tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57363109374120074882024-02-20T11:40:23.336-05:00Two Who AgreeAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163849711871067423noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736310937412007488.post-54117875835909614352016-07-12T09:58:00.001-04:002016-07-12T10:10:41.213-04:00Racism<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The troubling events that are unfolding in our country
are all the more reason for the church to step up; clothed in the Love of
Jesus, and be a light in dark places. Racism is sin, no matter what form it
takes or how it is presented. The Church has been far too silent concerning
this disabling national disease. Our reasons for being quiet are manifold. </span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">(1)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Most
Christians that I know do not want racism, nor do they embrace it; they just do
not know what to do. However, not knowing what to do is no longer an option. We
have to return to God in prayer and devotion. We have to stand up and speak out
when we see racist actions or hear racist remarks, even if those actions and remarks
are from our own family or friends. We cannot any longer stay on the sidelines
and hope this problem disappears. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">(2)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
vitriol that surrounds this subject causes some to withdraw from the
conversation all together. Both sides are heated and instead of talking to each
other, we are talking at one another. Darkness will never drive out darkness.
Hated words will never bring about the peace of God. Only the Light of God can
and will drive away the darkness that covers our communities, states, nation
and the world.</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">(3)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We
who make up the Body of Christ have trusted the Government to do what we were
commissioned to do. Our apathy on this issue is astonishing! We must return to
Christ in repentance and seek to be filled with His Holy Spirit. Slaying the
giant of racism is not done “by might, nor by power, but by <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">MY SPIRIT, SAYS THE LORD</b>”. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It is true that I have no idea what it is like to grow
up in this country as a black man. Nor do I have a clue what it is like to put
on a uniform and go out to protect and serve our community. As a bystander, I
can see wrong on both sides of this issue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, I have come to the conclusion that I do have a choice in this matter.
Rather than remaining a bystander, I can get involved and be a part of the
solution, instead of being a part of the problem. Instead of making a point, I
can make a difference!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Even in this darkness I am encouraged. I have read
many posts on Social Media where people are praying for God to come. I have
read prayers of repentance and seen people offer love where hate rules. I have
heard us pray for Divine Intervention more than I have heard in years. This
causes my heart to be encouraged for the Word of God is still as true today as
when God originally spoke it: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“if My
people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My
face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will
forgive their sin and heal their land (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">2
Chron 7:14</b>)</i>. NKJV</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">LET US PRAY…LET US SEEK…LET US TURN!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">THEN HE WILL HEAR…HE WILL FORGIVE…HE WILL HEAL OUR
LAND!</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163849711871067423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736310937412007488.post-54908345728390897312015-04-20T18:31:00.004-04:002015-04-20T18:53:40.350-04:00From Jericho to AiThe Book of Joshua reveals how he, as the leader, and the nation of Israel would find success in the Promised Land into which they were now possessing. God told Joshua at the beginning of this incredible journey: "...<i>be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go. 8 This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success" (Josh 1:7-8).</i> NASB<br />
The first six chapters of the book reveal how Joshua and Israel followed God's commands, even though doing so brought on delays concerning their possessing the land that lay before them. Chapter four reveals them building a memorial with stones gathered from the bed of the now dry Jordan. Chapter five reveals the circumcision of the males who were born during the wilderness wanderings. Chapter six reveals God's unusual battle plans for conquering Jericho. In all these commands, Joshua and his followers obeyed. Indeed they found great success when they were obedient to the commands of God. Then we come to chapter seven and Israel's advancement into their Promised Land comes to a screeching halt. Defeated by a much smaller enemy in Ai, they are now disheartened and afraid of the consequences that could follow.<br />
I've noticed several principles that flow out of this text that we should take note of in moving forward into our promised destiny.<br />
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<li>Conferring With The Flesh Instead of Inquiring of God</li>
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<i>Josh 7:2 Now Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is near Beth-aven, east of Bethel, and said to them, "Go up and spy out the land." So the men went up and spied out Ai.</i> NASB</div>
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No where in the text is there a divine command from God as to how to possess Ai. There is only the word of man. This is a drastic change from the first six chapters of Joshua. We will always cause our journey into the next realm to become sidetracked when we listen to the voice of man above the voice of God!</div>
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<ul>
<li>The Sin of Presumption</li>
</ul>
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<i>Josh 7:3 And they returned to Joshua and said to him, "Do not let all the people go up; only about two or three thousand men need go up to Ai; do not make all the people toil up there, for they are few." </i>NASB</div>
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The spies presumed, and evidently Joshua agreed that they were well able to defeat a smaller enemy. The text seems to lend itself to the sin of presumption. This writer finds it astonishing that no one noticed that God is silent at this point in their journey. They presumed upon their past victory instead of trusting in the God who gave them the victory in Jericho. WE ARE THE MOST VULNERABLE TO DEFEAT ON THE HEELS OF A GREAT VICTORY!</div>
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<ul>
<li>Impatient Disobedience</li>
</ul>
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<i>Josh 7:1 But the sons of Israel acted unfaithfully in regard to the things under the ban, for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, from the tribe of Judah, took some of the things under the ban, therefore the anger of the Lord burned against the sons of Israel.</i> NASB</div>
</div>
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Instead of waiting on God to bless him, Achan took matters into his own hands. He took the items that God had banned in the conquest of Jericho. These items were reserved as holy unto the Lord but Achan placed them with his own stuff, burying them under his tent. Impatient Disobedience has caused many to become shipwrecked in their journey into their promised land. I wonder, how many divine moves of God have been roadblocked by disobedience? Only Heaven knows for sure. However, I truly believe that no move of God has been stopped by opposition from without but disobedience and compromise from within.</div>
<div>
We have heard it often said: "I'm only hurting myself." However, that is a lie. Our disobedience not only hurts us but our families and the communities (religious or secular) into which we are joined. </div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Our Failures Are Not Final</li>
</ul>
<div>
<div>
<i>Josh 8:1-2 Now the Lord said to Joshua, "Do not fear or be dismayed. Take all the people of war with you and arise, go up to Ai; see, I have given into your hand the king of Ai, his people, his city, and his land. 2 And you shall do to Ai and its king just as you did to Jericho and its king; you shall take only its spoil and its cattle as plunder for yourselves. Set an ambush for the city behind it." </i></div>
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NASB</div>
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</div>
<div>
What Grace! What Love! What Faithfulness! When we repent and come to God with our failures, usually the result of doing things 'our' way, we find Him to be a faithful, loving, and grace-full God. A God who will encourage us to not fear nor be dismayed. A God who will use our greatest defeat and turn it into a great victory. Our failures are not final. God's plan for victory included the actions of Israel in their last defeat. "Retreat as though you are returning to your camp - but have a company of soldiers ready for an ambush." Only God would use our last defeat as a battle plan for our next victory. We want to forget the defeat - to put it out of our mind. However, God says I can turn that embarrassing mess into a great message. Just follow Me! That's Grace. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163849711871067423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736310937412007488.post-16136558125148851262014-10-27T15:15:00.000-04:002014-10-27T15:16:40.344-04:00He Restores My SoulWhen King David wrote: <i>"He restores my soul"</i> in <b><i>Psalm 23:3</i></b>, he seemed to have in mind the sheep that was 'cast' due to its thick wool fleece. Sometimes sheep would roll onto its back and due to the thickness of its wool fleece it could not right itself. Gases would immediately begin to build up in its abdomen and, if not righted in a matter of minutes, it could suffocate. A watchful shepherd would come to the aid of this 'cast' sheep and restore it to its upright position and thus save its life.<br />
