Clean Today, And Everyday!

Each morning I wake up, I take a shower. Loosens up the muscles, helps my back feel better from inactivity. The best part is it takes all the dirt off. Each morning the process repeats itself. Our sin is like that dirt. It wants to come each day, and place itself upon us, but something is different if we are in Christ. The dirt can't stick. No matter how hard we're tempted, we don't have to give into sin. Christ didn't, and was crucified for it. We don't have to either because it is now, "Christ in us, the hope of glory." (Colossians 1:27) And, "It is no longer I that live, but Christ that lives in me." (Galatians 2:20) Sin can be defined as taking something of God's and using it as if it was your own. Everything is God's. Our breath, our eyesight, all the trees, everything. But we act is if it were our own, but it's not! Psalm 24:1 "The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness" There is nothing that isn't His, so let Him have it all and control it all, stop acting as though something were your even yourself. Gal. 2:20 again! "It is no longer I that live, but Christ that lives in me." Now put the two together: It is no longer I that live, but Christ that lives in me, the world and those who dwell therein. There, we said it, not let us live it.

One Body of Christ, not many bodies, only His, the One that He's coming back for.

If I am to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, (Matt 6:33) but I am in actuality seeking to build my own kingdom, there will be nothing good of that, even if it seems like there's fruit. For the Word of God will not return void. (Is 55:11) So why do we see all these divisions in the Body of Christ if we are seeking His kingdom first, if we are not indeed building our own. Instead of His Kingdom come, His will be done, on earth as it is in heaven, it has become our kingdom come, our will be done. We have churches closing left and right, fights and wars among us, people throwing out the meaning of God's word to tickle the ears of our dying congregations, and all why. because we're building His kingdom, I think not. Mark 16:15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. 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.” James 5:13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Are we seeing this, are we operating as One Body, One faith, One baptism, One Lord of all, who is in you all...(Ephesians 4: 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.) Why is this happening, James 1: 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. We have become like an old feeble man that wanders from half truth to half truth, stumbling about in the darkness of our own self worth.Instead of a many membered body we ahve become a many splintered body: 1 Corinthians 12 New King James Version (NKJV) 12 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant: 2 You know that[a] you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led. 3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. 4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same[b] Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. Unity and Diversity in One Body 12 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into[c] one Spirit. 14 For in fact the body is not one member but many. 15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? 18 But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. 19 And if they were all one member, where would the body be? 20 But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. 21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. 23 And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, 24 but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, 25 that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. 26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. 27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. 28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire the best[d] gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way. If we continue to do this on our own, with our won understanding, we will continue to fail, and see this old garment we're calling the Body, never be that true bride without spot or wrinkle He is coming back for. We have sinned, committed evil acts we call church, when in reality people are perishing outside of our doors.Proverbs 3:5-6 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct[a] your paths. We need Him to be our head, and be OK with us being His sheep, He the Good Shepherd. He alone can lead us beside the still waters that we so desperately need. We need every part functioning the way they were intended,We need to operate in this: 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. How can we love each other, if we're so busy stepping over other in pursuit of our own personal dreams instead of fulfilling His: John 17: 20 “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. Now that sounds more like that Bride without spot or wrinkle. This is the kind of Church I want to be a part of, the kind Christ Himself builds; Matt 16:18b ...on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

Work The Works Of God

Since we are the work of God, then our works should also be the works of God. Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Our DNA has changed if we are born again. We now have the DNA of Christ. We were made by Christ, Jeremiah 1:1A "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you..." and if He formed us, and redeemed us with His death and resurrection, then we are His and not our own. (1 Corinthians 6:20 For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.) I can of my self produce nothing of life, but in Christ, I can produce the works of God! Oh man, how good would that be! The works of God. Micah 6:8 He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God? There we have it. We are products of God, we should then produce for God, the works of God, YES! Galatians 6: 7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

The God of all is also the God of nature

GK Chesterton's book St Francis of Assisi proposes the intriguing theory that the Dark Ages resulted because paganism and mythologies had stained natural order so deeply that Christians could not percieve nature as part of God's revelation.as a result, virtually all forms of art sank to a low level during this period of civilization.

The worship of me

If we focus on ourselves instead of God, we stop worshiping Him, and start worshiping us. Nothing good can come from our righteousness, which is like filthy rags, but every good and perfect gift comes from God. What if God changed our hearts so that we desired only the good things of God? So that we stopped desiring this world, and the things of this world, and started desiring God, and His good and perfect gifts. Broccoli instead of ice cream. Peas instead of cookies. Would we even want that, or does that sound like a major bummer to us, a burden far to heavy to carry? The bible instead of a "good book." Prayer instead of a movie. This is a major difference and even a strange thought to us because of where our heart is, and the condition of our thinking. We have been raised in a western society with all it's benefits and foibles. We have been trained to think in certain ways, it's who we have become. I hate that about me. I want to have the mind of Christ, but how can I if all I think about are movies, music, food, books, things that don't bring life, but entertainment. Do not love this world or the things of this world the bible teaches us. (1 John 2:15) So let me love God more than this world. Let me love His son more than pizza, let me seek Him first and His righteousness and then all the thing sI actually need, and many I simply like, will be added to us. (Matthew 6:33)

Idol defined

Following is the definitions mainly used in the old testament. The word idol is not used in the new testament, unless there is a refrence to a god of the old. Idol defined Shiqquwts detestable thing or idol, abominable thing, abomination, idol, detested thing Isaiah 66: 3 He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog'sneck ; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine's blood; he that burneth incense, as if heblessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in theirabominations. T@raphiym idolatry, idols, image(s), teraphim, family idol a kind of idol used in household shrine or worship Cemel image, statue, idol 2 Chronicles 33: 15 And he took away the strange gods, and the idol out of the house of the LORD, and all the altars that he had built in the mount of the house of the LORD, and in Jerusalem, and cast them out of the city. Pecel idol, image Exodus 20: 4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heavenabove, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Tsiyr image, idol Isaiah 45: 16 They shall be ashamed , and also confounded , all of them: they shall go to confusion togetherthat are makers of idols. Tselem (Aramaic) image, idol Daniel 3: 1 Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. 2 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up . 3 Then the princes, the governors, and captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, were gathered together unto the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up ; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up . Ezekiel 8: 12 Then said he unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen what the ancients of the house of Israel doing the dark, every man in the chambers of his imagery? for they say , The LORD seeth us not; the LORD hath forsaken the earth. Leviticus 26: 1 Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall ye set up any image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I am the LORD your God. `otseb pain, sorrow idol Isaiah 48: 5 I have even from the beginning declared it to thee; before it came to pass I shewed it thee: lest thou shouldest say , Mine idol hath done them, and my graven image, and my molten image, hath commanded them. Maskiyth show-piece, figure, imagination, image, idol, picture show-piece, carved figure (of idols) imagination, conceit Psalm 73: 7 Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish. `etseb pain, hurt, toil, sorrow, labour, hardship pain hurt, offense toil, hardship vessel, creation, object (TWOT) idol Proverbs 15: 1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. Jeremiah 22: 28 Is this man Coniah a despised broken idol? is he a vessel wherein is no pleasure? wherefore are they cast out , he and his seed, and are cast into a land which they know not? Moloch Molech = "king" the name of the idol god of the Ammonites, to which human victims, particularly young children were offered in sacrifice. Its image was a hollow brazen figure, with the head of an ox, and outstretched human arms. It was heated red hot by a fire from within, and the little ones placed in its arms to be slowly burned, while to prevent the parents from hearing the dying cries, the sacrificing priests beat drums Eidoleion an idol's temple, temple consecrated to idols idol's temple1 So, these are the things we worship, and the things that are brought upon us when we do not worship the Lord and only Him. What are we doing? What have we done. We have brought curses upon our land, our houses, places of business and even places of worship, because we have done these things. Lord, please forgive us, in Jesus name.

