GOD CAN COOK
Psalm 127 (KJV.)
1. Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
1 Corinthians 3:10 . According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon
We must understand and follow the plan in order to build anything. You have to know how to read the blueprint language. God has a blueprint for your life. A plan for you to live and walk out in this life. He has made all the provisions you will need. You must know the provisions and how to receive them. How do I get what God says I have into my life?
God knows how to Cook. He is a master Chef. Anybody here ever cook anything? Ever cook something that you needed to follow a recipe? We in the past have talked about setting a precedent. That is the first time something is done it sets a standard for all other things of a similar nature to follow. Example was the first miracle Jesus did in turning the water into wine. All other miracles will follow that same precedent. You have a need. You ask what to do about that need. You listen to the Lord and do what he says. Then the miracle happens. The need is met. This is found in the Gospel of John chapter 2 verses 1-11. The second miracle is found in John 4:46-54. All of the elements that were present in the first miracle were present in the second, and followed, and a miracle happened.
The Lord has me at times see the same teaching in a different light, so it can be grasp by people who did not understand it the way it had been presented before. That is why I said God is a master Chef, and he can cook. Every cook needs recipes. The bible is God’s cookbook full of recipes. Every recipe has a balance. It has a list of ingredients that when put together, mixed, and baked or fried give a end result of something good tasting to eat. Leave out some ingredients or put too much of one or more ingredients, or over cook, or under cook the recipe, and not so good of a result.
example.. I worked at a restaurant and the man who fixed the salad bar had to make sweet and sour potatoes. Ever eat sweet and sour potatoes? There is a balance in the sweet and sour taste that when done right compliments each other and tastes good. This recipe made 5 gallons at a time. One of the ingredients was 2 cups of salt. He read it wrong and added 2 quarts of salt. That was the worst tasting mess ever.. One thing done in the wrong amount ruined the resulting food. He had to do it all over. A cook book has many varied recipes in many different kinds of foods. God wants you to look at His Word as a cookbook with many recipes for life in all areas of your life. If you follow the instructions you will get the desired results.
Here is one recipe for life.
Passage Mark 11:22-29(KVV.)
22. And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.
23. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
24. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
25. And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
26. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
27. And they come again to Jerusalem: and as he was walking in the temple, there come to him the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders,
28. And say unto him, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority to do these things?
Here is another recipe for life (Salvation)
Passage Romans 10:8-10 (KJV.)
8. But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
9. That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Follow it and you will be saved. I have been places where the minister said all who wish to be saved raise your hand. Ah yes I see those 5 hands. We have 5 new brothers and sisters in the Lord. That is not the way God said we get saved. We must follow the word like it says. There are many in churches thinking they are saved and they are not. They are trying to live a christian life and can’t. They keep falling and getting into things they should be able to withstand. Ever wonder why so many fall away?
This is what can happen when we don’t follow the Word as it is written.
Matthew 7:20-23
20. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
21. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23. And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity
Some recipes have a ingredient that you can replace with another and have a great result. Take blueberry muffins, you can replace the blueberries with raspberries or strawberries and have a great muffin with a different taste. However you still have to follow the recipes other ingredients and baking instructions.
God has many things in His word that we can partake of such as healing, deliverance, protection, and we can add them to Romans 10:8-10 and get the results we are seeking.
Example 1 Peter 2:24
Passage 1 Peter 2:24 (KJV.)
24. Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
Follow the recipe for life the Lord gave us in Romans 10:8-10
Listen to the scripture in first Peter 2:24. Confess it with our mouth, and believe it in our heart. With the mouth confession is made unto healing.
Hebrews 11:1-6 Faith, hope, and evidence are always main ingredient’s in God’s recipes for life, however they need an activator ingredient that will solidify them. An activator is a converter that helps change things.
1. Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
2. For by it the elders obtained a good report.
3. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
4. By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
5. By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
6. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
All of God’s recipes have a base ingredient that must be in every thing(faith),and an activator ingredient, or it won’t work. The activator is found in Galatians 5:6, and that ingredient is LOVE.
Galatians 5:6 KJV.
6. For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
I have a Betty Crocker cook book. All of the recipes are hers, however I can follow them and cook up the same results she got. All of the recipes for life in the Bible are God’s, however sent Jesus to give us what we need to use His recipes in our lives and get God’s results.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
What Does The Word Really Say?
IT’S TIME TO OPEN OUR EYE’S AND SEE WHAT GOD IS REALLY SAYING.....
PROVERBS 22:6 NEW LIVING
Direct your children onto the right path,and when they are older, they will not leave it.
KING JAMES
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
EVER HEAR THAT SCRIPTURE BEFORE?
I HAVE HEARD IT MANY TIMES. MOST OF THE TIME IT’S SOMEONE SAYING, " I RAISED MY CHILD RIGHT AND HE/SHE IS COMING BACK TO GOD."
SOMETIME BACK I WAS TALKING TO A PERSON ABOUT CHILDREN, AND THEY WERE SPEAKING ABOUT HOW THEY PRAY FOR THEIR CHILDREN TO TURN AROUND AND SERVE GOD. I STARTED TO TELL THEM WHAT I’M GOING TO TELL YOU TONIGHT. I STARTED TO MENTION ABOUT TRAINING A CHILD AND THEY CUT ME OFF AND SAID, " I DON’T HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THAT BECAUSE I RAISED THEM RIGHT, THERE IS NO PROBLEM THERE." TO THAT I SAY NO YOU DID NOT. THAT TELLS ME THERE WAS A PRIDE ISSUE THERE AND THEY WERE IN NO WAY TO BLAME. THERE WAS A SELF-RIGHTEOUS ATTITUDE IN THAT PERSON. I DID NOT PURSUE THE CONVERSATION ANY FARTHER FOR A SELF-RIGHTEOUS SPIRIT AND ATTITUDE IS BLINDED TO THE TRUTH, AND WON’T LISTEN TO OR PONDER ON THE TRUTH. I KNOW I DID NOT TRAIN MY CHILDREN IN THE WAY THEY SHOULD GO, BECAUSE I WAS A HURTING, DISILLUSIONED, OFFENDED CHRISTIAN DURING THOSE YEARS. I WAS NOT TRAINED IN THE WAY I SHOULD GO AS I WAS GROWING UP. SO MANY PEOPLE THINK IF I TAKE THEM TO CHURCH AND SUNDAY SCHOOL AND I READ THE BIBLE TO THEM IT IS TRAINING THEM IN THE WAY THEY SHOULD GO, HOWEVER THAT IS ONLY APART OF TRAINING. IF WE HAVE CHILDREN NOT WALKING WITH THE LORD LIKE THEY SHOULD, THEN THE REAL TRUTH IS THIS, WE DID NOT TRAIN THEM IN THE WAY THEY SHOULD GO, OR THEY WOULD NOT HAVE DEPARTED. THEN WHAT HAPPENED?
WHAT HAPPENED? THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED. WE SUBSTITUTED TEACHING AND TAKING THEM TO CHURCH AND SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR TRAINING. WE TAUGHT THEM THINGS THAT WE DID NOT LIVE IN FRONT OF THEM. WE TAUGHT THEM FORGIVENESS, BUT LIVED A LIFE OF BACKBITING, GOSSIP, AND BEING JUDGMENTAL IN THEIR PRESENCE. WE TRAINED THEM THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT WE TAUGHT THEM. THEN WE HAVE HUNG OUR HOPE ON A SCRIPTURE THAT DOESN’T EVEN APPLY TO THEM COMING BACK. PROVERBS 22:6 IS NOT ABOUT CHILDREN COMING BACK , BUT RATHER ABOUT THEM NEVER DEPARTING IN THE FIRST PLACE.
TRAIN MEANS TO DRILL BY NOT ONLY TEACHING BUT ALSO DOING AND LIVING IT IN FRONT OF THEM.
IF WE HAD TRULY DONE PROVERBS 22:6 OUR CHILDREN WOULD HAVE GOTTEN SAVED AND WALKED WITH GOD FROM YOUTH THROUGH OLD AGE AND NEVER DEPARTED FROM THAT WALK. IF WE DIDN’T DO IT RIGHT AND OUR CHILDREN HAVE DEPARTED FROM WALKING WITH THE LORD THEN WHAT SCRIPTURE DO WE TURN TO FOR HELP.
JEREMIAH 31:15-17 KJV. IS A GOOD ONE. TO REST OUR HOPE AND FAITH ON.
15. Thus saith the LORD; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rahel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not.
16. Thus saith the LORD; Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears: for thy work shall be rewarded, saith the LORD; and they shall come again from the land of the enemy.
17. And there is hope in thine end, saith the LORD, that thy children shall come again to their own border
PROVERBS 22:6 NEW LIVING
Direct your children onto the right path,and when they are older, they will not leave it.
KING JAMES
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
EVER HEAR THAT SCRIPTURE BEFORE?
I HAVE HEARD IT MANY TIMES. MOST OF THE TIME IT’S SOMEONE SAYING, " I RAISED MY CHILD RIGHT AND HE/SHE IS COMING BACK TO GOD."
SOMETIME BACK I WAS TALKING TO A PERSON ABOUT CHILDREN, AND THEY WERE SPEAKING ABOUT HOW THEY PRAY FOR THEIR CHILDREN TO TURN AROUND AND SERVE GOD. I STARTED TO TELL THEM WHAT I’M GOING TO TELL YOU TONIGHT. I STARTED TO MENTION ABOUT TRAINING A CHILD AND THEY CUT ME OFF AND SAID, " I DON’T HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THAT BECAUSE I RAISED THEM RIGHT, THERE IS NO PROBLEM THERE." TO THAT I SAY NO YOU DID NOT. THAT TELLS ME THERE WAS A PRIDE ISSUE THERE AND THEY WERE IN NO WAY TO BLAME. THERE WAS A SELF-RIGHTEOUS ATTITUDE IN THAT PERSON. I DID NOT PURSUE THE CONVERSATION ANY FARTHER FOR A SELF-RIGHTEOUS SPIRIT AND ATTITUDE IS BLINDED TO THE TRUTH, AND WON’T LISTEN TO OR PONDER ON THE TRUTH. I KNOW I DID NOT TRAIN MY CHILDREN IN THE WAY THEY SHOULD GO, BECAUSE I WAS A HURTING, DISILLUSIONED, OFFENDED CHRISTIAN DURING THOSE YEARS. I WAS NOT TRAINED IN THE WAY I SHOULD GO AS I WAS GROWING UP. SO MANY PEOPLE THINK IF I TAKE THEM TO CHURCH AND SUNDAY SCHOOL AND I READ THE BIBLE TO THEM IT IS TRAINING THEM IN THE WAY THEY SHOULD GO, HOWEVER THAT IS ONLY APART OF TRAINING. IF WE HAVE CHILDREN NOT WALKING WITH THE LORD LIKE THEY SHOULD, THEN THE REAL TRUTH IS THIS, WE DID NOT TRAIN THEM IN THE WAY THEY SHOULD GO, OR THEY WOULD NOT HAVE DEPARTED. THEN WHAT HAPPENED?
WHAT HAPPENED? THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED. WE SUBSTITUTED TEACHING AND TAKING THEM TO CHURCH AND SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR TRAINING. WE TAUGHT THEM THINGS THAT WE DID NOT LIVE IN FRONT OF THEM. WE TAUGHT THEM FORGIVENESS, BUT LIVED A LIFE OF BACKBITING, GOSSIP, AND BEING JUDGMENTAL IN THEIR PRESENCE. WE TRAINED THEM THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT WE TAUGHT THEM. THEN WE HAVE HUNG OUR HOPE ON A SCRIPTURE THAT DOESN’T EVEN APPLY TO THEM COMING BACK. PROVERBS 22:6 IS NOT ABOUT CHILDREN COMING BACK , BUT RATHER ABOUT THEM NEVER DEPARTING IN THE FIRST PLACE.
TRAIN MEANS TO DRILL BY NOT ONLY TEACHING BUT ALSO DOING AND LIVING IT IN FRONT OF THEM.
IF WE HAD TRULY DONE PROVERBS 22:6 OUR CHILDREN WOULD HAVE GOTTEN SAVED AND WALKED WITH GOD FROM YOUTH THROUGH OLD AGE AND NEVER DEPARTED FROM THAT WALK. IF WE DIDN’T DO IT RIGHT AND OUR CHILDREN HAVE DEPARTED FROM WALKING WITH THE LORD THEN WHAT SCRIPTURE DO WE TURN TO FOR HELP.
JEREMIAH 31:15-17 KJV. IS A GOOD ONE. TO REST OUR HOPE AND FAITH ON.
15. Thus saith the LORD; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rahel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not.
16. Thus saith the LORD; Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears: for thy work shall be rewarded, saith the LORD; and they shall come again from the land of the enemy.
17. And there is hope in thine end, saith the LORD, that thy children shall come again to their own border
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
I WOULDN'T CHANGE A THING OR WOULD I
I WOULDN’T CHANGE A THING OR WOULD I
I’ m a little different. I always ask the Lord to teach me through anything, to show me a lesson from any source. Always the Bible, and maybe a song, a tv show, a movie, a story, anything. As I was on my way to the post office some time back I turned on the radio. A song came on talking about things that the singer wished he would have done, but now can’t. Things like ( got to know his father better, or told his brother he loved him as he went off to war instead of just saying goodby ). You hear people all the time say I wouldn’t change a thing, it is what has made what I am today. Let me ask you, " Could you be better than what you are, and could your relationships be in a better place than they are today? "
The song went on to say, " Some people say I wouldn’t change a thing even if I could well I would." In my own life I would change some things in my past if I could. I would have gotten to know my dad better and why he was the way he was.. I would have gotten some understanding of the bible and grown in God, instead of walking in bitterness.. I would have told my sister that I loved her instead of being silent as she laid there on that hospital bed dying. I was 18 years and 4 months old when I got saved and I spent the next 26 years walking in bitterness. That is 46 years and 4 months of going and living in the wrong way. So yes I would change some things.
HEBREWS 12:15AMPLIFIED
15. Exercise foresight and be on the watch to look [after one another], to see that no one falls back from and fails to secure God's grace (His unmerited favor and spiritual blessing), in order that no root of resentment (rancor, bitterness, or hatred) shoots forth and causes trouble and bitter torment, and the many become contaminated and defiled by it–
I left a wake of contaminated and defiled people behind me. I never was in a church that was instructing people as to how to live based on God’s word so I lived as the world. I was easy to hurt and I would seek to get back at those who hurt me. No church taught me to walk in forgiveness and to not take offence. When we come to Christ we are babes and need nurturing and teaching, because we know nothing. I finally grew and God got me on track, but there was a lot of wasted years and damaged people to try to fix. A few minutes of acting wrong can take years and even a lifetime to correct or never. That is why I speak out to those I see walking the wrong path, in hope’s that I can jog them enough to turn then in the right direction. So they don’t wake up one day with a mountain of regrets.
Taking offence and walking in un-forgiveness is where the devil will attack. If he can get you there he will lead you into bitterness and that will eat you up along with everyone who comes in contact with you.
Forgiveness is the main thing. Do not take offence at what others do, but rather walk in instant forgiveness. Sometimes we see it different than it is meant, or don’t understand why it was done that way, and it wasn’t meant to hurt or harm, but we have taken it that way.
Mark 11:25-26 Amplified
25And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him and
let it drop (leave it, let it go), in order that your Father Who is in heaven may also forgive you your [own] failings and shortcomings and let them drop.
26.
But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your failings and shortcomings.
Did you now you can be caught up in un-forgiveness even with people who are dead and gone. It isn’t hurting them, but it’s killing you. Sometimes it is buried deep in your heart, lurking there, holding you back, and you don’t even realize it. I am going to share with you an account of what happened to me one day as I was driving home. I had been to a town up north and was returning, and as I approached my town there are two cemeteries just outside of the city limits, one of which my dad is buried. The Lord spoke to me to turn in and drive up to my dads grave. I did this and parked beside his grave. I asked, "why am I here?"
The Lord said we have to address some issues that are deep within your heart which are holding you back, and you don’t even realize it. Ok what do I do now? The Lord said, " This will not help your dad for he can not hear you, however it will help you. I want you to look at his grave and speak to it as if you dad could hear you. Tell him what you would say if he could hear you. Talk just like he was standing before you." I sat there looking at that grave and thinking what would I say. Then it poured out. I said," Dad you left this earth way to soon. I never really got to know you. You were always just outside of my reach. I never understood why you never got close to your family. When you were there it was like you weren’t. You provided for us, but were not a part of us it seemed. Lot’s of things have happened since you have passed on. I would like to introduce you to your granddaughter Zoe and your grandson John, which you never got to see as they were born after your passing. I have held it against you for keeping us at a distance and leaving this life while in that state. Why were you the way you were is what I would like to know? Lord that is what I would say to my dad if he were hear to listen" The Lord then spoke to me and said," Mike you have harbored un-forgiveness towards your dad, and it’s deep within you, and we can now deal with it, and get rid of it once and for all. I’m going to show you why your dad was like he was, what made him that way. First he loved you and all his family more than you can understand, and that made him hold you at arms length. He was not always that way. He was very close to you the first 5 years of your life. He was very close to his own dad. Your dad never leaned on me, and held everything inside himself. I never created man to lean on himself. A person can not take the stress of this like upon himself, he must give his cares to me, because he can’t deal with them. Your dad tried to deal with it himself. When you were 5 your grandpa died. He ask to speak with your dad. The conversation they had that day will never be revealed, but that is the day your dad changed in his family life. Your dad took that conversation to the grave with him. When asked about it he would say it was between his dad and him and on one else. I have to respect that and can not reveal it to you what was said there that day. I can tell you this. The passing of your grandpa hurt your dad deep, because they were so close. He tried to deal with it in his own way not letting me comfort him. So your dad never wanted to hurt that deep ever again, and started to push people away and build walls to protect his heart from that kind of hurt ever again. Now you can understand why." I left that cemetery that day forgiving my dad and with a new understanding of the man. I talked to my mom about what happened that day. She said that my dad was loving, out going, and very close to his family, and the day my grandpa died it all changed. That confirmed everything the Lord spoke to me that day in the cemetery.
So I say to anyone reading this you may not know the whole story and may never now it about why others acted they way they did in your life, but you must forgive anyway. It will only hold you back if you don’t.
Matthew 18:22-35 KJV.
22. Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
23. Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
24. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.
25. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
26. The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
27. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
28. But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
29. And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
30. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
31. So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
32. Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:
33. Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
34. And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
35. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
WE HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN A GREAT DEBT THAT WE COULD NOT PAY AND WE SHOULD FORGIVE OTHERS.....
YES I WOULD CHANGE THE PAST IF I COULD, BUT SINCE I CAN’T I WILL CHANGE THE PRESENT. PLEASE SEARCH YOUR HEARTS’S AND ASK THE LORD TO SHOW YOU THINGS YOU CAN DO NOW SO THAT IN 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 YEARS FROM NOW YOU WON’T HAVE TO SAY I WISH I COULD GO BACK AND CHANGE THAT. SEARCH YOUR HEART’S AND SEE IF YOU HARBOR ANY UN-FORGIVENESS TOWARDS ANY AN FORGIVE THEM. THIS WAS HARD FOR ME TO WRITE SA IT TOOK ME BACK TO THAT DAY IN THE CEMETERY, AND IT WAS JUST AS REAL NOW AS THEN. THE TEARS FLOWED AND THE MEMORY OF WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN, CAME RUSHING IN FILLING MY HEART. IT IS WORTH IT TO RELIVE IN ORDER TO HELP OTHERS. MY DAD DID GET HIS HEART RIGHT AND IS WITH THE LORD. HE MADE IT RIGHT THE DAY HE DIED. I WILL GET TO SEE HIM AGAIN.
I’ m a little different. I always ask the Lord to teach me through anything, to show me a lesson from any source. Always the Bible, and maybe a song, a tv show, a movie, a story, anything. As I was on my way to the post office some time back I turned on the radio. A song came on talking about things that the singer wished he would have done, but now can’t. Things like ( got to know his father better, or told his brother he loved him as he went off to war instead of just saying goodby ). You hear people all the time say I wouldn’t change a thing, it is what has made what I am today. Let me ask you, " Could you be better than what you are, and could your relationships be in a better place than they are today? "
The song went on to say, " Some people say I wouldn’t change a thing even if I could well I would." In my own life I would change some things in my past if I could. I would have gotten to know my dad better and why he was the way he was.. I would have gotten some understanding of the bible and grown in God, instead of walking in bitterness.. I would have told my sister that I loved her instead of being silent as she laid there on that hospital bed dying. I was 18 years and 4 months old when I got saved and I spent the next 26 years walking in bitterness. That is 46 years and 4 months of going and living in the wrong way. So yes I would change some things.
HEBREWS 12:15AMPLIFIED
15. Exercise foresight and be on the watch to look [after one another], to see that no one falls back from and fails to secure God's grace (His unmerited favor and spiritual blessing), in order that no root of resentment (rancor, bitterness, or hatred) shoots forth and causes trouble and bitter torment, and the many become contaminated and defiled by it–
I left a wake of contaminated and defiled people behind me. I never was in a church that was instructing people as to how to live based on God’s word so I lived as the world. I was easy to hurt and I would seek to get back at those who hurt me. No church taught me to walk in forgiveness and to not take offence. When we come to Christ we are babes and need nurturing and teaching, because we know nothing. I finally grew and God got me on track, but there was a lot of wasted years and damaged people to try to fix. A few minutes of acting wrong can take years and even a lifetime to correct or never. That is why I speak out to those I see walking the wrong path, in hope’s that I can jog them enough to turn then in the right direction. So they don’t wake up one day with a mountain of regrets.
Taking offence and walking in un-forgiveness is where the devil will attack. If he can get you there he will lead you into bitterness and that will eat you up along with everyone who comes in contact with you.
Forgiveness is the main thing. Do not take offence at what others do, but rather walk in instant forgiveness. Sometimes we see it different than it is meant, or don’t understand why it was done that way, and it wasn’t meant to hurt or harm, but we have taken it that way.
Mark 11:25-26 Amplified
25And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him and
let it drop (leave it, let it go), in order that your Father Who is in heaven may also forgive you your [own] failings and shortcomings and let them drop.
26.
But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your failings and shortcomings.
Did you now you can be caught up in un-forgiveness even with people who are dead and gone. It isn’t hurting them, but it’s killing you. Sometimes it is buried deep in your heart, lurking there, holding you back, and you don’t even realize it. I am going to share with you an account of what happened to me one day as I was driving home. I had been to a town up north and was returning, and as I approached my town there are two cemeteries just outside of the city limits, one of which my dad is buried. The Lord spoke to me to turn in and drive up to my dads grave. I did this and parked beside his grave. I asked, "why am I here?"
The Lord said we have to address some issues that are deep within your heart which are holding you back, and you don’t even realize it. Ok what do I do now? The Lord said, " This will not help your dad for he can not hear you, however it will help you. I want you to look at his grave and speak to it as if you dad could hear you. Tell him what you would say if he could hear you. Talk just like he was standing before you." I sat there looking at that grave and thinking what would I say. Then it poured out. I said," Dad you left this earth way to soon. I never really got to know you. You were always just outside of my reach. I never understood why you never got close to your family. When you were there it was like you weren’t. You provided for us, but were not a part of us it seemed. Lot’s of things have happened since you have passed on. I would like to introduce you to your granddaughter Zoe and your grandson John, which you never got to see as they were born after your passing. I have held it against you for keeping us at a distance and leaving this life while in that state. Why were you the way you were is what I would like to know? Lord that is what I would say to my dad if he were hear to listen" The Lord then spoke to me and said," Mike you have harbored un-forgiveness towards your dad, and it’s deep within you, and we can now deal with it, and get rid of it once and for all. I’m going to show you why your dad was like he was, what made him that way. First he loved you and all his family more than you can understand, and that made him hold you at arms length. He was not always that way. He was very close to you the first 5 years of your life. He was very close to his own dad. Your dad never leaned on me, and held everything inside himself. I never created man to lean on himself. A person can not take the stress of this like upon himself, he must give his cares to me, because he can’t deal with them. Your dad tried to deal with it himself. When you were 5 your grandpa died. He ask to speak with your dad. The conversation they had that day will never be revealed, but that is the day your dad changed in his family life. Your dad took that conversation to the grave with him. When asked about it he would say it was between his dad and him and on one else. I have to respect that and can not reveal it to you what was said there that day. I can tell you this. The passing of your grandpa hurt your dad deep, because they were so close. He tried to deal with it in his own way not letting me comfort him. So your dad never wanted to hurt that deep ever again, and started to push people away and build walls to protect his heart from that kind of hurt ever again. Now you can understand why." I left that cemetery that day forgiving my dad and with a new understanding of the man. I talked to my mom about what happened that day. She said that my dad was loving, out going, and very close to his family, and the day my grandpa died it all changed. That confirmed everything the Lord spoke to me that day in the cemetery.
So I say to anyone reading this you may not know the whole story and may never now it about why others acted they way they did in your life, but you must forgive anyway. It will only hold you back if you don’t.
Matthew 18:22-35 KJV.
22. Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
23. Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
24. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.
25. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
26. The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
27. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
28. But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
29. And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
30. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
31. So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
32. Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:
33. Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
34. And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
35. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
WE HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN A GREAT DEBT THAT WE COULD NOT PAY AND WE SHOULD FORGIVE OTHERS.....
YES I WOULD CHANGE THE PAST IF I COULD, BUT SINCE I CAN’T I WILL CHANGE THE PRESENT. PLEASE SEARCH YOUR HEARTS’S AND ASK THE LORD TO SHOW YOU THINGS YOU CAN DO NOW SO THAT IN 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 YEARS FROM NOW YOU WON’T HAVE TO SAY I WISH I COULD GO BACK AND CHANGE THAT. SEARCH YOUR HEART’S AND SEE IF YOU HARBOR ANY UN-FORGIVENESS TOWARDS ANY AN FORGIVE THEM. THIS WAS HARD FOR ME TO WRITE SA IT TOOK ME BACK TO THAT DAY IN THE CEMETERY, AND IT WAS JUST AS REAL NOW AS THEN. THE TEARS FLOWED AND THE MEMORY OF WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN, CAME RUSHING IN FILLING MY HEART. IT IS WORTH IT TO RELIVE IN ORDER TO HELP OTHERS. MY DAD DID GET HIS HEART RIGHT AND IS WITH THE LORD. HE MADE IT RIGHT THE DAY HE DIED. I WILL GET TO SEE HIM AGAIN.
Monday, April 21, 2008
THE MELTED HEART PT. 1
THE MELTED HEART
THE TROUBLE WITH PROBLEMS
DISTRACTIONS
John 16:33 KJV.
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
It doesn’t matter if you are in the will of God or not, it is a fact that troubles will encounter problems. It is clear from the word of God that problems will come your way. In this life problems will come whether by circumstances, or by people. Jesus said in the world you will have tribulation ( pressure, problems, trouble ). So if problems will come, then we should learn all we can about problems and the effect that they will have on our lives, and how to deal with them.
The number one thing we need to know above all else is that there is a danger attached to problems. The danger with problems is the DISTRACTION FACTOR. If you don’t watch it problems will DISTRACT you from the truth of the word that you have embraced and know to be true. You can become so distracted that you become a forgetful hearer, instead of a DOER of the WORD. The whole bottom line truth of the Parable of the sower is the distraction factor. The sower teaches us that the fruit we will receive from the Word of God sown into your life is going to be dependant upon the amount of attention that you place upon it. " The degree of importance that you place on what you hear determines the quality of the fruit produced. "
Mark 4:24 KJV.
24. And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.
Mark 4:24 AMP.
24. And He said to them, Be careful what you are hearing. The measure [of thought and study] you give [to the truth you hear] will be the measure [of virtue and knowledge] that comes back to you--and more [besides] will be given to you who hear.
Small amount = small back
Large amount = large back
It is very clear that we should not become so taken up by the problem that we become distracted from the truth that God has revealed to us.
Peter gives us a good example of this. He knew by revelation from God that Jesus was the Christ. But when it came down to it he was so distracted by the fear of the people and the Roman Soldiers that he Denied Christ. He got his heart off what he new to be true, and focused on the distraction of the problem at hand.
Mark 11:23
23. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
The mountain of distraction. There are people so captivated with the mountain that they have forgotten what God said to do about the mountain in their lives. So captivated with their problem that it is all they see and all they talk about. If we don’t watch it we can become so captivated our problem at work ( boss - employ.. Employ - boss relationship ) that we forget to conduct ourselves as God said to do in those positions. Divorce is so prevalent today because people get so distracted by their marriage problems that they forget to do what God said to do in a marriage.
So we must realize that the one of main dangers connected to problems is the DISTRACTION FACTOR.
The next danger is once we get distracted and have our eyes on the wrong thing, we most likely will stop feeding on the Word and will become depleted.
Eph. 5:17-19 KJV.
17. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
18. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
19. Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
The word Filled in this scripture means TO REPLETE.
Replete: saturated, To cram, It also means to level up.. Such as to fill a pot hole.
We have a responsibility to replete, to cram, to level up.
If you can replete then you can deplete.
We can...
1. Become distracted and because of that we can
2. Become depleted.
If we don’t watch it we can become so depleted that our hearts melt.
A person with a melted heart is in a very dangerous place.
Joshua 2:8-11
8. And before they were laid down, she came up unto them upon the roof;
9. And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you.
10. For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed.
11. And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.
Verse 8 uses the word Faint which means Melt.. (They Melted)
Verses 10 and 11 tells us their hearts melted, and their courage left them because of what they heard.
Verses 10 and 11 in the Amplified Version says this.
10. For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were on the [east] side of the Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed.
11. When we heard it, our hearts melted, neither did spirit or courage remain any more in any man because of you, for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath.
These people were facing the Lord and His people, and when they heard what The Lord had done to the enemies of the Israelites they were fearful.
1. They Heard
2. They melted or fainted in heart.
3. There was no more spirit or courage in them.
A melted heart can happen to anyone who puts his trust in what he see’s or hears, instead of what the Lord has said.
The war against Ai went bad for Israel, because of sin in the camp. Something wasn’t right in their walk, and a small group of people defeated the Israelites in battle. Let’s look at what happened.
Joshua 7:1-5
1. But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against the children of Israel.
2. And Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is beside Bethaven, on the east of Bethel, and spake unto them, saying, Go up and view the country. And the men went up and viewed Ai.
3. And they returned to Joshua, and said unto him, Let not all the people go up; but let about two or three thousand men go up and smite Ai; and make not all the people to labour thither; for they are but few.
4. So there went up thither of the people about three thousand men: and they fled before the men of Ai.
5. And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men: for they chased them from before the gate even unto Shebarim, and smote them in the going down: wherefore the hearts of the people melted, and became as water.
There were problems caused by the disobedience and sin of one in the camp. These problems cause the heart of the people to melt.
THE TROUBLE WITH PROBLEMS
DISTRACTIONS
John 16:33 KJV.
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
It doesn’t matter if you are in the will of God or not, it is a fact that troubles will encounter problems. It is clear from the word of God that problems will come your way. In this life problems will come whether by circumstances, or by people. Jesus said in the world you will have tribulation ( pressure, problems, trouble ). So if problems will come, then we should learn all we can about problems and the effect that they will have on our lives, and how to deal with them.
The number one thing we need to know above all else is that there is a danger attached to problems. The danger with problems is the DISTRACTION FACTOR. If you don’t watch it problems will DISTRACT you from the truth of the word that you have embraced and know to be true. You can become so distracted that you become a forgetful hearer, instead of a DOER of the WORD. The whole bottom line truth of the Parable of the sower is the distraction factor. The sower teaches us that the fruit we will receive from the Word of God sown into your life is going to be dependant upon the amount of attention that you place upon it. " The degree of importance that you place on what you hear determines the quality of the fruit produced. "
Mark 4:24 KJV.
