The churches which are making a mark on our culture war are those who know how to create an atmosphere. Many so called, "mega churches" are reaching only a few thousand people when they should be reaching THOUSANDS of people. The atmosphere that we create in people's lives will leave a mark for years to come. I am putting together my product table in our services and I have learned that the atmosphere I create in our services will always be the product I produce. The most valuable thing a person can take away from you as an individual is created by the atmosphere you produce. If everyday you nag and complain about something, people will feel as though they get nothing from the relationship. What sort of relationship are you breeding? An ugly one or a beautiful one?
"And it came to pas, when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the Lord, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of the Lord." I Kings 8:10-11. Can you imagine that kind of glory...that kind of atmosphere? Where even the leadership could not stand. That is a service that you will never forget.
I remember in 1997 we had a service similar to that. The glory of the Lord was so strong that not one person was standing. They were either laying out prostrate or kneeling before the Lord. The only one that was left was our piano player. I went over and sat on the bench and he fell of the side of it. Moments latter, I fell off the other side. We were in that church till 2am! What a time.
The atmosphere created was soemthing that NONE of us will forget.
Evil spirits will depart when you have a right atmosphere. "and it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand, so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spriti departed from him." I Samuel 16:23 Can you imagine. The cloud of depression or oppression leaving you and sitting in your home completely refreshed? That is what the atmosphere of the Holy Spirit does to you.
Ask the Holy Spirit today to build an atmosphere in your life today. He will help. That is his job description. He is a helper and he is also a comforter. Hallelujah. He puts his children in comfort and he stands beside you as an aid to help you when you need help. You need HIM to make your atmosphere glorious.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Monday, August 10, 2009
Atheism
Before I reprint Ray Comfort's masterpiece of, "Why the Atheist doesn't exist", let me state a few scriptures. Last week I was negotiating two pieces of much needed audio equipment that the ministry needed. After negotiating, the business man's wife (who was born again) explained to me that she had been twittering to an atheist man and was making progress with him. We were both very excited about the good news.
Someone once said, "The evidence of God's existence far supersedes the proof of his absence." Whoo.
Romans 1:28 says, "And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;"
2 Corinthians 4:3,4 says, "But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In who the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, let the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, Who is the image of God should shine unto them."
Psalms 14:1 says, "The fool has said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good."
Romans 1:20-21 says, "For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly sen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as Go, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened."
Why the Atheist doesn't exist
There can be no such things as an atheist. This is why: Let's imagine that you are a professing atheist. Here are two questions for you to answer: First, do you know the combined weight of all the sand on all the beaches of Hawaii? We can safely assume that you don't. This brings us to the second question: Do you know how many hairs are on the back of a fully-grown male Tibetan yak? Probably not. It is therefore reasonable to conclude that there are some things that you don't know. It is important to ask these questions because there are some people who think they know everything.
Let's say that you know an incredible one percent of all the knowledge in the universe. To know 100 percent, you would have to know everything. There wouldn't be a rock in the universe that you would not be intimately familiar with, or a grain of sand that you would not be aware of. You would know everything that has happened in history, from that which is common knowledge to the minor details of the secret love life of Napoleon's great-grandmother's black cat's fleas. You would know every hair of every head, and every thought of every heart. All history would be laid out before you, because you would be omniscient (all-knowing).
Bear in mind that one of the greatest scientists who ever lived, Thomas Edison, said, "We do not know a millionth of one percent about anything." Let me repeat: Let's say that you have an incredible one percent of all the knowledge in the universe. Would it be possible, in the ninety-nine percent of the knowledge that you haven't yet come across, that there might be ample evidence to prove the existence of God? If you are reasonable, you will be forced to admit that it is possible. Somewhere, in the knowledge you haven't yet discovered, there could be enough evidence to prove that God does exist.
Let's look at the same thought from another angle. If I were to make an absolute statement such as, "There is no gold in China," what is needed for that statement to be proven true? I need absolute or total knowledge. I need to have information that there is no gold in any rock, in any river, in the ground, in any store, in any ring, or in any mouth (gold filling) in China. If there is one speck of gold in China, then my statement is false and I have no basis for it. I need absolute knowledge before I can make an absolute statement of that nature. Conversely, for me to say, "There is gold in China," I don't need to have all knowledge. I just need to have seen a speck of gold in the country, and the statement is then true.
To say categorically, "There is no God," is to make an absolute statement. For the statement to be true, I must know for certain that there is no God in the entire universe. No human being has all knowledge. Therefore, none of us is able to truthfully make this assertion.
If you insist upon disbelief in God, what you must say is, "Having the limited knowledge I have at present, I believe that there is no God." Owing to a lack of knowledge on your part, you don't know if God exists. So, in the strict sense of the word, you cannot be an atheist. The only true qualifier for the title is the One who has absolute knowledge, and why on earth would God want to deny His own existence?
The professing atheist is what is commonly known as an “agnostic” - one who claims he “doesn't know” if God exists. It is interesting to note that the Latin equivalent for the Greek word is “ignoramus.” The Bible tells us that this ignorance is “willful” (Psalm 10:4). It's not that a person can't find God, but that he won't. It has been rightly said that the “atheist” can't find God for the same reason a thief can't find a policeman. He knows that if he admits that there is a God, he is admitting that he is ultimately responsible to Him. This is not a pleasant thought for some.
It is said that Mussolini (the Italian dictator), once stood on a pinnacle and cried, "God, if you are there, strike me dead!" When God didn't immediately bow to his dictates, Mussolini then concluded that there was no God. However, his prayer was answered some time later.
Excerpted from God Doesn't Believe in Atheists by Ray Comfort
Someone once said, "The evidence of God's existence far supersedes the proof of his absence." Whoo.
Romans 1:28 says, "And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;"
2 Corinthians 4:3,4 says, "But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In who the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, let the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, Who is the image of God should shine unto them."
Psalms 14:1 says, "The fool has said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good."
Romans 1:20-21 says, "For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly sen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as Go, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened."
Why the Atheist doesn't exist
There can be no such things as an atheist. This is why: Let's imagine that you are a professing atheist. Here are two questions for you to answer: First, do you know the combined weight of all the sand on all the beaches of Hawaii? We can safely assume that you don't. This brings us to the second question: Do you know how many hairs are on the back of a fully-grown male Tibetan yak? Probably not. It is therefore reasonable to conclude that there are some things that you don't know. It is important to ask these questions because there are some people who think they know everything.
Let's say that you know an incredible one percent of all the knowledge in the universe. To know 100 percent, you would have to know everything. There wouldn't be a rock in the universe that you would not be intimately familiar with, or a grain of sand that you would not be aware of. You would know everything that has happened in history, from that which is common knowledge to the minor details of the secret love life of Napoleon's great-grandmother's black cat's fleas. You would know every hair of every head, and every thought of every heart. All history would be laid out before you, because you would be omniscient (all-knowing).
Bear in mind that one of the greatest scientists who ever lived, Thomas Edison, said, "We do not know a millionth of one percent about anything." Let me repeat: Let's say that you have an incredible one percent of all the knowledge in the universe. Would it be possible, in the ninety-nine percent of the knowledge that you haven't yet come across, that there might be ample evidence to prove the existence of God? If you are reasonable, you will be forced to admit that it is possible. Somewhere, in the knowledge you haven't yet discovered, there could be enough evidence to prove that God does exist.
Let's look at the same thought from another angle. If I were to make an absolute statement such as, "There is no gold in China," what is needed for that statement to be proven true? I need absolute or total knowledge. I need to have information that there is no gold in any rock, in any river, in the ground, in any store, in any ring, or in any mouth (gold filling) in China. If there is one speck of gold in China, then my statement is false and I have no basis for it. I need absolute knowledge before I can make an absolute statement of that nature. Conversely, for me to say, "There is gold in China," I don't need to have all knowledge. I just need to have seen a speck of gold in the country, and the statement is then true.
To say categorically, "There is no God," is to make an absolute statement. For the statement to be true, I must know for certain that there is no God in the entire universe. No human being has all knowledge. Therefore, none of us is able to truthfully make this assertion.
If you insist upon disbelief in God, what you must say is, "Having the limited knowledge I have at present, I believe that there is no God." Owing to a lack of knowledge on your part, you don't know if God exists. So, in the strict sense of the word, you cannot be an atheist. The only true qualifier for the title is the One who has absolute knowledge, and why on earth would God want to deny His own existence?
The professing atheist is what is commonly known as an “agnostic” - one who claims he “doesn't know” if God exists. It is interesting to note that the Latin equivalent for the Greek word is “ignoramus.” The Bible tells us that this ignorance is “willful” (Psalm 10:4). It's not that a person can't find God, but that he won't. It has been rightly said that the “atheist” can't find God for the same reason a thief can't find a policeman. He knows that if he admits that there is a God, he is admitting that he is ultimately responsible to Him. This is not a pleasant thought for some.
It is said that Mussolini (the Italian dictator), once stood on a pinnacle and cried, "God, if you are there, strike me dead!" When God didn't immediately bow to his dictates, Mussolini then concluded that there was no God. However, his prayer was answered some time later.
Excerpted from God Doesn't Believe in Atheists by Ray Comfort
Astrology
During a deliverance session years ago near Tampa, Florida, a young lady had begin to manifest demon spirits through hear when we prayed over her. The demon spirit spoke through her and said, "I trapped her! She was so worried about her future and I trapped her!" Wow, what a day that was. I told the demon to hold her peace and loose her, to come out of her and let her go. Of course the demon obeyed me and she was delivered gloriously. I showed her how to pray and renounce the astrology that she was tricked into. With many tears she learned that she did not have to rely on "familiar spirits", but could receive 9 gifts of the spirit to aid in her walk with Christ. Satan has a counterfeit for everything.
The scripture is very clear about astrology or the "observing of times". "Ye shall not...use enchantment, nor observe times." Many people observe the moon, the sun, the stars and even silly fortune cookies to know what is going to happen the next day. This is grievous to the Holy Spirit in your life. "And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoring after them, I will even set My face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people." Leviticus 20:6. That is strong. To be cut off from God is a personal disaster. We see the stong command here and those who play with the starts or phycis are dancing with disaster.
"But he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord...also he observed times, and used enchantments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke Him to anger." 2 Chronicles 33:22,6 When you dabble in these things you not only open the door to the devil to come live inside you but you also provoke God to anger. Beloved, please, whatever you do, provoke anyone, but please don't provoke GOD!
In days of old, I believe that there was a time that God spoke through his people through the heavens. Now we have the holy spirit and to go back to an old system allows the devil to get involved and mess with your mind. Look at Isaiah 44:24,25; "...I am the Lord that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself;...That frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad;"
Starts do not decide your life; God decides your life. Have confidence in God and let Him speak to you through the precious Holy Spirit.
The scripture is very clear about astrology or the "observing of times". "Ye shall not...use enchantment, nor observe times." Many people observe the moon, the sun, the stars and even silly fortune cookies to know what is going to happen the next day. This is grievous to the Holy Spirit in your life. "And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoring after them, I will even set My face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people." Leviticus 20:6. That is strong. To be cut off from God is a personal disaster. We see the stong command here and those who play with the starts or phycis are dancing with disaster.
"But he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord...also he observed times, and used enchantments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke Him to anger." 2 Chronicles 33:22,6 When you dabble in these things you not only open the door to the devil to come live inside you but you also provoke God to anger. Beloved, please, whatever you do, provoke anyone, but please don't provoke GOD!
In days of old, I believe that there was a time that God spoke through his people through the heavens. Now we have the holy spirit and to go back to an old system allows the devil to get involved and mess with your mind. Look at Isaiah 44:24,25; "...I am the Lord that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself;...That frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad;"
Starts do not decide your life; God decides your life. Have confidence in God and let Him speak to you through the precious Holy Spirit.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Associations
There are those who will not increase what God is doing through you. There are many who unknowingly decrease God's plan in your life.
Not everyone in your life is ordained of God. Not everyone on your face book enjoys what God wants to do in your life.
Years ago in my library, I pulled a 1965 Sunday School curriculum book from GPH and was astonished to see what it said. "Don't just sanctify your bodies but sanctify your friendships". I was taken back. We don't hear that type of preaching much anymore. We think that everyone is acceptable to be friends with. God gave us wisdom, we just have to use it.
He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed." Proverbs 13:20
Take heed to thyself, let thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou go est, lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee. Exodus 34:12
Can two walk together, except they be agreed?" Amos 3:3
"But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one do not to eat." I Corinthians 5:11
"Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners." I Corinthians 15:33
A dear precious lady once said to me while I was young, "You can be friendly with everyone, just learn not to be friends with everyone." At the time I thought that was rather harsh but later in my adult life I realized that everyone has a motive. Those motives may be pure or they may be polluted, it is up to you to discern what their motives are up too.