Worship defined

I woke up this morning being convicted that I had had idols in my life, Food, anger, pride, lust. These, and others, are idols, and I have bowed my knee to them. While I am doing these things, I am not worshiping, adoring God. I am adoring these thing in my heart. I am trading God for pancakes. What holds my heart, and how often does it hold it. Thousands per day. Matthew 5:28 but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Jesus is the standard, not me. So If I break His standard, I have sinned. His standard is "and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." 2 Cor 10:5. This life is choking out the word of God in my heart so I don't hear or obey. Parable of the seed sower, Matthew 13. At a Promise Keepers event they quoted a stat that over 80% of men are hooked to porn, and now over 60 % of women are, that stat, has never been that high. That's worship, that much time and energy says that's an idol in our lives. How many sinful thoughts occupy our minds daily, all idols begging for our attention, when Christ is the only one worthy of that attention. Here are just a few of definitions of worship: Worship: It’s meaning and purpose, and what we do with it There are many words in the Greek and Hebrew and Aramaic words, the original words for both old and new testament, and I am looking at each one to see it’s meaning, and what we are to do with it; since we are to worship the one true God, and none other. Latreuo to serve for hire to serve, minister to, either to the gods or men and used alike of slaves and freemen in the NT, to render religious service or homage, to worship to perform sacred services, to offer gifts, to worship God in the observance of the rites instituted for his worship of priests, to officiate, to discharge the sacred office Ethelothreskeia voluntary, arbitrary worship worship which one prescribes and devises for himself, contrary to the contents and nature of faith which ought to be directed to Christ said of the misdirected zeal and the practice of ascetics Col 2: 23 These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religionand self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence. Eidololatreia the worship of false gods, idolatry of the formal sacrificial feats held in honour of false gods of avarice, as a worship of Mammon in the plural, the vices springing from idolatry and peculiar to it Col: 3: 5 Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. Koinonos a partner, associate, comrade, companion a partner, sharer, in anything of the altar in Jerusalem on which the sacrifices are offered sharing in the worship of the Jews partakers of (or with) demons brought into fellowship with them, because they are the authors of heathen worship 1 Cor 10:20 No, but I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God ; and I do not want you to become sharers in demons. Aven Aven = "vanity" a name used contemptuously for the following places of idolatrous worship a city in Egypt, possibly On (Eze. 30: Bethel with its calf worship (Hos. 10: A town or region in Syria (Amos 1: Na'aph to commit adultery (Qal) to commit adultery 1a usually of man 1a always with wife of another 1a adultery (of women) (participle) idolatrous worship (fig.) (Piel) to commit adultery 1b of man 1b adultery (of women) (participle) idolatrous worship (fig.) Proverbs 30:20 20 Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth , and wipeth her mouth, and saith , I have done no wickedness. Threskeia religious worship esp. external, that which consists of ceremonies religious discipline, religion James 1:26-27 26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his ownheart, this man's religion is vain. 27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this,To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. Ioudaismos the Jewish faith and worship, religion of the Jews, Judaism Sebazomai to fear, be afraid to honour religiously, to worship Romans 1:25 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator , who is blessed for ever. Amen. Sebomai to revere, to worship Matt 15:9 In vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men Sebazomai to fear, be afraid to honour religiously, to worship Romans 1: 25 For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. Own On = "strength or vigour" city in lower Egypt, bordering land of Goshen, centre of sun-worship, residence of Potipherah (priest of On and father-in-law of Joseph) A name Hadarah adornment, glory holy adornment (of public worship) glory (of the king) 1 Chron 16: 29 Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. Chamman incense altar, sun-pillar, idol, image used in idolatrous worship Cagad (Qal) to prostrate oneself (in worship) Isaiah 44: 17 And the residue thereof he maketh a god, even his graven image: he falleth down unto it, and worshippeth it, and prayeth unto it, and saith , Deliver me; for thou art my god. P@lach (Aramaic) to serve, worship, revere, minister for, pay reverence to (P'al) to pay reverence to to serve Daniel 3: 12 There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up . Polchan (Aramaic) service, worship Ramah height, high place as place of illicit worship Ezekiel 16: 24 That thou hast also built unto thee an eminent place, and hast made thee an high place in every street. 25 Thou hast built thy high place at every head of the way, and hast made thy beauty to be abhorred , and hast opened thy feet to every one that passed by , and multiplied thy whoredoms. Ni'uph adultery idolatrous worship (fig.) Ethnikos adapted to the genius or customs of a people, peculiar to a people, national suited to the manners or language of foreigners, strange, foreign in the NT savouring of the nature of pagans, alien to the worship of the true God, heathenish of the pagan, the Gentile Epistrepho transitively to turn to to the worship of the true God to cause to return, to bring back to the love and obedience of God to the love for the children to love wisdom and righteousness intransitively to turn to one's self to turn one's self about, turn back to return, turn back, come back Galatians 4: 9 But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to theweak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage ? Latreia service rendered for hire any service or ministration: the service of God the service and worshipof God according to the requirements of the Levitical law to perform sacred services Hebrews 9: 6 Now when these things were thus ordained , the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. Parapipto to fall beside a person or thing to slip aside to deviate from the right path, turn aside, wander to error to fall away (from the true faith): from worship of Jehovah Used one time: Hebrews 6: 6 If they shall fall away , to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh , and put him to an open shame . Porneia illicit sexual intercourse adultery, fornication, homosexuality, lesbianism, intercourse with animals etc. sexual intercourse with close relatives; Lev. 18 sexual intercourse with a divorced man or woman; Mk. 10:11, metaph. the worship of idols of the defilement of idolatry, as incurred by eating the sacrifices offered to idols Matthew 5: 32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery : and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery . Towdah confession, praise, thanksgiving give praise to God thanksgiving in songs of liturgical worship, hymn of praise thanksgiving choir or procession or line or company thank-offering, sacrifice of thanksgiving confession Jonah 2: 9 But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed .Salvation is of the LORD. T@raphiym idolatry, idols, image(s), teraphim, family idol a kind of idol used in household shrine or worship atsab to hurt, pain, grieve, displease, vex, wrest (Qal) to hurt, pain (Niphal) to be in pain, be pained, be grieved (Piel) to vex, torture (Hiphil) to cause pain (Hithpael) to feel grieved, be vexed to shape, fashion, make, form, stretch into shape, (TWOT) worship (Piel) to shape, form (Hiphil) to form, copy, fashion Nehemiah 8: 10 Then he said to them, "Go, eat of the fat, drink of the sweet, and send portions to him who has nothing prepared ; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." 11 So the Levites calmed all the people, saying, "Be still, for the day is holy ; do not be grieved." Epistrepho transitively to turn to to the worship of the true God to cause to return, to bring back to the love and obedience of God to the love for the children to love wisdom and righteousness intransitively to turn to one's self to turn one's self about, turn back to return, turn back, come back 1 Peter 2: 25 For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls. Shachah to bow down (Qal) to bow down (Hiphil) to depress (fig) (Hithpael) to bow down, prostrate oneself 1c before superior in homage 1c before God in worship 1c before false gods 1c before angel Genesis 24: 26 And the man bowed down his head , and worshipped the LORD. Ekklesia a gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place, an assembly an assembly of the people convened at the public place of the council for the purpose of deliberating the assembly of the Israelites any gathering or throng of men assembled by chance, tumultuously in a Christian sense an assembly of Christians gathered for worship in a religious meeting a company of Christian, or of those who, hoping for eternal salvation through Jesus Christ, observe their own religious rites, hold their own religious meetings, and manage their own affairs, according to regulations prescribed for the body for order's sake those who anywhere, in a city, village, constitute such a company and are united into one body the whole body of Christians scattered throughout the earth the assembly of faithful Christians already dead and received into heaven Matthew 16: 18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. James 5: 14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: Darash to resort to, seek, seek with care, enquire, require (Qal) to resort to, frequent (a place), (tread a place) to consult, enquire of, seek 1a of God 1a of heathen gods, necromancers to seek deity in prayer and worship 1a God 1a heathen deities to seek (with a demand), demand, require to investigate, enquire to ask for, require, demand to practice, study, follow, seek with application to seek with care, care for (Niphal) to allow oneself to be enquired of, consulted (only of God) to be sought, be sought out to be required (of blood) 1 Sam 28: 7 Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and enquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor. Shachah to bow down (Qal) to bow down (Hiphil) to depress (fig) (Hithpael) to bow down, prostrate oneself 1c before superior in homage 1c before God in worship 1c before false gods 1c before angel Pipto to descend from a higher place to a lower to fall (either from or upon) to be thrust down metaph. to fall under judgment, came under condemnation to descend from an erect to a prostrate position to fall down to be prostrated, fall prostrate of those overcome by terror or astonishment or grief or under the attack of an evil spirit or of falling dead suddenly the dismemberment of a corpse by decay to prostrate one's self used of suppliants and persons rendering homage orworship to one to fall out, fall from i.e. shall perish or be lost to fall down, fall into ruin: of buildings, walls etc. to be cast down from a state of prosperity to fall from a state of uprightness to perish, i.e come to an end, disappear, cease 2b of virtues to lose authority, no longer have force 2b of sayings, precepts, etc. to be removed from power by death to fail of participating in, miss a share in James 5: 12 But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation. Hebrews 3: 11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. John 11: 32 Then when Mary was come where Jesus was , and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died . John 12: 24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die , it abideth alone: but if it die , it bringeth forth much fruit. Eidolon an image, likeness i.e. whatever represents the form of an object, either real or imaginary used of the shades of the departed, apparitions, spectres, phantoms of the mind, etc. the image of an heathen god a false god Used only 4 times in the bible, but what I thin of most often when I think of worshiping, or having an idol of something! Eidololatreia the worship of false gods, idolatry of the formal sacrificial feats held in honour of false gods of avarice, as a worship of Mammon in the plural, the vices springing from idolatry and peculiar to it Col 3: 5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinateaffection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: Sebazomai to fear, be afraid to honour religiously, to worship used once: Romans 1: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator , who is blessed for ever. Amen. Sebasma whatever is religiously honoured, an object of worship of temples, altars, statues, idolatrous images Sebomai to revere, to worship SO what will I do with this new knowledge that I have been an idol worshiper? I will serve the one true God, and not any idols, in Jesus name.

