"How God Sees You"

"Therefore hath the Lord recompensed me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his eyesight."  Psalm 18:24

"In His eyesight".  It is about how God sees us.  It is not about how we see ourselves.  It is not about how others see us.  Others saw Gideon as a coward, but God saw him as a mighty man of valor.  Others saw Mary as just a young girl, but God saw her as a highly favored vessel to bear His Son.  Others saw Jacob as a deceiver, but God saw him as a prince.  Joseph's family saw him as a dreamer, but God saw him as a savior of His people.  Some saw Moses as a murderer with a speech problem, but God saw him as a leader.  Christians in the early church saw Saul/Paul as a persecutor, but God saw him as a fit vessel to carry the gospel to the world.  Others saw David as just a shepherd boy (even his family), but God saw a king. 

People may see you as worthless-- you may see yourself as worthless.  Some may see you as never amounting to anything.  Some may see you as just another fanatic.  Some may see you as an ordinary housewife.  Some may see you as too young to do anything for God.  Let me repeat myself-- it is about how God sees us.

God has a plan for each and every one of us.  His plan is not necessarily your plan or someone else's plan for you.  Regardless of how you see yourself, God works with you-- if you'll let Him-- to make you into the person He desires you to be and desires to fulfill His plan through. 

What others saw about each one of the people that were mentioned above was correct in the natural sense and from all physical appearances.  But God sees things differently.  He sees us from His perspective.  He sees us as we shall be.  He sees the finished product of a man or woman, boy or girl, who will surrender themselves to His plan.  He sees us through the righteousness of His own Son.  What He sees, and says, about us/you are more correct than what you or anyone else does. 

Have a great day.  It is about how God sees you that is important. 

"Living For Self"

"And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again."  2 Corinthians 5:15

 "That they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves."  Do you profess to be a Christian?  Then who are you living for?  Are you living your life for the Lord?  Are you living it for your own self?  They say, "The proof is in the pudding."  The proof of your profession-- whether it is true or not-- is in the way you live your life.  Or better yet, who you live your life for.

Christianity is about living for and to the Lord and dying to self.  It is about being a "living sacrifice".  Jesus' message was "follow Me".  Not "follow self".  It wasn't follow your own lusts, desires, plans, rules and wishes.  It was follow His life, His will, His leading, His guidance and His plan. 

"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)  This verse pretty much sums it up.  It is Christ who is living in and through us.  Our lives are to be dead to self and alive in Him.  It is His life that is to be reflected in us.  If not, our profession is not only false, but an injustice to who He is and a hindrance to others.  No wonder people are so confused about Christianity-- they hear one thing and see another.      

So, what are you saying and what are you doing?  Does your life line up with your profession?  Are you dead or alive to self?  Are you letting Him live through you?  Don't you know that you are a temple-- a vessel that He lives and dwells in?  Is He truly living there?  Is it evident that He is living there because He is the One who is being seen?

Have a great day.  Are you living for the Lord or self?  Are you dead to self and alive to Him?

For further reading:
Matthew 16:24
Romans 12:1
1 Corinthians 6:19

"It's Not About The Wheel"

"Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?"  Romans 9:21

In order for a potter to make a vessel of any sort, he has to put the clay on the potter's wheel. I heard a minister make the statement that has given me a new understanding of the whole process of being on the potter's wheel.  He said, "It is not about the wheel.  It is about the clay." 

What is the wheel? The wheel is the circumstances, difficulties, trials and problems that we go through.  I thought about the life of Joseph.  His "wheel" was the pit, then it was Potiphar's house, next it was the prison.  But what Joseph was going through was not about the "wheel"-- it wasn't about his trials.  It was about him-- the clay. 

What he faced, the hardships he endured, the betrayal and hatred of his brothers, the imprisonment, slavery, false accusations, were all just the means/wheel to shape him into the vessel he needed to be in order to fulfill God's divine plan for his life. 

