Thursday, December 18, 2008
Luke 2:11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord
A savior is BORN, who is CHRIST The LORD..... My first Christmas as a Christian was Dec 25, 1984... It was a most memorable time... I was 32 years old and although I had seen many times over Christmas Day... Because I was now saved.. Finally I understood the true meaning of Christmas... Its not about the presents, its not about the tree, and its not about the parties and all the other things secular society interprets Christmas to mean....
Here is a simple Bible verse from the Holy inerrant Word of our Living Savior and GOD... That tells us ALL the true meaning of Christmas...
Luke 2:11
for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:12
"This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
Luke 2:13
And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
Luke 2:14
"Glory to God in the highest
Dear readers, this is the true meaning of Christmas...
All the other Christmas Holidays when I tried to capture the feeling of Christmas , the feeling always escaped me in fact I must say my pursuit of the Christmas spirit ....prior to knowing our LORD Jesus, would often leave me depressed..........I would say,.. after all this preparation and money spent..., Where is my joy...... The magical time that everyone around me was trying to obtain, always fell short...But not this time.. The feeling of Joy I experienced,... because I finally knew Jesus as my savior, forever in my heart changed my perception of the Christmas Holiday...
And therefore everyone Who is a disciple of Jesus...I most earnestly hope that GOD's Spirit will rest upon everyone as you enjoy the true Spirit of Christ during this Holiday and everyday....,
Acts 13:52
And the disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Therefore thus says the Lord God, Behold, I am laying in Zion for a foundation a Stone, a tested Stone,
*****************************************
Is 28:16
Therefore thus says the Lord God, Behold, I am laying in Zion for a foundation a Stone, a tested Stone, a precious Cornerstone of sure foundation; he who believes (trusts in, relies on, and adheres to that Stone) will not be ashamed or give way or hasten away [in sudden panic].
One of the many things that captured my attention with this verse of sciprture found in the Holy Bible, Who is laying this STONE,?????
He says Behold...I lay in ZION a foundation. ... It is the LORD GOD
Let us define ZION..........
Zion, it is the House where GOD dwells...or the community (City) and harmony of GOD
The Family of believers as expressed and represnted through fellowship or more accuartely describes as Koinonia...
YOU ARE the Dwelling place of Almighty GOD HIMSELF...
WE ARE ZION. and our Cheif Corner Stone is Jesus Christ. ..,
Eph 2:20
You are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus Himself the chief Cornerstone.
Eph 2:21
In Him the whole structure is joined (bound, welded) together harmoniously, and it continues to rise (grow, increase) into a holy temple in the Lord [a sanctuary dedicated, consecrated, and sacred to the presence of the Lord].
Eph 2:22
In Him [and in fellowship with one another] you yourselves also are being built up [into this structure] with the rest, to form a fixed abode (dwelling place) of God in (by, through) the Spirit.
1 Pet 2:5
[Come] and, like living stones, be yourselves built [into] a spiritual house, for a holy (dedicated, consecrated) priesthood, to offer up [those] spiritual sacrifices [that are] acceptable and pleasing to God through Jesus Christ.
We are a building figuartively, with Jesus HIMself being the Cheif corner stone..
How is this stone described...
Ps 118:22
The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief corner stone.
The stone that the builders rejected.... Those assigned to build GOD a house rejected the very stone that could establish the Building....... Now dont you start feeling bad when you face rejection.... Actually its a likely credential that identifes YOU as favorable building material to be used by GOD.
Ps 118:23
This is the LORD'S doing; It is marvelous in our eyes.
Yes GOD layed the stone.. Jesus..., It was prophecy fullfilled...
Ps 118:24
This is the day which the LORD has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Ps 48:1
Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, In the city of our God, His holy mountain.
Ps 48:2
Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, Is Mount Zion in the far north, The city of the great King.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Mark 11:22 And Jesus *answered saying to them, "Have faith in God
*************
I have on more than a single occasion found myself unable to find a solution for some problem occurring in my life, be it an illness , a moral short coming although repentant, a financial problem , a job , a relationship, family or whatever.
The answer has always been, no matter the dilemma, was to have faith in GOD. I became more confident in living for Jesus as I observed the hand of GOD bringing forth saving grace and favor when I needed it most..... It was only then that I could truly appreciate a passage shown below....,
Observe what the Apostle Paul writes in 2 Cor 1
The Trial:
2 Cor 1:8
For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life;
I have on more than a single occasion found myself unable to find a solution for some problem occurring in my life, be it an illness , a moral short coming although repentant, a financial problem , a job , a relationship, family or whatever.
The answer has always been, no matter the dilemma, was to have faith in GOD. I became more confident in living for Jesus as I observed the hand of GOD bringing forth saving grace and favor when I needed it most..... It was only then that I could truly appreciate a passage shown below....,
Observe what the Apostle Paul writes in 2 Cor 1
The Trial:
2 Cor 1:8
For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life;
The reason for the Trial:
2 Cor 1:9
indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead;
The results, the final product of the Trial... Trust in GOD..
2 Cor 1:10
who delivered us from so great a peril of death, and will deliver us, He on whom we have set our hope. And He will yet deliver us,
Paul came to the conclusion that if they were in a humanly insurmountable situation and they could see no way out..., that indeed GOD could and would save them....
Scripture says , .. so that we would not trust in ourselves........ This perplexing circumstance occurred so that... Trust in GOD could be realized ..or revealed.. We never know how much we really trust and have faith in GOD until a time of testing occurs in our lives..
Let me say this .. Trust is also a way of describing Faith... and Faith can be further defined as , Relying on GOD, Clinging to GOD and Yes trusting in GOD......
John 6:29
Jesus replied, This is the work (service) that God asks of you: that you believe in the One Whom He has sent [that you cleave to, trust, rely on, and have faith in His Messenger].
Having faith in God through our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ...produces results.., and lack of Faith well fuels very little results...
Little faith.... fewer results..........
Matt 13:58
And He did not do many miracles there because of their unbelief
Big Faith ....Big Results:......................
Mark 5:34
And He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace and be healed of your affliction."
We must never hold the idea of faith as a small matter.., it is the very thing that pleases GOD to the point that He reacts on your behalf...
Heb 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him [out].
Please readers, take note of a key word in the scripture.., Having Faith is also a work of diligence.. , a work of persistence... Personally I never stop praying about a matter until I get an answer from GOD... , that's right I never stop until GOD answers me , when He says ok Ormond I hear you , you can get out of my ear now...LOL.. GOD rewards diligence..
Luke 11:10
For everyone who asks and keeps on asking receives; and he who seeks and keeps on seeking finds; and to him who knocks and keeps on knocking, the door shall be opened.
Well the Beloved of GOD, the people He died for that you might Trust HIM... Praise His name.. Here is a song that represents the theme of this lesson...
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Matt 6:34 "So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Our Lord Jesus in this verse was giving us a truth that applies to daily living.
In today's terms we would say it something like this.. ,
There is always something, or if it aint one thing then it's another.
Things going wrong or trouble is a part of living in a sin filled world to make it plain. And, much of our time is often consumed by worrying about the happen stances of our life journey.
Jesus , our gracious LORD has an answer and a solution for this plight.
Matt 6:25
"For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
I love the scripture.
Matt 6:25 It explains to me in simple terms something I find miraculous. Jesus says is not life more the food.
I have given you life which is far greater in value than the food required to sustain that life.
I have given you a body, shall I not make sure you have clothing.
When we think about the complexity of the human body we can only stand in awe of the handiwork of GOD.
139:13
For You did form my inward parts; You did knit me together in my mother's womb.
Those of us who have our sin removed , we are ordained in purpose, with an entirely different life agenda than a life monopolized with the daily pursuit of life's neccesities......
.This is NOT for us.....the curse has been lifted.... our LORD has plans for us;
Jer 29:11
'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.
And in substance, being Born Again or Born from Above, to be distinctly different than those who know not GOD, and therefore can see no other way out than adhering to the Worlds system of living...
1 Pet 1:23
You have been regenerated (born again), not from a mortal origin (seed, sperm), but from one that is immortal by the ever living and lasting Word of God.
In today's terms we would say it something like this.. ,
There is always something, or if it aint one thing then it's another.
Things going wrong or trouble is a part of living in a sin filled world to make it plain. And, much of our time is often consumed by worrying about the happen stances of our life journey.
Jesus , our gracious LORD has an answer and a solution for this plight.
Matt 6:25
"For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
I love the scripture.
Matt 6:25 It explains to me in simple terms something I find miraculous. Jesus says is not life more the food.
I have given you life which is far greater in value than the food required to sustain that life.
I have given you a body, shall I not make sure you have clothing.
When we think about the complexity of the human body we can only stand in awe of the handiwork of GOD.
139:13
For You did form my inward parts; You did knit me together in my mother's womb.
Those of us who have our sin removed , we are ordained in purpose, with an entirely different life agenda than a life monopolized with the daily pursuit of life's neccesities......
.This is NOT for us.....the curse has been lifted.... our LORD has plans for us;
Jer 29:11
'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.
And in substance, being Born Again or Born from Above, to be distinctly different than those who know not GOD, and therefore can see no other way out than adhering to the Worlds system of living...
1 Pet 1:23
You have been regenerated (born again), not from a mortal origin (seed, sperm), but from one that is immortal by the ever living and lasting Word of God.
Our very existence is of extremely high value to the LORD , the provision for our existence takes far less effort from the LORD , so why worry. the LORD has you covered and delivers on His promise. I will never leave you or forsake you... Read this very very strong passage in the book of Hebrews ..
Heb 13:5
Let your character or moral disposition be free from love of money [including greed, avarice, lust, and craving for earthly possessions] and be satisfied with your present [circumstances and with what you have]; for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)!
No wonder the LORD tells us not to WORRY
Matt 6:31
"Do not worry then, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for clothing?'
He is very much aware of our state . We must not be like the Gentiles as described in scipture , meaning persons without GOD in their life.
Matt 6:32
"For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
Being consumed with the daily grind of living should not be our situation.
