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I want to grow as a leader, and I want to help others grow. Sharing my thoughts on leadership is intended to help us grow together into all God wants for us. I hope you enjoy my blog.

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Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Christmas Is...

     Christmas is a time of joy.  The angel came to announce, "..I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all the people."  The world did not yet know that this would be a time of great joy for all the world.  The announcement that one would come to bruise the serpent's head was made in Gen. 3.  Now after all these years, the Child has been born.  The angels burst forth with praise and singing and great joy. 
     Christmas is a time of great pain.  Herod's jealousy and fear of a new king born causes him to send forth a command that all male children aged 2 and under are to be killed.  Throughout Bethlehem and its districts there is the sound of lamentation, weeping, and great mourning.  Jeremiah's prophecy has come to pass, Matt. 2:17,18.  Rachel weeps for her children, refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.  Spiritual warfare is ignited with the birth of the Child.  Rev. 12:4 says, "...the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born."  Christmas has ignited spiritual warfare, which has caused much pain for all the world.
     Christmas is a supernatural time.  So many supernatural events took place at that first Christmas:  The angels appearances to Zacharias, to Mary, to Joseph, the supernatural birth of John the Baptist, and the prophecies of Elizabeth, Zacharias, Simeon, and Anna, the shepherds and the angels, the wise men and the star, Joseph's dreams to flee to Egypt, to return to Galilee, then to Nazareth.  Our God guides us supernaturally, and Christmas reminds us of the supernatural ways that God speaks and guides His children.
     Christmas is a time of destiny.  In Luke 2:34 Simeon said to Mary, "...Behold this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel and for a sign which will be spoken against."  The Child's destiny is seen through the genealogies of Christ, and the many Old Testament prophecies fulfilled in Him.  God had destiny for the birth of this Child, and God has a destiny for each of our lives.  He has a plan to accomplish in each of us.
     Christmas is a time of hope.  Despite the pain, and the warfare, Christmas gives us hope for today and for the future.  He is our blessed Hope, and we look for His appearing the second time.  He is working together all things for our good, and He will make all things new.  Now abides faith, hope, and love.  We have hope because of Christmas!

How does the supernatural affect your life today?

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

The Light of the World

"I am the Light of the world.  He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."  John 8:12.  Light is a vital part of life, and for those without electricity, keeping the lamp burning is essential.  A lamp gives light to all in the room, so Christ gives light to the world.  It is essential that we keep the lamp of His presence burning in each of our hearts.  This light is the light of life.  Without it, we walk in darkness, we do not know where to go.  So many people are simply lost, they do not have the light of life.  As Christians, we will see that light only as we follow Christ.  If we were out on a hike in the forest, and our guide said, "Follow me", it would be essential to keep our eyes on the guide.  At any point that we lost track of the guide, our very existence would be threatened.  To follow a guide, I must not only keep my eyes on him, but I also need a willing attitude to follow.  If the guide goes right, but I want to go left, I must submit my will to follow the guide, knowing that he knows more about the forest than I do, and he has gone that way before.  If we would approach our walk with God with this attitude, we would not get lost along the way trying to do our own thing.  Darkness is the domain of the demonic realm, where demons lie and deceive and torment.  But it is not difficult to dispel darkness.  Dispelling darkness does not require vast knowledge of the realms of darkness, it only requires that we turn the light on!  Our attention is not to be given to the darkness, but our focus is to be on the Light.  The Light will take care of the darkness!  The light of life is poured into our hearts by the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, which floods our hearts with light, Eph. 1:17,18.  The Word of God is a lamp to our feet, and a light unto our path, Ps. 119:105.  The light of the knowledge of the glory of God that shines in the face of Jesus Christ comes to shine in our hearts, 2 Cor. 4:6.  "In Him was life, and the life was the light of men."  John 1:4.  He is the Light of the world!  He is the light that shines in a dark place!  "Arise, shine; For your light has come!  And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.."  Isa. 60:1  Let the light of Christ shine in you, and you will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life!

How can I walk in the light today?

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

I Have Enough

"He who spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things."  Rom. 8:32.  We can often feel that we do not have enough.  We may feel we don't have enough love, or strength, or provision, daily bread, etc.  Romans 8:32 tells us that if we have Christ in our life, we will always have enough, because God will give freely give all things with Him.  Watching Jesus in action in the gospels, we see Him take 5 loaves and 2 fish, and feed over 5000 people.  Philip and the disciples felt they did not have enough.  But they saw that when you give the little you have to Him, that He can multiply it over and over, so that there is enough.  There are several other stories in the Bible where the miracle of multiplication occurred.  In 1 Kings 17 the widow of Zarephath had her flour and oil multiplied as she honored Elijah by making him a cake first.  Her bin of flour and jar of oil did not run dry for 3 years and 6 months.  In 2 Kings 4 the widow's jar of oil was poured out into borrowed vessels until the vessels were full.  The oil was sold to pay her debts to the creditor.  Also in 2 Kings 4, 20 loaves of barley bread fed 100 men under Elisha's ministry.  In each case, there was something offered to God, and it was taken and multiplied.  The New Testament shows us the miracle of multiplication is available to us also.  In 2 Cor. 9:8 Paul says that God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.  11 Cor. 9:10 says, "Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness."  God will supply and multiply the seed we have sown.  We will see the miracle of multiplication as we sow our seed.  As we bring what we have, and offer it to the Lord, He will multiply it, which causes us to thank Him all the more.  His grace is sufficient!  He is enough!  When we have Him, we have enough!  I can confidently say, that I have enough, because I have Him.  What do you have in your house?  What do you have in your hand?  Offer it to Him, and you will have enough!

Do I realize that I have enough?

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

More Than Enough

One story that is told in all four of the gospels is the feeding of the 5000.  In fact, it is the only event in the life of Jesus told in all four gospels, other than the events of the cross and resurrection.  I found six principles to live by in this beautiful story.  1.  The event happened because of compassion.  Jesus was moved with compassion, and healed their sick, and when it was evening the disciples wanted to send the people away to go find food.  But Jesus said, "They do not need to go away.  You give them something to eat."  2.  This was a test of faith.  Jesus already knew what He would do, but wanted to test the faith of the disciples.  When we meet a need greater than ourselves, we should look at it as a time for our faith to act.  The disciples said, "We have here only 5 loaves and 2 fish.  So Jesus said, "Bring them here to Me."  3.  We need to bring what we have to Jesus.  It was only a boy's lunch, but when offered to Jesus, it became a miracle of multiplication.  What do you have?  Will you offer it to Jesus?  There is a miracle in waiting, when we offer what we have to Jesus.  4. Make a plan.  Jesus had the people sit down in groups of hundreds and fifties.  Jesus had a plan how to feed this great multitude.  It would not be mass confusion.  It was organized and orderly.  We need to organize our lives so we are ready for the Master's use.  5.  Teamwork.  Jesus handed the loaves and the fish to the disciples, and they handed them out to the multitude.  Jesus did not do this all by Himself.  When we step out to fulfill our place in the body, we are part of a team.  We cannot do it ourselves.  We need to work together with others to accomplish God's plan.  6.  There is more than enough.  It would have been wonderful if the story read that everyone ate and was filled.  But there was more than enough!  God has a storehouse filled with more than enough for every need.  God is not stingy, nor short in supply.  He knows how to multiply!  He will bless us more than we could have imagined!  Our part is to act in faith, bring our offering, organize our life for Him, and work together as a team.  He will be more than enough!

