When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” (I Corinthians 13:11)
When we first come to the Lord, everything is wonderful. God seems so close to us, and it doesn’t take much to get our prayers answered. We can be foolish and careless, and make many mistakes, and God has mercy on us, but as we mature, things begin to change. God begins to require something of us. We have to learn to “live by faith” and put away the works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21), and as we continue to grow, we develop into a relationship that is centered on God’s plan for our lives, and less on our own.
These are stages that every believer will go through, and even more so if one is called to a five-fold ministry office (Ephesians 4:11-12), as the requirement and accountability is greater (James 3:1). We move in stages, from glory to glory; from infants to maturity as sons and daughters of God (II Corinthians 3:18). God desires to reveal Himself to us and invests His heart into it. He is not aloof to us because He is God, but rather He is sensitive, and cares deeply about our relationship with Him.
God is also jealous, and the closer we get to Him, the more sensitive He becomes to certain things, and the more He takes offenses personally. Sometimes we may think, “God doesn’t care what I think, because He’s God!” But that is not so; Moses was a man that was close to God, and delighted to know His ways, his heart (Psalm 103:7, Exodus 33:18) (See also Psalm 25:4). God revealed Himself to Moses in a very personal way, insomuch that there “arose not another prophet in Israel” who knew God intimately on this level (Deuteronomy 34:10). But even so, one transgression cost Moses the Promised Land, and because of this thing, he would never be permitted to enter.
Many have wondered, “Why was God so hard on Moses for one seemingly ‘small’ act of disobedience?” (Numbers 20:12, Deuteronomy 3:23-26) But it was much more than simple disobedience; God wasn’t angry with Moses because he “struck” the rock instead of “speaking” to it, or because he didn’t believe that God could perform the miracle of bringing forth water. It was more sinister than that, an insidious form of unbelief that destroys men’s souls.
Moses had seen God do miracle after miracle; He had met with God face to face, “as a man speaketh unto his friend” (Exodus 33:11), and performed countless miracles in Egypt. He was a co-laborer with God in parting the Red Sea, and it is for certain that he had absolutely no problem believing that God could bring forth water out of a rock. But what he didn’t believe was that God was still able to bring him into the Promised Land.
You see, the people were so rebellious and hardhearted that Moses himself had lost heart. Because of their rebellion he didn’t see any way that God could ever fulfill His promise to bring them into the land, and he began to grow bitter toward the people, and even against the Lord. He nurtured this complaint until, for a moment, he didn’t care what God thought, or anyone else for that matter; “It’s over because of these rebels!” he thought in his heart. He hardened his heart against the Lord, and then blatantly provoked him to His face, and that before all of Israel. His actions bordered on Hebrews 10:29, and God took it very personally.
My friend, with knowledge comes responsibility, and accountability. We are accountable for what we know as believers; If God has revealed something of Himself to us, then we must apply it and incorporate it into our lives.
An atheist will claim that he does not believe in God, but yet God declares in His Word that He does not believe in atheists! (Romans 1:19-21, II Peter 3:5, II Timothy 4:3-4) An “atheist” is someone who, when knowledge was revealed to them, chose, by a sovereign act of their will, to turn away from what they knew to be true.
“Because that when they knew God, they glorified him not as God…” (Romans 1:21)
Knowledge from the heart of God is precious (I Samuel 3:1), and God doesn’t carelessly throw it around (Matthew 7:6). He will reveal Himself to those that seek after Him with all their hearts; but those that desire to push Him away will slip further into darkness.
“Well, it’s better to be ignorant, than to be accountable for so much!” someone might say (Matthew 25:24-25). But when Jesus revealed to His disciples the responsibility of marriage, and that they were not permitted to put away their wives for any reason but fornication (sexual sin), they cried out, “It’s better for a man not to get married then, Jesus!” (Matthew 19:10) (Paraphrased)
But what did Jesus say? He explained to them that there are benefits that come with marriage, benefits of which not all men can do without (Matthew 19:11). So there are benefits that come with knowledge, but also responsibility. Remember the man who buried his talent (Matthew 25:25-26). Jesus was a “hard man,” who required an account of stewardship.
We are encouraged to not allow the things that we have learned to slip, nor to be “forgetful hearers.” The salvation of the Lord has been revealed to us through His Word, and we must guard and protect it with all diligence!
Friday, April 16, 2010
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
God's Faithfulness
“That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:” (Hebrews 6:18)
Did you know that it is impossible for God to lie? In fact, the Bible says that if God were to fail to make good on any one of His promises, even once, for any one person, at any time in history, than He would literally cease to exist as God, and all of creation would also cease to exist (Hebrews 1:3, 6:13, 18). Therefore, we can be fully assured that what He has promised, He is also able to perform, if we can only believe (Mark 9:23, Luke 1:45, Romans 4:21).
Jesus told us that as soon as we receive the Word of God, that Satan will immediately launch attacks in order to uproot it out of our hearts. He knows that he cannot stop the Word from bearing fruit in our lives unless he can get the Word out of us. He attempts to accomplish this through affliction and persecution, lusts of other things and the cares (worries and concerns) of this world (Mark 4:14-20).
This is wisdom for us, but also an encouragement, as it demonstrates to us that we have a part to play, a choice concerning our own fruitfulness. He told us that those of a violent (fierce, forceful, and passionate) spirit will lay hold and possess the things of the Kingdom (Matthew 11:12, James 1:6-7).
Joseph received dreams from the Lord, but the more he attempted to pursue after the plan of God and to do what was right, the farther away from the promise he seemed to get. He had favor in his own house, but then he was sold into slavery, and when he finally began to increase in favor and authority in Potiphar’s house in Egypt, he was suddenly thrown into prison (Genesis 39:1-20). I can hear Joseph now, “It’s over for me!” “Did I really hear God?” But through all of this, Joseph never let go of his faith, and he never stopped dreaming and believing.