Watch and pray over your associations. Someone may be getting ready to drag your speed down. Someone may be getting ready to accelerate you into greatness. Don't live in fear but trust that God will reveal the right relationships to you today.
Not everyone in your life is ordained of God. Not everyone on your face book enjoys what God wants to do in your life.
Years ago in my library, I pulled a 1965 Sunday School curriculum book from GPH and was astonished to see what it said. "Don't just sanctify your bodies but sanctify your friendships". I was taken back. We don't hear that type of preaching much anymore. We think that everyone is acceptable to be friends with. God gave us wisdom, we just have to use it.
He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed." Proverbs 13:20
Take heed to thyself, let thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou go est, lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee. Exodus 34:12
Can two walk together, except they be agreed?" Amos 3:3
"But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one do not to eat." I Corinthians 5:11
"Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners." I Corinthians 15:33
A dear precious lady once said to me while I was young, "You can be friendly with everyone, just learn not to be friends with everyone." At the time I thought that was rather harsh but later in my adult life I realized that everyone has a motive. Those motives may be pure or they may be polluted, it is up to you to discern what their motives are up too.
Watch and pray over your associations. Someone may be getting ready to drag your speed down. Someone may be getting ready to accelerate you into greatness. Don't live in fear but trust that God will reveal the right relationships to you today.
Friday, April 17, 2009
The purpose and message of Isaiah
The purpose and message of Isaiah the prophet is arranged in such as way as for the reader to understand the trustworthiness of Yahweh; the covenant God. It is clearly seen in the contrast between two national leaders of Isaiah's day. Ahaz and Hezekiah. Many know the last name more than the former name. That is because Hezekiah won big time. Ahaz did not. Why? Ahaz refused to get his orders from God. Ahaz did not trust God but sent for the Assyrians to aid him in time of political crisis against the advise of the prophet Isaiah. I see the same thing happening today, our national leader is turning to 20 nations for advise and aid to bring peace. He may just succeed at bringing peace. The scriptures foretell of a man who brings peace. The people will shout peace and safety, peace and safety. Then SUDDEN DESTRUCTION will come.
The only thing that came under Ahaz's leadership style of not trusting God was one crisis after another. In fact we in America have been having one crisis after another. Why? That is what happens when you don't make God as the source.
Hezekiah, although he initially counted on Egyptian help, eventually came to fully depend on Yahweh and was delivered in a mighty way. Hezekiah is now know for how God can bring deliverance.
The purpose of a prophet is to say what God says to say. The words that are given are largely words of indictment and judgement (Chapters 1-39) In Chapters 40-60 they are more concerned with God's mercy, forgiveness, deliverance and restoration of Israel.
O God, give this nation the heart of Hezekiah and not the stiff necked heart of Ahaz.
The only thing that came under Ahaz's leadership style of not trusting God was one crisis after another. In fact we in America have been having one crisis after another. Why? That is what happens when you don't make God as the source.
Hezekiah, although he initially counted on Egyptian help, eventually came to fully depend on Yahweh and was delivered in a mighty way. Hezekiah is now know for how God can bring deliverance.
The purpose of a prophet is to say what God says to say. The words that are given are largely words of indictment and judgement (Chapters 1-39) In Chapters 40-60 they are more concerned with God's mercy, forgiveness, deliverance and restoration of Israel.
O God, give this nation the heart of Hezekiah and not the stiff necked heart of Ahaz.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Art of Receiving
I am reflecting back to my daily journal entry of July 1997 in which I make the following observation. I had finished a revival somewhere in South Carolina.
Those who have a hard time receiving God's word are reading or hearing without the anointing. Some time ago in Portland, Oregon the fall of 2002, a young lady said to me, "Pastor, I just can't seem to understand what I am reading. What am I doing wrong?" I told her by an unction of the Holy Spirit; "You should pray in the spirit for a while and then ask the Holy Spirit to bring understanding to your natural mind concerning what you are reading." She did. She prayed and what happened the following weeks was astonishing. She was growing in Christ. She learned to grow by the spirit.
The art of receiving is not so well mastered here in the United States like some countries. You know, I recently joked in a Hispanic church in Winatchee, Washington, that the Hispanics can celebrate at the drop of a sombrero. They laughed and I laughed because we all know Hispanics and south American people can celebrate and will find cause to celebrate over just about anything. Why? They have practiced it as an art. So with the art of celebration, we must also practice the art of receiving. North American's have not practiced it so much.
Did you know I once witnessed a woman who prayed in Anaheim, California for gas money to go to church? The lady was offered gas money and she refused it because, "I just don't feel right about taking someones money." Can you imagine that? Here is a person who prayed for gas money. God gives it to her and she refuses it!! Why? She had pride ruling in her heart. Pride of life will keep you from receiving. Weather it is your healing, your job, a car, a house or money. Pride keeps you from receiving.
The favor of the Lord is bringing many things to you. You must understand something here. If God's favor doesn't bring it to you you don't need it. If God's favor doesn't bring it to you, you don't want it and If God's favor doesn't bring it to you, you can't keep it. If favor doesn't bring it to you, you will have to prop it up.
When you fail to receive, you frustrate God's plan in your life. The word frustrate means, "actions that keep you from attaining a goal or fulfilling a desire; to thwart."
I challenge you today. Tell God, "I am a receiver of your goodness. I practice receiving all you have for me today". Stay with it. When something good comes your way, CELEBRATE IT and don't forget, CELEBRATE THEM!
You can get good at receiving good things all the time. Just start saying, thank you Lord for giving me good gifts. You are my source of supply and you give me good gifts all the time. AMEN.
I have noticed that most people who seek their deliverance, seek every area
except the word of God. They want the anointing to be released from a
person but they refuse to consistently sit under Bible teaching. The
Bible is what really what is anointed. It destroys yokes. I a person
really wants deliverance, let them come to a meeting. That's when God is
fully present. When you formally make an appointment with HIM. That
anointing from the word empowers to replace the bondage.
God's word is arresting. My need will be met when I am moving towards
God's men who are full of God's word. God's word is remarkable compared to
our own thoughts. God's word is not fantastic since fantastic means -
fantasy or not real. God's word is thrilling when the Holy Spirit is upon
it.
Those who have a hard time receiving God's word are reading or hearing without the anointing. Some time ago in Portland, Oregon the fall of 2002, a young lady said to me, "Pastor, I just can't seem to understand what I am reading. What am I doing wrong?" I told her by an unction of the Holy Spirit; "You should pray in the spirit for a while and then ask the Holy Spirit to bring understanding to your natural mind concerning what you are reading." She did. She prayed and what happened the following weeks was astonishing. She was growing in Christ. She learned to grow by the spirit.
The art of receiving is not so well mastered here in the United States like some countries. You know, I recently joked in a Hispanic church in Winatchee, Washington, that the Hispanics can celebrate at the drop of a sombrero. They laughed and I laughed because we all know Hispanics and south American people can celebrate and will find cause to celebrate over just about anything. Why? They have practiced it as an art. So with the art of celebration, we must also practice the art of receiving. North American's have not practiced it so much.
Did you know I once witnessed a woman who prayed in Anaheim, California for gas money to go to church? The lady was offered gas money and she refused it because, "I just don't feel right about taking someones money." Can you imagine that? Here is a person who prayed for gas money. God gives it to her and she refuses it!! Why? She had pride ruling in her heart. Pride of life will keep you from receiving. Weather it is your healing, your job, a car, a house or money. Pride keeps you from receiving.
The favor of the Lord is bringing many things to you. You must understand something here. If God's favor doesn't bring it to you you don't need it. If God's favor doesn't bring it to you, you don't want it and If God's favor doesn't bring it to you, you can't keep it. If favor doesn't bring it to you, you will have to prop it up.
When you fail to receive, you frustrate God's plan in your life. The word frustrate means, "actions that keep you from attaining a goal or fulfilling a desire; to thwart."
I challenge you today. Tell God, "I am a receiver of your goodness. I practice receiving all you have for me today". Stay with it. When something good comes your way, CELEBRATE IT and don't forget, CELEBRATE THEM!
You can get good at receiving good things all the time. Just start saying, thank you Lord for giving me good gifts. You are my source of supply and you give me good gifts all the time. AMEN.
Art of Celebration
You will remember who and what you celebrate. Those who celebrate me appreciate me. In Exodus 14:31, 51:1 says, "And Israel saw that great work which the Lord did upon the Egyptians:...Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the Lord, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the Lord, for He hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath He thrown into the sea." Triumphing is a celebration of the Victory. You will only celebrate those who can bring triumph into your lives.
"And David danced before the Lord with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod. So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet." 2 Samuel 6:14,15. Dancing and triumphing in the victory brings celebration.
The big question is can you dance and triumph and learn the art of celebrating when there seems to be nothing to celebrate about? Jesus did. In the triumphal entry so many shouted and celebrated and even tho Jesus foreknew as God, the cross, the pain, the suffering, the beatings, he rode through anyway, fully knowing that his day of resurrection was coming.
Today you may not see the victory. You may not hear the victory. You don't even feel close to the triumphant parade in your life. But dance anyway, go ahead, shout there in your home. Give it a hoop up, GLORY! That's it. Develop the art of Celebration before you see the battle won. As soon as you develop the art of Celebration the victory comes easy and the triumph comes naturally.
"And David danced before the Lord with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod. So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet." 2 Samuel 6:14,15. Dancing and triumphing in the victory brings celebration.
The big question is can you dance and triumph and learn the art of celebrating when there seems to be nothing to celebrate about? Jesus did. In the triumphal entry so many shouted and celebrated and even tho Jesus foreknew as God, the cross, the pain, the suffering, the beatings, he rode through anyway, fully knowing that his day of resurrection was coming.
Today you may not see the victory. You may not hear the victory. You don't even feel close to the triumphant parade in your life. But dance anyway, go ahead, shout there in your home. Give it a hoop up, GLORY! That's it. Develop the art of Celebration before you see the battle won. As soon as you develop the art of Celebration the victory comes easy and the triumph comes naturally.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Armorbearer
An armor bearer is assigned to someone. Their dreams become your dreams. There is so much to say about the subject of the Armor bearer and yet so few in the church world understand it's ministry and it's function within the church today. The preacher, pastor, teacher, prophet or man of God suffers greatly when the lack of the right armor bearer is present.
On this subject no one has written it as well as Terry Nance, "God's Armor Bearer Volumes 1 & 2, Serving God's leaders published by Focus on Harvest.
Elisha was raised up by God to serve Elijah. King David had his armor bearer. Everyone in the local church should carry out the spirit of the armor bearer. To be an armor bearer means you have the heart of the servant. The servant, Jesus said, is the greatest among you. They stand with the leader to help the leader fulfill God's vision.
David was at one time, Saul's armor bearer. Many times armor bearers have to withstand harsh treatment. David did and as a result, his own promotion came to a high place of respect and regard even to this day he is honored in Israel and even around the world.
An armor bearer serves their leaders well.
Ecclesiastes 4:9,10 says "Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up."
An armor bearer covers the faults of those who they serve. The Glory of the Lord covereth a matter but the glory of kings reveal it. Those who are serving you the most make sure that you shine and never cause embarresment for the leader. They help in a time of need.
On this subject no one has written it as well as Terry Nance, "God's Armor Bearer Volumes 1 & 2, Serving God's leaders published by Focus on Harvest.
Elisha was raised up by God to serve Elijah. King David had his armor bearer. Everyone in the local church should carry out the spirit of the armor bearer. To be an armor bearer means you have the heart of the servant. The servant, Jesus said, is the greatest among you. They stand with the leader to help the leader fulfill God's vision.
David was at one time, Saul's armor bearer. Many times armor bearers have to withstand harsh treatment. David did and as a result, his own promotion came to a high place of respect and regard even to this day he is honored in Israel and even around the world.
An armor bearer serves their leaders well.
Ecclesiastes 4:9,10 says "Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up."
An armor bearer covers the faults of those who they serve. The Glory of the Lord covereth a matter but the glory of kings reveal it. Those who are serving you the most make sure that you shine and never cause embarresment for the leader. They help in a time of need.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Appointments
When speaking of appointments we speak of a respect for time. Time is an earthly thing (Ecc 3:1,2,6,7) but has it's appointments for heavenly events. Time is a unit of measure. 100 years from now, probability has it, that everyone reading this now will have passed on their earth suit and gone to heaven, if heaven doesn't come to us sooner, which is more than likely to happen than the former. (see James 4:14) For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanish away." Could it be that appointments on earth are small events squished into this "little time" spoken of in James?
Heaven has given appointments. God had scheduled times and seasons and still does. The Holy Spirit looks for an appointment with men and women. Men schedule, keep and even sometimes break appointments.
