"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.     

"Step Of Faith- Part 2"

"And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?"  Mark 4:40

Yesterday I made the statement that any step we make toward God is a step of faith.  I thought more about this and remembered that when the disciples were in the boat and a terrible storm came up on the sea, they made a step toward Jesus and woke Him up for His help to keep from drowning.  He certainly didn't say that they had faith.  On the contrary, He said they had "no faith". 

 

So, if any step we make toward Him is a step of faith, why wasn't the step they made considered faith?  First, they didn't go to Him in faith.  They went to Him with accusations-- "they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?"  Secondly, they had no faith because He had already given them clear instructions, what they were to do and what the outcome would be-- "he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side."  They did not believe Him.  

 

The difference between faith or no faith when we go to Him is this:  if we are going to Him for His help with a weakness, a besetting sin we can't seem to conquer, an issue that we are struggling with, a discipline that we are wrestling with or needing wisdom and instruction in an area, then we are acknowledging His ability and our inability.  We are acknowledging that He is able, but we aren't.  We are saying that we are totally dependent upon Him.  We are showing that we need and trust Him. That is faith.

 

If, on the other hand, we are going to Him with accusations, we are not really asking for His help.  We are saying that He is untrustworthy and unfaithful.  Also, it is lack of faith when He has clearly spoken to you and you don't believe what He said.  The disciples didn't believe that they were going to the other side safely even though He had told them they were.  That is lack of or no faith.   

 

When we go to the Lord acknowledging that we need Him and can't do it on our own, that is a step of faith.  When He has already spoken to us and we go to Him not believing what He said, that is not a step of faith. 

 

Have a great day.  Is the step you are making toward the Lord one of faith or not?

 

For further reading:

Mark 4:35-41

"Step Of Faith"

"Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.'  2 Corinthians 12:10

When I became a Christian, I came in during the "faith movement".  You didn't confess anything negative or anything that wasn't the Word of God.  You only spoke good and positive things.  You certainly didn't confess any weakness you had.  I thought I was supposed to be "God's woman of faith and power" all the time.  I couldn't confess any weakness even to God because that was a "lack of faith".  I would like to address this subject this morning.

I now have changed the way I think about some of this.  I don't believe it shows a lack of faith to confess your weakness.  On the contrary, it is more of an act of faith to do so.  True enough the Bible says a lot about the words of our mouth, and we must guard them and watch what comes out of them.  But that doesn't include going to God for help with an area or issue that you are struggling in. 

What is faith?  Faith is simply to trust in God.  Any time I make a step toward Him, whether it is to confess a weakness in my life and ask for His help; whether it is to ask Him for clarity because I don't understand something; whether it is to cry out to Him about a problem; even if it is to ask Him again concerning something I have already asked Him about, it does not necessarily mean that I don't have faith.  I am acknowledging my dependency on Him.  He remembers my frame and knows that I am dust.  He is more pleased when we come to Him for help in weakness than when we stay away because of condemnation, this shows a lack of faith.

Don't let the enemy stop you from going to God when you are weak or need His help by accusing you of lack of faith.

Have a great day.  Any step you make toward God, for whatever reason, is a step of faith.

For further reading:
Psalm 103:13

"War Room Plus"

"But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly."  Matthew 6:6

When I watched the movie "War Room", it convicted, edified and challenged me in my prayer life.  The "War Room" was the "prayer closet".  In prayer is where we do battle against the enemy.  It is where we receive strategies to overcome the schemes of the wicked one.  It is where we receive strength to fight.  It is where victories are won.  But this morning I want to take the "war room/prayer closet" a step further. 

Prayer is one of the most important spiritual disciplines.  It is our communication with the Lord.  It is the most preached about but the least practiced-- it's no wonder we are so weak and not as effective in our world as we should be.  When I first surrendered my life to the Lord, I was told to do three things-- daily read my Bible and pray and go to church.  That's how imperative it is in the life of a believer. 

Your prayer closet should be just that-- a place of prayer.  You should have a place where you meet with God.  But taking the "war room/prayer closet" a step further, it should also be a place of praise.  Your closet should be a place where you honor God through praise for the answers He gave you while you were in that closet.  Praise itself is a powerful weapon.  It should not be neglected along with your petitioning.  Our "war rooms" should be places of both-- a place where battles are fought and a place where we praise Him for the victories He gave us on that same battlefield.

Have a great day.  Our "war rooms/prayer closets" should be a place where we not only fight battles, but praise God for the answers and victory. 

"Automatic Salvation"

"I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord."  Psalm 116:13

There are many schools of thought when it comes to salvation.  Some believe that "all ways lead to God".  Some believe that you can do enough good works, religious deeds, and penance to be saved.  Some believe that because you were born in a Christian nation or to a Christian family you are saved.  Another belief says that because Jesus died on the cross you are automatically forgiven of your sins and are saved.  This is the one I want to address this morning.

Yes, it is true that when Jesus died on the cross, it was then that He paid for your sins.  It was there where forgiveness of sins was made available.  It was there were the atonement, and complete sacrifice was made.  But just because Jesus provided forgiveness and salvation there already does not mean that it is automatically yours and mine. 

If I had a billion dollars in a bank account and said that anyone who wants it can have it if they will go get it.  If you wanted it, when would it become yours?  Never, if you did not go to the bank and claim it.  It doesn't become yours if you don't go and receive it.  Salvation is the same way.  It has been provided.  It is available.  But unless you receive it personally by faith in Jesus Christ, you will never have it.  If you confess your sins.  If you believe in your heart.  If you ask for it.  If you repent.  If you acknowledge it personally then it becomes yours--and only then.

