Wednesday, March 29, 2017

"Cold Ember"

"... but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God."  1 Samuel 30:6b

If you build a fire and remove one of the embers and set it over to the side, what is going to happen to it?  It will begin to cool off and eventually get cold and all you have is a burnt piece of wood. 

We are like that ember.  If we are not careful, and move too far from the fire that keeps us burning, we too will eventually get cold.  It is the plan of the enemy of our soul to pull us away from the fire that keeps us burning.  What is that fire?  It is the Lord Himself.  In the Bible He is described as a "consuming fire".  He spoke to Moses from a burning bush that was on fire but did not burn up.  On the day of Pentecost Holy Spirit descended on those who were assembled in the Upper Room in the appearance of "tongues of fire". 

How do we get from the fire to the place where we become cold spiritually?  Through distractions, though the cares of this life, through busyness and so on.  All of these cause us to neglect our great salvation.  We don't have time to pray.  We are too buy to read our Bibles, etc. 

When we first start getting away from the Lord, like an ember, we are still warm.  Warm enough to be losing our relationship with the Lord and become religious.  What we are doing now-- spiritually speaking-- is becoming ritual, routine, and habit. 

Before an ember gets completely cold, it starts cooling off.  Before we get completely cold we become "lukewarm".  This is a terribly dangerous place to be!  There is a warning attached to being lukewarm-- God will spew you out of His mouth. 

How do we get back "hot" again?  How do we get back into that relationship, nearness, and presence of the Lord that makes us and keeps us hot?  We do the same thing David did-- encouraged himself in the Lord.  We encourage ourselves in the LORD.  We remember His goodness to us.  We remember who He is.  We remember what He has done for us.  We remember how He saved us.  We start reading His Word-- it is Him written on paper.  We start setting time aside to pray-- getting into His presence. We begin to open our mouths and give Him praise and glory (even if we don't feel like it.  Remember we are encouraging ourselves back into the fire).

When David encouraged himself in the Lord, and went after regaining what was taken from him, it was restored to him.  When we encourage ourselves in the Lord and pursue Him again, the same thing that happened to David will happen to us.  All that we lost will be restored to us.  We will have the joy of our salvation restored.  Our relationship with the Father will be restored. We will become a "hot ember" again. 

Have a great day.  Are you an ember that is hot?  Or one that has gotten cold?   

Tuesday, March 28, 2017

"Are You Eating Bread Or Poison?"

"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables."  2 Timothy 4:3,4

Yesterday we talked about being "spiritually anemic".  We said we become "spiritually anemic" when we don't have a "well-balanced" spiritual diet-- which means we have to have all the rightly divided Word of God.  Not just the parts we like. 

Not only do we have to have all the gospel-- the parts that speak peace and the parts that bring correction; the parts that speak of blessings and the parts that speak of curses; the parts that speaks of grace and the parts that speaks of repentance-- but it is also important that we have a "spiritual diet" that consist of nothing but the True Word of God.    

The Bible says that in the last days there would come false teachers who teach to people with itching ears.  This means they will tell you what you want to hear.  They will tell you what makes you happy and what makes you feel good.  They won't tell you anything that might offend you, "step on your toes" or bring correction.  In doing this they water down the gospel and add to it and take away from it.  Once this happens what you are receiving is something that is "poisonous" to your spiritual well being.  It will bring "spiritual disease" into your spirit.  This disease will cause you to lose your spiritual discernment.  It will weaken your faith.  It will make you spiritually lethargic.  It will cause you to be more worldly minded and less Kingdom minded.  It will cause you to be lukewarm.  It will draw you away from your relationship with Jesus your Savior.  Ultimately, it will kill you because you are consuming poison, not bread (the true, rightly divided, uncompromised Word of God)Bread will nourish you.  Poison will kill you. 

Have a great day.  Are you consuming bread or poison?  One will nourish you.  The other will kill you. 

Monday, March 27, 2017

"Spiritual Anemia"

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."  2 Timothy 2:15

Our physical bodies have to have a balanced diet in order to be physically healthy.  You can't live on "junk food" and expect to maintain good health.  You can't over eat the wrong foods and not think that it will affect your immune system, your organs and your stamina.  Our bodies need a certain amount of proteins, lots of fruits and vegetables, a proper balance of good nutrients, vitamins and minerals to function at our best. 