Is God more than enough for me?

Off The Hook

Forgiveness is a necessity in the walk of the believer.  "And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors" is part of the Lord's prayer that is commonly repeated.  The challenge of forgiving others was brought out by Peter when he asked, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him?  Up to seven times"  I'm sure Peter was thinking he was being generous when he suggested that seven times would be sufficient.  But Jesus' answer was, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven."  Ha ha, this was forgiveness that went beyond anything Peter would have imagined!  The matter of forgiveness is a very big deal for the believer.  One day a man said, "So should I let him off the hook?"  The answer is "Yes".  If he is on your hook, then you are tied to him.  Your life will always be affected by what the other person did, as long as you keep him on the hook for it.  You will never be free of that negative emotional tie until you forgive and let him off your hook.  Getting a hook caught in your flesh is a very serious situation.  My son Caleb and I went on a fishing trip when he was a boy.  About the second cast, his hook got caught in the rocks behind us.  We both reached for the hook, and somehow the hook ended up going into his finger.  After a trip to the hospital, and the doctor cutting the hook, and pushing it through the finger, Caleb was finally free of the hook.  That hook in his flesh stopped everything, because of the seriousness of the pain, and eventual infection.  We should treat every bit of resentment, and unforgiveness like that hook.  GET THE HOOK OUT!  You cannot afford to hold a hook in your flesh, or in someone else's life!  It causes too much pain, and negatively affects the rest of your life.  We find that when we forgive others, we get free ourselves.  The greatest benefit of forgiving others, is that we free ourselves from bitterness.  We must lay down the feeling that someone owes us something, that they have an obligation toward us to treat us a certain way.  When we release people, and forgive them of their debts toward us, we become free to love and move forward.  You can't move forward as long as you are tied to the past!  Fishing line can be almost invisible, but still is very strong.  Cut the line!  Let him off the hook!  Be free from the past, and move on into the plan of God for your life.

Have I got all the hooks out of my life from the past?

Forgiven Much

"But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little."  This phrase comes from the story found in Luke 7:36-50 when Jesus was invited to the home of Simon the Pharisee.  As Jesus reclined at the table, a woman came into the Pharisee's house.  She came uninvited, unannounced, and stood behind Jesus, weeping.  Then she came and bowed herself down, and began to wash Jesus' feet with her tears, and wiped them with her hair.  She began kissing His feet, and with the flask of fragrant oil she brought, she anointed His feet.  The Pharisee, observing this scene, said to himself that if Jesus were really a prophet, He would know who this woman was, and what kind of a woman she was.  The woman was known as a sinner, without doubt a prostitute, an outcast of society.  She would not have been welcome in the Pharisee's house, and he would have had nothing to do with her.  However, Jesus does know who the woman is, and He also knows what is on Simon's mind.  So He says, "Simon, I have something to say to you."  Jesus first tells a parable about a creditor who has two debtors, one owing 500 denarii, and the other owing 50.  One owes 10 more than the other, but when neither could pay, he forgave them both.  Now Jesus asks, "Which one will love him more?"  And Simon answers, "I suppose the one whom he forgave more."  So Jesus says to Simon, "You have rightly judged."  "Do you see this woman?  I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head.  You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in.  You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil.  Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much.  But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little."  The Pharisee showed no love for Jesus, and no love for the woman.  The woman loved Jesus with all her heart, and now had a heart of pure love for others.  When we know how much we have been forgiven, we will love Jesus, and we will love people.  May my heart always become more like the woman's, and less like the Pharisee's.

If I have been forgiven much, how does that affect my life?

Life and Peace

Romans 8:6 says, "To be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace."  Living carnally minded is a killer, it brings a separation in your walk with God.  The carnal, fleshly mind is an enemy against God, and is not subject to the law of God.  The enemy of your Christian life is your carnal mind.  It is the place of battle for your walk with God.  God gave us freedom to choose what we will think about in our hearts and minds, and what we choose to submit our minds to is what we will follow after.  Lately when temptation comes to my mind, I've been saying, "I'm not going to subject my mind to that.  I'm going to subject my mind to the Spirit and the Word."  I won't allow my mind to follow after the things of the flesh.  To be spiritually minded is life and peace.  This is the opposite of the fleshly mind which brings separation from God.  I can walk in the life of God and in the peace of God when I choose to be spiritually minded.  Peace is what the human heart is searching for.  We look for peace and satisfaction through alcohol, drugs, sexual experiences, money, etc.  Yet all these things do not bring long term peace.  The satisfying of the soul can only happen through what Christ offers us.  He is the Prince of Peace, and He knows how to satisfy our deepest needs.  Isa. 26:3 says, "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You."  "Great peace have they who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble."  Ps. 119:165.  Recently I saw three things that really affect all of us:  1.  A feeling of being unloved.  However, Rom. 8:35-39 tells us that nothing can separate us from the love of God.  2.  A feeling of being unworthy.  But Romans 8:33,34 tells us we are not condemned, that Christ died for us, and rose again, and is on the right hand of God, and prays for us.  We are worthy because of Christ.  3.  A feeling of not having enough.  But Romans 8:32 tells us that God did not spare His only Son for us, and therefore He will freely give us all things.  Say it to yourself today, "I am loved, I am worthy, and I have enough."  Renew your mind with these truths, and begin to live in life and peace.

Say it over and over; I am loved, I am worthy, and I have enough.

Monday, September 17, 2012

Nahum's Stronghold

"The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him."  Nahum 1:7.  The message of Nahum was to the city of Nineveh, representing the entire Assyrian Empire.  Nineveh was a beautiful city, located on the Tigris River, surrounded by a wall almost 8 miles in circumference.  The wall was 100 feet high, and wide enough for 3 chariots abreast on it.  The city also had canals, and moats, and guards outside.  The inhabitants of Nineveh felt safe in their stronghold.  But Nahum comes with this message, that the Lord is a stronghold in the day of trouble.  The city of Nineveh was about to be destroyed, and the Assyrian Empire was going to be taken over by the Babylonians.  Nahum's 3 chapters foretell of Nineveh's downfall.  But it didn't have to be this way.  About 150 years before this, another prophet had come to Nineveh to prophecy.  His name was Jonah.  We know how Jonah disobeyed God, and fled to Tarshish, from the presence of the Lord.  And when he was vomited by the fish, the word from God remained the same, "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I tell you."  So Jonah went to Nineveh with one message, "Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown."  At Jonah's word, everyone in that wicked city turned to God with crying and fasting, and God relented and saved the city!  Jonah was angry at God, because God was so gracious and merciful, and relented from the harm that was coming to Nineveh.  God forgives those we may think are undeserving of it.  Jonah's perspective needed to be changed.  The plant provided by God one day, was destroyed by a worm the next day, and Jonah was angry again.  But God was teaching Jonah about mercy, and lovingkindness, and grace for people that Jonah despised.  Nineveh's repentance turned out to be short lived.  They soon let sin back into their lives.  The city became full of lies and robbery, and soon would be laid waste.  Coming to God in repentance is necessary, but we must also continue to live in repentance, holiness, and humility before God.  The Ninevites did not learn this, and gave up the blessing of God that was offered to them through Jonah's preaching.  Now under Nahum's prophecy, they will reap the harvest of their harlotry, sorcery, and lies.  We learn this from Nahum, that the Lord is our true stronghold in the day of trouble.  God knows those who trust in Him.