Matt 6:33 "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Our focus should not be to seek provision , our focus should be to seek the provider .
Getting on track with the LORD's purpose for you will remove you from being under the heavy burdens characterising those persons who are absent the knowledge of the saving power of Jesus.
Those who know not our LORD in the pardon of their sins endure an ongoing process of worry, frustration and confusion seeking things to make them happy.
And even when those things are had the happiness is short lived and the feelings they anticipated they would have once all their material possessions are had .. well the feelings are empty...
Eccl 2:11
Thus I considered all my activities which my hands had done and the labor which I had exerted, and behold all was vanity and striving after wind and there was no profit under the sun.
Lets us not fall short by focusing on the wrong things, let us find our purpose our happiness our fulfillment and yes our provision in JESUS!!!!
Matt 11:28
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.]
Matt 11:29
Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls. [Jer. 6:16.]
Matt 11:30
For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good--not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Amazing Grace How Sweet the Sound
I was recently blesed with a Youtube video clip that featured Whitel Phipps , the profound Minister of the Lord in Music and preaching. The story presented was about the the making of the song Amazing Grace. It is simply a must see.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfGytXRpfho
Eph 2:8
For it is by free grace (God's unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfGytXRpfho
Eph 2:8
For it is by free grace (God's unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God;
Friday, November 14, 2008
Moral and Social Conflict on Election Results
The conflict surrounds my faith in the incorruptible inerrant Word of God as written in the Holy Bible... and today's politics.. neither candidate lines up with what I deem fundamental Christian principles
Principle Number 1.) I am Pro-life.. because:
Ps 139:13 For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother's womb.
Obama defends abortion rights..
Principle Number 2.) I an against oppression and Believe we are to defend the defenseless
Ps 82:3 Vindicate the weak and fatherless; Do justice to the afflicted and destitute
The McCain camp was a woefully poor record regarding the plight of the underclass and middle class segment of our society.
:
Principle Number 1.) I am Pro-life.. because:
Ps 139:13 For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother's womb.
Obama defends abortion rights..
Principle Number 2.) I an against oppression and Believe we are to defend the defenseless
Ps 82:3 Vindicate the weak and fatherless; Do justice to the afflicted and destitute
The McCain camp was a woefully poor record regarding the plight of the underclass and middle class segment of our society.
:
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Commentary- Many are called but few are Chosen..
I received some welcomed feedback recently from a reader of this blog.. And of course with thier permission I wanted to share ...... here it is
Good Afternoon Ormond- I read your bible study. I have a minor correction if you don’t mind. I believe the scripture you made reference to about respecter of persons Acts 10:34, was taken a little of out context. As a matter of fact the church has taken this “respecter of persons” concept out of context entirely. When I read the whole chapter, what I got of it is “that respecter of persons statement” does not mean that God accepts everyone.
Actually it has nothing to do with general acceptance or choice. Acts 10:34 “Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons (doesn’t show favoritism or has high regards for stature, status quo). This is even substantiated with verse 35:
“But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.” The whole chapter of Acts 10 basically deals with the fact that God’s Holy Spirit is going to be poured out on those of different races, regions, etc. who have been cleansed.
God tried to reveal this to Peter in a vision but he doubted as to its meaning. Thus God sent him to the house of a man named Cornelius who was a centurion of a band called the “Italian” band (we are assuming a Non-Jew), a devout man and one that feared God with all his house and prayed to God always. When Paul and certain brethren he brought along got to the man’s house Paul opened up by saying
Acts 10:28 “ Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean. “While Paul was ministering to Cornelius and those in his house, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.” (Acts 10:44-46)
My response to these comments are as follows:
Thank you and I do agree completely. If you got the wrong impression from what was written here then more people did. I will have to reread my post and make corrections. If it is ok with you I may want to post your email without your personal 411 of course
Good Afternoon Ormond- I read your bible study. I have a minor correction if you don’t mind. I believe the scripture you made reference to about respecter of persons Acts 10:34, was taken a little of out context. As a matter of fact the church has taken this “respecter of persons” concept out of context entirely. When I read the whole chapter, what I got of it is “that respecter of persons statement” does not mean that God accepts everyone.
Actually it has nothing to do with general acceptance or choice. Acts 10:34 “Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons (doesn’t show favoritism or has high regards for stature, status quo). This is even substantiated with verse 35:
“But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.” The whole chapter of Acts 10 basically deals with the fact that God’s Holy Spirit is going to be poured out on those of different races, regions, etc. who have been cleansed.
God tried to reveal this to Peter in a vision but he doubted as to its meaning. Thus God sent him to the house of a man named Cornelius who was a centurion of a band called the “Italian” band (we are assuming a Non-Jew), a devout man and one that feared God with all his house and prayed to God always. When Paul and certain brethren he brought along got to the man’s house Paul opened up by saying
Acts 10:28 “ Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean. “While Paul was ministering to Cornelius and those in his house, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.” (Acts 10:44-46)
My response to these comments are as follows:
Thank you and I do agree completely. If you got the wrong impression from what was written here then more people did. I will have to reread my post and make corrections. If it is ok with you I may want to post your email without your personal 411 of course
Friday, October 10, 2008
Many are called but few are chosen
Ever wonder what exactly did Jesus mean when He said... Many are called but few are chosen..
Matt 22:14
"For many are called, but few are chosen."
Well the Bible says what it says... the word Few, well it means FEW... Perhaps we should take the verse at face value, I hope that is not too simplistic for you. Indeed I have often found the Bible to be concise and written with an immeasurable amount of reasonableness... Insight into the basis for GOD's wisdom presented in the Bible, does substantiate this position, note the following verse...
James 3:17
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure (undefiled); then it is peace-loving, courteous (considerate, gentle). [It is willing to] yield to reason, full of compassion and good fruits; it is wholehearted and straightforward, impartial and unfeigned (free from doubts, wavering, and insincerity.
Understanding the Bible is not necessarily a result of hours upon hours of endless study.. , although study is good. And our Lord tells us to study to show ourselves approved... We should know what we are talking about..
The key to understanding the Bible is this, we do not study alone..
John 14:26
"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.
A teacher's job is to transfer both knowledge AND understanding..
Anyone who says we all have different interpretations of the BIBLE is in error, there is only ONE... and that interpretation is provided ONLY by GOD HIMSELF...
2 Pet 1:20
[Yet] first [you must] understand this, that no prophecy of Scripture is [a matter] of any personal or private or special interpretation (loosening, solving).
2 Pet 1:21
For no prophecy ever originated because some man willed it [to do so--it never came by human impulse], but men spoke from God who were borne along (moved and impelled) by the Holy Spirit
Now, I said all this so that I might build a foundation for how I feel lead to talk about the subject verse. Matt 22:14
And, the best way to bring open our understanding of the Bible is with the Bible..
When GOD says chosen what is HE saying again.. Here are a few verses to meditate on.. I suggest you clear your mind from any past presumptuous regarding choice, it will help.
Acts 9:15
But the Lord said to him, Go, for this man is a chosen instrument of Mine to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the descendants of Israel;
Acts 9:16
For I will make clear to him how much he will be afflicted and must endure and suffer for My name's sake.
Paul was the enemy of the cross of Jesus Christ, yet GOD chose HIM, Like all of us, in spite of what we might think, We did NOT chose GOD, GOD chose us and therefore we have no pretense or basis for boasting.
I would have to make the point here that this goes against most theology, the theology that suggest, we are unilaterally making the decision for Christ... let me present more scripture that will challenge you.. and hopefully cause you to seek the LORD even more..
Rom 9:10
And not only that, but this too: Rebecca conceived [two sons under exactly the same circumstances] by our forefather Isaac,
Rom 9:11
And the children were yet unborn and had so far done nothing either good or evil. Even so, in order further to carry out God's purpose of selection (election, choice), which depends not on works or what men can do, but on Him Who calls [them
Wait a minute, is not this unfair!!! How can GOD chose one person over another, Have we not read GOD is NOT a respecter of persons..!! What is going on here... Again the Bible explains the Bible.. lets see what scripture might bring out some clarity for us here.
Rom 9:14
What shall we conclude then? Is there injustice upon God's part? Certainly not!
Rom 9:15
For He says to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy and I will have compassion (pity) on whom I will have compassion. [Exod. 33:19.]
Rom 9:16
So then [God's gift] is not a question of human will and human effort, but of God's mercy. [It depends not on one's own willingness nor on his strenuous exertion as in running a race, but on God's having mercy on him.]
Wow, are you reading this!!! is your mind doing flips saying.. what about free will!!! I know I had trouble with this until I read and prayed more on the subject.. Some of us will just dismiss this and use our own flawed reasoning to explain this away... BIG mistake of course... The battleground is largely in the mind..
2 Cor 10:4
For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds,
2 Cor 10:5
[Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One),
When we see a conflict between what GOD says in HIS Bible and what we actually think , warfare begins...
Consider this verse as we engage in the warfare of reasoning...
Ps 139:16
Your eyes saw my unformed substance, and in Your book all the days [of my life] were written before ever they took shape, when as yet there was none of them
I really understand now how David felt when He was lead ny the Holy Spirit to write this verse:
Ps 139:6Your [infinite] knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high above me, I cannot reach it.
Ok, so HOW do we win this battle !!!
Jer 23:29
"Is not My word like fire?" declares the LORD, "and like a hammer which shatters a rock?
Here is some additional fire:
John 15:16
You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you and I have appointed you [I have planted you], that you might go and bear fruit and keep on bearing, and that your fruit may be lasting [that it may remain, abide], so that whatever you ask the Father in My Name [as presenting all that I AM], He may give it to you.
Eph 1:11
In Him we also were made [God's] heritage (portion) and we obtained an inheritance; for we had been foreordained (chosen and appointed beforehand) in accordance with His purpose, Who works out everything in agreement with the counsel and design of His [own] will,
Matt 22:14
"For many are called, but few are chosen."
