Genesis 3:1-7 (KJV)
"3 Now the serpent was "MORE SUBTLE" than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, “Yea, hath God said, ‘Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?”
2 And the woman said unto the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden,
3 but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, ‘Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it,lest ye die.’”
4 And the serpent said unto the woman, “YE SHALL NOT SURELY DIE";
5 for God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.”
6 And WHEN THE WOMAN SAW that the tree was good for food, and that it was PLEASANT TO THE EYES, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof and ate, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he ate.
7 And the EYES of them both WERE OPENED, and they KNEW that they were NAKED; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves things to gird about."
Growing up there was one translation of scripture that I was exposed to, the King James Version. Using a website designed to show various interpretations of the Word is a tool I use to get differing perspectives. This morning I decided to see what other words were used for the word in Genesis 3:1 when scripture declares that the serpent was "MORE SUBTLE". The words I found were shrewdest, cunning, crafty, wiley, feller, clever, astute, sneakier, and more intelligent. The translation that stood out most to me was from the "New Life Version" which said the "snake was more able to fool" than any other creation.
The enemy is a master of disguise and he uses any tool at his disposal to draw glory from GOD JEHOVAH! Ephesians 6:11-12 (ESV) informs us "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the "SCHEMES" of the devil. 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." The devil uses any means he can to imitate GOD, but HE can only fake it!
A group called Newsong used to sing a song saying you can't fit a square peg in a round hole. In that song it said "you can try to fill your life with anything but Christ, but it just won't work"! The imitation that the devil tries to pass off as the real thing will NOT quench the inner thirst that we are created with. The only thing that can quench that thirst is the Creator HIMSELF, JESUS CHRIST!
The spiritual "eyes" of Adam and Eve were opened when they decided to be like a god. GOD had warned them that "death" would be the penalty for disobedience of HIS Word. The enemy used "deception" to make them think GOD was talking about physical death, when all along GOD was referring to spiritual death. Don't be "deceived" by a spirit that the Bible describes as "MORE SUBTLE" than any other! The only way to quench the thirst that we all have is to allow the Creator to put HIMSELF in you! The enemy can be "MORE SUBTLE" all he wants, but he can't imitate the real thing!
Thursday, August 14, 2014
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
"DESIRE TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT!"
Romans 7:14-20 (ESV)
"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 on 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."
The Apostle Paul is known as one of the most dedicated followers of JESUS CHRIST ever. His testimony shows many imprisonments and much hardship. He also got to speak before Caesar, arguably the most powerful man of his time. So Paul knew how if felt to be "ABASED" and how to "ABOUND" (Philippians 4:12)!
But, according to Romans 7:18, even though Paul was considered a spiritual giant of his era by most, his opinion of himself was less than stellar. Paul knew that he did "the very thing" he hated. Although he had the "DESIRE TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT", he did not have the ability to perform as he should. Paul was flawed, just like the rest of us!
Paul even said in verse 15 that "I do not understand my own actions"! And of ver two thousand years later, neither do I currently understand my actions? Why do I do things that I know are contrary to living as a reflection of JESUS CHRIST? Why can't I simply surrender to what HE would do were HE living in my body!
The Apostle Paul wrote in verse 20 what I have to be aware of. The "sin that dwells within me" causes difficulty in my life that is avoidable. No, I am not perfect and some of those difficulties I am sure I will learn great lessons from. But I so look forward to the day when my "DESIRE TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT" controls the actions in my life. The "DESIRE TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT" should be what we all strive for!
"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 on 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."
The Apostle Paul is known as one of the most dedicated followers of JESUS CHRIST ever. His testimony shows many imprisonments and much hardship. He also got to speak before Caesar, arguably the most powerful man of his time. So Paul knew how if felt to be "ABASED" and how to "ABOUND" (Philippians 4:12)!
But, according to Romans 7:18, even though Paul was considered a spiritual giant of his era by most, his opinion of himself was less than stellar. Paul knew that he did "the very thing" he hated. Although he had the "DESIRE TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT", he did not have the ability to perform as he should. Paul was flawed, just like the rest of us!
Paul even said in verse 15 that "I do not understand my own actions"! And of ver two thousand years later, neither do I currently understand my actions? Why do I do things that I know are contrary to living as a reflection of JESUS CHRIST? Why can't I simply surrender to what HE would do were HE living in my body!