The situations he encountered prepared and transformed him into who he needed to be in order to fulfill his destiny.  Without the "wheel" when he came to the palace, he would have been "unfit" to fulfill that role.  Without the shaping, molding and making he went through on the wheel, he would have taken revenge on his brothers when they came to him for help.  He would have been lifted up with pride because the dreams of the wheat, sun and moon bowing down before him was manifested.  He wouldn't have had the wisdom he needed to put the grain aside.  And so on.

I don't know what you might be going through.  Whatever it is, it is a potter's wheel.  Resist the temptation to focus on the "wheel".  Resist the temptation to be consumed, discouraged and anxious about the wheel.  It is not about the wheel.  It is about the clay.  The clay is you.  It is about God making you and transforming you through your situation into the vessel that He has destined you to be.  Clay is not shaped into a vessel until it goes on the potter's wheel.  We don't become a vessel until we go on the potter's wheel either.  It is there that the graces, Fruit of the Spirit and Christ-like character is produced.

Have a great day.  It is not about the potter's wheel; it is about the transformation of the clay into a fit vessel.     

"Love To Tell The Story"

"How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?"  Romans 10:14

As soon as my eyes opened this morning, I began hearing an old hymn playing over and over in my thoughts.  The words were-- "I love to tell the story, will be my theme in glory.  To tell the old, old story, of Jesus and His love."

What do you love to talk about?  We talk about all sorts of things-- the weather, politics, the latest fashions, popular movies, other people, etc.  But do we talk about Jesus and His great love? 

When I first surrendered my life to Jesus, and He became my Savior and Lord, I couldn't wait to tell people about what He had done for me.  I wanted everyone to know.  I wanted to share His love and the story of salvation.  I woke up in the morning praying to be able to tell someone that day about Him and invite them to make Him their Savior.

What has happened to us?  Why aren't we telling it?  Why aren't we sharing this good news?  Why is it the least thing we talk about as Christians?  I dare say that the reason we see people's lives in such a mess-- inside the church and out-- is because we have stopped telling people about Jesus' love and message of salvation.  When was the last time you heard someone say, "Jesus, loves you"?  When was the last time you told someone that He loves them? 

When we don't tell, we are withholding hope from people.  When we don't tell, we are keeping from them the way to eternal life.  As the scripture above says, how will they hear if someone doesn't tell them.  We might say that they hear it in church.  When was the last time you heard a message in church about the saving love of Jesus?  We preach about everything else most times but that.  Besides not everyone goes to church.  Jesus left us with a commission to fulfill.  If we aren't telling people the "old, old story, of Jesus and His love", then we aren't fulfilling it.

Have a great day.  Do you love to tell the story about Jesus and His love?

"Freed From Deception"

"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound."  Isaiah 61:1

When the disciples asked Jesus about what the sign of His coming would be, He answered them, "Take heed that no man deceive you.  For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many." (Matthew 24:4,5)  The first sign He told them to be on guard for was deception, namely spiritual deception.  If there ever was a time that there is much spiritual deception it is now.

There are so many religions in the world.  There are so many teachings, each believing that theirs is the true one.  Religious deception is so prevalent in the world.  So, how do we know the truth?  How do we keep from falling prey to deception?  How do we keep from being deceived?  You do that by two ways. 

First-- "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:32)  "Thy word is truth." (John 17:17)  Knowing God's Word will keep you from deception.  His Word is Truth.  Hiding it in your heart, referring to it daily, living by it, walking in it, comparing what you hear, see and feel to it will keep you from deception.

Secondly-- Pray that you won't be bound by deception.  Pray that you won't fall for the deception, lies, false teachings, cleverly disguised tricks of the enemy, wolves in sheep clothing, the smooth and deceptive words of the angel of light, and anything else that exalts itself against the knowledge of God.  

