It has been in my spirit, lately, to comment on some traps that are very easy to fall into. The last post was about self-promotion. Today let us consider criticism. When someone has fallen, it's incredibly easy to criticize them or demean them in some way.
Paul wrote:
1Co 10:12 MKJV
(12) So let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.
The insinuation is that it's our natural inclination to judge in this way - which is typically 'not' out of love. We assume that we are strong enough or wise enough to overcome that particular spiritual attack when in many instances we have earned no credentials to justify such a claim. The result is that we open a door to be tempted by the same spirit by which our comrade fell. It's then that we find out that withstanding that kind of attack is not as easy as we thought.
I'm not implying that constructive criticism does not have a place. Within the body of Christ, however, all should be done out of love with restoration in mind.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Friday, August 13, 2010
Climbing the Wrong Ladder
If you are stepping on others in order to climb a ladder of self-promotion, then you are forfeiting grace as it would otherwise apply to you in that area of your life. We know that scripture says the Lord promotes a person:
Psa 75:6-7 MKJV
(6) For lifting up comes neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.
(7) But God is the judge; He puts down one and sets up another.
If you climb into a prominent position by illegitimate means, you have not done so by circumventing God's will. You have done so by His allowance, and by your chosen path have removed yourself from the safety net of His grace.
This might be akin to jettisoning the parachute on your dragster in order to lighten your load and to win the race. You cross the finish line first, but then crash and burn because you have no means to stop. Rely on God for promotion - His discretion - His timing - His will.
Psa 75:6-7 MKJV
(6) For lifting up comes neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.
(7) But God is the judge; He puts down one and sets up another.
If you climb into a prominent position by illegitimate means, you have not done so by circumventing God's will. You have done so by His allowance, and by your chosen path have removed yourself from the safety net of His grace.
This might be akin to jettisoning the parachute on your dragster in order to lighten your load and to win the race. You cross the finish line first, but then crash and burn because you have no means to stop. Rely on God for promotion - His discretion - His timing - His will.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Room For Expansion
God does not give us all we can handle in most situations. He evaluates our strength, and then gives us a measure of what we can multiply. Here's the example:
Mat 25:15 ESV
(15) To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.
In this parable, the master gave a certain amount of money to each of his servants. He didn't give each all they could be trusted with. That's a misconception. He gave to each knowing that they 'should' multiply what they were given. The fact is, the master knew that they should be able to be trusted with 'much more' than they currently had.
You don't give an irresponsible teenager a broken down muscle car and a book on car repair. The teenager would not be able to handle the 'profit' of rebuilding a corvette. It might kill him.
We are each given a measure to invest in the Kingdom. In every case, we are expected to multiply - profit - expand. It's those of us who do nothing (bury our talents) that fail the test. There's a scary end to that servant - he loses everything. The master calls one like this 'wicked'.
Mat 25:15 ESV
(15) To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.
In this parable, the master gave a certain amount of money to each of his servants. He didn't give each all they could be trusted with. That's a misconception. He gave to each knowing that they 'should' multiply what they were given. The fact is, the master knew that they should be able to be trusted with 'much more' than they currently had.
You don't give an irresponsible teenager a broken down muscle car and a book on car repair. The teenager would not be able to handle the 'profit' of rebuilding a corvette. It might kill him.
We are each given a measure to invest in the Kingdom. In every case, we are expected to multiply - profit - expand. It's those of us who do nothing (bury our talents) that fail the test. There's a scary end to that servant - he loses everything. The master calls one like this 'wicked'.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Opportunities May Knock
Pro 4:3-5 ESV
(3) When I was a son with my father, tender, the only one in the sight of my mother,
(4) he taught me and said to me, "Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments, and live.
(5) Get wisdom; get insight; do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth.
Who wrote this passage? Solomon. Is it ironic that David instructed Solomon in his youth to pursue wisdom? Solomon was prepared, should the opportunity ever arise, to make a wise choice. God gave him the opportunity because he was prepared for it.
Prepare yourself for the opportunities you'd like to see come your way. If you're prepared for nothing, expect to see it.
(3) When I was a son with my father, tender, the only one in the sight of my mother,
(4) he taught me and said to me, "Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments, and live.
(5) Get wisdom; get insight; do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth.
Who wrote this passage? Solomon. Is it ironic that David instructed Solomon in his youth to pursue wisdom? Solomon was prepared, should the opportunity ever arise, to make a wise choice. God gave him the opportunity because he was prepared for it.
Prepare yourself for the opportunities you'd like to see come your way. If you're prepared for nothing, expect to see it.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Abundant Life
Joh 10:10 MKJV
(10) The thief does not come except to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come so that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
People seeking the abundant life might be under the impression that once you receive Jesus, that life never has difficulties, or trials, or fill in the blank, because now you have received the 'abundant' life. The truth of the matter is quite the opposite. You still have the same trials and tribulations. However, the abundant life affords you the answer before the problem ever presents itself. God will never send you into a battle that you are not equipped to win.
(10) The thief does not come except to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come so that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
People seeking the abundant life might be under the impression that once you receive Jesus, that life never has difficulties, or trials, or fill in the blank, because now you have received the 'abundant' life. The truth of the matter is quite the opposite. You still have the same trials and tribulations. However, the abundant life affords you the answer before the problem ever presents itself. God will never send you into a battle that you are not equipped to win.
Monday, August 09, 2010
The Prince of Peace
You're in a war. There are bombs exploding around you. People are dying. The screams of anguish are piercing your heart and it is all you can do to keep from panicking and running. And people are... they are running. They are losing hope.
Then you look up and your general is standing there. He's unshaken. His gaze is determined, despite the bullets whizzing past his head. He looks at you and motions for you to follow him. Who do you follow? Those who are screaming madly and heading for the hills? Or do you set out after the one who seems to have a plan?
Jesus is called the Prince of Peace in scripture. I've always thought that was a reference to the peace He would institute once His reign became manifested on earth. That's true enough.
However, Jesus was unflappable. He slept through the storms. There was not one HINT of panic in the man, even to the point of execution. He had peace. That's why He is the general. That's why if we carry the Holy Spirit as He did, we, too, can have peace in the storm. He is the Prince of Peace!
Then you look up and your general is standing there. He's unshaken. His gaze is determined, despite the bullets whizzing past his head. He looks at you and motions for you to follow him. Who do you follow? Those who are screaming madly and heading for the hills? Or do you set out after the one who seems to have a plan?
Jesus is called the Prince of Peace in scripture. I've always thought that was a reference to the peace He would institute once His reign became manifested on earth. That's true enough.
However, Jesus was unflappable. He slept through the storms. There was not one HINT of panic in the man, even to the point of execution. He had peace. That's why He is the general. That's why if we carry the Holy Spirit as He did, we, too, can have peace in the storm. He is the Prince of Peace!
Friday, August 06, 2010
A Generation Without Fear
Many people do not mind war as long as it's not on their own doorstep. This applies to spiritual warfare, too. With greater anointing comes greater attacks. God is looking for a people who do not care when or where the enemy comes. They don't fear. They simply take care of business.
Remember, the key to dealing with the enemy is realizing that he is already a defeated foe. All he does is done out of desperation. Do not make him bigger than he is. If you are a spirit-filled Christian, there is no power greater than the power within you. The sword of the Spirit is the Word of God. We all can wield this. The enemy is yet to find a defense against it.
The final generation - the Elijah generation that sees in the return of Jesus - is a generation that calls fire down, destroys the flesh, and all in the 400-fold presence of the enemy. Fear will not prevail over them.
Remember, the key to dealing with the enemy is realizing that he is already a defeated foe. All he does is done out of desperation. Do not make him bigger than he is. If you are a spirit-filled Christian, there is no power greater than the power within you. The sword of the Spirit is the Word of God. We all can wield this. The enemy is yet to find a defense against it.
The final generation - the Elijah generation that sees in the return of Jesus - is a generation that calls fire down, destroys the flesh, and all in the 400-fold presence of the enemy. Fear will not prevail over them.
Wednesday, August 04, 2010
Knowing God
Joh 21:25 MKJV
(25) And there are also many things, whatever Jesus did, which, if they should be written singly, I suppose the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.
Many walk around and claim to know God, but all they have is a hefty head-knowledge of the Bible. Remember the Pharisees and teachers of the law - they knew the scriptures by heart, yet Jesus told them if they knew the Father, they'd know Him, too! For this they tried to kill him on many occasions.
The Bible is a great book, and is the Word of God. It's authored by Him and preserved by Him. However, the Bible's purpose is to get you into a relationship with the Author.
So you've memorized the Bible. Awesome. How does it feel to know that the world can't hold enough books to describe all that Jesus did in 3.5 years of ministry? I'm not trying to discourage memorizing scripture, but if this is your thermometer for 'knowing God', you're still cold.
You must know Him at a personal level. You must live by His Spirit. This is the only way to live a relevant life.
(25) And there are also many things, whatever Jesus did, which, if they should be written singly, I suppose the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.
Many walk around and claim to know God, but all they have is a hefty head-knowledge of the Bible. Remember the Pharisees and teachers of the law - they knew the scriptures by heart, yet Jesus told them if they knew the Father, they'd know Him, too! For this they tried to kill him on many occasions.
The Bible is a great book, and is the Word of God. It's authored by Him and preserved by Him. However, the Bible's purpose is to get you into a relationship with the Author.
So you've memorized the Bible. Awesome. How does it feel to know that the world can't hold enough books to describe all that Jesus did in 3.5 years of ministry? I'm not trying to discourage memorizing scripture, but if this is your thermometer for 'knowing God', you're still cold.
You must know Him at a personal level. You must live by His Spirit. This is the only way to live a relevant life.
Tuesday, August 03, 2010
Light
Gen 1:16-17 MKJV
(16) And God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day and the smaller light to rule the night, and the stars also.
(17) And God set them in the expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth,
When God created the heavens and the earth, He set over the earth two great lights - the sun and the moon. He did this to set rulership over day and night, and to cause division between day and night.
Notice - two lights have dominion over light and darkness. The sun has dominion over the day, while the moon has dominion over the night.
The greater light does not rule over the lesser light. They co-labor - together. Together, they rule over light and darkness.
Mat 4:16 The people who sat in darkness saw a great Light; and Light has sprung up to those who sat in the region and shadow of death."
Joh 12:35 Then Jesus said to them, Yet a little while the Light is with you. Walk while you have the Light, lest darkness come upon you. For he who walks in darkness does not know where he goes.
In scripture, the moon is symbolic of the Church. The Church is the lesser light, but one that co-labors in dominion of light and darkness. The Church should be simply a reflection of the Son.
Are you getting this? Can you see the genius of the Creator here? Have you ever seen both the sun and the moon in the same sky? Yes, of course! How long does that last? Maybe a few minutes? How long did Jesus stay with His newly formed Church? Maybe a few minutes in the broad scheme of things?
Before He left, He told His disciples:
Mat 5:14 You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.
Mat 5:16 Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in Heaven.
Joh 9:5 As long as I am in the world, I am the Light of the world.
The sun has gone down, but the moon is out! There is enough light to walk, but you have to walk a little more carefully. For those of you who have an interest in the eschatological, read carefully:
Mat 24:29 And immediately after the tribulation of those days, the sun shall be darkened and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from the heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken.
Mar 13:24 MKJV
(24) But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,
Yes, there is coming a time when neither the light of the Son or the light of the Church will be seen, because both will be hidden. I'll let you all draw your own conclusions about that.
(16) And God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day and the smaller light to rule the night, and the stars also.
(17) And God set them in the expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth,
When God created the heavens and the earth, He set over the earth two great lights - the sun and the moon. He did this to set rulership over day and night, and to cause division between day and night.
Notice - two lights have dominion over light and darkness. The sun has dominion over the day, while the moon has dominion over the night.
The greater light does not rule over the lesser light. They co-labor - together. Together, they rule over light and darkness.
Mat 4:16 The people who sat in darkness saw a great Light; and Light has sprung up to those who sat in the region and shadow of death."
Joh 12:35 Then Jesus said to them, Yet a little while the Light is with you. Walk while you have the Light, lest darkness come upon you. For he who walks in darkness does not know where he goes.
In scripture, the moon is symbolic of the Church. The Church is the lesser light, but one that co-labors in dominion of light and darkness. The Church should be simply a reflection of the Son.
Are you getting this? Can you see the genius of the Creator here? Have you ever seen both the sun and the moon in the same sky? Yes, of course! How long does that last? Maybe a few minutes? How long did Jesus stay with His newly formed Church? Maybe a few minutes in the broad scheme of things?