Have a great day.  Salvation has been provided through Jesus Christ, but you don't automatically have it unless you receive it by faith.    

"Last Words"

"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."  Acts 1:8

Normally the last words that someone has spoken to us are the most important or are the ones that we tend to remember.  This is true of the last words that were spoken by our Lord Jesus.  What were His last words on earth?

Many would say it was, "It is finished".  Those were the last words at the cross but not His last words to His disciples.  He was resurrected and after His resurrection He had more to say to them, and us.  Before He was taken up into heaven to sit down at the right hand of the Father, His very last words were, "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."

What was He telling us?  Why were these important words?  In these words, He said many things.

1)  He said that He had finished His work, but we still have a work to do.  He accomplished the Father's will while He was on earth, but we are to continue to do the Father's will.

2)  He said that our work involves the whole world-- starting at home and then being witnesses everywhere we go.   

3)  He said He was going to send the Holy Ghost to be with us, therefore, we will not be on our own in fulfilling our assignment.  He would be with us. 

4)  He said that He would empower us to be witnesses so that we could accomplish the commission He has given us. 

So, to sum it up, the last words Jesus spoke on earth were-- Your work is not finished, I still have a work for you to do.  You are to be My witnesses everywhere.  You won't be by yourself in doing it.  You will have the power of My Holy Spirit with you.

Have a great day.  Are you fulfilling His "last words"?  Do you consider them important enough to do them?

For further reading:
Acts 1:1-9

"Your Own"

"I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye salve, that thou mayest see."  Revelation 3:18

While studying about the church at Laodicea in the Book of Revelation I discovered that they made eye salve.  One of the commands to the church of the Laodiceans was to anoint their eyes with eye salve that they might see.  This eye salve was not the one that they made-- it was not their own.  It was the one that came from God.  Their own eye salve only met a physical condition but not a spirit one.  That is why He said they were "blind".  (verse 17) God was saying to them that "your own eye salve won't heal your blindness".

Adam and Eve tried to cover their nakedness with their own clothing-- fig leaves.  Their own clothing wouldn't do it-- they were still naked.  God had to make clothes for them that would cover it.

Your own righteousness won't save you-- Christ Jesus' righteousness will.  Your own good works won't make you right with God-- the sacrifice and atoning work of Jesus at the cross will.  Your own wisdom will not guide you-- the wisdom from above will.  Your own understanding can't solve your problems-- acknowledging God will.  Your own strength can't deliver you; you will grow weak and tired-- God's strength is perfect and never wears out.  His strength will deliver you.  Your own course of action won't grow your ministry-- God's plan will.  He grows it by His Spirit. 

You can try to do your own thing, use your own resources, and direct your own steps, but you will still be lacking like the church of Laodicea.  Or you will wind up with an Ishmael like Abraham and Sarah who tried to manifest the promise of God in their life with their own means, idea and plan. 

Have a great day.  Doing things your own way will not bring success.  Your way is faulty and cannot accomplish anything.  Doing it God's way will. 

For further reading:
Revelation 3:14-22
Genesis 3:7,21

"The Correct Way"

"Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."  Matthew 18:18

There has been much teaching on this verse.  It has been interpreted to have more than one meaning.  The point I want to make this morning is that the Lord has given us instructions, patterns and authority in how to handle every issue that arises in our lives.  There is a correct way and there is a wrong way.

When you are faced with a situation, you can either handle it in the "spirit" or you can handle it in the "flesh".  You can handle it based on your own understanding or God's wisdom.  You can handle it in a way that seems right to you or God's way.  You can either do your own will or the Lord's will. 

There is no doubt that handling whatever we face God's way will be the right way.  Handling it our own way will only wind up making it worse.  Just ask Abraham and Sarah. 

Will handling it the way the Lord guides and instructs always mean it will turn out the way you had hoped or planned?  No, not necessarily.  The Old Testament prophets and the Apostles did it God's way instead of their own way and many of them were persecuted, martyred, thrown into prison, faced threats, and so on.  But what looked like defeat and seemed like they had done the wrong thing actually brought them inner victory.  Just look at the cross, on the outside it looked like defeat but in reality, it was the greatest victory ever won for mankind.  The world says you win when you receive a trophy or prize.  The Lord says you win when you do it His way, and one day He will reward you before all of creation and give you a crown of life then.

Have a great day.  There is a right way and a wrong way to handle situations.  God's way is the right way although it might not always appear to be the right way.   

"Good Hearted or God Hearted?"

"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?"  Jeremiah 17:9

I know a lot of really good-hearted people.  They will do anything for you.  They show a lot of compassion.  They are always there when there is a problem.  They are among the first ones to help.  They will "give you the shirt off their back" or their last dollar if you need it.  But is it enough to just be good-hearted?  Especially when it comes to eternity.

A rich young ruler came to Jesus to ask a question.  He addressed Jesus as "good master".  Jesus corrected him by telling him that there is only one who is good-- God the Father.  Meaning that in man dwells no good thing.  We are not good; we are sinners with evil hearts.  That is not to say that we don't do some good things like the people I described earlier. But our hearts have to be changed and transformed from "good" to "godly".  Just because you have a "good heart" doesn't mean you have a "godly" heart. 

The Bible tells us it all goes back to the heart.  The heart has to be changed.  The belief in Jesus as Savior for salvation has to come from the heart.  We are to love the Lord God with all our heart.  It has been said that a lot of people miss heaven by "eighteen- inches"-- the distance from the head to the heart. 

Head knowledge of Jesus won't save you.  Just having a mentally positive attitude about who Jesus is won't save you.  Knowing that He is real and exist won't save you.  Believing that He created everything won't save you either.  It is with the heart that man believes unto righteousness.  When the heart believes, it will become brand new.  Then the heart will go from being just "good" to "godly" because God will give you a new heart-- a heart like His.

