In His Name

The Meek Shall Inherit the Earth

2011-07-05T11:18:00.000-04:00

Psalm 37:7-24, NKJV

Learn to be content, whatever the situation, as long as you are in the Lord. Wait patiently on God, He will elevate you to where He wants you in due season. Continue serving Him with the heart and not the flesh for God is a spirit and those who worship Him must do so in spirit and in truth...

7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. 8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; do not fret—it only causes harm. 9 For evildoers shall be cut off; but those who wait on the LORD, they shall inherit the earth. 10 For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more; indeed, you will look carefully for his place, but it shall be no more. 11 But the meek shall inherit the earth, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. 12 The wicked plots against the just, and gnashes at him with his teeth. 13 The Lord laughs at him, for He sees that his day is coming. 14 The wicked have drawn the sword and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, to slay those who are of upright conduct. 15 Their sword shall enter their own heart, and their bows shall be broken. 16 A little that a righteous man has is better than the riches of many wicked. 17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous. 18 The LORD knows the days of the upright, and their inheritance shall be forever.19 They shall not be ashamed in the evil time, and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied. 20 But the wicked shall perish; and the enemies of the LORD, like the splendor of the meadows, shall vanish. Into smoke they shall vanish away. 21 The wicked borrows and does not repay, but the righteous shows mercy and gives. 22 For those blessed by Him shall inherit the earth, but those cursed by Him shall be cut off. 23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, and He delights in his way. 24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the LORD upholds him with His hand.

Recommended Reading: Psalm 37 (entire division)

Nothing Impossible with God

2011-04-29T13:00:00.000-04:00

“For with God nothing will be impossible,” Luke 1:37.

In this life, as we know it, there are encounters that challenge our physical and at times our spiritual strength or endurance. We may face adversity that test our faith and determine our strength. It is important as Christians that we remember Who our trust lies within. It is not in our own power or ability that trials are overcome, but by the power and might of the Almighty God.

In our lives and the lives of others, we may be able to pinpoint various “valley” experiences and “mountaintop” occurrences; euphoric highs and tumultuous lows. But we must be mindful that God is not only present when good things happen in our lives, but He is there when we go through the challenging times as well. He is not a fair-weather god, He is the omnipresent God who promises never to leave nor forsake His children … and He doesn’t (Hebrews 13:5).

When we aim high and set goals for ourselves, we shouldn’t let naysayers discourage us from working towards the things God said we can achieve. The Bible states in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” As long as we operate in His will and trust in the Lord, God will withhold no good thing (Psalm 84:11).

As we meditate on the truth and assurance that God can do anything and there is nothing impossible with Him, let us receive that Word. It takes more than just knowing what the Bible says; let it come alive within you. When someone offers a gift to you, it’s not truly yours until you accept it. Jesus died for a fallen world; He gave Himself as a ransom for all. And when He returns as the Bridegroom for His bride, only those committed to the Lord will go with Him. Accept all that the God has to give. Our union with God is a spiritual marriage, you’d be amazed at the power unlocked when you answer Him, “Yes, Lord, I do.”

Scripture taken from NKJV

About My Father's Business

2011-03-21T13:40:00.000-04:00

Luke 2:40-50 (New King James Version)

40 And the Child grew and became strong in spirit,[a] filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him. 41 His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast. 43 When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother[b] did not know it; 44 but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day’s journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances. 45 So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him. 46 Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. 48 So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.” 49 And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” 50 But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them.

Many circles of families and friends are close and exhibit love to one another. It’s nice to know that you’re in the thoughts of many who care about you; those who pray the best for you and are willing to give in any way to help you along your way. In this passage of Scripture, Jesus had grown to be a twelve year old and was strong in spirit and filled with wisdom. When His earthly parents (Joseph and Mary) questioned why Jesus had treated them in away that caused them worry, He answered in a way that they did not understand. He said, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?”

As I pondered this Scripture, I thought about all that had been revealed to Joseph and Mary years prior. Mary conceived the Child of the Holy Spirit. The angel of the Lord had appeared unto Joseph and confirmed this. They knew that He was the Son of God, but when Jesus answered them saying that He had to be about His Father’s business, they did not fully grasp the meaning of what He was saying. The Scripture goes further to state that His mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

Mary knew it was a great call on her life to carry the Son of God in her womb. The favor of God was upon her life. And like a mother, she bonded closely with this Child. Although she was fondly attached to Jesus, He was not exclusively hers. God gave His only begotten Son to die for a fallen world. Mary didn’t want anything bad to happen to Jesus. As the Scripture states, they (Joseph and Mary) went back to seek Him. As a mother, she felt responsible for His well-being … but God cares for us best.

As we venture out into the world to do His will, our loved ones may be concerned for our safety and well-being. There are negative and cruel people in this world, but we must be about our Father’s business. As Christians, we are called to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the world. This is not to be about ourselves, but to be about advancing the Kingdom which is our Father’s business.

“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men,” Colossians 3:23.

There are many out there about their business; many who seek to advance themselves. But the Bible states, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you,” Matthew 6:33.

“For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly,” Psalm 84:11.

Facing Adversity

2011-02-03T14:35:00.001-05:00

"And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry," 2 Timothy 4:4-5, KJV.

"And will turn aside from hearing the truth and wander off into myths and man-made fictions. As for you, be calm and cool and steady, accept and suffer unflinchingly every hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fully perform all the duties of your ministry," 2 Timothy 4:4-5, Amp.

There are times in life when we face adversity, but these are the times we ought to cling to our faith even more. Being mindful that we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6), it puts things into perspective. No matter what, we must hold up the bloodstained banner.

When we encounter or experience those who downplay the power and might of our God, at least for me, it catapults me into defense mode. I am compelled to defend Him. Let us consider moments where our loved ones are unjustly spoken against, would you just sit there and say nothing if you could? Why does it seem as if when angry or derogatory words are thrown into the atmosphere that degrades our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, many (who are proclaimed Christians) say nothing about it? Imagine if Jesus was sitting right next to you (which He is in our hearts) and a saddened expression unfolds across his face. Would it prompt you to then defend Him?

We ought to truly lay down our lives and pick up the Cross (for every one has his/her own to bear). It is important to not be fair-weathered Christians, praising God only when things seem to be going well in our lives. We must honor Him at all times. He is not a celestial slot machine or a bellhop at our beckon call. We are called to serve Him, knowing that no good thing will He withhold. Is our trust in the Almighty or self?

In recent months, it has come to sadden me that some want to acknowledge God only when it is convenient. There may be someone waiting to hear about Christ and you at that particular moment could be the messenger. Somebody cared enough about us to share the Gospel; will you care enough to do the same?

Jesus Loves Us

2011-01-26T13:57:00.001-05:00

John 3:16-21, NKJV

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18 He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”

Usually, the first verse in this passage is often quoted, but let us explore even further. To the average person, they know John 3:16. They know what the Bible says in this verse, that God loves us so much that He gave His only begotten Son, but do they actually believe it. And if they believe it, have they actually received it? In knowing the Word so well, it sometimes appears that there’s this spin off into a world of oblivion, for whatever reason. Many shun those who carefully share the Gospel of Jesus Christ out of love. Some backlash at another brother or sister for sharing the truth, but fail to personally seek God on the matter. For instance, verse 17: “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” There is no condemnation in Christ Jesus. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit,” Romans 8:1, KJV. Jesus came to save the world. Do we seriously think He came all the way from Heaven just to point the finger and say you’re wrong, uh-uh you’re wrong, and hmm you’re wrong too? No, He came because He already knew that. Jesus came because the world was fallen and needed a Savior. He came to save.

Verse 18-19: “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” Many condemn themselves by rejecting God. And whether some want to admit it or not, when you willfully sin, you’re rejecting God. There is a stark difference when you do something wrong and genuinely ask God to forgive you with a earnest desire in seeking God’s help in the matter, than asking for forgiveness with a mind already set to do it again (Hebrews 10:26). God is not a toy to be played with.

Verse 20: “For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.” God came to shed light. He is Light. But sadly many hate the Light because He holds them responsible for their actions. And when their actions are evil and dark, the Light exposes it. How do we to let our light shine as the Bible instructs if we’re steadily putting it out by the way we live?

No matter the point in your life, praise God for His love. Thank Him for giving when we didn’t deserve. Honor Him by living for Him. He said that if we love Him, we’ll keep His commandments. We’ll obey His commandments if we truly love Him.

If we don’t get anything else, let us receive that Jesus loves us. Look back to the Cross, He proved it there. Are we proving it to Him today?

A Declaration of New Things

2011-01-04T18:04:00.002-05:00

The Lord declares new things...

Isaiah 42:8-18, KJV

8I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.

9Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.
10Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth, ye that go down to the sea, and all that is therein; the isles, and the inhabitants thereof.
11Let the wilderness and the cities thereof lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar doth inhabit: let the inhabitants of the rock sing, let them shout from the top of the mountains.
12Let them give glory unto the LORD, and declare his praise in the islands.
13The LORD shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail against his enemies.
14I have long time holden my peace; I have been still, and refrained myself: now will I cry like a travailing woman; I will destroy and devour at once.
15I will make waste mountains and hills, and dry up all their herbs; and I will make the rivers islands, and I will dry up the pools.
16And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.
17They shall be turned back, they shall be greatly ashamed, that trust in graven images, that say to the molten images, Ye are our gods.
18Hear, ye deaf; and look, ye blind, that ye may see.

In this new year... give up idols. The Lord declares it.

Weeping May Endure for a Night...

2010-12-28T20:26:00.000-05:00

But joy comes in the morning...

Psalm 30

1I will extol thee, O LORD; for thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me.

2O LORD my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me.

3O LORD, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.

4Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.

5For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

6And in my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved.

7LORD, by thy favour thou hast made my mountain to stand strong: thou didst hide thy face, and I was troubled.

8I cried to thee, O LORD; and unto the LORD I made supplication.

9What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth?

10Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be thou my helper.

11Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;

12To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.

Bold in the Truth

2010-12-21T13:03:00.000-05:00

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;” 2 Timothy 2:15-17, KJV.

Isn’t it amazing how many non-believers are allowed, even prompted, to say whatever derogatory things their hearts so desire and Christians are expected to remain quiet? How disheartening it is to turn on the television to watch an old show and when commercials pop up, they totally disrupt your spirit. One could be viewing a documentary and the next minute here comes a commercial that drops profanity like it’s the natural thing to do. Well, I guess it is natural in this world.

It appears that the further we go along, year to year, decade to decade, it becomes progressively worse. It has become the norm to not only use profanity, but to use God’s name in vain. It is because many don’t truly believe that God will do what He said He’ll do. “Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain,” Exodus 20:7. But many are ready to fight if another profanes the name of their mother or father. Why aren’t many who are professed Christians just as angered, or even moreso, when our heavenly Father’s name is degraded?

As we share God’s Word, we are to not be ashamed. Those of us who rightly divide the Word of truth, studying to show ourselves approved, must be bold. If we’re not bold or feel that we don’t have it in us to speak up ask God to develop it in you. Not everyone is outspoken although we may have a burning desire to serve Christ. Those of us who are shy, I implore you to ask God for it—I did. He is there to provide our needs. No good thing will God withhold. Many of us have not because we ask not. Ask and you shall receive according to His will. And this is definitely in God’s will because Jesus instructs us to share the Gospel with all.

There are many who are bold in unrighteousness that could care less about Christ and Christians. But Jesus warned us of these things. Jesus knew that we would have trials and tribulations. He knew that we would face adversity, but He equipped us. “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword,” Matthew 10:34. Jesus is peace and the sword is the Word of truth. He came to send a sword because He knew we would have to fight.

Put on your armor and be prepared to fight, remembering that we fight not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual wickedness in high places. Despite those wiles of the devil, there is victory in Jesus!

Controversy over the Sabbath (revisited)

2010-12-14T05:43:00.001-05:00

It is interesting that many view Christians who go to church on Sunday as Sabbath breakers, although our Sabbath is Christ. We are to rest in the finished work completed on the Cross. While many acknowledge the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, has it truly been accepted?

We must be careful not to fall into legalism, merely observing a set of rules to be saved because works do not save us—Christ does. We do works because we ARE saved. We no longer have a desire to sin, although we’re not sinless. As Christians we place our trust and faith in Christ, not in our ability to keep this rule or that law. This does not mean that we run around shouting, “God knows my heart!” using this as some sort of escape clause to obeying His commands, rather understanding that God examines our motives to see if they are pure. “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God,” Matthew 5:8. Are we truly seeking His kingdom and His righteousness? Are we truly loving one another and obeying His commands?

This point here, obeying His commands, takes us back to the fourth commandment where so many question our purpose for worshipping collectively on Sunday versus Saturday. Many view this as not obeying His commands. Well, even Jesus was questioned about His actions on the “Sabbath” (Matthew 12:3-8). But what many fail to realize is that Jesus came to fulfill the Law. His IS the Sabbath (Matthew 12:8). “For while the Law was given through Moses, grace ([a]unearned, undeserved favor and spiritual blessing) and truth came through Jesus Christ,(A)” John 1:17, AMP.

“And that through Him everyone who believes [who [a]acknowledges Jesus as his Savior and devotes himself to Him] is absolved (cleared and freed) from every charge from which he could not be justified and freed by the Law of Moses and given right standing with God,” Acts 13:39, AMP.

As we rest in Christ, we open ourselves up to be led by the Holy Spirit. “When Gentiles who have not the [divine] Law do instinctively what the Law requires, they are a law to themselves, since they do not have the Law. They show that the essential requirements of the Law are written in their hearts and are operating there, with which their consciences (sense of right and wrong) also bear witness; and their [moral] [e]decisions (their arguments of reason, their condemning or approving [f]thoughts) will accuse or perhaps defend and excuse [them],” Romans 2:14-15, AMP.

There were hundreds of laws and commandments written in the Old Testament where yearly sins had to be atoned for, but there came One who made the ultimate sacrifice where those others were no longer needed.

Rest in the finished work on the Cross and be led by the Holy Spirit. He will never lead you astray.

Recommended reading: Controversy over the Sabbath—original posting

Hated Without Cause

2010-12-07T18:53:00.000-05:00

Ever been hated for no apparent reason? Refer to this Psalm of David, keeping in mind that the world hated Jesus before it hated you. And as you represent Jesus, the world will hate you for it. Turn to the Lord, no other help I know.

