Category:

Heed The Warning

1/20/2016

James 1:12-16 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. (16) Do not err, my beloved brethren. (KJV)

How do you endure temptation; do you speak and hold to words of life, or do you blame others, even God? We talked yesterday about a man named Job, and though some claim that God just chose him to teach a lesson to, the hard way I might add, the question is, would that be a God you would want to really serve, or should I say, is that how you want to learn a lesson, having your life basically in shambles? I would say not, because that is not how God operates, especially with His people. However, it is the people that choose to end up on the enemies turf because of fear or doubt, which can result in sin which is unbelief. So before one goes pointing the finger at God and blaming Him for their enticements they allowed into the heart, it is up to us the believers to rightly divide the word of truth so that we can have a spiritual diagnosis for any spiritual situation that comes our way. What fits; what is consistently written throughout the Word that would fit a situation that we may encounter or read about, which applies to God and not man’s lower fallen nature?

Proverbs 18:20-21 A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. (21) Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. (KJV)

Out of our belly or heart should be flowing rivers of living water which will bring life to ourselves as well as to others around us. However, if we have allowed something bitter, even poisonous into the heart, then bitter water will be spewing forth manifesting in death, separation from God and His kingdom. Just a reminder today, that God did not send a temptation our way, especially anything that is evil. So before you blame Him or anyone else you need to realize it’s your words that get you into these situations, and it is your words that will get you out of them as well, especially if they are in line with God’s.

Job 3:24-26 For my sighing cometh before I eat, and my roarings are poured out like the waters. (25) For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me. (26) I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet; yet trouble came. (KJV)

Oh but look at what God did to Job in the first 2 chapters, nonsense! Look what Job did to himself, and now take a second look at what is coming out of your mouth, and ask what realm have you put yourself into? We are either with God or against Him. So for those that walk in His light and speak His words, they will have life; while all others that choose a lie, will have death, separation from God and His intended result He had for them. So fast forward and ask yourself, ‘how did Job get out of his ordeal’, well it is quite simple actually.

Job 40:1-5 Moreover the LORD answered Job, and said, (2) Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it. (3) Then Job answered the LORD, and said, (4) Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth. (5) Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further. (KJV)

So you’re frustrated with your walk; things seem stale in your life and all this fussing and blaming you have been doing just came back your way, on your doorstep. Nothing in God’s realm happens by chance or luck, but rather all the promises in Him are a done deal to those that hold Him to be true; while anything else will put you back in the realm of the dead, with dead end results. Thus why we are told to be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath, because the wrath of man and those negative words do not work the righteousness of God. How much sillier can people get, to think that God would randomly choose a man like Job and then give him all these bad things to deal with just to teach him a lesson; hey, would that be very comforting to think that God might do that to you also? No, not at all, and not according to His word, which is what we need to be speaking and stay in line with if we wish to avoid these hardships as well.

1 Corinthians 10:1-6 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; (2) And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; (3) And did all eat the same spiritual meat; (4) And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. (5) But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. (6) Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. (KJV)

God’s people have suffered hardship throughout the Bible, none of which was God’s intention for them. But He had so much more He would have liked to bless them with, as He does with you. When we read the accounts in the scripture’s, they are there for our benefit to learn from and to rightly divide the word of truth so that we don’t have to make the same mistakes as others; even those who were of God. But how are you ever going to know this unless you take the time to study the Word for yourself and hear God personally so that out of your heart and through your mouth will be rivers of living waters also. While some have even blamed God for Job’s calamities and are probably blaming Him for some of their own, the truth be known, that it is by our words that we are either justified or have entered the realm of condemnation again. So where do you stand today, or should I say are you standing? Or maybe it is time to put your hand to your mouth and stop the flow of bitter waters and allow some living waters to flow through again.

Mark 11:23-24 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. (KJV)

If you don’t like what has manifested in your life you might want to ask yourself ‘what is it that I have been speaking into existence, was it words of life or death’? The Lord said you will have whatever you say, which not only includes His realm but that of the enemy also if you put yourself on his turf. The Lord promised He would give us the desires of our heart. Now the question is, will you hold fast that profession of faith without wavering and not give place to the devil, whether in word or in deed? God bless and watch your mouth.

Have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord.

A Weak Excuse

1/1/2016

Mark 14:37-38 And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? (38) Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. (KJV)

The spirit truly is ready and willing to serve the Lord, while it is the flesh that is weak and would rather be doing something else. You know, if you were hired to do a job and the boss came around and found you sleeping on the job, how long before you think you might end up fired? Which is what will happen to those that are spiritually asleep and not keeping watch over their salvation. The flesh is weak because it is limited to this fallen carnal realm; while the spirit truly is willing, able to operate in a realm where all things are possible. As I look around this fallen world I see many that are weak because they choose to lean to their own understanding, things they can see, and not into the unseen eternal realm where one can have access to the Lord and the power of His might.

1 Corinthians 11:28-30 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. (29) For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. (30) For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. (KJV)

The Lord said many are called but few are chosen. As we see in verse 30 the many had become weak allowing sickness into the temple, and some are sleeping, in a spiritual stupor even to the point of death. Rather than examining themselves working out their own salvation, they gave in to the temptation of the flesh choosing an easier path rather than a straight and narrow one that leads to victory. Instead of watching and praying, exercising their spiritual senses to know and not just guess the difference between what was good and evil, they dosed off and let the enemy catch them with their guard down, making themselves an easy target. While you were eating and drinking in a place you thought was safe and healthy, you ended up ingesting a lot of poisonous doctrine, doctrines of man that catered more to the flesh than to the Spirit.