Walking with wise men causes one to be wiser; but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. (Proverbs 13:20) Years ago I preached a message called, "How to spot a fool and keep him out". Foolish people are not wise with time. Foolish people don't know how to "cash in" the time God gave them. The scriptures call it "redeem". "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil." Ephesians 5:15,16
I believe that when Jesus asked his disciples, "could you not tarry with me for one hour?" he was talking about killing the flesh long enough to measure out heavenly communication. Prayer can be measured. Watch and pray could mean to measure out our prayer life.
Whats your most memorable appointment and how does it fit to what I just wrote?
Who is the greatest appointment with in your life?
When should you set appointments? Is there a time when you should not set an appointment?
Where is this appointment?
Is there a right and wrong way to establish appointments?
If you have the answers to these questions or can make a comment about how appointments fit into the word of God I would love to hear it.
Heaven has given appointments. God had scheduled times and seasons and still does. The Holy Spirit looks for an appointment with men and women. Men schedule, keep and even sometimes break appointments.
Walking with wise men causes one to be wiser; but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. (Proverbs 13:20) Years ago I preached a message called, "How to spot a fool and keep him out". Foolish people are not wise with time. Foolish people don't know how to "cash in" the time God gave them. The scriptures call it "redeem". "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil." Ephesians 5:15,16
I believe that when Jesus asked his disciples, "could you not tarry with me for one hour?" he was talking about killing the flesh long enough to measure out heavenly communication. Prayer can be measured. Watch and pray could mean to measure out our prayer life.
Whats your most memorable appointment and how does it fit to what I just wrote?
Who is the greatest appointment with in your life?
When should you set appointments? Is there a time when you should not set an appointment?
Where is this appointment?
Is there a right and wrong way to establish appointments?
If you have the answers to these questions or can make a comment about how appointments fit into the word of God I would love to hear it.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Appearance
I was young when my mother taught me that if I wanted favor I had to look like I was worth investing into. I was still yet young but now in my early teens when my spiritual mother had me in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and had taken me and some others to the mall and bought me several hundred dollars of new suits. I was so beside myself I was speechless. What was I to say. Everything looked so...so...perfect. It was that day that I woke up to the fact excellence in ministry means that your appearance causes you to look different from the world. I realized that Jesus looked different from the world and had a seamless robe that was so attractive that secular men gambled over it. What a robe.
I also learned that merry heart makes a cheerful countenance as one translation says in Proverbs 15:13.
Your appearance is important when you represent the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. If Jesus gave us HIS best, I can certainly give him my best.
I have learned that I cannot dress myself for where I have been but I have to dress myself for where I am going. Do you know where you are going? It comes across in your appearance. People who are still bound in guilt, sin, shame and fear quickly communicate it to the rest of the world not just in their dress but in their countenance. I told one young man that he was not fooling the man of God when he is clubbing Friday night and at Church Sunday. Now don't get me wrong. I am certainly happy he is in church but his countenance, his appearance even the way he smelled said, "SIN". Ahh! This young man is suppose to be acting, walking and talking like the hand of the Lord is resting upon him.
Did you know that man is looking on your outward appearance? Even CNN knows it. I was invited not long ago to tour through CNN in Washington D.C. and I was so happy to do so. I noticed something. The writers and editors in the back rooms who were writing looked to me (in my opinion) bound. Overweight, not shaving or groomed. Filthy looking and slobish. I was overwhelmingly astonished. I could not believe what I saw. Was this for real? The people in front of the cameras. The beautiful people that the whole wide world was looking at were all reading from teleprompters written by miserable looking and disgusting type of people. Now maybe somethings have changed but it taught me another lesson.
I Samuel 16:7 Says, "...the Lord sees not as man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart." What if you and I as Christians looked great both outside and inside? Even the high priests were required to wear above average clothing. In fact it was God's promise to bless them with the proper garments. It amuses me when I hear people say that their grubbiest will work in church. Yes they will, but don't you know that the grubbiest are not part of the blessing? I know this is not popular because any message that brings people up to a higher standard is awkward to many modern day Christians.
In Zech 3 we see Joshua was dressed in filthy garments and the was standing before the Angel of the Lord v4 And He spoke to those who stood before Him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And He said to Joshua, Behold, I have caused your iniquity to pass from you and I will clothe you with rich apparel. When he was clothed with rich garments the Angel of the Lord stood by.
I heard a man of God once say that all evil spirits are unclean. It makes sense to me that the Angel of the Lord would stand by a man who's appearance was clean and rich.
I know not everyone will agree with this and I would like to hear from you on this.
I also learned that merry heart makes a cheerful countenance as one translation says in Proverbs 15:13.
Your appearance is important when you represent the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. If Jesus gave us HIS best, I can certainly give him my best.
I have learned that I cannot dress myself for where I have been but I have to dress myself for where I am going. Do you know where you are going? It comes across in your appearance. People who are still bound in guilt, sin, shame and fear quickly communicate it to the rest of the world not just in their dress but in their countenance. I told one young man that he was not fooling the man of God when he is clubbing Friday night and at Church Sunday. Now don't get me wrong. I am certainly happy he is in church but his countenance, his appearance even the way he smelled said, "SIN". Ahh! This young man is suppose to be acting, walking and talking like the hand of the Lord is resting upon him.
Did you know that man is looking on your outward appearance? Even CNN knows it. I was invited not long ago to tour through CNN in Washington D.C. and I was so happy to do so. I noticed something. The writers and editors in the back rooms who were writing looked to me (in my opinion) bound. Overweight, not shaving or groomed. Filthy looking and slobish. I was overwhelmingly astonished. I could not believe what I saw. Was this for real? The people in front of the cameras. The beautiful people that the whole wide world was looking at were all reading from teleprompters written by miserable looking and disgusting type of people. Now maybe somethings have changed but it taught me another lesson.
I Samuel 16:7 Says, "...the Lord sees not as man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart." What if you and I as Christians looked great both outside and inside? Even the high priests were required to wear above average clothing. In fact it was God's promise to bless them with the proper garments. It amuses me when I hear people say that their grubbiest will work in church. Yes they will, but don't you know that the grubbiest are not part of the blessing? I know this is not popular because any message that brings people up to a higher standard is awkward to many modern day Christians.
In Zech 3 we see Joshua was dressed in filthy garments and the was standing before the Angel of the Lord v4 And He spoke to those who stood before Him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And He said to Joshua, Behold, I have caused your iniquity to pass from you and I will clothe you with rich apparel. When he was clothed with rich garments the Angel of the Lord stood by.
I heard a man of God once say that all evil spirits are unclean. It makes sense to me that the Angel of the Lord would stand by a man who's appearance was clean and rich.
I know not everyone will agree with this and I would like to hear from you on this.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Anger
Emotional people don't prosper but Anger can sometimes be a clue and a hint towards what we are called too. Anger is a clue to the anointing upon your life. But too often Anger proves lack of control. When we cannot control certain issues or people, we sometimes demonstrate anger.
Be ye angry, and sin not; let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians 4:26,31,32
A lady once came home from a revival meeting and was so happy to tell her atheist husband that she has been born again. The husband got angry and said that she lost her mind. She said, "you are right." I now have the mind of Christ.
Romans 12:2 says "...do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.." Her whole way of thinking had been changed.
The key issue here is transformed. In the Greek test it is metamorphoo (met-am-or-fo'-o). It is the word that we get in the English of Metamorphosis. While in Hawaii recently, my girls saw Monarch butterflies hanging everywhere on a tree outside one of the churches. They were coming in and out of cocoons. Some were coming out butterflies and some were setting themselves up as ugly, green, multi-eyeballed worms.
Metamorphoo is the same word used to describe the change Jesus went through up on the mount of transfiguration. (Matthew 17:2)
When Jesus went up the mountain, His clothing became as white as light and His face shone with a dazzling glory as bright as the sun. He was transfigured (metmorphoo) transformed. What happened to Jesus was a drastic change from what he was before. Here in Romans Paul is urging us to have the same sort of transformation in our own lives.
In 2 Corinthians 3:18 Paul wrote: "But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord are being transformed (metamorphoo) into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord (NKV).
The radiance Jesus demonstrated on the mount of transfiguration is resident within us by the Holy Spirit dwelling in us.
He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. Proverbs 16:32
Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. Psalm 37:8
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Matthew 5:9
Be ye angry, and sin not; let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians 4:26,31,32
A lady once came home from a revival meeting and was so happy to tell her atheist husband that she has been born again. The husband got angry and said that she lost her mind. She said, "you are right." I now have the mind of Christ.
Romans 12:2 says "...do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.." Her whole way of thinking had been changed.
The key issue here is transformed. In the Greek test it is metamorphoo (met-am-or-fo'-o). It is the word that we get in the English of Metamorphosis. While in Hawaii recently, my girls saw Monarch butterflies hanging everywhere on a tree outside one of the churches. They were coming in and out of cocoons. Some were coming out butterflies and some were setting themselves up as ugly, green, multi-eyeballed worms.
Metamorphoo is the same word used to describe the change Jesus went through up on the mount of transfiguration. (Matthew 17:2)
When Jesus went up the mountain, His clothing became as white as light and His face shone with a dazzling glory as bright as the sun. He was transfigured (metmorphoo) transformed. What happened to Jesus was a drastic change from what he was before. Here in Romans Paul is urging us to have the same sort of transformation in our own lives.
In 2 Corinthians 3:18 Paul wrote: "But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord are being transformed (metamorphoo) into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord (NKV).
The radiance Jesus demonstrated on the mount of transfiguration is resident within us by the Holy Spirit dwelling in us.
He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. Proverbs 16:32
Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. Psalm 37:8
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Matthew 5:9
Friday, February 27, 2009
Working of Miracles
In 1988, Princeton Religion Research Center's PRRC Emerging Trends reported that 82% of adults either mostly or completely agreed with the following statement: "Even today, miracles are performed by the power of God"
Now to many, the works of Jesus were truly miracles but to Jesus he was clearly doing the heavenly Father's will in the lives of people. Most people think a miracle is a miracle. Although in it's simplistic form of the word, that may be true, according to scriptures there are four types of Miracles described within the New Testament. The list I am about to give here could be used as a manual or checklist for the miracles that happen within our lives or within our churches.
There are nine gifts of the spirit and one of the nine is "the working of miracles." A miracle must be worked. It takes the recipient of the miracle work his or her faith. Not all miracles are healings and not all healings are miracles but a healing can be a miracle at times.
Miracle type 1- Notable Miracle. A notable miracle is spoken of in Acts 4:16. These are miracles that happen OUTSIDE the local church. It gets the attention of the media. These miracles make the evening news. Remember the healing of the lame man? Acts 3:6-10 attracted huge interest within the community. So much that it became like a real media event and a social conversation piece to say the least. Acts chapter 3 and chapter 4 both document the Notable miracle in detail.
Miracle type 2- Great Miracles. Acts 6:8 In Acts 8:13 Luke uses the greek words mega dunamis or could we say, "great miracles." This does not mean it is a once happening type of miracle, but rather a steady stream of signs, wonders and miracles. God knows how to give quantity as well as quality. I remember there have been many seasons in 28 years of ministry where there were heavy streams of astonishing miracles that were great. People walking from wheel chairs. Deaf ears opening and many more great things come in waves which is Great Miracles.
Miracle type 3- Special Miracles. Acts 19:11 What is typically highlighted regarding this type of miracle is the geographical location. The disciples were right in the heart of the wicked Greek goddess Diana town of Ephesus. The worship of this idol lead so many people to failure in so many places within people's lives. It took this type of miracle to set many people free. I have found in many places where there is idolatry like Hawaii or deception like Utah you will find Special Miracles. It is sometimes the only thing that will break the hard hearts of the people within a geographical area.
Miracle type 4- Diverse Miracles. Hebrews 2:4 This we could say VARIOUS miracles. Various miracles for various needs. Various miracles for various places. Various miracles for various people. A church may need a miracle. A family may need a marriage miracle. A sick body may need a miracle.
The good news is that we can claim and lay hold of all the different types of miracles for our own life.
Now to many, the works of Jesus were truly miracles but to Jesus he was clearly doing the heavenly Father's will in the lives of people. Most people think a miracle is a miracle. Although in it's simplistic form of the word, that may be true, according to scriptures there are four types of Miracles described within the New Testament. The list I am about to give here could be used as a manual or checklist for the miracles that happen within our lives or within our churches.
There are nine gifts of the spirit and one of the nine is "the working of miracles." A miracle must be worked. It takes the recipient of the miracle work his or her faith. Not all miracles are healings and not all healings are miracles but a healing can be a miracle at times.
Miracle type 1- Notable Miracle. A notable miracle is spoken of in Acts 4:16. These are miracles that happen OUTSIDE the local church. It gets the attention of the media. These miracles make the evening news. Remember the healing of the lame man? Acts 3:6-10 attracted huge interest within the community. So much that it became like a real media event and a social conversation piece to say the least. Acts chapter 3 and chapter 4 both document the Notable miracle in detail.