Jesus came and gave us the truth.  He spoke only the truth.  He was, and still is, The Truth.  He not only told us the truth but opened the prison door to free us from deception.  He provided the way out of the prison of spiritual deception.  He set us free from the bondage of deception.  We don't have to be bound any longer by the lies and deception of the enemy... that prison door has been opened. 

Have a great day.  We don't have to be deceived by the enemy.  Jesus opened the prison door of deception and set us free.    
 

"An Eternal Crown"

"And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible."  1 Corinthians 9:25

Many of you know that the ministry operates a thrift store.  Everything in the store has been donated.  Sometime trophies are donated.  We've all seen trophies, Super Bowl rings and medals for sale at various secondhand stores or pawn shops. 

These items were all the result of someone's time, money, hard work and discipline, yet now they are discarded and thrown away.  All that last is a memory. 

The Bible says that there is a crown that is laid up for those who put their faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.  Like the "crowns" that are obtained here, this crown also requires something of us in order to receive them.  They require acceptance of the One who will give it to you-- Jesus Christ.  They require discipline-- you can't give up in this race through life and expect to receive it.  They require time-- minute by minute, hour by hour, day in and day out we must continue to live by faith.  They require perseverance-- you must keep following Jesus to the end. 

Unlike the "crowns" of men, these crowns are given to us, we don't earn them.  They come to us freely as we put our faith in Jesus as Savior and Lord.  These crowns that we will receive are not temporary, they are eternal.  They are more precious than these earthly ones-- we won't be "pawning or donating" them.  These crowns won't be ours to keep-- we don't deserve them.  They will be given back to Jesus, freely and gladly, by us because we know that He alone is the only One worthy to wear any crown.

Do you know that you will have a crown of life?  Are you looking forward to being presented it one day?  Are you looking forward to giving it back to Jesus?

Have a great day.  Strive to receive an eternal crown.    

For further reading:
2 Timothy 4:8

"God's Numerous Promises"

"For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly."  Psalm 84:11

There is an old hymn entitled, "Count Your Blessings".  One line says, "Count your many blessings, see what God has done."  There is no way we can count all the blessings that the Lord daily loads us with.  Neither is there any way we can count all the promises that He has made to us.  The verse above alone has at least five promises in it.

He promises to be a sun to us-- bright and shining, illuminating our path before us.  He promises to be a shield to us-- protection, safety and a covering.  He promises to give us grace-- His favor wrapped around us.  He also promises glory-- abundance, honor and riches.  He promises not to withhold any good thing from us as we walk uprightly before Him.

The Lord's promises are innumerable, and He makes them to those who follow Him.  We can trust His promises.  He is not like a man who lies.  He is faithful to do what He has promised.  Begin to search out His promises.  Hide them in your heart.  Trust Him and stand upon His unfailing promises.

Have a great day.  The Lord's promises are numerous.  Claim them.  He is faithful to keep them. 

"Victors Through Christ"

"O sing unto the Lord a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory."  Psalm 98:1

I woke up this morning with a chorus repeating over and over in my thoughts.  "Hallelujah, You have won the victory.  Hallelujah, You have won it all for me." 

At the cross Jesus won the victory over death, hell and the grave.  But He didn't win it for His own self, He didn't need it.  He won it on our behalf.  We were the ones who were defeated by sin in every area.  We were the ones who were under a death sentence.  We were the ones who were a prisoner to sin.  We now have victory over the sin that had us bound and had condemned us to eternal death.  We now have victory over the devil.  We now have victory over temptation.  We now have victory over the flesh.  We now have victory over every besetting sin.  We have this victory all because of Jesus.

Are you walking in that victory?  Are you walking as a victor or as one who is defeated?  Through Christ we more than conquerors.  We have power through Him over all the powers of the enemy.  We can walk in peace, freedom and joy.  We aren't defeated any longer.  We are victorious because He was victorious.

Have a great day.  We need to stop walking like we are defeated and walk like victors through Jesus Christ.   

"Knowledge Or Truth?"

"Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth."  2 Timothy 3:7

This verse is certainly true of the time in which we live.  Many people who call themselves Christians do so because of the "knowledge" that they have.  But this knowledge is not necessarily "truth". 

Their knowledge says to them that they are a Christian because they go to church.  Or because they do religious works and deeds-- like giving offerings, holding a position in church, attend Bible study, etc.  Their knowledge says that they are a "good" person-- they don't cheat, drink, lie, cuss or engage in any other moral vice-- so that makes them a Christian.  Their knowledge says that they know who Jesus is.  But this is the difference between knowledge and truth. 

Knowledge knows about Jesus.  It knows that He was a good man.  It knows that He walked the earth and did miracles.  It knows that He had twelve disciples.  It even knows that He was God, He came to earth, He was beaten, He died on a cross and He rose again the third day.

Truth, on the other hand, knows that knowledge about Him is not the same as a personal relationship with Him.  That is the truth that makes us truly Christians.  Truth says He died for me and my sins.  Truth says it is more than profession it is faith.  Truth says, "Follow Him, make your life a living sacrifice, mortify your flesh, take up your cross and follow Him, be led by His Spirit, obey Him and embrace His will, decrease so that He might increase in your life, be not conformed to this world but be transform, deny yourself."

Do you only have knowledge of Him?  Do you have religion but no relationship?  Do you have a form of godliness?  Do you know facts and figures about Jesus and the gospel but don't know Him in a personal intimate way and are you following His words?  Do you have head knowledge of Him?  Or does He have your heart?  

Have a great day.  There is a difference in only having knowledge and having truth?  Which do you have?

"Don't Allow It"

"Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth."  Romans 14:22

Do you want to stop feeling condemned?  Then the answer is-- don't allow yourself to do those things that you know are going to make you feel condemned.  The verse above gives us this key-- happy is the one who does not condemn himself in what he allows.  Allowing something and condemnation seem to go hand in hand.

There are things that we do that we know are going to make us feel bad, guilty and condemned afterwards.  Like when we overeat a particular food.  Or watch a program on television we know that we should not watch.  Or when the Spirit convicts us to leave a certain issue alone and we proceed anyway.  Afterwards, we have that "feeling" and then start "beating" ourselves up about it.  For example, if I know that I should not have eaten that second candy bar, but did anyway, I usually feel condemned about it.  I start a mental chastening of myself.  If I had not "allowed" myself to eat it, I would not be going through that.     

We would save ourselves a lot of guilt and condemnation if, like I said earlier, we would just not allow our flesh to do it.  Your flesh has to have your permission.  You have to choose to go in that direction.  You have to choose to give it what it wants. 

Just how do I "not allow" myself to do those things?  How do I stop?  How do I keep from giving in?  I can't control it?  Yes, you can.  You don't owe your flesh anything-- you are not a debtor to it.  You don't have to let it rule you-- you rule it by the Spirit.  You can resist it-- you can do all things through Christ.  When it makes its "suggestions", when it "tempts" you, renew your mind and bring those thoughts captive.  You don't have to let your mind "entertain" it-- make those thoughts submit to the Word of God.  If you do this, you will be happy because condemnation didn't have a chance to attack you.

Have a great day.  If you don't allow it, it can't condemn you.

For further reading:
Philippians 4:13
Romans 6:12; 13:14; 8:12; 12:2
2 Corinthians 10:5

"Not Convincing"

"..... all men know that ye are my disciples...."  John 13:35

Yesterday I found an object half buried in my yard.  When I dug it out, I wasn't quite sure what it was.  It was perfectly round and appeared to be a marble.  I couldn't really tell because of the dust that was on it.  I wiped it off but still wasn't sure.  I thought it was a marble but it didn't have the luster and smoothness of a marble.  It also looked like it might be a steel ball.  When dropped, it bounced like a ball.  It didn't break like glass.  It was tough like steel.  I have an idea about what it is but am not completely convinced.