Before He left, He told His disciples:
Mat 5:14 You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.
Mat 5:16 Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in Heaven.
Joh 9:5 As long as I am in the world, I am the Light of the world.
The sun has gone down, but the moon is out! There is enough light to walk, but you have to walk a little more carefully. For those of you who have an interest in the eschatological, read carefully:
Mat 24:29 And immediately after the tribulation of those days, the sun shall be darkened and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from the heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken.
Mar 13:24 MKJV
(24) But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,
Yes, there is coming a time when neither the light of the Son or the light of the Church will be seen, because both will be hidden. I'll let you all draw your own conclusions about that.
Monday, August 02, 2010
What Are You Known For?
My pastor says we must be known by our fruit, not our intentions. Do you know people who always mean well, but...? When taking inventory, have we been fruit producers? Jesus said the world would know us by the fruit we produce.
Matthew 12:33 MKJV
(33) Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree corrupt and its fruit corrupt; for the tree is known by its fruit.
What does inventory reveal? Is there 'anything' growing? Blooms? If there is fruit, is it the good kind, or the corrupt kind? You can always tell when people around you leave feeling a little more full, or a little sicker. Good fruit draws a crowd. Bad fruit draws flies.
Matthew 12:33 MKJV
(33) Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree corrupt and its fruit corrupt; for the tree is known by its fruit.
What does inventory reveal? Is there 'anything' growing? Blooms? If there is fruit, is it the good kind, or the corrupt kind? You can always tell when people around you leave feeling a little more full, or a little sicker. Good fruit draws a crowd. Bad fruit draws flies.
Friday, July 30, 2010
A Simple Truth
No matter what problem you are facing; no matter what storm you are caught in; no matter how lifeless everything seems, there is one answer: more of God. If you don't think He has an interest in your situation - even if you think it petty - then you don't know Him very well. He is wanting to surprise you. Relationship going sour? More of Him... Health issues battering you continually? More of Him... Does the job just stink? More of Him. Maybe today is the day that you determine to seek Him out for the first time. He knows how to reveal Himself to those who seek Him. But chances are - if you don't seek, you will NEVER find.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
All Things New Pt2
As mentioned yesterday, God will not pour something new into an old container. In order to do a new thing, God's pattern is to build it, then move into it. For this last-days move of God, He is building something, but first His foundation must be in place.
Sometimes we ask the question, why wasn't somebody healed after we prayed for healing, especially from leaders of the church. A very well-known church leader routinely experiences healing and great miracles in his church. However, when his father contracted cancer, healing never came and his father passed away. This man's faith remains resolute, and to this day he sees more people healed in his church than perhaps anywhere else.
In the Kingdom, a solid foundation is a people who may experience 'apparently' unanswered prayer, or undesired outcomes, yet still hold faithfully to the belief that God is good and that sickness is not. These people (pillars) are especially visible, and when they hold fast, every one's faith increases. This will give God what He needs to build the final work of this age, a people who do not waver at unexpected outcomes. When we all possess the faith that God is good, and that His Kingdom will trump all else, then we will all experience a greater anointing and confidence to successfully see the Kingdom come on earth - as it is in heaven. But to get to this point... faith must be tested - if not in God's eyes, then in our own eyes.
Sometimes we ask the question, why wasn't somebody healed after we prayed for healing, especially from leaders of the church. A very well-known church leader routinely experiences healing and great miracles in his church. However, when his father contracted cancer, healing never came and his father passed away. This man's faith remains resolute, and to this day he sees more people healed in his church than perhaps anywhere else.
In the Kingdom, a solid foundation is a people who may experience 'apparently' unanswered prayer, or undesired outcomes, yet still hold faithfully to the belief that God is good and that sickness is not. These people (pillars) are especially visible, and when they hold fast, every one's faith increases. This will give God what He needs to build the final work of this age, a people who do not waver at unexpected outcomes. When we all possess the faith that God is good, and that His Kingdom will trump all else, then we will all experience a greater anointing and confidence to successfully see the Kingdom come on earth - as it is in heaven. But to get to this point... faith must be tested - if not in God's eyes, then in our own eyes.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
All Things New Pt1
God's desire is to make all things new. New wine will not fit in the old wineskin. Just as such, nothing new from God will fit into the old container. When you received His spirit, you were 'made new'. Or perhaps when we were made new, His Spirit then came in.
2Co 5:17 MKJV
(17) So that if any one is in Christ, that one is a new creature; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
Have we ever tried to explain things of God to someone who does not believe? They physically cannot contain the revelation. But when presented with the things of God, they are either drawn, or repulsed. Either way, a shaking of their minds and hearts occurs. They fight, they squirm, they get very uncomfortable. These are the 'birth pains' of a new believer. Then, a new creature is born. The earth behaves no differently. That which is truly new from God in the coming age will also require a new heaven and a new earth to contain it. As we approach the dawning of a new age, the earth shakes and travails.
Rev 21:1-5 MKJV
(1) And I saw a new heaven and a new earth. For the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. And the sea no longer is.
(4) And God will wipe away all tears from their eyes. And there will be no more death, nor mourning, nor crying out, nor will there be any more pain; for the first things passed away.
(5) And He sitting on the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And He said to me, Write, for these words are true and faithful.
Are you stagnating in your faith? Is anything or anyone moving you? Invite God to shake you.
2Co 5:17 MKJV
(17) So that if any one is in Christ, that one is a new creature; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
Have we ever tried to explain things of God to someone who does not believe? They physically cannot contain the revelation. But when presented with the things of God, they are either drawn, or repulsed. Either way, a shaking of their minds and hearts occurs. They fight, they squirm, they get very uncomfortable. These are the 'birth pains' of a new believer. Then, a new creature is born. The earth behaves no differently. That which is truly new from God in the coming age will also require a new heaven and a new earth to contain it. As we approach the dawning of a new age, the earth shakes and travails.
Rev 21:1-5 MKJV
(1) And I saw a new heaven and a new earth. For the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. And the sea no longer is.
(4) And God will wipe away all tears from their eyes. And there will be no more death, nor mourning, nor crying out, nor will there be any more pain; for the first things passed away.
(5) And He sitting on the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And He said to me, Write, for these words are true and faithful.
Are you stagnating in your faith? Is anything or anyone moving you? Invite God to shake you.
Monday, July 26, 2010
All Glorified God
Act 4:21 MKJV
(21) So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way as to how they might punish them, because of the people. For all glorified God for that which was done.
After Peter and John healed the man at the Gate Beautiful, quite a crowd gathered. Peter announced that it was the power of Jesus, who was crucified but raised from the dead to the right hand of God, that had healed this man.
Peter and John were not arrogant. The 'power' had not gone to their head. It's a false argument to think that this is always a side-effect of walking in the miraculous. It is not intended to bring attention or fame to the God-man or God-woman. A miracle is intended to do exactly what it did in that instance: bring glory to God. All glorified God.
It's imperative that we who wish to walk in the miraculous 'get over' what people might think about doing what the Spirit calls us to do. Don't even weigh it. If He says say it, say it. If He says do it, do it - and do it without worrying about explaining yourself. When Jesus started slapping mud on the blind man's eyes, what we did not get was a dissertation on 'why'. Jesus was peculiar. If we look like Him, we are going to look a bit peculiar as well.
(21) So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way as to how they might punish them, because of the people. For all glorified God for that which was done.
After Peter and John healed the man at the Gate Beautiful, quite a crowd gathered. Peter announced that it was the power of Jesus, who was crucified but raised from the dead to the right hand of God, that had healed this man.
Peter and John were not arrogant. The 'power' had not gone to their head. It's a false argument to think that this is always a side-effect of walking in the miraculous. It is not intended to bring attention or fame to the God-man or God-woman. A miracle is intended to do exactly what it did in that instance: bring glory to God. All glorified God.
It's imperative that we who wish to walk in the miraculous 'get over' what people might think about doing what the Spirit calls us to do. Don't even weigh it. If He says say it, say it. If He says do it, do it - and do it without worrying about explaining yourself. When Jesus started slapping mud on the blind man's eyes, what we did not get was a dissertation on 'why'. Jesus was peculiar. If we look like Him, we are going to look a bit peculiar as well.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Pre-Christianity Fail
Often I hear people talking about pre-Christianity. Typically they are referring to writings or traditions that 'supposedly' date to times before Jesus, and yes... much was written before 1 a.d. However, John the apostle wrote:
Joh 1:1 ESV
(1) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
When we realize that Jesus IS the Word, and in the beginning was the Word, it's difficult to date any of your stuff prior to that point. This was a sticky point even to the Jews of Jesus' time, to which Jesus stated:
Joh 5:39 ESV
(39) You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me,
When speaking to His followers on the Road to Emmaus, Jesus showed them how He had been the one that all of scripture had been written about.
Luk 24:27 ESV
(27) And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
Some would argue that even the writings of Moses were pre-dated by other writings. These same people first argued that Moses could not have written what he wrote because there was no established written language during his time. Once science disproved this, they adopted the idea that older writings existed. Perhaps.
But since we are limited to what we have faith in - what we believe - then I must state that I do not believe there is 'anything' that pre-dates Christianity. Jesus was the anointed one, and He was there in the 'beginning'. Gen 1:1 says "In the beginning, God..." Why is God plural?
Joh 1:1 ESV
(1) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
When we realize that Jesus IS the Word, and in the beginning was the Word, it's difficult to date any of your stuff prior to that point. This was a sticky point even to the Jews of Jesus' time, to which Jesus stated:
Joh 5:39 ESV
(39) You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me,
When speaking to His followers on the Road to Emmaus, Jesus showed them how He had been the one that all of scripture had been written about.
Luk 24:27 ESV
(27) And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
Some would argue that even the writings of Moses were pre-dated by other writings. These same people first argued that Moses could not have written what he wrote because there was no established written language during his time. Once science disproved this, they adopted the idea that older writings existed. Perhaps.
But since we are limited to what we have faith in - what we believe - then I must state that I do not believe there is 'anything' that pre-dates Christianity. Jesus was the anointed one, and He was there in the 'beginning'. Gen 1:1 says "In the beginning, God..." Why is God plural?
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Waiting On God
1Sa 16:11-13 ESV
(11) Then Samuel said to Jesse, "Are all your sons here?" And he said, "There remains yet the youngest, but behold, he is keeping the sheep." And Samuel said to Jesse, "Send and get him, for we will not sit down till he comes here."
(12) And he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy and had beautiful eyes and was handsome. And the LORD said, "Arise, anoint him, for this is he."
(13) Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward. And Samuel rose up and went to Ramah.
This was the point where David was anointed King of Israel by Samuel the prophet. Saul, the current king, had disobeyed God and had turned his heart from God, so God took his anointing from Saul.
Here's the question: what did David do after Samuel left?
Here's the answer: he went back to tending his sheep.
It was literally years before David sat upon the throne of Israel, even though God had chosen him for the job. Saul continued to reign - ineffectively - chasing David because of jealousy and satisfying the demands of his own ego.
Do you sense God calling you to something? Something big? Are you ready to step into it, or is there a spiritual training camp you need to attend? Don't step into anything until God says you're ready - even if you know He has called you. Make sure, above all, that you have been walking under God's authority, which typically starts by placing yourself under the mentor-ship of someone in your church! If you cannot submit to authority, you will never be placed in authority.
(11) Then Samuel said to Jesse, "Are all your sons here?" And he said, "There remains yet the youngest, but behold, he is keeping the sheep." And Samuel said to Jesse, "Send and get him, for we will not sit down till he comes here."
(12) And he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy and had beautiful eyes and was handsome. And the LORD said, "Arise, anoint him, for this is he."
(13) Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward. And Samuel rose up and went to Ramah.
This was the point where David was anointed King of Israel by Samuel the prophet. Saul, the current king, had disobeyed God and had turned his heart from God, so God took his anointing from Saul.
Here's the question: what did David do after Samuel left?
Here's the answer: he went back to tending his sheep.
It was literally years before David sat upon the throne of Israel, even though God had chosen him for the job. Saul continued to reign - ineffectively - chasing David because of jealousy and satisfying the demands of his own ego.