Miracle type 2- Great Miracles. Acts 6:8 In Acts 8:13 Luke uses the greek words mega dunamis or could we say, "great miracles." This does not mean it is a once happening type of miracle, but rather a steady stream of signs, wonders and miracles. God knows how to give quantity as well as quality. I remember there have been many seasons in 28 years of ministry where there were heavy streams of astonishing miracles that were great. People walking from wheel chairs. Deaf ears opening and many more great things come in waves which is Great Miracles.
Miracle type 3- Special Miracles. Acts 19:11 What is typically highlighted regarding this type of miracle is the geographical location. The disciples were right in the heart of the wicked Greek goddess Diana town of Ephesus. The worship of this idol lead so many people to failure in so many places within people's lives. It took this type of miracle to set many people free. I have found in many places where there is idolatry like Hawaii or deception like Utah you will find Special Miracles. It is sometimes the only thing that will break the hard hearts of the people within a geographical area.
Miracle type 4- Diverse Miracles. Hebrews 2:4 This we could say VARIOUS miracles. Various miracles for various needs. Various miracles for various places. Various miracles for various people. A church may need a miracle. A family may need a marriage miracle. A sick body may need a miracle.
The good news is that we can claim and lay hold of all the different types of miracles for our own life.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
What do you love?
Recently my wife and family and I were all placed at a Casino Hotel which was the only hotel accommodations closely situated to the place of our ministry time and was usually complimentary from the Native Americans. We have been so thankful for their hospitality. Recently I got on the elevator to go to my room after an anointed service and overheard an older woman say to an older gentleman, "All my money went to slots tonight." Real depressed they exited the lift. Inside, I was content and joy filled my heart knowing for sure that I was NOT in love with the world.
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world... I John 2:15
It reminds me of the three Bible Characters all with names which start with D.
DEMAS, DIOTREPHES, and DEMETRIUS. Each of them had a love, but each one's love was for something different.
Demas: "...Demas has forsaken me [Paul], and has departed for Thessalonica [his home town]..." II Timothy 4:9,10 NKV Paul was facing trial in Rome. Realizing it was too dangerous to be connected with the Apostle whose fate and doom was in the hands of Nero, Demos forsook Paul. Why? His love for money and desire for self preservation led Demas to abandon the hardships and dangers of life of an apostle. In the next century, Chrysostom wrote of Demas: "He chose to live in luxury at home." Why? DEMAS LOVED THE WORLD. I have driven through so many cities and have seen the love of the world upon people's faces. Even within churches and many times sadly upon ministers faces. Thankfully, the world has no mare attraction to me. What once used to pull like a magnet now repels me. Thank God for deliverance from a worldly attraction.
Diotrephes: I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us (3 John 9 NKV). Demas is gone. Now Diotrephes assertive. He is a brother, but his primary motivation is not love of the brethern, but his own ego-drive. I can't begin to tell you the people who I associated with as a young adult. Those especially who were used by God in television. It saddened my heart many times how they were (not always) many times ego driven. Some had proved over time to be legends in their own minds. They thought of themselves more highly then they ought. So many pastors who I have written to had turned me down not because I wouldn't be effective in their church, but the Lord assured me on many occasions, it was their love for preeminence. Thank God for my freedom from preeminence. The need to be celebrated by someone is out of my life. I cannot deliver anyone, unless I am first delivered from everyone; including myself.
Demetrius: Demetrius has a good testimony from all and from the truth itself...(3 John 12 NKJ) Some Bible professors and scholars believed that Demetrius was the silversmith in Acts 19:24 whose business was threatened by Paul's preaching of the Gospel. Upon his conversion, Demetrius had great credibility; 1) with the Christian Community, 2) from the truth itself, and 3) with John. Demetrius loved the truth.
Three loves of three types of ministers. The World, the preeminence, and the truth. What do you love?
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world... I John 2:15
It reminds me of the three Bible Characters all with names which start with D.
DEMAS, DIOTREPHES, and DEMETRIUS. Each of them had a love, but each one's love was for something different.
Demas: "...Demas has forsaken me [Paul], and has departed for Thessalonica [his home town]..." II Timothy 4:9,10 NKV Paul was facing trial in Rome. Realizing it was too dangerous to be connected with the Apostle whose fate and doom was in the hands of Nero, Demos forsook Paul. Why? His love for money and desire for self preservation led Demas to abandon the hardships and dangers of life of an apostle. In the next century, Chrysostom wrote of Demas: "He chose to live in luxury at home." Why? DEMAS LOVED THE WORLD. I have driven through so many cities and have seen the love of the world upon people's faces. Even within churches and many times sadly upon ministers faces. Thankfully, the world has no mare attraction to me. What once used to pull like a magnet now repels me. Thank God for deliverance from a worldly attraction.
Diotrephes: I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us (3 John 9 NKV). Demas is gone. Now Diotrephes assertive. He is a brother, but his primary motivation is not love of the brethern, but his own ego-drive. I can't begin to tell you the people who I associated with as a young adult. Those especially who were used by God in television. It saddened my heart many times how they were (not always) many times ego driven. Some had proved over time to be legends in their own minds. They thought of themselves more highly then they ought. So many pastors who I have written to had turned me down not because I wouldn't be effective in their church, but the Lord assured me on many occasions, it was their love for preeminence. Thank God for my freedom from preeminence. The need to be celebrated by someone is out of my life. I cannot deliver anyone, unless I am first delivered from everyone; including myself.
Demetrius: Demetrius has a good testimony from all and from the truth itself...(3 John 12 NKJ) Some Bible professors and scholars believed that Demetrius was the silversmith in Acts 19:24 whose business was threatened by Paul's preaching of the Gospel. Upon his conversion, Demetrius had great credibility; 1) with the Christian Community, 2) from the truth itself, and 3) with John. Demetrius loved the truth.
Three loves of three types of ministers. The World, the preeminence, and the truth. What do you love?
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Angels
Angels throughout the Bible bring birth announcments and warnings from the Lord. They also are very present in the lives of believers today. Demon spirits pose as angels of light to unbelievers and will sometimes cause the unbeliever to take special notice of their light.
The scriptures warn us that the devil can appear as an angel of light deceiving many. Just because someone says that an angel appeared to them with such warmth, love and light does not make it an angel from heaven working for the Lord Jesus. There are many angels who's entire assignment is to deceive many and to get a person's attention and focus from off God.
God sent the Angel of the Lord to shut the mouths of the Lions for Daniel while he was thrown in the lion's den. Daniel 6:21,22
Angels could possibly appear in human form and you could be entertaining an angel thinking they were a human stranger. The scriptures tell us to beware of this. "be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." Hebrews1 13:2
I remember a meeting back in the summer of 1992. I was asked to preach at a church in Goodyear, Arizona. I don't remember the pastor but I do remember that the church had a long dusty driveway that was impossible to come down without being noticed for several minutes after. I needed a miracle from the Lord financially. I prayed before service and knowing that the pastor would give our ministry a check after the revival I was in need of $100. cash for gas and other incedentals. I told not one person my need but I told my heavenly father which is in heaven. After everyone had left the service and the Pastor was busy locking the back doors a distinguished gentelman came in who was not in any of the services. He was dressed in a blue pin strip three piece suit with his hair groom emaculantly. He stood rather tall and came directly up to me. He stuffed money into my shirt pocket and said, "the Lord has sent me to you to bless you for all your efforts." I said, "thank you...I want you to meet the pastor here." As I went to get the pastor, the man had left out the front door. Running with the pastor thinking we could catch the first time, belated visitor, he was gone. The pastor even questioned if I really even saw anyone as there was no dust floating around from the long dusty church driveway. All I know is that God supplied the need and I never saw his agent again.
Who knows who you entertained last week or last year. It might have been an angel on a God assignment just for you to get the job done.
I often remind myself everytime I am tempted to tell people my need. God is our source of supply and telling HIM about our need pleases HIM.
"The angel of the Lord encampeth round about him them that fear Him and deliverth them." Psalms 34:7
Tell me about a time when you had an angelic encounter.
The scriptures warn us that the devil can appear as an angel of light deceiving many. Just because someone says that an angel appeared to them with such warmth, love and light does not make it an angel from heaven working for the Lord Jesus. There are many angels who's entire assignment is to deceive many and to get a person's attention and focus from off God.
God sent the Angel of the Lord to shut the mouths of the Lions for Daniel while he was thrown in the lion's den. Daniel 6:21,22
Angels could possibly appear in human form and you could be entertaining an angel thinking they were a human stranger. The scriptures tell us to beware of this. "be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." Hebrews1 13:2
I remember a meeting back in the summer of 1992. I was asked to preach at a church in Goodyear, Arizona. I don't remember the pastor but I do remember that the church had a long dusty driveway that was impossible to come down without being noticed for several minutes after. I needed a miracle from the Lord financially. I prayed before service and knowing that the pastor would give our ministry a check after the revival I was in need of $100. cash for gas and other incedentals. I told not one person my need but I told my heavenly father which is in heaven. After everyone had left the service and the Pastor was busy locking the back doors a distinguished gentelman came in who was not in any of the services. He was dressed in a blue pin strip three piece suit with his hair groom emaculantly. He stood rather tall and came directly up to me. He stuffed money into my shirt pocket and said, "the Lord has sent me to you to bless you for all your efforts." I said, "thank you...I want you to meet the pastor here." As I went to get the pastor, the man had left out the front door. Running with the pastor thinking we could catch the first time, belated visitor, he was gone. The pastor even questioned if I really even saw anyone as there was no dust floating around from the long dusty church driveway. All I know is that God supplied the need and I never saw his agent again.
Who knows who you entertained last week or last year. It might have been an angel on a God assignment just for you to get the job done.
I often remind myself everytime I am tempted to tell people my need. God is our source of supply and telling HIM about our need pleases HIM.
"The angel of the Lord encampeth round about him them that fear Him and deliverth them." Psalms 34:7
Tell me about a time when you had an angelic encounter.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Anointing
What you respect you will attract. When you respect the Anointing you will attract the anointing.
The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the broken hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and the recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.
Anointing, as described in the Bible, can be defined as "God on flesh doing those things that flesh cannot do." It is God doing those things only He can do, and doing them through a flesh-and-blood, earthly vessel (see 2 Corinthians 4:7).
The basic meaning of the Bible word "anoint" is "to pour on, smear all over or rub into." In the Old Testament, someone who was anointed by God for special service to God had oil poured or smeared on him. For instance, Saul, and later David, was anointed with oil by the prophet Samuel when God revealed He had chosen him to be king of Israel. When King Saul rebelled against God and tried to kill David, David refused to harm him because Saul was "the Lord's anointed" (1 Samuel 24:6).
To be anointed by God is not only to be picked, but also to be empowered by Him for the task or position to which He has called you. The Hebrew word "Messiah" and the Greek word "Christ" both mean "the Anointed."
Anointing was a sign of Israel's coming Redeemer. The prophet Isaiah, looking forward in time by the Spirit of God, saw One through Whom "the yoke [of Satan's oppression] shall be destroyed because of the anointing" (Isaiah 10:27). The word destroyed means absolutely corrupted beyond use, destroyed, no good for (the devil's) use.
Jesus, reading from another Messianic prophecy in Isaiah, said, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me...." What had the Spirit anointed Him to do? "To preach the gospel to the poor...heal the brokenhearted...preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind...set at liberty them that are bruised..." (see Luke 4:18-19). Jesus had the burden-removing, yoke-destroying power of Almighty God all over Him.
News of the Anointed and His Anointing was the "good news" or "gospel" the early Church ministered. When Peter was asked to preach the basic, gospel message to the gentiles for the very first time, the first thing he told them was "how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him" (see Acts 10:38-39). When Philip preached Christ (the Anointed One and His Anointing) in Samaria, "the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed" (see Acts 8:6-8). They received and heard the good news that the Anointed One and His Anointing had come to destroy the yokes from their backs. From the moment they received it, God confirmed it, just as He did in Jesus' ministry.
The anointing is God's presence by the Holy Spirit. The anointing on Jesus was by the Holy Spirit (see Luke 4:18; Acts 10:38). The anointing we have received from Jesus is by the Holy Spirit. (Compare 1 John 2:20, 26-27; John 14:26.) The anointing is God's Spirit and power for service in this earth. Jesus has provided the same presence of the Holy Spirit for us in our earthly ministries that He had in His earthly ministry!
The word "Christ" is not just another name for Jesus, but a reference to the Anointed and the Anointing that was on Him and in Him. In the same way, the word "Christians" means more than just followers of Jesus. It means "the anointeds." The same yoke-destroying Anointing that was on Jesus is available to you.
Look again at 1 John 2: "the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him" (verse 27). Those last two words could also be translated "in it." In other words, the phrase could either be exhorting believers to abide in the Anointed One, Jesus, or to abide in the anointing itself. Both interpretations are correct because you can't separate the Anointed and the anointing. If you're in the Anointed One, then you're in the anointing.