The soul of man represents our mind, will and emotions. It is in this area that we are often cast down and lifeless. Hopelessness and despair have its roots in the mind, will and emotions. David looked back over his life and thought of all the times he was a 'cast sheep' who could not right himself. All those moments when hopelessness ruled the day and governed his heart. However, the watchful Shepherd would come to set him upright and restore his life to him.<br />
God has always been about restoration. Ever since our forefather Adam disobeyed God and caused humankind to fall from the divine relationship with its Creator, God has sought to restore the creature to his rightful place in HIM! The prophet Isaiah spoke of the Messiah in these words: <i>"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, Because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives, And freedom to prisoners To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord..." <b>(Isa 61:1-2a)</b></i>.<br />
In <i><b>Luke 4:18-22</b></i> we see Jesus fulfilling this prophecy when He, as a visiting rabbi, read this passage from the scroll in the temple. He then closed the book, gave it back to the attendant and with all the eyes of those in the synagogue fixed upon Him said: <i>"Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing"</i>.<br />
Isaiah's passage about the favorable year of the Lord speaks of the Year of Jubilee. The fiftieth year where losses were returned, captives were liberated and prisoners were set free. Jesus is our Jubilee. Through Him we have access to our heavenly Father. Through Him we are set free from our fears of tomorrow and our guilt of the past. Through Him losses are recovered. We are living in the "acceptable time" or "favorable year" of Grace. What we lost, through wrong choices or through the sin of others, can be restored through Christ. Thank God for a GOOD SHEPHERD who keeps constant watch over His Sheep. Thank God that HE RESTORES MY SOUL!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163849711871067423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736310937412007488.post-69825434657028299292014-09-03T13:36:00.000-04:002014-09-03T18:03:43.972-04:00Hope In A Hopeless World<i><b>Scripture Text: Hebrews 2:5-8</b></i><br>
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What do we do when we are overwhelmed with the circumstances and situations that surround us - When the depressing thoughts come in like a thick fog, engulfing our minds and spirits? When we find ourselves in this place of hopelessness, we need a new view of Jesus instead of focusing on the problems of this world.<br>
The writer to the Hebrews was addressing just such an audience. Believers in Christ, who were facing very difficult circumstances and were entertaining the idea of going back to their old ways of believing and behaving. To this audience, the writer lifts up Jesus as better than anything they hold dear. He is better than angels, better than the Priesthood, better than Moses, better than blood sacrifices - Christ is better!<br>
In our text we find that none of the angels were destined to rule over all things - that position of complete authority is reserved for Christ alone. All things have been placed under His feet - no throne or dominion, no principality or power - nothing has been excused or left out of this promise to Jesus Christ. All things are placed under His feet. However, the next line is a great source of encouragement to me. <i>"But now we do not yet see all things put under Him. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God might taste death for everyone"(<b>Heb 2:8b-9</b>)</i>.<br>
What we see with our natural senses is a world seemingly gone mad. We see hatred, genocide and racial tensions that seemed primed to explode. We see a nation adrift - loosed from its moral anchors and, without divine intervention, headed for destruction. We see the loss of values that have given us purpose and direction for generations. We see a hopeless society. We see families in chaos amid financial and social struggles. The elderly and the youngest of our society are at great risk in today's climate of expedience.<br>
Yet all these things have been placed under Jesus' feet! We do not presently see all these things put under Him; but we do see HIM...namely, Jesus. This is a key to our hope in a hopeless society. We see Jesus! You see, the answer does not lie in our situations and circumstances; it lies in our vision of HIM. Ultimately He will rule this world with the 'rod of iron'. Demons and principalities, rulers and despots will bow before this King of Glory. Sickness and disease will give way to this One whose back was stripped for our healing. Even death will give way to the One who was dead but is alive forevermore.<br>
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote the poem that has become a Christmas Classic, "I Heard the Bells On Christmas Day" in 1864. Longfellow's wife had burned to death when her clothing caught fire in 1861, and his son had been critically wounded in the Civil War in 1863. In this poem we find these words:<br>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And in despair I bowed my head</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"There is no peace on earth," I said,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"For hate is strong and mocks the song</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
of Peace on earth, good will to men"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"God is not dead, nor doeth He sleep;</div>
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The wrong shall fail, the right prevail</div>
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with peace on earth good will to men."</div>
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Sometimes our situations cause us to despair and bow our heads. There are cases where our faith may wane and we become disillusioned due to the circumstances that engulf us. However, when we see HIM we are reassured that <i>God is not dead, nor doeth He sleep; The wrong shall fail, the right prevail with peace on earth good will to men!</i></div>
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I learned this chorus years ago when attending Youth Camp, and reflect on it often in my own desperate situations: "Turn your eyes upon Jesus look full in His wonderful face. Then the things of earth will grow strangely dim. In the light of His glory and grace."</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163849711871067423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736310937412007488.post-53110118788398724482014-07-14T11:43:00.000-04:002014-07-14T11:43:44.453-04:00True Rest<b><i>Mark 6:31-32</i></b> NASB<br />
<i>31 And He said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a lonely place and rest a while." (For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.) 32 And they went away in the boat to a lonely place by themselves.</i><br />
It's difficult for us to imagine Jesus needing rest. I mean, He's JESUS; the Creator of all things and the One through whom all things consist! However, the human Jesus, "the Son of Man" needed times of rest and relaxation. His body became weary and sometimes His thoughts became grieved. Mental tiredness is as taxing as physical tiredness. In fact, I have found it much more difficult to relax when I'm mentally tired than when physically exhausted.<br />
Usually, in the Summer we begin making plans to take a vacation. We long for a place to quiet ourselves and renew our energy. However, most of our vacations take more effort than the work from which we are trying to escape! We travel great distances and fill our itineraries with as much as we can in the short time we have. I have often heard someone remark, after taking a vacation, "I had to come back to work so I could get some rest!"<br />
My wife and I just returned from vacation of visiting our family. We traveled approximately 1,000 miles and had a great time catching up with our family. While at our daughters, I had the great idea that we take the granddaughters to a river that is famous for its tubing. So we packed a picnic lunch and headed out for the two-hour trip to the river. We rented the tubes and walked the fifteen minute path to the landing. Things got exciting right off when we saw a water snake while putting the tubes into the river at the dock. They did get into the tubes and I was the last one to 'launch' and they were already drifting further away from me. Therefore, I made the faithful decision to dive into the water and swim to catch up with them and then get into the tube. Have you ever tried to get into a tube on a swiftly running river? It is impossible to get into the tube, so I just kind of 'hung onto it' as they were all laughing at me hysterically. Then the rain storm came! Thunder and lightening and pelting rain, (like the scene from the Forrest Gump movie). We were able to get out at the next landing and decided to eat our picnic lunch while the storm passed. Once we finished lunch, we did however, complete the river trip and all in all had a great time. Then we had the two-hour drive home! It was indeed a day of making memories, but not much of a day for rest.<br />
Mark tells us that after Jesus and the disciples got away in a boat to a secluded place, "<i>The people saw them going, and many recognized them and ran there together on foot from all the cities, and got there ahead of them" <b>(Mk 6:33)</b>. </i>I suspect that you have had such incidents take place in your plans for rest. Some of you know what I am talking about; you try and get away but the problems seem to go ahead of you and meet you at your "secluded destination".<br />
Jesus demonstrates a true rest that is not attached to a secluded place or an Utopian experience. He shows a calm in the midst of chaos. The rest He exhibits comes from His deep abiding relationship with His Father. From this chaotic time, He feeds the multitude with five loaves and two small fishes. This is the only miracle He performs that is recorded in all four Gospels. He rested in the Belovedness of His Father!<br />
You and I are invited to enter into His rest! He said, <i>"Come unto Me and I will give you rest" (<b>Matt 11:28-29</b>)</i>. The writer to the Hebrews also sheds light on this rest in the third and fourth chapters of Hebrews. I will close these musings with his words: <i>"For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His. 11 Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, <b> Heb 4:10-11 </b></i>NASB<br />
So if you want real rest then run to Jesus. Cast your cares on Him and rest in His Strength and Spirit.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163849711871067423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736310937412007488.post-7208691409900116432014-05-07T09:34:00.001-04:002014-05-07T09:34:10.851-04:00Promises Hidden in Bitter SituationsScripture Text: Exodus 3:22-26; Ruth 1:19-21; Luke 22:39-42<br />
