Saturday, October 27, 2012
Be sweet and Kind as the Lord our Savior is to us!
If we are to partake of the sufferings of Christ, then we must be betrayed, just as He was. We have to know the brokenness of the heart of the Father in order to have fellowship with Him! We should be sweet and kind to everyone, treating all mankind with the same gracious manner as the Lord Himself would.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Unforgiveness & Circumcision
"And Abraham was ninety years old and nine, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin."
Why did I write that verse? It is because I want to talk about circumcision and how it is still relevant in our generation. We seem to have a thought that circumcision is only for a certain age. It is never to late nor to early for the Lord to operate on our hearts. In the Old Testament we see it represents the Old Covenant and that covenant referred to the fleshly action. After the blood of Christ was shed we have been given a New Covenant and this covenant refers to the spiritual aspect. This passage in Genesis refers to the flesh, but we can apply this to the spiritual side. No matter how old or young we may be, God can still circumcise our hearts if we all Him to do so.
We have many holidays fast approaching: Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. We tend to go from Halloween straight to Christmas and completely skip the holiday of thankfulness. We must be careful to not put our minds so far in the future that we loose sight for the present things. We must be careful to not loose the thoughts of thanksgiving.
A Pastor explained the heart in a way that opened my eyes and helped me to understand it a little more in the spirit. Our hearts have many chambers and that is the same concerning our spiritual hearts. Each chamber has a name and a purpose of flow. When one has a heart attack it is because a chamber has been blocked and nothing can go through anymore. One of our chambers is called unforgiveness.
In Isaiah 28:10, "For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:" We tend to let go on the "little things" and not realize that a lot of little things over time will cause a blockage in the chambers of our hearts. If we don't practice forgiving people in the little things, when the big trial comes we will not be able to forgive.
Mark 11:25-26, "And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses." There are many who are called to pray (Jam. 5:16). Did you know that if you have a blockage in our life that it will effect your prayers. Take heed to what the Lord says to you. We can pray, but if we have a "clogged artery" in the chamber of unforgiveness, then it will be a hindrance. Once that hindrance is removed, then our prayers may be lifted up.
When God is showing to us His mercy and making a way for us to give to Him our problems, then we must be quick to respond (Ps. 103:8). Make sure that you are practicing your quick response to the Lord. We should not take what the Lord has to say lightly because He sees what is ahead and knows that we need to remove this hindrance otherwise we will have unnecessary scares. Those who do not listen and obey immediately a lot of time suffer unnecessary battle scares. Take heed to the warning of our Heavenly Father no matter how hard or painful it is. God has the grace and strength and if we ask Him for it and seek for it, then He can remove it.
Why did I write that verse? It is because I want to talk about circumcision and how it is still relevant in our generation. We seem to have a thought that circumcision is only for a certain age. It is never to late nor to early for the Lord to operate on our hearts. In the Old Testament we see it represents the Old Covenant and that covenant referred to the fleshly action. After the blood of Christ was shed we have been given a New Covenant and this covenant refers to the spiritual aspect. This passage in Genesis refers to the flesh, but we can apply this to the spiritual side. No matter how old or young we may be, God can still circumcise our hearts if we all Him to do so.
We have many holidays fast approaching: Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. We tend to go from Halloween straight to Christmas and completely skip the holiday of thankfulness. We must be careful to not put our minds so far in the future that we loose sight for the present things. We must be careful to not loose the thoughts of thanksgiving.
A Pastor explained the heart in a way that opened my eyes and helped me to understand it a little more in the spirit. Our hearts have many chambers and that is the same concerning our spiritual hearts. Each chamber has a name and a purpose of flow. When one has a heart attack it is because a chamber has been blocked and nothing can go through anymore. One of our chambers is called unforgiveness.
In Isaiah 28:10, "For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:" We tend to let go on the "little things" and not realize that a lot of little things over time will cause a blockage in the chambers of our hearts. If we don't practice forgiving people in the little things, when the big trial comes we will not be able to forgive.
Mark 11:25-26, "And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses." There are many who are called to pray (Jam. 5:16). Did you know that if you have a blockage in our life that it will effect your prayers. Take heed to what the Lord says to you. We can pray, but if we have a "clogged artery" in the chamber of unforgiveness, then it will be a hindrance. Once that hindrance is removed, then our prayers may be lifted up.
When God is showing to us His mercy and making a way for us to give to Him our problems, then we must be quick to respond (Ps. 103:8). Make sure that you are practicing your quick response to the Lord. We should not take what the Lord has to say lightly because He sees what is ahead and knows that we need to remove this hindrance otherwise we will have unnecessary scares. Those who do not listen and obey immediately a lot of time suffer unnecessary battle scares. Take heed to the warning of our Heavenly Father no matter how hard or painful it is. God has the grace and strength and if we ask Him for it and seek for it, then He can remove it.
Don't be so focused on the promises that when God puts His finger on an area of our life we aren't paying attention.
God Bless!
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Arise, Joshua Generation!
We are living in an Age like no other! We are the "Joshua Generation" who will soon obtain our inheritance. We need to be a ready people so that when the time comes we are not just standing with ignorance on our faces. Joshua was one who sat in the back and learned all of his qualities in the secret. When it was time for him to arise and lead the children of Israel into their inheritance, he was a ready vessel.
Moses was able to enter into the presence of the Lord and receive the answers immediately and leave. Joshua, instead of looking at Moses and being discourage that God wasn't doing the same thing with him, waited. He waited patiently in the presence of the Lord for the right answers. He allowed God to bring him into the proper maturity in the proper season.
For example: one doesn't plant a peach seed and shout at it to immediately be a fruitful tree. The proper cycle is to plant, water, give it proper sun, and wait. That is the same cycle for us, we are seeds who are planted and we must be patient and allow God to water us, give us the proper weather and we will bloom in the right season.
Everything we do here on earth is just a preparation for our eternal life. If we waste our time here on earth with the temporal things, it is possible to still make it to Heaven, but we will not be a ready vessel to do what God has for us to do in Heaven. We can do anything, but our hearts desire should be to do what He has predestined us to do and be. Joshua could have forced himself to be in leadership while Moses was still alive, but he didn't. He took advantage of all the season of preparation and allowed God to make him a ready leader.
Some have sought to find out what their calling is at a young at and that is good, but we must not try and make things happen in our own time, strength, and way. The peach seed may be a peach tree, but there is also a proper time to pick that peach of the tree. We don't want to be picked or pick ourselves off during the hard and bitter tasting staged, but during the proper juicy stage.
The last days are drawing near quickly and we are on a verge of a breakthrough in Revival. A revival that no man has ever seen; we God's people will be busy helping the lost come to Christ and establishing them in the right ways. We cannot do this if we haven't allowed God to do that in our own lives. If we are not fully established, then we cannot help others to be fully established in Christ. If we don't read the Word daily, then we cannot minister in the streets of hunger souls without a Bible. If we don't hide in the refuge of the secret place, then we cannot tell others of how wonderful God's presences is and what He is/means to us.
We are the "Joshua Generation", those who will lead the people into their inheritance, but we must be prepared ourselves. Are you ready? Are you presenting your hearts wholly to the Lord daily? Forget about yourself and don't think of the pain, but allow the light to shine into your heart. Let God deal with you now here on earth, instead of later when the judgment will be eternal.
Amen!
Moses was able to enter into the presence of the Lord and receive the answers immediately and leave. Joshua, instead of looking at Moses and being discourage that God wasn't doing the same thing with him, waited. He waited patiently in the presence of the Lord for the right answers. He allowed God to bring him into the proper maturity in the proper season.