I encourage you, find every reference that uses the word Christ in the New Testament. Each time Christ is used translate it into "the Anointed and His Anointing." Then meditate on the new revelation of this meaning in each scripture. Start with the verses that say "in Christ" or "through Christ" and translate them "in (through) the Anointed and (through) His Anointing." It will change your life.
If you're "in Christ," there's an anointing for everything you're called to do, no matter how small or how great the task. That's what the Apostle Paul meant when he said, "I can do all things through Christ (the Anointed and His Anointing) which strengtheneth me" (Philippians 4:13). Notice that he didn't say "who strengtheneth me" but "which strengtheneth me." He was talking about the anointing. The same anointing that enabled you to be born again will heal your body, help you succeed in business, and empower you to prosper spirit, soul, body and in every aspect of your life. (See Luke 5:20-24.)
The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the broken hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and the recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.
Anointing, as described in the Bible, can be defined as "God on flesh doing those things that flesh cannot do." It is God doing those things only He can do, and doing them through a flesh-and-blood, earthly vessel (see 2 Corinthians 4:7).
The basic meaning of the Bible word "anoint" is "to pour on, smear all over or rub into." In the Old Testament, someone who was anointed by God for special service to God had oil poured or smeared on him. For instance, Saul, and later David, was anointed with oil by the prophet Samuel when God revealed He had chosen him to be king of Israel. When King Saul rebelled against God and tried to kill David, David refused to harm him because Saul was "the Lord's anointed" (1 Samuel 24:6).
To be anointed by God is not only to be picked, but also to be empowered by Him for the task or position to which He has called you. The Hebrew word "Messiah" and the Greek word "Christ" both mean "the Anointed."
Anointing was a sign of Israel's coming Redeemer. The prophet Isaiah, looking forward in time by the Spirit of God, saw One through Whom "the yoke [of Satan's oppression] shall be destroyed because of the anointing" (Isaiah 10:27). The word destroyed means absolutely corrupted beyond use, destroyed, no good for (the devil's) use.
Jesus, reading from another Messianic prophecy in Isaiah, said, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me...." What had the Spirit anointed Him to do? "To preach the gospel to the poor...heal the brokenhearted...preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind...set at liberty them that are bruised..." (see Luke 4:18-19). Jesus had the burden-removing, yoke-destroying power of Almighty God all over Him.
News of the Anointed and His Anointing was the "good news" or "gospel" the early Church ministered. When Peter was asked to preach the basic, gospel message to the gentiles for the very first time, the first thing he told them was "how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him" (see Acts 10:38-39). When Philip preached Christ (the Anointed One and His Anointing) in Samaria, "the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed" (see Acts 8:6-8). They received and heard the good news that the Anointed One and His Anointing had come to destroy the yokes from their backs. From the moment they received it, God confirmed it, just as He did in Jesus' ministry.
The anointing is God's presence by the Holy Spirit. The anointing on Jesus was by the Holy Spirit (see Luke 4:18; Acts 10:38). The anointing we have received from Jesus is by the Holy Spirit. (Compare 1 John 2:20, 26-27; John 14:26.) The anointing is God's Spirit and power for service in this earth. Jesus has provided the same presence of the Holy Spirit for us in our earthly ministries that He had in His earthly ministry!
The word "Christ" is not just another name for Jesus, but a reference to the Anointed and the Anointing that was on Him and in Him. In the same way, the word "Christians" means more than just followers of Jesus. It means "the anointeds." The same yoke-destroying Anointing that was on Jesus is available to you.
Look again at 1 John 2: "the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him" (verse 27). Those last two words could also be translated "in it." In other words, the phrase could either be exhorting believers to abide in the Anointed One, Jesus, or to abide in the anointing itself. Both interpretations are correct because you can't separate the Anointed and the anointing. If you're in the Anointed One, then you're in the anointing.
I encourage you, find every reference that uses the word Christ in the New Testament. Each time Christ is used translate it into "the Anointed and His Anointing." Then meditate on the new revelation of this meaning in each scripture. Start with the verses that say "in Christ" or "through Christ" and translate them "in (through) the Anointed and (through) His Anointing." It will change your life.
If you're "in Christ," there's an anointing for everything you're called to do, no matter how small or how great the task. That's what the Apostle Paul meant when he said, "I can do all things through Christ (the Anointed and His Anointing) which strengtheneth me" (Philippians 4:13). Notice that he didn't say "who strengtheneth me" but "which strengtheneth me." He was talking about the anointing. The same anointing that enabled you to be born again will heal your body, help you succeed in business, and empower you to prosper spirit, soul, body and in every aspect of your life. (See Luke 5:20-24.)
Friday, January 30, 2009
Alcoholism
What you permit is what you become. When you permit yourself to indulge in any amount of alcohol you will eventually become hooked on it.
There is a popular saying. The man took the drink, the drink took the drink, and then the drink took the man. Drinking casually leads to a lifestyle of drinking.
There are certain things we do not allow in our house. Ice Cream is one of those things. If it comes in our house refrigerator, then we will most likely eat it. Eating eat causes habits to be established. So it is with wine or beer. Bringing it into our house is something we don't do. We don't go down the isle of it at the grocery store and we don't look at it when they try and set it on our table at the restaurant. You may say, "Why?" First off the Bible is clear about some things regarding strong drink. Don't even look into the red of the wine. Woe to the man who puts strong drink to another man's lips.
But you may say, "I just drink a little for my stomach's sake." Have you heard of those small round pills called TUMS or Rolaids? They will do the job.
When you bring any alcohol into your life you support an industry that promotes loss.
Proverbs 23:29-32 says some pretty pointed things regarding Alcoholism.
"Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? Who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder."
"And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;" Ephesians 5:18
There is hope however, "He sent His word, and healed them, and delivered them from
their destructions." Psalms 107:20
There is a popular saying. The man took the drink, the drink took the drink, and then the drink took the man. Drinking casually leads to a lifestyle of drinking.
There are certain things we do not allow in our house. Ice Cream is one of those things. If it comes in our house refrigerator, then we will most likely eat it. Eating eat causes habits to be established. So it is with wine or beer. Bringing it into our house is something we don't do. We don't go down the isle of it at the grocery store and we don't look at it when they try and set it on our table at the restaurant. You may say, "Why?" First off the Bible is clear about some things regarding strong drink. Don't even look into the red of the wine. Woe to the man who puts strong drink to another man's lips.
But you may say, "I just drink a little for my stomach's sake." Have you heard of those small round pills called TUMS or Rolaids? They will do the job.
When you bring any alcohol into your life you support an industry that promotes loss.
Proverbs 23:29-32 says some pretty pointed things regarding Alcoholism.
"Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? Who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder."
"And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;" Ephesians 5:18
There is hope however, "He sent His word, and healed them, and delivered them from
their destructions." Psalms 107:20
Agreement
The power of Agreement is a powerful force in the life of each believer.
Isolation keeps the power of Agreement from operating correctly. When Agreement is not present neither is Jesus. "...if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of My Father which is in Heaven." Matthew 18:19
People who can't understand the pain you have been through will never understand your determination in your newest goal setting.
Amos 3:3 two walk together only when they are in agreement. The power of prayer is not just wrapped up in a cry to God. Of course He will always hear your cry, however, one of the seven types of prayer is the prayer of agreement. When we agree together, we can have full assurance that Jesus hears our prayer and that things will happen.
Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up." Ecclesiastes 4:9,10
Do you have a prayer partner? Do you have another person who can agree with you? Often I will make a call to someone that we trust and ask them, "would you please agree in prayer with me about such and such?"
That person who agrees with me must be in faith but when we are in faith together we move the mountain just like Jesus said in Mark 11:22-24.
I want to agree with you for your miracle.
Isolation keeps the power of Agreement from operating correctly. When Agreement is not present neither is Jesus. "...if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of My Father which is in Heaven." Matthew 18:19
People who can't understand the pain you have been through will never understand your determination in your newest goal setting.
Amos 3:3 two walk together only when they are in agreement. The power of prayer is not just wrapped up in a cry to God. Of course He will always hear your cry, however, one of the seven types of prayer is the prayer of agreement. When we agree together, we can have full assurance that Jesus hears our prayer and that things will happen.
Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up." Ecclesiastes 4:9,10
Do you have a prayer partner? Do you have another person who can agree with you? Often I will make a call to someone that we trust and ask them, "would you please agree in prayer with me about such and such?"
That person who agrees with me must be in faith but when we are in faith together we move the mountain just like Jesus said in Mark 11:22-24.
I want to agree with you for your miracle.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Aging
IT'S WHAT YOU DO--NOT WHEN YOU DO IT
Ted Williams, at age 42, slammed a home run in his last official time at bat.
Mickey Mantle, age 20, hit 23 home runs his first full year in the major leagues.
Golda Meir was 71 when she became Prime Minister of Israel.
William Pitt II was 24 when he became Prime minister of Great Britain.
George Bernard Shaw was 94 when one of his plays was first produced.
Mozart was just seven when his first composition was published.
Now how about this? Benjamin Franklin was a newspaper columnist at 16
and a framer of the United States Constitution when he was 81.
You're never too young or too old if you've got talent.
Let's recognize that age has little to do with ability.
United Technologies Corporation, in Charles Swindoll, Living Above the Level of mediocrity p104
Psalms 37:25, I have been young, and now am old; hyet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, norHis seed out begging bread."
No matter your age, you must learn to use it for your advantage. If you are young. Don't wish you were older, instead, use your young age in the advantage points that the older can't. If you are older, don't wish you were younger, there are things that you can shine in that the younger cannot. It's time to shine.
O God, thou has taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared Thy wounderous works. Now also when I am old and greyheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and Thy power to every one that is to come." Psalms 71:17,18
I read something pretty funny the other day it goes like this:
Seven Ages of Man
6 weeks--all systems go
6 years--all systems "No!"
16 years--all systems know
26 years--all systems glow
36 years--all systems owe
56 years--all systems status quo
76 years--all systems slow
R.M. Cornelius in The Rotarian.
You really don't have to slow down at 76. "With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation." Psalm 91:16
"They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing; to shew that the Lord is upright: He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him." Ps 92:14,15
From the age of 0-30 the season to learn has been in play.
From the age of 30-60, the season to "DO" is in full swing.
From the age of 60 until the Lord takes you home, is the season in where you give back all that you learn and did.
Celebrate your age no matter what age you are.
Ted Williams, at age 42, slammed a home run in his last official time at bat.
Mickey Mantle, age 20, hit 23 home runs his first full year in the major leagues.
Golda Meir was 71 when she became Prime Minister of Israel.
William Pitt II was 24 when he became Prime minister of Great Britain.
George Bernard Shaw was 94 when one of his plays was first produced.
Mozart was just seven when his first composition was published.
Now how about this? Benjamin Franklin was a newspaper columnist at 16
and a framer of the United States Constitution when he was 81.
You're never too young or too old if you've got talent.
Let's recognize that age has little to do with ability.
United Technologies Corporation, in Charles Swindoll, Living Above the Level of mediocrity p104
Psalms 37:25, I have been young, and now am old; hyet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, norHis seed out begging bread."
No matter your age, you must learn to use it for your advantage. If you are young. Don't wish you were older, instead, use your young age in the advantage points that the older can't. If you are older, don't wish you were younger, there are things that you can shine in that the younger cannot. It's time to shine.
O God, thou has taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared Thy wounderous works. Now also when I am old and greyheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and Thy power to every one that is to come." Psalms 71:17,18
I read something pretty funny the other day it goes like this:
Seven Ages of Man
6 weeks--all systems go
6 years--all systems "No!"
16 years--all systems know
26 years--all systems glow
36 years--all systems owe
56 years--all systems status quo
76 years--all systems slow
R.M. Cornelius in The Rotarian.
You really don't have to slow down at 76. "With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation." Psalm 91:16
"They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing; to shew that the Lord is upright: He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him." Ps 92:14,15
From the age of 0-30 the season to learn has been in play.
From the age of 30-60, the season to "DO" is in full swing.
From the age of 60 until the Lord takes you home, is the season in where you give back all that you learn and did.
Celebrate your age no matter what age you are.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Adversity
The thief cometh not but for to Steal, Kill and destroy; but I have come that you may have life and have it more abundantly. John 10:10
The devil is the thief and he is to blame for Cancer, disease, poverty and all that falls under the curse of the Law. Never blame the Holy Ghost of your adversity. God never needs the devil to teach you anything. God uses His word and the Holy Spirit is the great teacher.
Now it is true:
1. Adversity often provide us with greater opportunities
2. Adversity can promote our spiritual maturity but is not the source of our
spiritual maturity (Ps 105:16ff)
3. Adversity does not prove our integrity, but what we do in the
midst of it does. (1 Pt 3:15)
4. Adversity produces a false sense of dependency. What is it, or who is it,
that the latest crisis in your life caused you to depend upon. That may
make you feel spiritual but it is the exact opposite. Until you show your
dependency is upon Jesus and not someone else, adversity or not, you
will still not have breakthrough.