24. And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.
Mark 4:24 AMP.
24. And He said to them, Be careful what you are hearing. The measure [of thought and study] you give [to the truth you hear] will be the measure [of virtue and knowledge] that comes back to you--and more [besides] will be given to you who hear.
Small amount = small back
Large amount = large back
It is very clear that we should not become so taken up by the problem that we become distracted from the truth that God has revealed to us.
Peter gives us a good example of this. He knew by revelation from God that Jesus was the Christ. But when it came down to it he was so distracted by the fear of the people and the Roman Soldiers that he Denied Christ. He got his heart off what he new to be true, and focused on the distraction of the problem at hand.
Mark 11:23
23. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
The mountain of distraction. There are people so captivated with the mountain that they have forgotten what God said to do about the mountain in their lives. So captivated with their problem that it is all they see and all they talk about. If we don’t watch it we can become so captivated our problem at work ( boss - employ.. Employ - boss relationship ) that we forget to conduct ourselves as God said to do in those positions. Divorce is so prevalent today because people get so distracted by their marriage problems that they forget to do what God said to do in a marriage.
So we must realize that the one of main dangers connected to problems is the DISTRACTION FACTOR.
The next danger is once we get distracted and have our eyes on the wrong thing, we most likely will stop feeding on the Word and will become depleted.
Eph. 5:17-19 KJV.
17. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
18. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
19. Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
The word Filled in this scripture means TO REPLETE.
Replete: saturated, To cram, It also means to level up.. Such as to fill a pot hole.
We have a responsibility to replete, to cram, to level up.
If you can replete then you can deplete.
We can...
1. Become distracted and because of that we can
2. Become depleted.
If we don’t watch it we can become so depleted that our hearts melt.
A person with a melted heart is in a very dangerous place.
Joshua 2:8-11
8. And before they were laid down, she came up unto them upon the roof;
9. And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you.
10. For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed.
11. And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.
Verse 8 uses the word Faint which means Melt.. (They Melted)
Verses 10 and 11 tells us their hearts melted, and their courage left them because of what they heard.
Verses 10 and 11 in the Amplified Version says this.
10. For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were on the [east] side of the Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed.
11. When we heard it, our hearts melted, neither did spirit or courage remain any more in any man because of you, for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath.
These people were facing the Lord and His people, and when they heard what The Lord had done to the enemies of the Israelites they were fearful.
1. They Heard
2. They melted or fainted in heart.
3. There was no more spirit or courage in them.
A melted heart can happen to anyone who puts his trust in what he see’s or hears, instead of what the Lord has said.
The war against Ai went bad for Israel, because of sin in the camp. Something wasn’t right in their walk, and a small group of people defeated the Israelites in battle. Let’s look at what happened.
Joshua 7:1-5
1. But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against the children of Israel.
2. And Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is beside Bethaven, on the east of Bethel, and spake unto them, saying, Go up and view the country. And the men went up and viewed Ai.
3. And they returned to Joshua, and said unto him, Let not all the people go up; but let about two or three thousand men go up and smite Ai; and make not all the people to labour thither; for they are but few.
4. So there went up thither of the people about three thousand men: and they fled before the men of Ai.
5. And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men: for they chased them from before the gate even unto Shebarim, and smote them in the going down: wherefore the hearts of the people melted, and became as water.
There were problems caused by the disobedience and sin of one in the camp. These problems cause the heart of the people to melt.
THE MELTED HEART PT. 2
NOW let’s go to Joshua Chapter 14. This is approx. 45 years after the spies gave the evil report. Joshua has become the leader and taken them into the promised land.
Joshua 14:6-7 KJV.
6. Then the children of Judah came unto Joshua in Gilgal: and Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite said unto him, Thou knowest the thing that the LORD said unto Moses the man of God concerning me and thee in Kadeshbarnea.
7. Forty years old was I when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadeshbarnea to espy out the land; and I brought him word again as it was in mine heart.
Caleb said speaking of the spy mission that he had back the word AS IT WAS IN HIS HEART.
What was that word. This is that word spoken by Caleb, " Let us go up at once and possess it for we are well able. CALEB SPOKE FROM HIS HEART.
2 Corinthians 4:13
13. We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;
Now the 10 spies report after Caleb’s report was this.
Numbers 13:30-33
30. And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.
31. But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.
32. And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature.
33. And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.
Joshua 14:7-8
7. Forty years old was I when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadeshbarnea to espy out the land; and I brought him word again as it was in mine heart.
8. Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt: but I wholly followed the LORD my God.
We must learn from this. Caleb spoke what he believed, and the 10 spies spoke as a result of what they saw. Caleb had faith in what God had said, and the spies had fear of what they had seen.
Proverbs 16:23 KJV.
23. The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.
2 Corinthians 5:7
7. (For we walk by faith, not by sight
Proverbs 16:23 tells us that the heart of the wise teaches his mouth and adds learning to his lips. 2 Corinthians 5:7 tells us to walk by faith and not by sight. Caleb was a man of faith, and he kept his mouth hooked to his heart. The 10 spies walked by sight and kept there lips hooked to their flesh and mind. If you don’t watch it you will get your mouth hooked up to your flesh and mind and be distracted by what you see and hear.
Moses tells the account of sending in the spies in Numbers chapters 13 and 14, and also in Deuteronomy 1:22-28. Let’s look at the account in Deuteronomy.
Deuteronomy 1:22-32
22. And ye came near unto me every one of you, and said, We will send men before us, and they shall search us out the land, and bring us word again by what way we must go up, and into what cities we shall come.
23. And the saying pleased me well: and I took twelve men of you, one of a tribe:
24. And they turned and went up into the mountain, and came unto the valley of Eshcol, and searched it out.
25. And they took of the fruit of the land in their hands, and brought it down unto us, and brought us word again, and said, It is a good land which the LORD our God doth give us.
26. Notwithstanding ye would not go up, but rebelled against the commandment of the LORD your God:
27. And ye murmured in your tents, and said, Because the LORD hated us, he hath brought us forth out of the land of Egypt, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us.
28. Whither shall we go up? our brethren have discouraged our heart, saying, The people is greater and taller than we; the cities are great and walled up to heaven; and moreover we have seen the sons of the Anakims there.
29. Then I said unto you, Dread not, neither be afraid of them.
30. The LORD your God which goeth before you, he shall fight for you, according to all that he did for you in Egypt before your eyes;
31. And in the wilderness, where thou hast seen how that the LORD thy God bare thee, as a man doth bear his son, in all the way that ye went, until ye came into this place.
32. Yet in this thing ye did not believe the LORD your God,
33. Who went in the
The spies were sent in to give a report on what the people were like and what the cities were like and what the land was like. They were not sent in to make a judgement on whether they were able to conquer it, for they had God’s word on the fact that it was given unto them already. The truth of how easy it was going to be is revealed in Exodus chapter 23. It didn’t matter how big the giants were. The fight was the Lords. He had prepared an army of Hornets to do the battle. And also given them a time table on how long it would take and why.
Let’s look
Exodus 23:24-33
24. Thou shalt not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do after their works: but thou shalt utterly overthrow them, and quite break down their images.
25. And ye shall serve the LORD your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee.
26. There shall nothing cast their young, nor be barren, in thy land: the number of thy days I will fulfil.
27. I will send my fear before thee, and will destroy all the people to whom thou shalt come, and I will make all thine enemies turn their backs unto thee.
28. And I will send hornets before thee, which shall drive out the Hivite, the Canaanite, and the Hittite, from before thee.
29. I will not drive them out from before thee in one year; lest the land become desolate, and the beast of the field multiply against thee.
30. By little and little I will drive them out from before thee, until thou be increased, and inherit the land.
31. And I will set thy bounds from the Red sea even unto the sea of the Philistines, and from the desert unto the river: for I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your hand; and thou shalt drive them out before thee.
32. Thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor with their gods.
33. They shall not dwell in thy land, lest they make thee sin against me: for if thou serve their gods, it will surely be a snare unto thee.
When taking a hunter safety course I learned about the process of succession. What the Lord was doing here is causing succession in one area and stopping it in another area.
Succession: the act or process of one person's taking the place of another in the enjoyment of or liability for rights or duties or both
If the Israelites would obey and go in an possess the land as the Lord had wanted, he would have sent in hornets to drive the giants out little by little. Little by little in the process of time the land would become the Israelites. A succession of the land from the giants to them.
The other side of succession that the Lord would stop is this. If you clear land over time the succession process will cause the land to return back to a wild state. So if the Lord cleared out the whole land all at once, and the Israelite’s didn’t have enough people to inhabit the land, and the wild beasts would come in and multiply against them before they were populated enough to fill the land. So God’s plan was to slowly move out the giants and allow the Israelites to multiply and move in and fully occupy the land which would not take less than a year. It would take some time, but they would not have to fight any battles.
Back to Deuteronomy 1:28
28. Whither shall we go up? our brethren have discouraged our heart, saying, The people is greater and taller than we; the cities are great and walled up to heaven; and moreover we have seen the sons of the Anakims there.
DISCOURAGED in verse 28 means Melted, or Fainted.
The original plan for the spies was to find out the best route into the land to travel by, and what cities they would encounter along the way. They had a lot of people to move and needed to know the best way. They got distracted by the giants and the walled cities and forgot that the Lord would fight their battles for them.
Another word for the melted heart is Cast Down.
Psalms 42:5-6 KJV.
5. Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.
6. O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.
Another sign of a melted heart is being Overwhelmed.
Psalms 61:1-2
1. Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.
2. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
When you see the melted heart it is speaking of a heart that is distracted, fainted, discouraged, cast down, and overwhelmed. The melted heart comes in by two doors. What we see, and what we hear. ( when they (we) heard, and when they (we) saw) It is possible for a persons heart to become melted. And it is possible for this to occur through what we see, watch, view, and what we hear, listen to, and think on.
The most important issue is what will occur if we allow our hearts to become melted. As we examine the fruits of the melted heart it is going to be possible to not only spot those who may be melted in their hearts, but we may find areas of our own lives where our heart is melted. You can be melted in one area and not another. As I study deeper into this I have found areas where my heart was melted, and I see people all around with melted hearts concerning their marriages, children, jobs, and security concerning their future.
Joshua 14:6-7 KJV.
6. Then the children of Judah came unto Joshua in Gilgal: and Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite said unto him, Thou knowest the thing that the LORD said unto Moses the man of God concerning me and thee in Kadeshbarnea.
7. Forty years old was I when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadeshbarnea to espy out the land; and I brought him word again as it was in mine heart.
Caleb said speaking of the spy mission that he had back the word AS IT WAS IN HIS HEART.
What was that word. This is that word spoken by Caleb, " Let us go up at once and possess it for we are well able. CALEB SPOKE FROM HIS HEART.
2 Corinthians 4:13
13. We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;
Now the 10 spies report after Caleb’s report was this.
Numbers 13:30-33
30. And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.
31. But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.
32. And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature.
33. And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.
Joshua 14:7-8
7. Forty years old was I when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadeshbarnea to espy out the land; and I brought him word again as it was in mine heart.
8. Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt: but I wholly followed the LORD my God.
We must learn from this. Caleb spoke what he believed, and the 10 spies spoke as a result of what they saw. Caleb had faith in what God had said, and the spies had fear of what they had seen.
Proverbs 16:23 KJV.
23. The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.
2 Corinthians 5:7
7. (For we walk by faith, not by sight
Proverbs 16:23 tells us that the heart of the wise teaches his mouth and adds learning to his lips. 2 Corinthians 5:7 tells us to walk by faith and not by sight. Caleb was a man of faith, and he kept his mouth hooked to his heart. The 10 spies walked by sight and kept there lips hooked to their flesh and mind. If you don’t watch it you will get your mouth hooked up to your flesh and mind and be distracted by what you see and hear.
Moses tells the account of sending in the spies in Numbers chapters 13 and 14, and also in Deuteronomy 1:22-28. Let’s look at the account in Deuteronomy.
Deuteronomy 1:22-32
22. And ye came near unto me every one of you, and said, We will send men before us, and they shall search us out the land, and bring us word again by what way we must go up, and into what cities we shall come.
23. And the saying pleased me well: and I took twelve men of you, one of a tribe:
24. And they turned and went up into the mountain, and came unto the valley of Eshcol, and searched it out.
25. And they took of the fruit of the land in their hands, and brought it down unto us, and brought us word again, and said, It is a good land which the LORD our God doth give us.
26. Notwithstanding ye would not go up, but rebelled against the commandment of the LORD your God:
27. And ye murmured in your tents, and said, Because the LORD hated us, he hath brought us forth out of the land of Egypt, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us.
28. Whither shall we go up? our brethren have discouraged our heart, saying, The people is greater and taller than we; the cities are great and walled up to heaven; and moreover we have seen the sons of the Anakims there.
29. Then I said unto you, Dread not, neither be afraid of them.
30. The LORD your God which goeth before you, he shall fight for you, according to all that he did for you in Egypt before your eyes;
31. And in the wilderness, where thou hast seen how that the LORD thy God bare thee, as a man doth bear his son, in all the way that ye went, until ye came into this place.
32. Yet in this thing ye did not believe the LORD your God,
33. Who went in the
The spies were sent in to give a report on what the people were like and what the cities were like and what the land was like. They were not sent in to make a judgement on whether they were able to conquer it, for they had God’s word on the fact that it was given unto them already. The truth of how easy it was going to be is revealed in Exodus chapter 23. It didn’t matter how big the giants were. The fight was the Lords. He had prepared an army of Hornets to do the battle. And also given them a time table on how long it would take and why.
Let’s look
Exodus 23:24-33
24. Thou shalt not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do after their works: but thou shalt utterly overthrow them, and quite break down their images.
25. And ye shall serve the LORD your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee.
26. There shall nothing cast their young, nor be barren, in thy land: the number of thy days I will fulfil.
27. I will send my fear before thee, and will destroy all the people to whom thou shalt come, and I will make all thine enemies turn their backs unto thee.
28. And I will send hornets before thee, which shall drive out the Hivite, the Canaanite, and the Hittite, from before thee.
29. I will not drive them out from before thee in one year; lest the land become desolate, and the beast of the field multiply against thee.
30. By little and little I will drive them out from before thee, until thou be increased, and inherit the land.
31. And I will set thy bounds from the Red sea even unto the sea of the Philistines, and from the desert unto the river: for I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your hand; and thou shalt drive them out before thee.
32. Thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor with their gods.
33. They shall not dwell in thy land, lest they make thee sin against me: for if thou serve their gods, it will surely be a snare unto thee.
When taking a hunter safety course I learned about the process of succession. What the Lord was doing here is causing succession in one area and stopping it in another area.
Succession: the act or process of one person's taking the place of another in the enjoyment of or liability for rights or duties or both
If the Israelites would obey and go in an possess the land as the Lord had wanted, he would have sent in hornets to drive the giants out little by little. Little by little in the process of time the land would become the Israelites. A succession of the land from the giants to them.
The other side of succession that the Lord would stop is this. If you clear land over time the succession process will cause the land to return back to a wild state. So if the Lord cleared out the whole land all at once, and the Israelite’s didn’t have enough people to inhabit the land, and the wild beasts would come in and multiply against them before they were populated enough to fill the land. So God’s plan was to slowly move out the giants and allow the Israelites to multiply and move in and fully occupy the land which would not take less than a year. It would take some time, but they would not have to fight any battles.
Back to Deuteronomy 1:28
28. Whither shall we go up? our brethren have discouraged our heart, saying, The people is greater and taller than we; the cities are great and walled up to heaven; and moreover we have seen the sons of the Anakims there.
DISCOURAGED in verse 28 means Melted, or Fainted.
The original plan for the spies was to find out the best route into the land to travel by, and what cities they would encounter along the way. They had a lot of people to move and needed to know the best way. They got distracted by the giants and the walled cities and forgot that the Lord would fight their battles for them.
Another word for the melted heart is Cast Down.
Psalms 42:5-6 KJV.
5. Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.
6. O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.
Another sign of a melted heart is being Overwhelmed.
Psalms 61:1-2
1. Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.
2. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
When you see the melted heart it is speaking of a heart that is distracted, fainted, discouraged, cast down, and overwhelmed. The melted heart comes in by two doors. What we see, and what we hear. ( when they (we) heard, and when they (we) saw) It is possible for a persons heart to become melted. And it is possible for this to occur through what we see, watch, view, and what we hear, listen to, and think on.
The most important issue is what will occur if we allow our hearts to become melted. As we examine the fruits of the melted heart it is going to be possible to not only spot those who may be melted in their hearts, but we may find areas of our own lives where our heart is melted. You can be melted in one area and not another. As I study deeper into this I have found areas where my heart was melted, and I see people all around with melted hearts concerning their marriages, children, jobs, and security concerning their future.
THE MELTED HEART PT. 3
LET’S LOOK AT THE FRUITS OF THE MELTED HEART.
Number 1 Your possibilities become impossibilities within your mind.
Number 2 You think the obtaining of the promise of God is conditional upon the removal of external conditions or circumstances. Isn’t it interesting that Israel, before they knew there were walled cities and giants in the land, were ready to go in and possess the land. It’s our land. The Lord has given it to us. It’s going to be glorious over there. THEN they heard of the walled cities, and they heard of the giants, and their hearts melted. They felt these things needed to be removed before they could obtain the promise of God. The present conditions and circumstances does not dictate whether the promises of God are obtainable. The only way the circumstances can stop the promises is if you let them stop your faith. If giants need to be removed they will be as we step into the promise. God can deliver any promise in any circumstance that stands in the land. He can supply your needs even in a bad economy.
[ I heard a testimony of a young lady. She said it was dark and her car was not in a well lighted area. It was in an alley. She came out to her car and it didn’t start. It didn’t even make a sound when she turned the key. She prayed Lord help my car start. As she turned the key again it fired right up and she drove off. When she got home and told her dad the car didn’t want to start till she prayed. He went out to check the battery cable connection and to his surprise there was no battery just the cables laying there. Later they found out that a gang had taken the battery and was waiting in the bushes to attack and rob who ever came to the car. It freaked them out to see the car drive away while the battery was on the ground beside them in the bushes. ] God doesn’t need a battery to make a car run, and he doesn’t need the giants to be gone before you step into the land. He only needs you to believe..
Number 3. Another fruit of the melted heart is that YOU DRAW BACK. When Israel’s heart was melted the one thing they wanted to do was go back, back to Egypt. You start pulling backwards. You draw back.
2 Tim. 1:7 KJV.
7. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
FEAR: timidity, cowardliness, or to pull back.
Could be that if you are showing signs of pulling back, showing signs of surrender, turning your back on the possibility of ever experiencing the life (promise) of God in an area of your life, if could just be that you are experiencing a melted heart.
Proverbs 4:23 KJV.
23. Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
Proverbs 4:23 New Living
23. Guard your heart above all else,for it determines the course of your life.
We must keep our hearts full of the Word and full of faith and hope, for out of the heart will come the answers to the problems of life or the defeat of a melted heart.
Number 4. Another fruit of a melted heart is You will not go where God says go. You won’t step out with a melted heart. You will cower in fear.
Number 5. You won’t do what God says do. People with a melted heart won’t go and they won’t do what God asks them ... WHY? Their heart is melted, they have lost their courage, they have fainted, lost their strength, their passion, and their drive is gone. They have become so distracted by their problems and focused on the enormity of it, that they have become depleted, and their heart has melted.
They look at the problem and think nothing can save my marriage, nothing can turn my job around, or whatever the problem is they see it so big it can’t be fixed. They just give up and drown in a melted heart thinking they are alone and no one cares.
Number 6. Another fruit of a melted heart is they cry or weep a lot. If you have spent hours, days and into weeks weeping over your marriage, or the lack of a spouse, your job, your health, your children, or the future, it may be a sign that you are experiencing a melted heart in the area that brings you to tears.
Numbers 14:1-4 KJV.
1. And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night.
2. And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness!
3. And wherefore hath the LORD brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt?
4. And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt
After the evil report of the spies was heard the people lost hope and gave way to a melted heart. We see some of the signs in Numbers 14 :1-4. We see weeping, and murmuring against those who did not have a melted heart, and fear for themselves and their wives and children, and they wanted to turn back.
Number 1 Your possibilities become impossibilities within your mind.
Number 2 You think the obtaining of the promise of God is conditional upon the removal of external conditions or circumstances. Isn’t it interesting that Israel, before they knew there were walled cities and giants in the land, were ready to go in and possess the land. It’s our land. The Lord has given it to us. It’s going to be glorious over there. THEN they heard of the walled cities, and they heard of the giants, and their hearts melted. They felt these things needed to be removed before they could obtain the promise of God. The present conditions and circumstances does not dictate whether the promises of God are obtainable. The only way the circumstances can stop the promises is if you let them stop your faith. If giants need to be removed they will be as we step into the promise. God can deliver any promise in any circumstance that stands in the land. He can supply your needs even in a bad economy.
[ I heard a testimony of a young lady. She said it was dark and her car was not in a well lighted area. It was in an alley. She came out to her car and it didn’t start. It didn’t even make a sound when she turned the key. She prayed Lord help my car start. As she turned the key again it fired right up and she drove off. When she got home and told her dad the car didn’t want to start till she prayed. He went out to check the battery cable connection and to his surprise there was no battery just the cables laying there. Later they found out that a gang had taken the battery and was waiting in the bushes to attack and rob who ever came to the car. It freaked them out to see the car drive away while the battery was on the ground beside them in the bushes. ] God doesn’t need a battery to make a car run, and he doesn’t need the giants to be gone before you step into the land. He only needs you to believe..
Number 3. Another fruit of the melted heart is that YOU DRAW BACK. When Israel’s heart was melted the one thing they wanted to do was go back, back to Egypt. You start pulling backwards. You draw back.
2 Tim. 1:7 KJV.
7. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
FEAR: timidity, cowardliness, or to pull back.
Could be that if you are showing signs of pulling back, showing signs of surrender, turning your back on the possibility of ever experiencing the life (promise) of God in an area of your life, if could just be that you are experiencing a melted heart.
Proverbs 4:23 KJV.
23. Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
Proverbs 4:23 New Living
23. Guard your heart above all else,for it determines the course of your life.
We must keep our hearts full of the Word and full of faith and hope, for out of the heart will come the answers to the problems of life or the defeat of a melted heart.
Number 4. Another fruit of a melted heart is You will not go where God says go. You won’t step out with a melted heart. You will cower in fear.
Number 5. You won’t do what God says do. People with a melted heart won’t go and they won’t do what God asks them ... WHY? Their heart is melted, they have lost their courage, they have fainted, lost their strength, their passion, and their drive is gone. They have become so distracted by their problems and focused on the enormity of it, that they have become depleted, and their heart has melted.
They look at the problem and think nothing can save my marriage, nothing can turn my job around, or whatever the problem is they see it so big it can’t be fixed. They just give up and drown in a melted heart thinking they are alone and no one cares.
Number 6. Another fruit of a melted heart is they cry or weep a lot. If you have spent hours, days and into weeks weeping over your marriage, or the lack of a spouse, your job, your health, your children, or the future, it may be a sign that you are experiencing a melted heart in the area that brings you to tears.
Numbers 14:1-4 KJV.
1. And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night.
2. And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness!
3. And wherefore hath the LORD brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt?
4. And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt
After the evil report of the spies was heard the people lost hope and gave way to a melted heart. We see some of the signs in Numbers 14 :1-4. We see weeping, and murmuring against those who did not have a melted heart, and fear for themselves and their wives and children, and they wanted to turn back.
the melted heart pt. 4
Number 7. Another fruit of a melted heart is murmuring.
As I just stated we see that sign raise up in numbers 14:2.
People who complain and murmur are producing signs of a melted heart. Notice they wanted to turn back in verse four.
Their possibilities are now turned to impossibilities.
They are not going where God told them to go.
They are not going what God said to do.
They are drawing back.
When a heart is melted a sense of Hopelessness prevails.
A nothing I can do about it attitude prevails.
A TRAPPED FEELING WILL BE EXPERIENCED.
Your former passions are only a memory.
The drive that once propelled you through the thick and thin is a distant memory.
Once you focus only on the problem and all that needs to be corrected you lose sight of the answer. The answer slips on by and with it all your hope and courage also. You no longer stand up for what is right and what is yours. Your drive is only something you sue to have.
We really need to search our hearts and see if we have a melted heart in any area of our lives. Any areas that we have given up in, that we complain about, murmur about, lost courage in, no longer stand up for the truth in, lost hope in, lost our drive in, or lost our passion .. If we find these things in us it’s a sign that we’ve become so taken up with our problems, so captivated by our issues, that we have become melted.
Psalms 42: 5-6 KJV.
5. Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.
6. O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.
David realized that his soul was cast down. We must check our soul, and guard our heart. If we find our heart in a cast down melted state then we must do as David, and put our self in remembrance of what God has done and promised.
Get our focus back on the Word Of Truth. David knew he couldn’t allow his heart to remain in a cast down state for an extended period of time. You can’t either. At the first inkling of a melted cast down heart you must get that out or it will pull you down.
Psalm 61:1-2 KJV.
1. Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.
2. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
OVERWHELMED: faint. Covered, feeble
David knew his heart was in trouble, that it was overwhelmed. He was also aware that he could not allow his heart to stay in that condition. It is dangerous to remain in a melted state for hours, days weeks, or months over issues and problems. We must realize that we have a responsibility to maintain our hearts. It’s not going to be what Pastor so and so can do, or brother so and so, or even what our spouse can do for us. It is going to be what we must do for ourselves. Others can step in and help, however if they don’t recognize the fruits of a melted heart in you then no one will step in to help. Can’t wait for other to help. We must patrol our own hearts and keep them strong.
IF WE HAVE LOST OUR COURAGE, IF WE HAVE LOST OUR STRENGTH, OR IF WE HAVE LOST OUR PASSION, DRIVE, AND EXCITEMENT, THEN COULD IT BE THAT WE ARE DEPLETED?
a DEPLETED PERSON IS HEADED FOR A MELTED HEART. We must ask ourselves, " WHAT DO I DO, WHAT AM I TO DO?" If it be that I am depleted and melted in areas of my life. If I have given up, if I have total hopelessness in areas of my life. Go to the rock that is higher than I. The Spirit of God is here to guide and lead us into all truth. WE first have to realize Yeah that’s me and I need help in that area.
It may be about your job.
It may be about your future.
It may be about your kids.
It may be about your ministries.
It may be about anything concerning you.
There is a good possibility that somewhere in each of our lives is an area that we have been distracted and overwhelmed in by a problem and melted.
WHAT DO WE DO?
Numbers 14 gives us a clue to help. People who are weeping, complaining, and exhibiting all the other fruits of the melted heart help for them is available for them. And if we find ourselves in that state help is there for us as well.
Numbers 14:1-9
1. And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night.
2. And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness!
3. And wherefore hath the LORD brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt?
4. And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt.
5. Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of the children of Israel.
6. And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of them that searched the land, rent their clothes:
7. And they spake unto all the company of the children of Israel, saying, The land, which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land.
8. If the LORD delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey.
9. Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the LORD is with us: fear them not
You will not get help during a time of crying and murmuring. You must have a teachable, listening, receptive heart.
Verse 9 tells us to not rebel against the Lord. ( not believing and not acting on His word is rebelling ). Neither fear the people (problems). And the Lord is with us.
As I just stated we see that sign raise up in numbers 14:2.
People who complain and murmur are producing signs of a melted heart. Notice they wanted to turn back in verse four.
Their possibilities are now turned to impossibilities.
They are not going where God told them to go.
They are not going what God said to do.
They are drawing back.
When a heart is melted a sense of Hopelessness prevails.
A nothing I can do about it attitude prevails.
A TRAPPED FEELING WILL BE EXPERIENCED.
Your former passions are only a memory.
The drive that once propelled you through the thick and thin is a distant memory.
Once you focus only on the problem and all that needs to be corrected you lose sight of the answer. The answer slips on by and with it all your hope and courage also. You no longer stand up for what is right and what is yours. Your drive is only something you sue to have.
We really need to search our hearts and see if we have a melted heart in any area of our lives. Any areas that we have given up in, that we complain about, murmur about, lost courage in, no longer stand up for the truth in, lost hope in, lost our drive in, or lost our passion .. If we find these things in us it’s a sign that we’ve become so taken up with our problems, so captivated by our issues, that we have become melted.
Psalms 42: 5-6 KJV.
5. Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.
6. O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.
David realized that his soul was cast down. We must check our soul, and guard our heart. If we find our heart in a cast down melted state then we must do as David, and put our self in remembrance of what God has done and promised.
Get our focus back on the Word Of Truth. David knew he couldn’t allow his heart to remain in a cast down state for an extended period of time. You can’t either. At the first inkling of a melted cast down heart you must get that out or it will pull you down.
Psalm 61:1-2 KJV.
1. Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.
2. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
OVERWHELMED: faint. Covered, feeble
David knew his heart was in trouble, that it was overwhelmed. He was also aware that he could not allow his heart to stay in that condition. It is dangerous to remain in a melted state for hours, days weeks, or months over issues and problems. We must realize that we have a responsibility to maintain our hearts. It’s not going to be what Pastor so and so can do, or brother so and so, or even what our spouse can do for us. It is going to be what we must do for ourselves. Others can step in and help, however if they don’t recognize the fruits of a melted heart in you then no one will step in to help. Can’t wait for other to help. We must patrol our own hearts and keep them strong.
IF WE HAVE LOST OUR COURAGE, IF WE HAVE LOST OUR STRENGTH, OR IF WE HAVE LOST OUR PASSION, DRIVE, AND EXCITEMENT, THEN COULD IT BE THAT WE ARE DEPLETED?
a DEPLETED PERSON IS HEADED FOR A MELTED HEART. We must ask ourselves, " WHAT DO I DO, WHAT AM I TO DO?" If it be that I am depleted and melted in areas of my life. If I have given up, if I have total hopelessness in areas of my life. Go to the rock that is higher than I. The Spirit of God is here to guide and lead us into all truth. WE first have to realize Yeah that’s me and I need help in that area.
It may be about your job.
It may be about your future.
It may be about your kids.
It may be about your ministries.
It may be about anything concerning you.
There is a good possibility that somewhere in each of our lives is an area that we have been distracted and overwhelmed in by a problem and melted.
WHAT DO WE DO?
Numbers 14 gives us a clue to help. People who are weeping, complaining, and exhibiting all the other fruits of the melted heart help for them is available for them. And if we find ourselves in that state help is there for us as well.
Numbers 14:1-9
1. And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night.
2. And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness!
3. And wherefore hath the LORD brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt?
4. And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt.
5. Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of the children of Israel.
6. And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of them that searched the land, rent their clothes:
7. And they spake unto all the company of the children of Israel, saying, The land, which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land.
8. If the LORD delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey.
9. Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the LORD is with us: fear them not
You will not get help during a time of crying and murmuring. You must have a teachable, listening, receptive heart.
Verse 9 tells us to not rebel against the Lord. ( not believing and not acting on His word is rebelling ). Neither fear the people (problems). And the Lord is with us.
THE MELTED HEART PT. 5
The NUMBER ONE thing that we need to be reminded of when facing a melted heart is THE LORD IS WITH US. DON’T FEAR THE PROBLEM. Don’t become so taken with the problem, so captivated with the enormity of the circumstances that we forget THE LORD IS WITH US.
DEUT. 1:28-33 tells us more of what Moses told them. Not only is God with you, and fighting your battles, but remember what He has done.
Deuteronomy 1:28-33
28. Whither shall we go up? our brethren have discouraged our heart, saying, The people is greater and taller than we; the cities are great and walled up to heaven; and moreover we have seen the sons of the Anakims there.
29. Then I said unto you, Dread not, neither be afraid of them.
30. The LORD your God which goeth before you, he shall fight for you, according to all that he did for you in Egypt before your eyes;
31. And in the wilderness, where thou hast seen how that the LORD thy God bare thee, as a man doth bear his son, in all the way that ye went, until ye came into this place.