For example: one doesn't plant a peach seed and shout at it to immediately be a fruitful tree. The proper cycle is to plant, water, give it proper sun, and wait. That is the same cycle for us, we are seeds who are planted and we must be patient and allow God to water us, give us the proper weather and we will bloom in the right season.
Everything we do here on earth is just a preparation for our eternal life. If we waste our time here on earth with the temporal things, it is possible to still make it to Heaven, but we will not be a ready vessel to do what God has for us to do in Heaven. We can do anything, but our hearts desire should be to do what He has predestined us to do and be. Joshua could have forced himself to be in leadership while Moses was still alive, but he didn't. He took advantage of all the season of preparation and allowed God to make him a ready leader.
Some have sought to find out what their calling is at a young at and that is good, but we must not try and make things happen in our own time, strength, and way. The peach seed may be a peach tree, but there is also a proper time to pick that peach of the tree. We don't want to be picked or pick ourselves off during the hard and bitter tasting staged, but during the proper juicy stage.
The last days are drawing near quickly and we are on a verge of a breakthrough in Revival. A revival that no man has ever seen; we God's people will be busy helping the lost come to Christ and establishing them in the right ways. We cannot do this if we haven't allowed God to do that in our own lives. If we are not fully established, then we cannot help others to be fully established in Christ. If we don't read the Word daily, then we cannot minister in the streets of hunger souls without a Bible. If we don't hide in the refuge of the secret place, then we cannot tell others of how wonderful God's presences is and what He is/means to us.
We are the "Joshua Generation", those who will lead the people into their inheritance, but we must be prepared ourselves. Are you ready? Are you presenting your hearts wholly to the Lord daily? Forget about yourself and don't think of the pain, but allow the light to shine into your heart. Let God deal with you now here on earth, instead of later when the judgment will be eternal.
Amen!
Women in the Book of Ruth
In studying the life of Naomi we see that she is an excellent example of what a godly woman is. Examining her life, it can be said that she stayed the course that God had set before her no matter the circumstance. When everything earthly was taken away from her, her true spiritual identity was revealed. She lost her earthly love, Elimelech (Ruth 1:1-2), her only two sons Chilion and Mahlon (Ruth 1:2). She lived in a foreign land (Moab), and no longer had any earthly security. Her affections were set on things above and not on things from this earth (Col. 3:2). We also learn from Naomi that those who endure to the end shall receive peace and security. Her earthly security was stripped completely away, but she kept her trust in the Lord, held her peace, and received Heavenly security.
Naomi represents Christ. Christ, while He walked on earth, sought continually the Fathers will. Naomi sought out God’s will in everything she did. She also secured her daughter-in-law, Ruth’s, future with Boaz. She counseled Ruth and guided her down the right path. Christ came to earth to not only make a way, but show us how to live the life.
Naomi, I believe, can also represent a female Job. She was striped of everything. When she lost much on earth, we see where her eyes truly were set. Her eyes were set on things above and not on things of this world. She lost her earthly security, husband and two sons, but her eyes were on Jesus and she trusted in Him. She went where He wanted her and stayed where He wanted her to stay. She is one woman who is a perfect example of one who put her complete trust in Jesus in every trial and situation that faced her. She praise and gave thanks to God in the pleasant and rough times.
She was the mother-in-law of Ruth and Orpah. In the first chapter we she Naomi’s love was equal towards Ruth and Orpah. As the chapters’ progress and we see Orpah went back to her home land and Ruth stayed and travelled on with Naomi. Naomi’s love increased for Ruth. She felt that she had to secure Ruth’s future and find her a proper help mate. She always looked for what was best for her two daughters-in-law. As life unraveled itself we see Ruth stayed with Naomi and Naomi’s focus then was solely on Ruth’s future.
Her trust was solely in Jesus Christ, Son of God. When a situation arose, she sought the Lord for His will. When she lost her two sons and husband she didn’t get bitter towards everyone. Her love for her two daughters-in-law remained the same and equal. It is important to seek the will of God in every situation. So many lives depend on what we do and what we need is found in God and God alone. We must hold our peace and let the Lord fight our battles. He guides us through speaking through other people, scripture, and through speaking to us personally.
In studying Ruth we learn six levels of consecration and we can narrow them down to three basic truths: submission, acceptance, circumstances. She submitted to Naomi and to the God that she served. Ruth had a complete consecration and submitted herself under Naomi’s authority, covering, and God. She accepted her situation that she was a widow and didn’t live in the past. She followed Naomi and choice to ask for Naomi’s permission to work in the fields.
I’m sure that it was a struggle for her when she made the choice to remain with Naomi. When she was tested three times to go back to her “carnal” nature, we are shown where her heart truly was. She was consecrated and loyal to Naomi and the God of Naomi. We know that it takes a commitment to be used by God. Examining Ruth’s life we see that she committed her life to follow and to take care of Naomi and through that God was able to use her.
Ruth represents the Gentile Church. She was a person who entered into the same covenant with God that was promised (Gal 6:16). Just as Ruth followed after Naomi and her instructions, the same is towards the Gentile Church. The church follows after Christ and His instructions to us. Her relationship with Naomi and Orpah changed as circumstances changed. She had a love for her sister-in-law and her mother-in-law. As the tests began to arise in hers and Orpah’s lives we see that she drew nearer and closer to Naomi. He love for Orpah was cut off as Orpah made the decision to go back to her native land. Ruth knew very little and that I think was an aid in helping her to draw closer to Naomi and putting herself under Naomi’s authority.
In studying the Ruth’s life and all the choices she made, I find a lot of truths that apply to my personal spiritual walk. Lately God has been speaking to me about being totally consecrated unto God and Naomi. She chose to submit to Naomi’s authority even though she had the youthful strength. She accepted the people of Naomi’s native land and the God of the land.
Another application is on circumcision. God has been speaking to me lately on the circumcision of my heart, lips and ears. Ruth allowed God to cut the gods from her native land out of her heart. To cut everything, from her old life, in Moab out of her heart. She gave up everything and allowed God to bring her to something new. God wants to do that same thing in my life and reading how Ruth allowed God to do His work, it helps me to give up my will and allow Him to cut those things He does not want in my heart out. Never once did I read of Ruth complaining or criticizing Naomi nor the people of Israel. Her home land, Moab, was one of Israel’s enemies. We know that her lips were circumcised because she did not criticize the people or complain. For me it is easy to complain about anything, but God wants to cut that off my tongue. He has called me to the nations and He wants to cut that nature out of me so that it will not hinder the will of God.
Lastly, the circumcision of the ears, Ruth was listening to the right voices. She asked for Naomi’s advice or correction, she saw that Boaz was a godly man and she listened to his instructions. There are many voices in this world today and it is important that our ears are circumcised to hear the right voices. If Ruth did not listen to Naomi and Boaz, if she listened to the voices of the people who hated her, then she would have lost the best that God had planned for her. She would have received the second best.
It is said to say that there isn’t much to say about Orpah. She settled for God’s second best in her life. She start out on a good path and was heading in the right direction, but then when her heart was tested she fell back. She did not break away from her hearts desires and she turned back to Moab and is never heard of in scripture again. She settled for something lesser than what God had planned for her. The beginning is not what matters the most, but it is how we finished. Orpah began well, but her heart was towards her lands gods and so she turned back and settled for something less.
She represents someone who was on the fence and when her trial came the fence was shook and she fell on the side her heart desired the most. She is the example of what I said earlier, those who settle for second best. They will make it to Heaven, but when they arrive they will have a certain sorrow in their hearts because their heart was before God and they settled for something lesser. We have a choice: to have our hearts desires before God or to give our hearts desires to God?