Do you sense God calling you to something? Something big? Are you ready to step into it, or is there a spiritual training camp you need to attend? Don't step into anything until God says you're ready - even if you know He has called you. Make sure, above all, that you have been walking under God's authority, which typically starts by placing yourself under the mentor-ship of someone in your church! If you cannot submit to authority, you will never be placed in authority.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Don't Agree With the Devil
1Sa 27:1 ESV
(1) Then David said in his heart, "Now I shall perish one day by the hand of Saul. There is nothing better for me than that I should escape to the land of the Philistines. Then Saul will despair of seeking me any longer within the borders of Israel, and I shall escape out of his hand."
If you read the story of David, especially in the early going up until this passage, you will notice that there is nothing but David's faith and God's deliverance. David's faith.... God's deliverance... and the promises of God to establish David as king of Israel. This was all a done deal. Saul was bi-polar. He was hurling javelins at David one minute, crying and begging for forgiveness the next. Through all of this, David kept his eyes on God and God delivered.
But David grew tired of running. With fatigue comes weakness of spirit, and that's when the enemy whispers in our ear the loudest. David said in his heart, "One of these days, Saul is going to kill me." The devil finally got a public declaration out of David - an agreement, and even though this declaration never came to pass, it had quite the effect on him.
He moved in with the Philistines. He moved to Gath - the very place Goliath lived because he knew Saul would not follow him into enemy territory. How popular could David have been? He'd killed the most famous person to ever come from Gath. From this action, a number of near-disastrous events occurred. However, God faithfully continued to deliver David.
Take comfort that even the greatest men of the Bible were beaten down from time to time. They, too, made silly decisions at times. But God never let them down. Lean on the promises of God in your life. What are they? Recite them. When you're beaten down, immerse yourself in His Word. When we can hear Him, then we can't hear the enemy.
(1) Then David said in his heart, "Now I shall perish one day by the hand of Saul. There is nothing better for me than that I should escape to the land of the Philistines. Then Saul will despair of seeking me any longer within the borders of Israel, and I shall escape out of his hand."
If you read the story of David, especially in the early going up until this passage, you will notice that there is nothing but David's faith and God's deliverance. David's faith.... God's deliverance... and the promises of God to establish David as king of Israel. This was all a done deal. Saul was bi-polar. He was hurling javelins at David one minute, crying and begging for forgiveness the next. Through all of this, David kept his eyes on God and God delivered.
But David grew tired of running. With fatigue comes weakness of spirit, and that's when the enemy whispers in our ear the loudest. David said in his heart, "One of these days, Saul is going to kill me." The devil finally got a public declaration out of David - an agreement, and even though this declaration never came to pass, it had quite the effect on him.
He moved in with the Philistines. He moved to Gath - the very place Goliath lived because he knew Saul would not follow him into enemy territory. How popular could David have been? He'd killed the most famous person to ever come from Gath. From this action, a number of near-disastrous events occurred. However, God faithfully continued to deliver David.
Take comfort that even the greatest men of the Bible were beaten down from time to time. They, too, made silly decisions at times. But God never let them down. Lean on the promises of God in your life. What are they? Recite them. When you're beaten down, immerse yourself in His Word. When we can hear Him, then we can't hear the enemy.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Stepping Into The Prophetic
Regarding prophecies, there are a couple of types that come to mind. There is that which is fore-ordained. God has said it, and He will not 'repent' of it, therefore it WILL be. Bank on it. If we read Revelation, we see a solid twenty two chapters of that which will be, period. There is nothing that can happen that will prevent Jesus Christ from accepting the deed to the creation He has purchased. We will rule and reign with Him. There will be great tribulation on the earth. You get the point.
However, when you have a word prophesied over you, realize that you must step into it. Many of the prophecies in the Old Testament were given as a warning to Israel. Rarely were the prophets popular for this reason. Literally, the word to Israel was often 'turn or burn'. Sometimes they turned. Sometimes they burned. But as a people they stepped into the prophetic. They had a say.
1Sa 23:10-14 LITV
(10) And David said, O Jehovah the God of Israel, Your servant has surely heard that Saul seeks to come to Keilah to destroy the city because of me.
(11) Will the masters of Keilah shut me up into his hand? Will Saul come down as Your servant has heard? I pray You, Jehovah the God of Israel, tell your servant. And Jehovah said, He will come down.
(12) And David said, Will the masters of Keilah shut me and my men up into Saul's hand? And Jehovah said, They will shut you up.
(13) And David and his men, about six hundred men, rose up and left Keilah, and went wherever they could go. And it was told to Saul that David had escaped from Keilah. And he ceased to go out.
(14) And David stayed in the wilderness, in the strongholds. And he stayed in the hill, in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him all his days. And God did not give him into his hand.
In this example, the very word from God was: The citizens will give you over to your enemy, Saul. It was prophesied by God. David could have stepped into this, but heeding the word of God, he chose to run to the desert, and nothing prophesied came to pass.
If it has been prophesied in your life that you will be a great man or woman of God, and that you will lead many to Jesus, you need to understand that this will not come to pass in front of your PlayStation. It's difficult to reach people for the Kingdom if you invest nothing in the Kingdom. We must press in. We must be serious. We must be zealous. We must be intentional.
However, when you have a word prophesied over you, realize that you must step into it. Many of the prophecies in the Old Testament were given as a warning to Israel. Rarely were the prophets popular for this reason. Literally, the word to Israel was often 'turn or burn'. Sometimes they turned. Sometimes they burned. But as a people they stepped into the prophetic. They had a say.
1Sa 23:10-14 LITV
(10) And David said, O Jehovah the God of Israel, Your servant has surely heard that Saul seeks to come to Keilah to destroy the city because of me.
(11) Will the masters of Keilah shut me up into his hand? Will Saul come down as Your servant has heard? I pray You, Jehovah the God of Israel, tell your servant. And Jehovah said, He will come down.
(12) And David said, Will the masters of Keilah shut me and my men up into Saul's hand? And Jehovah said, They will shut you up.
(13) And David and his men, about six hundred men, rose up and left Keilah, and went wherever they could go. And it was told to Saul that David had escaped from Keilah. And he ceased to go out.
(14) And David stayed in the wilderness, in the strongholds. And he stayed in the hill, in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him all his days. And God did not give him into his hand.
In this example, the very word from God was: The citizens will give you over to your enemy, Saul. It was prophesied by God. David could have stepped into this, but heeding the word of God, he chose to run to the desert, and nothing prophesied came to pass.
If it has been prophesied in your life that you will be a great man or woman of God, and that you will lead many to Jesus, you need to understand that this will not come to pass in front of your PlayStation. It's difficult to reach people for the Kingdom if you invest nothing in the Kingdom. We must press in. We must be serious. We must be zealous. We must be intentional.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Divine Captivity
Joh 21:18 LITV
(18) Truly, truly, I say to you, When you were younger, you girded yourself, and you walked where you desired. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you, and will carry you where you do not desire.
Jesus broke this oar over Peter's head on the day He restored fellowship with him. Peter had gone back to fishing, and Jesus came along, made him lunch, and asked Peter if he still loved Him, to which Peter replied, "Lord, you know I still love you." Jesus then says, "Then feed my sheep." After this statement, Jesus tells Peter how he will die - by stretching out his hands in crucifixion. This is seemingly out of place.
In the verse after, Jesus simply says, "Follow me."
"Lord, you know I love you."
"Peter, feed my sheep. You used to have a choice, but now you won't. Just follow me."
People often wonder about the angels and the choice they had to follow God. Was grace presented to them? What was their decision process like? How was it presented? We don't know, but we now know that they no longer have a choice.
There comes a time in a believer's life when the Holy Spirit girds him and carries him 'where he would not otherwise be inclined to go'. This is the meaning of the phrase in the Greek. It's like divine captivity - truly it is just that. Thank God certain things are no longer options in my life. I have no doubt that as I mature in the spirit, other things will no longer be options, either.
So in heaven, will we no longer have free will? Yes, absolutely! But some things will not be an option. If this makes no sense, good! That's how we know it's true.
(18) Truly, truly, I say to you, When you were younger, you girded yourself, and you walked where you desired. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you, and will carry you where you do not desire.
Jesus broke this oar over Peter's head on the day He restored fellowship with him. Peter had gone back to fishing, and Jesus came along, made him lunch, and asked Peter if he still loved Him, to which Peter replied, "Lord, you know I still love you." Jesus then says, "Then feed my sheep." After this statement, Jesus tells Peter how he will die - by stretching out his hands in crucifixion. This is seemingly out of place.
In the verse after, Jesus simply says, "Follow me."
"Lord, you know I love you."
"Peter, feed my sheep. You used to have a choice, but now you won't. Just follow me."
People often wonder about the angels and the choice they had to follow God. Was grace presented to them? What was their decision process like? How was it presented? We don't know, but we now know that they no longer have a choice.
There comes a time in a believer's life when the Holy Spirit girds him and carries him 'where he would not otherwise be inclined to go'. This is the meaning of the phrase in the Greek. It's like divine captivity - truly it is just that. Thank God certain things are no longer options in my life. I have no doubt that as I mature in the spirit, other things will no longer be options, either.
So in heaven, will we no longer have free will? Yes, absolutely! But some things will not be an option. If this makes no sense, good! That's how we know it's true.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Where the Enemy Walks
1 Timothy 4:1-5 MKJV
(1) But the Spirit expressly says that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and teachings of demons,
(2) speaking lies in hypocrisy, being seared in their own conscience,
(3) forbidding to marry, saying to abstain from foods which God has created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
(4) For every creation of God is good, and nothing to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving.
(5) For it is sanctified through the Word of God and prayer.
Did you know that demons teach? Isn't that an interesting verse? If you were a demon (stretch here) what would you teach? What kind of people would you target? Would they be people of influence or common folk? Do you think they would get into the political affairs of men, or perhaps sit in the elementary classrooms of our children? Maybe both...
The Spirit expressly says that in the last days, some shall depart from the FAITH. Aha! So we at least know the demons are teaching in the 'church' arena. They are working to destroy the testimonies and faith of believers, or at least people who claimed at one time to believe. If there were a demon at work in your church, what kind of mischief would he create? Internal strife? Jealousy? Unforgiveness amongst the brethren? Unbelief?
Pray that God's light would shine in your church over the dark places. Yes, the enemy can stand a lot more scripture reading and praise music than a lot of Christians think. But what he cannot stand is the Presence of God. What he cannot tolerate is Love. Truth sickens and infuriates him. Make sure your church is saturated with these.
(1) But the Spirit expressly says that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and teachings of demons,
(2) speaking lies in hypocrisy, being seared in their own conscience,
(3) forbidding to marry, saying to abstain from foods which God has created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
(4) For every creation of God is good, and nothing to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving.
(5) For it is sanctified through the Word of God and prayer.
Did you know that demons teach? Isn't that an interesting verse? If you were a demon (stretch here) what would you teach? What kind of people would you target? Would they be people of influence or common folk? Do you think they would get into the political affairs of men, or perhaps sit in the elementary classrooms of our children? Maybe both...
The Spirit expressly says that in the last days, some shall depart from the FAITH. Aha! So we at least know the demons are teaching in the 'church' arena. They are working to destroy the testimonies and faith of believers, or at least people who claimed at one time to believe. If there were a demon at work in your church, what kind of mischief would he create? Internal strife? Jealousy? Unforgiveness amongst the brethren? Unbelief?
Pray that God's light would shine in your church over the dark places. Yes, the enemy can stand a lot more scripture reading and praise music than a lot of Christians think. But what he cannot stand is the Presence of God. What he cannot tolerate is Love. Truth sickens and infuriates him. Make sure your church is saturated with these.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Playing It Safe
1 Samuel 22:5 MKJV
(5) And the prophet Gad said to David, Do not stay in the stronghold. Leave and go into the land of Judah. And David left and came into the forest of Hareth.
When David was on the run from Saul, he left the cave of Adullam and went to Moab, seeking shelter from the king. God sent His prophet, Gad, to tell David to move on.
There are safe places for us to stay - thankfully - where we can rest spiritually, physically, and emotionally. In the embrace of our church family is such a stronghold. However, it's very easy to live within the confines of the church walls and never stray outside. We get complacent. Our Christian walk is only on sanctuary carpet. If this has been your walk, God says it's time to move on. Yes, there are risks outside, but with no risk there is no reward. God's plan for us rarely involves us being stagnant. His kingdom is constantly moving forward. Are we moving forward with it?
(5) And the prophet Gad said to David, Do not stay in the stronghold. Leave and go into the land of Judah. And David left and came into the forest of Hareth.
When David was on the run from Saul, he left the cave of Adullam and went to Moab, seeking shelter from the king. God sent His prophet, Gad, to tell David to move on.