Seeing is NOT believing!

We seem to be teaching people to lower the bar. The bar, the standard is Jesus Psalm 18:28 For You will light my lamp; The Lord my God will enlighten my darkness. 29 For by You I can run against a troop, By my God I can leap over a wall. 30 As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him. As for God, His way is perfect, so, is ours? Is it supposed to be? Are we supposed to be in Christ, or in ourselves? If we are in Christ, then our ways become His ways, His desires become ours, His love becomes our love, and isn't that perfect after all? But we will mess up? Are you sure, is that what you're banking on, you? What if we focused on Him instead of us, or our circumstance, our situation? Then we could walk on the water, for good. The only reason Peter stopped was because he started doubting God's word and started believing in his understanding instead. Yeah, we'll sink too if we do that, but what if we don't doubt. I mean, do we have to doubt, does it say that somewhere? Are we commanded to doubt, because I wouldn't want to disobey God, and trust or something, when I was supposed to be doubting this whole time. Peter believed and walked on the water, last time I checked, that's impossible. then he doubted, and he sank. So, why doubt? Why believe you have to doubt? Why not just have the faith of a child, and believe? It's only when we're taught otherwise do we start to doubt. Think about it; When you were a child, you believed a red fat man could come down your chimney and deliver your presents, and you didn't even have a chimney. Then what happened, you were finally taught that he wasn't real, so you stopped believing. You got old. When we become mature in Christ, we're still supposed to believe as a child. Believe, it's a lot better than doubting!

Christ at work in you, proofs of your faith, and of Christ through scriptures

December 1, 2013 Proofs of the Pudding “If you know that He is righteous, you know that every one that does righteousness is born of Him.” (1 John 2:29) The little book of 1 John provides a treasure trove of “proofs” that demonstrate the reality of the invisible spiritual change brought about by the new birth. There are two emphases: proofs based on personal experience and proofs based on intellectual awareness. Here is a short list of proofs we experience: Obedience to God’s commandments (1 John 2:2-5) 2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. The Test of Knowing Him 3 Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4 He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.Experience of God in our lives (1 John 2:13-14) Obvious “antichrists” in the world (1 John 2:18) 18 Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the[a] Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour.Worldly ignorance of Christianity (1 John 3:1) 3 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God![a] Therefore the world does not know us,[b] because it did not know Him. Sinners’ ignorance of righteousness (1 John 3:6) 6 Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him. Our love for fellow Christians (1 John 3:16-18) 16 By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17 But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? 18 My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. The indwelling Holy Spirit (1 John 4:13) 13 By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. Our love for godly behavior (1 John 5:2) 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. Here are proofs we have intellectual confidence in: The Holy Spirit’s anointing (1 John 2:20) 20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things. The holiness of Jesus Christ (1 John 2:29) 29 If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him. The Father’s love for us (1 John 3:1) 3 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God![a] Therefore the world does not know us,[b] because it did not know Him. Our eternal bodies to be like Christ (1 John 3:2) 2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. Hating a brother is like murder (1 John 3:15) 15 Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. Scripture’s message of eternal life (1 John 5:13) 13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life,[a] and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God. Assurance that we belong to God (1 John 5:19) 19 We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one Assurance that Christ has come (1 John 5:20) 20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. These evidences are primarily for the believer—that is, they are intended to assure the believer’s heart and mind of his security in Christ. John’s list is not intended to be complete but only to focus our thoughts on the obvious. When you count your blessings, remember these. HMM III

Thanksgiving

The was a man named Joseph and another man named Squanto, or Tisquantum, and strangely enough they are connected. Joseph was a brother of 12, whose father highly favored him, but he was so despised by his brothers that they fake killed him, and sold him into slavery. Squanto was kidnapped from America and sold as a slave in England. Both had to lean new languages, both were separated from their families. Both were educated and excelled at their educations. Tisquantum longed to be returned to America, and finally through Christian Englishmen, who bought his freedom, helped send him back. When he arrived his entire tribe was decimated by a disease probably brought by other whites, or English. Joseph was delivered from his prison eventually to interpret a dream Pharaoh had. His dream was a warning that there was going to be 7 years of plenty and 7 years of drought. Joseph was given the task of saving all the people by storing up grain for 7 years. Tsquantum, because he now spoke perfect english, came to a white settlement and communicated to the settlers ways of having enough food for the coming winter, which if he had not, possibly all would have died. In thanks, the whites invited Tisquantum and his new tribe to a celebration that lasted days, playing games, and eating a feast. God saves, He delivers, He rescues. He uses all things for good for those that love Him and are called according to His purposes. This morning my wife and I prayed, and we thanked God for His faithfulness of bringing us through all the betrayal, sickness, and trials of these last 9 months. God has birthed a new ministry from it. He has delivered my wife from cancer, and He has faithfully sustained us miraculously without a pay check. We have much to be thankful for. Thank You Lord so much. What people meant for evil, You have used for good, throughout history, and in our history. You are a good God, and we are thankful. In Jesus name, God bless you all, this day, and everyday. May you receive His blessings, amen.