Am I living out the repentance of the past?

Monday, September 10, 2012

I Will Love Them Freely

Hosea was called to speak to God's people about the fallen state of their spiritual lives.  Hosea would not only speak to them, but he would live out a living demonstration of the love of God by marrying a prostitute who would be unfaithful to him.  Hosea would go and seek out his wife and love her freely, even after what she had done.  So Hosea obeys God, and he marries a wife of harlotry named Gomer.  They have 3 children, and each of the children names speak to the nation of Israel of their lost condition before God.  Yet God promises He will once again gather His people back to Him, and once again they will be His people, and a place where Mercy is shown.  Israel and Judah broke the first and greatest commandment, which is to love the Lord with all their heart, with all their soul, and with all their strength.  They allowed their hearts to fall in love with many other things.  "...They became an abomination like the thing they loved."  Hosea 9:10.  "They sow the wind, and reap the whirlwind..."  8:7.  The sowing and reaping principle came into effect, and their enemies were overtaking them as a result.  They rejected knowledge, and were destroyed for their lack of knowledge.  "Harlotry, wine, and new wine enslave the heart."  4:11. Their love affair with idols, wine, harlotry, and everything the flesh could desire brought them to a place of brokenness and affliction.  "Their drink is rebellion, they commit harlotry continually, her rulers dearly love dishonor."  4:18.  Their life had fallen to the depths of rebellion, and now the Assyrians were going to take them captive.  But Hosea's book is a great revelation of the love of God, despite our behavior.  God calls for them to come return to the Lord.  He promises to come to them once again like the rain, the former and the latter rain to the earth.  Now they can turn their situation around, "Sow to yourselves righteousness, reap in mercy; Break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the Lord, till He comes and rains righteousness on you." 10:12.  God will not hold back His love from us, no matter what we have done.  "I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely, for My anger has turned away from him."  14:4.  "I drew them with gentle cords, with bands of love..."  11:4.  What a beautiful picture of the love of God.  As Hosea sought out his unfaithful wife, so God seeks after those who have been unfaithful to Him.  "For the ways of the Lord are right; The righteous walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them." 14:9

Am I walking in the free forgiveness of the love of God?

Possess Your Possessions

"The pride of your heart has deceived you..."  Obadiah 3.  The prophet Obadiah spoke to the nation of Edom. The Edomites were the descendants of Esau, Jacob's older brother.  Jacob was a deceiver from the time he was born, as indicated by his hand on his brother's heel at birth.  Though Esau was the older, he was persuaded by Jacob to sell his birthright for a meal of stew.  Then later, with the help of his mother Rebekah, Jacob stole the blessing from his father that was meant for Esau.  Esau was so angry with his brother that he planned to kill him.  Jacob left to go live with his uncle Laban so that Esau's anger would cool down.  They did have a reconciliation meeting later, but history indicates that the animosity of Esau's descendants continued up to the time of Nebuchadnezzar's capture of Jerusalem in 586BC.  As Obadiah prophecies to Edom, he rebukes them for choosing to side with Babylon against Jacob their brother.  From verses 12-14 there are at least 7 things they should not have done.  They made their decisions from an attitude of pride and animosity.  They felt secure in their nation, living in Petra, a natural fortress.  They said in verse 3, "Who will bring me down to the ground?"  Their pride deceived them, and they became vulnerable to deception.  Obadiah's message warns us of the danger of living with a prideful heart.  "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up."  James 4:10.  "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." James 4:6.  It is in this attitude of humility that we submit to God, we resist the devil, and he flees from us.  Humility is the key to experiencing grace in our lives.  Forgiveness is the key to experiencing freedom in our lives.  Esau's refusal to forgive Jacob caused a root of bitterness to grow, making Esau an immoral and profane person, Heb. 12:14-17.  Edom was stuck in the past because of unforgiveness and anger.  Jesus told us exactly how to stay free from the root of bitterness, "And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses."  Mark 11:25.  Forgive anything against anyone.  Why?  Because it sets you free from the past, so you can move on in what God has given you.  Obadiah, the shortest book of the Old Testament, reveals two great truths: humility brings grace, and forgiveness brings freedom.  It is the way to "possess your possessions", Obadiah 17.

Does pride deceive me into thinking I don't need God?

Monday, August 13, 2012

Entering Into Rest

"There remains therefore a rest for the people of God."  Heb. 4:9  The Old Testament is full of examples for us to learn from.  The promised land is an example to us of the fullness of blessing that God wants every Christian to enter into.  In Numbers 13 and 14 we read that Moses sent 12 spies into the land to spy out the land and bring back a report.  10 spies brought back an evil report, because they did not believe they could conquer the land because of the giants and the enemies.  Only Joshua and Caleb brought a good report, saying to the people that they could enter this land and possess it.  This land had already been promised to them by God, so now it was time for them to possess their possessions.  Instead, they wandered in the wilderness for 40 years.  Now there remains is a rest for the people of God to enter into.  We do not want to wander in the wilderness!  We need to enter into the rest of God.  The Israelites had the sons of Anak, the Amalakites, the Hittites, Jebusites, Amorites and Canaanites to defeat.  We have different enemies, but we must conquer our enemies.  We are told in Hebrews chapters 3 and 4 to beware of an evil heart of unbelief, and to watch lest any be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.  In Heb. 4:1 we are told to fear lest any of us seem to come short of entering into His rest.  Again in Hebrews 4:11 we are to be diligent to enter that rest.  The enemies of unbelief, doubt, worry, strife, unforgiveness, anger, and fear must be defeated.  We are given 3 things at the end of Heb. 4 to enter the rest.  We have been given the Word of God, which is alive, and powerful, and sharper than a two-edged sword.  With this spiritual sword we can cut down the enemies.  We have a great High Priest who is able to sympathize with our weaknesses, and run to our aid.  We have a throne of grace to come to in prayer, to obtain mercy, and find grace to help in our time of need.  "You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You," Isa. 26:3.  The rest of God is a place of peace.  Peace is that invaluable quality of heart that keeps your mind at rest when there is turmoil all around.  Surpassing our understanding, it keeps and guards our hearts and minds.  One day there will be ultimate peace and rest from our labors, Rev. 14:13.  Now, we must be diligent to enter that rest in faith and trust.  Enter into your place of rest today.  Through the Word of God and prayer, you can defeat your enemies, and enter into rest!