Moses was a man with a vision; he had it in his heart to deliver the children of Israel from the bondage of Egypt, and thought that his brethren would understand his calling, but they did not! (Acts 7:27) He killed an Egyptian, and then fled into the land of Midian where he remained for forty years. When God finally visited him, he was no longer the young man of zeal and fleshly confidence; “Who am I to go to Pharaoh?” he replied to God. “Send Aaron!” When Moses had sent himself forty years earlier, he killed one Egyptian, but when he was sent by the hand of God, the whole Egyptian army was wiped out, and a nation left in ruins (Acts 7:23-36).
What has the Lord spoken to you? What dream has He put in your heart? What has He said to you through prophecy, in His Word, or through dreams and visions? Don’t ask God anymore about these things, as far as He’s concerned, it’s already settled. But go back to your notes
(I Timothy 1:18) and allow what God has said to get big on the inside of you, just as He told Abraham to look at the stars, “So shall thy seed be…” (Genesis 15:5) Then get forceful in your faith; rise up with vigor and authority, and begin to declare it done! (Job 22:28) Don’t allow the devil to mess with you; beat him senseless with the Word of God, and run him out, just as Abraham ran the fowls off the sacrifice (Genesis 15:11), and then obey God in whatever He tells you to do!
David was anointed by the prophet Samuel when he was a young boy. He was destined to be the king of Israel, but it would yet be many years before he would see the fulfillment of the promise. First, he was given favor before King Saul, and had become his armor bearer. David must have thought, “This is it!” “I will be brought up in favor with the king, and he will someday turn the kingdom over to me!” But it would not be so. In envy, David would be rejected by King Saul, and eventually forced to flee as a fugitive.
My friend, if we pursue hard after the Lord, He will even cause our own mistakes and blunders to work for our benefit, and for His divine purpose (Romans 8:28). God will make the impossible possible for us if we continue to believe!
Did you know that it is impossible for God to lie? In fact, the Bible says that if God were to fail to make good on any one of His promises, even once, for any one person, at any time in history, than He would literally cease to exist as God, and all of creation would also cease to exist (Hebrews 1:3, 6:13, 18). Therefore, we can be fully assured that what He has promised, He is also able to perform, if we can only believe (Mark 9:23, Luke 1:45, Romans 4:21).
Jesus told us that as soon as we receive the Word of God, that Satan will immediately launch attacks in order to uproot it out of our hearts. He knows that he cannot stop the Word from bearing fruit in our lives unless he can get the Word out of us. He attempts to accomplish this through affliction and persecution, lusts of other things and the cares (worries and concerns) of this world (Mark 4:14-20).
This is wisdom for us, but also an encouragement, as it demonstrates to us that we have a part to play, a choice concerning our own fruitfulness. He told us that those of a violent (fierce, forceful, and passionate) spirit will lay hold and possess the things of the Kingdom (Matthew 11:12, James 1:6-7).
Joseph received dreams from the Lord, but the more he attempted to pursue after the plan of God and to do what was right, the farther away from the promise he seemed to get. He had favor in his own house, but then he was sold into slavery, and when he finally began to increase in favor and authority in Potiphar’s house in Egypt, he was suddenly thrown into prison (Genesis 39:1-20). I can hear Joseph now, “It’s over for me!” “Did I really hear God?” But through all of this, Joseph never let go of his faith, and he never stopped dreaming and believing.
Moses was a man with a vision; he had it in his heart to deliver the children of Israel from the bondage of Egypt, and thought that his brethren would understand his calling, but they did not! (Acts 7:27) He killed an Egyptian, and then fled into the land of Midian where he remained for forty years. When God finally visited him, he was no longer the young man of zeal and fleshly confidence; “Who am I to go to Pharaoh?” he replied to God. “Send Aaron!” When Moses had sent himself forty years earlier, he killed one Egyptian, but when he was sent by the hand of God, the whole Egyptian army was wiped out, and a nation left in ruins (Acts 7:23-36).
What has the Lord spoken to you? What dream has He put in your heart? What has He said to you through prophecy, in His Word, or through dreams and visions? Don’t ask God anymore about these things, as far as He’s concerned, it’s already settled. But go back to your notes
(I Timothy 1:18) and allow what God has said to get big on the inside of you, just as He told Abraham to look at the stars, “So shall thy seed be…” (Genesis 15:5) Then get forceful in your faith; rise up with vigor and authority, and begin to declare it done! (Job 22:28) Don’t allow the devil to mess with you; beat him senseless with the Word of God, and run him out, just as Abraham ran the fowls off the sacrifice (Genesis 15:11), and then obey God in whatever He tells you to do!
David was anointed by the prophet Samuel when he was a young boy. He was destined to be the king of Israel, but it would yet be many years before he would see the fulfillment of the promise. First, he was given favor before King Saul, and had become his armor bearer. David must have thought, “This is it!” “I will be brought up in favor with the king, and he will someday turn the kingdom over to me!” But it would not be so. In envy, David would be rejected by King Saul, and eventually forced to flee as a fugitive.
My friend, if we pursue hard after the Lord, He will even cause our own mistakes and blunders to work for our benefit, and for His divine purpose (Romans 8:28). God will make the impossible possible for us if we continue to believe!
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Discernment
“And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient…” (Romans 1:28)
My friend, we must guard our hearts in these last days, and earnestly contend for the faith that was once delivered unto the saints (Jude 3). The word “reprobate” basically means “unfit for use,” or a mind that lacks the ability to discern between what is holy and what is profane, and what is clean and what is unclean. (Ezekiel 22:26)
Paul pleaded with the church and gave us strong admonition, in that he warned us that the unrighteousness would not inherit the kingdom of God. In order to insure that there would be no question in regard to the intent of what the Holy Spirit was saying, he prefaced it with these words, “Be not deceived…”
“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdom of God? Be not deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters (putting anything else before God), adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind (homosexuals), nor thieves nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the Kingdom of God.”
