"Name Dropping"

"And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son." John 14:13 

Name dropping is a term that is used when someone mentions knowing, or being associated with, someone else who is popular, famous or of status. It is usually done in hopes of making the one doing it seem important. It can also be used to identify people with a common bond. Name dropping has been used to help one gain access into a particular place- "just tell them so-and-so sent you". It has been used to help others gain an audience before authorities. 

 

As I was in prayer the other day I thought about this "name dropping" because when I approach the Heavenly Father, I always do so in the "Name of Jesus". That name gives me "clout" with the Father. It also gives me access into His Presence. It allows me to capture His ear and gives me His attention. 

 

When I "drop/speak" His Name into my situation, it changes. When I speak His name, demons flee, sickness and disease are healed, chains are broken, captives are set free, confusion vanishes. His Name quenches the fire, shuts the mouths of lions, delivers from the pit, turns night into day, calms the raging sea, stops the storm. His Name gives rest to the weary, seed to the sower, help in time of trouble, strength in weakness, grace that is sufficient. It brings wisdom, blessings, peace, joy, salvation and abundant life. 

 

Some try to "drop/use" His Name as if they know Him. There were seven sons of Sceva who tried to use Jesus' Name in casting out an evil spirit. It didn't work. The evil spirit jumped on them and beat them up because they didn't know the One whose name they were using, and the evil spirit knew they didn't know Him/Jesus. But for those of us who know Jesus personally as Savior and Lord that is not the case. We have the right to "drop" His Name. We are His children, heirs and joint-heirs and are identified with Him.

 

Have a great day. Every born-again child of God has the right to do some "name dropping" (the Name of Jesus) when we approach the Heavenly Father and face life's trials.

 

For further reading:

Ephesians 2:9

Acts 19:13-16

Matthew 18:20

Mark 16:17

John 14:14; 15:16; 16:23-26

"Listen And Don't Rebel"

"For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses." Hebrews 3:16 

The Lord had miraculously delivered the Israelites from the bondage of Egypt and was bringing them into their own land, but they never made it past the wilderness. Why? Because when the Lord spoke to them, they hardened their hearts against His word. As a result, they fell into unbelief, murmuring, complaining and rebellion. 

 

God had a place of rest (physically and spiritually) planned for them. No more slavery, no more bondage, no more taskmasters, no more struggling, no more labor. They would possess houses they did not build and crops they did not plant. God had provisions for them. A land that flowed with milk and honey- abundance. He had a plan to prosper them, to give them a hope and a future. Yet all they got was forty years of dry, hot desert and manna. 

 

Had they only listened to and trusted His word; had they just obeyed what He said; had they not tried to reason it out they never would have lived a wasted life in the wilderness and died there. How familiar is that today. God has a plan for us. He desires to bring us into His rest. He desires to give us abundant life as well as eternal life. He is trying to give us good things-- spiritually and physically-- yet we are not listening to and heeding His word. Like them, if we would only listen to Him, believe and do what He says we would not live such wasted life. If we would only listen, we could receive the blessings of the "promise land". God is not slack concerning His promises, He can do it. But we can also harden our hearts and not listen, believe or obey. We can keep ourselves from "entering into that rest" that He provides and is desirous to bring us into. 

 

Does that sound like you today? Is He trying to get a blessing to you, is He trying to give you peace, is He speaking to your heart about His plan for you, but you aren't listening. You may be "hearing" Him, but "listening", "believing" and "doing" what you hear are two different things. Don't miss the "place" He is wanting to take you into because you are "hardening" your heart through unbelief, doubt and rebellion.

 

Have a great day. Don't miss God's plan and blessings by hardening your heart to His word. 

 

For further reading:

Psalm 95:7,8

Jeremiah 29:11

Isaiah 1:19

 

"The Answer Is -- Pray"

"Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms." James 5:13 

What should we do in times of affliction? What should we do when we are facing trouble, hard times, difficulties or suffering? What should we do when we are in need? The answer is found in three little words from our scripture text-- "let him pray". Wait a minute, did it say to "pray"?

Praying in times of trouble seems to be a foreign idea to most. I think they misread the scripture to say-- let him worry; let him try to figure out a solution; let him seek the help of man; let him lean to his own understanding; let him give up because there is no hope; let him exhaust every resource then pray.