The same is true spiritually.  We have to have a proper, well-balanced spiritual diet if we are going to be spiritually fit.  There is so much "spiritual anemia" in the body of Christ.  We are weak, when Christ called and enabled us to be strong.  This is because we aren't getting a well-balance spiritual diet. 

The Bible says that we can't live on bread alone but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.  It also says of that word that it has to be "rightly divided".  We are told to drink the milk of the Word when we are young in the Lord and then eat the meat of the Word as we grow and mature. 

We are spiritually anemic because we mostly only hear and "consume" one side of the gospel-- the part we consider "good".  We are getting an improper balance when we don't incorporate the whole Word-- the un watered down, the uncompromised, the rightly divided, and whole truth. 

Let me show you what I mean.  Mostly, what we hear about is the "love of God".  What about the judgment of God against sin?  We hear about heaven but never a warning about hell.  You can't live only on the goodness of God.  You also have to have repentance-- His goodness leads to repentance. (Romans 2:4)  We hear about the gift of God which is eternal life, but not about the wages of death that accompanies our sin.  We hear about grace, but not about the fact that grace teaches us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world. (Titus 2:12)  We hear about forgiveness but not holiness.  (Neither do I condemn thee, go and sin no more. John 8:11) 

If we don't consume the whole Word of God-- the good and the bad; the parts we like and the parts we don't-- we won't be spiritually healthy.  We love our children and therefore we won't allow them to eat only what they like and tastes good to them.  We make them eat their vegetables so they will be healthy.  The same holds true for us spiritually.  We have to eat our "vegetables" too.

Have a great day.  If you don't get a properly balance spiritual meal, you will become spiritually anemic. 


Friday, March 24, 2017

"The Enemy Of Distraction"

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."  Galatians 6:9

I have come to the opinion that distraction is one of the biggest weapons the enemy uses against us.  Think about it, how many times have you gone to prayer and your mind starts wondering with all sorts of thought?  Thoughts of what you are going to do today.  What you are going to eat for dinner.  An event that is coming up.  Thoughts about a regret from yesterday.  Thoughts, thoughts, thoughts going on in your mind and keeping you from getting into the heart of your prayer.

We have all experienced this-- and not just in our prayer time with the Lord but in almost every area of our lives.  I have a question for you.  When you are being distracted, especially in prayer, what do you do?  Do you give up and get up?  Do you throw up your hands and forget it?  Or do you keep trying to get a prayer out? 

When distractions come, see them for what they are-- strategic weapons of the enemy.  So what do you do when the enemy has a weapon that he is fighting you with?  You fight back.  How do we fight the weapon of distraction?  With perseverance.  You don't give up.  You don't quit.  You stay in the battle and fight.  You continue capturing every thought.  You think about the Word of God.  You pray out loud.  You stay there, pressing on, until you breakthrough and your prayer is unhindered by the distracting thoughts.  This is where the problem lies, most aren't willing to keep pressing and fighting until the distraction is gone.  They give up because they are not determined.  They fall short. 

You have to set your mind to be determined that you will not leave your place of prayer until you have prayed.  Stand your ground-- persevere.  You will prevail if you do.  

Have a great day.  Don't let the enemy of distraction prevail.  Persevere and win. 

Thursday, March 23, 2017

"Seasons Remove And Add"

"And the Lord said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons."  1 Samuel 16:1

Yesterday we talked about how seasons repeat themselves.  Today I want to talk about seasons again.  With each new season there are some things that are removed and some things that are added.  When winter season is gone, something is removed-- the heavy clothing is put away, the ashes in the fireplace are taken out, the soup pot is put back in the cabinet, snow is gone, cold nights leave, the blankets are stored away.  When spring arrives, the trees begin to bud, the flowers start blooming, the grass needs to be mowed, the birds are singing.  These are all results of a season change.

When the seasons in our lives change, along with them come the removal of some things and the adding of others.  When this happens, you have to make a choice as to how you will respond to the changes.  You can bemoan, get angry, get bitter, become depressed, etc., over what is being removed.  Or you can look at it as a good thing and see the beauty that is in it-- the new thing.

