that he may transform them into “life and life more abundantly” amongst the challenges and difficult circumstances that come. May His mercy and grace abound in our life and we know His love more deeply.

Amen.

Hindered Prayers Part 2

“If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction, even their prayers are detestable.” Proverbs 28:9

Have you ever wondered about those who ignore wise counsel and continue to live in their own destructive ways and then wonder why God isn’t listening to their prayers? 

Is God not gracious?  Is God not merciful?  Is God not kind? Is God not patient?  Is God not Love?

God is all those things and more but He is also a good father.  He knows when we just want a quick fix and then go back to living like those heading for hell.  All the way back with Adam and Eve in the Garden, God has told us there are consequences for our actions.  Consequences teach us something…

We can tell a child the stove top is hot repeatedly but some children are stubborn and ignore such warning and find out first hand that the stove top is indeed hot with a lingering reminder on their finger.

“The LORD is far from the wicked: but he hears the prayer of the righteous.” Proverbs 15:29

We cannot think our prayers will be heard … if we are continuing to choose to live in sin. 

We have heard this verse a lot in regards to our country but what about in our personal life?

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:13-17

I find when we boil the meat of wickedness which is sexual sin, greed, foul language, hate, envy, murder, fighting, deception, malicious behavior, gossip, backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, boastful, disobedience, and unforgiving you find the bone that holds such things… this bone is refusing to acknowledge, reverence, obey and trust God. 

What does a person have when they don’t uphold God as their source of their “well” being?

Who does the mind think it’s accountable to then?  Who then decides your moral compass if there is no acknowledgement to God?

Romans 14:12 says, “So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.”

True answered prayer is “life” giving wisdom that comes from God.  It’s living wisdom not wisdom that just in your head but wisdom that lives in your heart.  It is hope when there seems to be no reason for hope. It is peace when there is no reason for peace.  It’s assurance when there is not reason for assurance.  

Proverbs says, Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.  Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths.  Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom.  Instead fear the LORD and turn your back on evil.  Then you will gain renewed health and vitality.

Don’t let your own wisdom and understanding make an “impression” on you… where you think of yourself so highly or you are so self-absorbed in self-pity that you can’t even see what God is doing around you at “this” moment.

Truth is not “just” what we see… which can fool us but truth is found in trusting in the truths of God.

Jesus said, “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

If you hold on to the past or your own stumbling understanding - you are truly not acknowledging the living God.  You are either in a prison or on a hamster wheel going no where… I have been there.

Jesus said, “If the Son of God has set you free then you indeed are set free.”

God has opened the door to that prison but you chose to stay there or not.  Acknowledge God… turn your back on evil… Turn from the evil that has either happened to you or you have done or is manipulating you now.  Apologize to God for your wrongs and accept God’s love and truth in your heart over anything else…

And watch God answer.    

Hindered Prayers Part 1

Recently I was asked, “Jeff, why aren’t my prayers being answered?”

Why aren’t people’s prayers “seemingly” not answered? 

I am not going to pretend to know the answer but let’s look to the word of our God that stands forever, for some answers.
 

First I am reminded. You are not the only one who has ever felt that God is not hearing your prayers.

In the book of Daniel, Daniel is told his request has been heard but not answered because for twenty-one days the prince (demon) of the kingdom of Persia blocked the messenger until the archangel Michael helped him. Daniel 10:12-13

In the midst of the difficult circumstances bombarding him by the Devil, Job- thinking it was God said, “He has cast me into the mire, and I have become like dust and ashes. I cry out to You for help, but You do not answer me; I stand up, and You turn Your attention against me. You have become cruel to me; with the might of Your hand You persecute me…” Job 30:19-21

David wrote, “Hear my prayer, O LORD! Listen to my cries for help! Don’t ignore my tears.  For I am your guest- a traveler passing through, as my ancestors were before me.  Spare me so I can smile again before I am gone and exist no more.” Psalm 39:12-13

David's very next Psalm reads, “I waited patiently for the LORD to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry.  He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire.  He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along.” Psalm 40:1-2

Besides them I have heard of other present day mature Christians speak of difficult times where it seemed God was silent to their prayers but as they reminded themselves and God of His promises- God showed that He did hear their prayers and made the provision they needed.  I too have cried out the LORD in hard times and God has come and rescued me in ways I didn’t expect that I hold dear to this day.
 