There are safe places for us to stay - thankfully - where we can rest spiritually, physically, and emotionally. In the embrace of our church family is such a stronghold. However, it's very easy to live within the confines of the church walls and never stray outside. We get complacent. Our Christian walk is only on sanctuary carpet. If this has been your walk, God says it's time to move on. Yes, there are risks outside, but with no risk there is no reward. God's plan for us rarely involves us being stagnant. His kingdom is constantly moving forward. Are we moving forward with it?
Sunday, July 11, 2010
That Which Is Hidden...
Luke 8:17 HNV
(17) For nothing is hidden, that will not be revealed; nor anything secret, that will not be known and come to light.
It can be difficult to get away from the obvious implication of this verse. The first thing that comes to mind is all the things I don't want revealed in my own life. It's a scary verse if we harbor sin, or guilt, or embarrassment (things Christians should have given away long ago). But what about hidden talent? Hidden skills? Hidden resources? Hidden or missed opportunities?
What about knowledge and mysteries - good things?
Luke 10:21 HNV
(21) In that same hour Yeshua rejoiced in the Holy Spirit, and said, "I thank you, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for so it was well-pleasing in your sight."
What about the Living Word Himself - Messiah?
Colossians 1:26-27 HNV
(26) the mystery which has been hidden for ages and generations. But now it has been revealed to his holy ones,
(27) to whom God was pleased to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Messiah in you, the hope of glory;
That which is spiritual must also be signified in the physical. There must be a physical representation of this in God's creation.
Genesis 1:10-11 HNV
(10) God called the dry land Earth, and the gathering together of the waters he called Seas. God saw that it was good.
(11) God said, "Let the earth put forth grass, herbs yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit after their kind, with its seed in it, on the earth;" and it was so.
Sure enough - once the waters were gathered together, the land which had hidden seed was immediately able to bear fruit. The earth 'put forth' grass - from seed that was hidden.
When a mother is about to give birth, what always happens before that which was hidden - the baby - is revealed? The 'water' breaks.
Romans 8:19 LITV
(19) For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly awaits the revelation of the sons of God.
I suggest to you that it will take the waters of the Holy Spirit, breaking over 'all flesh', that will reveal the Sons of God.
(17) For nothing is hidden, that will not be revealed; nor anything secret, that will not be known and come to light.
It can be difficult to get away from the obvious implication of this verse. The first thing that comes to mind is all the things I don't want revealed in my own life. It's a scary verse if we harbor sin, or guilt, or embarrassment (things Christians should have given away long ago). But what about hidden talent? Hidden skills? Hidden resources? Hidden or missed opportunities?
What about knowledge and mysteries - good things?
Luke 10:21 HNV
(21) In that same hour Yeshua rejoiced in the Holy Spirit, and said, "I thank you, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for so it was well-pleasing in your sight."
What about the Living Word Himself - Messiah?
Colossians 1:26-27 HNV
(26) the mystery which has been hidden for ages and generations. But now it has been revealed to his holy ones,
(27) to whom God was pleased to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Messiah in you, the hope of glory;
That which is spiritual must also be signified in the physical. There must be a physical representation of this in God's creation.
Genesis 1:10-11 HNV
(10) God called the dry land Earth, and the gathering together of the waters he called Seas. God saw that it was good.
(11) God said, "Let the earth put forth grass, herbs yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit after their kind, with its seed in it, on the earth;" and it was so.
Sure enough - once the waters were gathered together, the land which had hidden seed was immediately able to bear fruit. The earth 'put forth' grass - from seed that was hidden.
When a mother is about to give birth, what always happens before that which was hidden - the baby - is revealed? The 'water' breaks.
Romans 8:19 LITV
(19) For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly awaits the revelation of the sons of God.
I suggest to you that it will take the waters of the Holy Spirit, breaking over 'all flesh', that will reveal the Sons of God.
Friday, July 09, 2010
Walking Under The Anointing
1Sa 14:6-7 LITV
(6) And Jonathan said to the young man bearing his weapons, Come, we shall cross over to the fort of these uncircumcised ones. It may be Jehovah will work for us, for there is no hindrance to Jehovah, to save by many or by few.
(7) And his armorbearer said to him, Do all that is in your heart; turn yourself. Behold, I am with you according to your heart.
1Sa 14:23 LITV
(23) And Jehovah saved Israel that day. And the battle passed over to Beth-aven.
Between verse 6 and verse 23, amazing and miraculous things happened. Check out this story! Notice, though, that the Lord saved Israel in one day because of a chain of events that started by one man of faith who pressed against the enemy. Jonathan, the king's son and (supposedly) heir to the throne lived a life of risk because he knew that God could save 'by many or by few'. Wow! God loves those who tackle the miraculous. If our walk doesn't require faith, we live a powerless life. Jonathan's walk was 'ridiculous'! But what was Israel saved from? Exactly what happened because of one man's faith? To answer that, we go one chapter back and take an objective view of the enemy that had formed against Israel:
1Sa 13:5 LITV
(5) And the Philistines gathered to fight with Israel, with thirty thousand chariots and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the lip of the sea for multitude. And they came up and pitched in Michmash, east of Beth-aven.
Formidable, yes, to the human eye. To God, however, the overwhelming odds against us don't amount to much. The rule Jonathan lived by was one that Samuel presented his father, Saul, just a few years prior. It was this:
1Sa 10:7 LITV
(7) And it will be, when these signs come to you, do for yourself what your hand finds, for God is with you.
We who are called according to God's purpose have an anointing to serve and to be ministers of God. If we are attached to the 'body', then we MUST have an anointing, because Christ means 'anointed one', and HE is the HEAD. All the oil (anointing) poured upon the head must flow down - therefore the body is anointed always. The question I hear is... anointed to do what? The answer is:
Do as your hand shall find; for God is with you.
(6) And Jonathan said to the young man bearing his weapons, Come, we shall cross over to the fort of these uncircumcised ones. It may be Jehovah will work for us, for there is no hindrance to Jehovah, to save by many or by few.
(7) And his armorbearer said to him, Do all that is in your heart; turn yourself. Behold, I am with you according to your heart.
1Sa 14:23 LITV
(23) And Jehovah saved Israel that day. And the battle passed over to Beth-aven.
Between verse 6 and verse 23, amazing and miraculous things happened. Check out this story! Notice, though, that the Lord saved Israel in one day because of a chain of events that started by one man of faith who pressed against the enemy. Jonathan, the king's son and (supposedly) heir to the throne lived a life of risk because he knew that God could save 'by many or by few'. Wow! God loves those who tackle the miraculous. If our walk doesn't require faith, we live a powerless life. Jonathan's walk was 'ridiculous'! But what was Israel saved from? Exactly what happened because of one man's faith? To answer that, we go one chapter back and take an objective view of the enemy that had formed against Israel:
1Sa 13:5 LITV
(5) And the Philistines gathered to fight with Israel, with thirty thousand chariots and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the lip of the sea for multitude. And they came up and pitched in Michmash, east of Beth-aven.
Formidable, yes, to the human eye. To God, however, the overwhelming odds against us don't amount to much. The rule Jonathan lived by was one that Samuel presented his father, Saul, just a few years prior. It was this:
1Sa 10:7 LITV
(7) And it will be, when these signs come to you, do for yourself what your hand finds, for God is with you.
We who are called according to God's purpose have an anointing to serve and to be ministers of God. If we are attached to the 'body', then we MUST have an anointing, because Christ means 'anointed one', and HE is the HEAD. All the oil (anointing) poured upon the head must flow down - therefore the body is anointed always. The question I hear is... anointed to do what? The answer is:
Do as your hand shall find; for God is with you.
Thursday, July 08, 2010
Attack In Faith
1Sa 13:2-5 JPS
(2) And Saul chose him three thousand men of Israel; whereof two thousand were with Saul in Michmas and in the mount of Beth- el, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeath-benjamin; and the rest of the people he sent every man to his tent.
(3) And Jonathan smote the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba, and the Philistines heard of it. And Saul blew the horn throughout all the land, saying: 'Let the Hebrews hear.'
(4) And all Israel heard say that Saul had smitten the garrison of the Philistines, and that Israel also had made himself odious with the Philistines. And the people were gathered together after Saul to Gilgal.
(5) And the Philistines assembled themselves together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the sea-shore in multitude; and they came up, and pitched in Michmas, eastward of Beth-aven.
Pressing into the Kingdom of God is a job for 'violent' men and women (Matt 11:12). What we find when we become active in 'pressing' is that we upset the powers of the enemy. We become targets. Saul and Jonathan learned this the hard way, as they became 'odious with the Philistines'. Jonathan was a man of faith that 'pressed' by faith. As a result, Jonathan was victorious in his battles, but really ticked off the enemy! Saul never proved to be much of a man of faith. He relied more upon numbers and the backing of his people and his prophet, Samuel. This reliance upon flesh never panned out for Saul. Rather, it cost him absolutely everything.
We can know that in these days, we are to be acting more like Jonathan. Attack in faith and expect victory. Also expect the enemy to gather against us, but realize no enemy can overcome the people of God, for no weapon formed against us shall prosper.
(2) And Saul chose him three thousand men of Israel; whereof two thousand were with Saul in Michmas and in the mount of Beth- el, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeath-benjamin; and the rest of the people he sent every man to his tent.
(3) And Jonathan smote the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba, and the Philistines heard of it. And Saul blew the horn throughout all the land, saying: 'Let the Hebrews hear.'
(4) And all Israel heard say that Saul had smitten the garrison of the Philistines, and that Israel also had made himself odious with the Philistines. And the people were gathered together after Saul to Gilgal.
(5) And the Philistines assembled themselves together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the sea-shore in multitude; and they came up, and pitched in Michmas, eastward of Beth-aven.
Pressing into the Kingdom of God is a job for 'violent' men and women (Matt 11:12). What we find when we become active in 'pressing' is that we upset the powers of the enemy. We become targets. Saul and Jonathan learned this the hard way, as they became 'odious with the Philistines'. Jonathan was a man of faith that 'pressed' by faith. As a result, Jonathan was victorious in his battles, but really ticked off the enemy! Saul never proved to be much of a man of faith. He relied more upon numbers and the backing of his people and his prophet, Samuel. This reliance upon flesh never panned out for Saul. Rather, it cost him absolutely everything.
We can know that in these days, we are to be acting more like Jonathan. Attack in faith and expect victory. Also expect the enemy to gather against us, but realize no enemy can overcome the people of God, for no weapon formed against us shall prosper.
Friday, July 02, 2010
Prophecy in Hannah's Prayer
1Sa 2:1-10 MKJV
(1) And Hannah prayed and said, My heart rejoices in Jehovah, my horn is exalted in Jehovah. My mouth is enlarged over my enemies because I rejoice in Your salvation.
(2) There is none holy as Jehovah, for there is none beside You. Neither is there any rock like our God.
(3) Talk no more so very proudly. Remove arrogance out of your mouth, for Jehovah is a God of knowledge, and by Him actions are weighed.
(4) The bows of the mighty are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength.
(5) They that were full have hired themselves out for bread, and they that were hungry ceased; yea, while the barren has borne seven, and she who had many sons has languished.
(6) Jehovah kills and makes alive. He brings down to Sheol, and brings up.
(7) Jehovah takes away, and He gives riches; He brings low; yea, He lifts up high.
(8) He raises up the poor out of the dust; He lifts up the needy from the dunghill to set them among princes; yea, He causes them to inherit a throne of honor; for to Jehovah are the pillars of the earth; and He sets the habitable world on them.
(9) He keeps the feet of his saints, and the wicked are silenced in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.
(10) The foes of Jehovah shall be broken to pieces. He thunders in the heavens upon them. Jehovah shall judge the ends of the earth. And He shall give strength to His king, and exalts the horn of His anointed.
If you will remove the first five words of this passage, you would have trouble telling it apart from something David, or Solomon, or even Paul wrote. This is a clue that we are seeing a style of the Holy Spirit. I like to call it His signature. The preceding chapter details Hannah's plea to God for a son, and how God answered her by sending Samuel. This passage is one of gratitude to God for answered prayer. But what do we not see?
"Thank you for my son. Thank you for my son! Thank you thank you thank you for sending my Samuel!"
Instead, we see a Psalm of praise, and when we examine it, we find some fascinating things.
There is so much else in this passage, but that the Spirit screamed praise to God through Jesus even in the time of Samuel's birth is an amazing thing.
(1) And Hannah prayed and said, My heart rejoices in Jehovah, my horn is exalted in Jehovah. My mouth is enlarged over my enemies because I rejoice in Your salvation.
