Romans 7:13-25 (ESV)
"13 Did that which is good, then, bring death to me? By no means! "IT WAS SIN", producing death in me through what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure.
14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin.
15 For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I DO THE VERY THING I HATE.
16 Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good.
17 So now it is no longer I WHO DO IT, BUT SIN THAT DWELLS IN ME.
18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, BUT NOT THE ABILITY TO CARRY IT OUT.
19 For I DO NOT DO THE GOOD I WANT, but the EVIL I DO NOT WANT IS WHAT I KEEP DOING.
20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.
21 So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand.
22 For I delight in the law of GOD, IN MY INNER BEING,
23 but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.
24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?
25 Thanks be to GOD through JESUS CHRIST our LORD! So then, I myself serve the law of GOD with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin."
If memory serves me correctly, Flip Wilson is credited with coining the phrase "the devil made me do it". I'm not sure that a comedian should be someone who we should base our theology, but the phrase could have been used in the scriptures above. Now it has since been taught that the devil doesn't make us do anything, but the Apostle Paul implied something different.
Although Paul was, in my book, one of the strongest Believers that ever lived, he was still human and had 'SIN THAT DWELLS IN ME'! It has always humbled me that Paul, Mr. SuperChristian in my view, would write about his weaknesses for all of Creation to read about? Surely me reading about his sins would not assist me in walking a stronger walk with JESUS, would it???
The Apostle Paul was USED BY GOD to GLORIFY GOD! In Acts 9:15-16 Ananias is told by JESUS "Go, for he (Saul/Paul) is a chosen instrument of MINE to carry MY name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of MY name." Paul's "weaknesses", or "failures", were used to demonstrate how GOD can use even the our worst moments for HIS Glory! We shouldn't set out to glorify our sins, but we should always remember that when GOD sees us, HE ultimately sees the blood that JESUS shed for us on Calvary!
WE ARE ALL SPIRITUAL BEINGS. When Adam and Eve chose evil in the garden of Eden, they could have said "IT WAS SIN" that made us weak! VERY FEW of us want to admit that we are vile enough to SIN against a HOLY GOD. But in Romans 14:11-12 scripture records "As I live, says the LORD, every knee shall bow to ME, and every tongue shall confess to GOD." So then each of us will give an account of himself to GOD."! We can do it now and live for HIM, or we can do it at the Judgement and take our chances! One thing is certain, "IT WAS SIN" that held JESUS on the cross and "IT WAS SIN" that will be judged on that day!!
Friday, September 30, 2016
Wednesday, September 28, 2016
"IF MY PEOPLE!"
2 Chronicles 7:14 (KJV)
"14 "IF MY PEOPLE", which are called by MY name, shall HUMBLE THEMSELVES, and PRAY, and SEEK MY FACE, and TURN FROM THEIR WICKED WAYS; then will I HEAR FROM HEAVEN, and will FORGIVE THEIR SIN, and will HEAL THEIR LAND."
In May 2012 I began writing down my daily devotionals and sharing them on social media. My first scripture to write about was 2 Chronicles 7:14. Recently, while reading scriptures, I ran across this verse again. It was the Spirit of GOD was speaking to me new and afresh. Here are a few thoughts that were placed in my heart.
We are not CALLED to be "Super Christians". GOD does not have a need for people who are proud and arrogant regarding their walk with the LORD. Isaiah 64:6 says our BEST, our righteousness, is nothing but "filthy rags" before a Holy GOD! Even on our "good days" we fall short of the Holiness of ALMIGHTY GOD. Psalms 51:17 says "The sacrifices of GOD are a BROKEN SPIRIT; a BROKEN and CONTRITE heart, O GOD, YOU WILL NOT DESPISE." GOD desires for us to be servants to and for HIM! Serving HIM cannot be done unless we recognize that we are worthless without HIS SPIRIT indwelling our earthly temples!
This verse never calls for other people, OR our leaders, to be to be Holy. It doesn't say that if we select Godly people to guide our nation that we will experience prosperity. It DOES say "IF MY PEOPLE" who are called by MY NAME shall HUMBLE THEMSELVES.....! We are HIS PEOPLE and we are called by HIS NAME! Yet at times I give the appearance that I am not only MY OWN MAN, but I do "just what I please"! That is NOT the way GOD created us, nor do we have the intelligence to the keep our lives out of serious issues or problems.
JESUS said in Matthew 7:14 "For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and THOSE WHO FIND IT ARE FEW"!!! We are privileged to be CHOSEN! "IF MY PEOPLE" would return to acting like HIS PEOPLE, without all of the arrogance and pride that is profoundly currently displayed, maybe then HE could hear from Heaven and heal our land?? HEAVENLY FATHER, may I come before YOUR THRONE with humility, seeking mercy, for my wretched soul! Since I am a child of the KING, cause me to come before YOU like "IF MY PEOPLE" should!!
"14 "IF MY PEOPLE", which are called by MY name, shall HUMBLE THEMSELVES, and PRAY, and SEEK MY FACE, and TURN FROM THEIR WICKED WAYS; then will I HEAR FROM HEAVEN, and will FORGIVE THEIR SIN, and will HEAL THEIR LAND."
In May 2012 I began writing down my daily devotionals and sharing them on social media. My first scripture to write about was 2 Chronicles 7:14. Recently, while reading scriptures, I ran across this verse again. It was the Spirit of GOD was speaking to me new and afresh. Here are a few thoughts that were placed in my heart.
We are not CALLED to be "Super Christians". GOD does not have a need for people who are proud and arrogant regarding their walk with the LORD. Isaiah 64:6 says our BEST, our righteousness, is nothing but "filthy rags" before a Holy GOD! Even on our "good days" we fall short of the Holiness of ALMIGHTY GOD. Psalms 51:17 says "The sacrifices of GOD are a BROKEN SPIRIT; a BROKEN and CONTRITE heart, O GOD, YOU WILL NOT DESPISE." GOD desires for us to be servants to and for HIM! Serving HIM cannot be done unless we recognize that we are worthless without HIS SPIRIT indwelling our earthly temples!
This verse never calls for other people, OR our leaders, to be to be Holy. It doesn't say that if we select Godly people to guide our nation that we will experience prosperity. It DOES say "IF MY PEOPLE" who are called by MY NAME shall HUMBLE THEMSELVES.....! We are HIS PEOPLE and we are called by HIS NAME! Yet at times I give the appearance that I am not only MY OWN MAN, but I do "just what I please"! That is NOT the way GOD created us, nor do we have the intelligence to the keep our lives out of serious issues or problems.
JESUS said in Matthew 7:14 "For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and THOSE WHO FIND IT ARE FEW"!!! We are privileged to be CHOSEN! "IF MY PEOPLE" would return to acting like HIS PEOPLE, without all of the arrogance and pride that is profoundly currently displayed, maybe then HE could hear from Heaven and heal our land?? HEAVENLY FATHER, may I come before YOUR THRONE with humility, seeking mercy, for my wretched soul! Since I am a child of the KING, cause me to come before YOU like "IF MY PEOPLE" should!!
Tuesday, September 27, 2016
"YOU ARE NOT YOUR OWN!"
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (ESV)
"19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the HOLY SPIRIT within you, whom you have from GOD? "YOU ARE NOT YOUR OWN",
20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify GOD in your body."
The overwhelming majority of the devotionals I write are about changing MY life, for honestly, I am the only one I can change. When GOD places something in front of my eyes more than twice, I get the message and start looking at what it is HE might be trying to get across to me? This morning I have "exposed" to "your body is a temple" several times, so I decided to SEE what GOD would have my eyes opened to today? The verses are highlighted in most versions of the Bible that I read, but that doesn't mean that GOD is through with correcting me with this scripture!
To understand that the HOLY SPIRIT lives inside of my body is not something that is new to me. That concept was made clear to me a long time ago. Formerly, I used to do somethings with my body that did not glorify GOD. As a matter of fact, some of those things may have brought shame to a HOLY GOD! Romans 14:23b says "........For whatever does not proceed from FAITH is sin." The way I read scripture, if a Believers "operating system" is based on any other premise than GOD is the ruler of the universe, we stand a good chance of living in a sinful, rebellious state with our lives! "YOU ARE NOT YOUR OWN" should make us think that we BELONG to someone else?
Then why do I try to do whatever it is that makes me happy??? My selfish desires of living in the finest houses and drive the biggest cars should never figure into the equation. "YOU ARE NOT YOUR OWN" should mean that HOLY SPIRIT controls my life's actions and that I perpetually surrender to HIS leadership. But self is cruel visitor in my Temple and I constantly have to remind myself that "YOU ARE NOT YOUR OWN", you were bought with a price!
Since my Temple is no longer my own, I have a DUTY to keep it in good repair, not to fill it with junk! How can I continually expect my body to operate efficiently carrying way too much weight? How could I expect this Temple that houses the HOLY SPIRIT to be filled with tobacco smoke, or alcoholic beverages, or illicit drugs? While it is true that our SPIRIT should be more important than our bodies to a Believer, the fact that "YOU ARE NOT YOUR OWN" should tell me that what "I WANT" should never come into play!
HEAVENLY FATHER, cause me to be constantly reminded that "YOU ARE NOT YOUR OWN" and this Temple has YOUR SPIRIT living in it!!!
"19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the HOLY SPIRIT within you, whom you have from GOD? "YOU ARE NOT YOUR OWN",
20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify GOD in your body."
The overwhelming majority of the devotionals I write are about changing MY life, for honestly, I am the only one I can change. When GOD places something in front of my eyes more than twice, I get the message and start looking at what it is HE might be trying to get across to me? This morning I have "exposed" to "your body is a temple" several times, so I decided to SEE what GOD would have my eyes opened to today? The verses are highlighted in most versions of the Bible that I read, but that doesn't mean that GOD is through with correcting me with this scripture!
To understand that the HOLY SPIRIT lives inside of my body is not something that is new to me. That concept was made clear to me a long time ago. Formerly, I used to do somethings with my body that did not glorify GOD. As a matter of fact, some of those things may have brought shame to a HOLY GOD! Romans 14:23b says "........For whatever does not proceed from FAITH is sin." The way I read scripture, if a Believers "operating system" is based on any other premise than GOD is the ruler of the universe, we stand a good chance of living in a sinful, rebellious state with our lives! "YOU ARE NOT YOUR OWN" should make us think that we BELONG to someone else?
Then why do I try to do whatever it is that makes me happy??? My selfish desires of living in the finest houses and drive the biggest cars should never figure into the equation. "YOU ARE NOT YOUR OWN" should mean that HOLY SPIRIT controls my life's actions and that I perpetually surrender to HIS leadership. But self is cruel visitor in my Temple and I constantly have to remind myself that "YOU ARE NOT YOUR OWN", you were bought with a price!
Since my Temple is no longer my own, I have a DUTY to keep it in good repair, not to fill it with junk! How can I continually expect my body to operate efficiently carrying way too much weight? How could I expect this Temple that houses the HOLY SPIRIT to be filled with tobacco smoke, or alcoholic beverages, or illicit drugs? While it is true that our SPIRIT should be more important than our bodies to a Believer, the fact that "YOU ARE NOT YOUR OWN" should tell me that what "I WANT" should never come into play!