He will do the same for you as you turn to Him and continue to trust Him.  Don’t continue to grind your teeth on the sour but lean heavily upon him.  We are sometimes broken in order that we no longer wander away.  And in brokenness he carries us to show us His love and just how faithful He is.    

My sister bought me this sign with a lion on it that sits near by bed. It says, “Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged for the LORD your GOD is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

He is with us wherever we go…

“Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.” Psalm 23:4

“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18

 
Hope this encourages anyone who needs to it.

Hardy Food

The last couple nights I have dreamt of lasagna and I am not even all that hungry for lasagna even though I enjoy it.

Lasagna is a hardy meal -like Sheppard's pie, a nice peppered steak, meat loaf.... it's hardy!

And in the dream I was getting presented this good hardy lasagna... (a corner crunchy cheesy piece is the best.)

The word of God is like a good lasagna... it has layers upon layers of deep meaning.

I was then reminded of a verse in the Bible.

"But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their sensibilities to distinguish good from evil."

When God gives you a word... stick a fork and knife into... cut some off and put it in your spiritual mouths. Taste it with your spiritual taste buds.  Taste what's in it by the Spirit of God.  Consider the layers... consider what you haven't considered before... eat and eat some more and be satisfied in the deep things of God.

This hardy food will keep you encouraged and energized. You will not just consider the things here but above. You will be empowered, humbled, disciplined, and more reverent towards God. This will bring praise and thanksgiving to your heart and lips and honor and righteousness in your life.

Don't think you know and heard it all -for those who have decided this in their hearts have fallen away and/or have become indifferent.

So as you go to the place where your church meets... eat and eat well.

Ask God -"What have you brought to the table to strengthen and encourage my soul today?"

But Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"

God Brings the Moral

Photo by Jeff Johnson

God has always given us the opportunity to walk with Him, in His ways- which are Life or choose a lifestyle of death that ends in the destruction of the soul.

We often don’t think about how our thoughts -control our actions or how they help us to receive help and guidance from God or not. 

God is only a thought away but it’s amazing how far that empowering thought can be from us at times if we aren't including God in our thoughts.

Vinegar by itself does nothing in a bottle but put some baking soda in with it and watch that mixture overflow the confines of that bottle.  We are like that vinegar and God is like that baking soda- alone our thoughts stay stagnant but with God we grow past the confinements of our understanding.

King David wrote, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; my cup overflows.  Surely goodness and loving-kindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever…”
  

Jesus said, “He that believes in me, as the scriptures says, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.”

Ever felt on edge, wary, fickle, frail, frustrated, burdened?  I have….

At times we can be our worst enemy.

So for those times, I have asked God to help me write some things down to help me regain and stand in the balancing rhythm of God’s presence, bringing moral -“LIFE” to my soul.

Jesus said to love God with all your heart, all your soul and all your strength (ability) but the only way I have found to have this “ability” is to surrender my heart to God in all matters of life which fits well with the words from book Zechariah.

“It is not by force nor by strength, but my Spirit,” says the Lord of hosts.

In other words, “Let go…”

The Apostle Paul learned it’s not by one’s strength or sure determination but an acceptance of “ones weakness” that allows God’s power to rest upon them… “For my grace is sufficient.”
(Repeat sentence if it hasn't sunken in.)

As I reflected on these passages written by Paul, I have gotten a sense of freedom and a certain contentment- he didn’t try to wrestle everything but had God use what came as an opportunity for God to show himself stronger and brighter and mightier then the circumstance.

Paul was driven to practice the art of losing the part of “himself” that hindered him from experiencing the liberating fullness of Christ.  In Paul’s mind, the sacrifice and resurrection of Christ and the promises that came with those things could not be out done- so knowing this he surrendered his “hindering life” for Jesus’ sake.

Do you remember Jesus saying, "to find life one must lose it for his sake"?

I find this “losing” of ones self is a continuous thing- and I have found that the “tender responsive heart” is handicapped from God’s leading and greatness in our life when we close ranks on ourselves -by accepting schemes and ideas that tire, wear, mundane, burden, assume and think we are in some kind of control.  For WHERE is the renewing power of the Spirit of Christ going to work and move if the space God wants to use is already taken up by our own faulty understanding?

2 Corinthians says, “Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalt itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.”
 

When we do this "we make room" to receive the necessary things from the Spirit to make the soul abound and overcome.