Psalm 35

¹Plead my cause, O LORD, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me. ²Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for mine help. ³Draw out also the spear, and stop the way against them that persecute me: say unto my soul, I am thy salvation. ⁴Let them be confounded and put to shame that seek after my soul: let them be turned back and brought to confusion that devise my hurt. ⁵Let them be as chaff before the wind: and let the angel of the LORD chase them. ⁶Let their way be dark and slippery: and let the angel of the LORD persecute them. ⁷For without cause have they hid for me their net in a pit, which without cause they have digged for my soul. ⁸Let destruction come upon him at unawares; and let his net that he hath hid catch himself: into that very destruction let him fall. ⁹And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation. ¹⁰All my bones shall say, LORD, who is like unto thee, which deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him, yea, the poor and the needy from him that spoileth him? ¹¹False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge things that I knew not. ¹²They rewarded me evil for good to the spoiling of my soul. ¹³But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom. ¹⁴I behaved myself as though he had been my friend or brother: I bowed down heavily, as one that mourneth for his mother. ¹⁵But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together: yea, the abjects gathered themselves together against me, and I knew it not; they did tear me, and ceased not: ¹⁶With hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth. ¹⁷Lord, how long wilt thou look on? rescue my soul from their destructions, my darling from the lions. ¹⁸I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people. ¹⁹Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause. ²⁰For they speak not peace: but they devise deceitful matters against them that are quiet in the land. ²¹Yea, they opened their mouth wide against me, and said, Aha, aha, our eye hath seen it. ²²This thou hast seen, O LORD: keep not silence: O Lord, be not far from me. ²³Stir up thyself, and awake to my judgment, even unto my cause, my God and my Lord. ²⁴Judge me, O LORD my God, according to thy righteousness; and let them not rejoice over me. ²⁵Let them not say in their hearts, Ah, so would we have it: let them not say, We have swallowed him up. ²⁶Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion together that rejoice at mine hurt: let them be clothed with shame and dishonour that magnify themselves against me. ²⁷Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant. ²⁸And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long.

God’s Will Be Done

2010-11-30T19:12:00.000-05:00

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven,” Matthew 6:9-10, NKJV.

There are times in our lives when we don’t understand why God allow certain things to occur. There are also times when we may have sick family members and we pray for them to get healed, and they don’t. Have we ever considered that death is the best healing? Of course, this is for those who die in Christ.

In the model prayer that Jesus, our Lord and Savior, set forth for us to pattern our prayers after, He instructed us to pray in this manner, “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” When we reach a level of spiritual maturity, as Christians we begin to understand that God is sovereign. And although we may not like everything that goes on in our lives, we must trust Him that He knows what He is doing. There may be a mother on her death bed whom a child doesn’t want to let go, but they belong to God … we all do. Even within ourselves, we may be facing a terrible situation where we see no way out, but God is The WAY. As Jesus stated, He is the door. “Then Jesus said to them again, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep,’” John 10:7, NKJV.

There is nothing too hard for God. In recognizing this, allow the peace of God (the peace that passes all understanding: Phil 4:7) to rest upon your hearts, praying that His will be done just as Jesus prayed. “He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, ‘O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will,’” Matthew 26:39, NKJV.

Are you facing a difficult situation, lacking the understanding of why it’s happening? It is not for us to know the answer to everything. God’s ways are not our ways nor are His thoughts our thoughts. We must cast our cares upon Him for He cares for us.

Pray for God’s will to be done. It produces the best outcome no matter the situation.

The Secret Place

2010-11-22T13:00:00.001-05:00

“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust,” Psalm 91:1-2, NKJV.

Focal Scripture: Psalm 91

This Psalm speaks directly to those who trust in the Lord. And I believe it also speaks to those who need to trust in the Lord; those who may have been searching for a way out of their situations and circumstances, but too afraid to admit that they need help.

Psalm 91 opens with an affirmation of faith: “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” The word dwells means to live in, reside in, or stay in. It describes a place that you would rest in, a place that is synonymous with home. And for the writer to go directly from dwell to secret place prompts the reader to think of a place of safety, especially when the word refuge and fortress is used to describe God. My husband was in the military twenty years of his life and I’m sure there have been times when either he or fellow soldiers had to retreat to military bunkers or bomb shelters. Those shelters or bunkers provided safety from the outside chaos. This is what it is like when resting in God.

This particular Psalm goes on to describe how God is worthy to be trusted. There are references made of how He delivers and protects: “Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler[a] and from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday,” verses 3-6.

The way God protects is not true with any other being. God is the only One who can deliver and protect the way that He does. As human beings we may have good intentions, but our strength is limited. God is omnipotent. There may be times when we want to help a family member or friend out of a bind, but cannot. God is there, the ever present help, in our times of need. “For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone,” verses 11-12. God provides us with guardian angels.

We must be mindful that this protection does not apply to everyone. This protection comes because we acknowledge His name. He places His protection over us because we place our trust in Him—not a job, spouses, or parents.

“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name,” verse 14.

Acknowledge God no matter where you are or who you may be around. He is not to just be tucked away whenever we think we need Him, but to be reverenced at ALL times. We trust Him to deliver us from our troubles. Can He trust us to acknowledge Him?

God is The Source

2010-11-16T13:48:00.001-05:00

From the beginning of time, God has been making provisions for the inhabitants of Earth. Even before we were ever created, God made sure that we had everything that we’d ever need which was all in Him. He created the heaven and the earth. He spoke into existence light in which we are able to see. He placed food in the sea and herbs upon the earth for us to eat. So why do we worry about what we think we don’t have?

“And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?” Matthew 6:28-30, KJV.

Just pray and trust God… Often, this is much easier said than done. What makes it difficult or challenging? Well, when in the midst of holding a child that may be dying in your arms—that could make it challenging. Or when hungry and there’s no food in the house or money in your pockets—that could make it challenging. But God said His word would not return unto Him void, that it will accomplish that thing in which He sent it to do (Isaiah 55:11). Why does faith shrink in times like these? God tells us to take no thought, wondering, what we will eat, drink or be clothed. He knows that we need these things. So, He instructs us to seek His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these other things will be given to us.

Let us not deceive ourselves into thinking that our spouses, jobs, or government checks are our source. Those are just resources that God uses to get to us what He already knows that we need. Let us remember, God has been making provisions for us ever since the beginning of time.

God is The Source.

Recommended Reading: Genesis 1, Matthew 6:25-34

Faith

2010-11-08T20:21:00.000-05:00

“For we walk by faith [we [a]regulate our lives and conduct ourselves by our conviction or belief respecting man's relationship to God and divine things, with trust and holy fervor; thus we walk] not by sight or appearance,” 2 Corinthians 5:7, AMP.

Things may not always look like what God has promised, but if you could see it, that’s not faith. We may go through trials and tribulations, but that does not mean that God has forgotten about us. “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy,” 1 Peter 4:12-13, KJV. It is important to stand on the word of God and not the word of man. Man will have you going in so many directions that they themselves may not even follow, but our loyalty is to be to God.

God has clearly spoken into my spirit today that I am to have faith in Him, no matter what others may say. I am to have faith in Him regardless of the opinions of others. I am to have faith in Him, casting my cares upon Him for He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). I thank God that He looks at the heart, extending unmerited favor upon our lives—His grace. I thank God that He loved us so much that He gave His only begotten Son so that we can have everlasting life—Salvation. I thank God for His Holy Spirit who leads us into all truth—Revelation. I thank God for being God—Awesome above all things.

Hunger for His Presence

2010-11-01T17:41:00.000-04:00

Earlier this year, the passage of Psalm 63 was posted. Today, I look at this same division of Psalm, keying in on verses 1 and 2: “O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.”

As noted in the book of 1 Samuel, David was constantly at battle. It seemed a normal occasion for him to not only be fighting, but also persistently seeking God for guidance. As I read 1 Samuel 30, the sixth verse jumped out at me, “And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.”

In the midst of turmoil, David encouraged himself in the Lord. He didn’t focus on the problem, rather on the One who is able to solve the problem. In Psalm 63, David makes it abundantly clear where our focus should be (as do our Lord and Savior makes clear throughout the Gospels in the New Testament). It should be on God. God provides all that we’ll ever need. Retribution should not be our center of attention when someone wrongs us, “…for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord,” Romans 12:19, NKJV.

We are to encourage ourselves in the Lord, our God, the One true and living God. We are to have a sincere longing for His presence. Sometimes I feel as if my words can’t express the gratitude I have for how God loves us so, but in essence that’s normal. If I had ten thousand tongues, I couldn’t thank Him enough. God’s continued grace and mercy deserves continued honor and praise! He is excellent, wonderful, majestic, and WORTHY to be praised.

Seeking a sincere relationship with Lord blesses a person beyond measure. When in the presence of the Lord, nothing else matter because you have all that you’ll ever need.

God's Anointed

2010-10-25T14:41:00.001-04:00

Focal Scripture: 1 Samuel 24

“Let the LORD judge between you and me, and let the LORD avenge me on you. But my hand shall not be against you. As the proverb of the ancients says, ‘Wickedness proceeds from the wicked.’ But my hand shall not be against you. After whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom do you pursue? A dead dog? A flea? Therefore let the LORD be judge, and judge between you and me, and see and plead my case, and deliver me out of your hand.” So it was, when David had finished speaking these words to Saul, that Saul said, “Is this your voice, my son David?” And Saul lifted up his voice and wept,” 1 Samuel 24:12-16, NKJV.

Saul sought David’s life even though David had done no wrong to him. The Lord told David that He would deliver his enemy into his hands—and God did indeed deliver Saul into David’s hand. David could have taken Saul’s life (just as Saul had wanted to take from him), but David’s heart (smote) struck him unto compassion and mercy to not do so to Saul. Saul was God’s anointed. Although Saul had been consumed by jealousy (of David’s success on the battlefield) and had evil spirits come upon him, he was still chosen by God, at the peoples’ pleas, to be king.

“Look, this day your eyes have seen that the LORD delivered you today into my hand in the cave, and someone urged me to kill you. But my eye spared you, and I said, ‘I will not stretch out my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord’s anointed,’” 1 Samuel 24:10.

God will bring justice. Even though some leaders may be acting outside of God’s will—let the Lord handle it. David let Saul go, but God’s word was still true. He still delivered Saul into his hand, but compassion overtook David—that God forbade him to take Saul’s life.

David was revealed to Saul. Upon realizing that it was indeed David who could have taken his life that very day, Saul wept saying that David was more righteous than him. “…for you have rewarded me with good, whereas I have rewarded you with evil,” verse 17. This very act of compassion invoked humbleness in Saul for he also stated in verse 20, “And now I know indeed that you shall surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand.” This came after multiple times of Saul seeking to kill David because of God’s favor on David’s life.

“But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,[a] that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust,” Matthew 5:44-45, NKJV.

Let us overcome evil with good.

Steadfast in the Faith

2010-10-18T10:00:00.001-04:00

Scripture Focus: 1 Timothy 4:1-7, KJV

1Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
2Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
3Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
4For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:
5For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
6If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.
7But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.

Many make up things about the Word of God that is not scriptural. Don’t follow old wives’ tales. We must study the Word for ourselves, so that we may be spiritually edified.

Every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached

2010-10-13T17:15:00.002-04:00

Philippians 1:11-19, KJV

11Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
12But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;
13So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;
14And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
15Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:
16The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:
17But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.
18What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
19For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,

The apostle was a prisoner at Rome; and to take off the offence of the cross, he shows the wisdom and goodness of God in his sufferings. These things made him known, where he would never have otherwise been known; and led some to inquire after the gospel. He suffered from false friends, as well as from enemies. How wretched the temper of those who preached Christ out of envy and contention, and to add affliction to the bonds that oppressed this best [righteous Christ follower] of men ...

Since our troubles may tend to the good of many, we ought to rejoice. Whatever turns to our salvation, is by the Spirit of Christ; and prayer is the appointed means of seeking for it. Our earnest expectation and hope should not be to be honored of men, or to escape the cross, but to be upheld amidst temptation, contempt, and affliction. Let us leave it to Christ, which way he will make us serviceable to his glory, whether by labor or suffering, by diligence or patience, by living to his honor in working for him, or dying to his honor in suffering for him.

About this commentary: Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible is available in the Public Domain.

Justification Alone, Through Faith in Jesus Christ

2010-10-04T17:46:00.002-04:00

"O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain," Galatian 3:1-4, KJV.

"And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed," Galatians 3:8, KJV.

"But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them," Galatians 3:11-12, KJV.

The Galatians reproved for departing from the great doctrine of justification alone, through faith in Christ.

Several things made the folly of the Galatian Christians worse. They had the doctrine of the cross preached, and the Lord's supper administered among them, in both which Christ crucified, and the nature of his sufferings, had been fully and clearly set forth. Had they been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, by the ministration of the law, or on account of any works done by them in obedience thereto? Was it not by their hearing and embracing the doctrine of faith in Christ alone for justification? Which of these had God owned with tokens of his favour and acceptance? It was not by the first, but the last. And those must be very unwise, who suffer themselves to be turned away from the ministry and doctrine which have been blessed to their spiritual advantage. Alas, that men should turn from the all-important doctrine of Christ crucified, to listen to useless distinctions, mere moral preaching, or wild fancies! The god of this world, by various men and means, has blinded men's eyes, lest they should learn to trust in a crucified Saviour. We may boldly demand where the fruits of the Holy Spirit are most evidently brought forth? whether among those who preach justification by the works of the law, or those who preach the doctrine of faith? Assuredly among the latter.

About this commentary:

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible is available in the Public Domain.

~We are saved by grace, not by works. We do works because we ARE saved, not to BECOME saved. Jesus Christ is enough. We must accept Him as Lord AND Savior with a desire to do His will. He said if we love Him, we'll keep His commandments, for He came not to do away with the law, but to complete it. ~

The Truth Shall Make You Free

2010-09-27T14:48:00.001-04:00

“Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth,” 1 John 3:16-18, KJV.

The word love is a verb, it has action. It is not merely something we say or something we read on a piece of paper, rather something that we do. The Bible states that we are to love in deed and in truth. We ought not to be pretenders when we say “I have the love of Christ in me.” Having the love of Christ is to declare and display His truth and His character.

Love is often misinterpreted. Some view lust as love, but that is not love. 1 Corinthians 13 spells out exactly what love is. It is kind, humble, not easily provoked, and thinks no evil amongst other things. Who is the epitome of love? God is the epitome of love, God is love.

Over the past couple of years, I have aimed to show my love by telling others the truth behind sororities and fraternities. To share how Christians are taking oaths in unity with unbelievers. To actually call another person a brother or sister and the organization is okay with them belonging to any faith other than through Christ is not what God has called us to do. Jesus stated that He is the way, the truth, and the life, and no man comes to the Father except by Him (John 14:6). He also stated that if we love Him, we will obey His commandments (John 14:15). He commands us to not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers (2 Corinthians 6:14).

It is not my aim to alienate another brother or sister in Christ or to even turn away a potential Christian by this message. It is my motive, however, to tell the truth. There are moments that present challenges in doing so by backlash and condemnation, but I’m reminded by the Holy Spirit that there is no condemnation in Christ Jesus. He commands us to love. We are to love one another enough to tell each other the truth.

“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free,” John 8:32, KJV.

He Wants It All

2010-09-20T19:18:00.000-04:00

“For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised: he also is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the people are idols: but the LORD made the heavens. Glory and honour are in his presence; strength and gladness are in his place,” 1 Chronicles 16:25-27, KJV.

The song by Forever Jones entitled “He Wants it All” is a shining example of how we are to live for God. It is so simple, yet many make the message of salvation so complicated. Once a person grasps the message of John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life,” it becomes so much easier to give back to the Lord whatever He wants … which basically is all of you, all of me. He wants it all.

Consider what the Lord does for us from day to day. Many of us are blessed with the use of our limbs, our voices, our hearing, and our sight. How are we using those things that the Lord has given us? We can raise our hands up at a ball game, but not in reverence to God? We can speak gossip, but not of the goodness of the Lord? We can look at degrading videos and/or flicks, but not at a documentary, sermon, or message about Jesus Christ? If we put other things before God, where is the priority? If God isn’t first, then you are serving an idol.

Here is a clip of the song “He Wants It All,” please pay close attention to the words.