HEAVENLY FATHER, cause me to be constantly reminded that "YOU ARE NOT YOUR OWN" and this Temple has YOUR SPIRIT living in it!!!
Monday, September 26, 2016
"BE STRONG IN THE LORD!"
Ephesians 6:10-20 (ESV)
"10 Finally, "BE STRONG IN THE LORD" and in the strength of HIS might.
11 Put on the whole armor of GOD, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
12 For WE DO NOT WRESTLE against FLESH and BLOOD, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, AGAINST THE SPIRITUAL FORCES OF EVIL in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore take up the whole armor of GOD, that you may be ABLE TO WITHSTAND in the evil day, and having done all, to STAND FIRM.
14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.
16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;
17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the SPIRIT, which is the WORD of GOD,
18 praying at all times in the SPIRIT, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel,
20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak."
One of the most difficult acknowledgements I have had to overcome in my life (and I still have problems with it!) is RECOGNIZING that the enemy is a master of disguise and can camouflage himself as any of our friends, family, or (easiest for me, at least) one of my adversaries to challenge my walk with the LORD! The enemy will do ANYTHING he can to damage a relationship and get me focusing on "my hurt", rather than SEEING him and his destruction. At least with me, I seemingly always want to "blame" an earthly being, and it hurts the most when it is someone I trust, or LOVE, than to admit my "adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour"! (1 Peter 5:8)!!
Now there are some people who seem to be a magnet for our "adversary the devil"! For the most part, we don't need to be consumed by the constant turmoil and strife that is associated with those people. The version of the Bible that uses the word "battle" seems most appropriate to me for this verse (HCSB), for everyday is a new conflict, a new struggle that we must overcome. When we are able to RECOGNIZE our enemy and focus on defeating him in our lives instead of the people he is using to bring about the hurt and pain, our STRUGGLING, or BATTLING, or WRESTLING will be much less harmful to us, as the enemy HAS BEEN defeated over two thousand years ago and we don't need to continue trying to overcome him.
Throughout my life I have grown the most when I have had to "BE STRONG IN THE LORD"! Every struggle or battle we go through has a purpose and meaning behind it, I just have to recognize them. Being able to "SEE" what GOD is trying to get us to "glean" out of an uncomfortable situation can be one of the biggest blessings of our lives! Wallowing in the hurt and the lessons of defeat while GOD moves us through the BROKENNESS can be one of the most painful periods of our lives! GOD WILL GET GLORY (Isaiah 42:8), no matter how long we choose to live in anguish! Not allowing myself to "live in the ruts" of being stuck and getting through the mud hole is an invaluable lesson.
So accept that trials and tribulations WILL come, but if we can "BE STRONG IN THE LORD" they will NOT consume our minds and activities. The enemy is deceitful beyond our wildest imaginations sometimes, but if we can "BE STRONG IN THE LORD" we can begin to recognize his tactics and make ourselves aware of his presence! It's time to cease the game playing! It's time to "BE STRONG IN THE LORD" and to be used for HIS KINGDOM!!!
"10 Finally, "BE STRONG IN THE LORD" and in the strength of HIS might.
11 Put on the whole armor of GOD, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
12 For WE DO NOT WRESTLE against FLESH and BLOOD, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, AGAINST THE SPIRITUAL FORCES OF EVIL in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore take up the whole armor of GOD, that you may be ABLE TO WITHSTAND in the evil day, and having done all, to STAND FIRM.
14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.
16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;
17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the SPIRIT, which is the WORD of GOD,
18 praying at all times in the SPIRIT, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel,
20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak."
One of the most difficult acknowledgements I have had to overcome in my life (and I still have problems with it!) is RECOGNIZING that the enemy is a master of disguise and can camouflage himself as any of our friends, family, or (easiest for me, at least) one of my adversaries to challenge my walk with the LORD! The enemy will do ANYTHING he can to damage a relationship and get me focusing on "my hurt", rather than SEEING him and his destruction. At least with me, I seemingly always want to "blame" an earthly being, and it hurts the most when it is someone I trust, or LOVE, than to admit my "adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour"! (1 Peter 5:8)!!
Now there are some people who seem to be a magnet for our "adversary the devil"! For the most part, we don't need to be consumed by the constant turmoil and strife that is associated with those people. The version of the Bible that uses the word "battle" seems most appropriate to me for this verse (HCSB), for everyday is a new conflict, a new struggle that we must overcome. When we are able to RECOGNIZE our enemy and focus on defeating him in our lives instead of the people he is using to bring about the hurt and pain, our STRUGGLING, or BATTLING, or WRESTLING will be much less harmful to us, as the enemy HAS BEEN defeated over two thousand years ago and we don't need to continue trying to overcome him.
Throughout my life I have grown the most when I have had to "BE STRONG IN THE LORD"! Every struggle or battle we go through has a purpose and meaning behind it, I just have to recognize them. Being able to "SEE" what GOD is trying to get us to "glean" out of an uncomfortable situation can be one of the biggest blessings of our lives! Wallowing in the hurt and the lessons of defeat while GOD moves us through the BROKENNESS can be one of the most painful periods of our lives! GOD WILL GET GLORY (Isaiah 42:8), no matter how long we choose to live in anguish! Not allowing myself to "live in the ruts" of being stuck and getting through the mud hole is an invaluable lesson.
So accept that trials and tribulations WILL come, but if we can "BE STRONG IN THE LORD" they will NOT consume our minds and activities. The enemy is deceitful beyond our wildest imaginations sometimes, but if we can "BE STRONG IN THE LORD" we can begin to recognize his tactics and make ourselves aware of his presence! It's time to cease the game playing! It's time to "BE STRONG IN THE LORD" and to be used for HIS KINGDOM!!!
Friday, September 23, 2016
"LOVE IS FROM GOD!"
1 John 4:7-21 (ESV)
"7 Beloved, let us love one another, for "LOVE IS FROM GOD", and whoever loves has been born of GOD and knows GOD.
8 Anyone who does not love does not know GOD, because GOD is love.
9 In this the love of GOD was made manifest among us, that GOD sent his only SON into the world, so that WE MIGHT LIVE THROUGH HIM.
10 In this is love, not that we have loved GOD but that HE loved us and sent his SON to be the propitiation for our sins.
11 Beloved, if GOD so loved us, WE ALSO OUGHT TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
12 No one has ever seen GOD; if we love one another, GOD abides in us and HIS LOVE IS PERFECTED IN US.
13 By this we know that we abide in HIM and HE in us, because HE has given us of HIS SPIRIT.
14 And we have seen and testify that the FATHER has sent HIS SON to be the SAVIOR of the world.
15 Whoever confesses that JESUS is the SON of GOD, GOD abides in him, and he in GOD.
16 So we have come to know and to believe the love that GOD has for us. GOD is love, and whoever abides in love abides in GOD, and GOD abides in HIM.
17 By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as HE is so also are we in this world.
18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.
19 WE LOVE BECAUSE HE FIRST LOVED US.
20 If anyone says, "I love GOD," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love GOD whom he has not seen.
21 And this commandment we have from HIM: whoever loves GOD must also love his brother."
Sitting awake at 2AM in my recliner is NOT my idea of a good night? But GOD sometimes has to put me in a place where all I can do is listen to HIM. Scanning through my social media sites it seems all I see is people talking about what's wrong with America and nothing about how great our Country is? Sure, we aren't perfect, far from it! But we are still the brightest beacon of HOPE in the world! THE ENEMY wants us to focus on everything THAT IS BAD, when GOD is SPIRITUALLY withholding evil so magnificently that we should be praising HIS NAME!!
We CANNOT LOVE EACH OTHER unless we first LOVE JESUS CHRIST, WHO was sent into "this world" to provide a salvation Plan for all! Some people will not accept that JESUS is GOD's SON and that HE is the ONLY WAY to Heaven (John 14:6), but we must love them also. Even those who HATE us (Luke 6:27-36) we are COMMANDED to love by JESUS HIMSELF! Since GOD is LOVE (v16), and JESUS and the FATHER are ONE (John 10:30), when we have JESUS living in us we should be unable to do anything but LOVE!
But loving people DOES NOT mean that we love all of their acts! Sinful acts, even those committed by me, are to be hated so much that FIRST OF ALL we abstain from them personally. And whenever others display a lifestyle of "bad fruit" (Matthew 7:15-23) need to hear what road they are traveling, and where that road will lead them! But even though some will choose to travel the "broad way" (Matthew 7:13), we are still to love them and pray for them that their eyes will be opened and they experience the same grace we have!
There are those who have NO desire to be changed by the SPIRIT of GOD. It can be frustrating to see even those who are convinced they are on the right path living their lives in a manner that glorifies maybe some "good things", but hardly ever mention glorifying GOD ALMIGHTY! We cannot skirt the issue. "LOVE IS FROM GOD", and if we sow LOVE we will reap LOVE! If we sow hate, discord, and strife, THE PRAYING FOR CROP FAILURE WILL NOT BE AN OPTION! However we need to remember that "GOD's chief attribute" is not LOVE, HIS chief attribute is HOLINESS! We must demonstrate HOLINESS so that HE can display that "LOVE IS FROM GOD"!!!
"7 Beloved, let us love one another, for "LOVE IS FROM GOD", and whoever loves has been born of GOD and knows GOD.
8 Anyone who does not love does not know GOD, because GOD is love.
9 In this the love of GOD was made manifest among us, that GOD sent his only SON into the world, so that WE MIGHT LIVE THROUGH HIM.
10 In this is love, not that we have loved GOD but that HE loved us and sent his SON to be the propitiation for our sins.
11 Beloved, if GOD so loved us, WE ALSO OUGHT TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
12 No one has ever seen GOD; if we love one another, GOD abides in us and HIS LOVE IS PERFECTED IN US.
13 By this we know that we abide in HIM and HE in us, because HE has given us of HIS SPIRIT.
14 And we have seen and testify that the FATHER has sent HIS SON to be the SAVIOR of the world.
15 Whoever confesses that JESUS is the SON of GOD, GOD abides in him, and he in GOD.
16 So we have come to know and to believe the love that GOD has for us. GOD is love, and whoever abides in love abides in GOD, and GOD abides in HIM.
17 By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as HE is so also are we in this world.
18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.
19 WE LOVE BECAUSE HE FIRST LOVED US.
20 If anyone says, "I love GOD," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love GOD whom he has not seen.
21 And this commandment we have from HIM: whoever loves GOD must also love his brother."
Sitting awake at 2AM in my recliner is NOT my idea of a good night? But GOD sometimes has to put me in a place where all I can do is listen to HIM. Scanning through my social media sites it seems all I see is people talking about what's wrong with America and nothing about how great our Country is? Sure, we aren't perfect, far from it! But we are still the brightest beacon of HOPE in the world! THE ENEMY wants us to focus on everything THAT IS BAD, when GOD is SPIRITUALLY withholding evil so magnificently that we should be praising HIS NAME!!