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

In being reminded of our supernatural birth in Christ Jesus to now- it is vital that our created souls be continuously "yoked" to the Spirit.  For our souls were specifically created to experience a fulfilling life in the Spirit of God.

Colossians says, “Put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him.” 

We know the new self is created by the Spirit of God.  We need this engagement of the Holy Spirit daily or we may suffer a very shortsighted, drab existence, hindered not only by our understanding but whatever might come.  The things of life are no different then what anyone else goes through but it’s in WHO you and I focus in that gives moral to our soul.

With God- he helps us unfold and fold our thoughts in a godly manner.

Knowing Jesus’ Lordship over our lives gives us this settling affect in our soul- strengthening our inner man like tapping the weakening bubbles out of a substance.

In art school I often saw the havoc of air bubbles in ceramic pieces- causing vessels and pieces to shatter and crack in the firing process.

It is not different in us… God is the potter, he is the author and finisher of our faith- and he knows what “air bubbles’ to rid us of so we will make it through the firing process of this life.  Knowing this we look to Him to strengthen the inner man.

Psalms says, “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.”

Galatians says, “Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.”

2 Peter says “As we know Jesus better, his divine power gives us everything we need to for living a godly life.  He has called us to receive his own glory and goodness!  And by that same mighty power, he has given us all of his rich and wonderful promises.  He has promised that you will escape the decadence all around you and caused by evil desires and that you will share in his divine nature.”

Doubt can even become evil for not addressed.  That is why it’s important not only to believe but ask God to help us overcome our doubt... so that the edginess, worry, fickle, frail, frustration and burden will not reign over our hearts but God who brings moral.

Like a commander bringing moral to his soldiers before battle… this is what Jesus wants to do for us daily.  That we may “not” go out in the world with some kind of dread but go out with cheer and vigor and hope!

“For if God is for us, who can be against us?”         

GOD IS OUR SOURCE

WHO

Have you ever heard someone say?

“I” am going to be faithful.

“I” am going to be good.

“I” am going to change.

God has said to me this is all “IGNORANCE”.

For “Who” makes one faithful?

For “Who” makes one good?

For “Who” makes one change?

God says, “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.” Ezekiel 36:26

Jesus said, “ Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches.  Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit.  For apart from me you can do nothing.”  John 15:5

Who Plays The Strings of your Soul?

Ever notice a guitar player tuning his/her guitar before playing?  The musician knows what songs he/she is going to play like God knows what is going to come in our day.  God is the one who needs to tune and strum our strings as the day starts and unfolds.  His cords and rhythms need to flow through us.  He is the one who makes and brings beautiful sounds come from soul.  

Jesus says, “To the one who believes in Me, it is just as the Scripture has said: ‘Streams of living water’ will flow from within him.”  John 7:37

Can You make A Seed Grow?

Can a seed make itself grow? Can your “measure of faith” grow by itself?  Who unlocks the potential of that seed to become an extraordinary creation?  Who turns that measure of faith, like a key to open the door to the realities of God where we can live in something we can’t fully understand?  It’s like trying to explain the wind.  You can feel it but can’t see it.   We know we were “that” old way before but now we know we are this “new” way now, without any effort of our own.  

Jesus said, “The Spirit alone gives eternal life.  Human effort accomplishes nothing.  And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.”

 “May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully.  Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. 

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.”  Ephesians 3:19-20

Can You Alone Find Out What is Good, Pleasing and Perfect For Your Soul?

Could idols ever satisfy your eternal soul?  How absurd it is to trust in things that will turn to rust and dust.   You desire what?  You desire love, joy, peace, faith, hope, mercy, grace?  God is the answer to your quest for that missing puzzle piece.  For what was made eternal can only be satisfied by He who is eternal.    

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

WHO Sustains You?

Does the moon produce it’s own light? Where must it continue to face to receive such light season after season?

“After staring in the Spirit, are you now finishing in the flesh.  Have you suffered so much for nothing, if it really was for nothing?” Note Galatians 2:2-5

Knowing where the flesh got us in the first place why would anyone want to go back?  Was our miracle of inner change in Christ for nothing?   Weren’t the fruitless searches enough the first time?  That would be a mistake to back to the fleshly understanding.  For I have found this reality in God is what carries me, renews me, and strengthens me - breathing health and vitality daily to my soul.  My soul that was not made for the things of earth but heaven…

“I pray that out of his glorious, unlimited riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith….”  Note Ephesians 3:16-17

God is our source.