Pride

Pride has been and always will be a horrendous, bad sin that even got angels kicked out of heaven. Pride has now been redefined and used excessively in the church, "I am proud of my daughter" people now say with fluency. Pride is evil, it always has been, and it always will be. Here is the full definition from Webster's 1880's dictionary: PRIDE, n. 1. Inordinate self-esteem; an unreasonable conceit of one's own superiority in talents, beauty, wealth, accomplishments, rank or elevation in office, which manifests itself in lofty airs, distance, reserve, and often in contempt of others. Martial pride looks down on industry. Pride goeth before destruction. Prov.16. Pride that dines on vanity, sups on contempt. All pride is abject and mean. Those that walk in pride he is able to abase. Dan.4. 2. Insolence; rude treatment of others; insolent exultation. That hardly we escap'd the pride of France. 3. Generous elation of heart; a noble self-esteem springing from a consciousness of worth. The honest pride of conscious virtue. 4. Elevation; loftiness. A falcon tow'ring in her pride of place. 5. Decoration; ornament; beauty displayed. Whose lofty trees, clad with summer's pride. Be his this sword Whose ivory sheath, inwrought with curious pride, Adds graceful terror to the wearer's side. 6. Splendid show; ostentation. Is this array, the war of either side Through Athens pass'd with military pride. 7. That of which men are proud; that which excites boasting. I will cut off the pride of the Philistines. Zech.9. Zeph.3. 8. Excitement of the sexual appetite in a female beast. 9. Proud persons. Ps.36. This is what pride used to mean. But now we have redefined it to be a good thing. Nowhere in scripture is there any good pride, there just isn't. If you think about having pride in filthy rags, nasty, blood ridden filthy rags, we might get a small picture of how silly it is for us to have pride in ourselves, in something we've done. Scripture is very clear that we are not to think highly of ourselves, because our worth outside of Christ is just that, filthy rags. So what is there to be proud of? Instead of pride in people, and none of us are worthy of that. How about love instead. Instead of us being proud of someone, how about we just love and bless them. We don't need pride, and besides, it's bad! Here are just 25 scriptures on pride, there are many more: I will break down your stubborn pride. Leviticus 26:19 The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rocks and make your home on the heights, you who say to yourself, ‘Who can bring me down to the ground?’ Obadiah 1:3 His pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the LORD his God. 2 Chronicles 26:16 In his pride the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God. Psalm 10:4 For the sins of their mouths, for the words of their lips, let them be caught in their pride. Psalm 59:12 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2 Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice. Proverbs 13:10 Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18 A man’s pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honor. Proverbs 29:23 The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride. Ecclesiastes 7:8 The eyes of the arrogant man will be humbled and the pride of men brought low; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day. Isaiah 2:11 I will punish the world for its evil, the wicked for their sins. I will put an end to the arrogance of the haughty and will humble the pride of the ruthless. Isaiah 13:11 Babylon, the jewel of kingdoms, the glory of the Babylonians’ pride, will be overthrown by God like Sodom and Gomorrah. Isaiah 13:19 The LORD Almighty planned it, to bring low the pride of all glory and to humble all who are renowned on the earth. Isaiah 23:9 But when his heart became arrogant and hardened with pride, he was deposed from his royal throne and stripped of his glory. Daniel 5:20 “Do not go beyond what is written.” Then you will not take pride in one man over against another. 1 Corinthians 4:6 Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load. Galatians 6:4 Your heart will become proud and you will forget the LORD your God. Deuteronomy 8:14 Unleash the fury of your wrath, look at every proud man and bring him low. Job 40:11 Though the LORD is on high, he looks upon the lowly, but the proud he knows from afar. Psalm 138:6 The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished. Proverbs 16:5 Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud. Proverbs 16:19 Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor. Proverbs 18:12 The LORD Almighty has a day in store for all the proud and lofty, for all that is exalted (and they will be humbled). Isaiah 2:12 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 1 Corinthians 13:4 Use a different word, but don't use pride when you're describing your affection and feelings for others. I love my daughters, but I never want them to feel my, or anyone else's pride, just their love. Love replaces faith and hope as the greatest thing, do that, and everything else will come into it's reightful place, even pride, which belongs with the other dung we've been freed from.

How to raise a pagan kid in a Christian home; reprinted!

I read this, and thought it so touched on many of the things the Lord has shown us as parents, I had to copy paste! How to Raise a Pagan Kid in a Christian Home *Authors note: This post has gotten quite a lot of traffic. Several people (mainly practicing pagans) have pointed out that I used the word "pagan" in a way that doesn't fit the official definition. For my purposes here, I used that word to broadly define someone who rejects a biblical world view, fails to place God at the highest place in their lives, and is depending on something other than the cross for salvation. In hindsight, I probably could have gone with a different word. If you are a practicing pagan, please accept my apologies. Every Imperfect and Normal Family wants their kids to turn out right. So, we establish goals for character development and try to create an environment where our kids can mature. Church, school, sports teams, family relationships... each of these provides a context where our kids can learn to “love your neighbor as yourself.” Unfortunately, our “good” objectives might have absolutely nothing to do with the gospel of Jesus Christ. And we inadvertently end up raising pagans instead of Christians. Too many times, (Christian) parents have it as their goal to make their kids good and moral. It is as if the entire purpose of their family’s spiritual life is to shape their children into law-abiding citizens who stay out of trouble. The only problem with this goal is that it runs in stark contrast to what the Bible teaches. The gospel is not about making bad people moral, but about making dead people alive. If we teach morality without the transforming power of the gospel and the necessity of a life fully surrendered to God's will, then we are raising moral pagans. We end up teaching the wrong thing because we have the wrong objectives. This sentiment was stirred in me afresh when I read an interview with Veggie Tales creator Phil Vischer. He was reflecting on how the “Christian message” he was trying to teach wasn’t Christianity at all... "I looked back at the previous 10 years and realized I had spent 10 years trying to convince kids to behave Christianly without actually teaching them Christianity. And that was a pretty serious conviction. You can say, "Hey kids, be more forgiving because the Bible says so," or "Hey kids, be more kind because the Bible says so!" But that isn't Christianity, it's morality. . . And that was such a huge shift for me from the American Christian ideal. We're drinking a cocktail that's a mix of the Protestant work ethic, the American dream, and the gospel. And we've intertwined them so completely that we can't tell them apart anymore. Our gospel has become a gospel of following your dreams and being good so God will make all your dreams come true. It's the Oprah god.” So what is your objective? Do you teach your kids "be good because the Bible tells you to" or do you teach your kids that they will never be good without Christ’s offer of grace? There is a huge difference. One leads to moralism; the other leads to brokenness. One leads to self-righteousness; the other leads to a life that realizes that Christ is everything and that nothing else matters. I want my kids to be good. We all do. But as our kids grow up, the truth of the gospel can easily get lost somewhere between salvation (where we know we need Jesus) and living life (where we tend to say “I’ve got this”). My experience is that the vast majority of parents are encouraging moral behavior in their kids so that God will bless their (usually self-centered) pursuits. It's the American Dream plus Jesus. And it produces good, moral pagans. Consider the key objectives you have for your kids. Seriously, take a minute to think about what would deem you a successful parent. If your goals are focused on your kids’ behavior, their happiness, or their accomplishments (but don’t include a dependence upon Christ and a submission to His will and work), then you might want to make some adjustments. Because the world has enough pagans. Even plenty of really nice ones. What we need is kids who fully grasp the reality that they have nothing to offer, but who intimately know a God who has everything they need. Phil Vischer finally got this. What about you? *Check back in early 2014 for information on our new book, The Talk(s): A Parent's Guide to Talking about Sex, Dating, and Other Unmentionables. You can click on the link to read a brief excerpt. The book has been developed to assist parents as they help their kids navigate our hyper-sexualized culture. *And we always appreciate it when you share INFO posts on social media. If you want more from INFO for Families, you can subscribe on our home page, like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter, or even find us on Pinterest.

