Sin is like a snake that wants to creep into our lives, then it always does what it's supposed to, it bites us. Maybe that's why God had sin first appear as a serpent. It weasels it's way into our lives, gets buried in, then never wants to let go, and always wants to take over our lives.
Sin wants to run our lives, and it's always in the wrong direction. Even when it all seems so good and right, if it's sin, it will lead to destruction, and even death. If God be fore us, who can be against us? What separate us from the love of God...nothing can. Nothing has the ability to, even for a moment.
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Saturday, December 15, 2012
The die to it diet!
So I feel like The Lord wakes me up this morning with the phrase in reference to a diet; Die To It. We have to crucify the flesh with it's passions, and most of us Love food! (Gal 5:24)
So if we are able to put to death our fleshly passions, then we will be able to focus on those things we actually should be passionate about, like feeding the starving, or taking care of orphans. God wants us to have passions, He just wants them to be just passions. Holy passions, blameless passions.
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Gluttony
It all started by chocking on a piece of turkey, on Thanksgiving day. Nice start. Then I got on the scale and I am officially heavier than I have ever been. 267. Just a number right? Just the largest number I've personally attained to. Not a good number at all. Then I eat late, and so much, that I wake up chocking on acid reflux at 2 am. Nice. Then I opened my bible and came up with Isaiah 55: Why do you spend money for what is not bread,
And your wages for what does not satisfy?
Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good,
And let your soul delight itself in abundance.
3 Incline your ear, and come to Me.
Hear, and your soul shall live;
And I will make an everlasting covenant with you—
Then I looked up the definition of gluttany, and here's what Wikipedia has to say: Who wants to admit to this right?
Church leaders from the deeply-ascetic Middle Ages (e.g., St. Gregory the Great, St. Thomas Aquinas) took a more expansive view of gluttony, arguing that it also consists of an anticipation of meals, the eating of delicacies, and costly foods, seeking after sauces and seasonings, and eating too eagerly.[2]
St. Gregory the Great, a doctor of the Church, described five ways by which one can commit sin of gluttony, and corresponding biblical examples for each of them:[3]
1. Eating before the time of meals in order to satisfy the palate.
Biblical example: Jonathan eating a little honey, when his father Saul commanded no food to be taken before the evening.[1Sa 14:29]
2. Seeking delicacies and better quality of food to gratify the "vile sense of taste."
Biblical example: When Israelites escaping from Egypt complained, "Who shall give us flesh to eat ? We remember the fish which we did eat in Egypt freely ; the cucumbers and the melons, and the leeks and the onions and the garlic," God rained fowls for them to eat but punished them 500 years later.[Num 11:4]
3. Seeking after sauces and seasonings for the enjoyment of the palate.
Biblical example: Two sons of Eli the high priest made the sacrificial meat to be cooked in one manner rather than another. They were met with death.[1Sa 4:11]
4. Exceeding the necessary amount of food.
Biblical example: One of the sins of Sodom was "fullness of bread."[Eze 16:49]
5. Taking food with too much eagerness, even when eating the proper amount, and even if the food is not luxurious.
Biblical example: Esau selling his birthright for ordinary food of bread and pottage of lentils. His punishment was that the "profane person . . . who, for a morsel of meat sold his birthright," we learn that "he found no place for repentance, though he sought it carefully, with tears." [Gen 25:30]
The fifth way is worse than all others, said St. Gregory, because it shows attachment to pleasure most clearly. To recapitulate, St Gregory the Great said that one may succumb to the sin of gluttony by: 1. Time (when); 2. Quality; 3. Stimulants; 4. Quantity; 5. Eagerness
In his Summa Theologica (Part 2-2, Question 148, Article 4), St. Thomas Aquinas reiterated the list of five ways to commit gluttony:
Laute - eating food that is too luxurious, exotic, or costly
Nimis - eating food that is excessive in quantity
Studiose - eating food that is too daintily or elaborately prepared
Praepropere - eating too soon, or at an inappropriate time
Ardenter - eating too eagerly.
Aquinas notes that the first three ways are related to the nature of the food itself, while the last two have to do with the time or manner in which it is consumed
...it is a defect to eat, like beasts, through the sole motive of sensual gratification, and without any reasonable object. Hence, the most delicious meats may be eaten without sin, if the motive be good and worthy of a rational creature; and, in taking the coarsest food through attachment to pleasure, there may be a fault."[4]
in the Bible (King James Version)==
Proverbs 23:20-21 "Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh: For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags."
Proverbs 23:2 "And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite."
Wow, what do you say to that, except, I am sorry Lord, please forgive me, I repent, you alone are God, and I will exalt You!
267 and counting
I eat too much. I know, everyone can say that right? Especially coming off our most ravenous holiday, thanksgiving. Here is a definition I hate looking up, something I've never wanted or allowed to be applied to me:
But that definition actually fits me. It fits what I or anyone else does when we over eat, especially excessively. In fact there are many areas of my life where this definition could fit, but either way, it has to effect all areas of my life as well. I can't run as fast, I'm not supposed to live as long. All because I eat too much. If I obey my flesh, walk in my flesh, what will that lead me to? Won't it lead me to death? If I continue to walk according to my fleshly lusts, I will die in them.
I must choose life in every area of my life. Think about what I am over eating. It's not lettuce, though if I put enough dressing on it, that can apply too. It is't apples, or oranges. It's candy, cake, and here's the big one, holding more american hearts than almost any food; Ice Cream. I capitalize that on purpose, but I should really cap it all; ICE CREAM. It is too important, it holds too many hearts. There's others: CHOCOLATE. COFFEE. I am sure there are thousands that we could do this too, but the point is there should be none.
"No other god's before Him." Isn't this food thing a god, with a little g? Isn't it something we exult and make way too important? I think so. But it's sad. To me it's one of the more disgusting sins. Look at the outcome, look at how it affects people. It's not glorious at all.
I am 267 pounds and counting. That is officially the heaviest I have ever been in my life. If I continue that number will go up. If I stop, and repent, turn away from this sin, and do it no more. That number will go down. If I work at it really hard, that number can even go down fast.