Have a great day.  Are you just a good-hearted person?  Or a God-hearted person?  There is a difference. 

For further reading:
Matthew 15:19
Romans 7:18; 10:10

"The Wondrous Word"

"Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law."  Psalm 119:18

God's law/word is wonderful and wondrous.    

Sadly, most people don't see it as such.  They see it as confining, restrictive, a kill-joy, binding, opposed to them having a good time.  Therefore, they rebel against it, turn from it, condemn it, blaspheme it, reject it and mock it.  The people who have this opinion of God's word are those who want to live by their own rules and govern their own lives. 

But for those who have made the choice to surrender the Lordship of their own lives up to follow Jesus Christ, it is a source of blessings.  It is a source of comfort.  It gives protection within its safe boundaries.  It is hope for hopeless times.  It is strength during weakness.  It is help in times of trouble.  It is life, it is light, it gives direction and clarity.  They love God's Word and find peace, comfort and joy in it.  This is why they pray, "Open my eyes, that I may see the wonderful things that are in Your word." 

The Word only becomes wondrous, wonderful and welcomed in our lives when we choose to live by it.  Have you made that choice?  Living by it may not make everything perfect in your live, but it will give you all the instruction that you need to make it through life.

Have a great day.  God's Word is wonderful and wondrous to those who make the choice to follow it.      

"A Salty Flavor"

"Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt has lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men."  Matthew 5:13

As Christians we talk about being light in the world.  We learned the song as a small child.  But when Jesus told us we were the light of the world, He also told us we were the "salt of the earth".  I think we forget about that, or else our attitudes would be different.  What do I mean by that?

Salt does several things.  I want to address only a couple. 

It gives flavor to foods.  When I made mention to our attitudes, I was referring to the way you act, respond and conduct yourself, and what kind of "taste" does it leave with people.  Do you have a bad attitude?  A selfish, self-centered attitude?  A disagreeable attitude?  A mean and hatful attitude?  If so, you are leaving a "bad taste" in people's mouths.  Not only are you leaving a bad taste about yourself, but you are leaving a bad one about the Jesus you say you love and represent.  If that is the case, you have lost your salty flavor.

Salt also makes a person thirsty.  Does your life make anyone thirsty for Jesus?  Do they see Him in you in such a way where they desire to have Him in their lives also?  When a friend tells me about a new recipe they tried and how wonderful it tasted, and on top of that I see a picture of the dish, I can't wait to try it for myself.  Our lives should reflect our wonderful Jesus to the point where they see Him in our lives and hear about Him in such a way where they desire Him for themselves.  Does your life do that?  Or have you lost your salty flavor?

Have a great day.  You are the salt of the world.  Are you still salty for Jesus?  

"Combating Weariness"

"But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing."  2 Thessalonians 3:13

There are many things that cause us to get weary.  Among them are discouragement, disillusionment, tiredness in our bodies, lack of appreciation, unrealistic expectations, self-pity and discontentment.  There are times when we get hit with any one of these things or something else.  They are the "weapons" that the enemy uses against us hoping to cause us to get weary and give up.  He wants us to give up and quit whether it is in our relationship with the Lord, our relationships with other people (spouse, children, friends, family, etc.), our ministry, the duties of life that come from the position we hold, on our jobs, in school, and so on. 

When weariness comes, we have to combat it.  We can't just sit back and do nothing and give into it.  How do we do that?  There are several ways.
1)  Submit yourself to God, resist the devil and he will flee.
2)  Draw closer to the Lord.
3)  Seek the Lord's help, grace and strength.
4)  Don't neglect Him, keep pressing in until you feel His virtue flow into you-- and it will.
5)  Look to Him as your first source, not the last one after you have exhausted everything else you know to do.
6)  Encourage yourself in the Word of God.
7)  Change your focus-- focus on the prize and the promise that you will receive at the end if you don't give up and quit. 
8)  Keep the task set before you.  Don't forget what you are doing and why you are doing it-- don't forget how important it is. 

When we are sick, we take medicine to help us over the illness.  When we are hungry, we eat food to stop that gnawing in our stomachs.  When we want strong muscles, we work out.  So, when we are feeling weary, we need to apply these things above to our lives in order to obtain the result we desire--- victory, power and the strength and perseverance to continue to the end. 

Have a great day.  When you are feeling weary, don't just give in to it, combat it. 

For further reading:
2 Thessalonians 3
Galatians 6:9
James 4:7

 

"The Virtue's Still Here"

"And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?"  Mark 5:30

When the woman who had an issue of blood reached Jesus and touched the hem of His garment, He recognized that virtue had gone out of Him.  That virtue healed the woman and gave her her miracle. 

The word virtue in the original language means:  strength power, ability; inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature, or which a person or thing exerts and puts forth; power for performing miracles.

I am here to tell you this morning that when this woman touched Him, she did not exhaust His virtue.  When His power for healing, deliverance and a miracle flowed into her, that was not the last of it.  She did not use it up.  She did not use up one of His resources and then it was gone.  He is the resource!  He is the Power!  It all flows from Who He is, not What He has.  Therefore, it can't be used up!

Rejoice this morning because that same virtue that healed the woman of her issue, the same virtue that opened blinded eyes, that same virtue that healed the sick, raised the dead, cast out devils, set captives free, opened prison doors to those who were bond, put money in the fish's mouth, turned water into wine and saves the soul of lost mankind, is still flowing, unexhausted and powerful today. 

Do you need His virtue to touch your life?  There is still plenty of it and it is available for you.