She had just a common mother-in-law daughter-in-law relationship. Orpah loved Naomi, but her desires were above Naomi. We see this when she was being tested on their way to Bethlehem Judah. She was given a chance to go back and stay in Moab with her family, gods, and find another husband there. She reacted according to her hearts desire. God gave her continual opportunity to follow after Him and He had something in-store for her, but she chose to go different way. We will never know what God had for her, but we do know that if we don’t listen to what God is touching in our lives daily, then there will only be a time where He will give us what we want.
She chose to look at the situation too much. Her focus was too much on earthly security and pleasures and when rough times came her way, she didn’t look to the Lord to satisfy those areas. Naomi told to her that she cannot fulfill her needs and that is all Orpah saw. Ruth saw that yes, Naomi cannot fulfill her needs, but the God she serves can. Ruth sought after that, but Orpah sought after the tangible.
In my own personal spiritual walk, I want to continually make sure that my ears and my heart are open. Listening to which door God is knocking on and using my lips to pray the right prayers. I don’t want to end up like Orpah who looked at her situations and thinking of tangible solutions. I want to look at my situations in the eyes of the Lord. To have His perspective of the situations in my life, not mine own. Lord, not my will, but Thy will be done!
Naomi represents Christ. Christ, while He walked on earth, sought continually the Fathers will. Naomi sought out God’s will in everything she did. She also secured her daughter-in-law, Ruth’s, future with Boaz. She counseled Ruth and guided her down the right path. Christ came to earth to not only make a way, but show us how to live the life.
Naomi, I believe, can also represent a female Job. She was striped of everything. When she lost much on earth, we see where her eyes truly were set. Her eyes were set on things above and not on things of this world. She lost her earthly security, husband and two sons, but her eyes were on Jesus and she trusted in Him. She went where He wanted her and stayed where He wanted her to stay. She is one woman who is a perfect example of one who put her complete trust in Jesus in every trial and situation that faced her. She praise and gave thanks to God in the pleasant and rough times.
She was the mother-in-law of Ruth and Orpah. In the first chapter we she Naomi’s love was equal towards Ruth and Orpah. As the chapters’ progress and we see Orpah went back to her home land and Ruth stayed and travelled on with Naomi. Naomi’s love increased for Ruth. She felt that she had to secure Ruth’s future and find her a proper help mate. She always looked for what was best for her two daughters-in-law. As life unraveled itself we see Ruth stayed with Naomi and Naomi’s focus then was solely on Ruth’s future.
Her trust was solely in Jesus Christ, Son of God. When a situation arose, she sought the Lord for His will. When she lost her two sons and husband she didn’t get bitter towards everyone. Her love for her two daughters-in-law remained the same and equal. It is important to seek the will of God in every situation. So many lives depend on what we do and what we need is found in God and God alone. We must hold our peace and let the Lord fight our battles. He guides us through speaking through other people, scripture, and through speaking to us personally.
In studying Ruth we learn six levels of consecration and we can narrow them down to three basic truths: submission, acceptance, circumstances. She submitted to Naomi and to the God that she served. Ruth had a complete consecration and submitted herself under Naomi’s authority, covering, and God. She accepted her situation that she was a widow and didn’t live in the past. She followed Naomi and choice to ask for Naomi’s permission to work in the fields.
I’m sure that it was a struggle for her when she made the choice to remain with Naomi. When she was tested three times to go back to her “carnal” nature, we are shown where her heart truly was. She was consecrated and loyal to Naomi and the God of Naomi. We know that it takes a commitment to be used by God. Examining Ruth’s life we see that she committed her life to follow and to take care of Naomi and through that God was able to use her.
Ruth represents the Gentile Church. She was a person who entered into the same covenant with God that was promised (Gal 6:16). Just as Ruth followed after Naomi and her instructions, the same is towards the Gentile Church. The church follows after Christ and His instructions to us. Her relationship with Naomi and Orpah changed as circumstances changed. She had a love for her sister-in-law and her mother-in-law. As the tests began to arise in hers and Orpah’s lives we see that she drew nearer and closer to Naomi. He love for Orpah was cut off as Orpah made the decision to go back to her native land. Ruth knew very little and that I think was an aid in helping her to draw closer to Naomi and putting herself under Naomi’s authority.
In studying the Ruth’s life and all the choices she made, I find a lot of truths that apply to my personal spiritual walk. Lately God has been speaking to me about being totally consecrated unto God and Naomi. She chose to submit to Naomi’s authority even though she had the youthful strength. She accepted the people of Naomi’s native land and the God of the land.
Another application is on circumcision. God has been speaking to me lately on the circumcision of my heart, lips and ears. Ruth allowed God to cut the gods from her native land out of her heart. To cut everything, from her old life, in Moab out of her heart. She gave up everything and allowed God to bring her to something new. God wants to do that same thing in my life and reading how Ruth allowed God to do His work, it helps me to give up my will and allow Him to cut those things He does not want in my heart out. Never once did I read of Ruth complaining or criticizing Naomi nor the people of Israel. Her home land, Moab, was one of Israel’s enemies. We know that her lips were circumcised because she did not criticize the people or complain. For me it is easy to complain about anything, but God wants to cut that off my tongue. He has called me to the nations and He wants to cut that nature out of me so that it will not hinder the will of God.
Lastly, the circumcision of the ears, Ruth was listening to the right voices. She asked for Naomi’s advice or correction, she saw that Boaz was a godly man and she listened to his instructions. There are many voices in this world today and it is important that our ears are circumcised to hear the right voices. If Ruth did not listen to Naomi and Boaz, if she listened to the voices of the people who hated her, then she would have lost the best that God had planned for her. She would have received the second best.
It is said to say that there isn’t much to say about Orpah. She settled for God’s second best in her life. She start out on a good path and was heading in the right direction, but then when her heart was tested she fell back. She did not break away from her hearts desires and she turned back to Moab and is never heard of in scripture again. She settled for something lesser than what God had planned for her. The beginning is not what matters the most, but it is how we finished. Orpah began well, but her heart was towards her lands gods and so she turned back and settled for something less.
She represents someone who was on the fence and when her trial came the fence was shook and she fell on the side her heart desired the most. She is the example of what I said earlier, those who settle for second best. They will make it to Heaven, but when they arrive they will have a certain sorrow in their hearts because their heart was before God and they settled for something lesser. We have a choice: to have our hearts desires before God or to give our hearts desires to God?
She had just a common mother-in-law daughter-in-law relationship. Orpah loved Naomi, but her desires were above Naomi. We see this when she was being tested on their way to Bethlehem Judah. She was given a chance to go back and stay in Moab with her family, gods, and find another husband there. She reacted according to her hearts desire. God gave her continual opportunity to follow after Him and He had something in-store for her, but she chose to go different way. We will never know what God had for her, but we do know that if we don’t listen to what God is touching in our lives daily, then there will only be a time where He will give us what we want.
She chose to look at the situation too much. Her focus was too much on earthly security and pleasures and when rough times came her way, she didn’t look to the Lord to satisfy those areas. Naomi told to her that she cannot fulfill her needs and that is all Orpah saw. Ruth saw that yes, Naomi cannot fulfill her needs, but the God she serves can. Ruth sought after that, but Orpah sought after the tangible.