Galatians 5:16-18 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. (17) For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. (18) But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. (KJV)

You know Church, there is still a law that is in play and that is the law of sin and death, which if the devil can catch a believer napping he would like nothing better than to have you put back under arrest and convicted. Once a believer has begun a walk in the Spirit it is vital to continue that walk, enduring to the end in order to obtain your eternal salvation. The more you walk in the Spirit the stronger you become, while on the flip side the more you stay in the flesh the weaker you are. As many as are led by the Spirit of God are truly the sons of God, and able to partake of His divine nature, operating in a realm so much higher and above all that we could ever ask or think of.

Romans 8:1-2 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (2) For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. (KJV)

Sin, to put it in its simplest form, is unbelief. All sin is a result of unbelief which stems from one choosing the carnal over the Spirit. Death is the result of sin, which is another definition of sleep, and for some it will mean eternal separation from God. The law of faith is what brought you back from the dead and enlightened you to the realm of the Spirit allowing you to walk in a new life by leaving the old one behind. Just like with the laws of the land here on earth, there is an order to the law of the Spirit; one must abide by the law of faith, living a life that is based more on what I hear from God and less by what my fallen nature tries to dictate as truth. So which realm are you in today; are you up and at it, ready, willing, and able to worship our Lord today in Spirit and in truth, or are you still on your backside, knocked down and unconscious because you got sucker punched?

Galatians 5:22-25 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, (23) Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (24) And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. (25) If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. (KJV)

Once you enter the realm of the Spirit there are no laws or limitations on how far you can go, in fact you have just entered a realm that goes on for eternity. The question is how far are you willing to go? Well, if you are in the Spirit it never has to end; however, if you choose the flesh then it will come to an end, an end God did not intend for His people. When you pray and make your petitions to God through Jesus Christ you have tapped into a source of life that is not limited to what you can see, hear, or touch in this fallen realm, but it is able to do so much more above and beyond what you could have ever asked or thought of on your own. In fact when you revert back to the flesh, that being your carnal mind, then you have taken the Lord out of the equation by leaning to your own understanding; you then open yourself up again to the law of sin and death which has now cut off the source of living waters, which if it lasts to long will result in death.

Proverbs 19:15-16 Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger. (16) He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die. (KJV)

Have you lost interest in your salvation; not as exciting as it used to be; instead of moving forward in your walk you have parked on the side of the road and are idling? Is the upkeep of your soul still your sole interest, or are you solely interested in what appeals more to the flesh than to the Spirit?

1Thessalonians 5:5-8 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. (6) Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. (7) For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. (8) But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. (KJV)

There is a Son that shines eternally, it never goes down or dims, but rather is described as a daystar which arises in our heart and gives enlightenment to the believer. If you end up sleeping spiritually and in the dark, it is because you chose a dark fallen realm rather than the eternal one where there is no darkness, neither shadow of turning.

Mark 14:38-41 Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. (39) And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words. (40) And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him. (41) And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. (KJV)

When the enemy is heading your way and trying to bring you back under arrest will you be watching and praying so that you don’t enter into temptation, or will you be easy prey for him? The spirit is willing; the flesh is weak, and is a weak excuse for those that choose their own desires ahead of our Lord’s.

God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The Birds And The Bees

12/30/2015

Williams New Testament translation for 2Timothy 2:15-19
15. Do your best to present yourself to God an approved workman who has nothing to be ashamed of, who properly presents the message of truth. 16. Continue shunning worldly, futile phrases, for they lead on to greater depths of godlessness, 17. and their message will spread like a cancer; men like Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18. who have missed the truth by saying that the resurrection has already taken place, are undermining some people's faith. 19. But God's foundation stands unshaken, with these inscriptions: "The Lord knows the people who belong to Him, "Everyone who bears the name of the Lord must abstain from evil."

You know, when you became a child of God and embraced His message of love, it is at that point that we need to let go and discard things that lead to death, similar to a cancer spreading in the body. The reason many of these spiritual cancers spread is because someone chose to try and justify their lower fallen nature by twisting the word of God to fit their lifestyle rather than seeking to be justified in the eyes of the Lord. Remember that talk your parents had with you concerning the birds and the bees, and the one you need to have with your children concerning reproduction, what is and what is not approved by our Lord? Well it seems many who profess to be Christian or Christ like, naming His name, have not departed from iniquity but rather embrace it and find ways to justify their lack of diligence in the Word and self control of their temple. In other words a phrase that comes to mind, do as I say and not as I do.

1Thessalonians 5:22-23 Abstain from all appearance of evil. (23) And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (KJV)

You know, it’s amazing how many people in the so called church realm, those that name and claim they are Christians, throw caution to the wind when it comes to relationships between a man and a woman. Rather than take the time to know that the person they are involved with is one they would marry, so many have the mindset that it is ok to shack up, live together outside of marriage. Times may have changed and the mindset of waiting till one is married to consummate this union seems so old fashioned, but let me tell you something that is much older in fashion, that is, living outside the realm which God blesses, sin, being under the curse. If you truly loved this person the way our Lord loves His church then you would respect that person enough to remain sanctified, spirit, soul, and last but not least folks, body as well. You wonder why there is a lack of trust in your relationship people, maybe the fact that the person you are involved with was so willing, and yes even easy with the body before the marriage; it makes you wonder what is going to be so faithful afterward doesn’t it? How about you guys, you know the one that is supposed to be the head of the woman, how much of Christ did you demonstrate and hold fast to beforehand, or did you cave in and give up without a fight? Oh but we’re just living together, God knows our heart. Yes He does, but what about others that are watching you now that you claim to be a Christian, especially when we should not even have the appearance of evil?