“And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen,” 1 John 5:20-21, KJV.

Trust in the Lord

2010-09-13T22:16:00.001-04:00

It’s inevitable that man will fail you (whether by accident or on purpose), but through God all things are possible. He is the only constant in life that’s guaranteed to have our best interest at heart.

The devil comes to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). That’s the enemy’s primary focus. His fate is sealed and he does not care anything about us. In fact, I think he hates us. The slick, smooth tongue he used to convince the heavenly angels he has no problem using on us. Take note of their eternal home (Matthew 25:41).

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour,” 1 Peter 5:8, KJV. Again, the enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy. This is not limited to the financial areas in our lives; he ultimately wants to steal our faith in God. The enemy may begin with something small (sometimes the things we consider big) to ensnare us; but in reality the small things are money, careers, etc. Now, I am not saying that these things are unimportant, that is not my stance at all, what I am saying is that they are small compared to the big picture: Faith and trust in the Almighty God. The devil has a way of using those things we care about to manipulate us into turning against God. Some have even committed suicide over a job, a living situation, and even another person.

Meditate on what Jesus said, “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it,” Matthew 10:34-39, KJV. If the enemy can get you to turn against God— he’s got you. Keep your faith! Fight the good fight of faith until the end, no matter what (1 Timothy 6:12, 2 Timothy 4:7).

Also, remember that this can be a test that turns into a testimony; if you have destruction or separation that falls upon the family, remember that you always have Jesus, you always have God. He will never leave us nor forsake us. “But as for me, I trust in You, O LORD; I say, ‘You are my God,’” Psalm 31:14, NKJV. Remember; trust in the Lord, not your circumstance.

Not the Norm

2010-09-06T14:56:00.000-04:00

If the world hates you, know that it hated Jesus first...

John 15:16-27 (Amplified Bible)

16You 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 [a]presenting all that I AM], He may give it to you.
17This is what I command you: that you love one another.
18If the world hates you, know that it hated Me before it hated you.
19If you belonged to the world, the world would treat you with affection and would love you as its own. But because you are not of the world [no longer one with it], but I have chosen (selected) you out of the world, the world hates (detests) you.
20Remember that I told you, A servant is not greater than his master [is not superior to him]. If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word and obeyed My teachings, they will also keep and obey yours.
21But they will do all this to you [inflict all this suffering on you] because of [your bearing] My name and on My account, for they do not know or understand the One Who sent Me.
22If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin [would be blameless]; but now they have no excuse for their sin.
23Whoever hates Me also hates My Father.
24If I had not done (accomplished) among them the works which no one else ever did, they would not be guilty of sin. But [the fact is] now they have both seen [these works] and have hated both Me and My Father.
25But [this is so] that the word written in their Law might be fulfilled, They hated Me without a cause.(A)
26But when the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby) comes, Whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of Truth Who comes (proceeds) from the Father, He [Himself] will testify regarding Me.
27But you also will testify and be My witnesses, because you have been with Me from the beginning.

As Christians, true Christians, we must know that we are not the norm. "But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.," 1 Corinthians 2:14, NKJV.

The Lifestyle

2010-08-30T08:00:00.004-04:00

God loved the world so much that He gave His only begotten that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16). I love God for being Who He is. The Lord teaches us what love is and that we are to show that same love to others. He is love. When considering some of the things that go on in this world, do many of us display that same love Christ teaches?

It is not loving to put someone down because of their past nor is it godly to bring it up at every opportunity. From what I’ve heard many say to me, this is why they stay away from the church. Years ago, I remember someone sharing a testimony about a woman who used to be on the streets (by way of stripping or prostitution). She went to church with a mind to change from her old ways, but was met with much ridicule. It wasn’t necessarily what others said verbally to her, but their body language spoke volumes. I thought the church was where all of the sin-sick people gathered… to leave our burdens at the altar; to give it all to Christ. “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light,” Matthew 11:28-30, KJV.

How sad it is for someone who has been in the church for years to degrade another who just came off of the streets from drug-dealing or abusing, pimping, prostitution, stealing, or even murder. What if someone took a rap sheet of the things we’ve done in this body that was in our past? The only difference is that they got caught doing what they were doing. “Are ye so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?” Galatians 3:3. The past is the past and as we share testimonies or stories that will help those in these situations come to Christ (because as Christians we are living testimonies) it will help us to understand their struggle. Are we so removed from sin that we have become insensitive to their plight? Are we “holier than thou” because we’ve been out of the “lifestyle” so long? I thought we are called to be evangelists…preachers as Christ puts it. “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature,” Mark 16:15. We are to proclaim the Gospel. This is not preacher in the sense of standing in a pulpit every Sunday, but preacher in a sense of telling those out in the world.

Back to the story about the young woman who had previously been in the streets, I learned that she decided to go back to the streets. It was noted that since people always looked at her strangely (seeing her past and not someone who was hurting and crying out for help) she decided to return to what people “in the church” saw her as. The Holy Spirit reminds me of the woman caught in the act of committing adultery and how the people were ready to stone her to death. Now, if Jesus can have compassion on someone who was actively in sin, should we at the very least show that same compassion for someone who had done it last month, last week,… or even last night?

I thank God that He is not like man. I know that I have my faults and that I don’t do everything perfectly, but God said, “Blessed are the pure of heart for they shall see [Him] God,” Matthew 5:8. And I know my motives are pure. I have a heart to help others and share with them what I’ve learned. Just as noted in 1 Corinthians 11:27-29… Let every man examine himself. I ask the Lord right now in the name of Jesus to cleanse me of all unrighteousness, for as we live in this flesh we are subject to temptations, but that does not mean that we have to embrace it as a lifestyle. I'm liberated as I know ... I’ve gotten out of “the lifestyle.”

Taste and See God's Goodness

2010-08-23T08:30:00.001-04:00

“O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him,” Psalm 34:8, KJV.

David praises God, and encourages to trust him.

If we hope to spend eternity in praising God, it is fit that we should spend much of our time here in this work. He never said to any one, Seek ye me in vain. David's prayers helped to silence his fears; many besides him have looked unto the Lord by faith and prayer, and it has wonderfully revived and comforted them. When we look to the world, we are perplexed, and at a loss. But on looking to Christ depends our whole salvation, and all things needful thereunto do so also.

This poor man, whom no man looked upon with any respect, or looked after with any concern, was yet welcome to the throne of grace; the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The holy angels minister to the saints, and stand for them against the powers of darkness. All the glory be to the Lord of the angels. By taste and sight we both make discoveries, and have enjoyment; Taste and see God's goodness; take notice of it, and take the comfort of it. He makes all truly blessed that trust in Him ... they shall have grace sufficient for the support of spiritual life. And as to this life, they shall have what is necessary from the hand of God. Paul had all, and abounded, because he was content, Php 4:11 to 18. Those who trust to themselves, and think their own efforts sufficient for them, shall want; but they shall be fed who trust in the Lord. Those shall not want, who with quietness work and mind their own business. (Ps 34:11-22)

About this commentary:

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible is available in the Public Domain.

Praise God, even in Adversity

2010-08-16T12:17:00.000-04:00

“I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities,” Psalm 31:7, KJV.

There are times in life when tears fall, brokenness comes, and lack of understanding abounds, but praise God. There may be issues of infidelity, betrayal, and deceitfulness swarming, but praise God. It doesn’t matter what you may be going through, still praise God.

Not too long ago, I awoke one morning not knowing what to pray. My spirit felt so burdened down, so heavy that all I could say to the Lord in that moment was that I don’t know what to pray. God led me to Psalm 150. That particular Psalm is all about praising Him. I heard in my spirit God saying, “When you don’t know what to pray, praise Me.” It helped me to understand that the Holy Spirit intercedes on my behalf as stated in Romans 8: 26-27: “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. 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.”

Being mindful that the enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy. His mission has not changed; the intensity to do so, I believe, becomes even stronger when a person gets saved. The devil’s fate is sealed; he wants nothing but to deceive people into thinking God’s word isn’t true. We must submit to God, resist the devil, and he will flee (James 4:7). So when difficult times arise, continue to thank God for who He is.

Jesus instructed that the first and greatest commandment is to love the Lord our God with all of our heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22:37). Proverbs 4:23 (AMP) states “Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life.” We want peace, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee,” Isaiah 26:3, KJV. The soul, our inner being, the part that will go on to be with Christ forever stems from our decision to choose life and not death; to surrender all to the Lord. “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God,” Romans 13:1, KJV.

Our circumstances ought not to define us. There will be trials and tribulations in this life, but God is always there for us, ready to meet our needs. Praise Him in all things, for He is worthy to be praised.

Additional Reference: Psalm 96:4

The Lord Hears My Prayers

2010-08-09T10:06:00.001-04:00

“I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears,” Psalm 34:4, KJV.

As I ponder on a recent sermon given at a church I’m currently attending, I thank God for hearing my prayers. I thank God for confirmation and just being the One true and Holy God that He is. The sermon was based on Psalm 34. This morning, I focus particularly on Psalm 34:4.

God is a ready listener … to those who seek Him. To seek the Lord means pursuing Him. When we go after God, He hears our prayers. So this automatically tells us that those who don’t pursue the Lord shouldn’t expect Him to answer their prayers. Pursuit is not some lackadaisical approach. When pursuing a job or a desired mate, an honest effort is made. In the instance of a job, many go to school, enroll in a particular program, acquire internships, and become apprentices to perfect their skills. If it is something you really want you go after it.

The same is true with relationships. Many who desire meaningful companionship with the opposite sex that leads to marriage, courtship ensues. There are often moments of extended conversations and personal time alone. Why should things be any less important when it comes to God? Our pursuit should be that and more.

God hears us when we seek Him. “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land,” 2 Chronicles 7:14, KJV. Keywords: If, humble, pray, seek, and turn from wicked ways. We ought not think that we can come to God in any way. There is a process. There is a need to ask for forgiveness. God’s promises are conditional. His love is like that of a marriage. Consider the many references made in the Bible God reveals relating to marriage. It is a sacred vow that we should strive to keep—be in active pursuit.

“…and delivered me from all my fears.” When our trust is in the Lord and we pray to Him (seeking Him) for strength and courage, He is faithful to provide.

No More than You can Bear

2010-08-02T16:58:00.002-04:00

“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it,” 1 Corinthians 10:13.

God has promised to not allow us to go through more than we can bear. “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light,” Matthew 11:28-30. God’s yoke is easy and His burden is light. Oftentimes we take on things that we don’t have to. Sometimes we may try to handle situations that are only alleviated through Jesus Christ. We are more than conquerors, but not in our own strength—only in Jesus (Romans 8:37). We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13).

Take a look at the Amplified version of 1 Corinthians 10:13:

13For no temptation (no trial regarded as enticing to sin), [no matter how it comes or where it leads] has overtaken you and laid hold on you that is not common to man [that is, no temptation or trial has come to you that is beyond human resistance and that is not [a]adjusted and [b]adapted and belonging to human experience, and such as man can bear]. But God is faithful [to His Word and to His compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation He will [always] also provide the way out (the means of escape to [c]a landing place), that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently.

At any time you feel that you’re struggling with anything or facing a faith-testing situation, refer to this scripture. As I meditated on this verse some time ago, I was able to grasp, understand, and truly see times where God made a way of escape for me. The key here is taking advantage of that emergency exit.

God’s Holy Word

2010-06-29T08:30:00.002-04:00

I solicit prayers as my husband and I relocate to another state. I thank God for all of His many blessings and for growing my faith the way that He has. I know that He will continue to do so. As I prepare for my move, this post will be the last until we get settled at our destination, which will probably be about three to four weeks. I plan to begin posting again (weekly) in August. Please continue to be encouraged by God’s Holy Word by meditating on it daily. When you meditate on God’s word, you don’t have time to think about the distractions of the world.

Thank you in advance for your prayers and I pray that everyone who reads this message receives the will God has for your life; in Jesus’ name.

Psalm 14

–To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.

1 The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.”
They are corrupt, They have done abominable works, There is none who does good.
2 The LORD looks down from heaven upon the children of men, To see if there are any who understand, who seek God.
3 They have all turned aside, They have together become corrupt; There is none who does good, No, not one.
4 Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge, Who eat up my people as they eat bread, And do not call on the LORD?
5 There they are in great fear, For God is with the generation of the righteous.
6 You shame the counsel of the poor, But the LORD is his refuge.
7 Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion!
When the LORD brings back the captivity of His people,
Let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad.

A description of the depravity of human nature, and the deplorable corruption of a great part of mankind.

The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. The sinner here described is an atheist, one that saith there is no Judge or Governor of the world, no Providence ruling over the affairs of men. He says this in his heart. He cannot satisfy himself that there is none, but wishes there were none, and pleases himself that it is possible there may be none; he is willing to think there is none. This sinner is a fool; he is simple and unwise, and this is evidence of it: he is wicked and profane, and this is the cause. The word of God is a discerner of these thoughts. No man will say, There is no God, till he is so hardened in sin, that it is become his interest that there should be none to call him to an account.

The disease of sin has infected the whole race of mankind. They are all gone aside, there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Whatever good is in any of the children of men, or is done by them, it is not of themselves, it is God's work in them. They are gone aside from the right way of their duty, the way that leads to happiness, and are turned into the paths of the destroyer. Let us lament the corruption of our nature, and see what need we have of the grace of God: let us not marvel that we are told we must be born again. And we must not rest in any thing short of union with Christ, and a new creation to holiness by his Spirit. The psalmist endeavors to convince sinners of the evil and danger of their way, while they think themselves very wise, and good, and safe. Their wickedness is described. Those that care not for God's people, for God's poor, care not for God himself. People run into all manner of wickedness, because they do not call upon God for his grace. What good can be expected from those that live without prayer?

But those that will not fear God may be made to fear at the shaking of a leaf. All our knowledge of the depravity of human nature should endear to us salvation out of Zion. But in heaven alone shall the whole company of the redeemed rejoice fully, and for evermore. The world is bad; oh that the Messiah would come and change its character! There is universal corruption; oh for the times of reformation! The triumphs of Zion's King will be the joys of Zion's children. The second coming of Christ, finally to do away the dominion of sin and Satan, will be the completing of this salvation, which is the hope, and will be the joy of every Israelite indeed. With this assurance we should comfort ourselves and one another, under the sins of sinners and sufferings of saints.

About this commentary:

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible is available in the Public Domain.

True Repentance

2010-06-25T07:52:00.001-04:00

There are synonyms used for the word repent such as regret, remorse, feel sorrow, but none of these accurately describe what true repentance is. It is more than feeling bad about something you’ve done. Judas felt bad about betraying Jesus, but did he repent? Thieves may feel bad about getting caught and thrown into jail, but do they really repent of their wrong doing? Repentance is to change your mind about living a sinful life.

When a person repents, they lay the foundation to be forgiven. John the Baptist prepared the way for Christ, “and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the LORD; Make His paths straight.’”[a] Matthew 3:2-3, NKJV. When Christ began His teaching ministry, He instructs people to repent. “From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand,” Matthew 4:17, KJV.

Often messages are preached about the promises of God, but many fail to realize that repentance is required for these blessings to come about. You can feel sorry all day long about what you’ve done, wracked in guilt over your actions, but until the decision is made to turn away from a sinful life the foundation built is on shaky ground. Everything built upon it will eventually tumble and fall. This is evident when people experience the same things over and over in life wondering why deliverance hasn’t come. They listen to sermon after sermon, message after message, but never truly receive the Word. It’s not enough to be a hearer of the word, we must also be doers.

