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)