1 Corinthians 6:13-15 Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body. (14) And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power. (15) Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. (KJV)

You know, some day you are going to have to stand before God and give an account of what you did with His temple, which you just happen to be. The devil made me do it, or everyone else was doing it, won’t get you into His kingdom, but rather it will get you an eternity of separation from God because you were willing to sell your soul for a feeling. Not to mention the other person involved that you led astray also; you know the warning we were given about a millstone being tied around the neck and cast into the sea? Oh it sounds so old fashioned to many out there in the world, but all one has to do is take a look around and see how backwards things have gotten because many choose to please their flesh more than a God in heaven.

1 Corinthians 6:16-20 What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. (17) But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. (18) Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. (19) What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? (20) For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. (KJV)

You may think a harlot is somebody standing on the corner looking for customers, but I got news for you, that nice so called Christian guy or gal that engages in sexual immorality, in other words anything outside of marriage, is considered a harlot as well. So guess what that makes you if you willingly partake in these practices?

1 Corinthians 8:12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. (KJV)

Whether it is a brother or sister in the Lord, if you are the one that has wounded and enticed them into sin, especially an area where they may be weak in, you are in essence sinning personally against Christ Himself. So before you decide to be so hap hazard in your decisions and throw caution up with the winds of doctrine that seem to be blowing through the Church amongst God’s own people, it’s time you re-realize the facts of life concerning how to posses your vessel in sanctification and honor.

Ephesians 5:25-27 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; (26) That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, (27) That 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. (KJV)

In conclusion, if that person really loved you the way you, a child of God should be loved, then that person would be spending more time building you up in God’s word and not tearing you down in the world and its ways. Christian man or woman, if that person you are thinking about isn’t willing to wait and respect you before there is a marriage or even talk of one, then there would be no reason to think they would afterward either. If that so called Christian person thinks shacking up or taking a test drive before the marriage is fine then that should be warning enough for you to kick him or her to the curb. You want the blessing of God in the relationship or anything else that you do, then it’s His way or the highway, a not so highway that leads to a dead end. Remember that talk we were given when we were children about the birds and the bees, well it seems like there are a lot of childish people who call themselves Christians who need to be taught again some of the basic principles concerning their walk with Christ and the fact that He doesn’t change with the times.

God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Getting A Head

11/10/2015

Deuteronomy 28:13 And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them: (KJV)

If one desires to be the head and operate in the realm where the head of the Church is then they need to know who the Head is in order to stay ahead and not beneath, or lowering themselves to the standards of this fallen realm. Christ is the head of the church of God so anything else or any other doctrine contrary to the doctrine of Christ will keep one below or beneath the standards God set for His church to operate in.

Ephesians 2:4-7 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. (KJV)

We that were stuck in this fallen dead realm are now able to partake of a new life in Christ because of the mercy of God, who was gracious enough to send the Son on our behalf. The sacrifice of Jesus Christ brought reconciliation to God and mankind so that the fellowship could be restored and that God could open up His good treasure and allow us to partake of all the spiritual blessings we now have access to in Christ. We at one time were dead spiritually because of sin, but have now been resurrected and allowed access to sit in the realm of the heavenly to hear the message of Christ and understand God’s plan of salvation for His people.

Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: (KJV)

If one wishes to partake of spiritual blessings then they need to operate in a spiritual realm to do so; walking in the Spirit and not fulfilling your own lusts or desires of the flesh. Many people limit blessings to the financial area thinking that is the answer to all of life’s problems. They that are in the flesh cannot and will not be pleasing to God because they stay stuck in the carnal realm limiting Him, and settling for the tail and not what the Head had intended for His church. There is a vast unending wealth of spiritual blessings to those that are in Christ and remain in the realm of the Spirit; those that bear and partake of the priceless fruit of the Spirit; the love, joy, peace as well as freedom from fear and bondage. So what realm are you operating in today; are you seeking first the kingdom of God which is located above and not found in this fallen one or are you settling for second hand versions of what man thinks is blessings?

Deuteronomy 28:12 The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow. (KJV)

Does it seem like you are always behind, not able to catch up, but always seeming to come up short? Maybe the reason you are still behind is because you are on the tail end and not the Head. The Lord promised He would bless all, not just some of the work of our hand. So if that is the case then why are you always having to borrow, which includes spiritually, instead of having your cup running over with living waters and able to give to anyone that is athirst? Maybe it is because you don’t know who the Head is, or you are not allowing Christ to be the head of your life, and instead of partaking of His good treasure you are settling for man’s cheap knockoff imitations.

Colossians 2:1-4 For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; (2) That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; (3) In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (4) And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. (KJV)

Ever wonder why Paul experienced so much conflict? The enemy didn’t like seeing God’s people rise to the head of the class, but rather enjoyed keeping them in bondage to this world and kicking their tail ends. What riches and treasures are waiting for us in the heavenly realm; what a joy it is to know the mystery of the gospel, to have a full not partial understanding; as well as assurance of who we are in Christ and all that is available too His people. All this treasure of wisdom and knowledge is not found here on this earth or in the carnal realm around carnal people teaching carnal doctrines, but rather it is hid in Christ; and those that desire to rise to a new level in their walk seeing the picture from above are no longer limited to the view from below. Where your treasure is, is where your heart will be also. So, is your affection set on things above, or are you being shortchanged and settling for the things below, things below the standard God intended for His people?

Colossians 3:1-2 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. (2) Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. (KJV)

Christ is seated at the right hand of God and He is not moving, nor is He going to lower Himself to man’s standards. So if you wish to partake of the kingdom of God and partake of His divine nature then you need to be looking above and not in this fallen realm. With all that is available to God’s people through Jesus Christ, His one and only mediator, why would anyone settle for less?