Well the Bible says what it says... the word Few, well it means FEW... Perhaps we should take the verse at face value, I hope that is not too simplistic for you. Indeed I have often found the Bible to be concise and written with an immeasurable amount of reasonableness... Insight into the basis for GOD's wisdom presented in the Bible, does substantiate this position, note the following verse...
James 3:17
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure (undefiled); then it is peace-loving, courteous (considerate, gentle). [It is willing to] yield to reason, full of compassion and good fruits; it is wholehearted and straightforward, impartial and unfeigned (free from doubts, wavering, and insincerity.
Understanding the Bible is not necessarily a result of hours upon hours of endless study.. , although study is good. And our Lord tells us to study to show ourselves approved... We should know what we are talking about..
The key to understanding the Bible is this, we do not study alone..
John 14:26
"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.
A teacher's job is to transfer both knowledge AND understanding..
Anyone who says we all have different interpretations of the BIBLE is in error, there is only ONE... and that interpretation is provided ONLY by GOD HIMSELF...
2 Pet 1:20
[Yet] first [you must] understand this, that no prophecy of Scripture is [a matter] of any personal or private or special interpretation (loosening, solving).
2 Pet 1:21
For no prophecy ever originated because some man willed it [to do so--it never came by human impulse], but men spoke from God who were borne along (moved and impelled) by the Holy Spirit
Now, I said all this so that I might build a foundation for how I feel lead to talk about the subject verse. Matt 22:14
And, the best way to bring open our understanding of the Bible is with the Bible..
When GOD says chosen what is HE saying again.. Here are a few verses to meditate on.. I suggest you clear your mind from any past presumptuous regarding choice, it will help.
Acts 9:15
But the Lord said to him, Go, for this man is a chosen instrument of Mine to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the descendants of Israel;
Acts 9:16
For I will make clear to him how much he will be afflicted and must endure and suffer for My name's sake.
Paul was the enemy of the cross of Jesus Christ, yet GOD chose HIM, Like all of us, in spite of what we might think, We did NOT chose GOD, GOD chose us and therefore we have no pretense or basis for boasting.
I would have to make the point here that this goes against most theology, the theology that suggest, we are unilaterally making the decision for Christ... let me present more scripture that will challenge you.. and hopefully cause you to seek the LORD even more..
Rom 9:10
And not only that, but this too: Rebecca conceived [two sons under exactly the same circumstances] by our forefather Isaac,
Rom 9:11
And the children were yet unborn and had so far done nothing either good or evil. Even so, in order further to carry out God's purpose of selection (election, choice), which depends not on works or what men can do, but on Him Who calls [them
Wait a minute, is not this unfair!!! How can GOD chose one person over another, Have we not read GOD is NOT a respecter of persons..!! What is going on here... Again the Bible explains the Bible.. lets see what scripture might bring out some clarity for us here.
Rom 9:14
What shall we conclude then? Is there injustice upon God's part? Certainly not!
Rom 9:15
For He says to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy and I will have compassion (pity) on whom I will have compassion. [Exod. 33:19.]
Rom 9:16
So then [God's gift] is not a question of human will and human effort, but of God's mercy. [It depends not on one's own willingness nor on his strenuous exertion as in running a race, but on God's having mercy on him.]
Wow, are you reading this!!! is your mind doing flips saying.. what about free will!!! I know I had trouble with this until I read and prayed more on the subject.. Some of us will just dismiss this and use our own flawed reasoning to explain this away... BIG mistake of course... The battleground is largely in the mind..
2 Cor 10:4
For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds,
2 Cor 10:5
[Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One),
When we see a conflict between what GOD says in HIS Bible and what we actually think , warfare begins...
Consider this verse as we engage in the warfare of reasoning...
Ps 139:16
Your eyes saw my unformed substance, and in Your book all the days [of my life] were written before ever they took shape, when as yet there was none of them
I really understand now how David felt when He was lead ny the Holy Spirit to write this verse:
Ps 139:6Your [infinite] knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high above me, I cannot reach it.
Ok, so HOW do we win this battle !!!
Jer 23:29
"Is not My word like fire?" declares the LORD, "and like a hammer which shatters a rock?
Here is some additional fire:
John 15:16
You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you and I have appointed you [I have planted you], that you might go and bear fruit and keep on bearing, and that your fruit may be lasting [that it may remain, abide], so that whatever you ask the Father in My Name [as presenting all that I AM], He may give it to you.
Eph 1:11
In Him we also were made [God's] heritage (portion) and we obtained an inheritance; for we had been foreordained (chosen and appointed beforehand) in accordance with His purpose, Who works out everything in agreement with the counsel and design of His [own] will,
I would like to make a another point.., We all have dreams ambitions, goals and many other things we give to our LORD for fulfillment... yet none of those prayers are answered unless .. yes they line up with GOD's purpose and HIS will...
Again the Bible explains the Bible, consider this verse for clarity
Rom 8:26
So too the [Holy] Spirit comes to our aid and bears us up in our weakness; for we do not know what prayer to offer nor how to offer it worthily as we ought, but the Spirit Himself goes to meet our supplication and pleads in our behalf with unspeakable yearnings and groanings too deep for utterance.
Rom 8:27
And He Who searches the hearts of men knows what is in the mind of the [Holy] Spirit [what His intent is], because the Spirit intercedes and pleads [before God] in behalf of the saints according to and in harmony with God's will
If we pray for something that is NOT GOD's will GOD's own Spirit will transform our prayers to be in line with GOD's will, purpose and intent.. The GOOD News is... He is blessing us above all we will ever be able to ask for or even think...
Jer 29:11
For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome
ummmhummmmm, My conclusion rest with this thought. , GOD does the choosing, that way no one can say I did this or I did that , and that's why I am sooo Spiritual and I sit close to GOD .. No ONE will boast before the LORD... and if we are chosen by GOD, dare not get the big head because just like He chose you, He can un chose you.... Again against popular Theology.. READ THE BOOK!!
Rom 11:21
for if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you, either.
Rom 11:22
Behold then the kindness and severity of God; to those who fell, severity, but to you, God's kindness, if you continue in His kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off.
1 Cor 1:27
[No] for God selected (deliberately chose) what in the world is foolish to put the wise to shame, and what the world calls weak to put the strong to shame.
1 Cor 1:28
And God also selected (deliberately chose) what in the world is lowborn and insignificant and branded and treated with contempt, even the things that are nothing, that He might depose and bring to nothing the things that are,
1 Cor 1:29
So that no mortal man should [have pretense for glorying and] boast in the presence of God.
Monday, September 1, 2008
He makes my feet like hinds' feet, And sets me on my high places."
Sam 22:34
"He makes my feet like hinds' feet, And sets me on my high places.
I love this scripture , It reminds me of how GOD brought me through some most challenging phases of my life... This scripture of course is not intended to be taken literally, our LORD often uses allegories to bring about understanding. The hind is a very sure footed animal and it always lands on it's feet. The high places are the mountain areas where the hind calls home.
Here is the message; the hind does not stumble as it jumps from mountain edge to mountain edge or from cliff to cliff, although the terrain is very dangerous and steep the hind moves with confidence and surety. Let me team up the scripture reference with a new testament verse ..
But first let me explain the allegory and I'm sure many of you already see the correlation being established.. Like the Hinds feet our walk of faith can be sure like the hind, the mountains , tribulations difficulties and troubles are the high places ... Because GOD has given us hinds feet we do not stumble when trouble comes our way...
Phil 4:13
I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency
Here the Apostle Paul writing as the pen of the LORD declares His complete sufficiency in Jesus..
Paul has Hinds feet..
Paul was in prison while writing this, we might consider this one of the places of difficulty, a high place an obstacle , yet Paul in the middle of this crisis declares I have no lack ... While the enemies of Christ were rejoicing at Paul's imprisonment this situation was working totally into the plan of GOD... Here in prison GOD choose to have Paul write almot the entire New Testament...!! Not discouraged because the Apostle Paul has Hinds feet.
Hab 3:19
The Lord GOD is my strength, And He has made my feet like hinds' feet, And makes me walk on my high places.
By the way have any of you read the Christian Classic by Hannah Hurnard.. The Title of the Book, Hinds Feet on High Places... It too is an allegory and very profound , it will grab your attention to the end...
Here are a few equally related and encouragiing verses.. Much love to all of you as we skip upon the mountains of our high places...
Rom 8:37
But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.
Rom 8:38
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,
Rom 8:39
nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
To GOD be the GLORY!!!!!!! Both now and FOREVERMORE!!!
Luke 10:19
Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and [physical and mental strength and ability] over all the power that the enemy [possesses]; and nothing shall in any way harm you.
Luke 10:20
Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are enrolled in heaven
"He makes my feet like hinds' feet, And sets me on my high places.
I love this scripture , It reminds me of how GOD brought me through some most challenging phases of my life... This scripture of course is not intended to be taken literally, our LORD often uses allegories to bring about understanding. The hind is a very sure footed animal and it always lands on it's feet. The high places are the mountain areas where the hind calls home.
Here is the message; the hind does not stumble as it jumps from mountain edge to mountain edge or from cliff to cliff, although the terrain is very dangerous and steep the hind moves with confidence and surety. Let me team up the scripture reference with a new testament verse ..
But first let me explain the allegory and I'm sure many of you already see the correlation being established.. Like the Hinds feet our walk of faith can be sure like the hind, the mountains , tribulations difficulties and troubles are the high places ... Because GOD has given us hinds feet we do not stumble when trouble comes our way...
Phil 4:13
I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency
Here the Apostle Paul writing as the pen of the LORD declares His complete sufficiency in Jesus..
Paul has Hinds feet..
Paul was in prison while writing this, we might consider this one of the places of difficulty, a high place an obstacle , yet Paul in the middle of this crisis declares I have no lack ... While the enemies of Christ were rejoicing at Paul's imprisonment this situation was working totally into the plan of GOD... Here in prison GOD choose to have Paul write almot the entire New Testament...!! Not discouraged because the Apostle Paul has Hinds feet.