We CANNOT LOVE EACH OTHER unless we first LOVE JESUS CHRIST, WHO was sent into "this world" to provide a salvation Plan for all! Some people will not accept that JESUS is GOD's SON and that HE is the ONLY WAY to Heaven (John 14:6), but we must love them also. Even those who HATE us (Luke 6:27-36) we are COMMANDED to love by JESUS HIMSELF! Since GOD is LOVE (v16), and JESUS and the FATHER are ONE (John 10:30), when we have JESUS living in us we should be unable to do anything but LOVE!
But loving people DOES NOT mean that we love all of their acts! Sinful acts, even those committed by me, are to be hated so much that FIRST OF ALL we abstain from them personally. And whenever others display a lifestyle of "bad fruit" (Matthew 7:15-23) need to hear what road they are traveling, and where that road will lead them! But even though some will choose to travel the "broad way" (Matthew 7:13), we are still to love them and pray for them that their eyes will be opened and they experience the same grace we have!
There are those who have NO desire to be changed by the SPIRIT of GOD. It can be frustrating to see even those who are convinced they are on the right path living their lives in a manner that glorifies maybe some "good things", but hardly ever mention glorifying GOD ALMIGHTY! We cannot skirt the issue. "LOVE IS FROM GOD", and if we sow LOVE we will reap LOVE! If we sow hate, discord, and strife, THE PRAYING FOR CROP FAILURE WILL NOT BE AN OPTION! However we need to remember that "GOD's chief attribute" is not LOVE, HIS chief attribute is HOLINESS! We must demonstrate HOLINESS so that HE can display that "LOVE IS FROM GOD"!!!
Wednesday, September 21, 2016
"ARE YOU ABLE TO SPIRITUALLY HEAR?"
In Genesis 3:1 the enemy is called the most crafty, shrewd, subtle, cunning and just plain sneaky in various translations of the Bible. When you consider how many different means of deception he uses, it is rather astounding. But when you consider how many Believers are snookered into getting caught up in his charade it almost is comical! All he has to do is get two people of different races to disagree and the media from "this world" will blow it so far out of proportion that you would think World War III had been declared!
Why can't we see the REAL BATTLE (Ephesians 6:12) is "......against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places"? It's not white against black, yellow against red, rich against poor, free against slave, Wall Street against Main Street, or any other barrier you want to insert in the blank. All of these divisions are earthly divisions and are in NO WAY SPIRITUAL!!
Every time we allow a racial problem to rear its ugly head, we are admitting we are not Spiritual beings, and thus the enemy wins! There are no answers for the problems of "this world" outside of the answers in the HOLY BIBLE! Governments can spend all the money in the world but GOD has set in man's heart to require a "fix", and the only fix" is named JESUS CHRIST!!
Once we are BORN AGAIN we are commanded in 2 Corinthians 5:16 (ESV) to adhere to this; "FROM NOW ON, therefore, we regard NO ONE according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded CHRIST according to the flesh, we regard HIM thus no longer." The way I read scripture, we are not allowed to see physical markers that "this world" uses to delineate people. We are Spiritual creatures and scripture mandates we act like Spiritual creatures!
Of course, many will not recognize from where true LIFE comes. They are consumed with the life we now have, this rapidly passing, temporary existence that will be gone before we know it. As long as the enemy can keep our focus on "this world", he has us right where he wants us. Don't allow the great deceiver to bamboozle you into being deceived. JESUS says many times in the New Testament that there will be "weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth" when Judgement Day comes! In Matthew 13:42-43 HE then adds "he who has ears, let him hear"! Can you hear???
Why can't we see the REAL BATTLE (Ephesians 6:12) is "......against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places"? It's not white against black, yellow against red, rich against poor, free against slave, Wall Street against Main Street, or any other barrier you want to insert in the blank. All of these divisions are earthly divisions and are in NO WAY SPIRITUAL!!
Every time we allow a racial problem to rear its ugly head, we are admitting we are not Spiritual beings, and thus the enemy wins! There are no answers for the problems of "this world" outside of the answers in the HOLY BIBLE! Governments can spend all the money in the world but GOD has set in man's heart to require a "fix", and the only fix" is named JESUS CHRIST!!
Once we are BORN AGAIN we are commanded in 2 Corinthians 5:16 (ESV) to adhere to this; "FROM NOW ON, therefore, we regard NO ONE according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded CHRIST according to the flesh, we regard HIM thus no longer." The way I read scripture, we are not allowed to see physical markers that "this world" uses to delineate people. We are Spiritual creatures and scripture mandates we act like Spiritual creatures!
Of course, many will not recognize from where true LIFE comes. They are consumed with the life we now have, this rapidly passing, temporary existence that will be gone before we know it. As long as the enemy can keep our focus on "this world", he has us right where he wants us. Don't allow the great deceiver to bamboozle you into being deceived. JESUS says many times in the New Testament that there will be "weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth" when Judgement Day comes! In Matthew 13:42-43 HE then adds "he who has ears, let him hear"! Can you hear???
Tuesday, September 20, 2016
"THEY HAVE REJECTED ME!"
1 Samuel 8:7 (ESV)
"And the LORD said to Samuel, "Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but "THEY HAVE REJECTED ME" from being king over them."
America did not want a devout man of GOD to lead them, so they didn't support one when he campaigned. There are some of the belief that a man of GOD was/is representative of the Spirit of ALMIGHTY GOD. Regardless of whether you believe that or not, it reminds me of 1 Samuel 8 where GOD says in verse 7 "Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but "THEY HAVE REJECTED ME" from being king over them."
Israel wanted an earthly ruler, someone who could make decisions based on earthly matters. Likewise America, as a whole, no longer accepts that the things of "this world" are far inferior to those of the Spiritual World, rather we place the things of "this world" in higher esteem than the things of the Spiritual World! We devout Christians must see this rejection just as Samuel was instructed to see and accept it by the voice of GOD. Although there were surely some Godly people in Israel as the time who could see the mistake being made by their fellow countrymen, GOD declared that if Israel wanted a king and no longer was willing to listen to the SPIRIT of GOD, HE would give them a king and the tyranny that came with being ruled by an earthly ruler.
It is difficult to be a part of the "Spiritually discerning" that SEE the path America has chosen. But I'm sure the Believers in 1 Samuel 8 had rather their fellow countrymen not taken their eyes from GOD and HIS leadership! They had to endure the years of consequences just like America will. True Believers in the SPIRIT OF THE LIVING GOD will have to experience the
Making your way through the Wilderness with a Pillar of Cloud guiding you requires FAITH! An earthly leader does not operate based on FAITH, therefore his rewards from living this way are limited to the things of "this world". When we CHOOSE the things of "this world" AS OPPOSED TO THE THINGS OF GOD, we must remember what we are choosing! Joshua 24:15 says "And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, CHOOSE THIS DAY WHOM YOU WILL SERVE, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, WE WILL SERVE THE LORD."
"And the LORD said to Samuel, "Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but "THEY HAVE REJECTED ME" from being king over them."
America did not want a devout man of GOD to lead them, so they didn't support one when he campaigned. There are some of the belief that a man of GOD was/is representative of the Spirit of ALMIGHTY GOD. Regardless of whether you believe that or not, it reminds me of 1 Samuel 8 where GOD says in verse 7 "Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but "THEY HAVE REJECTED ME" from being king over them."
Israel wanted an earthly ruler, someone who could make decisions based on earthly matters. Likewise America, as a whole, no longer accepts that the things of "this world" are far inferior to those of the Spiritual World, rather we place the things of "this world" in higher esteem than the things of the Spiritual World! We devout Christians must see this rejection just as Samuel was instructed to see and accept it by the voice of GOD. Although there were surely some Godly people in Israel as the time who could see the mistake being made by their fellow countrymen, GOD declared that if Israel wanted a king and no longer was willing to listen to the SPIRIT of GOD, HE would give them a king and the tyranny that came with being ruled by an earthly ruler.
It is difficult to be a part of the "Spiritually discerning" that SEE the path America has chosen. But I'm sure the Believers in 1 Samuel 8 had rather their fellow countrymen not taken their eyes from GOD and HIS leadership! They had to endure the years of consequences just like America will. True Believers in the SPIRIT OF THE LIVING GOD will have to experience the
Making your way through the Wilderness with a Pillar of Cloud guiding you requires FAITH! An earthly leader does not operate based on FAITH, therefore his rewards from living this way are limited to the things of "this world". When we CHOOSE the things of "this world" AS OPPOSED TO THE THINGS OF GOD, we must remember what we are choosing! Joshua 24:15 says "And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, CHOOSE THIS DAY WHOM YOU WILL SERVE, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, WE WILL SERVE THE LORD."
Friday, September 16, 2016
"IMPOSSIBLE!"
Mark 10:27 (ESV)
"JESUS looked at them and said, "With man it is "IMPOSSIBLE", but not with GOD. For all things are possible with GOD."
There are THINGS that happen at the oddest of times that have absolutely no explanation as to why they occurred when they did?!? Not long ago on a social media site Billy Graham's wall had a story about Franklin Graham and he asked a question "Will you pray for the people of the USA to turn to GOD"? Two posts later on my screen the was a older meme saying "I have a BIG GOD that can do BIG miracles!" Was it just "coincidence" that these two posts were so close to each other? Does GOD have a Plan for another GREAT AWAKENING? Surely that would be "IMPOSSIBLE"? But "all things are possible with GOD."
Far too many times people in today's modern day society don't want to take time to observe what is happening, or how an occurrence is coming about, instead we just shake our heads in amazement and proceed with the 'busyness' of our lives! Many want to SAY we are "Christians", but are we "CHRIST-like" in our actions? JESUS, the CHRIST, said very plainly in scripture "With man it is "IMPOSSIBLE", but not with GOD. For all things are possible with GOD." JESUS had NO DOUBT that GOD would deliver on HIS promises, yet HE had to display HIS obedience to set an example for us, even obedience to death on the CROSS (Philippians 2:8)!
It has been said "You can do ANYTHING you set your mind to"! But what if that ANYTHING is opposed to GOD's purpose and Plan for your life? Does GOD's Plan always call for everything to be easy and fun in our lives? How do you reconcile that theory with John 16:33 which says "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world YOU WILL have tribulation (persecution, suffering). But take heart; I have overcome the world." The words "you will" are just as much as a promise from GOD as Romans 8:28, but no one wants to talk about the struggles and difficulties that cause us to grow into tools that can be used to glorify GOD and for HIS Plan!
Is it POSSIBLE for us to live a life free from turmoil and strife? I'm sure it probably is POSSIBLE, for with GOD nothing is "IMPOSSIBLE"! Isaiah 48:10-11 says "Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I HAVE TRIED YOU IN THE FURNACE OF AFFLICTION. For MY own sake, for MY own sake, I do it, for how should MY name be profaned? My glory I will not give to another." Nothing is "IMPOSSIBLE" with GOD, so don't try to say GOD wouldn't do something when you don't have a WORD from HIM about what HE is trying to do. HEAVENLY FATHER, cause my life to be used for YOUR glory, and use me to show "this world" that NOTHING SHALL BE "IMPOSSIBLE" WITH YOU!!!
"JESUS looked at them and said, "With man it is "IMPOSSIBLE", but not with GOD. For all things are possible with GOD."