32. Yet in this thing ye did not believe the LORD your God,
33. Who went in the way before you, to search you out a place to pitch your tents in, in fire by night, to shew you by what way ye should go, and in a cloud by day.
In verse 30 Moses told them the Lord goes before them and fights for them and to remember what they saw the Lord do in Egypt with their own eyes. One of the tools Moses used to minister and try to turn the melted hearts of the people was to put them in remembrance of what the Lord had done for them in the past. They only got depleted when they focused on the problems facing them. Could that which Moses tried to do be a key ingredient to waiting on the Lord.
ISAIAH 40:31
31. But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Wait: bind together.. To expect
This word stresses the straining of the mind in a certain direction, with an expectant attitude. A forward look with assurance. We can renew our strength by putting ourselves in remembrance of what the Lord has done in the past. His character, His history, His faithfulness. Sarah received strength to conceive because she judged Him ( Faithful who promised ). The Faithfulness of God. Remembering what God has done for you in the past will re-energize your melted heart. It will put passion back in your life again. It will put drive in your actions.
However so many people today are so focused on the problems facing them that they have forgotten what the Lord has done for them in the past. Which is key to knowing that He will be faithful today and tomorrow as well. Looking back at the faithfulness of God will give you strength to continue to possess that which looks impossible to possess.
WHY ?
Because if He has been faithful in the past He will be faithful in the present and in the future.
WHAT DO YOU DO IF YOU HAVE A MELTED HEART?
In the children of Israel’s case they had Moses, Aaron, Joshua, And Caleb to step in. How many of you realize that most of us don’t have that many people who will step in when our hearts become melted. A lot of us don’t have people that are brave enough, knowledgeable enough, that are concerned enough when the see our heart overwhelmed, that they will feel free enough to step into our life and re-energize us with words, right words. To remind us when God was faithful to us in situations in the past. And how He will be faithful to us right now as we trust and rely on Him. Not a lot of people in our lives that are brave enough to do that. Not a lot of people in our lives concerned enough to do that.
I have to be more concerned about my heart than others are concerned about my heart. That way if no ne else step up to put me in remembrance of the Faithfulness of God in my life, I can do it. I have to keep myself in remembrance like David did. You will have to be that way also about your own heart. Then you need to look for others that need help and be that one who steps in and reminds them of God’s faithfulness and encourage them to look to the answer and not to focus on the problem. Don’t focus on the enormity of the problems. Joshua is getting ready to lead a huge multitude of people into the promised land. There will be many problems and distractions. The Lord gave Joshua some words that would cause him to be able to have the strength to go, and to do, and resist the melted heart, and to minister to those who have a melted heart. JOSHUA 1:5
5. There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
In this verse the word STAND means: to put one in a stationary place in front of you in order to block you.
When you endeavor to possess the land ( or promises of God ) people and circumstances will try to block you. The thing to keep your eyes upon, the thing that will keep you going, when problems and people endeavor to block you, Is This Truth.
AS I WAS WITH MOSES SO WILL I BE WITH YOU. I WILL NEVER FAIL YOU. I WILL NEVER FORSAKE YOU. I’LL NEVER FALL SHORT. I’LL NEVER BE UNSUCCESSFUL IN OBTAINING A DESIRED END. I’LL NEVER LOSE MY STRENGTH. I WILL NEVER DENOUNCE YOU. I WILL NEVER ABANDON YOU.
Why did God say as I was with Moses so will I be with you? Because when you face overwhelming situations, if you get distracted by them, you just might come to the conclusion that you are in it alone.
If we will remember just this one thing," As I was with Moses so will I be with you." It will strengthen you and give you the no matter what comes we will overcome it attitude. The toll that He gave Joshua to stand in the face of overwhelming situations is the fact that He is with us and is faithful. As David said, " When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I." He is faithful. Let that get into your heart. Israel would not let that get into their hearts, and they gave up and quit time after time.
When problems pop up don’t faint, or become overwhelmed, and distracted with the problems to the point that you forget to do what God said to do about it. Get the Word of God on it and know He is faithful to perform that word. Problems come to face us all no matter who or what we are in life. When a problem pops up go on the attack. He is faithful, reliable, and dependable. He is trustworthy. He will help us. We are not in it alone.
Each one of us must look deep into our own hearts and check ourselves.
Here is our check list. See if we do any of these in any area of our lives.
1. Have we lost our drive, passion, or desire.
2. Do we hold or draw back.
3. Have we fainted and given up.
4. Do we not go where God said to go.
5. Do we not say what God said to say.
6. Do we not do what God said to do.
7. Do we murmur.
8. Do we complain.
9. Do we weep a lot.
If we are doing these thing then we are experiencing a melted heart.
Then I say remember His faithfulness to us in the past and it will strengthen us to go on. It will help us to have the courage to go possess the promises, and go and do what He has purposed us to do. His will cause us to stop looking at things as impossibilities. It will help us to not be distracted and depleted by problems and overwhelmed and melted, and pass on what we know. Let us help and encourage others. Let us be instruments of Gods Love towards others that need help... May we all not live in a melted condition ever again....
The children of Israel always wanted to turn back and hang on to things that would not help get them out of a melted heart but only cause more defeat. It reminds me of a story of how natives would catch monkeys. They would make a box with a banana`in it for bait. They would stake the box down and have a hole just big enough for the monkey to get his hand in but not back out while grasping the banana. The native would hide behind a tree and wait. A monkey would come by and see the banana and reach in and grab it, and then the native would come over and beat the monkey to death because once he grabbed the banana he would not let go of it. Let go of the problems because if you don’t you will be just like those monkeys. The devil will beat you silly while you hold onto the problem. You must not focus on the problem but rather the answer. All the monkey had to do was let go of the banana and he could have pulled his hand out and gotten away. All you have to do is let go of the problem and focus on what the Lord says about it and you will run free and your impossibilities will become possibilities.
DEUT. 1:28-33 tells us more of what Moses told them. Not only is God with you, and fighting your battles, but remember what He has done.
Deuteronomy 1:28-33
28. Whither shall we go up? our brethren have discouraged our heart, saying, The people is greater and taller than we; the cities are great and walled up to heaven; and moreover we have seen the sons of the Anakims there.
29. Then I said unto you, Dread not, neither be afraid of them.
30. The LORD your God which goeth before you, he shall fight for you, according to all that he did for you in Egypt before your eyes;
31. And in the wilderness, where thou hast seen how that the LORD thy God bare thee, as a man doth bear his son, in all the way that ye went, until ye came into this place.
32. Yet in this thing ye did not believe the LORD your God,
33. Who went in the way before you, to search you out a place to pitch your tents in, in fire by night, to shew you by what way ye should go, and in a cloud by day.
In verse 30 Moses told them the Lord goes before them and fights for them and to remember what they saw the Lord do in Egypt with their own eyes. One of the tools Moses used to minister and try to turn the melted hearts of the people was to put them in remembrance of what the Lord had done for them in the past. They only got depleted when they focused on the problems facing them. Could that which Moses tried to do be a key ingredient to waiting on the Lord.
ISAIAH 40:31
31. But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Wait: bind together.. To expect
This word stresses the straining of the mind in a certain direction, with an expectant attitude. A forward look with assurance. We can renew our strength by putting ourselves in remembrance of what the Lord has done in the past. His character, His history, His faithfulness. Sarah received strength to conceive because she judged Him ( Faithful who promised ). The Faithfulness of God. Remembering what God has done for you in the past will re-energize your melted heart. It will put passion back in your life again. It will put drive in your actions.
However so many people today are so focused on the problems facing them that they have forgotten what the Lord has done for them in the past. Which is key to knowing that He will be faithful today and tomorrow as well. Looking back at the faithfulness of God will give you strength to continue to possess that which looks impossible to possess.
WHY ?
Because if He has been faithful in the past He will be faithful in the present and in the future.
WHAT DO YOU DO IF YOU HAVE A MELTED HEART?
In the children of Israel’s case they had Moses, Aaron, Joshua, And Caleb to step in. How many of you realize that most of us don’t have that many people who will step in when our hearts become melted. A lot of us don’t have people that are brave enough, knowledgeable enough, that are concerned enough when the see our heart overwhelmed, that they will feel free enough to step into our life and re-energize us with words, right words. To remind us when God was faithful to us in situations in the past. And how He will be faithful to us right now as we trust and rely on Him. Not a lot of people in our lives that are brave enough to do that. Not a lot of people in our lives concerned enough to do that.
I have to be more concerned about my heart than others are concerned about my heart. That way if no ne else step up to put me in remembrance of the Faithfulness of God in my life, I can do it. I have to keep myself in remembrance like David did. You will have to be that way also about your own heart. Then you need to look for others that need help and be that one who steps in and reminds them of God’s faithfulness and encourage them to look to the answer and not to focus on the problem. Don’t focus on the enormity of the problems. Joshua is getting ready to lead a huge multitude of people into the promised land. There will be many problems and distractions. The Lord gave Joshua some words that would cause him to be able to have the strength to go, and to do, and resist the melted heart, and to minister to those who have a melted heart. JOSHUA 1:5
5. There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
In this verse the word STAND means: to put one in a stationary place in front of you in order to block you.
When you endeavor to possess the land ( or promises of God ) people and circumstances will try to block you. The thing to keep your eyes upon, the thing that will keep you going, when problems and people endeavor to block you, Is This Truth.
AS I WAS WITH MOSES SO WILL I BE WITH YOU. I WILL NEVER FAIL YOU. I WILL NEVER FORSAKE YOU. I’LL NEVER FALL SHORT. I’LL NEVER BE UNSUCCESSFUL IN OBTAINING A DESIRED END. I’LL NEVER LOSE MY STRENGTH. I WILL NEVER DENOUNCE YOU. I WILL NEVER ABANDON YOU.
Why did God say as I was with Moses so will I be with you? Because when you face overwhelming situations, if you get distracted by them, you just might come to the conclusion that you are in it alone.
If we will remember just this one thing," As I was with Moses so will I be with you." It will strengthen you and give you the no matter what comes we will overcome it attitude. The toll that He gave Joshua to stand in the face of overwhelming situations is the fact that He is with us and is faithful. As David said, " When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I." He is faithful. Let that get into your heart. Israel would not let that get into their hearts, and they gave up and quit time after time.
When problems pop up don’t faint, or become overwhelmed, and distracted with the problems to the point that you forget to do what God said to do about it. Get the Word of God on it and know He is faithful to perform that word. Problems come to face us all no matter who or what we are in life. When a problem pops up go on the attack. He is faithful, reliable, and dependable. He is trustworthy. He will help us. We are not in it alone.
Each one of us must look deep into our own hearts and check ourselves.
Here is our check list. See if we do any of these in any area of our lives.
1. Have we lost our drive, passion, or desire.
2. Do we hold or draw back.
3. Have we fainted and given up.
4. Do we not go where God said to go.
5. Do we not say what God said to say.
6. Do we not do what God said to do.
7. Do we murmur.
8. Do we complain.
9. Do we weep a lot.
If we are doing these thing then we are experiencing a melted heart.
Then I say remember His faithfulness to us in the past and it will strengthen us to go on. It will help us to have the courage to go possess the promises, and go and do what He has purposed us to do. His will cause us to stop looking at things as impossibilities. It will help us to not be distracted and depleted by problems and overwhelmed and melted, and pass on what we know. Let us help and encourage others. Let us be instruments of Gods Love towards others that need help... May we all not live in a melted condition ever again....
The children of Israel always wanted to turn back and hang on to things that would not help get them out of a melted heart but only cause more defeat. It reminds me of a story of how natives would catch monkeys. They would make a box with a banana`in it for bait. They would stake the box down and have a hole just big enough for the monkey to get his hand in but not back out while grasping the banana. The native would hide behind a tree and wait. A monkey would come by and see the banana and reach in and grab it, and then the native would come over and beat the monkey to death because once he grabbed the banana he would not let go of it. Let go of the problems because if you don’t you will be just like those monkeys. The devil will beat you silly while you hold onto the problem. You must not focus on the problem but rather the answer. All the monkey had to do was let go of the banana and he could have pulled his hand out and gotten away. All you have to do is let go of the problem and focus on what the Lord says about it and you will run free and your impossibilities will become possibilities.
Friday, April 11, 2008
SQUATTERS
.............SQUATTERS THE DEVIL IS A SQUATTER WHAT IS A SQUATTER? SQUATTING MEANS FINDING SOME EMPTY HOUSING AND MOVING YOURSELF IN WITHOUT AN AGREEMENT WITH THE LANDLORD. YOU MOVE IN AND ACT AS IF YOU BELONG. YOU CONDUCT YOURSELF JUST LIKE YOU OWN THE PLACE. WE WERE ALL DEAD MEN WALKING BEFORE WE CAME TO CHRIST. WE ALL WERE DEAD IN OUR TRESPASSES AND SINS. WE WERE ALL WALKING IN THE KINGDOM OF DARKNESS, BUT JESUS GAVE US A WAY TO A NEW BIRTH, AND WE CAN BECOME A NEW CREATION. Ephesians 2:1-10 1. And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2. Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3. Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5. Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6. And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7. That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9. Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them NOW AFTER WE BECOME A NEW CREATION WE MUST REALIZE THAT OUR SPIRIT HAS BECOME NEW AND ALIVE TO GOD, BUT WE STILL HAVE THE SAME MIND. NO NEW BRAIN OR DATA IN THAT BRAIN. WE WILL STILL BE DRAWN TO ACT AS BEFORE IF WE DON'T DO SOMETHING ABOUT OUR MIND. IT IS LIKE AN ON BOARD COMPUTER. COMPUTERS ONLY FUNCTION ON WHAT THEY HAVE BEEN PROGRAMED TO DO. HOW DO WE OVER COME THIS PROBLEM? WE MUST REPROGRAM OUR MINDS
ROMANS 12:1-2 TELLS US TO NOT BE CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD, BUT TO BE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF OUR MINDS. TRANSFORMED MEANS TO CHANGE TO ANOTHER FORM. WE MUST CHANGE OUR MINDS FROM THE WORLDS WAY OF THINKING TO GODS WAY OF THINKING, AND WE THEN WILL CONFORM TO GODS WAY AND LEAVE THE WORLDS WAY BEHIND.
WEBSTERS DEFINITION OF TRANSFORMED:1 a : to change in composition or structure b : to change the outward form or appearance of c : to change in character or condition
THE DEVIL HAD THE RIGHT TO RULE AND LORD OVER US WHEN WE WERE DEAD IN OUR SINS AND TRESPASSES, BUT ONCE WE BECAME A NEW CREATION HE WAS KICKED OUT. HE REALLY THINKS HE STILL OWNS YOU AND HE WILL TRY TO COME BACK IN, AND IF YOU HAVEN'T STARTED TO FILL YOURSELF AND YOUR MIND WITH THE WORD OF GOD THE DEVIL WILL FIND A CLEAN HOUSE AND TRY TO MOVE BACK IN. HE IS A SQUATTER NOW, NOT AN OWNER.
HE REALLY BELIEVES YOU BELONG TO HIM. LET'S LOOK AT MATTHEW 12:43-45 AS IT WILL SHOW US WHAT THE DEVIL THINKS ABOUT US AND HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO FURNISH OUR HOUSE BY RENEWING OUR MINDS. MATTHEW 12: 43-45 43When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. 44Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. 45Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.
IN VERSE 44 THE UNCLEAN SPIRIT AFTER BEING KICKED OUT SAYS " I WILL RETURN TO MY HOUSE. HE COMES AND CHECKS IT OUT AND FINDS IT SWEPT AND CLEAN AND GARNISHED. HE FOUND IT CLEAN AND COSMETICALLY ADORNED, BUT NOTHING SOUND IN IT. THE UNCLEAN SPIRIT STILL THINKS IT IS HIS HOUSE.
THIS IS A PICTURE OF A PERSON THAT HAS GOTTEN SAVED AND DONE NOTHING TO GROW IN CHRIST AFTER THAT EXPERIENCE, THERE HAS BEEN NO RENEWING OF THE MIND, AND NO TRANSFORMING FROM THE WORLD TO GODS KINGDOM. THEY PUT ON A PLASTIC FACE AND SAY THE RIGHT WORDS AND GO TO CHURCH, BUT ARE EMPTY AND MALNOURISHED INSIDE.
SWEPT AND CLEAN AND GARNISHED. SUPERFICIAL, SHALLOW, EXTERNAL, PRESENTING ONLY AN APPEARANCE, WITHOUT SUBSTANCE OR SIGNIFICANCE. LACKING IN DEPTH OR SOLIDITY. A LACK OF DEPTH OF KNOWLEDGE, REASONING, EMOTION, OR CHARACTER:moral excellence and firmness.
Matthew 23:27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.
WE CAN MAKE OUR EXTERIOR LOOK SO GOOD. AND BE SO BAD AND EMPTY INSIDE. WHEN WE COME TO CHRIST AND BECOME BRAND NEW AND OUR HOUSE IS SWEPT AND CLEAN AND WE HAVE DECORATED THE EXTERIOR, LET'S NOT STOP THERE BUT FILL THE INSIDE WITH GODS WORD, AND WALK IN HIS PROMISES AND RESIST THE DEVIL AND HE WILL FLEE.
THE MAN WHO DID NOTHING TO THE INSIDE PAID A HEAVY PRICE. THE UNCLEAN SPIRIT CAME BACK AND SAW A CLEAN AND DECORATED HOUSE AND WENT AND BROUGHT BACK WITH HIM SEVEN MORE WICKED THAN HE AND MOVED RIGHT BACK IN. DON'T LET THE SQUATTERS IN. THEY WILL DESTROY THE PLACE. THEY WILL DESTROY YOUR LIFE. THEY WILL STEAL YOUR HEALTH AND YOUR FINANCES. RENEW YOUR MINDS TO THE WORD AND LET GOD RESTORE ALL THE SQUATTING DEVIL TOOK FROM YOU.
REMEMBER THE ONLY RIGHTS SQUATTERS HAVE ARE THE ONES YOU GIVE THEM BY YOUR LACK OF CONCERN AND LACK OF DOING ANYTHING TO KEEP THEM OUT. THE DEVIL HAS NO RIGHT TO RULE IN YOUR LIFE, BUT HE WILL TRY, AND IF YOU DON'T RESIST HIM HE WILL TAKE OVER AND BRING TROUBLE IN WITH HIM.
ROMANS 12:1-2 TELLS US TO NOT BE CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD, BUT TO BE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF OUR MINDS. TRANSFORMED MEANS TO CHANGE TO ANOTHER FORM. WE MUST CHANGE OUR MINDS FROM THE WORLDS WAY OF THINKING TO GODS WAY OF THINKING, AND WE THEN WILL CONFORM TO GODS WAY AND LEAVE THE WORLDS WAY BEHIND.
WEBSTERS DEFINITION OF TRANSFORMED:1 a : to change in composition or structure b : to change the outward form or appearance of c : to change in character or condition
THE DEVIL HAD THE RIGHT TO RULE AND LORD OVER US WHEN WE WERE DEAD IN OUR SINS AND TRESPASSES, BUT ONCE WE BECAME A NEW CREATION HE WAS KICKED OUT. HE REALLY THINKS HE STILL OWNS YOU AND HE WILL TRY TO COME BACK IN, AND IF YOU HAVEN'T STARTED TO FILL YOURSELF AND YOUR MIND WITH THE WORD OF GOD THE DEVIL WILL FIND A CLEAN HOUSE AND TRY TO MOVE BACK IN. HE IS A SQUATTER NOW, NOT AN OWNER.
HE REALLY BELIEVES YOU BELONG TO HIM. LET'S LOOK AT MATTHEW 12:43-45 AS IT WILL SHOW US WHAT THE DEVIL THINKS ABOUT US AND HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO FURNISH OUR HOUSE BY RENEWING OUR MINDS. MATTHEW 12: 43-45 43When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. 44Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. 45Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.
IN VERSE 44 THE UNCLEAN SPIRIT AFTER BEING KICKED OUT SAYS " I WILL RETURN TO MY HOUSE. HE COMES AND CHECKS IT OUT AND FINDS IT SWEPT AND CLEAN AND GARNISHED. HE FOUND IT CLEAN AND COSMETICALLY ADORNED, BUT NOTHING SOUND IN IT. THE UNCLEAN SPIRIT STILL THINKS IT IS HIS HOUSE.
THIS IS A PICTURE OF A PERSON THAT HAS GOTTEN SAVED AND DONE NOTHING TO GROW IN CHRIST AFTER THAT EXPERIENCE, THERE HAS BEEN NO RENEWING OF THE MIND, AND NO TRANSFORMING FROM THE WORLD TO GODS KINGDOM. THEY PUT ON A PLASTIC FACE AND SAY THE RIGHT WORDS AND GO TO CHURCH, BUT ARE EMPTY AND MALNOURISHED INSIDE.
SWEPT AND CLEAN AND GARNISHED. SUPERFICIAL, SHALLOW, EXTERNAL, PRESENTING ONLY AN APPEARANCE, WITHOUT SUBSTANCE OR SIGNIFICANCE. LACKING IN DEPTH OR SOLIDITY. A LACK OF DEPTH OF KNOWLEDGE, REASONING, EMOTION, OR CHARACTER:moral excellence and firmness.
Matthew 23:27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.
WE CAN MAKE OUR EXTERIOR LOOK SO GOOD. AND BE SO BAD AND EMPTY INSIDE. WHEN WE COME TO CHRIST AND BECOME BRAND NEW AND OUR HOUSE IS SWEPT AND CLEAN AND WE HAVE DECORATED THE EXTERIOR, LET'S NOT STOP THERE BUT FILL THE INSIDE WITH GODS WORD, AND WALK IN HIS PROMISES AND RESIST THE DEVIL AND HE WILL FLEE.
THE MAN WHO DID NOTHING TO THE INSIDE PAID A HEAVY PRICE. THE UNCLEAN SPIRIT CAME BACK AND SAW A CLEAN AND DECORATED HOUSE AND WENT AND BROUGHT BACK WITH HIM SEVEN MORE WICKED THAN HE AND MOVED RIGHT BACK IN. DON'T LET THE SQUATTERS IN. THEY WILL DESTROY THE PLACE. THEY WILL DESTROY YOUR LIFE. THEY WILL STEAL YOUR HEALTH AND YOUR FINANCES. RENEW YOUR MINDS TO THE WORD AND LET GOD RESTORE ALL THE SQUATTING DEVIL TOOK FROM YOU.
REMEMBER THE ONLY RIGHTS SQUATTERS HAVE ARE THE ONES YOU GIVE THEM BY YOUR LACK OF CONCERN AND LACK OF DOING ANYTHING TO KEEP THEM OUT. THE DEVIL HAS NO RIGHT TO RULE IN YOUR LIFE, BUT HE WILL TRY, AND IF YOU DON'T RESIST HIM HE WILL TAKE OVER AND BRING TROUBLE IN WITH HIM.
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
You Can Cook
EDIFICATION " YOU CAN COOK "
You can help another person bring out their gift and change the course of their life with a word of encouragement and edification, A word to build up and uplift instead of tear down.
Romans 15: 1-3
1. We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
2. Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.
3. For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.
[ That means you step in and deflect the rebukes and put downs, and offer edification and uplifting words to those who were being attacked. ]
Jeremiah 1:5 KVJ.
5. 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.
Passage Jeremiah 29:11 KJV.
11. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
Passage Acts 10:34 KJV.
34. Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
In Jeremiah 1:5 the Lord is telling Jeremiah that he knew him before he was formed, and that he had sanctified, and ordained him before he was born.
Later on in chapter 29 verse 11 the Lord tells him that the thoughts toward him were of peace and not evil, and to give him an expected end. [ the word translated thoughts is better translated as plans. ] In the new testament Peter in Acts 10:34 tells us God is no respecter of persons. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN TO US?
It means that the lord knew us all, and gifted us all, and has a plan and purpose for
us all, with an expected end. A plan of peace and not evil. We need to find out what that plan is and walk it out in our lives.
Passage Proverbs 18:16 KJV.
16. A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
1 Timothy 1:14
14. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
2 Timothy 1:6
6. Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.
Not all of us have had gifts imparted to us by the laying on of hands, however we all have gift that have been imparted to us by the Lord. We need to find out what those gifts are and then not neglect them and stir them us and walk in them.
Passage 2 Corinthians 10:8 KJV.
8. For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed:
[ All of us should as Paul stated, use our authority in the Lord to build up others, and not to tear others down. ]
Everybody has a gift, a purpose, something they do well.. The trouble is some of us never realize that gift. Satan will do his best to get other to put us down so that we never realize the gift and it’s potential. Or he will maneuver us to use our gift wrong or unwisely. EXAMPLE.. The gift of Gab ( talking ) can be used to edify, uplift, and minister, however it can be used wrongly to gossip and put down.
When a person knows they have a gift, they have two choices to make concerning that gift.
1. They view the gift as something others may not understand. Others may not view it the same way as they do. So they put it away and never use it. They never realize the gifts potential, or the givers intention as to the use of the gift.
2. Or they realize the gift is to valuable to not be used and use it regardless of what others may say.
However many have unrealized gifts in them and never see it, because they are looking for a huge life changing thing, when the gift is small and must be used for it to grow and become it’s full potential in life.
I’m going to tell you a true story, where three words of encouragement changed the course of a mans life. It uplifted and gave him confidence. Those three words brought out his gift, and in the process helped many others and our economy at the same time. His gift effected a nation. However had it not been for a caring and discerning person who uttered those three words it never would have come forth.
This man had tried everything to get ahead in life. He applied to law school and was turned down. He tried all forms of businesses and was rejected. He simply was not what anyone wanted. No one thought he had anything to offer. He eventually got married, but could never get into any business, that could make it possible for he and his wife to live a comfortable life. He settled into a ho hum life as a dish washer/cook, never being able to put any money aside for retirement. At 65 he retired and received his first social security check. It was for 105 dollars. He was devastated, and decided to end his life. He wrote a final note, and headed out the door to kill himself. His wife felt something was up and stopped him asking him what he was up to. He told her the story of how he was going to end it, because he could do nothing worth anything. Sure you can she said. YOU CAN COOK were the next three words she said to him. He said do you really think so. She said yes you can cook. After all these years he realized his gift was being able to cook. He took his 105 dollars and went to the bank and borrowed 87 more dollars . He bought chickens and started cooking them in his special recipe, and selling them out of his house. It got so popular he tried to vend it through restaurants. He went to seek anyone that would sell his product. He was turned down 1,014 times, however on the 1,015th time he met a man by the name of John Y. Brown. John Brown said, " Col. Harlin Sanders I believe we can do business. Kentucky Fried Chicken was born.
3 simple words of encouragement changed the destiny of not just Mr. Sanders, but many others. It gave thousands of people jobs. Construction people who build the restaurants, people who work in the restaurants, those who make the napkins, plates, containers, cups, and work in the restaurants. And so many more in this nation that do thinks connected with Kentucky Fried Chicken. It all started with 3 words of encouragement, which brought out his gift. The gift was in him all the time, but he was looking for something big right off the bat. When that something big was in him all the time. It just needed to be recognized, planted, and allowed to grow, like a seed.
Don’t overlook what you do best, for it will be your gift, and it will make room for you. Always look for opportunities to edify and encourage others helping to bring their gifts out. Never join the crowd that is browbeating a person, but rather be a deflector, a shield for that person, and give them words that build them up.
3 words of encouragement took a man and his 105 dollars from suicide to helping hundreds of thousands of people and the economy of a nation. It took him from feeling worthless and unsuccessful with 105 dollars, to when he sold the business for 2 billion dollars. Realize this your gift in not only for you, but also to help others.
You can help another person bring out their gift and change the course of their life with a word of encouragement and edification, A word to build up and uplift instead of tear down.
Romans 15: 1-3
1. We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
2. Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.
3. For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.
[ That means you step in and deflect the rebukes and put downs, and offer edification and uplifting words to those who were being attacked. ]
Jeremiah 1:5 KVJ.
5. 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.
Passage Jeremiah 29:11 KJV.
11. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
Passage Acts 10:34 KJV.
34. Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
In Jeremiah 1:5 the Lord is telling Jeremiah that he knew him before he was formed, and that he had sanctified, and ordained him before he was born.
Later on in chapter 29 verse 11 the Lord tells him that the thoughts toward him were of peace and not evil, and to give him an expected end. [ the word translated thoughts is better translated as plans. ] In the new testament Peter in Acts 10:34 tells us God is no respecter of persons. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN TO US?
It means that the lord knew us all, and gifted us all, and has a plan and purpose for
us all, with an expected end. A plan of peace and not evil. We need to find out what that plan is and walk it out in our lives.
Passage Proverbs 18:16 KJV.
16. A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
1 Timothy 1:14
14. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
2 Timothy 1:6
6. Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.
Not all of us have had gifts imparted to us by the laying on of hands, however we all have gift that have been imparted to us by the Lord. We need to find out what those gifts are and then not neglect them and stir them us and walk in them.
Passage 2 Corinthians 10:8 KJV.
8. For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed:
[ All of us should as Paul stated, use our authority in the Lord to build up others, and not to tear others down. ]
Everybody has a gift, a purpose, something they do well.. The trouble is some of us never realize that gift. Satan will do his best to get other to put us down so that we never realize the gift and it’s potential. Or he will maneuver us to use our gift wrong or unwisely. EXAMPLE.. The gift of Gab ( talking ) can be used to edify, uplift, and minister, however it can be used wrongly to gossip and put down.
When a person knows they have a gift, they have two choices to make concerning that gift.
1. They view the gift as something others may not understand. Others may not view it the same way as they do. So they put it away and never use it. They never realize the gifts potential, or the givers intention as to the use of the gift.
2. Or they realize the gift is to valuable to not be used and use it regardless of what others may say.
However many have unrealized gifts in them and never see it, because they are looking for a huge life changing thing, when the gift is small and must be used for it to grow and become it’s full potential in life.
I’m going to tell you a true story, where three words of encouragement changed the course of a mans life. It uplifted and gave him confidence. Those three words brought out his gift, and in the process helped many others and our economy at the same time. His gift effected a nation. However had it not been for a caring and discerning person who uttered those three words it never would have come forth.
This man had tried everything to get ahead in life. He applied to law school and was turned down. He tried all forms of businesses and was rejected. He simply was not what anyone wanted. No one thought he had anything to offer. He eventually got married, but could never get into any business, that could make it possible for he and his wife to live a comfortable life. He settled into a ho hum life as a dish washer/cook, never being able to put any money aside for retirement. At 65 he retired and received his first social security check. It was for 105 dollars. He was devastated, and decided to end his life. He wrote a final note, and headed out the door to kill himself. His wife felt something was up and stopped him asking him what he was up to. He told her the story of how he was going to end it, because he could do nothing worth anything. Sure you can she said. YOU CAN COOK were the next three words she said to him. He said do you really think so. She said yes you can cook. After all these years he realized his gift was being able to cook. He took his 105 dollars and went to the bank and borrowed 87 more dollars . He bought chickens and started cooking them in his special recipe, and selling them out of his house. It got so popular he tried to vend it through restaurants. He went to seek anyone that would sell his product. He was turned down 1,014 times, however on the 1,015th time he met a man by the name of John Y. Brown. John Brown said, " Col. Harlin Sanders I believe we can do business. Kentucky Fried Chicken was born.
3 simple words of encouragement changed the destiny of not just Mr. Sanders, but many others. It gave thousands of people jobs. Construction people who build the restaurants, people who work in the restaurants, those who make the napkins, plates, containers, cups, and work in the restaurants. And so many more in this nation that do thinks connected with Kentucky Fried Chicken. It all started with 3 words of encouragement, which brought out his gift. The gift was in him all the time, but he was looking for something big right off the bat. When that something big was in him all the time. It just needed to be recognized, planted, and allowed to grow, like a seed.