In my own personal spiritual walk, I want to continually make sure that my ears and my heart are open. Listening to which door God is knocking on and using my lips to pray the right prayers. I don’t want to end up like Orpah who looked at her situations and thinking of tangible solutions. I want to look at my situations in the eyes of the Lord. To have His perspective of the situations in my life, not mine own. Lord, not my will, but Thy will be done!
The Way to Holiness
To understand the message of holiness we must first understand what holiness is. Holiness is holy living through Jesus Christ. It is through the cross that we can become Holy and be presented Holy before God. Holiness is an attribute of God that He wants to work in His people. He tells us this in I Peter 1:16, “Be ye holy for I am Holy”.
There are two requirements of holiness. One requirement is the choosing to be holy. In the end, we always have a choice and we will be judged according to what choices we made and what God required of us. The second requirement is that Holiness must be tested. We were not born holy; so as we grow and mature in Christ, we must also grow on the attributes of Christ. We can only know how far we are when we are tested.
A good example is the life of Simon Peter in John 21. He thought that his love (phileo) was greater and holier than the other apostles. What he thought was in fact greater than what he really was. God, in His sovereign love (agape), showed Simon that he was looking through his own eyes. It is only through the cross that we can become holy and be presented Holy before God. To be holy means to be separated from the world, flesh, and the devil. It doesn't stop there, but goes on to be separated unto God the Father.
Paul liked to write letters to all the churches. He had a love for the people and cared for them and their relationships with Christ. He writes this letter to the church in Colosse because there were five issues that needed to be addressed.
The first issue was on ceremonialism, circumcision, and traditions (Col. 1:16). The people believed that through the circumcision, abstaining from eating pork, and not drinking blood they were holy. The people were stuck in the patterns of traditions and thereby limiting God in what He could do. Their knowledge of Christ was limited through their own stubbornness of not breaking traditions.
The second issue was of asceticism (Col. 2:21-23). By the renunciation of worldly pleasures it is possible to achieve a high spiritual or intellectual state. They focused too much on the outward cleanliness. I believe Paul brought this issue up because he wanted them to realize that God is not one who looks on the outside. He wanted the church to come to the realization that nothing we do on the outside will help us gain anything eternal.
Third issue was on angel worship (Col. 2:18). Paul was warning them not to get caught up in angel worship; their primary function is to be a ministering spirit and not a god. One third of heavens angels fell with Lucifer and so we must not put them at the same level as God the Father.
Fourth issue was on the minimizing of Christ (Col 1:15-21; 2:2-3). The Colossians thought of Christ as just a good man. Paul is explaining that He is more than a “good man” or a mighty prophet. Paul portrays Christ, “Magnificent One”, as this: He is before all things, by Him all things consist, and he is more than a good man or a mighty prophet. Jesus does not say that He was God the Father, but He tells us that He is the express image of the Father. If you know the Son, then you shall know the Father. This is not the characteristic of a mighty prophet or some “good man”, but of the Son of God (Jn. 14:8-9).
The last issue Paul writes to the church is on the issue of Gnosticism (Col. 1:9). Some were pursuing “secret” knowledge and would see themselves above others. Many of the people were over spiritualized things. Paul was warning the people of over spiritualizing things and limiting God with their own laws and terms. God desires for His people to grow on knowledge and wisdom, but under His law and under His terms not our own.
The message Paul is speaking to the Colossians is significant to our day because we still are faced with those same issues. We see in our day and age people who try and over spiritualize themselves and put them above other people. They do not eat meat and they stick to all of the traditions of the later church, but God dwells not in their heart.
Reading about their issue of Gnosticism, we look at the life of Joseph Smith. He was a man who desired so strongly to discover something new and spectacular. He opened himself up to much and when something false came to him, he was easily deceived. This is something that new teachers and even new pastors should really heed. One who wants to always have something new and amazing to say in every message or teaching need to be careful. If he isn't rooted deep in the truth, then he can easily be deceived when he gets a visitation. Be content with what God speaks to you and don’t seek to try and find something new all the time. Our knowledge comes from the Lord and we must trust that in His time and season, He will open up the new and hidden truths.
If we limit God and only allow Him to do things in our way and on our terms, then we will be easily deceived in the last days. Satan will tempt those kinds of people and say that there is an easier way, but in reality there is only one way and that is through Jesus Christ, our Savior. A good example would be Eve in the Garden of Eden. The serpent talked with her and began with the truth, and then over time he twisted it; as she continued to listen to the truth as it was being twisted, her mind began to believe it. She believed that there was another way and she fell into the temptation.
All true wisdom and all true knowledge originate from God (Col. 2:3; Prov. 4:7). We must be rooted and grounded in the truth so that we may be able to stand in the last days. In the last days man will not endure good sound doctrine because it was not in their heart and they will seek teaching that will be easy to receive (2 Tim. 4:3). They won’t want to change, but we need to listen to what God speaks through Paul to the Church in Colosse. We are not to harden hearts, but we should ask God to change us. We want to make sure that we seek true wisdom and true knowledge from the Lord.
There are two requirements of holiness. One requirement is the choosing to be holy. In the end, we always have a choice and we will be judged according to what choices we made and what God required of us. The second requirement is that Holiness must be tested. We were not born holy; so as we grow and mature in Christ, we must also grow on the attributes of Christ. We can only know how far we are when we are tested.
A good example is the life of Simon Peter in John 21. He thought that his love (phileo) was greater and holier than the other apostles. What he thought was in fact greater than what he really was. God, in His sovereign love (agape), showed Simon that he was looking through his own eyes. It is only through the cross that we can become holy and be presented Holy before God. To be holy means to be separated from the world, flesh, and the devil. It doesn't stop there, but goes on to be separated unto God the Father.
Paul liked to write letters to all the churches. He had a love for the people and cared for them and their relationships with Christ. He writes this letter to the church in Colosse because there were five issues that needed to be addressed.
The first issue was on ceremonialism, circumcision, and traditions (Col. 1:16). The people believed that through the circumcision, abstaining from eating pork, and not drinking blood they were holy. The people were stuck in the patterns of traditions and thereby limiting God in what He could do. Their knowledge of Christ was limited through their own stubbornness of not breaking traditions.
The second issue was of asceticism (Col. 2:21-23). By the renunciation of worldly pleasures it is possible to achieve a high spiritual or intellectual state. They focused too much on the outward cleanliness. I believe Paul brought this issue up because he wanted them to realize that God is not one who looks on the outside. He wanted the church to come to the realization that nothing we do on the outside will help us gain anything eternal.
Third issue was on angel worship (Col. 2:18). Paul was warning them not to get caught up in angel worship; their primary function is to be a ministering spirit and not a god. One third of heavens angels fell with Lucifer and so we must not put them at the same level as God the Father.
Fourth issue was on the minimizing of Christ (Col 1:15-21; 2:2-3). The Colossians thought of Christ as just a good man. Paul is explaining that He is more than a “good man” or a mighty prophet. Paul portrays Christ, “Magnificent One”, as this: He is before all things, by Him all things consist, and he is more than a good man or a mighty prophet. Jesus does not say that He was God the Father, but He tells us that He is the express image of the Father. If you know the Son, then you shall know the Father. This is not the characteristic of a mighty prophet or some “good man”, but of the Son of God (Jn. 14:8-9).
The last issue Paul writes to the church is on the issue of Gnosticism (Col. 1:9). Some were pursuing “secret” knowledge and would see themselves above others. Many of the people were over spiritualized things. Paul was warning the people of over spiritualizing things and limiting God with their own laws and terms. God desires for His people to grow on knowledge and wisdom, but under His law and under His terms not our own.