Have a great day.  The virtue of Jesus has not been and never can be exhausted!  

"Open The Door"

"If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? And if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.”  Genesis 4:7

"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.'  Revelation 3:20
In order for anything to gain entrance into our lives, there has to be an opening.  There is, it is called a "door".  There are two things that desire access.  One is sin and the other is not a thing but a person, Jesus Christ.  Though they both desire access, there is a difference in the way they gain that access.  

Sin crouches at the door waiting for any opportunity to weasel, deceive, slip, push, barge or squeeze its way in.  Sin came into our lives originally through deception and disobedience in the Garden of Eden.  It still tries to enter the same way.  It desires access so that it can destroy you through guilt and condemnation.  Its desire to enter is never for a good purpose but to steal and to kill and to destroy you.  It comes in and takes its liberty until it abuses and uses you up.

Jesus, on the other hand, knocks at the door.  He patiently waits for you to open the door and receive Him as a welcomed guest.  He waits for you to invite Him in.  His desire for access is so that He can lavish His love on you.  His desire is always for a good purpose.  It is so that He can bless you with eternal life, spiritual blessings, every good and perfect gift, peace, joy, wisdom and everything else that tends to life and godliness. 

The question then is-- who will you open the door of your life to?  Will you allow sin to enter uninvited?  If you do, it will set up residency there before you even realize it and take over to do its destructive work, reeking havoc of your life.  Or will you open the door to Jesus' loving, patient knocks?  If you do, He will set up residency and as a welcomed guest bring healing and restoration into your life.  Once He is a permanent residence, there will be no place for sin and Him both.  He will give you strength and power to keep the door closed to sin, and victory over it so that it cannot gain access again. 

Have a great.  Sin and Jesus both desire access into your life.  Which one will you open the door to?        

"It Is A Time..."

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

When you face troubles, problems, hardships, heartaches, trials, tribulations and difficulties, how do you see them?  A phrase came to me that encompasses how we handle them.  The phrase-- it is a time.  See these as a time in your life for one of two things to happen.   

When these times happen, it is a time for you to draw near to God or a time for you to distance yourself from Him.  It is a time for you to learn a great spiritual lesson through it or it is a time for you to quit and give up.  It is a time for you to be strengthened in your faith or get weary and not press forward.  It is a time for you to seek the Lord or a time to walk away from following Him.  It is a time for you to grow in grace and knowledge or a time to complain and stop growing.  It is a time for you to get revelation of His ways and acts or get discouraged and go in the opposite direction.  It is a time for you to walk by faith or a time for you to walk by sight.  It is a time for you to trust Him in spite of it all or a time for you to accuse Him.  It is a time for you to lean to your own understanding or a time for you to acknowledge Him and get His understanding.  It is a time for you to surrender to His will or a time for you to turn to your own will.  

During these times, you have a choice to do one of two things.  You will either make what you are going through a time to get closer, go higher, get stronger, gain more, overcome and be victorious in the Lord, or you can choose to make it a time to walk in defeat, confusion, discouragement and give up.  Which will it be?

Have a great day.  When the trying times of life come, what kind of time will you choose to make it?    

"Open The Gate"

"Open to me the gates of righteousness:  I will go into them, and I will praise the Lord."  Psalm 118:19

How are the gates of righteousness opened?  Are they opened by our own righteousness?  No, our righteousness is as filthy rags.  Are they opened by our good works?  No, it is not by righteous deeds that we do.  They are only opened to us by Christ Jesus' righteousness.  They are opened to us by and because of what He did for us at the cross.  He is the only One who holds the key to open the gate.

Gates are meant to keep someone or something out.  These gates kept us from the presence of God.  We were unable to come to Him.  No matter how hard we tried, no matter how good we were, no matter how much we may have wanted to enter, access to us was denied. 

The gate to keep us out was not God's will or plan.  It was our sins that caused it.  But because of His great love and mercy for us, He made a way to open the gate.  That way was through Jesus Christ.  He is the Way.  Before Him and without Him there is no other way. 

Are you on the outside of the gate because of your sins?  Are you trying to get through the gate by your good deeds?  Are you attempting to climb over the gate in some way?  The gate has to be opened by a key.  That key is available.  Jesus not only holds the key, He is the key.  Come to Him in repentance and the gates of righteousness will be opened to you.  Then you can go in.

Have a great day.  In order to get through the gates of righteousness, you have to have a key.  Jesus has the key.  Go to Him and He'll let you in.

For further reading:
Isaiah 64:6
Titus 3:5
Revelation 1:18; 3:7

"Infestation"

"Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God."  2 Corinthians 7:1

I had a dream a while back about two things-- twigs and roaches.  When I woke up, the thought came to me that I was "cleaning" up some things.  The part of the dream with the roaches was more pronounced. 

As I prayed about it this morning, I believe I am supposed to share it with you because the dream was not just for me personally.  In the dream there were an innumerable number of roaches.  A few cockroaches but mostly small to mid-size ones.  They were everywhere.  I was having to fight to keep some of them from getting on me.  I decided I needed to try to get rid of them.  I got the roach spray and began to spray.  To my surprise it worked.  They didn't just drop dead; they began to vanish until there were none left.

What the Lord gave me to share from this dream was this:  These roaches represented things that contaminate our hearts and minds and distract us.  They can be pet sins, evil thoughts, wrong thinking, lusts, materialism, the cares of this life, pain, wounds in our hearts, fear, mistakes from the past that try to haunt us, or any number of other things.   We must keep ourselves clean of all those things that would contaminate our flesh and spirit and distract us.  If we don't, they will continue to grow and multiply in our lives until they overcome us. 