"And such were some of you;but ye are washed..." (I Corinthians 6:9-11)
We know that wickedness and deception would abound in the last days, for the Holy Spirit forewarned us of these things (II Timothy 3:1-5), but Paul’s plea was to us, the church, the people of God. The apostle Paul, by the Holy Spirit, warned us not to be taken in by the subtle and intellectually enticing lies of the devil in the last days. (I Timothy 4:1)
But yet, even with these stern warnings, we see these things all around us, even in our pulpits! A blatant disregard for the Word of God, and instead, a gospel based more on public opinion and political correctness.
“Well, that’s not love, brother!” someone might say. “Didn’t Jesus tell us to be “tolerant” and to love people?” But, my friend, it is always “love” to tell someone the truth; to warn them of impending destruction and eternal judgment is an act of love, especially if you are a preacher! It is never an act of love to hold back the truth because you think someone might get angry with you! In fact, that is incomprehensibly selfish, and will bring God’s judgment upon you! (Ezekiel 33:6, I Corinthians 9:16) In Jesus’ parable of the rich man that died and went to hell, even this wicked man had a burning desire to warn his family of that terrible place (Luke 16:27-28).
Jesus Christ has delivered us from every kind of sin and perversion. “Well, I was born that way!” Yes, there probably is no doubt that you were, as we were all born with certain weaknesses and sins in our flesh as a result of the fall (Genesis 3:6-7, Galatians 3:10, John 9:34), and that is the reason that the Father sent Jesus to the cross, and the reason that we must be born again! (Isaiah 53:4-5, I John 3:5-8) If we are born-again we have inherited new DNA! Spiritual DNA trumps natural DNA, and we are new creatures in Christ Jesus! (II Corinthians 5:17) Praise God, that I am no longer a drunkard, a fornicator, an idolater or reviler! Such was I, but I am no longer! (I Corinthians 6:11)
The gospel is all about freedom, my friend, and choices. Through Jesus Christ, Satan has been defeated, and we are once again given a choice. God sent His Son in order to destroy Satan’s power and bring deliverance to the captive; to set at liberty them that are crushed (Luke 4:18), and to give us newness of life (Romans 6:4).
Let us be sober in these days, and understand that the road to life is oftentimes difficult and always narrow, and sometimes we must make difficult choices. Jesus commanded us to “take up our cross” and follow Him (Matthew 16:24), and that “through much tribulation” we must enter into the Kingdom of God (Acts 14:22). The scripture also says that “we are made partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end.” (Hebrews 3:14)
In the book of Revelation, Jesus warned the New Testament churches about many of these things. He was tough and demanding, and required repentance from lukewarmness, half-heartedness, and from “tolerance” of false doctrine and fornication. (Revelation 2:1-29, 3:1-22)
Our God has not changed, only the “times” have changed. The world has gotten progressively more perverse, just as God said it would, but let us hold forth the faithful Word as we have been taught, and continue with patience to run the race that has been set before us! (Hebrews 12:1)
My friend, we must guard our hearts in these last days, and earnestly contend for the faith that was once delivered unto the saints (Jude 3). The word “reprobate” basically means “unfit for use,” or a mind that lacks the ability to discern between what is holy and what is profane, and what is clean and what is unclean. (Ezekiel 22:26)
Paul pleaded with the church and gave us strong admonition, in that he warned us that the unrighteousness would not inherit the kingdom of God. In order to insure that there would be no question in regard to the intent of what the Holy Spirit was saying, he prefaced it with these words, “Be not deceived…”
“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdom of God? Be not deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters (putting anything else before God), adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind (homosexuals), nor thieves nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the Kingdom of God.”
"And such were some of you;but ye are washed..." (I Corinthians 6:9-11)
We know that wickedness and deception would abound in the last days, for the Holy Spirit forewarned us of these things (II Timothy 3:1-5), but Paul’s plea was to us, the church, the people of God. The apostle Paul, by the Holy Spirit, warned us not to be taken in by the subtle and intellectually enticing lies of the devil in the last days. (I Timothy 4:1)
But yet, even with these stern warnings, we see these things all around us, even in our pulpits! A blatant disregard for the Word of God, and instead, a gospel based more on public opinion and political correctness.
“Well, that’s not love, brother!” someone might say. “Didn’t Jesus tell us to be “tolerant” and to love people?” But, my friend, it is always “love” to tell someone the truth; to warn them of impending destruction and eternal judgment is an act of love, especially if you are a preacher! It is never an act of love to hold back the truth because you think someone might get angry with you! In fact, that is incomprehensibly selfish, and will bring God’s judgment upon you! (Ezekiel 33:6, I Corinthians 9:16) In Jesus’ parable of the rich man that died and went to hell, even this wicked man had a burning desire to warn his family of that terrible place (Luke 16:27-28).
Jesus Christ has delivered us from every kind of sin and perversion. “Well, I was born that way!” Yes, there probably is no doubt that you were, as we were all born with certain weaknesses and sins in our flesh as a result of the fall (Genesis 3:6-7, Galatians 3:10, John 9:34), and that is the reason that the Father sent Jesus to the cross, and the reason that we must be born again! (Isaiah 53:4-5, I John 3:5-8) If we are born-again we have inherited new DNA! Spiritual DNA trumps natural DNA, and we are new creatures in Christ Jesus! (II Corinthians 5:17) Praise God, that I am no longer a drunkard, a fornicator, an idolater or reviler! Such was I, but I am no longer! (I Corinthians 6:11)
The gospel is all about freedom, my friend, and choices. Through Jesus Christ, Satan has been defeated, and we are once again given a choice. God sent His Son in order to destroy Satan’s power and bring deliverance to the captive; to set at liberty them that are crushed (Luke 4:18), and to give us newness of life (Romans 6:4).