Williams Translation Colossians 3:1-2
1. So if you have been raised to life in fellowship with Christ, keep on seeking the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2. Practice occupying your minds with the things above, not with the things on earth;

Practice makes perfect, or in our case mature, growing up in what God says is heading in the right direction, seeking those things which are above. So if you wish to get a head then look to the Head, Christ, so that you won’t have to end up the tail.

God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Cease and Desist

10/30/2015

Williams New Testament translation of Romans 7:1-6
1. Do you not know, brothers -- for I speak to those who are acquainted with the law -- that the law can press its claim over a man only so long as he lives? 2. For a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives, but if her husband dies, she is freed from the marriage bond. 3. So if she marries another man while her husband is living, she is called an adulteress, but if he dies, she is free from that marriage bond, so that she will not be an adulteress though later married to another man. 4. So, my brothers, you too in the body of Christ have ended your relation to the law, so that you may be married to another husband, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God. 5. For when we were living in accordance with our lower nature, the sinful passions that were aroused by the law were operating in the parts of our bodies to make us bear fruit that leads to death. 6. But now we have been freed from our relation to the law; we have ended our relation to that by which we once were held in bonds, so that we may serve in a new spiritual way and not in the old literalistic way.

A cease and desist order has been issued from heaven so all of God’s people could walk in a newness of life and not according to the old literal, unrealistic way man thinks they can please God. Now the question is, ‘how many are willing to give heed to the call of God and worship Him in spirit and in truth’? In order to move ahead in your walk you have to be facing forward, operating in the now and not in the has been. There is a new law of faith that was established and instituted on behalf of God’s people which is apart from the works of the old law. So only those that have separated themselves from these dead rituals will be able to walk in a newness of life; while others are walking blindly in the realm of the flesh seeking something alive amongst the dead. What happens when people don’t give heed to the cease and desist order our Lord gave to His people concerning the old law and the things of it?

Luke 9:62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. (KJV)

When you entered the realm of the Spirit you entered a new realm of faith, and those that look back to their old thoughts or ways are basically declared unfit and not ready to serve our Lord. With all the Lord had His people write for our benefit concerning the law and the things of it, why are so many still looking behind and not pressing forward in their pursuit of the spiritual? When the Lord issued a cease and desist order concerning these dead things it was done for our benefit and liberty so that we could walk in a deeper more intimate relationship with our Lord. By adding works of the law into the mix it’s like trying to combine oil and water which just doesn’t gel together because it was never intended to. By trying to mix the old with the new you will get the same results as well.

Hebrews 10:38-39 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. (39) But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. (KJV)

Now, right this moment, those that seek justification will only find it by faith, hearing the words of Christ that bring Spirit and life to the believer, that’s it, that simple, nothing else. A simple belief in the good work Jesus Christ has begun in you and desires to continue to do if you will only be willing and obedient to the simplicity of Christ and not some old dead complex carnal laws. Many people draw back without being aware of it by reverting back to the law and its rituals, which now adds works to the equation instead of a simple faith in Christ. It’s like mapping out a journey and driving all day only to find out you were going in circles ending up right back where you started.

Hebrews 3:12-15 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. (13) But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. (14) For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; (15) While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. (KJV)

Take heed to what is being said, the word clearly tells us that whatsoever is not of faith is sin. Where is your confidence today, and what are you holding to? Is it the message the Lord has for you and what He has done on your behalf, or are you still holding to dead works that man thinks they still need to do? Today, will you hear the voice that is speaking to your heart, building up your confidence in the word of God, or are you leaning back to your own understanding? While many people categorize sin and put it at different levels, sin is nothing more than unbelief. Sin is sin people, no matter how it manifests, it is all a result of unbelief; for many because they don’t spend enough time with the Lord hearing His message for themselves and rightly dividing the word of truth. This same kingdom of God you walked into can certainly be walked out of as well, because many don’t hold God to be true to His word and remain confident in His realm. Will you hear His voice today? Will you put your hand to His plow and continue moving forward in the realm of the Spirit and not try to establish your own righteousness by the works of a dead law?

2 Peter 2:18-22 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. (19) While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. (20) For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. (21) For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. (22) But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire. (KJV)

When I listen to some of these so called preachers standing in the pulpits and strutting around like some peacock it reminds me of a bunch of loud mouth drunks in a bar, the more intoxicated they become with themselves the more the exaggerations and a stretching of their versions of truth. Any area that a man escapes from with the help of the Lord only to end up entangled and overcome by it again results in a situation where they end up in worse shape than they were in the beginning. Those that walk in the liberty in Christ are those that continue to grow strong in the Lord and the power of His might, in all things more than conquerors through Him that loved us. I can do all things through Christ and without Him we can do nothing, which when I read the above verses tells me somewhere along the line these people separated themselves from the Lord giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons. Many well intended people put their hand to a spiritual plow and work the Lord’s field for a season only to look back to something in the flesh that they think will make them perfect, sometimes the deception manifests in the form of the old law and rituals. Move forward, walk in liberty, stand fast in your faith and remain rooted and grounded in the realm of the Spirit so that you don’t fall from some cheap thrill in the flesh. God bless and stay renewed.

Have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Wake Up Call

8/10/2015

John 11:11-14 These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. (12) Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. (13) Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. (14) Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. (KJV)

God’s word was made flesh and dwelt among us in the form of Jesus Christ, who was sent from God to deliver mankind from a death sentence to one of eternal life. The things our Lord did and demonstrated are still available to His people today; those that God sends to speak words of life and wake people up from their spiritual stupors. When you see the phrase sleep it does refer to death also. Lazarus is someone we can identify with ourselves. And as we read yesterday, a man who was stuck in darkness, bound up in grave clothes whose life stunk, and was being resurrected from his sleep by the word of the Lord. We too were dead in sin and trespasses but are now made alive again so that we are able to walk in newness of life in the Spirit, no longer bound by the desires of the flesh.