How do we overcome them?  How do we destroy them?  The solution is easier than we think-- just like in my dream.  You bring your thoughts toward them into subjection to God's Word.  You use the Word of God against them.  When temptation comes, quote the Word and then do what it says.  When fear comes, quote the Word and resist it.  When the cares of this life get more than you can bear, look to the Word and find peace and rest in it.  If you don't use the Word (like I used the bug spray in my dream), you will wind up with an "infestation".  But if you take action and use the Word instead of just watching them, accepting them and being overwhelmed by them, you will see them stop multiplying and vanish.

Have a great day.  If you don't take care of those small things that contaminate your flesh and spirit, you will wind up with an infestation of them.   

 

"Threatened To Bow"

"That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up:  And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace."  Daniel 3:5,6

The king made a golden idol and required the people to worship it.  There are forces that are trying to get us to bow down to idols as well-- the world, the flesh and the devil.  Some of those idols include money, immorality, homosexuality, abortion, false religions, offense, fear, unforgiveness, condemnation, and so on. 

The people were threatened if they did not bow and worship the king's idol they would be killed.  We too are threatened with death, with lawsuits, with failure, with insecurities, with being an outcast, being labeled, being lied about and being rejected if we don't bow to the idols.  If the threats don't work, and we still don't bow, then we are given a "second chance" to bow, like the three Hebrews.  We are enticed, our senses are appealed to, and we are given an incentive to bow.  If this still doesn't work, we are threatened again.  (Daniel 3:14,15)     

The three Hebrews stood for their God and would not betray Him and bow.  What happened?  They were thrown into the furnace.  Just because you don't bow to the threats, just because you don't worship the idols, doesn't necessarily mean that you will be "spared" from facing what was threatened.  But if you don't bow you will be the victor even if it looks like you aren't.  What else happened to these guys?  When they were thrown into the furnace, they were not alone.  Jesus was in there with them. 

To sum it up:  Don't bow to idols, even when threatened.  Stay faithful to God.  Even if you do stay faithful you may not be delivered from the threats, but you will be delivered in them, and you won't face them alone.  The Lord will be with you. 

Have a great day.  Don't bow to the threats and worship the idols.      

For further reading:
Daniel 3  

"Whitewashed Tombs"

"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchers, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness."  Matthew 23:27

Jesus described the scribes and Pharisees as white-washed tombs.  What did He mean by that?  They were the religious leaders of the day.  They taught the people the law.  They prayed.  They fasted.  They made converts.  They went to the temple.  So why this description?  Because it was only external.  They looked good on the outside.  They looked "godly" on the outside.  They looked "holy" to others.  They were religious.  But once the "stone" of their lives was rolled away it exposed what was on the inside-- what was in their hearts. 

Inside a tomb is death.  There is no life.  Inside a tomb is decay.  This is how their lives were.  They didn't have truth in them-- just the law.  The word of truth brings life.  The law brought death.  They didn't have the Life Giver, Jesus, in their lives.  They just had a religious formality. 

When the "stone is rolled away" from your life, when your heart is exposed, when what is really inside of you is revealed, what will it be?  Do you love the Lord God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind?  If so, then it is full of life-- you are not like a tomb.  If it is only surface religion-- church attendance, giving offerings, acting halfway decent, etc.-- but no Jesus in there then you are like a tomb full of death.  The Bible says that the one who has the Son living inside of him has life.  But he who doesn't have the Son does not have life-- he has death instead.  If you are religious acting but don't have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, you too are nothing more than a whitewashed tomb. 

Have a great day.  When the "stone" is rolled away from your life, what will be found inside your heart?     

For further reading:
1 John 5:11-13

"Contaminated Praise"

"And offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving with leaven, and proclaim and publish the free offerings: for this liketh you, O ye children of Israel, saith the Lord God."  Amos 4:5

 "And offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving with leaven."  Leaven represents sin.  These people were offering their praise and thanksgiving to the Lord combined with sin.  How do you offer thanksgiving that has "sin" in it? 

It has "leaven" in it when it isn't pure thanksgiving from a grateful heart.  When it is given to God with an ulterior motive.  When it is for a show to be seen of others.  When your thanksgiving is not sincere.  When you praise Him out of duty or obligation. 

There are two kinds of praise and thanksgiving.  One comes from the heart.  The other comes from the lips.  What comes only from the lips is really not praise at all.  "He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me." (Mark 7:6) 

When the praise from the heart is mixed together with the attitudes we talked about above, it ceases to be praise and thanksgiving because it is "mingled" with "leaven".  The Bible says a little leaven makes it all leavened.  Even a little "leaven" will make the whole thing "leavened".  Therefore, it will "contaminate" your praise and thanksgiving and make it unacceptable to the Lord.

Think about your praise and thanksgiving.  What are you offering the Lord?  Is it sincere from a grateful heart?  Is it mixed with something that is impure?  Is it with your lips only? 

Have a great day.  Is your thanksgiving and praise to the Lord contaminated or is it acceptable to Him?     

For further reading:
Galatians 5:9
1 Corinthians 5:6

"Offended For God"

"Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!"  Luke 17:1

Have you noticed that the whole world seems to be offended over something?  A few days ago, I was praying and the Lord showed me that a spirit of offense has been released on this nation.  A couple of hours later I was talking to a lady who said the same thing-- there is an evil spirit of offense that has been released.