Let us be sober in these days, and understand that the road to life is oftentimes difficult and always narrow, and sometimes we must make difficult choices. Jesus commanded us to “take up our cross” and follow Him (Matthew 16:24), and that “through much tribulation” we must enter into the Kingdom of God (Acts 14:22). The scripture also says that “we are made partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end.” (Hebrews 3:14)
In the book of Revelation, Jesus warned the New Testament churches about many of these things. He was tough and demanding, and required repentance from lukewarmness, half-heartedness, and from “tolerance” of false doctrine and fornication. (Revelation 2:1-29, 3:1-22)
Our God has not changed, only the “times” have changed. The world has gotten progressively more perverse, just as God said it would, but let us hold forth the faithful Word as we have been taught, and continue with patience to run the race that has been set before us! (Hebrews 12:1)
Thursday, December 17, 2009
The Leading of the Holy Spirit
“…He will guide you into all truth… and he will shew you things to come.” (John 16:13)
Glory to God! Though we live in difficult times, isn’t it wonderful that we have a supernatural counselor, a guide, a comforter! (John 14:26) The world longs after these things, and that’s why there are psychics and soothsayers everywhere, but we have the benefit of being led by the Holy Spirit! And He tells us the truth! (Romans 8:14) Just as God led the children of Israel through the wilderness wherein there were “fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought” (Deuteronomy 8:15), our covenant with God is our protection from the destruction and misery that is in the world! Glory be to God forever and ever! (Psalm 74:20)
“Well, I don’t know if I hear God’s voice!” Yes you do! If you are a child of God, then Jesus said that you will hear his voice (John 10:27). The prophet Samuel, when he was a child, heard the voice of God, but didn’t recognize it as God. He thought it was Eli, the priest! God had to call him four times until Samuel finally said, “Speak Lord, for your servant heareth…” (I Samuel 3:1-10). But God persisted until Samuel heard. Many times God is speaking and we are either on a “different frequency,” or we’re not listening, but through practice, and spending time ministering unto the Lord, we can be fine tuned to hear.
God longs to have constant fellowship with us, and though there are secret things that do belong only to the Father (like the exact moment of Jesus’ return) (Deuteronomy 29:29, Mark 13:32, Acts 1:7), we are no longer servants, but sons and daughters, and all things that the Father has shown the Son, He longs to share with us also! (John 15:15) Some things, however, He cannot explain to us at the moment, and we simply have to trust Him.
Jesus had a close friend named Lazarus, but when he (Lazarus) was in trouble, Jesus seemingly ignored him. Instead of running to his side, he stayed right where He was for two whole days (John 11:6), and didn’t even pray for him! When he finally did show up on the scene, he was four days “late” (Lazarus had been dead for four days). Then Mary, Lazarus’ sister, cried out to Jesus, “If you had been here, my brother would not have died!” (John 11:32) She blamed Jesus, and accused Him of negligence, but God had other plans (John 11:43-44).
Jesus obeyed the Father in all things; what He heard the Father say and do is what He said and did (John 5:30). Many things, if not most of what Jesus did, did not make much sense to His disciples, and even to His own family. In fact, at one point, his family had thought he had simply lost his mind, and attempted to silence Him! (Mark 3:21) But Jesus had a divine purpose to fulfill, and it could only be accomplished through the Spirit.
David was a mighty man of war, a warrior, but he was also a man after God’s heart (Acts 13:22). He had learned to listen to God when he was a young boy tending his Father’s sheep, and God
would give him strategies, and he would defeat his enemies every time. David walked in a relationship with God, not a formula; when a nearly identical situation would arise, David would still seek the counsel of God, and would not presume that the solution would be the same as it was the previous time (II Samuel 5:18-25). When the economy turned bad, David sought the Lord, and God revealed to him the root of the problem, and that it was a direct result of something that King Saul, his predecessor had done to bring a curse upon the land. God gave him instruction, and showed him how to reverse the curse (II Samuel 21:1).
King Saul lost the kingdom because of presumption and disobedience. He was the opposite of King David, for he was “self-reliant,” and disobeyed the prophetic voice, and instead obeyed his own reasoning and the opinions of the people (I Samuel 15:18-23).
The world is beginning to experience what Jesus referred to as the distress of nations, and perplexity (Luke 21:25, Psalms 2:1-6). World leaders and the masses are searching for answers, but they are not going to God, and because of this they are spiraling further into darkness and confusion. But it shall not be so with us; we can trust the leading of the Holy Spirit! Satan works in the sense realm; he operates in the arena of logic and reason, and the area of natural circumstances which he can manipulate. Let us keep our eyes fixed on the Lord, and He will direct our steps (Proverbs 3:6).
Glory to God! Though we live in difficult times, isn’t it wonderful that we have a supernatural counselor, a guide, a comforter! (John 14:26) The world longs after these things, and that’s why there are psychics and soothsayers everywhere, but we have the benefit of being led by the Holy Spirit! And He tells us the truth! (Romans 8:14) Just as God led the children of Israel through the wilderness wherein there were “fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought” (Deuteronomy 8:15), our covenant with God is our protection from the destruction and misery that is in the world! Glory be to God forever and ever! (Psalm 74:20)
“Well, I don’t know if I hear God’s voice!” Yes you do! If you are a child of God, then Jesus said that you will hear his voice (John 10:27). The prophet Samuel, when he was a child, heard the voice of God, but didn’t recognize it as God. He thought it was Eli, the priest! God had to call him four times until Samuel finally said, “Speak Lord, for your servant heareth…” (I Samuel 3:1-10). But God persisted until Samuel heard. Many times God is speaking and we are either on a “different frequency,” or we’re not listening, but through practice, and spending time ministering unto the Lord, we can be fine tuned to hear.
God longs to have constant fellowship with us, and though there are secret things that do belong only to the Father (like the exact moment of Jesus’ return) (Deuteronomy 29:29, Mark 13:32, Acts 1:7), we are no longer servants, but sons and daughters, and all things that the Father has shown the Son, He longs to share with us also! (John 15:15) Some things, however, He cannot explain to us at the moment, and we simply have to trust Him.
Jesus had a close friend named Lazarus, but when he (Lazarus) was in trouble, Jesus seemingly ignored him. Instead of running to his side, he stayed right where He was for two whole days (John 11:6), and didn’t even pray for him! When he finally did show up on the scene, he was four days “late” (Lazarus had been dead for four days). Then Mary, Lazarus’ sister, cried out to Jesus, “If you had been here, my brother would not have died!” (John 11:32) She blamed Jesus, and accused Him of negligence, but God had other plans (John 11:43-44).