The Apostle Paul wrote in verse 20 what I have to be aware of. The "sin that dwells within me" causes difficulty in my life that is avoidable. No, I am not perfect and some of those difficulties I am sure I will learn great lessons from. But I so look forward to the day when my "DESIRE TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT" controls the actions in my life. The "DESIRE TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT" should be what we all strive for!
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
"SEEING IS BELIEVING??"
1 Corinthians 2:9-12 (KJV)
"9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which GOD hath prepared for them that love him.
10 But GOD HATH REVEALED them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of GOD.
11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of GOD knoweth no man, but the Spirit of GOD.
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of GOD; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of GOD."
How many times have you heard "SEEING IS BELIEVING"? IF you see something with your own eyes you are considered an EYE-WITNESS. An EYE-WITNESS can prove invaluable in a court case. Many court cases have been decided by an EYE-WITNESS telling what they have seen.But, what about those whose vision is impaired? What about the people whose ability to see is not "20/20"? Can they be used as an "EYE-WITNESS"? Can what they have seen be counted on as the real truth because of corrective vision measures taken?
The things GOD HATH REVEALED to us are things that can be trusted more than an EYE-WITNESS account! Don't be upset when others haven't had the same revelation as you have though. GOD may have a purpose for only revealing HIS plan to only you (Noah in Hebrews 11:7). "The things which GOD hath prepared" may benefit many, but GOD may only need to reveal HIS plan to those necessary in order for HIM to receive glory for those plans!
Verse 12 informs us that Believers in The LORD possess the Spirit of GOD, not the spirit of the world. The plans of GOD will not make a lot of sense to the world as they do not SEE the things of the Spirit! GOD reveals HIS plans to HIS people to glorify HIS name before all. The glorification of HIS followers is not something HE promotes.
What we spiritually SEE can be directly attributed to what we believe! While it is true that in our physical beings "SEEING IS BELIEVING", in our Spiritual beings "BELIEVING IS SEEING" is what true reality is based upon. When GOD HATH REVEALED something to you, FAITH (Hebrews 11:6) demands that you act accordingly. Had Noah NOT acted accordingly (Hebrews 11:7), the flood would have consumed his family also. And that would have been "SEEING IS BELIEVING"!!
"9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which GOD hath prepared for them that love him.
10 But GOD HATH REVEALED them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of GOD.
11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of GOD knoweth no man, but the Spirit of GOD.
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of GOD; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of GOD."
How many times have you heard "SEEING IS BELIEVING"? IF you see something with your own eyes you are considered an EYE-WITNESS. An EYE-WITNESS can prove invaluable in a court case. Many court cases have been decided by an EYE-WITNESS telling what they have seen.But, what about those whose vision is impaired? What about the people whose ability to see is not "20/20"? Can they be used as an "EYE-WITNESS"? Can what they have seen be counted on as the real truth because of corrective vision measures taken?
The things GOD HATH REVEALED to us are things that can be trusted more than an EYE-WITNESS account! Don't be upset when others haven't had the same revelation as you have though. GOD may have a purpose for only revealing HIS plan to only you (Noah in Hebrews 11:7). "The things which GOD hath prepared" may benefit many, but GOD may only need to reveal HIS plan to those necessary in order for HIM to receive glory for those plans!
Verse 12 informs us that Believers in The LORD possess the Spirit of GOD, not the spirit of the world. The plans of GOD will not make a lot of sense to the world as they do not SEE the things of the Spirit! GOD reveals HIS plans to HIS people to glorify HIS name before all. The glorification of HIS followers is not something HE promotes.
What we spiritually SEE can be directly attributed to what we believe! While it is true that in our physical beings "SEEING IS BELIEVING", in our Spiritual beings "BELIEVING IS SEEING" is what true reality is based upon. When GOD HATH REVEALED something to you, FAITH (Hebrews 11:6) demands that you act accordingly. Had Noah NOT acted accordingly (Hebrews 11:7), the flood would have consumed his family also. And that would have been "SEEING IS BELIEVING"!!
Monday, August 11, 2014
"WITHOUT FAITH???"
Hebrews 11:6 (ESV)
"6 But "WITHOUT FAITH" IT IS 'IMPOSSIBLE' TO PLEASE HIM: for he that cometh to GOD must believe that HE is, and that HE is a rewarder of them that diligently seek HIM."
For the past few days this verse has been heavy on my heart and mind. "WITHOUT FAITH" there is no way of pleasing our CREATOR. How many times do we stop after waking from sleep to make sure our legs will hold us up? How many times do we inhale and wait to make sure we are able to exhale? You might say "Those are things that GOD is in control of"! Well, if HE is LORD of our lives, shouldn't HE be in control over our entire lives?