People are offended if you don't accept their lifestyle. They are offended over something that was done to their ancestors over a hundred years ago and are trying to punish another generation for it.  They are offended over a flag and want it removed from society.  They are offended over certain terminology and want you to use their terminology.  They are offended because you are against the murder of babies while they are still in the womb.  They are offended if you drive a newer automobile than they do.  They are offended if you don't give them everything they want for free.  They are offended because you won't place more value on the life of an animal than you do on the life of a human.  They are offended if you don't agree with them and see eye to eye with them on all issues.  They are offended if you question them about anything.

People are taking personal offense over worldly issues and matters, but why aren't we taking offense to the things that offend God?  Why doesn't it offend us when someone uses His name in vain?  Why doesn't sin offend us?  Why doesn't false teaching and preaching offend us?  Why doesn't sexual immorality offend us?  Why aren't we offended when God is mocked?  Why aren't we offended when He is being removed from society? 

Everybody likes to get on the "band wagon" of "causes".  There are many causes that are admirable.  There are many that need attention and support.  There are many that are worth standing up for.  But, I am speaking to the church, our first priority is to stand for that which God stands for.  The cause of Christ is what we must take up and be busy doing.  That cause is to reach this lost world with the message of hope and salvation that comes through Jesus Christ.

Have a great day.  Offenses are everywhere.  If you are going to be offended, be offended for the things that really count-- like those things that offend God.   

"Provider"

"Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:  Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation."  Habakkuk 3:17,18

There is a lot of talk about some major events that could happen in the near future-- the fall of the economy, a cataclysmic disaster, wars, etc.  These things may or may not happen.  But what if they do?  What if there is no money to buy with, no food available, no jobs, and no homes because they have been wiped out by an earthquake, a flood or even a volcano.  Are you prepared? 

This preparation is not putting things like food, water, money, provisions, etc. back-- although we have already talked about the wisdom in doing that.  I am talking about another type of preparedness.  I am talking about renewing your mind and affirming your faith now (daily) that the Lord is your provider. 

It is so easy to get accustomed to the natural way of doing things that we forget about God's hand in our needs being met.  Therefore, you have to get it settled and stay settled that the government is not your provider.  The stock market is not your provider.  Your spouse is not your provider.  Your stockpile is not your provider.  Your job and your boss is not your provider.  Natural resources are not your provider.  Some religious organization is not your provider.  These are only ways and means that God uses.  When your faith for not only the future but for your daily bread is rooted in the fact that God alone is the provider, it won't matter that there is no physical means of provision.  It won't make you fearful, anxious or distressed because your full trust is in God's faithfulness to provide whatever you need.  

He already provides for you every day by giving you air to breath.  He has not changed.  He can still give water from a rock, send manna from heaven, put money in a fish's mouth, and multiply bread and oil.  Get it settled in your heart everyday who your real provider is.

Have a great day.  Everyday settle it in your heart that your provider is the Lord.  If you do, when natural provisions are cut off, you won't be afraid or worry because you know He will take care of you.         

"He's In The Darkness"

"He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies."  Psalm 18:11

How can a God who is Light-- in Him there is no darkness-- make darkness His secret place?  It isn't that He "lives" in darkness, but He uses darkness as a place where we can find Him.  It is like He "hides out", or "camps out" in the dark places-- the places of grief, sorrow, trials, testing, tribulation, storms, etc.-- so that when we go through them, we can find Him because He is already there. 

He was already waiting ahead of time in the fiery furnace when the three Hebrews were thrown in.  He was already in the dark lion's den when they threw Daniel in it.  He is already there in our trials but often we don't see Him because of the darkness of the situation. 

If you are going through a "dark place" remember that He is already there.  He is there so He can be easily found when you seek for Him.  He is already there so you can touch Him in your dark time when you reach out to Him.  When the disciples were in a storm on the sea, it was dark.  There was no moonlight, no lamps, no flashlights, but there He was in the darkness of the boat, in the darkness of the storm.  They had no trouble finding Him and calling upon Him to save them.  The same for us today.  The storm may hide Him from sight.  The darkness may cover His presence.  But rest assured, He is already there waiting for when you call upon Him for help.

Have a great day.  The Lord is already in your dark times, waiting to help you when you need Him.    
 

"Stuck In The Why"

"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you."  1 Peter 5:7

Do you ever "beat yourself up" with "why"?  Why did I say that?  Why did I do that?  Why did I give in?  Why didn't I keep my mouth shut?  Why didn't I speak up?  Why didn't I tell the truth?  Why didn't I let them know how I felt?  Why did I talk too much?  Why didn't I listen more?  Why did I let them talk me into it?  Why didn't I handle it differently?  And a hundred other "whys". 

I am sure we all have asked ourselves these questions at some point.  Usually when we ask ourselves these questions it is because there is regret, guilt, shame or condemnation attached to them. 

Who can always answer them?  Who can say why we did or didn't do what we did?  There is a wide array of answers to choose from.  We might have done it out of fear.  We might have done it to appease the flesh.  The answer may be rooted in the need to be accepted.  The answer may be attached to the pleasure that thing brought us.  Maybe it was the easy, or lazy, way out. 

Whatever the reason, it is too late to take it back or change it.  Fretting over, regretting it and beating yourself up about it won't change it.  You have to learn to go on and put the questions down.  You may not always be able to put them to rest-- have the answer behind the why-- but you don't have to carry them around with you constantly letting them "nag" you.  Cast the question, the result, the regret and anything else attached to it upon the Lord.  Don't let it continue to "haunt" you.  Don't let it continue to "condemn" you.  Don't let it continue to "rob" you of peace, joy, contentment and abundant life.

Have a great day.  Don't beat yourself up trying to find the answer to why you did or didn't do what you did. 