In what way am I living in rest today?

Monday, July 30, 2012

Wonders of Creation

Gen. 1:1 says, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth."  The wonders of creation are a message from God for everyone to read.  Gen. 1 recounts the seven days of creation.  Not only do we see the things God created, but every element of chemistry, biology and physics were set in motion.  The laws of nature were put into place so that the earth would be a beautiful place for people to inhabit.  On the fourth day God created the sun, the moon, and the stars.  I recently did a google search to find out how many stars are in the universe.  After another look, astronomers say that the number of known stars has tripled, due to more sophisticated tools.  In every direction of the sky, the stars reach to an infinite distance!  Why would God make such an extravagant creation?  Everyday, every person on the planet has an opportunity to experience creation, and ask the question, "How did this happen?"  Everyday we have an opportunity to worship God because of what we see and experience.  "For since the beginning of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,"  Rom. 1:20.  The creation speaks of the invisible attributes of God: His power, His wisdom, His care, His love, His beauty, His order, His omniscience, His infinite greatness.  An infinite creation speaks of an infinite God.  I also did a google research of DNA.  Science tells us that the DNA stretched out from a single person would reach to the sun and back about 610 times!  DNA is a very complex ladder like structure and is different in each person making every person unique.  Whether we look outward to the heavens,, or inward with the microscope, we are struck with wonder at the creation of God.  No wonder God is called the Lord of heaven and earth, Matt. 11:25.  Looking at creation gives us all the more reason to trust God with our lives.  He who created the heavens and the earth can be trusted to rule in our lives.  Let us take Him at His Word, and follow Him in this walk of faith.

Today I will let the awesomeness of God touch my heart!

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Work Without The Lord Is In Vain

Ps. 127:1,2 "Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; Unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows; for so He gives His beloved sleep." The Psalm is talking about our work, whether it is building a house, guarding a city, or whatever project we are doing. The Psalm tells us that unless the Lord is the one who is giving the vision, the plan, and is personally involved in the project, that it will be in vain. This is not to say that we cannot do projects on our own without God. God has created people in such an ingenious way, that we can accomplish tremendous things on our own. The tower of Babel is a great example of people in unity working together to accomplish a great goal. God Himself said in Gen. 11:6, "Indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them." So it is not that we cannot do anything without God, but that our work will be in vain without God. Our work will produce no Kingdom benefits without God working through us. Ps. 127:1,2 uses the phrase 'it is vain' 3 times to impress upon us our need for God to work through us. All our worry, and anxiety, and trying to do things in our own strength is shown to be vain. If we rise up early, and stay up late, eating the bread of sorrows (anxiety), going over and over things, losing sleep over it all, it will not help solve our problems or bring about solutions. He gives His beloved sleep. But what do we do when we toss and turn, and can't sleep, because we can't turn off our mind, worrying about things. We go back to the first verse, which reminds us that unless the Lord builds the house, our work will be in vain. So we have to trust God, and realize that unless God works through us, our work will be in vain. We must turn it all over to God, and with trust in our hearts, we will be able to get a good peaceful sleep, which we need for a clear mind, a positive attitude, and health for our bodies. So may God bless you with a trusting heart, depending upon God in the building of His work, and a good peaceful sleep that will refresh you for tomorrow.

One Thing

We can learn so much from Mary and Martha.  Their story is found in Luke 10:38-42.  Jesus came to their house, and each of the women responded differently to his coming.  Martha was busy serving Him, while Mary sat at His feet and heard His word.  Martha was distracted with her serving, and therefore had no time to spend in fellowship with Jesus.  What did Jesus want when He went to their house?  I'm sure He wanted to spend time with them, and fellowship with them.  So when Martha asked that He would tell Mary to come help her, He said that one thing was needful, and Mary had chosen that good part, which would not be taken away from her.  This story goes far beyond serving in the kitchen.  It is a call for everyone of us to choose priorities in our lives that will bring us into fellowship with Jesus, and cause us to walk by revelation, rather than by the strength of our flesh.  God is found by those who diligently seek Him, and so we are each called to set aside the worries and troubles of our day, and seek first the kingdom of God.  As we put God first, we will find the peace that passees all understanding.  Our worries and troubles wiill fade away, and we will be changed.  This one thing is the key to walking with God.  Paul mentioned this one thing in Philippians, when he said he was forgetting the things which are behind, and reaching forth to the things which are ahead.  He put his full passion into pressing toward the mark of God's call on his life.  David also found one thing, which was more important to him than anything else.  In Ps. 27:4 he said, "One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord, all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple."  This one thing is more important that all the other things in our lives.  Do we have this one thing in our lives today?  Time spent with the Lord is never wasted time.

How God Reveals Himself

It is God's desire to reveal Himself to all people!  Here are 3 main ways that God reveals Himself:
1.  Through Christ.  Christ is the revelation of God.  1 Cor. 1:24 says, "...Christ, the power of God, and the wisdom of God."  It is through Christ that we see God's wisdom and power.  We need the spirit of wisdom and revelation to see Him, for even some of those close to Him did not know who He was.  In John 14, Philip said to Him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us."  But Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip?  He that has seen me has seen the Father, so how can you say, 'Show us the Father'"?  Philip did not realize that in seeing Jesus, he was seeing the Father.  Jesus is the Word, from the beginning, made flesh, and dwelt among us.  He declared and showed to us the Father.  God has spoken to us through His Son, the brightness of His glory, the express image of His person, Heb. 1:1-3.  Jesus is the fullness of the Godhead bodily, Col.2:9.  God has revealed Himself through Christ.
2.  Through Scripture.  The Scriptures are the God inspired words given to us to reveal God to us.  2 Tim. 3:16 says,  "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness."  Only through the scriptures can we become mature, and equipped to do every good work God has planned for us.   By our hunger for the Word of God, we are transformed and changed, and God reveals Himself to us. 
3.  By the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit brings revelation of God to us.  It was by revelation that Paul received the gospel, Gal. 1:12.  We need that same spirit of revelation to bring the power of the gospel alive in our lives.  The Spirit has come to teach us and lead us into all truth. 
Today, let us fix our eyes on Jesus, give attention to the Scriptures, and open our hearts to the Holy Spirit.  We will grow in our revelation of God as we do these things.   