(2) There is none holy as Jehovah, for there is none beside You. Neither is there any rock like our God.
(3) Talk no more so very proudly. Remove arrogance out of your mouth, for Jehovah is a God of knowledge, and by Him actions are weighed.
(4) The bows of the mighty are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength.
(5) They that were full have hired themselves out for bread, and they that were hungry ceased; yea, while the barren has borne seven, and she who had many sons has languished.
(6) Jehovah kills and makes alive. He brings down to Sheol, and brings up.
(7) Jehovah takes away, and He gives riches; He brings low; yea, He lifts up high.
(8) He raises up the poor out of the dust; He lifts up the needy from the dunghill to set them among princes; yea, He causes them to inherit a throne of honor; for to Jehovah are the pillars of the earth; and He sets the habitable world on them.
(9) He keeps the feet of his saints, and the wicked are silenced in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.
(10) The foes of Jehovah shall be broken to pieces. He thunders in the heavens upon them. Jehovah shall judge the ends of the earth. And He shall give strength to His king, and exalts the horn of His anointed.
If you will remove the first five words of this passage, you would have trouble telling it apart from something David, or Solomon, or even Paul wrote. This is a clue that we are seeing a style of the Holy Spirit. I like to call it His signature. The preceding chapter details Hannah's plea to God for a son, and how God answered her by sending Samuel. This passage is one of gratitude to God for answered prayer. But what do we not see?
"Thank you for my son. Thank you for my son! Thank you thank you thank you for sending my Samuel!"
Instead, we see a Psalm of praise, and when we examine it, we find some fascinating things.
- Verse 1: "I rejoice in Your salvation." The Hebrew word for salvation is "Yeshua", or "Jesus" in English.
- Verse 5: The barren has borne seven; this is a picture of one who could not have children (barren) miraculously bearing seven (perfection). I see the virgin birth in this.
- Verse 6: Jehovah kills and makes alive. Who did Jehovah kill and make alive again? Jesus! "He brings down to Sheol, and brings up." Again, this is Jesus.
- Verse 7: He brings low; yea, He lifts up high. This is a picture of the life of Jesus, living as a suffering servant, but elevated to the right hand of the Father.
- Verse 10: "He shall give strength to His king, and exalts the horn of His anointed (Christ)." This is also a reference to Jesus, "His King and His Anointed One."
There is so much else in this passage, but that the Spirit screamed praise to God through Jesus even in the time of Samuel's birth is an amazing thing.
Thursday, July 01, 2010
The Price of Crowning Our Own King
1Sa 8:11-18 MKJV
(11) And he said, This will be the privilege of the king who shall reign over you. He shall take your sons and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and his horsemen. And they shall run before his chariots.
(12) And he will appoint commanders over thousands, and commanders over fifties, and some to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and make his weapons of war and weapons for his chariots.
(13) And he will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers.
(14) And he will take your fields and your vineyards and your olive-yards, the best, and give them to his servants.
(15) And he will take the tenth of your seed and of your vineyards, and give it to his eunuchs and to his servants.
(16) And he will take your male slaves and your slave girls, and your finest young men, and your asses, and put them to his work.
(17) He will take the tenth of your sheep, and you shall be his servants.
(18) And you shall cry out in that day because of your king whom you have chosen for yourselves, and Jehovah will not answer you in that day.
Life is a never-ending struggle. If it's not relationships, it's health. If not health, it's finances. It's work, it's school, it's growing pains, it's aging. These are the components that are seen, but behind it all is a spiritual war that continually wages. Satan hates everyone and is bent on doing what he does: stealing, killing, and destroying. In this war, there is no neutral. To claim neutrality is to rebel against God. We are instructed to choose a side. (Joshua 24:15) God cannot stand spiritual neutrality. (Rev 3:15-16)
For all of this, we cast a vote for a king; either we opt for God and He alone, or we cast our allegiance to the king of this world, the devil. There are some things we should understand about casting our vote for the enemy which we can learn from the passage above.
We should definitely choose our king wisely.
(11) And he said, This will be the privilege of the king who shall reign over you. He shall take your sons and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and his horsemen. And they shall run before his chariots.
(12) And he will appoint commanders over thousands, and commanders over fifties, and some to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and make his weapons of war and weapons for his chariots.
(13) And he will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers.
(14) And he will take your fields and your vineyards and your olive-yards, the best, and give them to his servants.
(15) And he will take the tenth of your seed and of your vineyards, and give it to his eunuchs and to his servants.
(16) And he will take your male slaves and your slave girls, and your finest young men, and your asses, and put them to his work.
(17) He will take the tenth of your sheep, and you shall be his servants.
(18) And you shall cry out in that day because of your king whom you have chosen for yourselves, and Jehovah will not answer you in that day.
Life is a never-ending struggle. If it's not relationships, it's health. If not health, it's finances. It's work, it's school, it's growing pains, it's aging. These are the components that are seen, but behind it all is a spiritual war that continually wages. Satan hates everyone and is bent on doing what he does: stealing, killing, and destroying. In this war, there is no neutral. To claim neutrality is to rebel against God. We are instructed to choose a side. (Joshua 24:15) God cannot stand spiritual neutrality. (Rev 3:15-16)
For all of this, we cast a vote for a king; either we opt for God and He alone, or we cast our allegiance to the king of this world, the devil. There are some things we should understand about casting our vote for the enemy which we can learn from the passage above.
- Our children will be consumed by the war effort. Some will fight, and some will work, but they will be taken without a choice. (vs 11-13) Remember, they will be fighting a war that they have already lost, and they will not survive it.
- Our fields, vineyards, and orchards represent our fruitfulness. All we produce will go to the enemy, adding up to nothing in the scope of eternity. (vs 14)
- Many avoid serving God because they believe He wants a tenth of all they have. The bad news is that what could be voluntarily given will be taken by force; one tenth of what we have to sow, and one tenth of what we've already grown. (vs 15)
- Anything and everything we have that makes life easier goes to the enemy. All our resources become his. (vs 16)
- All of our livestock, which represents our 'sacrifice', goes to the enemy, while we ourselves enter servitude. (vs 17)
- By the time you realize your mistake, it will be too late. (vs 18)
We should definitely choose our king wisely.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
A God Encounter of the Closest Kind
I've often caught myself praying for an encounter with God that might sound something like this: God, just let me feel your touch tonight. Let me sense your Presence.
God answers this prayer to varying degrees - often. I recently had an experience that was of the closest kind. It was at a very stressful time, and He decided it was time to grant my request in a different way. It was by a vision - and it was very personal. Needless to say, He taught me much during that time, but my eyes opened to a very important fact.
The flesh cannot withstand the Spirit of God.
During this time, I cried and shook and basically was a mental mess. Some in my family thought I was having a breakdown. But spiritually, I was high. It's incredibly hard to explain what happened and I wouldn't try to write down what I saw. When the encounter was over, however, I was spiritually numb for a number of days. Useless - in many ways... maybe most ways. I'd walk around thinking about what I learned, but unable to articulate it or even translate it.
That taught me that despite my desire to be in the presence of God - physically - He is kind enough to give me only what I'm able to handle without breaking me down for an extended period of time. This was a strange circumstance, and He gave me more than I've ever experienced before, and I paid a price for it. I'd gladly pay it again and I expect to, but He doesn't always give me what I ask, purposefully.
These are the days when God is pouring out His Spirit upon all flesh. Many are experiencing Him in new and wonderful ways. My prayer is that all the blog readers do just that. Blessings.
God answers this prayer to varying degrees - often. I recently had an experience that was of the closest kind. It was at a very stressful time, and He decided it was time to grant my request in a different way. It was by a vision - and it was very personal. Needless to say, He taught me much during that time, but my eyes opened to a very important fact.
The flesh cannot withstand the Spirit of God.
During this time, I cried and shook and basically was a mental mess. Some in my family thought I was having a breakdown. But spiritually, I was high. It's incredibly hard to explain what happened and I wouldn't try to write down what I saw. When the encounter was over, however, I was spiritually numb for a number of days. Useless - in many ways... maybe most ways. I'd walk around thinking about what I learned, but unable to articulate it or even translate it.
That taught me that despite my desire to be in the presence of God - physically - He is kind enough to give me only what I'm able to handle without breaking me down for an extended period of time. This was a strange circumstance, and He gave me more than I've ever experienced before, and I paid a price for it. I'd gladly pay it again and I expect to, but He doesn't always give me what I ask, purposefully.
These are the days when God is pouring out His Spirit upon all flesh. Many are experiencing Him in new and wonderful ways. My prayer is that all the blog readers do just that. Blessings.
Monday, June 28, 2010
You Cannot Disappoint God
Disappointing God is one of the main struggles we take on in our Christian walk. The problem with it is that it's a contrived struggle. The enemy constantly whispers in our ear insinuations that we have disappointed God. As our pastor so adequately explains, in order for you to disappoint God means God had an expectation of you that you didn't meet. God knew what you were going to do before He created you - and yet He did it anyways. He has no expectation of you. He knows. Therefore, it's impossible for you to disappoint Him. Quit listening to the enemy - he's just lying, as always.
God is not interested in what you did! But, He is very interested in what you are doing now, and what you will be doing, because He's intent upon making you more and more into the likeness of Jesus. As for all the bad stuff... He paid the price for it. As for all the good things you think you've done, get over those, too. There is only one thing we should have in mind: God, what do you have in mind for me right now? Where do I go? What do I do? To whom to I speak? Right now. Let the prophetic word in your life arm you and mentally prepare you for your destiny. But do not let your past distract you. It's gone.
Yes, but all that bad stuff in my past is now my testimony! No... where you are going is your testimony. Look at Jesus for a minute. How much bad stuff did He have in His past? Did He have a testimony?
This is why prophecy is so important. It's a right-now word about where you will be in the future. Now, and future.
Rev 19:10 MKJV
(10) And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said to me, See, do not do it! I am your fellow servant, and of your brothers who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God, for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
This is hard to wrap your mind around at first. If you like things broken down, here it is:
If you belong to Jesus, know that all of your failures are paid for. Don't dwell on them - He isn't.
It's not about where you've been, but where you're going.
The enemy will milk your failures for all they're worth - only as long as you let him.
Press forward. (Philippians 3:13)
God is not interested in what you did! But, He is very interested in what you are doing now, and what you will be doing, because He's intent upon making you more and more into the likeness of Jesus. As for all the bad stuff... He paid the price for it. As for all the good things you think you've done, get over those, too. There is only one thing we should have in mind: God, what do you have in mind for me right now? Where do I go? What do I do? To whom to I speak? Right now. Let the prophetic word in your life arm you and mentally prepare you for your destiny. But do not let your past distract you. It's gone.
Yes, but all that bad stuff in my past is now my testimony! No... where you are going is your testimony. Look at Jesus for a minute. How much bad stuff did He have in His past? Did He have a testimony?
This is why prophecy is so important. It's a right-now word about where you will be in the future. Now, and future.
Rev 19:10 MKJV
(10) And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said to me, See, do not do it! I am your fellow servant, and of your brothers who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God, for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
This is hard to wrap your mind around at first. If you like things broken down, here it is:
If you belong to Jesus, know that all of your failures are paid for. Don't dwell on them - He isn't.
It's not about where you've been, but where you're going.
The enemy will milk your failures for all they're worth - only as long as you let him.
Press forward. (Philippians 3:13)
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Why Do Spirits War?
Dan 10:12-13 MKJV
(12) Then he said to me, Do not fear, Daniel; for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and to chasten yourself before your God, your words were heard. And I have come for your words.
(13) But the ruler of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days. But lo, Michael, one of the chief rulers, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.
We often use the term 'spiritual warfare', especially as it pertains to spiritual attacks upon us in the physical. However, there is a spiritual war going on in the heavens at all times which can consist of large scale conflict (Rev 12:7) to small battles for spiritual supremacy. When we consider spiritual warfare, the question arises, why do spirits war? What do eternal beings have to gain by warring? I've alluded to the answer already - spiritual supremacy - over certain people, lands, or movements.
In Daniel's dialog with Gabriel, one of God's messengers, we learn a lot about spiritual warfare. First of all, Daniel's prayer had been heard from day one, but his answer was 'spiritually delayed', for nearly 3 weeks. This should give us some insight into our prayer life. Nothing can hinder your prayer to God, but depending on how God chooses to answer you - the answer might be delayed by warfare.