For further reading:
Romans 8:1        

"Prepping"

"Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise."  Proverbs 6:6

There is much talk about events that may or may not happen in the very near future.  Many think that we might experience an economic collapse, a disturbance in the atmosphere that would cause a chaos, or some natural disaster.  The threat of these things has caused many people to begin to prepare for it.  They are storing up necessary items-- food, water, etc.--- to help them get through it.

There is nothing wrong with putting back a few things for difficult times.  God told Noah to build an ark to provide safety for him and his family during the flood.  God used Joseph to interpret Pharaoh's dream concerning a famine that was coming and told him how to prepare for it by storing up grain in the years of plenty.  Proverbs tells us to learn from the ant.  She stores up her food in the summer to get her through the winter. 

What I want to address this morning is two ways of preparing.  One is physically as we have already talked about.  The other is spiritually.  Our spiritual preparation is more important.  It is more important because this life is temporary.  The body is going to die, whether you have a supply of food on hand or not.  If you don't make preparation for your spiritual man, he will be lost for eternity.  Also, even if you have all these provisions but you don't have peace that comes from having your spirit man prepared and living a spiritually abundant life, what good is your storehouse of material provisions?

There is nothing wrong with putting back physical supplies for the uncertainty of the future.  A wise man will do so.  But don't work so hard at securing the things your physical man needs that you are neglecting the spiritual man.  Bread and water will help sustain the body.  But being spiritually prepared will sustain your entire being-- spirit, soul, body, emotions.  Being prepared spiritually will get you through even if you aren't prepared physically and there is nothing to sustain you physically.  It will sustain you when the food runs out, when the water is gone, when trials come, when the enemy is trying to kill you, when you are in hardships, difficulties, tribulations, and anything else that may come your way.

Have a great day.  If you are preparing for disasters in the future, don't forget the most important preparation is to make sure you are spiritually prepared.       

"Dealing With A Thorn"

"And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure." 2 Corinthians 12:7

Did you notice that the apostle said, "there was given to me a thorn in the flesh"?  That means it didn't just happen to him, it wasn't just the devil deciding to attack him, it was given, it had to come from somewhere.  It came from God-- or rather from His permission. 

This goes against the grain with most Christians.  But look at Job.  God brought up the subject of Job to the devil.  God pointed out the hole in the hedge that was around Job.  God removed the hedge in that area.  Also, the Bible says that God uses good and evil for His purposes.  I am not saying that God did it, caused it or brought it on him, but He did allow it.  The enemy cannot touch you unless he goes through God first.

The point I am getting to is this:  There are times when we are going through something and we rebuke it, we pray for God to remove it, we quote scriptures at it, we fast for it to leave but it doesn't.  It is because God has allowed this thing to be present in our life.  Why?  In Paul's case he had seen heavenly spiritual things that it wasn't lawful for a person to even speak about.  He had had an abundance of revelations.  He had been taken into the third heaven.  The Lord allowed this thorn to keep Paul from getting exalted with pride.  It was for Paul's own good.  It was for his well-being.  Pride goes before a fall.  The bottom line why God allowed it is because of His great love.  He did not want to see this destroy Paul, so He allowed a means to keep that from happening.

Even though God did not remove it from Paul.  He made him a promise-- My grace is sufficient, and My strength will become perfect in your weakness so you can endure it.  Remember this for your own life when you are dealing with a "thorn in the flesh", if God doesn't remove it for you, then rest assured that He will be with you, strengthen you and give you grace to endure it as well.

Have a great day.  If you have a thorn in the flesh, God will give you the grace and strength to endure it. 

For further reading:

Job 1:8-12
Proverbs 16:4
Romans 8:28

"The Judge"

"To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect."  Hebrews 12:23

I watched one of those court shows yesterday.  The judge heard the case then made her decision.  Had I been the judge I probably would not have ruled in favor of the one she did because I disagree with this person's beliefs.  But I have to say that her judgment was the right one.  She made her decision based on wisdom and the law. 

The shameful reality is that many judges don't always judge according to the law.  They make their rulings based on popular opinion, personal preference, political correctness, bribes, the mindset of society, their interpretation of the law, their own convictions, favoritism and their agenda.

As I was thinking about this, I thought about the Lord God who will one day Judge all men.  We like to think that God is just love and that because He is He will accept, understand and look over everything we do.  This is not the case.  He is love but He is also Judge. 

We will all stand before Him one day and He will judge each of us in righteousness and fairness.  He will judge according to His standards-- not ours.  He will judge according to His own counsel and not according to the things we have named above.  His judgment will be true-- you won't be able to argue with it or take it to a higher court.  He is the highest court.  He is greater than the Supreme Court or any court here on earth.

There is no escaping that day.  You will stand before Him.  He will give a verdict.  He will pass sentence.  It will either be, "well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord".  Or He will say, "Depart from Me, you cursed into everlasting fire".  Which will He say to you?

Have a great day.  God is a righteous Judge.  You will stand before Him one day and He will judge you according to His own standards-- not your own.    

For further reading:
2 Timothy 4:8
Psalm 96:13
Revelation 20:11,12
Matthew 25:23,41
 

"Same Treatment"

"Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world."  1 Peter 5:9

Sometimes we think we are the only one who is going through a trial, hard time, difficulties, persecutions, etc.  We aren't.  Many around us are going through some of the same things.  The Bible is full of examples of men and women who throughout history have gone through the same things we have.

I want us to look at three of them this morning.  These three examples are all in the area of our relationships and dealings with other people-- how they treat us, respond to us, feel about us and act toward us.

The first is Moses.  Moses was hated even as a newborn baby.  They tried to kill him.  Why?  All because he was the wrong nationality.  He was a Hebrew not an Egyptian.  There are people who have their prejudices against you just because you were born white, black, Hispanic or Asian, male or female, into a wealthy family, and so on. 