Don’t overlook what you do best, for it will be your gift, and it will make room for you. Always look for opportunities to edify and encourage others helping to bring their gifts out. Never join the crowd that is browbeating a person, but rather be a deflector, a shield for that person, and give them words that build them up.
3 words of encouragement took a man and his 105 dollars from suicide to helping hundreds of thousands of people and the economy of a nation. It took him from feeling worthless and unsuccessful with 105 dollars, to when he sold the business for 2 billion dollars. Realize this your gift in not only for you, but also to help others.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
NOW IS THE DAY OF SALVATION
NOW IS THE DAY OF SALVATION
It has been said that there are pastors in churches today that are not born-a-gain Christians in our denominational churches. Some are in it as a profession. Others under deceptions like many who sit in pews and feel because they have gone to church all their lives that they are Christians, or that they are because they feel they are a good person. Some even think doing good works gets them into heaven and they therefore must be a Christian. None of which causes a person to become born-a-gain. Some churches you could walk into are simply dead because the pastor and the people have not pursued the word of God and walked in the light of that word. Others are dead because lost people are running the church. SOUNDS HARD TO BELIEVE. I was listening to a minister that once taught in a Bible School. Over the years he taught many people of various ages and backgrounds. One group that came was made up of pastors that had been pastors for 20, 30, 40 years in denominational churches and decided to go to Bible school to learn more about the Word of God. Within that group over the years several were shocked to realize that they had never confessed Jesus as Savior and Lord of their lives and gave their lives to Christ at Bible School. SO NEVER ASSUME THAT ALL WHO ATTEND CHURCH REGULARLY ,OR EVEN MINISTER, OR SAY THEY ARE CHRISTIANS REALLY ARE BORN-A-GAIN. THEY MAY THINK THEY ARE, THEY MAY BELIEVE THEY ARE, BUT UPON WHAT HAVE THEY BASED THAT BELIEF.
I do not know who is or is not Saved. I do not know if any here tonight believe they are saved and are not. Whether any have based salvation on being a good person, church attendance, good works, or the simple fact that their parents were Christians. I do not know all the reasons that sidetrack people into following an idea that takes them down a wrong path, for there are many. I do not know who is over hearing this message, or the state of their lives, or upon what that state is based.
THIS IS WHAT I DO KNOW. THE REAL QUESTION IS, "WHAT HAVE WE DONE WITH JESUS?"
JOHN 14:6
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
WE MUST BE SO WATCHFUL ABOUT HOW WE LOOK AT THINGS. JESUS IS THE WAY, NOT A WAY. WE HEAR SO MANY SAY WE ARE ALL TRYING TO GET TO THE SAME PLACE, ONLY WE ARE ALL TAKING DIFFERENT PATHS TO GET THERE. NO THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY. I WAS IN A CHURCH AND A MAN WAS TEACHING, WHAT HE THOUGHT WAS A GREAT REVELATION ABOUT THE SONG, " AWAY IN A MANGER." THE WORD AWAY IS USED AS AN ADVERB OR AND ADJECTIVE. IT MODIFIES A VERB OR A NOUN. THIS MAN SPENT THE HOUR CHANGING THE WORD AWAY INTO A WAY. A WAY IS A NOUN. HE SAID THERE WAS A WAY LYING IN THAT MANGER AND MADE IT SOUND SO GOOD, HOWEVER WHAT HE WAS TEACHING WAS WRONG. FOR IF JESUS WAS A WAY, THEN THAT MEANS THERE ARE OTHER WAYS. WHAT YOU MUST SETTLE IN YOUR HEART AND MINDS IS THAT JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY, OR YOU CAN BE LEAD ASTRAY, AND LEAD OTHERS DOWN A WRONG PATH.
YOU MAY HAVE HEARD PEOPLE SAY TO CONFESS YOUR SINS. SOME EVEN SAY GET THEM ALL OUT EVERY ONE OF THEM. IT’S NOT ABOUT THE SINS YOU HAVE COMMITTED BEFORE YOU COME TO CHRIST, IT’S ABOUT YOUR SIN NATURE, AND BEING A LOST SINNER. IT’S ABOUT BECOMING A NEW CREATURE IN CHRIST. WHEN JOHN SAID THAT IF WE CONFESS OUR SINS HE IS FAITHFUL AND JUST TO FORGIVE OUR SINS HE WAS SPEAKING TO THE CHURCH. HE WAS SPEAKING TO BORN-A-GAIN PEOPLE NOT LOST PEOPLE WHO NEEDED TO BECOME A NEW CREATION. HE WAS SPEAKING TO ONE’S THAT NEEDED TO BE KEPT IN RIGHT STANDING AND FELLOWSHIP. WHOLE DENOMINATIONS HAVE HARPED ON LOST PEOPLE TO COME TO THE ALTER AND CONFESS YOUR SINS, YES GET THEM ALL OUT, HOWEVER IT IS NOT ABOUT GETTING THE SINS OUT. IT IS ABOUT GETTING THE SIN NATURE OUT. IT IS ABOUT BECOMING A NEW CREATION IN GOD. IT IS ABOUT THE OLD MAN PASSING AWAY , AND A NEW MAN BEING BORN.
1 John 1:1-10 KJV.
1. That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;
2. (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)
3. That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
4. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
5. This 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.
6. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
7. But 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.
8. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
2 Corinthians 6:1-2 KJV.
1. We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
2. (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
NOW IS THE ACCEPTED TIME, NOW IS THE DAY OF SALVATION
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO REALIZE THAT NOW IS THE TIME.
OCTOBER 8TH, 1871 IS A DATE MANY PEOPLE RECOGNIZE. IT IS A DAY IN HISTORY THAT A MAJOR EVENT TOOK PLACE. I’LL TELL YOU WHAT THAT WAS, BUT FIRST I WANT TO TELL YOU SOMETHING ELSE THAT IS NOT AS WELL PUBLICIZED AND VERY IMPORTANT TO THIS TEACHING THAT HAPPENED ON THAT DATE IN HISTORY. THERE WAS A YOUNG MINISTER PREACHING THERE IN CHICAGO, AND GREAT CROWDS WERE COMING. ON OCTOBER THE 8TH IT WAS THE BIGGEST CROWD HE HAD EVER SPOKEN TO IN HIS LIFE. THIS MINISTER WAS DWIGHT L. MOODY, AND HIS MESSAGE THAT NIGHT WAS " WHAT SHALL I DO WITH JESUS?" AFTER THE ALTER SONG Mr. MOODY TOLD THE CONGREGATION, " I’LL GIVE YOU A WEEK TO DECIDE WHAT TO DO WITH JESUS." THAT VERY NIGHT WAS THE GREAT CHICAGO FIRE OF 1871 THAT DESTROYED THE CITY AND MANY WHO WERE IN THAT MEETING PERISHED THAT NIGHT NEVER TO GET ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO RECEIVE CHRIST AS THEIR SAVIOR AND LORD. Mr. MOODY SAID, " I LEARNED THAT NIGHT WHEN I PREACH, TO PRESS CHRIST UPON THE PEOPLE AND TRY TO BRING THEM TO A DECISION ON THE SPOT."
BACK IN 2003 MY FATHER-IN-LAW SPOKE TO ME OF LOST OPPORTUNITY AND HOW IT BOTHERED HIM THAT HE NEVER OBEYED THE LORD ONE NIGHT. THE LORD INSTRUCTED HIM TO WITNESS TO A MAN WORKING AT A GAS STATION AND HE PUT IT OFF SAYING I’LL DO IT LATER THIS WEEK. THAT NIGHT THE MAN WAS KILLED IN A CAR WRECK. MY FATHER-IN-LAW CARRIED THAT WITH HIM THE REST OF HIS LIFE WONDERING WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN, AND WAS HE THE LAST ONE THAT HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO REACH THAT MAN FOR CHRIST BEFORE HIS TIME ON EARTH WAS NO MORE. LOST OPPORTUNITIES ARE HARD REGRETS TO CARRY. IF WE CARRY REGRETS LIKE THAT WE NEED TO TAKE THEM TO THE LORD AND REPENT FOR NOT DOING WHAT WE SHOULD OF , AND RECEIVE FORGIVENESS, AND THEN GRASP EVERY OPPORTUNITY THAT PRESENTS ITSELF TO US, AND MAKE THE MOST OF THE SITUATION FOR CHRIST. OPPORTUNITY IS A RESTLESS THING IT DEMANDS ATTENTION RIGHT NOW, OR IT DEPARTS.
GOD LOVES YOU AND HAS PROVIDED THE WAY TO ENTER INTO HIS FAMILY.
Passage John 3:16 KJV.
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.
GOD IS NOT COUNTING UP SINS
2 COR. 5:17-19 KJV.
17. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
18. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19. To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation
ROMANS 10:1,8-19,13 KJV.
Romans 10
1. Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.
8. But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
9. That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
13. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
ARE YOU SAVED OR ARE YOU NOT, AND DID YOU BASE THAT DECISION ON JESUS AND JESUS ALONE?
Question: "What is the Romans Road to salvation?"
Answer: The Romans Road to salvation is a way of explaining the good news of salvation using verses from the Book of Romans.
The first verse on the Romans Road to salvation is Romans 3:23, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." We have all sinned. We have all done things that are displeasing to God. There is no one who is innocent. The second Scripture on the Romans Road to salvation, Romans 6:23, teaches us about the consequences of sin - "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." The punishment that we have earned for our sin is death. Not just physical death, but eternal death!
The third verse on the Romans road to salvation picks up where Romans 6:23 left off, "but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 5:8 declares, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Jesus Christ died for us!
The fourth stop on the Romans road to salvation is Romans 10:9, "that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." Because of Jesus' death on our behalf, all we have to do is believe in Him, trusting His death as the payment for our sins - and we will be saved! Romans 10:13 says it again, "for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
YOU HEAR SOME SAY YOU HAVE TO STAY TILL YOU PRAY THROUGH, WELL THAT IS TRUE, ONLY ONCE YOU CONFESS HIM AS YOUR LORD AND SAVIOR YOU HAVE PRAYED THROUGH
ALL YOU NEED TO DO AFTER YOU REALIZE THAT YOU ARE A LOST SINNER AND NEED RECONCILED TO GOD IS TO SIMPLY SAY LORD JESUS I SEE I AM A LOST SINNER AND NEED YOU, AND I BELIEVE IN MY HEART THAT YOU DIED AND GOD RAISE YOU FROM THE DEAD FOR ME, AND I CONFESS YOU AS MY LORD AND SAVIOR, AND I GIVE MYSELF OVER TO YOU. I AM NOW ONE OF GOD’S CHILDREN...I AM NOW SAVED.. AMEN
It has been said that there are pastors in churches today that are not born-a-gain Christians in our denominational churches. Some are in it as a profession. Others under deceptions like many who sit in pews and feel because they have gone to church all their lives that they are Christians, or that they are because they feel they are a good person. Some even think doing good works gets them into heaven and they therefore must be a Christian. None of which causes a person to become born-a-gain. Some churches you could walk into are simply dead because the pastor and the people have not pursued the word of God and walked in the light of that word. Others are dead because lost people are running the church. SOUNDS HARD TO BELIEVE. I was listening to a minister that once taught in a Bible School. Over the years he taught many people of various ages and backgrounds. One group that came was made up of pastors that had been pastors for 20, 30, 40 years in denominational churches and decided to go to Bible school to learn more about the Word of God. Within that group over the years several were shocked to realize that they had never confessed Jesus as Savior and Lord of their lives and gave their lives to Christ at Bible School. SO NEVER ASSUME THAT ALL WHO ATTEND CHURCH REGULARLY ,OR EVEN MINISTER, OR SAY THEY ARE CHRISTIANS REALLY ARE BORN-A-GAIN. THEY MAY THINK THEY ARE, THEY MAY BELIEVE THEY ARE, BUT UPON WHAT HAVE THEY BASED THAT BELIEF.
I do not know who is or is not Saved. I do not know if any here tonight believe they are saved and are not. Whether any have based salvation on being a good person, church attendance, good works, or the simple fact that their parents were Christians. I do not know all the reasons that sidetrack people into following an idea that takes them down a wrong path, for there are many. I do not know who is over hearing this message, or the state of their lives, or upon what that state is based.
THIS IS WHAT I DO KNOW. THE REAL QUESTION IS, "WHAT HAVE WE DONE WITH JESUS?"
JOHN 14:6
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
WE MUST BE SO WATCHFUL ABOUT HOW WE LOOK AT THINGS. JESUS IS THE WAY, NOT A WAY. WE HEAR SO MANY SAY WE ARE ALL TRYING TO GET TO THE SAME PLACE, ONLY WE ARE ALL TAKING DIFFERENT PATHS TO GET THERE. NO THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY. I WAS IN A CHURCH AND A MAN WAS TEACHING, WHAT HE THOUGHT WAS A GREAT REVELATION ABOUT THE SONG, " AWAY IN A MANGER." THE WORD AWAY IS USED AS AN ADVERB OR AND ADJECTIVE. IT MODIFIES A VERB OR A NOUN. THIS MAN SPENT THE HOUR CHANGING THE WORD AWAY INTO A WAY. A WAY IS A NOUN. HE SAID THERE WAS A WAY LYING IN THAT MANGER AND MADE IT SOUND SO GOOD, HOWEVER WHAT HE WAS TEACHING WAS WRONG. FOR IF JESUS WAS A WAY, THEN THAT MEANS THERE ARE OTHER WAYS. WHAT YOU MUST SETTLE IN YOUR HEART AND MINDS IS THAT JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY, OR YOU CAN BE LEAD ASTRAY, AND LEAD OTHERS DOWN A WRONG PATH.
YOU MAY HAVE HEARD PEOPLE SAY TO CONFESS YOUR SINS. SOME EVEN SAY GET THEM ALL OUT EVERY ONE OF THEM. IT’S NOT ABOUT THE SINS YOU HAVE COMMITTED BEFORE YOU COME TO CHRIST, IT’S ABOUT YOUR SIN NATURE, AND BEING A LOST SINNER. IT’S ABOUT BECOMING A NEW CREATURE IN CHRIST. WHEN JOHN SAID THAT IF WE CONFESS OUR SINS HE IS FAITHFUL AND JUST TO FORGIVE OUR SINS HE WAS SPEAKING TO THE CHURCH. HE WAS SPEAKING TO BORN-A-GAIN PEOPLE NOT LOST PEOPLE WHO NEEDED TO BECOME A NEW CREATION. HE WAS SPEAKING TO ONE’S THAT NEEDED TO BE KEPT IN RIGHT STANDING AND FELLOWSHIP. WHOLE DENOMINATIONS HAVE HARPED ON LOST PEOPLE TO COME TO THE ALTER AND CONFESS YOUR SINS, YES GET THEM ALL OUT, HOWEVER IT IS NOT ABOUT GETTING THE SINS OUT. IT IS ABOUT GETTING THE SIN NATURE OUT. IT IS ABOUT BECOMING A NEW CREATION IN GOD. IT IS ABOUT THE OLD MAN PASSING AWAY , AND A NEW MAN BEING BORN.
1 John 1:1-10 KJV.
1. That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;
2. (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)
3. That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
4. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
5. This 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.
6. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
7. But 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.
8. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
2 Corinthians 6:1-2 KJV.
1. We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
2. (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
NOW IS THE ACCEPTED TIME, NOW IS THE DAY OF SALVATION
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO REALIZE THAT NOW IS THE TIME.
OCTOBER 8TH, 1871 IS A DATE MANY PEOPLE RECOGNIZE. IT IS A DAY IN HISTORY THAT A MAJOR EVENT TOOK PLACE. I’LL TELL YOU WHAT THAT WAS, BUT FIRST I WANT TO TELL YOU SOMETHING ELSE THAT IS NOT AS WELL PUBLICIZED AND VERY IMPORTANT TO THIS TEACHING THAT HAPPENED ON THAT DATE IN HISTORY. THERE WAS A YOUNG MINISTER PREACHING THERE IN CHICAGO, AND GREAT CROWDS WERE COMING. ON OCTOBER THE 8TH IT WAS THE BIGGEST CROWD HE HAD EVER SPOKEN TO IN HIS LIFE. THIS MINISTER WAS DWIGHT L. MOODY, AND HIS MESSAGE THAT NIGHT WAS " WHAT SHALL I DO WITH JESUS?" AFTER THE ALTER SONG Mr. MOODY TOLD THE CONGREGATION, " I’LL GIVE YOU A WEEK TO DECIDE WHAT TO DO WITH JESUS." THAT VERY NIGHT WAS THE GREAT CHICAGO FIRE OF 1871 THAT DESTROYED THE CITY AND MANY WHO WERE IN THAT MEETING PERISHED THAT NIGHT NEVER TO GET ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO RECEIVE CHRIST AS THEIR SAVIOR AND LORD. Mr. MOODY SAID, " I LEARNED THAT NIGHT WHEN I PREACH, TO PRESS CHRIST UPON THE PEOPLE AND TRY TO BRING THEM TO A DECISION ON THE SPOT."
BACK IN 2003 MY FATHER-IN-LAW SPOKE TO ME OF LOST OPPORTUNITY AND HOW IT BOTHERED HIM THAT HE NEVER OBEYED THE LORD ONE NIGHT. THE LORD INSTRUCTED HIM TO WITNESS TO A MAN WORKING AT A GAS STATION AND HE PUT IT OFF SAYING I’LL DO IT LATER THIS WEEK. THAT NIGHT THE MAN WAS KILLED IN A CAR WRECK. MY FATHER-IN-LAW CARRIED THAT WITH HIM THE REST OF HIS LIFE WONDERING WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN, AND WAS HE THE LAST ONE THAT HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO REACH THAT MAN FOR CHRIST BEFORE HIS TIME ON EARTH WAS NO MORE. LOST OPPORTUNITIES ARE HARD REGRETS TO CARRY. IF WE CARRY REGRETS LIKE THAT WE NEED TO TAKE THEM TO THE LORD AND REPENT FOR NOT DOING WHAT WE SHOULD OF , AND RECEIVE FORGIVENESS, AND THEN GRASP EVERY OPPORTUNITY THAT PRESENTS ITSELF TO US, AND MAKE THE MOST OF THE SITUATION FOR CHRIST. OPPORTUNITY IS A RESTLESS THING IT DEMANDS ATTENTION RIGHT NOW, OR IT DEPARTS.
GOD LOVES YOU AND HAS PROVIDED THE WAY TO ENTER INTO HIS FAMILY.
Passage John 3:16 KJV.
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.
GOD IS NOT COUNTING UP SINS
2 COR. 5:17-19 KJV.
17. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
18. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19. To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation
ROMANS 10:1,8-19,13 KJV.
Romans 10
1. Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.
8. But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
9. That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
13. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
ARE YOU SAVED OR ARE YOU NOT, AND DID YOU BASE THAT DECISION ON JESUS AND JESUS ALONE?
Question: "What is the Romans Road to salvation?"
Answer: The Romans Road to salvation is a way of explaining the good news of salvation using verses from the Book of Romans.
The first verse on the Romans Road to salvation is Romans 3:23, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." We have all sinned. We have all done things that are displeasing to God. There is no one who is innocent. The second Scripture on the Romans Road to salvation, Romans 6:23, teaches us about the consequences of sin - "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." The punishment that we have earned for our sin is death. Not just physical death, but eternal death!
The third verse on the Romans road to salvation picks up where Romans 6:23 left off, "but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 5:8 declares, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Jesus Christ died for us!
The fourth stop on the Romans road to salvation is Romans 10:9, "that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." Because of Jesus' death on our behalf, all we have to do is believe in Him, trusting His death as the payment for our sins - and we will be saved! Romans 10:13 says it again, "for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
YOU HEAR SOME SAY YOU HAVE TO STAY TILL YOU PRAY THROUGH, WELL THAT IS TRUE, ONLY ONCE YOU CONFESS HIM AS YOUR LORD AND SAVIOR YOU HAVE PRAYED THROUGH
ALL YOU NEED TO DO AFTER YOU REALIZE THAT YOU ARE A LOST SINNER AND NEED RECONCILED TO GOD IS TO SIMPLY SAY LORD JESUS I SEE I AM A LOST SINNER AND NEED YOU, AND I BELIEVE IN MY HEART THAT YOU DIED AND GOD RAISE YOU FROM THE DEAD FOR ME, AND I CONFESS YOU AS MY LORD AND SAVIOR, AND I GIVE MYSELF OVER TO YOU. I AM NOW ONE OF GOD’S CHILDREN...I AM NOW SAVED.. AMEN
Friday, March 14, 2008
FACING THE CROSS PT. 1
FACING THE CROSS ....New Living Translation Passage Jeremiah 29:11For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. King James Version Passage Romans 11:29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. Amplified Bible Passage Romans 11:29For God's gifts and His call are irrevocable. [He never withdraws them when once they are given, and He does not change His mind about those to whom He gives His grace or to whom He sends His call.] New Living Translation Passage Psalm 37:23 The Lord directs the steps of the godly.He delights in every detail of their lives. King James Version Passage Psalm 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. We all have been gifted and called to a destiny unique to each of us. If we or our gifts don’t seem to fit, then we are either out of step or in the wrong place. If that is the case we need to seek God’s wisdom and direction in our lives and get back on track. I have a joke that uses animals to illustrate this the difference being animals are in the wrong places many times because of men, and they can't do anything about their situation.. Camel Joke A mother and a baby camel are talking one day when the baby camel asks, " Mom , why have I got these three-toed feet?" The mother replies,"Well, son, when we trek across the desert your toes will help you to stay on top of the soft sand." "Ok,"said the son. A few minutes later the son asks, "Mom, why have I got these great long eyelashes?" " They are to keep the sand out of your eyes on those trips through the desert." "Thanks, Mom" replies the son. After a short while, the son returns and asks, "Mom, why have I got these great big humps on my back?" The Mother, now a little impatient with the boy, replies,"They are there to help us store fat for our long treks across the desert, so we can go without water for long periods." "That’s great , Mom. So we have huge feet to stop us from sinking, and long eyelashes to keep sand from our eyes, and these humps to store water, but Mom.." "Yes, son?" "Why are we in the San Diego zoo?" Sometimes we are like those camels. We are in the wrong place for the gifts and call on our lives. Not much the camels could do about it, however we can do something about our situation. Jesus came into this world gifted and called. His steps were ordered of the Lord. He had a race to run, goals to reach, before he went back to heaven, and on to his other ministries. He had many things to teach, reveal, and fulfill. The Last Supper was one of these steps in His race towards the Cross. There are four gospels. Not every event was recorded in all four. The events that are recorded in more than one will give us different views of the same event through the eyes of the recorder. Different things will stand out to each individual and they will record those things. The Last Supper was one of those events, which was recorded in all four gospels. We will never know, this side of heaven, what all took place that night, at that supper. This was the last time Jesus would have all the disciples together with him before the cross. Jesus had many things to teach and reveal to them that evening. Each writer speaks of the bread and the wine representing the broken body and blood of Jesus except John, however he recorded much more of what Jesus said that night, that the others did not record.. Many things took place that night and each writer also spoke of things that stood out to them. Just as tonight each of you here in this room will have different things which stand out to you. Same event seen through many different eyes and heard through many different ears. When we listen to and read about the event through many different people, we get a more rounded view of what took place. Let’s look at the night through the eyes, ears, and writings of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Jesus was teaching, revealing, and fulfilling scripture. Passage Matthew 26:17-54: 17Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover? 18And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples. 19And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover. 20Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve. 21And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. 22And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I? 23And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me. 24The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born. 25Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said. 26And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. 27And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; 28For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. 29But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom. 30And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. [ Matthew notes that they sang a hymn before they left to go to the mount of olives] 31Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. 32But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee. 33Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. 34Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. [ Jesus gave a word to them about how all of them would be offended because of Him.] 50. And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus and took him. 51. And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear. 52. Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. 53. Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? 54. But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be? [ also one of them sliced off the ear of the High Priest’s servant. And Jesus reveals that all of heaven is at His call. And that if he would make that call twelve legions of angels would come and defend him, however the scripture would go unfulfilled. So it must be so that He go to and through the cross.] ( These are some of the things that stood out to Matthew ) Passage Mark 14:15-31.47 (KJV.) 15. And he will shew you a large upper room furnished and prepared: there make ready for us. 16. And his disciples went forth, and came into the city, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover. 17. And in the evening he cometh with the twelve. 18. And as they sat and did eat, Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, One of you which eateth with me shall betray me. 19. And they began to be sorrowful, and to say unto him one by one, Is it I? and another said, Is it I? 20. And he answered and said unto them, It is one of the twelve, that dippeth with me in the dish. 21. The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had never been born. 22. And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body. 23. And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it. 24. And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many. 25. Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God. 26. And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. 27. And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered. 28. But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee. 29. But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I. 30. And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. 31. But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all. 47. And one of them that stood by drew a sword, and smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear. [ MARK pretty much follows Matthews account. ] Passage Luke 22:15-32: 15. And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: 16. For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. 17. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: 18. For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. 19. And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. 20. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you. 21. But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table. 22. And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed! 23. And they began to enquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing. (24. And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.) [ Luke picks up on some strife among the disciples as to which of them should be accounted the greatest] (25. And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. 26. But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. 27. For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.) [Jesus explained how Kings of the gentiles exercise lordship. How they exercise authority over the people. How it’s not to be so in the kingdom of God. The the Chief should be the servant.] 28. Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. 29And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; 30. That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (31. And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32. But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.) [ Luke gives us some more of what Jesus spoke to Peter that night,which Matthew left out.](51. And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him.) [Luke noticed that Jesus healed the servants ear that one of them cut off. He noticed the miracle of the healing Jesus worked. Matthew and Mark noticed the cutting off of the ear. Luke noticed the healing of the ear by Jesus.]
FACING THE CROSS PT. 2
FACING THE CROSS PT. 2
This was an eye and a heart opener as I was reading what John recorded about the goings on of the evening of the Last Supper. John chapter thirteen verse one until John chapter seventeen verse 26 are the things that stood out to John. Chapter 18 verse one they depart and go to the garden.
John 13
1. Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.
2. And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him;
3. Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;
(4. He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
5. After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
6. Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?
[7. Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. ]
8. Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.
9. Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.
10. Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.
11. For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.
12. So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?
13. Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
14. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's
feet.
15. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
16. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent
greater than he that sent him.
17. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.)
[We never see foot washing mentioned again. Never by any of the apostle’s or anyone else. Why? Because it was never intended to be a custom, but rather an example of serving the needs of others no matter the title of office you hold. It was to show us to be humble and serve, rather than demand to be served. We must be watchful that we don’t become high-minded and think we are the ultimate, and everyone should run to our beckon call and fulfill our needs and desires. In the world and sorry to say in the church world there are some also that as they gain notoriety, popularity, wealth, and a title, you see them change. They are riding in limo’s, and have people carry their bags, and people to do almost everything for them. Jesus was bringing this out the first thing after they ate supper, so it was very important. They key to being great, the key to being a leader, is being a servant. We should be looking for how we can serve and lift others up. As we do that God will have others looking to serve our needs as we give and serve others. It’s a sowing and reaping principal, as well as being humble. Jesus knowing that this will be his last time together with them tells them many things they will need to know. He starts with the example of being a servant so this must be very important and key to everything else. Let’s continue reading the rest of what John records happened and look at the amount of revelation Jesus shared that night.]
18. I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me.
19. Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he.
20. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
21. When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say
unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
22. Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake.
23. Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.
24. Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake.
25. He then lying on Jesus' breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it?
26. Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.
27. And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.
28. Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him.
29. For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor.
30. He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night.
31. Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him.
32. If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him.
33. Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you.
34. A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
35. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
36. Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards.
37. Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake.
38. Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.
John 14
1. Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2. In 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.
3. And 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.
4. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
5. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
6. Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
7. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him,
and have seen him.
8. Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us.
9. Jesus 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?
10. Believest 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.
11. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.
12. Verily, 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.
13. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
14. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
15. If ye love me, keep my commandments.
16. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
17. Even 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.
18. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
19. Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
20. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
21. He 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.
22. Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?
23. Jesus 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.
24. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.
25. These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.
26. 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.
27. 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.
28. 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.
29. And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.
30. Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.
31. 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 15
1. I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
2. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
3. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
4. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
5. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
6. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
7. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
8. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
9. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
10. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
11. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
12. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
13. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
14. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
15. 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.
16. 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.
17. These things I command you, that ye love one another.
18. If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
19. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
20. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
21. But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.
22. If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin.
23. He that hateth me hateth my Father also.
24. If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.
25. But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.
26. But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
27. And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.
John 16
1. These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.
2. They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.
3. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.
4. But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.
5. But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou?
6. But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.
7. Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
8. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
9. Of sin, because they believe not on me;
10. Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
11. Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
12. I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
13. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things
to come.
14. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
15. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
16. A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father.
17. Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father?
18. They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? we cannot tell what he saith.
19Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me?
20. Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.
21. A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.
22. And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.
23. And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.
24. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
25. These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father.
26. At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you:
27. For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.
28. I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.
29. His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb.
30. Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.
31. Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe?
32. Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
33. These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world
John 17
1. These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:
2. As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.
3. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
4. I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.
5. And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.
6. I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.
7. Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee.
8. For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.
9. I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.
10. And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.
11. And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.
12. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.
13. And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
14. I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
15. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
16. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
17. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
18. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.
19. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
20. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
21. That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
22. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
23. I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
24. Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.
25. O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.
26. And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.
John 18
1. When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples.
[Those chapters sure contained a huge amount of teaching and I have heard 100's of sermon topics that came from those chapters, but never realized till now that it was all spoken at the last supper.
This was an eye and a heart opener as I was reading what John recorded about the goings on of the evening of the Last Supper. John chapter thirteen verse one until John chapter seventeen verse 26 are the things that stood out to John. Chapter 18 verse one they depart and go to the garden.
John 13
1. Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.
2. And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him;
3. Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;
(4. He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
5. After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
6. Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?
[7. Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. ]
8. Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.
9. Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.
10. Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.
11. For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.
12. So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?
13. Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
14. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's
feet.
15. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
16. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent
greater than he that sent him.
17. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.)
[We never see foot washing mentioned again. Never by any of the apostle’s or anyone else. Why? Because it was never intended to be a custom, but rather an example of serving the needs of others no matter the title of office you hold. It was to show us to be humble and serve, rather than demand to be served. We must be watchful that we don’t become high-minded and think we are the ultimate, and everyone should run to our beckon call and fulfill our needs and desires. In the world and sorry to say in the church world there are some also that as they gain notoriety, popularity, wealth, and a title, you see them change. They are riding in limo’s, and have people carry their bags, and people to do almost everything for them. Jesus was bringing this out the first thing after they ate supper, so it was very important. They key to being great, the key to being a leader, is being a servant. We should be looking for how we can serve and lift others up. As we do that God will have others looking to serve our needs as we give and serve others. It’s a sowing and reaping principal, as well as being humble. Jesus knowing that this will be his last time together with them tells them many things they will need to know. He starts with the example of being a servant so this must be very important and key to everything else. Let’s continue reading the rest of what John records happened and look at the amount of revelation Jesus shared that night.]
18. I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me.
19. Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he.
20. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
21. When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say
unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
22. Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake.
23. Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.
24. Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake.
25. He then lying on Jesus' breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it?
26. Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.
27. And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.
28. Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him.
29. For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor.
30. He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night.
31. Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him.
32. If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him.
33. Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you.
34. A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
35. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
36. Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards.
37. Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake.
38. Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.
John 14
1. Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2. In 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.
3. And 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.
4. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
5. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
6. Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
7. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him,
and have seen him.
8. Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us.
9. Jesus 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?
10. Believest 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.
11. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.
12. Verily, 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.
13. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
14. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
15. If ye love me, keep my commandments.
16. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
17. Even 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.
18. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
19. Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
20. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
21. He 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.
22. Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?
23. Jesus 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.
24. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.
25. These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.
26. 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.
27. 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.