Hab 3:19
The Lord GOD is my strength, And He has made my feet like hinds' feet, And makes me walk on my high places.
By the way have any of you read the Christian Classic by Hannah Hurnard.. The Title of the Book, Hinds Feet on High Places... It too is an allegory and very profound , it will grab your attention to the end...
Here are a few equally related and encouragiing verses.. Much love to all of you as we skip upon the mountains of our high places...
Rom 8:37
But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.
Rom 8:38
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,
Rom 8:39
nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
To GOD be the GLORY!!!!!!! Both now and FOREVERMORE!!!
Luke 10:19
Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and [physical and mental strength and ability] over all the power that the enemy [possesses]; and nothing shall in any way harm you.
Luke 10:20
Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are enrolled in heaven
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Those who love Your law have great peace
Ps 119:165
Those who love Your law have great peace, And nothing causes them to stumble.
Ever hear bad news????? Did it shake your faith??? Did you lose your Joy???? Did the suddenness of tragedy cause you to spiral down into depression anxiety and hopelessness???
I have been there like all of us. However the consequences that propel us to these moments while sometimes unavoidable do not have to master us. We have an antidote , we have the master of consequences , someone who controls the ultimate outcome and provides protection through a season of misfortune..
Our main scripture reference Ps 119:165 talks about the law of the LORD giving us such peace that it is called , "Great Peace" this peace can be found no matter what comes our way and this peace will prevent us from stumbling. The peace of GOD deprives consequences, trouble and tragedy the power of harming us. This old testament scripture is even more confirmed as we move from the old testament promises to the new testament promises purchased through the death burial and ressurrection of our LORD Jesus
John 16:33
I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]
We can contribute bad news of any type directly to the fall of man and not soley our inhabited bodies and souls were fallen but GOD's entire creation that He place in our control and in our care and charge.
Rom 8:20
For the creation (nature) was subjected to frailty (to futility, condemned to frustration), not because of some intentional fault on its part, but by the will of Him Who so subjected it--[yet] with the hope
Unstable weather patterns , hurricanes, earthquakes and other "natual disasters".. all brought about because of the "Worlds", fallen state.
We obtain the peace of GOD entirely based on our relationship with God our Father through access provided by no one else but Jesus..
1 Tim 2:5
For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
Our relationship with GOD is a very intimate union produced by faith and consummated through our Love for GOD. Faith can not be had without love and without faith it is impossible to please GOD. You might recall our subject verse says great PEACE has he who loves the law. ..Or even this verse:
Gal 5:6
For [if we are] in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith activated and energized and expressed and working through love.
Do you have this kind of love that will activate GOD's pleasing faith and produce a peace that will sustain you at all times.. How is this love defined?
Song 3:1
"On my bed night after night I sought him Whom my soul loves;
Jer 29:13
'You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.
Mark 4:17
And they have no real root in themselves, and so they endure for a little while; then when trouble or persecution arises on account of the Word, they immediately are offended (become displeased, indignant, resentful) and they stumble and fall away.
Being a Christian comes with our total surrender and reliance on Jesus. Salvation comes with a total surrender and reliance on Jesus. A Sunday only Christian simply does not qualify for the salvation that GOD gives and neither does this person receive the peace of GOD.
Rom 10:10
For with the heart a person believes (adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Christ) and so is justified (declared righteous, acceptable to God), and with the mouth he confesses (declares openly and speaks out freely his faith) and confirms [his] salvation.
Great Peace comes as a result of us adhering to GOD's WORD, Trusting in the finished work of the cross and finally relying on GOD's providence and sovereignty, simply put, GOD will be there just like He said He would... He will never ever leave us or forsake us no never!!!!!
Jesus has us we can be assured He will not let us go.... and If you have Jesus you have PEACE..
Phil 4:6
Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.
Phil 4:7
And God's peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Draft :
Those who love Your law have great peace, And nothing causes them to stumble.
Ever hear bad news????? Did it shake your faith??? Did you lose your Joy???? Did the suddenness of tragedy cause you to spiral down into depression anxiety and hopelessness???
I have been there like all of us. However the consequences that propel us to these moments while sometimes unavoidable do not have to master us. We have an antidote , we have the master of consequences , someone who controls the ultimate outcome and provides protection through a season of misfortune..
Our main scripture reference Ps 119:165 talks about the law of the LORD giving us such peace that it is called , "Great Peace" this peace can be found no matter what comes our way and this peace will prevent us from stumbling. The peace of GOD deprives consequences, trouble and tragedy the power of harming us. This old testament scripture is even more confirmed as we move from the old testament promises to the new testament promises purchased through the death burial and ressurrection of our LORD Jesus
John 16:33
I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]
We can contribute bad news of any type directly to the fall of man and not soley our inhabited bodies and souls were fallen but GOD's entire creation that He place in our control and in our care and charge.
Rom 8:20
For the creation (nature) was subjected to frailty (to futility, condemned to frustration), not because of some intentional fault on its part, but by the will of Him Who so subjected it--[yet] with the hope
Unstable weather patterns , hurricanes, earthquakes and other "natual disasters".. all brought about because of the "Worlds", fallen state.
We obtain the peace of GOD entirely based on our relationship with God our Father through access provided by no one else but Jesus..
1 Tim 2:5
For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
Our relationship with GOD is a very intimate union produced by faith and consummated through our Love for GOD. Faith can not be had without love and without faith it is impossible to please GOD. You might recall our subject verse says great PEACE has he who loves the law. ..Or even this verse:
Gal 5:6
For [if we are] in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith activated and energized and expressed and working through love.
Do you have this kind of love that will activate GOD's pleasing faith and produce a peace that will sustain you at all times.. How is this love defined?
Song 3:1
"On my bed night after night I sought him Whom my soul loves;
Jer 29:13
'You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.
The casual Christian who attends church on Sunday but who's behavior belie their faith will not have the LORD's peace. It becomes very clear during times of trouble because they stumble in their reliance on GOD.
Mark 4:17
And they have no real root in themselves, and so they endure for a little while; then when trouble or persecution arises on account of the Word, they immediately are offended (become displeased, indignant, resentful) and they stumble and fall away.
Being a Christian comes with our total surrender and reliance on Jesus. Salvation comes with a total surrender and reliance on Jesus. A Sunday only Christian simply does not qualify for the salvation that GOD gives and neither does this person receive the peace of GOD.
Rom 10:10
For with the heart a person believes (adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Christ) and so is justified (declared righteous, acceptable to God), and with the mouth he confesses (declares openly and speaks out freely his faith) and confirms [his] salvation.
Great Peace comes as a result of us adhering to GOD's WORD, Trusting in the finished work of the cross and finally relying on GOD's providence and sovereignty, simply put, GOD will be there just like He said He would... He will never ever leave us or forsake us no never!!!!!
Jesus has us we can be assured He will not let us go.... and If you have Jesus you have PEACE..
Phil 4:6
Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.
Phil 4:7
And God's peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Draft :
Monday, June 23, 2008
The Overcoming Life is the Abundant Life
Christians , those of us born from Heaven, born of the washing and regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit, we are placed in a distinct realm called the overcoming life. It is the life that Jesus says, in the world you shall have tribulation, trouble and frustrations but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. GOD declares I have deprived the world of its ability no matter the circumstances to harm you.
John 16:33
I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]
The overcoming life is also described as the abundant life. The abundant life is not a bigger house or a nicer car or even elaborate vacations . Abundant life is the life that breaks forth: through trail difficulties , distresses:
This is abundant life:
Matt 7:14
But the gate is narrow (contracted by pressure) and the way is straitened and compressed that leads away to life, and few are those who find it.
And this :
Rom 8:35
Who shall ever separate us from Christ's love? Shall suffering and affliction and tribulation? Or calamity and distress? Or persecution or hunger or destitution or peril or sword?
Rom 8:36
Even as it is written, For Thy sake we are put to death all the day long; we are regarded and counted as sheep for the slaughter. [Ps. 44:22.]
Rom 8:37
Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him Who loved us.
And finally this is how the Abundant life was purchased for us:
John 12:23
And Jesus *answered them, saying, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.
John 12:24
"Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.
John 12:25
"He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal.
John 12:26
"If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.
John 12:27
"Now My soul has become troubled; and what shall I say, 'Father, save Me from this hour'? But for this purpose I came to this hour.
Yes beloved of GOD the abundant life = the eternal life.. Without eternal LIFE THERE IS NO ABUNDANT LIFE.
Even sinners have cars beautiful homes and such things.. The excessive lavish living of the world can not and is not worthy to be compared to the true riches found only in Jesus Christ, the SON of the Living GOD.
Luke 12:15
And He said to them, Guard yourselves and keep free from all covetousness (the immoderate desire for wealth, the greedy longing to have more); for a man's life does not consist in and is not derived from possessing overflowing abundance or that which is over and above his needs.
John 16:33
I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]
The overcoming life is also described as the abundant life. The abundant life is not a bigger house or a nicer car or even elaborate vacations . Abundant life is the life that breaks forth: through trail difficulties , distresses:
This is abundant life:
Matt 7:14
But the gate is narrow (contracted by pressure) and the way is straitened and compressed that leads away to life, and few are those who find it.
And this :
Rom 8:35
Who shall ever separate us from Christ's love? Shall suffering and affliction and tribulation? Or calamity and distress? Or persecution or hunger or destitution or peril or sword?
Rom 8:36
Even as it is written, For Thy sake we are put to death all the day long; we are regarded and counted as sheep for the slaughter. [Ps. 44:22.]
Rom 8:37
Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him Who loved us.
And finally this is how the Abundant life was purchased for us:
John 12:23
And Jesus *answered them, saying, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.
John 12:24
"Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.
John 12:25
"He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal.
John 12:26
"If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.
John 12:27
"Now My soul has become troubled; and what shall I say, 'Father, save Me from this hour'? But for this purpose I came to this hour.
Yes beloved of GOD the abundant life = the eternal life.. Without eternal LIFE THERE IS NO ABUNDANT LIFE.