God has called me to a life of prayer and fasting, that's what makes this even more sad. If my life showed disobedience, it could not show it more, than with a big belly. I can't hide that baby. It's there for the whole world to see. It's not mine though, it's not the real me. It is not who God made me to be. But isn't that what happens when we exult things above the real God. It messes everything up. It alters things, makes things dark instead of light. It transforms from light to darkness, even to death. Life, to death. The exact opposite that Jesus offers us. He, through His sacrifice, brings us out of death into a glorious life, an abundant life. So I have chosen to walk this abundant life out in my flesh, and cater to it, give in to it, and alter the abundance of love, joy, peace, over into gluttony. One produces life, the other death. One brings peace, joy, love. The other lust, pain and death. What kind of a trade is that?
I choose life. I choose to live that life God, the real God, intended me to. THat life filled with the purpose of God, and not self. A live lived for HIm and not me. I choose to exult Him as God instead of me.
In Jesus name, amen.
glut·tony
noun \ˈglət-nē, ˈglə-tə-nē\
plural glut·ton·ies
Definition of GLUTTONY
1
: excess in eating or drinking
2
: greedy or excessive indulgence
But that definition actually fits me. It fits what I or anyone else does when we over eat, especially excessively. In fact there are many areas of my life where this definition could fit, but either way, it has to effect all areas of my life as well. I can't run as fast, I'm not supposed to live as long. All because I eat too much. If I obey my flesh, walk in my flesh, what will that lead me to? Won't it lead me to death? If I continue to walk according to my fleshly lusts, I will die in them.
I must choose life in every area of my life. Think about what I am over eating. It's not lettuce, though if I put enough dressing on it, that can apply too. It is't apples, or oranges. It's candy, cake, and here's the big one, holding more american hearts than almost any food; Ice Cream. I capitalize that on purpose, but I should really cap it all; ICE CREAM. It is too important, it holds too many hearts. There's others: CHOCOLATE. COFFEE. I am sure there are thousands that we could do this too, but the point is there should be none.
"No other god's before Him." Isn't this food thing a god, with a little g? Isn't it something we exult and make way too important? I think so. But it's sad. To me it's one of the more disgusting sins. Look at the outcome, look at how it affects people. It's not glorious at all.
I am 267 pounds and counting. That is officially the heaviest I have ever been in my life. If I continue that number will go up. If I stop, and repent, turn away from this sin, and do it no more. That number will go down. If I work at it really hard, that number can even go down fast.
God has called me to a life of prayer and fasting, that's what makes this even more sad. If my life showed disobedience, it could not show it more, than with a big belly. I can't hide that baby. It's there for the whole world to see. It's not mine though, it's not the real me. It is not who God made me to be. But isn't that what happens when we exult things above the real God. It messes everything up. It alters things, makes things dark instead of light. It transforms from light to darkness, even to death. Life, to death. The exact opposite that Jesus offers us. He, through His sacrifice, brings us out of death into a glorious life, an abundant life. So I have chosen to walk this abundant life out in my flesh, and cater to it, give in to it, and alter the abundance of love, joy, peace, over into gluttony. One produces life, the other death. One brings peace, joy, love. The other lust, pain and death. What kind of a trade is that?
I choose life. I choose to live that life God, the real God, intended me to. THat life filled with the purpose of God, and not self. A live lived for HIm and not me. I choose to exult Him as God instead of me.
In Jesus name, amen.
Monday, November 5, 2012
Diamonds or Love from a pure heart, which one will we choose.
I met a man who owned a diamond mine. It's funny, he actually didn't come out and say he owned one, in fact, he really never told me that he did. It was in an airport, not even sure where, Chicago, somewhere in Tx. It was somewhere I had never been before. We both had a long layover, and I sat at a table right next to his, both of us watching as the first presidential debate was ending. This man was in his sixties, and seemed to be in good shape. He spent quite a bit of his time in Africa, and it was a dangerous place. The food he had to watch out for, the people, and he could hardly keep employees, most of the people he could not trust.
This man was willing to risk his life to mine for diamonds in a country he really wasn't wanted in. He felt the prize was worth it. He was willing to give up on relationships here in the states, risk his life in a violent, foreign country, live in relative poverty when traveling there, in Africa, all because of the prize, the prize of diamonds.
He also had dealings in Dubai. Another country where it was safe, but you had to have the right relationships to operate in. Being a white American put him in jeopardy in both countries. Once he had the right relationships, he was able to operate safely, at least in Dubai. His business dealings helped him get the right relationships in the one country, but not really in the other.
Are we willing to risk our lives for the cross of Christ? Do we even take up our cross daily, deny ourselves, and follow after Him? We need to. There's something much more precious than jewels at stake in this life of mine. Christ wants to bring in the riches of love, joy, peace, all the things money can't buy. All of this we have here on this planet, no matter how much of it we have, will all fade away, except those things that really matter.
Let us pursue Love with a pure heart. Not mining for gold, silver, rubies or diamonds, but the precious blood of Jesus that cleanses us from sin, that makes us have entrance into heaven. No dirty mines there, just no more tears. This man I met, the one with a diamond mine, he had no relationships, no kids, no immediate family, and the girl he had, they just broke up. Seems this mine is not good for relationships. Which one will we choose, the path that leads to life, where there are few that find it? Or will we be passionate about this world, and the things of this world. Cashing after our diamond mines instead of pursuing Christ, passionately.
I hope we choose life, it's so much better than riches of this life.
This man was willing to risk his life to mine for diamonds in a country he really wasn't wanted in. He felt the prize was worth it. He was willing to give up on relationships here in the states, risk his life in a violent, foreign country, live in relative poverty when traveling there, in Africa, all because of the prize, the prize of diamonds.
He also had dealings in Dubai. Another country where it was safe, but you had to have the right relationships to operate in. Being a white American put him in jeopardy in both countries. Once he had the right relationships, he was able to operate safely, at least in Dubai. His business dealings helped him get the right relationships in the one country, but not really in the other.