Ephesians 5:14-16 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. (15) See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, (16) Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. (KJV)

Many think and are taught that someday there will be a wonderful resurrection to a new eternal life with Christ, and for many of them they can hardly wait for that day to come. Those that have their spiritual senses exercised today know that now it is time to awaken from our spiritual stupor, arise from the dead and walk in the light of the glorious gospel of Christ and the path He chose for us before the foundation of the world.

Thayer’s definition for awake:
1453 egeiro- to arouse, to cause to rise
a) to arouse from sleep, to awake
b) to arouse from the sleep of death, to recall the dead to life

Romans 13:11-14 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. (12) The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. (13) Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. (14) But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. (KJV)

Have you woken up from the dead; are you arising now and heeding the spiritual calling, or are you all caught up in the striving and cares of this life? Now it is high time; time for you to be seated in the heavenly places with Christ, and not stuck in this dead end realm of the flesh with its dead end results. Your salvation is near, the Lord Himself is standing at your door knocking on the heart to see if you will let Him in and give you new life. Like with the example of Lazarus, He is ready to roll away the old stony heart and set you free to the only liberty you will find, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. So are you heeding the call of our Lord; are you stepping out in faith into a new realm so that you can be partakers of the heavenly gift that God sent to us through His Son Jesus Christ? Now is the day of salvation, now it is much nearer than you thought; so will you get up from your spiritual hangover and answer the call, or will you sleep in and miss out on an eternal heavenly reward which is rightfully yours for the taking? Have you put on the whole armor of God which is Jesus Christ so that you will no longer be taken down by the fiery darts of the enemy and put back to sleep? Walk in the Spirit of Christ so that you no longer have to be in bondage to the lusts of the flesh, fulfilling its deadly desires which are contrary to our Lord’s desire for you.

1 Corinthians 15:31-34 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. (32) If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die. (33) Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. (34) Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame. (KJV)

Paul himself realized that in order to resurrect daily to this new life in Christ he would have to die on a daily basis. The outward or the old man continues to perish on a daily basis, because we are now walking by faith and relying more on our spiritual sight than the physical one. Our inward man should be renewed on a daily basis so that we stay awake and alert spiritually, and are not ambushed by the enemy. Are the eyes of your understanding enlightened to the things of the Spirit, or are they becoming heavy and you are drifting back to sleep again? Take heed to the warning in verse 33, because Paul did not say that evil communication might corrupt, but rather would corrupt good manners. These warnings are not put in the Bible just to fill in pages or finish a paragraph, but are there for the benefit of His people so they won’t be deceived back to sleep again, but rather stay awake and alert to the things of God. Some people are not aware of these things that many may consider little and trivial, but remember it only took a little leaven to leaven the whole lump, and for those that don’t operate in this knowledge, like Paul said, he speaks this to their shame. It’s one thing if the people of the world decide to ignore the word of the Lord and perish; it’s another to see God’s people perish because of their lack of knowledge in spiritual matters; which in the end is all that truly matters.

1 Corinthians 11:27-30 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. (28) But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. (29) For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. (30) For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. (KJV)

The Bible says that we all need to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling, coming to an understanding of God’s plan of salvation for ourselves so that we no longer have to guess, but know who we are in Christ, and find our place within the body. Many that have had a spiritual awakening at some time, end up falling back to sleep, this after becoming weak and sickly. It’s because of their lack of discernment and diligence, as well in making the Lord their priority that they ended up in this condition. The Bible warns us of the many false prophets that shall come preaching damnable heresies to the point of denying the Lord, and they bring upon themselves swift destruction. Not only will the false prophets suffer eternal consequences because what should have been the bread of life was actually polluted and full of deadly spiritual diseases which eat like a cancer, but those that follow them and lend their support to them will also suffer the same consequences as well. So wake up Church; you have a Bible and you have access to the throne of God so that you can sit together with Christ on a daily basis and hear His words firsthand; they are spirit and they are life to those that hear. Don’t fall asleep at the wheel again and end up in a ditch spinning your wheels, but stay alert and follow the only path that leads to eternal life, the same path our leader and forerunner Jesus Christ followed Himself. God bless and keep the faith.

Have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Flip Flopping

5/19/2015

Psalms 12:1-2 Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men. (2) They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak. (KJV)

How do the people of God go from one day serving Him, to the next day acting like the devil? It all comes down to what they have allowed into the heart; and like a virus, once it gets into the heart it will spread quickly and bring one down. Like in a courtroom, all the defense team has to do is present reasonable doubt or the appearance of it. The same holds true with the Christian and their daily encounters in life, the trial of their faith. If you take the time to study the evidence presented in the word of God you will have a rock solid case without any holes in it, and you will stand up and prevail in your daily encounters. But if you have let down your guard and have not taken the time to prepare your case then you will start entertaining doubts, and second guessing rather than knowing God’s verdict in the matter. Remember, out of the abundance of the heart the mouth will speak, which will either be words of spirit and life, or spirit and death, depending on where your heart truly is. The trial of your faith; are you ready for it, have you taken the time to study the evidence, or do you have double vision, flip flopping back and forth?