Living By Revelation

"I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent, and have revealed them to babes."  Matt. 11:25.  The things of God are revealed, and therefore available to anyone who will receive them.  The Christian life is to be a life of revelation.  Paul's prayer for the church was that we would have the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Chirst, Eph.1:17.  Only through revelation can we know the things given to us in Christ.  1 Cor. 2:12 says, "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God."  We need the Holy Spirit to show us the things that are ours through Christ.  Without the Holy Spirit, we are blind to the things of God.  God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, has shined in our hearts, to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.  This is revelation!  It is the revealing of Christ to our hearts.  The rock that the church is built upon is the rock of revelation.  In Matt. 16, Jesus asked the disciples, "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?"  The people had many different ideas about who Jesus was.  They thought maybe he was John the Baptist, or Elijah, or Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.  They didn't know Him, even though he was there with them.  So Jesus asked the disciples, "But who do you say that I am?"  "Simon Peter answered and said, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.' "  Jesus said, "Blessed are you Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this unto you, but My Father in heaven... and on this rock I will build My church..."  The revelation of Christ to our hearts is the unmoveable rock upon which the church is built, and nothing can stand against that revelation.  We are called to live by that revelation.  Let us pray for the Holy Spirit to bring revelation into our hearts today.

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

The Blood Line

There is a blood line that goes through the Bible from the beginning to the end.  It begins in Gen. 3 when God made tunics of skin to clothe Adam and Eve, as a result of their sin.  We see the blood in Gen. 4 as Abel brought an offering of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat.  We see the blood when Noah offered sacrifices unto the Lord.  We see the blood as Abraham offered animals to God in Gen. 15, and God cut a covenant with Abraham that day.  God's presence, as a smoking oven and a burning torch passed between the pieces.  The offering of the passover lamb in Ex. 12 is an amazing picture of the power of the blood.  Every family was to apply the blood of a sacrificed lamb to the doors and windows of their houses.  At midnight, in every home in Egypt, the firstborn was dead, except in the homes of the Israelites where the blood had been applied.  Ex. 12:13 says, "Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are.  And when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and  the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt."  Throughout the Old Testament, there is the shedding of blood, to sanctify and to set apart God's people and their place of worship.  Hebrews 9:22 says, "And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission."  On the Day of Atonement, the high priest went into the holy of holies, not without blood, to make atonement for his own sins and for the sins of the people.  But all this was pointing to the one day, when Christ would shed His blood, and once and for all, the price for sin would be paid.  Never again would there need to be a blood sacrifice for sin!  Now we are invited to enter into the holy of holies, by a new and living way, through the veil, into the very presence of God.  Now by the blood we enter, we worship, we stand, we are purified, we overcome, we are forgiven, we are in right standing with God.  Now, and forever, our song is "Worthy is the Lamb Who was slain."  Rev. 5:9 "...For You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood, out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation..."  Claim the power of the blood in your life today.  Apply the power of the blood to sanctify, cleanse, and overcome every enemy, in the name of Jesus!

The Prophetic Breaks Through

John the Baptist went through his own prison of doubt.  He sent two disciples to ask Jesus, "Are You the Coming One, or should we look for another?"  This was amazing, considering all that John had been through with Jesus.  John the Baptist and Jesus were cousins, and they grew up together,  John baptized Jesus, and proclaimed, "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world."  But John had become offended while waiting in the prison.  Jesus sent a message to him saying. "And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me."  Then Jesus spoke the prophetic word about who John was.  The prophetic word breaks through our prison and hardness of heart.  Jesus said about John, "What did you go out into the wilderness to see?  A reed shaken by the wind?  But what did you go out to see?  A man clothed in soft garments?  Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.  But what did you go out to see?  A prophet?  Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.  For this is he of whom it is written..."  Jesus spoke the prophetic word over John.  Jesus spoke the word that was the destiny of God in John's life.  This word told who John was, why he came, and what his role in the kingdom was.  This confirmed to John and to all who heard exactly why John had come, and this word dispelled the doubts that were lingering about what was happening in John's life.  We need the prophetic word in our lives.  The prophetic word breaks through our doubts, and confirms to us that God is still with us, and that His destiny is being accomplished in our lives.  My wife had a dream of herself driving a big semi truck, plowing through snowbanks and obstacles.  I said to her, "That is the prophetic word that breaks through the obstacles in our hearts, and sets us on the path of destiny for our lives."  This is the Word of God that changes our lives and brings breakthrough.  We receive this word when we, like Mary, sit at His feet and hear His Word.  God will give you the prophetic word for your life as you wait on Him, and this word will change your life, and bring breakthrough for you into the destiny God has for your life. 

Priorities

The familiar story of Mary and Martha serves us well in talking about priorities.  Jesus came to their house, and the two women responded in different ways to His coming.  Martha became very busy and distracted with much serving.  Her focus was on the state of the house, the preparation of the food, and the whole appearance of everything in the house.  I don't blame Martha at all.  When someone is coming over who is of the highest dignity and worth, it is expected we would feel pressure to get the house in shape, and serve in the very best way.  Mary's response was different, in that she sat at His feet and heard His word.  Martha even asked Jesus to tell Mary to come and help, yet Jesus said that Mary had chosen that good thing which shall not be taken away from her.  There were not a whole list of priorities, and do and don'ts. There was one thing needed, and that was what Mary had chosen.  I fall into the Martha syndrome at church sometimes, thinking most about the cleanliness of the carpet, the straightness of the rows of chairs, the temperature in the building, but that is not what church is about!  I asked myself, "What did Jesus want?"  What did He want out of the visit at Mary and Martha's house?  What was He concerned about?  Now we know, that what He wanted was time to fellowship with them.  He wasn't concerned about the other things.  He came for fellowship.  What does God want in my life?  Why did He come into my heart?  To give me a list of do's and don'ts?  To give me a bunch of rules to follow, and if I slip up, He is ready with a big stick?  No!!!  He came to fellowship with me.  He came for relationship.  He stands at the door and knocks, to see if I will open the door, so He can come in and sup with me.  "For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, Abba, Father."  Rom. 8:15  The Spirit in us cries out for the Abba, Daddy relationship with the Father.  That's why He came into my life.  "And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, 'Abba, Father.'"  Develop the relationship today.  Sit at His feet, and talk with Him, and He will fellowship with you!

Prison of Doubt

When we answer the call to follow Jesus, we do it initially with great passion and enthusiasm.  But our faith will be tested, and trials will come to all of us.  Even the strongest believer will have times of doubt and wondering.  This was true of John the Baptist also.  We read in Matt. 11:2,3 "And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples and said to Him, 'Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?'"  This is the same John the Baptist who baptized Jesus, when the Holy Spirit came down in the form of a dove, and a voice spoke from heaven saying, This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.  This is the same John who preached boldly to the Pharisees and Sadducees, and called them to repent.  This is the same John who cried out, "Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight."  When he saw Jesus coming, he cried out, "Behold the Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world."  John said, "And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God." John 1:34.  But now John is in prison, having been put there because he told Herod it was not lawful for him to have Herodias as his wife.  Now he is languishing in the prison, knowing his life could be taken at any time.  Now as he sits and thinks about what has happened, he hears about the works of Christ.  And yet, there are unanswered questions in John's mind.  He doesn't understand why things have turned out the way they have.  Even though he has known Jesus all his life, and was the forerunner in announcing Christ's coming, he now wonders if this is really the Christ.  So he sends two disciples to ask Him, "Are you the Coming One, or should we look for another?"  Jesus sent the disciples back to John to tell him that the signs testify that He is the Christ.  "And blessed is he who is not offended in Me."John was getting offended!  John was beginning to stumble in his circumstances.  This is something everyone of us has to face.  When things do not turn out the way we thought they would, and when it seems God is not doing what He said He would do, do we get offended with God?  Do we put ourselves into our own prison of doubt?  My dear friend, you will be blessed if you don't get offended at God.  Seek Him, sit at His feet, and He will give you a word that will carry you through the circumstances, and deliver you from the prison of doubt. 