Jesus obeyed the Father in all things; what He heard the Father say and do is what He said and did (John 5:30). Many things, if not most of what Jesus did, did not make much sense to His disciples, and even to His own family. In fact, at one point, his family had thought he had simply lost his mind, and attempted to silence Him! (Mark 3:21) But Jesus had a divine purpose to fulfill, and it could only be accomplished through the Spirit.
David was a mighty man of war, a warrior, but he was also a man after God’s heart (Acts 13:22). He had learned to listen to God when he was a young boy tending his Father’s sheep, and God
would give him strategies, and he would defeat his enemies every time. David walked in a relationship with God, not a formula; when a nearly identical situation would arise, David would still seek the counsel of God, and would not presume that the solution would be the same as it was the previous time (II Samuel 5:18-25). When the economy turned bad, David sought the Lord, and God revealed to him the root of the problem, and that it was a direct result of something that King Saul, his predecessor had done to bring a curse upon the land. God gave him instruction, and showed him how to reverse the curse (II Samuel 21:1).
King Saul lost the kingdom because of presumption and disobedience. He was the opposite of King David, for he was “self-reliant,” and disobeyed the prophetic voice, and instead obeyed his own reasoning and the opinions of the people (I Samuel 15:18-23).
The world is beginning to experience what Jesus referred to as the distress of nations, and perplexity (Luke 21:25, Psalms 2:1-6). World leaders and the masses are searching for answers, but they are not going to God, and because of this they are spiraling further into darkness and confusion. But it shall not be so with us; we can trust the leading of the Holy Spirit! Satan works in the sense realm; he operates in the arena of logic and reason, and the area of natural circumstances which he can manipulate. Let us keep our eyes fixed on the Lord, and He will direct our steps (Proverbs 3:6).
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Spiritual Warfare
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6:12)
My friend, God is a warrior! (Exodus 15:3) Satan has diligently (and effectively) taught the body of Christ in recent years that we do not have to engage in spiritual warfare in our personal lives, nor confront demonic principalities over territories and nations. He has fed us with these lies while he plunders our marriages, our children, our churches, cities and nations, and keeps our churches void of power.
Jesus admonished us to cast out devils (Matthew 10:8, Mark 16:17); He did not say that God would do it, He told us to do it! The devil is our responsibility, and nothing will be done about his activities unless we do something about it!
“Well, you talk about the devil too much!” “We don’t have to fight the devil because Jesus defeated him, and Satan is under our feet!”
These are statements that I have heard frequently, and they sound good, but we need to apply wisdom.
Consider this man…
“Well, God has given me dominion over grizzly bears!” “He said so in the book of Genesis!” (Genesis 1:26) “I’m going to go camping in the Rocky Mountains, and I don’t have to be concerned about grizzlies, because grizzly bears are under my feet!”
He takes no gun with him, no protection, and leaves his food lying out in the open all night because he has authority over grizzly bears.
What would we think about such a man? Would you consider him a fool for thinking like this? Did you know that this man could be prosecuted through state and federal laws for criminal endangerment and gross negligence, especially if he brought others “camping” with him?
Yes, it is true, God has given us dominion (Luke 10:18-19), but he has also given us knowledge! We have very specific tools and methods for dealing with dangerous animals, and those that have knowledge in these things do quite well in exercising their God-given dominion.
It is also true that Satan has been legally defeated by Jesus Christ on the cross (Hebrews 2:14, Colossians 2:15), and if we submit ourselves to Jesus Christ, and obey His Word, then there is no power that can defeat us! But we have to know God, not just know about him. He cannot be the Jesus that your pastor preaches, or your favorite evangelist or prophet; He must be the Jesus that you preach! Your authority must be real to you! (Acts 19:13-16)
So many people let their pastor do all the work; they come to church on Sunday and hear the Word, but they never read the Word for themselves. When the devil comes around, they run to the pastor, “Help me!” “Help me!” “Pray for me!” But their pastor can’t save them because they must grow up and confront the devil for themselves!
Satan should be the one running from us, not the other way around! We should give him a bad day, every day! We should be the ones that go on the offensive when he is at ease, not us defending ourselves all the time. All of our armor is on the front of our bodies, because God never intended us to run! (Ephesians 6:13-18) God has called us to attack! Satan has no armor; he has no protection unless he can trick us into not using our weapons, through lies and deception.
Hammer him with the Word of God and drive him out in the name of Jesus! “Well, maybe it’s not the devil!” “Maybe the problem is with me!” Well, it probably is, but the deception that led to it, and the oppression that hinders you from walking out of it is of the devil! Drive him out and the light will go on, and the barriers standing in your way will be removed! God is not resisting your efforts to obey His Word! It’s really quite simple; good things come from our Heavenly Father, and bad things come from the devil, and if you know what God’s Word says, you will know the difference between a good thing and a bad thing! (James 1:16-17)
Brothers and sisters, we have all the power that we need to confront and conquer any opposition, for greater is He that is in us (The Holy Spirit) than He that is in the world! (The devil) (I John 4:4) Does this mean we will never have any battles? Not by any means, but the victory is assured! Praise God!
My friend, God is a warrior! (Exodus 15:3) Satan has diligently (and effectively) taught the body of Christ in recent years that we do not have to engage in spiritual warfare in our personal lives, nor confront demonic principalities over territories and nations. He has fed us with these lies while he plunders our marriages, our children, our churches, cities and nations, and keeps our churches void of power.
Jesus admonished us to cast out devils (Matthew 10:8, Mark 16:17); He did not say that God would do it, He told us to do it! The devil is our responsibility, and nothing will be done about his activities unless we do something about it!
“Well, you talk about the devil too much!” “We don’t have to fight the devil because Jesus defeated him, and Satan is under our feet!”
These are statements that I have heard frequently, and they sound good, but we need to apply wisdom.