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These three narratives have a common denominator of the participants facing bitter circumstances. The children of Israel at the bitter waters of Marah; Naomi with Ruth upon returning from the land of Moab as widows; and Jesus, in the Garden of Gethsemane, just prior to His arrest and crucifixion. The children of Israel rejected God's plans at the waters of Marah, Naomi did not understand the affliction of God and the direction God was leading her upon returning to Bethlehem; and Jesus submitted to the Father's will instead of following His own will in the Garden of Gethsemane.<br />
Being a Christ follower does not mean that we will not have trials and situations that are distasteful. I have noticed in scripture, many hindrances following a divine call of God upon a persons life. There is always the temptation to become bitter when facing the bitter cups of which we have to drink.<br />
Moses, fresh off the encounter at the burning bush, finds great hardships from Pharaoh in Egypt. His response was to say to the Lord, <i>"O Lord, why has Thou brought harm to this people? Why didst Thou ever send me? Thou has not delivered Thy people at all" (<b>Exodus 5:22-23</b>). </i>However, as Moses grew in faith and saw the hand of God in the delivering the people, he could confidently say at the Red Sea:<i> "Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever. The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent (<b>Exodus 14:13-14</b>). </i>In other words Moses was saying, "Don't do something, stand there!"<br />
Israel was moved to worship and song after the waters of the Red Sea covered their long time tormentors. However, they were moved to complaint at the waters of Marah. The text suggests that God led them to these waters for indeed Moses was leading at the command of God. The text also reveals that just beyond these waters was an oasis of twelve springs and seventy date palm trees. Why would God lead them to the bitter waters first? He knew they had gone the maximum time allotted to human beings without water in a hot desert. No doubt you will answer that He did this to reveal that there is always an antidote for the bitter waters in our lives. This was done through God directing Moses to cut a tree and cast it into the waters, causing the bitter chemicals to precipitate to the bottom and the pool of water becoming sweet. I certainly believe that God has already provided a way of escape for each bitter situation we face. However, I wonder if this text is revealing an even greater purpose of God in the lives of these people.<br />
Jamie Buckingham in his book: "A Way Through the Wilderness" writes of these pools of water being laced with magnesium and calcium which are ingredients for powerful laxatives. He proposes that God may have been purging the Israelites of the parasites they were carrying when they left Egypt. He also states that these ingredients are found in a drug called Dolomite which athletes use when laboring in the hot sun. This drug helps give muscles stamina and keeps them from going into spasms. God had taken the children of Israel out of Egypt and now it appears, He is taking Egypt out of them. God was purging them from their past bondage and was preparing them for the arduous journey ahead. However, Israel rejected the bitter pools of water. God's giving them sweet water, in this scenario, would be His second best miracle. Buckingham's commentary on this passage is thought provoking.<br />
When Naomi said, "Call me Mara for I am bitter", she was looking at her present situation, and at the present, had no idea of the grand plan God had for her and her Moabite daughter-in-law, Ruth. Naomi could not see that through Ruth and Boaz's union, her past would be redeemed and her future would be greater than she could ever imagine. Naomi becomes the grandmother of Obed; the great-grandmother of Jesse; and the great-great-grandmother of David. This would be the kingly linage through whom Jesus would one day descend. Unlike the Israelites, who outright rejected God's bitter water; Naomi would began to see God's greater plan and help in bringing this plan to fruition.<br />
In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed for the bitter cup to pass from Him. However, He submitted to the will of His Father and said, "Not my will but thine be done". The writer to the Hebrews states that He was able to endure the cross because of the joy that was set before Him. Joy in drinking from the bitter cup that seems for the moment, most distasteful, but sweet indeed when our eyes are lifted off the present circumstances to see God's greater plan for our lives.<br />
Like Naomi, may we begin to see the greater picture of God's plan for our lives. Like Jesus, may we say, "Not my will but Thine be done!"<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163849711871067423noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736310937412007488.post-68874160602138965292014-04-17T14:01:00.001-04:002014-04-17T20:23:24.035-04:00This Is My House<b><i>Mark 11:15-17</i></b> (NASB)<br>
<i>15 And they came to Jerusalem. And He entered the temple and began to cast out those who were buying and selling in the temple, and overturned the tables of the moneychangers and the seats of those who were selling doves; 16 and He would not permit anyone to carry goods through the temple. 17 And He began to teach and say to them, "Is it not written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations'? But you have made it a robbers' den."</i><br>
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All four Gospel writers share about Jesus cleansing the Temple. John records that Christ did this at the beginning of His ministry. Matthew, Mark and Luke records Him cleansing the temple at the end of His earthly ministry. Some think that these events are one and the same and that John got his chronology wrong. Others, myself included, believe these were actually two separate events. While there are several similarities in the narratives, there are some differences as well. They all state that this event took place at the beginning of Passover. Each evangelist writes about Jesus' wrath in overturning the tables and driving the moneychangers out of the temple. In John's account Jesus said, <i>"Take these things away; stop making My Father's house a house of merchandise." </i>Matthew, Mark and Luke write that Jesus said: <i>"My house should be called a house of prayer for all nations. But you have made it a robbers den."</i><br>
John writes about the religious elite asking for a sign and Jesus' response: <i>"destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up."</i> The Jews said, <i>"It took forty-six years to build this temple, and You will raise it up in three days?" </i>John states that He was speaking of the temple of His body and after His resurrection, His disciples remembered what He said, and they believed the Scripture.<br>
Matthew records healings taking place in the temple following this cleansing. The blind received their sight, the lame began to walk. Children, when seeing the power of God manifested in Christ, began giving praise. This moment was not lost on the religious leaders, and they asked Christ if He heard what they were saying?<br>
Whether these are two separate events or one event recorded in various ways may be debated but should not be divisive. Our eternity does not hinge on one or the other viewpoint. However, there are some points to these narratives that I think we should seriously consider.<br>
1. Jesus is angry when His house is used more for merchandising than it is for prayer. I remember hearing a sermon many hears ago by Vance Havner, concerning these narratives, in which he said : "What begins as a place of merchandise ends up as a den of thieves." We must remember that the original sin took place in heaven, where Lucifer began to merchandise in his gifts to become like God. <i><b>Ezekiel 28:16</b> By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence... </i><br>
2. Jesus is angry when His house is not opened to all people. <i>"My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations?</i> There were exclusive measures to keep Gentiles away from the temple. There were legal hoops that other nations had to 'jump through' in order to be somewhat accepted. Jesus never intended that His house be only for a select few. Any barrier that keeps people of different races, ethnicitys, or social standing from the Father's house is appalling to Christ. <br>
3. Jesus is angry when religious practices take place over a vital relationship. The religious were more concerned with children praising God in the temple than they were with unscrupulous men 'ripping off' the parishioners in the outer courts. They were more concerned with the phrase 'destroy this temple' than they were that prayer, healings and praise were not a common occurrence in the Father's House.<br>
I find it encouraging that Jesus declares the church to be "His House". I believe He is coming to His house to do some house cleaning. He will over turn and reveal what is presently hidden. The results of this cleansing will be a release of the supernatural for healing and an overflowing praise - even from the children.<br>
Jesus' coming may be disruptive at first, but the results of His cleansing His church will be wonderful. Therefore I pray "Even so, come Lord Jesus".<br>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163849711871067423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736310937412007488.post-1035596639699398752014-03-24T12:03:00.000-04:002014-03-24T12:03:00.984-04:00Identity CrisisFor several weeks now I have been teaching from the book of Ephesians on Identity Crisis. It seems to me that far too many Christians really do not understand who they are in Christ. Because of His victory over death, hell and the grave we are now victorious. This is not the work of our determination or the basis of our intelligence. It is the work of Christ by Grace. It is the gift of God to us through Christ (<b><i>See Eph 2:4-10</i></b>).<br />
Satan is trying to usurp God from His kingdom and blind you and me from the truth of the gospel. If he can get us off the hope or ground of the Gospel then he can make it easy for us to fall into various sins. If however, we remain steadfast and secure in Christ, then we can withstand all the attacks that Satan and his kingdom brings to us.<br />