The message Paul is speaking to the Colossians is significant to our day because we still are faced with those same issues. We see in our day and age people who try and over spiritualize themselves and put them above other people. They do not eat meat and they stick to all of the traditions of the later church, but God dwells not in their heart.
Reading about their issue of Gnosticism, we look at the life of Joseph Smith. He was a man who desired so strongly to discover something new and spectacular. He opened himself up to much and when something false came to him, he was easily deceived. This is something that new teachers and even new pastors should really heed. One who wants to always have something new and amazing to say in every message or teaching need to be careful. If he isn't rooted deep in the truth, then he can easily be deceived when he gets a visitation. Be content with what God speaks to you and don’t seek to try and find something new all the time. Our knowledge comes from the Lord and we must trust that in His time and season, He will open up the new and hidden truths.
If we limit God and only allow Him to do things in our way and on our terms, then we will be easily deceived in the last days. Satan will tempt those kinds of people and say that there is an easier way, but in reality there is only one way and that is through Jesus Christ, our Savior. A good example would be Eve in the Garden of Eden. The serpent talked with her and began with the truth, and then over time he twisted it; as she continued to listen to the truth as it was being twisted, her mind began to believe it. She believed that there was another way and she fell into the temptation.
All true wisdom and all true knowledge originate from God (Col. 2:3; Prov. 4:7). We must be rooted and grounded in the truth so that we may be able to stand in the last days. In the last days man will not endure good sound doctrine because it was not in their heart and they will seek teaching that will be easy to receive (2 Tim. 4:3). They won’t want to change, but we need to listen to what God speaks through Paul to the Church in Colosse. We are not to harden hearts, but we should ask God to change us. We want to make sure that we seek true wisdom and true knowledge from the Lord.
Friday, October 12, 2012
Sunday, September 2, 2012
"Greater is He that is in me, then he that is in the world!"
What is the one thing man-kind has been doing sense the first sin was down? It's running away from God because of fear. We cannot hide anywhere in this world from Him! God is not deceived, like man. I say, just take the easier road and open up your heart to Him. All He has is plans to prosper us, not to harm us (Jer. 29:11). We do something do something wrong and we sin and try to hide it so that God cannot see it. He never sleeps nor does He slumber! He knows and loves us! We can cry out to Him at all hours of the day/night. He has a plan for us and us hiding those shameful things will cause us to continue to stumble and fall. He wants to help us remove it, to get out of the snares we fell into, so that we can continue to press on further into the things He planned for us.
We are born weak, but He has the strength for us. It's new everyday and He has it and waits for us to ask Him for it. One thing about God is that He doesn't just ask, ask, and ask from us, but He asks and then has the supplies ready for us. Funny thing is, all we need to do is ASK :-D (ask, seek, and knock).
"Greater is He [God] that is in me, then he [the enemy(s)/man-kind] that is in the world!"
Do you believe it? God supplies us with the power and victory before the battle has even started! "If God is for us, who can stand against us?" The answer is, NO ONE!!! Do you believe it?
I do not wish to hear God say to His army, "Oh ye of little faith..", but I wish to have the kind of faith that can move mountains! God has it and can supply it to us all and wants to. Do you believe? "Lord, I believe! Help my unbelief!"
Arise ye children and press on ye young men, raise up the army of God ye Fathers of Zion! Let us press onward and Never, Never, Never Give up!!!
I pray for those who read this blog and hesitate to say, "Yes, I believe..Amen!" That you would "test" God and open up your hearts, even if it may hurt. Open up your heart and see what God does in your life! May God increase your faith and may we press on towards Mount Zion!
God Bless!
We are born weak, but He has the strength for us. It's new everyday and He has it and waits for us to ask Him for it. One thing about God is that He doesn't just ask, ask, and ask from us, but He asks and then has the supplies ready for us. Funny thing is, all we need to do is ASK :-D (ask, seek, and knock).
"Greater is He [God] that is in me, then he [the enemy(s)/man-kind] that is in the world!"
Do you believe it? God supplies us with the power and victory before the battle has even started! "If God is for us, who can stand against us?" The answer is, NO ONE!!! Do you believe it?
I do not wish to hear God say to His army, "Oh ye of little faith..", but I wish to have the kind of faith that can move mountains! God has it and can supply it to us all and wants to. Do you believe? "Lord, I believe! Help my unbelief!"
Arise ye children and press on ye young men, raise up the army of God ye Fathers of Zion! Let us press onward and Never, Never, Never Give up!!!
I pray for those who read this blog and hesitate to say, "Yes, I believe..Amen!" That you would "test" God and open up your hearts, even if it may hurt. Open up your heart and see what God does in your life! May God increase your faith and may we press on towards Mount Zion!
God Bless!
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Forgiveness
What is:
The hardest thing to give away?
The last thing on your mind?
Goes to those who don't deserve it?
The opposite of how you feel when the pain someone caused is just too real.
It takes everything your have to say it?
It will clear the bitterness away?
It can even set a prisoner free!?!
There is no end to what its power can do?
Forgiveness!
"And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." ~ Eph 4:32
The hardest thing to give away?
The last thing on your mind?
Goes to those who don't deserve it?
The opposite of how you feel when the pain someone caused is just too real.
It takes everything your have to say it?
It will clear the bitterness away?
It can even set a prisoner free!?!
There is no end to what its power can do?
Forgiveness!
"And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." ~ Eph 4:32
Thursday, August 9, 2012
I John 3:20 & Proverbs 3:5-6
"For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God....Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Leadership Volume III By Dr. Brain J. Bailey
"The Lord is a God of love; and He is looking for love. He is looking for the "Abrahams," those who are faithful friends of God, who know His ways, who are strong in Him, and who will raise up a godly seed--teachers of righteousness who will turn many to righteousness."
# 153
Something I learned tonight in my studies:
There are 153 references to Zion in the Bible (the same # of fish Peter and six other disciples caught and brought to Jesus)
153 is a product of 17x9.
17 - A separation from evil and a joining unto righteousness
10 - the keeping of the Law
There are 153 references to Zion in the Bible (the same # of fish Peter and six other disciples caught and brought to Jesus)
153 is a product of 17x9.
17 - A separation from evil and a joining unto righteousness
10 - the keeping of the Law
7 - perfection or completion
9 - The fullness of the gifts and fruit of the Spirit.
I never had a favorite number before, but call me crazy I found one tonight and it's #153 :-)
9 - The fullness of the gifts and fruit of the Spirit.
I never had a favorite number before, but call me crazy I found one tonight and it's #153 :-)
Monday, July 23, 2012
I John 3:20-22
"For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, [then] have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight."
My Pastor brought this verse out in our Sunday evening service. It was the Lord speaking right to me with this verse. Our hearts are so condemning, but God is not a condemner but an He is encouraging. He get into a snare or a trap on a road path and we put ourselves down. God is biding us to stand up, telling us it's okay, and wants us to press on.
When this verse talks about "heart" it's not talking about our physical heart, but our spiritual heart. One thing my God has taught me about the spiritual heart is that what is in it comes up to our mind and what is in our mind we tend to speak.
The next time you go through a trial and find yourself condemning yourself and putting yourself down. Say this verse to yourself!
God IS greater than our heart! Do you believe this?!?! If God encourages us to press on, then be encouraged and press onward.
God Bless!
My Pastor brought this verse out in our Sunday evening service. It was the Lord speaking right to me with this verse. Our hearts are so condemning, but God is not a condemner but an He is encouraging. He get into a snare or a trap on a road path and we put ourselves down. God is biding us to stand up, telling us it's okay, and wants us to press on.