Spirits in high places - principalities (Eph 6:12) - are spirits that maintain a hierarchical position. They do not wish to give up their positions any more than you care to step down the ladder at your job. In the case of Daniel, Gabriel was detained by the Prince of Persia, a prince-demonic spirit that led the nation of Persia against Babylon. Michael is referred to as a 'chief ruler' and is also identified as the 'Prince of Israel' in Daniel 10:21.
These clues lead us to believe that every dominant nation on earth is somehow ruled or otherwise controlled by a ruling spirit, either of God or not. What happened to the Prince of Persia? Certainly it was not destroyed - as spirits cannot be killed. But the seat in which he sits can be removed, as Persia eventually was overtaken by the Prince of Greece (Dan 10:20) and the Persian Empire dwindled to nothing for an age while Greece rose to power.
Once again, though, the Persian - or Iranian - empire is a world force for evil. The ruling spirit has fought back to his seat of power over the last 2000 years. The Prince of Greece is nowhere to be seen. Michael the Archangel, the protector of Israel, is still the chief ruler by heaven's decree, and Israel is 'still' not to be trifled with. It should also be mentioned that the enemy is notoriously unable to be unified in anything. The ruler of Persia was overcome by the ruler of Greece - both evil. Hamas hates the Palestinian Authority. The Shiite belief system abhors the Sunni belief system. One sect hates another. Even though the enemy can unite long enough to attack, he cannot sustain long-term unity. The scripture says that the final world empire will be one of 'iron and clay', two substances that cannot combine to create any 'real' strength. This is the character of our enemy.
On a smaller level, demonic forces desire to rule over areas of our lives. Truly, without a physical body to do the work of the enemy, the enemy can whine and complain at best. It's when a person yields to the will of the enemy in their lives that we see the horrific results; the Fox News headlines.
(12) Then he said to me, Do not fear, Daniel; for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and to chasten yourself before your God, your words were heard. And I have come for your words.
(13) But the ruler of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days. But lo, Michael, one of the chief rulers, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.
We often use the term 'spiritual warfare', especially as it pertains to spiritual attacks upon us in the physical. However, there is a spiritual war going on in the heavens at all times which can consist of large scale conflict (Rev 12:7) to small battles for spiritual supremacy. When we consider spiritual warfare, the question arises, why do spirits war? What do eternal beings have to gain by warring? I've alluded to the answer already - spiritual supremacy - over certain people, lands, or movements.
In Daniel's dialog with Gabriel, one of God's messengers, we learn a lot about spiritual warfare. First of all, Daniel's prayer had been heard from day one, but his answer was 'spiritually delayed', for nearly 3 weeks. This should give us some insight into our prayer life. Nothing can hinder your prayer to God, but depending on how God chooses to answer you - the answer might be delayed by warfare.
Spirits in high places - principalities (Eph 6:12) - are spirits that maintain a hierarchical position. They do not wish to give up their positions any more than you care to step down the ladder at your job. In the case of Daniel, Gabriel was detained by the Prince of Persia, a prince-demonic spirit that led the nation of Persia against Babylon. Michael is referred to as a 'chief ruler' and is also identified as the 'Prince of Israel' in Daniel 10:21.
These clues lead us to believe that every dominant nation on earth is somehow ruled or otherwise controlled by a ruling spirit, either of God or not. What happened to the Prince of Persia? Certainly it was not destroyed - as spirits cannot be killed. But the seat in which he sits can be removed, as Persia eventually was overtaken by the Prince of Greece (Dan 10:20) and the Persian Empire dwindled to nothing for an age while Greece rose to power.
Once again, though, the Persian - or Iranian - empire is a world force for evil. The ruling spirit has fought back to his seat of power over the last 2000 years. The Prince of Greece is nowhere to be seen. Michael the Archangel, the protector of Israel, is still the chief ruler by heaven's decree, and Israel is 'still' not to be trifled with. It should also be mentioned that the enemy is notoriously unable to be unified in anything. The ruler of Persia was overcome by the ruler of Greece - both evil. Hamas hates the Palestinian Authority. The Shiite belief system abhors the Sunni belief system. One sect hates another. Even though the enemy can unite long enough to attack, he cannot sustain long-term unity. The scripture says that the final world empire will be one of 'iron and clay', two substances that cannot combine to create any 'real' strength. This is the character of our enemy.
On a smaller level, demonic forces desire to rule over areas of our lives. Truly, without a physical body to do the work of the enemy, the enemy can whine and complain at best. It's when a person yields to the will of the enemy in their lives that we see the horrific results; the Fox News headlines.
Friday, June 18, 2010
When Your Father Asks "What's Wrong?"
So many times, the simple question, "What's Wrong?" is rhetorical. When my own child is crying, most of the time I already know why. Sometimes I just witnessed the crash landing, or the ill treatment from sis, or the fright from the cat. So when the tears start, I pick her up and ask "What's wrong?".
The question is really meant to start a self-examination; inventory, if you will. Do you ever sense that from God? There are times I find myself really struggling through a day or a week... or a month (*sighs*) but I hear a small voice that says, "What's wrong?". That really helps me! Because after I do the inventory, I realize that truthfully, most everything is okay. Yes, things have been rough but they're getting better. Yes, I've been feeling bad but I'm feeling better.
A good friend of mine left me a voice mail today. He and I have not chatted directly in at least a few weeks, but since we are spiritually connected, we've sensed each others' struggles. He said this: all that stuff you've been going through... it's just stuff!
Yes! It is! It's just stuff! The enemy is trying to cloud us up so that we can't see God move, but it's just stuff! It's the best the enemy can do. Applaud. So what's wrong?
The question is really meant to start a self-examination; inventory, if you will. Do you ever sense that from God? There are times I find myself really struggling through a day or a week... or a month (*sighs*) but I hear a small voice that says, "What's wrong?". That really helps me! Because after I do the inventory, I realize that truthfully, most everything is okay. Yes, things have been rough but they're getting better. Yes, I've been feeling bad but I'm feeling better.
A good friend of mine left me a voice mail today. He and I have not chatted directly in at least a few weeks, but since we are spiritually connected, we've sensed each others' struggles. He said this: all that stuff you've been going through... it's just stuff!
Yes! It is! It's just stuff! The enemy is trying to cloud us up so that we can't see God move, but it's just stuff! It's the best the enemy can do. Applaud. So what's wrong?
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Manna, It's Not Just For Breakfast Anymore
In the time of Moses, the people of Israel were freed from the bondage of slavery in Egypt. In their transition to the Promised Land, they took an unintended camping trip in the desert that lasted for 40 'extra' years. During this time, God provided their every need. Part of that provision was manna, the bread from heaven. The Israelites collected it every morning - enough for only that day or at most, two days, to last through the Sabbath.
We have all heard many messages about manna, the goodness of God, and how we should strive to 'gather' Him each morning, because He is enough. Truly - He is.
I'd like to share a different angle. The manna that was given was given to a people who were largely rebellious at the time. They didn't understand gratitude or worship. They didn't like the manna they were given, but they collected it or went hungry. Manna was not for a Promised Land people. The best of the land, on the other hand, was.
I sure would like to try some manna. My guess is that I would like it. My other guess is that I'd be sick of it by the end of two weeks. I can't even eat leftovers very often. Sad... yes. But then again, I'm not a desert dweller. I'm a Promised Land guy. Doing my best to not complain, but to host the Spirit of God, He has not made me gather 'just enough' manna for today in... maybe forever. The Promised Land is Kingdom living... and it's a life of excess. My cup overflows.
Adam and Eve got up in the garden every morning and did what? Did they immediately seek out God in hopes of getting their fill for the day? Or did they go about their business, KNOWING that at some point during the day, they were going to have a God-Encounter! Which way would you rather live? Remember, the Kingdom life is a life of restoration - on earth as it is in Heaven. God is not coming back to restore 'just enough' for today. He is coming back to restore all of Him you want - all the time. I'm not knocking manna-gathering... but there is more if you want it, assuming you aren't wandering around in the desert.
We have all heard many messages about manna, the goodness of God, and how we should strive to 'gather' Him each morning, because He is enough. Truly - He is.
I'd like to share a different angle. The manna that was given was given to a people who were largely rebellious at the time. They didn't understand gratitude or worship. They didn't like the manna they were given, but they collected it or went hungry. Manna was not for a Promised Land people. The best of the land, on the other hand, was.
I sure would like to try some manna. My guess is that I would like it. My other guess is that I'd be sick of it by the end of two weeks. I can't even eat leftovers very often. Sad... yes. But then again, I'm not a desert dweller. I'm a Promised Land guy. Doing my best to not complain, but to host the Spirit of God, He has not made me gather 'just enough' manna for today in... maybe forever. The Promised Land is Kingdom living... and it's a life of excess. My cup overflows.
Adam and Eve got up in the garden every morning and did what? Did they immediately seek out God in hopes of getting their fill for the day? Or did they go about their business, KNOWING that at some point during the day, they were going to have a God-Encounter! Which way would you rather live? Remember, the Kingdom life is a life of restoration - on earth as it is in Heaven. God is not coming back to restore 'just enough' for today. He is coming back to restore all of Him you want - all the time. I'm not knocking manna-gathering... but there is more if you want it, assuming you aren't wandering around in the desert.
Tuesday, June 08, 2010
Fish and Chips
God loves fish. He uses it constantly in scripture to reveal His Kingdom. People were catching fish, eating fish, or being eaten by fish (Jonah). So what is the deal with fish?
Remember, the world was first judged by God with a flood. Who survived? Noah, his family, a few animals, and a whole BUNCH of fish. Fish can survive where other flesh cannot. They represent spirit-filled people dwelling in a different landscape than any other creation.
So lets talk creation for a moment? Who was made in the image of God? Man ('adam', in the Hebrew). God said that man was made in HIS image. What else did God say about images? He said DON'T MAKE ANY, either carved, graven, molten, out of playdough, wax, or paper mache. Yes, but that was in the time of Moses. Oh yeah. Correct. Yes.
Let a few years pass and we see Jesus walking the earth. The Son of God - in the flesh! He gets asked one of those hard questions:
Mat 22:17 MKJV
(17) Therefore tell us; what do you think? Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar or not?
To this... Jesus decides He really didn't want to spend much time answering their "trick" question, so He simply asked for a coin. He held the coin to their face and asked them whose inscription was on it. THIS is strange. The Law - given by God - prohibited a graven image to be made, and here is God in the flesh holding one of these images in the face of unbelievers. Imagine the scene! "Whose inscription is this?"
Jesus did not say, "Who created this VILE image!! This is an abomination!!!!" Perhaps He thought it... but this is not what He said.
The answer was short. "Caesar's." To which Jesus replies... "Oh... must be his, then." And He flips the coin back to them and they walk away - quickly.
It was a subtle truth. You belong to HIM whose image you bear.
Did you hear that? You BELONG to HIM whose image you bear. If there were ever any doubt, let there be no more. You were created for God, and for no other.
So what about the fish??? So... what?
When it came to be tax time, Peter says to Jesus, "Uh... Teacher, we need some money." To which Jesus said, "Go fishing." Peter, a fisherman by trade but now a 'fisher-of-men' had little trouble with the instructions. He went and caught a fish, which strangely had enough money in its mouth to cover both Peter and Jesus.
The picture is of sovereignty. Man over-stepped his bounds by making a coin in his own image. God says... okay... the coin is yours, but the fish is going to cough that up. That's God's way of saying, "There is really nothing you can make in your image that my children don't already own!" The spirit-filled man, or the Kingdom man (fish) can cough up the worldly requirements of mankind on a moment's notice because the provision of God is endless. Ask Jonah what trumps what - the vain intentions of man or the Kingdom purpose of God?
Remember, the world was first judged by God with a flood. Who survived? Noah, his family, a few animals, and a whole BUNCH of fish. Fish can survive where other flesh cannot. They represent spirit-filled people dwelling in a different landscape than any other creation.
So lets talk creation for a moment? Who was made in the image of God? Man ('adam', in the Hebrew). God said that man was made in HIS image. What else did God say about images? He said DON'T MAKE ANY, either carved, graven, molten, out of playdough, wax, or paper mache. Yes, but that was in the time of Moses. Oh yeah. Correct. Yes.
Let a few years pass and we see Jesus walking the earth. The Son of God - in the flesh! He gets asked one of those hard questions:
Mat 22:17 MKJV
(17) Therefore tell us; what do you think? Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar or not?