Consider this man…
“Well, God has given me dominion over grizzly bears!” “He said so in the book of Genesis!” (Genesis 1:26) “I’m going to go camping in the Rocky Mountains, and I don’t have to be concerned about grizzlies, because grizzly bears are under my feet!”
He takes no gun with him, no protection, and leaves his food lying out in the open all night because he has authority over grizzly bears.
What would we think about such a man? Would you consider him a fool for thinking like this? Did you know that this man could be prosecuted through state and federal laws for criminal endangerment and gross negligence, especially if he brought others “camping” with him?
Yes, it is true, God has given us dominion (Luke 10:18-19), but he has also given us knowledge! We have very specific tools and methods for dealing with dangerous animals, and those that have knowledge in these things do quite well in exercising their God-given dominion.
It is also true that Satan has been legally defeated by Jesus Christ on the cross (Hebrews 2:14, Colossians 2:15), and if we submit ourselves to Jesus Christ, and obey His Word, then there is no power that can defeat us! But we have to know God, not just know about him. He cannot be the Jesus that your pastor preaches, or your favorite evangelist or prophet; He must be the Jesus that you preach! Your authority must be real to you! (Acts 19:13-16)
So many people let their pastor do all the work; they come to church on Sunday and hear the Word, but they never read the Word for themselves. When the devil comes around, they run to the pastor, “Help me!” “Help me!” “Pray for me!” But their pastor can’t save them because they must grow up and confront the devil for themselves!
Satan should be the one running from us, not the other way around! We should give him a bad day, every day! We should be the ones that go on the offensive when he is at ease, not us defending ourselves all the time. All of our armor is on the front of our bodies, because God never intended us to run! (Ephesians 6:13-18) God has called us to attack! Satan has no armor; he has no protection unless he can trick us into not using our weapons, through lies and deception.
Hammer him with the Word of God and drive him out in the name of Jesus! “Well, maybe it’s not the devil!” “Maybe the problem is with me!” Well, it probably is, but the deception that led to it, and the oppression that hinders you from walking out of it is of the devil! Drive him out and the light will go on, and the barriers standing in your way will be removed! God is not resisting your efforts to obey His Word! It’s really quite simple; good things come from our Heavenly Father, and bad things come from the devil, and if you know what God’s Word says, you will know the difference between a good thing and a bad thing! (James 1:16-17)
Brothers and sisters, we have all the power that we need to confront and conquer any opposition, for greater is He that is in us (The Holy Spirit) than He that is in the world! (The devil) (I John 4:4) Does this mean we will never have any battles? Not by any means, but the victory is assured! Praise God!
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Itching Ears
“But the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears..." (II Timothy 4:3)
Many are wondering what is going on in the world today. Things have obviously changed in America, and around in the world over the last ten years, especially after 9/11. There is a deep, nagging sense of uneasiness in the hearts of people; fear of nuclear and biological war, terrorism, financial collapse, global warming, and the list goes on. The world is looking for answers, and most are looking in the wrong places.
“We need to get rid of President Bush!” “If we get rid of him, everything will be alright!” has been a rallying cry across the United States, and around the world. But the issue is deeper than President Bush, President Obama, or any other politician or government solution.
We are on a course, like a runaway freight train, though it is not runaway. In fact, it was set into motion thousands of years ago by God Himself, and spoken of through the prophets since the beginning of time (II Thessalonians 2:3-4); it is a course that cannot be changed, and will ultimately culminate in the end of the age. God will have His way in the end (II Thessalonians 2:8), and we are a privileged generation to be a part of the final chapter of the dispensation of grace. To those of us who are saved, it is a time of great hope and rejoicing, a time all the prophets of old longed to see, but did not (Matthew 13:17).
It is also a difficult time, and to those without God, and without hope, it is a time of foreboding. There will be things unleashed in the months and years to come that will cause men’s hearts to fail for fear (Luke 21:26). Events have accelerated (Daniel 12:4), and the changes that we witnessed in the last ten years will be insignificant in comparison to what is coming; how do I know? Jesus said so Himself! (Matthew 24:34) We should not be ignorant of the times and seasons (Luke 12:56).
Please understand, even an unbeliever can sense that there are “forces” at work that are beyond his control. Although he cannot label them, and doesn’t understand the spiritual root, he just knows that he wants it to be “fixed.” He wants a return to a “simpler day” when there was no 9/11, no terrorist threat, and no impending financial collapse, but he wants to do it his way, and not God’s (Psalm 2:1-6, John 15:25).
There is now growing, out of the reprobate section of our society, an intense hatred for what is pure and holy (II Timothy 3:13). This hatred cannot be fixed by smooth-talking politicians, as it goes infinitely deeper than that; it is spiritual, and the battle is not about flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12).
This antichrist spirit has been released with a ferocity like never before, and it is global in its proportion (Revelation 12:12). Our conflict is not about “terrorism,” but rather the beginning of the culmination of a spiritual battle that has raged between the sons of Abraham for thousands of years (Romans 9:7, Galatians 4:29-30), and will never be resolved through “political diplomacy.” In fact, the only thing that will put an end to it is when Jesus Christ appears in glory, and Satan is cast into his eternal home, the lake of fire! (Revelation 20:10)
This intensifying, deep-seated hatred of God, and His ways, will intimidate many believers and eventually usher the antichrist onto the world scene. He will come with all the “right answers,” and the soothing words; he will be charismatic, intelligent and wise (Ezekiel 28:1-6, Daniel 11:21), but he will be of a different spirit! Those that are of the world will gladly receive him, as they are already embracing this spirit (I John 4:3).
But we as believers must also understand that this spirit is not only affecting unbelievers. What is happening in the church today is similar to what happened in the days of Moses. Everything was wonderful as long as there were demonstrations of God’s power and everyone was comfortable. However, as soon as faith was necessary, and the excitement faded, the children of Israel got angry with Moses, and they built a golden calf to worship and to lead them. But the golden calf was just a chunk of metal, it was not a god, and in fact, was simply created by their own hands.