 

In the minds of many prayer seems to either be too simple a solution or too hard to do, therefore, people try everything else before they will bow their knees to God and seek His help and counsel. Prayer should be the first thing a Christian does. It should not even be a question about what to do. It should come automatically and natural for us.

 

What do you do when you are in a time of trouble, need, difficulty or want? Is turning to God in prayer the first thing you do or the last thing you do after you have done everything else that you know to do? There is a principal to prayer that we often forget-- "seek first the Kingdom of God and all these things shall be added to you." (Matthew 6:33) When we seek Him first in prayer about our situation, everything we need will be given (added) to us. The wisdom we need, the grace we need, the answer we need, the solution, the help we need, will all be given to us. Prayer is the only place where we are guaranteed to get the answer and help that we need when going through affliction. "Ask and ye shall receive".

 

Have a great day. What do you do when you are in trouble? Do you pray or do you look for another solution?

 

For further reading:

John 16:23, 24

Matthew 7:7

James 4:2; 5:16

Proverbs 3:5,6

"Abundant God"

"...I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." John 10:10b 

There is nothing about God that is little. He is an abundant God who does things, and gives to us, in abundant measure. When we have a need, He supplies all our need "according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus". This means that whatever your need is, He doesn't supply it according to the size of your need, but He supplies it according to the size of what He possesses. If you lack wisdom, He gives it liberally- not sparingly. When you give, He gives it back "good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over". When you need grace, He gives grace that "much more abounds". 

 

When Jesus walked on earth and He fed the five thousand plus people with the fish and bread, He didn't just give them enough to make their stomachs stop growling, He fed them until they were "full". When He told Peter and the other fishermen to cast their nets on the other side of the boat, the catch was so large that their nets began to break. When Solomon asked for wisdom to govern God's people, God gave him so much wisdom that the Queen of Sheba replied that only "the half had been told" to her. 

 

Why do we tend to ask God for "little/just enough" instead of "all" that we need? We act as if we are going to "bankrupt" Him. We act as if we are asking too much of Him. We act as if we are being "greedy" by asking for "all" our need to be met. He is God who does "exceeding abundantly above all we ask or think". So go to Him with your need today whether it is a need in your spirit, soul or body. He has plenty and will give you plenty enough, and more, to meet it.

Have a great day. God is an abundant God who gives abundantly.

 

For further reading:

Ephesians 3:20

Romans 5:20

Philippians 4:19

Matthew 14:20

1 Kings 10:7

James 1:5

Luke 6:38

"Perfect Cover"

"And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons." Genesis 3:7 

Since the first sin in the garden mankind has always tried to cover his sin on his own. There is only one problem with that-- he can't. Adam tried to sew fig leaves together to cover his nakedness/sin. He grabbed the first thing that was available that he thought would work. We all know what happens to leaves after they are detached from the plant-- they tend to dry out and crumble. Therefore, man would have to continually be replacing it with another one or something else. He never thought about making a covering of animal skins which would have held up better and lasted longer than a leaf. Using an animal skin was God's idea. He knew what it would take to cover man's nakedness. He knew what would take care of it once and for all and would not have to be constantly replaced.

 

Mankind is still trying to do what Adam did in the garden. He is still trying to come up with his own plan to cover his sin. He is trying to do it through sewing the fig leaves of good deeds and good works together. He is trying to do it through religious rituals. He is trying to do it through self-consciousness and so on. All the things he tries to use will "dry out" and "crumble" and leave him "naked" still. But God chose the "skin" of a Lamb as a covering for our sins that will take care of it once and for all. Of course, that Lamb was His own Dear Son Jesus-- the Lamb of God that takes away sin. 

 

Are you trying to cover your sins by your own means or religious devices? Are you trying to "sew" something together to take care of it? Your effort is in vain. There is only one thing that can completely cover, and it is the covering that God chose-- Jesus. Today exchange your inadequate, faulty covering for His that takes care of it once and for all.

 

Have a great day. All man can do to cover his sins is sew "fig leaves" together that will dry and crumble. But God gave the perfect covering when He gave His Son Jesus. 

 

For further reading:

Genesis 3:21

Hebrews 9:11-28; 10:9-14

John 1:29,36

"Power In The Leftovers"

"When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost." John 6:12 

After Jesus had fed the five thousand plus people with the loaves of bread and fish, He told His disciples to gather up the fragments. In other words, He told them to collect the leftovers. This morning don't take the "leftovers" of God for granted. Don't take even the smallest word from God, the seemingly smallest miracle, the smallest bit of encouragement, etc. for granted. Even the fragments when they are God's fragments are full of power and life. 