Monday, June 18, 2012

Lazarus At My Gate

In May 2012 the population of the world exceeded 7 billion people.  To these people we are commanded to go to preach the gospel.  This requires a heart of love.  There is a battle for our heart everyday, and we must win the battle over selfishness if we will ever be able to obey Christ's command to reach the world.  The battle can be seen in the story Jesus taught about the rich man and the poor beggar named Lazarus.  The whole story is found in Luke 16:19-31.  The beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, was laid at the rich man's gate.  Everyday the rich man saw the beggar at his gate.  Everyday the needs of the beggar were before the rich man's eyes, yet he was unmoved in his heart toward the beggar.  He never once stopped to help Lazarus or consider his needs.  The dogs came and licked the poor man's sores, while the rich man lived in luxury and fared sumptuously everyday.  Lazarus hoped for some crumbs that fell from the rich man's table.  I suddenly was convicted that sometimes my life may look more like the rich man's than the poor man's.  How many times have I seen a need and been unmoved to help?  How many times has Lazarus been at my gate, and I have not stopped to consider his needs?  I felt sorry for the poor man as I read the story, but as I continued to read, I started feeling sorry for the rich man.  Now in hell, the rich man pleads that Lazarus would come and dip his finger in water to cool his tongue, for he was tormented in the flame.  Now the rich man needs Lazarus!  He never needed him before, but now he needs him.  How many times have we felt like we didn't need the poor beggar, or the homeless?  How hard our hearts can be toward others, and yet, there may come a day when we need them.  Even though I am blessed, and now "rich", may my life not resemble the rich man.  May I never lose the love of God toward those not as fortunate as I.  May I always have a heart of thanksgiving for what God has done, and may I always know that I am what I am by the grace of God.  I could have so easily been the poor man.  What a responsibility I have toward all people, whether rich or poor.  What selfishness there is in my own heart yet to conquer.  How can I fulfill the great commission if I don't have compassion in my heart for the people near me?  Only a daily time spent with God, and the move of the Holy Spirit in my heart, can keep my heart soft and filled with compassion to move toward the unloved and the broken.  Help me God, not to be like the rich man, but to have a heart that cares for people.

The Raging Bull

The Holy Spirit has been revealing how much believers can live out of fear, instead of love and faith. After people have been hurt, often the result is to withdraw and to say, "I'm never going to let myself get into a situation like that again."  They become motivated by fear, and become unable to open up their heart to God in certain areas, because of the unhealed hurts of the past.  This fear of becoming vulnerable to God and to people cripples them in their obedience to the Spirit.  Fear is a part of life that we all have to face.  The disciples faced fear when they were out on the water, believing they were going to die.  Timothy faced fear in his ministry, and leaned on the words from Paul, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."  Worry and anxiety are available to you everyday, should you choose to have them in your life.  But we are told there are 365 "Fear Nots" in the Bible, one for every day, one for every situation we face in life.  I had a dream where I was in an open field, and Judy was calling for me to come help her.  Suddenly as I looked up I saw a bull, a very large ferocious animal looking at me.  All at once, he started to charge at me.  I had picked up a handful of rocks and dirt, and as he came, fear gripped my heart.  I couldn't turn and run from him, so I threw my rock at him, and to my surprise, he stopped, distracted by the rock, and he was unable to come any closer to me.  I stood my ground, and used what I had in my hand, and the raging bull stopped and turned around and walked away.  Ps. 22:12 says, "Many bulls have surrounded Me; Strong bulls of Bashan have encircled Me."  Bashan was east of the Jordan, under Og, king of Bashan.  In Num. 21:33-35, the Lord said to Moses, "Do not fear him, for I have delivered him into your hand..."  The raging bull is the spirit of fear, and God says not to fear him!  Israel defeated Og, his sons, and all his people and took possession of his land.  Today God wants us to defeat fear, and worry and anxiety, and all their relatives,and take possession of all our inheritance that Christ purchased for us on the cross.  When fear attacks, stand your ground, use what is in your hand, and watch the bull stop and turn around in the name of Jesus.  Refuse fear, and walk in faith and love, and fulfill all that God has called you to do.          

Orthotomounta

"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Tim 2:15.  The words "rightly dividing" come from the Greek word, orthotomounta.  This word literally means to cut straight.  We use the word ortho in such words as orthodontics, and orthopedics.  It means to straighten, as in straightening teeth.  When you go to the dentist, and he needs to cut your gum, you want him to make a straight cut in the right place the first time!  When a road is constructed, or a furrow is plowed, it needs to be straight, exactly where it is supposed to be.  So when we come to the Word of God, it needs to be rightly divided.  A Scripture taken out of context and misunderstood can be used to say anything the speaker wants it to say.  We so often hear Scripture being used incorrectly by those who have not rightly divided it.  Even satan used Scripture for his own purpose.  Perhaps this is the highest level of deception, to take God's own words, and misuse them to deceive and tempt.  Often the Old Testament is quoted by those who don't understand the New Covenant.  We are 2000 years removed from the Old Testament!  We do not stone witches or adulterers.  We do not live under the Law.  We are in the age of God's grace and the shed blood of Jesus.  We have a relationship with God in the spirit, from the heart.  The Holy Spirit is our teacher.  We have the 5 fold ministry gifts from Christ to help us grow.  We have the New Testament and the letters to the churches.  We are a part of the body of Christ, with many different members.  We can grow in our knowledge of the love of God, which takes away all fear.  The Holy Spirit is our guide, who leads us into all truth.  We can go to God in prayer, and study the Scriptures, and rightly divide the Word of truth.  In any matter, we can come to God and ask for wisdom, and understanding.  God will give answers, peace, and understanding to us.  He can unravel the most complicated situations, and give us knowledge of what to do.  He will shine His light of illumination on the Word, so we can rightly divide it and live by it in love and truth.  Let us be diligent to present ourselves unto God, workers who do not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 