The Apostle Paul takes the first three chapters of Ephesians to emphasize the point of our <i>rest in Christ</i>. He then establishes how this rest will look as we walk in wisdom and the Spirit in this present world. At the end of the letter he talks about spiritual warfare. The truth is, if we have not had the revelation of our<i> 'seated position in Christ' </i>then we cannot walk in wisdom in this earth. If we are not walking in the Spirit, then we are no match against Satan in a spiritual battle.<br />
Most are defeated, at the outset, because they are trying to gain a victory that is already won. Satan has already gotten them off the ground of Christ's completed work. Through their own efforts, many sincere believers are defeated because they are not resting in Christ's work, but setting out to war against Satan in their own energy and determination. That is why most of the warfare armor that Paul mentions is defensive. We must stand firm on the ground of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We war from the victory not to the victory! We are not fighting to win a battle - we are fighting to defend the battle that Christ has already won.<br />
I pray that God will open our eyes to this tremendous truth. Jesus Christ has won the war - it is finished. We are invited into His work - we are His workmanship.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163849711871067423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736310937412007488.post-43562552577622055862013-12-19T13:55:00.000-05:002013-12-19T14:19:36.641-05:00Christmas Trees and the Cross<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Our family loves Christmas. We love the sight, sounds and smells of this season. We love a candlelight dinner with Christmas music playing in the background. We love hot apple cider and fresh baked cookies. We love the laughter of sharing old Christmas memories. We are traditionalist at heart and the traditions that my wife and I established have carried over to our now grown and married children. When they call about coming home they usually also include some Christmas request. "Dad, have the hot apple cider ready and the Christmas music keyed up on the stereo" they say.</span><br>
One of our greatest treasurers however, is our Christmas Tree. When our kids were younger we would go to a "Tree Farm" and pick out the perfect tree for Christmas. Some of our favorite memories are of me trying to keep the tree upright after getting it in the house. Or of us stringing the lights (which would invariably go out about half way through the process). We now have an artificial, 'prelit' tree and my wife and I think it's great. However, it took some time for the kids to appreciate an 'artificial prelit' tree as much as we do. Please understand this is not why the Christmas Tree is a treasure to us. It's not the size or shape of the tree; nor the number and color of the lights that makes it a treasure. No, it's what we hang upon the tree that gives it such prominence. There is an ornament for "Baby's First Christmas 1979"; one for "Baby's First Christmas 1983"; and "Baby's First Christmas 1987". These ornaments mark the addition of each child to our family for those respective years. There are other ornaments that mark the passage of time in our family. There are old trucks with "Christmas Trees" in the bed. There is an ornament of an angel playing the flute. There is an ornament of "The Three Stooges" in golf attire. Each of these ornaments were given to our children when they were much younger. One ornament can no longer be placed on the tree since it fell and broke a few years ago. However, we cannot bring ourselves to throw it away because it's the first ornament my wife and I bought when we celebrated our first Christmas together in 1976. There is an ornament from 1978 that says "Every Heart Goes Home For Christmas". That is the year my wife and I spent in Illinois by ourselves and unable to be home with family for Christmas. You probably would look at our tree and not see it as the treasure it is. These sentimental ornaments may mean nothing to you, but to us they are priceless because they 'spark a memory' and they cause us to reflect back over the life God has given us.<br>
This brings me to the real point of these musings. Do you know God has a favorite tree and that He hung the most precious ornament of His Son upon that Tree? The Cross is God's Giving Tree to mankind. Jesus, God's Son was crucified upon that cruel cross and all your sin and my sin was nailed to that cross as well (<b><i>Col 2:14</i></b>). He, who knew no sin, became sin that we might become the righteousness of God (<b><i>2 Cor 5:21</i></b>). Hallelujah, What A Savior!<br>
Just one more thing about the ornaments on our tree. Each year, as we open the crates which house our treasured ornaments until its time to bring them out for another Christmas, there is one ornament that I place at the top near the trunk of the tree. It's a six to eight inch replica of a Roman Spike with a red ribbon tied to it. It is discretely placed at the trunk of the tree to remind me and my family of the price Jesus paid for our salvation. May we never take it for granted.<br>
I encourage you to "Deck the Halls", "Bring Out the Holly", enjoy the Hot Apple Cider and Candlelight Dinners! But never forget why He came and why we celebrate Christmas. GOD GAVE HIS ONLY SON so that He may receive MANY SONS!<br>
<i><b>Rom 8:29</b> For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among many brethren; </i>NASB<br>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163849711871067423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736310937412007488.post-44381185746870319792013-11-19T11:02:00.000-05:002013-11-19T11:53:14.855-05:00And Be Thankful<br>
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<i>Col 3:15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. </i>NASB<br>
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Thanksgiving - my favorite holiday. After all it is a time for family, food and football. I mean, what a deal! I remember Thanksgiving Day as a young boy. Our home filled with the aroma of Mama's cooking. She and Daddy preparing the feast while trying to keep four boys out of the kitchen until it is all ready.I remember the smell of the cakes, pies and cookies. And of course there was the turkey with all the 'fixins'. Then after the meal, my brothers and I would join with some of the neighborhood boys for a game of football in the lot beside our home. We were "All Americans" in our eyes on that afternoon. Of course we would then come in for a second round of the Thanksgiving feast. What a day! </div>
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In my adulthood, with my wife and kids in tow, we would make an annual trip to Mama & Daddy's for Thanksgiving and then play football with the kids after the meal. Things have changed drastically over the years. Our family has expanded and our kids are grown and married. Trying to get us all together for this day is a chore within itself. Daddy has been celebrating Thanksgiving in Heaven for the past fifteen years, and I now call my Mama on this day to wish her a happy Thanksgiving. Some of my brothers still make it to her house for the day and she can still put on a Thanksgiving spread. However, the last few years we have created our own Thanksgiving memories with our kids and granddaughters and my sister-in-law. As far as playing football after the meal - well that is completely out of the question. Watching the game is satisfying enough (so satisfying that I find myself snoozing through much of it).</div>
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I still love Thanksgiving, even though the way I celebrate it has changed. In fact, Thanksgiving should not be relegated to a season or a special time in the Fall. Thanksgiving should be a way of life. As Christians, we should never forget the tremendous price paid for the peace of Christ that now rules in our hearts. Gratefulness should now flow from us like a mighty river. According to the Apostle Paul, much of the ills of this world can be traced to not giving thanks (<i>See Romans 1:21</i>).</div>
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Looking back over my life, I can only pause and give thanks to an amazing God who loves me more than I could ever describe. I am thankful for a Savior, who rescued me from the pits in which I have often found myself. I thank Him for directing my steps, and for the assurance that He does everything well - even if I cannot see the outcome at the moment. I am thankful that His eye is on me and His care is everlasting and secure.</div>
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I am thankful for my family - my wife, children, their spouses and grandchildren. I am thankful for Fall evenings and the sound of laughter on the back porch with my family and friends. Life is far too short for us to spend it ungrateful. The world is indeed a rough place but there is always something for which to be thankful. So spend this season Giving Thanks - and make it a habit to be thankful throughout the year.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163849711871067423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736310937412007488.post-89554479375753943792013-08-04T17:47:00.001-04:002013-08-05T15:35:43.984-04:00The Stronghold of Mammon<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Matt 6:24 </b></i><i>"No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will hold to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. </i>NASB</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Mammon (Mamonas) the comprehensive word for all kinds of possessions, earnings and gains, a designation of material value. In <i><b>Luke 16:9, 11</b></i> it denotes riches. In <i><b>Matthew 6:24</b></i> and in <i><b>Luke 16:13</b></i>, the Lord personifies mammon as a strongman: strong enough to keep you from serving God.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Paul wrote that we “<i>wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (</i><i><b>Eph 6:12-13</b></i> NKJV).</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">One of these principalities is Mammon. It is a ruler of the darkness of this age. This principle power rules from heavenly or high places. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I am not saying that money and mammon are the same. Mammon is the stronghold or principality behind money. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>1 Tim 6:10</b></i><i> For the </i><i><b>love of money</b></i><i> is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith, and pierced themselves with many a pang </i>(emphasis added)<i>.