Are we willing to risk our lives for the cross of Christ? Do we even take up our cross daily, deny ourselves, and follow after Him? We need to. There's something much more precious than jewels at stake in this life of mine. Christ wants to bring in the riches of love, joy, peace, all the things money can't buy. All of this we have here on this planet, no matter how much of it we have, will all fade away, except those things that really matter.
Let us pursue Love with a pure heart. Not mining for gold, silver, rubies or diamonds, but the precious blood of Jesus that cleanses us from sin, that makes us have entrance into heaven. No dirty mines there, just no more tears. This man I met, the one with a diamond mine, he had no relationships, no kids, no immediate family, and the girl he had, they just broke up. Seems this mine is not good for relationships. Which one will we choose, the path that leads to life, where there are few that find it? Or will we be passionate about this world, and the things of this world. Cashing after our diamond mines instead of pursuing Christ, passionately.
I hope we choose life, it's so much better than riches of this life.
Sunday, September 30, 2012
God speaks today, as He did before.
Yesterday at 5am I heard God audibly speak my name. We were all as a family sleeping in a hotel room, and when I heard it, everyone stirred, but all stayed asleep! One of my daughters the other day also heard their name called, and turned and saw no one there. I believe God is calling us and like 2,000 years ago as He visited the earth, He is visiting again, and His saints who are His will be receiving an audible voice, calling us by name to follow Him. WIll we say "Speak now, for your servant hears.?" 1 Samuel 3:7-11
New King James Version (NKJV)
7 (Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, nor was the word of the Lord yet revealed to him.)
8 And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. So he arose and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you did call me.”
Then Eli perceived that the Lord had called the boy. 9 Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down; and it shall be, if He calls you, that you must say, ‘Speak, Lord, for Your servant hears.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
10 Now the Lord came and stood and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!”
And Samuel answered, “Speak, for Your servant hears.”
11 Then the Lord said to Samuel: “Behold, I will do something in Israel at which both ears of everyone who hears it will tingle." What will the Lord speak to you?
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
When God changes us, and we are willing, it's always a good thing. When we harden our hearts and won't listen to his warnings, look out, things get broken. The doctor for the USS Cole was about to have his lunch. After sitting down and praying for his meal, he heard The Lord say "You don't belong here." The good doctor ignored His warning, so He spoke it again. He ignored it again, dismissed it. Then The Lord said "Leave." The doctor did and within 90 seconds a boat loaded with explosives hit right about where the doctor was sitting. God is in control, we just have to listen, and obey. Be like the good doctor and listen, if you're not hearing, then listen better, or get those things out of your life that are causing you not to hear God's voice.
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Quiver Full
Psalm 127
New King James Version (NKJV)
Laboring and Prospering with the Lord
A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon.
127 Unless the Lord builds the house,
They labor in vain who build it;
Unless the Lord guards the city,
The watchman stays awake in vain.
2 It is vain for you to rise up early,
To sit up late,
To eat the bread of sorrows;
For so He gives His beloved sleep.
They labor in vain who build it;
Unless the Lord guards the city,
The watchman stays awake in vain.
2 It is vain for you to rise up early,
To sit up late,
To eat the bread of sorrows;
For so He gives His beloved sleep.
3 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,
The fruit of the womb is a reward.
4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,
So are the children of one’s youth.
5 Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them;
They shall not be ashamed,
But shall speak with their enemies in the gate.
The fruit of the womb is a reward.
4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,
So are the children of one’s youth.
5 Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them;
They shall not be ashamed,
But shall speak with their enemies in the gate.
Wow do I love this chapter. The fruit of the womb is a reward, who turns down that? Reward: Strongs 7939 Hebrew word Sakar: Payment of contract, salary...what is owed you. Who would turn down a pay check? If you work 40 plus hours a week, you wouldn't go in on payday and refuse a paycheck, or turn down a raise. Most of us consider money, or a raise, a blessing, and most of us would never consider turning that down, why would we, it is what is due to us. And yet the Lord does not call money a blessing, but He does call children a blessing. So why do we turn that down, children, a blessing from God? Because we're selfish.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior...happy is the man whose quiver is full of them....then it talks about speaking with their enemies at the gate, which is an opening where things come out, and things go in. If we give our inheritance away, to be plundered by the enemy, or to be spent on ourselves, what will we have left?
Goodbye to Beethoven?
Many people have talked about Beethoven. How his parents chose to have him even though their previous children were born with serious problems. Many people have speculated that if that same situation were to happen today that no one in the right minds would allow that child to even be considered because there had been so many problems with their previous births. So, goodbye Beethoven? There have been studies that show some of our greatest contributors have been the sixth, seventh or even eighth child in a family. Many have wondered what we have missed out on by choosing ourselves to only have 2.5 children.
It has been said that the average family size is 2.5 children in industrialized nations like America. If we are choosing to not receive the blessing of an eighth child, what type of reward are we turning down? Could it be the one child that would have cared for us enough to take care of us in our old age? Would he or she have discovered the cure for cancer? What did we miss out on by now allowing The Lord full control of how many children we have?
It is not mine to fashion the arrow. The Lord Himself "molds us and shapes us in our mothers womb." (psalm 119:73. Jeremiah 1:5) If the arrow does not fly true, is it something I as a father have mistakenly placed on them that has caused their miss flight? An arrow is a simply designed thing, much like a mousetrap. It only has 4 parts and each is crucial to it's purpose. There is the head, shaft, fletching (The feathers in back) and notch. (The part where the arrow connects to the bow string)
I do not need to improve on it's design, nor do I =need to add anything to it for its intended purpose.
But as a dad, I try and do that with my children. I correct them in ways they were never meant to be corrected I end up changing their very design so they no longer fly straight "As an arrow." Happy is the man whose quiver is full of them.
When I change things with my fleshly understanding instead of the hand of Almighty God doing the fashioning, there can be no good that will come if it. Children, if everything goes right, come out fully fashioned and formed, ready to be those cute little arrows God has planned for them from the beginning. He even has their purposes all laid out, all we have to do as dads is get out of the way and allow Him full control of how, and when they fly.