The next is Joseph.  His brothers were jealous of him.  They hated him.  They wanted to kill him.  They threw him in a pit, sold him to slave traders and lied to their father and told him Joseph was dead.  Some people hate you for no reason.  They have "conjured" up all sorts of thoughts about you, that most the time are not true.  As a result, they seek to destroy you-- your reputation, your well-being, the call of God on your life, etc.

Lastly, is David.  David's own father didn't think he was important enough to call in from tending the sheep when the prophet came to his house to anoint the new king of Israel from among his sons.  Jesse left David in the field instead of calling him into the house.  The prophet had to ask if he had any more sons.  Some people don't think you are worth the "time of day".  They see you as worthless and unworthy.  They put no value on you.  You are always the last one they would think about.  Sometimes those people are in your own family.

If you feel that others don't care about you.  If they are against you.  If they are labeling you.  If they tell you that you are no good, not worth it and always putting you down.  If they hate you and are jealous of you.  If they are plotting your downfall.  Remember this-- God knows.  He is watching.  He sees it all.  He is with you.  He loves you and cares about you.  He was with Moses, Joseph and David.  Not only was He with them, though others were against them, through it all He was orchestrating His plan and will in their lives.  Moses was the greatest prophet and deliverer of God's people.  Joseph became the second most powerful man in the world.  David became king of Israel.  He is with you watching over His plan for your life no matter what anyone else thinks, says or does. 

Have a great day.  When men are against you, God is with you and for you. 

For further reading:
Romans 8:31     

"The Foolish Cross"

"For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God."  1 Corinthians 1:18

Yesterday I shared a couple of dreams I had.  One was about holiness-- which we talked about.  The other was about the cross.  The interpretation dealt with how both subjects are being left out of the church.  This morning, I want to talk about the cross.

The scripture says that it's the preaching of the cross that is the power of God to save the lost.  There is power in the cross, but many-- including ministers-- see it as "foolish".  They see their own plan, their own way, their own message, their own preaching as a "wiser" one.  What is this "wiser" plan?  It is one that will give the people what they want to hear.  It is one that will not preach the cross if it "offends" anyone.  Their plan includes making the gospel popular and "seeker friendly" and more appealing to the masses.  They think the preaching of the cross is old-fashioned and out of touch with this new generation.  Therefore, give them something "fresh and new". 

If the preaching of the cross offends, then it will just have to offend.  If the way the Lord has established to reach the lost turns people away, then it just turns them away.  This is His way; there is no other way.  Jesus' words turned many away.  Many were offended by what He said.  Followers of His were offended and turned away when He told them they would have to "eat His flesh and drink His blood".  The rich young ruler was grieved when Jesus told him what he needed to do-- not what he wanted to do-- to have eternal life.  The young man turned away and left.  Jesus did not run after them and tell them He would change His message-- He let them go.  He did not compromise the Word or Will of God.

Stop trying to appease people.  Stop running after them.  Stop changing the message to suit them.  Stop compromising just to get them to stay in the church.  Compromising and changing the message to keep from offending them and cause them to stay will never save them.  It is the truth that sets man free.  The truth is that the preaching of the cross will bring salvation to the lost. 

Have a great day.  The preaching of the cross may seem foolish to you, but it is God's wise way that leads to salvation. 

For further reading:
John 6:50-61
2 Timothy 4:1-4  

"Where's Holiness?"

"Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord."  Hebrews 12:14

A while back I had two dreams back-to-back, but they were both related.  In the first dream I was at a conference.  The room was full of attendees and ministers.  The ministers were scheduled to speak.  I noticed that there was no anointing there.  I knew they were going to ask me to speak as well but I was not prepared.  I prayed and asked the Lord what He wanted me to speak about and to please anoint me to do so.  He gave me a clear topic.  Speak on holiness.  In the second dream I was in a church.  I was supposed to sing a special.  But I was not allowed to because of the song I had chosen.  It was an old hymn that spoke about the power of the cross. 

The relationship between the two dreams was this-- in Christianity we no longer preach the message of holiness, and we have done away with the cross.  That is why there is no anointing in our services.  That is why we aren't seeing mighty moves of God.  

Today I want to talk about holiness.  On the subject of holiness, I am not talking about the length of your hair, your dress or your shirt sleeves.  I am talking about an inward attribute that is the very nature and character of God.  The Bible tells us to be holy as our Father in heaven is holy.  Holiness is the reflection of Father God that is to be seen in our lives.  Children resemble their parents.  Holiness is our resemblance to the Father.

Where is holiness in the church of Jesus Christ?  Many don't preach it for fear of running people away.  Some don't teach it because it is "old fashioned".  Others don't see it as relevant for today.  Or they don't want to preach it because it doesn't project the image of their church they are wanting to portray. 

As a result of not preaching holiness, we are seeing the repercussions of it.  This is why we see people who call themselves Christians living in adultery, fornication and all other kinds of immorality.  This is why people continue to use profanity and never think twice about it.  This is why you see these so-called Christians indulging in the same activities as the world-- bar hoping, gambling, drug and alcohol abuse, "shacking up", dressing like "hookers", and so on.  I am not talking about bringing people into religious bondage-- a list of do's and don'ts.  I am talking about being like your Father who is in heaven.  He is holy and His children-- if they are truly His children-- will be holy too!

Have a great day.  Jesus taught holiness.  The early apostles taught holiness.  Why doesn't the modern-day church teach holiness?  Without it, you will not see God!

For further reading:
1 Peter 1:15,16
Romans 6:19,22
Ephesians 4:24
1 Thessalonians 4:7
Hebrews 12:10