Many people are like that object, especially when it comes to their profession of Christianity.  It is hard for you to tell what they are.  They say they are a Christian, but their speech betrays them.  They use profanity like it is normal.  They appear to be a Christian because they go to church-- they even work in the church-- but their lifestyle outside of the church doors is anything but Christian.  They look the part but they don't act the part.  They profess to be but their attitude and actions speaks louder than their words.

If a person truly is a Christian, there is no doubt.  Their life lines up with what they say they are.  I am not saying that a Christian can't make a mistake and do something "wrong", but their life overall will line up with what they profess to be.  "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.  In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother." (1 John 3:9,10)  You can't say you are a Christian and act like someone who isn't.  You either are one or you aren't one.  Just like that object I found.  It can't be a marble and a steel ball both.  

Have a great day.  Is there any doubt that you are a Christian?  Is it something that people can easily tell about you?  Or are they confused and not convinced because you say one thing and act like another?    

"It's Amazing Mercy"

"The earth, O Lord, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes."  Psalm 119:64

You might wonder where the mercy of God is when you see so much pain, violence, corruption and evil taking place in the world.  I can assure you His mercy is still here.  If it weren't we would all be destroyed-- and a long time ago.  We have done evil in His sight.  We have blasphemed His holy name on many levels.  We have denounced and rejected Him-- even in His own house.  Yet we still continue on and going in the same direction as we have been going. 

His mercy will not always wink at our sins.  It will not always withhold judgment.  It will not always continue to be patient.  It will not continue to tolerate our blatant rebellion against Him and His authority in the earth.  He is a merciful God and is giving us time to repent and turn from our wicked ways.  He does that with individuals, and He does that with nations. 

The saints that are described under the altar in Revelations are crying out for revenge.  We cry out for God to make things right.  We are praying for Him to change the hearts of wicked men.  We wonder how long, oh, Lord, will you continue to allow the flood of ungodly men to sweep throughout the land?  He will avenge those souls.  He will bring the reign of the ungodly to an end.  He will put down all evil doers and their wicked schemes.  He will make all things new.  He will establish His holy and righteous kingdom upon the earth.  But in the meantime, we are under His mercy.  It is because of His mercies that things are allowed to continue.  When He does make all things new, the wicked will be cast out into everlasting hell fire.  They will be thrust into eternal torment.  But because He is a merciful, loving God, He is not willing that any should perish.  Therefore, He is patient and longsuffering giving people time and space to repent.

So, when you are bemoaning the evil that is in the world-- and we should pray, pray, pray because of it-- be sure that you also thank Him and praise Him for His mercy that is in operation today.

Have a great day.  Because of God's mercy we are not consumed, even though we should be.  

For further reading:
Revelation 6:9,10
Matthew 25:41
Psalm 1:6
1 Peter 4:18
2 Peter 3:9

"A Right And A Wrong Side"

"Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.  Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No.  And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes."  John 21:3,5,6

There is a right side and there is a wrong side.  There is one side and there is the other side.  The disciples were fishing from one side of the boat-- the wrong side.  Jesus told them to put their nets on the other side-- the right side.  Once they did, they caught more fish then they could pull up in their nets. 

When things aren't "prospering" in our lives, when we aren't being "successful", when what we are doing isn't being "fruitful", it is often because we are on the "wrong side".  We are on the wrong side because we are doing things according to our own decisions.  We chose to do it one way based on our personal desires, our knowledge, our education, the influence of others, because it's the way we have always done it, because we are leaning to our own understanding, because it worked for someone else or because it worked for us in the past.

It wasn't until the disciples followed the instructions of Jesus and did it His way-- the right way-- that they began to catch fish.  Whatever it is that you are putting your hands to do, whatever ministry, whatever business, whatever relationship, whatever project, don't just go out there and make your own decisions about the matter.  Don't lean to your own understanding.  Acknowledge the Lord in it.  Let Him guide you.  Let Him give you direction.  Let Him tell you "which side" is the "right side". 