Think of a falcon about to be release by its master. The falcon sits on the glove, or the post and waits to be released. When it is, it flys and is free. There are no encumbrances to it's take off, just a glove to protect the hand of the master, or a post that it perches on so it's flight is not impeded.
We impede the flight f our little arrows by our controlling and manipulating them into things that they were not created to be. Isn't it easier to work with the metal when it's hot and ready to be formed rather than a piece of steel that is already hardened and fashioned. God has our children in His hands. If we just listen to His voice and follow His instructions, our little arrows will turn out just fine.
But what about the prodigal arrow?
Is it our arrow, or God's? Who fashioned those little arrows, us or Him? Who can add or take away from what God has done? I am reminded of watching a movie that was based on a book by C.S Lewis. They changed it. I heartily dislike that when they do that. You have one of the most gifted writers of our time, and yet someone can come along and think they can make his story better. Do we really think we are better than the Master? Do we really believe we can improve on His design! If we add or take away from God's design it will never be better, and usually it will be a disaster. An arrow was fashioned with one thing in mind. To hit it's intended target. If we try and change the design of our children, who they were made to be, it will never work for their better. If we think we can control their lives and make it better than GOd could if He were in charge, we will never get it right, because He already has it right. he has all their plans already fashioned,He has their lives already mapped out, we just need to come along side His plan or them and support them in what they are supposed to do, and gently, humbly correct them when they get off His track.
Why do we hold to the first part of the verse above, and not employ the last part? This is a stand alone chapter, this is it, it's very short, and it's all there. There's no misinterpreting, it's all there. Unless The Lord builds the house, we will labor in vain! Unless God guards the city of our hearts and lives, we will watch in vain. God ties children into this verse. How many of us feel heavy burdens that The Lord never intended us to bear simply because we didn't let Him choose our family, and how He wanted it to turn out? What happens when I overstep my bounds and not let my wife do what she was intended to do. Look out, we're in for danger! My wife is one of the most gifted, lovely, honorable, humble women I have ever met. She fulfills the Proverbs 31 version of what a wife and mother are to be as good as anyone I have ever seen. And because God picked her out for me, she is also better suited than anyone in all of creation to fulfill her roll as wife and mother of our children. You know, those sweet little arrows we've been talking about. Their not mine, and their not my wife's, so whose are they anyway?
I keep think ing it's all about me, and it never has been, or was meant to be. How many of the things do I do, just for me? Tons. What I eat, what I wear, what I watch, listen to. Most of the things throughout my life are for me, but I've always wanted to live my life to serve others, to bless others, so what stops me? My flesh, my old man that was supposed to be crucified with Christ so it's not longer me living, but Christ in me. (Gal 2:20)
What more do I need? God's building blocks for our house.
Am I happy my quiver is full of them, children, or am I burdened to even think of having another, after only two have come? Back to Psalm 127. I don't want to labor in vain, yet why am I not willing to fulfill the last part of that scripture, while praying the first part. Think of it. If I don't want more kids, or kids at all, am I being selfish with my time or resources? Have I chose what my family size is based on my perception of God's provision, or am I worried about His lack of provision? Isn't The God who placed the stars in the sky to shine, without even thinking about it, they just shine. Isn't he able to do the same with us? Does He have the authority in your life to build the house the way He wants? If we are interfering with His plans with our lives, do we actually expect God to provide for us, to meet our needs, or should we expect to be laboring in vain?
How can adding to my already overburdened load, make my load lighter?
God promises that; Matt 11:" 28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
This verse is true. No matter what is happening in my life this is true. If we receive His yoke (The work that He has fashioned for us) and receive only His burden for us, it will be easy and light. So this is not baed on a numbering system. So if we allow Him control how many kids we have, it will be an easy yoke and a light burden, it is His promise for us, just like He promises we will labor in vain unless He builds our house.
What have I done?
If I am a selfish man, can I really expect my son to be any different? If I am totally given to pride or lust, should I really expect my children to be any different. They will follow my example now matter what I say. Our lives are supposed to examples of "Christ in us the hope of glory." (Col 1:27) If we examine our children, they are like mirrors of ourselves. Look in the mirror, (2 Cor 13:5) examine yourself, are you who God made you to be, that bright shining star whom God has made to shine brightly so that people may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. All of our examples of what we should be is found in Christ, there is not other. So we need to let Him shine through us, let Him work through us, so we can bring glory God, the reason why we're made.
What have I done?
If I am a selfish man, can I really expect my son to be any different? If I am totally given to pride or lust, should I really expect my children to be any different. They will follow my example now matter what I say. Our lives are supposed to examples of "Christ in us the hope of glory." (Col 1:27) If we examine our children, they are like mirrors of ourselves. Look in the mirror, (2 Cor 13:5) examine yourself, are you who God made you to be, that bright shining star whom God has made to shine brightly so that people may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. All of our examples of what we should be is found in Christ, there is not other. So we need to let Him shine through us, let Him work through us, so we can bring glory God, the reason why we're made.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
As I walked out early one morning, the stars looked lovely. As I looked at them The Lord spoke; "They don't have to think about shining, they just do." We were made greater than the stars and were simply just made to shine. "A city set on a hill that cannot be hidden." (Matt 5) We were not created for our selves. We were made to be servants. We were made to be the servant of The King of Kings, The Lord of Lords, The Maker of Heaven & Earth! We were made to serve Him. A servant was not made to serve themselves, they were paid, in our case bought, for another purpose. We were not made to want ice cream, to do things that please ourselves. A child that is always asking for things for themselves is called selfish. We were made to give. If we follow and obey The Lord, just as any good earthly father, He will interpret our needs and wants, and as a loving Father, will bless us.
Which child do you want to lavish on? A child who is always asking for stuff, (James 4) or a child that never asks for anything? The Lord is the same way, He's just more gracious than we are.