There are THINGS that happen at the oddest of times that have absolutely no explanation as to why they occurred when they did?!? Not long ago on a social media site Billy Graham's wall had a story about Franklin Graham and he asked a question "Will you pray for the people of the USA to turn to GOD"? Two posts later on my screen the was a older meme saying "I have a BIG GOD that can do BIG miracles!" Was it just "coincidence" that these two posts were so close to each other? Does GOD have a Plan for another GREAT AWAKENING? Surely that would be "IMPOSSIBLE"? But "all things are possible with GOD."
Far too many times people in today's modern day society don't want to take time to observe what is happening, or how an occurrence is coming about, instead we just shake our heads in amazement and proceed with the 'busyness' of our lives! Many want to SAY we are "Christians", but are we "CHRIST-like" in our actions? JESUS, the CHRIST, said very plainly in scripture "With man it is "IMPOSSIBLE", but not with GOD. For all things are possible with GOD." JESUS had NO DOUBT that GOD would deliver on HIS promises, yet HE had to display HIS obedience to set an example for us, even obedience to death on the CROSS (Philippians 2:8)!
It has been said "You can do ANYTHING you set your mind to"! But what if that ANYTHING is opposed to GOD's purpose and Plan for your life? Does GOD's Plan always call for everything to be easy and fun in our lives? How do you reconcile that theory with John 16:33 which says "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world YOU WILL have tribulation (persecution, suffering). But take heart; I have overcome the world." The words "you will" are just as much as a promise from GOD as Romans 8:28, but no one wants to talk about the struggles and difficulties that cause us to grow into tools that can be used to glorify GOD and for HIS Plan!
Is it POSSIBLE for us to live a life free from turmoil and strife? I'm sure it probably is POSSIBLE, for with GOD nothing is "IMPOSSIBLE"! Isaiah 48:10-11 says "Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I HAVE TRIED YOU IN THE FURNACE OF AFFLICTION. For MY own sake, for MY own sake, I do it, for how should MY name be profaned? My glory I will not give to another." Nothing is "IMPOSSIBLE" with GOD, so don't try to say GOD wouldn't do something when you don't have a WORD from HIM about what HE is trying to do. HEAVENLY FATHER, cause my life to be used for YOUR glory, and use me to show "this world" that NOTHING SHALL BE "IMPOSSIBLE" WITH YOU!!!
Thursday, September 15, 2016
"FOR ANY ONE!"
Ezekiel 14:6-7 (ESV)
"6 "Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord GOD: Repent and turn away from your idols, and turn away your faces from all your abominations.
7 "FOR ANY ONE" of the house of Israel, or of the strangers who sojourn in Israel, who separates himself from me, taking his idols into his heart and putting the stumbling block of his iniquity before his face, and yet comes to a prophet to consult ME through him, I the LORD will answer him MYSELF."
The children of Israel had trouble remembering how GOD had DIVINELY interceded on their behalf countless times throughout history showing grace and mercy like no other nation before. Even though they were prosperous like no other country, their prosperity wound up being a huge part of their downfall, as they just couldn't resist trying to accomplish things ON THEIR OWN!
America has basically done the same thing over the past 50+ years. When one reads true history, not what is fed to us by self-serving revisionists, there are numerous times when inexplicably THINGS seemed to happen beyond human imagination or understanding during the Revolutionary War and in the early history of the United States. When there is NO EXPLANATION for an occurrence in history, GOD is generally involved! There are so many times like these in United States history that it is undeniable that GOD had a hand in the ascension to power for our country. Some people can't SEE that GOD is involved because their EYES haven't been opened yet!
But, just as Israel never learned from their mistakes, apparently the United States hasn't learned to keep their eyes on GOD either! In the above scripture Israel was told "Repent and turn away from your idols, and turn away your faces from all your abominations." Could these words be screamed from any pulpit in America today? But why would GOD continue to show HIS grace and mercy upon a nation that has regrettably forsaken HIS laws and principles? Why???
The LONG-SUFFERING of GOD ALMIGHTY is the only thing that keeps HIS wrath from being poured out upon our great nation, I fear! GOD allowed things to get pretty bad before HE acted to clean up Sodom and Gomorra, before HE sent the Great Flood of Genesis 7, before HE drowned Pharaoh and all his hosts in Exodus 14, and on and on! When GOD says it's time for judgement, HE usually doesn't give time to REPENT! Your warning is NOW! "FOR ANY ONE" who comes to JESUS will be heard by HIM before it's too late! "FOR ANY ONE"!!! The United States as a whole may not turn back to the LORD, but you can!!!
"6 "Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord GOD: Repent and turn away from your idols, and turn away your faces from all your abominations.
7 "FOR ANY ONE" of the house of Israel, or of the strangers who sojourn in Israel, who separates himself from me, taking his idols into his heart and putting the stumbling block of his iniquity before his face, and yet comes to a prophet to consult ME through him, I the LORD will answer him MYSELF."
The children of Israel had trouble remembering how GOD had DIVINELY interceded on their behalf countless times throughout history showing grace and mercy like no other nation before. Even though they were prosperous like no other country, their prosperity wound up being a huge part of their downfall, as they just couldn't resist trying to accomplish things ON THEIR OWN!
America has basically done the same thing over the past 50+ years. When one reads true history, not what is fed to us by self-serving revisionists, there are numerous times when inexplicably THINGS seemed to happen beyond human imagination or understanding during the Revolutionary War and in the early history of the United States. When there is NO EXPLANATION for an occurrence in history, GOD is generally involved! There are so many times like these in United States history that it is undeniable that GOD had a hand in the ascension to power for our country. Some people can't SEE that GOD is involved because their EYES haven't been opened yet!
But, just as Israel never learned from their mistakes, apparently the United States hasn't learned to keep their eyes on GOD either! In the above scripture Israel was told "Repent and turn away from your idols, and turn away your faces from all your abominations." Could these words be screamed from any pulpit in America today? But why would GOD continue to show HIS grace and mercy upon a nation that has regrettably forsaken HIS laws and principles? Why???
The LONG-SUFFERING of GOD ALMIGHTY is the only thing that keeps HIS wrath from being poured out upon our great nation, I fear! GOD allowed things to get pretty bad before HE acted to clean up Sodom and Gomorra, before HE sent the Great Flood of Genesis 7, before HE drowned Pharaoh and all his hosts in Exodus 14, and on and on! When GOD says it's time for judgement, HE usually doesn't give time to REPENT! Your warning is NOW! "FOR ANY ONE" who comes to JESUS will be heard by HIM before it's too late! "FOR ANY ONE"!!! The United States as a whole may not turn back to the LORD, but you can!!!
Wednesday, September 14, 2016
"YOU SENT ME AND LOVED THEM!"
John 17:23 (ESV)
"I in them and YOU in ME, that they may become perfectly one, SO THAT THE WORLD MAY KNOW THAT "YOU SENT ME AND LOVED THEM" EVEN AS YOU LOVED ME."
The seventeenth chapter of John is known as "The High Priestly Prayer" by most. The prayer was prayed by JESUS to HIS FATHER right before HE was arrested in the garden of Gethsemane. To me, it is one of the most intimate chapters in the entire Holy Bible as JESUS pours out HIS Heart and Soul to GOD the CREATOR before HE pays the ultimate price for my salvation. GOD knew what was coming during the next few days, and since GOD knew, JESUS knew because HE was/is GOD in the flesh! Willingly going to Calvary's tree is something I cannot wrap my mind around, nor can I adequately describe why HE did this? To define HIS actions simply by declaring HE LOVED me doesn't seem to suffice, but words cannot describe GOD's LOVE!
When JESUS prayed "SO THAT THE WORLD MAY KNOW THAT YOU "SENT ME AND LOVED THEM" EVEN AS YOU LOVED ME", HE was proclaiming that the CREATOR of the universe love me as much as HE loved HIS only begotten SON! GOD so loved the whole world that HE sent JESUS to pay a ransom for our souls that we could NEVER pay! And GOD loved me as much as HE loves JESUS, according to the prayer JESUS prayed right before HE paid for my soul!
Depression is one of the enemies most effective tools nowadays. The enemy gets us to thinking that we are worthless and failures, when all the time GOD may be using our situation to draw all glory to HIMSELF! It may come as a shocking revelation to some, but we were CREATED to give glory to GOD, not to ourselves (Psalms 115:1)! If a person keeps his/her focus on the CREATOR rather than their PERCEIVED problems, depression will die a painful death! Immediately following the brain hemorrhage in 2007, it was standard procedure to prescribe medication for me for depression. Soon afterwards I went on an all natural antidepressant. The enemy will use any tool at his disposal to drag a Child of GOD into a rut. To say I am blessed that GOD wouldn't let me wallow in the rut satan was trying to leave me in could be the understatement of all time!
GOD not only let me know "THAT YOU SENT JESUS AND LOVED THEM EVEN AS YOU LOVED HIM", GOD informed everyone in "THE WORLD" of the same! The enemy would like for us all to SEE nothing but how vile and corrupt "this world" is becoming. GOD wants us all to SEE that "YOU SENT ME AND LOVED THEM"!!! GOD doesn't just LOVE a chosen few, JESUS was sent to earth "SO THAT THE WORLD MAY KNOW THAT "YOU SENT ME AND LOVED THEM" EVEN AS YOU LOVED ME." The question now is, do you LOVE HIM???
"I in them and YOU in ME, that they may become perfectly one, SO THAT THE WORLD MAY KNOW THAT "YOU SENT ME AND LOVED THEM" EVEN AS YOU LOVED ME."
The seventeenth chapter of John is known as "The High Priestly Prayer" by most. The prayer was prayed by JESUS to HIS FATHER right before HE was arrested in the garden of Gethsemane. To me, it is one of the most intimate chapters in the entire Holy Bible as JESUS pours out HIS Heart and Soul to GOD the CREATOR before HE pays the ultimate price for my salvation. GOD knew what was coming during the next few days, and since GOD knew, JESUS knew because HE was/is GOD in the flesh! Willingly going to Calvary's tree is something I cannot wrap my mind around, nor can I adequately describe why HE did this? To define HIS actions simply by declaring HE LOVED me doesn't seem to suffice, but words cannot describe GOD's LOVE!
When JESUS prayed "SO THAT THE WORLD MAY KNOW THAT YOU "SENT ME AND LOVED THEM" EVEN AS YOU LOVED ME", HE was proclaiming that the CREATOR of the universe love me as much as HE loved HIS only begotten SON! GOD so loved the whole world that HE sent JESUS to pay a ransom for our souls that we could NEVER pay! And GOD loved me as much as HE loves JESUS, according to the prayer JESUS prayed right before HE paid for my soul!
Depression is one of the enemies most effective tools nowadays. The enemy gets us to thinking that we are worthless and failures, when all the time GOD may be using our situation to draw all glory to HIMSELF! It may come as a shocking revelation to some, but we were CREATED to give glory to GOD, not to ourselves (Psalms 115:1)! If a person keeps his/her focus on the CREATOR rather than their PERCEIVED problems, depression will die a painful death! Immediately following the brain hemorrhage in 2007, it was standard procedure to prescribe medication for me for depression. Soon afterwards I went on an all natural antidepressant. The enemy will use any tool at his disposal to drag a Child of GOD into a rut. To say I am blessed that GOD wouldn't let me wallow in the rut satan was trying to leave me in could be the understatement of all time!