To this... Jesus decides He really didn't want to spend much time answering their "trick" question, so He simply asked for a coin. He held the coin to their face and asked them whose inscription was on it. THIS is strange. The Law - given by God - prohibited a graven image to be made, and here is God in the flesh holding one of these images in the face of unbelievers. Imagine the scene! "Whose inscription is this?"
Jesus did not say, "Who created this VILE image!! This is an abomination!!!!" Perhaps He thought it... but this is not what He said.
The answer was short. "Caesar's." To which Jesus replies... "Oh... must be his, then." And He flips the coin back to them and they walk away - quickly.
It was a subtle truth. You belong to HIM whose image you bear.
Did you hear that? You BELONG to HIM whose image you bear. If there were ever any doubt, let there be no more. You were created for God, and for no other.
So what about the fish??? So... what?
When it came to be tax time, Peter says to Jesus, "Uh... Teacher, we need some money." To which Jesus said, "Go fishing." Peter, a fisherman by trade but now a 'fisher-of-men' had little trouble with the instructions. He went and caught a fish, which strangely had enough money in its mouth to cover both Peter and Jesus.
The picture is of sovereignty. Man over-stepped his bounds by making a coin in his own image. God says... okay... the coin is yours, but the fish is going to cough that up. That's God's way of saying, "There is really nothing you can make in your image that my children don't already own!" The spirit-filled man, or the Kingdom man (fish) can cough up the worldly requirements of mankind on a moment's notice because the provision of God is endless. Ask Jonah what trumps what - the vain intentions of man or the Kingdom purpose of God?
Monday, June 07, 2010
Look Out!
This is a word from my pastor's blog:
"Our lifestyle is not pastoral, it’s prophetic. For example notice How we walk physically. We look down where we are and we look up to see where were going. What is true physically is also true spiritually."
God is present-future. He wants to see you walk into the destiny that He has planned - and He DOES have plans for you! (Jer 29:11)
Has Jesus not paid the price for our past failures? What about present and future failures? What right do we have to dwell on them? If what is true in the physical is also true in the spirit, then it behooves us to watch where we are going. If we constantly look back, then what is before us has the potential to destroy us.
Php 3:13-14 ESV
(13) Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,
(14) I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
"Our lifestyle is not pastoral, it’s prophetic. For example notice How we walk physically. We look down where we are and we look up to see where were going. What is true physically is also true spiritually."
God is present-future. He wants to see you walk into the destiny that He has planned - and He DOES have plans for you! (Jer 29:11)
Has Jesus not paid the price for our past failures? What about present and future failures? What right do we have to dwell on them? If what is true in the physical is also true in the spirit, then it behooves us to watch where we are going. If we constantly look back, then what is before us has the potential to destroy us.
Php 3:13-14 ESV
(13) Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,
(14) I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Friday, June 04, 2010
Kingdom Perspective
It's easy to view the Kingdom of Heaven as an aquarium, to be looked into and observed. Our reality tends to not be the same as the reality inside the aquarium. Our reality is ugly, full of the trials of life and death. The reality inside the aquarium is different - it's pretty and ideological and somewhat untouchable.
Our perspective tends to flow from a head knowledge of what we see in the aquarium. We know that all things are possible in the aquarium. IF we try really hard, and pray really long, and fast all the time, then we might be able to stick our hand in the aquarium and pull something out - like healing, or a financial miracle, or fill in the blank with your own miraculous wish.
Our perspective is the problem.
If we live in the spirit as we are instructed (Rom 8:13, Gal 5:25) then we discover that we can 'enter' the aquarium. Then something funky-tastic happens... we find the real reality is the Kingdom reality - God's reality, and that we had been living in an aquarium all along. That which is unseen is far larger and far more potent than that which is seen. Our old reality seems to be more of a silly, abominable emulation rather than the truth, which is that all things are possible with God.
The beauty of this is that we no longer have to work so hard to pull a miraculous rabbit out of a divine hat. If we live within Kingdom reality, then we simply operate in it as well. God's reality becomes ours. With such a perspective, what can limit you?
Our perspective tends to flow from a head knowledge of what we see in the aquarium. We know that all things are possible in the aquarium. IF we try really hard, and pray really long, and fast all the time, then we might be able to stick our hand in the aquarium and pull something out - like healing, or a financial miracle, or fill in the blank with your own miraculous wish.
Our perspective is the problem.
If we live in the spirit as we are instructed (Rom 8:13, Gal 5:25) then we discover that we can 'enter' the aquarium. Then something funky-tastic happens... we find the real reality is the Kingdom reality - God's reality, and that we had been living in an aquarium all along. That which is unseen is far larger and far more potent than that which is seen. Our old reality seems to be more of a silly, abominable emulation rather than the truth, which is that all things are possible with God.
The beauty of this is that we no longer have to work so hard to pull a miraculous rabbit out of a divine hat. If we live within Kingdom reality, then we simply operate in it as well. God's reality becomes ours. With such a perspective, what can limit you?
Thursday, June 03, 2010
Reverse Contamination
In the Old Testament, we see examples of the severity of sin. In that, there were physical examples that could be observed. If you had a clean sacrifice, nothing unclean was to touch it. If that happened, the sacrifice was no longer acceptable because it was made unclean. If there were a crossing of paths between the clean and the unclean, the unclean always won.
Don't mix seed. Don't mix crops. Don't mix marriage between cultures. Don't mix customs.
It's a perfect example of living in sin without a savior. The unclean in you will win.
But after Jesus came and died, we discover reverse contamination. The unclean never wins over the clean. Sin is overcome. God sees the blood of Perfection.
Rom 11:16 MKJV
(16) For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, also the branches.
This was a concept of the Law... but it could never be personified or fulfilled until Jesus made it so! I have a Holy Firstfruit which makes the whole of whatever else I have HOLY as well, even if whatever else I have seems imperfect or insufficient. Firstfruits wins! Jesus wins!
Rom 8:28 MKJV
(28) And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
Don't mix seed. Don't mix crops. Don't mix marriage between cultures. Don't mix customs.
It's a perfect example of living in sin without a savior. The unclean in you will win.
But after Jesus came and died, we discover reverse contamination. The unclean never wins over the clean. Sin is overcome. God sees the blood of Perfection.
Rom 11:16 MKJV
(16) For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, also the branches.
This was a concept of the Law... but it could never be personified or fulfilled until Jesus made it so! I have a Holy Firstfruit which makes the whole of whatever else I have HOLY as well, even if whatever else I have seems imperfect or insufficient. Firstfruits wins! Jesus wins!
Rom 8:28 MKJV
(28) And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Junkies
Have you ever known or perhaps lived with a junkie of some sort? There are all types. Junk food, fishing (ahem), music, TV, video game, cell phone... just about anything you can imagine, a person can get hooked on to an extreme. The 'junkie' trait is the kind of thing your spouse should discover before marriage. Granted that most of us are junkies at something, even if it's something tame. Being a junkie can be hard for others to cope with.
I love to fish. I am probably not as much of a fishing junkie as some other folks I know, but it's plenty-enough to make my wife uncomfortable IF she doesn't like fishing. Fortunately, I chose wisely, and my wife is a fisher-woman. My love for fishing does not tend to make her uneasy. I could attend the most hard-core fishing convention in the world and TOTALLY enjoy myself. If everyone there ate, drank, and slept fishing, fishing boats, fishing rods, fishing lures.... I'd be right at home. This is the way of junkies.
I'm also a Jesus junkie. I don't get tired of talking about Him, hearing about Him, trying to do what He did... it's all fascinating and captivating and consuming and contagious! If you want my attention, talk about fishing or Jesus. If you don't, talk about baseball or work.
But now these hard questions. How is it that so many Christians get uncomfortable when you really start talking about being like Jesus? Why would anyone who claims to know Him get tired of talking about Him? I see it. I see it a lot. Some folks don't like extremes of any kind, and being like Jesus is RADICAL. It's divisive. Being like Jesus - or trying to - may cause contention in the home or the family. A prophet isn't accepted in his home town... or home, often enough. Familiarity does breed contempt. "Look at him, trying to be all Jesus-like!" Yes... trying.
I buy Bill Dance lures so I can catch fish like Bill. For some reason people think that is okay, but if I sign on to emulate Jesus, even self-proclaimed Christians think I'm being pretentious.
So far, this post has been fairly judgmental (let's call it exhortational, not a word but go with it) - but mostly it's to me. The reason I think I know what people are thinking is because... it's what I've thought. I now understand, though, that a true junkie is going to make a non-junkie uncomfortable with their passion. What's the saying? "A Jesus-freak is someone who loves Jesus more than you do." Ouch.
I love to fish. I am probably not as much of a fishing junkie as some other folks I know, but it's plenty-enough to make my wife uncomfortable IF she doesn't like fishing. Fortunately, I chose wisely, and my wife is a fisher-woman. My love for fishing does not tend to make her uneasy. I could attend the most hard-core fishing convention in the world and TOTALLY enjoy myself. If everyone there ate, drank, and slept fishing, fishing boats, fishing rods, fishing lures.... I'd be right at home. This is the way of junkies.
I'm also a Jesus junkie. I don't get tired of talking about Him, hearing about Him, trying to do what He did... it's all fascinating and captivating and consuming and contagious! If you want my attention, talk about fishing or Jesus. If you don't, talk about baseball or work.
But now these hard questions. How is it that so many Christians get uncomfortable when you really start talking about being like Jesus? Why would anyone who claims to know Him get tired of talking about Him? I see it. I see it a lot. Some folks don't like extremes of any kind, and being like Jesus is RADICAL. It's divisive. Being like Jesus - or trying to - may cause contention in the home or the family. A prophet isn't accepted in his home town... or home, often enough. Familiarity does breed contempt. "Look at him, trying to be all Jesus-like!" Yes... trying.
I buy Bill Dance lures so I can catch fish like Bill. For some reason people think that is okay, but if I sign on to emulate Jesus, even self-proclaimed Christians think I'm being pretentious.
So far, this post has been fairly judgmental (let's call it exhortational, not a word but go with it) - but mostly it's to me. The reason I think I know what people are thinking is because... it's what I've thought. I now understand, though, that a true junkie is going to make a non-junkie uncomfortable with their passion. What's the saying? "A Jesus-freak is someone who loves Jesus more than you do." Ouch.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Multi-dimensional Faith
If asked, an evangelical Christian would tell you that if you are a believer, then you are saved. John 3:16 is very clear. If you believe in the Son, then you shall have life ever-lasting. Few wrestle with whether or not God actually has the ability to do this. Paul said in his letter to Timothy that "I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to guard that which I have committed unto him..." (2 Timothy 1:12). Paul didn't wrestle with the concept that God might not be able to save him.
Joh 10:10 KJV
(10) The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
This, we wrestle with.
We do whatever it takes to make this mean something other than what it says. "Yeah, well, it's talking about eternal life." "It's talking about 'spiritual' life, not life in the physical." "It's just another allegory."
Abundant life - something few have a concept of. The Greek word for 'abundant' is 'perissos', which means superabundant or excessive. Don't you like that? Excessive! For so long Christians have tried to separate themselves from 'excess' because they believe it's not of God. This is just not so. God IS excess. If you don't believe that, just try to go somewhere that He isn't.
This is a long-winded approach to saying that God is able to save you, but that He is also able to give you a life of excess - WHATEVER that means. Spiritual excess? Yes. Physical excess? Absolutely. Success in relationships, finances, health, business, recreation, ministry... you name it. If it does not serve to separate you from His plan for your life, then why don't you just assume He wants you to be excellent in what you're doing? Extend your faith into other areas of your life. Have multi-dimensional faith!
Questions always generate from a teaching like this. Can I be dirt-poor and still have abundant life? Absolutely! Jesus Himself said He had no place to lay His head. Obviously, coinage in the bank is not related to abundant life. But we can draw some conclusions as to what IS related. Anything that Jesus battled must also battle abundant life. Is this true or false?
He battled sickness - He healed when He had the opportunity. He battled worry - He said don't! He battled fatigue - He said rest in Me'. He battled religion - He said follow Me, my yoke is easy and my burden is light. If Jesus battled these things, then don't make peace with them. Abundant life is what Jesus came to bring you. Does your life reflect abundance?
Joh 10:10 KJV
(10) The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
This, we wrestle with.
We do whatever it takes to make this mean something other than what it says. "Yeah, well, it's talking about eternal life." "It's talking about 'spiritual' life, not life in the physical." "It's just another allegory."
Abundant life - something few have a concept of. The Greek word for 'abundant' is 'perissos', which means superabundant or excessive. Don't you like that? Excessive! For so long Christians have tried to separate themselves from 'excess' because they believe it's not of God. This is just not so. God IS excess. If you don't believe that, just try to go somewhere that He isn't.