Even sinners have cars beautiful homes and such things.. The excessive lavish living of the world can not and is not worthy to be compared to the true riches found only in Jesus Christ, the SON of the Living GOD.
Luke 12:15
And He said to them, Guard yourselves and keep free from all covetousness (the immoderate desire for wealth, the greedy longing to have more); for a man's life does not consist in and is not derived from possessing overflowing abundance or that which is over and above his needs.
It should be clear to us now when reading the above verse , having more is NOT the abundant life .
Ps 18:33
He makes my feet like hinds' feet, And sets me upon my high places
Where is this HIGH Place???
Eph 2:5
even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
Eph 2:6
and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
And where is this heavenly place????
Eph 1:21
Far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and every name that is named [above every title that can be conferred], not only in this age and in this world, but also in the age and the world which are to come.
The Abundant Overcoming life is being in Jesus...
John 15:5
I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Spiritual Abuse
Have you ever been a victim of spiritual abuse? Are you being abused now , or do you even recognized that you are being abused? Most victims of abuse do not even recognize that are being manipulated .
Often many of GODs precious people are being used as mere merchandise, victims of elaborate schemes that have become a cash cow for many ministries.. It is BIG business, we have Ford, GM , ATT and so on and now the CHURCH...
The Bible provides us with clear indicators that reveal this rampant church malaise termed Spiritual Abuse;
Ezek 34:2
"Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy and say to those shepherds, 'Thus says the Lord GOD, "Woe, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flock?
The emphasis is on the flock and not the Shepard. The sheep are the benefactors of the Shepard's care.
I remember talking with a dear sister in Christ who told me how much she loved her Pastor. And sure we should love our Pastor, and not to the exclusion of even the least of the faithful we should love. We should not love our pastor any more or any less than the least thought of brother or sister in the church...
In this instance with my beloved sister in Christ... I was a little dishearten to learn that her Pastor hardly knew who she was.
Ezek 34:3
"You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat sheep without feeding the flock.
Ezek 34:4
"Those who are sickly you have not strengthened, the diseased you have not healed, the broken you have not bound up, the scattered you have not brought back, nor have you sought for the lost; but with force and with severity you have dominated them.
I have seen more than just a few people leave churches hurt disillusioned and sometimes confused . The church that GOD provides for healing and restoration did not heal or restore the objects of the LORD Jesus's love His people.
The church is GOD's agent in the earth, His representative to administer His agenda, and what exactly is the agenda of GOD; I am so glad you asked that question.
Is 61:1
THE SPIRIT of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed and qualified me to preach the Gospel of good tidings to the meek, the poor, and afflicted; He has sent me to bind up and heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the [physical and spiritual] captives and the opening of the prison and of the eyes to those who are bound, [Rom. 10:15.]
Is 61:2
To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord [the year of His favor] and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,
As Jesus was sent, likewise we have the same mission until His return, the second coming of Christ. If the Church is NOT healing the broken hearted, Not strengthening the weak, Not seeking the lost' NOT setting people free from addiction's and other oppressive conditions then the church has failed in its mission.
John 20:21
Then Jesus said to them again, Peace to you! [Just] as the Father has sent Me forth, so I am sending you
Our purpose as defined is CLEAR.. Has it been muddied with other agendas being slowly adopted in our churches... where is our emphasis ????? Is it on the hurting, the lost , the distressed or the disillusioned???? Have we seen the church go after those who left the church..???Is there concerned for them???? In Fact I have rarely seen any real genuine effort to seek the lost or those who have went astray.. WHY?????
John 13:34
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another
Tell me this, If a family member not a church member , is missing, would you go looking for them???? Yes you would and you would lose sleep until they are found..
The reason we are not seeking out the lost is because we really do not love each other as the Bible defines love.. otherwise we would behave far differently... Yes Christianity goes beyond the occasional Sunday tradition of ..Look at your neighbor, and tell them I love you...
My guess would be to seek out those who left hurting and disillusioned would exposed current church leadership in some circles . The autonomy most churches hold may come under review... accountability... might be expected.. people might have questions.. .. Much of what we describe as leadership are men and women who are many times opportunist.. and not truly called by GOD... Because when the sheep are under attack and scattered.. they hardly lift a finger of concern.. in the majority of cases not even a phone call.
John 10:12
"He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.
A good Pastor loves the sheep...
John 10:11
"I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.
The covert church agenda , meaning a not open and obvious but clothed in the guise of religion is leaning towards self aggrandisement and self exaltation...
If I give enough money, then I will get more money from GOD... We say that's is not the reason we give.. , we say we give cheerfully, because GOD loves a cheerful giver.. and The Lord declares give and it shall be given unto to you.... ALL Absolutely true..
BUT, it has been abused and in our giving WE have been abused!!! Abused?? How , let me share an enlightening verse or two:
2 Cor 9:9
As it is written, He [the benevolent person] scatters abroad; He gives to the poor; His deeds of justice and goodness and kindness and benevolence will go on and endure forever!
Notice the gifts are going to the poor..
Acts 4:35
and lay them at the apostles' feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need.
Here needs are being met , and NOT excesses. ... two Rolls Royce's are usually my limit for preaches..
I personally think when leadership lives extravagantly it sends the wrong message...our wealth is not always aligned with the worlds idea of wealth...WE ARE DIFFERENT...
Spiritual ABUSE!!! Yes many of us have witness the manipulative sermons, laced with messages designed to make you feel guilty, condemned and fearful for not giving when you knew that at the time you had pressing financial matters...
Rom 8:1
THEREFORE, [there is] now no condemnation (no adjudging guilty of wrong) for those who are in Christ Jesus, who live [and] walk not after the dictates of the flesh, but after the dictates of the Spirit.
Statements like:
Will a man rob GOD!!!
Well you are robbing GOD preacher anytime you take away resources intended to meet the needs of Christ Body the Church , the people sitting in the pews.......
Oh here is a good one... All that God has done for you and you are holding back the Money He gave you!!!!
If He gave it too me He intends for me to use it... for me and my brothers and sisters in need...
Our LORD would never make us feel guilty in fact our LORD desires mercy and NOT sacrifice... In this instance GODs mercy declares keep your money.. why because you need it... do not be presumptuous and think because you gave during a moment in which you were taken by persuasive speech that GOD is obligated to bless you.. He is not.. Why, because The Holy Bible says.. do not tempt the LORD thy GOD!!!
What I am bringing to the forefront on this subject does not stop at money.. It also means your time.. , your affections and even the gifts that GOD has given us.. We should be free to give, free to love, free to help and free to grow our gifts ... because where the Spirit of the GOD is there is liberty
2 Cor 3:17
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (emancipation from bondage, freedom)...
Often many of GODs precious people are being used as mere merchandise, victims of elaborate schemes that have become a cash cow for many ministries.. It is BIG business, we have Ford, GM , ATT and so on and now the CHURCH...
The Bible provides us with clear indicators that reveal this rampant church malaise termed Spiritual Abuse;
Ezek 34:2
"Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy and say to those shepherds, 'Thus says the Lord GOD, "Woe, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flock?
The emphasis is on the flock and not the Shepard. The sheep are the benefactors of the Shepard's care.
I remember talking with a dear sister in Christ who told me how much she loved her Pastor. And sure we should love our Pastor, and not to the exclusion of even the least of the faithful we should love. We should not love our pastor any more or any less than the least thought of brother or sister in the church...
In this instance with my beloved sister in Christ... I was a little dishearten to learn that her Pastor hardly knew who she was.
Ezek 34:3
"You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat sheep without feeding the flock.
Ezek 34:4
"Those who are sickly you have not strengthened, the diseased you have not healed, the broken you have not bound up, the scattered you have not brought back, nor have you sought for the lost; but with force and with severity you have dominated them.
I have seen more than just a few people leave churches hurt disillusioned and sometimes confused . The church that GOD provides for healing and restoration did not heal or restore the objects of the LORD Jesus's love His people.
The church is GOD's agent in the earth, His representative to administer His agenda, and what exactly is the agenda of GOD; I am so glad you asked that question.
Is 61:1
THE SPIRIT of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed and qualified me to preach the Gospel of good tidings to the meek, the poor, and afflicted; He has sent me to bind up and heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the [physical and spiritual] captives and the opening of the prison and of the eyes to those who are bound, [Rom. 10:15.]
Is 61:2
To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord [the year of His favor] and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,
As Jesus was sent, likewise we have the same mission until His return, the second coming of Christ. If the Church is NOT healing the broken hearted, Not strengthening the weak, Not seeking the lost' NOT setting people free from addiction's and other oppressive conditions then the church has failed in its mission.
John 20:21
Then Jesus said to them again, Peace to you! [Just] as the Father has sent Me forth, so I am sending you
Our purpose as defined is CLEAR.. Has it been muddied with other agendas being slowly adopted in our churches... where is our emphasis ????? Is it on the hurting, the lost , the distressed or the disillusioned???? Have we seen the church go after those who left the church..???Is there concerned for them???? In Fact I have rarely seen any real genuine effort to seek the lost or those who have went astray.. WHY?????
John 13:34
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another
Tell me this, If a family member not a church member , is missing, would you go looking for them???? Yes you would and you would lose sleep until they are found..
The reason we are not seeking out the lost is because we really do not love each other as the Bible defines love.. otherwise we would behave far differently... Yes Christianity goes beyond the occasional Sunday tradition of ..Look at your neighbor, and tell them I love you...
My guess would be to seek out those who left hurting and disillusioned would exposed current church leadership in some circles . The autonomy most churches hold may come under review... accountability... might be expected.. people might have questions.. .. Much of what we describe as leadership are men and women who are many times opportunist.. and not truly called by GOD... Because when the sheep are under attack and scattered.. they hardly lift a finger of concern.. in the majority of cases not even a phone call.
John 10:12
"He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.
A good Pastor loves the sheep...
John 10:11
"I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.
The covert church agenda , meaning a not open and obvious but clothed in the guise of religion is leaning towards self aggrandisement and self exaltation...