28. 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.
29. And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.
30. Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.
31. 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 15
1. I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
2. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
3. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
4. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
5. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
6. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
7. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
8. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
9. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
10. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
11. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
12. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
13. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
14. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
15. 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.
16. 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.
17. These things I command you, that ye love one another.
18. If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
19. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
20. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
21. But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.
22. If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin.
23. He that hateth me hateth my Father also.
24. If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.
25. But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.
26. But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
27. And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.
John 16
1. These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.
2. They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.
3. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.
4. But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.
5. But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou?
6. But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.
7. Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
8. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
9. Of sin, because they believe not on me;
10. Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
11. Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
12. I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
13. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things
to come.
14. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
15. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
16. A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father.
17. Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father?
18. They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? we cannot tell what he saith.
19Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me?
20. Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.
21. A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.
22. And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.
23. And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.
24. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
25. These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father.
26. At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you:
27. For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.
28. I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.
29. His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb.
30. Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.
31. Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe?
32. Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
33. These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world
John 17
1. These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:
2. As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.
3. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
4. I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.
5. And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.
6. I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.
7. Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee.
8. For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.
9. I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.
10. And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.
11. And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.
12. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.
13. And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
14. I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
15. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
16. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
17. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
18. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.
19. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
20. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
21. That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
22. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
23. I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
24. Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.
25. O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.
26. And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.
John 18
1. When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples.
[Those chapters sure contained a huge amount of teaching and I have heard 100's of sermon topics that came from those chapters, but never realized till now that it was all spoken at the last supper.
Monday, February 11, 2008
LOVE IS A WORD THAT IS TOSSED AROUND, BUT WHAT IS IT?
LOVE IS A WORD THAT IS TOSSED AROUND, BUT WHAT IS IT?
IN OUR AMERICAN LANGUAGE WE ARE SO LIMITED. WE SAY I LOVE PEANUT BUTTER, AND I LOVE YOU. IT’S THE SAME WORD BUT BETTER MEAN DIFFERENT THINGS. WE USE LIKE AND LOVE INTERCHANGEABLE AND IT DOESN’T WORK SO WELL. THERE IS A DIFFERENCE. IN THE GREEK THEY HAVE FOUR WORDS FOR LOVE WHICH GIVE A MORE CLEAR PICTURE .
1.Caritas (agapēe, αaγ?αaπpη?) is an unconditional love directed towards one's neighbor which is not dependent on any lovable qualities that the object of love possesses. Agape is the love that brings forth caring regardless of circumstance
2.Friendship (philia, φfι?λ?ι?αa) is a strong bond existing between people who share a common interest or activity
3.Affection (storge, σsτtο?ρ?γ?η?) is fondness through familiarity, especially between family members or people who have otherwise found themselves together by chance.
4.Eros (έ?ρ?ω?ς?) is love in the sense of 'being in love'.
Passage 1 John 4:7-8(KJV.)
7. Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
8. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
[LOVE: AFFECTION, UNEARNED OR UNMERITED FAVOR.]
1 Corinthians 13:1-8a.(KJV.)
1. Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
[TONGUES: LANGUAGE NATURALLY ACQUIRED OR UNNATURALLY ACQUIRED. THE TONGUE OF A TRIBE, A NATION, OR THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT OF SPEAKING IN ANOTHER LANGUAGE WITHOUT IT’S HAVING BEEN LEARNT.
MEN: HUMAN BEING, MALE OR FEMALE, OF ANY NATIONALITY.
ANGELS: MESSENGER- AN ANGEL OR BY IMPLICATION A PASTOR.]
2. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
[CHARITY: AFFECTION, UNEARNED OR UNMERITED FAVOR.]
3. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
[BURNED: TO LIGHT, TO SET FIRE, TO HAVE PASSION FOR.]
4. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
[ENVIETH: TO COVET OR DESIRE, TO WANT .
VAUNTETH: TO BOAST ONE’S SELF, OR GIVE A SELF DISPLAY.]
5. Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
[UNSEEMLY: INDECENT OR SHAMEFUL.]
6. Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7. Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
8.Charity never faileth:
Philippians 4:4-9 (KJV.)
4.Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.
5.Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
[MODERATION: DOING WHAT IS APPROPRIATE, MILD, REASONABLE, GENTLE, AND FAIR. NOT INSISTING ON THE LETTER OF THE LAW. SHOWING MERCY AND GRACE.]
6.Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
[CAREFUL: ANXIOUS, TAKING THOUGHT, OR DISTRACTING CARE.]
7.And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8.Finally, 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.
[VIRTUE:: IMPRESSIONS MADE ON OTHERS IN THE AREAS OF MORAL GOODNESS, EXCELLENCE.
9.Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
LET’S END WITH WHERE WE BEGAN.
Passage 1 John 4:7-8(KJV.)
7. Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
8. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
WE MUST WALK IN AND LIVE IN ALL THE CHARACTERISTICS OF OUR FATHER GOD WHOM IS LOVE. TURN AWAY FROM EVIL AND NEGATIVE THOUGHTS AND ACTIONS. DO NOT MAKE PEOPLE EARN YOUR LOVE, BUT RATHER GIVE IT FREELY WITH NO STRINGS OR CONDITIONS. GOD GAVE FREELY, AND SO MUST WE.
IN OUR AMERICAN LANGUAGE WE ARE SO LIMITED. WE SAY I LOVE PEANUT BUTTER, AND I LOVE YOU. IT’S THE SAME WORD BUT BETTER MEAN DIFFERENT THINGS. WE USE LIKE AND LOVE INTERCHANGEABLE AND IT DOESN’T WORK SO WELL. THERE IS A DIFFERENCE. IN THE GREEK THEY HAVE FOUR WORDS FOR LOVE WHICH GIVE A MORE CLEAR PICTURE .
1.Caritas (agapēe, αaγ?αaπpη?) is an unconditional love directed towards one's neighbor which is not dependent on any lovable qualities that the object of love possesses. Agape is the love that brings forth caring regardless of circumstance
2.Friendship (philia, φfι?λ?ι?αa) is a strong bond existing between people who share a common interest or activity
3.Affection (storge, σsτtο?ρ?γ?η?) is fondness through familiarity, especially between family members or people who have otherwise found themselves together by chance.
4.Eros (έ?ρ?ω?ς?) is love in the sense of 'being in love'.
Passage 1 John 4:7-8(KJV.)
7. Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
8. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
[LOVE: AFFECTION, UNEARNED OR UNMERITED FAVOR.]
1 Corinthians 13:1-8a.(KJV.)
1. Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
[TONGUES: LANGUAGE NATURALLY ACQUIRED OR UNNATURALLY ACQUIRED. THE TONGUE OF A TRIBE, A NATION, OR THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT OF SPEAKING IN ANOTHER LANGUAGE WITHOUT IT’S HAVING BEEN LEARNT.
MEN: HUMAN BEING, MALE OR FEMALE, OF ANY NATIONALITY.
ANGELS: MESSENGER- AN ANGEL OR BY IMPLICATION A PASTOR.]
2. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
[CHARITY: AFFECTION, UNEARNED OR UNMERITED FAVOR.]
3. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
[BURNED: TO LIGHT, TO SET FIRE, TO HAVE PASSION FOR.]
4. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
[ENVIETH: TO COVET OR DESIRE, TO WANT .
VAUNTETH: TO BOAST ONE’S SELF, OR GIVE A SELF DISPLAY.]
5. Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
[UNSEEMLY: INDECENT OR SHAMEFUL.]
6. Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7. Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
8.Charity never faileth:
Philippians 4:4-9 (KJV.)
4.Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.
5.Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
[MODERATION: DOING WHAT IS APPROPRIATE, MILD, REASONABLE, GENTLE, AND FAIR. NOT INSISTING ON THE LETTER OF THE LAW. SHOWING MERCY AND GRACE.]
6.Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
[CAREFUL: ANXIOUS, TAKING THOUGHT, OR DISTRACTING CARE.]
7.And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8.Finally, 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.
[VIRTUE:: IMPRESSIONS MADE ON OTHERS IN THE AREAS OF MORAL GOODNESS, EXCELLENCE.
9.Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
LET’S END WITH WHERE WE BEGAN.
Passage 1 John 4:7-8(KJV.)
7. Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
8. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
WE MUST WALK IN AND LIVE IN ALL THE CHARACTERISTICS OF OUR FATHER GOD WHOM IS LOVE. TURN AWAY FROM EVIL AND NEGATIVE THOUGHTS AND ACTIONS. DO NOT MAKE PEOPLE EARN YOUR LOVE, BUT RATHER GIVE IT FREELY WITH NO STRINGS OR CONDITIONS. GOD GAVE FREELY, AND SO MUST WE.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
OFF TUNE PART 2
OFF TUNE PT. 2
2 CORINTHIANS 4:13
We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;
NOTICE PAUL DIDN’T SAY WE’RE TRYING TO GET , OR WE’RE WORKING ON IT, NO!!! HE SAID WE HAVE IT.
There has been a misconception about Faith. Some have the idea that you float around with no problems, or troubles. What you need to know is that problems and troubles will come. The devil wants to knock the faith out of you. To go to the destiny God has for each of us, and to walk in God’s promises, and to stand in God’s blessings, we must maintain that Spirit of Faith. There will be a battle, however through Faith and God’s word we will stand victoriously.
Paul didn’t say we don’t have any troubles. Look at Second Corinthians 4:8.
We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
TROUBLED: pressured by circumstances.... Antagonism of persons
DISTRESSED: hemmed in
PERPLEXED: with out a way, without resources, at a loss, puzzled.
DESPAIR: utterly without a way, utterly without resources, not with abandonment of hope, not fully at a loss.
Paul was saying he was pressured on every side, yet not hemmed in, he was puzzled and to the natural eye and looked like there was no way and no resources, however not utterly without a way, or resources, for he not abandoned hope.
Some say if we have the Spirit of Faith that we shouldn’t have any trouble.
NOT so for troubles will come. A Pew warmer that doesn’t really do anything for God nor study His word may not have as much trouble come their way. Trouble comes to challenge the word in your heart. The Spirit of Faith is for people who want to be Giant Killers, mountain movers, kingdom expanders, city changers, nation changers, family changers, and devil crushers.
THERE ARE THREE KINDS OF PEOPLE.
1. PIONEERS: BELIEVE THERE’S SOMETHING JUST AHEAD. THAT THERE’S SOMETHING ON THE WAY. THAT THERE ARE SOME PLACES THEY’VE NEVER BEEN, AND SOME THINGS THEY’VE NEVER SEEN BEFORE. THAT THERE’S SOME PEOPLE THEY’VE NEVER SEEN BEFORE, AND SOME THINGS THAT NEED TO HAPPEN. THEY KEEP MOVING ONWARD AND BLAZING A TRAIL.
2. SETTLERS: THEY GO A WAYS STOP AND SETTLE THERE. NEVER GO ANY FARTHER. NO DESIRE TO LEARN OR GO DEEPER.
3. MUSEUM KEEPERS: ALWAYS WILLING TO DUST OFF THE MEMORIES OF THE PAST AND TALK ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED WAY BACK WHEN.
THINK ON THAT AND FIND WHICH ONE OF THE THREE CHOICES YOU FIT INTO.
In Second Corinthians 4:9 it says," Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed. "
We are persecuted but not alone, we are knocked down but not destroyed. One translation says we are knocked down but not knocked out.
PAUL COULD BE SHIPWRECKED, SNAKE BIT, BEATEN, AND LEFT FOR DEAD, AND THAN GET UP AND SAT THANKS BE UNTO GOD WHO ALWAYS CAUSES ME TO TRIUMPH IN CHRIST. THE SPIRIT OF FAITH ALWAYS SPEAKS THE DESIRED RESULT IN THE FACE OF CIRCUMSTANCES THAT SAY THE OPPOSITE. YOU MUST NOT FREAK OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF A MESS. YOU CAN NOT PLAY LET’S MAKE A DEAL ( I’LL DO THIS IF YOU DO THAT ). We don’t build up brownie points that we can trade in for help. God is not moved by needs, nor titles, nor good works. He is moved by faith. We must believe and therefore speak.
Hebrews 4
1Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.
2For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
3For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
One who believes will speak and be confident and trust the lord’s word. We then can enter into rest and not distress. You must remember you are the believer, and God is the performer. He will bring it to pass. So in the middle of adversity you can be relaxed, full of peace, full of joy.
I want to share a true story that may help you see more how faith works. It is called, "That cat did not get my bacon." A minister who was just starting to see the faith message about calling things that be not as though they are, however he was off tune, but God got him on track. He had gone out visiting congregation members. While at one members house he was given a nice side of bacon in a grocery sack. He put on the front seat and drove to the next members house parking the car out front and leaving the windows down as it was a warm day. These members had a cat, which was outside at the time. While he was inside the cat got into his car and ate the bacon. When the minister was coming back to the car he saw the cat jump out of the car window and run off. He got in the car and saw the bacon was gone. The minister said, I’ll tell you one thing I’m a faith person. As he drove down the road he started saying that cat did not get my bacon. That cat did not get my bacon. As he was going down the road say that the Holy Spirit spoke up in his heart and said, " who are you kidding", "That cat got your bacon." "Now you can believe me for some more bacon, because there is more bacon where that bacon came from, but that cat did get your bacon." He then saw what he had been doing. He was calling things that were as thought they were not. That was not faith it was a lie. He needed to be calling things that were not as though they were. He should have been saying that cat got my bacon, and Father I ask for some more bacon. I believe I have more bacon.
Anyone out there ever had a time when the cat got your bacon? The bacon is gone. You were full of faith, but now perplexed. You don’t have to be in despair God’s got more bacon.
2 CORINTHIANS 4:13
We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;
NOTICE PAUL DIDN’T SAY WE’RE TRYING TO GET , OR WE’RE WORKING ON IT, NO!!! HE SAID WE HAVE IT.
There has been a misconception about Faith. Some have the idea that you float around with no problems, or troubles. What you need to know is that problems and troubles will come. The devil wants to knock the faith out of you. To go to the destiny God has for each of us, and to walk in God’s promises, and to stand in God’s blessings, we must maintain that Spirit of Faith. There will be a battle, however through Faith and God’s word we will stand victoriously.
Paul didn’t say we don’t have any troubles. Look at Second Corinthians 4:8.
We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
TROUBLED: pressured by circumstances.... Antagonism of persons
DISTRESSED: hemmed in
PERPLEXED: with out a way, without resources, at a loss, puzzled.
DESPAIR: utterly without a way, utterly without resources, not with abandonment of hope, not fully at a loss.
Paul was saying he was pressured on every side, yet not hemmed in, he was puzzled and to the natural eye and looked like there was no way and no resources, however not utterly without a way, or resources, for he not abandoned hope.
Some say if we have the Spirit of Faith that we shouldn’t have any trouble.
NOT so for troubles will come. A Pew warmer that doesn’t really do anything for God nor study His word may not have as much trouble come their way. Trouble comes to challenge the word in your heart. The Spirit of Faith is for people who want to be Giant Killers, mountain movers, kingdom expanders, city changers, nation changers, family changers, and devil crushers.
THERE ARE THREE KINDS OF PEOPLE.
1. PIONEERS: BELIEVE THERE’S SOMETHING JUST AHEAD. THAT THERE’S SOMETHING ON THE WAY. THAT THERE ARE SOME PLACES THEY’VE NEVER BEEN, AND SOME THINGS THEY’VE NEVER SEEN BEFORE. THAT THERE’S SOME PEOPLE THEY’VE NEVER SEEN BEFORE, AND SOME THINGS THAT NEED TO HAPPEN. THEY KEEP MOVING ONWARD AND BLAZING A TRAIL.
2. SETTLERS: THEY GO A WAYS STOP AND SETTLE THERE. NEVER GO ANY FARTHER. NO DESIRE TO LEARN OR GO DEEPER.
3. MUSEUM KEEPERS: ALWAYS WILLING TO DUST OFF THE MEMORIES OF THE PAST AND TALK ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED WAY BACK WHEN.
THINK ON THAT AND FIND WHICH ONE OF THE THREE CHOICES YOU FIT INTO.
In Second Corinthians 4:9 it says," Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed. "
We are persecuted but not alone, we are knocked down but not destroyed. One translation says we are knocked down but not knocked out.
PAUL COULD BE SHIPWRECKED, SNAKE BIT, BEATEN, AND LEFT FOR DEAD, AND THAN GET UP AND SAT THANKS BE UNTO GOD WHO ALWAYS CAUSES ME TO TRIUMPH IN CHRIST. THE SPIRIT OF FAITH ALWAYS SPEAKS THE DESIRED RESULT IN THE FACE OF CIRCUMSTANCES THAT SAY THE OPPOSITE. YOU MUST NOT FREAK OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF A MESS. YOU CAN NOT PLAY LET’S MAKE A DEAL ( I’LL DO THIS IF YOU DO THAT ). We don’t build up brownie points that we can trade in for help. God is not moved by needs, nor titles, nor good works. He is moved by faith. We must believe and therefore speak.
Hebrews 4
1Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.
2For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
3For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
One who believes will speak and be confident and trust the lord’s word. We then can enter into rest and not distress. You must remember you are the believer, and God is the performer. He will bring it to pass. So in the middle of adversity you can be relaxed, full of peace, full of joy.
I want to share a true story that may help you see more how faith works. It is called, "That cat did not get my bacon." A minister who was just starting to see the faith message about calling things that be not as though they are, however he was off tune, but God got him on track. He had gone out visiting congregation members. While at one members house he was given a nice side of bacon in a grocery sack. He put on the front seat and drove to the next members house parking the car out front and leaving the windows down as it was a warm day. These members had a cat, which was outside at the time. While he was inside the cat got into his car and ate the bacon. When the minister was coming back to the car he saw the cat jump out of the car window and run off. He got in the car and saw the bacon was gone. The minister said, I’ll tell you one thing I’m a faith person. As he drove down the road he started saying that cat did not get my bacon. That cat did not get my bacon. As he was going down the road say that the Holy Spirit spoke up in his heart and said, " who are you kidding", "That cat got your bacon." "Now you can believe me for some more bacon, because there is more bacon where that bacon came from, but that cat did get your bacon." He then saw what he had been doing. He was calling things that were as thought they were not. That was not faith it was a lie. He needed to be calling things that were not as though they were. He should have been saying that cat got my bacon, and Father I ask for some more bacon. I believe I have more bacon.
Anyone out there ever had a time when the cat got your bacon? The bacon is gone. You were full of faith, but now perplexed. You don’t have to be in despair God’s got more bacon.
The Same Jesus, Church age, Anointing,Equipping,and Commission Pt. 1
PART 1
Same Jesus, Same Church, Same Anointing, Same Equipping, and Same Commission.
We have the same Jesus, and we are in the same church age, and we have the same anointing, and the same equipping, and the same commission as Peter, James, John, or Paul. So what keeps us from walking in the way they did? What keeps us from seeing the same kinds of miracles today that they saw? Why do so many of us perish, and are sickly? Why are so many of us in need? One word sums it up. That word is "Knowledge". The lack of it, or the rejecting of it.
What we don’t know, or what we do know and choose to reject, can hurt us. It can even cause us to die before our time. It can cause us to live a poor sickly terrible life. Knowledge used wisely can lift us up and cause us to live a more abundant life.
On December the 24th 1978 about noon time my sister lied about her horseback riding knowledge, and it cost her life as a result. When we were younger we owned a Shetland pony, which we rode a limited number of times. This day in 1978 she and her husband were out at a friends home in the country. This friend had a large horse and my sister wanted to take it for a ride. She was asked if she knew how to ride. Of course was her answer. She said, "I know how to ride." Every horse is different and if you have never ridden a particular horse, you must be ready for anything that can happen. Even on a familiar horse you must be ready for unexpected behavior from the horse. She didn’t have the knowledge or the experience to ride such a large powerful animal, or take control of the animal if it got out of hand. The friend believed she could ride and let her ride the horse. The horse bolted down the road, and made a sharp turn through an open gate into it’s favorite field. My sister wasn’t ready for this and fell off the horse hitting her head on a rock. She had 3 more rides to take. One was to the hospital in an ambulance. The second was a few hours later to the funeral home. The third was to the cemetery. She lost her life, because she did not have the knowledge she needed. Let us get the knowledge of our God, of our Savior, and of all his promises, so we don’t end up in dire straits without the answer we need, just as my sister did.
Hosea 4:6
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.
New Living Translation Passage Hebrews 2:14-18:
14 . Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. 15 Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.
16. We also know that the Son did not come to help angels; he came to help the descendants of Abraham. 17 Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people. 18 Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested.
Verse 18 in the King James says... For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted. Succour is a word that means to come to the aid of anyone that is tempted.
New Living Translation Passage Hebrews 4:14-16:
Christ Is Our High Priest
14. So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. 15 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. 16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
King James Version Passage 1 Corinthians 10:13
13. 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.
Escape: Exit to go out.
King James Version Passage 2 Peter 1:2-4:
2. Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
3. According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
4. Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
Lust: a strong overpowering desire for something.
James 1: 12-15
12. Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
13. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
14. But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
15. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
We find in James that a temptation is a strong desire in us that draws us away when enticed. We must control our desires and bring them into line with the word of God. If we have hidden desire in our heart the devil will tempt us and entice us trying to get us to sin. David hid the word in his heart that he might not sin. That is what we must do. Entice is a fishing term. Fishermen try to entice the fish to bite the bait. I went fishing with my dad in some old strip mining pits many years ago, and I watched my dad try to entice a huge bass to take the bait. A school of six huge bass came up into view, and my dad went frazzled trying to lure and entice them to bite. He used every lure in his tackle box to no avail. These fish didn’t get that big by falling for the lures of fishermen. My dad then used a live bait. It was a small fish called a rosy. It was a goldfish with a rose colored spot on it’s underside. A huge bass came up to it and was staring at it for a long time. It moved slowly in and opened it’s mouth. My dad wad going wild with anticipation. The bass sucked in the rosy and spit it out so fast that the bait was 4-5 feet away before my dad jerked the pole. The bass went down deep and later returned. Five of them were deep in the water but still very visible. One was up looking at the rosy again. It looked like he was going to go for it when all of a sudden the other five came up around the rosy and the first bass. They then turned and the one went off into the deep and the first bass followed. That showed me something else, which was that we need to be surrounded with good solid full of knowledge that can step in and help us in time of temptations and testing. Also that we need to be watching out friends and step in and help if we see a situation that could be a temptation or harmful to them and help them out.
In First Corinthians 10:13 We found out with every temptation the devil brings God has a way of escape for us. And in Second Peter 1:2-4 we find out that we are given all things that pertain to life and godliness, however that doesn’t just drop on us we have to do something to obtain everything that has to do with life and godliness. That is to get knowledge of Him that has called us to glory and virtue.
In that knowledge we find that in James 1:22 it says,"But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." There the knowledge is telling us we need to not only hear the knowledge but act on that knowledge.
When Jesus walked this earth, where ever he was, demons trembled, sickness, disease, death, lack, and needs were all powerless to stay. People were healed and needs met when Jesus came on the scene. The only place Jesus could do no mighty works was where offence and unbelief ( doubt ) was present.
Passage Mark 6 :1-6 KJV.
1. And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him.
2. And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?
3. Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.
4. But Jesus, said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.
5. And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.
6. And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.
Offended: to see in another what I disapprove of. And what hinders me from acknowledging his authority. To cause one to judge unfavorably or unjustly of another. To put a snare of stumbling block in the way of.
Unbelief: faithlessness, ( neg. ) Disbelief.
Teaching: to cause to learn, To effect learning. In effect to impart knowledge to.
What did Jesus do when he met this group of people so full of offence, unbelief, and doubt. He went about teaching... bringing knowledge to them.
THERE IS A LOT IN THIS PASSAGE OF SCRIPTURE THAT GETS PASSED OVER AND IS VERY IMPORTANT, SO I WILL GO INTO IT DEEPER IN MY NEXT POSTING AS PART 2.
Same Jesus, Same Church, Same Anointing, Same Equipping, and Same Commission.
We have the same Jesus, and we are in the same church age, and we have the same anointing, and the same equipping, and the same commission as Peter, James, John, or Paul. So what keeps us from walking in the way they did? What keeps us from seeing the same kinds of miracles today that they saw? Why do so many of us perish, and are sickly? Why are so many of us in need? One word sums it up. That word is "Knowledge". The lack of it, or the rejecting of it.
What we don’t know, or what we do know and choose to reject, can hurt us. It can even cause us to die before our time. It can cause us to live a poor sickly terrible life. Knowledge used wisely can lift us up and cause us to live a more abundant life.
On December the 24th 1978 about noon time my sister lied about her horseback riding knowledge, and it cost her life as a result. When we were younger we owned a Shetland pony, which we rode a limited number of times. This day in 1978 she and her husband were out at a friends home in the country. This friend had a large horse and my sister wanted to take it for a ride. She was asked if she knew how to ride. Of course was her answer. She said, "I know how to ride." Every horse is different and if you have never ridden a particular horse, you must be ready for anything that can happen. Even on a familiar horse you must be ready for unexpected behavior from the horse. She didn’t have the knowledge or the experience to ride such a large powerful animal, or take control of the animal if it got out of hand. The friend believed she could ride and let her ride the horse. The horse bolted down the road, and made a sharp turn through an open gate into it’s favorite field. My sister wasn’t ready for this and fell off the horse hitting her head on a rock. She had 3 more rides to take. One was to the hospital in an ambulance. The second was a few hours later to the funeral home. The third was to the cemetery. She lost her life, because she did not have the knowledge she needed. Let us get the knowledge of our God, of our Savior, and of all his promises, so we don’t end up in dire straits without the answer we need, just as my sister did.
Hosea 4:6
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.
New Living Translation Passage Hebrews 2:14-18:
14 . Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. 15 Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.
16. We also know that the Son did not come to help angels; he came to help the descendants of Abraham. 17 Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people. 18 Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested.
Verse 18 in the King James says... For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted. Succour is a word that means to come to the aid of anyone that is tempted.
New Living Translation Passage Hebrews 4:14-16:
Christ Is Our High Priest
14. So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. 15 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. 16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
King James Version Passage 1 Corinthians 10:13
13. 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.
Escape: Exit to go out.
King James Version Passage 2 Peter 1:2-4:
2. Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
3. According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
4. Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
Lust: a strong overpowering desire for something.
James 1: 12-15
12. Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
13. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
14. But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
15. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
We find in James that a temptation is a strong desire in us that draws us away when enticed. We must control our desires and bring them into line with the word of God. If we have hidden desire in our heart the devil will tempt us and entice us trying to get us to sin. David hid the word in his heart that he might not sin. That is what we must do. Entice is a fishing term. Fishermen try to entice the fish to bite the bait. I went fishing with my dad in some old strip mining pits many years ago, and I watched my dad try to entice a huge bass to take the bait. A school of six huge bass came up into view, and my dad went frazzled trying to lure and entice them to bite. He used every lure in his tackle box to no avail. These fish didn’t get that big by falling for the lures of fishermen. My dad then used a live bait. It was a small fish called a rosy. It was a goldfish with a rose colored spot on it’s underside. A huge bass came up to it and was staring at it for a long time. It moved slowly in and opened it’s mouth. My dad wad going wild with anticipation. The bass sucked in the rosy and spit it out so fast that the bait was 4-5 feet away before my dad jerked the pole. The bass went down deep and later returned. Five of them were deep in the water but still very visible. One was up looking at the rosy again. It looked like he was going to go for it when all of a sudden the other five came up around the rosy and the first bass. They then turned and the one went off into the deep and the first bass followed. That showed me something else, which was that we need to be surrounded with good solid full of knowledge that can step in and help us in time of temptations and testing. Also that we need to be watching out friends and step in and help if we see a situation that could be a temptation or harmful to them and help them out.
In First Corinthians 10:13 We found out with every temptation the devil brings God has a way of escape for us. And in Second Peter 1:2-4 we find out that we are given all things that pertain to life and godliness, however that doesn’t just drop on us we have to do something to obtain everything that has to do with life and godliness. That is to get knowledge of Him that has called us to glory and virtue.
In that knowledge we find that in James 1:22 it says,"But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." There the knowledge is telling us we need to not only hear the knowledge but act on that knowledge.
When Jesus walked this earth, where ever he was, demons trembled, sickness, disease, death, lack, and needs were all powerless to stay. People were healed and needs met when Jesus came on the scene. The only place Jesus could do no mighty works was where offence and unbelief ( doubt ) was present.
Passage Mark 6 :1-6 KJV.
1. And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him.
2. And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?
3. Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.
4. But Jesus, said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.
5. And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.
6. And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.
Offended: to see in another what I disapprove of. And what hinders me from acknowledging his authority. To cause one to judge unfavorably or unjustly of another. To put a snare of stumbling block in the way of.
Unbelief: faithlessness, ( neg. ) Disbelief.
Teaching: to cause to learn, To effect learning. In effect to impart knowledge to.
What did Jesus do when he met this group of people so full of offence, unbelief, and doubt. He went about teaching... bringing knowledge to them.
THERE IS A LOT IN THIS PASSAGE OF SCRIPTURE THAT GETS PASSED OVER AND IS VERY IMPORTANT, SO I WILL GO INTO IT DEEPER IN MY NEXT POSTING AS PART 2.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
OFF TUNE PART 1
OFF TUNE
2nd Timothy 2:15
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Passage 2 Timothy 2:15 New Living Translation
Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.
In this room There are hundreds of voices talking. Radio, Tv, and micro wave. Do you hear them? NO.
You need a radio, Tv, or micro-wave receiver to tune them in. When you turn a radio on and you hear nothing or static do you think it is broken or the station is not transmitting? No you start turning the tuning dial or digital tuning button to pull in a station. There all kinds of formats like news, country music, bluegrass, gospel, and you choose which one to listen too. Some stations have a mix. Some stations you don’t want to listen too.
The Bible has many subjects that we need to tune in to, and the devil has many voices out there trying to capture our attention and distract us away from the word, and take us down a path to destruction.
This Bible tunes us into Guidance, direction, health, healing, deliverance, protection, provision , and much more. The devil is out there slinging Mis-direction, confusion, sickness, snares, lack, poverty, doctrines and traditions that are contrary to the Word, but taken as gospel fact. We need to know the difference, the real truth, and tune in and walk in God’s truth.
FAITH is a mis-understood subject that has many voices out there. What faith is, and how faith works are subjects that have been taught wrong and even when taught right some have not paid earnest heed, and only grasp it in part, and went off teaching, believing, and walking it in error.
FIRST faith calls things that be not as though they were. It does not call things that are as though they are not. Faith calls the unseen into reality. Faith does not call seen things as though they are not there.
Faith Operates on absolute truth. Faith off tune just a little becomes a lie.
I was in a church once and a person with a cold was there. Someone said do you have a cold and they said no I do not for I walk in divine health. They thought that was faith, however it was a lie. They had a cold. They were calling something that was as though it was not and that is a lie. The fact is Jesus did pay the price for their health and healing but they were not in possession of that health at the moment. They should have said yes I do have a cold, however Jesus took stripe so I have be healed and by His stripes I am healed. That is calling that is not as though it were and it shall come to pass. Let’s look at what Paul said and what David said.
2nd Cor. 4:13
We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;
Paul was quoting David from Psalm 116 David was in the middle of trouble and affliction. He said death compassed him. In the middle of this David called on the Lord to deliver him. Nothing has changed in the natural yet.
Then David made this statement in Ps. 116:1-10
1. I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.
2. Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.
3. The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.
4. Then called I upon the name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.
5. Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful.
6. The LORD preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me.
7. Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee.