5. Adversity can certainly prepare our hearts for ministry but it is not the BEST
way to prepare for ministry. What? You have never heard talk like that?
The Holy Spirit is the best teacher. I would rather submit and yield to the person of the Holy Spirit to teach me rather than adversity. Which would you choose? Those who refuse the pentecostal experience will surely go through many many advertises. Why? Without the baptism within and not just the baptism upon, you will not be able to hear clearly the voice of the Holy Spirit, therefore, the only way you can learn is through adversity.
Adversity isn't something you HAVE to go through. When you are filled with the Holy Spirit, He will show you things to come. He will teach you all things. He will put you in comfort. Now I know this rattles some people's religion and tradition but Jesus clearly said in Mark 7 that the traditions of men make the Word of God of non effect.
The devil is the thief and he is to blame for Cancer, disease, poverty and all that falls under the curse of the Law. Never blame the Holy Ghost of your adversity. God never needs the devil to teach you anything. God uses His word and the Holy Spirit is the great teacher.
Now it is true:
1. Adversity often provide us with greater opportunities
2. Adversity can promote our spiritual maturity but is not the source of our
spiritual maturity (Ps 105:16ff)
3. Adversity does not prove our integrity, but what we do in the
midst of it does. (1 Pt 3:15)
4. Adversity produces a false sense of dependency. What is it, or who is it,
that the latest crisis in your life caused you to depend upon. That may
make you feel spiritual but it is the exact opposite. Until you show your
dependency is upon Jesus and not someone else, adversity or not, you
will still not have breakthrough.
5. Adversity can certainly prepare our hearts for ministry but it is not the BEST
way to prepare for ministry. What? You have never heard talk like that?
The Holy Spirit is the best teacher. I would rather submit and yield to the person of the Holy Spirit to teach me rather than adversity. Which would you choose? Those who refuse the pentecostal experience will surely go through many many advertises. Why? Without the baptism within and not just the baptism upon, you will not be able to hear clearly the voice of the Holy Spirit, therefore, the only way you can learn is through adversity.
Adversity isn't something you HAVE to go through. When you are filled with the Holy Spirit, He will show you things to come. He will teach you all things. He will put you in comfort. Now I know this rattles some people's religion and tradition but Jesus clearly said in Mark 7 that the traditions of men make the Word of God of non effect.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Adultery
All men fail but the great ones have learned to get back up. Failure is not something that may happen in ones life but is something that will happen. The real question is, "can you recover it all after life's failure?"
Adultery is a hard thing to address in a blog during a day when so many have fallen into it's trap. What most people don't understand is that whatever you decide not to overcome will ultimately overcome you.
What is it? Adultery is voluntary sexual intercourse between a married man and someone other than his wife or between a married woman and someone other than her husband. God commands in Exodus 20:14 "Thou shall not commit adultery." Furthermore the scriptures tell us what will happen in the event of adultery.
But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul." Proverbs 6:32
The word soul means "the seat of one's emotions." To engage in adultery, the end results is to ruin your emotional life not to mention the emotional life of others who are hurt in the process.
Marriage is hourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulters God will judge. If you have comitted adultery, the goodnews is that God will forgive the truly repentant person. Godly sorrow leads to repentance but Guilt and shame lead to destruction. Truly being sorry for your wrong actions gets you back on track with God.
"What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."
The secret is found in this verse in disowning yourself. Making sure that you do not own yourself. Finding the true master in your life will cause you to be faithful. Those who do not know who owns them think they own themselves. But the truth is that you are not your own. You were bought and the true meaning of happiness in life is to know how to daily glorify God in your body.
The lifestyle of adultery is shrouded in secrecy. Secrecy covers truth and brings down trust. Although men and women might be unfaithful, God is faithful and sets us a wonderful example for us.
Adultery is a hard thing to address in a blog during a day when so many have fallen into it's trap. What most people don't understand is that whatever you decide not to overcome will ultimately overcome you.
What is it? Adultery is voluntary sexual intercourse between a married man and someone other than his wife or between a married woman and someone other than her husband. God commands in Exodus 20:14 "Thou shall not commit adultery." Furthermore the scriptures tell us what will happen in the event of adultery.
But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul." Proverbs 6:32
The word soul means "the seat of one's emotions." To engage in adultery, the end results is to ruin your emotional life not to mention the emotional life of others who are hurt in the process.
Marriage is hourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulters God will judge. If you have comitted adultery, the goodnews is that God will forgive the truly repentant person. Godly sorrow leads to repentance but Guilt and shame lead to destruction. Truly being sorry for your wrong actions gets you back on track with God.
"What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."
The secret is found in this verse in disowning yourself. Making sure that you do not own yourself. Finding the true master in your life will cause you to be faithful. Those who do not know who owns them think they own themselves. But the truth is that you are not your own. You were bought and the true meaning of happiness in life is to know how to daily glorify God in your body.
I am steadfastly for monogamy. Adultery is almost certainly going to make a dent in trust and intimacy, and in many cases, it has destroyed them altogether. A woman who is conducting a secret affair has to become deliberately deceitful...like a CIA agent or spy. She can't just come home and spill forth the events of her day. She's got to think, What can I safely talk about, and what have I got to keep to myself? So even when the infidelity isn't discovered, it changes who you are. A person goes from being a candid, open human being to a secretive, hidden one. Bernie Zilbergeld, Homemade, November, 1989
The lifestyle of adultery is shrouded in secrecy. Secrecy covers truth and brings down trust. Although men and women might be unfaithful, God is faithful and sets us a wonderful example for us.
Addictions
You will only overcome what you learn to detest.
In a recent church service I had all those who had been praying for a friend, family member or loved one who was addicted to something to stand. Nearly the entire congregation stood to their feet. What was even more shocking was this was a very distinguished congregation.
I have used several times the analogy that mold only grows in the dark. You can only quit what you are willing to admit. Addictions can only be broken when we depend upon God's help. "He sent His word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions." Psalms 107:20
The greatest thing a person can do when seeking to be delivered from any addiction is to pour the word of God into their eyes, ears and their heart. Only when we are truly desperate for change will we see change.
Sometimes fasting is required and seeking God's face for an extended period of time will be a helpful solution. "Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?" Isaiah 58:6 The addiction in your life right now is a yoke. It is a bondage that yokes up to your neck.
During a time of addiction it may seem like God is so far away. Remember Bet Midler's secular song, "from a distance, God is watching us?" It is a great tune but from a Bible perspective, it is scripturally incorrect. God is watching us but it is NOT from a distance. "Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither His ear heavy, that it cannot hear." Isaiah 59:1
Having the truth in your life does not necessarily set a person free. But rather, "knowing the truth" will set you free and keep you free. "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free." John 8:32. Did you notice that? Knowledge of the truth gets you free.
Your body is a house. A house for the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit used to live in a box called the Arc of the Covenant. Now that we are under a different dispensation of time, we now see that the Holy Spirit will not live in a house made with man's hands but rather, the Holy Spirit will live in this human temple. Your Body is the temple. The temple of the Holy Spirit.
"What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have from God, and ye are not your own?" I Corinthians 6:19
Today whatever addictive behavior you have in your life not only hurts you but hurts those around you. Learn to detest the addiction in your life and watch how you overcome.
In a recent church service I had all those who had been praying for a friend, family member or loved one who was addicted to something to stand. Nearly the entire congregation stood to their feet. What was even more shocking was this was a very distinguished congregation.
I have used several times the analogy that mold only grows in the dark. You can only quit what you are willing to admit. Addictions can only be broken when we depend upon God's help. "He sent His word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions." Psalms 107:20
The greatest thing a person can do when seeking to be delivered from any addiction is to pour the word of God into their eyes, ears and their heart. Only when we are truly desperate for change will we see change.
Sometimes fasting is required and seeking God's face for an extended period of time will be a helpful solution. "Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?" Isaiah 58:6 The addiction in your life right now is a yoke. It is a bondage that yokes up to your neck.
During a time of addiction it may seem like God is so far away. Remember Bet Midler's secular song, "from a distance, God is watching us?" It is a great tune but from a Bible perspective, it is scripturally incorrect. God is watching us but it is NOT from a distance. "Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither His ear heavy, that it cannot hear." Isaiah 59:1
Having the truth in your life does not necessarily set a person free. But rather, "knowing the truth" will set you free and keep you free. "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free." John 8:32. Did you notice that? Knowledge of the truth gets you free.
Your body is a house. A house for the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit used to live in a box called the Arc of the Covenant. Now that we are under a different dispensation of time, we now see that the Holy Spirit will not live in a house made with man's hands but rather, the Holy Spirit will live in this human temple. Your Body is the temple. The temple of the Holy Spirit.
"What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have from God, and ye are not your own?" I Corinthians 6:19
Today whatever addictive behavior you have in your life not only hurts you but hurts those around you. Learn to detest the addiction in your life and watch how you overcome.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Accountability
My friend, Chuck Colson, once wrote from his book, the body: "John Wesley was so concerned with building a righteous fellowship that he devised a series of questions for his followers to ask each other every week. Some found this rigorous system of inquiry too demanding and left. Today, the very idea of such a procedure would horrify many churchgoers. Yet some wisely follow just such a practice. Chuck Swindoll for example, has seven questions that he and a group of fellow pastors challenge each other with periodically:
1. Have you been with a woman anywhere this past week that might be seen as compromising?
2. Have any of your financial dealings lacked integrity?
3. Have you exposed yourself to any sexually explicit material?
4. Have you spent adequate time in Bible study and prayer?
5. Have you given priority time to your family?
6. Have you fulfilled the mandates of your calling?
7. Have you just lied to me?
Some people feel that they have to be held accountable to everyone. This is just not the case. You should only feel obligated to be accountable to those who you sincerely trust. Those that really love you. Those who you feel and believe will love you no matter how far or hard you fall from grace.
Being accountable means you share your weaknesses with someone. Don't advertise your sins but rather share your weakness with someone. Not everyone, just someone. Why Someone? You need someone to ask you some hard questions. Questions like the ones that Church Colson presents above.
It is true that "So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God." However, wouldn't be better if someone you know in the now hold your feet to the fire and keep you honest before you have to meet God regarding the sins that so easily beset you.
There are three areas in which ministers have been tried and tested from the devil. Over the years we have learned much and know how to set boundaries and to place our self under accountability.
For instance, the three areas in which we set accountability are:
1. Purity where the Word of God is concerned
2. Purity where money issues are concerned
3. Purity where sexual relationships are concerned.
For accountability for being pure with the Word, I have several ministers who are well seasoned in the Word who will make sure that I stay focused on Jesus and not get of course in teaching the word.
For accountability regarding money issues we have an outside firm that watches our spending habits and keep us in check if we spend to much on certain issues.
For Purity where sexual relationships are concerned, this is where my wife comes in. My wife does not have to travel with me 35 weeks out the year but I stay accountable to her and she stays accountable me. In other words, most preachers would have kept themselves from sexual sins or the divorce court if they had just kept in each others presence al the time. All the time you say? Well, that's what you got married for isn't it?
Keep in mind that if you are anointed, the devil has just as well put a target on your forehead make sure you fail.
Yes, it is true all men fail, the great ones get back up. However, the best way to keep from failing again is to keep accountable to someone. When keeping accountable tell them, "I am struggling with a certain issue and I need you to ask me and keep me in check." Something like this is so important to maintain a healthy walk with the Lord Jesus in a wicked and evil day.
1. Have you been with a woman anywhere this past week that might be seen as compromising?
2. Have any of your financial dealings lacked integrity?
3. Have you exposed yourself to any sexually explicit material?
4. Have you spent adequate time in Bible study and prayer?
5. Have you given priority time to your family?
6. Have you fulfilled the mandates of your calling?
7. Have you just lied to me?
Some people feel that they have to be held accountable to everyone. This is just not the case. You should only feel obligated to be accountable to those who you sincerely trust. Those that really love you. Those who you feel and believe will love you no matter how far or hard you fall from grace.
Being accountable means you share your weaknesses with someone. Don't advertise your sins but rather share your weakness with someone. Not everyone, just someone. Why Someone? You need someone to ask you some hard questions. Questions like the ones that Church Colson presents above.
It is true that "So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God." However, wouldn't be better if someone you know in the now hold your feet to the fire and keep you honest before you have to meet God regarding the sins that so easily beset you.
There are three areas in which ministers have been tried and tested from the devil. Over the years we have learned much and know how to set boundaries and to place our self under accountability.
For instance, the three areas in which we set accountability are:
1. Purity where the Word of God is concerned
2. Purity where money issues are concerned
3. Purity where sexual relationships are concerned.
For accountability for being pure with the Word, I have several ministers who are well seasoned in the Word who will make sure that I stay focused on Jesus and not get of course in teaching the word.