If we built a house, we'd want every color, every texture, to be pleasing to us. We may even say "We are building this for the glory of God" yet if we are building with our pleasures in mind, we may be a little misguided. (We have been called to liberty, but as Paul says let us not "use liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. Gal 5:13)
I was not made to please myself, I was made to please God. My desires are way out of whack as I serve to please myself.
"Lord, let us be humble servants that do not live to please ourselves, but live to please You You have made us like the stars in heaven to shine. Let us just shine as we were made to be, in Jesus name. Amen!"
As I walked out early one morning, the stars looked lovely. As I looked at them The Lord spoke; "They don't have to think about shining, they just do." We were made greater than the stars and were simply just made to shine. "A city set on a hill that cannot be hidden." (Matt 5) We were not created for our selves. We were made to be servants. We were made to be the servant of The King of Kings, The Lord of Lords, The Maker of Heaven & Earth! We were made to serve Him. A servant was not made to serve themselves, they were paid, in our case bought, for another purpose. We were not made to want ice cream, to do things that please ourselves. A child that is always asking for things for themselves is called selfish. We were made to give. If we follow and obey The Lord, just as any good earthly father, He will interpret our needs and wants, and as a loving Father, will bless us.
Which child do you want to lavish on? A child who is always asking for stuff, (James 4) or a child that never asks for anything? The Lord is the same way, He's just more gracious than we are.
If we built a house, we'd want every color, every texture, to be pleasing to us. We may even say "We are building this for the glory of God" yet if we are building with our pleasures in mind, we may be a little misguided.
I was not made to please myself, I was made to please God. My desires are way out of whack as I serve to please myself.
"Lord, let us be humble servants that do not live to please ourselves, but live to please You You have made us like the stars in heaven to shine. Let us just shine as we were made to be, in Jesus name. Amen!"
Sunday, August 26, 2012
What we are missing in the Body.
Eph 4:11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
We all want growth, we all want The Lord to direct and guide us, but we can have neither unless we do it God's way. When was the last time you were ministered to by an Apostle of God? How about a prophet? How about the last time you witnessed a pastor, evangelist, apostle, prophet & teacher all in the same place ministering together?
If you read the above promises like the ability to speak the truth in love, growing up in Christ, having a whole body, all of that is tied to God equipping the saints through what some call the 5 fold ministry of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers.
What are we missing?
If this is not in operation in our cities, in the Body of Christ, then how can we be equipped, how can we be fully edified, how can we come to the unity of faith?
We need the whole expression of the body of Christ, not a fragmented part.
"Lord bring in the missing pieces, and wash away all the pieces that we've instituted that are makeshift examples of your will. We need You, all of You, and not just small part. We love You Lord and commit all of our ways to You, in Jesus name, amen. "
Monday, June 18, 2012
I woke up this morning and went outside. It was overcast but as I looked up I could see one star shining through the clouds. Then this one star was covered up by the clouds! I was bummed, but then I looked around and I could see other stars peeking through. Then The Lord said that's how it is with the Body, there is always a remnant that He keeps, they are always shining through. Even if we can't always see it or feel it, they are.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Not by might, not by power, but by My Spirit says The Lord
So God sets forth in His Word what is true, what is right, and what is holy. Mark 16: 17-20 state: 17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they[b] will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
19 So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.[c]
Then it must be true, Jesus Himself said it. Jesus even used this for the unbelieving Pharisees; "If you don't believe me, believe the works I do." talking about the signs He was performing, the healings, the miracles! (John 10:38) Christ died to makes this stuff happen, as proof of His death, and resurrection. Even one of the leasers later says; "No one can do these signs unless God is with him." (John 3:2)
"Lord, let us not believe half Your Word, let us believe it all. For it is not by might, not by power, but by The Spirit says The Lord." Amen.
“This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel:
‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’
Says the Lord of hosts.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Are we loosing who we are?
We are losing who we are supposed to be. If we are giving into sin in any way, we are not the gift to God that He meant us to be. If I am overweight, say 80 lbs. I am 80 lbs more than I am supposed to be, so I am not the person on the outside He made me to be. I may say I am the same on the inside, but I think we are deceiving ourselves when we say that, because if we sin a little, we are affected a lot. If I sin, my hearing of The Lord goes way down, I just can't hear Him as well. When we don't hear Him as well, it changes us. We start focusing who we are, or who we are not, instead of who He is. We change, we get hard, cold, not as caring or attentive as we once were. We may even seem to cease as a gift. The less we walk with The Lord, the less of a gift we become, for it is in Him that all good things come. We are not good on our own, we are wretched, unrighteous filth...oh man, that seems harsh, doesn't it, and yet isn't that what He saved us from? The moment we leave His side, all that nasty stuff wants to try and come back on us again, but it doesn't come all right away, just a little at a time, bit by bit. Then boom, we look up and see a different Lord, we see a different us, we see everything different because we can no longer see with His vision. We are now looking at everything with our natural eyes, and can no longer see with His vision. We lack clarity because we lack vision, and without a vision, we will perish.
I am bound by nothing but Jesus Christ, but when I enter sin again, I become bound to it again, instead of Christ. Then I miss so much of what He wants to give me, the wisdom, the peace, the joy, all the wonderful fruits of the Spirit that I choosing not to have, because I have chosen to walk in my flesh, instead of His Holy Spirit.
"Lord, forgive me.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Abide in Him
John 15:4 "Abide in me and I in you." (All of 15 must be read) We wonder why we're dry, empty, lacking in any way, let us make sure we read and memorize John 15. We WILL bear much fruit if we abide in Christ. The word abide means to continue in a permanent state. Not a state a fluctuation, but a permanent state. If it is permanent, what should that permanency look like? Pure, holy...there are so many words that can describe what is should be, and is.
Does God lack anything, does He miss things, is there any lack that He could possibly have, at all? Who's are we? Who owns us? if we are Christ's what does that mean for us? If we are His, what are our responsibilities, and privileges for being His? As sons or daughters, are we not heirs of His?