Rick Warren has been quoted as saying "“GOD’s plan for your life isn’t a map you see all at once, but a scroll unrolled a little at a time, requiring FAITH”. I am afraid we don't see as many modern day miracles because we never allow GOD to be put in a position where HE is our only way through a difficulty. We want to see the whole roadmap to determine if we agree with GOD about what may happen! If GOD reveals our scroll only "a little at a time" we won't move because we 'claim' HE hasn't shown us what to do. "WITHOUT FAITH" it is impossible to fully trust in or please HIM! Sometimes we have to begin without the benefit of knowing how something will be finished.
In Matthew 9:9 it is recorded "As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, "Follow me." And he rose and followed him." Matthew didn't get an explanation of where they were going, or what they were going to be doing. Matthew simply obeyed the command of JESUS! Matthew didn't worry about who was going to collect the taxes, "he rose and followed him."
Our GOD simply 'spoke' the heavens and earth into existence. That same GOD has a plan for my life and yours. Should my desire be to get to Heaven and have GOD declare that I lived a safe, risk free, well thought-out life? Or should I live my life with Hebrews 11:6 in mind? "WITHOUT FAITH" it is IMPOSSIBLE to please HIM???
"6 But "WITHOUT FAITH" IT IS 'IMPOSSIBLE' TO PLEASE HIM: for he that cometh to GOD must believe that HE is, and that HE is a rewarder of them that diligently seek HIM."
For the past few days this verse has been heavy on my heart and mind. "WITHOUT FAITH" there is no way of pleasing our CREATOR. How many times do we stop after waking from sleep to make sure our legs will hold us up? How many times do we inhale and wait to make sure we are able to exhale? You might say "Those are things that GOD is in control of"! Well, if HE is LORD of our lives, shouldn't HE be in control over our entire lives?
Rick Warren has been quoted as saying "“GOD’s plan for your life isn’t a map you see all at once, but a scroll unrolled a little at a time, requiring FAITH”. I am afraid we don't see as many modern day miracles because we never allow GOD to be put in a position where HE is our only way through a difficulty. We want to see the whole roadmap to determine if we agree with GOD about what may happen! If GOD reveals our scroll only "a little at a time" we won't move because we 'claim' HE hasn't shown us what to do. "WITHOUT FAITH" it is impossible to fully trust in or please HIM! Sometimes we have to begin without the benefit of knowing how something will be finished.
In Matthew 9:9 it is recorded "As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, "Follow me." And he rose and followed him." Matthew didn't get an explanation of where they were going, or what they were going to be doing. Matthew simply obeyed the command of JESUS! Matthew didn't worry about who was going to collect the taxes, "he rose and followed him."
Our GOD simply 'spoke' the heavens and earth into existence. That same GOD has a plan for my life and yours. Should my desire be to get to Heaven and have GOD declare that I lived a safe, risk free, well thought-out life? Or should I live my life with Hebrews 11:6 in mind? "WITHOUT FAITH" it is IMPOSSIBLE to please HIM???
Sunday, August 10, 2014
"I RECEIVED MY SIGHT!!"
Acts 22:5b-18 (ESV)
"5b From them I received letters to the brothers, and I journeyed toward Damascus to take those also who were there and bring them in bonds to Jerusalem to be punished.
6 "As I was on my way and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone around me.
7 And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?'
8 And I answered, 'Who are you, Lord?' And he said to me, 'I am JESUS of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.'
9 Now those who were with me saw the light but did not understand the voice of the one who was speaking to me.
10 And I said, 'What shall I do, Lord?' And the Lord said to me, 'Rise, and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all that is appointed for you to do.'
11 And since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and came into Damascus.
12 "And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there,
13 came to me, and standing by me said to me, 'Brother Saul, receive your sight.' And at that very hour "I received my sight" and saw him.
14 And he said, 'The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear a voice from his mouth;
15 for you will be a witness for him to everyone of what you have seen and heard.
16 And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.'
17 "When I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance
18 and saw him saying to me, 'Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about me.'
Although the passage above is quite lengthy, the recollection of the conversion of Paul must not be hurried through. To begin with, Saul was headed to Damascus to arrest those a who were following the teachings of JESUS CHRIST. But on his journey he has an encounter with JESUS. Now, surely JESUS knew why Saul was persecuting HIM. JESUS had to make it CLEAR to Saul what he was actually doing.