It is just like the change from winter to spring.  Are you going to be upset about the winter leaving?  Or are you going to be excited about the flowers and beauty that is budding around you? It is the same thing when one spiritual season ends and a new one begins.  What will you choose to do?  How will you respond to it?  With regret and remorse?  Or with anticipation and excitement of the beautiful thing that the Lord is going to work out through it?

Have a great day.  When one season ends, something is removed.  When a new season begins, something is added. 

Wednesday, March 22, 2017

"Seasons Repeat Themselves"

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven".  Ecclesiastes 3:1

Early this morning, as I was waking up, I heard the words-- "seasons repeat themselves".  A couple of days ago we said goodbye to winter and hello to spring.  This happened last year also, and the year before that and the year before that, and every other year in the past. 

Every year we repeat a four season cycle-- spring, summer, fall and winter.  Each season has its own characteristics.  Winter is cold and dreary-- everything looks dead.  Spring is full of new growth in the plant kingdom.  Summer is hot.  Fall the leaves change color and begin to fall from the trees.  This year, at least for us living in the South, the seasons have not been so distinguishable.  Mild winter, summer like temperatures, flowering plants and trees, strong winds, etc. 

We go through spiritual seasons in our lives just like the earth goes through physical seasons. When I heard the words-- "seasons repeat themselves"-- I believe that the Lord is wanting to make you aware of a few things.   
1)  Seasons repeat themselves in our lives.  That is why the situation that you are going through looks familiar-- you have gone through it before.  You have been wondering, "why is this happening again?".  "What is going on?".  "I thought I got past this?". 
2)  Seasons are not always distinguishable.  What you are going through doesn't look like it fits/belongs with everything else that is happening in your life.  It is out of place, so you don't realize that it is a season that you are going through
3)  Seasons are times of- and for- change. 
4)  If you are going through a repeat season, there is something the Lord is wanting to show you.  There is something He wants you to see.  There is something He wants to bring into your life.  There is something He is wanting to remove from your life.  There is something He is wanting to impart to you.  There is something He is wanting to clean out of you.  There is something He is wanting to heal in you.  There is a reason for the season.  So don't be discouraged.   

Have a great day.  Seasons often repeat themselves-- but there is a reason that it is. 
 
  

Tuesday, March 21, 2017

"Out Of Balance"

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."  Matthew 6:33

Do you ever wonder why you can't "get it together"?  Why things just aren't "lining up"?  Why you feel like you are "spinning your wheels"?  You can't seem to get anything accomplished?  Perhaps it is because you are "out of balance". 

What does it mean to be "out of balance"?  Our lives consist of the spiritual and the physical.  It is easy to get out of balance if we are leaning and walking too much in the physical-- or flesh.  Giving attention to our spiritual life gives us balance in our physical life.  On the other hand, if we neglect our spiritual life-- prayer, the reading of God's Word, fellowship and communion with Him-- it will cause our physical lives to be one sided, non-productive, in a state of confusion, walking in chaos, never going any where and so on. 

Giving our spiritual lives the proper attention (seek ye first) they need causes everything else to "fall into place".  It causes all these things to be added to us-- time, energy, creativity, wisdom, talent, ability, motivation, understanding, strength, etc.-- all the things we need to be productive in the natural realm.   

The result of being out of balance causes you to lean more one way than another.  If you lean too far in one direction you are off balance and can "fall over".  We have to be balanced in both the spiritual and the physical.  But you cannot be balanced in the physical without putting the spiritual first. 

Have a great day.  Is your life out of balance?  Check and see if you are giving attention to, or neglecting, your spiritual life.  

Monday, March 20, 2017

"Halfhearted"

"So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth."  Revelation 3:16
 
I was talking to a man the other day and asked him about his salvation.  He assured me that he was saved.  But the more we talked I discovered that he doesn't go to church, he doesn't take his children to church, he was cursing in my presence and he had some strange beliefs about Jesus and salvation.  Was he truly a Christian?  I cannot judge.  Perhaps he just needed some discipleship?  But if he was he definitely sounded "halfhearted" about his relationship with Jesus.   
  