 

When the Syrophoenician woman came to Jesus, she just wanted the crumbs that fell from His table. She didn't ask for a whole meal or even the leftovers, she asked for the crumbs because she knew there was power to heal and deliver her daughter in even the smallest blessings of the Lord. 

 

There is nothing small or little where God is concerned. Whatever comes from Him- whether it is the "whole" meal or just the "leftovers" it is powerful. Just one word, just one scripture, just one morsel of bread, just one drop of water, just one touch of the Master's hand, just one touch of the hem of His garment, will satisfy the greatest hunger, will deliver from the greatest oppression, will quench the raging furnace, will heal any disease, will bring peace in the greatest storm, will bring rest to the weary, comfort to the hurting and strength to the weak. 

 

All you have this morning may be a "crumb". It might be a "leftover". You may have been holding on to it for a while. It may be just a remnant of a promise He gave you a long time ago. You may have been carrying it around in a basket- in your heart- since the day He spoke to you about a situation, gave you a vision, revealed His will, and so on. You may have been eating on that word for a while trying to keep your faith strong. Don't look at it now and say that there is hardly anything left to it, it is only a fragment- a crumb. Remember that with the "crumbs" of Jesus nothing is wasted or lost-- they are still just as powerful as the whole meal!

 

Have a great day. There is power even in the crumbs of Jesus' word. 

 

For further reading:

Mark 7:25-30

Matthew 5:18

John 6:1-13 

 

"No More Impossibilities - Part 2"

"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20 

Yesterday we talked about how those things that are impossible for us- like taming the tongue, turning the other cheek, loving our enemies, etc.- become possible as we yield ourselves to the Lord because it is His Spirit working in us that makes it possible for us to do. This morning I want to talk about that a little more.

 

We tend to forget that when we are born-again, something should begin to happen in us. That something is called "death to self". That means that I am suppose to deny and mortify my flesh. That something is also called "alive to Christ". My life is no longer lived for self, it is lived for God. I must decrease and He must increase. My life is hidden with Christ in God. And as the scripture above states- I am crucified with Christ and it is no longer I who am living but Christ is the One who is living through me.

 

If He is truly living through you, then walking in love toward your enemies is not impossible. Forgiving those who have wronged you is not impossible. Living free from condemnation is not impossible. The reason is because there is no condemnation in Him. There is no unforgiveness in Him. There is no fear, no guilt, no remorse, no bitterness in Him. There is no confusion in Christ- He never doesn't know what to do. He is not wavering either, so you don't have to. 

 

I can walk in wisdom if He is the One who is living through me- and not self- because He has and is wisdom. I can walk in peace because He is peace. I can love the unlovable because He is love and loving through me. I can walk in victory because He has no defeat in Him. So, there are no impossibilities for me because there are no impossibilities for Him. But the key is mortifying, crucifying, and denying myself and letting Christ live in and through me. When I do, nothing becomes impossible for me because nothing is impossible for Him. 

 

Have a great day. If I am crucified with Christ and He is living through me, then nothing is impossible for me because nothing is impossible for Him. 

 

For further reading:

Colossians 3:3-5

1 Corinthians 6:20

John 3:30

Romans 8:13

 

"No More Impossibilities"

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:13 

In the Book of James chapter three verse eight it says, "no man can tame the tongue". I had written a footnote in my Bible years ago that said, "But by yielding to the Spirit he can". There is much that is impossible for us, but there is nothing that is impossible for God. So, as I yield myself to Him those "impossibilities" are no longer impossible.

 

It may be impossible for me to "tame my tongue" but the Spirit can and will as I yield to Him. Where it was impossible for me to forgive those who have wronged me, as I yield myself to God through His love, I can now forgive them. I can now turn the other cheek, go the second mile, love my enemies, bless those who curse me, and pray for those who despitefully use me. I can now walk in victory over besetting sins. I can walk in peace and not vengeance.

 

"All things are possible to him that believes". (Luke 9:23) For the born-again child of God there are no impossibilities, all things become possible. They become possible as we put our faith and trust in the Lord (as we believe on and in Him and His ability). Do I believe that I can do all things through Christ? Do I believe that I can be empowered by Him to do those things that are impossible for me to do in and of myself? If I do believe, I will fully rely upon and yield to Him, then they are no longer impossible because it is no longer me who is doing them, but Christ in me. 