If I give enough money, then I will get more money from GOD... We say that's is not the reason we give.. , we say we give cheerfully, because GOD loves a cheerful giver.. and The Lord declares give and it shall be given unto to you.... ALL Absolutely true..
BUT, it has been abused and in our giving WE have been abused!!! Abused?? How , let me share an enlightening verse or two:
2 Cor 9:9
As it is written, He [the benevolent person] scatters abroad; He gives to the poor; His deeds of justice and goodness and kindness and benevolence will go on and endure forever!
Notice the gifts are going to the poor..
Acts 4:35
and lay them at the apostles' feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need.
Here needs are being met , and NOT excesses. ... two Rolls Royce's are usually my limit for preaches..
I personally think when leadership lives extravagantly it sends the wrong message...our wealth is not always aligned with the worlds idea of wealth...WE ARE DIFFERENT...
Spiritual ABUSE!!! Yes many of us have witness the manipulative sermons, laced with messages designed to make you feel guilty, condemned and fearful for not giving when you knew that at the time you had pressing financial matters...
Rom 8:1
THEREFORE, [there is] now no condemnation (no adjudging guilty of wrong) for those who are in Christ Jesus, who live [and] walk not after the dictates of the flesh, but after the dictates of the Spirit.
Statements like:
Will a man rob GOD!!!
Well you are robbing GOD preacher anytime you take away resources intended to meet the needs of Christ Body the Church , the people sitting in the pews.......
Oh here is a good one... All that God has done for you and you are holding back the Money He gave you!!!!
If He gave it too me He intends for me to use it... for me and my brothers and sisters in need...
Our LORD would never make us feel guilty in fact our LORD desires mercy and NOT sacrifice... In this instance GODs mercy declares keep your money.. why because you need it... do not be presumptuous and think because you gave during a moment in which you were taken by persuasive speech that GOD is obligated to bless you.. He is not.. Why, because The Holy Bible says.. do not tempt the LORD thy GOD!!!
What I am bringing to the forefront on this subject does not stop at money.. It also means your time.. , your affections and even the gifts that GOD has given us.. We should be free to give, free to love, free to help and free to grow our gifts ... because where the Spirit of the GOD is there is liberty
2 Cor 3:17
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (emancipation from bondage, freedom)...
To be Continued Jun 21, 2008
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Sinning Against Your Body -Continued
The dynamics of the sex act or intercourse creates a union called marriage. That's right sex equals marriage. The Bible says one of the recognized ways to become married is through the very act of having sex. No ceremony is required. Here is verification in scripture;
Gen 24:67
Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent, and he took Rebekah, and she became his wife, and he loved her; thus Isaac was comforted after his mother's death
When Isaac took Rebekah and Rebekah surrendered to Isaac they became Husband and Wife.
With this in mind the next time you are tempted to have sex consider you are not having just sex but you are really getting married...
" Hey Baby you want to have sex", becomes "Hey Baby, lets get married"
Today, we have often taken a Holy (Set apart from common usage) act and made it profane , unclean and dishonorable. We have removed the Holy from Holy Matrimony hardly anyone is a virgin when they marry so where is the exclusiveness ????? Its long long gone... sadly so.
The consequences for our lack of respect for GOD's laws are all around us.. The Bible says His Judgements are made manifest in the earth...
Ps 50:4
He summons the heavens above, And the earth, to judge His people:
Think not that the upheavel in the earth is coincidental, because actually nothing truly is coincidental...
The frightening thing is how insensitive our moral nature has become.. we are seldom alarmed and have become very dull in our hearing and therefore we can not hear GOD... We are physically, morally and spiritually sick as a Church..
Acts 28:27
FOR THE HEART OF THIS PEOPLE HAS BECOME DULL, AND WITH THEIR EARS THEY SCARCELY HEAR, AND THEY HAVE CLOSED THEIR EYES; OTHERWISE THEY MIGHT SEE WITH THEIR EYES, AND HEAR WITH THEIR EARS, AND UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEART AND RETURN, AND I WOULD HEAL THEM."'
Can we return to a life that honors Jesus... We must... because we ARE set apart.. lets us return while there is still time... and the door is still open... one day soon, there is little time remaining and suddenly without warning...the door will be shut permanently.
Rev 22:12
"Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done.
Rev 22:13
"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end."
Gen 24:67
Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent, and he took Rebekah, and she became his wife, and he loved her; thus Isaac was comforted after his mother's death
When Isaac took Rebekah and Rebekah surrendered to Isaac they became Husband and Wife.
With this in mind the next time you are tempted to have sex consider you are not having just sex but you are really getting married...
" Hey Baby you want to have sex", becomes "Hey Baby, lets get married"
Today, we have often taken a Holy (Set apart from common usage) act and made it profane , unclean and dishonorable. We have removed the Holy from Holy Matrimony hardly anyone is a virgin when they marry so where is the exclusiveness ????? Its long long gone... sadly so.
The consequences for our lack of respect for GOD's laws are all around us.. The Bible says His Judgements are made manifest in the earth...
Ps 50:4
He summons the heavens above, And the earth, to judge His people:
Think not that the upheavel in the earth is coincidental, because actually nothing truly is coincidental...
The frightening thing is how insensitive our moral nature has become.. we are seldom alarmed and have become very dull in our hearing and therefore we can not hear GOD... We are physically, morally and spiritually sick as a Church..
Acts 28:27
FOR THE HEART OF THIS PEOPLE HAS BECOME DULL, AND WITH THEIR EARS THEY SCARCELY HEAR, AND THEY HAVE CLOSED THEIR EYES; OTHERWISE THEY MIGHT SEE WITH THEIR EYES, AND HEAR WITH THEIR EARS, AND UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEART AND RETURN, AND I WOULD HEAL THEM."'
Can we return to a life that honors Jesus... We must... because we ARE set apart.. lets us return while there is still time... and the door is still open... one day soon, there is little time remaining and suddenly without warning...the door will be shut permanently.
Rev 22:12
"Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done.
Rev 22:13
"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end."
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Sinning against your body.
For whatever the reason I have had a few discussions with friends regarding sex. Not a dirty word by the way. Although regarding the subject of sex I find it to be amazing that many of us do not adhere to the biblical precepts designed to define our behavior in this covenant act.
1 Cor 6:18
Shun immorality and all sexual looseness [flee from impurity in thought, word, or deed]. Any other sin which a man commits is one outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.
Years ago back in the late 80s I had a business associate that called sex outside of marriage illegal sex. Which of course means having sex outside the LORDs parameters is breaking a law.
The thing that is intriguing here is that when we break this particular law the consequences occur against our very own bodies. There is a lot to be said here but first lets look at the environment needed to facilitate a healthy honorable and legal sex life.
Heb 13:4
Let marriage be held in honor (esteemed worthy, precious, of great price, and especially dear) in all things. And thus let the marriage bed be undefiled (kept undishonored); for God will judge and punish the unchaste [all guilty of sexual vice] and adulterous.
I understand here the sex act can be honorable in an honorable union, a marriage.
We are all very much aware of the "Worlds" current attitude regarding sexual behavior. I find this view to be rather juvenile, let me give a few examples: Terms like
"Friends with Benefits", that's a good one. "
"Why buy the cow, when the milk comes free"
"This is my body and I can do as I please with my body".
" Hey Bro she's fine I am going to Hit-Dat".
"My baby Moma", Used to be called a WIFE
and "My baby Daddy". Used to be called a HUSBAND
" I gotta get my groove on"
"Oh you are a virgin, LOL, whats wrong with you, can't get none"
This list goes on and on and on..
Is 5:20
Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!
This mind set is to be expected outside the church in the declining moral climate of this age. And God will render the appropriate penalty as HE promised.
Look at this passage :
1 Cor 5:12
What [business] of mine is it and what right have I to judge outsiders? Is it not those inside [the church] upon whom you are to pass disciplinary judgment [passing censuring sentence on them as the facts require]?
1 Cor 5:13
God alone sits in judgment on those who are outside. Drive out that wicked one from among you [expel him from your church].
Our Lord demands that we be accountable to HIS moral standard inside HIS church .. Yes contrary to popular opinion.. we are too judge each others behavior. This is critical in order to maintain a Holy dwelling place for GOD. As is understood church wide we ARE HIS TEMPLE both individually and collectively.
What folks do outside the church, yes we should tell them they are wrong but GOD will exact the judgement .
Now before I go on an appear all high and mighty and self righteous about the topic, I will first be transparent. Before I got saved I was getting my groove on as much as the next person. And even after I knew Jesus I have fallen into sexual immorality. This was an admitted weakness in my character. I say with humility and with the enabling power of Grace that this was, past tense a weakness. Past tense not because I am strong... but because I realized how weak I was which gave room for GOD's strength . It truly is simply an area I surrendered to Jesus. Our LORD desires truth in the inner-most parts of our being.
Confess your sins for He is faithful and just to forgive yours sins AND to cleans you from ALL unrighteousness!!!!!!
Thank you Lord for being merciful and longsuffering to me and not cutting me off from your Spirit. Your lampstand is still luminating my soul.
Rev 2:5
'Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place--unless you repent.
Oh well so much for the position of eternal security.
Ok , now back to talking about how the sin of sexual immorality affects your body.
As a Christian we house GODS Holy Spirit. Our Bodies are temples or the habitat for a righteous and Holy GOD. Logic and the Bible where incidentally logic was born ,mandate a Holy Temple for a Holy GOD. When we commit sexual immorality we have now defied the dwelling place of the LORD. What happens when we defile GODS house:
1 Cor 3:17
If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are.
We can be setting ourselves up for God's wrath , of which, we should never experience.
1 Thess 5:9
For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
May 29th 2008 - To be continued
1 Cor 6:18
Shun immorality and all sexual looseness [flee from impurity in thought, word, or deed]. Any other sin which a man commits is one outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.
Years ago back in the late 80s I had a business associate that called sex outside of marriage illegal sex. Which of course means having sex outside the LORDs parameters is breaking a law.