There are many who profess to be a Christian but are "halfhearted" about it.  The dictionary defines halfhearted as:  without enthusiasm or energy.  Can you be a Christian and be halfhearted?  Being halfhearted is a dangerous place to be.  First, the Bible says we are to love the Lord our God with all our heart-- not some of our heart, not part of our heart, not even 99% of our heart.  Secondly, even the dictionary uses the synonym "lukewarm" for halfhearted.  The Bible tells us that if we are lukewarm the Lord will "spew/vomit" us out of His mouth. 
 
Where are you today?  Are you truly a Christian and are living wholehearted for the Lord?  Are you a person who just professes to be one but you have no relationship with Jesus Christ?  Or are you a Christian who is living in a halfhearted/lukewarm relationship with Jesus?  Halfhearted will never do.  You can't have a halfhearted relationship with the Lord and still have a relationship with Him.  It has to be all your heart or none of your heart.  Which will it be?

Have a great day.  Are you living a halfhearted Christian life?    
 

Friday, March 17, 2017

"Thoughts And Words"

"Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer."  Psalm 19:14

Our words and our thoughts are very closely related.  One affects the other.  Our thoughts affect our words and our words affect our thoughts.   Therefore, we must pay attention to what we think about and listen to what we are saying. 

This is why we must continually renew our minds and change our thoughts-- our way of thinking.  When we do, it will affect our speech.  But it is important what we renew our minds with.  We can't just renew them with anything.  A lot of people are.  They are renewing their way of thinking with philosophies, culture, teachings of some religious leader, cultish beliefs, the mindset of society, and so on.  What we must renew our minds with is the Word of God.  When we do, we are renewing it with truth.  We are renewing it with words of life.  We are renewing it with God-centered and others centered thoughts and getting away from self-centered thoughts.  Once our minds are renewed with God's Word and our thoughts are transformed, our words won't be so negative, condemning, criticizing, full of doubt, fear and unbelief.  They will be full of encouragement, hope, faith, grace, kindness, gentleness, truth and life. 

So, think about it-- what do you think about?  What do you say?  One is an indication of the other.  What you say comes from what you think.  And what you think is influenced by what you say.

Have a great day.  Your thoughts and your words affect each other.   

Thursday, March 16, 2017

"Spiritual Choices"

" I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live."  Deuteronomy 30:19

We have choices to make daily.  You had to choose to read this devotional.  You had to choose to get out of bed.  You have to make the choice about what you are going to eat and what you are going to wear.  You had to make the choice to go to work, or school or somewhere else.  But what about spiritual choices?  There are spiritual choices that we should make every day. 

Here are some of the spiritual choices we should make daily.  (You are welcomed to print them and use them as your declaration and profession/confession each day.) 

Today I choose to walk uprightly before the Lord in the land of the living.  I choose to be a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to the Lord.  I choose to humble myself before the mighty hand of God.  I choose to decrease so that He might increase.  I choose to set my affections on things above and not on things on the earth.  I choose to look unto the hills, that is where my help comes from-- it comes from the Lord.  I choose to trust the Lord to provide all my needs today.  I choose to seek those things which are above.  I choose to seek first His Kingdom and righteousness.  I choose to rejoice today.  I choose to praise Him in the storm.  I choose today to let His word be the lamp into my feet and the light for my path.  I choose to be led by the Spirit.  I choose to love Him with all my heart, soul, strength and mind and love my neighbor as myself today.   I choose to love my enemies and bless those who curse me.   I choose to be light and salt in this dark world.   I choose to let Him fight my battles.  I choose to forgive those who trespass against me.  I choose to surrender the Lordship of my life over to the Lord-- the One who loved me and gave Himself for me.  

Not every thing we do spiritually is automatic, some involve a choice-- a decision of the will.  We must make those choices.  Above are a few (there are many more) that I have determined and decided to choose to do with the Lord's help and grace daily.  What spiritual choices are you making?  What choices are you surrendering your will to?  

Have a great day.  Daily we have to make choices, including spiritual choices. 