The next point that sticks out to me is in verse nine. Saul's recollection is that the others who were with him heard the voice of JESUS, but only Saul could understand what was being said. That let's me know that when GOD instructs me about what HE wants me to do, others may not be on the same wavelength. But when GOD gets your attention, such as Saul being blinded, it makes no difference to you if anyone else understands what you are hearing or not! GOD has spoken and you are listening to HIS spoken Word (v.14)!
Finally, Saul/Paul went to the temple to pray and GOD let him know what HIS plans for him were not! "Get out of Jerusalem quickly" were Paul's instructions! In Acts 22:21 GOD said "Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.'" GOD did not reveal to Paul what all his future held. GOD only told Paul that he was going to minister to the Gentiles. The journey that Paul would engage in would include many hardships, but those hardships would not be faced alone!
Our destination may be made known to us, but our journey will require FAITH! Once again, I refer to Hebrews 11:6 which to us "without faith, it is IMPOSSIBLE to please HIM"! When Paul was on the Damascus road he was blinded. Paul says there was a time when "I RECEIVED MY SIGHT" and his mission began to become clear to him. He still had to have FAITH for the path of his journey, but his destination was clearly to the Gentiles. Knowing my journey requires FAITH, but my destination is has been set! I am proud to say "I RECEIVED MY SIGHT"!!
"5b From them I received letters to the brothers, and I journeyed toward Damascus to take those also who were there and bring them in bonds to Jerusalem to be punished.
6 "As I was on my way and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone around me.
7 And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?'
8 And I answered, 'Who are you, Lord?' And he said to me, 'I am JESUS of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.'
9 Now those who were with me saw the light but did not understand the voice of the one who was speaking to me.
10 And I said, 'What shall I do, Lord?' And the Lord said to me, 'Rise, and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all that is appointed for you to do.'
11 And since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and came into Damascus.
12 "And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there,
13 came to me, and standing by me said to me, 'Brother Saul, receive your sight.' And at that very hour "I received my sight" and saw him.
14 And he said, 'The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear a voice from his mouth;
15 for you will be a witness for him to everyone of what you have seen and heard.
16 And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.'
17 "When I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance
18 and saw him saying to me, 'Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about me.'
Although the passage above is quite lengthy, the recollection of the conversion of Paul must not be hurried through. To begin with, Saul was headed to Damascus to arrest those a who were following the teachings of JESUS CHRIST. But on his journey he has an encounter with JESUS. Now, surely JESUS knew why Saul was persecuting HIM. JESUS had to make it CLEAR to Saul what he was actually doing.
The next point that sticks out to me is in verse nine. Saul's recollection is that the others who were with him heard the voice of JESUS, but only Saul could understand what was being said. That let's me know that when GOD instructs me about what HE wants me to do, others may not be on the same wavelength. But when GOD gets your attention, such as Saul being blinded, it makes no difference to you if anyone else understands what you are hearing or not! GOD has spoken and you are listening to HIS spoken Word (v.14)!
Finally, Saul/Paul went to the temple to pray and GOD let him know what HIS plans for him were not! "Get out of Jerusalem quickly" were Paul's instructions! In Acts 22:21 GOD said "Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.'" GOD did not reveal to Paul what all his future held. GOD only told Paul that he was going to minister to the Gentiles. The journey that Paul would engage in would include many hardships, but those hardships would not be faced alone!
Our destination may be made known to us, but our journey will require FAITH! Once again, I refer to Hebrews 11:6 which to us "without faith, it is IMPOSSIBLE to please HIM"! When Paul was on the Damascus road he was blinded. Paul says there was a time when "I RECEIVED MY SIGHT" and his mission began to become clear to him. He still had to have FAITH for the path of his journey, but his destination was clearly to the Gentiles. Knowing my journey requires FAITH, but my destination is has been set! I am proud to say "I RECEIVED MY SIGHT"!!
Saturday, August 9, 2014
"believe that HE is"!!
Hebrews 11:6 (KJV)
"1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.
3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of GOD, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
4 By faith Abel offered unto GOD a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, GOD testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because GOD had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased GOD.
6 But WITHOUT FAITH IT IS 'IMPOSSIBLE' TO PLEASE HIM: for he that cometh to GOD must 'believe that HE is', and that HE is a rewarder of them that diligently seek HIM."