As I reread John 15, it seems to all be there. What He has done, what He will do and what we are to do. If it's all Him, and none of us: we're done, for He is all we need. If we are His, and we abide in Him, what more do we need? Can we possibly need more than all of Him? There are reasons why we miss Him. If we are not hearing Him, there's a reason. Let's look to Him, not take our eyes off Him, and return to His ways, cause they are a LOT better.
John 15
New King James Version (NKJV)
The True Vine
15 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away;[a] and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will[b] ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
Love and Joy Perfected
9 “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.
11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. 12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. 17 These things I command you, that you love one another.
The World’s Hatred
18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 He who hates Me hates My Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father. 25 But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, ‘They hated Me without a cause.’[c]
The Coming Rejection
26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. 27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning.
Also 2 Cor 5:15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.
16 Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Then in chapter 6 We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For He says:
“In an acceptable time I have heard you,
And in the day of salvation I have helped you.”[a]
Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
Does God lack anything, does He miss things, is there any lack that He could possibly have, at all? Who's are we? Who owns us? if we are Christ's what does that mean for us? If we are His, what are our responsibilities, and privileges for being His? As sons or daughters, are we not heirs of His?
As I reread John 15, it seems to all be there. What He has done, what He will do and what we are to do. If it's all Him, and none of us: we're done, for He is all we need. If we are His, and we abide in Him, what more do we need? Can we possibly need more than all of Him? There are reasons why we miss Him. If we are not hearing Him, there's a reason. Let's look to Him, not take our eyes off Him, and return to His ways, cause they are a LOT better.
John 15
New King James Version (NKJV)
The True Vine
15 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away;[a] and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will[b] ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
Love and Joy Perfected
9 “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.
11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. 12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. 17 These things I command you, that you love one another.
The World’s Hatred
18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 He who hates Me hates My Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father. 25 But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, ‘They hated Me without a cause.’[c]
The Coming Rejection
26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. 27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning.
Also 2 Cor 5:15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.
16 Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Then in chapter 6 We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For He says:
“In an acceptable time I have heard you,
And in the day of salvation I have helped you.”[a]
Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Passionately holy.
How many passionately holy things have you ever seen? I have seen plenty of passionate things, and I have seen holy things, but they seem to be fewer. The Cross comes to mind. Look at how The Lord has created us to have babies. It's filled with passion, but we have made it very unholy for the most part. Not that we are supposed to see it, but all that we see of it, is almost always unholy. It's filled with passion, but we've made it into something that is not holy. And so many other things follow suit.
I am really into movies. The closest thing I've seen to a holy and passionate movie is Facing The Giants or Fireproof, but Amazing Grace, Ultimate Gift, Chariots of Fire and especially The Hiding Place is the very best we've had to offer as a Church. The Passion, from Mel Gibson comes close, but has so much that isn't holy in it, I just can't even recommend it, and would instead have people see Matthew or John as far as "passion" movies go. Passion (from the Ancient Greek verb πάσχω (paskho) meaning to suffer) is a term applied to a very strong feeling about a person or thing. Looking over the further definitions of passion below I was confused because of the "real" meaning of the word from its origin; To suffer. Then my wife said I can imagine someone doing that about music, loving it so much that they're willing to suffer to make it happen. So that's where passion can come into music, and if we've heard good music, there's passion behind it.
Most movies are very hard to make, it often takes passion to see it through to the end. The greatest of athletes must have intense passion for what they do. Christ must have had the most incredible passion to have suffered greater than any man ever will for anything, but He suffered for us, He was that passionate about saving us, He literally gave everything. In fact, He gave more than we ever could. He, being God, became a man. He left His heavenly kingdom to come down and live to show us how we should live, and then suffer and die the most horrible death imaginable, the horror and cruelty He suffered, the mocking & beatings. Being left on the cross with everyone having deserting Him, and then to have God leave Him at that last moment; "Why have You forsaken Me?" No one has ever, or will ever be as passionate about anything as he was, and is, about us.
But what if we were to do things that are only holy passionate? What if I only spoke with holiness and passion? I have spoken that way, but what if I only spoke that way, about everything? If I get to produce movies like I've always dreamed of, what if I only produced holy and passionate movies, what would that even look like? A Star Wars or Casablanca that's saved?
Eric Liddell's story, told partly in Chariots of Fire, would be an example of someone who ran with passion. It's funny, as he really gets going when he ran, his head fly's back and he seems to be running with reckless abandon. Maybe that's how we should run.
"Run and not grow weary, walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, . . . honest, . . . just, . . . pure, . . . lovely, . . . of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." (Philippians 4:8)
n.
A powerful emotion, such as love, joy, hatred, or anger.
Ardent love.
Strong sexual desire; lust.
The object of such love or desire.
Boundless enthusiasm: His skills as a player don't quite match his passion for the game.
The object of such enthusiasm: Soccer is her passion.
An abandoned display of emotion, especially of anger: He's been known to fly into a passion without warning.
Passion
The sufferings of Jesus in the period following the Last Supper and including the Crucifixion, as related in the New Testament.
A narrative, musical setting, or pictorial representation of Jesus's sufferings.
Archaic. Martyrdom.
Archaic. Passivity.
[Middle English, from Old French, from Medieval Latin passiō, passiōn-, sufferings of Jesus or a martyr, from Late Latin, physical suffering, martyrdom, sinful desire, from Latin, an undergoing, from passus, past participle of patī, to suffer.]
SYNONYMS passion, fervor, fire, zeal, ardor. These nouns denote powerful, intense emotion. Passion is a deep, overwhelming emotion: "There is not a passion so strongly rooted in the human heart as envy" (Richard Brinsley Sheridan). Fervor is great warmth and intensity of feeling: "The union of the mathematician with the poet, fervor with measure, passion with correctness, this surely is the ideal" (William James). Fire is burning passion: "In our youth our hearts were touched with fire" (Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.). Zeal is strong, enthusiastic devotion to a cause, ideal, or goal and tireless diligence in its furtherance: "Laurie [resolved], with a glow of philanthropic zeal, to found and endow an institution for ... women with artistic tendencies" (Louisa May Alcott). Ardor is fiery intensity of feeling: "the furious ardor of my zeal repressed" (Charles Churchill).