The Need For Fathers

1 Cor. 4:15  "For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel."  We need our earthly fathers, our Heavenly Father, and spiritual fathers in our lives.  Our earthly father has a role to play in training and raising his children in the admonition of the Lord.  But not all earthly fathers do this, as they may be absent, or disinterested in spiritual things.  Timothy seems to have had a father like this.  All we know about his father was that he was Greek, Acts 16:1.  It was from Timothy's mother Eunice, and his grandmother Lois, that Timothy came to know Christ and the Scriptures.  Later Paul took him as his own son in the Lord, and instructed him and encouraged him in his gifts.  Spiritual fathers are those people in our lives who have cared for us, prayed for us, and raised us up in our place in the body.  Without them, we would never have made it to the place we are today.  They help us to develop our relationship with our Heavenly Father.  We grow in our relationship with our Heavenly Father, and as we grow, we in turn are to pass on to others what we have learned.  2 Tim. 2:2 says that we are to commit to faithful men the things that we have heard.  There will be a succession of disipleship that follows our lives, as we disciple another, and they disciple another, and so on.  Paul was there to help Timothy through many things such as:  fear, perseverance, false doctrines, hardship, rightly dividing the Word, humility, persecution, etc.  Timothy battled a spirit of fear in his life, and so we have the famous words, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."  Timothy would not have become the man he was without Paul.  Timothy needed Paul, and Paul needed to have a Timothy.  Paul had many men that he discipled, and in turn, Timothy discipled others also.  If there is anything written on my gravestone, I would like to have the words, "A Spiritual Father" written there.  May my life cause others to come fully into their place in the body of Christ. 

Monday, May 14, 2012

Five Words Of Ruth's Life


There are 5 words that describe the life of Ruth.  The first word is "faithful".   Ruth was a Moabite woman who became the daughter-in-law of Naomi.  Naomi's husband and 2 sons died in Moab, leaving her with her 2 daughter-in-laws, Orpah and Ruth.  Naomi told the girls to go back home to their families, but Ruth would not return.  She said to Naomi, "Entreat me not to leave you, or to turn back from following after you; for wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, And your God, my God."  Ruth was faithful to the relationships in her life, both to people, and to God.  She let nothing come between her relationship with Naomi, and her relationship with God.  Because she was faithful, she found favor.  She happened to reap in the field of Boaz, who gave her great favor by providing protection, and provision of grain.  Favor follows faithfulness.  Naomi directed Ruth to lay down at Boaz's feet, and ask him to take her under his wing.  Ruth had fear and respect for Boaz as she laid at his feet, waiting for what he would say.  This is a beautiful picture of the body of Christ laying at Jesus' feet, waiting for what He will say to us.   This is a picture of surrender, worship, and total abandonment to Him.  Boaz redeemed the land of Naomi, and with the redemption he took Ruth as his wife.  Their union brought forth a son, Obed, who was the father of Jesse, the father of David.  Ruth was fruitful in bringing forth her son, who was in the lineage of Christ.  She asked only one thing, "Take your maidservant under your wing."  We only need to ask for one thing, that we be brought under Christ's wing.  If we have Him, we have everything.  "Seek first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you."  Because of Boaz's redemption, his name would be famous.  Ruth 4:14, "...and may his name be famous in Israel."  Christ's name is to be made famous in all the world, through the actions of His people.  The 5 words of Ruth's life: Faithful, Favored, Feared, Fruitful, and Famous.  May Christ be made famous through our lives.  May Jesus be lifted up through our actions, for all to see!

Monday, April 30, 2012

"Ears To Hear"

I believe that having "ears to hear" is the most important element in our spiritual growth.  Many times Jesus said, "If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear."  Having ears to hear is much different than having ears that hear!  The same things that Jesus said were heard by both the Pharisees, and by the disciples, but the disciples came back to Jesus and asked Him what He meant, because they desired to understand, Luke 8:9.  The parable of the sower and the seed is the parable upon which the other parables are understood.  Mark 4:13 says, "Do you not understand this parable?  How then will you understand all the parables?"  The meaning of this parable was given to the disciples when they came to Him and asked Him for the understanding.  Others had hearts that were closed, ears hard of hearing, and eyes that were shut, Matt. 13:14,15.  But Jesus said the disciples were blessed because their eyes could see and their ears could hear.  They heard the things that the prophets and righteous men of old had longed to hear and see.  The growth of our spiritual lives is not so much dependant on God, as it is dependant on whether we have ears to hear.  The measure of our growth will depend on our hearing.  "Take heed what you hear.  With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given.  For whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him."  Mark 4:24,25.  In the parable of the sower and the seed, the fruit produced came from the seed, and the conditions of the soil where the seed was growing.  The fruit in our lives comes from the seed of the Word planted in us, and the condition of our heart where the Word is growing.  Fruit comes from the seed!  Plant more seed for more fruit!  Nurture the seed that has been planted, and guard your heart from thorns, thistles, and hardness.  A harvest of 30, 60, and 100 fold awaits us, as we allow the seed to bring forth fruit in our lives.  Is your heart still open to hearing from God?  Are you hungry and desiring more of God?  With open ears, you will grow and bring forth fruit for the Kingdom of God!      

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

The Coin In The Fish's Mouth

The story of the coin in the fish's mouth is one of the most intriguing and miraculous stories in the Bible.  In Matt. 17:24-27 we read that those who gathered the temple tax came to Peter and asked him if his Master paid the temple tax?  The temple tax was an annual tax that everyone paid.  Everyone paid the same amount for the upkeep of the temple.  Vs. 27 says, "Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first.  And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you."  I saw three things in this story that we can apply to our lives.  First, Jesus knows where the coin is.  It is so encouraging to know that Jesus knows where the coin is.  When we are in need, and we don't know where the money is going to come from, we need to remember that Jesus knows where the money is.  It moves us to seek God in faith, believing that God will supply every need.  We can have confidence because we know that Jesus knows where the money is.  Secondly, Peter had to do something to get the coin.  Jesus could have given Peter a coin, but the coin was revealed in a way that Peter would never forget.  It took an act of faith and obedience for Peter to find the coin.  We too will need to move in faith and obedience in order to find God's provision for us.  We must ask God, "What do You want me to do"?  And we must be obedient to the things in His Word and what He tells us to do.  Jesus wants to reveal Himself to us through the provision of the coin.  Thirdly, the coin had a purpose.  I'm sure that Peter never thought about going to spend the coin for anything else but to pay the taxes.  The coin had a purpose.  The coin that comes into our hands has a purpose.  We need to find the purpose for the coin.  The coin comes from God, and when we spend it, we should ask if we are spending it for the purpose we received it.  God supplies the coin we need for our taxes, food, clothes, payments, etc. but we need to know we have spent our coin for the right purpose.  Have we honored God with our tithe?  Have we given offerings as we should?  The coin is a gift, not to be squandered but to be used for its intended purpose.  The coin is to serve the purposes of God.  We do not serve the coin, the coin serves us.  The coin is not our master.  God is our master, and we cannot serve two masters.  The battle for our hearts is to keep God first, and to have no other gods before Him.  No, the coin is not our master, it is a blessing from God.  It is our servant to fulfill the purposes of God. 