8. For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.
9. I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.
10. I believed, therefore have I spoken: I was greatly afflicted:
David said God had delivered his soul from death, his eyes from tears, and his feet from falling, and that he would walk before the lord in the land of the living. He then said I have believed therefore have I spoken. The spirit of faith believes and speaks how it ought to be rather than how it is and then the Lord brings it into reality and changes the circumstances. Faith changes things that are seen by believing and speaking things that are not seen as tho they were, and they will be. Faith is an attitude that says this is the way it is. People that do not understand faith will look at you like you are crazy, and may say,"Who do you think you are ?" They may take your " I believe therefore I speak" as arrogance . David acknowledged the mess he was in then spoke what he wanted the outcome to be. David had this spirit of faith early on. David believed his God. He believed Gods protection, his deliverance, and his blessing was on him. He did not believe it was god’s will to hurt or destroy him, or make him sick, or that you just don’t know what God will do. No he believed God would do exactly as he says he will do with no shadow of turning. He believed in the God of victory and deliverance and provision, for every circumstance that comes your way. David was a young lad tending sheep when his father came and sent him out to the battle with some food for his brothers and the captain of their troop. David’s elder brothers were with the army facing the Philistines and Goliath. 1st Sam. 17 tells the account of this battle. While David was there he heard Goliath come out and rail against the army of God, and he saw no one step up to silence him. He also heard the men speaking of a reward that Saul was offering to the man who would kill Goliath. David’s oldest brother started to get mad when he heard David speaking with the men about the reward. He had words with David and ask him why did you come and who is watching those few sheep? He told David I know your pride and naughtiness of heart you just came to watch the battle. ( what battle they were all afraid and cowering from this Goliath) His brother was ashamed of what David was witnessing. He was trying to drive David away so he would not see they were doing nothing but hiding. People will always try to stop you especially if they are doing nothing. You must turn away from the detractors and distractions and go on with your life and destiny. David said what have I done? Is there not a cause? Then he turned from his brother and began talking with the men again as to what Saul would give the man who would stop Goliath. David did not look like a warrior. He was not huge, nor strong, nor a seasoned soldier, he was but a teenager.
David said he would silence this un-circumcised Philistine. No one thought he would stand a chance with Goliath, however he made his case in front of King Saul. He told of how he slew a bear and a lion and this un-circumcised Philistine would be as one of then seeing he has defied the armies of God. Saul finally was persuaded to let him try. Sometimes people will start to agree with you , however they want you to do it their way. Saul equipped David with his own personal armor and weapons which were to cumbersome and heavy and unproved for and by David. David used his sling which he was use to . You must use what God has equipped you with, rather than what another person wants you to use. Goliath tried to harass David with his words, but David then told goliath just how it was going to be. Goliath never had anyone talk back to him before. You can not allow the devil to speak and let it go unanswered. David believed and therefore he spoke and it became so. Never run at your giant with your mouth shut. The spirit of faith believes and speaks. It declares the outcome in the middle of adversity. It is so strong it will aggravate those weak in faith. They will say you are arrogant, or a smarty pants. Confidence is the attitude of the spirit of faith.
Joshua and Caleb had a spirit of faith. They said let us go up at once and possess it, for we are well able. They believed therefore they spoke.
2nd Timothy 2:15
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Passage 2 Timothy 2:15 New Living Translation
Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.
In this room There are hundreds of voices talking. Radio, Tv, and micro wave. Do you hear them? NO.
You need a radio, Tv, or micro-wave receiver to tune them in. When you turn a radio on and you hear nothing or static do you think it is broken or the station is not transmitting? No you start turning the tuning dial or digital tuning button to pull in a station. There all kinds of formats like news, country music, bluegrass, gospel, and you choose which one to listen too. Some stations have a mix. Some stations you don’t want to listen too.
The Bible has many subjects that we need to tune in to, and the devil has many voices out there trying to capture our attention and distract us away from the word, and take us down a path to destruction.
This Bible tunes us into Guidance, direction, health, healing, deliverance, protection, provision , and much more. The devil is out there slinging Mis-direction, confusion, sickness, snares, lack, poverty, doctrines and traditions that are contrary to the Word, but taken as gospel fact. We need to know the difference, the real truth, and tune in and walk in God’s truth.
FAITH is a mis-understood subject that has many voices out there. What faith is, and how faith works are subjects that have been taught wrong and even when taught right some have not paid earnest heed, and only grasp it in part, and went off teaching, believing, and walking it in error.
FIRST faith calls things that be not as though they were. It does not call things that are as though they are not. Faith calls the unseen into reality. Faith does not call seen things as though they are not there.
Faith Operates on absolute truth. Faith off tune just a little becomes a lie.
I was in a church once and a person with a cold was there. Someone said do you have a cold and they said no I do not for I walk in divine health. They thought that was faith, however it was a lie. They had a cold. They were calling something that was as though it was not and that is a lie. The fact is Jesus did pay the price for their health and healing but they were not in possession of that health at the moment. They should have said yes I do have a cold, however Jesus took stripe so I have be healed and by His stripes I am healed. That is calling that is not as though it were and it shall come to pass. Let’s look at what Paul said and what David said.
2nd Cor. 4:13
We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;
Paul was quoting David from Psalm 116 David was in the middle of trouble and affliction. He said death compassed him. In the middle of this David called on the Lord to deliver him. Nothing has changed in the natural yet.
Then David made this statement in Ps. 116:1-10
1. I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.
2. Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.
3. The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.
4. Then called I upon the name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.
5. Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful.
6. The LORD preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me.
7. Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee.
8. For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.
9. I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.
10. I believed, therefore have I spoken: I was greatly afflicted:
David said God had delivered his soul from death, his eyes from tears, and his feet from falling, and that he would walk before the lord in the land of the living. He then said I have believed therefore have I spoken. The spirit of faith believes and speaks how it ought to be rather than how it is and then the Lord brings it into reality and changes the circumstances. Faith changes things that are seen by believing and speaking things that are not seen as tho they were, and they will be. Faith is an attitude that says this is the way it is. People that do not understand faith will look at you like you are crazy, and may say,"Who do you think you are ?" They may take your " I believe therefore I speak" as arrogance . David acknowledged the mess he was in then spoke what he wanted the outcome to be. David had this spirit of faith early on. David believed his God. He believed Gods protection, his deliverance, and his blessing was on him. He did not believe it was god’s will to hurt or destroy him, or make him sick, or that you just don’t know what God will do. No he believed God would do exactly as he says he will do with no shadow of turning. He believed in the God of victory and deliverance and provision, for every circumstance that comes your way. David was a young lad tending sheep when his father came and sent him out to the battle with some food for his brothers and the captain of their troop. David’s elder brothers were with the army facing the Philistines and Goliath. 1st Sam. 17 tells the account of this battle. While David was there he heard Goliath come out and rail against the army of God, and he saw no one step up to silence him. He also heard the men speaking of a reward that Saul was offering to the man who would kill Goliath. David’s oldest brother started to get mad when he heard David speaking with the men about the reward. He had words with David and ask him why did you come and who is watching those few sheep? He told David I know your pride and naughtiness of heart you just came to watch the battle. ( what battle they were all afraid and cowering from this Goliath) His brother was ashamed of what David was witnessing. He was trying to drive David away so he would not see they were doing nothing but hiding. People will always try to stop you especially if they are doing nothing. You must turn away from the detractors and distractions and go on with your life and destiny. David said what have I done? Is there not a cause? Then he turned from his brother and began talking with the men again as to what Saul would give the man who would stop Goliath. David did not look like a warrior. He was not huge, nor strong, nor a seasoned soldier, he was but a teenager.
David said he would silence this un-circumcised Philistine. No one thought he would stand a chance with Goliath, however he made his case in front of King Saul. He told of how he slew a bear and a lion and this un-circumcised Philistine would be as one of then seeing he has defied the armies of God. Saul finally was persuaded to let him try. Sometimes people will start to agree with you , however they want you to do it their way. Saul equipped David with his own personal armor and weapons which were to cumbersome and heavy and unproved for and by David. David used his sling which he was use to . You must use what God has equipped you with, rather than what another person wants you to use. Goliath tried to harass David with his words, but David then told goliath just how it was going to be. Goliath never had anyone talk back to him before. You can not allow the devil to speak and let it go unanswered. David believed and therefore he spoke and it became so. Never run at your giant with your mouth shut. The spirit of faith believes and speaks. It declares the outcome in the middle of adversity. It is so strong it will aggravate those weak in faith. They will say you are arrogant, or a smarty pants. Confidence is the attitude of the spirit of faith.
Joshua and Caleb had a spirit of faith. They said let us go up at once and possess it, for we are well able. They believed therefore they spoke.
Monday, December 10, 2007
COLLATERAL DAMAGE OR COLLATERAL BLESSING
COLLATERAL DAMAGE OR COLLATERAL BLESSING
WHICH DO YOU BRING WITH YOU?
COLLATERAL: RUNNING SIDE BY SIDE OR PARALLEL
DAMAGE: INJURY TO A PERSON ( SPIRIT, SOUL, BODY, FINANCIALLY, OR SOCIALLY, OR PROPERTY
BLESSING: BENEFITS NOT EARNED
WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH THE GREATEST BLESSING EVER GIVEN?
LET’S LOOK AT THAT BLESSING. THE GREATEST BLESSING EVER GIVEN WAS RECORDED IN LUKE 2: 1-15
Luke 2:1-15
1. And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
2. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5. To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
THE FUTURE AND DESTINY OF MANKIND ( THE HUMAN RACE ) WAS LAYING IN A MANGER WRAPPED IN SWADDLING CLOTHES. JESUS WAS AND IS THE ANSWER TO ALL MANKIND’S PROBLEMS. HE RESTORED OUR FELLOWSHIP WITH THE FATHER GOD. HE SHOWED US WHAT THE FATHER WAS LIKE.
Passage Acts 10:38
38. How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
Passage Luke 4:18-19
18. The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
19. To preach the acceptable year of the Lord
[ NOTICE HE DID NOT SAY A FEW OF OR SOME OF BUT HE SAID (THE) AS IN ALL OF THEM, AND (THEM THAT ARE ) AS IN ALL THAT ARE BRUISED. HE LEFT NO ONE OUT.
JESUS WAS A BLESSING FROM BIRTH
Passage Luke 23:46
46. And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.
Passage Luke 24:6-8
6. He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,
7. Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.
8. And they remembered his words,
Passage John 3:16
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.
THROUGH DEATH AND RESURRECTION HE REMAINS A BLESSING
HE THEN COMMISSIONS US TO GO AND BE A BLESSING.
Passage Mark 16:15-18
15. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
17. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18. They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
Passage Acts 3:19
19. Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.
BLOTTED OUT: TO OBLITERATE, ERASE
COLOSIANS 2:13-15
13. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
14. Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
15. And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
HE ERASED FOREVER THE ORDINANCES AGAINST US
Passage Isaiah 43:25:
25. I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.
Ephesians 5:1
1. Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
WE ARE TO BE LIKE HIM TO ERASE PEOPLES PAST AND NOT REMEMBER IT AGAINST THEM ANYMORE.
THE GREATEST BLESSING OF ALL TIME CAME TO RESTORE US TO AND SHOW US THE FATHER. WE ARE TO LIVE OUR LIVES IMITATING THE FATHER AS DEAR CHILDREN. ( THE WORD FOLLOWERS LITERAL MEANING IS IMITATE ) THERE ARE MANY PLACES LOST PEOPLE GATHER TO HAVE FUN AND ENJOY WHAT THEY CALL LIFE. SOME GOOD AND SOME BAD. BOWLING ALLEYS, POOL HALLS, SWIMMING POOLS, DANCES, MOVIES, BARS, CLUBS , GROUPS, RIDING AROUND, THEME PARKS LIKE SILVER DOLLAR CITY, AND ETC. I WAS LIKE EVERY OTHER LOST SOUL GROWING UP. I DID WHAT I COULD TO HAVE FUN AND LIVE LIFE. THERE WERE SOME PEOPLE THAT HAD PROBLEMS WITH OTHERS AND A FEW THAT HELD GRUDGES, HOWEVER IN MY OBSERVATIONS AS I REFLECT I HAVE NEVER SEEN SO MANY PEOPLE HOLDING PEOPLE TO THE SINS OF THEIR PAST AS I HAVE SEEN "CHRISTIANS" DOING IT. I CAN ONLY USE EXAMPLES THAT I KNOW ARE TRUE , I WILL NOT MAKE ANY UP AND I WILL NOT USE THE NAMES OF THE PEOPLE IN MY EXAMPLES. THEY TALK ABOUT WHAT THOSE PEOPLE DID YEARS AND DECADES AGO. THE SAD THING IS AS PROFESSING CHRISTIANS WE ARE NOT TO DO THAT. MANY ARE HOLDING PEOPLE TO THEIR PAST AND MOST OF THEM HAVE GIVEN IT TO THE LORD AND BEEN FORGIVEN AND GONE ON. THEY DON’T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH IT ANY MORE. AND IF THEY HAVEN’T GIVEN IT TO THE LORD IT STILL ISN’T ANYONE’S PLACE TO HOLD THEM TO IT. IT’S THE PLACE OF THE TRUE CHRISTIAN TO RESTORE THE ONE WHO’S MISSING THE MARK IN LOVE. THE PROBLEM IS WITHIN THE ONE HOLDING THE OTHER ONE TO THEIR PAST.
REMINDS ME OF A STORY ABOUT TWO MONKS WALKING ONE DAY. AS THEY APPROACHED A STREAM THERE WAS A LADY STANDING THERE TRYING TO FIND A WAY TO CROSS. THE OLDER MONK OFFERED TO CARRY HER ACROSS. SHE ACCEPTED THE OFFER, AND HE CARRIED HER ACROSS AND SET HER DOWN ON THE OTHER SIDE. THE MONKS WENT ON BACK TO THE MONASTERY . LATER THE ON THAT EVENING THE YOUNGER MONK SAID TO THE OLDER ONE, WE TOOK A VOW TO NOT TOUCH A WOMAN YET YOU CARRIED A WOMAN ACROSS THE STREAM. THE OLDER ONE SAYS IT IS NOT ME WITH THE PROBLEM, FOR I PUT HER DOWN ON THE OTHER SIDE AND WENT MY WAY. IT IS YOU WITH THE PROBLEM FOR YOU ARE STILL CARRYING HER IN YOUR MIND. THAT WAS AN ILLUSTRATION. NOW FOR A TRUE EXAMPLE THE NAMES HAVE BEEN CHANGED TO PROTECT THE GUILTY. WELL LIKE I SAID I WON’T USE NAMES. COUNTLESS TIMES I’VE HEARD A CERTAIN PERSON’S NAME MENTIONED AND THEN THE SAME PERSON ALWAYS SAYS, " NOW IS THAT THE WOMAN THAT HAD A CHILD OUT OF WEDLOCK?" THE CHILD OF THAT WOMAN IS NOW OVER 30 YEARS OLD, AND YET THIS ONE PERSON IS STILL HOLDING HER TO HER PAST. WHY DO PEOPLE DO THAT? SOME SAY THINGS LIKE THAT TO GIVE THEMSELVES A SENSE OF BEING ABOVE OR BETTER IN COMPARISON , ALL THE TIME THEY ARE BEING SELF-RIGHTEOUS AND SINNING IN THEIR ACTIONS. THERE IS ONLY ONE PERSON WE ARE TO JUDGE AND THAT IS OURSELVES. THERE IS ONLY ONE FOR US TO COMPARE OURSELVES TO AND THAT IS JESUS. IF WE JUDGE OTHERS WE WILL BE JUDGED. IF WE SHOW MERCY WE WILL RECEIVE MERCY.
WHICH DO YOU BRING WITH YOU?
COLLATERAL: RUNNING SIDE BY SIDE OR PARALLEL
DAMAGE: INJURY TO A PERSON ( SPIRIT, SOUL, BODY, FINANCIALLY, OR SOCIALLY, OR PROPERTY
BLESSING: BENEFITS NOT EARNED
WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH THE GREATEST BLESSING EVER GIVEN?
LET’S LOOK AT THAT BLESSING. THE GREATEST BLESSING EVER GIVEN WAS RECORDED IN LUKE 2: 1-15
Luke 2:1-15
1. And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
2. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5. To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
THE FUTURE AND DESTINY OF MANKIND ( THE HUMAN RACE ) WAS LAYING IN A MANGER WRAPPED IN SWADDLING CLOTHES. JESUS WAS AND IS THE ANSWER TO ALL MANKIND’S PROBLEMS. HE RESTORED OUR FELLOWSHIP WITH THE FATHER GOD. HE SHOWED US WHAT THE FATHER WAS LIKE.
Passage Acts 10:38
38. How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
Passage Luke 4:18-19
18. The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
19. To preach the acceptable year of the Lord
[ NOTICE HE DID NOT SAY A FEW OF OR SOME OF BUT HE SAID (THE) AS IN ALL OF THEM, AND (THEM THAT ARE ) AS IN ALL THAT ARE BRUISED. HE LEFT NO ONE OUT.
JESUS WAS A BLESSING FROM BIRTH
Passage Luke 23:46
46. And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.
Passage Luke 24:6-8
6. He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,
7. Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.
8. And they remembered his words,
Passage John 3:16
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.
THROUGH DEATH AND RESURRECTION HE REMAINS A BLESSING
HE THEN COMMISSIONS US TO GO AND BE A BLESSING.
Passage Mark 16:15-18
15. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
17. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18. They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
Passage Acts 3:19
19. Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.
BLOTTED OUT: TO OBLITERATE, ERASE
COLOSIANS 2:13-15
13. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
14. Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
15. And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
HE ERASED FOREVER THE ORDINANCES AGAINST US
Passage Isaiah 43:25:
25. I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.
Ephesians 5:1
1. Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
WE ARE TO BE LIKE HIM TO ERASE PEOPLES PAST AND NOT REMEMBER IT AGAINST THEM ANYMORE.
THE GREATEST BLESSING OF ALL TIME CAME TO RESTORE US TO AND SHOW US THE FATHER. WE ARE TO LIVE OUR LIVES IMITATING THE FATHER AS DEAR CHILDREN. ( THE WORD FOLLOWERS LITERAL MEANING IS IMITATE ) THERE ARE MANY PLACES LOST PEOPLE GATHER TO HAVE FUN AND ENJOY WHAT THEY CALL LIFE. SOME GOOD AND SOME BAD. BOWLING ALLEYS, POOL HALLS, SWIMMING POOLS, DANCES, MOVIES, BARS, CLUBS , GROUPS, RIDING AROUND, THEME PARKS LIKE SILVER DOLLAR CITY, AND ETC. I WAS LIKE EVERY OTHER LOST SOUL GROWING UP. I DID WHAT I COULD TO HAVE FUN AND LIVE LIFE. THERE WERE SOME PEOPLE THAT HAD PROBLEMS WITH OTHERS AND A FEW THAT HELD GRUDGES, HOWEVER IN MY OBSERVATIONS AS I REFLECT I HAVE NEVER SEEN SO MANY PEOPLE HOLDING PEOPLE TO THE SINS OF THEIR PAST AS I HAVE SEEN "CHRISTIANS" DOING IT. I CAN ONLY USE EXAMPLES THAT I KNOW ARE TRUE , I WILL NOT MAKE ANY UP AND I WILL NOT USE THE NAMES OF THE PEOPLE IN MY EXAMPLES. THEY TALK ABOUT WHAT THOSE PEOPLE DID YEARS AND DECADES AGO. THE SAD THING IS AS PROFESSING CHRISTIANS WE ARE NOT TO DO THAT. MANY ARE HOLDING PEOPLE TO THEIR PAST AND MOST OF THEM HAVE GIVEN IT TO THE LORD AND BEEN FORGIVEN AND GONE ON. THEY DON’T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH IT ANY MORE. AND IF THEY HAVEN’T GIVEN IT TO THE LORD IT STILL ISN’T ANYONE’S PLACE TO HOLD THEM TO IT. IT’S THE PLACE OF THE TRUE CHRISTIAN TO RESTORE THE ONE WHO’S MISSING THE MARK IN LOVE. THE PROBLEM IS WITHIN THE ONE HOLDING THE OTHER ONE TO THEIR PAST.
REMINDS ME OF A STORY ABOUT TWO MONKS WALKING ONE DAY. AS THEY APPROACHED A STREAM THERE WAS A LADY STANDING THERE TRYING TO FIND A WAY TO CROSS. THE OLDER MONK OFFERED TO CARRY HER ACROSS. SHE ACCEPTED THE OFFER, AND HE CARRIED HER ACROSS AND SET HER DOWN ON THE OTHER SIDE. THE MONKS WENT ON BACK TO THE MONASTERY . LATER THE ON THAT EVENING THE YOUNGER MONK SAID TO THE OLDER ONE, WE TOOK A VOW TO NOT TOUCH A WOMAN YET YOU CARRIED A WOMAN ACROSS THE STREAM. THE OLDER ONE SAYS IT IS NOT ME WITH THE PROBLEM, FOR I PUT HER DOWN ON THE OTHER SIDE AND WENT MY WAY. IT IS YOU WITH THE PROBLEM FOR YOU ARE STILL CARRYING HER IN YOUR MIND. THAT WAS AN ILLUSTRATION. NOW FOR A TRUE EXAMPLE THE NAMES HAVE BEEN CHANGED TO PROTECT THE GUILTY. WELL LIKE I SAID I WON’T USE NAMES. COUNTLESS TIMES I’VE HEARD A CERTAIN PERSON’S NAME MENTIONED AND THEN THE SAME PERSON ALWAYS SAYS, " NOW IS THAT THE WOMAN THAT HAD A CHILD OUT OF WEDLOCK?" THE CHILD OF THAT WOMAN IS NOW OVER 30 YEARS OLD, AND YET THIS ONE PERSON IS STILL HOLDING HER TO HER PAST. WHY DO PEOPLE DO THAT? SOME SAY THINGS LIKE THAT TO GIVE THEMSELVES A SENSE OF BEING ABOVE OR BETTER IN COMPARISON , ALL THE TIME THEY ARE BEING SELF-RIGHTEOUS AND SINNING IN THEIR ACTIONS. THERE IS ONLY ONE PERSON WE ARE TO JUDGE AND THAT IS OURSELVES. THERE IS ONLY ONE FOR US TO COMPARE OURSELVES TO AND THAT IS JESUS. IF WE JUDGE OTHERS WE WILL BE JUDGED. IF WE SHOW MERCY WE WILL RECEIVE MERCY.
Monday, October 08, 2007
GROWING UP SPIRITUALLY PART 1
AFTER THE SERVICE IS OVER, AFTER THE PRAISING IS OVER, AFTER THE SINGING IS OVER, AND AFTER THE FELLOWSHIP IS DONE, AND WE DEPART FROM HERE ,WE WILL SEE PEOPLE IN THE HALLS, AND SITTING IN THEIR ROOMS, AND GOING ABOUT IN ALL MODES OF TRANSPORTATION. DO THESE PEOPLE EVEN HAVE A CLUE AS TO THE LIFE THAT IS AVAILABLE TO THEM IN AND THROUGH JESUS? THE ANSWER IS A VERY RESOUNDING NO IN MOST OF THEIR LIVES THEY DON’T HAVE A CLUE AS TO THE LIFE THAT IS AVAILABLE TO THEM THROUGH JESUS. WE HAVE A PURPOSE AND THAT IS TO GIVE THEM A CLUE ABOUT THIS LIFE THAT IS WAITING FOR THEM. MANY PEOPLE IN CHURCH DON’T HAVE A CLUE AS WELL. IT IS TIME FOR US TO GROW UP AS CHRISTIANS AND BEGIN TO FIND OUT HOW WE CAN HAVE AN INFLUENCE IN THIS WORLD FOR CHRIST. THANK GOD FOR THE BLESSING, THANK GOD FOR THE BENEFITS, THANK GOD FOR THE VICTORY, AND THANK GOD FOR EVERY GOOD AND PERFECT GIFT, BUT IT’S TIME WE GET BACK TO BASICS AND REMEMBER THERE IS A DYING WORLD OUT THERE HEADED FOR HELL.
INFLUENCE: THE ACT OR THE POWER OF PRODUCING AN EFFECT WITHOUT APPARENT FORCE OR DIRECT AUTHORITY.
IN OTHER WORDS WE ARE GOING TO LEAD THEM BY HOW WE LIVE AND CONDUCT OURSELVES.
Hebrews 5:12-14
12. For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
13. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
14. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
PAUL SEEMED TO THINK THAT A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME HAD PASSED IN THE CHRISTIANS LIVES HERE THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE GROWN AND MATURED ENOUGH TO BE TEACHER, HOWEVER THEY HAD NOT. SAD TO SAY BUT A LOT OF CHRISTIANS TODAY ARE IN THAT BOAT. THEY HAVE BEEN IN CHURCH A LONG TIME AND THINK THEY ARE SO SPIRITUAL, BUT THEY ARE NOT, FOR THEY HAVE NOT GROWN AND MATURED. THEY ARE STILL BABES.
1 Corinthians 3: 1-3
1. And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
2. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
3. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
PAUL FOUND ANOTHER BUNCH THAT WASN’T GROWING HERE AT CORINTH.
1 COR. 3:4-8
4. For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?
5. Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?
6. I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
7. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
8. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
PAUL SHOWS THEM AN EXAMPLE OF HOW THEY WERE YET CARNAL AND INTO HERO WORSHIP AND PRIDE. THEN IN VERSE NINE PAUL BEGINS TO INSTRUCT THEM IN THE MILK OF THE WORD. HE STARTS TO LAY THE FOUNDATION THAT WE MUST ALL LEARN AND BUILD UPON.
1 COR. 3:9 PAUL TEACHES A VERY BASIC YET VERY NEEDED TRUTH IN THIS VERSE.
9. For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
WORDS AND WORD PLACEMENT SPEAKS VOLUMES. THE MORE WE UNDERSTAND THIS THE MORE WE CAN INCREASE OUR INFLUENCE IN THE WORLD. SMALL WORDS CAN HAVE BIG MEANINGS.
3. THINGS WE MUST KNOW IN ORDER TO INCREASE OUR INFLUENCE IN THIS EARTH.
NUMBER ONE IS THAT WE ARE LABOURERS TOGETHER WITH GOD.
THERE IS A SMALL WORD IN THAT STATEMENT THAT SPEAKS VOLUMES. THAT WORD IS WITH, AND IT TELLS US FOUR THINGS. IF WE UNDERSTAND THESE FOUR THINGS AND SETTLE THEM IN OUR HEARTS WE WILL BE ON OUR WAY TO A GREATER INFLUENCE ON OTHERS IN THE WORLD. GOD WILL BE ABLE TO USE US TO BRING MANY INTO THE KINGDOM AND TO HELP THEM GROW.
1. THE WORD WITH IMPLIES GOD IS THE LEADER. HE IS THE LEADER.
2. WE ARE THE FOLLOWERS
EXAMPLE. SAY I WAS ASKED BY THE PASTOR IF I WOULD BE IN CHARGE OF CLEARING OFF EVERYTHING ON THE PLATFORM. ALL THE CHAIRS AND EQUIPMENT SO THEY COULD RE-CARPET. I ACCEPT THE JOB, HOWEVER I CAN’T DO IT ALONE SO I GO ASK ANOTHER MAN IF HE WOULD HELP ME DO THIS TASK. WHEN HE SAYS YES HE BECOMES A FOLLOWER AND I BECOME THE LEADER IN THE TASK. IF WE ARE GOING TO BE FOLLOWERS, LABOURERS TOGETHER WITH THE LORD THEN WE MUST SETTLE IT ONCE AND FOR ALL THAT HE IS THE LEADER, AND WE ARE THE FOLLOWERS.
3. HE DETERMINES WHERE WE ARE TO WORK. HE DETERMINES WHERE WE ARE TO WORK. WHO DETERMINES WHERE WE ARE TO WORK? HE DOES. HE LORD DOES. THERE MAY BE SOME AREAS HE WANTS US TO WORK IN THAT WE MAY NOT WANT TO WORK IN, HOWEVER WHETHER WE LIKE IT OR NOT WE UNDERSTAND THAT HE DETERMINES WHERE WE ARE TO WORK AND THAT WE AS FOLLOWERS MUST WORK WHERE HE SAYS.
4. HE DETERMINES WHAT WORK IS TO BE DONE.
THAT MEAN ONLY WHAT HE SAYS TO DO IS WHAT WE DO. WE MIGHT SEE SOMETHING WE WOULD LIKE TO STICK OUR HANDS INTO BUT WE MUST NOT. ONLY WHAT HE SAYS TO DO IS WHAT WE DO. WE MUST FOLLOW AND NOT TRY TO LEAD.
THERE IS A SIMILAR WORD TO LABOURERS AND THAT IS AMBASSADORS.
11 COR. 5:20
Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
WE ARE LABOURERS TOGETHER AND AMBASSADORS FOR HIM.
AN AMBASSADOR SPEAKS ON THE BEHALF OF THE ONE HE REPRESENTS.
IF WE ARE GOING TO BE CHRIST’S AMBASSADORS THEN WE MUST TAKE TIME TO LISTEN TO HIM. WE MUST FIND OUT WHAT WE SHOULD SAY WHEN WE ARE FUNCTIONING IN OUR ROLE AS AMBASSADOR.
1. WE SPEAK ON THE BEHALF OF THE ONE WE REPRESENT
2. AN AMBASSADOR PROMOTES THE INTERESTS OF THE ONE HE REPRESENTS.
THAT TELLS ME THAT IF WE ARE GOING TO PROMOTE THE INTERESTS OF THE FATHER WE WILL HAVE TO TAKE TIME TO DISCOVER THE INTERESTS OF THE FATHER.
FIRST WE MUST HAVE A FOUNDATION IN OUR LIVES IN ORDER TO BE THE RIGHT INFLUENCE , AND TO BE ABLE TO PROMOTE THE TRUE INTEREST OF THE FATHER.
THAT FOUNDATION IS THIS.
FIRST AND FOREMOST THE NUMBER ONE WE HAVE TO KNOW WHO OUR FATHER IS. THE FIRST NECESSARY NEED OF THE CHRISTIAN IS TO KNOW THE FATHER, NOT JUST KNOW OF HIM. IF YOU DON’T KNOW THE FATHER YOU WON’T BE ABLE TO LOVE AS HE LOVES, YOU WON’T BE ABLE TO FORGIVE AS HE FORGIVES, WE ARE TO IMITATE OUR FATHER.
Ephesians 5:1-2 KJV.
1. Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
2. And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour.
FOLLOWER IN THIS SCRIPTURE MEANS TO IMITATE
Ephesians 5:1-2 NEW LIVING BIBLE
1. Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us[a] and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.
Amplified Bible (AMP)Passage Ephesians 5:1-2:
1. THEREFORE BE imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father].
2. And walk in love, [esteeming and delighting in one another] as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a [a]slain offering and sacrifice to God [for you, so that it became] a sweet fragrance.(A
THE MAIN PURPOSE IN JESUS COMING TO EARTH WAS TO RECONCILE US AND REDEEM US BACK TO GOD, HOWEVER HE HAD MANY OTHER THINGS HE DID ALONG THE WAY. HE ALSO WAS A FOLLOWER AND AN AMBASSADOR OF THE FATHER. HE CAME TO SHOW US THE FATHER.
JOHN 14:8-11
8. Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us.
9. Jesus 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?
10. Believest 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.
11. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.
JESUS WAS SAYING IF YOU HAVE SEEN ME THEN YOU HAVE SEEN THE FATHER. HE IMITATED HIS FATHER , HE DID WHAT THE FATHER SAID WHERE HE SAID TO DO IT, AND IN DOING SO SHOWED US THE FATHER. WE ARE TO DO THE SAME THUS SHOWING THE FATHER TO A LOST AND DYING WORLD, AND INFLUENCING THEM TO COME TO THE FATHER.