The Game of Trouble; The Game of Life

How many of us have played the kids game, Trouble? You push the thing, and the dice tumbles and then you move your plastic, thimble looking pieces around the board and the first one to get all your yellow, (My wives favorite) blue, (My favorite, and every other boy in our house's favorite, which means I usually don't get, lay down my flesh right!?) red, (Everyone else's favorite, and my 2nd favorite, which means I usually don't get this one either) and green (The color no one usually wants, which means it's the one I usually get!) pieces home wins. I felt the Lord guiding me last night as I was playing. I've felt Him do this many times before. This time I decided not to listen, and I got pummeled, lost my peace, and did not do well! If God can guide a game, can't He guide our lives too? Let me tell you this; if He doesn't guide you, you, I, we, WILL be in trouble, and I'm not talkin' about the game!

The flesh profits nothing

I was standing at the stove this morning when the Lord had me pray. Looking at the cook top, "The Lord is the master chef, and we are His dish. He deicides what ingredients to put in, not us. He decides when to serve, not us. So if the Lord isn't serving it; a word, a deed, then it's just me." John 6:63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The Spirit alone gives life. God Himself breathed life into us, as He did with Adam, the first man. I can't save, I can't heal, but we know Who can. No matter how hard I work in the flesh, I can never accomplish one thing that the Spirit can. Sometimes our sin doesn't seem to hurt anyone, it's just a nuisance. But what good is a nuisance? It's worthless, it profits nothing. Dead works the bible calls them. “Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and a faith toward God.” (Hebrews 6:1) Hebrews 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? There is nothing He can't do, none He can't save or heal. But there is nothing we can do if we are in our flesh, remember, the flesh profits NOTHING! According to Jesus, and that's my standard, and the only way that leads to life.

Handiwork of the Lord

The imprint of the day should be the handiwork of God, in every way, in every day. If " This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it." then we should see God's imprint on it, and not ours!(Psalm 118:24) A nock off Rolex might look the part, but it will not have the parts of a real Rolex. I don't want a knock off day, "But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24:15b) A knock off never has the same look and feel, if you know the real thing really well. I've even been told counterfeit bills are best seen if you know the originals inside and out. Do we know Christ in this way? Do we surrender our days to His bidding? "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10) Are we allowing God to be Lord master, savior, ruler of the day? Is it our day or His? Again, "...as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24:15b)

Pride goes before a fall

Pride goes before a fall....Proverbs 16:18 The Hebrew word here is the same used for majesty. Pride is arrogance, which is defined as: having or revealing an exaggerated sense of one's own importance or abilities. Haughty, conceited, self-important, egotistic, full of oneself, superior... Majesty is defined as:impressive stateliness, dignity, or beauty. Royal power. But here is our response: Jude 1:25 to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. If our righteousness is as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6) then we should not get any of the glory, and we have no majesty, and we should have nothing to be proud about. Isn't that the basis for satan's own fall, pride, thinking he was something he was not? Seeing how we are tempted, and how The Lord Himself was tempted will help us to say no to the devil. Every time we are tempted, let us look at it like it is from the devil, and say no, every time! Matthew 4 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. 3 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” 4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”[a] 5 Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’”[b] 7 Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’”[c] 8 Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you,[d] Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’”[e] 11 Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him. Let us look out, we too are tempted by the devil. 2 Corinthians 10:5 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ... Take every thought captive. Look at every temptation the same way Jesus did, and rebuke the devil, and he will flee from you! James 4:7 Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Remember, it just takes submitting to God! He has all the power, all the authority, all the majesty, and we have Him!

Infant baptism.

It's either a truth or a lie, false or true. Many teach that baptism can save, or that it's essential to salvation. Often times Acts 16 is quoted as proof for infant baptism as well. The problem with infant baptism is there are no infants mentioned anywhere in the bible that are baptized! And as scripture for a pattern, and inspired by The Holy Spirit, we must follow God's pattern, not our own, or tradition, but simply the Word of God. Now back to Acts 16, please, read this for yourselves as well, here is a brief summary. Paul & Silas were thrown in jail for preaching the Gospel of Christ. They sang songs of praise to God, then an earthquake shook the prison and they were loosed from their chains. The jailor came and saw the prison doors opened and thought they had escaped. Paul & Silas told him they were there still. The jailor said, "What must I do to be saved? " "You must believe on the Lord, and you will be saved, you and your whole household." They told him. Nothing about having to be baptized, just believe on Jesus. This is actually a pattern set forth for us to know when to baptize, for when the jailor took them to his home, Paul & Silas spoke the word of God to the jailor and his whole house....an infant mentioned? No. Then they were baptized, after hearing the word. Was it told that baptism was a part of salvation? No. By the way, the word baptized means to be immersed, or brought under the water, not sprinkled. (Strongs Greek 907, greek, baptizo)So we're even doing that sprinkle part wrong! It's sweet to take everything you have, and dedicate it to the Lord, especially something as sweet, and as important as our children. So we dedicate them, not baptize them, until they come to faith in Christ. Ephesians 2: 8 "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast." Water cannot save, no matter how holy, or who it's anointed by, but grace alone, through faith can save. Whenever the devil comes and speaks doubt to us about God's word, we are supposed to hit him with other scripture, like Jesus did when He was being tempted by the devil. Study the scriptures, make them a part of your life, devour them as if they could save your life, because they can. Here is another great scripture on how and when someone should be baptized, again, the Word of God won't return void, but our trartitions can, and often do: Acts 8: 36 Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?” 37 Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”[c] "If you believe with all your heart..." this should be why we get baptized. There is another baptism, one of the Holy Spirit and with fire. Matthew 3:11"As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire." Jesus Himself promised "power from on high" Luke 24:49 "And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high." Then it came, Acts 2 The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost "1When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them."

God deals with us as sons

The Lord is really faithful, so He deals with us as sons. He corrects as, because He loves us, as we fathers are supposed to do with our sons. Matthew 6:19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. The Lamp of the Body 22 “The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness! You Cannot Serve God and Riches 24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. Do Not Worry 25 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? 28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matthew 7:24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. 26 “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.” He corrects us, because He loves us. He will never stop correcting us, because He will never stop loving us. It's not the fleshly kind of correction we might see from a human, it's the life saving kind of correction that we all need. A word spoken in right circumstance. He loves us, He corrects us. We cannot receive one, without the other, or expect one without the other.