1 Kings 18:21-22 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word. (22) Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the LORD; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men. (KJV)

In an election year, one of the biggest criticisms of the candidates, one of the biggest accusations that are made between them is their flip flopping on the issues. Instead of giving a straight answer and holding to it, they jump back and forth to appease the people and win their approval. This same mindset holds true in the spiritual realm; many that have begun their campaign with the Lord begin with good intentions but end up selling out to popular opinions and doctrines of man which are based more on a people pleasing head knowledge than on a true commitment from the heart. As we see Elijah was one amongst many others; rather than hold fast to the Lord many had allowed the people to be more of an influence on their heart than the word of God. Has your walk and commitment to the Lord come to a halt also, because rather than hold fast to His word you have been swayed by the people and their opinions? The Lord would rather have us hot or cold. It will be those that are in the middle that He will spue out of His mouth if they continue to waver between opinions.

James 1:5-8 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. (6) But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. (7) For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. (8) A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. (KJV)

Once you ask God for His help and His wisdom then it is up to you to follow through with your commitment despite what many others are doing or believing. Like going to a doctor and seeking his counsel for whatever the ailment is, and whatever he prescribes for the treatment. So if he gives you a prescription and you don’t follow through and take the medicine then it is not his fault if you end up getting worse. The same holds true with our Lord, when we ask of Him we need to ask in faith, and follow through with what He prescribes in order to stay healthy. The reason one becomes double minded is because they were double hearted, no longer renewing the mind with the truth but rather introducing doubt and confusion which is not of God. It is easy to tell who the unstable person is by what is coming out of the mouth; and the more unstable one becomes the more they are blown off course with winds of doctrine and end up shipwrecked. What you allow into the heart is what is going to come out of your mouth; and the enemy is referred to a roaring lion, one who is waiting to pounce on the weak by listening to their confession and the instability that is coming forth from their mouth.

Matthew 15:18-20 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. (19) For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: (20) These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man. (KJV)

How did all this junk and garbage get into the heart in the first place? If you ate nothing but junk food all the time how healthy would the heart be? By eating all this spiritual junk food you wonder why you waver and doubt at times. As vital an organ this is to our physical man how much more to our spiritual being? And if you had been more watchful of your temple you would not have allowed the thief to break through and turn God’s house into a dumping ground. While many still hold to outward appearances and physical laws and rituals, it’s the heart that matters to God, and what the true motives are that concerns Him. I can assure you that there are many that if they knew they had a winning lottery ticket would find a safe place to keep it and make sure nothing got to it and defiled it. So how much more should we keep a watch on our spiritual treasure chest, which after all affects our eternal life and not just the short term time we spend here. You wouldn’t let someone back up to your house with a garbage truck and dump it into your living room, so why do so many allow the devil to come into God’s temple and dump a load in their heart? How healthy would that be, let alone how soon before it would be declared unfit and not suitable for habitation? What are you listening to, what are you watching, what do you spend your time meditating on? If it is the things of God then you will be walking with Him and acting like Him. If it is anything else it will manifest itself in a way that will be most unpleasant.

Proverbs 23:4-7 Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. (5) Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven. (6) Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats: (7) For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee. (KJV)

As a man thinks in his heart is truly who he will be; whether it be of God or the prince of this world. Are you seeking the riches of this realm as many others have fallen for and are drowning in destruction and despair, or are you seeking the spiritual treasures of wisdom and knowledge which can only be found in Christ, and those that are truly one of His? No man can serve two masters; and the Bible is quite clear that you cannot serve God and money at the same time. Those that engage in these doctrines become double hearted and double minded, no longer able to receive anything from God.

James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. (KJV)

Time to clean out that mess that has gotten in the heart and wash it away with the living waters of truth so that you will no longer be double minded, flip flopping back and forth between the things of God and the things of this realm.

God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord.

It Heartily Matters

5/15/2015

Colossians 3:23-25 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; (24) Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. (25) But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons. (KJV)

Here is a good frame of mind to be in for someone serving our Lord no matter how small or trivial it may seem to us; putting our whole heart into it, doing it heartily unto our Lord is all that matters for His approval. Even when making a bed, cleaning a room, or doing dishes. Think of the frame of mind you would be in if the president of the United States was coming over, or some famous celebrity or athlete. You would go out of your way checking and double checking making sure everything was in order and done right. Now, keep that same mindset concerning our Lord; if He was coming over personally would it be to His satisfaction, or would you cut corners and do a quick job just to get it done and out of the way, like we do with other people, even the Lord’s people? So how much more diligent would you be; how much more would you pay attention to details knowing the Lord Himself was going to do a personal inspection? Someday that scenario will take place before His judgment seat. If you have become accustomed to serving our Lord whole heartedly and are not ashamed now, then you can be confident you won’t have anything to be ashamed of when you stand before Him either some day. I have seen many in the workplace claiming to be one of God’s people who spend time talking about the Lord in one breath, then basically throw their testimony out the window by their half hearted efforts on the job. Instead of being an example of the believer, giving credence to their belief and the God they claim to serve, they overlook these simple areas of their walk; and by not being faithful in things they consider the least important they never move on in their walk with the Lord, and are unable to be trusted by Him for other things. Just like those that desire the office of a bishop, or any other elder, or overseer of the Church, if they overlook their home life, it being a wreck, then they will be unable to oversee the affairs of the Church.

Titus 1:15-16 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. (16) They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. (KJV)

The Bible says blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God. When one is not doing the will of God from the heart the motives are no longer pure, but there has been a breach in the heart, something unhealthy has gotten into it. It starts with little things, a lazy half hearted effort that eventually progresses more and more to the point of one becoming a reprobate, which means to be unapproved; unfit and rejected were also included in the definition of reprobate. So how pure are your motives; what is your reason for serving the Lord? Is your relationship with our Lord based on a love and understanding of His word and what He is asking of you, or are you lot more talk than walk?