GOD not only let me know "THAT YOU SENT JESUS AND LOVED THEM EVEN AS YOU LOVED HIM", GOD informed everyone in "THE WORLD" of the same! The enemy would like for us all to SEE nothing but how vile and corrupt "this world" is becoming. GOD wants us all to SEE that "YOU SENT ME AND LOVED THEM"!!! GOD doesn't just LOVE a chosen few, JESUS was sent to earth "SO THAT THE WORLD MAY KNOW THAT "YOU SENT ME AND LOVED THEM" EVEN AS YOU LOVED ME." The question now is, do you LOVE HIM???
Tuesday, September 13, 2016
"POWER, LOVE, and SELF-CONTROL!"
2 Timothy 1:6-7 (ESV)
"6 For this reason I remind you to FAN INTO FLAME the gift of GOD, which is in you through the laying on of my hands,
7 for GOD gave us a spirit not of fear but of "POWER" and "LOVE" and "SELF-CONTROL"."
Have you ever tried to get damp kindling to light into a fire without an accelerant? It is not the easiest thing to accomplish. It can actually be considered WORK when the material to burn isn't dried out and primed for ignition. It is much easier to have "seasoned" material that is ready to be consumed by the proposed fire, something that is prepared for the purpose for which it was intended!
We are the made similarly. GOD gave us NOT the spirit of fear or failure. Having a spirit of fear, failure, doubt or worrying only displays that we DON'T know WHO is in control! Not recognizing that GOD is in control is liken to trying to light DAMP WOOD and trying to FAN it INTO FLAME? It's almost impossible to accomplish! However when we are prepared for the purpose for which we are intended (and our kindling is dried out) we tend to operate more efficiently.
When we exhibit a Spirit of POWER we show the devil that GOD is in charge of our lives. We cannot try operating in our own power, for that would be disastrous!
1 John says that GOD IS LOVE! If we are living for HIM then HIS SPIRIT is living inside of our bodies (John 17:23). Allowing HIS SPIRIT of LOVE to thrive in our lives is the most fatal blow to the enemy! When the devil sees LOVE shining in our lives, he knows that GOD is in control of our lives!
The Spirit of SELF-CONTROL might be the most difficult trait to exhibit in our lives? In Galatians 5:16-26 the characteristics of a SPIRIT filled life are discussed, and the final one mentioned is SELF-CONTROL! If we allow the enemy even just a little room in our lives, he will take so much more than we ever intended for him to take.
Showing this world that we are willing to "FAN INTO FLAME" of the GIFT we have been given is sometimes hard work. But we have to understand that GOD GAVE US a spirit of "POWER, LOVE, and SELF-CONTROL" and only through HIM can the FLAME become a FIRE! Going through "the wilderness" may not be enjoyable, but gaining GOD's gifts of "POWER, LOVE, and SELF-CONTROL" will be worth the journey!!!
"6 For this reason I remind you to FAN INTO FLAME the gift of GOD, which is in you through the laying on of my hands,
7 for GOD gave us a spirit not of fear but of "POWER" and "LOVE" and "SELF-CONTROL"."
Have you ever tried to get damp kindling to light into a fire without an accelerant? It is not the easiest thing to accomplish. It can actually be considered WORK when the material to burn isn't dried out and primed for ignition. It is much easier to have "seasoned" material that is ready to be consumed by the proposed fire, something that is prepared for the purpose for which it was intended!
We are the made similarly. GOD gave us NOT the spirit of fear or failure. Having a spirit of fear, failure, doubt or worrying only displays that we DON'T know WHO is in control! Not recognizing that GOD is in control is liken to trying to light DAMP WOOD and trying to FAN it INTO FLAME? It's almost impossible to accomplish! However when we are prepared for the purpose for which we are intended (and our kindling is dried out) we tend to operate more efficiently.
When we exhibit a Spirit of POWER we show the devil that GOD is in charge of our lives. We cannot try operating in our own power, for that would be disastrous!
1 John says that GOD IS LOVE! If we are living for HIM then HIS SPIRIT is living inside of our bodies (John 17:23). Allowing HIS SPIRIT of LOVE to thrive in our lives is the most fatal blow to the enemy! When the devil sees LOVE shining in our lives, he knows that GOD is in control of our lives!
The Spirit of SELF-CONTROL might be the most difficult trait to exhibit in our lives? In Galatians 5:16-26 the characteristics of a SPIRIT filled life are discussed, and the final one mentioned is SELF-CONTROL! If we allow the enemy even just a little room in our lives, he will take so much more than we ever intended for him to take.
Showing this world that we are willing to "FAN INTO FLAME" of the GIFT we have been given is sometimes hard work. But we have to understand that GOD GAVE US a spirit of "POWER, LOVE, and SELF-CONTROL" and only through HIM can the FLAME become a FIRE! Going through "the wilderness" may not be enjoyable, but gaining GOD's gifts of "POWER, LOVE, and SELF-CONTROL" will be worth the journey!!!
Monday, September 12, 2016
"THEY WOULD NOT LISTEN!"
Jeremiah 13:8-11 (ESV)
"8 Then the word of the LORD came to me:
9 "Thus says the LORD: Even so will I spoil the pride of Judah and the great pride of Jerusalem.
10 THIS EVIL PEOPLE, who refuse to hear MY words, who stubbornly follow their own heart and have gone after other gods to serve them and worship them, shall be like this loincloth, which is good for nothing.
11 For as the loincloth clings to the waist of a man, so I made the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah cling to ME, declares the LORD, that they might be for ME a people, a name, a praise, and a glory, but "THEY WOULD NOT LISTEN"."
Being able to hear from GOD is confusingly easy to do. However "this world" has become so enamored with its own selves that hearing from GOD has become a lost trait, even by so-called people of the Church! But to slow our lives down enough to be on HIS frequency is something most people do not feel as though they are able to accomplish. Scripture says in Luke 11:28 "But HE said, "Blessed rather are those who HEAR the word of GOD and keep it!" MOST modern day lives are operated at a pace where GOD isn't recognized or certainly not FEARED (respected)?
The people Jeremiah wrote about were caught up with no fear of the LORD as well! Like modern day people, they had become so comfortable with their lifestyle's that they "THEY WOULD NOT LISTEN" for the voice of GOD! They knew GOD existed but "THEY WOULD NOT LISTEN" to HIS direction for their lives. Nowadays most people aren't really certain that GOD even exists, but they aren't concerned enough about HIM to alter their lifestyles one bit. To literally SLOW DOWN their lives to listen to Spirit seems such a farce that they would rather take their chances on doing what they THINK is best for their lives.
In verse 10 GOD speaks through Jeremiah "THIS EVIL PEOPLE, who refuse to hear MY words" and HE isn't telling them just to make some positive changes in their lives? No, GOD is saying "THEY WOULD NOT LISTEN" to ME , rather they "stubbornly follow their own hearts" and listened to other gods interested in leading them away FROM the true GOD! There isn't a Plan A and a Plan B to following GOD ALMIGHTY! GOD has a Plan, HIS WORD, and it doesn't change to accommodate the whims of the people!!!
HEAVENLY FATHER, open our eyes and cause us to see that living inside of our own reasonings and emotions can only lead us down a path of destruction. Only YOUR PLAN, as plainly found in YOUR WORD, can lead us to prosper (Joshua 1:8) in our ways! "THEY WOULD NOT LISTEN" can only be changed by opening YOUR WORD and listening to what YOUR directions are!
"8 Then the word of the LORD came to me:
9 "Thus says the LORD: Even so will I spoil the pride of Judah and the great pride of Jerusalem.
10 THIS EVIL PEOPLE, who refuse to hear MY words, who stubbornly follow their own heart and have gone after other gods to serve them and worship them, shall be like this loincloth, which is good for nothing.
11 For as the loincloth clings to the waist of a man, so I made the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah cling to ME, declares the LORD, that they might be for ME a people, a name, a praise, and a glory, but "THEY WOULD NOT LISTEN"."
Being able to hear from GOD is confusingly easy to do. However "this world" has become so enamored with its own selves that hearing from GOD has become a lost trait, even by so-called people of the Church! But to slow our lives down enough to be on HIS frequency is something most people do not feel as though they are able to accomplish. Scripture says in Luke 11:28 "But HE said, "Blessed rather are those who HEAR the word of GOD and keep it!" MOST modern day lives are operated at a pace where GOD isn't recognized or certainly not FEARED (respected)?
The people Jeremiah wrote about were caught up with no fear of the LORD as well! Like modern day people, they had become so comfortable with their lifestyle's that they "THEY WOULD NOT LISTEN" for the voice of GOD! They knew GOD existed but "THEY WOULD NOT LISTEN" to HIS direction for their lives. Nowadays most people aren't really certain that GOD even exists, but they aren't concerned enough about HIM to alter their lifestyles one bit. To literally SLOW DOWN their lives to listen to Spirit seems such a farce that they would rather take their chances on doing what they THINK is best for their lives.
In verse 10 GOD speaks through Jeremiah "THIS EVIL PEOPLE, who refuse to hear MY words" and HE isn't telling them just to make some positive changes in their lives? No, GOD is saying "THEY WOULD NOT LISTEN" to ME , rather they "stubbornly follow their own hearts" and listened to other gods interested in leading them away FROM the true GOD! There isn't a Plan A and a Plan B to following GOD ALMIGHTY! GOD has a Plan, HIS WORD, and it doesn't change to accommodate the whims of the people!!!
HEAVENLY FATHER, open our eyes and cause us to see that living inside of our own reasonings and emotions can only lead us down a path of destruction. Only YOUR PLAN, as plainly found in YOUR WORD, can lead us to prosper (Joshua 1:8) in our ways! "THEY WOULD NOT LISTEN" can only be changed by opening YOUR WORD and listening to what YOUR directions are!
Sunday, September 11, 2016
"BE STRONG IN THE LORD!"
Ephesians 6:12 (ESV)
"10 Finally, "BE STRONG IN THE LORD" and in the strength of HIS might.
11 Put on the whole armor of GOD, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."
September 11, 2001 began as a "normal" day. Being at home by myself and having the television on while I was getting ready for work, the first news I heard of the "9-11 attacks" was that "a" plane had apparently just flown into one of the towers at the World Trade Center in New York City. As I continued readying myself for work, I wasn't paying a LOT of attention to the news, UNTIL the second airliner was crashed into the second tower of the World Trade Center. Then I was almost mesmerized by the news. Fifteen years ago seems like such a long time ago?
One thing I am MORE CERTAIN now than ever is the "war" we are engaged in is a Spiritual War, one between evil and good. The HOLY BIBLE has answers for every problem we face, it's just the enemy attempts to get us moving so quickly we don't think we have time to "Be Still, and know that HE IS GOD"!!! I remember the United States was VERY still for the remainder of September 11, 2001 and the next couple of days. GOD has a way of allowing what we see as "bad things" to get our attention. America was still for a day or two, and then we were back making plans on how to retaliate for the atrocities that were committed against us on that morning.
