Luke 12:1-3 (ESV)
"1 In the meantime, when so many thousands of the people had gathered together that they were trampling one another, he began to say to his disciples first, "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
2 Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.
3 Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops."
It is remarkable how the perception of people can change within a short period of time. About 100 years ago, the United States became involved in World War I. GOD blessed and good prevailed. The United States workers understood sacrifice and commitment and GOD rewarded their submission to HIM.
But the disease JESUS spoke of known as The "Leaven of the Pharisees" has spread to the United States, and across the world! JESUS warned that NOTHING that done in secrecy will be hidden, and the secrets that are "whispered in private" will be "proclaimed on the housetops"!
Sin cannot fellowship with HOLINESS. One day, personal desires, political advancement and arrogance will be exposed, and judgement will be distributed by The CREATOR. The Bible says "ALL have sinned" in Romans 3:23, but it also says in Ephesians 1:7 that "WE have redemption through HIS blood". For those who are relying on their works, the light will expose their true intent. Unless you are covered by HIS blood in this life your outcome will not be good.
The "Leaven of the Pharisees" is a disease that rears it's ugly head in many cultures. You have to know the warning signs to be able to apply the only available antidote. John 3:17-18 states "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be SAVED through him. Whoever believes in HIM is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the ONLY SON of GOD". Yes, the "Leaven of the Pharisees" has a cure. And the cure is The ONLY SON of GOD!!
Saturday, February 8, 2014
Friday, February 7, 2014
"A PROMISE YOU CAN BANK ON! "
2 Peter 3:8-10 KJV
"But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up."
When I was growing up, my grandfather would tell me "Boy, do I have to tell you everything"? It would make me feel like I didn't know anything! I am quite sure that was the intent of his statement.
The Apostle Peter may not have been trying to make his "beloved" feel like they didn't know anything. He may have been trying to get across to his "beloved" that Judgement Day was coming! It wasn't a matter of "IF", but it was "WHEN"!
GOD is not a mean spirited Being. HE is waiting patiently for the last person to profess Christ as their personal Savior, and then HE will regrettably have to say "Son, go bring MY children Home"! Those who remain will be "wailing and gnashing of teeth, but no relief will be forthcoming. "In which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat" is not a fable! Neither is "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise". One of these days, The LORD will come back. That is A PROMISE YOU CAN BANK ON!
Thursday, February 6, 2014
"SEEK HIS KINGDOM!"
Luke 12:22-31 (ESV)
"22 And he said to his disciples, "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on.
23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.
24 Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet GOD feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds!
25 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?
26 If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest?
27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
28 But if GOD so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!
29 And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried.
30 For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them.
31 Instead, SEEK HIS KINGDOM, and these things will be added to you."
GOD has been in recent days dealing with me about being "ANXIOUS". No one wants to admit anxiety. We all seem to want to give the appearance of being in control and have everything going our way. But is that really the case?
It seems I have always been "high strung", to put it plainly. I have always been one to want to see how much I could do toward whatever goal I was working toward. While playing softball, I would not sleep well after a loss, trying to figure out what I could have done to be better in the field. When I started selling insurance, I would not sleep well after not closing a sale, trying to figure out how I could have been more successful in the sales process. I have always sought "after these things", as JESUS said in verse 30.
There is a huge difference in wanting to improve yourself and punishing yourself for not being good enough. The enemy, who is the master of deceit, can disguise greed as self improvement. The enemy will cause us to journey as far down "self improvement" road that we lose sight of our "PRIZE" (Philippians 3:14).
But JESUS tells us over and over in scripture that our focus should NOT be on the things of this world. In Matthew 6:19-24 JESUS tells us to "lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven". I have yet to find where JESUS instructed anyone to have a big bank account or a mansion on an estate. GOD is most interested in our hearts and who we serve. When we "SEEK HIS KINGDOM", HE is ready make sure "these things will be added to you." HIS words, not mine!
"22 And he said to his disciples, "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on.
23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.
24 Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet GOD feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds!
25 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?
26 If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest?
27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
28 But if GOD so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!
29 And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried.
30 For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them.
31 Instead, SEEK HIS KINGDOM, and these things will be added to you."
GOD has been in recent days dealing with me about being "ANXIOUS". No one wants to admit anxiety. We all seem to want to give the appearance of being in control and have everything going our way. But is that really the case?
It seems I have always been "high strung", to put it plainly. I have always been one to want to see how much I could do toward whatever goal I was working toward. While playing softball, I would not sleep well after a loss, trying to figure out what I could have done to be better in the field. When I started selling insurance, I would not sleep well after not closing a sale, trying to figure out how I could have been more successful in the sales process. I have always sought "after these things", as JESUS said in verse 30.