Wednesday, March 15, 2017

"Grace Testers"

"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."  1 Corinthians 12:9

Have you ever been around any of "those people"? You know, the ones you always seem to clash with.  The ones who you just can't please no matter how hard you try.  The ones who are always expecting more from you than you can give.  The ones who just "rub you the wrong way".  They are loud and obnoxious.  They are always criticizing you.  You are convinced that their life's mission is to find new ways of embarrassing you.  They are always right, know everything and can never do any wrong.  They have done it all, no matter what it is.

I think we all encounter people like that.  They may be on our jobs, in our families, in our church or just an acquaintance.  I call them "grace testers".  They test the grace of God that is in you.  They test the influence of God in your life.  They test the Fruit of the Spirit-- your love level, joy, peace, ability to be kind, patience, etc. 

Sometimes we think-- if they weren't in my life it would be easier; if they would change it would be better; if they acted differently I could have some peace.  Well, believe it or not, it is not about them.  It is not about them changing.  It is about you.  That is why they are called "grace testers".  It is to see what is really inside of you.  It is to test your level of grace and the Fruit of the Spirit.  It shows you how much of the grace of God you are walking in.  It shows us how much of the life changing power of Christ resides in us.  It is to see how much like Christ you really are and how much "dross" is in you that needs to be removed.  When we encounter these types of people, it lets us see what is in us.  Am I impatient with them?  Do I get angry with them?  Do I complain about them?  Do I treat them unkindly?  Do I want to hurt them?  Do I want to get even?  Do I want to treat them the same way they treat me?  Or do I let the love of God flow to them?  Do I treat them with kindness and dignity?  Do I pray for them?  Do I try to encourage them in the Lord?  Do I tell them about Jesus and share the gospel with them if they are lost?  Does peace remain in me even in their presence? 

How I react to them is a good indication of what is inside of me that needs to be changed.  I am wanting to see them changed-- perhaps even change them myself-- but it may be me who needs to change.

Have a great day.  It is not always about them.  Sometimes it is about us.  They are just "grace testers".     

Tuesday, March 14, 2017

"Surrendered To A What Or Who?

"Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."  Matthew 16:24

When we come to Christ Jesus in salvation, we are not just gaining "fire insurance from hell", eternal life, a home on heaven when we die, a relationship with the Heavenly Father, we are also coming into a life of surrender.  Many think that they are surrendering to a "what"-- to a thing.  They think they are surrendering to a religious system, a denomination, a philosophy, a set of rules, a tithing principle, a church membership, a better way of living or a new moral behavior.

At salvation we don't surrender to a "what" (a thing), we surrender to a "who" (a person).  We are surrendering our lives to the Lord God Himself.  We are surrendering our will to conform to His will.  We are surrendering our desires and wants to His desires and wants for us.  We are surrendering to follow Him wherever He leads us.  We are surrendering to do as He tells us to do.  We are surrendering ourselves to be His child.  We are surrendering to living a life that honors Him, a life in reverence to Him, to love Him, obey Him, respect Him, humble ourselves before Him and glorify Him.  We are surrendering to the lifestyle He chooses for us.  We are surrendering to His plan for our lives, not our own.  We are surrendering to His calling.  We are surrendering all other priorities that we have established in our lives and making Him the first priority. 

Are you surrendered to Christ?  Are you surrendered to Him?  Or are you surrendered to an ideology, a system, a thing, a religion, a what?  He didn't tell us to surrender and follow a what/thing.  He told us to follow Him-- the One who loved us and gave His life for us.

Have a great day.  Are you surrendering your life to a "what" or a "Who"? 

Monday, March 13, 2017

"Our Way"

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says the LORD.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."  Isaiah 55:8,9
 
God's ways and thoughts are higher than ours. Our way would be for Him to come and "heal our sick brother Lazarus".  (John 11)  His way was to wait and then raise Lazarus from the dead.  When we compare our way to God's way, our way seems better.  The best way for the Lord to have done this matter with Lazarus would have been for Him to come and heal him.  The truly best thing (though it was the hardest on them) was for Him to wait and give them an even greater miracle-- raise him from the dead.
 