Monday, October 01, 2007
Conversion
CONVERSION
THE ACT OF BEING CONVERTED:
1 a : to bring over from one belief, view, or party to another b : to bring about a religious conversion a : to alter the physical or chemical nature( or properties of) b (1) : to change from one form or function to another
I WAS LISTENING TO DAVID JEREMIAH RECALL A TIME THAT HE HAD TO BORROW A CAR TO GO SOMEWHERE HE HAD TO BE. A FRIEND LOANED HIM HIS CAR. HE GOT READY TO GO AND THE GAS GAUGE SHOWED LOW FUEL. HE WENT TO A SERVICE STATION AND WAS GOING TO FILL UP. THE CAR HAD DIESEL EMBLEMS ON THE FENDERS AND THE GAS CAP SAID DIESEL ONLY, SO HE FILLED IT WITH DIESEL, AND WENT ON HIS WAY. AS HE WAS GOING THROUGH A SMALL TOWN ALONG THE WAY THE CAR STARTED TO SPUTTER AND BUCK AND STOPPED DEAD. AN OLDER MAN STOPPED TO SEE IF HE COULD ASSIST. HE RAISED THE HOOD AND SAID THIS IS NOT A DIESEL IT HAS SPARK PLUGS. DAVID CALLED HIS FRIEND AND FOUND THAT HE HAD CONVERTED IT TO A GASOLINE ENGINE AND HAD FORGOTTEN TO TELL HIM.
IT STILL LOOKED LIKE A DIESEL FROM THE OUTSIDE BECAUSE HE NEVER CHANGED THE EMBLEMS AND WARNINGS. IT HOWEVER NOW RAN ON A DIFFERENT FUEL THAN IT USE TOO. IT DID NOT MATTER HOW LONG IT RAN ON DIESEL BEFORE, IT NOW RAN ON GAS, AND DIESEL WOULD CAUSE IT PROBLEMS.
New Living Translation (NLT)Passage Matthew 18:3:3. Then he said, "I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven.
Amplified Bible (AMP)Passage Matthew 18:3:3. And said, Truly I say to you, unless you repent (change, turn about) and become like little children [trusting, lowly, loving, forgiving], you can never enter the kingdom of heaven [at all].
King James Version (KJV)Passage Matthew 18:3:
3. 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.
CONVERTED: TO TURN ONE THING INTO ANOTHER, TURN AROUND
King James Version (KJV)Passage Luke 22:31-32:
31. And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
32. But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
CONVERTED HERE MEANS TO MAKE AN IMMEDIATE AND DECISIVE CHANGE, A DELIBERATE CHOICE. CONVERSION IS A VOLUNTARY ACT IN RESPONSE TO THE PRESENTATION OF TRUTH.
AT CONVERSION YOU STILL LOOK THE SAME. IT’S THE INNER PERSON THAT HAS CHANGED FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT. YOU ARE STILL HUMAN. YOU LOOK THE SAME. THE ENGINE OR YOUR HEART IS DIFFERENT. IT HAS BEEN CONVERTED. YOU CAN NOT RUN IT ON THE SAME FUEL THAT IT USE TO RUN ON. IT USE TO RUN ON THE THINGS OF DARKNESS BUT NOW NEEDS LIGHT TO FUEL IT. AS A CHRISTIAN YOU WILL SPUTTER, STALL, AND EVEN STOP DEAD, AND EVEN POSSIBLY SHIPWRECK THE LIVES OF OTHERS IN THE PROCESS IF YOU TRY TO KEEP RUNNING YOUR LIFE ON DARKNESS.
LIGHT FUELED HEARTS CAN NOT RUN ON DARKNESS. DARKNESS FUELED HEARTS CAN NOT RUN ON LIGHT.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT FUEL DARKNESS
King James Version (KJV)Passage 2 Timothy 3:1-5:
1. This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3. Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent(LACKING SELF CONSTRAINT OR CONTROL) good,
4. Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5. Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
Fear, gossip, being judgemental,and anything else that kills, steals, destroys, or hurts is in the kingdom of darkness.
THINGS THAT FUEL LIGHT.
Passage 1 Corinthians 13 :
1 Corinthians 13
1Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
2And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
3And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
4Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
8Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
9For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
10But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
11When 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.
12For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
13And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
.PHILIPPIANS 4:4-8
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.
THESE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS WE ARE TO FUEL OUR CONVERTED LIVES WITH . ISAIAH.5:20Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
THERE ARE PEOPLE DOING THAT ALL THE TIME. AND CAUSING PEOPLE WHO TRUST THEM TO END UP A SHIPWRECK . SO MANY CHRISTIANS AND PASTORS AND DENOMINATIONS ARE DOING JUST THAT. THEY TEACH FOR TRUTH THE TRADITIONS OF MEN AND THE DOCTRINES OF DEVILS. WHEN I GOT SAVED I WAS TOLD SO MANY THINGS ABOUT GOD THAT WAS NOT THE TRUTH. THINGS LIKE GOD DOES NOT ALWAYS HEAL. THE BIBLE SAYS JUST THE OPPOSITE. GOD SENT HIS WORD AND HEALED. GOD IS THE SAME YESTERDAY TODAY AND FOREVER. THERE IS NO SHADOW OF TURNING IN HIM. THAT IS JUST ONE PLACE THAT WRONG TEACHING HAS SHIPWRECKED MANY LIVES. I FOUND IN THE WORD OF GOD THAT HE HAD JESUS TAKE ALL OUR SICKNESS AND DISEASES AND BY HIS STRIPES WE WERE HEALED. I HAD TO CHOOSE IN THE FACE OF TRUTH TO CONVERT SOME WRONG THINKING INTO RIGHT THINKING. THE CHURCH HAD ME SO BEAT DOWN AND SICK, BUT GOD HAD A PROVISION TO GET OUT OF ALL THAT AND I FOUND IT AND LAID HOLD OF IT. THE SICKNESS THAT CAME EVERY YEAR NOW HAD TO STOP AND IT DID.
WE MUST LOOK INTO GOD'S WORD AND STAND ON IT AND IT ALONE. OUR SPIRIT IS CONVERTED IN A INSTANT, HOWEVER OUR MIND AND BELIEFS ARE CONVERTED DAILY AS WE CONFRONT TRUTH FROM THE BIBLE AND CHOOSE TO BELIEVE IT OVER ANYTHING ELSE. AS WE DO THAT WE ARE TRANSFORMED INTO THE CHILD OF GOD THAT WE SHOULD BE. IF WE CHOOSE TO NOT ACCEPT THE TRUTH WE STAY CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD.
Romans 12 KJV.
1I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
TRANSFORMED: TO CHANGE TO ANOTHER, IMPLYING CHANGE.
SOME OF THE MEANINGS OF CONVERTED WERE VERY SIMILAR.
CONVERTED: TO TURN ONE THING INTO ANOTHER, TURN AROUND, TO MAKE AN IMMEDIATE AND DECISIVE CHANGE, A DELIBERATE CHOICE. CONVERSION IS A VOLUNTARY ACT IN RESPONSE TO THE PRESENTATION OF TRUTH.
IN THE PRESENCE OF TRUTH, LIGHT, AND LIFE CHOOSE THESE OVER FALSEHOOD,DARKNESS, AND DEATH.
THE ACT OF BEING CONVERTED:
1 a : to bring over from one belief, view, or party to another b : to bring about a religious conversion a : to alter the physical or chemical nature( or properties of) b (1) : to change from one form or function to another
I WAS LISTENING TO DAVID JEREMIAH RECALL A TIME THAT HE HAD TO BORROW A CAR TO GO SOMEWHERE HE HAD TO BE. A FRIEND LOANED HIM HIS CAR. HE GOT READY TO GO AND THE GAS GAUGE SHOWED LOW FUEL. HE WENT TO A SERVICE STATION AND WAS GOING TO FILL UP. THE CAR HAD DIESEL EMBLEMS ON THE FENDERS AND THE GAS CAP SAID DIESEL ONLY, SO HE FILLED IT WITH DIESEL, AND WENT ON HIS WAY. AS HE WAS GOING THROUGH A SMALL TOWN ALONG THE WAY THE CAR STARTED TO SPUTTER AND BUCK AND STOPPED DEAD. AN OLDER MAN STOPPED TO SEE IF HE COULD ASSIST. HE RAISED THE HOOD AND SAID THIS IS NOT A DIESEL IT HAS SPARK PLUGS. DAVID CALLED HIS FRIEND AND FOUND THAT HE HAD CONVERTED IT TO A GASOLINE ENGINE AND HAD FORGOTTEN TO TELL HIM.
IT STILL LOOKED LIKE A DIESEL FROM THE OUTSIDE BECAUSE HE NEVER CHANGED THE EMBLEMS AND WARNINGS. IT HOWEVER NOW RAN ON A DIFFERENT FUEL THAN IT USE TOO. IT DID NOT MATTER HOW LONG IT RAN ON DIESEL BEFORE, IT NOW RAN ON GAS, AND DIESEL WOULD CAUSE IT PROBLEMS.
New Living Translation (NLT)Passage Matthew 18:3:3. Then he said, "I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven.
Amplified Bible (AMP)Passage Matthew 18:3:3. And said, Truly I say to you, unless you repent (change, turn about) and become like little children [trusting, lowly, loving, forgiving], you can never enter the kingdom of heaven [at all].
King James Version (KJV)Passage Matthew 18:3:
3. 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.
CONVERTED: TO TURN ONE THING INTO ANOTHER, TURN AROUND
King James Version (KJV)Passage Luke 22:31-32:
31. And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
32. But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
CONVERTED HERE MEANS TO MAKE AN IMMEDIATE AND DECISIVE CHANGE, A DELIBERATE CHOICE. CONVERSION IS A VOLUNTARY ACT IN RESPONSE TO THE PRESENTATION OF TRUTH.
AT CONVERSION YOU STILL LOOK THE SAME. IT’S THE INNER PERSON THAT HAS CHANGED FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT. YOU ARE STILL HUMAN. YOU LOOK THE SAME. THE ENGINE OR YOUR HEART IS DIFFERENT. IT HAS BEEN CONVERTED. YOU CAN NOT RUN IT ON THE SAME FUEL THAT IT USE TO RUN ON. IT USE TO RUN ON THE THINGS OF DARKNESS BUT NOW NEEDS LIGHT TO FUEL IT. AS A CHRISTIAN YOU WILL SPUTTER, STALL, AND EVEN STOP DEAD, AND EVEN POSSIBLY SHIPWRECK THE LIVES OF OTHERS IN THE PROCESS IF YOU TRY TO KEEP RUNNING YOUR LIFE ON DARKNESS.
LIGHT FUELED HEARTS CAN NOT RUN ON DARKNESS. DARKNESS FUELED HEARTS CAN NOT RUN ON LIGHT.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT FUEL DARKNESS
King James Version (KJV)Passage 2 Timothy 3:1-5:
1. This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3. Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent(LACKING SELF CONSTRAINT OR CONTROL) good,
4. Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5. Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
Fear, gossip, being judgemental,and anything else that kills, steals, destroys, or hurts is in the kingdom of darkness.
THINGS THAT FUEL LIGHT.
Passage 1 Corinthians 13 :
1 Corinthians 13
1Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
2And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
3And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
4Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
8Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
9For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
10But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
11When 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.
12For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
13And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
.PHILIPPIANS 4:4-8
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.
THESE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS WE ARE TO FUEL OUR CONVERTED LIVES WITH . ISAIAH.5:20Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
THERE ARE PEOPLE DOING THAT ALL THE TIME. AND CAUSING PEOPLE WHO TRUST THEM TO END UP A SHIPWRECK . SO MANY CHRISTIANS AND PASTORS AND DENOMINATIONS ARE DOING JUST THAT. THEY TEACH FOR TRUTH THE TRADITIONS OF MEN AND THE DOCTRINES OF DEVILS. WHEN I GOT SAVED I WAS TOLD SO MANY THINGS ABOUT GOD THAT WAS NOT THE TRUTH. THINGS LIKE GOD DOES NOT ALWAYS HEAL. THE BIBLE SAYS JUST THE OPPOSITE. GOD SENT HIS WORD AND HEALED. GOD IS THE SAME YESTERDAY TODAY AND FOREVER. THERE IS NO SHADOW OF TURNING IN HIM. THAT IS JUST ONE PLACE THAT WRONG TEACHING HAS SHIPWRECKED MANY LIVES. I FOUND IN THE WORD OF GOD THAT HE HAD JESUS TAKE ALL OUR SICKNESS AND DISEASES AND BY HIS STRIPES WE WERE HEALED. I HAD TO CHOOSE IN THE FACE OF TRUTH TO CONVERT SOME WRONG THINKING INTO RIGHT THINKING. THE CHURCH HAD ME SO BEAT DOWN AND SICK, BUT GOD HAD A PROVISION TO GET OUT OF ALL THAT AND I FOUND IT AND LAID HOLD OF IT. THE SICKNESS THAT CAME EVERY YEAR NOW HAD TO STOP AND IT DID.
WE MUST LOOK INTO GOD'S WORD AND STAND ON IT AND IT ALONE. OUR SPIRIT IS CONVERTED IN A INSTANT, HOWEVER OUR MIND AND BELIEFS ARE CONVERTED DAILY AS WE CONFRONT TRUTH FROM THE BIBLE AND CHOOSE TO BELIEVE IT OVER ANYTHING ELSE. AS WE DO THAT WE ARE TRANSFORMED INTO THE CHILD OF GOD THAT WE SHOULD BE. IF WE CHOOSE TO NOT ACCEPT THE TRUTH WE STAY CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD.
Romans 12 KJV.
1I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
TRANSFORMED: TO CHANGE TO ANOTHER, IMPLYING CHANGE.
SOME OF THE MEANINGS OF CONVERTED WERE VERY SIMILAR.
CONVERTED: TO TURN ONE THING INTO ANOTHER, TURN AROUND, TO MAKE AN IMMEDIATE AND DECISIVE CHANGE, A DELIBERATE CHOICE. CONVERSION IS A VOLUNTARY ACT IN RESPONSE TO THE PRESENTATION OF TRUTH.
IN THE PRESENCE OF TRUTH, LIGHT, AND LIFE CHOOSE THESE OVER FALSEHOOD,DARKNESS, AND DEATH.
Sunday, September 02, 2007
Friday, August 10, 2007
MISTER COFFEE
..........I WANT TO RELATE A STORY THAT HAPPENED TO ME ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO. THE TITLE "MISTER COFFEE " COMES FROM A MAN THAT WAS POOR, AND WALKED THE TOWN LOOKING FOR ODD JOBS. HE WOULD SWEEP AND CLEAN PARKING LOTS FOR A CUP OF COFFEE. HE COULD NOT DRESS VERY WELL. HIS CLOTHES WERE SHABBY, AND HIS HYGIENE WAS FAR BELOW WHAT OTHERS LIKED. KIDS AND ADULTS ALIKE MADE FUN OF HIM. I FELT SORRY FOR HIM, AND THE WAY HE WAS TREATED BY OTHERS. THEN ONE DAY I FOUND THAT I WAS JUST AS BAD AS THE ONE’S WHO TORMENTED HIM. IF WE ARE TRUE TO THE WORD OF GOD. IF WE PREACH THE WORD. AND IF WE ARE A CHILD OF GOD. THEN WHEN WE ARE CONFRONTED WITH A TRUTH OF HIS WORD AND WE ARE NOT LIVING IT, WE STAND AT A CROSSROAD OF CHOICE. WILL WE THEN CHOOSE THE WORD AND BETTER OURSELVES AND THOSE AROUND US, OR WILL WE CHOOSE TO GO OUR OWN WAY DOWN A PATH OF DISOBEDIENCE AND DESTRUCTION TO OURSELVES AND OTHERS. I THOUGHT I WAS DOING ALRIGHT IN MY WALK AS A CHRISTIAN, HOWEVER I FOUND AN AREA THAT WAS NOT DOING SO GOOD ONE DAY.
IT WAS A BITTER COLD DAY. SNOW WAS PILED ALL AROUND. SLIPPERY ICY SIDEWALKS AND STREETS WERE WHAT WE HAD TO DEAL WITH. I MADE IT TO ONE OF THE LOCAL RESTAURANTS AND WAS SITTING THERE WARMING UP AS THE DOOR OPENED AND A COLD BLAST OF AIR CHILLED THE ROOM. MR COFFEE WALKED IN AND SAT DOWN. I NOTICED THE FACES OF THE PEOPLE AS THEY LOOKED AT HIM WITH DISGUST. PEOPLE WERE WHISPERING AND MURMURING ABOUT HIM. SAYING THINGS LIKE, " WHY DID HE HAVE TO COME IN HERE?" I WAS THINKING THEY NEED TO BE QUIET. THEY ARE HURTING HIS FEELINGS. HE CAN HEAR THE HARD HARSH WORDS THEY ARE SAYING. THEN IN THE MIDDLE OF THOUGHT THE LORD INTERRUPTED MY THOUGHTS WITH THIS STATEMENT. "YOU ARE JUST AS BAD MICHAEL. YOU’RE THINKING THE SAME THINGS. ONLY YOU HAVEN’T SPOKEN THEM OUT YET. IT IS IN YOUR HEART." I WAS ASTONISHED AND CONVICTED AS I REALIZED I WAS JUST AS GUILTY AS THOSE WHO SPOKE THEIR DISGUST OUT, FOR IN MY HEART I WAS JUST THE SAME. THE LORD SAID THIS MAN HAS BEEN TREATED SO UNJUST ALL HIS LIFE, AND I DON’T WANT TO FIND YOUR FOOTPRINT OR THUMB PRINTS ON HIS BACK. I SAT THERE AND ASK THE LORDS FORGIVENESS AND REPENTED OF MY WRONG WAYS.
GOD IS NO RESPECTER OF PERSONS. WE ARE NOT TO BE A RESPECTER OF PERSONS EITHER. James 2:1-13 KJV. 1. My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. 2. 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; 3. 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: 4. Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? 5. 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? 6. But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? 7. Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called? 8. If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:
9. But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.
10. For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
11. 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.
12. So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.
13. For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
VERSE NINE TELLS US IF WE HAVE RESPECT OF PERSONS WE COMMIT SIN . VERSE TEN SAYS THAT IF WE MISS IT IN ONE POINT WE ARE GUILTY OF ALL. ISN'T THAT A MIND BOGGLER IN A WORLD FULL OF RESPECT OF PERSONS. WE MUST BE DIFFERENT THAN THE WORLD. WE MUST DO THE RIGHT THING NO MATTER WHAT OTHERS THINK OF US. SO WHAT DID I DO AFTER THIS REALIZATION AND REPENTANT ACTION. I STRUCK UP A CONVERSATION WITH MR COFFEE. AS WE TALKED I COULD SEE THE HORRORIFIED LOOKS ON THE FACES OF THE PEOPLE. THEY HAD NOW TURNED ON ME, BECAUSE I WAS MAKING MR COFFEE FEEL WELCOME.
THEY WOULD RATHER HE STAYED OUTSIDE AND FROZE TO DEATH THAN BE INSIDE WHERE THEY WERE. I THEN FORGAVE THOSE THAT LOOKED DOWN ON ME AND TOOK NO OFFENCE TOWARDS THEM. FAITH WITHOUT ACTION IS DEAD, SO I THEN BOUGHT MR COFFEE A GOOD BREAKFAST. WE TALKED SOME MORE, AND THEN I SHOOK HIS HAND AS WE PARTED WAYS THAT DAY. WHEN GOD LOOKED AT MR COFFEE I WANTED THE ONLY FINGERPRINTS OF MINE ON HIM TO BE ON THIS HAND AND IN HIS HEART.
WE CAN ONLY CHANGE AND MAKE CORRECTIONS IN THIS LIFE. WHEN WE ARE GONE WE CAN NOT COME BACK AND MAKE ADJUSTMENTS. WE MUST GET IT RIGHT IN THIS LIFE. WE MUST RENEW OUR MINDS TO THE WORD OF GOD AND THEN LIVE IT.
Passage Luke 16:19-31 KJV.
19.There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
20. And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
21And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
22. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;23. And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
24. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. 25. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. 26. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. 27. Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: 28. For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. 29. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 30. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 31. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
THE ONLY INFLUENCE WE HAVE ON OTHERS IS DURING THIS LIFE ON EARTH. LET'S MAKE IT THE RIGHT THING WE SHOW THEM. LET'S SHOW MERCY NOT JUDGEMENT TO OTHERS.
IT WAS A BITTER COLD DAY. SNOW WAS PILED ALL AROUND. SLIPPERY ICY SIDEWALKS AND STREETS WERE WHAT WE HAD TO DEAL WITH. I MADE IT TO ONE OF THE LOCAL RESTAURANTS AND WAS SITTING THERE WARMING UP AS THE DOOR OPENED AND A COLD BLAST OF AIR CHILLED THE ROOM. MR COFFEE WALKED IN AND SAT DOWN. I NOTICED THE FACES OF THE PEOPLE AS THEY LOOKED AT HIM WITH DISGUST. PEOPLE WERE WHISPERING AND MURMURING ABOUT HIM. SAYING THINGS LIKE, " WHY DID HE HAVE TO COME IN HERE?" I WAS THINKING THEY NEED TO BE QUIET. THEY ARE HURTING HIS FEELINGS. HE CAN HEAR THE HARD HARSH WORDS THEY ARE SAYING. THEN IN THE MIDDLE OF THOUGHT THE LORD INTERRUPTED MY THOUGHTS WITH THIS STATEMENT. "YOU ARE JUST AS BAD MICHAEL. YOU’RE THINKING THE SAME THINGS. ONLY YOU HAVEN’T SPOKEN THEM OUT YET. IT IS IN YOUR HEART." I WAS ASTONISHED AND CONVICTED AS I REALIZED I WAS JUST AS GUILTY AS THOSE WHO SPOKE THEIR DISGUST OUT, FOR IN MY HEART I WAS JUST THE SAME. THE LORD SAID THIS MAN HAS BEEN TREATED SO UNJUST ALL HIS LIFE, AND I DON’T WANT TO FIND YOUR FOOTPRINT OR THUMB PRINTS ON HIS BACK. I SAT THERE AND ASK THE LORDS FORGIVENESS AND REPENTED OF MY WRONG WAYS.
GOD IS NO RESPECTER OF PERSONS. WE ARE NOT TO BE A RESPECTER OF PERSONS EITHER. James 2:1-13 KJV. 1. My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. 2. 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; 3. 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: 4. Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? 5. 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? 6. But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? 7. Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called? 8. If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:
9. But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.
10. For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
11. 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.
12. So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.
13. For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
VERSE NINE TELLS US IF WE HAVE RESPECT OF PERSONS WE COMMIT SIN . VERSE TEN SAYS THAT IF WE MISS IT IN ONE POINT WE ARE GUILTY OF ALL. ISN'T THAT A MIND BOGGLER IN A WORLD FULL OF RESPECT OF PERSONS. WE MUST BE DIFFERENT THAN THE WORLD. WE MUST DO THE RIGHT THING NO MATTER WHAT OTHERS THINK OF US. SO WHAT DID I DO AFTER THIS REALIZATION AND REPENTANT ACTION. I STRUCK UP A CONVERSATION WITH MR COFFEE. AS WE TALKED I COULD SEE THE HORRORIFIED LOOKS ON THE FACES OF THE PEOPLE. THEY HAD NOW TURNED ON ME, BECAUSE I WAS MAKING MR COFFEE FEEL WELCOME.
THEY WOULD RATHER HE STAYED OUTSIDE AND FROZE TO DEATH THAN BE INSIDE WHERE THEY WERE. I THEN FORGAVE THOSE THAT LOOKED DOWN ON ME AND TOOK NO OFFENCE TOWARDS THEM. FAITH WITHOUT ACTION IS DEAD, SO I THEN BOUGHT MR COFFEE A GOOD BREAKFAST. WE TALKED SOME MORE, AND THEN I SHOOK HIS HAND AS WE PARTED WAYS THAT DAY. WHEN GOD LOOKED AT MR COFFEE I WANTED THE ONLY FINGERPRINTS OF MINE ON HIM TO BE ON THIS HAND AND IN HIS HEART.
WE CAN ONLY CHANGE AND MAKE CORRECTIONS IN THIS LIFE. WHEN WE ARE GONE WE CAN NOT COME BACK AND MAKE ADJUSTMENTS. WE MUST GET IT RIGHT IN THIS LIFE. WE MUST RENEW OUR MINDS TO THE WORD OF GOD AND THEN LIVE IT.
Passage Luke 16:19-31 KJV.
19.There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
20. And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
21And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
22. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;23. And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
24. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. 25. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. 26. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. 27. Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: 28. For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. 29. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 30. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 31. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
THE ONLY INFLUENCE WE HAVE ON OTHERS IS DURING THIS LIFE ON EARTH. LET'S MAKE IT THE RIGHT THING WE SHOW THEM. LET'S SHOW MERCY NOT JUDGEMENT TO OTHERS.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
TESTIMONY FROM THE PAST
ONE DAY EARLY IN OUR CHRISTIAN WALK SOMETHING HAPPENED THAT WAS BAD. WE DID NOT KNOW MUCH ABOUT THE WORD. HOWEVER WE DID KNOW THE NAME OF JESUS, EVEN THOUGH WE DID NOT KNOW THE FULL AUTHORITY AND POWER THAT IT COMMANDED. MY WIFE WAS COOKING SOME GROUND BEEF IN A SKILLET. THE GREASE WAS COOKING OUT OF THE MEAT AND WAS GETTING TO THE POINT THAT IT SHOULD BE DRAINED OFF. IT WAS PROBABLY A GOOD 350 DEGREES IN TEMPERATURE. MY WIFE WAS FINISHING UP SOME OTHER PART OF THE MEAL AND WAS THEN GOING TO DRAIN THE OIL OFF THE BEEF. IN THE MEAN TIME OUR SON WHO WAS A TODDLER CAME IN AND GRABBED THE SKILLET HANDLE AND PULLED IT OVER ON HIS ARM. HE LET OUT A SCREAM AND HIS ARM WAS COVERED WITH THIS HOT BOILING OIL. HIS ARM WAS INSTANTLY BEET RED. MY WIFE GRABBED HIM UP AND WRAPPED A BLANKET AROUND HIS ARM AND BEGAN TO PRAY AND SPOKE TO THE ARM IN JESUS NAME TO BE RESTORED WITH NO BLISTERING OR SCARING AND FOR THE PAIN TO LEAVE. HE STOPPED CRYING THE INSTANT MY WIFE TOLD THE PAIN TO GO IN JESUS NAME. I CAME HOME RIGHT AT THE TAIL END OF IT ALL. OUR SON FELL ASLEEP IN MY WIFE'S ARM AND SHE LAID HIM DOWN. I ASK HER WHAT THE BLANKET WAS FOR. SHE SAID TO SHIELD HER EYES FROM SEEING HIS ARM, BECAUSE SHE KNEW IT WOULD BE HARD FOR HER AT THAT TIME TO BELIEVE FOR A HEALING AND RESTORATION WHILE LOOKING AT THE BURNED ARM. IT WAS TO PROTECT HER FAITH FROM DOUBTING. WE HAVE SINCE GROWN AND DON'T LET WHAT WE SEE INFLUENCE OUR FAITH. OUR SON SLEPT FOR A SHORT WHILE AND WOKE UP LAUGHING. WE WENT OVER AND UNWRAPPED HIS ARM AND IT WAS PERFECT. NO BURNS, NO RED SPOTS, NO BLISTERS. WE DID NOT KNOW MUCH, BUT WE STOOD ON WHAT WE DID KNOW AND GOD WORKED A MIRACLE FOR US..
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
.................. LSD ................
BACK WHEN I WAS IN SCHOOL IN THE 60'S LSD WAS THE DRUG OF CHOICE. THAT WAS ALL YOU HEARD ABOUT. I NEVER GOT INTO THE DRUG THING, BUT MANY OF MY CLASSMATES DID. PEOPLE TOOK THIS MIND ALTERING DRUG TO ESCAPE REALITY, AS IT GAVE A FALSE REALITY TO THEM. I WAS MINISTERING TO A GROUP A WHILE BACK, AND I SAID GOD TOLD ME TO LIVE ON LSD. THEIR MOUTHS FELL OPEN. I SAID, "YES GOD WANTS US ALL TO USE LSD." I ALMOST LAUGHED OUT LOUD AS I LOOK INTO THOSE HORRIFIED FACES. THEN I TOLD THEM L=LEARN, S=SPEAK, D=DO. YES LSD GODS WAY WILL CHANGE YOUR REALITY TO A BETTER ONE. JUST A TIDBIT FROM SOME OF THE HUMOR AND TRUTH OF THE LORD. I 'M HAVING THE RIDE OF MY LIFE WITH THE LORD..
BACK WHEN I WAS IN SCHOOL IN THE 60'S LSD WAS THE DRUG OF CHOICE. THAT WAS ALL YOU HEARD ABOUT. I NEVER GOT INTO THE DRUG THING, BUT MANY OF MY CLASSMATES DID. PEOPLE TOOK THIS MIND ALTERING DRUG TO ESCAPE REALITY, AS IT GAVE A FALSE REALITY TO THEM. I WAS MINISTERING TO A GROUP A WHILE BACK, AND I SAID GOD TOLD ME TO LIVE ON LSD. THEIR MOUTHS FELL OPEN. I SAID, "YES GOD WANTS US ALL TO USE LSD." I ALMOST LAUGHED OUT LOUD AS I LOOK INTO THOSE HORRIFIED FACES. THEN I TOLD THEM L=LEARN, S=SPEAK, D=DO. YES LSD GODS WAY WILL CHANGE YOUR REALITY TO A BETTER ONE. JUST A TIDBIT FROM SOME OF THE HUMOR AND TRUTH OF THE LORD. I 'M HAVING THE RIDE OF MY LIFE WITH THE LORD..
Saturday, June 30, 2007
TESTIMONY PT. 1
Hello everyone. My name is Michael. I have been a Christian since 1975. My experience in the church was bad, and not the way it should have been. It has been said that Christians shoot and bury their wounded. A lot of them do, because they have never renewed their minds and hearts to the Word of God. They call themselves Christians and walk in the world.The church I first attended was not teaching any thing helpful to a Christian, let alone a new convert, a babe in Christ. When I started going I was not a saved person. My girlfriend attended there so I went with her, and we got married, and continued to attend. I got saved in that church, only because of a group that came and ministered the Word of Salvation to us. Six months of sitting in services at that church and never heard any word on salvation. We continued there for about 2 years.Never were we taught the things we were to need to walk this new life. Nothing on Walking in Love, forgiveness, not taking offence, health and healing, miracles, authority in Christ, or anything we really needed at all. In 1977 we moved to another church that was teaching more of what was needed to live in this world as a Christian. Only they weren't living or walking the talk they were speaking.I got offended ....!!! Hurt..!!!! And unforgiving..!!!!! Which lead to a life of bitterness for the next 23 years.. (What a waste) I continued to go to church, but it was out of duty not out of a heart of love, or being thirsty and hungry for righteousness and the kingdom of God.In 1982 We moved to a third church and sat there 18 years out of duty, sulking in bitterness, not able to walk in the calling on our lives to teach, preach, and sing the Word.One day in the year 2000 something happened that caused me to think and reflect on a statement that my daughter said about me. That day it all turned around for me. Angry and upset over what she had said, I sat in my study alone, when I spoke out loud to myself a question. I said, " what she said was true, so why am I getting so upset over it?" Just as I said that I heard a voice say," I'm glad you ask, now we can get this taken care of." What happened after that changed me from an unforgiving, bitter, unproductive, hurtful, not able to help others, into a minister of the Word, seeing people healed and set free, helping others find the way, helping others grow in the things that they need to walk in Victory in this life in Christ.I am doing my best with God's help to keep others from walking down that long wasted path i walked, being bitter and unproductive. God has us testifying of our past ( being like an open book ) and then teaching a foundation of what we need to live a Christ centered lives. How to deal with hurtful, unforgiving, offensive, unlearned in the scriptures, rejecting people. And not not becoming like that, but instead becoming one who walks in Victory and draws people to Christ.The day it all turned around in my life was awesome. The Lord just started speaking once that question left my lips. I am going to take you through that day and what the Lord showed me in the Word that transformed me from a loser to a winner in Christ.I will be talking about a dark past that I never really wanted to even remember let alone share with others. The Lord said to be an effective minister that I would need to be an open book, nothing hidden or covered up, in order to reach and help others. I told Him yes I can do that, so in the next blog posting I will go through my testimony of where I had been, and what happened on that day of the great turnaround, to where I am today. Then the Lord and I will start some foundation teaching and build on that, to deeper things in Christ. REMEMBER THAT GOD IS LIGHT AND IN HIM IS NO DARKNESS AT ALL.JOHN 10:10ANYTHING THAT KILLS, STEALS, OR DESTROYS IS FROM THE DEVIL.AND ABUNDANT LIFE TO THE FULL COMES FROM GOD.