Repentance will be evident by the fruits one is displaying. Remember, Jesus said that you know them by their fruits. Repentance will be evidence in their works; is it of the flesh or of the Spirit? Repentance is a decision, plain and simple, to deny oneself and follow Christ. “Bring forth fruit that is consistent with repentance [let your lives prove your change of heart];” Matthew 3:8, AMP.

Rich Oppressors Will Be Judged

2010-06-24T08:00:00.003-04:00

James 5:1-6, NKJV

1 Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you!
2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten.
3 Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasure in the last days.
4 Indeed the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth.[a]
5 You have lived on the earth in pleasure and luxury; you have fattened your hearts as[b] in a day of slaughter.
6 You have condemned, you have murdered the just; he does not resist you.

There was a time when I was promised a certain wage by an employer I was working for and did not get it. There are others who I know about where hours were stolen and deleted from the record so that the company could retain their funds. All of this is fraud. But as the Bible teaches, they too will have their day.

“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord,” Romans 12:19, KJV.

The Destruction of Jericho

2010-06-23T08:15:00.003-04:00

Joshua 6:1-5, NKJV

1 Now Jericho was securely shut up because of the children of Israel; none went out, and none came in.
2 And the LORD said to Joshua: “See! I have given Jericho into your hand, its king, and the mighty men of valor.
3 You shall march around the city, all you men of war; you shall go all around the city once. This you shall do six days.
4 And seven priests shall bear seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark. But the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets.
5 It shall come to pass, when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, and when you hear the sound of the trumpet, that all the people shall shout with a great shout; then the wall of the city will fall down flat. And the people shall go up every man straight before him.”

Simple instructions
Clear plan.
The human victory factor: OBEDIENCE

For the Christian, we will not / cannot have victory without obedience.

This scripture (provided previously in the NIV) and note shared by Pastor Nate Brock of Mulberry Baptist Church in Sumter, SC. It is a familiar passage that resonate volumes today.

*This post includes the NKJV*

After Godliness

2010-06-22T08:00:00.002-04:00

Titus 1: 1-9, KJV
1Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;
2In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
3But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;
4To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.
5For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:
6If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.
7For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
8But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;
9Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

Amplified Version
9He must hold fast to the sure and trustworthy Word of God as he was taught it, so that he may be able both to give stimulating instruction and encouragement in sound (wholesome) doctrine and to refute and convict those who contradict and oppose it [showing the wayward their error].

All messages aren’t comfortable to hear, but necessary. God loves us and sets forth commands for us to follow. He points out what is correct and what isn’t. It’s not to criticize us; it’s to shape us into His image.

The Psalmist's Temptation

2010-06-21T08:00:00.002-04:00

“If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children. When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end. Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction. How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors. As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image,” Psalm 73:15-20, KJV.

The psalmist's temptation.

The psalmist was strongly tempted to envy the prosperity of the wicked; a common temptation, which has tried the graces of many saints. But he lays down the great principle by which he resolved to abide. It is the goodness of God. This is a truth which cannot be shaken. Good thoughts of God will fortify against Satan's temptations. The faith even of strong believers may be sorely shaken, and ready to fail. There are storms that will try the firmest anchors. Foolish and wicked people have sometimes a great share of outward prosperity. They seem to have the least share of the troubles of this life; and they seem to have the greatest share of its comforts. They live without the fear of God, yet they prosper, and get on in the world.

Wicked men often spend their lives without much sickness, and end them without great pain; while many godly persons scarcely know what health is, and die with great sufferings. Often the wicked are not frightened, either by the remembrance of their sins, or the prospect of their misery, but they die without terror. We cannot judge men's state beyond death, by what passes at their death. He looked abroad, and saw many of God's people greatly at a loss. Because the wicked are so very daring, therefore his people return hither; they know not what to say to it, and the rather, because they drink deep of the bitter cup of affliction. He spoke feelingly when he spoke of his own troubles; there is no disputing against sense, except by faith.

From all this arose a strong temptation to cast off religion. But let us learn that the true course of sanctification consists in cleansing a man from all pollution both of soul and body. The heart is cleansed by the blood of Christ laid hold upon by faith; and by the begun works of the Lord's Spirit, manifested in the hearty resolution, purpose, and study of holiness, and a blameless course of life and actions, the hands are cleansed. It is not in vain to serve God and keep his ordinances. (Ps 73:15-20)

About this commentary:

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible is available in the Public Domain.

Recommended Reading: Psalm 73

The Apostle's Commission

2010-06-18T08:00:00.001-04:00

“1FROM PAUL, a bond servant of Jesus Christ (the Messiah) called to be an apostle, (a special messenger) set apart to [preach] the Gospel (good news) of and from God, 2Which He promised in advance [long ago] through His prophets in the sacred Scriptures-- 3[The Gospel] regarding His Son, Who as to the flesh (His human nature) was descended from David, 4And [as to His divine nature] according to the Spirit of holiness was openly [a]designated the Son of God in power [in a striking, triumphant and miraculous manner] by His resurrection from the dead, even Jesus Christ our Lord (the Messiah, the Anointed One). 5It is through Him that we have received grace (God's unmerited favor) and [our] apostleship to promote obedience to the faith and make disciples for His name's sake among all the nations, 6And this includes you, called of Jesus Christ and invited [as you are] to belong to Him. 7To [you then] all God's beloved ones in Rome, called to be saints and designated for a consecrated life: Grace and spiritual blessing and peace be yours from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ,” Romans 1:1-7, AMP.

The apostle's commission.

The doctrine, of which the apostle Paul wrote, set forth the fulfillment of the promises by the prophets. It spoke of the Son of God, even Jesus the Saviour, the promised Messiah, who came from David as to his human nature, but was also declared to be the Son of God, by the Divine power which raised him from the dead. The Christian profession does not consist in a notional knowledge or a bare assent, much less in perverse disputings, but in obedience. And all those, and those only, are brought to obedience of the faith, who are effectually called of Jesus Christ. Here is, 1. The privilege of Christians; they are beloved of God, and are members of that body which is beloved. 2. The duty of Christians; to be holy, hereunto are they called, called to be saints. These the apostle saluted, by wishing them grace to sanctify their souls, and peace to comfort their hearts, as springing from the free mercy of God, the reconciled Father of all believers, and coming to them through the Lord Jesus Christ. (Ro 1:8-15).

About this commentary:

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible is available in the Public Domain.

The Vision of Obadiah

2010-06-17T08:15:00.003-04:00

"But upon mount Zion shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions. And the house of Jacob shall be a fire, and the house of Joseph a flame, and the house of Esau for stubble, and they shall kindle in them, and devour them; and there shall not be any remaining of the house of Esau; for the LORD hath spoken it. And they of the south shall possess the mount of Esau; and they of the plain the Philistines: and they shall possess the fields of Ephraim, and the fields of Samaria: and Benjamin shall possess Gilead. And the captivity of this host of the children of Israel shall possess that of the Canaanites, even unto Zarephath; and the captivity of Jerusalem, which is in Sepharad, shall possess the cities of the south. And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD's," Obadiah 1:17-21, KJV.

Destruction to come upon Edom. Their offences against Jacob.

This prophecy is against Edom. Its destruction seems to have been typical, as their father Esau's rejection; and to refer to the destruction of the enemies of the gospel church. See the prediction of the success of that war; Edom shall be spoiled, and brought down. All the enemies of God's church shall be disappointed in the things they stay themselves on. God can easily lay those low who magnify and exalt themselves; and will do it. Carnal security ripens men for ruin, and makes the ruin worse when it comes.

Treasures on earth cannot be so safely laid up but that thieves may break through and steal; it is therefore our wisdom to lay up for ourselves treasures in heaven. Those that make flesh their trust, arm it against themselves. The God of our covenant will never deceive us: but if we trust men with whom we join ourselves, it may prove to us a wound and dishonor. God will justly deny those understanding to keep out of danger who will not use their understandings to keep out of sin.

All violence, all unrighteousness, is sin; but it makes the violence far worse, if it be done against any of God's people. Their barbarous conduct towards Judah and Jerusalem is charged upon them. In reflecting on ourselves, it is good to consider what we should have done; to compare our practice with the Scripture rule. Sin, thus looked upon in the glass of the commandment, will appear exceedingly sinful. Those have a great deal to answer for who are idle spectators of the troubles of their neighbors, when able to be active helpers. Those make themselves poor, who think to make themselves rich by the ruin of the people of God; and those deceive themselves, who call all that their own on which they can lay their hands in a day of calamity. Though judgment begins at the house of God, it shall not end there. Let sorrowful believers and insolent oppressors know that the troubles of the righteous will soon end, but those of the wicked will be eternal.

About this commentary:

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible is available in the Public Domain.

The Radical Question

2010-06-16T08:30:00.003-04:00

Normally, reviews aren't posted on this site, but this book explores Luke 18 so vividly I had to share it here as well as on my book club blog.

“What is Jesus worth to you?” This question posed on the front cover of David Platt’s The Radical Question resonate volumes throughout the booklet. This powerful exploration of Christian living both in and outside of the United States delivers an inspiring display of scripture personified. Consider the scripture passage of Luke 18 where a rich ruler asked Jesus what he must do to be saved. Jesus replied, “Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother,” verse 20, KJV. The wealthy ruler replied, “All these have I kept from my youth up.” Then Jesus said to him, “Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.” When the ruler heard this he did not jump up and say, “Yes, Master! Whatever you’ll have me to do, I’ll do!” In fact, when he heard this, the scripture states that he was very sorrowful because he was very rich.

This booklet shares with the reader those who have said “yes” to the call. There are specific examples of where “great jobs” and “once-in a lifetime” opportunities were turned down for the sake of doing God’s work. It causes one to think about those who are less fortunate in reality versus the abstract. Not just the hungry and those who are homeless, but those who are without the freedom to worship God—those who are subject to become martyrs. What are you willing to sacrifice? Those of us who stand in firmly built air-conditioned homes, visit comfortable worship centers, and rest easy with lucrative bank accounts? What are we doing with what we have? If God were to place it on your heart to share some of it with a neighbor, the community shelter, or even foreign ministries … what would you do? Could that new pool installation wait? Could that brand new TV wait? Better yet, could that weekly lunch or dinner out be sacrificed?

God blesses us to be a blessing. It is all for kingdom advancement. To whom much is given, much is required. When a person teeters on the edge of selfishness, they are on the brink of making those things idols. “For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God,” verse 25.

Many thanks go to Waterbrook Multnomah where the book can be purchased. Please visit this site for more information: http://www.waterbrookmultnomah.com//

This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

The Holy Scriptures

2010-06-15T08:42:00.003-04:00

2 Timothy 3:10-17, NKJV

10 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance,
11 persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me.
12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.
14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them,
15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

No matter what the enemy may try to make you believe, we must bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ that exalts itself against the knowledge of God (2 Corinthians 10:5).

The Majesty of the Lord

2010-06-14T11:25:00.001-04:00

Psalm 93, KJV

1The LORD reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the LORD is clothed with strength, wherewith he hath girded himself: the world also is stablished, that it cannot be moved.
2Thy throne is established of old: thou art from everlasting.
3The floods have lifted up, O LORD, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their waves.
4The LORD on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea.
5Thy testimonies are very sure: holiness becometh thine house, O LORD, for ever.

The Lord is worthy to be praised...

The LORD Will Reward You

2010-06-11T07:30:00.001-04:00

Proverbs 25:18-25, NKJV

18 A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a club, a sword, and a sharp arrow.
19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a bad tooth and a foot out of joint.
20 Like one who takes away a garment in cold weather,
And like vinegar on soda, Is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
22 For so you will heap coals of fire on his head, And the LORD will reward you.
23 The north wind brings forth rain, And a backbiting tongue an angry countenance.
24 It is better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.
25 As cold water to a weary soul, So is good news from a far country.

“The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me,” Psalm 18:20, KJV.

Keeping Composure

2010-06-10T08:00:00.001-04:00

Jude 1:3-9, KJV

3 Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.
4 For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God[b] and our Lord Jesus Christ.
5 But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe.
6 And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day;
7 as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
8 Likewise also these dreamers defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak evil of dignitaries.
9 Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”

Sometimes, we simply need to say, “The Lord rebuke you!” Don't let the enemy manipulate you into behaving like him.

Even the Demons Believe

2010-06-09T08:00:00.001-04:00

“You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?[a] Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”[b]And he was called the friend of God. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only,” James 2:19-24, NKJV.

It is not enough to say that one believes in God, for even the demons believe. It is not enough to just “go to church,” for we must be the church. It is not enough to understand that His word is true, for we must allow His Holy Spirit to dwell within us. We must surrender to God’s way of doing things, not trying to carefully skate along worshipping God on one day and putting ourselves first on the next. When He is the center of our lives, everything else falls under His direction. You’d constantly ask yourself, “Is this pleasing in God’s sight?”

Faith without works is dead; also consider works without faith is dead or done in vain. For example, if you pay your tithes providing for the house of God, but don’t believe that God will “pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it” (Malachi 3:10), then your works are in vain—dead. If the fruits aren’t evident in your life, check the motive behind what you’re doing. Is it for show? Is it to just say that you’ve done that? What you do in secret, God will reward you openly. And we must keep in mind that “blessings” aren’t only materialistic.

“Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” The scripture goes on to say that he was called the friend of God. By works, faith was made perfect. “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed,” James 1:22-25, KJV.

Reference: God’s Friend

The Lord Is With Us

2010-06-08T08:00:00.003-04:00

“And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand,” Genesis 39:2-3, KJV.

There are situations and circumstances in life that may occur in which we have no control over. There are many in prisons that are indeed innocent of the crimes committed. There are lies that are told on some that are also indeed innocent of the accusations. In life, things will happen that are beyond our control that may leave us in a position less favorable than the last, but we must remember as Christians—the Lord is with us.

Consider the story told in Genesis 39 where Joseph after being sold into slavery behind the jealousy of his very own brothers was still blessed even as a slave. He was put in charge of the master’s household. In slavery, Joseph had people answering to him. The Lord was with Him, even in what looked like an awful situation. Then as the story goes on, we find that the master’s wife wanted Joseph to sleep with her. But being an upright man Joseph said, “Look, my master does not know what is with me in the house, and he has committed all that he has to my hand. There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (Genesis 39:8-9).

Joseph was not just concerned with his earthly master, but more importantly our heavenly Father. This is a great example of knowing that where ever and however we prosper, all good things come from above. It is not who hands it over to us here on earth, but the One who works within. In verse three it is mentioned that the earthly master knew this as well, “And his master saw that the LORD was with him…”

After Joseph refused this woman, she concocted a plan to have him thrown out. In her selfish, conniving mind was conceived an idea to make Joseph pay for refusing her. When her husband came in, she lied and told him that Joseph tried to rape her. As proof, she held Joseph’s garment up that she was able to clutch as Joseph ran away from her. He literally wanted nothing to do with this woman, but she wasn’t willing to take no for an answer. This was a situation that Joseph found himself in, but the Lord was with him.

Regardless of where we are in life, we must hold fast to our faith in Christ. The enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but God comes to give life and to give it more abundantly. Don’t allow situations and circumstances to define who you are, allow God to and His Holy Word. Someone may be experiencing a false accusation that got them fired, a miscommunication that forced a spouse to move out, or even a case of mistaken identity that lands them in jail, but know “that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose,” Romans 8:28, KJV.

As time progressed, Joseph prospered still. He eventually was appointed to oversee all the land of Egypt (Genesis 41:41). No weapon formed against thee shall prosper and God’s word does not return unto Him void. It will accomplish that thing in which it was sent forth to do. Joseph had a dream and his dream came true. When God gives a vision, though it may tarry … wait for it (Habakkuk 2:3).

God's Friend

2010-06-07T07:30:00.002-04:00

“This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you,” John 15:12-16, KJV.

What a friend we have in Jesus … Do you remember that song? To know and understand that God is our friend is an awesome thing. Jesus taught in this passage that there is no greater love than for a man to lay down his life for another. This clearly foreshadows what He was going to do. He knew this was the ultimate sacrifice—to die for another.

For Christ to die on that cross was the greatest act of love for us. For God, the Father, to give His only begotten Son was the greatest display of love. Jesus knew His mission, He was well aware of His purpose helping us to understand the character of the Father. “If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him,” John 14:7, KJV.

But there is a criterion to being God’s friend. Notice, “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” It is important not to forget that being God’s friend is to obey His commands. There are a set of rules/commandments put in place to help us on this journey of life. God understands and knows that we aren’t perfect (after all, He made us), but what He expects is obedience. In our imperfection, He is perfect. In accepting Him as Lord and savior, the Father sees us through Jesus Christ—the faultless One. In accepting Christ, God is faithful to forgive us of our sins. That’s where confession comes in.

In being Jesus’ friend, He makes known to us all that He’s heard of the Father. No good thing will God withhold. Many are called, but few are chosen. “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.”

The Lord Sustains

2010-06-04T07:30:00.001-04:00

Psalm 3, KJV
1Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.
2Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.
3But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
4I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.
5I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.
6I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.
7Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.
8Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.

Amen! Remember that the Lord protects and vengeance is His (Romans 12:19).

Judge Not

2010-06-03T11:15:00.001-04:00

It’s amazing how often people spit out the words “Judge not,” under the context of one telling another about their unrighteous deeds. Have you ever heard others say, “don’t judge,” when the words spoken came directly from the Bible? When Jesus said in Matthew 7:1-2, “Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again,” it was clearly explained. Whenever judgement takes place, be sure that you understand that those same standards will be applied back to you. In living by the commands of Christ, that is fine. You can share with someone that sex before marriage is wrong. You can share that being unequally yoked is immoral. This is not judging, this is living by the Word of God.

The judging comes in when a person draw conclusions about another based upon their own set of standards in selfishness, conceit, or pride. God provided a perfect example in James 2:1-4, “My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?”

So, explaining to someone the way of salvation and the fruits of the Spirit is not judging, but partiality is.

“Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called? If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment,” James 2:5-13, KJV.

Joy and Peace

2010-06-02T07:30:00.001-04:00

“For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off,” Isaiah 55:12-13, KJV.

As I meditate on the goodness of the Lord, I smile. God is joy and peace and Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure of heart: for they shall see God.” I know that I’m not perfect, but praise God, He is! I fall short at times, but He forever stands. I become weak in moments, but I can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me. He is just so wonderful and worthy to be praised!

I was a little down earlier thinking about the recent passing of my husband’s close family member. As I grew to know her she became my family too, and not just by marriage. She loved, she shared, but most of all she believed on Christ. We spent times talking about the goodness of the Lord and how some people shun God and are turned over to a reprobate mind, but praise God there are those of us who are separated from the world. Those of us, who may not be perfect, but seek the One who is. I thank God for her life and countless others who are now experiencing what it’s like to see God face to face.

“We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord,” 2 Corinthians 5:8, KJV.

That Which is Good

2010-06-01T07:00:00.010-04:00

3 John 9-12, KJV

9I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.
10Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.
11Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.
12Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true.

We are to imitate good. Those of us who practice goodness are of God—walking after the Holy Spirit. The Spirit will not tell us to do anything that does not bring glory to Him. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven,” Matthew 5:16, KJV. But those who make it a practice of doing evil does not know God. “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them,” Matthew 7:20, KJV.

Additional Reading: 3 John 1-14

Deceivers

2010-05-31T07:00:00.001-04:00

2 John 7-11, KJV

7For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
8Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
9Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
10If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
11For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

This passage went inline with what I recently studied in John 10 pertaining to the many deceivers. This scripture basically instructs us to stand up for our faith in Christ. If there be any that comes to us preaching any OTHER doctrine, we are not to bid them well. To bid well to them or any encouragement, we are agreeing that what they’re saying is okay. It is not okay to worship other gods, regardless of what the world says. To be a friend to the world is to be an enemy of God—the true and living Holy God.

Additional Reading: 2 John 1-13

The Door

2010-05-28T07:00:00.001-04:00

John 10:11-18, KJV
11I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
12But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
13The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
14I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
15As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
16And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
17Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
18No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

Jesus is the door, the good Shepherd—all who ever came before Him are thieves and robbers; to steal, kill, and destroy, but the true sheep did not obey or listen to these liars. God came so that we many have life more abundantly. He lays down His life for the sheep (no man takes it from Him) and He has the power to take it up again. This commandment He received from the Father.

But he that is a hireling (hired servant who merely serves for wages) sees the wolf coming will leave the sheep, running away because he cares nothing for them. Some pastors only want money, only working for finances … a mere hireling, but a true teacher of the Gospel do it for more than just wages because they understand that the Father will supply all of their needs. And in knowing this, they minister from the pureness of their hearts. Blessed are the pure of heart for they shall see God (Matthew 5:8).

Jesus cares for us—God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes on Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life. He is the way, the truth and the life, no man comes unto the Father but by Him (John 14:6). He is the door.

Recommended Reading: John 10:1-21

Sound in the Faith

2010-05-27T08:00:00.003-04:00

Titus 1:10-16, KJV

10For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:
11Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.
12One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, the Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.
13This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;
14Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.
15Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
16They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

The same still holds true today. Be careful not to become one of them. (Titus 1:16)

The Lord Hears Our Prayers

2010-05-26T07:00:00.002-04:00

Psalm 34:1-9, KJV

1I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.
3O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.
4I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
5They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.
6This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
7The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
8O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
9O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.

The trials God allows to happen in our lives is not to hurt, it’s to help develop. The outpouring of God’s grace and mercy is a display of His love that He doesn’t want to lose any of us. The very fact that God provides, shows that He cares. He has not forgotten the promises He’s made for He is faithful to fulfill them. Stand on His word … He answers prayers.

The Lord is Good

2010-05-25T07:00:00.002-04:00

Psalm 63, NKJV

1O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;
2To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.
3Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.
4Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.
5My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:
6When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.
7Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.
8My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.
9But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth.
10They shall fall by the sword: they shall be a portion for foxes.
11But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by him shall glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.

Before Formed in the Womb

2010-05-24T07:00:00.001-04:00

Jeremiah 1:5-12, AMP

5Before I formed you in the womb I knew [and] approved of you [as My chosen instrument], and before you were born I separated and set you apart, consecrating you; [and] I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.(B)
6Then said I, Ah, Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am only a youth.(C)
7But the Lord said to me, Say not, I am only a youth; for you shall go to all to whom I shall send you, and whatever I command you, you shall speak.
8Be not afraid of them [their faces], for I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord.
9Then the Lord put forth His hand and touched my mouth. And the Lord said to me, Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.
10See, I have this day appointed you to the oversight of the nations and of the kingdoms to root out and pull down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.
11Moreover, the word of the Lord came to me, saying, Jeremiah, what do you see? And I said, I see a branch or shoot of an almond tree [the emblem of alertness and activity, blossoming in late winter].
12Then said the Lord to me, You have seen well, for I am alert and active, watching over My word to perform it.
God's word will not return to Him void: Isaiah 55:11.

Teach us To Pray

2010-05-21T07:00:00.014-04:00

Luke 11:1-13, KJV

1And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.
2And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.
3Give us day by day our daily bread.
4And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.
5And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves;
6For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him?
7And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee.
8I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.
9And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
10For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
11If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?
12Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?
13If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?
We need to first make up in our minds to pray, and then God shows us how. We have to realize that we cannot do this on our own power, but in the name of Jesus Christ.

It is God who Gives Increase

2010-05-20T07:00:00.001-04:00

1 Corinthians 3:6-8 NKJV

6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.
7 So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.
8 Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.

On yesterday, I was blessed to share my faith with someone who says he does not accept God; the Lord ordered my steps because the conversation not only went smoothly, but uplifting. When asked what his reasons were, the man simply said that growing up he saw so many people going to church, but not practicing what they preach. He went on to state that in the midst of it all he decided to just do his own thing and stay to himself.

Basically, what he saw were hypocrites and this damaged his faith. The very people who were supposed to nurture and guide him discouraged him by their actions. It was an honest portrayal of what he had experienced and my heart went out to him. God ordered my words in how to respond and it was a peaceful exchange of words. I thanked the man for listening. Although this person did not accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior, the seed had been planted.

In our Christian walk we must be careful in how we carry ourselves. In many instances, our lives may be the only Bible they’ll read.

How long?

2010-05-19T07:00:00.011-04:00

Proverbs 1:22-33, AMP

22How long, O simple ones [open to evil], will you love being simple? And the scoffers delight in scoffing and [self-confident] fools hate knowledge?
23If you will turn (repent) and give heed to my reproof, behold, I [[a]Wisdom] will pour out my spirit upon you, I will make my words known to you.(A)
24Because I have called and you have refused [to answer], have stretched out my hand and no man has heeded it,(B)
25And you treated as nothing all my counsel and would accept none of my reproof,
26I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when the thing comes that shall cause you terror and panic--
27When your panic comes as a storm and desolation and your calamity comes on as a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you.
28Then will they call upon me [Wisdom] but I will not answer; they will seek me early and diligently but they will not find me.(C)
29Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord,(D)
30Would accept none of my counsel, and despised all my reproof,
31Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way and be satiated with their own devices.
32For the backsliding of the simple shall slay them, and the careless ease of [self-confident] fools shall destroy them.(E)
33But whoso hearkens to me [Wisdom] shall dwell securely and in confident trust and shall be quiet, without fear or dread of evil.

As I listened to a sermon this morning, I pondered exactly why it is that people go to church. It is good to go, but are the motives pure? Have many of us succumbed to the ritual or tradition of getting up on Sunday mornings to attend a service just because that’s what is expected? Do we yawn in the face of God? Do we seek Him only when we need something or continue to praise Him for who He is?

In spiritual maturity comes wisdom. In wisdom God will make His words known to us. In God making His word known to us we can rest easy without fear or dread of evil.

Meditate on These Things

2010-05-18T07:00:00.001-04:00

Philippians 4:4-9, KJV

4Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.
5Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
6Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
9Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Meditate on the true, honest, just, pure, and lovely things; and any things of good report, virtue, and praise [to God], think on. Why waste the precious time extended to us in this life on the negative, false, lies, and defamation of God? When we know better, we ought to do better. Do the things God tell us to do and His peace [that passes all understanding] shall be with us.

My Help Comes from the LORD

2010-05-17T07:00:00.007-04:00

Psalm 121, NKJV

A Song of Ascents.
1 I will lift up my eyes to the hills—From whence comes my help?
2 My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth.
3 He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber.
4 Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The LORD is your keeper; The LORD is your shade at your right hand.
6 The sun shall not strike you by day, Nor the moon by night.
7 The LORD shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul.
8 The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in
From this time forth, and even forevermore.

Our help comes from the Lord. The enemy wants to distract us so that we can take our eyes off of God. We must keep our eyes on God, standing firm on His promise. He is not a false god that needs awakening. God is alert, God is aware, and God is always there.

To Be Content

2010-05-14T07:00:00.002-04:00

Philippians 4:10-13, NKJV

10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity.
11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:
12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
13 I can do all things through Christ[a] who strengthens me.

Whatever the situation...I've learned to be content. I may not like it, but I rest easy in God's infinite wisdom.

Expresses contentment in every condition of life.

It is a good work to succor and help a good minister in trouble. The nature of true Christian sympathy is not only to feel concern for our friends in their troubles, but to do what we can to help them. The apostle was often in bonds, imprisonments, and necessities; but in all, he learned to be content, to bring his mind to his condition, and make the best of it. Pride, unbelief, vain hankering after something we have not got, and fickle disrelish of present things, make men discontented even under favorable circumstances. Let us pray for patient submission and hope when we are abased; for humility and a heavenly mind when exalted. It is a special grace to have an equal temper of mind always. And in a low state not to lose our comfort in God, nor distrust his providence, nor take any wrong course for our own supply. In a prosperous condition not to be proud, or secure, or worldly. This is a harder lesson than the other; for the temptations of fullness and prosperity are more than those of affliction and want. The apostle had no design to urge them to give more, but to encourage such kindness as will meet a glorious reward hereafter. Through Christ we have grace to do what is good, and through him we must expect the reward; and as we have all things by him, let us do all things for him, and to his glory.

About this commentary:

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible is available in the Public Domain.

Worshipping in Flesh and in Lies

2010-05-13T07:00:00.001-04:00

“The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet. Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth,” John 4:19-24, KJV

“The woman said to Him, Sir, I see and understand that You are a prophet. Our forefathers worshiped on this mountain, but you [Jews] say that Jerusalem is the place where it is necessary and proper to worship. Jesus said to her, Woman, believe Me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither [merely] in this mountain nor [merely] in Jerusalem. You [Samaritans] do not know what you are worshiping [you worship what you do not comprehend]. We do know what we are worshiping [we worship what we have knowledge of and understand], for [after all] salvation comes from [among] the Jews. A time will come, however, indeed it is already here, when the true (genuine) worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth (reality); for the Father is seeking just such people as these as His worshipers. God is a Spirit (a spiritual Being) and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth (reality),” John 4:19-24, AMP

I’ve heard the story of the woman at the well many times, but it wasn’t until recently that I began meditating on the 24th verse of John 4. In the preceding verses, Jesus is having a conversation with this woman at the well explaining to her the living water (everlasting life) available that will cure all thirst—salvation. As He speaks to her, Jesus reveals the knowledge of the woman’s act of adultery. The woman immediately perceives Jesus as a prophet, but Jesus corrects and reveals to her that He is the Messiah.

In the passage mentioned above, I keyed in on verses 23 and 24—worshipping the Father in spirit and in truth. This was because I felt very strongly in my spirit God saying, “They are trying to worship me in flesh and in lies.” It is not enough to say that one believes in God and then live a life contrary to His word. God knows the truth and He requires us to worship Him that way. We are to exhibit the fruits of the Spirit, not the works of the flesh. And as hard as it is to write this, there are many in positions of leadership filled with carnality.

We cannot lie to God and we cannot worship Him in flesh. Many (and I have fallen into this category too in the past) have the audacity to ask God for all of the things we want, but unwilling to give Him the things that He requires. “23But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.” He seeks this, requests this, searches for this. I feel the Spirit saying that He doesn’t ask for much…that He gives much and He gives often, but when He makes a request He’s often shunned, ignored, or put on the back burner. Why is this? God wants only the best for us…His commands and rules are set in place to protect us because He knows the devil’s agenda is to steal, kill and destroy seeking whom he may devour. God is trying to protect us from the Father of Lies—the master deceiver. As many adopt the spirit of deception, they somehow think they can make this deception work on God. Be not deceived for God is not mocked.

“Do not be deceived and deluded and misled; God will not allow Himself to be sneered at (scorned, disdained, or mocked [a]by mere pretensions or professions, or by His precepts being set aside.) [He inevitably deludes himself who attempts to delude God.] For whatever a man sows, that and [b]that only is what he will reap,” Galatians 6:7, AMP.

Submission to God

2010-05-12T07:00:00.003-04:00

Synonyms of Submission: Obedience, Compliance, Surrender

James 4:5-10, AMP

5Or do you suppose that the Scripture is speaking to no purpose that says, The Spirit Whom He has caused to dwell in us yearns over us and He yearns for the Spirit [to be welcome] with a jealous love?(A)
6But He gives us more and more grace ([a]power of the Holy Spirit, to meet this evil tendency and all others fully). That is why He says, God sets Himself against the proud and haughty, but gives grace [continually] to the lowly (those who are humble enough to receive it).(B)
7So be subject to God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him], and he will flee from you. (KJV: “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”)
8Come close to God and He will come close to you. [Recognize that you are] sinners, get your soiled hands clean; [realize that you have been disloyal] wavering individuals with divided interests, and purify your hearts [of your spiritual adultery]. (KJV: “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.”)
9[As you draw near to God] be deeply penitent and grieve, even weep [over your disloyalty]. Let your laughter be turned to grief and your mirth to dejection and heartfelt shame [for your sins].
10Humble yourselves [feeling very insignificant] in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you up and make your lives significant]. (KJV: “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”)

Key phrases: Submit yourselves therefore to God; Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you; Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

If a person never admits that the sin they are doing is wrong, how can they ever ask God to forgive them? If they never submit unto God, how they expect the Lord to respond. 2 Chronicles 7:14 unfolds the basic instruction of how God answers prayers:

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

The World’s Friend

2010-05-11T07:00:00.003-04:00

James 4:1-4, AMP

“WHAT LEADS to strife (discord and feuds) and how do conflicts (quarrels and fightings) originate among you? Do they not arise from your sensual desires that are ever warring in your bodily members?
2You are jealous and covet [what others have] and your desires go unfulfilled; [so] you become murderers. [To hate is to murder as far as your hearts are concerned.] You burn with envy and anger and are not able to obtain [the gratification, the contentment, and the happiness that you seek], so you fight and war. You do not have, because you do not ask. [I John 3:15.]
3[Or] you do ask [God for them] and yet fail to receive, because you ask with wrong purpose and evil, selfish motives. Your intention is [when you get what you desire] to spend it in sensual pleasures.
4You [are like] unfaithful wives [having illicit love affairs with the world and breaking your marriage vow to God]! Do you not know that being the world's friend is being God's enemy? So whoever chooses to be a friend of the world takes his stand as an enemy of God.

Trust God, not the world. Be His friend, not His enemy. War not against the One who has given so much, but offer something back in return….your faith.

Walking Away with Clean Hands

2010-05-10T07:00:00.003-04:00

Matthew 18:15-17, KJV

15Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
16But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
17And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

The removal of offences.

If a professed Christian is wronged by another, he ought not to complain of it to others, as is often done merely upon report, but to go to the offender privately, state the matter kindly, and show him his conduct. This would generally have all the desired effect with a true Christian, and the parties would be reconciled. The principles of these rules may be practiced every where, and under all circumstances, though they are too much neglected by all. But how few try the method which Christ has expressly enjoined to all his disciples! In all our proceedings we should seek direction in prayer; we cannot too highly prize the promises of God. Wherever and whenever we meet in the name of Christ, we should consider him as present in the midst of us.

About this commentary:

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible is available in the Public Domain.

Who are Blessed?

2010-05-07T07:00:00.001-04:00

Scripture focus: Matthew 5: 3-12

About this commentary:

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible is available in the Public Domain.

Our Saviour here gives eight characters of blessed people, which represent to us the principal graces of a Christian. 1. The poor in spirit are happy. These bring their minds to their condition, when it is a low condition. They are humble and lowly in their own eyes. They see their want, bewail their guilt, and thirst after a Redeemer. The kingdom of grace is of such; the kingdom of glory is for them. 2. Those that mourn are happy. That godly sorrow which worketh true repentance, watchfulness, a humble mind, and continual dependence for acceptance on the mercy of God in Christ Jesus, with constant seeking the Holy Spirit, to cleanse away the remaining evil, seems here to be intended. Heaven is the joy of our Lord; a mountain of joy, to which our way is through a vale of tears. Such mourners shall be comforted by their God. 3. The meek are happy. The meek are those who quietly submit to God; who can bear insult; are silent, or return a soft answer; who, in their patience, keep possession of their own souls, when they can scarcely keep possession of anything else. These meek ones are happy, even in this world. Meekness promotes wealth, comfort, and safety, even in this world. 4. Those who hunger and thirst after righteousness are happy. Righteousness is here put for all spiritual blessings. These are purchased for us by the righteousness of Christ, confirmed by the faithfulness of God. Our desires of spiritual blessings must be earnest. Though all desires for grace are not grace, yet such a desire as this, is a desire of God's own raising, and he will not forsake the work of his own hands.

5. The merciful are happy. We must not only bear our own afflictions patiently, but we must do all we can to help those who are in misery. We must have compassion on the souls of others, and help them; pity those who are in sin, and seek to snatch them as brands out of the burning. 6. The pure in heart are happy; for they shall see God. Here holiness and happiness are fully described and put together. The heart must be purified by faith, and kept for God. Create in me such a clean heart, O God. None but the pure are capable of seeing God, nor would heaven be happiness to the impure. As God cannot endure to look upon their iniquity, so they cannot look upon his purity. 7. The peace-makers are happy. They love, and desire, and delight in peace; and study to be quiet. They keep the peace that it be not broken, and recover it when it is broken. If the peace-makers are blessed, woe to the peace-breakers! 8. Those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake are happy. This saying is peculiar to Christianity; and it is more largely insisted upon than any of the rest. Yet there is nothing in our sufferings that can merit of God; but God will provide that those who lose for him, though life itself, shall not lose by him in the end. Blessed Jesus! how different are thy maxims from those of men of this world! They call the proud happy, and admire the gay, the rich, the powerful, and the victorious. May we find mercy from the Lord; may we be owned as his children, and inherit his kingdom. With these enjoyments and hopes, we may cheerfully welcome low or painful circumstances.

For Theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven

2010-05-06T07:00:00.008-04:00

Matthew 5: 10-12, KJV

10Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

There is no law against godliness, only godlessness. When standing up for what is right, rejoice when others speak negatively against you or say nasty things to downgrade you, for your Just Judge is in heaven. Man can not put you in heaven or hell, so seek to please the One Being who can. Our service to others is done in the name of Jesus, not Joe, Jacob, Janet, or Jessica, just Jesus.

Serve God with a pure heart, seeking to be a peacemaker among the brethrens, displaying the love God has shown to us… praying for His will to be done, not our own.

Studying the Word of God

2010-05-05T08:00:00.004-04:00

“If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness,” 2 Timothy 2:12-16, KJV.

Knowledge of the Holy Bible comes by reading it, not merely by owning a copy. As new people come to Christ there is a duty to educate and teach the unadulterated word of God. And most who come to Christ, the details of how to live a Christian life is foreign to them. This is why the Bible clearly states that one must study to show oneself approved. Also, this is why the Word must be our daily bread. I know there are many pastors, preachers, and teachers that encourage the daily reading of God’s word, but how many of us do it?

Tithing—this is not accepted by all, but it is clearly stated in the Bible in both the Old and New Testaments. “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings,” Malachi 3:8, KJV. (Matthew 23:23) Also being mindful of the reason why we’re paying tithes. God does not need our money, He requires our faith. Yes, we have obligations here on earth such as paying light bills, car notes, house payments, but is that more important than God? Who provided the money to us in the first place to pay those other bills? And we can’t spare ten percent? “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts,” Malachi 3:10-11, KJV.

Idol worship—this is not abolished by all Christians either, but the Bible clearly states that you must not have any other god before Him (Exodus 20:3, Deuteronomy 5:7, Matthew 22:37-38). Similar to what is briefly mentioned above, there are cars, houses, jobs, organizations, even children and parents that are placed above the Almighty God. “He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me,” Matthew 10:37, KJV.

It takes studying to know what the Word states. God speaks to us through His Holy Spirit and through His Holy Word. When we know the Word, in certain situations scriptures that we’ve meditated on comes to mind exactly when we need them. “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you,” John 14:26, KJV. The key word here is remembrance. If we never study, how will we remember?

Overcoming Evil with Good

2010-05-04T08:00:00.004-04:00

Romans 12:17-21, KJV

17Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
18If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
19Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
20Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
21Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Exhortations to various duties.
About this commentary:

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible is available in the Public Domain.

The professed love of Christians to each other should be sincere, free from deceit, and unmeaning and deceitful compliments. Depending on Divine grace, they must detest and dread all evil, and love and delight in whatever is kind and useful. We must not only do that which is good, but we must cleave to it. All our duty towards one another is summed up in one word, love. This denotes the love of parents to their children; which is more tender and natural than any other; unforced, unconstrained. And love to God and man, with zeal for the gospel, will make the wise Christian diligent in all his wordly business, and in gaining superior skill.

God must be served with the spirit, under the influences of the Holy Spirit. He is honoured by our hope and trust in him, especially when we rejoice in that hope. He is served, not only by working for him, but by sitting still quietly, when he calls us to suffer. Patience for God's sake, is true piety. Those that rejoice in hope, are likely to be patient in tribulation. We should not be cold in the duty of prayer, nor soon weary of it. Not only must there be kindness to friends and brethren, but Christians must not harbour anger against enemies. It is but mock love, which rests in words of kindness, while our brethren need real supplies, and it is in our power to furnish them.

Be ready to entertain those who do good: as there is occasion, we must welcome strangers. Bless, and curse not. It means thorough good will; not, bless them when at prayer, and curse them at other times; but bless them always, and curse not at all. True Christian love will make us take part in the sorrows and joys of each other. Labour as much as you can to agree in the same spiritual truths; and when you come short of that, yet agree in affection. Look upon worldly pomp and dignity with holy contempt. Do not mind it; be not in love with it. Be reconciled to the place God in his providence puts you in, whatever it be. Nothing is below us, but sin. We shall never find in our hearts to condescend to others, while we indulge conceit of ourselves; therefore that must be mortified. (Ro 12:17-21)

The Importance of Prayer

2010-05-03T08:00:00.001-04:00

Matthew 26:36-46, KJV

36Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.
37And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.
38Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.
39And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
40And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?
41Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
42He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.
43And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.
44And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.
45Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
46Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.

Prayer is dialogue with God. No matter what may be going on in our lives, we must keep the lines of communication open with our Father. Although the spirit is willing, the flesh is weak which makes it ever more important. Pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

No Respecter of Persons

2010-04-30T07:00:00.001-04:00

Acts 10:30-35, KJV

30And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,
31And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.
32Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee.
33Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.
34Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
35But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
God is no respecter of persons. In every nation that fears the Lord and works in righteousness is accepted in Him.

Blessed are the Pure of Heart

2010-04-29T07:00:00.005-04:00

“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God,” Matthew 5:8, KJV.

Each day we must examine our motives for whatever it is we may be doing. Whether it is sharing a friendly word of encouragement or extending a helping hand. I’ve found that it’s not so much what a person does that matters but rather what their motives are for doing it. Even our court system rules on motive.

Take for instance, yesterday morning when I found myself walking behind a woman whose shirt was slightly caught up on one side of her body partially exposing her bare skin. She had headphones on and was walking for exercise. She had weights in her hands and appeared to be engulfed in her work out routine. I could have ignored the elevated shirt and look straight ahead as I was about to pass her. My motive for it would have been that I didn’t want her thinking I was trying to embarrass her by drawing attention to the folds of exposed skin. Rather, I thought that if it were me I would want somebody to tell me. I wanted to ensure that nobody else would see what I saw…especially not a male. My motive was out of love…to help her, to protect her body.

Now, let’s take an example of working in a ministry or volunteering with an organization. There are opportunities to assist in various capacities. One could visit the sick and shut-in, feed the homeless, or offer time and services. Someone may counsel another, extend a helping hand, or render a smile all by demonstrating the love of Christ. The contrary comes in when it is done grudgingly or unwillingly. Is there a pure motivation to extend these services by advancing the kingdom of God or is there an underlying motive to get “payback” by those you’ve delivered these services to. Is there an inkling of doing it just to say that you’ve done something by shouting it on the roof-tops or corner of every street?

“Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward,” Matthew 6:1-2, KJV.

“TAKE CARE not to do your good deeds publicly or before men, in order to be seen by them; otherwise you will have no reward [[a]reserved for and awaiting you] with and from your Father Who is in heaven. Thus, whenever you give to the poor, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites in the synagogues and in the streets like to do, that they may be [b]recognized and honored and praised by men. Truly I tell you, they have their reward [c]in full already,” Matthew 6:1-2, AMP.

In all that you do, examine your motives. What is the reason behind whatever it is that you do? Is it for the glory of God or the exaltation of self? Is it to please Him or to please man? Are your motives pure?

Rejoice

2010-04-28T08:00:00.002-04:00

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe. Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence,” John 14:27-31, KJV.

God gives us peace. He gives the peace that surpasses all understanding. God offers the peace that has you praising Him even though you may be weathering a storm; the peace not as the world gives, but as He gives.

The world, our temporary place of residence, has the tendency to offer a false sense of security. Security that flees at a moment’s notice. The world extends the peace of a momentary fix. For example, one may have a mortgage payment due at the end of the week and they present you with an extension, but at the cost of a fee. You take it, but you still don’t have peace about the situation. You’ve sought out avenues in which to get this bill paid to no avail. Then someone pays it for you. You praise God. But then at the end of the next month, the same thing seems to be occurring. Your money is short and there again you put your hope in a person or the mortgage company to lend you a helping hand. Looking for a ray of hope that offers once again you could just pay a small fee and be done with it until you get paid on next week. But this time they tell you no. They explain to you that it was a one time deal last month and it is no longer offered to you.

During the month, you paid other bills…even went shopping because you trusted in that cushion you thought you had. Your trust was placed in that company, not God. Your peace rested outside of the Lord. It was in the world. See, when you have peace in the Lord you approach each situation with prayer, knowing that God is fully able to answer them. He is sovereign so that doesn’t mean that He has to give you everything that you ask for, but what it does mean is that He will take care of your needs. If something is taken away or not extended to me, that’s an indication that I may not need it. In putting my full trust in the Lord, I know that He provides. It may not be as I think it should come, but it comes and it is not up to us to decide how God is to answer our prayers.

So, that peace Jesus spoke of encourages me; especially when depression, uncertainty, and discouragement may loom. It helped me to understand that (depression, uncertainty, and discouragement) is exactly what the world offers.

He that Loves the Lord

2010-04-27T08:00:00.002-04:00

John 14:12-26, KJV

I've been noticing a recurring theme with God. There are times in the Bible (New and Old Testament) where something will be repeated three times. I consider this to be His way of emphasizing or bold printing in our minds something we may have a tendency to miss. Here in this passage he repeats that if we love Him, we will keep His commands...Do you love the Lord?

12Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
13And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
14If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
15If ye love me, keep my commandments.
16And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
17Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
18I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
19Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
20At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
21He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
22Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?
23Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
24He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.
25These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.
26But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled

2010-04-26T08:00:00.013-04:00

John 14:1-11, KJV

1Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
4And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
5Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
7If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
8Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us.
9Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?
10Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
11Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.

The Great and Terrible Day of the Lord, part 2

2010-04-23T08:00:00.004-04:00

In the previous post the focal passage mentioned was Joel 2:1-12 along with passages from Malachi, 2 Peter, Acts 2, and Revelation 1. Today, I would like to focus more deeply on Revelation 1:12-18, KJV.

“And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death,” Revelation 1:12-18, KJV.

There are numerous passages in addition to what I have posted that describes the great and terrible day of the Lord. One thing that I pondered on was why it was considered terrible. The word terrible means there is something to dread, something awful, something is horrifying. To me this didn’t compute as it relates to the Lord. But of course the Holy Spirit swiftly ministers that this does not apply to me or any other saved person. The great and terrible day will be to those who have not accepted Christ. Those who have rejected invitation after invitation, those who have ripped up planted seed after planted seed. It is terrible to those who want nothing to do with Jesus Christ and the gift of salvation He offers. It was their choice. They have chosen their fate which is hell.

Jesus’ eyes “were as a flame of fire…” This prompts me to think of righteous anger. Jesus offers everything…even his very life on the cross. Still, there are some who offer nothing back except rejection. Consider a person so full of denial that they just won’t believe. It’s the hardness of a person’s heart that makes this day so terrible for them.

“Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory,” Matthew 24:29-30, KJV.

For me this will be a glorious day!

The Great and Terrible Day of the Lord, part 1

2010-04-22T09:00:00.001-04:00

Focal Passage: Joel 2:1-12

Scriptural References: Listed below

“For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch,” Malachi 4:1, KJV. I recommend the entire six verses in this chapter.

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up,” 2 Peter 3:9-10, KJV.

“The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and notable day of the Lord come: And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved,” Acts 2:20-21, KJV. There is salvation.

“I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea,” Revelation 1:9-11, KJV.

And this writing we now have. What are we going to do with it?

His Provision for All Creatures

2010-04-21T10:00:00.002-04:00

Psalm 104:19-30, KJV

19He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down.
20Thou makest darkness, and it is night: wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth.
21The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God.
22The sun ariseth, they gather themselves together, and lay them down in their dens.
23Man goeth forth unto his work and to his labour until the evening.
24O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.
25So is this great and wide sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts.
26There go the ships: there is that leviathan, whom thou hast made to play therein.
27These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in due season.
28That thou givest them they gather: thou openest thine hand, they are filled with good.
29Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust.
30Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth.

About this commentary:

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible is available in the Public Domain.

When we reflect upon the provision made for all creatures, we should also notice the natural worship they render to God. Yet man, forgetful ungrateful man, enjoys the largest measure of his Creator's kindness: the earth, varying in different lands. Nor let us forget spiritual blessings; the fruitfulness of the church through grace, the bread of everlasting life, the cup of salvation, and the oil of gladness. Does God provide for the inferior creatures, and will he not be a refuge to his people? (Ps 104:19-30)

O LORD, My Strength, and My Redeemer

2010-04-20T08:00:00.001-04:00

Psalm 19, KJV

1The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
2Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
3There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.
4Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,
5Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.
6His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
7The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
8The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
10More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
11Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.
12Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.
13Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.
14Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

Let the Lord wash your heart and mind with His Holy Word....

Make a Joyful Noise unto the Lord

2010-04-19T08:30:00.003-04:00

Psalm 100, KJV

1Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
2Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
3Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
5For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

The Lord is good….even when we experience bad things. We must remember that God is a spirit and when we worship Him it is to be done in spirit and in truth, not just because of flattering surroundings or favorable conditions. Our praises should not be conditional. What would it be like if God treated us that way in answering prayers? His goodness rains on the just and the unjust and at some point in time we were all unjust. Thank God He’s not like man.

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, serve Him with gladness. This means to come to Him because you desire a meaningful relationship…not to just go through the motions of seeking Him only when you want something. Come to Him because you know He’s a burden bearer, not just so others can see you in the “church building”. You sing to the Lord to usher in His presence….He inhabits the praises of His people. He lives there. And in living there, that means that He is fulfilling what He (Jesus) spoke when He was in the flesh, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil,” Matthew 5:17, KJV.

His truth endures forever. Think about it, this is the only book that is still on the lips of people today as it was thousands of years ago. God has been spoken of in the days of Daniel as the Old Testament was being written and it is today as the Old and New Testament is being distributed. For the scripture says His truth endures to all generations.

God is in Charge of it All

2010-04-16T07:00:00.002-04:00

“Have you not known? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth? It is He who sits above the circle of the earth, And its inhabitants are like grasshoppers, Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, And spreads them out like a tent to dwell in. He brings the princes to nothing; He makes the judges of the earth useless,” Isaiah 40:21-23, NKJV.

Challenges encounter us each day on varying levels whether it is illness, financial woes, bereavement, or those uninvited thoughts of the mind. We may find ourselves under the leadership at a particular job or even within our very homes that defies our faith. Imagine for a moment, and this may very well be you or someone you know, living with or working for someone who’s an unbeliever. You cry out to God each day hoping for a drastic change in your favor of your surroundings. And you find that nothing has changed…at least as far as you can see.

Change happens on the inside, not the outside. God prepares a table before us in the presence of our enemies. What we need isn’t always what we ask for. We may ask for something that will temporarily bandage our emotions, but the wound needs healing that comes only through Christ. God has it all. He knows what’s going on and what’s happening in our lives. He has promised to never leave us nor forsake us. Don’t let negative circumstances dictate your joy. Be ever so mindful of the flood of peace that follows or overtakes us in the midst of a prayer—the effectual, fervent prayer (James 5:16). We go to God knowing that He is who He says He is. We bow before Him knowing that He is fully able to answer any righteous request we may place before Him.

He is an all-knowing, all powerful God. And people in positions of authority will still have to submit one day to the ultimate authority which is God. It can be very difficult resting under the leadership of an unsaved person (I personally attest to this), but we must keep our eyes on God and pray without ceasing. Pray for strength, endurance as you exercise the measure of faith given to you. This can be a testimony to another to say that we need God in all that we do. Even when chaos swirls around you, God keeps us in perfect peace.

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee,” Isaiah 26:3, KJV. We have to trust Him.

As far as the East is From the West

2010-04-15T07:00:00.002-04:00

Psalm 103:6-14, KJV

6The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
7He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.
8The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
9He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
10He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
11For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
12As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
13Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
14For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

By the pardon of sin, that is taken away which kept good things from us, and we are restored to the favor of God, who bestows good things on us. Think of the provocation; it was sin, and yet pardoned: how many the provocations, yet all pardoned! God is still forgiving, as we are still sinning and repenting. The body finds the melancholy consequences of Adam's offence, it is subject to many infirmities, and the soul also. Christ alone forgives all our sins; it is he alone who heals all our infirmities. And the person who finds his sin cured, has a well-grounded assurance that it is forgiven. When God, by the graces and comforts of his Spirit, recovers his people from their decays, and fills them with new life and joy, which is to them an earnest of eternal life and joy, they may then be said to return to the days of their youth, Job 33:25. (Ps 103:6-14)

About this commentary:

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible is available in the Public Domain.

Sharing the Burden

2010-04-14T07:00:00.005-04:00

Exodus 18:13-27, KJV

13And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses sat to judge the people: and the people stood by Moses from the morning unto the evening.
14And when Moses' father in law saw all that he did to the people, he said, What is this thing that thou doest to the people? why sittest thou thyself alone, and all the people stand by thee from morning unto even?
15And Moses said unto his father in law, Because the people come unto me to enquire of God:
16When they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and another, and I do make them know the statutes of God, and his laws.
17And Moses' father in law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good.
18Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone.
19Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God:
20And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do.
21Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:
22And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee.
23If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people shall also go to their place in peace.
24So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father in law, and did all that he had said.
25And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.
26And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought unto Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves.
27And Moses let his father in law depart; and he went his way into his own land.

This is a post based taken from a daily devotional email I received on yesterday. We must learn to share the burden and assist our leaders. As Pastor Brock stated:

· Spiritual leadership is a collaborative effort between, the leader, God and the people.

· Every leader has a responsibility to train other to help in the leadership process.

· Every leader should be actively preparing someone else to take his/her place.

The Foolishness of this World

2010-04-13T07:00:00.004-04:00

“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent,” 1 Corinthians 1:18-19, KJV.

On yesterday, I encountered someone who stated that they were an agnostic: someone who is doubtful or noncommittal about something. She stated that she does not believe or disbelieve about God. My heart went out to her, people like this cause me to go into prayer. As I spoke about Jesus, it looked as if she wanted to take off and sprint in the opposite direction. This is the same woman who purposely stayed in the company of a conversation I was having with another believer regarding how she spent her Easter day last week.

In retrospect, I now know that it was something that interested her. There was something that she did want to know, but sometimes people have lived their lives a certain way for so long that they feel it’s either too late to change or too shameful to admit that they’ve been wrong for so many years. When I looked into this woman’s eyes who appeared to be about fifty plus years old or so, her countenance told me that she really didn’t want to be bothered. But why was she sticking around until I finished a conversation she had barely contributed to with someone else.

As we walked along before splitting into opposite directions, I shared with her my experience with God and the authenticity of supernatural happenings. I asked if she had read the Bible and she unconvincingly nodded. “And there was no conviction?” I asked. She stated that she does not believe in blind faith. I stopped in my tracks and compassionately said, “Jesus is real.” She seemed to almost be grinning and nodded in a condescending way. I realized that I was dealing with a person who may have been hurt at one time or just flat out didn’t want to believe. I shared with her that if she wants to believe all she has to do is ask God. Her eyes said to me that is not going to happen before she walked away.

I went into prayer for this woman clearly understanding that ignorance has no age. She was not stupid and could very well articulate her feelings, but the understanding of what she was saying made no sense. “Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe,” 1 Corinthians 1:20-21, KJV.

Not everyone is going to accept the Gospel of Christ, but we must still pray for them and plant those seeds. True, it may be discarded, but we will have done our part (Mark 4:4-8). The wheat grows up with the tares and we don’t know if these people will one day change. I pray so.

Helping One Another

2010-04-12T07:00:00.002-04:00

Romans 15:1-6, AMP

1WE WHO are strong [in our convictions and of robust faith] ought to bear with the failings and the frailties and the tender scruples of the weak; [we ought to help carry the doubts and qualms of others] and not to please ourselves.
2Let each one of us make it a practice to please (make happy) his neighbor for his good and for his true welfare, to edify him [to strengthen him and build him up spiritually].
3For Christ did not please Himself [gave no thought to His own interests]; but, as it is written, The reproaches and abuses of those who reproached and abused you fell on Me.(A)
4For whatever was thus written in former days was written for our instruction, that by [our steadfast and patient] endurance and the encouragement [drawn] from the Scriptures we might hold fast to and cherish hope.
5Now may the God Who gives the power of patient endurance (steadfastness) and Who supplies encouragement, grant you to live in such mutual harmony and such full sympathy with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus,
6That together you may [unanimously] with united hearts and one voice, praise and glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah).

Behavior towards the weak…

(About the following commentary: Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible is available in the Public Domain.)

Christian liberty was allowed, not for our pleasure, but for the glory of God, and the good of others. We must please our neighbor, for the good of his soul; not by serving his wicked will, and humoring him in a sinful way; if we thus seek to please men, we are not the servants of Christ. Christ's whole life was a self-denying, self-displeasing life. And he is the most advanced Christian, who is the most conformed to Christ. Considering his spotless purity and holiness, nothing could be more contrary to him, than to be made sin and a curse for us, and to have the reproaches of God fall upon him; the just for the unjust. He bore the guilt of sin, and the curse for it; we are only called to bear a little of the trouble of it. He bore the presumptuous sins of the wicked; we are called only to bear the failings of the weak. And should not we be humble, self-denying, and ready to consider one another, who are members one of another?

The Scriptures are written for our use and benefit, as much as for those to whom they were first given. Those are most learned who are most mighty in the Scriptures. That comfort which springs from the word of God, is the surest and sweetest, and the greatest stay to hope. The Spirit as a Comforter, is the earnest of our inheritance. This like-mindedness must be according to the precept of Christ, according to his pattern and example. It is the gift of God; and a precious gift it is, for which we must earnestly seek unto him.

Our Divine Master invites his disciples, and encourages them by showing himself as meek and lowly in spirit. The same disposition ought to mark the conduct of his servants, especially of the strong towards the weak. The great end in all our actions must be, that God may be glorified; nothing more forwards this, than the mutual love and kindness of those who profess religion. Those that agree in Christ may well agree among themselves. (Ro 15:8-13)

Will the Real Christian Please Stand Up?

2010-04-09T07:00:00.000-04:00

“But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven,” Matthew 10:33, KJV.

As I go along in life now, I try to be mindful of opportunities that God may present to me. Well, last Friday was no different. When I entered a nail salon on this particular day, I soon found myself talking to a lady who I was prompted to ask if she knew Jesus. She stated that she had and we even talked about God a little further. I thought to myself, wow that was easy…thank you, Lord.

Just a few moments later, I found myself sitting one seat over (as we got pedicures) from a different woman who was with her little five year old girl. (I know her age because she was telling someone that her daughter would be six soon.) Anyway, I was thinking to myself that I was supposed to be talking to the Korean gentleman doing my toes, but soon learned that I was there for this young woman who looked to be in her early thirties. I listened as she spoke to others wondering to myself where the open door of opportunity was for me to talk to her about Christ. And then I remembered, hey it’s Easter time!

“What are you doing for Easter?” I asked, or something to that effect. She replied, “Oh, we’re going to a Baptist church where my brother-in-law is a deacon.” I soon thought to myself wonderful. But something in me wasn’t satisfied with her response. I needed to know if she was going for herself or for someone else. She had explained to me that she was down south visiting from her home up north. Her husband is from South Carolina and she was in town to visit his family for the “holiday” weekend.

“So, what do you believe? Do you believe in Jesus?” I asked because she had talked so much about her husband’s family and what they did, I didn’t hear her say anything about herself. I considered the young, blonde-head impressionable little child she had with her and the influence she’d have on her life. Here she was concerned (at the age of five) about her nails while her mother wondered why she didn’t want a manicure along with her pedicure. The only thought regarding Easter was an egg hunt. This disturbs me and it’s not the child’s fault (Proverbs 22:6).

I went on to discuss Jesus with the mother who stated that she goes to church, but her church accepts all religions. They turn no one away (by the way neither do Christians), but the major difference is that we believe that Christ is the only way to God (John 14:6). She went on about Muslims, Buddhists, and Christians all being welcomed and that each book of religion is used in the church. I went on about how this cannot be because there would be a huge contradiction. She then talked about being raised as a Catholic and knowing what the Bible says and I told her if you knew what the Bible said then you would know better than to say what you’re saying.

Understand, I was not trying to argue with her, actually the conversation went on cordially and even-toned, but I was going to be firm in my faith. I went into examples from the Bible and practical applications of everyday life. God instilled in me 2 Timothy 1:7 and provided me with the boldness to speak to this stranger in confidence. Others around us remained quiet, but I was hoping that another Christian would stand up.

We must stand united, not just standby. I don’t blame anyone for not joining in on the discussion, but when eye contact is made and they nod in your favor, sometimes we must speak. I say this because as soon as we parted ways, that woman went to her next station to get her nails done and immediately started talking about what her church believes to another woman. She was not timid to share her false message, but sometimes we behave as if we are. She was too far away for me to carry on another rebuttal, but there were others in close proximity who could have spoken up. Maybe they weren’t Christians at all. Maybe not. Maybe they nodded because they saw my point of view, but didn’t really believe. Or maybe talking loudly about things that don’t pertain to God is more appealing. Clearly, I’m not trying to get people to act belligerent in public, but rather to stand in public boldly for what we declare in private.

He Who Overcomes

2010-04-08T07:00:00.002-04:00

Revelation 21:1-8, NKJV

All Things Made New

1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea.
2 Then I, John,[a] saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.
4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
5 Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me,[b] “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”
6 And He said to me, “It is done![c] I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts.
7 He who overcomes shall inherit all things,[d] and I will be his God and he shall be My son.
8 But the cowardly, unbelieving,[e] abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

Christ overcomes all things. Trust Him and stand firmly on His word.

The Yoke of Bondage

2010-04-07T07:00:00.001-04:00

Galatians 5:1-15, NKJV

Christian Liberty
1-6
Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free,[a] and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.

Love Fulfills the Law
7-15
You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you. A little leaven leavens the whole lump. I have confidence in you, in the Lord, that you will have no other mind; but he who troubles you shall bear his judgment, whoever he is. And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased. I could wish that those who trouble you would even cut themselves off! For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”[b] But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!

About this commentary locate below:
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible is available in the Public Domain.

An earnest exhortation to stand fast in the liberty of the gospel.
Christ will not be the Savior of any who will not own and rely upon him as their only Savior. Let us take heed to the warnings and persuasions of the apostle to steadfastness in the doctrine and liberty of the gospel. All true Christians, being taught by the Holy Spirit, wait for eternal life, the reward of righteousness, and the object of their hope, as the gift of God by faith in Christ; and not for the sake of their own works…. No outward privileges or profession will avail to acceptance with God, without sincere faith in our Lord Jesus. True faith is a working grace; it works by love to God, and to our brethren. May we be of the number of those who, through the Spirit, wait for the hope of righteousness by faith…. But without faith working by love, all else is worthless, and compared with it other things are of small value. (Gal 5:7-12)

Everything That Has Breath

2010-04-06T07:00:00.001-04:00

Psalm 150

1Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.
2Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.
3Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.
4Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.
5Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.
6Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.

Additional Reference: Psalm 134, Psalm 135:1-3

Eye Has Not Seen...

2010-04-05T07:00:00.003-04:00

1 Corinthians 2:1-9, KJV

1And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.
2For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
3And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.
4And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
5That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
6Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
7But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
8Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
9But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

It is Finished

2010-04-02T07:00:00.004-04:00

John 3:16-21, KJV

16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
19And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
21But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

Love the true LIGHT...Jesus gave so much for us, what are we willing to do for HIM?

"After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost," John 19:28-30, KJV.

"And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom. And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God," Mark 15:38-39, KJV.

The Certainty of God’s Witness

2010-04-01T07:00:00.002-04:00

“This is He who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth. For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness on earth:[b] the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one,” 1 John 5:6-8, NKJV.

“This is He Who came by (with) water and blood [[a]His baptism and His death], Jesus Christ (the Messiah)--not by (in) the water only, but by (in) the water and the blood. And it is the [Holy] Spirit Who bears witness, because the [Holy] Spirit is the Truth. So there are three witnesses [b]in heaven: the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit, and these three are One; and there are three witnesses on the earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree [are in unison; their testimony coincides],” 1 John 5:6-8, AMP.

1 John 5:9-12, AMP

“If we accept [as we do] the testimony of men [if we are willing to take human authority], the testimony of God is greater (of stronger authority), for this is the testimony of God, even the witness which He has borne regarding His Son. He who believes in the Son of God [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Him] has the testimony [possesses this divine attestation] within himself. He who does not believe God [in this way] has made Him out to be and represented Him as a liar, because he has not believed (put his faith in, adhered to, and relied on) the evidence (the testimony) that God has borne regarding His Son. And this is that testimony (that evidence): God gave us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who possesses the Son has that life; he who does not possess the Son of God does not have that life.”

This is directly from the WORD of God…

Spiritual Healing

2010-03-31T07:00:00.002-04:00

“Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law,” Romans 13:8, KJV.

In the midst of pain and turmoil many fall prey to depression, unforgiveness, and even hate. Some when they lose a loved one or suffer maltreatment from the world, especially to a malicious crime, embrace hate—the exact opposite of love. Although circumstances may seem to validate those emotions, it is not a fruit of the Spirit (reference Galatians 5:22).

How do we attain spiritual healing? What is it? Why do we need it? Spiritual healing is the mending of broken spirits…and the only being that can heal it is God. There are false prophets in this world claiming that they can heal people, but none of this is possible without the Holy Spirit. And in some cases where the healing doesn’t come to past, they’ll blame the individual for lack of faith. God has given to each individual a measure of faith (reference Romans 12:4). And then still some will use this passage of scripture: “And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you,” Matthew 17:19-20. But just as some versions of the Bible omit verse 21 some people have a tendency to ignore it as well, “Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.”

Let’s get one thing clear, God is not a puppet where He acts or submits to our beckon call. He is God, the One true and living God. He is the merciful God who is faithful to forgive us and the sovereign God who is independent of us. We are dependent to Him because we need Him. Even Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, understood submission to the Father. Recall what He said in the garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:39), “…O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.”

In knowing this we need to also understand that God will not withhold any good thing from those who walk uprightly (reference Psalm 84:11); it is your sins that have withheld good things from you (Jeremiah 5:25)—not God. Jesus came so that we can have life and have it more abundantly (John 10:10). He loves us and wants us to learn how to do the same. Despite the brokenness of our pasts, the pain and despair, God can heal it all. And for me, the best healing of all is death in Jesus Christ. “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord,” 2 Corinthians 5:8, KJV.

“…Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” So we mustn’t harbor unforgiveness, but walk in love. God gave us the best example and that is allowing the sacrifice of His Son on the cross to forgive our sin. Being that God can forgive us, why can’t we forgive others? When you truly accept Christ into your life, He changes your heart of stone into a heart of compassion. Hatred is no longer a consuming fire for you and unforgiveness melts away.

“Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law,” Romans 13:8, KJV. And that love we speak so often about is exemplified on the cross. “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil,” Matthew 5:17, KJV.

Spiritual Adultery

2010-03-30T07:00:00.008-04:00

“Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name. I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore,” Psalm 86:11-12, KJV.

Life is afforded to us for a purpose. Each individual has a unique calling on his/her life by the Almighty God. How can I say this? Well, do you believe that you’re randomly here on earth? Do you consider yourself an accident for temporary means or a perpetual being? According to the Bible, God says, “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations,” Jeremiah 1:5. This tells me that I am not arbitrarily here. The enemy may attempt to get you to believe this nonsense, but we must recognize that there is an invisible war going on and we must decide which side we’re on.

It does not matter what others may say against our steadfast faith in the Lord, for they challenged Jesus Himself. So what more will be done to us who believe? Is it really worth it to gain the whole world and lose your own soul? Every morning, I seek the Lord for who He is: the Maker of all things. He is the creator, not a random choice among gods set up to choose from. Isn’t it strange that some worship images or idols made with their own hands? How can something you made save you from anything? People bow down to statues, throw their hands up in the air to diabolical music and then in the same breath say they love and reverence the true and living God. How can this be? Let’s do an honest assessment: Let every man examine himself (reference 1 Corinthians 11:28).

To examine is not a glance over to see if you can get by like we may do when hurrying out the door. Sometimes, at least I know it’s true for me, I may see a small speck on my shirt or accidentally rub up against an object that may leave an unnoticeable spot to others…but the truth is that I know it’s there. So what does that say about what Christ can see? If you know something is wrong or unclean in your life, don’t ignore it. Ask God to deliver or clean you up (reference Ephesians 5:27).

The word examine mean to analyze or look over carefully to inspect. Another definition describes it as a probe to question, looking at it thoroughly and putting it to the test as for its quality. “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world,” 1 John 4:1, KJV. If we know that we are doing something against God and continue to do it, this is spiritual adultery. What would you do if someone were cheating on you?

Additional Reference: All in Fun

In the Day of My Trouble...

2010-03-29T07:00:00.000-04:00

Psalm 86:1-10, KJV

1Bow down thine ear, O LORD, hear me: for I am poor and needy.
2Preserve my soul; for I am holy: O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee.
3Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily.
4Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
5For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.
6Give ear, O LORD, unto my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications.
7In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me.
8Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto thy works.
9All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name.
10For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone.

The prayers of the righteous avail much…

Walking in the Light

2010-03-26T07:00:00.003-04:00

1 John 1:5-10, KJV

5This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
6If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
8If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven,” Matthew 5:16, KJV. Where does this light come from? The light is Jesus. The light is walking uprightly before the Lord. The light is the goodness of God allowing Him to operate in our lives. “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid,” Matthew 5:14, KJV. We are his tools in which He uses to share His goodness. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them,” Ephesians 2:10, KJV.

But let us not be deceived into thinking that because we know a few scriptures that we are saved and walking in the light--the knowledge of scriptures does not save a person. Prime example: the devil. He knows scripture and even tried to use them against Jesus. Rather we must apply those scriptures to our lives. “If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth.” We wouldn’t be deceiving God, we’d only be misleading ourselves in thinking this way. And just as the Bible states, we lie about having fellowship with Him if we walk in darkness. Let each man examine himself.

Turning Towards God

2010-03-25T07:00:00.002-04:00

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land,” 2 Chronicles 7:14, KJV.

Those words spoken to Solomon from God still strike a cord today. The Old Testament is a collection of books that should not be discarded because we now have the New Testament. For we must remember what Christ said in John 5:39, KJV, “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” The Old Testament is filled with prophecy and rings of truth now and forever. In studying God’s word before Jesus walked the earth one can see His extended grace and mercy…especially with the children of Israel.

This one scripture instructs us to do four different things. The first part of the scripture tells us to humble ourselves. To humble ourselves means to be meek, mild, gracious…basically to come to God with the innocence of a child. “And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me,” Matthew 18:3-5, KJV.

Secondly, we ought to pray. How simple is that? The road map is laid out for us in the book of Matthew, chapter 6 verses 9 through 13. This is seeking God, honoring Him, communing with Him, thanking Him for His continuous grace and mercy, and appreciating Him because of who He is and not just because of what He can give us. Nowadays, prayer for some has become a venue of just asking for things. We have to learn that it should first be a way of praising God, acknowledging that He is our source of everything we’ll ever need (reference Matthew 6:33).

Thirdly, God instructed in this passage of scripture for us to seek His face. Seeking the face of God means to constantly lean on Him in the good and bad times; embracing Him as our refuge of covering and protection. Such as when Moses proclaimed, “The Lord is my Banner” in the book of Exodus.

The fourth instruction from God here is to turn from wicked ways. We cannot live an unclean life and expect for God to bless us. We have all been born with a sinful nature, but Jesus redeems those who come to Him with a pure heart. If you aren’t saved, you don’t have to continue living in sin…God delivers and God saves. He will teach you by way of His Holy Spirit to walk after the Spirit and not the flesh. All we have to be is willing. And if we do these things, the scripture states: then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” God promises to hear our prayers…if we obey His commands.

“Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place,” 2 Chronicles 7:15.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?

2010-03-24T07:00:00.001-04:00

Romans 8:35-39, KJV

35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
37Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
38For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

When this life is over...left behind are our bodies, clothing, houses, cars, jewelry, jobs, etc. We are inevitably separated from these things, but nothing separates us from the love of Christ. We leave behind foes, evil doers, manipulators, con artists, et cetera, but nothing separates us from the love of Christ. The faithless, the scorners and mockers, the naysayer... all left behind, but nothing separates us from the love of Christ.

For just as Paul stated I too am persuaded, "...that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Partakers of Christ's Suffering

2010-03-23T07:00:00.020-04:00

1 Peter 4:12-19, KJV

12Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
13But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
14If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
15But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters.
16Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
17For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
18And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
19Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

God never said we'd live a life free from trials and tribulations. The very fact that we are Christians makes the world hate us. Think back to the martyrs throughout history who died because of their faith. The word martyr means a person who chooses to suffer or die rather than give up his or her religion or beliefs. This is concrete evidence that they believe.

So, when we go through things "think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy."

Seeking the Lord

2010-03-22T07:00:00.001-04:00

Psalm 6, NKJV

To the Chief Musician. With stringed instruments. On an eight-stringed harp.[a] A Psalm of David.

1 O LORD, do not rebuke me in Your anger, Nor chasten me in Your hot displeasure.
2 Have mercy on me, O LORD, for I am weak; O LORD, heal me, for my bones are troubled.
3 My soul also is greatly troubled; But You, O LORD—how long?
4 Return, O LORD, deliver me! Oh, save me for Your mercies’ sake!
5 For in death there is no remembrance of You; In the grave who will give You thanks?
6 I am weary with my groaning; All night I make my bed swim; I drench my couch with my tears.
7 My eye wastes away because of grief; It grows old because of all my enemies.
8 Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity; For the LORD has heard the voice of my weeping.
9 The LORD has heard my supplication; The LORD will receive my prayer.
10 Let all my enemies be ashamed and greatly troubled; Let them turn back and be ashamed suddenly.

About this commentary:

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible is available in the Public Domain.

The psalmist deprecates God's wrath, and begs for the return of his favour.

These verses speak the language of a heart truly humbled, of a broken and contrite spirit under great afflictions, sent to awaken conscience and mortify corruption. Sickness brought sin to his remembrance, and he looked upon it as a token of God's displeasure against him. The affliction of his body will be tolerable, if he has comfort in his soul.... Every page of Scripture proclaims the fact that salvation is only of the Lord. Man is a sinner, his case can only be reached by mercy; and never is mercy more illustrious than in restoring backsliders. With good reason we may pray, that if it be the will of God, and he has any further work for us or our friends to do in this world, he will yet spare us or them to serve him. To depart and be with Christ is happiest for the saints; but for them to abide in the flesh is more profitable for the church.

Grievous Wolves

2010-03-19T07:00:00.004-04:00

Acts 20:28-32, KJV

28Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
29For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
30Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
31Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
32And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

The church is in the heart of a man. It is the belief in which one lives by. Those in a position to pastor or guide a church body must be on guard taking care of the flock God purchased with His own blood. What a great responsibility that mustn't be taken lightly. There is a great need to stay in prayer for the entire congregation as well as for the strength of oneself.

Paul mentions above that there are "grievous wolves" who seek to draw away people after their own doctrine. What a disturbing revelation, yet very true. You may have individuals with a different agenda than that of God; people who propagate to be in certain positions to draw men unto themselves. That's why it is so important that not only the pastors pray for the congregation, but that we pray for our pastors and ministers of the Gospel. And we must even pray for those who aim to distort, evade, and corrupt the truth of the Gospel.

Staying in the Word of God, asking the Holy Spirit for guidance and understanding maintains our strength to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Additional Reference: Ephesians 6:11