Every so often I get an email from a minister that just causes me to pause and evaluate things in my life. Today is such a time. Dr. Charles Stanley sends out devotionals every morning, except Sunday's. Today is one of those days that I feel the need to CAPITALIZE all of the words to give the emphasis where I feel they are deserved!
Many sermons have been preached on the FAITH HALL OF FAME! Hebrews 11 exhibits some of the more notable people that knew GOD and "believe that HE is"! Hebrews 11:6 covers it all for me, "without faith it is IMPOSSIBLE to please HIM"! When a trial or difficulty comes my way and I fear, I am displaying a lack of "believing that HE is"! As you read Dr. Stanley's devotional, remember that we must "believe that HE is"!!
PROVEN FAITH
1 Peter 1:3-9
Faith is perhaps the MOST CENTRAL ELEMENT in the Christian life because it is the means by which we enter into salvation. But that’s only the beginning. From then onward, our faith—or lack of it—shapes our lives and determines what happens to us when the winds of adversity blow. Some Christians never lose their footing even in hurricane-force winds, but others are toppled by the slightest gust. To understand why this is true, we need to examine the source of our faith.
Inherited faith: If you grew up in a Christian home, you probably adopted some of the beliefs of your parents. This kind of godly foundation is a wonderful gift from the Lord, but eventually, EACH PERSON MUST ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR HIS OWN BELIEFS.
Textbook faith: The BIBLE is the ultimate guide for establishing our beliefs. But that’s not the only source of influence. Books, preachers, teachers, and friends all impact our convictions. Our theology MAY in fact be sound, but faith is merely mental acceptance UNTIL IT'S PUT TO THE TEST.
Proven Faith: Only when we trust the LORD through the FIRES OF ADVERSITY will we have faith that can stand. It is no longer based on what others have told us or what we’ve accepted as true but on our firsthand experience of His faithfulness.
To evaluate your faith, consider how you react to adversity. Do you CLING to the LORD or get angry at Him? Is your attitude one of REJOICING because HE’s MAKING YOU MORE LIKE HIS SON, or are you bitter? NO ONE can escape adversity, but those with PROVEN FAITH will benefit from it.
"1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.
3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of GOD, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
4 By faith Abel offered unto GOD a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, GOD testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because GOD had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased GOD.
6 But WITHOUT FAITH IT IS 'IMPOSSIBLE' TO PLEASE HIM: for he that cometh to GOD must 'believe that HE is', and that HE is a rewarder of them that diligently seek HIM."
Every so often I get an email from a minister that just causes me to pause and evaluate things in my life. Today is such a time. Dr. Charles Stanley sends out devotionals every morning, except Sunday's. Today is one of those days that I feel the need to CAPITALIZE all of the words to give the emphasis where I feel they are deserved!
Many sermons have been preached on the FAITH HALL OF FAME! Hebrews 11 exhibits some of the more notable people that knew GOD and "believe that HE is"! Hebrews 11:6 covers it all for me, "without faith it is IMPOSSIBLE to please HIM"! When a trial or difficulty comes my way and I fear, I am displaying a lack of "believing that HE is"! As you read Dr. Stanley's devotional, remember that we must "believe that HE is"!!
PROVEN FAITH
1 Peter 1:3-9
Faith is perhaps the MOST CENTRAL ELEMENT in the Christian life because it is the means by which we enter into salvation. But that’s only the beginning. From then onward, our faith—or lack of it—shapes our lives and determines what happens to us when the winds of adversity blow. Some Christians never lose their footing even in hurricane-force winds, but others are toppled by the slightest gust. To understand why this is true, we need to examine the source of our faith.
Inherited faith: If you grew up in a Christian home, you probably adopted some of the beliefs of your parents. This kind of godly foundation is a wonderful gift from the Lord, but eventually, EACH PERSON MUST ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR HIS OWN BELIEFS.
Textbook faith: The BIBLE is the ultimate guide for establishing our beliefs. But that’s not the only source of influence. Books, preachers, teachers, and friends all impact our convictions. Our theology MAY in fact be sound, but faith is merely mental acceptance UNTIL IT'S PUT TO THE TEST.
Proven Faith: Only when we trust the LORD through the FIRES OF ADVERSITY will we have faith that can stand. It is no longer based on what others have told us or what we’ve accepted as true but on our firsthand experience of His faithfulness.
To evaluate your faith, consider how you react to adversity. Do you CLING to the LORD or get angry at Him? Is your attitude one of REJOICING because HE’s MAKING YOU MORE LIKE HIS SON, or are you bitter? NO ONE can escape adversity, but those with PROVEN FAITH will benefit from it.