1 Peter 4

Below you will see scriptures that can effect your life and the way you live it if you choose to believe His word and apply it to your life, and actually live by it!!
Verse 1, "ceased from sin." !!!


1 Therefore, since Christ suffered for us[a] in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. 3 For we have spent enough of our past lifetime[b] in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. 4 In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you. 5 They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
Serving for God’s Glory

7 But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. 8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”[c] 9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. 10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Suffering for God’s Glory

12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.[d] On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.[e]
17 For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 Now


“ If the righteous one is scarcely saved,
Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?”[f]

19 Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.

Christmas, for real!

DISPELLING the MYTHS of TIME One of the more recent Christmas traditions has been the repeated assertions, on the internet, in the press and from some pulpits, that the 25th December could not have been Jesus' actual birthday. Examining the Historical Record According to this position, He could have been born on almost any other day of the year, except 25 December. It is asserted that 25 Dec. had originally been the pagan winter solstice festival, which had been taken over by the Christians to promote the new faith. In doing so, many of the old pagan customs crept into this new Christian celebration. Numerous articles, booklets, radio programmes and even T.V. documentaries have been produced asserting this position. Myths However, this opinion is itself based upon historical myths, incomplete research and ignorance of history. Christmas Predates Constantine Christians have celebrated the Incarnation and nativity of the Lord Jesus on December 25 since the earliest centuries. Long before the conversion of Constantine in AD312, and the end of the persecution by the Roman Empire, 25 December was already established as a venerable and tenured tradition for celebrating Christmas Day. Christmas Predates Catholicism The assertion, therefore, that Christmas is a creation of the Roman Catholic church and that it has something to do with the mass, is false. The tradition of Christmas, the Christ Festival, long pre-dates the establishment of what became Roman Catholicism. Pagan Attempt to Hijack Christmas It is true that one Roman Emperor, Aurelian, did attempt to inaugurate 25 Dec. as a pagan festival "the birth of the unconquered Sun." This was in AD 274. Aurelian was attempting to breathe new life into a declining paganism devastated by the advances of Christianity. However, the Roman pagan festival was instituted after the Christians had already been celebrating the birth of Christ on that day for many decades. Their pagan festival was an attempt to create an alternative tradition, which already was associated with the birth of Christ, and of some significance to the Roman Christians. This is not a case of Christians imitating the pagans. The pagans were attempting to imitate the Christians, by celebrating the Sun on the day when Christians celebrated the Son of God. Comparing Calendars Already in the 2nd Century, church councils had attempted to establish the actual time of Christ's birth. This was tied up with discussions over the date of Easter, the commemoration of Christ's Death and Resurrection. Because Scripture identifies Christ's death at the time of the Jewish Passover, the time of year could be known with precision. However, differences in the Jewish, Greek and Latin calendars, and the discrepancies between the Lunar (moon) and Solar (sun) date keeping caused intense debate over whether to observe Easter on a fixed date, no matter which day it fell on, or to ensure that it always fell on a Sunday, the first day of the week, as identified in the Gospels. The Annunciation On the basis of records available to them at that time, the early Church established 25 March as the Feast of Annunciation to mark when the Angel first appeared to Mary, and as the date of Christ’s conception. They also came to consensus that Christ was born 9 months later - on 25 December. 25 March used to be New Year's Day It needs to be noted that, from the earliest days of the Roman Imperial calendar, the New Year was celebrated on 25 March - the first day of spring (in the Northern hemisphere). This is why September, October, November, December derived from the Latin words, Septem (7), Octo (8), Novem (9), and Decem (10). The New, New Year's Day The celebration of the New Year on 1 January dates back to the adoption of the Gregorian calendar in 1600, in Scotland and 1752, in England. From the 17th Century, 1 January began to be celebrated in Christian nations as a day of Renewal - a renewal of vows, vision and vocation. It was on this day that guild members took their annual pledge, that husbands and wives renewed their marriage vows, and young believers recommitted themselves to walk in the Grace of the Lord. In the Darkness 25 December occurs in the northern hemisphere in the darkest time of the year. 25 Dec is during the longest nights, and shortest days of the year. So, the early Church establishing that the Incarnation, when Christ was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, occurred on the first day of spring, 25 March, and that His Advent occurred when He was born at the darkest time, during the longest night of the year, 25 December. A Light Has Shone "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined… For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His Name shall be called, Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His Government and peace there will be no end." Isaiah 9:2-7 New Covenant 1 January, as the first day of the New Year, follows 8 days after the birth of Christ, on the day when he would have been circumcised and come officially under the Covenant. An Age of Presumption It is remarkable how so many people today, with no historical research, and next to no knowledge of the historical realities and complexities of 2,000 years ago, can assume that they know better than learned men and Church councils convened much closer to the events in question for the express purpose of ascertaining the most accurate dates of Christ's birth, Crucifixion and Resurrection. But then, we live in a world where everything is being questioned - even God's Law and the Word of God. Victory Over Paganism Instead, we should celebrate that Christ's Coming did replace desperation with joy, oppression with celebration, human sacrifices with Christmas Festivals; Christ replaced Baal, Molech, Apollo, Mars, and Thor. At the time of greatest darkness, Christ came. "The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it." John 1:5 Christmas is a time to celebrate Christ's victory over paganism. New Year's Day is a time to renew our vows, vision and vocation, and the first day of spring to celebrate the Life of Christ. Dr. Peter Hammond

What is our standard?

I guess my bigger question is, what is our standard; man, our traditions, or His holy word? To make it simpler, what is Jesus's standard for our lives, because I want what He has for me, not my own understanding! Here is what I found in reference to our standard on remembering someone's sin, and whether forgiveness is forgetting according to God, our one true standard: 3415 mnavomai , mnah'-om-ahee: middle voice of a derivative of 3306 or perhaps of the base of 3145 (through the idea of fixture in the mind or of mental grasp); to bear in mind, i.e. recollect; by implication, to reward or punish:--be mindful, remember, come (have) in remembrance. Compare3403. Hebrews 8:12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. My concern too is what I just read this morning, 1 Corinthians 3: And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; 3 for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? 4 For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not carnal? Watering, Working, Warning 5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. 8 Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor. 9 For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. 10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. 11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. 16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 17 If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are. Avoid Worldly Wisdom 18 Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their own craftiness”; [a] 20 and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.”[b] 21 Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours: 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come—all are yours. 23 And you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s. If you and I are temples of God, then if I teach you something according to my tradition, or something I read in someone's commentaries, or MY understanding of His word, and it's inaccurate, then I am defiling you... Also, John 4:24: 4 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” If I am going to hold those who are set above me, teaching my family and friends, accountable to the word of God, and Christ's standard, I too must allow them to hold that same standard to me. So please, tell me where I am in error. As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17)

The plan of God for your life

Each one of us has a specific call, a purpose, and a plan known only to God, but revealed to us by His Spirit. Philippians 3:17 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. 18 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things. 20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.4:1 Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved. It is a hard line to try and walk in the flesh as a Christian and try to still fulfill God's call on your life. While I was praying this morning, I thought about our purpose, and that even in the world everything that was made seems to have a fairly specific purpose. A bike was made to ride. A book, made to read. You are called by God for a very specific purpose, and you can't fulfill it by a work in the flesh. Romans 8: There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. Let me say it plainly; we cannot please God by walking in our flesh. Our strength has limits, God's does not. Our understanding, our abilities, everything we are is weak compared to God. I cannot fulfill the perfect plan and purpose God has for me, by me. I must submit to the will of God, walk in the Spirit, and put on the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:16) "Lord help us to be able to let You lead. Sheep do not make good shepherds. You are that One and only Good Shepherd, and we are Your sheep. Lord we trust in You to lead us and guide us, to bring us to Your side. You alone are God, and You alone are good. We Love You Lord, in Jesus Name, amen."