1 Peter 3:1-4 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; (2) While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. (3) Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; (4) But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. (KJV)

I use the above example because it not only applies to the wives, but can be applicable for all Christians as well. The word conversation means behavior or conduct, which means that actions truly do speak louder than just words or vain lip service. Do you have enough confidence in your walk that you can be an example of the believers by your walk and not just the talk? The Bible talks about finding a just balance in our lives; and though many can quote scriptures and talk about the Lord they overlook the walk part, and at times when to just keep silent. Remember it’s not how man sees you according to the outward adorning or any other physical apparel, but rather that hidden new man within the heart is what the Lord is looking at; and in His sight a meek and quiet spirit is highly sought after and of great price, or precious is another way of putting it. Just like the old saying in reference to a pig, no matter how much makeup and lipstick you put on it, it is still a pig and will end up running back to the pigpen when given the opportunity. Many who claim to be Christians follow the same pattern; and it seems like the more one has to dress up and adorn the outward, the more they are trying to hide the true inward motives and intents of the heart.

Psalms 62:7-8 In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. (8) Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah. (KJV)

You wonder why at times the heart seems heavy and you are unable to keep yourself focused on the things of God? All that effort you have been putting into hiding from God, and justifying yourself before man is a waste of time and useless. Trusting in the Lord means that you open up to Him just like you would with someone close to you, or someone you have trusted, you now open up to Him and ask for help. Being that He already knows our heart and what our true motives are, only the truth will set us free; and that truth begins on our end also by acknowledging the issue and asking for His help. It’s okay to pour out your heart to God; remember this relationship is a two way street, and so in order to maintain a healthy partnership one needs to be open and honest. Our Father is a God of love and would like nothing better than to be able to give you His truth in the matter, and set you free so that you can serve Him whole heartedly, and not be bogged down with cares and concerns of this life. The Lord is standing at the door of your heart today and knocking, will you open up and let Him in, or are you keeping Him on the outside, looking through the peephole only to catch a glimpse? With what measure you give out is what will be measured back to you; simply put, the more you open up to Him the more He will open up to you. The more you allow Him into your life, into all of your decisions concerning your walk, the more rock solid the relationship becomes.

God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Heart Smart

5/14/2015

Proverbs 3:5-8 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. (6) In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (7) Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. (8) It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. (KJV)

When I see the word ‘lean’ I think of someone wavering, ready to take a fall, or like a boxer who has just taken a punch and is having a hard time standing. If you cut off the blood flow to the brain eventually it will cause one to pass out. The same holds true in the spiritual realm if you cut off the source of life, the word of God from the heart to renew the mind, eventually you will start wavering and falling on your face. As the heart is such a vital organ to our physical man, it is just as vital to our spiritual being as well. Have you seen the green labels on food products that say they are heart smart, something that is healthy for us? The word of God is heart smart as well, because a healthy dose of it will keep reminding us of the truth, that God has not given us the spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind. Have you desired a closer relationship with the Lord wanting more of Him in your life? Have you given a whole hearted effort, or are you still hanging on to the things of this life, your own understanding, something to fall back on in case this Lord thing doesn’t quite work out the way you thought it should? The Bible says the Lord is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we could ask or think; the question is will you let Him?

Proverbs 4:20-22 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. (21) Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. (22) For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. (KJV)

Have you seen healthy people, how they eat right, exercise the body, and maintain the temple God gave them? For the Christian it begins in the heart with the word of God, which brings life to the spirit man and results in good health to the flesh. Who better to show us how to stay healthy, body, soul, and spirit, than the Creator Himself? The Bible makes reference to our lives as a race; a long distance race that we need to run with patience in order to endure to the end. If you have ever seen a marathon runner you notice they have maintained their temple, having eliminated any excess weight that would weigh them down and cause undue stress and strain on the heart. The same holds true with the Christian, many carry around excess spiritual weight, the cares and worries of things that they need to cast upon the Lord and leave them there. The fact that you wouldn’t see overweight or unhealthy people running a marathon race, or I should say enduring to the end, spiritually those that don’t train themselves on a daily basis to hear the Lord and let His word flow in the heart will not last long in the heavenly race either, enduring to the end. The more you train yourself in the things of God the more you will learn to keep your body in subjection to the Spirit and not end up dropping out of the race, being dehydrated due to a lack of living waters.

Psalms 119:10-11 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. (11) Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. (KJV)

Have you ever tried to do something and your heart just wasn’t into it? Or how about the endless New Year resolutions people make, only to make the same ones the following year? How many people get caught up in the work out ads on TV where they show some young person in great shape who claims that they only had to work out for a few minutes a day to get these great results? So when the people end up buying these devices, for most, they find out that they make a great place to hang their wet laundry on. The same holds true with your spiritual walk, unless the word of God gets into the heart and becomes an actual way of life, it will soon be forgotten, put on the shelf, and you will end up back where you started, like as a runner with good intentions but never able to go forward. Again the word of God is just as vital as the flow of blood to and from the heart; which, without a healthy flow through us will result in the body shutting down, unable to function.