When this verse talks about "heart" it's not talking about our physical heart, but our spiritual heart. One thing my God has taught me about the spiritual heart is that what is in it comes up to our mind and what is in our mind we tend to speak.
The next time you go through a trial and find yourself condemning yourself and putting yourself down. Say this verse to yourself!
God IS greater than our heart! Do you believe this?!?! If God encourages us to press on, then be encouraged and press onward.
God Bless!
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Romans 12:6-8
"Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teaches, on teaching; Or he that exhorts, on exhortation: he that gives, let him do it with simplicity; he that rules, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness."
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Staying Hydrated in the Word
I just returned from my missions trip to Shiroles, Costa Rica. While I was there the Lord taught me a lot of things. One thing I'd like to share is on hydration. For those of you who have never been to Costa Rica or may not know much about this country, here are some brief facts about the climate. The nation's climate is classically divided into two major seasons: rainy and dry. The dry season runs from January through May and the rainy season from May to November and December. Locally, the seasons were named by the early Spanish colonizers, who compared them to their own Mediterranean climate, calling the dry months "verano" or summer, and the rainy, grey and gloomy months "invierno" or winter. It is interesting to note that some of the coldest temperatures are registered during the early dry season or "summer". Lastly, it is very easy to lose your hydration even during the rainy season. While I was in Costa Rica, I did not keep up on drinking water and so I became dehydrated.
The Lord taught me a valuable lesson through this experience. The lady missionary informed me that most Americans live on a mild dehydration and they don't realize it. The thing that Jesus spoke to me is that, many of His people are living on a mild dehydration of His Word and they don't realize it. I was amazed when Jesus opened my eyes to see this. It is so very important, especially in this day and age we live in, to stay hydrated in His word.
Revival is drawing near and God needs a prepared people. Those who are ready, properly equipped for their calling, prepared, and hydrated. You cannot win anything if you are dehydrated, weak, and unfamiliar with the equipment you are to wear and use. Before and during revival many people are going to have their eyes opened up to how thirsty they are. We are to have enough in ourselves so that we are able to be full cisterns; ready to be used to pour out into the lives of those who are lacking. They aren't going to know what they are lacking and so we, God's people, will need to help them and supply them with what they need.
People who don't know or understand things will be coming into the church and we must be prepared. If we are empty vessels, then it only makes sense that the Lord cannot use us. We want to be prepared vessels that the Lord can use continually.
How do we make sure that we are hydrated and prepared vessels for the Lord? By setting a pattern of filling ourselves up before each day begins, allowing God to pour that water out to other people throughout the day, filling ourselves up with pure worship, allowing God to pour that out. Listening to contemporary music and ready the modern fantasy books are just like one drinking a cup of coffee. When you drink coffee there is a lot of water that exits your body. The same happens to our spiritual body when we listen to modern music and read modern books. Maybe you are reading God's word daily, but what are you also taking in that counteracts it?
I share this with you because I want to encourage everyone to stay hydrated in the Word of God daily! Help each other to set a pattern and to stay on that pattern. There's times where I need reminded to drink water and that applies also in our Spirit lives. Learn from our Master, apply to your life, and then go and teach others what you have learned. There are battles and if you find the battle is to strong for you to fight, then cry out to God for His grace to drink of His word.
God Bless!
The Lord taught me a valuable lesson through this experience. The lady missionary informed me that most Americans live on a mild dehydration and they don't realize it. The thing that Jesus spoke to me is that, many of His people are living on a mild dehydration of His Word and they don't realize it. I was amazed when Jesus opened my eyes to see this. It is so very important, especially in this day and age we live in, to stay hydrated in His word.
Revival is drawing near and God needs a prepared people. Those who are ready, properly equipped for their calling, prepared, and hydrated. You cannot win anything if you are dehydrated, weak, and unfamiliar with the equipment you are to wear and use. Before and during revival many people are going to have their eyes opened up to how thirsty they are. We are to have enough in ourselves so that we are able to be full cisterns; ready to be used to pour out into the lives of those who are lacking. They aren't going to know what they are lacking and so we, God's people, will need to help them and supply them with what they need.
People who don't know or understand things will be coming into the church and we must be prepared. If we are empty vessels, then it only makes sense that the Lord cannot use us. We want to be prepared vessels that the Lord can use continually.
How do we make sure that we are hydrated and prepared vessels for the Lord? By setting a pattern of filling ourselves up before each day begins, allowing God to pour that water out to other people throughout the day, filling ourselves up with pure worship, allowing God to pour that out. Listening to contemporary music and ready the modern fantasy books are just like one drinking a cup of coffee. When you drink coffee there is a lot of water that exits your body. The same happens to our spiritual body when we listen to modern music and read modern books. Maybe you are reading God's word daily, but what are you also taking in that counteracts it?
I share this with you because I want to encourage everyone to stay hydrated in the Word of God daily! Help each other to set a pattern and to stay on that pattern. There's times where I need reminded to drink water and that applies also in our Spirit lives. Learn from our Master, apply to your life, and then go and teach others what you have learned. There are battles and if you find the battle is to strong for you to fight, then cry out to God for His grace to drink of His word.
God Bless!
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Friday, April 6, 2012
He's Alive! Hallelujah! He lives in me!
Who am I to doubt Him? He showed me His strength when He stayed on the cross. He showed to me what He loves and what He hates. How? It's all found in His Word.
He teaches me how I should treat His creation. Most important, He showed to me His Agape love when He died on the cross for me! He rose from the dead and He lives! He is living in me and I pray that Christ is living in you too.
All we must do is come to the realization that we are a sinner who has a debt, one that is too big, to pay. Christ is the only way to pay the debt and through our repentance (turning from that which we were walking in before) Christ may enter into our hearts.
Blessings!
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
The Tide is Turning!
Lately, in our church services, God has been speaking to us of the tide that is turning. When God repeats Himself, then it is most definitely important and we must listen, obey, and believe.
What does it mean, "The tide is turning?". It means, that the waves are going the opposite direction of what it once was going. Sometimes, when the tide turns, it changes slowly and other times it changes quickly and forcefully. We have no control over when it will happen or how it will happen [slowly/quickly]. Our Creator is the only one who does know and He warns His people. That is why we must be listening patiently, obedient to what He tells us (both corp. and personally), and believe that what He says is true.
Three biblical examples:
1.) Noah - He listened to what God said, he showed his trust and obedience by preparation (building the ark, warning the people, gathering the animals), and he believed that what God said to Him will come to past. It took years and years, but He remained faithful, obedient, patient, and loyal to his Lord. He waited patiently and suddenly the tide turned and the rain came down just like the Lord had told Him. This had to of been stressful to Noah; hearing all the cries of the people he warned. It was a drastic change, but the Lord was faithful to His obedient servants and He watched over them.
2.) Joseph - He experienced the life of a prisoner for many years. He lived in darkness for a long time, but that did not stop Joseph from trusting the Lord. Suddenly, the tide had turned for Joseph. In an instant he was free from prison and living in the palace. The Lord watched over him while he was in prison and Joseph prepared himself and waited and was ready for that sudden change. We must learn from this that we don't know the time, but what we do need to know is are we ready? When that tide does turn will we be found ready? or will we be found a waster of time?
3.) The man who was made whole (Jn. 5:2-9) - for 38 years this man lived in this condition, but one day without knowing what was going to happen, suddenly the tide turned for him and Jesus made this man whole.