There is a huge difference in wanting to improve yourself and punishing yourself for not being good enough. The enemy, who is the master of deceit, can disguise greed as self improvement. The enemy will cause us to journey as far down "self improvement" road that we lose sight of our "PRIZE" (Philippians 3:14).
But JESUS tells us over and over in scripture that our focus should NOT be on the things of this world. In Matthew 6:19-24 JESUS tells us to "lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven". I have yet to find where JESUS instructed anyone to have a big bank account or a mansion on an estate. GOD is most interested in our hearts and who we serve. When we "SEEK HIS KINGDOM", HE is ready make sure "these things will be added to you." HIS words, not mine!
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
"WHAT DO YOU FOCUS ON?"
Isaiah 12:4-5 (KJV)
"4 And you will say in that day: "Give thanks to the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the peoples, proclaim that his name is exalted.
5 "Sing praises to the LORD, for he has done gloriously; let this be made known in all the earth."
In my past I was, and still have to fight the desire, to be quite negative in my thoughts and thinking. I have always used as an excuse "I am just trying to be prepared"! But prepared for what??? Prepared for disaster? Prepared for calamity? Why, in my mindset, do I prepare for the "bad" times, yet celebrate the "good" times IF they come along? I have found the "good" times are a lot more enjoyable than the "bad" times.
The passage above (Isaiah 12:4-5) was my "Scripture for Today" on my Bible Application for today. While meditating this scripture, my thoughts started pondering the words "make known his deeds among the peoples, proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing praises to the LORD, for he has done gloriously; let this be made known in all the earth." It is hard to prepare BAD when you are exalting the name of The LORD!
GOD will give you grace to deal with the "bad" when it comes. But in Philippians 4:8 GOD reminds us "Whatsoever things are TRUE, whatsoever things are HONEST, whatsoever things are JUST, whatsoever things are PURE, whatsoever things are LOVELY, whatsoever things are of GOOD REPORT; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, THINK ON THESE THINGS"!
I will focus on what "HE HAS DONE GLORIOUSLY", and trust HIM for the grace to handle the rough times.
"4 And you will say in that day: "Give thanks to the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the peoples, proclaim that his name is exalted.
5 "Sing praises to the LORD, for he has done gloriously; let this be made known in all the earth."
In my past I was, and still have to fight the desire, to be quite negative in my thoughts and thinking. I have always used as an excuse "I am just trying to be prepared"! But prepared for what??? Prepared for disaster? Prepared for calamity? Why, in my mindset, do I prepare for the "bad" times, yet celebrate the "good" times IF they come along? I have found the "good" times are a lot more enjoyable than the "bad" times.
The passage above (Isaiah 12:4-5) was my "Scripture for Today" on my Bible Application for today. While meditating this scripture, my thoughts started pondering the words "make known his deeds among the peoples, proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing praises to the LORD, for he has done gloriously; let this be made known in all the earth." It is hard to prepare BAD when you are exalting the name of The LORD!
GOD will give you grace to deal with the "bad" when it comes. But in Philippians 4:8 GOD reminds us "Whatsoever things are TRUE, whatsoever things are HONEST, whatsoever things are JUST, whatsoever things are PURE, whatsoever things are LOVELY, whatsoever things are of GOOD REPORT; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, THINK ON THESE THINGS"!
I will focus on what "HE HAS DONE GLORIOUSLY", and trust HIM for the grace to handle the rough times.
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
"REASONABLENESS???"
Philippians 4:4-7 (ESV)
"4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.
5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;
6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Do you find it interesting that you sometimes read over verses that are surrounded by familiar, well known verses. I have always heard Philippians 4:4 quoted and Philippians 4:6-7 was the focal passage on the bible application on my phone recently. But I was stopped when reading Philippians 4:5. "Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand" would not let me go!
The King James Version says it this way "Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand." I began to research the verse a bit. I found this account on the internet I thought worth sharing. "The consideration of our Master’s approach, and our final account, should keep us from smiting our fellow-servants, support us under present sufferings, and moderate our affections to outward good. "He will take vengeance on your enemies, and reward your patience.’’
If JESUS CHRIST' spirit lives in me, I should fid it difficult to display anything but "reasonableness" or "moderation". When I think of how many times I have been UNREASONABLE though, shame and guilt begin to creep into my life. But Romans 7:24-25 is always there for me saying "Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 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."
I pray I allow the Spirit of JESUS CHRIST to have preeminence in my behavior and that I let HIM be known to everyone.
"4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.