</i> NASB</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Mammon is the stronghold or principality that causes one to fall prey to the “love of money”. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Heb 13:5</b></i><i> Let your character be free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, "I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you, </i>NASB</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">One of the traits Paul lifts up for an overseer (leader) in the church was to be <i>“free from the love of money” (</i><i><b>1 Tim 3:3</b></i><i>)</i> NASB</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The Spirit of Mammon is what makes money 'godlike'. How is money godlike you ask? (1) Money outlives you (2) Money's circle of influence is greater (3) Money is mysterious (4) Money lives among the things we are tempted to worship (5) Money mimics everything promised in the New Jerusalem (6) Money is an instrument you wield (7) Everything can be economized (Notes taken from a class taught by Jan Couch).</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">In the book of Acts we can see the strength and danger of the Spirit of Mammon. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Acts 4:32-37</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Luke is recounting the exploits of the Holy Spirit within the infant church. Speaking in other tongues that resulted in the salvation of 3000 from the surrounding countries, the miraculous healing of a lame man and five-thousand more converts because of this miracle, a holy boldness that came upon the apostles, even the foundation of a building shaken in which they were praying. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">However, at the end of chapter four Luke might well have lifted up the greatest miracle that was taking place. And it is a miracle that is largely overlooked in the modern church. Luke reveals how the Holy Spirit was breaking off the people the 'stronghold of mammon'.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>vs. 32</b> And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own; but all things were common property to them. </i> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>The believers were unified as one heart and soul</i> – The Spirit of Divine Unity prevailed</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own...All things were common property to them</i> - This was not a “communism” as we have come to see it in our lifetime. It was not government sanction or enforced. In fact the wealthy did not divest themselves to the point of poverty so the poor could live better. The wealthier members, who owned property, sold it and brought the proceeds to the Apostles to distribute so that no one was in need. This was as “Spirit-Born Stewardship”. The Holy Spirit was releasing the members of this infant church from the stronghold of “Ownership”.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>vs.33</b></i><i> And with great power the apostles were giving witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all. NASB</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">This release of ownership – this breaking of the stronghold of mammon brought about a greater anointing of power and an abundance grace.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Vss. 34-35</b> For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales, 35 and lay them at the apostles' feet; and they would be distributed to each, as any had need.</i><b> </b>NASB</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The needy were cared for by the selling of property from those with more wealth. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Since these members were just stewards of God's wealth and property; they sold the houses or property and brought the proceeds to the Apostles to distribute to those who were in need. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Not a needy person among them!</i> What a miracle! A divine plan to take care of the less fortunate or underprivileged.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Who better than a Spirit-filled church to take care of the needy?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Vss. 36-37</b></i><i> And Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, who was also called Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means, Son of Encouragement), 37 and who owned a tract of land, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet. </i>NASB</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus was renamed, by the Apostles, Barnabas (Son of Encouragement).</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">He also sold a track of land and brought the money to the apostles' feet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">He would be used in an even greater way by the Holy Spirit in the future as a traveling companion and mentor to Saul of Tarsus (Apostle Paul).</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;">When you are released from the spirit of mammon; when you are set free from ownership, then God can fulfill greater destinies than you could ever imagine. </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Summation of what we see in these scriptures)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Acts 4:32-37</b></i> gives us a glimpse of a church that's had the stronghold of mammon broken off the people. The Holy Spirit was so manifest that the new believers saw everything in light of 'stewardship' and not ownership. They held everything in common – there was no grasping and hoarding – but rather a contentment and a releasing of the things that benefited the Kingdom of God as a whole.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The Holy Spirit was producing a 'new creation' and a new entity called the “ekklesia” – the church or called out ones. This new body of believers were understanding perfectly Jesus teachings that <i>“ones life does not consist in the abundance of things he possesses” </i><i><b>(Luke 12:15)</b></i><i>.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">These new “spirit-filled disciples” were being set free from the “stranglehold of mammon”. A principality that manifest itself in: </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The worries and cares of this world</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The deceitfulness of riches</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The pleasures of this life</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The lust and desire for other things.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">This stronghold 'chokes/strangles the word so that it becomes unfruitful or unproductive' (<i><b>See Mark 4:18-19</b></i>).</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The Message Bible states it this way: <i>“Overwhelmed with worries about all the things they have to do and all the things they want to get. The stress strangles what they heard, and nothing comes of it.”</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Acts 5:1-10</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">From the lofty heights of of this Abundant Grace and Great Power we are introduced to a couple who made a pact with the spirit of mammon.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">In the book of Genesis we find a man and a woman listening to the subtle hiss of Satan and disobeying God in the Garden of Eden. The issue was three fold: They fell prey to the Lust of the flesh, The Lust of the Eyes and The Pride of Life and were expelled from the garden and faced death. All of this was transacted in a place where the Divine Presence of God was everywhere. The manifest presence of God came down every day in the cool of the evening to walk with Adam and Eve. However, they still listened and obeyed the tempter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I find it interesting that Luke writes in the book of Acts a similar story: In the midst of the Divine Presence resting on the Apostles and the new body of believers; Ananias and Sapphira conspire to use the atmosphere created (The marked curve for selling property) for their own purposes. They also had a track of land and used the market that was created by the Holy Spirit, for their own selfish gain. They lied when they brought the money to the Apostles in that they said what they brought was all they got for the property.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>It is a dangerous thing to use kingdom principles and kingdom blessings to advance personal and fleshly purposes!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">In Genesis, Adam and Eve, who were surrounded by the blessings and manifest presence of God, choose to disobey and partake of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. They did so because they listened to the devil, “This will make you like God, knowing good and evil”. Eve saw that the fruit of the tree was “good for food – (Lust of the Flesh), and “a delight to the eyes (Lust of the eyes) and desirable to make one wise (Pride of Life). She partook in and cause Adam to partake as well. The result of their disobedience was they were driven from the Garden of Eden and death.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">In Acts 5 Ananias and Sapphira also saw an opportunity to build their own portfolio and still be a part of the “new creation” that Jesus was building. However, Jesus said, “You cannot serve God and mammon.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Death was a result of their decision.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">How dangerous is this Stronghold of Mammon? Let's look at some examples of disobedience in the Book of Acts.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Earlier in the fourth chapter of Acts, Peter and John are arrested and jailed by the temple guard and brought before the High priests and rulers. They were interrogated and threatened to stop preaching in Jesus name then released. These rulers included Annas and Caiaphas and John and Alexander (vs 6). </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">As far as Luke's account, these temple guards and these high priest lived to tell about this encounter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Yet Ananias and Sapphira died.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">In Acts 5 the “<i>high priest rose up, along with his associates (that is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy. They laid hands on the apostles and put them in a public jail” (</i><i><b>vs 17-18</b></i><i>)</i>. They later flogged the apostles (vs 40). They, according to Luke lived to tell about it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Yet Ananias and Sapphira died.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">In Acts 7 the deacon Stephen has his life taken from him through a stoning. One of the ones holding the cloaks of the men that was stoning Stephen was Saul of Tarsus. Saul lived to face another day. He eventually has a divine encounter with God on the road to Damascus.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Yet Ananias and Sapphira died.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">My point is, this principality of Mammon was so dangerous that Ananias and Sapphira were stricken with death rather than a chance be giving for this spirit to spread to other believers. Those who openly opposed the Gospel and the Apostles live to fight another day. Ananias & Sapphira died.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Just as Adam and Eve were not allowed to return to the Garden of Eden and eat from the Tree of Life, Ananias and Sapphira were cut off from the living. The Spirit of Mammon is dangerous and there needs to be a deliverance in the Body of Christ.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Conclusion: The Rest of the Story</b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Acts 5: 11-16 </b></i> </span></div>