It is like that with all things.  It was like that with Joseph.  Joseph's way would have been for the Lord to deliver him out of the pit.  But God waited until he was in the prison.  As a result, the heart of Pharaoh was in the right position for Joseph to have been placed in the highest place of authority, next to him, in Egypt.  (It was harder for Joseph to have waited and gone through those long years of trials, but there was a greater glory through it.) 
 
We have a way and God has a way.  We have our own thoughts about a matter and God has His thoughts.  We think it should be done one way and He knows it should be done another.  We think our way is the best way, but His way is the perfect way.

Have you ever dealt with children, especially the little ones, who think they 'know it all"?  They know more than you know?  They think they are smarter than you?  Well, we do the Lord the same way.  We are not wiser, smarter, have more understanding, have the better or best way, He does.  We need to learn to trust Him even when He isn't doing things "our way".  We need to remember, His way is perfect because He is God-- All-Knowing and All-Wise.  His way of doing things may not be easier on us than our way.  It may be harder.  It may involve more patience, grace, waiting, trials, but in the end it truly does work together for our good.  "Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience." (James 1:3).  "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 1:7).
 
Have a great day.  God's way is so much better than our way. 
 

Friday, March 10, 2017

"Burdened"

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."  Matthew 11:28

Are you burdened this morning?  Are you weary?  Are you heavy laden with the cares of this life?  Are you facing a major decision?  Are you in the valley of confusion?  Do you feel like you can't go on or you won't make it?  Are you having a hard time "getting it together"?  Does it seem more than you can bear?  Are you burdened with hopelessness, despair or fear? Are you just in general having a hard time?  

The Lord has offered you an invitation to come and bring your burdens and cares to Him.  This is not just another person that is biding you come.  It is the God of the Universe.  The One who created everything.  He is the One who took dirt and made a man from it.  He is the One who understands all things about us, and He knows everything about us.  He remembers your frame-- that you are dust-- therefore, He knows that you get weak and weary sometimes.  He isn't angry with us if we do-- as some would tell us.  He is a loving, gracious Heavenly Father who desires to uphold us, carry us, embrace us and meet all our need. 

Today will you come to Him and let Him take your cares, burdens and problems and in exchange give you peace, joy, strength and guidance?

Have a great day.  If you are burdened, the Lord is inviting you to come and give that burden to Him.  

Thursday, March 9, 2017

"Three Categories"

"No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."  Matthew 6:24

Yesterday we talked about freedom.  Jesus set us free, but the "free indeed" part comes as we allow His transformation process to take place in every area of our lives.  I brought the subject up because of many posts that I have read on Facebook written by Christians that were full of bitterness, anger, revenge, hatred, complaining, etc.  I said that if these things are in your life then you are not truly free.  You are bound by them, and they keep you from enjoying the freedom that Jesus gives you

I told you the things that I read on these posts and other writings, but I didn't tell you what I don't read.  I don't read in these posts words of love, contentment, edification, exhortation, words that bring comfort, words that produce life and peace and bring unity and harmony.   

But there is something else that I read in many posts that is perhaps more alarming.  I read both of these things I have discussed mixed together.  One post will be praising God and the next post will be criticizing people.  One post may be praising God for His goodness and the next post is putting down on someone.  One post will be full of love and the next full of hate.  One will encourage obedience to God and another will be full of rebellious attitudes.  One post will speak blessings and another one will have profanity in it.  This, like I said, is alarming.

It is alarming because this is addressed in the Bible and the Lord has some strong and serious things to say about it.  He said a fountain can't produce good and bitter water at the same time.  He said you can't curse men with the same mouth you bless God.  He said you can't love God whom you haven't seen and hate your brother whom you have seen.  He said you can't serve two masters-- only one.  He said you can't serve God and mammon.  He said if you are lukewarm (a little hot and a little cold mixed together) He will literally vomit you out of His mouth.   

I listed three categories here-- those who talk/write from the flesh; those who talk/write from the Spirit, and those who try to do both.  Which one are you in?  What this all boils down to is a heart matter.  Where is your heart?  Who has your heart? You or God?  The two of you can't both have it at the same time. 

Have a great day.  Are you trying to live two ways?





Wednesday, March 8, 2017

"Free Or Bound?"