Jeremiah 17:9-11 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? (10) I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. (11) As the partridge sitteth on eggs, and hatcheth them not; so he that getteth riches, and not by right, shall leave them in the midst of his days, and at his end shall be a fool. (KJV)

So how does God judge this race, the course He has set for each of us to run? While many may look good and sound good in the outward realm, God is looking to the inward man to see what their motivation is and what it is that they truly treasure. Mankind is like a partridge, they are constantly hatching new methods and devices based on their own understanding, which is based more on a love of money, not the love of God. As an unhealthy diet and lack of exercise in the physical realm will cause the body to shut down in the physical, nothing will shut down the spiritual quicker than the love of money, or any other care of this life which drowns men in destruction, and chokes the life out of many. Just as an unhealthy flow of blood and oxygen will shut a runner down in his tracks, many a godly person that has answered the call of God in the beginning of their walk end up having a spiritual heart attack and keel over because of a lack of healthy doctrine to the heart. We have all been deceived and duped in the past by the cheap imitations of the devil trying to pull us back into the realm of the flesh by leaning to our own understanding. Where your treasure is, is where the heart will be also; and it will determine whether you have stayed on course, the path of life that God has set for you to run, or whether you are sidetracked by your own understanding which is deceitful, and have now placed your own desires above all other things, including the things of God.

Ephesians 6:5-8 Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; (6) Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; (7) With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: (8) Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. (KJV)

Singleness of heart means it is not self seeking. So who are you seeking your approval from, and what are your true motives for everything you are doing today, this moment? Are you looking to the Lord to receive your reward seeking His approval only, or are you doing things to please man? Whatever your motive truly is, God already knows and is not fooled. The question is, do you truly know what is heart smart and able to keep you in good standing with our Father today?

God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Where Is It Written?

5/13/2015

Hebrews 8:9-10 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. (10) For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: (KJV)

In the Old Testament the commandments were written on tablets of stone which reflected the stony hearts of the people and how quickly they could be broken, which in fact took place before Moses returned from receiving them. Today we still have many stiff necked and hardhearted people that continue to try to serve our Lord according to the old law and not the new covenant our Lord brought forth to His people. There are those today that put a lot of credence into Bible memorization, thinking the more scriptures they can memorize the more effective they will be. You may have a head full of knowledge but if it doesn’t get into the heart, quite frankly you’re dead. In fact the more one can stay out of their head and the old carnal thinking the better off they will be. Like with a blood transfusion, if it never reaches the heart then it is of no value and will lead to death. As the heart is such a vital organ to our physical man, it is a vital part of our spiritual being also; and just as the heart pumps the blood to the body, it gives life to the believer as well. A half hearted effort will leave one falling short in this realm whether in a marriage, job or anything else we engage in. The same holds true in the spiritual realm, if one is not giving our Lord a whole hearted effort then they too will come up short and not reach their intended goal.

2 Corinthians 3:2-6 Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: (3) Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart. (4) And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward: (5) Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; (6) Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. (KJV)

Has the word of God gotten into your heart? Is it an actual part of your being, pumping life into you daily? Do you understand the Word for yourself so that when you read the Bible you are not just reading accounts of God working through and in other people’s lives, but that you can relate to their situations as well having experienced the same thing in your walk, or are in the process of experiencing it, seeing for yourself how to walk by faith and not by sight? This is a living spiritual Word that is written with the Spirit of God in the heart, and as long as you keep your heart protected from the lies and deceptions of the devil it will not be lost or stolen from you. Many people are familiar with the letter of the law and can quote scriptures based on head knowledge, but it is only those that have truly allowed this Word to be written personally in their own heart that will experience the love, the joy, and the peace of God that goes beyond our understanding.

Luke 4:5-8 And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. (6) And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. (7) If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine. (8) And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. (KJV)

The same question the devil asked Jesus of Nazareth is the same one he will ask and has asked all of us; ‘where is it written?’ Now the devil is not asking for chapter and verse of where it is written but rather checking to see if it is written in the heart, something that is actually alive and real, a part of your own being. As we see here in the above example, as well as other parts of the New Testament, our Lord Himself taught the people as one that had authority, one that knew what He was talking about, and was not like the other teachers and preachers. The Lord knew from the heart who He served, as well as the truth and what His calling was, and what it would take to fulfill it as well. Anything less than a whole hearted belief and commitment, taking a stand for the truth, and you will end up falling for a lie. When the devil tries to paint you a pretty picture of all the things in the world you are missing out on, and what could be yours if you are willing to seek the glory of this world rather than your heavenly reward, you will end up duped like many others unless you have allowed the word of God to be written in your heart.

Acts 19:13-16 Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. (14) And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. (15) And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? (16) And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. (KJV)

This is a classic example of what happens when the word of God is not real and alive to someone, but rather a second hand account of something someone else did in their walk. These exorcists were trying to imitate Paul, having seen God work through him. So when they tried to stand on their own knowledge they ended up taking a beating. These evil spirits were quite familiar with the Lord Jesus and Paul himself because they found out first hand that the Word was written in their hearts with the Spirit of the living God, and it was the evil spirits that ended up fleeing from them instead of the other way around. So how well armed are you today? When the enemy comes a knocking will you send him fleeing or will you be the one on the run?

1 Peter 5:8-9 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: (9) Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. (KJV)

Ever see the old classic movie the Wizard of Oz where the girl is walking down the path and is confronted by the lion? The lion made a lot of noise and threats, but when resisted with the truth turned out to be nothing more than a lying coward. For those that know the truth of God from the heart, they are able to see this same thing for themselves; and rather than be sidetracked with lies and deceptions they continue on the path of life by resisting the devil with the truth. Whom resist steadfast in the faith; our ability to hear the message delivered by Christ, and allow God’s word to be written in our own hearts. Faith is by hearing and hearing the word of God; which means doubt and fear can only come by hearing as well, giving ear to the lie more than the truth.

James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (KJV)

There was a commercial that asked the people ‘what’s in your wallet?’ When the devil comes around to ask you what is in your heart, will you have an answer that will send him fleeing, or will you be fleeing from the truth and chasing a cheap lie and imitation of his? So what is truly written in your heart? Because where your treasure is will determine where your heart is, and which direction it is going.

God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord.