“To the arrogant I say, ‘Boast no more,’ and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horns. Do not lift your horns against heaven; do not speak with outstretched neck.’ No one from the east or the west or from the desert can exalt a man. But it is God who judges: He brings one down, He exalts another.” (Ps 75:4-7).
Because men have boasted about their positions of power, the Lord is bringing a lesson to them. Here is the Word I received this morning;
“I see men jockeying for positions and men appointing men to positions, promising them great things. The first thing I will teach them is that I lift up. It is I alone who appoint men to their positions, and it is I alone who bestow power upon men. All their bragging will cease, those who are proud and greedy for power, when I lift up the humble. They will learn that all their efforts are for nothing, and they are like the spinning wheels of the chariots that suddenly jammed (Ex 14:25).
Some do not know they have been on the wrong side, opposing God’s ways. They have been an oppressing hand on the humble. But My hand is greater, and it will deliver.”
Let us obey God’s word today and receive one another, not oppressing those who are humble. (Rom 15:7 & also see Mt 10:40-42). Amen.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Friday, December 30, 2011
God works for good
“We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” (Rm 8:28)
If we want to see God’s nature and what things He would likely be doing in our lives, this verse shows that He is an ever-creating God, forming good things despite the bad. If things had to be perfect for God to create us into His image, then he wouldn’t have made us clay vessels which hold the treasure of His Spirit, His very nature (2 Cor 4:7). However, for us to be less than God doesn’t bother God as much as it bothers us. When we are near Him, we sense our “less-than”-ness. We are made of dust, and our weaknesses, mistakes, and sins are unlovely compared to the nature of God that lives within us.
If God’s business is to continually create good out of the life we live, then satan’s business is to create bad. Satan does not offer forgiveness when we repent, nor restoration when we hold out the olive branch to reconcile a relationship. He plants weeds in the Master’s garden (Mt 13:24-30). And so it takes faith to believe for the “good” God is working towards.
The struggle is not to have faith that we are good or perfect, but that God is. When times are not going well, our faith rests on His nature. Satan will accuse God of being “less-than” and urge us to take matters into our own hands, as if the Lord cannot be trusted. But quiet trust in the nature of God, and what His Word tells us about Him, is actually a mighty shield against satan’s fiery darts (Eph 6:16). Our enemy wants us to look inside our vessel and see ourselves, stripped of any goodness of God. God wants us to look at Him, within and without. Looking within at our own nature will eventually make us feel abandoned, or worse, that God has not been doing His job making us a better person . . . and that making our life work out for the good is not in His nature after all! Our enemy’s job is to get us to disbelieve scripture, and to break up our relationship with the Lord. God’s job is to fulfill His Word and to nurture our relationship, and yes, our very life.
Today, we must choose whom we will serve. If we believe that the Lord is working our life out for the good, then let us trust in His work and believe that He is good. All thoughts that are contrary to this are the seeds of weeds, planted by our enemy.
If we want to see God’s nature and what things He would likely be doing in our lives, this verse shows that He is an ever-creating God, forming good things despite the bad. If things had to be perfect for God to create us into His image, then he wouldn’t have made us clay vessels which hold the treasure of His Spirit, His very nature (2 Cor 4:7). However, for us to be less than God doesn’t bother God as much as it bothers us. When we are near Him, we sense our “less-than”-ness. We are made of dust, and our weaknesses, mistakes, and sins are unlovely compared to the nature of God that lives within us.
If God’s business is to continually create good out of the life we live, then satan’s business is to create bad. Satan does not offer forgiveness when we repent, nor restoration when we hold out the olive branch to reconcile a relationship. He plants weeds in the Master’s garden (Mt 13:24-30). And so it takes faith to believe for the “good” God is working towards.
The struggle is not to have faith that we are good or perfect, but that God is. When times are not going well, our faith rests on His nature. Satan will accuse God of being “less-than” and urge us to take matters into our own hands, as if the Lord cannot be trusted. But quiet trust in the nature of God, and what His Word tells us about Him, is actually a mighty shield against satan’s fiery darts (Eph 6:16). Our enemy wants us to look inside our vessel and see ourselves, stripped of any goodness of God. God wants us to look at Him, within and without. Looking within at our own nature will eventually make us feel abandoned, or worse, that God has not been doing His job making us a better person . . . and that making our life work out for the good is not in His nature after all! Our enemy’s job is to get us to disbelieve scripture, and to break up our relationship with the Lord. God’s job is to fulfill His Word and to nurture our relationship, and yes, our very life.
Today, we must choose whom we will serve. If we believe that the Lord is working our life out for the good, then let us trust in His work and believe that He is good. All thoughts that are contrary to this are the seeds of weeds, planted by our enemy.
validation and love
Sometimes Christians become addicted to God’s validation. They live their lives unplanned so that through favorable circumstances they might feel God’s approval and blessing. When all effort could have only been from God, then surely the right outcome was His doing.
These are simple-minded people, never learning wisdom because they lack understanding of the role of responsibility. Child-like, they depend on God and others, while the mature carry their own burdens and other’s also (Gal 6:2-5).
Though God’s blessings are tireless, He sees when we try to force His hand. God is not ignorant of the effort we put into our lives. His intent is that we know the fullness of His love and appreciation for us. It would be a shallow existence for us to only experience validation from God, and foolishness on our part to believe that every good outcome is the only expression of His love for us.
“And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” (Eph 3:18-19)
God’s ultimate purpose then is that, knowing His love, we also would love others, not seeing our need only but our brother’s also. Amen.
These are simple-minded people, never learning wisdom because they lack understanding of the role of responsibility. Child-like, they depend on God and others, while the mature carry their own burdens and other’s also (Gal 6:2-5).
Though God’s blessings are tireless, He sees when we try to force His hand. God is not ignorant of the effort we put into our lives. His intent is that we know the fullness of His love and appreciation for us. It would be a shallow existence for us to only experience validation from God, and foolishness on our part to believe that every good outcome is the only expression of His love for us.
“And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” (Eph 3:18-19)
God’s ultimate purpose then is that, knowing His love, we also would love others, not seeing our need only but our brother’s also. Amen.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
spiritual inbreeding
We are the body of Christ. Paul’s symbolism of the body of Christ is one illustration of how we work together and with Christ. We are to function as a body in which each member supplies what is needed for the entire body according to his or her gifting. We get our Life from Christ, who is our Head (Eph 4:14-16).
What happens to our churches, the individual bodies of Christ which we personally belong to, when things become stale . . . or when our services take on the tone of the world and of error? Today I will be sharing on inbreeding, the cause of spiritual staleness, or lack of variation within our churches. Because this concept has to do with the physical body and our genetic make-up, it is a term the Lord chose to illustrate the spiritual composition of some of our churches.
Inbreeding. Inbreeding is the mating of men and women closely related. This harms what we call the “gene pool” because it increases the chances for genetic mutation. Another practice also harms the gene pool, and that is called the “Founder Principle”. When the gene pool comes from only a few people, such as the founders of a colony, there is a greater chance for a loss in genetic variation, and recessive traits become stronger, more dominant. For instance, this results in a greater chance of deafness, if one of the founders has a recessive gene for deafness. It can also result in other genetic mutations, especially if there is inbreeding between people closely related to one another.
God’s design is to refresh the “gene pool” of our spiritual life by having more than one person speak or teach in the church. He raises up men and women whom He has put gifts in that will edify and build the body. When many share, the variety of messages will meet the variety of needs within the body, and it will be strong.
Yet the opposite can be true as well. When only a few speak, and the rest are spectators, there is very little variety in the spiritual make-up of the body. The in-dwelling beliefs of the few who teach and preach will become the dominant beliefs of the church, eventually. This is the spiritual “founder principle.”
Just as inbreeding with close family members can result in retardation and genetic mutations, groups who closely follow only one man can become cults . Spiritually, our reasoning is eschewed when we only receive sermons and lessons from one source. If our churches become closed to outside ministry, the members will be formed into the image of the founder or minister. But if we receive one another, as Jesus asks (Mt 10:40-42), then we will be formed by the wide variety of lessons and sermons attributed to many who represent Him.
I feel led to caution against closed systems of preaching and teaching, wherein a few approved people are the only ones allowed to minister. Let us receive one another and the variety that exists in Christ. The strength of our spiritual composition will grow, for there will be less chance of personal beliefs being dominant. Amen.
What happens to our churches, the individual bodies of Christ which we personally belong to, when things become stale . . . or when our services take on the tone of the world and of error? Today I will be sharing on inbreeding, the cause of spiritual staleness, or lack of variation within our churches. Because this concept has to do with the physical body and our genetic make-up, it is a term the Lord chose to illustrate the spiritual composition of some of our churches.
Inbreeding. Inbreeding is the mating of men and women closely related. This harms what we call the “gene pool” because it increases the chances for genetic mutation. Another practice also harms the gene pool, and that is called the “Founder Principle”. When the gene pool comes from only a few people, such as the founders of a colony, there is a greater chance for a loss in genetic variation, and recessive traits become stronger, more dominant. For instance, this results in a greater chance of deafness, if one of the founders has a recessive gene for deafness. It can also result in other genetic mutations, especially if there is inbreeding between people closely related to one another.
God’s design is to refresh the “gene pool” of our spiritual life by having more than one person speak or teach in the church. He raises up men and women whom He has put gifts in that will edify and build the body. When many share, the variety of messages will meet the variety of needs within the body, and it will be strong.
Yet the opposite can be true as well. When only a few speak, and the rest are spectators, there is very little variety in the spiritual make-up of the body. The in-dwelling beliefs of the few who teach and preach will become the dominant beliefs of the church, eventually. This is the spiritual “founder principle.”
Just as inbreeding with close family members can result in retardation and genetic mutations, groups who closely follow only one man can become cults . Spiritually, our reasoning is eschewed when we only receive sermons and lessons from one source. If our churches become closed to outside ministry, the members will be formed into the image of the founder or minister. But if we receive one another, as Jesus asks (Mt 10:40-42), then we will be formed by the wide variety of lessons and sermons attributed to many who represent Him.
I feel led to caution against closed systems of preaching and teaching, wherein a few approved people are the only ones allowed to minister. Let us receive one another and the variety that exists in Christ. The strength of our spiritual composition will grow, for there will be less chance of personal beliefs being dominant. Amen.
Restoration
Restoration of Man by God is His creative work, and not our own. The Lord creates in us newness of Life, so much so that we are changed people. Crazy thinking gives way to sound thinking, phobias give way to peacefulness, and a soul that once refused to be ruled over becomes submissive to discipline (2 Tim 1:7). All that keeps one imprisoned and in darkness is exchanged for true liberty and light. The inner heart begins to know true healing and, yes, favor from the Lord.
Jesus spoke these words through the Spirit of Prophecy to the prophet Isaiah; “He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God . . . “ (Is 61:1-2). Truly the “good news” Jesus proclaimed was more than mere words; the gospel is the creative power of God to change lives.
What is to become of those lives, once imprisoned in darkness but now free? Are they to live the rest of their lives in shame? No, for God has no purpose in the life lived in shame. If shame would work God’s purposes He would let us feel His disgust over our sins. But shame keeps men from walking into the Life God has created for them. Instead of shame and disgrace, our Father gives us a great inheritance.
“Instead of their shame My people will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace they will rejoice in their inheritance; and so they will inherit a double portion in their land, and everlasting joy will be theirs.” (Is 61:7).
If God can forgive, create in us new Life, and put our feet on the course for our destiny, why do we stop short of walking that course? The discouragement of past sins and errors needs to be laid to rest behind us. Though men or angels try to turn us back by convincing us we are not qualified for our walk’s destiny, yet the Blood of God’s Son continues to speak of better things for us. Nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus (Rm 8:38-39).
Jesus spoke these words through the Spirit of Prophecy to the prophet Isaiah; “He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God . . . “ (Is 61:1-2). Truly the “good news” Jesus proclaimed was more than mere words; the gospel is the creative power of God to change lives.
What is to become of those lives, once imprisoned in darkness but now free? Are they to live the rest of their lives in shame? No, for God has no purpose in the life lived in shame. If shame would work God’s purposes He would let us feel His disgust over our sins. But shame keeps men from walking into the Life God has created for them. Instead of shame and disgrace, our Father gives us a great inheritance.
“Instead of their shame My people will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace they will rejoice in their inheritance; and so they will inherit a double portion in their land, and everlasting joy will be theirs.” (Is 61:7).
If God can forgive, create in us new Life, and put our feet on the course for our destiny, why do we stop short of walking that course? The discouragement of past sins and errors needs to be laid to rest behind us. Though men or angels try to turn us back by convincing us we are not qualified for our walk’s destiny, yet the Blood of God’s Son continues to speak of better things for us. Nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus (Rm 8:38-39).
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Prophecy for 2012
Christiandom seems to think I am only concerned with the poor unsaved. Some hold contempt for the wealthy or the middle-class unsaved. Men lack vision for the foundation I have labored to build in America.
I have laid My Word here, and My Spirit. I have built with the faithfulness of prophets, evangelists, teachers and preachers here. It has come to this generation to do the finish-work, for My walls are standing.
A carpenter does not do finish-work with the same skills he does rough carpentry. Many of his tools are different. The broad strokes are refined. The large heads on his nails are replaced by the small heads on his finish nails. The exterior paint protects from fierce weather and the interior paint reflects the beauty of the design of its creator.
Man does not see America’s calling. The rough carpenters want to build elsewhere. They think their work here is done. They are not following their Creator but want to create. Let the rough carpenters place their skills in My hands for refinement, and I will use them once again.
The Word I have laid in this country has Life. Let the finish workers bring the Life forth. Seek Me for the skills to minister Life to the sons and daughters of the great pioneers of this land. Do not compare them with the destitute of far away lands. If you forsake the lost of your own country you forsake the house I have been building here through your forefathers. Now is not the time to turn your hearts to distant shores: now is the time to finish.
I have laid My Word here, and My Spirit. I have built with the faithfulness of prophets, evangelists, teachers and preachers here. It has come to this generation to do the finish-work, for My walls are standing.
A carpenter does not do finish-work with the same skills he does rough carpentry. Many of his tools are different. The broad strokes are refined. The large heads on his nails are replaced by the small heads on his finish nails. The exterior paint protects from fierce weather and the interior paint reflects the beauty of the design of its creator.
Man does not see America’s calling. The rough carpenters want to build elsewhere. They think their work here is done. They are not following their Creator but want to create. Let the rough carpenters place their skills in My hands for refinement, and I will use them once again.
The Word I have laid in this country has Life. Let the finish workers bring the Life forth. Seek Me for the skills to minister Life to the sons and daughters of the great pioneers of this land. Do not compare them with the destitute of far away lands. If you forsake the lost of your own country you forsake the house I have been building here through your forefathers. Now is not the time to turn your hearts to distant shores: now is the time to finish.
Restoration
Restoration of Man by God is His creative work, and not our own. The Lord creates in us newness of Life, so much so that we are changed people. Crazy thinking gives way to sound thinking, phobias give way to peacefulness, and a soul that once refused to be ruled over becomes submissive to discipline (2 Tim 1:7). All that keeps one imprisoned and in darkness is exchanged for true liberty and light. The inner heart begins to know true healing and, yes, favor from the Lord.
Jesus spoke these words through the Spirit of Prophecy to the prophet Isaiah; “He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God . . . “ (Is 61:1-2). Truly the “good news” Jesus proclaimed was more than mere words; the gospel is the creative power of God to change lives.
What is to become of those lives, once imprisoned in darkness but now free? Are they to live the rest of their lives in shame? No, for God has no purpose in the life lived in shame. If shame would work God’s purposes He would let us feel His disgust over our sins. But shame keeps men from walking into the Life God has created for them. Instead of shame and disgrace, our Father gives us a great inheritance.
“Instead of their shame My people will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace they will rejoice in their inheritance; and so they will inherit a double portion in their land, and everlasting joy will be theirs.” (Is 61:7).
If God can forgive, create in us new Life, and put our feet on the course for our destiny, why do we stop short of walking that course? The discouragement of past sins and errors needs to be laid to rest behind us. Though men or angels try to turn us back by convincing us we are not qualified for our walk’s destiny, yet the Blood of God’s Son continues to speak of better things for us. Nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus (Rm 8:38-39).
Jesus spoke these words through the Spirit of Prophecy to the prophet Isaiah; “He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God . . . “ (Is 61:1-2). Truly the “good news” Jesus proclaimed was more than mere words; the gospel is the creative power of God to change lives.
What is to become of those lives, once imprisoned in darkness but now free? Are they to live the rest of their lives in shame? No, for God has no purpose in the life lived in shame. If shame would work God’s purposes He would let us feel His disgust over our sins. But shame keeps men from walking into the Life God has created for them. Instead of shame and disgrace, our Father gives us a great inheritance.
“Instead of their shame My people will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace they will rejoice in their inheritance; and so they will inherit a double portion in their land, and everlasting joy will be theirs.” (Is 61:7).
If God can forgive, create in us new Life, and put our feet on the course for our destiny, why do we stop short of walking that course? The discouragement of past sins and errors needs to be laid to rest behind us. Though men or angels try to turn us back by convincing us we are not qualified for our walk’s destiny, yet the Blood of God’s Son continues to speak of better things for us. Nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus (Rm 8:38-39).
Doubt & Faith
Some people like unbelief because it allows them to do their own thing, and truth requires accountability. All men who hear the truth do not keep it; only those who obey the word of truth will retain it. Therefore, we see that our enemy satan seeks to plant seeds of doubt after God’s word comes to us. Our enemy makes doubt attractive, reminding us that it will ensure we can do what we want. Truth, on the other hand, requires a change of behavior on our part, and if we follow it, an eventual change in our character.
The great dividing line between Christians as far a character goes is not sin as much as it is doubt. Those who have followed doubt long enough remain the same. Though they listen to God’s word, it does not work a change in their character, and their behavior is what it always has been. Because their doubt doesn’t require obedience to what they hear, they enjoy a covert rebellion. People who doubt really want their own way and not God’s way.
Eventually, it is seen of doubters that they have no fear of God. They may believe He exists, but they do not take seriously what He has said and do not obey His words. Now, the Lord is gracious to us all and gives time for men to go from doubt to faith. Joel writes about a Valley of Decision where those who lack faith will eventually be judged, yet states “But the Lord will be a refuge for His people, a stronghold . . . (Joel 3:14-16). We see this juxtaposition also between God’s priests who complained against Him, and those servants who feared Him and honored His name. Of the latter the Lord said “They will be Mine . . . in the day when I make up My treasured possession. I will spare them, just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves him.” (Mal 3:17).
Fear of God results in taking God and His word seriously. It is a healthy respect for Who God is and the Authority with which He speaks. Our human fleshly nature does not want God to rule over it. When Jesus told the parable about giving talents to His people, He said “But His citizens hated Him and sent a message after Him, saying, ‘We will not have this man to reign over us.’” (Lk 19:14). Like our fleshly nature, the citizens did not want their lives disturbed. When Jesus rules over us, it disturbs, or changes our lives.
Though the citizens in Jesus’ parable did not want Him, the opposite is true of those who welcome His rule. Their faith will be set on the foundation of obedience to His words, which has prepared them to receive Him as their Lord and King. Those of faith will say “Come, Lord Jesus, come.” (Rev 22:17). But those who have loved their doubt and have not obeyed His words, will love and practice “falsehood,” and will be outside God’s presence in the end (Rev 22:15). Doubt will prevent a man from being formed by obedience to the truth into the image of Jesus, and will cause him to refuse His lordship while they are living. Today, let us decide to obey God’s words and live a life of faith. Amen.
The great dividing line between Christians as far a character goes is not sin as much as it is doubt. Those who have followed doubt long enough remain the same. Though they listen to God’s word, it does not work a change in their character, and their behavior is what it always has been. Because their doubt doesn’t require obedience to what they hear, they enjoy a covert rebellion. People who doubt really want their own way and not God’s way.
Eventually, it is seen of doubters that they have no fear of God. They may believe He exists, but they do not take seriously what He has said and do not obey His words. Now, the Lord is gracious to us all and gives time for men to go from doubt to faith. Joel writes about a Valley of Decision where those who lack faith will eventually be judged, yet states “But the Lord will be a refuge for His people, a stronghold . . . (Joel 3:14-16). We see this juxtaposition also between God’s priests who complained against Him, and those servants who feared Him and honored His name. Of the latter the Lord said “They will be Mine . . . in the day when I make up My treasured possession. I will spare them, just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves him.” (Mal 3:17).
Fear of God results in taking God and His word seriously. It is a healthy respect for Who God is and the Authority with which He speaks. Our human fleshly nature does not want God to rule over it. When Jesus told the parable about giving talents to His people, He said “But His citizens hated Him and sent a message after Him, saying, ‘We will not have this man to reign over us.’” (Lk 19:14). Like our fleshly nature, the citizens did not want their lives disturbed. When Jesus rules over us, it disturbs, or changes our lives.
Though the citizens in Jesus’ parable did not want Him, the opposite is true of those who welcome His rule. Their faith will be set on the foundation of obedience to His words, which has prepared them to receive Him as their Lord and King. Those of faith will say “Come, Lord Jesus, come.” (Rev 22:17). But those who have loved their doubt and have not obeyed His words, will love and practice “falsehood,” and will be outside God’s presence in the end (Rev 22:15). Doubt will prevent a man from being formed by obedience to the truth into the image of Jesus, and will cause him to refuse His lordship while they are living. Today, let us decide to obey God’s words and live a life of faith. Amen.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Strange Fire
It is our human nature to want our own way. Observing children reminds us of this. If we do not train them to be patient, and follow good examples, they increasingly become more impatient and set on having what they want. After all, from their perspective, what they want is what they also understand to be “good.” In like manner, man’s perception of good is based on his understanding of what he wants and perceives as good. And our performance of good stems from desiring either our way, or God’s way.
We find examples of people following their own understanding in the scriptures. Concerning watchmen, Isaiah prophesied that they had become “shepherds who lack understanding; they all turn to their own way, each seeks his own gain.” (Is 56:10-11). These men had ceased caring for God’s flock and their concerns were about their own benefit. They lacked God’s understanding of what good was, and sought after what they thought was good. Spiritually, they were in darkness.
As Christians, though we walk in the light of God’s Spirit within us (and the light of His living Word), at times we find ourselves to also be struggling with a lack of understanding. This is through no fault of our own. God directs us, then steps back (to allow our growth in His Words as we follow that direction). At these times we naturally seek further understanding on how to follow Him when we have gone as far as we know how.
This period of time in which we lack understanding is called “darkness”. It is the in-between stage; in-between the light of understanding and the next light of understanding. Just as we have day, followed by night, and then followed by the next day again, so we have understanding, lack of understanding, and then understanding again. Peter describes this process in speaking about God’s word; “And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your heart.” (2 Peter 1:19). The light is shining somewhere, but not until dawn will it shine on us. Likewise, an understanding of what puzzles us lies somewhere, but we won’t have that understanding until the Lord causes it to “dawn” on us, thus bringing His true understanding by His Spirit when the morning star rises in our hearts.
Being in darkness tests the best of us. We want to know what is a good way to follow, but find ourselves temporarily without the light of understanding. It is a test every true believer finds himself in. Isaiah writes about this test also. “Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the word of his servant? Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God.” (Is 50:10). So we see it is a test of trusting in God, and that He will cause the understanding to dawn on us.
Isaiah continues by writing about those who fail this test of reliance on the Lord for their understanding. “But now, all you who light fires and provide yourselves with flaming torches, go, walk in the light of your fires and of the torches you have set ablaze. This is what you shall receive from My hand; you will lie down in torment.” (Is 50:11). Another translation uses the word “sorrow” for torment, and if we look at the Hebrew root of the word we find “anguish, grieve, worry, hurt”. Lighting the fires of our own understanding will not bring us to the true understanding from the Lord.
In having God’s understanding, we can proceed with wisdom. Wisdom proceeds from understanding. We can discern understanding by looking at the fruit of what follows our understanding. James writes that earthly wisdom harbors envy and “selfish ambition” within it (Jms 3:14). The fruit of God’s understanding manifests itself in wisdom that is “pure, then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.” (Jms 3:17).
Ambition for oneself has caused God’s displeasure on many occasions. Substituting the fire of our own understanding for the fire of God’s understanding will give us light so that we can go in the way we think is good . . . but it is the wrong way, and we will be grieved in the end. It is as if we put “strange fire” on the altar of our hearts. This strange, or alien fire, has its consequences. Here, Dave will write about the consequences of lighting the fires of our own understanding;
In Leviticus 10:1-2, Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu each offered the Lord inappropriate fire with incense on it which the Lord had not enjoined upon them. As a result, the Lord consumed their lives and they died. In Acts 5:1-11 a similar incident is repeated to show (that with the tabernacle of God residing in each person’s heart) each person is also held accountable as a priest offering spiritual incense within one’s own heart. Therefore, for the same reason that inappropriate action brought death to Nadab and Abihu, so inappropriate action in their hearts (out of their hearts came lies – see Matthew 15:18; Matthew 12:34; Luke 6:45; Eph. 4:29; James 3:14; 1 Sam. 24:13; Is. 32:6) also brought death to Ananias and Sapphira. Paul, in 1st Corinthians 11:28-32, also warns about God’s judgment for inappropriate actions in following the directions of the Lord’s Supper.
In Leviticus 10:3, Moses explains God’s position regarding our obligations as priests. “By those who come near Me, I must be regarded as holy; and before all the people, I must be glorified.” As God’s priests, we are to follow what the Lord “has enjoined upon us”…nothing more or nothing less. Using our own understanding does not bring glory to God, but to oneself. In times of darkness, it is tempting to use our own understanding (especially if we lack patience or are unable to subdue our own ambition to humbly wait upon the Lord for His direction). His Holy Spirit will consume (Ex. 24:17; De 4:24; Heb.12:28-29) anything that does not bring glory to God. It is futile, then, to believe that acting in a manner that rewards our perspective of good will bring us into a good standing with God. Obedience is far more important to God than sacrifice (1 Sam 15:22; Eccl. 5:1; Hosea 6:6; Matt. 5:24; 9:13; 12:7; Mark 12:33).
Thank you , Dave. Today, let us put self-ambition and impatience away from us and rely on and trust in the Lord for all that we do not understand. Then our lives will bear the fruit that glorifies Him as His light comes and understanding dawns on us. Amen.
We find examples of people following their own understanding in the scriptures. Concerning watchmen, Isaiah prophesied that they had become “shepherds who lack understanding; they all turn to their own way, each seeks his own gain.” (Is 56:10-11). These men had ceased caring for God’s flock and their concerns were about their own benefit. They lacked God’s understanding of what good was, and sought after what they thought was good. Spiritually, they were in darkness.
As Christians, though we walk in the light of God’s Spirit within us (and the light of His living Word), at times we find ourselves to also be struggling with a lack of understanding. This is through no fault of our own. God directs us, then steps back (to allow our growth in His Words as we follow that direction). At these times we naturally seek further understanding on how to follow Him when we have gone as far as we know how.
This period of time in which we lack understanding is called “darkness”. It is the in-between stage; in-between the light of understanding and the next light of understanding. Just as we have day, followed by night, and then followed by the next day again, so we have understanding, lack of understanding, and then understanding again. Peter describes this process in speaking about God’s word; “And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your heart.” (2 Peter 1:19). The light is shining somewhere, but not until dawn will it shine on us. Likewise, an understanding of what puzzles us lies somewhere, but we won’t have that understanding until the Lord causes it to “dawn” on us, thus bringing His true understanding by His Spirit when the morning star rises in our hearts.
Being in darkness tests the best of us. We want to know what is a good way to follow, but find ourselves temporarily without the light of understanding. It is a test every true believer finds himself in. Isaiah writes about this test also. “Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the word of his servant? Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God.” (Is 50:10). So we see it is a test of trusting in God, and that He will cause the understanding to dawn on us.
Isaiah continues by writing about those who fail this test of reliance on the Lord for their understanding. “But now, all you who light fires and provide yourselves with flaming torches, go, walk in the light of your fires and of the torches you have set ablaze. This is what you shall receive from My hand; you will lie down in torment.” (Is 50:11). Another translation uses the word “sorrow” for torment, and if we look at the Hebrew root of the word we find “anguish, grieve, worry, hurt”. Lighting the fires of our own understanding will not bring us to the true understanding from the Lord.
In having God’s understanding, we can proceed with wisdom. Wisdom proceeds from understanding. We can discern understanding by looking at the fruit of what follows our understanding. James writes that earthly wisdom harbors envy and “selfish ambition” within it (Jms 3:14). The fruit of God’s understanding manifests itself in wisdom that is “pure, then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.” (Jms 3:17).
Ambition for oneself has caused God’s displeasure on many occasions. Substituting the fire of our own understanding for the fire of God’s understanding will give us light so that we can go in the way we think is good . . . but it is the wrong way, and we will be grieved in the end. It is as if we put “strange fire” on the altar of our hearts. This strange, or alien fire, has its consequences. Here, Dave will write about the consequences of lighting the fires of our own understanding;
In Leviticus 10:1-2, Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu each offered the Lord inappropriate fire with incense on it which the Lord had not enjoined upon them. As a result, the Lord consumed their lives and they died. In Acts 5:1-11 a similar incident is repeated to show (that with the tabernacle of God residing in each person’s heart) each person is also held accountable as a priest offering spiritual incense within one’s own heart. Therefore, for the same reason that inappropriate action brought death to Nadab and Abihu, so inappropriate action in their hearts (out of their hearts came lies – see Matthew 15:18; Matthew 12:34; Luke 6:45; Eph. 4:29; James 3:14; 1 Sam. 24:13; Is. 32:6) also brought death to Ananias and Sapphira. Paul, in 1st Corinthians 11:28-32, also warns about God’s judgment for inappropriate actions in following the directions of the Lord’s Supper.
In Leviticus 10:3, Moses explains God’s position regarding our obligations as priests. “By those who come near Me, I must be regarded as holy; and before all the people, I must be glorified.” As God’s priests, we are to follow what the Lord “has enjoined upon us”…nothing more or nothing less. Using our own understanding does not bring glory to God, but to oneself. In times of darkness, it is tempting to use our own understanding (especially if we lack patience or are unable to subdue our own ambition to humbly wait upon the Lord for His direction). His Holy Spirit will consume (Ex. 24:17; De 4:24; Heb.12:28-29) anything that does not bring glory to God. It is futile, then, to believe that acting in a manner that rewards our perspective of good will bring us into a good standing with God. Obedience is far more important to God than sacrifice (1 Sam 15:22; Eccl. 5:1; Hosea 6:6; Matt. 5:24; 9:13; 12:7; Mark 12:33).
Thank you , Dave. Today, let us put self-ambition and impatience away from us and rely on and trust in the Lord for all that we do not understand. Then our lives will bear the fruit that glorifies Him as His light comes and understanding dawns on us. Amen.
condemnation and confidence
Sometimes when we seek God for answers our prayers seem to go nowhere. And we lack confidence in our efforts. Slowly, if we have not sought the Lord, our hearts condemn us. It takes discernment to know where this condemnation comes from, for though we have an accuser, satan, we also err and stumble at times. Today’s lesson is about condemnation and confidence.
"Dear friends, let us not love with words or in tongue but with actions and in truth. This is then how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask because we obey his commands and do what pleases him."( 1 John 3:18-21).
If we were robotic Christians and could just point to scriptures and say "See, this is the one I'm obeying." it would be much easier. But John is saying that we should obey God’s commands and do what pleases Him. That makes it more complicated. Knowing the truth and doing the truth are partly the same thing, and partly not, for the doing goes much farther than the knowing. If we want to be sure we're doing the truth and obeying the scriptures, we have to seek to please God. And then, we have confidence and neither our hearts nor God condemns us.
The foundation for feeling condemned is having truth and not letting God’s nature in us do something with the truth. The truth should not condemn you; it should set you free. Inner condemnation is a sign that there is incongruity between our heart and mind. The mind that knows the Word can reason its application separate from the nature of God held in our hearts. Our mind can also override the counsel of God that we hear. What you do with God’s counsel will help you gain confidence before God and you'll have your prayers answered. But if you do nothing, you will feel condemned because you did nothing with the truth. Confidence is a sign that you are carrying the Word properly, and that you and your heart are not in disagreement about what to say and do concerning the truth. (When our heart has sought to know God’s heart we will carry the truth nobly). Being confident is a sign that a man’s heart and mind agree.
A man can be wrongly confident if his truth is not truth, but falsehood. “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!” (Mt 6:22-23). Paul prayed that the “eyes of (our) heart” would be open, so that we would have understanding (Eph 1:18). We will be full of light if our hearts are full of the understanding of God’s Word, yet have darkness if we have no understanding. If we try to bring understanding through our own counsel and not God’s, we will have a misunderstanding of the truth and its application in our lives.
We only need to ask God for His wisdom and counsel and He will give it. Then our light will truly be light. There are a myriad of ways to go with and one thing. Therefore, doing what we do with the truth should come from asking God for both wisdom (James 1:5) and seeking Him for His heart.
Both wisdom and love dwell together in our hearts. God has put it within the heart of the believer to know what love is. At times, our hearts condemn us for carrying out the Word without giving love. “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.” (1 John 3:16). We can be modern-day Pharisees and obey the letter of the Word, or we can be followers of Jesus, the incarnate Word from God, bringing the life of the Word alive through the way we live. Our hearts will be full of confidence, and we will have our prayers answered by God, when we obey the scriptures and seek to please God. Today, if you feel condemnation, realize that the Lord is ready to give discernment and wisdom to you. He will help sort through the matter, finding the source of your condemnation, and building you up with His wisdom. Then you will have confidence in all you ask for you are not only in agreement with yourself, but also with the Lord. Amen.
"Dear friends, let us not love with words or in tongue but with actions and in truth. This is then how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask because we obey his commands and do what pleases him."( 1 John 3:18-21).
If we were robotic Christians and could just point to scriptures and say "See, this is the one I'm obeying." it would be much easier. But John is saying that we should obey God’s commands and do what pleases Him. That makes it more complicated. Knowing the truth and doing the truth are partly the same thing, and partly not, for the doing goes much farther than the knowing. If we want to be sure we're doing the truth and obeying the scriptures, we have to seek to please God. And then, we have confidence and neither our hearts nor God condemns us.
The foundation for feeling condemned is having truth and not letting God’s nature in us do something with the truth. The truth should not condemn you; it should set you free. Inner condemnation is a sign that there is incongruity between our heart and mind. The mind that knows the Word can reason its application separate from the nature of God held in our hearts. Our mind can also override the counsel of God that we hear. What you do with God’s counsel will help you gain confidence before God and you'll have your prayers answered. But if you do nothing, you will feel condemned because you did nothing with the truth. Confidence is a sign that you are carrying the Word properly, and that you and your heart are not in disagreement about what to say and do concerning the truth. (When our heart has sought to know God’s heart we will carry the truth nobly). Being confident is a sign that a man’s heart and mind agree.
A man can be wrongly confident if his truth is not truth, but falsehood. “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!” (Mt 6:22-23). Paul prayed that the “eyes of (our) heart” would be open, so that we would have understanding (Eph 1:18). We will be full of light if our hearts are full of the understanding of God’s Word, yet have darkness if we have no understanding. If we try to bring understanding through our own counsel and not God’s, we will have a misunderstanding of the truth and its application in our lives.
We only need to ask God for His wisdom and counsel and He will give it. Then our light will truly be light. There are a myriad of ways to go with and one thing. Therefore, doing what we do with the truth should come from asking God for both wisdom (James 1:5) and seeking Him for His heart.
Both wisdom and love dwell together in our hearts. God has put it within the heart of the believer to know what love is. At times, our hearts condemn us for carrying out the Word without giving love. “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.” (1 John 3:16). We can be modern-day Pharisees and obey the letter of the Word, or we can be followers of Jesus, the incarnate Word from God, bringing the life of the Word alive through the way we live. Our hearts will be full of confidence, and we will have our prayers answered by God, when we obey the scriptures and seek to please God. Today, if you feel condemnation, realize that the Lord is ready to give discernment and wisdom to you. He will help sort through the matter, finding the source of your condemnation, and building you up with His wisdom. Then you will have confidence in all you ask for you are not only in agreement with yourself, but also with the Lord. Amen.
Monday, December 26, 2011
do not add nor take away from the Word of the Lord
From of old, God has given His prophets instructions on how to handle what He says. Some of these instructions are repeated, and today I will be talking about one that we have from Moses, through to John in Revelation.
When God was dispensing His covenant to Moses, He asked him to tell the people not to add to nor take away from His commands (Deut 4:2 & 12:32). God’s words are important and stand alone, independent from our own thoughts. His words reveal His nature to us, and if we add to or subtract from them, we do not pass God’s nature along to the hearers.
In the Proverbs we read “Do not add to His words, or He will rebuke you and prove you a liar,” (Prov 30:6). Sometimes it is hard for a man who has had the Lord’s word to be silent during the times when the Lord is silent. It takes great discipline. There was a time in my life of great outpouring of prophetic dreams and visitations from the Lord. One dream, however, showed me walking with the Lord into a whiteout. He was showing me a time of information sequestration, or a literal information whiteout. The years that ensued were difficult. I kept comparing how the Lord used to give me so much information to the current desert experience, information-wise. However, He did not leave me alone in my desert experience. I learned to trust Him when He is silent, and obey Him when He speaks. I also learned that it is pride that makes us want to speak when He is silent.
Paul writes to the Corinthians that they should not go beyond what is written (1 Cor 4:6). We should not add our surmisings to what God is saying. If we want to appear to have secret knowledge, or additional information on something the Lord is saying, and we do not in truth have more from the Lord, we are seeking to have men look up to us as someone special.
In Revelation we have the same instructions from the Lord; do not add to or take away from the words of the prophecy (Rev 22:18-19). It is pride that causes us to add to the Word of God, and fear of men, or man-pleasing, that causes us to take away from what God says. If we want to be received by men, we will be tested to see if we will be true to deliver God’s message, for it may make us unpopular with men.
There are many teachers of the prophetic who instruct their students to speak only what is nice. These students are learning to take away from the Word of God, should God be revealing what they consider “not nice.” They exchange the bitter for sweet, and the truth which could save the listener for a falsehood which abandons his soul to his own understanding. Let everyone who has the Word of the Lord be true to God, the giver of the Word. Let not the listeners become hardened in their hearts against prophecy due to the careless additions of the words of men. In this time, more than ever before, prophecy will lead God’s people. Amen.
When God was dispensing His covenant to Moses, He asked him to tell the people not to add to nor take away from His commands (Deut 4:2 & 12:32). God’s words are important and stand alone, independent from our own thoughts. His words reveal His nature to us, and if we add to or subtract from them, we do not pass God’s nature along to the hearers.
In the Proverbs we read “Do not add to His words, or He will rebuke you and prove you a liar,” (Prov 30:6). Sometimes it is hard for a man who has had the Lord’s word to be silent during the times when the Lord is silent. It takes great discipline. There was a time in my life of great outpouring of prophetic dreams and visitations from the Lord. One dream, however, showed me walking with the Lord into a whiteout. He was showing me a time of information sequestration, or a literal information whiteout. The years that ensued were difficult. I kept comparing how the Lord used to give me so much information to the current desert experience, information-wise. However, He did not leave me alone in my desert experience. I learned to trust Him when He is silent, and obey Him when He speaks. I also learned that it is pride that makes us want to speak when He is silent.
Paul writes to the Corinthians that they should not go beyond what is written (1 Cor 4:6). We should not add our surmisings to what God is saying. If we want to appear to have secret knowledge, or additional information on something the Lord is saying, and we do not in truth have more from the Lord, we are seeking to have men look up to us as someone special.
In Revelation we have the same instructions from the Lord; do not add to or take away from the words of the prophecy (Rev 22:18-19). It is pride that causes us to add to the Word of God, and fear of men, or man-pleasing, that causes us to take away from what God says. If we want to be received by men, we will be tested to see if we will be true to deliver God’s message, for it may make us unpopular with men.
There are many teachers of the prophetic who instruct their students to speak only what is nice. These students are learning to take away from the Word of God, should God be revealing what they consider “not nice.” They exchange the bitter for sweet, and the truth which could save the listener for a falsehood which abandons his soul to his own understanding. Let everyone who has the Word of the Lord be true to God, the giver of the Word. Let not the listeners become hardened in their hearts against prophecy due to the careless additions of the words of men. In this time, more than ever before, prophecy will lead God’s people. Amen.
God tests the hearts
I found this and several other unposted lessons on my computer. I had unknowingly set up a parallel account to Sea of Glass. I will begin posting the lessons from there to this account today. This lesson is from 2/24/11;
Have you ever wondered about God’s justice? We know He is just and want Him to answer our petitions. But sometimes those answers are a long time in coming! Today the Lord chose this topic. Many scriptures popped into mind while writing and are inserted throughout the lesson. Here it is;
It is My nature to test the heart (Gen 18:20-21 & Ps 26:2). I listen to the complaints of men and seek to bring them justice. So I test them, to see if they themselves are just and fair, or deceitful and unfair ((Lk 13:6).
Certainly the heart can be deceitful (Jer 17:9). Yet My Holy Spirit works with men to bring them to a love of the truth, even concerning their own motives (Heb 4:12-13). A man gains favor amongst men and God when he walks in his integrity, and a man loses favor when he walks in self-deceit.
I care about injustices. Yet, if I were to avenge one of My own children of wrong done to him, only to find that he behaves no better than the one who wronged him, My recourse would be to punish my own child also (Heb 12:10-12). Therefore, before I bring punishment on the wrong-doer, I test the heart of the one who was wronged. If he was robbed, I give him the opportunity to forgive a debt, and thereby acquit himself of love of money. Forgiving a debt will stand as a righteous deed in defense of the character of the victim (Mt 18:23-34).
If a man feels abandoned and carries a great amount of responsibility I will give him fellow servants to care for. This tests whether he is laboring just for reward, or if he truly cares for His master’s servants (Lk 12:42-48). If he cares for his fellow servants, that stands to his credit when someone questions his work, and no one will successfully remove him from his position before his master. I can bring him help, and promotion, for he will not abuse it.
If a man asks for a home for his family and regrets that his parents left him no inheritance, I will see if he is hospitable to others. When he houses and feeds others, and goes into homes not his own to care for them, and when he labors to repair and maintain houses, this stands as godliness and is in his favor (Mt 25:31-45). He asks not for the home for his own selfish use, for when he met the needy, he took them in. And when their homes needed care, he cared and labored for no personal gain. But if a man bitterly complains about receiving no inheritance and cannot buy a home, and sends away the needy persons I send to him, shall I judge in his favor? For the needy have less than he has.
I work with the hearts of men to get them to the place of integrity, godliness, and righteousness so that I can show them favor. If I am delayed in returning an answer it may be because the testing of the heart did not yield the peaceable fruit of righteousness Eph 5:8-10 & Heb 12:11). I give more time . . . if one more test would prove the victim to be honorable, I will wait, because I would rather show mercy than having to punish my own. (James 5:7 & Lk 13:6).
Have you ever wondered about God’s justice? We know He is just and want Him to answer our petitions. But sometimes those answers are a long time in coming! Today the Lord chose this topic. Many scriptures popped into mind while writing and are inserted throughout the lesson. Here it is;
It is My nature to test the heart (Gen 18:20-21 & Ps 26:2). I listen to the complaints of men and seek to bring them justice. So I test them, to see if they themselves are just and fair, or deceitful and unfair ((Lk 13:6).
Certainly the heart can be deceitful (Jer 17:9). Yet My Holy Spirit works with men to bring them to a love of the truth, even concerning their own motives (Heb 4:12-13). A man gains favor amongst men and God when he walks in his integrity, and a man loses favor when he walks in self-deceit.
I care about injustices. Yet, if I were to avenge one of My own children of wrong done to him, only to find that he behaves no better than the one who wronged him, My recourse would be to punish my own child also (Heb 12:10-12). Therefore, before I bring punishment on the wrong-doer, I test the heart of the one who was wronged. If he was robbed, I give him the opportunity to forgive a debt, and thereby acquit himself of love of money. Forgiving a debt will stand as a righteous deed in defense of the character of the victim (Mt 18:23-34).
If a man feels abandoned and carries a great amount of responsibility I will give him fellow servants to care for. This tests whether he is laboring just for reward, or if he truly cares for His master’s servants (Lk 12:42-48). If he cares for his fellow servants, that stands to his credit when someone questions his work, and no one will successfully remove him from his position before his master. I can bring him help, and promotion, for he will not abuse it.
If a man asks for a home for his family and regrets that his parents left him no inheritance, I will see if he is hospitable to others. When he houses and feeds others, and goes into homes not his own to care for them, and when he labors to repair and maintain houses, this stands as godliness and is in his favor (Mt 25:31-45). He asks not for the home for his own selfish use, for when he met the needy, he took them in. And when their homes needed care, he cared and labored for no personal gain. But if a man bitterly complains about receiving no inheritance and cannot buy a home, and sends away the needy persons I send to him, shall I judge in his favor? For the needy have less than he has.
I work with the hearts of men to get them to the place of integrity, godliness, and righteousness so that I can show them favor. If I am delayed in returning an answer it may be because the testing of the heart did not yield the peaceable fruit of righteousness Eph 5:8-10 & Heb 12:11). I give more time . . . if one more test would prove the victim to be honorable, I will wait, because I would rather show mercy than having to punish my own. (James 5:7 & Lk 13:6).
God's dwelling place
I am creating a place inside my people where I may dwell. It is a place where they each will know me. Little-by-little I carve out more space for Myself in each man and woman.
I share Myself with Man according to his tolerance. Some are like the Israelites and say that they can’t bear to hear me themselves (Ex 20:19). Many hear My voice, and their minds whirl with ideas. They go off and do their ideas and are satisfied. But they come back to listen again when they are out of ideas. Some men listen frequently, and a few carry on conversations with Me. But they can only be filled so much, and then they are full.
What causes a man to never tire of Me? It is the same thing that causes a man to never fall out of love with his wife; desire to be in her presence. Men often desire My word, My love, My healing, My protection . . . but not many can bear to be near Me for the sole reason just to know Me.
When a man begins to know Me he sees a contrast. He sees that he is different from Me, and is acutely aware that I am holy. Because of the difference, he understands that he is not holy. It is a fragile place for our relationship to proceed from. Yet from the beginning I have wanted to dwell with Man (Ex 25:8). Adam and Eve did not know sin. They were content to dwell with Me, and walk and talk with Me. When they ate the forbidden fruit they became aware of good and evil. This made them afraid to stand in My presence (Gen 3:5-8).
Jesus is the second Adam. By His sacrifice all your sins are forgiven, that after repentance, you should not look on those sins anymore. Because your sins are forgiven you can come boldly to the throne (Heb 4:16). You should not have fear if you believe I will receive you in love. Fear has to do with punishment (1 Jn 4:18).
In order for a man to stand in My presence, get to know Me, and walk with Me, he must be transparent, and washed from his sins daily. Otherwise he will be fearful of the difference between us. But those who are washed daily are awed by My difference and want to be like Me. They have a thirst that only I can satisfy (Rev 21:6).
In the end, I will dwell with My people (Rev 21:3), for this has always been My desire.
I share Myself with Man according to his tolerance. Some are like the Israelites and say that they can’t bear to hear me themselves (Ex 20:19). Many hear My voice, and their minds whirl with ideas. They go off and do their ideas and are satisfied. But they come back to listen again when they are out of ideas. Some men listen frequently, and a few carry on conversations with Me. But they can only be filled so much, and then they are full.
What causes a man to never tire of Me? It is the same thing that causes a man to never fall out of love with his wife; desire to be in her presence. Men often desire My word, My love, My healing, My protection . . . but not many can bear to be near Me for the sole reason just to know Me.
When a man begins to know Me he sees a contrast. He sees that he is different from Me, and is acutely aware that I am holy. Because of the difference, he understands that he is not holy. It is a fragile place for our relationship to proceed from. Yet from the beginning I have wanted to dwell with Man (Ex 25:8). Adam and Eve did not know sin. They were content to dwell with Me, and walk and talk with Me. When they ate the forbidden fruit they became aware of good and evil. This made them afraid to stand in My presence (Gen 3:5-8).
Jesus is the second Adam. By His sacrifice all your sins are forgiven, that after repentance, you should not look on those sins anymore. Because your sins are forgiven you can come boldly to the throne (Heb 4:16). You should not have fear if you believe I will receive you in love. Fear has to do with punishment (1 Jn 4:18).
In order for a man to stand in My presence, get to know Me, and walk with Me, he must be transparent, and washed from his sins daily. Otherwise he will be fearful of the difference between us. But those who are washed daily are awed by My difference and want to be like Me. They have a thirst that only I can satisfy (Rev 21:6).
In the end, I will dwell with My people (Rev 21:3), for this has always been My desire.
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Becoming a bridge
We are all familiar with Jesus’ admonition not to judge (Mt 7:1). It seems that the beginning of our Christianity is training on the boundaries between good and bad, light and darkness, evil and holiness. Along with this we learn what the “world” and “flesh” are so that we can eschew them, following after the Spirit of God. Somewhere along the way we realize that, though we are on the right side of our boundaries, we notice that some other people are not. We become offended at pan-handlers, or teens who dress improperly. If a brother borrows our tools and does not return them, we label him as “not a nice man.” And so the battle begins, to judge or not judge others.
When we look at Jesus’ life, it is full of love. It is also full of truth. If fact, one of the things love does is rejoice at the truth (1 Cor 13:6). But if we do not want to judge, what do we do with the truth?
Religions have sprung forth from men wanting to ignore the truth of what others do wrong in order that good men might love them. That is not the example we see in Jesus. He was a bridge. He recognized which side of the boundary a person was on, and became a bridge for them to travel to His side.
I have a friend that is a coffee barista. At the coffee shop people of all walks of life come in the door. She is a recent convert to Christianity, one who loves the Lord, and people, intensely. She used to tell me how badly she felt when she corrected people for swearing or being rude. Yet, she was realizing the boundary between how she herself used to act, and her new life in Christ. Yesterday she told me that it entered her heart to return kindness to her rude, swearing customer, and she did. It filled her heart with joy.
Where did the kindness come from? It came from God’s grace; His enabling power in us to do what we cannot do ourselves. God loves to give us grace for hard things, if we will take it. In fact, if we will ask the Lord for His grace, our offence at others will melt away. Then we become a bridge for the offensive person to cross over to where Jesus stands, and he will experience the Love of God.
God prefers that we ask Him for grace. Sometimes we get stuck on our side of the boundary. Today, let us mature into His grace, desiring to be like Him more than correcting others. Then we bring His Love into the hearts of many. Amen.
When we look at Jesus’ life, it is full of love. It is also full of truth. If fact, one of the things love does is rejoice at the truth (1 Cor 13:6). But if we do not want to judge, what do we do with the truth?
Religions have sprung forth from men wanting to ignore the truth of what others do wrong in order that good men might love them. That is not the example we see in Jesus. He was a bridge. He recognized which side of the boundary a person was on, and became a bridge for them to travel to His side.
I have a friend that is a coffee barista. At the coffee shop people of all walks of life come in the door. She is a recent convert to Christianity, one who loves the Lord, and people, intensely. She used to tell me how badly she felt when she corrected people for swearing or being rude. Yet, she was realizing the boundary between how she herself used to act, and her new life in Christ. Yesterday she told me that it entered her heart to return kindness to her rude, swearing customer, and she did. It filled her heart with joy.
Where did the kindness come from? It came from God’s grace; His enabling power in us to do what we cannot do ourselves. God loves to give us grace for hard things, if we will take it. In fact, if we will ask the Lord for His grace, our offence at others will melt away. Then we become a bridge for the offensive person to cross over to where Jesus stands, and he will experience the Love of God.
God prefers that we ask Him for grace. Sometimes we get stuck on our side of the boundary. Today, let us mature into His grace, desiring to be like Him more than correcting others. Then we bring His Love into the hearts of many. Amen.
time
This morning when I awoke I had projects on my mind. I felt these things needed priority status in order for our Christmas to run smoothly, and was going to set my quiet time aside for them. However, the Lord countered me in my thinking, saying that my priorities were oppressing me. Hmmm. He was right. I was beginning my day with stress instead of with the Holy Spirit. Here is the Word the Lord shared with me after I got up;
“Man is pressured by his sense of time ending. But time ending is a culmination of things I have set in place and is not a series of events Man must do.
For instance, “Salvation is from God.” (Rev 19:1) Salvation has been in the earth many centuries and does not wait for Man to rush in his attempts to evangelize the world. I planted the seeds of salvation long ago. Each generation waters them, yet I am the patient farmer who waits for the final culmination of the obedience of mankind (Jms 5:7). The works of men each stand on those who have gone before them. None are insignificant, yet no one’s works stand alone. The final harvest could never be accomplished by just one generation.
But Man is in a hurry. In his frenzied attempts to do something for God, he doesn’t see that all he does is for himself. And as I foretold, he neglects to love.
Why have men’s hearts grown cold? Because love takes time . . . time away from accomplishing great things. If men spent time the way I spend time their works would be eternal. They would clothe Me, feed Me, and shelter Me, not knowing it was Me (Mt 25:31-40). They would give Me my portion in due time (Mt 24:45-46). If I asked them to walk with Me a mile, they would spend 2 miles-worth of time with Me . . . all in the face of the unlovely (Mt 5:41). For men seldom spend time with those who seem unworthy to them. Yet I come as rejected and needy; as their elderly mother or their errant teenager. Spend your time as I do, loving, nurturing seeds unto the harvest. What you do for those who are needing your love and time is what you do for Me and My harvest." Amen
“Man is pressured by his sense of time ending. But time ending is a culmination of things I have set in place and is not a series of events Man must do.
For instance, “Salvation is from God.” (Rev 19:1) Salvation has been in the earth many centuries and does not wait for Man to rush in his attempts to evangelize the world. I planted the seeds of salvation long ago. Each generation waters them, yet I am the patient farmer who waits for the final culmination of the obedience of mankind (Jms 5:7). The works of men each stand on those who have gone before them. None are insignificant, yet no one’s works stand alone. The final harvest could never be accomplished by just one generation.
But Man is in a hurry. In his frenzied attempts to do something for God, he doesn’t see that all he does is for himself. And as I foretold, he neglects to love.
Why have men’s hearts grown cold? Because love takes time . . . time away from accomplishing great things. If men spent time the way I spend time their works would be eternal. They would clothe Me, feed Me, and shelter Me, not knowing it was Me (Mt 25:31-40). They would give Me my portion in due time (Mt 24:45-46). If I asked them to walk with Me a mile, they would spend 2 miles-worth of time with Me . . . all in the face of the unlovely (Mt 5:41). For men seldom spend time with those who seem unworthy to them. Yet I come as rejected and needy; as their elderly mother or their errant teenager. Spend your time as I do, loving, nurturing seeds unto the harvest. What you do for those who are needing your love and time is what you do for Me and My harvest." Amen
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
fear of the Lord and wisdom
This morning the Lord talked about wisdom, and the fear of the Lord. God’s goal is that He would show the earth His wisdom, through His people.
“His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in heavenly realms, according to His eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Eph 3:10-11)
Here is the Word of the Lord;
“Men do not see My hand in the events around them. They do not see judgment, for they do not want to believe it can happen. If Man believes in Me at all, it is that I accept him the way he is, love everything about him, and will give him all he wants.
Do you see any other created being that has everything it wants? Even those animals that are domesticated and cared for do not have their freedom, nor can they decide how to care for themselves should they become free. And those animals who are wild and free, who care for themselves, are not protected as the domesticated animals are. The wild animals suffer lack and starve, or are eaten by their predators. They labor intensely and travel great distances to find their food.
But Man is vain in his thoughts, thinking he is a god to be served by God. He has invented lessons to sooth his jittery nerves and counsel to puff his errant mind . . . to think he is a god to be served.
If fear of God is the beginning of wisdom (Prov 9:10) then the foolishness of Man rules the earth. Where is there one who fears God?
Those who are My bride are those who fear My name and honor Me with their lives (Mal 3:16). Through them wisdom will come forth. For I will show My wisdom through My people, and it will be a stark contrast as night is to day between the thoughts of Man and the words of wisdom. Let My servants speak and not hold back My words, for Man, thinking He is wise, has become foolish. It is the contrast, the light shining out of my vessels of clay, that will cause men to take notice that surely God is different than their own thoughts about their own lives. And then, when wisdom is manifest, some men will desire Me.” Amen
“His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in heavenly realms, according to His eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Eph 3:10-11)
Here is the Word of the Lord;
“Men do not see My hand in the events around them. They do not see judgment, for they do not want to believe it can happen. If Man believes in Me at all, it is that I accept him the way he is, love everything about him, and will give him all he wants.
Do you see any other created being that has everything it wants? Even those animals that are domesticated and cared for do not have their freedom, nor can they decide how to care for themselves should they become free. And those animals who are wild and free, who care for themselves, are not protected as the domesticated animals are. The wild animals suffer lack and starve, or are eaten by their predators. They labor intensely and travel great distances to find their food.
But Man is vain in his thoughts, thinking he is a god to be served by God. He has invented lessons to sooth his jittery nerves and counsel to puff his errant mind . . . to think he is a god to be served.
If fear of God is the beginning of wisdom (Prov 9:10) then the foolishness of Man rules the earth. Where is there one who fears God?
Those who are My bride are those who fear My name and honor Me with their lives (Mal 3:16). Through them wisdom will come forth. For I will show My wisdom through My people, and it will be a stark contrast as night is to day between the thoughts of Man and the words of wisdom. Let My servants speak and not hold back My words, for Man, thinking He is wise, has become foolish. It is the contrast, the light shining out of my vessels of clay, that will cause men to take notice that surely God is different than their own thoughts about their own lives. And then, when wisdom is manifest, some men will desire Me.” Amen
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
The big picture
Yesterday things had not turned out right. What seemed to make matters worse was that the Lord had given me a prophetic dream in October that the event would turn out just as it did yesterday. Sure, I had prayed. I waged spiritual warfare and enlisted others to pray with me. As the date approached I reminded the strongest prayer warrior I knew that the time was present for God to win the victory, and there was more agreement in prayer about the situation. And yet, it still turned out wrong.
This morning as I reviewed all the effort of prayer and faith that went in to the situation, I couldn’t help but admit to God that I was baffled. How was I to have faith that He would answer prayer in the future? Did I need to learn more about prayer? I felt so vulnerable to the enemy too. The picture I had in my mind seemed to tell me that satan won the victory after all.
The Lord was not silent to my musings over this matter. Quickly He brought to mind 2 separate prophecies in Isaiah where it states that the Lord was “appalled” that there was no one to help Him (59:16 & 63:5). “Helen,” He said, “If people do not obey Me, how is it surprising that they will not do the right thing for you? I do not blame you for being disappointed in Man, but do not be disappointed in Me. Trust my intentions, for they are good and not evil.” I immediately sensed that God’s justice would settle the right and wrong of the situation that took place yesterday, but the trial was also a test of trust on my part.
Once I agreed that God’s intentions were good my view of things began to change. The Lord talked to me about Joseph, sold into slavery by his brothers. God did not deliver him from the pit, nor from Potiphar’s wife. Yet God was shaping Joseph’s life into something far more valuable than the life he led back home. I was getting a glimpse of the bigger picture; God moves us in our trials, positioning us for our destiny. The small details that seem like set-backs are not obstacles to God’s will. However, our lack of trust in the goodness of God can cause us to grumble.
If you too believe that God will do according to your prayers you may have been surprised by some that seem unanswered. If things do not go well, you too may be tempted to doubt that God heard you, and that He cares about the outcome in your life. I want to encourage you that God is looking at the big picture. Take your eyes off the details and trust in Him to work all things out well. He cares very much about each one of us, so much that He will rearrange the lives of others, and our own, just to position us for our destiny. Amen
This morning as I reviewed all the effort of prayer and faith that went in to the situation, I couldn’t help but admit to God that I was baffled. How was I to have faith that He would answer prayer in the future? Did I need to learn more about prayer? I felt so vulnerable to the enemy too. The picture I had in my mind seemed to tell me that satan won the victory after all.
The Lord was not silent to my musings over this matter. Quickly He brought to mind 2 separate prophecies in Isaiah where it states that the Lord was “appalled” that there was no one to help Him (59:16 & 63:5). “Helen,” He said, “If people do not obey Me, how is it surprising that they will not do the right thing for you? I do not blame you for being disappointed in Man, but do not be disappointed in Me. Trust my intentions, for they are good and not evil.” I immediately sensed that God’s justice would settle the right and wrong of the situation that took place yesterday, but the trial was also a test of trust on my part.
Once I agreed that God’s intentions were good my view of things began to change. The Lord talked to me about Joseph, sold into slavery by his brothers. God did not deliver him from the pit, nor from Potiphar’s wife. Yet God was shaping Joseph’s life into something far more valuable than the life he led back home. I was getting a glimpse of the bigger picture; God moves us in our trials, positioning us for our destiny. The small details that seem like set-backs are not obstacles to God’s will. However, our lack of trust in the goodness of God can cause us to grumble.
If you too believe that God will do according to your prayers you may have been surprised by some that seem unanswered. If things do not go well, you too may be tempted to doubt that God heard you, and that He cares about the outcome in your life. I want to encourage you that God is looking at the big picture. Take your eyes off the details and trust in Him to work all things out well. He cares very much about each one of us, so much that He will rearrange the lives of others, and our own, just to position us for our destiny. Amen
Monday, December 12, 2011
Trust is the yoke of Jesus
Have you ever wondered where God is? Sometimes He seems too far away to be living inside of us. When feeling out of touch with God, we find our evidence of His nearness in the scriptures and in memories of our relationship during closer times. It is not uncommon to have seasons of distance in our lives, yet God is still very near us, teaching us to trust Him, His Word, and yes, His love for us.
My husband and I had a season of intense glued-to-the-Lord ministry for five years. He was constantly speaking to us in dreams and while awake. We walked with the Lord and felt secure because of His constant involvement in our lives. Then came a different and much harder season. It was a season of application of all that He had shown us. We were like stumbling students, groping for our way in the darkness. And yet, God was very near us then, as before.
Last night Dave and I were talking about the second (and least favored) season. By contrast, it left us feeling abandoned and rejected. Yet by reason of the scriptures and our experience with the Lord, we knew He would never do that. We were seeing things from the perspective of the world. In the world, if a friend changes their involvement with you, you begin to suspect that something’s gone wrong, and wonder what you did to offend them. Yet God’s love for us and His purposes for our lives are ever-lasting. He was not trying to make things harder for us; He is teaching us that trusting Him will make life easier. When we trust, we feel secure.
As I settled in to pray, the Lord began to speak about our nature being like His. We are created in the image of God. I love giving gifts at Christmas, so this is what the Lord brought up. He also loves giving gifts. I felt once again His residing presence inside as He talked about how we, His children, are much like Him. And yet, He is more. We do not need to depend on our own efforts to bless people for God has put His own gifts under the Tree to bless those we love.
The Lord spoke of the gifts He gives and His motive for giving. Though Jesus loves to make people happy, that is not His motivation for giving. His gifts develop people into who they are called to be and cause them to eventually act like He does. When we look at the long-term effects of the gifts of God residing in a person we see that each person is molded by their gifts into a certain aspect of God’s nature. Prophets speak for God, Teachers teach like Jesus, Shepherds care for people like Jesus . . . and on and on it goes. The gift of eternal life causes us to embrace others with forgiveness and encouragement, just as God forgives and encourages us daily.
Besides giving Christmas gifts, we are hosts to our family’s celebration of Christmas. Often it seems like my husband and I are the glue that holds our family and its traditions together. This morning the Lord resumed our conversation about His children being created in God’s image. He showed me that holding things together is part of His image and led me to read Col 1:17;
“He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”
The Lord asserted that, in truth, it is He who holds our lives and our family together, and it does not rely on our efforts alone. He brought back wonderful memories of other people joining together to accomplish things I had never thought of. It was Christ at work in them, and He was holding things together. I just needed to trust Him. Trust is the yoke that ties us to Jesus and makes our load lighter. He said;
“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Mt 11:29-30)
After our conversation I felt comforted. I leaned on my trust of God like relaxing in a lazy-boy chair. Yes, we will be busy this season, giving gifts and hosting Christmas day. But we are doing the least of the work, and my Lord is doing the greater. And I like that arrangement. God indeed resides within us, and the evidence of that is seen in His nature expressing itself through our lives (2 Cor 4:7). There is a security in knowing that, as we are, He is greater, and that He is holding our lives together, and not we ourselves. We just need to trust Him.
My husband and I had a season of intense glued-to-the-Lord ministry for five years. He was constantly speaking to us in dreams and while awake. We walked with the Lord and felt secure because of His constant involvement in our lives. Then came a different and much harder season. It was a season of application of all that He had shown us. We were like stumbling students, groping for our way in the darkness. And yet, God was very near us then, as before.
Last night Dave and I were talking about the second (and least favored) season. By contrast, it left us feeling abandoned and rejected. Yet by reason of the scriptures and our experience with the Lord, we knew He would never do that. We were seeing things from the perspective of the world. In the world, if a friend changes their involvement with you, you begin to suspect that something’s gone wrong, and wonder what you did to offend them. Yet God’s love for us and His purposes for our lives are ever-lasting. He was not trying to make things harder for us; He is teaching us that trusting Him will make life easier. When we trust, we feel secure.
As I settled in to pray, the Lord began to speak about our nature being like His. We are created in the image of God. I love giving gifts at Christmas, so this is what the Lord brought up. He also loves giving gifts. I felt once again His residing presence inside as He talked about how we, His children, are much like Him. And yet, He is more. We do not need to depend on our own efforts to bless people for God has put His own gifts under the Tree to bless those we love.
The Lord spoke of the gifts He gives and His motive for giving. Though Jesus loves to make people happy, that is not His motivation for giving. His gifts develop people into who they are called to be and cause them to eventually act like He does. When we look at the long-term effects of the gifts of God residing in a person we see that each person is molded by their gifts into a certain aspect of God’s nature. Prophets speak for God, Teachers teach like Jesus, Shepherds care for people like Jesus . . . and on and on it goes. The gift of eternal life causes us to embrace others with forgiveness and encouragement, just as God forgives and encourages us daily.
Besides giving Christmas gifts, we are hosts to our family’s celebration of Christmas. Often it seems like my husband and I are the glue that holds our family and its traditions together. This morning the Lord resumed our conversation about His children being created in God’s image. He showed me that holding things together is part of His image and led me to read Col 1:17;
“He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”
The Lord asserted that, in truth, it is He who holds our lives and our family together, and it does not rely on our efforts alone. He brought back wonderful memories of other people joining together to accomplish things I had never thought of. It was Christ at work in them, and He was holding things together. I just needed to trust Him. Trust is the yoke that ties us to Jesus and makes our load lighter. He said;
“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Mt 11:29-30)
After our conversation I felt comforted. I leaned on my trust of God like relaxing in a lazy-boy chair. Yes, we will be busy this season, giving gifts and hosting Christmas day. But we are doing the least of the work, and my Lord is doing the greater. And I like that arrangement. God indeed resides within us, and the evidence of that is seen in His nature expressing itself through our lives (2 Cor 4:7). There is a security in knowing that, as we are, He is greater, and that He is holding our lives together, and not we ourselves. We just need to trust Him.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
memories of good
The Christmas holidays are a time for friends and families to come together. We like to share with people whom we have a history with, reminiscing over good times, times when we had fun, and even hard times. Our memories take on a gift-like quality as we pull them out of the treasure chest of our hearts.
If memories were not important, we would not be so drawn to share them with people who have also had the same memories. The events we recall are like a bridge we walk on, going back to better days and re-living decisions and events that made us happy.
The bridge-like nature of memories allows travel both ways. When we remember the good things a person did, sharing it with that person affirms the good in them and brings validation to their present day life. In remembering talents, virtues, and even courage, we become encouraged to continue being virtuous, sharing our talents for the benefit of others, and being strong. What a person once saw in themselves comes into reality again.
In the calendar of Jewish feasts and holy days outlined in Leviticus there is a time called Jubilee, wherein every 50 years those who were slaves were to receive their freedom. During this year people who had sold their land to repay debts would receive their land back again, debt-free. In fact, during this year all debts were cancelled. It was a time of rejoicing and receiving back again lands, freedom and family heritage, for each person was to return to their family property and it would be given back to them (see Lev 25).
Jubilee is symbolic for us today and represents the fact that God remembers people for good and will put behind them the failures and sins of their past. When God remembers us for good, it brings good back into our lives. When He gives us freedom, and reinstates us with our families, we receive a sense of worth. And when He returns property to us, we have a heritage and can pass on to our own children what we ourselves have received back from the Lord. Though all we had may have been lost, receiving it back again validates us in the present day. All this is possible because God remembers our past for good, and asks us to remember each other’s past for good also.
Though we could choose to remember the bad things a family member or friend has done, we can also remember the good. We can build a bridge for them, and validate their worth, just as God taught His people to do on Jubilee. He was not punitive regarding those who suffered failure in their lives. God was and is generous with His affirmations and encouragements. This Christmas season as we meet with friends and family let us do the same. In remembering the good, we are bringing people across the bridge, away from the side of lack and discouragement and over to the side of the abundance and great possibilities for their lives. Amen.
If memories were not important, we would not be so drawn to share them with people who have also had the same memories. The events we recall are like a bridge we walk on, going back to better days and re-living decisions and events that made us happy.
The bridge-like nature of memories allows travel both ways. When we remember the good things a person did, sharing it with that person affirms the good in them and brings validation to their present day life. In remembering talents, virtues, and even courage, we become encouraged to continue being virtuous, sharing our talents for the benefit of others, and being strong. What a person once saw in themselves comes into reality again.
In the calendar of Jewish feasts and holy days outlined in Leviticus there is a time called Jubilee, wherein every 50 years those who were slaves were to receive their freedom. During this year people who had sold their land to repay debts would receive their land back again, debt-free. In fact, during this year all debts were cancelled. It was a time of rejoicing and receiving back again lands, freedom and family heritage, for each person was to return to their family property and it would be given back to them (see Lev 25).
Jubilee is symbolic for us today and represents the fact that God remembers people for good and will put behind them the failures and sins of their past. When God remembers us for good, it brings good back into our lives. When He gives us freedom, and reinstates us with our families, we receive a sense of worth. And when He returns property to us, we have a heritage and can pass on to our own children what we ourselves have received back from the Lord. Though all we had may have been lost, receiving it back again validates us in the present day. All this is possible because God remembers our past for good, and asks us to remember each other’s past for good also.
Though we could choose to remember the bad things a family member or friend has done, we can also remember the good. We can build a bridge for them, and validate their worth, just as God taught His people to do on Jubilee. He was not punitive regarding those who suffered failure in their lives. God was and is generous with His affirmations and encouragements. This Christmas season as we meet with friends and family let us do the same. In remembering the good, we are bringing people across the bridge, away from the side of lack and discouragement and over to the side of the abundance and great possibilities for their lives. Amen.
Friday, December 9, 2011
holding back
Sometimes we hold back. We have the word of the Lord, yet our uncertainty about how things will come to be causes us to wait . . . to wait and see what God will do. And in our waiting, we do nothing. This is not born of faith.
When we wait, and do nothing, our life has a void in it. Where there should be participation and partnership with God, there is an ever-widening emptiness. In this emptiness, bitterness grows. Bitterness is like mold that grows in the dark hidden places. If we do not walk in the light of faith, we walk in the guess-work of our own counsel and in the error of our own wisdom.
Walking in faith is walking in the light because faith is based on the Word of God (Rom 10:17). The Word gives Life and Light.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that been made. In Him was Life, and that Life was the Light of men.” (Jn 1:1-4).
Because God has spoken the Word, we get to know Him better when we read, think and act upon it, and our faith grows. However, walking in the darkness will not give us the opportunity to know God better. Let us once again remember those words spoken to us by our Lord, and serve Him, actively pursuing the accomplishment of that which God has spoken. Then we will be walking in faith and no root of bitterness will remain in us. Amen.
When we wait, and do nothing, our life has a void in it. Where there should be participation and partnership with God, there is an ever-widening emptiness. In this emptiness, bitterness grows. Bitterness is like mold that grows in the dark hidden places. If we do not walk in the light of faith, we walk in the guess-work of our own counsel and in the error of our own wisdom.
Walking in faith is walking in the light because faith is based on the Word of God (Rom 10:17). The Word gives Life and Light.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that been made. In Him was Life, and that Life was the Light of men.” (Jn 1:1-4).
Because God has spoken the Word, we get to know Him better when we read, think and act upon it, and our faith grows. However, walking in the darkness will not give us the opportunity to know God better. Let us once again remember those words spoken to us by our Lord, and serve Him, actively pursuing the accomplishment of that which God has spoken. Then we will be walking in faith and no root of bitterness will remain in us. Amen.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
The faithful and wise servant
“Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the Master puts in charge of His servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time?” (Lk 12:42)
The Lord gives to us so that, not only will we be built up, but we will build others up as well. We individually cannot become the total image of Jesus Christ our Lord, but the Church conglomerately will, if each member shares. You see, the Church is the sum total of its parts.
“From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” (Eph 4:16).
It is frustrating to focus only on our own personal growth because we never see the end of our need for it. But if we focus on the purpose for which Jesus shares with us, we will feed others from the spiritual food we were entrusted with. They need what we have. And, in sharing with others, we are being like the One Who shared with us.
The Lord gives to us so that, not only will we be built up, but we will build others up as well. We individually cannot become the total image of Jesus Christ our Lord, but the Church conglomerately will, if each member shares. You see, the Church is the sum total of its parts.
“From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” (Eph 4:16).
It is frustrating to focus only on our own personal growth because we never see the end of our need for it. But if we focus on the purpose for which Jesus shares with us, we will feed others from the spiritual food we were entrusted with. They need what we have. And, in sharing with others, we are being like the One Who shared with us.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
for those who prophesy
Today the Lord spoke about some of those who prophesy. Here is what He said;
“This the people do: they declare a thing I have not said and they enact a symbol to give it power before others. This is not faith. Faith does not create truth. Let the prophet follow and not lead. Let the one who speaks for Me stand in My presence first. This is an error of these prophets, for they speak when I have not spoken.
If a prophet speaks presumptuously he assumes I will back him and that some good will come from his words. But the power to create and do good comes from Me (1Jn 1:1-5) and is not from the will of Man. Still the definition remains and is sound, that ‘prophecy never had its origin in the will of Man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.’ (2 Pet 1:21).” Amen.
“This the people do: they declare a thing I have not said and they enact a symbol to give it power before others. This is not faith. Faith does not create truth. Let the prophet follow and not lead. Let the one who speaks for Me stand in My presence first. This is an error of these prophets, for they speak when I have not spoken.
If a prophet speaks presumptuously he assumes I will back him and that some good will come from his words. But the power to create and do good comes from Me (1Jn 1:1-5) and is not from the will of Man. Still the definition remains and is sound, that ‘prophecy never had its origin in the will of Man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.’ (2 Pet 1:21).” Amen.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Honor and Respect
God asks us to honor and respect Him. He also asks us to honor and respect one another. In a marriage, honor and respect preserve the union. Otherwise the ups and downs of life would tear marriages apart. God sees His people as His bride and asks for honor and respect from her as well.
What is remarkable is that God also honors us, and respects us. We are not respected for our reputation, for God does not need someone else to speak about us to Him. He knows us. God carries the knowledge of us around with Him. He knows our history, and He knows our potential. God sees the experience we have, both good and bad. In order to see our future potential God knows what we must do to bring out the best in our own lives.
God believes in us, for He knows His investment in us. God does not build with wood, hay, or stubble; God builds people with good materials. He knows all that our life is made up of and looks towards our future with expectations for good.
Wow, what a God! He is not ignorant of our short-comings nor our failures, yet He chooses to look forward to sharing great things with us.
If this is God’s respect of and honor towards us, then what should ours be towards each other? We should believe for our brother to do the great things he has done in the past, and grow in confidence that God will perfect His work in him. Those failings that make up our brother’s history with us should be seen as his stepping stones and not our stumbling blocks. In a marriage a man and woman know each other far better than anyone else could know either one of them. They should encourage each other to press forward into the highest calling of God, not remembering past disappointments but praying for future victories.
I believe that God wants us to be willing to see the future as a good place for our brothers and sisters. Then we will think upon and even envision them in their destiny. And that is how God thinks about us. Amen.
What is remarkable is that God also honors us, and respects us. We are not respected for our reputation, for God does not need someone else to speak about us to Him. He knows us. God carries the knowledge of us around with Him. He knows our history, and He knows our potential. God sees the experience we have, both good and bad. In order to see our future potential God knows what we must do to bring out the best in our own lives.
God believes in us, for He knows His investment in us. God does not build with wood, hay, or stubble; God builds people with good materials. He knows all that our life is made up of and looks towards our future with expectations for good.
Wow, what a God! He is not ignorant of our short-comings nor our failures, yet He chooses to look forward to sharing great things with us.
If this is God’s respect of and honor towards us, then what should ours be towards each other? We should believe for our brother to do the great things he has done in the past, and grow in confidence that God will perfect His work in him. Those failings that make up our brother’s history with us should be seen as his stepping stones and not our stumbling blocks. In a marriage a man and woman know each other far better than anyone else could know either one of them. They should encourage each other to press forward into the highest calling of God, not remembering past disappointments but praying for future victories.
I believe that God wants us to be willing to see the future as a good place for our brothers and sisters. Then we will think upon and even envision them in their destiny. And that is how God thinks about us. Amen.
futility and restoration
Man cannot control his behavior. Though we as humans have been created in the image of God, we are unable to feel, think, or act like God apart from His help. Many have said that God’s kingdom will be a restoration of Man to the state of Adam, before the fall in the garden of Eden. In this state, Adam had perfect communion with God and was without sin. Adam and Eve walked in the cool of the night with God, unhindered. As far as we know, their lives were fulfilling and had purpose. A yearning wells up in us to return to that same close walk with our Creator and Father.
Adam and Eve had perfect communion with God until they disobeyed Him. Disobedience comes from willing to do wrong, or not willing to do right. It does not seem apparent to us that we will disobey until God tests our wills. The choices we make during our time of testing set in motion either our obedience, or our disobedience. Because the will of the first man resulted in disobedience, all creation has been subjected to futility from that point on. The fulfillment of our lives and the purposes for which we live are now hid in Christ in God, and we cannot find them without His help. God saw it necessary to subject us, and all creation to futility until a time when we would be glorified as His sons. The necessity of this futility was to make apparent to Man that he was the created, and not the Creator. It is God who is in control, and it is He who creates and sets changes into motion.
After Adam, men did not have an awareness that they made mistakes, and in fact, each man thought that what he did was good. To open men’s eyes to their nature, God gave Man the law, and apart from the law, the concept of sin was unknown. The law brought knowledge o f sin (Rm 3:20 & 7:7-8). By teaching men right from wrong a standard was set, and as a man’s conscience developed, guilt became a governor over his actions. Guilt was the warning sign that the standard had been violated by a person’s will.
Because of knowledge of sin, Man learned early on that his nature needed to be under control. And yet, the law did not enable him to perfectly control his nature, and he did not permanently change by keeping the law. So men, being in the image of God, came to know they were less than God. No matter how powerful men were, they could not change or recreate their selves to restore their relationship to what Adam had with God. This represents the futility Man, and all creation, was and is subjected to (Rm 8:18-21).
The power to re-create man’s nature came with the victory of Christ. God sent His Spirit into us who believed so that we could know His desires (Rm 8:5). Instead of feeling dead inside or guilty because of the knowledge of our shortcomings, we feel the Life of Christ inside. Our spirits literally touche the Holy Spirit inside of us, and we become acquainted with His righteousness. In fact, Paul wrote that he did not want to have a righteousness of his own by keeping the law, but one founded in faith in God (Phil 3:9).
When we receive the Holy Spirit, He then gives us new and better things to think about, thereby taking our focus off the desire to sin. Our communication with God is restored. If we prefer our new Life with God, we will neglect and eventually clean up the disobedience to righteousness that we call our fleshly nature, or our “flesh”. (Rm 8:11). This new Life living in us gives us the power to change, from our will being in agreement with God’s heart. But we will change only if we choose the new Life over our old ways of death (see also Eph 4:20-24).
What happens if a man partakes of the Life in the Spirit and then changes his mind, preferring the old ways of his flesh instead? He will eventually become mastered by his sins. In other words, it is worse than losing the new Life of the Spirit inside; he will also lose his sense of right and wrong. He will not feel guilty when he sins. To forsake God and enter back into sin and the flesh, a man must harden his heart against the Holy Spirit and sear his conscience.
When a Christian returns to his former way of living, without a governor over his thoughts to tell him right from wrong, justification will rise up. In the absence of guilt, or because of the abhorrence of guilt, a man will justify wrong and neglect doing right, and so his heart will become hardened to the counsel of God and his conscience.
Men who forsake the truth they have known may also establish their own set of religious thoughts that enable them to do as they please. Though they once heard what pleased the Holy Spirit, they have rebelled against serving Him and now want to be served. He who fools himself into believing that he is like God will create his own truth. Yet the man that allows his will to fall under subjection to the desires of the Holy Spirit will hear God’s truth and walk with Him.
Love of the truth will keep a man from creating an erroneous religious thought-life (2 Thess 2:10). And love of God’s righteousness will keep a man from returning to sin. Today let us walk in the Spirit and in love of the truth. Amen.
Adam and Eve had perfect communion with God until they disobeyed Him. Disobedience comes from willing to do wrong, or not willing to do right. It does not seem apparent to us that we will disobey until God tests our wills. The choices we make during our time of testing set in motion either our obedience, or our disobedience. Because the will of the first man resulted in disobedience, all creation has been subjected to futility from that point on. The fulfillment of our lives and the purposes for which we live are now hid in Christ in God, and we cannot find them without His help. God saw it necessary to subject us, and all creation to futility until a time when we would be glorified as His sons. The necessity of this futility was to make apparent to Man that he was the created, and not the Creator. It is God who is in control, and it is He who creates and sets changes into motion.
After Adam, men did not have an awareness that they made mistakes, and in fact, each man thought that what he did was good. To open men’s eyes to their nature, God gave Man the law, and apart from the law, the concept of sin was unknown. The law brought knowledge o f sin (Rm 3:20 & 7:7-8). By teaching men right from wrong a standard was set, and as a man’s conscience developed, guilt became a governor over his actions. Guilt was the warning sign that the standard had been violated by a person’s will.
Because of knowledge of sin, Man learned early on that his nature needed to be under control. And yet, the law did not enable him to perfectly control his nature, and he did not permanently change by keeping the law. So men, being in the image of God, came to know they were less than God. No matter how powerful men were, they could not change or recreate their selves to restore their relationship to what Adam had with God. This represents the futility Man, and all creation, was and is subjected to (Rm 8:18-21).
The power to re-create man’s nature came with the victory of Christ. God sent His Spirit into us who believed so that we could know His desires (Rm 8:5). Instead of feeling dead inside or guilty because of the knowledge of our shortcomings, we feel the Life of Christ inside. Our spirits literally touche the Holy Spirit inside of us, and we become acquainted with His righteousness. In fact, Paul wrote that he did not want to have a righteousness of his own by keeping the law, but one founded in faith in God (Phil 3:9).
When we receive the Holy Spirit, He then gives us new and better things to think about, thereby taking our focus off the desire to sin. Our communication with God is restored. If we prefer our new Life with God, we will neglect and eventually clean up the disobedience to righteousness that we call our fleshly nature, or our “flesh”. (Rm 8:11). This new Life living in us gives us the power to change, from our will being in agreement with God’s heart. But we will change only if we choose the new Life over our old ways of death (see also Eph 4:20-24).
What happens if a man partakes of the Life in the Spirit and then changes his mind, preferring the old ways of his flesh instead? He will eventually become mastered by his sins. In other words, it is worse than losing the new Life of the Spirit inside; he will also lose his sense of right and wrong. He will not feel guilty when he sins. To forsake God and enter back into sin and the flesh, a man must harden his heart against the Holy Spirit and sear his conscience.
When a Christian returns to his former way of living, without a governor over his thoughts to tell him right from wrong, justification will rise up. In the absence of guilt, or because of the abhorrence of guilt, a man will justify wrong and neglect doing right, and so his heart will become hardened to the counsel of God and his conscience.
Men who forsake the truth they have known may also establish their own set of religious thoughts that enable them to do as they please. Though they once heard what pleased the Holy Spirit, they have rebelled against serving Him and now want to be served. He who fools himself into believing that he is like God will create his own truth. Yet the man that allows his will to fall under subjection to the desires of the Holy Spirit will hear God’s truth and walk with Him.
Love of the truth will keep a man from creating an erroneous religious thought-life (2 Thess 2:10). And love of God’s righteousness will keep a man from returning to sin. Today let us walk in the Spirit and in love of the truth. Amen.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
trial of silence
Have you ever heard of a trial of silence? Sometimes God gives us a trial of silence, not as the world gives silence, but as a Father who is bringing the best, and all the rest, out of his children.
Silence is disturbing. David writes “To you I call, O Lord my Rock; do not turn a deaf ear to me. For if you remain silent, I will be like those who have gone down to the pit.” (Ps 28:1). It is hard on us to not hear God’s comforting voice, nor to receive counsel from His Spirit readily. Why does God seem to hide Himself at times?
When we were young children our fathers and mothers often reminded us of their counsel and were there to lend a helping hand when we needed them. As we grew, they reminded less, and gave us more freedom. Eventually that freedom afforded us choices, and we either did what our parents taught us, or we did not. Children who need constant reminders have not committed their lessons to memory, nor written their parent’s lessons on their hearts. Immature children cannot be given much freedom for they will not choose wisely and may suffer great harm without their parent’s protection.
Our heavenly Father brings us up in maturity so that He can bestow freedom on us, and with our freedom, great adventures in His kingdom. But He must prove us first, not to frustrate us or cause us fear, but to ensure that His lessons are in our hearts. He does not want us to suffer harm. So, though it may seem He is far away from us, in reality He is watching very near.
When adult children are on their own, there are temptations to do things their parents wouldn’t approve of. Instead of using the good counsel of their father, they may experiment with the foul counsel of their enemy. Yet, without a person choosing of their own free will to obey their father’s lessons and to keep their parent’s values, they are only giving a show of obedience and are insincere in their heart. So silence sets a person free to do what is truly in their heart to do.
God wants us to love sincerely, and to obey from both love and respect of His Word. Some people have a counterfeit obedience, which comes from wanting to look good. They use their gifts to serve themselves and endear mankind to themselves. But the Lord is looking for authenticity. He has invested real riches in us and looks for a good yield on that investment. The counterfeit will prophesy their own words so as to have something to say before men. The authentic will wait, not speaking until God speaks, for their service is to Him.
Wisdom is the hallmark of an obedient son. The hallmark of obedient Christians is that they also grow in wisdom. Just as an earthly father would be proud to have his children follow in his footsteps, so God is glorified by His children’s wisdom (Eph 3:10-12). We must all go through a trial of silence in which our obedience matures us so that we might gain wisdom. Yet God never leaves our side. He proudly watches as we follow each step that he has set before us (Heb 12:1). Amen
Silence is disturbing. David writes “To you I call, O Lord my Rock; do not turn a deaf ear to me. For if you remain silent, I will be like those who have gone down to the pit.” (Ps 28:1). It is hard on us to not hear God’s comforting voice, nor to receive counsel from His Spirit readily. Why does God seem to hide Himself at times?
When we were young children our fathers and mothers often reminded us of their counsel and were there to lend a helping hand when we needed them. As we grew, they reminded less, and gave us more freedom. Eventually that freedom afforded us choices, and we either did what our parents taught us, or we did not. Children who need constant reminders have not committed their lessons to memory, nor written their parent’s lessons on their hearts. Immature children cannot be given much freedom for they will not choose wisely and may suffer great harm without their parent’s protection.
Our heavenly Father brings us up in maturity so that He can bestow freedom on us, and with our freedom, great adventures in His kingdom. But He must prove us first, not to frustrate us or cause us fear, but to ensure that His lessons are in our hearts. He does not want us to suffer harm. So, though it may seem He is far away from us, in reality He is watching very near.
When adult children are on their own, there are temptations to do things their parents wouldn’t approve of. Instead of using the good counsel of their father, they may experiment with the foul counsel of their enemy. Yet, without a person choosing of their own free will to obey their father’s lessons and to keep their parent’s values, they are only giving a show of obedience and are insincere in their heart. So silence sets a person free to do what is truly in their heart to do.
God wants us to love sincerely, and to obey from both love and respect of His Word. Some people have a counterfeit obedience, which comes from wanting to look good. They use their gifts to serve themselves and endear mankind to themselves. But the Lord is looking for authenticity. He has invested real riches in us and looks for a good yield on that investment. The counterfeit will prophesy their own words so as to have something to say before men. The authentic will wait, not speaking until God speaks, for their service is to Him.
Wisdom is the hallmark of an obedient son. The hallmark of obedient Christians is that they also grow in wisdom. Just as an earthly father would be proud to have his children follow in his footsteps, so God is glorified by His children’s wisdom (Eph 3:10-12). We must all go through a trial of silence in which our obedience matures us so that we might gain wisdom. Yet God never leaves our side. He proudly watches as we follow each step that he has set before us (Heb 12:1). Amen
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Thanksgiving
During this Thanksgiving many of us will spend the day with family. Our traditions and our faith will bring an expression of gratitude that includes sharing feasts with those we love, and with friends. Just having a family to share with, and a home, are reasons to give thanks. Through our example, our children learn thankfulness.
This morning I am reminded of the parable of the Prodigal Son. Though he was not grateful for his family, he had a change of heart. What is interesting about this story is that the father had nothing to do with his son’s repentance. The father simply let his son go. This may seem like bad parenting, yet there comes a time in our adult children’s lives when we have to let go.
Though we trust the keeping of our children’s souls to God, lack of the evidence of their faith may make it seem like our errant children will not come back to their faith, nor to their families! The Lord reminded me that a parent’s thankfulness can reach towards the future, by faith, and believe for their prodigals to come back.
We may plant the seeds of His Word in our children’s heart, but it is God that waters them and watches over them to bring a harvest of righteousness in our children. We will one day see that God, as our heavenly Father, never lets go of our children. Today as we give thanks to God and share with our families, let us remember God’s faithfulness and trust our prodigals to Him. He is able to bring a great harvest of righteousness. Amen
This morning I am reminded of the parable of the Prodigal Son. Though he was not grateful for his family, he had a change of heart. What is interesting about this story is that the father had nothing to do with his son’s repentance. The father simply let his son go. This may seem like bad parenting, yet there comes a time in our adult children’s lives when we have to let go.
Though we trust the keeping of our children’s souls to God, lack of the evidence of their faith may make it seem like our errant children will not come back to their faith, nor to their families! The Lord reminded me that a parent’s thankfulness can reach towards the future, by faith, and believe for their prodigals to come back.
We may plant the seeds of His Word in our children’s heart, but it is God that waters them and watches over them to bring a harvest of righteousness in our children. We will one day see that God, as our heavenly Father, never lets go of our children. Today as we give thanks to God and share with our families, let us remember God’s faithfulness and trust our prodigals to Him. He is able to bring a great harvest of righteousness. Amen
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Faith in asking
We as Christians enjoy a special privilege. We can seek the Lord for His counsel. When we feel lost, He will give us direction. Recently I wrote that the answer God gives us, or His “word”, tries us. If our heart does not have faith towards God, we will not value God’s word.
“The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.” (Prov 14:6). To mock is to scorn, scoff or deride. It seems at times we might place the counsel of God in lower value than the counsel of our own heart, or that of our friends. When God does give us His wisdom, we might not see it as valuable advice.
James tells us that God is glad to share wisdom with us, and will not upbraid us for asking (James 1:5). His thoughts and wisdom are different from our thoughts and the counsel of our own mind and heart. The Lord’s intention is not to make us feel inferior or put down, but to bring us up to His level by sharing wisdom with us. However, if we are proud and value our own thoughts more than his, we will set His counsel aside for our own. This is called being “unstable” (see James 1:6-8). Unstable people are tossed around in their thought-life, unable to anchor on any advice, good or bad. They love to moor in the harbors of their own familiar ways, eventually. The very act of seeking God’s counsel when they love their own makes them hypocrites.
Seeking God for advice can bring good direction to our lives, or, if we are hypocritical, it can uncover the hidden agendas of our hearts. God’s word is living and active, judging the thoughts and attitudes of the heart (Heb 4:12-13). When God speaks His word, it tries our hearts, laying bare the contents. If we have faith we will gain wisdom. If we have unbelief we will continue in the ways we have thought to be better than God’s ways. Our attitude towards God’s word determines our path in this life and our final destination. Today, let us value faith in God more than trusting in our own ways, and receive the direction we all need in our lives. Amen.
“The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.” (Prov 14:6). To mock is to scorn, scoff or deride. It seems at times we might place the counsel of God in lower value than the counsel of our own heart, or that of our friends. When God does give us His wisdom, we might not see it as valuable advice.
James tells us that God is glad to share wisdom with us, and will not upbraid us for asking (James 1:5). His thoughts and wisdom are different from our thoughts and the counsel of our own mind and heart. The Lord’s intention is not to make us feel inferior or put down, but to bring us up to His level by sharing wisdom with us. However, if we are proud and value our own thoughts more than his, we will set His counsel aside for our own. This is called being “unstable” (see James 1:6-8). Unstable people are tossed around in their thought-life, unable to anchor on any advice, good or bad. They love to moor in the harbors of their own familiar ways, eventually. The very act of seeking God’s counsel when they love their own makes them hypocrites.
Seeking God for advice can bring good direction to our lives, or, if we are hypocritical, it can uncover the hidden agendas of our hearts. God’s word is living and active, judging the thoughts and attitudes of the heart (Heb 4:12-13). When God speaks His word, it tries our hearts, laying bare the contents. If we have faith we will gain wisdom. If we have unbelief we will continue in the ways we have thought to be better than God’s ways. Our attitude towards God’s word determines our path in this life and our final destination. Today, let us value faith in God more than trusting in our own ways, and receive the direction we all need in our lives. Amen.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Enlargement
The world has a different message than the Holy Spirit. This may seem obvious, however, at times the message of the world seems to make sense to followers of Jesus. For instance, there are a lot of demands on us all, and this creates stress. It seems wise to set priorities and simplify our lives so that we can give a quality effort to those things that are the most important. The world’s message is to simplify and not worry, and to enjoy ourselves. Even research underscores the need to be happy, for the body will self-destruct under a stressful life-style. Therefore, a busy life style is one most gladly shed.
God is not against happiness, and scripture tell us that we are not to worry (Mt 6:25). When talking to Martha, Jesus said she was “worried and upset over many things” because she fretted over the work she was doing (Lk 10:41). Though it is clear we should not worry, how do we discern between following the way of the world, and the way of the Holy Spirit in such matters as simplifying our lives? As always, we can judge a tree by its fruit. The consequences of following worldly advice will not bear the fruit of following Jesus. You see, those whose pleasure is of the world see things from a different viewpoint (1 Jn 4:5), therefore their ways are going to be different than God’s ways.
The basis of our faith is in the Word of God and His Spirit, testifying within us. Therefore, if we see ourselves following a different path than one stated in the Word and illustrated by the Spirit, we may be in error. Regarding simplifying our lives, we do not read parables where faithful servants have their lives diminished, but rather we read of enlargement. Our faithfulness, though dotted with the discouragements of this life, would not be rewarded by being diminished.
Jesus told a parable of a man giving his servants talents to use while he was away. When he returned he rewarded each servant’s faithfulness with being in charge of more responsibility. He set them over cities, to rule on his behalf (Lk 19:16 - 19). In Matthew’s account of this parable he adds “Come and share your master’s happiness” (Mt 25:21). In the parable of the faithful servant, the master put one servant in charge of the others while he is away, to give them their food allowance at the proper time. When the master returned, he put the faithful servant in charge of all his possessions (Lk 12:42-44). These are examples of the Lord expanding servants who are faithful, and not diminishing them.
Responsibilities beget responsibilities. But, at times, we want blessing instead of more responsibilities. We picture our reward as having access to all God’s household for our happiness. We see cities as places to enjoy ourselves and have fun traveling to. We are looking at an outward expansion which takes in the world instead of an inward expansion that holds the glory of God in all we do. The message of the world, to simplify, and the seeming wisdom to retire from hard work and enjoy our life are all the justification we may need to diminish our service to the Lord, and to our fellow man.
The unfaithful servants in both parables failed to see that their responsibilities would enlarge them inside. If they had loved doing their master’s business they would have seen tremendous growth taking place inside of them. One servant must have realized there was more work to do for his master, for he hid his talent (Lk 19:20-21). He didn’t invest in the work the master gave him because he didn’t want what the master wanted. As a servant of God, he didn’t see that God wanted to mold him into a type of Himself, overseeing people, lands and many other things. Perhaps he wanted earthly reward . . . we aren’t told why the servant thought that God was unfair.
In the second parable the unfaithful servant also failed to see his master’s plan. The servant eventually resented being the one left in charge. In making the servant responsible for His servants, God was giving him a space to grow in caring about his fellow servants the way He did. This assignment was to enlarge the servant’s heart, making it full of love like God’s heart. However, the servant wanted life on his own terms and did not learn to care about God’s people, but grew resentful of their needs and abused them (Lk 12:45-46).
We will not know what we are capable of doing if we feel God is unfair in what He asks us to do. And we will not like His work if the rewards we seek are for our worldly gain. Yet if we love and faithfully serve God, His enlargement of us on the inside will enable us to do all we are called to do in this life. You see, by growing in God’s nature, the things that are not part of God’s nature, such as stress and worry, will be replaced by trust and faith. By giving us responsibilities God is inviting us to become like Him. As we let Him carry the works He invites us into, we find His yoke is easy and His burden is light (Mt 11:28-30). God has already simplified our lives by carrying the load with us. And God has provided us with happiness by inviting us into His. Amen.
God is not against happiness, and scripture tell us that we are not to worry (Mt 6:25). When talking to Martha, Jesus said she was “worried and upset over many things” because she fretted over the work she was doing (Lk 10:41). Though it is clear we should not worry, how do we discern between following the way of the world, and the way of the Holy Spirit in such matters as simplifying our lives? As always, we can judge a tree by its fruit. The consequences of following worldly advice will not bear the fruit of following Jesus. You see, those whose pleasure is of the world see things from a different viewpoint (1 Jn 4:5), therefore their ways are going to be different than God’s ways.
The basis of our faith is in the Word of God and His Spirit, testifying within us. Therefore, if we see ourselves following a different path than one stated in the Word and illustrated by the Spirit, we may be in error. Regarding simplifying our lives, we do not read parables where faithful servants have their lives diminished, but rather we read of enlargement. Our faithfulness, though dotted with the discouragements of this life, would not be rewarded by being diminished.
Jesus told a parable of a man giving his servants talents to use while he was away. When he returned he rewarded each servant’s faithfulness with being in charge of more responsibility. He set them over cities, to rule on his behalf (Lk 19:16 - 19). In Matthew’s account of this parable he adds “Come and share your master’s happiness” (Mt 25:21). In the parable of the faithful servant, the master put one servant in charge of the others while he is away, to give them their food allowance at the proper time. When the master returned, he put the faithful servant in charge of all his possessions (Lk 12:42-44). These are examples of the Lord expanding servants who are faithful, and not diminishing them.
Responsibilities beget responsibilities. But, at times, we want blessing instead of more responsibilities. We picture our reward as having access to all God’s household for our happiness. We see cities as places to enjoy ourselves and have fun traveling to. We are looking at an outward expansion which takes in the world instead of an inward expansion that holds the glory of God in all we do. The message of the world, to simplify, and the seeming wisdom to retire from hard work and enjoy our life are all the justification we may need to diminish our service to the Lord, and to our fellow man.
The unfaithful servants in both parables failed to see that their responsibilities would enlarge them inside. If they had loved doing their master’s business they would have seen tremendous growth taking place inside of them. One servant must have realized there was more work to do for his master, for he hid his talent (Lk 19:20-21). He didn’t invest in the work the master gave him because he didn’t want what the master wanted. As a servant of God, he didn’t see that God wanted to mold him into a type of Himself, overseeing people, lands and many other things. Perhaps he wanted earthly reward . . . we aren’t told why the servant thought that God was unfair.
In the second parable the unfaithful servant also failed to see his master’s plan. The servant eventually resented being the one left in charge. In making the servant responsible for His servants, God was giving him a space to grow in caring about his fellow servants the way He did. This assignment was to enlarge the servant’s heart, making it full of love like God’s heart. However, the servant wanted life on his own terms and did not learn to care about God’s people, but grew resentful of their needs and abused them (Lk 12:45-46).
We will not know what we are capable of doing if we feel God is unfair in what He asks us to do. And we will not like His work if the rewards we seek are for our worldly gain. Yet if we love and faithfully serve God, His enlargement of us on the inside will enable us to do all we are called to do in this life. You see, by growing in God’s nature, the things that are not part of God’s nature, such as stress and worry, will be replaced by trust and faith. By giving us responsibilities God is inviting us to become like Him. As we let Him carry the works He invites us into, we find His yoke is easy and His burden is light (Mt 11:28-30). God has already simplified our lives by carrying the load with us. And God has provided us with happiness by inviting us into His. Amen.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Our identity
I have a painting on my wall that I did during intercession last year. It depicts a tower made of stones and is called “The Strong Tower.” Jesus is seen outlined by the stones, holding the Bible. Yes, the Word of God is a strong tower, and a tower of refuge. We can run to His Word for comfort, instruction, correction, and much more. Jesus is the Word of God.
Tonight I heard the Lord ask me a question. He asked “Shouldn’t I have faith that you will become what you are to become if you have to have that same faith? Do I require greater faith of you than I have?”
I have never thought of God has having faith before. He continued, “The Father and I come to live in those who obey My teaching (see Jn 14:23-24). True faith manifests itself in obedience. The Father and I have faith in those who walk in obedience. Because we have confidence in our own work, we can believe that those who submit will continue to obey. And in continuing to obey, they will continue to become who they were meant to become.
Many men present My plan as if it may not work. If that were the case, I would not be a secure place, like the Tower of Refuge. But I and My Father know that our plan will work. We have confidence in the lessons we teach you and the steps we ask you to take. They are sure and proven, for we have walked them before You. You are not learning arbitrary lessons, but truth.
It is satan’s job to ask ‘has God said?’ He will try to rob you of confidence in My Word. Then, lack of confidence will erode your faith and you will end up doubting Me.
A child trusts the decisions of his father. He follows his father and loves and admires him. So be like this child that you follow Me as One who knows what He is doing. Your obedience will cause us both to share the same faith that you will be whom you were meant to be. For your life is hid in Me, and I know it well.“ (Col 3:3) Amen.
Tonight I heard the Lord ask me a question. He asked “Shouldn’t I have faith that you will become what you are to become if you have to have that same faith? Do I require greater faith of you than I have?”
I have never thought of God has having faith before. He continued, “The Father and I come to live in those who obey My teaching (see Jn 14:23-24). True faith manifests itself in obedience. The Father and I have faith in those who walk in obedience. Because we have confidence in our own work, we can believe that those who submit will continue to obey. And in continuing to obey, they will continue to become who they were meant to become.
Many men present My plan as if it may not work. If that were the case, I would not be a secure place, like the Tower of Refuge. But I and My Father know that our plan will work. We have confidence in the lessons we teach you and the steps we ask you to take. They are sure and proven, for we have walked them before You. You are not learning arbitrary lessons, but truth.
It is satan’s job to ask ‘has God said?’ He will try to rob you of confidence in My Word. Then, lack of confidence will erode your faith and you will end up doubting Me.
A child trusts the decisions of his father. He follows his father and loves and admires him. So be like this child that you follow Me as One who knows what He is doing. Your obedience will cause us both to share the same faith that you will be whom you were meant to be. For your life is hid in Me, and I know it well.“ (Col 3:3) Amen.
The Pearl of great worth
We all alike walk through this life looking for purpose and meaning. Everyone who is saved has come as merchants in search of good pearls. Finding one of great worth, we use all our savings to buy this pearl called Jesus, and enter into His Kingdom (Mt 13:45-46). Because we see the great worth of the pearl, we make the commitment to purchase it.
Our enemy, satan, spends his time trying to devalue the worth of the pearl. He holds up the world to us, just as he did to Jesus, and says “you can have all this if you bow down and worship me.” (Mt 4:9). There is no end to satan’s glorification of the world to us who have the pearl, for he wants us to feel discontent with what we have.
For those who desire to know the pearl, Jesus, they will see Him as far more valuable than any worldly gain. In valuing the pearl, they become more like Him daily. As their trials increase, they will continue to choose the pearl.
For those who chose the pearl for other reasons, such as acceptance and forgiveness, the worth of the pearl to them may lessen over time. For instance, when the acceptance of other men is presented to them, coupled with worldly gain, their coming trials may not bring them to choose Jesus. If the world and the acceptance of men are of greater value, they will avoid losing these things, even if it means walking a different path, a wider path.
We see that, though men make the same choice in the beginning and purchase the pearl, there are two different paths to walk on. The one chooses to have great worth and lets the hardness of the narrow way form him into the image of the pearl. The other chooses the world, not desiring any hardness, and will not be formed into the image of the pearl of great worth, for he rejected Him. What we value is important and will determine which path we will follow, and in whose image we will be formed. Today, as we examine our life for worth and meaning, let us be found desiring the true worth found in Jesus. Amen.
Our enemy, satan, spends his time trying to devalue the worth of the pearl. He holds up the world to us, just as he did to Jesus, and says “you can have all this if you bow down and worship me.” (Mt 4:9). There is no end to satan’s glorification of the world to us who have the pearl, for he wants us to feel discontent with what we have.
For those who desire to know the pearl, Jesus, they will see Him as far more valuable than any worldly gain. In valuing the pearl, they become more like Him daily. As their trials increase, they will continue to choose the pearl.
For those who chose the pearl for other reasons, such as acceptance and forgiveness, the worth of the pearl to them may lessen over time. For instance, when the acceptance of other men is presented to them, coupled with worldly gain, their coming trials may not bring them to choose Jesus. If the world and the acceptance of men are of greater value, they will avoid losing these things, even if it means walking a different path, a wider path.
We see that, though men make the same choice in the beginning and purchase the pearl, there are two different paths to walk on. The one chooses to have great worth and lets the hardness of the narrow way form him into the image of the pearl. The other chooses the world, not desiring any hardness, and will not be formed into the image of the pearl of great worth, for he rejected Him. What we value is important and will determine which path we will follow, and in whose image we will be formed. Today, as we examine our life for worth and meaning, let us be found desiring the true worth found in Jesus. Amen.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
God has dominion
This morning I was facing some pretty large giants. During prayer the Lord said to me “Those powers which trouble you, I made, and have dominion over (Col 1:16 & 2:15). Do not let your enemy worry you, but have faith in Me.”
Having faith in God as our Creator seems basic, but when we consider He is the Creator of our enemies, it puts their threat in a new perspective. Not only is God greater than our enemies, but they must bow to Him. We just have to remind them.
Having faith in God as our Creator seems basic, but when we consider He is the Creator of our enemies, it puts their threat in a new perspective. Not only is God greater than our enemies, but they must bow to Him. We just have to remind them.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
introspection and condemnation
There is an area of Christian counseling that seems to place responsibility on the believer for satan’s attacks, as if he unwittingly opened a door for his enemy to come in and plunder his goods. Perhaps that does happen, at times. However, satan is in the business of lying, stealing, destroying, and killing. When a Christian continually looks for what he did wrong, . . . what he did that warranted satan’s attacks, he is blaming himself for satan being satan.
This morning I awoke with questions the Lord posed to me on this subject. The first one was “If satan’s attacks on men were legal because of their sin, then why could he attack Jesus?” Though Jesus was tempted in all ways, he did not sin. If satan needed a legal reason to attack Jesus, he had none. But satan had Jesus murdered.
The second question was “If no one can be innocent, then why did God institute laws to determine who is guilty and who is innocent?” We see that Able, who was innocent, was killed by Cain, who was under satan’s influence. Able was commended by God as a righteous man (Heb 11:4), as was Job (Job 1:8). Therefore people can be innocent, and satan can and does attack innocent people. God’s laws were set in place because some people are innocently harmed.
By this line of questions God was clearly laying the groundwork for refuting the teaching that satan cannot attack a person unless he or she sins. The question remains though that, since we do sin, are we always in a state of sin? What do we do with the scripture “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God?” (Rm 3:23). We read the rest of the sentence; “and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” (Rm 3:24). We have sinned, and the life of sin is what Jesus came to set us free from. If we sin again, we have an advocate in Jesus (1 Jn 2:1). God does not turn us over to our enemy because of past or present sin for torment. However, satan’s intent is to torment us.
The tree of introspection and self-condemnation will not bear good fruit. Eating from this tree will eventually cause us to see God as unjust, and we will never experience true freedom in our lives. Surely God meant for us to experience His daily grace for our weaknesses and loving communion with Him. All satan has to offer us is an endless cycle of finding our faults and repenting. The fruit of this tree never gives peace.
We know a tree by its fruit. The fruit of this false teaching is that it causes a person to trust in what they say and do in order to bring solutions to their trials. They are pressured by the apparent lack of action on God’s part and the wounding they have received. Though God may be working “behind the scenes” He is still the One we should trust.
Another fruit of this teaching is that it causes the victim to focus on themselves instead of the other person. It’s as if he cannot trust himself to return good for evil, so he blames himself for the evil. This is dysfunctional. Wouldn’t the “good” we give take on a different tone and appearance if it came from our innocence? . . . no self-abasement . . . no “kissing-up” . . . but just a true concern for the one in darkness, offering words of deliverance?
Good fruit comes from following the Holy Scriptures. When we offer sincere good in the face of evil we give the fragrance of Christ, and carry the aroma of Life to those being saved (2 Cor 2:15-16). Jesus’ sacrifice lives in us to give Life to the guilty, if they will receive it.
This morning I awoke with questions the Lord posed to me on this subject. The first one was “If satan’s attacks on men were legal because of their sin, then why could he attack Jesus?” Though Jesus was tempted in all ways, he did not sin. If satan needed a legal reason to attack Jesus, he had none. But satan had Jesus murdered.
The second question was “If no one can be innocent, then why did God institute laws to determine who is guilty and who is innocent?” We see that Able, who was innocent, was killed by Cain, who was under satan’s influence. Able was commended by God as a righteous man (Heb 11:4), as was Job (Job 1:8). Therefore people can be innocent, and satan can and does attack innocent people. God’s laws were set in place because some people are innocently harmed.
By this line of questions God was clearly laying the groundwork for refuting the teaching that satan cannot attack a person unless he or she sins. The question remains though that, since we do sin, are we always in a state of sin? What do we do with the scripture “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God?” (Rm 3:23). We read the rest of the sentence; “and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” (Rm 3:24). We have sinned, and the life of sin is what Jesus came to set us free from. If we sin again, we have an advocate in Jesus (1 Jn 2:1). God does not turn us over to our enemy because of past or present sin for torment. However, satan’s intent is to torment us.
The tree of introspection and self-condemnation will not bear good fruit. Eating from this tree will eventually cause us to see God as unjust, and we will never experience true freedom in our lives. Surely God meant for us to experience His daily grace for our weaknesses and loving communion with Him. All satan has to offer us is an endless cycle of finding our faults and repenting. The fruit of this tree never gives peace.
We know a tree by its fruit. The fruit of this false teaching is that it causes a person to trust in what they say and do in order to bring solutions to their trials. They are pressured by the apparent lack of action on God’s part and the wounding they have received. Though God may be working “behind the scenes” He is still the One we should trust.
Another fruit of this teaching is that it causes the victim to focus on themselves instead of the other person. It’s as if he cannot trust himself to return good for evil, so he blames himself for the evil. This is dysfunctional. Wouldn’t the “good” we give take on a different tone and appearance if it came from our innocence? . . . no self-abasement . . . no “kissing-up” . . . but just a true concern for the one in darkness, offering words of deliverance?
Good fruit comes from following the Holy Scriptures. When we offer sincere good in the face of evil we give the fragrance of Christ, and carry the aroma of Life to those being saved (2 Cor 2:15-16). Jesus’ sacrifice lives in us to give Life to the guilty, if they will receive it.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
"holy" is not just a word
There are living creatures around the throne of God. They never get tired of saying "holy, holy" to the Lord because "holy" is not just a word to them: it is an expression of who God is. God's character has so man facets to it that it is like a prism, splitting light into different hues of color. We see Jesus encircled by a rainbow in Revelation 4:3, a visual image of One reflecting light from many aspects of His Personhood.
We do not know all of God's character, however, He has shared many of His names with us in order that we might know His nature. God is not simple, nor easily grasped by our intellect. The elders and the living creatures see God face-to-face and are always amazed by His beauty. "holy" is not just a word: it is that nature of God we are changed by as we behold Him (2 Cor 3;18). He put all His personhood in His Son Jesus so that, in seeing Jesus, we see God.
"Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come." (Rev 4:3).
It is God's intention that His Son Jesus would fill the whole universe (Eph 4:10). To accomplish this, He begins by giving parts of His own nature to men, as gifts (Eph 4:7). His purpose in giving men these gifts is that we all would grow up into maturity, "attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ." (Eph 4:13). God, in His wisdom, took the many facets of His holy nature and embodied them in His Son Jesus. Jesus, carrying the nature of His Father, put the expression of God's many faceted nature into gifts that would unify us and build us into His nature. We cannot become holy apart from each other, neither can we become holy by all being the same as each other.
"Holy" is not just a word: "holy" is a plan. God's plan is that the many parts of His nature, embodied in the flesh of His Son Jesus, would be formed by His Spirit in us. It is why the anit-Christ spirit says that Jesus has not come in the flesh (2 Jn 1:7). This spirit does not believe that God could be expressed in the identity of His Son Jesus. They who have this spirit also do not believe that God, through Jesus, could be expressed in our flesh as well. We see, therefore, an antagonism amongst men living the Spirit and operating in the gifts of the Spirit. Satan does not want God's body to mature into God's Nature.
With the living creatures are the elders, before the throne of God. They say "you are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being." (Rev 4:9-11). It is not a coincidence that the elders know the Lord's great worth, for they are the ones given the gifts that will prepare people to serve Him (Eph 4:12). The true leaders in God's Church will lay their lives down to those whom they build up into the Body of Christ. They know that it is worth more to form men into Jesus' ministers than it is to build their own fame.
"Holy" is not just a word: it is a life style fashioned in the heart and mind of God. May we behold it, be formed by it, and live it. Amen.
We do not know all of God's character, however, He has shared many of His names with us in order that we might know His nature. God is not simple, nor easily grasped by our intellect. The elders and the living creatures see God face-to-face and are always amazed by His beauty. "holy" is not just a word: it is that nature of God we are changed by as we behold Him (2 Cor 3;18). He put all His personhood in His Son Jesus so that, in seeing Jesus, we see God.
"Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come." (Rev 4:3).
It is God's intention that His Son Jesus would fill the whole universe (Eph 4:10). To accomplish this, He begins by giving parts of His own nature to men, as gifts (Eph 4:7). His purpose in giving men these gifts is that we all would grow up into maturity, "attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ." (Eph 4:13). God, in His wisdom, took the many facets of His holy nature and embodied them in His Son Jesus. Jesus, carrying the nature of His Father, put the expression of God's many faceted nature into gifts that would unify us and build us into His nature. We cannot become holy apart from each other, neither can we become holy by all being the same as each other.
"Holy" is not just a word: "holy" is a plan. God's plan is that the many parts of His nature, embodied in the flesh of His Son Jesus, would be formed by His Spirit in us. It is why the anit-Christ spirit says that Jesus has not come in the flesh (2 Jn 1:7). This spirit does not believe that God could be expressed in the identity of His Son Jesus. They who have this spirit also do not believe that God, through Jesus, could be expressed in our flesh as well. We see, therefore, an antagonism amongst men living the Spirit and operating in the gifts of the Spirit. Satan does not want God's body to mature into God's Nature.
With the living creatures are the elders, before the throne of God. They say "you are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being." (Rev 4:9-11). It is not a coincidence that the elders know the Lord's great worth, for they are the ones given the gifts that will prepare people to serve Him (Eph 4:12). The true leaders in God's Church will lay their lives down to those whom they build up into the Body of Christ. They know that it is worth more to form men into Jesus' ministers than it is to build their own fame.
"Holy" is not just a word: it is a life style fashioned in the heart and mind of God. May we behold it, be formed by it, and live it. Amen.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
God's word reflects His nature
God’s Word is not separate from His nature. That is why we know Him through His Word in scripture. Prophecy is also God’s Word and should display not only knowledge, but God’s heart as well.
His Heart is unchanging. God still loves holiness and hates evil. He is still merciful and still judges. We can see it in His Word. Though we may prefer to think of Him one way, yet the scriptures are broad and we find that God’s nature is high above all our summations of His character.
If we hear God speaking and yet have not heard why He is speaking we miss portraying a part of Who He is. If we guess at why He is speaking then our prophecy will become polluted, for there are many reasons the Lord would share information with His people.
Some prophecies originate from the heart of men and not from the heart of God. They are carnal and fail to portray the nature of God. If the speaker is permissive, for instance, then the prophecy will be permissive with a heavy emphasis on mercy and a lessening of the impact of sin. The speaker will be unable to set the receiver free, and removes the opportunity for cleansing by his misrepresentation of the heart and character of God.
A man who is tutored under the correcting hand of the Holy Spirit learns not only to hear God’s words, but to hear His heart. In the mind, the Holy Spirit divides the man’s carnal nature from God’s holiness (Heb 4:12-13). By this process we are daily faced with choices. We can embrace the carnal and forget the nature of God we were shown, or we can embrace God’s nature and put our carnality to death.
One who continues to hear and embrace God’s nature will be sensitive to listening for the “why” God speaks what He speaks. This man will not prophesy information alone, neither will he add his own understanding. This man will listen and speak the full council of God so that others might know Him. Amen
His Heart is unchanging. God still loves holiness and hates evil. He is still merciful and still judges. We can see it in His Word. Though we may prefer to think of Him one way, yet the scriptures are broad and we find that God’s nature is high above all our summations of His character.
If we hear God speaking and yet have not heard why He is speaking we miss portraying a part of Who He is. If we guess at why He is speaking then our prophecy will become polluted, for there are many reasons the Lord would share information with His people.
Some prophecies originate from the heart of men and not from the heart of God. They are carnal and fail to portray the nature of God. If the speaker is permissive, for instance, then the prophecy will be permissive with a heavy emphasis on mercy and a lessening of the impact of sin. The speaker will be unable to set the receiver free, and removes the opportunity for cleansing by his misrepresentation of the heart and character of God.
A man who is tutored under the correcting hand of the Holy Spirit learns not only to hear God’s words, but to hear His heart. In the mind, the Holy Spirit divides the man’s carnal nature from God’s holiness (Heb 4:12-13). By this process we are daily faced with choices. We can embrace the carnal and forget the nature of God we were shown, or we can embrace God’s nature and put our carnality to death.
One who continues to hear and embrace God’s nature will be sensitive to listening for the “why” God speaks what He speaks. This man will not prophesy information alone, neither will he add his own understanding. This man will listen and speak the full council of God so that others might know Him. Amen
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Frustration
Sometimes we feel frustrated. We look at all that we, and the Lord, have invested in our lives and do not find an expression for it. What we are sensing is a “groan” from our spirit (Rm 8:22-23). It is an inward song only God’s creation and His children can sing; groaning.
What makes us groan is frustration (Rm 8:19). We have this sense that there is something greater, and we are right. It is not boastful thinking, nor is it inappropriate desire. It is appropriate to groan inwardly when we sense there is more to life than what we are living and doing. It is God who exceeds our expectations with the Life we live.
“Now to Him Who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus through-out all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (Eph 3:20-21)
We cannot measure what we should expect by looking at what we’ve invested in our lives, and therefore, it is immeasurable what the Lord will do. We cannot imagine what path our lives should take, and therefore it is beyond our imagination. Our lives are contained in God, in His Son Jesus.
When we feel chastened by our own frustrations and kneel down to repent of wanting too much, perhaps we ought to stop, and praise God for His good aspirations for our lives instead. He said “I know the plans I have for you . . . plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jer 29:11). The future is God’s to give.
We have been rubbing elbows with the divine, and are we to never notice there is more? With the power of God residing in us, should we ignore that a transformation is taking place that prepares us to become sons and daughters of God? (2 Cor 4:7) No, rather, it should excite us every day and whet our thirst for more.
Isaiah prophesied to the Jewish nation, inviting the thirsty to come eat and drink and be satisfied with the “richest of fare.” (Is 55:1-2) In this prophecy the Lord gives a glimpse into His own thought-life; “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways . . . As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Is 55:9) God doesn’t measure our lives the ways we do. He doesn’t think the way we do about our accomplishments, nor does He wait to scold us for wanting more of Him in our lives, and more of His works for our hands to do.
When we find ourselves in frustration, let us praise God. He will bring us up, as a Father brings up his child, into our rightful place. While we wait, let us remember that He has good thoughts towards us, and good intentions which He carries out in the unseen realm He inhabits. Amen.
What makes us groan is frustration (Rm 8:19). We have this sense that there is something greater, and we are right. It is not boastful thinking, nor is it inappropriate desire. It is appropriate to groan inwardly when we sense there is more to life than what we are living and doing. It is God who exceeds our expectations with the Life we live.
“Now to Him Who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus through-out all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (Eph 3:20-21)
We cannot measure what we should expect by looking at what we’ve invested in our lives, and therefore, it is immeasurable what the Lord will do. We cannot imagine what path our lives should take, and therefore it is beyond our imagination. Our lives are contained in God, in His Son Jesus.
When we feel chastened by our own frustrations and kneel down to repent of wanting too much, perhaps we ought to stop, and praise God for His good aspirations for our lives instead. He said “I know the plans I have for you . . . plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jer 29:11). The future is God’s to give.
We have been rubbing elbows with the divine, and are we to never notice there is more? With the power of God residing in us, should we ignore that a transformation is taking place that prepares us to become sons and daughters of God? (2 Cor 4:7) No, rather, it should excite us every day and whet our thirst for more.
Isaiah prophesied to the Jewish nation, inviting the thirsty to come eat and drink and be satisfied with the “richest of fare.” (Is 55:1-2) In this prophecy the Lord gives a glimpse into His own thought-life; “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways . . . As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Is 55:9) God doesn’t measure our lives the ways we do. He doesn’t think the way we do about our accomplishments, nor does He wait to scold us for wanting more of Him in our lives, and more of His works for our hands to do.
When we find ourselves in frustration, let us praise God. He will bring us up, as a Father brings up his child, into our rightful place. While we wait, let us remember that He has good thoughts towards us, and good intentions which He carries out in the unseen realm He inhabits. Amen.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Theophanies
Theophanies, a time in which the Lord shares Himself with Man in a special way. How many times do we wish we could see God, and sometimes imagine what He might say to us. Though some say we cannot see God, they might agree that men could see angels. And so the yearning and the imaginations go on, wishing we might see and hear from heaven.
From what we read in the scriptures, heaven is a different place than earth . . . a place where God’s will is done. And we know that God Himself is quite a different person than we are, though we are made in His image. His thoughts are higher than ours and His ways cannot be comprehended in their entirety. Yet He chooses to reveal Himself to us through the Spirit of His Son Jesus, by the scriptures, through visitations of angels, and through theophanies. When God reveals Himself to Man, it is for a purpose.
I’d like to share an experience I had on March 24, 2006 wherein I saw and heard the “man who speaks from heaven.” (Heb 12:25). He appeared in a dream, wearing a white robe and standing in the clouds. The words he spoke were punctuated with claps of thunder until I had heard 7 thunders. He admonished “How long will you wait before you take possession of the inheritance?” (Josh 18:3) I awoke to the last of the 7 thunders, stunned.
The “man from heaven” reference in Hebrew is about the Lord speaking from heaven to remove that which can be shaken, so that that which cannot be shaken will remain. Clearly God is doing that right now. However, that which shall remain, the inheritance, does not come without our effort. In order for an inheritance to be gained from the promises of God, we must walk our lives out in faith. The battle the Hebrews fought for their Promised Land represents a type of the battles we fight for our own promises in our lives.
If God’s promises came to us solely through His own divine efforts, the Lord would not now challenge us about waiting too long to get them. Joshua admonished the Hebrews that, should they wait too long, God would stop fighting for them. He prophesied to them that, in their waiting, if they “ally yourselves the survivors of these nations that remain among you” . . . “they will become snares and traps for you, whips on your backs and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from this good land, which the Lord your God has given you.” (Josh 23:12-13).
The good fight of faith takes tremendous effort on our part, like fighting a war. And yet, passivity brings compromise with the world and concessions with our flesh. In the end, if we do not walk in faith to overcome the world and our flesh, we lose.
Joel prophesied that when the Lord poured out His Spirit on us, some would dream dreams from Him (Joel 2:28-29). These are important dreams and the significance of God’s message should not be lessened because one receives them while asleep. If that were so, God would not have told us long ago that this time of dreams, dreams from the Lord, was coming. Let us hear His message through this dream and seek to stand on His Word for the promises over our lives. He will fight with us, and we will receive a great inheritance. This is what His portion is for the saints of the Lord. Amen.
From what we read in the scriptures, heaven is a different place than earth . . . a place where God’s will is done. And we know that God Himself is quite a different person than we are, though we are made in His image. His thoughts are higher than ours and His ways cannot be comprehended in their entirety. Yet He chooses to reveal Himself to us through the Spirit of His Son Jesus, by the scriptures, through visitations of angels, and through theophanies. When God reveals Himself to Man, it is for a purpose.
I’d like to share an experience I had on March 24, 2006 wherein I saw and heard the “man who speaks from heaven.” (Heb 12:25). He appeared in a dream, wearing a white robe and standing in the clouds. The words he spoke were punctuated with claps of thunder until I had heard 7 thunders. He admonished “How long will you wait before you take possession of the inheritance?” (Josh 18:3) I awoke to the last of the 7 thunders, stunned.
The “man from heaven” reference in Hebrew is about the Lord speaking from heaven to remove that which can be shaken, so that that which cannot be shaken will remain. Clearly God is doing that right now. However, that which shall remain, the inheritance, does not come without our effort. In order for an inheritance to be gained from the promises of God, we must walk our lives out in faith. The battle the Hebrews fought for their Promised Land represents a type of the battles we fight for our own promises in our lives.
If God’s promises came to us solely through His own divine efforts, the Lord would not now challenge us about waiting too long to get them. Joshua admonished the Hebrews that, should they wait too long, God would stop fighting for them. He prophesied to them that, in their waiting, if they “ally yourselves the survivors of these nations that remain among you” . . . “they will become snares and traps for you, whips on your backs and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from this good land, which the Lord your God has given you.” (Josh 23:12-13).
The good fight of faith takes tremendous effort on our part, like fighting a war. And yet, passivity brings compromise with the world and concessions with our flesh. In the end, if we do not walk in faith to overcome the world and our flesh, we lose.
Joel prophesied that when the Lord poured out His Spirit on us, some would dream dreams from Him (Joel 2:28-29). These are important dreams and the significance of God’s message should not be lessened because one receives them while asleep. If that were so, God would not have told us long ago that this time of dreams, dreams from the Lord, was coming. Let us hear His message through this dream and seek to stand on His Word for the promises over our lives. He will fight with us, and we will receive a great inheritance. This is what His portion is for the saints of the Lord. Amen.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
The Commission
Today’s lesson involves another conflict in the application of scriptures. In yesterday’s message I established that all scripture is God-breathed and full of the Life that works in us to bear good fruit. However, misapplication of scripture will bear bad fruit. Let’s look at our first scripture today, concerning the Great Commission;
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Mt 28:19-20)
Correct application of this scripture has brought about evangelization of much of the world, resulting in good fruit and a bountiful harvest of the Lord. What could go wrong? There is nothing wrong with evangelization, and essentially, as God’s ambassadors we are all called to evangelize. However, we are not necessarily all called to “go”.
Many Christian leaders have been concerned with the unsaved parts of the world, focusing on outreaches to those countries which have not yet received the gospel. If people cannot travel to those regions, leaders and churches provide outreach opportunities for them in their own town or city. This has been a noble venture and seemingly good application of the Great Commission. However, some “trees” have born the bad fruit of “bean-counting”; the publishing of numbers of souls saved, numbers of houses, schools and orphanages built . . . and boasting of all the good works they do for the Lord. Though they seem very rich spiritually, works alone do not serve the Lord well . . . not if they are only the works that make us look good to other men. Not if they are the works that bring fame and donations.
Jesus counseled the Church at Laodicea to buy from Him “gold refined in the fire.” (Rev 3:18). They had incomplete works, which left them feeling rich but in reality impoverished them spiritually. Our hearts are purified by the fire of the Holy Spirit during our trials. We cannot choose our works for their ease, comfort, or what greatness they will bring to us; they are appointed to us (Eph 2:10). Sometimes the Lord gives us big works to do, and sometimes they are little, hidden works. Only the humble will do what is little in their own eyes, sacrificing that which would bring them fame and fortune.
Let’s take a look at scripture that emphasizes one of the end-time priorities for God’s kingdom. “See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse.” (Mal 4:5-6) The land was their inheritance, and if there was no evidence of reconciliation between the generations, there would be a lack of inheritance. This has spiritual application for us today. God is looking at appointing destinies, however, the hearts need to be turned first.
Jesus told the people that John the Baptist embodied the spirit of Elijah. The angel Gabriel that spoke before John’s birth said of him “Many of the people of Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous – to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” (Lk 1:16-17) John’s ministry was one of calling people to repentance, and baptizing them to wash away their sins (Mt 3:1-6). This is how he prepared people for the coming of their Messiah. Though we see John dealing with people on their personal sin, there is no mention of him preaching reconciliation between the generations.
Jesus told His disciples that the spirit of Elijah ”does come first, and restores all things.” (Mk 9:12-13). And though “Elijah has come,” in the ministry of John the Baptist, the ministry of Elijah was not completed. There remains for our generation a turning of the hearts of the fathers to the children and the children to the fathers. There remains an appointing of spiritual inheritances as we gain victory over the personal sin and strife in our families. This is an unpleasant work for many . . . one which is best avoided by the outward focus of missions, evangelism, and community out-reach. Yet it does far more than the personal purification of our souls, making them like gold. It establishes the kingdom of God, for that is the work appointed to us before the end.
There are those appointed to “go” and those appointed to preach. However, let us not be found making our choices in order to please men, nor to make ourselves look good. Let us keep God’s priorities for our lives at the top of the list of our works and be satisfied to be found of Him rich, clothed, and seeing clearly the inheritance. Amen.
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Mt 28:19-20)
Correct application of this scripture has brought about evangelization of much of the world, resulting in good fruit and a bountiful harvest of the Lord. What could go wrong? There is nothing wrong with evangelization, and essentially, as God’s ambassadors we are all called to evangelize. However, we are not necessarily all called to “go”.
Many Christian leaders have been concerned with the unsaved parts of the world, focusing on outreaches to those countries which have not yet received the gospel. If people cannot travel to those regions, leaders and churches provide outreach opportunities for them in their own town or city. This has been a noble venture and seemingly good application of the Great Commission. However, some “trees” have born the bad fruit of “bean-counting”; the publishing of numbers of souls saved, numbers of houses, schools and orphanages built . . . and boasting of all the good works they do for the Lord. Though they seem very rich spiritually, works alone do not serve the Lord well . . . not if they are only the works that make us look good to other men. Not if they are the works that bring fame and donations.
Jesus counseled the Church at Laodicea to buy from Him “gold refined in the fire.” (Rev 3:18). They had incomplete works, which left them feeling rich but in reality impoverished them spiritually. Our hearts are purified by the fire of the Holy Spirit during our trials. We cannot choose our works for their ease, comfort, or what greatness they will bring to us; they are appointed to us (Eph 2:10). Sometimes the Lord gives us big works to do, and sometimes they are little, hidden works. Only the humble will do what is little in their own eyes, sacrificing that which would bring them fame and fortune.
Let’s take a look at scripture that emphasizes one of the end-time priorities for God’s kingdom. “See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse.” (Mal 4:5-6) The land was their inheritance, and if there was no evidence of reconciliation between the generations, there would be a lack of inheritance. This has spiritual application for us today. God is looking at appointing destinies, however, the hearts need to be turned first.
Jesus told the people that John the Baptist embodied the spirit of Elijah. The angel Gabriel that spoke before John’s birth said of him “Many of the people of Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous – to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” (Lk 1:16-17) John’s ministry was one of calling people to repentance, and baptizing them to wash away their sins (Mt 3:1-6). This is how he prepared people for the coming of their Messiah. Though we see John dealing with people on their personal sin, there is no mention of him preaching reconciliation between the generations.
Jesus told His disciples that the spirit of Elijah ”does come first, and restores all things.” (Mk 9:12-13). And though “Elijah has come,” in the ministry of John the Baptist, the ministry of Elijah was not completed. There remains for our generation a turning of the hearts of the fathers to the children and the children to the fathers. There remains an appointing of spiritual inheritances as we gain victory over the personal sin and strife in our families. This is an unpleasant work for many . . . one which is best avoided by the outward focus of missions, evangelism, and community out-reach. Yet it does far more than the personal purification of our souls, making them like gold. It establishes the kingdom of God, for that is the work appointed to us before the end.
There are those appointed to “go” and those appointed to preach. However, let us not be found making our choices in order to please men, nor to make ourselves look good. Let us keep God’s priorities for our lives at the top of the list of our works and be satisfied to be found of Him rich, clothed, and seeing clearly the inheritance. Amen.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Trees and fruit
“No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree hear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit.” (Lk 6:43-44)
We have all seen evidence of things that seem to be good, and yet over time, they bear bad fruit. In Jesus’ own words, if the fruit is bad, so is the tree. In some cases the tree is an idea that seemed good. When tried out, our ideas can bring good fruit if they have been directed by the Lord. In other cases, the idea can bring bad fruit, evidence that they were not directed by the Lord.
This happens with the interpretation of scriptures and their application to our lives. We need to have the eyes to see whether or not our interpretation and application of scriptures is bearing good fruit, or bad. If our application of a scripture into daily practice causes us to disobey another scripture, we should ask God for wisdom. The Holy Spirit is ready to help us with discernment. But if we continue to practice our faith in a way that causes disobedience to other scriptures, then we will bear bad fruit.
Today I will address a scripture that has born much bad fruit in the churches. Now, no scripture is bad. All scripture is God-breathed and should pass along the Life that causes us to bear good fruit. One scripture that is leading to bad fruit through mis-interpretation is as follows;
“We beseech you brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;” (1 Thess 5:12). In many Christian circles this is interpreted as “If we don’t know you, you cannot serve God here.” Therefore a custom of “knowing” has evolved whereby letters of reference are sent to precede ministers and lay people who serve the Lord. In the end, some ministry will only take place because of who knew who. The person seeking to minister must build himself a reputation, or know someone who has a reputation and will commend him to others. This is bad fruit. In some circles we see boasting about what great things a person has done, or what a perfect life a person has lived. Of greater importance, though, is that the practice of refusing ministry by people who are new or unknown is unscriptural, and in fact, is a disobedience to scripture.
Let’s see what Jesus had to say about receiving one another; “I tell you the truth, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts Me; and whoever accepts Me accepts the One who sent Me.” (Jn 13:20) or as Matthew writes; “Whoever receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives the One who sent Me. Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man’s reward.” (Mt 10:40-41)
By receiving one another in the Lord we side-step the temptation to build an exclusive club of men and women who are allowed to speak in the churches and on the air waves. The rewards of the unknown prophets and righteous servants of the Lord are missing in many of our churches, leaving us hungry for something we cannot get from the “club”. God designed the Church so that it is He alone that supplies what it needs by putting those gifts in the people He chooses (1 Cor 12:18). If we refuse one of His servants, we essentially are saying that we don’t need them, and that is like the eye saying to the hand “I don’t need you.” (1 Cor 12:21). This is why some of our churches are bearing bad fruit. Today, let us examine the fruit we bear so that we find commendation in following the scriptures and not in the traditions of men. Amen
We have all seen evidence of things that seem to be good, and yet over time, they bear bad fruit. In Jesus’ own words, if the fruit is bad, so is the tree. In some cases the tree is an idea that seemed good. When tried out, our ideas can bring good fruit if they have been directed by the Lord. In other cases, the idea can bring bad fruit, evidence that they were not directed by the Lord.
This happens with the interpretation of scriptures and their application to our lives. We need to have the eyes to see whether or not our interpretation and application of scriptures is bearing good fruit, or bad. If our application of a scripture into daily practice causes us to disobey another scripture, we should ask God for wisdom. The Holy Spirit is ready to help us with discernment. But if we continue to practice our faith in a way that causes disobedience to other scriptures, then we will bear bad fruit.
Today I will address a scripture that has born much bad fruit in the churches. Now, no scripture is bad. All scripture is God-breathed and should pass along the Life that causes us to bear good fruit. One scripture that is leading to bad fruit through mis-interpretation is as follows;
“We beseech you brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;” (1 Thess 5:12). In many Christian circles this is interpreted as “If we don’t know you, you cannot serve God here.” Therefore a custom of “knowing” has evolved whereby letters of reference are sent to precede ministers and lay people who serve the Lord. In the end, some ministry will only take place because of who knew who. The person seeking to minister must build himself a reputation, or know someone who has a reputation and will commend him to others. This is bad fruit. In some circles we see boasting about what great things a person has done, or what a perfect life a person has lived. Of greater importance, though, is that the practice of refusing ministry by people who are new or unknown is unscriptural, and in fact, is a disobedience to scripture.
Let’s see what Jesus had to say about receiving one another; “I tell you the truth, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts Me; and whoever accepts Me accepts the One who sent Me.” (Jn 13:20) or as Matthew writes; “Whoever receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives the One who sent Me. Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man’s reward.” (Mt 10:40-41)
By receiving one another in the Lord we side-step the temptation to build an exclusive club of men and women who are allowed to speak in the churches and on the air waves. The rewards of the unknown prophets and righteous servants of the Lord are missing in many of our churches, leaving us hungry for something we cannot get from the “club”. God designed the Church so that it is He alone that supplies what it needs by putting those gifts in the people He chooses (1 Cor 12:18). If we refuse one of His servants, we essentially are saying that we don’t need them, and that is like the eye saying to the hand “I don’t need you.” (1 Cor 12:21). This is why some of our churches are bearing bad fruit. Today, let us examine the fruit we bear so that we find commendation in following the scriptures and not in the traditions of men. Amen
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