 

Let me sum it up: If we believe that God is able to do those things that are impossible for us to do and we yield ourselves to Him, then those things that were once impossible for us are no longer impossible because it is Him that is doing them through us. 

 

Have a great day. Impossibilities are no longer impossible for us when we believe in and yield to God.

 

For further reading:

Luke 1:37

Matthew 5:44; 17:20; 19:26

 

"Choose Today"

"This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24

So, what are you going to do today, let the enemy keep beating you up over past mistakes and failures? Or are you going to walk in the forgiveness that has so graciously been given to you through Jesus? Are you going to let your feelings dictate the way you see yourself? Or are you going to believe what God says about you? Are you going to let your emotions govern your actions? Or are you going to let the One who gives total peace establish His peace in your heart and mind? Are you going to walk in defeat today? Or will you choose to walk in the victory that has already been given to you through Jesus Christ? Will you choose to take the way of the flesh that leads to destruction, fear and confusion? Or will you choose to follow the way of the Spirit that leads to abundant life, peace, joy and righteousness in the Holy Spirit?

 

There are so many choices that we face every day. But the choices that I have talked about should be easy ones to make because Jesus already dealt with them at the cross and has made provision for you to walk free of guilt, condemnation, defeat and everything else that would try to stop you from going forward and rejoicing in this day. But nevertheless, the choice is still up to you.

 

Have a great day. Which way will you choose to go today? 

 

For further reading:

John 10:10

Deuteronomy 30:19

2 Corinthians 2:14

Joshua 24:15

1 John 1:9

 

"Wilderness Captive"

"And he brought us out from thence, that he might bring us in, to give us the land which he sware unto our fathers." Deuteronomy 6:23 

One of the saddest stories in the Bible is about the children of Israel in the wilderness for forty years. The Lord had delivered them from Egyptian bondage after over four hundred years. He gave them the most miraculous delivery- through miracles, signs and wonders. He totally set them free from slavery. They were now free people heading to the land He had promised to give them. But instead of reaching the promised land they wound up wandering around in the wilderness for forty years. They left one captivity and wound up in another. They left the physical bondage of Egypt and Pharaoh and wound up in bondage that was unseen but real-- unbelief, doubt and fear. 

 

That sad picture is being replayed over and over again now days in the lives of many of God's children. The Lord saved them and delivered them from the power of sin. He did it through a miraculous and costly avenue-- He gave the life of His only begotten Son and through His shed blood gave redemption from sin. He gave them freedom and a promised land to inherit. Yet instead of inheriting those promises they are being held captive by an "unseen" bondage. They have come out of the bondage of sin, but are held captive by fear, regret, guilt, condemnation, unbelief, confusion and so on. They are spending their lives wandering in endless circles in a wilderness-- a dry place that offers no hope, no joy, no peace. The promises are awaiting them but they can't get to them because of the mental, emotional and spiritual bondages that have them trapped.

 

Is that you today? I have good news. Unlike those Israelites who were unable to get free from the wilderness, you do not have to keep wandering around in the bondage of the wilderness. Jesus defeated sin. He won the victory by destroying its power. He brought you out. He didn't deliver you from the power of sin only to have you held a prisoner by another captive. He desires to take you into the promised land- a land of abundant life. He who the Son sets free is free indeed, not partially free; not free from one bondage but captive to another. So get out of that wilderness and enter into the land of abundant life- love, peace, joy, etc. How? By turning to Him, ask for His strength and power, believe His word and don't listen to the negative reports of the enemy. Listen to Him alone.

 

Have a great day. The Lord did not deliver you from the bondage of sin only to have you become a captive of the wilderness.

 

For further reading:

John 3:16; 10:10; 8:36

Galatians 5:1

 

"No End In God"

"But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end." Psalm 102:27 

There is no end to God. He is the eternal existent One-- He always has been and always will be. That also means that there is no end to His strength. He will always be just as strong as time goes on as He has always been. There is no end to His power, to His mercy, to His grace, to His love... there is no end to who He is and what He possesses. This means that He will always have enough of whatever it is that you and I need. We don't have to worry about Him "running out". 

 

What do you need today? Do you need His strength? Do you need His grace? He has plenty enough to meet your need. If you lack, it is because you aren't asking, or drawing, upon it. Because there is no lack in Him. And He even gives you the invitation to ask and receive whatever it is that you do lack.