"If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed."  John 8:36

There are so many Christians who boast of their freedom in Christ.  Yet, it is evident through their lives that they really aren'tI bring this up because I read some of the posts that people whom I know are Christians write on Facebook.  I am amazed at the criticism, bitterness, anger, fear, hate, disgust for others, complaining, revenge, gossip, rebellion and divisive words that they write.  They may profess freedom in Christ, they may think they are living in freedom, but they are not.    

When a person is walking, living and talking according to their emotions, their flesh, their past experiences, their feelings, injustices that have been done to them, their own wisdom, their preferences, their lust, wants and desires, instead of in the Word of God-- obeying its commands and precepts, walking, talking and living in them-- they are not free.  They are in bondage. 

When the Lord delivered the Israelites from Egypt, they may have been free on the outside, but they were still in bondage on the inside.  They were bound by murmuring, complaining, rebellion, fear, anger, etc.  They were free-- out from under Egypt's oppression-- but they were still bound. 

Yes, Jesus set us free, free indeed.  Jesus set us free from the power of sin (Egypt's oppression) over our lives, but the "free indeed" part is the transformation process that happens in every area of our lives.  It is when we start living like free people.   

How does this happen?  Freedom is supernatural grace and gift given to us by the Lord.  Once we receive it, enjoying true freedom doesn't continue through osmosis.  It happens through renewing our minds with God's Word-- not the daily news, other people's ideas, popular opinion, someone's commentary, other Facebook posts, some social group, or culture.  When we start living in and living out God's Word, we will enjoy our true freedom.

Have a great day.  You may boast of your freedom in Christ, but are you truly free?

Tuesday, March 7, 2017

"Thirst Quenched"

"But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life."  John 4:14

How perfect that Jesus met this woman at a well.  It was the very place of her need.  She wasn't just "discontent" and looking for something to satisfy-- she was dry.  She was dry on the inside.  She was dry for lack of love.  She was dry for peace and contentment.  She was dry for acceptance.  She was dry for compassion.  She desperately wanted and needed love. This is why she had so many husbands-- five.  She was looking for something, or someone, to quench the dry thirsty place in her heart.   

Her dryness sent her looking for something that would quench her thirst.  She looked on her own in all the places, and the only places, she knew to look.  But she was still dry.  She finally gave up on marriage and husbands as the answer to her thirst and tried just living with a man-- perhaps that would be her way to find water for her thirst

There are two things we should take away from this this morning.  First, Jesus knows where you are and He will meet you at the place and point of your need.  If you are dry He will come as water.  If you are weary He will come as strength.  If you are confused He will come as peace.  If you are fearful He will come as faith.  If you are rejected He will come as acceptance. If you are discouraged He will come as joy.  If you are sick He will come as healing.

Secondly, you can't satisfy your own thirst.  You can't saturate your own dryness.  You can't give yourself peace, or strength, or hope, or joy, etc.  Try as you may, you and I just can't.  It comes from the One who sits at the well-- Jesus.  He can and will satisfy your every longing if you will "drink" of what He offers and stop trying to do it yourself.

Have a great day.  Are you thirsty?  Jesus will quench your thirst.   

Monday, March 6, 2017

"Amazing God"

"When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;  what is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?"  Psalm 8:3,4

We were singing a song in church yesterday morning and one line of the song said, "I stand amazed".  Of course it was talking about the Lord.  He is amazing.  My heart began to cry out that I am amazed by Him.  I am amazed at the depth of His love for me.  I am amazed at the depth of His forgiveness of my sins.  I am amazed at the depth of His compassion.  I am amazed at the depth of His kindness.  I am amazed that though I don't deserve it, He showers me with His grace, goodness and blessings in abundance.

Does His unsearchable goodness amaze you?  Are you amazed at His love for you?  Are you amazed that this God of the Universe, who created the stars, hung them in place and calls them each one by name loves you unconditionally with an everlasting love?  I am completely amazed because I know I am undeserving of any goodness He shows me. 

What about the Lord amazes you?  Do you ever think about His goodness toward you?  Do you take Him and His kindness for granted?  Does it cause you to rejoice and open up your mouth in praise and worship?  Take time today to think about and ponder His "notice" and "care" of you.  As you do, you can't help but thank Him for it.   