But that's not the only vivid case of tragedy being overcome and a hectic pace being resumed that I am familiar with. When my brain hemorrhaged in 2007 I was VERY STILL for over a month but I was left with hardly any noticeable handicaps, or deficits. Trying to get back to work and in the flow of something productive consumed my every waking moment. GOD allowed me to buy our business back and I slowly was getting back to my "old self", but then I realized that my "old self" was not what GOD wanted me to be. Showing a changed man is what GOD wants to display in my life. GOD, once again, defeated evil forces and today I am living proof!
The struggle between "good" and "evil" is not hard to SEE "IF" your eyes have been opened to SEE TRUTH!! But if your EYES have not been opened, you can't SEE the TRUTH even if it's right in front of your face. "We do not wrestle against flesh and blood", but against evil forces that are continually increasing in size. They evil forces WILL BE defeated, and GOD will use those who can "BE STRONG IN THE LORD" to accomplish HIS will and Plan! Don't get caught up in the enemy's deception, but "BE STRONG IN THE LORD"!!!
"10 Finally, "BE STRONG IN THE LORD" and in the strength of HIS might.
11 Put on the whole armor of GOD, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."
September 11, 2001 began as a "normal" day. Being at home by myself and having the television on while I was getting ready for work, the first news I heard of the "9-11 attacks" was that "a" plane had apparently just flown into one of the towers at the World Trade Center in New York City. As I continued readying myself for work, I wasn't paying a LOT of attention to the news, UNTIL the second airliner was crashed into the second tower of the World Trade Center. Then I was almost mesmerized by the news. Fifteen years ago seems like such a long time ago?
One thing I am MORE CERTAIN now than ever is the "war" we are engaged in is a Spiritual War, one between evil and good. The HOLY BIBLE has answers for every problem we face, it's just the enemy attempts to get us moving so quickly we don't think we have time to "Be Still, and know that HE IS GOD"!!! I remember the United States was VERY still for the remainder of September 11, 2001 and the next couple of days. GOD has a way of allowing what we see as "bad things" to get our attention. America was still for a day or two, and then we were back making plans on how to retaliate for the atrocities that were committed against us on that morning.
But that's not the only vivid case of tragedy being overcome and a hectic pace being resumed that I am familiar with. When my brain hemorrhaged in 2007 I was VERY STILL for over a month but I was left with hardly any noticeable handicaps, or deficits. Trying to get back to work and in the flow of something productive consumed my every waking moment. GOD allowed me to buy our business back and I slowly was getting back to my "old self", but then I realized that my "old self" was not what GOD wanted me to be. Showing a changed man is what GOD wants to display in my life. GOD, once again, defeated evil forces and today I am living proof!
The struggle between "good" and "evil" is not hard to SEE "IF" your eyes have been opened to SEE TRUTH!! But if your EYES have not been opened, you can't SEE the TRUTH even if it's right in front of your face. "We do not wrestle against flesh and blood", but against evil forces that are continually increasing in size. They evil forces WILL BE defeated, and GOD will use those who can "BE STRONG IN THE LORD" to accomplish HIS will and Plan! Don't get caught up in the enemy's deception, but "BE STRONG IN THE LORD"!!!
Friday, September 9, 2016
"YOUR SANCTIFICATION!"
1 Thessalonians 4:3-8 (ESV)
"3 For this is the will of GOD, "YOUR SANCTIFICATION": that you abstain from sexual immorality;
4 that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor,
5 not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know GOD;
6 that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the LORD is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you.
7 For GOD HAS NOT CALLED US FOR IMPURITY, BUT IN HOLINESS.
8 Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but GOD, WHO gives his HOLY SPIRIT to you."
How many times have you heard that "GOD will just have to forgive me for that"? It's almost like we feel the grace of GOD operates similar to a credit card company that has a predetermined credit limit on us and we know how much that limit has remaining on it? GOD's grace is immeasurable, but is not CHEAP!
When the Apostle Paul was writing to the church at Thessalonica he was inspired by GOD to say to them, AND ultimately to US, "For this is the will of GOD, "YOUR SANCTIFICATION"!! Yes, he went on to write about sexual immorality, but we mustn't gloss over the words written in verse 7 above, "GOD HAS NOT CALLED US FOR IMPURITY, BUT IN HOLINESS".
GOD didn't sacrifice HIS only SON for me on Calvary's cross to have me recklessly trample HIS blood with my selfish desires. We are to exhibit self control (Galatians 5:22-23), along with other fruit of the Spirit, as a testimony of our being redeemed by JESUS. The Apostle Paul wrote in verse 8 that if we neglect to live in holiness, we are ultimately neglecting GOD! GOD created us, so what gives us the right to disregard HIS precepts for our lives?
"YOUR SANCTIFICATION" should be what we all are concerned with. The word SANCTIFICATION is defined as: set apart as sacred; consecrate, to purify or free from sin. We should strive to SANCTIFY ourselves out of love for our LORD, not trying to be holier than thou in front of our acquaintances! "YOUR SANCTIFICATION" doesn't mean you get credit for a brothers SANCTIFICATION. Let's take care of "YOUR SANCTIFICATION" and let GOD take care of our brothers!!!
"3 For this is the will of GOD, "YOUR SANCTIFICATION": that you abstain from sexual immorality;
4 that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor,
5 not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know GOD;
6 that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the LORD is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you.
7 For GOD HAS NOT CALLED US FOR IMPURITY, BUT IN HOLINESS.
8 Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but GOD, WHO gives his HOLY SPIRIT to you."
How many times have you heard that "GOD will just have to forgive me for that"? It's almost like we feel the grace of GOD operates similar to a credit card company that has a predetermined credit limit on us and we know how much that limit has remaining on it? GOD's grace is immeasurable, but is not CHEAP!
When the Apostle Paul was writing to the church at Thessalonica he was inspired by GOD to say to them, AND ultimately to US, "For this is the will of GOD, "YOUR SANCTIFICATION"!! Yes, he went on to write about sexual immorality, but we mustn't gloss over the words written in verse 7 above, "GOD HAS NOT CALLED US FOR IMPURITY, BUT IN HOLINESS".
GOD didn't sacrifice HIS only SON for me on Calvary's cross to have me recklessly trample HIS blood with my selfish desires. We are to exhibit self control (Galatians 5:22-23), along with other fruit of the Spirit, as a testimony of our being redeemed by JESUS. The Apostle Paul wrote in verse 8 that if we neglect to live in holiness, we are ultimately neglecting GOD! GOD created us, so what gives us the right to disregard HIS precepts for our lives?
"YOUR SANCTIFICATION" should be what we all are concerned with. The word SANCTIFICATION is defined as: set apart as sacred; consecrate, to purify or free from sin. We should strive to SANCTIFY ourselves out of love for our LORD, not trying to be holier than thou in front of our acquaintances! "YOUR SANCTIFICATION" doesn't mean you get credit for a brothers SANCTIFICATION. Let's take care of "YOUR SANCTIFICATION" and let GOD take care of our brothers!!!
Thursday, September 8, 2016
"IF THESE THINGS WERE SO!"
Acts 18:10-11 (ESV)
"10 The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue.
11 Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures DAILY to see "IF THESE THINGS WERE SO"!"
How many times have I heard a preacher supposedly read scripture and accepted it as truth instead of going home and verifying what was said with scripture? The Berean Believers were being taught by the Apostle Paul and Silas, not your average evangelists! Yet the Berean Believers studied the Scriptures "daily" to see "IF THESE THINGS WERE SO", not so they could show how smart they were, but so they could discern the TRUTH when they heard it!
Many people desire to prove their view of a matter is the right way to look at something. But when you use the TRUTH of HOLY SCRIPTURES as your measuring stick, you have a perspective that "this world" isn't accustomed to. When you measure against anything short of the HOLY SCRIPTURES the results become so fluid and continuously changing that they can become confusing. Usually that happens when someone neglects to examine the Scriptures daily? They have no baseline for their life actions!
Unless a life has been CHANGED, not only by examining the Scriptures, but having the Scriptures applied to a life, a lasting and permanent change cannot be experienced. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says "All Scripture is breathed out by GOD and profitable for TEACHING, for REPROOF, for CORRECTION, and for TRAINING in RIGHTEOUSNESS, that the man of GOD may be complete, equipped for every good work." It is difficult to expose yourself to Scriptures daily and not have your life reflect a degree of change. For some, the change in their life is resisted and never will be realized. For others, the change is life altering and cannot be hidden!
So how can we know the change in our life is the change needed to assure us eternal life? The way we can be most assured that CHRIST lives in us is to examine the Scriptures daily and see "IF THESE THINGS WERE SO"! HEAVENLY FATHER, forgive me for not examining the Scriptures enough during my lifetime. Cause me not only to examine the Scriptures daily, but to LIVE the message daily, so that others can have an example of "IF THESE THINGS ARE SO"!!!
"10 The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue.
11 Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures DAILY to see "IF THESE THINGS WERE SO"!"
How many times have I heard a preacher supposedly read scripture and accepted it as truth instead of going home and verifying what was said with scripture? The Berean Believers were being taught by the Apostle Paul and Silas, not your average evangelists! Yet the Berean Believers studied the Scriptures "daily" to see "IF THESE THINGS WERE SO", not so they could show how smart they were, but so they could discern the TRUTH when they heard it!
Many people desire to prove their view of a matter is the right way to look at something. But when you use the TRUTH of HOLY SCRIPTURES as your measuring stick, you have a perspective that "this world" isn't accustomed to. When you measure against anything short of the HOLY SCRIPTURES the results become so fluid and continuously changing that they can become confusing. Usually that happens when someone neglects to examine the Scriptures daily? They have no baseline for their life actions!
Unless a life has been CHANGED, not only by examining the Scriptures, but having the Scriptures applied to a life, a lasting and permanent change cannot be experienced. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says "All Scripture is breathed out by GOD and profitable for TEACHING, for REPROOF, for CORRECTION, and for TRAINING in RIGHTEOUSNESS, that the man of GOD may be complete, equipped for every good work." It is difficult to expose yourself to Scriptures daily and not have your life reflect a degree of change. For some, the change in their life is resisted and never will be realized. For others, the change is life altering and cannot be hidden!
So how can we know the change in our life is the change needed to assure us eternal life? The way we can be most assured that CHRIST lives in us is to examine the Scriptures daily and see "IF THESE THINGS WERE SO"! HEAVENLY FATHER, forgive me for not examining the Scriptures enough during my lifetime. Cause me not only to examine the Scriptures daily, but to LIVE the message daily, so that others can have an example of "IF THESE THINGS ARE SO"!!!
Wednesday, September 7, 2016
"ALL THINGS!"
Romans 8:28 (ESV)
"And we know that for those who love GOD "ALL THINGS" work together for good, for those who are called according to HIS purpose."