The Lord has spoken that the tide is turning and we must believe. If you don't, then pray the prayer of the father in Mark 9:24b, "... Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief." There's a short song we sing in our church and I want to end this blog by sharing the lyrics with you all and trust that the Spirit that we accepted into our hearts will make these words alive to you all:
What does it mean, "The tide is turning?". It means, that the waves are going the opposite direction of what it once was going. Sometimes, when the tide turns, it changes slowly and other times it changes quickly and forcefully. We have no control over when it will happen or how it will happen [slowly/quickly]. Our Creator is the only one who does know and He warns His people. That is why we must be listening patiently, obedient to what He tells us (both corp. and personally), and believe that what He says is true.
Three biblical examples:
1.) Noah - He listened to what God said, he showed his trust and obedience by preparation (building the ark, warning the people, gathering the animals), and he believed that what God said to Him will come to past. It took years and years, but He remained faithful, obedient, patient, and loyal to his Lord. He waited patiently and suddenly the tide turned and the rain came down just like the Lord had told Him. This had to of been stressful to Noah; hearing all the cries of the people he warned. It was a drastic change, but the Lord was faithful to His obedient servants and He watched over them.
2.) Joseph - He experienced the life of a prisoner for many years. He lived in darkness for a long time, but that did not stop Joseph from trusting the Lord. Suddenly, the tide had turned for Joseph. In an instant he was free from prison and living in the palace. The Lord watched over him while he was in prison and Joseph prepared himself and waited and was ready for that sudden change. We must learn from this that we don't know the time, but what we do need to know is are we ready? When that tide does turn will we be found ready? or will we be found a waster of time?
3.) The man who was made whole (Jn. 5:2-9) - for 38 years this man lived in this condition, but one day without knowing what was going to happen, suddenly the tide turned for him and Jesus made this man whole.
The Lord has spoken that the tide is turning and we must believe. If you don't, then pray the prayer of the father in Mark 9:24b, "... Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief." There's a short song we sing in our church and I want to end this blog by sharing the lyrics with you all and trust that the Spirit that we accepted into our hearts will make these words alive to you all:
"The Tide is Turning"
Author: Sarah Humpherys
The tide is turning
And His Glory is coming
Healing streams will Flow
We believe the tide is turning now
God Bless!
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Draw Nigh to God
The question shouldn't be, "How close can I get to this world?", but, "how close am I to my Lord?"
James 4:8a (KJV) says, "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you." Don't fill yourself with earthly things because they are all temporary and unsatisfying. You buy clothes or shoes and you find yourself having to buy replacements for them every couple of years. Is that what we want to be running after? One thing and a couple years later another thing? Running after the world and the things thereof is just like eating something with a lot of salt in it. It only leaves you craving for more and more and never truly satisfies you.
"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away" (Lk. 21:33, NIV). Fill yourself with our Heavenly Father and you'll experience a satisfaction that cannot be explained nor found in any worldly possessions. You'll discover that your understanding and idea of God is SO minute.
There will be a time where we all will meet Him face to face. Do you want to go before Him knowing that you ignored Him and ashamed that we didn't put much effort into your relationship with Him? or Do you want to go before Him knowing that He is pleased because you sought out what pleased Him and did it!?
"Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need" (Mt. 6:33, NLV). I want to encourage myself and everyone around me to keep your focus on Him. He has something special for each of us and we must seek in order to find it.
Just as this song goes:
God Bless you all!
James 4:8a (KJV) says, "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you." Don't fill yourself with earthly things because they are all temporary and unsatisfying. You buy clothes or shoes and you find yourself having to buy replacements for them every couple of years. Is that what we want to be running after? One thing and a couple years later another thing? Running after the world and the things thereof is just like eating something with a lot of salt in it. It only leaves you craving for more and more and never truly satisfies you.
"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away" (Lk. 21:33, NIV). Fill yourself with our Heavenly Father and you'll experience a satisfaction that cannot be explained nor found in any worldly possessions. You'll discover that your understanding and idea of God is SO minute.
There will be a time where we all will meet Him face to face. Do you want to go before Him knowing that you ignored Him and ashamed that we didn't put much effort into your relationship with Him? or Do you want to go before Him knowing that He is pleased because you sought out what pleased Him and did it!?
"Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need" (Mt. 6:33, NLV). I want to encourage myself and everyone around me to keep your focus on Him. He has something special for each of us and we must seek in order to find it.
Just as this song goes:
"We're Pressing On"
By: Norman Holmes
We're pressing on,
Towards the goal of being like Christ.
We've heard the call, forsaking all.
We run towards the prize.
Looking unto Jesus
Looking face to face.
Through the finish line,
To go within the veil,
And be perfect in His grace.
Monday, January 9, 2012
My Jehovah Jireh
Sense 2012 has begun God has been speaking to me everyday! It really is amazing and I hope that I will be able to explain it all so that you can connect things and understand it all.
God opened my eyes up to the little things! Learn the little things! Little things that please Him and continually do them. Make them a habit in your life. One of these little things for me is listening to the songs God gives to me to prepare and strengthen me for the new day that He has given to me. I found that as I would bag the customers groceries and they weren't talkative I would suddenly have a song in me.
Another thing God has been speaking repeatedly to me this year is Seek Me, be obedient to My Word and trust in Me. He wants me to seek Him more and more so that He can know me more and I Him. He wants to speak to me, to guide me, and to save me from snares and unnecessary bondage's. Disobedience towards Gods law causes a bondage over our lives. God gives us commandments because He sees the whole picture. Those commandments were give to us so that we may be saved from bondage's, pits, and snares. When we make that choice to be obedient we must trust in Him. When He speaks to me and I see it impossible, hard to do (because of fear of man), or what He asks does not make sense to me. He asks me to simply put my trust wholly upon Him. He is not man, who disappoints us all the time, but He is always there! "He will not let your foot slip--he who watches over you will not slumber;" (Psalm 121:3)
Thirdly, God has been teaching me about His presence. Showing me all the requests that have been placed at His altar and that I must enter into His presence. It's in His presence that these requests are fulfilled, that healing is given, joy, strength is renewed, true peace given, imparting of His love, and the restoration of faith. I lately have felt that God wants me to come to church now with expectations. I want something, but I late faith of it happening because I never come with an expectation that He can/will do it. I usually think about camps and long for those moments of meeting with God, but I never expect those things to happen at church. I have gone to church services now with expectations and God has been 100% faithful in meeting those expectations. I share these things because I want to encourage whoever ends up reading. God wants to meet with us!
Think of it like this: You're at work and you have a team meeting and the purpose of this meeting is here the thoughts of the employees. Everyone shows up and the boss sits down and asks them what their thoughts are and everyone just sits there starring at him. Kind of awkward, wouldn't you agreed? That's how I see church now. We all gather together to meet with God, He comes, but we have brought nothing and expect nothing. He can do nothing until we talk to Him and tell Him what we expect. He is always faithful and meets those expectations. When God has immediately answered/meet our expectations, what do you do? Give up? or press in harder? When God gives it to us strength is given and when He doesn't immediately answer/give we still are strengthened in a different way.
Last, the one that continually brings such joy to me. God - Jehovah Jireh! He has been SO faithful at being my Jehovah Jireh - LORD MY PROVIDER. The end of last year He gave me a new job, He is taking care of the plans for my trip this July to Costa Rica, and He is providing me with hours at work that I need. I have been at my job for six weeks and they usually want us to stay in that position for at least three months. My team leader already has approached me and talked to me about moving me to a better position.