Have a great day.  The Lord God is amazing... and His love for you should amaze you. 

Friday, March 3, 2017

"Grave Clothes"

"And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave clothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go."  John 11:44

The other day I shared what I believe the Lord had spoken to my heart concerning the year.  (A year of overcoming the enemy; victory.)  I also said that you can't be passive and wait for Jesus to do it all.  You have a choice to receive the victory and do what you need to do to see it manifested.  

Goliath came out and taunted the Israelites day after day, but King Saul and the army did nothing accept shrink back in fear and "talk about" the situation.  It was when David stepped up and trusted God that the giant/enemy was defeated.  

You have a choice to make if you truly want this victory manifested in your life.  Lazarus was dead-- had been for four days.  Jesus called him forth from death and the grave-- but he was wrapped up (bound) in grave clothes and had to be loosed.  Lazarus was given victory over death through Jesus, but he still had on the grave clothes.  He had to be "unwrapped" and walk in that victory-- life.

Your enemy-- the flesh and its manifestations that I talked about the other day-- have been defeated by Jesus.  He won the victory over them.  He has given us the victory over them.  But we have been trying to move around and maneuver through life wrapped up in and bound by them.  Once the grave clothes came off of Lazarus he was not hindered any longer and could walk out this victory.  These enemies are "grave clothes".  They bind us and keep us from walking and living in the victory we already have.  You can't live in grave clothes.  But you have to choose to "come forth".  He is calling you to come forth.  You can't live in grave clothes and victory (freedom) at the same time.  Choose to come forth.  Don't choose to stay bound in the grave clothes when victory is already yours.  If you do, you will not be able to move and do what you were placed on earth to do.  

Have a great day.  Jesus has given you victory over the enemy.  Will you come forth in that victory?  Or will you stay bound in those grave clothes?  

Wednesday, March 1, 2017

"2017"

"Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you."  Luke 10:19

I know we are already into the third month of the year, but I wanted to share with you what the Lord spoke to my heart about this year.  I know many put out words and prophecies about the year, but this is what I believe I heard and it is time for me to share it.

Since this is the year 2017, I looked up the meaning of 17-- some have found other references --but what I found said it symbolized "overcoming the enemy and complete victory".  I believe that this is a year where we will overcome the enemy/enemies in our life. 

Let me clarify-- I am not defining enemies as "other people"-- for we wrestle not against flesh and blood.  I am not even defining the enemy as the devil-- because Jesus already defeated him at the cross.  He is already under our feet.  I am talking about our biggest enemy-- self/flesh.

How does flesh fight against us?  Through the lust of the flesh, pride of life and lust of the eyes.  These manifest themselves in many ways.  Here are some of them-- complaining, gossip, immorality, addiction, anger, fear, depression, bad temper, insecurity, rebellion, fault finding, criticism, jealousy, strife, lack of self control, etc.  These all war against our soul and spirit and keep us in bondage and defeated.  They are our enemies to having an abundant life of peace and joy

I truly believe that this is the year that the Lord wants to bring deliverance once and for all in your live from these.  Will you ever fight against them again?  Sure, the flesh is always out to destroy us and therefore has to be crucified daily.  But I am talking about being in bondage. From time to time we will still have to resist the "temptation" to surrender back to this enemy.  This bondage can be broken. 

How will we gain victory over this enemy?  First choose to be set free.  Sometimes we have become so accustomed to living with this enemy that though we may say we want to be free, we really don't-- it has become a part of us.  Ask for deliverance-- in faith.  Make the choice to get up and do what you have to do.  You can't be passive in any battle.  You can't wait for Jesus to come and do it for you.  He already has given you victory.  Pick up your spiritual weapons.  Keep your mind renewed in the word-- use that sword.  Draw close to God.  Stay in communion with the Holy Spirit.  Don't neglect your place of prayer and His presence.  Remember, he who the Son sets free is free indeed.  Don't believe the lie that you can't be free and live out your life in freedom.  You can through Christ overcoming power and victory-- which resides in you.  Determine and decide to walk in it and do it by His help and grace and power.

Have a great day.  This is your year of freedom over your enemy-- if you will choose it.