In July 1999 I resigned my job at an insurance agency in Hope, AR literally days after securing a huge account in a city in the southern part of Arkansas. The fact that I was starting my own insurance agency was all that was on my mind, not that I was leaving great clients for my former employer. In September 1999 I was elected to the local school board. In 2000 I was elected as the Chairman of a local political party. In September 2000 I had the opportunity to have mine and my family's photo taken with a candidate for President of the United States on his campaign airplane. He was elected President of the United States that November.
My new insurance agency was growing rather quickly. The progress of the agency, I thought, was due to a caring agency attitude and good insurance companies that contracted with our agency. Being able to recognize where the blessings were coming from was difficult, mainly because there was NO TIME for being thankful. Keeping up with my schedule had me running as fast as I could, not keeping up with my business nor being thankful for the successes. The belief that the LORD was providing in spite of my busyness was not founded on anything scriptural, JUST A FEELING inside of me.
In an effort to satisfy my busy schedule, I had many obligations. The insurance agency should have been my primary obligation, but my other commitments demanded so much of my time that the agency suffered. One day in August 2002 a fellow school board member requested that I write a letter to a United States Senator on her employer's (Wadley Regional Medical Center) behalf to attempt to get a Physician to move to our town. The Physician was in the United States on an O-1 Visa, as he was a Pakistani national who needed a Senator to recommend moving across state lines. The letter was completed and sent on August 15, 2002 and I never heard, or thought, anything further about it.
The success of our insurance agency began to taper off as the main producer (me) was busy with other demands for my time. In 2006 a fellow insurance agent, owner of one of the largest agencies in the state, approached me about buying our agency. He said he wanted to combine our agency with another agency in our city and let me run them both. I saw it as an opportunity to expand our available markets while expanding our agency footprint. The promises made didn't materialize after the merger and I very soon became more interested in other things!
On Thursday July 05, 2007 I met with the new owner of the insurance agency I worked for and informed him that I would like to take a leave of absence to begin a Nonprofit called Foundation for Responsible Youth to assist at risk children get through high school and onto college, trade school, or a viable career. He agreed and even offered to be one of the first contributors for the foundation. On Friday I cleaned my office and assigned work to different people in the office. On Monday, I awoke to my brain hemorrhaging. Fifty two days later I came home from the hospital a totally changed person, although I wouldn't admit that for quite some time!
My wife and I bought the insurance agency back from the new owner on July 01. 2009. In going through some papers she had taken to our house a couple of years earlier, she came across the letter I had written in August 2002 for my school board friend. The letter evidently was successful as the doctor the hospital sought was the Neurologist who cared for me when my brain hemorrhaged in 2007!! When I showed the letter to my Neurologist he was almost in shock. Today the letter is on every electronic device I have as a testimony of how my GOD works even in the things we think are menial at the time. When GOD is behind a task, it is never insignificant.
We bought the agency back a little over 7 years ago. Since then, GOD has grown me in more ways than words can describe. HE especially has shown me that I don't need to try to DO everything for HIM, I only need constant fellowship with HIM and to obey HIS guidance. In the end, only the things that we allow GOD to accomplish with our lives will stand the test of time.
GOD works "ALL THINGS" together for good, for those who are called according to HIS purpose! A key portion of this verse is 'HIS purpose'! We can say GOD wouldn't do this or that, but HE can USE anything HE allows FOR HIS purposes. Even the brain hemorrhage I experienced SLOWED DOWN my ability to select words as quickly as I used to, something that GOD has shown me that HE is in control of! HE was in control of my wife and I founding this agency in 1999, selling it in 2006, the brain hemorrhage in 2007, my MIRACULOUS recovery, us being able to buy the agency back in 2009, and all of the blessings AND TRIALS we have experienced since buying the agency back. "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for YOU are with me....." (Psalms 23:4).
We are created to glorify HIM. In Exodus 14:4 GOD says "And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he will pursue them, and I WILL GET GLORY OVER PHARAOH and all his host, and the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD." GOD can even use what we consider to be total devastation to BRING HIM GLORY. Whatever comes my way, in "ALL THINGS" I will glory in HIS NAME!!!
"And we know that for those who love GOD "ALL THINGS" work together for good, for those who are called according to HIS purpose."
In July 1999 I resigned my job at an insurance agency in Hope, AR literally days after securing a huge account in a city in the southern part of Arkansas. The fact that I was starting my own insurance agency was all that was on my mind, not that I was leaving great clients for my former employer. In September 1999 I was elected to the local school board. In 2000 I was elected as the Chairman of a local political party. In September 2000 I had the opportunity to have mine and my family's photo taken with a candidate for President of the United States on his campaign airplane. He was elected President of the United States that November.
My new insurance agency was growing rather quickly. The progress of the agency, I thought, was due to a caring agency attitude and good insurance companies that contracted with our agency. Being able to recognize where the blessings were coming from was difficult, mainly because there was NO TIME for being thankful. Keeping up with my schedule had me running as fast as I could, not keeping up with my business nor being thankful for the successes. The belief that the LORD was providing in spite of my busyness was not founded on anything scriptural, JUST A FEELING inside of me.
In an effort to satisfy my busy schedule, I had many obligations. The insurance agency should have been my primary obligation, but my other commitments demanded so much of my time that the agency suffered. One day in August 2002 a fellow school board member requested that I write a letter to a United States Senator on her employer's (Wadley Regional Medical Center) behalf to attempt to get a Physician to move to our town. The Physician was in the United States on an O-1 Visa, as he was a Pakistani national who needed a Senator to recommend moving across state lines. The letter was completed and sent on August 15, 2002 and I never heard, or thought, anything further about it.
The success of our insurance agency began to taper off as the main producer (me) was busy with other demands for my time. In 2006 a fellow insurance agent, owner of one of the largest agencies in the state, approached me about buying our agency. He said he wanted to combine our agency with another agency in our city and let me run them both. I saw it as an opportunity to expand our available markets while expanding our agency footprint. The promises made didn't materialize after the merger and I very soon became more interested in other things!
On Thursday July 05, 2007 I met with the new owner of the insurance agency I worked for and informed him that I would like to take a leave of absence to begin a Nonprofit called Foundation for Responsible Youth to assist at risk children get through high school and onto college, trade school, or a viable career. He agreed and even offered to be one of the first contributors for the foundation. On Friday I cleaned my office and assigned work to different people in the office. On Monday, I awoke to my brain hemorrhaging. Fifty two days later I came home from the hospital a totally changed person, although I wouldn't admit that for quite some time!
My wife and I bought the insurance agency back from the new owner on July 01. 2009. In going through some papers she had taken to our house a couple of years earlier, she came across the letter I had written in August 2002 for my school board friend. The letter evidently was successful as the doctor the hospital sought was the Neurologist who cared for me when my brain hemorrhaged in 2007!! When I showed the letter to my Neurologist he was almost in shock. Today the letter is on every electronic device I have as a testimony of how my GOD works even in the things we think are menial at the time. When GOD is behind a task, it is never insignificant.
We bought the agency back a little over 7 years ago. Since then, GOD has grown me in more ways than words can describe. HE especially has shown me that I don't need to try to DO everything for HIM, I only need constant fellowship with HIM and to obey HIS guidance. In the end, only the things that we allow GOD to accomplish with our lives will stand the test of time.
GOD works "ALL THINGS" together for good, for those who are called according to HIS purpose! A key portion of this verse is 'HIS purpose'! We can say GOD wouldn't do this or that, but HE can USE anything HE allows FOR HIS purposes. Even the brain hemorrhage I experienced SLOWED DOWN my ability to select words as quickly as I used to, something that GOD has shown me that HE is in control of! HE was in control of my wife and I founding this agency in 1999, selling it in 2006, the brain hemorrhage in 2007, my MIRACULOUS recovery, us being able to buy the agency back in 2009, and all of the blessings AND TRIALS we have experienced since buying the agency back. "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for YOU are with me....." (Psalms 23:4).
We are created to glorify HIM. In Exodus 14:4 GOD says "And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he will pursue them, and I WILL GET GLORY OVER PHARAOH and all his host, and the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD." GOD can even use what we consider to be total devastation to BRING HIM GLORY. Whatever comes my way, in "ALL THINGS" I will glory in HIS NAME!!!
Tuesday, September 6, 2016
"GOD CHOSE!"
1 Corinthians 1:27-30 (ESV)
"27 But "GOD CHOSE" what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; "GOD CHOSE" what is weak in the world to shame the strong;
28 "GOD CHOSE" what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are,
29 SO THAT NO HUMAN BEING MIGHT BOAST IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD.
30 And because of HIM you are in CHRIST JESUS, who became to us wisdom from GOD, righteousness and sanctification and redemption,"
At least on my social media it seems to be everybody is talking about their favorite college football team. It's the first week of the NCAA college football season and that is all you hear about. And I formerly was right there with them. However, when I became older SPIRITUALLY I left behind the things of my youth!
Was/is that particular lifestyle the reason that America has devolved into what she has become? When you love something or someone greater than something or someone else, that is what you spend most of your time and energy talking about. Remembering when I met my wife 35 years ago (or so), there was nothing more important to me than spending time with her. At times, she still dominates my conversation!
When you love the LORD the most in your life, it seems all you want to do is talk about HIM all the time. Not even your grandchildren (and as far as I'm concerned, mine are the BEST!) are as important as telling someone about how majestic your LORD is. And the most amazing part of this is GOD actually chooses whom HE gets to use!!! John 6:44 says "No one can come to ME unless the FATHER WHO sent ME "draws" HIM. And I will raise him up on the last day."
Let's think about this for a minute, when JESUS was "choosing" HIS disciples, did HE offer to have "tryouts" to see who would develop into the most effective and beneficial servants for HIS ministry? No, JESUS knew who would be just the right "tools" for HIM to accomplish HIS Plan. HE could have chosen whom ever HE wished, but HE chose the twelve HE did because they had the "tools" HE could use to glorify HIS FATHER. Even Saul/Paul was selected as in Acts 9:16 JESUS says Ananias "For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of MY name."
Regardless of our "passions and desires", we don't have the luxury of wasting time on anything other than things that will not make a difference in eternity. "GOD CHOSE" Abraham, not because Abraham was a "goody two shoes" who was weak and could not succeed in life without HIM. No, "GOD CHOSE" Abraham because of his FAITH that GOD is WHO HE said HE was/is! Since "GOD CHOSE" me, I don't have the luxury of being caught up in the things of "this world"! Being consumed with a sport or worldly endeavor might mean there is a part of me that is still yearning for "this world"? Giving the appearance of not being SOLD OUT to the LORD is not something that I want to do with my life. Although I have exhibited that behavior in the past, my passions and desires are now on other goals.
We didn't CHOOSE to serve GOD because we are holier than thou! "GOD CHOSE" us to be one of HIS servants! "GOD CHOSE" us and that should excite us to talk about nothing other than HIM! I'm not worthy and certainly do not deserve it, but "GOD CHOSE" me, and I'm so glad HE did!!!