The thing that is intriguing here is that when we break this particular law the consequences occur against our very own bodies. There is a lot to be said here but first lets look at the environment needed to facilitate a healthy honorable and legal sex life.
Heb 13:4
Let marriage be held in honor (esteemed worthy, precious, of great price, and especially dear) in all things. And thus let the marriage bed be undefiled (kept undishonored); for God will judge and punish the unchaste [all guilty of sexual vice] and adulterous.
I understand here the sex act can be honorable in an honorable union, a marriage.
We are all very much aware of the "Worlds" current attitude regarding sexual behavior. I find this view to be rather juvenile, let me give a few examples: Terms like
"Friends with Benefits", that's a good one. "
"Why buy the cow, when the milk comes free"
"This is my body and I can do as I please with my body".
" Hey Bro she's fine I am going to Hit-Dat".
"My baby Moma", Used to be called a WIFE
and "My baby Daddy". Used to be called a HUSBAND
" I gotta get my groove on"
"Oh you are a virgin, LOL, whats wrong with you, can't get none"
This list goes on and on and on..
Is 5:20
Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!
This mind set is to be expected outside the church in the declining moral climate of this age. And God will render the appropriate penalty as HE promised.
Look at this passage :
1 Cor 5:12
What [business] of mine is it and what right have I to judge outsiders? Is it not those inside [the church] upon whom you are to pass disciplinary judgment [passing censuring sentence on them as the facts require]?
1 Cor 5:13
God alone sits in judgment on those who are outside. Drive out that wicked one from among you [expel him from your church].
Our Lord demands that we be accountable to HIS moral standard inside HIS church .. Yes contrary to popular opinion.. we are too judge each others behavior. This is critical in order to maintain a Holy dwelling place for GOD. As is understood church wide we ARE HIS TEMPLE both individually and collectively.
What folks do outside the church, yes we should tell them they are wrong but GOD will exact the judgement .
Now before I go on an appear all high and mighty and self righteous about the topic, I will first be transparent. Before I got saved I was getting my groove on as much as the next person. And even after I knew Jesus I have fallen into sexual immorality. This was an admitted weakness in my character. I say with humility and with the enabling power of Grace that this was, past tense a weakness. Past tense not because I am strong... but because I realized how weak I was which gave room for GOD's strength . It truly is simply an area I surrendered to Jesus. Our LORD desires truth in the inner-most parts of our being.
Confess your sins for He is faithful and just to forgive yours sins AND to cleans you from ALL unrighteousness!!!!!!
Thank you Lord for being merciful and longsuffering to me and not cutting me off from your Spirit. Your lampstand is still luminating my soul.
Rev 2:5
'Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place--unless you repent.
Oh well so much for the position of eternal security.
Ok , now back to talking about how the sin of sexual immorality affects your body.
As a Christian we house GODS Holy Spirit. Our Bodies are temples or the habitat for a righteous and Holy GOD. Logic and the Bible where incidentally logic was born ,mandate a Holy Temple for a Holy GOD. When we commit sexual immorality we have now defied the dwelling place of the LORD. What happens when we defile GODS house:
1 Cor 3:17
If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are.
We can be setting ourselves up for God's wrath , of which, we should never experience.
1 Thess 5:9
For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
May 29th 2008 - To be continued
Monday, April 7, 2008
Sin shall not be master over YOU
Well you know we all just sinners and cant help ourselves LORD help us..
The is sooooooo un Holy Bible...
Our Bible tells us:---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rom 6:11
Even so consider yourselves also dead to sin and your relation to it broken, but alive to God [living in unbroken fellowship with Him] in Christ Jesus.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rom 6:14
For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.
Based on the above unquestionable truths...It would be logical or reasonable to conclude that the LORD has taken care of the sin principle "The can't help its". ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ever hear a preacher say, people are not healed because they are not taught that Jesus heals and faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of GOD... Well we can also say people sin because they have not been taught that we actually have mastery over sin and do not have to yield to its influences-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Walk in victory.. why because you can!!!!! Jesus died so that we can and do have the ability to live righteously that ability my friends is called GRACE... the enabling power of GOD through HIS loving kindness ..-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rom 6:23
For the wages which sin pays is death, but the [bountiful] free gift of God is eternal life through (in union with) Jesus Christ our Lord.
For the wages which sin pays is death, but the [bountiful] free gift of God is eternal life through (in union with) Jesus Christ our Lord.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Getting Enough Rest?
Rest = Hearing the Gospel and adding faith
Faith = (with the leaning of the entire personality on God in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness)
Matt 11:28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.]
Heb 4:1 THEREFORE, WHILE the promise of entering His rest still holds and is offered [today], let us be afraid [to distrust it], lest any of you should think he has come too late and has come short of [reaching] it.
Heb 4:2 For indeed we have had the glad tidings [Gospel of God] proclaimed to us just as truly as they [the Israelites of old did when the good news of deliverance from bondage came to them]; but the message they heard did not benefit them, because it was not mixed with faith (with the leaning of the entire personality on God in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness)
Eph 2:8 For it is by free grace (God's unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God;
Ps 127:2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to take rest late, to eat the bread of [anxious] toil--for He gives [blessings] to His beloved in sleep
Faith = (with the leaning of the entire personality on God in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness)
Matt 11:28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.]
Heb 4:1 THEREFORE, WHILE the promise of entering His rest still holds and is offered [today], let us be afraid [to distrust it], lest any of you should think he has come too late and has come short of [reaching] it.
Heb 4:2 For indeed we have had the glad tidings [Gospel of God] proclaimed to us just as truly as they [the Israelites of old did when the good news of deliverance from bondage came to them]; but the message they heard did not benefit them, because it was not mixed with faith (with the leaning of the entire personality on God in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness)
Eph 2:8 For it is by free grace (God's unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God;
Ps 127:2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to take rest late, to eat the bread of [anxious] toil--for He gives [blessings] to His beloved in sleep
Monday, March 3, 2008
The Power of Submission
Heb 5:8
Although He was a Son, He learned [active, special] obedience through what He suffered
Heb 5:9
And, [His completed experience] making Him perfectly [equipped], He became the Author and Source of eternal salvation to all those who give heed and obey Him
Hello everyone
I feel lead to discuss the topic of submission in hopes that we begin to recognize the principle behind GOD's requirement of submission and HIS purpose embedded in submission.
Most of the time we view submission as a weakness, we see it as a battle in which there is a tug of war over control and through this tug of war, through this struggle the weaker one finally submits and the stronger one finally prevails. This perspective of submission is a worldly view and a wordily definition of the submission principle.
Let us see submission from GOD's view , from the Lords perspective and understand things as our GOD defines things, then we see things clearly. Seeing things clearly involves our LORD bringing understanding to our hearts through His Word through the Holy Bible and through the agency of the Holy Spirit.
Job 12:13
"With Him are wisdom and might; To Him belong counsel and understanding.
John 14:26
"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.
Before the LORD saved me on July 21, 1984 I had little respect for authority. As a young person I had few examples of GODly authority and consequently I was distrustful and rebellious against authority figures. And that was my attitude I basically had little regard for Authority and even despised authority. But when I became saved the LORD had to tear down this sinful behavior against authority and build a new respect and reverence for the LORD's purpose in both submission and authority.
The authority principle:
Luke 7:8
"For I also am a man placed under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to this one, 'Go!' and he goes, and to another, 'Come!' and he comes, and to my slave, 'Do this!' and he does it."
This familiar verse gives us a very good definition of authority. Contained in this definition are two elements , the first element is the position of authority and the second is the power of authority. The authority principle is GOD's vehicle for exercising HIS will over HIS creation.
Rom 13:1
Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.
44
Rom 13:2
Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.
45
Rom 13:3
For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same;
Draft_ Mar2008
Although He was a Son, He learned [active, special] obedience through what He suffered
Heb 5:9
And, [His completed experience] making Him perfectly [equipped], He became the Author and Source of eternal salvation to all those who give heed and obey Him
Hello everyone
I feel lead to discuss the topic of submission in hopes that we begin to recognize the principle behind GOD's requirement of submission and HIS purpose embedded in submission.
Most of the time we view submission as a weakness, we see it as a battle in which there is a tug of war over control and through this tug of war, through this struggle the weaker one finally submits and the stronger one finally prevails. This perspective of submission is a worldly view and a wordily definition of the submission principle.
Let us see submission from GOD's view , from the Lords perspective and understand things as our GOD defines things, then we see things clearly. Seeing things clearly involves our LORD bringing understanding to our hearts through His Word through the Holy Bible and through the agency of the Holy Spirit.
Job 12:13
"With Him are wisdom and might; To Him belong counsel and understanding.
John 14:26
"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.
Before the LORD saved me on July 21, 1984 I had little respect for authority. As a young person I had few examples of GODly authority and consequently I was distrustful and rebellious against authority figures. And that was my attitude I basically had little regard for Authority and even despised authority. But when I became saved the LORD had to tear down this sinful behavior against authority and build a new respect and reverence for the LORD's purpose in both submission and authority.
The authority principle:
Luke 7:8
"For I also am a man placed under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to this one, 'Go!' and he goes, and to another, 'Come!' and he comes, and to my slave, 'Do this!' and he does it."
This familiar verse gives us a very good definition of authority. Contained in this definition are two elements , the first element is the position of authority and the second is the power of authority. The authority principle is GOD's vehicle for exercising HIS will over HIS creation.
Rom 13:1
Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.
44
Rom 13:2
Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.
45
Rom 13:3
For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same;
Draft_ Mar2008
Thursday, February 28, 2008
How do we live victoriously over sin????
How do we live victoriously over sin???? It was been a long time since I have posted anything
No real reason for the delay not saying I was too busy I would consider that simply an excuse
I do have a subject in mind today. I have titled it living victoriously over sin.
Now for those of us who have this issue covered and find no fault in their behavior , of course this would not be for you.