The children of Israel had no patience to wait upon the Lord; they wanted what they wanted, and they wanted it now! In their perception, Moses had failed them, and the God of Israel did not seem to be coming through, at least not in the way that they thought that He should. They became offended with Moses, and with God, and turned away from their faith (Exodus 32:1, II Timothy 4:4, II Thessalonians 2:3, Romans 10:1-11). This was tragic, because eventually they all died in the wilderness.
My friend, Jesus warned us that in the last days, deception would be so readily available that even the elect would be deceived, if that were possible (Matthew 24:24). The reason it is not possible is because those of us who belong to Him have embraced a love for the truth (II Thessalonians 2:10), even at the expense of our own long held ideas, convictions and beliefs.
What we love, we will draw to us. If embrace a love for the truth, it will fill us with its light (Matthew 6:22-23). God’s Word is truth, and it remains constant; it doesn’t change with the times, and is not “politically correct.” Let us lay hold on eternal life, and receive a love for the truth that we may be accounted worthy to stand before Him in that day! (Luke 21:36)
Many are wondering what is going on in the world today. Things have obviously changed in America, and around in the world over the last ten years, especially after 9/11. There is a deep, nagging sense of uneasiness in the hearts of people; fear of nuclear and biological war, terrorism, financial collapse, global warming, and the list goes on. The world is looking for answers, and most are looking in the wrong places.
“We need to get rid of President Bush!” “If we get rid of him, everything will be alright!” has been a rallying cry across the United States, and around the world. But the issue is deeper than President Bush, President Obama, or any other politician or government solution.
We are on a course, like a runaway freight train, though it is not runaway. In fact, it was set into motion thousands of years ago by God Himself, and spoken of through the prophets since the beginning of time (II Thessalonians 2:3-4); it is a course that cannot be changed, and will ultimately culminate in the end of the age. God will have His way in the end (II Thessalonians 2:8), and we are a privileged generation to be a part of the final chapter of the dispensation of grace. To those of us who are saved, it is a time of great hope and rejoicing, a time all the prophets of old longed to see, but did not (Matthew 13:17).
It is also a difficult time, and to those without God, and without hope, it is a time of foreboding. There will be things unleashed in the months and years to come that will cause men’s hearts to fail for fear (Luke 21:26). Events have accelerated (Daniel 12:4), and the changes that we witnessed in the last ten years will be insignificant in comparison to what is coming; how do I know? Jesus said so Himself! (Matthew 24:34) We should not be ignorant of the times and seasons (Luke 12:56).
Please understand, even an unbeliever can sense that there are “forces” at work that are beyond his control. Although he cannot label them, and doesn’t understand the spiritual root, he just knows that he wants it to be “fixed.” He wants a return to a “simpler day” when there was no 9/11, no terrorist threat, and no impending financial collapse, but he wants to do it his way, and not God’s (Psalm 2:1-6, John 15:25).
There is now growing, out of the reprobate section of our society, an intense hatred for what is pure and holy (II Timothy 3:13). This hatred cannot be fixed by smooth-talking politicians, as it goes infinitely deeper than that; it is spiritual, and the battle is not about flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12).
This antichrist spirit has been released with a ferocity like never before, and it is global in its proportion (Revelation 12:12). Our conflict is not about “terrorism,” but rather the beginning of the culmination of a spiritual battle that has raged between the sons of Abraham for thousands of years (Romans 9:7, Galatians 4:29-30), and will never be resolved through “political diplomacy.” In fact, the only thing that will put an end to it is when Jesus Christ appears in glory, and Satan is cast into his eternal home, the lake of fire! (Revelation 20:10)
This intensifying, deep-seated hatred of God, and His ways, will intimidate many believers and eventually usher the antichrist onto the world scene. He will come with all the “right answers,” and the soothing words; he will be charismatic, intelligent and wise (Ezekiel 28:1-6, Daniel 11:21), but he will be of a different spirit! Those that are of the world will gladly receive him, as they are already embracing this spirit (I John 4:3).
But we as believers must also understand that this spirit is not only affecting unbelievers. What is happening in the church today is similar to what happened in the days of Moses. Everything was wonderful as long as there were demonstrations of God’s power and everyone was comfortable. However, as soon as faith was necessary, and the excitement faded, the children of Israel got angry with Moses, and they built a golden calf to worship and to lead them. But the golden calf was just a chunk of metal, it was not a god, and in fact, was simply created by their own hands.
The children of Israel had no patience to wait upon the Lord; they wanted what they wanted, and they wanted it now! In their perception, Moses had failed them, and the God of Israel did not seem to be coming through, at least not in the way that they thought that He should. They became offended with Moses, and with God, and turned away from their faith (Exodus 32:1, II Timothy 4:4, II Thessalonians 2:3, Romans 10:1-11). This was tragic, because eventually they all died in the wilderness.
My friend, Jesus warned us that in the last days, deception would be so readily available that even the elect would be deceived, if that were possible (Matthew 24:24). The reason it is not possible is because those of us who belong to Him have embraced a love for the truth (II Thessalonians 2:10), even at the expense of our own long held ideas, convictions and beliefs.
What we love, we will draw to us. If embrace a love for the truth, it will fill us with its light (Matthew 6:22-23). God’s Word is truth, and it remains constant; it doesn’t change with the times, and is not “politically correct.” Let us lay hold on eternal life, and receive a love for the truth that we may be accounted worthy to stand before Him in that day! (Luke 21:36)
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Blessing of Abraham
“And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.” (Genesis 12:3)
God’s original plan for mankind was to be blessed. In fact, the very first thing that God did after he created Adam and Eve was pronounce His blessing upon them and declare that they be fruitful and multiply (Genesis 1:28). This blessing was not simply a command, but a supernatural ability to prosper and be fruitful in whatever they set their hands to. Their work was a joy, and with very little effort they produced much result, and everything just seemed to “work out for them.” But suddenly, all that changed.