Does baptism save? NO!

Jesus was baptized, but then something interesting happened. The Holy Spirit descended upon Him as a dove. The disciples were baptized by the Holy Spirit and with fire. In the Old Testament people were baptized, as well as the new. The new testament is Jesus, the living Word. The first judgement of God upon the earth was when He flooded the whole earth, with water. The second judgement to come is going to be fire. Many in traditional churches believe it is necessary to be baptized in order to receive salvation, and that grace, or the cross, or His blood isn't enough. Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. Baptism can't save you, but Christ can. I believe we should be baptized, but I do not believe, as some do, that it alone can save us. Using the above verse, this discussion reminds me of circumcision verses non circumcision. Jesus, Paul and Stephen all told the religious leaders, "You uncircumcised of heart..." The Jewish leaders at the time of Jesus had instituted over 300 additional commands after The Lord gave Moses the law. The Jews taught that unless you were circumcised you could not go to heaven. Just like the Pharisee in us, we want to put additional commands on His Holy Church today, that keeps them from salvation, unless we do all the right things, according to man, or even according to man's interoperation of scripture. Our salvation is not gained by our works, but by grace. If we think something we do will gain us, or our children, entry into heaven, then we believe we are saved by works. There are a few scriptures that tell us about being baptized by His Holy Spirit, which can happen at the time of baptism, before it, or after it. In the case of Jesus listed above, it was after. In the case of the first filling of the Sprit, in Acts 4, it was before. It is a separate filling that Jesus desires for us. If we are not filled with the Spirit, as Jesus promised that He would send, how can we go out, unless we are "filled"? Acts 1:8 "but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth." It is not us, it is Him. We don't have the power or ability to save ourselves or anyone else, that is to Christ alone be the glory, forever and ever, Amen!

The 900 pound man; The Lord's provision verses ours

I just watched a show about a 900 pound man. This morning when I wake up I feel The Lord saying to me when I am tempted to overeat that it is the same spirit that killed that man of gluttony. So I felt I was supposed to say out loud, "What fellowship does light have with darkness. In The name of Jesus I rebuke the spirit of gluttony in this house forever." (2 Corinthians 6:14) Lust and gluttony are often connected. My wife had a dream in the same night. She was in this castle and whenever someone thought about a certain food, a waiter came a delivered it to them. My wife loves to serve, and so she tried going in the kitchen, but the servants did not allow her to lift one finger, she insisted, but they would not change. God gives us what we need, He desires to give us good gifts, all we have to do is receive them. It is not our job to go and manufacture The Lord's provision, that's up to Him, because He alone knows what we need. He's not into over supplying, but in meeting our needs. Though I've known The Lord to give abundantly, it is not so we can spend it on our own pleasure. In fact, if we do, we may get in the way of the Lord providing. (James 4) Just like in the dream, The Lord knows what we need even before we ask. (Matthew 6:8) I just pray that we'd allow God to provide the way He wants, and that we'd not get in His way. We will never be able to out serve Him, for we will never be God.

Lord I need you

Romans 12 verses 1 & 2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed t this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. This is the scripture that came to me this morning after breaking a fast. Then when I came down stairs after praying with my wife about this, she read Max Lucado’s daily devotional, Grace For The Moment, and today’s scripture is 1 Corinthians 6:19 19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? As Max says, we don’t want someone to trash our house, so don’t trash God’s house, which we are. I’m on a fast right now. Two days ago, thinking I was between 16 and 19 years of age, playing kick ball with the kids. I was rounding 3rd base headed home when a cute little 7 year old decided to walk right in front of the freight train, that was not slowing down real easy. So I had a choice. To plow into a 59 pound little girl, with my 250 pounds, or take a fall. I took the fall. Ouch. My rib. Yesterday I was walking up the stairs with a silver serving tray with two pizzas on it, as if I were serving a god, and I couldn’t see the stairs, I thought they kept going, so I hyper extended my knee, or something that hurts really bad this morning. After checking with my doc this morning, I am going to be fine, just sore...maybe for a really long time. Was it worth it? No. OK, so I’m not 16, or 17, not even 18 or 19. I am 47. I now have a different set of callings than I did when I was younger. Husband, father, I have a job. But this remains, I am a Christian. I am His. This scripture came to me yesterday: Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; You see I am not my own, I have been brought with a price, His perfect sacrifice, the one where He laid His life down for mine. Trash for treasure. He did that, for me. I can be a freight train with my will intact. I can mow over my opponents with great weight. Instead of letting The Lord have His way. With everything I have my way in, I am like a freight train, mowing over whoever just happens to get in the way. I need Jesus to be my words, not measure them, but be them. I need Jesus. “Lord I need you, everyday I need you.” In the morning, in the evening. With every thought I can’t contain, with every moment of pain, Lord, I need you. If the enemy is going to attack us, let us not give him any ammunition, any opportunity. So if I am fasting, I shouldn't be eating. I should be doing what He has called me to do, at all times, in every way. Without exception, without excuse. Lord, I need you.

Content to be who He made me to be, at this time in my life

I think I am between the ages of 16-19, still believing that all things are possible, which in part is good, except when it's not The Lord speaking. Romans 12 just came to me literally after I started this! Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; When we operate in the Spirit anything is possible, because it's Him at work in us, and not us! (Philippians 2:13) So yesterday I go out to play kickball with the kids, and some neighborhood kids. I am not 16. I am not 17, 18 or 19. This year I will turn 48. That's almost 50, almost. Wisdom at some point should take over, but sometimes my desire wins out. I was rounding 3rd headed for home when it happened. She, the cutie with the sheepskin on, got in the way, it was either cream her, at 59 lbs, verses 250 pounds, or take a fall. I took the fall. Today I can feel the cracked, broken or bruised rib, not sure which, and I am REALLY sore. Moving is an issue! As the above verse states, I need to learn my place. I need to keep in that gifting and calling that God has put me in. Not me has put me in, but God has put me in. "Lord, let me learn my place in You. It's a good place, and I need to be content to stay right where you put me. Cause it's the right place. In Jesus Name, amen."

With God all things are possible.

155 days ago I was ousted from an organization I helped start. Not that I'm keeping track...(I actually had to do the math) My wife had cancer, no pay check this whole time, but in all of that, I have still felt the Lord holding my heart. It has been an amazing ride. A combination of Joseph, being betrayed by his brothers, visions and dreams, and Job, losing all that he did. But yet I can see how even in a prison cell, Jesus is still there, in charge, just like He was before prison. Instead of waking Jesus during the midst of the storm, to save the boat and our lives, I decided, through the grace of God, that I'd just walk with Him on the water through the storm instead. As we approach actually starting the new org we've been working on since March 1st, (The 155 days ago!) I don't want to lose track of all He did, and is doing, and all that He said He would do in the future. Angels at our house, prophecies, miracles of provisions, healing. There have been so many signs, that if I had not written them down, there would be no way for me to remember them all. Our God is so good, so faithful, so true to His word. I am looking forward to seeing what He will do. There's not much I can do, but wait, then there's a promise attached to that, Isaiah 40:31 "Yet those who wait for the LORD,Will gain new strength;They will mount up with wings like eagles,They will run and not get tired,They will walk and not become weary." All those are things that are impossible, but what is impossible with man, all things are possible with God. (Matthew 19:26)

Why date? Is it our choose?