 

Have a great day. There is no lack in God. He doesn't come to an end, neither does what He possess.

 

For further reading:

Isaiah 9:7

Luke 1:33

Psalm 34:10

James 1:5

"Antichrist"

"Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time." 1 John 2:18 

When we hear or think about the word "antichrist", it immediately conjures up pictures of the man who is to come and set himself up as the one world leader. But there is also the "spirit of antichrist" which according to the scriptures is already at work in the world. It was there in the early church age and is here in these present days.

 

What is this spirit and what does it look like? While you can't "see" a spirit, you can certainly recognize its presence. The word "anti" means to be against. Thus "antichrist" is whatever is against Christ. The spirit of antichrist is not only against Christ but works in opposition to Christ- that is what it is and what it looks like. 

 

The primary characteristic of this spirit is that it denies that Jesus is God who came in the flesh. It portrays Him as just a good man, a teacher, a prophet, etc., but not God. This spirit, because it is in opposition to God, calls unclean what God has called clean. It calls evil what God has called good and calls good what God has called evil. It stands against everything that God stands for. It opposes God's rule, His laws, His word and His commands. We see it more evident in our culture today than in past generations. It legalizes and promotes abortion and homosexual marriage- those things that God calls an abomination. It applauds rebellion, slander, laziness, irresponsibility, adultery and fornication. It convinces mankind to "do what is right in your own eyes" instead of what is right in God's eyes. It persuades people to live by their own preferences instead of by Kingdom/God's preference-- even in the church.

 

The "spirit of antichrist" has its origin and roots in satan - the one who is a liar, deceiver and in total opposition to God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, His Word and His Kingdom. If we accept the things that are in opposition to what God says, then we have fallen prey to this spirit and must get free immediately lest we be uprooted in our faith and find ourselves drifting further and further away from the truth. This is the goal of the "spirit of antichrist"- to get you away from the truth of God's Word and eventually away from Christ. 

 

Have you believed this spirit? Are you falling for its lies? Are you in agreement with it- through your lifestyle, actions and beliefs- because its teachings have become acceptable in society? Then you must repent and start standing upon the truth of God's Word instead of against (anti) it. 

 

Have a great day. The "spirit of antichrist" is alive and well today and it is trying to pull you away from Christ.

 

For further reading:

1 John 2:22; 4:3

2 John 1:7

Judges 17:6

Proverbs 21:2

Revelation 12:9

John 8:44

Isaiah 5:20

Philippians 3:17-19

"Cry Out"

"But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid, and beginning to sin, he cried, saying, Lord, save me." Matthew 14:30 

There are some of you who are reading this that feel like you are drowning. The pressures are more than you can bear. The trials are weighing upon you. Problems are mounting up. The load that you are trying to carry is great. You feel like you are going under, possibly for the last time. But unlike Peter, you are trying to "swim" your way out of it. You are trying everything you can to "tread water". You are trying to do whatever you can to just keep your head above the "water" and not drown. You are trying in your own ability to save yourself. To you the Lord is saying today-- "Cry Out". Do what Peter did- cry out to Me. 

 

You have tried everything on your own and nothing has "saved" you. You have insisted, like a small child, that you can do it. You have acted like you don't need any help. But the truth is you do. You can't do this on your own. The waves are too fierce. The wind is too strong. The water is too deep. But if you will cry out to Me, the wind is not too strong, the waves are not too high, the water is not too deep for Me to save you. My hand is not too short, my power is not limited. I am mighty to save. I still calm storms and rebuke the raging seas of life. 

 

Like Peter, you have the choice-- find your own solution and try to save yourself; or cry out to Me and I will lift you up out of the raging sea and save you.

 

Have a great day. Why keep drowning? Cry out to Jesus.

 

For further reading:

Matthew 11:28; 14:22-33

"Never Too Small"

"But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty." 1 Corinthians 1:27 

Never think that God cannot use you. Never think that you are too small, or just one "little" person, or a nobody. God uses "small" things.

 

He used one little boy and his little lunch to feed thousands. He uses the ant to teach a lesson to sluggards. He uses even the smallest light to expel darkness. He uses a cup of cold water to quench the thirst. He used a shepherd boy to bring down a giant with a small stone in a small sling shot. He used a widow's mite to teach the true meaning of unselfish giving. He used a rock to provide water for the millions of Israelites in the desert. He used a stick/rod in the hand of Moses to bring down Pharaoh's kingdom. He has used a hand full of meal, a bottle of oil, a raven, babes to perfect praise, and many other "small" things to do great things through.