<ul>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Great fear came upon the whole church, and upon all who heard of these things <i><b>(vs 11)</b></i>. </span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">And at the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were taking place among the people; <i><b>(vs 12)</b></i></span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Divine unity was visible to all <i><b>(vs 12)</b></i></span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">No common acquaintances; Apostles held in high esteem <i><b>(vs 13)</b></i></span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Many more believers, multitudes of men and women were constantly added to their number <i><b>(vs 14)</b></i></span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Sick carried into the streets so that when Peter passed by his shadow might fall on them and they be healed <i><b>(vs 15)</b></i></span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">The cities surrounding Jerusalem brought their sick or afflicted with unclean spirits; and they were <u><b>all</b></u> being healed <i><b>(vs 16)</b></i>.</span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">I believe these are the results of the spirit of mammon being broken off God's people! I often hear, “What's holding us back?” Could the answer lie in these passages? Could the spirit of Ananias and Sapphira be present in the modern church? Does their spirit rest on you? Instead of giving all, are you holding back something for yourself? Are you in danger of using Kingdom principles for your own personal gain? If so now is the time to repent. Turn from Mammon to serve the One True God. Come to Jesus. Let the righteousness of God fall upon you and let us see what can happen when a body of people have the cares of this life broken off them and live by faith in the God of all creation. </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163849711871067423noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736310937412007488.post-13639784679050444372013-07-23T13:31:00.002-04:002013-07-23T17:18:39.050-04:00VisionSometimes I deal with Vertigo. Yesterday was one of those times. It starts with a mild feeling of dizziness and can become a full blown crisis if not treated in time. I know some who deal with this affliction on a regular basis and they have my deepest feelings of empathy. I have only had this attack a few times. The world spinning when I am standing or sitting upright can make one sick to say the least. Laying down in a dark room with my eyes closed seems to be the best way to combat this attack.<br>
Today I am better and thinking about yesterday's attack. Sometimes it seems this attack can speak to me spiritually. When I am focusing on everything instead of 'one-thing' my spiritual equilibrium gets out of balance. The world around me starts spinning out of my control and I began to stumble in my faith. Sometimes this leads me to dark places where I am unable to move. Closing my eyes to the many 'sights' may seem to help but it leaves me motionless. I need to regain my vision of 'one thing'.<br>
I am told that one of the ways to combat Vertigo is to focus on 'one thing' instead of quickly looking around. This can cause the affliction to escalate. I know in my spiritual journey, looking to the right and the left does indeed cause me to become unbalanced and eventually motionless. God desires that I make progress. I cannot do that effectively if I am constantly looking around or looking back. I must fix my eyes straight ahead and in faith, look to Jesus. He alone must be the object of my attention. Especially when I am stumbling around and disorientated.<br>
That seems to be exactly what the Apostle Peter did when walking on the water to Jesus. He was doing great until he began to look around at the storms and the waves. Then he started sinking into the crisis he was walking on! However, he regained his vision long enough to cry out to Jesus for help and immediately Jesus took him by the hand and they walked together back to the boat (See Mark 14:22-33).<br>
How many times do we see the saints of old say, "This one thing I do", or "One thing have I desired" (See Phil 3:13; Ps 27:4). Are there many things vying for your attention? Focus on the 'one-thing' or the 'ONE' who can truly give you peace and rest.Cry out to Him in your crisis. Let Him refocus your attention on His Divine Presence. Only Jesus can bring His calm to the midst of our chaos.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163849711871067423noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736310937412007488.post-38603307051781953632013-03-11T14:48:00.001-04:002013-03-11T14:51:56.872-04:00Jesus Plus NothingWe must continue encouraging one another to look to Christ alone for salvation. Why do we need to continually hear the gospel? Because unbelief is dangerous and yet very common. We display unbelief in the completed work of Christ when we add to His work. We reveal our doubts by working to insure acceptance rather than resting in the beloved. We view our failures as final. We focus more on our achievements than His achievement. We are created in Christ Jesus for good works. Our unbelief causes us to attempt good works in order to be created in Christ Jesus. Do you see the difference? <br />
The writer to the Hebrews warned them to "take care that there not be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God" (Heb 3:12). We are 'partakers' of Christ! However, unbelief can cause us to fall from this divine position. <br />
Jesus called out to those trying to please God, "come unto Me all that are laboring and I will give you rest (Matt11:28). Unbelief in His word and work will keep you from this rest. We have been made the righteousness of God (2 Cor 5:21). Christ died that He might bring us to God (1 Pe 3:18). He has qualified us to share in the inheritance...He delivered us from the domain of darkness...we have been transferred into the Kingdom of THE SON (Col 1:12-15). Be encouraged. Don't doubt! Look to Him and live!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163849711871067423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736310937412007488.post-72353192305795038792012-08-09T10:34:00.001-04:002012-08-10T08:46:02.523-04:00You Are My WitnessesRevelation, chapter eleven has been a very complex chapter throughout the history of the church. In this chapter we see John measuring the temple. There is the forty-two month period of witnessing by two unnamed prophets. They are then killed by the beast who arises from the abyss. Their death is celebrated with gift giving and merriment for three and one-half days. Then God breaths life into them and they stand upon their feet in the sight of everyone. They are then caught up to heaven in a cloud as their enemies watched in terror.<br />
Much has been written concerning this passage. Views range from literal to conventional to representative. Are the two witnesses Elijah and Moses or Elijah and Enoch? Is this story to be found in the middle of the Great Tribulation? Is this the ultimate show down between the beast and God's prophets? The answer to the questions vary according to which commentary you read.<br />
However, I wonder if we are not missing something with all our charts and timelines? Could we be overlooking our present commission of being God's witnesses? Are we lost in the fog of discerning the future of God's plan? The following are some observations while musing over this important passage.<br />
1. We Are The Temple of God. In the New Testament, it is the people that make up the temple. 1 Cor 3:16 "Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?"<br />
1 Pet 2:4 "you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood..."<br />
Rather than focusing on when the temple is going to be rebuilt in Jerusalem; let us focus on being the temple of God in this present world.<br />
2. The two witnesses prophesied for a stated period of time-1,260 days. Also the beast did not kill them until they had finished their task (11:7). Satan cannot stop the task given to these two witnesses. This tells us that Satan cannot stop our witness - that he is not in control - God is.<br />
3. Too much time and energy has been expended trying to figure who these witnesses are. Instead of reading Moses, Elijah or Enoch into a future story; why not read ourselves into the narrative? "You are my witnesses" declared our Lord. In the mouth of two or three witnesses let every word be established. In Luke 10:1 Jesus appoints 70 others and sends them out two by two into the cities where He planned to go. <br />
4. Satan's victory is always hollow and short lived! <br />
Ezekiel saw this principle in a valley of dry bones!<br />
So I prophesied as He commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they came to life and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army. (Ezekiel 37:10 NASB)<br />
Stephen's martyrdom was the seed bed for the conversion of one who wrote much of the New Testament.<br />
"Now when they heard this, they were cut to the quick, and they began gnashing their teeth at him. But being full of the Holy Spirit, he gazed intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God; and he said, 'Behold, I see the heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.'" (Acts 7:54-56 NASB)<br />
Church history is full of such moments. Seasons of seemingly defeat only to have the Breath of God renew the lifeless. <br />
So instead of looking for the end time story: Be the Story. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163849711871067423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736310937412007488.post-20768156475332949722012-05-30T21:55:00.001-04:002012-05-31T11:33:10.753-04:00Walking Through an Open Door"And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:<br />
He who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says this:<br />
'I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name. (Revelation 3:7-8 NASB)<br />
The church at Philadelphia understood closed doors. Those Jewish believers would have the door to the synagogue<br />
closed to them because of their faith in Jesus Christ. To choose Jesus might cause the door to business or job opportunities to shut. To be baptized in Jesus name would close the door to friendships and even family relationships. Jesus said to this feeble church. "I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name. (Revelation 3:8 NASB)<br />
However, Jesus assures this feeble church that He has a door no one can shut. All they have to do is remain faithful and walk through this door.<br />
He places us into situations to bring about His kingdom into our world. All we have to do is remain faithful and walk through the doors He opens, or we trust Him when He closes a door; believing that He knows what's best for us. <br />
The end result of this kind of faith is seen in His next words: "He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore; and I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God, and My new name." (Revelation 3:12 NASB)<br />
You and I have the opportunity to become pillars in God's Sanctuary...talk about strength and security! However, it doesn't end there, we also are branded with God's name and God's city...All because we were faithful. As Philadelphia, we may be feeble but we can still be faithful!<br />
Go ahead, Walk Through The Door!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163849711871067423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736310937412007488.post-4440621567221915032012-04-19T17:15:00.001-04:002012-04-20T08:45:39.316-04:00And it came to passWhen I was a young boy I often heard my father say his favorite verse in the Bible was, "And it came to pass". How often I witnessed him use this phrase to encourage people when they faced difficult situations. "Whatever we face", he would say, "Will pass". It will become a part of our history. We will overcome and get through it; It will come to pass.<br />
That is what our Lord told the suffering saints at Smyrna. To these believers, who had already faced severe persecution, Jesus said, "...you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life" (Rev. 2:10).<br />
Trouble does not last forever. Suffering does not have the last word. Difficulty does not have endless access to you. There is a set limit to the trouble you are encountering. While the term 'ten days' seems mysterious to us, as to it's full or original meaning; it's comforting to know that suffering will end.<br />
"God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it" (1 Cor. 10:13).<br />
Do you see the principle? "It Will Come To Pass". The way through this trial has already been made. Be faith-full. Don't give up and never give in. The glory will far surpass this present suffering!<br />
"For our light affliction, which is but a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory" (2 Cor. 4:17).Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163849711871067423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736310937412007488.post-7391274606970191112012-02-13T08:39:00.000-05:002012-02-13T08:39:12.560-05:00The Flesh Profits Nothing<div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-size: small;"> Jesus said the <i>Spirit gives life and the flesh profits nothing (</i><i><b>John 6:63</b></i><i>)</i>. This has been a hard saying for most of the church's existence. We think there is something within us that is useful for the kingdom of God. It is difficult to convince us that <i>'the flesh profits nothing'</i>. I grew up hearing phrases that sound spiritual – biblical even; such as, “Heaven helps those who help themselves” or “You do your best and God will do the rest”. These statements may sound biblical but they are not. Nor do they reflect the truth of the Gospel of Christ! </span> </div><br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-size: small;"> Recently the Holy Spirit has reiterated this truth to me that the flesh profits nothing! The temptation to continue to operate in the flesh is very strong. We grow up doing what comes natural and therefore fool ourselves into believing that our natural abilities are useful in building the kingdom of God. They are not! We (that is, our flesh) has to be moved out of the way in order for the Spirit to have free course in this Kingdom. This action took place at Calvary where Jesus died for our sins and at the empty tomb where He was resurrected for our life in the Spirit. </span> </div><br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-size: small;"> It is very possible to 'spiritualize' the flesh; appearing to want the Spirit to move among us, when all the while it is an attempt to promote ourselves. Paul stated: “<i>Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight,” (</i><i><b>Rom 3:20</b></i><i>).</i> He went on to say: “<i>For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells;” (</i><i><b>Rom 7:18</b></i><i>)</i>.</span></div><br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-size: small;"> Listen to Paul's instructions concerning the flesh: <i>“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, </i><i><u>nor indeed can be.</u></i><i> 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God” </i> <i><b>(Rom 8:5-8 emphasis added)</b></i> NKJV </span> </div><br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-size: small;"> Listen again with 'ears to hear'; <span style="font-size: medium;"><b>the fleshly minded cannot please God!</b></span> Our good intentions and best efforts at righteousness are <i>filthy rags</i> in His presence (<i><b>Isa 64:6</b></i>). Only the Spirit can produce life. The carnal mind is death dealing. The spiritually minded find life and peace. The contrast between the flesh and the Spirit is as great as the contrast between Romans 7 and Romans 8. The flesh produces <i>“O Wretched Man That I Am”(</i><i><b>Rom 7:24</b></i><i>).</i>. The Spirit produces <i>“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit”</i> (<i><b>Rom 8:1</b></i>). KJV</span></div><br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-size: small;"> If we truly believe that the Holy Spirit makes all the difference then we will welcome the slaying of our flesh in order for the Spirit to produce life and peace. Welcome I say, yet resist when He comes; because the flesh desires to be in control. <i><b>Eph 5:18</b></i><i>...do not get drunk with wine...but be filled with the Spirit</i> (NASU). The Apostle Paul's emphasis here seems to be; as one who is drunk on wine loses control to the alcohol...we are to lose control to the Spirit. </span> </div><br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-size: small;"> We must not continue to give an affirming nod to the statement: “The Holy Spirit Makes All The Difference” and yet continue to live in the flesh and thus hindering His work in our personal or corporate lives.</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163849711871067423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736310937412007488.post-84120187023605281452012-01-09T13:58:00.000-05:002012-01-09T13:58:11.686-05:00UnmovedAnother year is unfolding before us. It offers hope, change, opportunities, challenges, delight, and heartbreak. Prognosticators abound with their foretelling of the future. Whether it be economic, political, climate change or world events, the news is usually negative. Truth is, not one of us can see into the future. However, as believers, we can have an understanding of the times and know what to do. <br />
As believers in Christ, we eagerly anticipate the fullness of His promises despite our circumstances.<br />
When our eyes are opened to the truth of the gospel we, like the Apostle Paul can say, "None of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God." (Acts 20:24). Uncertain future? Mountains and valleys? The tide of tribulation will indeed ebb and flow. However, we are the Children of God and because we are His children, we can rest assured of His grace for the moment. <br />
How often we read in the Book of Acts the phrase, "<em>then</em>.....(Peter or Paul)<em> filled with the Holy Spirit</em>..." Isn't that what we need...to be filled with the Holy Spirit? That is the reason Paul was unmoved by the uncertain future that awaited him in Jerusalem! The more we are tuned in to God through His Holy Spirit the less we will be tuned in to the trials of this present life. Therefore, we go into this new year seeking those things which are above....(See Col 3:1-3).Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163849711871067423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736310937412007488.post-64592151048642177282011-11-28T13:39:00.001-05:002011-11-28T13:48:14.912-05:00HolinessScripture Text: Haggai 2:10-19 Here the word from the Lord to the restorationist is 'the touch of a holy thing does not sanctify so much as the touch of an unholy thing pollutes'. A modern interpretation would be, 'contact with a holy person, place or thing does not make you holy'. However, contact with an unholy person, place or thing can infect you with unholiness. The Apostle Paul stated it this way: "Do not be deceived: Bad company corrupts good morals" (1 Cor. 15:33). You cannot place a sick person in a room of healthy people and the sick become healthy. Healthy people can sometimes be at risk if they come in contact with someone with an infectious illness such as the flu! You cannot place a clean white shirt in a dirty clothes hamper and expect the dirty clothes to become clean. Quite the contrary, the clean will become dirty. <br />
What do these musings have to do with holiness? Just this, holiness is not transferred from one to another. Holiness is imputed to us through Christ. Our natural attempts to quarantine ourselves from the unclean will not produce biblical holiness. Holiness is not transferable. We are made holy through Christ! Holiness comes down from above. Each person has to encounter Christ for themselves. <br />