5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;
6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Do you find it interesting that you sometimes read over verses that are surrounded by familiar, well known verses. I have always heard Philippians 4:4 quoted and Philippians 4:6-7 was the focal passage on the bible application on my phone recently. But I was stopped when reading Philippians 4:5. "Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand" would not let me go!
The King James Version says it this way "Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand." I began to research the verse a bit. I found this account on the internet I thought worth sharing. "The consideration of our Master’s approach, and our final account, should keep us from smiting our fellow-servants, support us under present sufferings, and moderate our affections to outward good. "He will take vengeance on your enemies, and reward your patience.’’
If JESUS CHRIST' spirit lives in me, I should fid it difficult to display anything but "reasonableness" or "moderation". When I think of how many times I have been UNREASONABLE though, shame and guilt begin to creep into my life. But Romans 7:24-25 is always there for me saying "Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 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."
I pray I allow the Spirit of JESUS CHRIST to have preeminence in my behavior and that I let HIM be known to everyone.
Monday, February 3, 2014
"MASTER CHEF!"
Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV)
"6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
My wife is one of the best cooks I have had the privilege of knowing about. She has, over the years, gained knowledge and experience from several less than perfect kitchen creations. These experiences tell her when she needs to add a little more of an ingredient, or bake something a few more minutes, or turn the heat up or down.
One of my favorite things she makes is birthday cakes. The cake is always so moist and the icing is fantastic. I am not sure what all of the ingredients are, but she knows if it needs a little more of this or that to make it taste just right when "it comes out of the oven"!
Many times in life I have been going through "purifying fires"and I begin to cry and beg GOD to be pulled out of the oven to get some relief from the heat. I am so caught up in the current situation that I can't fathom I am being prepared by the "MASTER CHEF" according to HIS recipe.
The Apostle Paul warns us not to "be anxious" about things, rather to humbly pray to GOD ALMIGHTY and HE will protect our hearts and minds in CHRIST JESUS. Our struggle is not with "flesh and blood" (Ephesians 6:12), but against the enemy and his demons who constantly assail us. The Spirit of JESUS CHRIST lives in each believer. We should not be anxious about anything.
Just as I know things will turn out fine when my wife is baking, I should know that GOD ALMIGHTY has everything under control! When the "MASTER CHEF" determines HIS handiwork is complete, HE will take me out of HIS oven and declare me "well done"!
"6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
My wife is one of the best cooks I have had the privilege of knowing about. She has, over the years, gained knowledge and experience from several less than perfect kitchen creations. These experiences tell her when she needs to add a little more of an ingredient, or bake something a few more minutes, or turn the heat up or down.
One of my favorite things she makes is birthday cakes. The cake is always so moist and the icing is fantastic. I am not sure what all of the ingredients are, but she knows if it needs a little more of this or that to make it taste just right when "it comes out of the oven"!
Many times in life I have been going through "purifying fires"and I begin to cry and beg GOD to be pulled out of the oven to get some relief from the heat. I am so caught up in the current situation that I can't fathom I am being prepared by the "MASTER CHEF" according to HIS recipe.
The Apostle Paul warns us not to "be anxious" about things, rather to humbly pray to GOD ALMIGHTY and HE will protect our hearts and minds in CHRIST JESUS. Our struggle is not with "flesh and blood" (Ephesians 6:12), but against the enemy and his demons who constantly assail us. The Spirit of JESUS CHRIST lives in each believer. We should not be anxious about anything.
Just as I know things will turn out fine when my wife is baking, I should know that GOD ALMIGHTY has everything under control! When the "MASTER CHEF" determines HIS handiwork is complete, HE will take me out of HIS oven and declare me "well done"!
Sunday, February 2, 2014
"STUDY TO BE QUIET'"
"STUDY TO BE QUIET!"
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 KJV
"And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing."
At times in my past, I have not been the most easy person to miss when you walked into a room. To say I was a little LOUD would be a mild understatement!
When the Apostle Paul wrote this passage in the first century, I am sure he did not know that I would be coming around two thousand years or so later! But GOD did! And in 2 Timothy 3:16 Paul wrote "All scripture is given by inspiration of God!"
Yes, GOD knew that I would need to see "Study to be quiet"! I need to do my own business and work with my own hands also. I need to be about the Father's call on my life and leave the details up to HIM. THEN I will be able to minister to those HE sends my way.
It is so frustrating to see a need and not have means to fulfill the need. It has been awhile since I had to "STUDY" for school. But I remember having to focus on the task at hand. To "STUDY" to be quiet may take a little effort. A person may not need a sermon near as much as they need a hand getting "out of the ditch"! The Holy Spirit can minister. All I need to do is make sure I am obedient when someone is sent my way!
FATHER, help me "STUDY TO BE QUIET" and to allow YOUR SPIRIT do the ministering!
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