"Right Way To Fight"

"Blessed be the Lord my strength which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight."  Psalms 144:1

The Lord teaches us to war and fight?  How is that?  He tells us in His word that there is a time for war and a time for peace.  But God hates violence.  He is a God of peace.  So, what does it mean that He teaches our hands to war?

Sadly, because of the presence of sin in the world, there is hatred, fighting and wars.  But the "physical" wars, fighting and opposition are not our real battles.  Conflict, opposition and fighting between races, cultures and religion is only the result of a "greater" battle that is going on, one that is not physical but spiritual in nature.  "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."  This is the war and battles that the Lord teaches us how to fight, and how to fight the right way.

He teaches us to identify the enemy.  The enemy is not "flesh and blood".  It is not each other-- regardless of our differences.  It is principalities, unseen powers, rulers of darkness and spiritual wickedness.  Learn who your real enemy is.

He teaches us how to fight that enemy.  "Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit."  Not in our own strength, power and ability but through Him and His power.

He equips us with weapons then teaches us how to use them.  "Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil."  "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds."

We are in a very real battle although we can't see our enemy with our physical eyes.  But it is real none the less.  And it is a battle that we can win if we will allow the Lord to teach us that it is not a battle against flesh and blood, and how to fight it through the spirit with what He has made available to us.

Have a great day.  The Lord teaches us the right way to fight. 

For further reading:
Zechariah 4:6
Ecclesiastes 3:8
Ephesians 6:11,12
2 Corinthians 10:4

"Changed By An Encounter"

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."  2 Corinthians 5:17

This morning I was thinking about some people who I have missed at church for several weeks now.  They were coming for a little while and then stopped.  We all know people like this.  They seem to be "in and out" of church-- or more correctly, "in and out" of a relationship with God.  They are always up and down, wishy-washy, one foot in and one foot out, never committing themselves totally to Him.  Why is this?

I have a belief on this matter.  I believe it is because they have not had a "real encounter" with the Living God.  Once you have an encounter with Him, you will never be the same.  There won't be any more of this "luke warmness" of heart and "floundering" back and forth.  Jacob had an encounter with the Lord, and it changed him so drastically that his name went from being Jacob the deceiver to Israel the prince, and from that point on he walked with a limp the rest of his life (an outward sign of an inward change).  Saul had an encounter with the Living God, Jesus, on the road to Damascus and was never the same.  Even his name was changed also to Paul.  The disciples on the Emmaus Road had an encounter with Jesus and the whole time their hearts burned within them.  There is a long list of people in the Bible who had an encounter with Jesus and were never the same again.  When we have a true encounter with the Lord, it changes us.  We become a "new creation". 

What happens to most people is not an encounter.  Listening to someone preach or share the gospel is not an encounter with the Lord.  Praying some "bailout" prayer because you are in trouble is not an encounter.  Repeating some heartless prayer to come to God is not an encounter.  An encounter is an encounter.  An encounter means to have an experience with someone or something.  You cannot encounter/ experience the presence of Jesus and ever be the same again.

I am reminded of an old hymn whose words are-- "Touching Jesus is all that matters.  Then your life will never be the same." 

Have a great day.  The reason many are not surrendered to the Lord and are always wishy-washy about Him is because they have not had an encounter with Him.

For further reading:
Genesis 32:24-26
Acts 9:1-20

"Trivial Matters"

"In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."  Proverbs 3:6

A couple of months ago, I bought this really beautiful potted plant.  I had the perfect spot on my patio where I wanted to put it.  This plant doesn't tolerate direct sunlight very well, but that is where I put it- in direct sunlight- instead of putting it under the patio cover.  The reason I put it where I did was because I was going for a "certain look" on the patio.  Often the thought would come to me that I needed to move it.  But I liked it where it was.  Each time I watered it I noticed that it didn't look as good as it once did.  I would have the same thought to move it under the shade.  But I didn't.  I missed watering it yesterday so this morning when I watered it, I noticed the whole plant looked almost dead.  Now I know that I should have put it under the shade.  Because I did not listen to the thoughts of moving it that I kept having, I got a "look" all right, but not the one I was wanting.  It is now the "look" of a dead plant.

I constantly talk to the Holy Spirit about everything-- including daily activities.  I believe it was His voice that was trying to get me to do the right thing about that plant.  You may disagree, but He is very personal in our lives even in the smallest and most trivial things.  He cares when a sparrow falls to the ground.  He notices each lily and the grass of the field that withers. 