Christian living is much more than doing right things. Christian living is being right with God! A personal encounter with the risen Lord is a prerequisite to biblical holiness. What is amazing about God's Grace is that, even though we have been polluted by the uncleanness of sin, the word of the Lord declares, "I Will Bless You". We must cease looking to one another, or comparing ourselves with one another, and start looking to Christ to make us holy!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163849711871067423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736310937412007488.post-80665154980470123282011-11-15T18:26:00.001-05:002011-11-15T18:46:19.657-05:00RedemptionRuth's journey began in the land of 'loose living' (Moab). From there she was brought to the land of 'leftovers' (gleaning in the fields). Now she is brought to the land of the 'lovingly redeemed' & 'lavishly accepted'! <br />
However, before Boaz can redeem her another unnamed relative has to step aside. The older, mysterious relative, represents the 'religious use of the Law'. The unnamed relative is happy to redeem property but wants nothing to do with Ruth. This is a perfect picture of religion - happy to claim property, but wants nothing to do with relationship! <br />
The unnamed relative took off his sandal signifying his release of control over Ruth. Jesus' death, burial and resurrection released us from the condemnation of the Law. We are no longer under the Law but under Grace!<br />
We now have the privilege of intimacy with our Redeemer and from that fellowship and intimacy fruit will be produced which results in Christ coming forth.<br />
One final observation: Ruth's journey decreased her perimeters but increased her sphere of influence. She went from a country to a city; from a city to a field; from a field to the threshing floor and from the threshing floor to a bed. However, with each new venture, her destiny was increased. Do you feel you are being restricted? Could it be the ordering of God to increase His plan for your life?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163849711871067423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736310937412007488.post-29349284617261326182011-10-31T16:29:00.004-04:002011-10-31T18:32:56.755-04:00CoveredIn Ruth chapter three we see Naomi giving Ruth instructions concerning "a proposal" to Boaz. What faith it must have taken for Ruth to follow the instructions of her mother-in-law. Actually, it was a faith that was born out of crisis. I think we could make a case that a large percentage of the miracles in the gospels were because someone in crisis came to Jesus. Someone has said that crisis or desperation is the impetus for faith. <br />
The following are some of the principles found in Ruth chapter three.<br />
<br />
<ul><li>Mighty miracles await the person willing to obey the Holy Spirit (as could be here portrayed as Naomi) even though the natural man would think it a 'risky' venture. Ruth took a risk in leaving Moab. She also took a risk in 'gleaning' in the fields. Now she takes the greatest of all risks and follows Naomi's advice. However, the victory is worth the risk!</li>
<li>Ruth had to humble herself at the feet of Boaz. You and I are to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God. </li>
<li>Even the threshing floor is a word picture of what takes place in our spirits, i.e., the separation of the chaff from the grain of wheat or in our case, the flesh from the Spirit. The beginning of God's glory is always conceived at the threshing floor. </li>
<li>But what I enjoy reading most of all is Ruth's request when Boaz was awakened and ask, "Who's there?" Her response was "cover me"; "Spread your covering over your maid, for you are a close relative." Cover Me! That is our primary request of our Kinsmen Redeemer - Jesus Christ. Cover my past. Cover my disappointments and heartaches. Cover my wrong decisions and actions. Cover my failures. Cover my accomplishments. COVER ME!</li>
</ul>The beauty of this narrative is that Boaz longed to cover Ruth. The beauty of our Christ is that He longs to cover us! He longs to gather us under his covering not just for forgiveness and protection, but for intimacy and fellowship. What a story! Someone who was a stranger to the covenants and promises of the people of God and an alien to His personal protection and care, is now brought near and given a certain future. And what's more astonishing? I am not speaking of Ruth, but you and I. WE ARE COVERED!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163849711871067423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736310937412007488.post-12903791134932102952011-10-20T16:57:00.002-04:002011-10-23T11:26:52.867-04:00Divine AppointmentsRuth chapter two teaches us about Divine Appointments or Divine Intersections. Ruth just asked Naomi to allow her to go and glean in the fields of whomsoever she might find favor. But God was already at work directing her steps to the field of Boaz (the close kinsman of Elimelech). So many principles flow from the narrative of Ruth two. (1) She had positioned herself for divine favor by sticking with Naomi when she could have turned back. Certainly there have been many opportunities for you and I to turn back up till now. But by the Grace of God we are still here! He has kept us to this moment and the reason - He desires to carry us beyond our wildest expectations! Does not the Apostle Paul state that He is the God of the "exceedingly, abundantly, above all", He does more than we ask or think (<strong><em>Eph 3:20</em></strong>)? In <strong><em>Luke 19</em></strong> a man named Zaccheus climbed up into a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus. What he did not know was he had positioned himself for Jesus to 'see him' and a divine appointment took place that day in Zaccheus. Like Ruth and Zaccheus, we never know when the steps we are taking are the ordering of the Lord for a "Divine Intersection" to take place. (2) Boaz had already taken notice of Ruth and her kindness to her mother-in-law, Naomi. Does not our God take notice of us? "His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me", we sang when I was a young boy. Do you still believe this? His eye is on you - He has taken notice of you. (3) Not only has He taken notice of you but He has commanded your protection and provision. Boaz commanded that no one insult or violate Ruth and that she eat with the other maidservants and that more grain be given her than she gleaned that day. Jesus has promised us that if we "seek first the Kingdom of God" all the necessities of life will be given us. He "supplies all our need according to His riches in glory" (<strong><em>see Matt 6:33; Phil 4:19</em></strong>).<br />
Divine Appointments lead to Divine Favor which in turn leads to Divine Life! And Divine or Abundant Life is what Jesus came to do for each of us (<strong><em>John 10:10</em></strong>).Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163849711871067423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736310937412007488.post-5066024853220031562011-10-11T11:10:00.002-04:002011-10-11T14:23:32.734-04:00God's Grand DesignI am meditating on the book of Ruth again. Countless times God has used this short story to encourage me in my walk with Him. Briefly, it's the story of famine, wrong decisions, death, bitterness, and then an awakening to the fact that God is up to something great in the midst of what we call life. Indeed God was ordering steps and orchestrating things beyond Naomi and Ruth's wildest dreams. Its called GRACE! Ruth, a Moabite becomes the great-grandmother of King David and holds a prominent place in the lineage of Jesus Christ (See Matthew 1:5-6). How's that for GRAND DESIGNS? <br />
Like Ruth, we we're from another country, without hope, enemies of God and strangers from His covenants and promises. However, in God's grand design we have been brought near through the blood of Jesus Christ, our kinsman redeemer. You have no 'earthly' idea (2 Cor. 2:9-10) how God wants to order your steps and orchestrate the things that are taking place in your life at this moment. You may not know the end result but you can trust Him for the next step. If you do then your journey is going to be amazing. <br />
When you are finished reading this blog go back and read again, slowly, Ephesians 2. I promise you - God has great things in store for you who put your confidence in HIM!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163849711871067423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736310937412007488.post-51123593987428337722011-10-07T21:09:00.001-04:002011-10-07T23:22:20.603-04:00MilestonesToday is a milestone in that I turned 56. It did not take long to get to this point in life. I now find myself a grandfather, a father, a father-in-law and of course a husband to a wonderful wife for almost 36 years. Today I reflect on the family with which God has blessed me. This blog is one of the birthday presents given to me by my daughter and her husband. Thanks Morgan and Ben. Also, today I wish to share how amazing our journey can be when placed in the hands of the Lord.<br />
God's grace and guidance continues to amaze me. Maybe you are in one of those dilemmas of life in which you are seeking direction. You know the kind where sleeplessness becomes a nightly staple. If that is you take heart. Most of the things that distract us never come to pass or in the scope of eternity will not matter as much as it seems to at this point.<br />
Today I rejoice in where the Lord has led me and thank God for all the joys of family and where we are at this moment.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163849711871067423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736310937412007488.post-5189831151785652442011-10-06T13:51:00.000-04:002011-10-06T13:51:54.615-04:00<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></span><br />
Dad- <div>Welcome to your blog. Ben & I wanted to create this for you, so that the wisdom you contain can be poured into the world in a new and fresh way. You have been my greatest inspiration in life. In having a happy, long-lasting marriage, in raising a loving family, in leading a church, but most of all, in following the holy spirit. I am so grateful that I have had the privilege of seeing what God can supernaturally do in our lives, and you taught me that. </div><div><br />
<div>I love you, </div><div>Morgan</div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163849711871067423noreply@blogger.com0