The fact that the Lord has chosen the small time and time again is encouraging because it means that He can use us in spite of how little or weak we may be. He most definitely uses "small" things, so "small" is good.

 

Have a great day. You are not too small for God to use, on the contrary, you are in the perfect position for Him to use. 

 

For further reading:

Proverbs 6:6

Matthew 21:16; 10:42

 

"Get Out Of The Pit"

"Then the king commanded Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, saying, Take from hence thirty men with thee, and take up Jeremiah the prophet out of the dungeon, before he die." Jeremiah 38:10

Have you ever been in a pit? I am not talking about a literal, physical one like Jeremiah was thrown into by his accusers and enemies. I am talking about a pit that the "accuser" and "enemy" of our soul tries to throw us into. It is the pit of despair, the pit of discouragement, the pit of fear, anger, bitterness, addiction, grief or the pit of regret and condemnation.

A pit is a place of death, not life. The men in the scripture went to the king asking to take Jeremiah out of the pit because they knew he would die if he stayed there too long. He would die for lack of food and water. (verse 9). When we are in the pits that I described above, we are in a place of death-- a slow death. Life is being pulled out of us and we aren't aware of it until death begins to take a hold of us. Many times, people have been in the pit for so long that it begins to feel natural, and they start settling in as if it is their home. They don't even realize that their life is slipping away from them.

Because Jesus is Life and the pit is a place of death, He has come to set the captive free-- free from the pit, free from death. If you are in a pit, whether you have been in it for a long time or have just gone into it, Jesus is offering you a way out. He is stretching out His hand to you- like He did Peter when he was drowning. His hand is not short that it cannot save. He can pull you out regardless of how long you have been in it. He can, and desires to, pull you out and give you freedom from the pit and put you in a place of abundant life. He is reaching out to you this morning; will you grab a hold of His hand.

Have a great day. The pit is a place of death, but Jesus is reaching into the pit to lift you out and give you life.

For further reading:

Isaiah 59:1
Psalm 40:2
John 10:10
Luke 4:18

"Feeling Empty?"

".... but be filled with the Spirit." Ephesians 5:18b

Do you ever have that empty feeling spiritually? Where it feels like you have nothing in you spiritually- no word, no praise, no nothing? You feel dry and... well, just empty. When something is empty, it is because there is nothing in it. When the water pitcher is empty, it is because there is no water in it. When the gas tank is empty, it is because there is no gas in it. The container is void of what should be in there. When we are spiritually empty, that is not the case. It is not because there is nothing spiritual in us. It is because it is filled with something else more.

We either walk in the spirit or in the flesh. We either mind the things of the spirit or the things of the flesh. We either feed ourselves with spiritual things or things of the flesh. It is all about flesh and spirit. When we aren't full of one, it is because we are full of the other.

We don't get spiritually empty. We have just been feeding the flesh more than we have been feeding the spirit, so the flesh is the "predominate" one at the moment. It is crowding out the spirit making us feel empty and dry. Because this works both ways, when we are feeding our spirit more than our flesh, we feel spiritually full.

So, when you get that empty feeling, check yourself. Have you been spending more time feeding your flesh-- watching too much television, playing too many games, overeating, being constantly entertained? Are you neglecting the feeding and care of the spirit-- prayer, worship, Bible study, fasting? I am sure you will find, for the most part, that is the cause of your emptiness.

Have a great day. Whichever you feed- your flesh or your spirit- you will find that it leaves the other with an empty feeling.

"Your Reputation"

"He sent messengers therefore unto Balaam the son of Beor to Pethor, which is by the river of the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying, Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt: behold, they cover the face of the earth, and they abide over against me." Numbers 22:5

The he in this verse was the king of Moab and the people that he was referring to were the Israelites. This heathen king had heard about the Israelites and recognized who they were- God's people. Their fame had reached Moab. He had heard what their God did to Pharaoh when He brought them out of Egypt. He feared them because they were a threat to him, so he called the prophet to come and curse them because he knew they were a force to be reckoned with.

Does the enemy/devil know you? Does he recognize who you are- a child of God? Does he fear you because Jesus is seen in you? Does he know that you know who you are in Christ? Does he see you as a threat because you know that you have power and authority over him? Does he know that you aren't easily deceived, that you are bold in your walk with the Lord, that you are strong in your faith? Does he know that your profession lines up with your actions- that you aren't Christian in name only?

The most important thing is that the Lord knows who you are. But the enemy also needs to know who you are. The king of Moab knew the Israelites reputation and was afraid of what they would do to him and his rule. The enemy doesn't fear those who don't have a reputation- a reputation of standing strong in the Lord, of walking in power and authority, of praying, of being light and salt, of being uncompromised in their stand for the Lord and of being unwavering in their faith. Does the enemy know your reputation?

Have a great day. Do you have a reputation that causes the enemy to fear?

For further reading:

Luke 10:19
1 John 4:4
Matthew 11:12
Acts 19:15

"Applying It"

"For all his judgments were before me, and I did not put away his statutes from me." Psalm 18:22

It is one thing to read God's Word and to hear it preached and another to apply it to your life. God's Word is like bread to our souls, but if we aren't "eating" it we will be hungry. It is like "water" for our spirits to drink, but if we don't we remain thirsty. It is a "light" but if it is not used, we will keep stumbling in darkness.

God doesn't intend for us to listen to sermon after sermon, teaching after teaching and walk away talking about "how good" the message was only. His intension is that we make it part of our being-- like air. The Psalmist said that God's Word was before Him- He read it, heard it, thought about it- and he didn't neglect to put it into practice.

Do you know what God's Word says but yet you are ignoring what it says to do? Are you reading the scriptures but that is as far as it goes? Are you forgetting what they say when it comes to what you want to do if they are in opposition? Do you just "enjoy" sermons or apply them to your life? Do you read the Word but just so that you can feel justified that you have fulfilled some religious obligation or duty? Is reading it just another habit? It has to be more. It is more. If this describes you, then you need to make it more in your life.

Have a great day. It is not about just knowing what God's Word says, but about doing what it says.

For further reading:

Psalm 119:105
James 1:22,25
Romans 2:13

"I Know He Is Faithful"

"And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war." Revelation 19:11

Recently we talked about how unsearchable God is and that we will never be able to know all there is to know about Him. Even when this mortality puts on immorality and we behold Him face to face, He will be revealing Himself to us throughout eternity. What we know about Him now is only because He allows us to know it.

When we talked about this before, the one thing we said that we do know about Him is that He never changes. We don't have to worry or wonder what kind of mood He will be in or if we can trust Him today like we did yesterday.

This morning I want to address something else about this wonderful Lord that we can know-- He is faithful. The word faithful means: worthy of trust; true to one's word or promises; reliable. All these describe the Lord God.

He is worthy of your trust today because He is faithful in His love for you- it is unconditional and never ends. He is worthy of your trust because He is true to His word- He keeps His promises, He has never broken one and never will, He will do what He says He will do. He is worthy of your trust because He is reliable. You can count on Him; He won't leave you or forsake you. He won't run out on you when the going gets tough, He won't turn His back on you when you are in need, and He won't neglect you.

So, again, though we won't ever know all there is to know about Him, we can know that He is faithful-- He always has been and always will be, therefore, we can put our trust in Him.

Have a great day. While we will never know all there is to know about God, we do know that He is faithful-- so we can trust Him.

For further reading:
Deuteronomy 7:9
Psalm 36:5; 119:90
Lamentations 3:23

"Press Through The Law"

"And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment:" Matthew 9:20

When we think of the story of the woman with the issue of blood pressing through the crowd to touch the hem of Jesus' garment, we often think about all the obstacles she faced and had to press through to get to Him. She had to press through the weakness of her own body. She had to press through the crowd of people. She had to press through doubt and fear. But she also had to press through the Law.

Under the Law she was considered "unclean" (she had an issue of blood) so she was restricted from being anywhere in the crowd. She was restricted from touching a man- especially a Rabbi, which is what Jesus was considered.

Under the Law she faced a punishment if she violated this Law. Because the Law forbade her from even being there she was to receive a punishment for being in the crowd and for touching Jesus. This is why when Jesus asked, "Who touched me?", she was in fear and trembling (Mark 5:33) She knew that breaking the Law carried a penalty with it.

In order for her to receive the healing and life change that she needed, she had to press past the Law. In order for any of us to receive what we need- life, healing, deliverance, etc.- we would have had to press past the Law. It was impossible for us to do so. But Jesus came and fulfilled the Law and replaced it with grace. He took away the restriction-- the veil is now rent and removed out of the way so that we can freely have access to come before His throne of grace. The punishment for breaking it was placed upon Jesus and nailed to the cross. He took the punishment so that it could no longer hold us guilty of breaking it.