Friday, August 8, 2014
"the VEIL is removed"!
2 Corinthians 3:15-18; 4:1-5 (English Standard Version)
"15 Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a VEIL lies over their hearts.
16 But when one turns to the Lord, "the VEIL is removed".
17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
18 And we all, with unVEILed face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."
"1 Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart.
2 But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God.
3 And even if our gospel is VEILed, it is VEILed to those who are perishing.
4 In their case the god of this world (satan) HAS BLINDED THE MINDS OF THE UNBELIEVERS, to KEEP THEM FROM SEEING the LIGHT of the gospel of the glory of CHRIST, who is the IMAGE OF GOD.
5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake."
Have you ever heard someone say "The way I see it........."? The fact that some can SEE things one way and others SEE the "same" thing differently has puzzled many for years. One could even argue that when JESUS walked on earth HE had some who believed that HE was the Son of GOD, but others who refused to believe and thought they would eliminate this problem from the world. Some could see the TRUTH, yet others had the TRUTH hidden from them.
Ephesians 6:12 states "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". Some cannot SEE the TRUTH because they choose to SEE things through their own eyes. Those people can argue they are doing the best they can, and they would be correct. But when "one turns to the LORD" they begin to SEE things differently!
Once "the VEIL is removed" from the eyes of a person they begin to SEE things as they really are. We are free (v.17) to live in CHRIST (and HE in us) and be used by HIM to draw others to HIM. We can not draw them, but HE can use us to draw others to HIM, for HIS glory! GOD is glorified when I realize I am but a tool that HE can use for HIS purpose and glory (v.5).
But the enemy is making sure that what many see is what he desires them to see. Until "the VEIL is removed" from their vision they will not be able to see the TRUTH, even when it is right in front of them. Ephesians 4:4 says that the enemy "has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light" of JESUS CHRIST! To know "the VEIL is removed" from my eyes by a loving and merciful GOD floods my soul with humility and gratitude!
John Newton wrote the lyrics of one of the most recognized songs in the world. "Amazing Grace" has been sung by millions! The first verse of Amazing Grace concludes with these words, "'twas blind but now I see"! John Newton knew what it meant to have "the VEIL is removed" from his eyes. I pray that "the VEIL is removed" from many others before JESUS returns!
"15 Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a VEIL lies over their hearts.
16 But when one turns to the Lord, "the VEIL is removed".
17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
18 And we all, with unVEILed face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."
"1 Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart.
2 But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God.
3 And even if our gospel is VEILed, it is VEILed to those who are perishing.
4 In their case the god of this world (satan) HAS BLINDED THE MINDS OF THE UNBELIEVERS, to KEEP THEM FROM SEEING the LIGHT of the gospel of the glory of CHRIST, who is the IMAGE OF GOD.
5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake."
Have you ever heard someone say "The way I see it........."? The fact that some can SEE things one way and others SEE the "same" thing differently has puzzled many for years. One could even argue that when JESUS walked on earth HE had some who believed that HE was the Son of GOD, but others who refused to believe and thought they would eliminate this problem from the world. Some could see the TRUTH, yet others had the TRUTH hidden from them.
Ephesians 6:12 states "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". Some cannot SEE the TRUTH because they choose to SEE things through their own eyes. Those people can argue they are doing the best they can, and they would be correct. But when "one turns to the LORD" they begin to SEE things differently!
Once "the VEIL is removed" from the eyes of a person they begin to SEE things as they really are. We are free (v.17) to live in CHRIST (and HE in us) and be used by HIM to draw others to HIM. We can not draw them, but HE can use us to draw others to HIM, for HIS glory! GOD is glorified when I realize I am but a tool that HE can use for HIS purpose and glory (v.5).
But the enemy is making sure that what many see is what he desires them to see. Until "the VEIL is removed" from their vision they will not be able to see the TRUTH, even when it is right in front of them. Ephesians 4:4 says that the enemy "has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light" of JESUS CHRIST! To know "the VEIL is removed" from my eyes by a loving and merciful GOD floods my soul with humility and gratitude!
John Newton wrote the lyrics of one of the most recognized songs in the world. "Amazing Grace" has been sung by millions! The first verse of Amazing Grace concludes with these words, "'twas blind but now I see"! John Newton knew what it meant to have "the VEIL is removed" from his eyes. I pray that "the VEIL is removed" from many others before JESUS returns!
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