The point I want to make is this:  we need to listen to His voice in even the most "trivial" of matters, and heed it.  I wanted to do it one way.  I was going for a "look".  I had my own idea in mind.  But He knew what was best.  His way of doing it was so much better.  It is like that in everything.  We have an agenda.  We have a plan.  We have a desire.  And will often ignore His leading because of what we want.  When we do, like my plant, it won't look so "pretty" after a while.  We will wish we had listened.  We will regret not paying more attention.  We will be sad, sorrowful, confused, frustrated and even angry because of what we have done to ourselves by not listening.  So, learn to listen and respond to what He says.  His way is always the right way in every situation-- even those smallest and trivial ones.

Have a great day.  Listen to the Lord's voice in even what seems to be trivial matters.  His way is the right way.         

    

"It's Real Love"

"For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth."  Hebrews 12:6

Jesus said that by our love others would know that we are His disciples.  So, love is the greatest sign. Why?  Because God is love.  It is who He is.  When He is living in us, His love should be evident, and reflected, through us. 

Sadly, some who profess to be Christians don't walk in love at all.  They are very condemning, accusing, mean tempered, and hateful.  (This is a definite sign that they are not who they profess to be.)

Then there are true followers of Jesus who are walking in love but are accused of the same things that were just listed.  Why is this?  To find out we need to first ask the question, "What is love?".

When the accusations come that we are not showing love, it is because there is a misconception of what real love is.  Love is not a warm fuzzy feeling we have.  It is not "goose bumps".  It is not an overwhelming emotion that we feel under certain conditions.  Love is not passive.  It doesn't just sit back idly by and not speak up or do something when the situation arises.  Neither does it always agree with everything or accept everything. 

It is because we are actually showing love that causes us to be accused otherwise.  Love speaks up when something is wrong.  Love tells the truth.  Love is intolerant of sin and unaccepting of anything that can destroy a person.  Jesus loved the Pharisees, yet He told them the truth about their condition.  He called them hypocrites, vipers, whitewashed graves.  Jesus loved the moneychangers, but He drove them out of the temple with a whip.  Jesus loved the woman caught in the act of adultery, but He told her to stop sinning.  Jesus loved Peter but He rebuked him for not using His faith.  Jesus loved the woman at the well, but didn't let her hide her past in order that He might give her a future. 

How many of you have children in your life?  When that child is playing in the street, do you warn them of the danger?  Do you correct them?  If you do, are you being mean and hateful because you won't let them do what they want to do?  What about if they are about to touch something hot?  Do you stop them?  Do you explain what the consequences will be if they touch it?  Or if you do, are you being intolerant of their right to touch it?  Why have you warned them?  Why have you stopped them?  Why have you pointed out the truth?  Why have you corrected them?  It is not because you are being mean and hateful, or judgmental and accusing, but because you love them and are showing them love.     

Have a great day.  When we are accused of not showing love, it usually is because we are actually showing love by stepping into the situation and pointing out the wrong.      

"It Is Convenient"

"Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old?"  Micah 6:6 

I was thinking, during my prayer time this morning, how thankful I am that God allows me to come before His marvelous throne of grace.  It is a privilege that is available to all who will put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ. 

I was especially thankful that I don't have to have someone else pray for me.  I don't have to go to a priest, a preacher, or some family member and ask them to "touch" the Lord and petition Him on my behalf.  I can do it myself.  Jesus provided the way.  There was a veil that separated man from God and only the High Priest could go behind it once a year and make atonement for the sins of the people.  But at the cross, that veil was torn in two!  (Hallelujah!)  I have access now myself!

I am thankful also that He does not require me to pray in a certain position.  While I should bow my knee to Him in prayer, it is more important that I bow "my heart" to Him.  Thankfully, He allows me to pray standing, walking, kneeling, laying on my bed, anywhere I call upon Him, He will meet me there.

I am also thankful that I can come to Him at any time-- day or night.  I don't have to wait for the "hour" of prayer, or the "call to prayer".  I don't have to wait for certain "holy days".  I don't have to wait until the "prayer meeting" is called.  I can come to Him 24/7, and at a moment's decision to do so.

Lastly, I am thankful that I can come to Him "just as I am".  I don't have to bring some sort of sacrifice.  I don't have to bring a gift in my hand or some morsel that will hopefully appease Him.  I only have to bring myself-- as a living sacrifice.  I only have to give Him a "sacrifice of praise", which I gladly do because He is so worthy of it.

Having said all this, I have to ask, "What is stopping you from a time in prayer?"  We can go directly to Him ourselves.  We can pray in any position.  We can go to Him anytime-- He doesn't have 9-5 hours only.  We can go to Him just as we are-- without some gift in hand.  How "convenient" He has made it for us to be able to come to Him.  He has removed all that would hinder us.  That is a definite sign that He wants us to come.      

Have a great day.  What is stopping you from prayer?  God makes it so convenient for you to pray.