What do you need from Him this morning? You do not have to press through the Law. You aren't restricted from coming to Him. There is nothing standing in the way. You won't be punished for getting "too close". He has made the way so you can boldly and freely come. So come.

Have a great day. We no longer have to press through the Law to get to Jesus. He took the restrictions and penalty of it out of the way.

For further reading:
Colossians 2:14
Hebrews 4:16; 10:16-22
Matthew 5:17
Mark 5:25-34

 

"I Know He Does Not Change"

"For I am the LORD, I change not..." Malachi 3:6a

Although the Bible says that the Lord God will make Himself known to His people, He is so awesome and amazing there is no way that we can know Him in the fullness of who He is. What we do know about Him is only because He allows us to have that knowledge and revelation. If He did not reveal Himself to us we could never know anything about Him or know Him in intimate ways. The depth of God is so deep, the length of God is so long, the mind of God is so unsearchable, His thoughts are so much higher than our thoughts and His ways are beyond our ability to comprehend. Even when our mortality puts on immortality we will still not fully understand the complexity and grandeur of God. I believe that the angels who are constantly in His presence don't fully understand Him, but they stand in awe just like us. After all, how can the creation understand the Creator.

Having said all that, while God is so great that no one can fully know and explain this infinite Being, there is one thing that I do know about Him--- He does not change! He does not change in His unconditional love. He does not change in His faithfulness. He does not change in His mercy and grace. His strength does not change. His wisdom doesn't change. His compassion and loving-kindness for us does not change. His power never changes either.

He isn't like we are-- moody and fickle. People change. Often you don't know where you stand with them. They may be your friend today and your enemy tomorrow. They may start the day off in a loving mood, but before the day is over be full of anger. You just don't always know from one minute to the next where you stand with some people. You don't have to worry about that with the Lord because He does not change. This should give you great comfort and peace. You never have to wonder if He is going to love you today or not. You never have to wonder if He is going to be faithful, meet your need, fight your battle or be with you. He does not change. Whatever He is, is what He has always been and will always be.

Have a great day. We may not be able to know all there is to know about the Lord, but one thing we do know is that He never changes!

For further reading:
Hebrews 13:8
I John 5:20
Psalm 145:3; 103:7
Romans 11:33
Isaiah 55:9

"The Fragrance Of Love"

"And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head." Mark 14:3 

When the woman with the alabaster box broke it and poured the spikenard that was in it upon Jesus, it was only a few days later that He would be crucified. What she did, Jesus said was for His burial. What she did, she did out of love for Him.

As Jesus hung on the cross the fragrance of spikenard was still on His body. What she had done- poured out her love on Him- had followed Him to the cross. I can't help but think that as Jesus went through that long night, as He stood before Pilate, as He was being beaten by the Roman soldiers, as He walked the Via Dolorosa, as He fell under the weight of the cross, as He submitted Himself to the nails and as He hung on the cross taking His last breath and dying for the sins of mankind, that every once and a while He would get a whiff of the fragrance from the alabaster box that lingered on Him.

We know from the scriptures that the motive for Jesus coming to earth and dying on the cross was love. I tend to believe that each time Jesus got a whiff of the spikenard, He remembered the act of love that was done to Him. It was a reminder to Him of the love that she so lavished on Him. It reminded Him of why He was doing what He was doing-- love (the Father's love for mankind). That love compelled Him to continue His mission until the end.

 

Through Jesus, the Father has lavished His love on you. Jesus was the "alabaster box" that was "broken and poured out" for mankind. When the going gets hard, when the race makes you weary, when the road seems long, the night unending, when the trials and storms seem to be getting more intense instead of easing up, when all hope seems gone, when you feel as if you can't go on, take a moment and breath in. As you do, you will catch a whiff of the wonderful fragrance of God's love that has been poured out upon you. Let that fragrance of His love be a reminder that gives you the strength, grace and courage to go on.

 

Have a great day. The fragrance of love compelled Jesus to finish His work at the cross. Let the fragrance of God's love compel you to continue on when carrying your cross seems hard and unbearable.

For further reading:

Mark 14:1-9
John 3:16
Romans 5:8
Hebrews 12:2