Have a great day.  There is a right side and a wrong side.  The Lord's side and His way is the only right one.  Seek Him to find out which one is His side. 

"Winning Over The Wicked"

"The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law."  Psalm 119:61

There are always going to be wicked people who are out to "get you".  They will rob you, they will do you bodily harm, they will try to take advantage of you, they will be jealous of you, they will try to destroy you, they will lie about you, cheat on you, use you and abuse you.  They don't care about you, they only care about themselves.  That is why they have no conviction or reservation when it comes to doing you harm or taking what belongs to you.  They want what they want only and see their evil and wicked deeds as an opportunity to get it.

So, what are the righteous to do?  Don't forget God's law.  That's what we do.  That doesn't make any sense, you might say.  Maybe not, to our natural man or to the world, but God's word is our only hope.  His word will get us through the difficulties of life.  His word will give us strength, hope and peace when it seems like the wicked are prevailing and we are under attack.  It will give us wisdom and guidance on how to handle ourselves, not like the world does or thinks we should, but in a way that is pleasing to and honors God. 

I am not going to have to stand before wicked men when I reach the end of this life and step into eternity.  I may have to face them here and now while on earth, but then I won't.  The One I will face is the Lord Jesus Christ and God the Father.  When I face them, I want my life to be such that they are well pleased that I conducted myself and handled the trials, problems and temptations that I had to endure the way they "prescribed" for me to handle them.  I want to hear them say, about everything I did, "Well done."  Keeping His word in focus and practice during the times when the wicked try to destroy me will cause Him to say just that.

Have a great day.  Wicked people will always be out to destroy us but holding on to God's Word and applying it in those times will cause us to be the ones who win in the long run.

"Knowing God's Ways"

"He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel."  Psalm 103:7

The children of Israel saw the acts of God-- the parting of the Red Sea, the pouring out of the plagues on Egypt, water from a rock, etc.  They only saw what He did, but Moses knew His ways-- he knew why God did what He did, he knew God's heart and reason behind His works and acts. 

Throughout the Bible it is recorded that God often revealed what He was going to do and why He was doing it to His servants.  He took them into His "confidence".  What He did then, He still does today.  He will do the same for you and for me.  So, which would you rather be?  Like the Israelites or like Moses?

If you are one of those who want to know God's ways, I see three things from the life of Moses that will help you to reach that goal. 

1)  "And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.  And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.  And when the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I." (Exodus 3:2-4) Moses turned aside to see the bush that was on fire.  We have to "turn aside" from the cares of life, from the distractions, from the things of the world and turn toward God to "see" and "hear" what He is doing.  This doesn't happen automatically.  You have to make a deliberate choice to do so. 

2)  "And the Lord said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod.  And he said, Cast it on the ground."  (Exodus 4:2,3a) What is in your hand?  Surrender it to God.  Surrender your talents, your agenda, your plans, your own desires, your will, yourself, etc.  Give whatever you have in your hand (in your possession) to God and let Him use it according to His will.

3)  "And Moses went up unto God, and the Lord called unto him out of the mountain." (Exodus 19:3a) God told Moses to "come up the mountain".  He told him to bring with him two more tablets of stone.  And He told him to come up the next morning.  We see two things here that Moses had to do, actually three.  Moses obeyed God even though none of these were an easy task.  Moses also answered God's call to come up higher.  Moses had to persevere.  He couldn't stop short.  He had to keep on going until he reached the place God called him to.   

Let me recap and sum it all up.  If we want to be people who know God's ways instead of just His acts, here are three things from the life of Moses, the one who knew God's ways, that we can learn from:

1)  Make the choice to turn toward God and seek Him, and away from the world.
2)  Surrender everything you have to God.
3)  Be obedient to what He tells you to do, even though it may cost you.  Persevere and don't quit.  Go up higher until you reach that desired place.  You can't stay in the "low places" and expect to reach it.   