When God saw that man was alone He said it is not good, and made a helper suitable for him. (Genesis 2:18) This is our first picture of what God's plan is for relationships between a man and a woman. Before you were known to the world God had a plan for you, and even shaped and formed you for that purpose. (Jeremiah 1:5) We have choices, but "We are His workmanship created in Him to do good works, which He prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10) Good works. God said after His creation, that it was good, so the fact that He created Eve, not just any woman, but Eve as the suitable helper, I believe this is a pattern that God wants to continue, by making those "suitable helpers" for us all. I believe we can't choose wisely enough to supersede God's wisdom, in any matter. Some believe it's their choice in life to do whatever they want. Even Christians have been tricked by the deceiver, for he is the father of lies, (John 8:44) to think we have any rights at all to make any choices. Galatians 2:20 states, " I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." So it's not me at work in me, but, Philippians 2 " 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure." So that takes the pressure off of us to pick and choose a mate, it's Him at work, not us. Also, Christ wants to, "equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen."(Hebrews 13:21) Notice it says doing His will, not our own, "for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body." (1 Corinthians 6:20) Then one of His promises, "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:6) I love it that God prepares His work in us, that He prepares it beforehand that we should walk in it, again, it takes all the pressure off us to perform, or to choose rightly. It's His choice, let's let Him choose our mates for life.

Shine like the stars in heaven

There were two disciples of Jesus, who in Mark 10 asked to be seated by Jesus in Heaven, one on His right, one on His left. In Mark 16 Jesus is taken up and is seated at the right hand of God. The disciples had asked for God's seat...In our pride and arrogance we assume God's seat of authority, taking what we deem as our rightful place. This morning as I walked while it was dark, the stars were very bright. One of my favorite things to see is a "moving star," a satellite zooming across the sky, at over 18,000 miles per hour! You can actually se them, and they very much appear like stars. If we take the place of God, and do not humbly receive our rightful place, at His feet in worship, we are in trouble of assuming the very wrong place of receiving worship ourselves. We were never meant to be worshiped. "Forgive us Lord for assuming the place of worship, instead of assuming a place to worship, to worship You. Let us bow even now in adoration of who You are, wonderful, counselor, mighty God....let our praise go on, and on, forever in worship." God placed us in place, to receive His light, and shine like the stars. Not hurtle through space at 18,000 miles per hour. But that's how this life can feel, like we're a projectile, who only has so long to live, then we burn up in the atmosphere. NO, we are made to be like the stars in heaven to shine for His glory, not our own! Philippians 2:15 so that you may become blameless and pure, "children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation." Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky

Protective Father - The Spirit Gives Life

This picture from a friend of mine, Peter Hammond, was titled "Protective Father. I tend to be like this with my kids. I want to hold onto them, keep them as close as I can, so they don't get hurt. We should not do this out of fear. Fear, as a gauge of love, is never right. Perfect love, in fact, casts our fear. (1 John 4:18) I just pray that we'd love our kids, love people enough, to really love them, without fear.There's a way that seems right to a man, but its end is in death. (Proverbs 14:12) Our flesh is not a good gauge of living in any way. The works of the flesh bring death, where the works of the Spirit bring life. (Galatians 6) If I walk in the Spirit all things are possible, but if I walk in hte flesh, I may on;y produce death. "Lord, let us give life, let us give only You. In Jesus Name, amen.

Into the fire

Yesterday on facebook, I posted about being in a small fire. Today when I woke up two scriptures came to me. The first was putting on the full armor of God, (Ephesians 6) which was in the study I read this morning which I will post today! The 2nd was the biblical story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. The king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar, was an evil king that wanted everyone to worship him. He built a giant statue and upon hearing this certain music, all would bow to worship him. He called all the people together and told them what to do. All but three people in his kingdom bowed when the music was played. These three that didn't bow were brought before the king and told to bow, they wouldn't, so he through them into a firey furnace. The king looked into the fire and saw 4 men. The fourth looked like "the son of the gods." I believe that was Jesus, the son of God. (Daniel 3) God wants to be with us in this blazing inferno we call life. So He sent Jesus to die for us, to take away all our sins, so God, who is holy, can be with us forever. He even gave us armor to put on for this life. The helmet of salvation, the sword of the Spirit, the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, our loins girded with truth and our feet shod with the preparation of the gospel. (Ephesians 6) The three men came out not even smelling of fire. Yesterday I was within inches of a small fire, and I wreaked of smoke! We have to not only walk with Jesus in these crazy times, we have to "be empowered to" put on the full armor of God. We have to be ready. Are you ready? God bless you.

The tool God uses.

Two observations today. I was walking by someones new barn, and saw how perfect the cement was, how smooth it was. I saw what looked like a trowel, the tool they use to smooth the cement out, and thought how funny it would be if they buried it in the cement, left it sticking up to pay homage to the trowel?! How silly would it look for us to pay homage to the tool, instead of the master craftsmen who did the work. We want thanks and praise for our good words and works, though we are just the tools that God uses to accomplish the work. We should just be happy to be used by Him at all. So instead of wanting the glory, let us give Him all the glory. I mean, how good would it look on your favorite car, to see mounted on the side panel the hammer used to pound the metal into place... Let us be humble Lord, the tools that You would use to build "Your kingdom come, Your will be done"... let us be content with You receiving all glory and all honor. After a short rain storm passed I was able to go on my walk. I was thinking how cool it would be if I saw lighting and a sun rise, I've never seen the two together. To the East where the sun was coming up, rain storm, no sunrise. To the west, pink, dramatic cloud formations. So in the direction of the sun, I could not see, but away from the sun I could. The storms of our lives want to block out the Son of God like that. When disaster comes, tragedy, it wants to block all the goodness of God. Job lost everything, all within minutes. "The greatest of all people in the east." Oxen & donkeys taken, (500 of each) servants killed. Fire of God fell from heaven fell from heaven burned up the sheep (7,000 sheep) Camel raided (3,000) and servants killed. All of his seven sons and three daughters killed. Upon hearing all this, he fell to the ground and worshiped the Lord. "Blessed be the Name of The Lord" he said. What will the storms of life cause you and I to say? I pray we'd do the same, humble ourselves and pray, and worship The Lord God Almighty. Let the storms not keep you from worshiping God.

Walk worthy of this life

I was wearing my FCA shirt yesterday. (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) This morning I was thinking about how I need to walk worthy to wear this shirt, but then I thought, wow, as a Christian I need to walk worthy of this life. As a Christian I am more than a public servant, who is suppose to live to honor the people. If I am to be in Christ, then I should have no partnership with the world, not matter how big or small. James 3-5 is then what I read this morning. Here is one example: James 3: 13 "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom." But there are so many. 4: 17 Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin. 5: 7 Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. 8 You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. I am a Christian, as so, I must walk in Christ, obey Him, follow Him and not this world. He has been so faithful to die for me, now I want to live for Him! Ephesians 4:4 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with long suffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you[a] all.7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.