For accountability regarding money issues we have an outside firm that watches our spending habits and keep us in check if we spend to much on certain issues.
For Purity where sexual relationships are concerned, this is where my wife comes in. My wife does not have to travel with me 35 weeks out the year but I stay accountable to her and she stays accountable me. In other words, most preachers would have kept themselves from sexual sins or the divorce court if they had just kept in each others presence al the time. All the time you say? Well, that's what you got married for isn't it?
Keep in mind that if you are anointed, the devil has just as well put a target on your forehead make sure you fail.
Yes, it is true all men fail, the great ones get back up. However, the best way to keep from failing again is to keep accountable to someone. When keeping accountable tell them, "I am struggling with a certain issue and I need you to ask me and keep me in check." Something like this is so important to maintain a healthy walk with the Lord Jesus in a wicked and evil day.
Access
Do you ever wish you could have a few moments of complete unrestricted ACCESS to someone who is powerful? Someone that could hear your situation objectively and make a difference?
First lets define who is a "powerful" person. I have learned that just because a person seems to be intimidating, they might not actually be powerful. Power means, "the ability to accomplish an objective". If the person you are seeking an audience with does not have the ability to accomplish an objective in your life, then it could be that we are misinformed on who is really powerful and who just has a strong personality.
There was a time when I was 22 years old that I was scared of what a certain individuals opinion about me was. Then I learned this great truth. It suddenly delivered me from the fear of man Never be afraid of Man. Never be afraid of people who are incapable of really solving problems.
Access to a powerful person is a gift that is a continual test to the next powerful person.
This is a test. The person that you have access to right now that is "powerful" is many times a test. God may be testing you to see if you can say the right thing and withhold wrong words and attitudes. God will never bring access to people into your life when you are incapable of acting, thinking and speaking right.
"The King's favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame." Proverbs 14:35.
I remember my friend Nora Lam took me to dinner, in the home of a one time, great hero. I went with her to his home in San Jose. He was an upstanding, United States, National treasure of a person. His name was General Robert E Hueyser. Gen Hueyser was a four star General with the Unites States Airforce. That's a lot of stars!
This man was what I would call, "tall cotton". He was really something. He wrote a book of his experiences in Iran while on duty during the fall of the Shaw. He was close to General Alexander Haig, President Reagan and President Car ter. This man knew so much classified information that while we entered into the country of China, he was not allowed to go in. This was a man who was very POWERFUL. He had abilities to accomplish much. You can see his portfolio here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Huyser
He is now buried at the Arlington National Cemetery but I remember as a kid, wisdom told me to "keep my mouth shut and if needing to speak, use wisdom and careful thought before speaking". I laugh now because I was so much on pins and needles, but I had access.
At 15 years of age, there was not much that I really needed from a United States Airforce General but I did learn much. Later I received a letter from him and his lovely wife. It said, "...we found David Woods to be spirit led, spirit directed and most of all Spirit filled." Wow what kind words.
I am reminded of Proverbs 16:13, "Righteous lips are the delight of kinds; and they love him that speaketh right."
Now I want to use this illustration to help you imagine for a minute your access with the Father. As a born-again, Christian, you have bold access to the Almighty God, the creator of heaven and earth. How, you may ask? Through Jesus, our advocate. Jesus is our way to the Father.
Ephesians 2:18 says, "For through HIM we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father". The heavenly Father that is.
Just as Nora Lam gave me access to someone truly "powerful", Jesus is giving you access to someone REALLY powerful. Your Heavenly Father.
Prayer is access to the ear and the abilities of God. Have you accessed Him today about your situation? Have you taken the time to respect the access you have with Him?
Monday, January 19, 2009
Abundance
I remember being in the Philippines in one July sometime after 1980 or 1981. I will never forget the damage that was created by a killer typhoon that came through those islands. It was horrible to see the destruction that took place to people's make shift homes and cars which were turned over. While I was staying with my family at the Philippine Plaza Hotel in Manila I remember being safe in a strong hotel with thick glass to protect us. The hotel is still there to this day. I remember watching out those thick glass windows and seeing the palm trees bend almost to the ground and wondering why they didn't snap in half.
The Palm tree is almost unbreakable and I learned a clear demonstration of that as a young boy. It reminds me of the scripture, Psalm 92:12, "The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon".
If God is holding your abundance and your harvest, then today may be the poorest you will ever be.
Did you know that God wants to multiply you? There are some people who think they are really spiritual if they live a life of poverty. "The Lord God of your fathers make you a thousand times so many more as ye are, and bless you, as He hath promised you!" Deuteronomy 1:11 Isn't that something? God has said in His word that he desires to multiply you A THOUSAND times more!
What would you be doing for the Lord with that type of Abundance? I mean to say, with a thousand times more than you already are what could you do for the gospels sake?
I heard a lady say to me once that she was satisfied with where they were. Financially that is. They had retired with two cars paid in full. The house was paid off and the kids were now grown up and going to college. What a life! But they were the most selfish persons with that kind of attitude. Why? What could they do for the Lord if they decided they were not going to "coast" after making money for themselves. What could they have done if they kept that same vigor and aggression to keep on earning and instead of relaxing so soon invest in the kingdom business. It amazes me as I travel how many people work for a living and forget entirely the kingdom of God. There are, however, those who do not forget the kingdom of God and their end in life? Abundance.
Some have thought that Abundance was only reserved for sinners, drug dealers and movie stars. What a deception. Wouldn't it be wonderful if young people today dreamed about becoming a prosperous preacher and not a prosperous drug dealer?
God does bless his people but it is not to fulfill our lusts or our greed. That brings the balance to the prosperity message that many on both sides of the spectrum refuse to speak about. There is a balance to the prosperity message. There is nothing wrong with owning the house as long as the house does not own you. There is nothing wrong with owning the boat as long as the boat does not own you. You are truly walking in abundance as long as you are free from lust and greed.
God reminds us of what types of abundance can be in our life if we obey and follow HIS instructions well. "And the Lord they God will make thee plenteous in every work of thine hand, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy land, for good: for the Lord will again rejoice over thee for good, as He rejoiceth over thy father."
Just think the Lord wants to make us plenteous in every work of our hand. He wants to do the same in our bodies and whatever we own even in our land! What a good God we serve.
If you are a tither and a giver you have the right to enforce your "spiritual bill of rights" which is the Word of God other wise known as the doctrine of righteousness.
Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in Mine house, and prove ME now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
God's way of blessing you is a conditional response on what you do. When you act in obedience to the tithe you a God given, Bible right to place demands on God's word.
The Palm tree is almost unbreakable and I learned a clear demonstration of that as a young boy. It reminds me of the scripture, Psalm 92:12, "The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon".
If God is holding your abundance and your harvest, then today may be the poorest you will ever be.
Did you know that God wants to multiply you? There are some people who think they are really spiritual if they live a life of poverty. "The Lord God of your fathers make you a thousand times so many more as ye are, and bless you, as He hath promised you!" Deuteronomy 1:11 Isn't that something? God has said in His word that he desires to multiply you A THOUSAND times more!
What would you be doing for the Lord with that type of Abundance? I mean to say, with a thousand times more than you already are what could you do for the gospels sake?
I heard a lady say to me once that she was satisfied with where they were. Financially that is. They had retired with two cars paid in full. The house was paid off and the kids were now grown up and going to college. What a life! But they were the most selfish persons with that kind of attitude. Why? What could they do for the Lord if they decided they were not going to "coast" after making money for themselves. What could they have done if they kept that same vigor and aggression to keep on earning and instead of relaxing so soon invest in the kingdom business. It amazes me as I travel how many people work for a living and forget entirely the kingdom of God. There are, however, those who do not forget the kingdom of God and their end in life? Abundance.
Some have thought that Abundance was only reserved for sinners, drug dealers and movie stars. What a deception. Wouldn't it be wonderful if young people today dreamed about becoming a prosperous preacher and not a prosperous drug dealer?
God does bless his people but it is not to fulfill our lusts or our greed. That brings the balance to the prosperity message that many on both sides of the spectrum refuse to speak about. There is a balance to the prosperity message. There is nothing wrong with owning the house as long as the house does not own you. There is nothing wrong with owning the boat as long as the boat does not own you. You are truly walking in abundance as long as you are free from lust and greed.
God reminds us of what types of abundance can be in our life if we obey and follow HIS instructions well. "And the Lord they God will make thee plenteous in every work of thine hand, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy land, for good: for the Lord will again rejoice over thee for good, as He rejoiceth over thy father."
Just think the Lord wants to make us plenteous in every work of our hand. He wants to do the same in our bodies and whatever we own even in our land! What a good God we serve.
If you are a tither and a giver you have the right to enforce your "spiritual bill of rights" which is the Word of God other wise known as the doctrine of righteousness.
Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in Mine house, and prove ME now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
God's way of blessing you is a conditional response on what you do. When you act in obedience to the tithe you a God given, Bible right to place demands on God's word.
Abortion
In an Ann Landers column, a story is told of a professor in a world-acclaimed medical school once posed this medical situation -- and ethical problem -- to his students: "Here's the family history: The father has syphilis. The mother has TB. They already have had four children. The first is blind. The second had died. The third is deaf. The fourth has TB. Now the mother is pregnant again, The parents come to you for advice. They are willing to have an abortion, if you decide they should. What do you say?" The students gave various individual opinions, and then the professor asked them to break into small groups for "consultation." All of the groups came back to report that they would recommend abortion. "Congratulations," the professor said, "You just took the life of Beethoven!"
Abortion is clearly the devils sales package to prevent a generation of new leaders, champions and heroes in our society.Evidently we don't want humans to live unless they are perfect to our expectations and our own selfish ideals. Let me explain. A recent poll found in The Utne Reader, quoted from the Signs of the Times in it's January 1993 issue page 6 said that of couples in New England revealed that, if they were able to know these things in advance, 1 percent of them would abort a child on the basis of sex, 6 percent would abort a child likely to get Alzheimer's disease, and an incredible 11 percent would abort a child predisposed to obesity.
This is truly sick people. In our opinion, at not cost should any child be aborted.The Bible is very clear that a child is formed by the Lord. Jeremiah 1:5 says, "Before I formed thee in the belly, I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee".
So we see here from scripture that God forms children and KNOWS them. Is there a way to know a fetus or a child. It is very clear that the unborn is clearly children that are being legally slaughtered with the condoning and stamp of approval of the United States government.Now that is what God says but let's for a moment look at what modern day medicine says.
According to the publication, Sanctity of Life with C Swindoll 1990 p 11-12, Medical authorities determine a person to be "alive" if there is either a detectable heartbeat or brain-wave activity. With that in mind, it is eye-opening for some to realize that unborn children have detectable heartbeats at eighteen days (two and one-half weeks) after conception and detectable brain-wave activity forty days (a little over five and one-half weeks) after conception. What is so shocking is that essentially 100 percent of all abortions occur after the seventh week of pregnancy.
The royal leader, pastor and prophet; Moses laid it out very clearly with few words to cover the issue in Exodus 20:13, "Thou shall not kill". However, blood is running throughout the streets of America. It is happening at a rate that is beyond your comprehension. Are you sitting down? How many children are aborted? Worldwide, 55 million unborn children are killed every year. That is enough to wipe out 44 of the largest cities in the United States starting with New York and Los Angeles and the list goes on. Entire city populations we are killing. What if bombs destroyed the 44 of the largest cities in America? What would be our reaction? Worse than that these are innocent babies.
Around the world, every day 150,685 children are killed by abortion; every hour, 6278; and every minute, 105. Those are the reported cases. If you are an American citizen, no doubt your greatest interest is in your own nation, as is mine. Let me break the abortions down to a national statistic: 1,600,000 babies are aborted in these United States every year. Per day, that's 4,383; per hour, that's 183; per minute, there are 3. C. Swindoll, Sanctity of Life, Word, 1990, p. 13
Abortion is not a modern idea. We hear the origins of abortion spoken in the book of Psalms. "Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils, And shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and of their daughters, whom they sacrificed unto idols of Canann: and the land was polluted with blood". Psalms 106:37, 38
The land, the United States land is polluted. Polluted not with gas and emissions from vehicles and factories, but with blood. Innocent blood pollutes our streets and our cities.
It is very difficult for us as a family to even imagine a "christian" voting for anyone in public office who thinks it's ok to make abortion or the shedding of innocent blood legal.
What about a woman's right? If a woman understands that her body is not her own but belongs to the Lord, she will not think she has so many rights over herself. Instead, she must understand that her body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who lives in her. If we look at the cause of Abortion we will see that the reason most have it is because of selfishness. Why are children aborted? The Alan Guttmacher Institute (the research arm of Planned Parenthood) states: * 1% are victims of incest or rape * 1% had fetal abnormalities * 4% had a doctor who said their health would worsen if they continued the pregnancy * 50% said they didn't want to be a single parent or they had problems in current relationships * 66% stated they could not afford a child *75% said the child would interfere with their lives. Statistics cited in Rescue Update, June/July 1989, Southern California Operation Rescue, quoted in Sanctity of Life, C. Swindoll, Word, 1990, p. 12.