We must get to the point of complete surrendering to Him! In the movie "Soul Surfer" one point in the movie sticks with me. The youth leader was speaking to the youth and she was talking about "Perspective". God has the whole picture/plan laid out before Him. All we have are the past pictures and bits and pieces of the future, through promises and prophecy's. Surrender yourself fully to God! It's the least one can do. He gave us His Sons life and all He asks is that we believe, are obedient, and completely surrender our trust to Him.
Many are called and chosen, but few are found faithful. Do you hear the call of the Master? He is biding His people to come. Come into His presence and we will be changed! He is faithful!
Amen!
God Bless!
God opened my eyes up to the little things! Learn the little things! Little things that please Him and continually do them. Make them a habit in your life. One of these little things for me is listening to the songs God gives to me to prepare and strengthen me for the new day that He has given to me. I found that as I would bag the customers groceries and they weren't talkative I would suddenly have a song in me.
Another thing God has been speaking repeatedly to me this year is Seek Me, be obedient to My Word and trust in Me. He wants me to seek Him more and more so that He can know me more and I Him. He wants to speak to me, to guide me, and to save me from snares and unnecessary bondage's. Disobedience towards Gods law causes a bondage over our lives. God gives us commandments because He sees the whole picture. Those commandments were give to us so that we may be saved from bondage's, pits, and snares. When we make that choice to be obedient we must trust in Him. When He speaks to me and I see it impossible, hard to do (because of fear of man), or what He asks does not make sense to me. He asks me to simply put my trust wholly upon Him. He is not man, who disappoints us all the time, but He is always there! "He will not let your foot slip--he who watches over you will not slumber;" (Psalm 121:3)
Thirdly, God has been teaching me about His presence. Showing me all the requests that have been placed at His altar and that I must enter into His presence. It's in His presence that these requests are fulfilled, that healing is given, joy, strength is renewed, true peace given, imparting of His love, and the restoration of faith. I lately have felt that God wants me to come to church now with expectations. I want something, but I late faith of it happening because I never come with an expectation that He can/will do it. I usually think about camps and long for those moments of meeting with God, but I never expect those things to happen at church. I have gone to church services now with expectations and God has been 100% faithful in meeting those expectations. I share these things because I want to encourage whoever ends up reading. God wants to meet with us!
Think of it like this: You're at work and you have a team meeting and the purpose of this meeting is here the thoughts of the employees. Everyone shows up and the boss sits down and asks them what their thoughts are and everyone just sits there starring at him. Kind of awkward, wouldn't you agreed? That's how I see church now. We all gather together to meet with God, He comes, but we have brought nothing and expect nothing. He can do nothing until we talk to Him and tell Him what we expect. He is always faithful and meets those expectations. When God has immediately answered/meet our expectations, what do you do? Give up? or press in harder? When God gives it to us strength is given and when He doesn't immediately answer/give we still are strengthened in a different way.
Last, the one that continually brings such joy to me. God - Jehovah Jireh! He has been SO faithful at being my Jehovah Jireh - LORD MY PROVIDER. The end of last year He gave me a new job, He is taking care of the plans for my trip this July to Costa Rica, and He is providing me with hours at work that I need. I have been at my job for six weeks and they usually want us to stay in that position for at least three months. My team leader already has approached me and talked to me about moving me to a better position.
We must get to the point of complete surrendering to Him! In the movie "Soul Surfer" one point in the movie sticks with me. The youth leader was speaking to the youth and she was talking about "Perspective". God has the whole picture/plan laid out before Him. All we have are the past pictures and bits and pieces of the future, through promises and prophecy's. Surrender yourself fully to God! It's the least one can do. He gave us His Sons life and all He asks is that we believe, are obedient, and completely surrender our trust to Him.
Many are called and chosen, but few are found faithful. Do you hear the call of the Master? He is biding His people to come. Come into His presence and we will be changed! He is faithful!
Amen!
God Bless!
Sunday, January 1, 2012
New Years
Recently, I was given a book that was written by a man who once was in prison. It's a devotional filled with biblical stories and real life testimonys. I'm reading it so that I can better understand what thoughts may be going through a prisoners mind.
The first devotion was on 'Rescuing Love'. While reading this devotional God pointed out/reminded me of a couple things.
First, that God had one Son, Jesus. He loved me SO much that He sent His only Son to this earth to walk through the trials we all would one day walk through and face death with my sins on that cross. He died and rose again!
Second, this one brought hurt at first because it opened my eyes to what I was not doing. That was the importance of witnessing. I am humbled by the fact that He can witness to the lost souls and yet He offers to me the chance to offer unto others that chance of new life.
Taking you back to the devotional, he told a story of a man who committed a crime and was sent back to prison. This man sat in his sell and thought about life and wanted to end it. He found no point and so he began to tie his bed sheets to hang himself. While he was tying the sheets to the bar he heard a voice that said, "Wait!". He untied his sheets and went to bed. The next day he received a letter from the wife of the director of the rehab center he committed the crime at. She wrote to him about God and how He loves him, can forgive him, and transform his life. She offered him a Bible, which he excepted. He read the whole book of John and afterwards that same voice that said, "Wait!" spoke to him again. This voice was God telling Him how much He loves him. Told him how He sent is only Son to die and that He can give to him life both now and for eternity.
When I read that it really slapped me in the face! God gives us people at appointed times and if we ignore them, then God will choose someone else. He offers the chance to us and if we continue to deny those opportunities He will use someone else. OUCH! That's what I feel! I want God to be able to use me at any time and any place! I pray that my heart would continually be the heart of God. May I see the people crying out and may I not be afraid to take their hand and show them the way! God reached out His loving hands to me and I want to do the same!
If you don't know about God I pray that He would catch your heart and that you would one day have a relationship with Him. He is my light and my life! He gives me grace through every trial, hope when times are dry, and peace with times are an uproar, joy when sorrow surrounds me, and love when I feel all alone.
God Bless!
The first devotion was on 'Rescuing Love'. While reading this devotional God pointed out/reminded me of a couple things.
First, that God had one Son, Jesus. He loved me SO much that He sent His only Son to this earth to walk through the trials we all would one day walk through and face death with my sins on that cross. He died and rose again!
Second, this one brought hurt at first because it opened my eyes to what I was not doing. That was the importance of witnessing. I am humbled by the fact that He can witness to the lost souls and yet He offers to me the chance to offer unto others that chance of new life.
Taking you back to the devotional, he told a story of a man who committed a crime and was sent back to prison. This man sat in his sell and thought about life and wanted to end it. He found no point and so he began to tie his bed sheets to hang himself. While he was tying the sheets to the bar he heard a voice that said, "Wait!". He untied his sheets and went to bed. The next day he received a letter from the wife of the director of the rehab center he committed the crime at. She wrote to him about God and how He loves him, can forgive him, and transform his life. She offered him a Bible, which he excepted. He read the whole book of John and afterwards that same voice that said, "Wait!" spoke to him again. This voice was God telling Him how much He loves him. Told him how He sent is only Son to die and that He can give to him life both now and for eternity.
When I read that it really slapped me in the face! God gives us people at appointed times and if we ignore them, then God will choose someone else. He offers the chance to us and if we continue to deny those opportunities He will use someone else. OUCH! That's what I feel! I want God to be able to use me at any time and any place! I pray that my heart would continually be the heart of God. May I see the people crying out and may I not be afraid to take their hand and show them the way! God reached out His loving hands to me and I want to do the same!
If you don't know about God I pray that He would catch your heart and that you would one day have a relationship with Him. He is my light and my life! He gives me grace through every trial, hope when times are dry, and peace with times are an uproar, joy when sorrow surrounds me, and love when I feel all alone.
God Bless!
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