"27 But "GOD CHOSE" what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; "GOD CHOSE" what is weak in the world to shame the strong;
28 "GOD CHOSE" what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are,
29 SO THAT NO HUMAN BEING MIGHT BOAST IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD.
30 And because of HIM you are in CHRIST JESUS, who became to us wisdom from GOD, righteousness and sanctification and redemption,"
At least on my social media it seems to be everybody is talking about their favorite college football team. It's the first week of the NCAA college football season and that is all you hear about. And I formerly was right there with them. However, when I became older SPIRITUALLY I left behind the things of my youth!
Was/is that particular lifestyle the reason that America has devolved into what she has become? When you love something or someone greater than something or someone else, that is what you spend most of your time and energy talking about. Remembering when I met my wife 35 years ago (or so), there was nothing more important to me than spending time with her. At times, she still dominates my conversation!
When you love the LORD the most in your life, it seems all you want to do is talk about HIM all the time. Not even your grandchildren (and as far as I'm concerned, mine are the BEST!) are as important as telling someone about how majestic your LORD is. And the most amazing part of this is GOD actually chooses whom HE gets to use!!! John 6:44 says "No one can come to ME unless the FATHER WHO sent ME "draws" HIM. And I will raise him up on the last day."
Let's think about this for a minute, when JESUS was "choosing" HIS disciples, did HE offer to have "tryouts" to see who would develop into the most effective and beneficial servants for HIS ministry? No, JESUS knew who would be just the right "tools" for HIM to accomplish HIS Plan. HE could have chosen whom ever HE wished, but HE chose the twelve HE did because they had the "tools" HE could use to glorify HIS FATHER. Even Saul/Paul was selected as in Acts 9:16 JESUS says Ananias "For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of MY name."
Regardless of our "passions and desires", we don't have the luxury of wasting time on anything other than things that will not make a difference in eternity. "GOD CHOSE" Abraham, not because Abraham was a "goody two shoes" who was weak and could not succeed in life without HIM. No, "GOD CHOSE" Abraham because of his FAITH that GOD is WHO HE said HE was/is! Since "GOD CHOSE" me, I don't have the luxury of being caught up in the things of "this world"! Being consumed with a sport or worldly endeavor might mean there is a part of me that is still yearning for "this world"? Giving the appearance of not being SOLD OUT to the LORD is not something that I want to do with my life. Although I have exhibited that behavior in the past, my passions and desires are now on other goals.
We didn't CHOOSE to serve GOD because we are holier than thou! "GOD CHOSE" us to be one of HIS servants! "GOD CHOSE" us and that should excite us to talk about nothing other than HIM! I'm not worthy and certainly do not deserve it, but "GOD CHOSE" me, and I'm so glad HE did!!!
Friday, September 2, 2016
"COULD NOT HE???"
John 11:32-37 (ESV)
"32 Now when Mary came to where JESUS was and saw HIM, she fell at HIS feet, saying to HIM, "LORD, if you had been here, my brother would not have died."
33 When JESUS saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, HE was deeply moved in HIS spirit and greatly troubled.
34 And HE said, "Where have you laid him?" They said to HIM, "LORD, come and see."
35 JESUS wept.
36 So the Jews said, "See how HE loved him!"
37 But some of them said, "COULD NOT HE" who opened the eyes of the blind man also have kept this man from dying?"
Our lives are so self centered, focused mainly on things we SEE happening around us. One person can go through life without experiencing great difficulty or heartache while another has an almost Job-like life experience. There are those who look directly at tragedies occurring, yet still can't SEE the breadth and depth of the situation that is happening right before them.
Lazarus was dearly loved by, not only JESUS, but others who knew him as well. In John 11:1 scripture tells us that Lazarus was ill, so his demise was certainly no shock to most. Death has a way of bringing out emotions that are difficult to predict, and certainly explain. You have to look at the death of Lazarus from Heavenly eyes. Mary was talking like Lazarus was lost somewhere, or something? Personally, I would be upset if a relative of mine prayed me back to live in/on this earth when I could be in Heaven with GOD! But JESUS brought Lazarus back to earth demonstrating that death had no powers over HIM.
Our physical lives WILL someday end, unless JESUS comes back while we are living. Our SPIRIT is what we should be most concerned about? Most of us feed our physical bodies at least three times daily, and some more times than that. How healthy would a person be were they only to physically eat ONLY as often as they Spiritually feed themselves?
It may be that we are placed in certain circumstances so GOD can gain glory from our lives? If GOD gained glory from me coming back to life after being dead four days, I would gladly do that for HIM. When the Jews ask "COULD NOT HE" have saved Lazarus from entering his eternal reward, JESUS may have seen a chance to glorify the FATHER by demonstrating that death wasn't something HE feared.
In John 4:24 scripture records "GOD is SPIRIT....." and in Genesis 1:27 "So GOD created man in HIS OWN IMAGE....". Do not be deceived by the ruler of "this world" that our physical lives is all that really matters, when in reality, our SPIRITUAL lives is what REALLY matters! While JESUS was on earth HE performed MANY miraculous works, and no doubt could have performed more. But unless our eyes are opened to SEE THE TRUTH, even we will be saying "COULD NOT HE" have done this or that.
"32 Now when Mary came to where JESUS was and saw HIM, she fell at HIS feet, saying to HIM, "LORD, if you had been here, my brother would not have died."
33 When JESUS saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, HE was deeply moved in HIS spirit and greatly troubled.
34 And HE said, "Where have you laid him?" They said to HIM, "LORD, come and see."
35 JESUS wept.
36 So the Jews said, "See how HE loved him!"
37 But some of them said, "COULD NOT HE" who opened the eyes of the blind man also have kept this man from dying?"
Our lives are so self centered, focused mainly on things we SEE happening around us. One person can go through life without experiencing great difficulty or heartache while another has an almost Job-like life experience. There are those who look directly at tragedies occurring, yet still can't SEE the breadth and depth of the situation that is happening right before them.
Lazarus was dearly loved by, not only JESUS, but others who knew him as well. In John 11:1 scripture tells us that Lazarus was ill, so his demise was certainly no shock to most. Death has a way of bringing out emotions that are difficult to predict, and certainly explain. You have to look at the death of Lazarus from Heavenly eyes. Mary was talking like Lazarus was lost somewhere, or something? Personally, I would be upset if a relative of mine prayed me back to live in/on this earth when I could be in Heaven with GOD! But JESUS brought Lazarus back to earth demonstrating that death had no powers over HIM.
Our physical lives WILL someday end, unless JESUS comes back while we are living. Our SPIRIT is what we should be most concerned about? Most of us feed our physical bodies at least three times daily, and some more times than that. How healthy would a person be were they only to physically eat ONLY as often as they Spiritually feed themselves?
It may be that we are placed in certain circumstances so GOD can gain glory from our lives? If GOD gained glory from me coming back to life after being dead four days, I would gladly do that for HIM. When the Jews ask "COULD NOT HE" have saved Lazarus from entering his eternal reward, JESUS may have seen a chance to glorify the FATHER by demonstrating that death wasn't something HE feared.
In John 4:24 scripture records "GOD is SPIRIT....." and in Genesis 1:27 "So GOD created man in HIS OWN IMAGE....". Do not be deceived by the ruler of "this world" that our physical lives is all that really matters, when in reality, our SPIRITUAL lives is what REALLY matters! While JESUS was on earth HE performed MANY miraculous works, and no doubt could have performed more. But unless our eyes are opened to SEE THE TRUTH, even we will be saying "COULD NOT HE" have done this or that.
Thursday, September 1, 2016
"HE WITHDREW!"
Matthew 14:13-14;22-23 (ESV)
"13 Now when JESUS heard this, "HE WITHDREW" from there in a boat to a desolate place by HIMSELF. But when the crowds heard it, they followed HIM on foot from the towns.
14 When HE went ashore HE saw a great crowd, and HE had compassion on them and healed their sick............
........22 Immediately HE made the disciples get into the boat and go before HIM to the other side, while HE dismissed the crowds.
23 And after HE had dismissed the crowds, HE went up on the mountain BY HIMSELF TO PRAY. When evening came, HE was there alone."
Last Labor Day my wife and I visited the Gulf of Mexico for a brief time of rest and relaxation. My overall demeanor the next week was noticeably improved as I was refreshed and recharged! Over the years, I've noticed people, ESPECIALLY PASTORS, tend to be more tired and critical after they have been working for more than a few months with no break, no time to refresh and recharge?!?!
How many times did JESUS get alone with GOD? No one knows for sure, HE left the throngs of people following HIM, including HIS disciples, and just got alone with GOD numerous times! In the scriptures above JESUS was trying to be alone with GOD (v13), but the people were desiring to see HIM. After preaching and teaching AND feeding the crowd of 5,000 men (not counting women and children) (v21), JESUS finally got a chance to get away for time alone with the FATHER (v23) on a mountain!
JESUS had to make a conscious effort to get away from cares of "this world". The English Standard Version uses the words "HE WITHDREW" from the people to be by HIMSELF. That doesn't mean JESUS didn't love HIS disciples or the people, it tells me JESUS knew that being ALONE with GOD demanded a commitment from HIM that superseded HIS desire to serve, HIS desire to help others!!
Sometimes we need to be so bold as to WITHDRAW from our daily schedules and friends and be ALONE with GOD! If we simply follow the example of JESUS CHRIST we will have no alternative but to WITHDRAW from all of the busyness that crowds our lives and BE STILL and know HE is GOD! "HE WITHDREW", why should we be any different?!?!
"13 Now when JESUS heard this, "HE WITHDREW" from there in a boat to a desolate place by HIMSELF. But when the crowds heard it, they followed HIM on foot from the towns.
14 When HE went ashore HE saw a great crowd, and HE had compassion on them and healed their sick............
........22 Immediately HE made the disciples get into the boat and go before HIM to the other side, while HE dismissed the crowds.
23 And after HE had dismissed the crowds, HE went up on the mountain BY HIMSELF TO PRAY. When evening came, HE was there alone."
Last Labor Day my wife and I visited the Gulf of Mexico for a brief time of rest and relaxation. My overall demeanor the next week was noticeably improved as I was refreshed and recharged! Over the years, I've noticed people, ESPECIALLY PASTORS, tend to be more tired and critical after they have been working for more than a few months with no break, no time to refresh and recharge?!?!
How many times did JESUS get alone with GOD? No one knows for sure, HE left the throngs of people following HIM, including HIS disciples, and just got alone with GOD numerous times! In the scriptures above JESUS was trying to be alone with GOD (v13), but the people were desiring to see HIM. After preaching and teaching AND feeding the crowd of 5,000 men (not counting women and children) (v21), JESUS finally got a chance to get away for time alone with the FATHER (v23) on a mountain!
JESUS had to make a conscious effort to get away from cares of "this world". The English Standard Version uses the words "HE WITHDREW" from the people to be by HIMSELF. That doesn't mean JESUS didn't love HIS disciples or the people, it tells me JESUS knew that being ALONE with GOD demanded a commitment from HIM that superseded HIS desire to serve, HIS desire to help others!!
Sometimes we need to be so bold as to WITHDRAW from our daily schedules and friends and be ALONE with GOD! If we simply follow the example of JESUS CHRIST we will have no alternative but to WITHDRAW from all of the busyness that crowds our lives and BE STILL and know HE is GOD! "HE WITHDREW", why should we be any different?!?!
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