Monday, April 16, 2012

Free Cheese

We are instructed to bring our thoughts into captivity to the obedience of Christ. The battle takes place in our mind, in our thought life. James 1:12-15 shows us the way that temptation works. It is a 5 step process: 1. We are drawn away by our own desires. 2. We are enticed (baited). 3. Desire conceives - becomes action. 4. The desire becomes sin. 5. Sin leads to death. I saw these as 5 words all beginning with the letter D: Drawn, Desire, Decision, Deed, Death. It is the process by which we trap a mouse. First, we set the trap, and the mouse is drawn to notice the trap. The mouse may have ran that way a hundred times, but that day something draws his attention. Then he notices the cheese. He says to himself, "Free Cheese". Wow, this is too good to be true! He is enticed. He is baited, and maybe he doesn't go nibble on the cheese right away, but he remembers the cheese and keeps thinking about the free cheese. He finally decides that he is going to get some of that cheese. The decision is followed by action, by committing the deed. But unknown to him, this decision leads to his death. This is the process of temptation. When we are drawn away by something, we can avoid the damage by bringing our thoughts into captivity. But if we allow our thoughts to continue, and we become enticed, we have started down a very dangerous path. Like someone has said, "You can't stop the birds from flying around your head, but you can keep them from building a nest in your hair." If thoughts are allowed to turn into action, it is because we have made a decision to act on those thoughts. The decision means we have done the deed, we have acted out on our thoughts. The wages of sin is death, and death is the result of sin. Our tempter was created a wonderful creature in the beginning, and he has a knowledge of temptation. He knows the traps that can ensnare us. We must not lean on our own strength to overcome temptation, but we must put on the whole armour of God. If we pass by the mousetrap, the enemy will go about to make a better mousetrap, so we always need to walk in the truth of God's Word, and in a spirit of prayer and dependence on God. Be carful of "Free Cheese". It may be very costly!

Monday, January 16, 2012

Stepping Out

"The just shall live by faith" is repeated several times in the Scriptures. To live by faith means that we do not live primarily by what we see, or how we feel, but we live by what God says, and what He has promised. We need to live by this faith everyday, and in every circumstance. Heb. 11:6 tells us that without this faith we cannot please God. Living by faith is the only way to please God in our lives. Following are 3 stories from the Bible that illustrate our need for faith. The first one is the crossing of the Red Sea by the Israelites. With the Sea in front of them, and the Egyptian army behind them, the people were afraid. Moses says, "Do not be afraid. Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord." Fear will never get us across the obstacles in our lives, it will always drive us backwards. The people were crying, but God said to them to stop crying, and to move forward. The great miracle of the water dividing happened when Moses lifted up his rod toward the Sea in faith. By faith they crossed over the Sea and saw the destruction of their enemies. Later in the time of Joshua, Israel needed another miracle in order to cross into the Promised Land. The people were to watch the ark and follow it, because they had not passed that way before. The priests were to stand in the Jordan, and as they did, the water stopped flowing, and they walked on dry ground across the Jordan River. This crossing represents our crossing into the promises of God and the fulness of God in our lives. We need a miracle every time we move forward into our promised land. We need to move in faith for each step forward, for we are moving into unknown territory. Then, in the New Testament, we read of Peter accepting Jesus' invitation to walk on the water. Peter made the decision to step out onto the water, and found the reality of the supernatural. We too will find the supernatural power of God when we step out in faith on the promises of God. When fear entered into Peter, he again had to fix his eyes on Jesus in order to walk in the supernatural. "But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried out saying, 'Lord, save me!' " The circumstances are irrelevant to faith. Walking by faith takes us across the troubled sea. We can cross our Red Sea, we can enter into our Promised Land, and we can walk on the water of the supernatural, as we walk by faith, and not by sight.

Monday, January 9, 2012

Places of Growth

The passage of Scripture in 2 Kings 2:1-15 is a great picture of growth in a Christian's life. It is the story of Elisha following Elijah so that he may receive a double portion of the Spirit. The two men start at Gilgal, which means a circle, or rolling. This speaks of the place we start in our walk with God, the place where our sins are rolled away, and we start our relationship with God. But from Gilgal, the Lord sends Elijah to Bethel. Bethel means the house of God. We too must be established in the house of God. Ps. 92:13 says, "Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God." The church is the house of God where we must become established in order to grow. The picture of the physical body demonstrates our need to be established in the local church. A member of the body cannot function without the rest of the body. We cannot fulfil our destiny from God without being in relationship with our local church and fellow brothers and sisters. From Bethel Elijah is sent to Jericho. Jericho represents the place of battle in the Christian life. There will be battles that we must push through and overcome as we walk with God. Jesus said to Peter in Luke 22:31-32, "Simon, Simon, satan has desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat." There will be times of battling to keep your heart right with God, battling temptation, battling distractions, battling discouragement, battling against principalities and powers. We will battle strife and carnality. We must battle so that we don't become like the Corinthians, who could no longer receive meat, but only milk, because they were not able to eat the meat of God's Word, 1 Cor. 3:1,2. Then Elijah was sent to the Jordan. The Jordan is the place of crossing over into the Promised Land. It is the place of faith, of abundance, of answered prayer, and abundant life. The Jordan is the place where Jesus was baptized, and the Holy Spirit came upon Him. It is the place of Spirit filled living and walking with God. This is the place we want to live. We must not be content staying at Gilgal, or in Bethel, or at Jericho. We must follow on to the Jordan, to the place of greater anointing and blessing. This requires growth in our faith, and in our walk with God. "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen." 2 Pet. 3:18

Moving With God

The example of Elisha following after Elijah is one that spurs us on to follow after God. The Scripture passage is found in 2 Kings 2:1-15. Elijah is moving from one place to another, and each time he moves, he tells Elisha to stay. But each time, Elisha responds with, "As the Lord lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you." Then the sons of the prophets come to Elisha and say, "Do you know that the Lord will take away your master from over you today?" And Elisha responds with, "Yes I know, keep silent." There are 4 things that stick out to me in Elisha's life: Growth (moving on), persistence, passion, and mentorship. Elisha had decided to move with God. He was not going to stay where he was, nor as he was. We must also decide to move out with God, and not stay the same. God is moving, and the question is whether we will move with Him. God is speaking. Will we hear Him, or neglect His still small voice? Elisha moved with Elijah, because he wanted what Elijah had, in fact he wanted a double portion. We must move on, and be persistant about it. There will be discouragement along the way, and we will be told to stay where we are. But persistence will move us forward through the obstacles. Elisha moved because of great desire. He was concerned about nothing else except keeping his eyes on Elijah. Elijah told Elisha he could have a double portion, but only if he saw Elijah when he was taken. Elisha never took his eyes off Elijah. We must be like Elisha, never taking our eyes off Jesus, the beginner and finisher of our faith. The relationship Elisha had with Elijah made it possible for Elisha to receive a double portion. We also must be in relationship with others who can lead us, and teach us, and impart into our lives the things that will cause us to move on in our walk with God. Elisha received the double portion, and moved out in the anointing as he split the waters of the Jordan, and walked back on dry ground. As we move on with God, in persistence, and great desire, following our leaders, we to can move out in the anointing we have received for our lives.