The reality for most of us is the sin factor is an ongoing problem. Fortunately Jesus understood we would have problems and therefore did not leave us helpless in this regard.
Mark 2:17 And hearing this, Jesus *said to them, "It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
To overcome sin we need to have available in our lives the grace of God. It is the mercy of God that forgives us and it is the grace of God that reconnects us to HIM, once connected we are then empowered to grow in God and cease from sin.
With salvation comes empowerment, that is why the Bible reads by grace you are saved :
Eph 2:8 For it is by free grace (God's unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God;
Most of us understand this quick discourse on salvation however we still struggle with the sin principle. I was thinking this morning about my associations and how I pick up words from people I am around and sometimes habits, ways etc.. That is why we say "we are known by the company we keep".
It would then be logical to say, if we remain in fellowship with God we can pick up HIS ways and we know that GOD's ways are sinless . I am sure you know now where I am going with this:
Gal 5:16 But I say, walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit]; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God
When the unsaved criticize you and I, they say mostly the same kinds of things, it goes something like this.." Yall aint perfect, you gon tell me you never sin" you aint no better than me!!!!!
As a younger Christian and not knowing better this kind of verbal attack would shake me up and send me to my prayer closet for a few hours, which actually was not a bad thing.
The huge difference here lies in the motivation of the individual. The Christian is motivated to please GOD because he relies on God, He Believes in GOD and He trust in GOD. The man with a sin nature largely looks to himself for justification and to rationalize his morality.
John 6:29
Jesus replied, This is the work (service) that God asks of you: that you believe in the One Whom He has sent [that you cleave to, trust, rely on, and have faith in His Messenger].
As we walk with God habitually, not only on Sunday, and fellowship in His Word, the Holy Bible, we overcome sin and our relationship with sin is broken.
Rom 6:11
Even so consider yourselves also dead to sin and your relation to it broken, but alive to God [living in unbroken fellowship with Him] in Christ Jesus.
This is how we live victoriously over sin in our lives, obtaining this revelation we not set you free it will make you free.. !!!!!
John 8:32
and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."
John 8:36
"So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.
My friends in closing, the secret is that we are in the greatest love story of all time.... the more you love Jesus the more you want to be with HIM and the more you are with HIM the more you become like HIM... Once we truly find HIM we never let go!!!
Song 3:4
"Scarcely had I left them When I found him whom my soul loves; I held on to him and would not let him go
No real reason for the delay not saying I was too busy I would consider that simply an excuse
I do have a subject in mind today. I have titled it living victoriously over sin.
Now for those of us who have this issue covered and find no fault in their behavior , of course this would not be for you.
The reality for most of us is the sin factor is an ongoing problem. Fortunately Jesus understood we would have problems and therefore did not leave us helpless in this regard.
Mark 2:17 And hearing this, Jesus *said to them, "It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
To overcome sin we need to have available in our lives the grace of God. It is the mercy of God that forgives us and it is the grace of God that reconnects us to HIM, once connected we are then empowered to grow in God and cease from sin.
With salvation comes empowerment, that is why the Bible reads by grace you are saved :
Eph 2:8 For it is by free grace (God's unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God;
Most of us understand this quick discourse on salvation however we still struggle with the sin principle. I was thinking this morning about my associations and how I pick up words from people I am around and sometimes habits, ways etc.. That is why we say "we are known by the company we keep".
It would then be logical to say, if we remain in fellowship with God we can pick up HIS ways and we know that GOD's ways are sinless . I am sure you know now where I am going with this:
Gal 5:16 But I say, walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit]; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God
When the unsaved criticize you and I, they say mostly the same kinds of things, it goes something like this.." Yall aint perfect, you gon tell me you never sin" you aint no better than me!!!!!
As a younger Christian and not knowing better this kind of verbal attack would shake me up and send me to my prayer closet for a few hours, which actually was not a bad thing.
The huge difference here lies in the motivation of the individual. The Christian is motivated to please GOD because he relies on God, He Believes in GOD and He trust in GOD. The man with a sin nature largely looks to himself for justification and to rationalize his morality.
John 6:29
Jesus replied, This is the work (service) that God asks of you: that you believe in the One Whom He has sent [that you cleave to, trust, rely on, and have faith in His Messenger].
As we walk with God habitually, not only on Sunday, and fellowship in His Word, the Holy Bible, we overcome sin and our relationship with sin is broken.
Rom 6:11
Even so consider yourselves also dead to sin and your relation to it broken, but alive to God [living in unbroken fellowship with Him] in Christ Jesus.
This is how we live victoriously over sin in our lives, obtaining this revelation we not set you free it will make you free.. !!!!!
John 8:32
and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."
John 8:36
"So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.
My friends in closing, the secret is that we are in the greatest love story of all time.... the more you love Jesus the more you want to be with HIM and the more you are with HIM the more you become like HIM... Once we truly find HIM we never let go!!!
Song 3:4
"Scarcely had I left them When I found him whom my soul loves; I held on to him and would not let him go
Saturday, January 5, 2008
It is all Within Reason (The Logos)
James 3:17
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure (undefiled); then it is peace-loving, courteous (considerate, gentle). [It is willing to] yield to reason, full of compassion and good fruits; it is wholehearted and straightforward, impartial and unfeigned (free from doubts, wavering, and insincerity).
The more I seek GOD the more wonderful He is, I find this exploration to be a most exhilarating exercise. I was thinking the other day about the mind of GOD and the scripture referenced above came to my heart. This verse gives us a window into the mind of GOD. Religion as understood by the secular masses seems to suggest Christianity is religious dogma embraced by non intellectual and non thinking men and women. Their view could not be further from the truth.
God's Word, the LORD's wisdom is the sole embodiment of all we experience in life... It is the life force and the creative substance for every element in life down to a single atom of matter...... Out of the reasoning ability of GOD came forth our World in this life and in the life to come.
Let's take a stroll through the mind of GOD;
John 1:1
IN THE beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself.
Wow, let me take a breath here.. wheww.. what a profound statement..
The "Word" shown here is the greek word "Logos".. In the beginning was the Logos..
The Logos is defined as the : word, reason, plan; divine reason as the source of order in the world.
It is where the word logical is derived or shall we shall "reasonable"..smile.. When we say, that's just isn't reasonable, what we are really saying is things do not add up, they are not logical, they do not make sense. ..
John 1:3 All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him was not even one thing made that has come into being.
In practical terms we can view the WORD (Logos) as the genius that created the mechanics of physics, which govern the physical world, and the physical matter or substance of the world itself...and beyond, the universe and yes beyond, into the 3rd Heaven.
2 Cor 12:2
I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago--whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows--was caught up to the third heaven.
2 Cor 12:3
And I know that this man--whether in the body or away from the body I do not know, God knows--
2 Cor 12:4
Was caught up into paradise, and he heard utterances beyond the power of man to put into words, which man is not permitted to utter.
ummmhummmm, Yes , and therefore we know..actually, I do not know what else to say behind that..., a speechless moment ... except... Heb 11:3
Heb 11:3
By faith we understand that the worlds [during the successive ages] were framed (fashioned, put in order, and equipped for their intended purpose) by the word of God, so that what we see was not made out of things which are visible.
The Logos.. again,,, by the word of God
Perhaps you can read swiftly through theses passages.. Truly I simply can not..
I have to look back at David's reaction, revelation and insight to the mind of God as shown to David through the Holy Spirit:
Ps 139:6
Your [infinite] knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high above me, I cannot reach it.
Or like Job when replying to GOD:
Job 40:4
"Behold, I am insignificant; what can I reply to You? I lay my hand on my mouth.
Beloved saints....As Christians (Christ like men and women).. Being non thinking, illogical, dogmatic or unreasonable would just not match up with our Born Again DNA.. Being a part of Christ's body makes wise the simple..
Ps 19:7
The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the [whole] person; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple
When you begin to question what is happening around you in all matters that pertain to life.. do not be so eager to dismiss your thoughts and your reasoning ..child of GOD.... , you may be dismissing the very thoughts of our Lord Jesus Christ the WORD of GOD...
1 Cor 2:16 For who has known or understood the mind (the counsels and purposes) of the Lord so as to guide and instruct Him and give Him knowledge? But we have the mind of Christ (the Messiah) and do hold the thoughts (feelings and purposes) of His heart.
Lets us take a very brief look at Darwinism.., his theory is the World's answer or claim to the evolution of life....... and ahhhh it goes something like this, the short version..Ok, ..........Now first, we came from a fish, then one day , the fish ..grew lungs and legs and then walked out of the water.. then it grew arms , then stated walking up right...PLEASSSSSEEEE . .. GOD's answer is far more... ahhh logical...
There is no evolution, it is indeed illogical, but creationism, the source is from our creator GOD. It was all accomplished through intelligent design... yes the LOGOS..
Gen 1:24
And God said, Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creeping things, and [wild] beasts of the earth according to their kinds. And it was so.
Gen 1:25
And God made the [wild] beasts of the earth according to their kinds, and domestic animals according to their kinds, and everything that creeps upon the earth according to its kind. And God saw that it was good (fitting, pleasant) and He approved it.
Here my brothers and sister are the scriptures that sets us apart from this dark world..
1 Pet 2:9
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, [God's] own purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
Prov 16:3
Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed.
Is 11:2
And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him--the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the reverential and obedient fear of the Lord.
Who we are:
1 Cor 2:15
But the spiritual man tries all things [he examines, investigates, inquires into, questions, and discerns all things], yet is himself to be put on trial and judged by no one [he can read the meaning of everything, but no one can properly discern or appraise or get an insight into him].
And you wonder why people underestimate you and constantly and consistently misunderstand you... Well, think about our Lord, my reasonable logical brothers and sister, and children of the King...The Word, (The LOGOS).. Jesus Christ!!!
John 1:10
He came into the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him [did not know Him].
John 1:11
He came to that which belonged to Him [to His own--His domain, creation, things, world], and they who were His own did not receive Him and did not welcome Him.
John 1:12
But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the authority (power, privilege, right) to become the children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name
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