When we submits our bodies holy and acceptable unto God as a living sacrifice, which is our reasonable service unto God, (Romans 12:1,2) then we will clearly know the good, acceptable and perfect will of God for our lives. If you have had an abortion in the past you should renounce this as a sin and repent of it. Ask God to forgive you of this sin of murder and ask God for to have mercy upon you. Did you know that God will also forgive this sin and that, if truly repentant from the heart, God will give you a way to continue living with yourself.D
draft
Abortion is clearly the devils sales package to prevent a generation of new leaders, champions and heroes in our society.Evidently we don't want humans to live unless they are perfect to our expectations and our own selfish ideals. Let me explain. A recent poll found in The Utne Reader, quoted from the Signs of the Times in it's January 1993 issue page 6 said that of couples in New England revealed that, if they were able to know these things in advance, 1 percent of them would abort a child on the basis of sex, 6 percent would abort a child likely to get Alzheimer's disease, and an incredible 11 percent would abort a child predisposed to obesity.
This is truly sick people. In our opinion, at not cost should any child be aborted.The Bible is very clear that a child is formed by the Lord. Jeremiah 1:5 says, "Before I formed thee in the belly, I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee".
So we see here from scripture that God forms children and KNOWS them. Is there a way to know a fetus or a child. It is very clear that the unborn is clearly children that are being legally slaughtered with the condoning and stamp of approval of the United States government.Now that is what God says but let's for a moment look at what modern day medicine says.
According to the publication, Sanctity of Life with C Swindoll 1990 p 11-12, Medical authorities determine a person to be "alive" if there is either a detectable heartbeat or brain-wave activity. With that in mind, it is eye-opening for some to realize that unborn children have detectable heartbeats at eighteen days (two and one-half weeks) after conception and detectable brain-wave activity forty days (a little over five and one-half weeks) after conception. What is so shocking is that essentially 100 percent of all abortions occur after the seventh week of pregnancy.
The royal leader, pastor and prophet; Moses laid it out very clearly with few words to cover the issue in Exodus 20:13, "Thou shall not kill". However, blood is running throughout the streets of America. It is happening at a rate that is beyond your comprehension. Are you sitting down? How many children are aborted? Worldwide, 55 million unborn children are killed every year. That is enough to wipe out 44 of the largest cities in the United States starting with New York and Los Angeles and the list goes on. Entire city populations we are killing. What if bombs destroyed the 44 of the largest cities in America? What would be our reaction? Worse than that these are innocent babies.
Around the world, every day 150,685 children are killed by abortion; every hour, 6278; and every minute, 105. Those are the reported cases. If you are an American citizen, no doubt your greatest interest is in your own nation, as is mine. Let me break the abortions down to a national statistic: 1,600,000 babies are aborted in these United States every year. Per day, that's 4,383; per hour, that's 183; per minute, there are 3. C. Swindoll, Sanctity of Life, Word, 1990, p. 13
Abortion is not a modern idea. We hear the origins of abortion spoken in the book of Psalms. "Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils, And shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and of their daughters, whom they sacrificed unto idols of Canann: and the land was polluted with blood". Psalms 106:37, 38
The land, the United States land is polluted. Polluted not with gas and emissions from vehicles and factories, but with blood. Innocent blood pollutes our streets and our cities.
It is very difficult for us as a family to even imagine a "christian" voting for anyone in public office who thinks it's ok to make abortion or the shedding of innocent blood legal.
What about a woman's right? If a woman understands that her body is not her own but belongs to the Lord, she will not think she has so many rights over herself. Instead, she must understand that her body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who lives in her. If we look at the cause of Abortion we will see that the reason most have it is because of selfishness. Why are children aborted? The Alan Guttmacher Institute (the research arm of Planned Parenthood) states: * 1% are victims of incest or rape * 1% had fetal abnormalities * 4% had a doctor who said their health would worsen if they continued the pregnancy * 50% said they didn't want to be a single parent or they had problems in current relationships * 66% stated they could not afford a child *75% said the child would interfere with their lives. Statistics cited in Rescue Update, June/July 1989, Southern California Operation Rescue, quoted in Sanctity of Life, C. Swindoll, Word, 1990, p. 12.
When we submits our bodies holy and acceptable unto God as a living sacrifice, which is our reasonable service unto God, (Romans 12:1,2) then we will clearly know the good, acceptable and perfect will of God for our lives. If you have had an abortion in the past you should renounce this as a sin and repent of it. Ask God to forgive you of this sin of murder and ask God for to have mercy upon you. Did you know that God will also forgive this sin and that, if truly repentant from the heart, God will give you a way to continue living with yourself.D
draft
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Abilities
After the end of a long day is when I enjoy blogging. Today I travelled by car from Anaheim, California to Lake Havasu City, Arizona. Suprisingly, the tempatures at the beach were warmer than the tempatures in the desert by 10 degrees or so.
I want to take a subject each day and apply it to your life and then back each one up with some scripture. I will take as many thoughts and go from A-Z here in my blogg.
Today I will start with the Word Abilities. Although I do not claim to be a scholar, I have made my life a life of study in the word and trying my best to apply it in every day living. Many of you have told me you check into my blogg daily. So with this in mind, I am going to try to write more often.
Phillips Brooks was quoted recently as saying, "It is almost as presumptuous to think you can do nothing as to think you can do everything".
Your effectivenes in life is not found in your similarities to one another but will be discovered in your differences from someone else. When you are different from someone else you will prove to be effective in life. Stop trying to be like everyone else and be who God asked you to be.
Use what talents you possess: The woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best. Henry Van Dyke, Bits & Pieces, March 31, 1994, p. 16.
What abilities do you have that others don't have, that you can use for the glory of God?
Where can your abilities best be used for the Lord Jesus?
I tell my children often, "Can't is the word used by loosers". We never use the word "can't" in our language. Philippians 4:13 says, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me".
How can we be so sure that we can have great abilities? How can you be so sure that we can do or be something stronger than we think? "...because great is He that is in you than He that is in the world".
A test at school in the morning. A project at work that could get you fired or promoted. A final game of your favorite sport which could take you over or take you under. No matter what it is you face tomorrow, YOU can.
But brother Woods, you don't know what I am up against? You don't know how impossible this is! Paul addressed it this way, "What shall we say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:31.
Jesus said in John 14:12, "Verily, Verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me, the works that I do she he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto My Father".
Last year I ministered and spoke to 225 audiences nationwide. Over the years I have told those audiences that, really, Jesus never did any "miracles". We call them miracles but to Him, he was just doing the everyday works of His Father. To us, they are truly a miracle. We should understand that greater works can we do than even the "miracles" that Jesus did. Hard for the human mind to wrap itself around that one huh?
Again, Jesus says in Mark 11:23, "For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that hose things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith." Your saying empowers your abilities.
Like so many reading this blog, I too have accomplished many great things in my life. However, I must humbly say that it is "...not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts."
Consider the postage stamp: its usefulness consists in the ability to stick to one thing till it gets there. Josh Billings.
I want to take a subject each day and apply it to your life and then back each one up with some scripture. I will take as many thoughts and go from A-Z here in my blogg.
Today I will start with the Word Abilities. Although I do not claim to be a scholar, I have made my life a life of study in the word and trying my best to apply it in every day living. Many of you have told me you check into my blogg daily. So with this in mind, I am going to try to write more often.
Phillips Brooks was quoted recently as saying, "It is almost as presumptuous to think you can do nothing as to think you can do everything".
Your effectivenes in life is not found in your similarities to one another but will be discovered in your differences from someone else. When you are different from someone else you will prove to be effective in life. Stop trying to be like everyone else and be who God asked you to be.
Use what talents you possess: The woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best. Henry Van Dyke, Bits & Pieces, March 31, 1994, p. 16.
What abilities do you have that others don't have, that you can use for the glory of God?
Where can your abilities best be used for the Lord Jesus?
I tell my children often, "Can't is the word used by loosers". We never use the word "can't" in our language. Philippians 4:13 says, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me".
How can we be so sure that we can have great abilities? How can you be so sure that we can do or be something stronger than we think? "...because great is He that is in you than He that is in the world".
A test at school in the morning. A project at work that could get you fired or promoted. A final game of your favorite sport which could take you over or take you under. No matter what it is you face tomorrow, YOU can.
But brother Woods, you don't know what I am up against? You don't know how impossible this is! Paul addressed it this way, "What shall we say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:31.
Jesus said in John 14:12, "Verily, Verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me, the works that I do she he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto My Father".
Last year I ministered and spoke to 225 audiences nationwide. Over the years I have told those audiences that, really, Jesus never did any "miracles". We call them miracles but to Him, he was just doing the everyday works of His Father. To us, they are truly a miracle. We should understand that greater works can we do than even the "miracles" that Jesus did. Hard for the human mind to wrap itself around that one huh?
Again, Jesus says in Mark 11:23, "For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that hose things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith." Your saying empowers your abilities.
Like so many reading this blog, I too have accomplished many great things in my life. However, I must humbly say that it is "...not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts."
Consider the postage stamp: its usefulness consists in the ability to stick to one thing till it gets there. Josh Billings.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Is tongues a valid gift for today?
I normally don't write on these sort of issues but I must today. For the last 15 years there has been a religious movement that has swept the world. This movement is very organized and crafty to masqurade themselves as educated and professional. Their objective? Do everything you can to INSPIRE and INFORM the people from your pulpit. Most times inspiration, motivationa and information hide themselves so well that people mistake them for revelation.
The Apostle Paul prayed for "an abundance of revelations". You too should pray this way.
There are the critical voices who have said that tongues and the moving of the spirit is a lack of self control. This could not be any further from the truth. The spirit of error has fallen and decieved many, keeping them from what seperates us from every religion on the earth today: a true spiritual experience from Jesus.
The baptism of the Holy Spirit with speaking in tongues was foretold in the book of Joel. Thousands before us knew and practiced this "heavenly language" on a daily basis. Thousands of Born Again Christians from every denomination today practice this spiritual exercise known to some as "glossilalia".
I had to chuckle when someone once spoke of this Biblical manefestation as a "lack of self control." It would be humorous at best but sad when we look at all the details in the Holy Bible supporting the entire idea.
In fact, the Apostle Paul clearly was "in a trance". So was Peter. There are three instances of trances in the Bible all of which they were "sort of out of control".
Also, Jesus was clearly out of control when he drove the money changers out of the temple and Phillip was out of control when he was transported supernaturally and was later asked to, "come join thyself to this chariot". Self control is one thing but yielding to the Holy Spirit is quite another. The entire text of this self control is speaking of the love of God and is not refering to spritual gifts. So I would dare say that this brother, in his lack of teaching has taken something out of context.
In fact, the entire problem among the Corinthian Church; they yeilded to every thing and every wind of doctine. One day they yeilded to the Holy Spirit when Paul the Apostle came to town Be not deceived little children. God is not mocked. Mary, the mother of Jesus was in the upper room and she too "lost control" of herself as she yielded herself to the Holy Spirit. In fact, it says that they ALL were filled.
I heard a young lady challenge my position saying that God does not ask everyone to be filled with the spirit, speaking in tongues that it was only for certain people. My response to her is; God is not a respector of persons. That means HE has no favorites. He will not fill one and not fill the other.
In fact all the gifts are given to all believers to operate "AS THE SPIRIT WILLS", not as we will.
Don't let deception ruin what the Bible already stands behind. Jude verse 20 says, you beloved (Christians), build yourself up, on your most holy faith....how? By praying in the spirit.
Praying in the spirit or singing in the spirit is the highest level of worship. I would have to say that giving money to the work of God is the lowest form of worship and most of our song leaders today are taking people to a moderate place in worship. Why is speaking or singing in tongues the highest form of worship? It is your "heavenly language", not your earthly language.
When a man speaks in tongues, he does not speak to men, rather he speaks to God mysteries. When a man speaks in tongues he should ask God for the interpretation so that it may edify the hearer.
When a man speaks in tongues it is a sign for the unbeliever. When a tongue comes forth in a church service it is a sure sign to me as a minister that an unbeliever is present within the service and to go after their soul.
If the church begins to speak in togues together, it is not the gift of tongues in operation but rather their prayer language in operation to interceed together as one body fitly joint together
I was recently taking a United Flight out of Chicago coming home to Portland from a church meeting. My heart was sadened when I hear a young man say; "I don't believe that the Holy Spirit has his own language". At 35,000 feet in the air on the flight I heard in my spirit man respond, "it is the epetimy of pride in the hearts of mankind to acknowledge their own languages all over the world (thousands of them) but yet deny heaven it's own language. Wow what a comfortor we have.
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