Most of us, of course, know the story; Adam and Eve disobeyed God and brought a curse into the earth, and everything that was good reversed course. The curse became “genetically inbred” into the world, if you will, and because of disobedience, all creation took upon itself the bondage of corruption. What was once wholesome and good suddenly morphed into a twisted and perverted shadow of what once was (Romans 8:21).
The root of all physical matter is the Word of God (Hebrews 1:3, 11:3, Colossians 1:17, John 1:3), it upholds the very tiniest of sub atomic particles, and consequently defines their conduct. In this world, it dictates the course of events according to the curse, as was spoken of by God in the Garden of Eden, and formally given through Moses in the form of the law (Deuteronomy 27:26, Galatians 3:10). The curse of the law currently remains in effect and active, unless it is redirected by faith in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ on the cross.
With these things in mind then, it is evident that since all things are framed, upheld and consist by the Word of God, that all things are therefore subject to the same Word. The Word of God spoken out of our mouths, declaring the blessing of Abraham through Jesus Christ!
When I was in flight school, we were taught a principle called positive static stability, which is the inherent tendency of an object in motion to oscillate back to its original path and attitude if interrupted or disturbed by an outside force. It could be said that the world that we live in has positive static stability in regard to the curse, and must be redirected by our faith, and held in place to line up with the blessing.
Satan will tell you that your confession and declaration of faith won’t work; he will tell you these things are foolishness, but don’t believe it! Things may not change overnight, but the declaration
of God’s Word will begin to change the problem from the root (Mark 11:20), and cause events and circumstances to line up with God’s will and plan for your life!
Does this mean we will float through life on a bed of ease? If anyone believes this, they are in for very a rude awakening! The determination for nothing short of complete victory must be firmly settled from the beginning, as Satan will do everything he can to stop us; he will lie to us and use the pressure of persecutions, afflictions, cares of this world, deceitfulness of riches, and lusts of other things in order to steal the Word from our hearts and out of our mouths. (Mark 4:14-20)
Joshua tells us not to let the Word of God depart from our mouths, but that we should meditate therein day and night, that then we would make our way prosperous, and have good success (Joshua 1:8). If God has given a dream or a promise, then we must begin to declare it done, until it’s done! (Romans 4:17) Well, how much faith do I need to move a mountain?” You may ask. The Holy Spirit spoke to my heart several years ago, and said, “If you have enough faith to do it (speak and declare the promises of God), then it is enough faith to move the mountain!” This is accurate according to scripture, for we demonstrate our faith by what we actually do! (James 2:18, Revelation 20:12-13)
A person that does not believe will not do it! They will hear these things preached, and they will go their way and dismiss them. We may not think we believe at times, but if we will just do it, and continue to do it (Hebrews 6:12), then eventually it will get down on the inside of us, and enable God to move on our behalf! (II Peter 1:19)
God’s original plan for mankind was to be blessed. In fact, the very first thing that God did after he created Adam and Eve was pronounce His blessing upon them and declare that they be fruitful and multiply (Genesis 1:28). This blessing was not simply a command, but a supernatural ability to prosper and be fruitful in whatever they set their hands to. Their work was a joy, and with very little effort they produced much result, and everything just seemed to “work out for them.” But suddenly, all that changed.
Most of us, of course, know the story; Adam and Eve disobeyed God and brought a curse into the earth, and everything that was good reversed course. The curse became “genetically inbred” into the world, if you will, and because of disobedience, all creation took upon itself the bondage of corruption. What was once wholesome and good suddenly morphed into a twisted and perverted shadow of what once was (Romans 8:21).
The root of all physical matter is the Word of God (Hebrews 1:3, 11:3, Colossians 1:17, John 1:3), it upholds the very tiniest of sub atomic particles, and consequently defines their conduct. In this world, it dictates the course of events according to the curse, as was spoken of by God in the Garden of Eden, and formally given through Moses in the form of the law (Deuteronomy 27:26, Galatians 3:10). The curse of the law currently remains in effect and active, unless it is redirected by faith in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ on the cross.
With these things in mind then, it is evident that since all things are framed, upheld and consist by the Word of God, that all things are therefore subject to the same Word. The Word of God spoken out of our mouths, declaring the blessing of Abraham through Jesus Christ!
When I was in flight school, we were taught a principle called positive static stability, which is the inherent tendency of an object in motion to oscillate back to its original path and attitude if interrupted or disturbed by an outside force. It could be said that the world that we live in has positive static stability in regard to the curse, and must be redirected by our faith, and held in place to line up with the blessing.
Satan will tell you that your confession and declaration of faith won’t work; he will tell you these things are foolishness, but don’t believe it! Things may not change overnight, but the declaration
of God’s Word will begin to change the problem from the root (Mark 11:20), and cause events and circumstances to line up with God’s will and plan for your life!
Does this mean we will float through life on a bed of ease? If anyone believes this, they are in for very a rude awakening! The determination for nothing short of complete victory must be firmly settled from the beginning, as Satan will do everything he can to stop us; he will lie to us and use the pressure of persecutions, afflictions, cares of this world, deceitfulness of riches, and lusts of other things in order to steal the Word from our hearts and out of our mouths. (Mark 4:14-20)
Joshua tells us not to let the Word of God depart from our mouths, but that we should meditate therein day and night, that then we would make our way prosperous, and have good success (Joshua 1:8). If God has given a dream or a promise, then we must begin to declare it done, until it’s done! (Romans 4:17) Well, how much faith do I need to move a mountain?” You may ask. The Holy Spirit spoke to my heart several years ago, and said, “If you have enough faith to do it (speak and declare the promises of God), then it is enough faith to move the mountain!” This is accurate according to scripture, for we demonstrate our faith by what we actually do! (James 2:18, Revelation 20:12-13)
A person that does not believe will not do it! They will hear these things preached, and they will go their way and dismiss them. We may not think we believe at times, but if we will just do it, and continue to do it (Hebrews 6:12), then eventually it will get down on the inside of us, and enable God to move on our behalf! (II Peter 1:19)
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