I am really into movies. The closest thing I've seen to a holy and passionate movie is Facing The Giants or Fireproof, but Amazing Grace, Ultimate Gift, Chariots of Fire and especially The Hiding Place is the very best we've had to offer as a Church. The Passion, from Mel Gibson comes close, but has so much that isn't holy in it, I just can't even recommend it, and would instead have people see Matthew or John as far as "passion" movies go. Passion (from the Ancient Greek verb πάσχω (paskho) meaning to suffer) is a term applied to a very strong feeling about a person or thing. Looking over the further definitions of passion below I was confused because of the "real" meaning of the word from its origin; To suffer. Then my wife said I can imagine someone doing that about music, loving it so much that they're willing to suffer to make it happen. So that's where passion can come into music, and if we've heard good music, there's passion behind it.
Most movies are very hard to make, it often takes passion to see it through to the end. The greatest of athletes must have intense passion for what they do. Christ must have had the most incredible passion to have suffered greater than any man ever will for anything, but He suffered for us, He was that passionate about saving us, He literally gave everything. In fact, He gave more than we ever could. He, being God, became a man. He left His heavenly kingdom to come down and live to show us how we should live, and then suffer and die the most horrible death imaginable, the horror and cruelty He suffered, the mocking & beatings. Being left on the cross with everyone having deserting Him, and then to have God leave Him at that last moment; "Why have You forsaken Me?" No one has ever, or will ever be as passionate about anything as he was, and is, about us.
But what if we were to do things that are only holy passionate? What if I only spoke with holiness and passion? I have spoken that way, but what if I only spoke that way, about everything? If I get to produce movies like I've always dreamed of, what if I only produced holy and passionate movies, what would that even look like? A Star Wars or Casablanca that's saved?
Eric Liddell's story, told partly in Chariots of Fire, would be an example of someone who ran with passion. It's funny, as he really gets going when he ran, his head fly's back and he seems to be running with reckless abandon. Maybe that's how we should run.
"Run and not grow weary, walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, . . . honest, . . . just, . . . pure, . . . lovely, . . . of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." (Philippians 4:8)
n.
A powerful emotion, such as love, joy, hatred, or anger.
Ardent love.
Strong sexual desire; lust.
The object of such love or desire.
Boundless enthusiasm: His skills as a player don't quite match his passion for the game.
The object of such enthusiasm: Soccer is her passion.
An abandoned display of emotion, especially of anger: He's been known to fly into a passion without warning.
Passion
The sufferings of Jesus in the period following the Last Supper and including the Crucifixion, as related in the New Testament.
A narrative, musical setting, or pictorial representation of Jesus's sufferings.
Archaic. Martyrdom.
Archaic. Passivity.
[Middle English, from Old French, from Medieval Latin passiō, passiōn-, sufferings of Jesus or a martyr, from Late Latin, physical suffering, martyrdom, sinful desire, from Latin, an undergoing, from passus, past participle of patī, to suffer.]
SYNONYMS passion, fervor, fire, zeal, ardor. These nouns denote powerful, intense emotion. Passion is a deep, overwhelming emotion: "There is not a passion so strongly rooted in the human heart as envy" (Richard Brinsley Sheridan). Fervor is great warmth and intensity of feeling: "The union of the mathematician with the poet, fervor with measure, passion with correctness, this surely is the ideal" (William James). Fire is burning passion: "In our youth our hearts were touched with fire" (Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.). Zeal is strong, enthusiastic devotion to a cause, ideal, or goal and tireless diligence in its furtherance: "Laurie [resolved], with a glow of philanthropic zeal, to found and endow an institution for ... women with artistic tendencies" (Louisa May Alcott). Ardor is fiery intensity of feeling: "the furious ardor of my zeal repressed" (Charles Churchill).
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Jesus The Healer
Acts 4: 28b ..."grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, 30 by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.”
31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness."
"Lord, let this be our prayer, let this be our desire, the desire that is in You, to reach the lost, the hurting, and to bring them to You, The Healer, in Jesus Name, Your mighty name, the Name above all names. Amen. "
31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness."
"Lord, let this be our prayer, let this be our desire, the desire that is in You, to reach the lost, the hurting, and to bring them to You, The Healer, in Jesus Name, Your mighty name, the Name above all names. Amen. "
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
The Armor of God is meant for the intercession of others.
Eph 6:10-18. I have always looked at the armor of God as personal amor meant for my protection, until today when I read the entire context. Verses 10 & 11 are very personal. "Be strong in The Lord and in the power of His might. Be empowered to put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Verse 12 tells us what the armor is for, yes it's personal, but we find in verse 18 that it's not just for us. (praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful FOR ALL THE SAINTS!) Verse 12; For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
This is what the armor of God is fighting against. Not against people, flesh and blood, but against the real enemy, principalities, powers, rulers of darkness in THIS AGE, and against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. That is what we're fighting against, not each other, or man made things.
Verse 13 is having us take up that armor which we are empowered to do, like we are commissioned in His army, so His armor comes standard issue. Then it says; that you may be able to withstand, (That you're able to make it.) in the evil day. We cannot make it unless we have this armor on, it's His and He's given it to us, for our protection.
Gird your waist (Or loins) with truth. What are your loins made for, what is its purpose; seek truth, not the lie of the enemy in this evil time, when everything around you says that your loins were created for something else! Like everything else, it's for purity, which needs to be based in the truth of what we were created for, for holiness, set apart for the things of God, we were created in a certain way, a design for His purpose.
The Breastplate of righteousness. This is not from us, our righteousness, it's His, because ours is useless, ours is like filthy rags, it won't do us any good in battle. Walk righteous, be righteous, for that is what He is in you.
Shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Interesting, amor for peace! What are your feet for, walking in places, standing, bringing you to places you're supposed to go; "Your word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path." (Psalm 119:105) Are we prepared, have we given ourselves over to His gospel of peace, there is no other, so that we can be brought to the places we're supposed to go?