Have a great day.  Do you want to be a person who only sees what God does?  Or a person who knows God's heart and why He is doing what He does?   

"Out Of Reach"

"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us."  Hebrews 12:1

We are told to "lay aside" those weights and sins that would easily beset us-- that would pull us down, keep us in bondage or cause us to sin.  You may say, "I do that but it keeps coming back.  I keep falling into it."  Perhaps it is because you aren't laying it far enough away.  Most of us will "lay it aside" but we lay it where it is still within arms reach so we can grab it anytime we want.

For example, if you have a problem with adultery, just refraining from calling the person you are having the affair with is not enough.  It is still within arm's reach if you have not deleted their number from your contact list.  If you have a problem with overeating sweets.  It isn't enough to just not buy them, but you need to go clean out the cabinet where you have the brownies hidden.  If you are trying to "lay aside" anything that is a bondage to you, but you are keeping it where it is accessible, then you are not laying it aside.

Another way we lay it aside out of arm's reach is by renewing our minds.  If we keep it near us mentally, we will eventually pick it up.  Continuing to think about it keeps it close to you.  You will never get it far enough away to keep from picking it up as long as you are thinking about it, entertaining thoughts about it or dwelling on it. 

So, you say you have laid it aside, but have you laid it far enough away?  Or is it still close enough to be able to go to it any time?  Is it close to you through your thoughts?

Have a great day.  You have to lay besetting sins out of reach or you will keep picking them up.  

For further reading:
Romans 12:2; 13:14

"Thou Art Worthy"

"Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created."  Revelation 4:11

The verse above says that the Lord is worthy to receive glory and honor and power.  It didn't say He was worthy to receive glory only when He answers our prayers in the way we wanted them answered.  It doesn't say He is worthy only when things are going well for us.  It didn't say that He is worthy when we have lots and plenty to spare only.  It doesn't say that He is worthy in just the times that He has come through for us with some deliverance, healing or need that He has met.  What it says is "He is worthy"-- period.

He is worthy of all the glory and honor and power whether He ever answers another prayer for you; whether He blessed you ever again; whether He meets and supplies one more need you have.  He is worthy of all the glory and honor, not just when He does something on your behalf. 

He was worthy before He answered the first prayer you prayed.  He was worthy before He saved your soul.  He was worthy before He delivered you from your problems, issues and addictions.  He always has been worthy of all honor because He is God.  He always has been and always will be whether you think He is or not; whether you say He is or not; even if your opinion, your feelings, your emotions, or your disappointments say otherwise.  He is worthy just because He is God.

Have a great day.  The Lord is worthy of all glory and honor and power not because of what He has done, but because of who He is.  

"Looking In The Wrong Place"

"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith..."  Hebrews 12:2a

If you are looking to people to affirm you then you are looking in the wrong place.  If you are looking to people to make you happy, again you are looking in the wrong place.  If you are looking to others to make you feel valued, loved, fulfilled and important, you are still looking in the wrong place.  If you are looking to man to solve your problems, deliver you, save you, meet all your needs, you are not looking in the right place.  If you are expecting them to give you peace of mind and peace of heart and come to your rescue and heal the inner hidden places in you, you are still looking in the wrong place.

People can "help", but they cannot solve.  They are just as weak, just as frail, just as lost, just as needy, just as messed up as the rest of us are and in need themselves.  We are all in need of someone bigger than ourselves to give us what we need.  We need someone wiser, stronger, more powerful, more loving, more compassionate than we are.  That someone would be Jesus. 

There is nothing wrong with reaching out to people.  But if you are putting your faith in them to give you what you need, you are misguided and looking in the wrong place.  Jesus is the true source of all that we need. 

Are you seeking out people, but forgetting Him?  Are you looking to others, but not to Him?  Are you depending on some person to give you what you need, but are leaving Jesus out of the picture?  Then you will never find the thing you are searching for and the answer you need because He is the answer.

Have a great day.  If you are depending on people to give you what you need you are looking in the wrong place.