Hello everyone. My name is Michael. I have been a Christian since 1975. My experience in the church was bad, and not the way it should have been. It has been said that Christians shoot and bury their wounded. A lot of them do, because they have never renewed their minds and hearts to the Word of God. They call themselves Christians and walk in the world.The church I first attended was not teaching any thing helpful to a Christian, let alone a new convert, a babe in Christ. When I started going I was not a saved person. My girlfriend attended there so I went with her, and we got married, and continued to attend. I got saved in that church, only because of a group that came and ministered the Word of Salvation to us. Six months of sitting in services at that church and never heard any word on salvation. We continued there for about 2 years.Never were we taught the things we were to need to walk this new life. Nothing on Walking in Love, forgiveness, not taking offence, health and healing, miracles, authority in Christ, or anything we really needed at all. In 1977 we moved to another church that was teaching more of what was needed to live in this world as a Christian. Only they weren't living or walking the talk they were speaking.I got offended ....!!! Hurt..!!!! And unforgiving..!!!!! Which lead to a life of bitterness for the next 23 years.. (What a waste) I continued to go to church, but it was out of duty not out of a heart of love, or being thirsty and hungry for righteousness and the kingdom of God.In 1982 We moved to a third church and sat there 18 years out of duty, sulking in bitterness, not able to walk in the calling on our lives to teach, preach, and sing the Word.One day in the year 2000 something happened that caused me to think and reflect on a statement that my daughter said about me. That day it all turned around for me. Angry and upset over what she had said, I sat in my study alone, when I spoke out loud to myself a question. I said, " what she said was true, so why am I getting so upset over it?" Just as I said that I heard a voice say," I'm glad you ask, now we can get this taken care of." What happened after that changed me from an unforgiving, bitter, unproductive, hurtful, not able to help others, into a minister of the Word, seeing people healed and set free, helping others find the way, helping others grow in the things that they need to walk in Victory in this life in Christ.I am doing my best with God's help to keep others from walking down that long wasted path i walked, being bitter and unproductive. God has us testifying of our past ( being like an open book ) and then teaching a foundation of what we need to live a Christ centered lives. How to deal with hurtful, unforgiving, offensive, unlearned in the scriptures, rejecting people. And not not becoming like that, but instead becoming one who walks in Victory and draws people to Christ.The day it all turned around in my life was awesome. The Lord just started speaking once that question left my lips. I am going to take you through that day and what the Lord showed me in the Word that transformed me from a loser to a winner in Christ.I will be talking about a dark past that I never really wanted to even remember let alone share with others. The Lord said to be an effective minister that I would need to be an open book, nothing hidden or covered up, in order to reach and help others. I told Him yes I can do that, so in the next blog posting I will go through my testimony of where I had been, and what happened on that day of the great turnaround, to where I am today. Then the Lord and I will start some foundation teaching and build on that, to deeper things in Christ. REMEMBER THAT GOD IS LIGHT AND IN HIM IS NO DARKNESS AT ALL.JOHN 10:10ANYTHING THAT KILLS, STEALS, OR DESTROYS IS FROM THE DEVIL.AND ABUNDANT LIFE TO THE FULL COMES FROM GOD.
TESTIMONY PT. 2
Many things happened from the time I gave my heart to the Lord until that turn a round day in 2000. As I stated in the First Posting the Christians, and Churches I attended were not teaching any substantial, meaningful, fruitful things pertaining to how to live a Christ centered life in this world. I was offended at them and found a church that taught more, but they didn't walk in it. I was more offended and found yet another church, where I spent 18 years pouting and drowning in unforgiveness and bitterness toward others. One day my daughter said a statement about me, and I got upset over it. When You live in bitterness even the truth will upset you. As I was sitting in my place of study thinking on what she had said, and rehearsing those words in my mind, I spoke out loud these words. I said, " What she said was true so why am I so mad and upset about it?" As soon as those words left my lips I heard a voice from deep within my heart say, "I'm glad you asked, Now we can take care of this problem in your life." All those years in church hearing the word but not living it was about to come to a head. That word was in me and God was about to bring it out and show me what I needed to do. On this day He turned my whole life around and launched me on a journey that amazes me.. First the Lord asked me if I remembered what my son had said his favorite scripture was.Sure I said it's Song of Solomon 2:15 which says, "Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes."He said that I had walked in bitterness and unforgiveness so long that it was like a brother to me, and I let the little things set me off, and they were choking the life out of me.He then directed me to go to MARK 11:22-26King James Version (KJV)Passage Mark 11:22-26:22And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.23For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.24Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.25And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.26But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.The Lord told me when it comes down to it without forgiveness nothing will work. First I had to forgive the hardest person in the world to forgive.( MYSELF ) and all the others I had ought against.He then directed me to this passage of scripture.Passage Hebrews 12:11-15:11Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.12Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;13And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.14Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:15Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;The Lord said," Michael you have walked in bitterness, and you have defiled many. You can't progress and a lot of those you hurt haven't progressed either. " ( I'll come back to this point and tell you what I had to do to make it right.)There was one more set of scripture that the Lord took me too, that day, and it set me free so I could go back to HEBREWS 12:11-15 and do something about that root of bitterness, and those that I had defiled (hurt).He then took me to PSALMS 51:1-141Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.2Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.3For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.4Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.5Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.6Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.7Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.8Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.9Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.10Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.11Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.12Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.13Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.14Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.THIS IS AN AWESOME PASSAGE I BROKE DOWN AT VERSE 10Oh Lord what do I need to do.1. Realize the things that I've done.2. forgive others and myself and ask the Lord to forgive me.3. Ask God to remove that root of bitterness from me.4. Ask God to create in me a clean heart, and renew a right spirit within me.I did all those steps and what freedom came over me.. Heaviness lifted. Was that all I had to do? NO I had to go back to all those that I had hurt and speak to then about my life and my new life and ask them for forgiveness, and bring a restoration to all our lives... ( I'll tell you about that in the next posting.)
Many things happened from the time I gave my heart to the Lord until that turn a round day in 2000. As I stated in the First Posting the Christians, and Churches I attended were not teaching any substantial, meaningful, fruitful things pertaining to how to live a Christ centered life in this world. I was offended at them and found a church that taught more, but they didn't walk in it. I was more offended and found yet another church, where I spent 18 years pouting and drowning in unforgiveness and bitterness toward others. One day my daughter said a statement about me, and I got upset over it. When You live in bitterness even the truth will upset you. As I was sitting in my place of study thinking on what she had said, and rehearsing those words in my mind, I spoke out loud these words. I said, " What she said was true so why am I so mad and upset about it?" As soon as those words left my lips I heard a voice from deep within my heart say, "I'm glad you asked, Now we can take care of this problem in your life." All those years in church hearing the word but not living it was about to come to a head. That word was in me and God was about to bring it out and show me what I needed to do. On this day He turned my whole life around and launched me on a journey that amazes me.. First the Lord asked me if I remembered what my son had said his favorite scripture was.Sure I said it's Song of Solomon 2:15 which says, "Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes."He said that I had walked in bitterness and unforgiveness so long that it was like a brother to me, and I let the little things set me off, and they were choking the life out of me.He then directed me to go to MARK 11:22-26King James Version (KJV)Passage Mark 11:22-26:22And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.23For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.24Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.25And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.26But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.The Lord told me when it comes down to it without forgiveness nothing will work. First I had to forgive the hardest person in the world to forgive.( MYSELF ) and all the others I had ought against.He then directed me to this passage of scripture.Passage Hebrews 12:11-15:11Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.12Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;13And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.14Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:15Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;The Lord said," Michael you have walked in bitterness, and you have defiled many. You can't progress and a lot of those you hurt haven't progressed either. " ( I'll come back to this point and tell you what I had to do to make it right.)There was one more set of scripture that the Lord took me too, that day, and it set me free so I could go back to HEBREWS 12:11-15 and do something about that root of bitterness, and those that I had defiled (hurt).He then took me to PSALMS 51:1-141Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.2Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.3For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.4Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.5Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.6Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.7Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.8Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.9Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.10Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.11Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.12Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.13Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.14Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.THIS IS AN AWESOME PASSAGE I BROKE DOWN AT VERSE 10Oh Lord what do I need to do.1. Realize the things that I've done.2. forgive others and myself and ask the Lord to forgive me.3. Ask God to remove that root of bitterness from me.4. Ask God to create in me a clean heart, and renew a right spirit within me.I did all those steps and what freedom came over me.. Heaviness lifted. Was that all I had to do? NO I had to go back to all those that I had hurt and speak to then about my life and my new life and ask them for forgiveness, and bring a restoration to all our lives... ( I'll tell you about that in the next posting.)
TESTIMONY PT. 3
Hebrews 12:14-1514. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:15. Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;As I stated in the last posting I had defiled or hurt many people as I walked in bitterness all those years. Asking the Lord to forgive and clean me up wasn't going to be all I needed to do. He told me I must go back to many of them and ask for their forgiveness. One very important thing He impressed on me was this truth. Many times we know we must go back to people and make amends or restitution. We charge out and find those people and talk to them and think, If they accept my apology great, and if they don't, well I tried. I did my best. No you haven't. The Lord told me to go to these people, but only when he told me to go to each one, and to listen for the words to say to them, and only say those words. He was working in their lives and only can we say we did our best is after we do it in God timing and with the words he gave us to say.Everyone hears forgiveness in different ways and words.The first thing I had to do was go to my wife and to my children and ask their forgiveness, because I was a mess for most of the kids lives. Then to about six other people from the past I must go. As I was weed eating the back yard on afternoon, the Lord began to speak to me about going to a man named Sonny. I said yea right he would probably shoot me if he saw me on his front porch. The answer was still the same you must talk to him. As i was trimming the yard I looked up and Sonny was coming cross the alley towards me. I shut the weed eater off and he ask me a question and we started talking. A miracle in itself. He was asking about some people that had moved into the neighborhood. As we talked I was listening for the right words to say concerning forgiveness. The Lord told me with Sonny the way he hears I'm sorry will you forgive me is in the word apologise. I said, Sonny we have had a problem for a while. I did some things that I shouldn't concerning you. He said, I know I've wanted to kill you for at least four years. ( It was bad between us ) ( real bad ) I said to him that I was not that person anymore. I guess he could see that word apologise was about to come out. He said forget it that is water under the bridge. ( He did not want to hear that word come from me because it would then take the burden off me and force him to make a decision concerning the situation.I told him no it is not water under the bridge, and I want to apologise for my actions of the past. He looked at me and stared at me for a moment and the said OK... We talked for a long time and have been like brothers ever since. He has asked me to watch his house when he is gone. My apology placed a choice for him to make. To accept it or to reject it. He accepted it and it was awesome. Whichever way he went in his choice to accept or reject my apology, I could truly say I did all I could do, because I listened for the words to say and said them. I didn't have to wait for when to go because he came to me. He was ready.One of the others I needed to go to came a little later at a store. The Lord said now is the time just go up to him and start talking as if nothing ever happened between you at all. ( He had a chainsaw cranked up and was yelling for me to come out of the house. He was mad at me for something I had done. I came out with a rifle and we then each went back into our houses. ) Bitterness defiles many and many had I defiled. It was bad in those bitter years. And now the Lord was telling me to just walk up and start talking to him as if nothing ever happened between us. He said this man sees forgiveness in that act of walking up to him and talking as if the past never happened. I did just that and stood in that store and talked and talked like had never missed a step .. In every case I went back to the people the Lord told me to go too. I listened and said what the Lord said to say. And all of them gave me the forgiveness I was seeking. We are all friends. I know you won't always get 100% good results like I did, but if you just rush into it and not listen for what to say and when to go you sure won't get 100% good results. Doing it in God's way and God's time is the only way you can say I did all I can do.I was restored in Christ and restored to the people I had hurt in the past. Now I needed to get back into the Word and get a foundation and build a good solid mature Christian out of myself and go on to teach others as God had called me to do.
Hebrews 12:14-1514. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:15. Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;As I stated in the last posting I had defiled or hurt many people as I walked in bitterness all those years. Asking the Lord to forgive and clean me up wasn't going to be all I needed to do. He told me I must go back to many of them and ask for their forgiveness. One very important thing He impressed on me was this truth. Many times we know we must go back to people and make amends or restitution. We charge out and find those people and talk to them and think, If they accept my apology great, and if they don't, well I tried. I did my best. No you haven't. The Lord told me to go to these people, but only when he told me to go to each one, and to listen for the words to say to them, and only say those words. He was working in their lives and only can we say we did our best is after we do it in God timing and with the words he gave us to say.Everyone hears forgiveness in different ways and words.The first thing I had to do was go to my wife and to my children and ask their forgiveness, because I was a mess for most of the kids lives. Then to about six other people from the past I must go. As I was weed eating the back yard on afternoon, the Lord began to speak to me about going to a man named Sonny. I said yea right he would probably shoot me if he saw me on his front porch. The answer was still the same you must talk to him. As i was trimming the yard I looked up and Sonny was coming cross the alley towards me. I shut the weed eater off and he ask me a question and we started talking. A miracle in itself. He was asking about some people that had moved into the neighborhood. As we talked I was listening for the right words to say concerning forgiveness. The Lord told me with Sonny the way he hears I'm sorry will you forgive me is in the word apologise. I said, Sonny we have had a problem for a while. I did some things that I shouldn't concerning you. He said, I know I've wanted to kill you for at least four years. ( It was bad between us ) ( real bad ) I said to him that I was not that person anymore. I guess he could see that word apologise was about to come out. He said forget it that is water under the bridge. ( He did not want to hear that word come from me because it would then take the burden off me and force him to make a decision concerning the situation.I told him no it is not water under the bridge, and I want to apologise for my actions of the past. He looked at me and stared at me for a moment and the said OK... We talked for a long time and have been like brothers ever since. He has asked me to watch his house when he is gone. My apology placed a choice for him to make. To accept it or to reject it. He accepted it and it was awesome. Whichever way he went in his choice to accept or reject my apology, I could truly say I did all I could do, because I listened for the words to say and said them. I didn't have to wait for when to go because he came to me. He was ready.One of the others I needed to go to came a little later at a store. The Lord said now is the time just go up to him and start talking as if nothing ever happened between you at all. ( He had a chainsaw cranked up and was yelling for me to come out of the house. He was mad at me for something I had done. I came out with a rifle and we then each went back into our houses. ) Bitterness defiles many and many had I defiled. It was bad in those bitter years. And now the Lord was telling me to just walk up and start talking to him as if nothing ever happened between us. He said this man sees forgiveness in that act of walking up to him and talking as if the past never happened. I did just that and stood in that store and talked and talked like had never missed a step .. In every case I went back to the people the Lord told me to go too. I listened and said what the Lord said to say. And all of them gave me the forgiveness I was seeking. We are all friends. I know you won't always get 100% good results like I did, but if you just rush into it and not listen for what to say and when to go you sure won't get 100% good results. Doing it in God's way and God's time is the only way you can say I did all I can do.I was restored in Christ and restored to the people I had hurt in the past. Now I needed to get back into the Word and get a foundation and build a good solid mature Christian out of myself and go on to teach others as God had called me to do.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
RUNNING WATER
.................RUNNING WATER...................Doctors of the past had a problem. Lot's of their patients died that shouldn't have. When surgery first started the doctors fixed the problems and the patients still died, even when it was a minor operation. Finally about the time of the Civil War a doctor discovered that there were germs, that we couldn't see, that were causing the problem. Up until that point doctors never washed their hands before surgery. They could have had anything on them. They would go from patient to patient without washing their hands. So they were putting germs into the wounds from their hands, thus causing infections that killed the patient. During the Civil War doctors started washing their hands before surgeries. The mortality rate did not improve much if any, and they were puzzled. Then it came to one of them, that they were washing in a basin. That means all the germs were being contained in the water they were washing in and were still on their hands. So they started to wash in running water and the survival rate climbed upward.GOD SHOWED US THIS IN LEVITICUS 15:13, BUT MAN MISSED IT UNTIL THE CIVIL WAR.LEVITICUS 15:13 And when he that hath an issue is cleansed of his issue; then he shall number to himself seven days for his cleansing, and wash his clothes, and bathe his flesh in RUNNING WATER, and shall be clean.DIRTY HANDS OR CLEAN HANDS.....IT MAKES A DIFFERENCEPSALMS 18:20-2420. The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.RIGHTEOUSNESS: Right standing with God. Godly conductCLEANNESS: Pureness21. For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God.22. For all his judgements were before me, and I did not put away his statutes from me.23. I was also upright before him, and I kept myself from mine iniquity.24. Therefore hath the LORD recompenced me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his eyesight.RECOMPENCE: Reward .. YOU ARE REWARDED ACCORDING TO THE CLEANNESS OF YOUR HANDS.PSALMS 24:1-51. The earth is the LORD's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.2. For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.3. Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place?4. He that hath CLEAN HANDS, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.CLEAN: innocent, guiltless, blameless.PURE: cleanSWORN: done it seven times becoming an oath of agreement. this means seven time right then and there. not an accumulation of times. The seventh time a thing was done in succession it became settled. example: When a guest had eaten and were ready to leave the host was required to ask them seven times if they enjoyed it and would they like to return again. The guest was required to answer yes six times out of respect and the seventh time they were to answer their true heart on the matter and that settled it.Deceitfully: Having a tendency or disposition to cause to accept as true or valid what is false or invalid.So if you have kept your hands clean and a pure heart and not sworn deceitfully then verse 5 is for you.Verse 5 He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of salvation.PSALMS 26:1-7 KJV.1. Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide.2. Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.3. For thy loving kindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth.4. I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers.( dissemblers: Those that do in secret, conceal, or hide.5. I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked.6. I will wash mine hands in innocency ( Cleanness ): so will I compass thine altar, O LORD:7. That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.Ever wonder why some people say the right things, and pray the right things, but they never get any prayers answered? Or why some churches have long prayer list, but most people get off them only when they die.2 Cor. 6:14- 7:114. Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?15. And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? ( INFIDEL: disbelieving, untrustworthy )16. And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.17. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.18. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.2nd Cor. 7:11. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.One reason is because we have had, and many churches have had, dirty spiritual hands.QUESTIONS These are just a few things to ask ourselves, there are many more, but let's see how we do with these1. Should we watch what we see, hear, and say?Genisis shows us the power of vision.Genisis 30:27-43 KJV27. And Laban said unto him, I pray thee, if I have found favour in thine eyes, tarry: for I have learned by experience that the LORD hath blessed me for thy sake.28. And he said, Appoint me thy wages, and I will give it.29. And he said unto him, Thou knowest how I have served thee, and how thy cattle was with me.30. For it was little which thou hadst before I came, and it is now increased unto a multitude; and the LORD hath blessed thee since my coming: and now when shall I provide for mine own house also?31. And he said, What shall I give thee? And Jacob said, Thou shalt not give me any thing: if thou wilt do this thing for me, I will again feed and keep thy flock.32. I will pass through all thy flock to day, removing from thence all the speckled and spotted cattle, and all the brown cattle among the sheep, and the spotted and speckled among the goats: and of such shall be my hire.33. So shall my righteousness answer for me in time to come, when it shall come for my hire before thy face: every one that is not speckled and spotted among the goats, and brown among the sheep, that shall be counted stolen with me.34. And Laban said, Behold, I would it might be according to thy word.35. And he removed that day the he goats that were ringstraked and spotted, and all the she goats that were speckled and spotted, and every one that had some white in it, and all the brown among the sheep, and gave them into the hand of his sons.36. And he set three days' journey betwixt himself and Jacob: and Jacob fed the rest of Laban's flocks.37. And Jacob took him rods of green poplar, and of the hazel and chesnut tree; and pilled white strakes in them, and made the white appear which was in the rods.38. And he set the rods which he had pilled before the flocks in the gutters in the watering troughs when the flocks came to drink, that they should conceive when they came to drink.39. And the flocks conceived before the rods, and brought forth cattle ringstraked, speckled, and spotted.40. And Jacob did separate the lambs, and set the faces of the flocks toward the ringstraked, and all the brown in the flock of Laban; and he put his own flocks by themselves, and put them not unto Laban's cattle.41. And it came to pass, whensoever the stronger cattle did conceive, that Jacob laid the rods before the eyes of the cattle in the gutters, that they might conceive among the rods.42. But when the cattle were feeble, he put them not in: so the feebler were Laban's, and the stronger Jacob's.43. And the man increased exceedingly, and had much cattle, and maidservants, and menservants, and camels, and asses.JACOB NEW THE IMPORTANCE OF WHAT YOU LOOK AT OR SEE ALL THE TIME, AND USED THIS TRUTH TO INCREASE HIS HERDS.WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN LOOKING AT LATELY? WHAT YOU CONTINUALLY LOOK AT BECOMES A PART OF YOU.Proverbs 18:21 KJV.21. Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.DEATH AND LIFE ARE IN THE POWER OF THE TONGUE...( WORDS )WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN SAYING..? IT IS EITHER WORDS OF LIFE OR WORDS OF DEATH.THE WORD LOVE HERE MEANS TO HAVE A STRONG ATTACHMENT TO IT. IN OTHER WORDS YOU SAY IT SO MUCH IT BECOMES A PART OF YOUR LIFE AND EXPECTANCY, AND YOU WILL EAT IT OR RECEIVE IT. CHECK YOUR SPEECH AND SEE WHAT YOU ARE ALWAYS SPEAKING, AND SEE IF IT IS LIFE OR DEATH THAT YOU ARE SPEAKING.EXAMPLE ( THIS IS A TRUE STORY ) There was a man that ever since he was young ( about 2 years old ) he was always saying that he would not live to see 40 years old. He became a christian and knew he was called to minister. Still he was always saying he would never live to see 40. He enrolled and started to attend a Bible School in the Tulsa/Broken Arrow area of Oklahoma. HE WAS 39 AT THE TIME AND STILL SAYING HE WOULD NOT LIVE TO SEE 40. THE BIBLE TEACHERS TRIED TO GET HIM TO SEE THE IMPORTANCE OF HIS WORDS BUT TO NO AVAIL. TWO MONTHS BEFORE HIS 40TH BIRTHDAY A TUMOR WAS FOUND IN HIM AND HE WENT INTO A COMA. THE PREACHERS AND TEACHERS PRAYED FOR HIM, HOWEVER NO IMPROVEMENT. ONE OF THEM SAID SOMETHING ISN'T RIGHT HERE. THE MAIN TEACHER WAS PRAYING AND THE LORD TOLD HIM THAT THERE WERE SPIRITUAL LAWS THAT HAD BEEN SET IN MOTION AND THEY COULD NOT BE REVERSED AT THIS TIME. THE MAN DIED BEFORE HIS 40TH BIRTHDAY. AT THE FUNERAL THE PASTOR TOLD THE MOTHER OF THE MAN WHAT GOD HAD SAID. SHE SAID YES HE ALWAYS SAID HE WOULD DIED BEFORE HIS 40TH FROM A VERY YOUNG CHILD ON HE KEPT SAYING THAT HE WOULD DIE BEFORE HIS 40TH BIRTHDAY.. THIS MAN ATE THE FRUIT OF HIS WORDS.WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN SAYING? DO YOU SAY THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER AND OVER. IF YOU DO THEN YOU BETTER CHECK IT OUT AND MAKE SURE IT IS WHAT YOU WANT IN YOUR LIFE. THE MORE YOU SAY IT, THE MORE YOU HEAR IT , THE MORE IT BECOMES A REATITY TO YOU.2. Should we cheat, lie, steal, murder, or commit adultery?LET'S PICK STEALING OUT OF THAT GROUP. EXODUS 20:15 THOU SHALT NOT STEALHAVE YOU EVER STOLE OR ARE YOU STILL STEALING? EVER TAKE LONGER LUNCHES OR BREAKS THAT YOU ARE GIVEN. EVER BRING HOME PENS, PENCILS, RUBBER BANDS, PAPER CLIPS, FROM WORK AND KEEP THEM. IF YOU HAVE THEN YOU HAVE AND OR ARE STEALING.3. Should we dabble in witchcraft?DEUTERONOMY 18:9-139When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations.10There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch.11Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.12For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.13Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God.4. Should we put anything between us and God?SO MANY THINGS THAT MANY CHRISTIANS DO ARE NOT WHAT THEY SHOULD BE DOING. MANY CHRISTIANS READ HOROSCOPES. MANY CHRISTIANS HAVE BOUGHT THE HARRY POTTER BOOKS AND EVEN TAKEN THEIR KIDS TO THE HARRY POTTER MOVIES, WHICH ARE ABOUT WARLOCKS AND WITCHES....SATANIC. GOD SAYS SUCH THINGS ARE AN ABOMINATION TO HIM.ABOMINATION: detestable and contrary to His character.HOW DO WE GET RID OF DIRTY SPIRITUAL HANDS?Passage Ephesians 5:25-27:25Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;26That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,27That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.THIS SCRIPTURE TO HUSBANDS HOLDS THE KEY TO CLEANNESS. THE WASHING OF WATER BY THE WORD. WASHING: CLEANSING... THIS IS AN ACTIONKing James Version (KJV)Passage James 1:21-25:21Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.22But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.23For 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:24For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.25But 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.WE MUST LAY ASIDE ALL THE DIRT OF THIS LIFE BY WASHING IT AWAY WITH THE WORD OF GOD. BE A DOER OF THE WORD AND NOT A HEARER ONLY.PUT THE WORD IN YOUR HEART.PSALM 119:11Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.WE MUST KEEP AND DO THE WORD. NOT WHAT PEOPLE HAVE TOLD US, NOT WHAT PREACHERS HAVE TOLD US, NOT WHAT TRADITION HAS TOLD US, BUT WHAT THE WORD REALLY SAYS. THE ACTION OF DOING THE WORD WASHES US AND KEEPS US PURE.
Monday, June 25, 2007
TRY MY REINS LORD......(KJV)Passage Psalm 26:2Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.REIN : a strap fastened to a bit by which a rider or driver controls an animal A REIN IS WHAT IS USED TO GUIDE .. DAVID IS TELLING THE LORD TO GUIDE ME AND SEE THAT MY HEART IS WILLING TO BE LEAD. IF A HORSE WILL NOT ALLOW ANYONE TO GUIDE IT THEN IT CAN NOT BE USED. THE SAME WITH A PERSON . ANYONE THAT WILL NOT ALLOW THEMSELVES TO BE LEAD CAN NOT BE USED BY THE LORD. IF A HORSE DOES NOT TRUST THE HOLDER OF THE REINS IT WILL RESIST GUIDANCE. WE MUST TRUST THE LORD FULLY AND ALLOW OURSELVES TO BE GUIDED BY HIM.IF YOU ARE A SELF CENTERED PERSON ALWAYS DOING THINGS YOUR WAY AND NEVER ALLOWING THE LORD TO GUIDE YOU, THEN YOU ARE LIKE AN UNBROKEN HORSE. I DIDN'T DO IT GOD'S WAY FOR MANY MANY YEARS. ONE DAY I REALIZED I HAD NOT BEEN DOING WHAT I SHOULD FOR ABOUT 26 YEARS. I REPENTED AND ASK THE LORD TO FORGIVE ME AND HELP ME TO GET ON THE RIGHT TRACK AGAIN. AS I TRUSTED HIM AND ALLOWED HIM TO GUIDE ME IT SEEMED SO MUCH WAS ADDED TO MY LIFE. SOMETHINGS WENT REALLY FAST AND SOME SLOWER, HOWEVER IT SEEMED I WAS BEING PULLED IN 50 DIRECTIONS AT ONCE. SO MANY THINGS WERE OPENING UP FOR ME TO GO AND DO. I ASK THE LORD WHY DO I HAVE SO MUCH TO DO, AND WHY WERE SOME THINGS MOVING FAST AND SOME SLOW. HE SHOWED ME TWO THINGS.FIRST HE SAID,"LOOK AT IT LIKE THIS MICHAEL." BACK IN THE DAYS OF THE CALVARY ( EARLY ARMY ) IF THEY HAD A HORSE THAT COULD NOT BE GUIDED, THAT HORSE COULD NOT BE USED. SINCE HE WOULD NOT FOLLOW THE LEAD OF A RIDER HE MUST REMAIN IN THE CORRAL. THIS HORSE MAY BE BETTER QUALIFIED. HE MAY HAVE MORE STAMINA, BE ABLE TO RUN FASTER, AND ABLE TO JUMP JUMP FARTHER THAN ALL THE OTHER HORSES, BUT BECAUSE HE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE GUIDED ALL THAT ABILITY WAS UNUSABLE. THIS MEANT OTHER NOT AS CAPABLE HORSES WERE SENT INTO BATTLE IN HIS PLACE. THE LORD SAID I WAS THAT HORSE FOR 26 YEARS, KEPT IN THE CORRAL, WHILE OTHERS WERE SENT OUT TO DO THEIR CALLING AND MY CALLING FOR WHICH I WAS EQUIPED. THEY HAD TO DO MORE BECAUSE I COULD NOT BE BRIDLED AND WOULD NOT FOLLOW THE REINS.SECOND THE LORD SHOWED ME A PICTURE. WHEN I GOT MY LIFE RIGHT WITH GOD AND WAS WILLING TO GO AND DO, AND BE LEAD AND GUIDED, I BECAME AS A HORSE SADDLED WITH MY CALL IN THE SADDLE BAGS, AND AS I GALLOPED ACROSS THE LAND I NOTICED SMALL BAGS TIED TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE SADDLE BAGS BOUNCING AS I RODE. I ASK WHAT ARE THOSE? HE SAID THOSE ARE THE CALLS OF OTHERS THAT ARE AT HOME IN THE CORRAL. I MUST SEND THEM WITH YOU. YOU WILL PLOW THE FIELDS OF THEIR CALL UNTIL THAY CAN BE GUIDED AND LEAD. THAT IS WHY SOME THINGS HAVE GONE FAST OTHERS HAVE PLOWED THE FIELD UNTIL YOU WERE READY TO BE GUIDED AND APPLY THE ABILITY YOU WERE GIVEN FOR THIS CALLING. AND WHY SOME THINGS ARE SLOW IS BECAUSE IT'S ANOTHER FIELD YOU ARE PLOWING UNTIL THEY ARE READY TO TAKE OVER. YOUR SADDLE BAGS ARE FULL AND OVERFLOWING BECAUSE YOU CARRY YOUR CALL AND THE CALL OF OTHERS UNTIL THEY RIDE UP AND TRANSFER THE BAGS. WE CARRY THE CALL OF THOSE THAT HAVE NOT YET OR MAY NEVER GET BORN-AGAIN. AND WE CARRY THE CALL OF THOSE THAT ARE BORN-AGAIN, BUT ARE NOT ALLOWING THEMSELVES TO TRUST AND BE LEAD. THEY ARE STILL IN THE CORRAL. THAT'S WHY THERE IS SO MUCH TO DO. WE ARE DOING OUR PART AND THE PART OF THOSE STILL IN THE CORRAL AND THOSE THAT HAVE NOT EVEN MADE IT INTO THE ARMY YET.TRUST THE LORD. HE WILL NOT GUIDE YOU INTO A PLACE THAT HE HAS NOT EQUIPED YOU FOR. LET HIM TAKE THE REINS OF YOUR HEART.
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