ABOVE ALL, taking the Shield of Faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. This is amazing, all the fiery darts, man do we need this. Faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1) And faith comes by hearing and hearing The Word of God. (Romans 10:17) If we're not hearing, where is our shield of faith. Do we believe based on what we see?
Look at two previous verses; 6b and 7 doing the will of God from the heart, with goodwill doing service, as to The Lord, and not to men. If we aren't serving God, by His will, from our heart, not our mind, and doing it to The Lord and not to men, then we are missing the Armor of God right there. We're putting on something else, or mis using His Holy Armor.
We need the helmet of salvation, without it we are not saved. It also provides His vision, with His clarity. And oh do we need the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. This is the Rema, (Original Greek word) the spoken Word of God, living in your heart, guiding your every step, your every swing of that sword. But this is amor of peace, meant for prayer and supplication of the saints. The word supplication at its root means begging, and praying as if it's necessary, like food, or water, because it is necessary. So this armor is as much about prayer as anything, and it's meant for; being watchful to this end, with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints. To what end? Verse 18; praying always with all prayer and supplication (Begging, praying as a necessity) IN THE SPIRIT. If we are not Spirit filled, we can't accomplish this; Now, being watchful FOR ALL THE SAINTS!
We are born the first time in the flesh, in our mommy. Then Jesus in John 3 talks about being born a second time, being "Born Again" and this birth is by The Spirit. If we are not born again, we can't pray in the Spirit, and if we can't do this, we are without armor, and we can't intercede for each other, and we are left without protection, in this evil day, with all the wiles of the devil, wrestling against principalities, powers and and rulers of the darkness and against spiritual hosts of wickedness...how do we expect to survive, we can't. It's all connected, we need it all, without a piece missing, or we are caught unaware, unprotected, and without any hope.
That's why we live in a hopeless world, because without Christ, trying to survive on our filthy rags, we just can't make it, there literally is no hope without Him in our lives.
This is what the armor of God is fighting against. Not against people, flesh and blood, but against the real enemy, principalities, powers, rulers of darkness in THIS AGE, and against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. That is what we're fighting against, not each other, or man made things.
Verse 13 is having us take up that armor which we are empowered to do, like we are commissioned in His army, so His armor comes standard issue. Then it says; that you may be able to withstand, (That you're able to make it.) in the evil day. We cannot make it unless we have this armor on, it's His and He's given it to us, for our protection.
Gird your waist (Or loins) with truth. What are your loins made for, what is its purpose; seek truth, not the lie of the enemy in this evil time, when everything around you says that your loins were created for something else! Like everything else, it's for purity, which needs to be based in the truth of what we were created for, for holiness, set apart for the things of God, we were created in a certain way, a design for His purpose.
The Breastplate of righteousness. This is not from us, our righteousness, it's His, because ours is useless, ours is like filthy rags, it won't do us any good in battle. Walk righteous, be righteous, for that is what He is in you.
Shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Interesting, amor for peace! What are your feet for, walking in places, standing, bringing you to places you're supposed to go; "Your word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path." (Psalm 119:105) Are we prepared, have we given ourselves over to His gospel of peace, there is no other, so that we can be brought to the places we're supposed to go?
ABOVE ALL, taking the Shield of Faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. This is amazing, all the fiery darts, man do we need this. Faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1) And faith comes by hearing and hearing The Word of God. (Romans 10:17) If we're not hearing, where is our shield of faith. Do we believe based on what we see?
Look at two previous verses; 6b and 7 doing the will of God from the heart, with goodwill doing service, as to The Lord, and not to men. If we aren't serving God, by His will, from our heart, not our mind, and doing it to The Lord and not to men, then we are missing the Armor of God right there. We're putting on something else, or mis using His Holy Armor.
We need the helmet of salvation, without it we are not saved. It also provides His vision, with His clarity. And oh do we need the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. This is the Rema, (Original Greek word) the spoken Word of God, living in your heart, guiding your every step, your every swing of that sword. But this is amor of peace, meant for prayer and supplication of the saints. The word supplication at its root means begging, and praying as if it's necessary, like food, or water, because it is necessary. So this armor is as much about prayer as anything, and it's meant for; being watchful to this end, with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints. To what end? Verse 18; praying always with all prayer and supplication (Begging, praying as a necessity) IN THE SPIRIT. If we are not Spirit filled, we can't accomplish this; Now, being watchful FOR ALL THE SAINTS!
We are born the first time in the flesh, in our mommy. Then Jesus in John 3 talks about being born a second time, being "Born Again" and this birth is by The Spirit. If we are not born again, we can't pray in the Spirit, and if we can't do this, we are without armor, and we can't intercede for each other, and we are left without protection, in this evil day, with all the wiles of the devil, wrestling against principalities, powers and and rulers of the darkness and against spiritual hosts of wickedness...how do we expect to survive, we can't. It's all connected, we need it all, without a piece missing, or we are caught unaware, unprotected, and without any hope.
That's why we live in a hopeless world, because without Christ, trying to survive on our filthy rags, we just can't make it, there literally is no hope without Him in our lives.
Friday, March 2, 2012
The New Year, a new fast.
Well it's the new year. The Lord woke me up this morning with a request; fast and pray. I have been praying and fasting of and on for the past 3-4 week, but I have been "cheating." Coffee, an extra meal before I begin my fast again. I have been eating roughly one meal per day with few exceptions, but when I am eating my one meal, it has often been extending into later "one meals." Now I feel like He's asking me to go all the way.
I actually can't wait to see what this will look like. I love it when the Lord speaks so clearly. Most of us long for a time when The Lord speaks, we hear, and then are able to obey. He is so good, He is such a good Father. What a wonderful Go we serve, wow.
Thank You Lord, You are so faithful to me.
I actually can't wait to see what this will look like. I love it when the Lord speaks so clearly. Most of us long for a time when The Lord speaks, we hear, and then are able to obey. He is so good, He is such a good Father. What a wonderful Go we serve, wow.
Thank You Lord, You are so faithful to me.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)