This is a long-winded approach to saying that God is able to save you, but that He is also able to give you a life of excess - WHATEVER that means. Spiritual excess? Yes. Physical excess? Absolutely. Success in relationships, finances, health, business, recreation, ministry... you name it. If it does not serve to separate you from His plan for your life, then why don't you just assume He wants you to be excellent in what you're doing? Extend your faith into other areas of your life. Have multi-dimensional faith!
Questions always generate from a teaching like this. Can I be dirt-poor and still have abundant life? Absolutely! Jesus Himself said He had no place to lay His head. Obviously, coinage in the bank is not related to abundant life. But we can draw some conclusions as to what IS related. Anything that Jesus battled must also battle abundant life. Is this true or false?
He battled sickness - He healed when He had the opportunity. He battled worry - He said don't! He battled fatigue - He said rest in Me'. He battled religion - He said follow Me, my yoke is easy and my burden is light. If Jesus battled these things, then don't make peace with them. Abundant life is what Jesus came to bring you. Does your life reflect abundance?
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Don't Be A Chess Piece
Exo 7:13 LITV
(13) And the heart of Pharaoh hardened, and he did not listen to them, as Jehovah had said.
Exo 7:22 And the magicians of Egypt did so by their secret arts. And Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he did not listen to them, as Jehovah had said.
Exo 8:19 And the priests said to Pharaoh, It is the finger of God. And Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he did not listen to them, as Jehovah had said.
Exo 13:15 And it happened when Pharaoh hardened himself against sending us away, Jehovah killed every first-born one in the land of Egypt, from the first-born of men even to the first-born of animals. On account of this I sacrifice to Jehovah every one of the males opening the womb, and I redeem every first-born of my sons.
Exo 14:8 And Jehovah hardened Pharaoh king of Egypt's heart. And he pursued the sons of Israel. And the sons of Israel were going out with a high hand.
When we wrestle with God, we do so in a swimming pool of His grace. There are volumes to be written of the grace of God, who allows us chance after chance after chance to choose righteousness. But like with Pharaoh, there is a pattern. Pharaoh had a choice to make - to work with God or against God.
Notice that Pharaoh hardened his own heart against God until the last instance... when it says "Jehovah hardened Pharaoh king of Egypt's heart". You get so many attempts before God allows you to stick with your choice. At that point, God says, "I wanted to use your surrender for my glory, but now I will use your defeat for My glory. You are now a chess piece."
Pharaoh's choices ultimately cost him his son, and later his own corpse washed up on the beach before all his former slaves. This is a typical result of going our own way.
(13) And the heart of Pharaoh hardened, and he did not listen to them, as Jehovah had said.
Exo 7:22 And the magicians of Egypt did so by their secret arts. And Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he did not listen to them, as Jehovah had said.
Exo 8:19 And the priests said to Pharaoh, It is the finger of God. And Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he did not listen to them, as Jehovah had said.
Exo 13:15 And it happened when Pharaoh hardened himself against sending us away, Jehovah killed every first-born one in the land of Egypt, from the first-born of men even to the first-born of animals. On account of this I sacrifice to Jehovah every one of the males opening the womb, and I redeem every first-born of my sons.
Exo 14:8 And Jehovah hardened Pharaoh king of Egypt's heart. And he pursued the sons of Israel. And the sons of Israel were going out with a high hand.
When we wrestle with God, we do so in a swimming pool of His grace. There are volumes to be written of the grace of God, who allows us chance after chance after chance to choose righteousness. But like with Pharaoh, there is a pattern. Pharaoh had a choice to make - to work with God or against God.
Notice that Pharaoh hardened his own heart against God until the last instance... when it says "Jehovah hardened Pharaoh king of Egypt's heart". You get so many attempts before God allows you to stick with your choice. At that point, God says, "I wanted to use your surrender for my glory, but now I will use your defeat for My glory. You are now a chess piece."
Pharaoh's choices ultimately cost him his son, and later his own corpse washed up on the beach before all his former slaves. This is a typical result of going our own way.
Friday, May 21, 2010
10-Foot Ceilings
There are a couple of rooms in my home with 10-foot ceilings. I have little girls that have been walking a year now, maybe. They are used to seeing the ceiling above their head. Of all the whining I hear during my time with them, what they don't whine about is trying to touch the ceiling. To them, it's not something that is attainable. If you asked them if daddy could touch the ceiling, they'd probably say 'Yes!'. They'd be wrong, but they think I can do some amazing things.
I get used to seeing that ceiling. It becomes a dimension of my reality. If there is a storm going on outside, I hear the thunder and I may see a flash of lightning, but if I look up and around, I see the ceiling - and some walls. The reality of the storm is really pretty distant. No incessantly cold rain drops in my eyes. No howling wind... no small hailstones... or sleet. Just a knowledge that there is a storm - and meanwhile there is this ceiling. What a sad box for a Spirit-filled person to live in. For my kids, the reality is far more distant, as they have NEVER been caught in a storm.
If I wanted to change my profession and go into storm-chasing, I'm certain I could get quite a few credentials and certifications by sitting at my computer and doing some bookwork. I could learn all the terminology. I could figure out the computer models. But sooner or later, I'd have to take that knowledge in meteorology and hit the road. I'd have to examine the conditions outside. I would have to ride into, through, and out of some storms. Otherwise, the very limits of my storm-chasing experience would be my 10-foot ceilings, and when it came to credibility in my field - I'd have none.
Welcome to Christianity today. It is very easy to go to church, and attend bible study, and not cuss (okay... not always that easy). Attaining the credentials as "Christian" is very easy. But Jesus said we would be known by our love for each other.
Joh 13:34-35 LITV
(34) I give a new commandment to you, that you should love one another; according as I loved you, you should also love one another.
(35) By this all shall know that you are My disciples, if you have love among one another.
Do you know what this tells me? It says that every other 'brotherhood' offered by this world that claims it will love you - won't. Jesus says that IF you are truly loving each other, then you ARE one of His disciples. Do you know what it's like to be truly loved by someone - or to truly love someone? Maybe it's time to see past the ceiling of religion, or family, or work, or the bowling team. Get some credibility to go with that Christian diploma above your PC.
I get used to seeing that ceiling. It becomes a dimension of my reality. If there is a storm going on outside, I hear the thunder and I may see a flash of lightning, but if I look up and around, I see the ceiling - and some walls. The reality of the storm is really pretty distant. No incessantly cold rain drops in my eyes. No howling wind... no small hailstones... or sleet. Just a knowledge that there is a storm - and meanwhile there is this ceiling. What a sad box for a Spirit-filled person to live in. For my kids, the reality is far more distant, as they have NEVER been caught in a storm.
If I wanted to change my profession and go into storm-chasing, I'm certain I could get quite a few credentials and certifications by sitting at my computer and doing some bookwork. I could learn all the terminology. I could figure out the computer models. But sooner or later, I'd have to take that knowledge in meteorology and hit the road. I'd have to examine the conditions outside. I would have to ride into, through, and out of some storms. Otherwise, the very limits of my storm-chasing experience would be my 10-foot ceilings, and when it came to credibility in my field - I'd have none.
Welcome to Christianity today. It is very easy to go to church, and attend bible study, and not cuss (okay... not always that easy). Attaining the credentials as "Christian" is very easy. But Jesus said we would be known by our love for each other.
Joh 13:34-35 LITV
(34) I give a new commandment to you, that you should love one another; according as I loved you, you should also love one another.
(35) By this all shall know that you are My disciples, if you have love among one another.
Do you know what this tells me? It says that every other 'brotherhood' offered by this world that claims it will love you - won't. Jesus says that IF you are truly loving each other, then you ARE one of His disciples. Do you know what it's like to be truly loved by someone - or to truly love someone? Maybe it's time to see past the ceiling of religion, or family, or work, or the bowling team. Get some credibility to go with that Christian diploma above your PC.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
When To Quiet The Storm
Some big storms came through last night. It's always interesting when you stay up for the 10 o'clock weather report and the weatherman seems a little tense. Last night was like that. I have storms on the brain.
Jesus didn't pay much attention to storms, did He? He never blessed a storm. He did one of two things: calm it or sleep through it. Okay, okay... He probably walked through a couple on the sea, but that's not the point.
I don't want to discuss whether or not you or I can calm a storm - I believe we can, so I'll leave it at that. The question in my mind is... when do we calm a storm, and when do we just sleep through it?
Why calm the storm? If the storm isn't bothering you - why calm it? If you can sleep through it, sleep through it! You say - well - what if it 'is' bothering me. What if I'm scared of the storm? Then you can't calm it. You can only impart (give away) what you carry, and if you carry fear, fear is all you can give. So when can you calm the storm - and when do you?
If you can sleep through the storm, you can calm it. But you only calm it to bring peace to someone else. If you are really hating this storm analogy - put your own crisis in the blank.
You've been with the company for 25 years and have endured at least that many test fire alarms. The alarm goes off. You lock the computer, grab a piece of gum and your shades, and casually head for the parking lot. Meanwhile, the new hire - Bertha - is having a conniption because she has no idea what is going on. She's rattling like a chainsaw about tornado or nuclear assault and it throwing all of her worldly possessions into her purse. What do you do? Do you sleep through this storm - ignoring Bertha? Or do you calm her storm?
As Christians, it's time to realize our power in Jesus and to be about the Father's business. If that means resting while the storm rages - that has its place. If it means changing the environment for those who cannot sleep through the storm, then change it and let God be glorified. (Luke 8:23, 24)
Jesus didn't pay much attention to storms, did He? He never blessed a storm. He did one of two things: calm it or sleep through it. Okay, okay... He probably walked through a couple on the sea, but that's not the point.
I don't want to discuss whether or not you or I can calm a storm - I believe we can, so I'll leave it at that. The question in my mind is... when do we calm a storm, and when do we just sleep through it?
Why calm the storm? If the storm isn't bothering you - why calm it? If you can sleep through it, sleep through it! You say - well - what if it 'is' bothering me. What if I'm scared of the storm? Then you can't calm it. You can only impart (give away) what you carry, and if you carry fear, fear is all you can give. So when can you calm the storm - and when do you?
If you can sleep through the storm, you can calm it. But you only calm it to bring peace to someone else. If you are really hating this storm analogy - put your own crisis in the blank.
You've been with the company for 25 years and have endured at least that many test fire alarms. The alarm goes off. You lock the computer, grab a piece of gum and your shades, and casually head for the parking lot. Meanwhile, the new hire - Bertha - is having a conniption because she has no idea what is going on. She's rattling like a chainsaw about tornado or nuclear assault and it throwing all of her worldly possessions into her purse. What do you do? Do you sleep through this storm - ignoring Bertha? Or do you calm her storm?
As Christians, it's time to realize our power in Jesus and to be about the Father's business. If that means resting while the storm rages - that has its place. If it means changing the environment for those who cannot sleep through the storm, then change it and let God be glorified. (Luke 8:23, 24)
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Patience In Learning
When you are reading scriptures, do so with the realization that you will only learn that which the Holy Spirit is willing to teach you. Sometimes I forget this, especially when I set out to learn something new.
The presupposition is that God wants me to know everything. That would be false. The fall of mankind occurred because Adam's eyes were 'opened', and all of a sudden he 'knew' good and evil. God no more wishes for you to know everything than you wish your child to know everything. Granted, most of this is a timing issue. However, there are some things that my children would never know if I had a say in it.
With all of this in mind, read scriptures with a new openness to receive what God has for you today. He does have something specifically for YOU - at this moment.
The presupposition is that God wants me to know everything. That would be false. The fall of mankind occurred because Adam's eyes were 'opened', and all of a sudden he 'knew' good and evil. God no more wishes for you to know everything than you wish your child to know everything. Granted, most of this is a timing issue. However, there are some things that my children would never know if I had a say in it.
With all of this in mind, read scriptures with a new openness to receive what God has for you today. He does have something specifically for YOU - at this moment.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Feeling Salty
This weekend, Pastor spoke on God's dealings with us as His children. The crux of the message was that God is interested in the present-future, not the present-past. To summarize this concept, people are very much hung up on their past, which prevents them from walking into the future that God has ordained for them. God said in Jeremiah, "I know the plans I have for you..." to which we add "...and if I can ever get past what I've done, I'll walk into that destiny."
God does not deal with the past of His children in a judgmental way. He has already judged our sin completely. Paul said,
Php 3:13-14 MKJV
(13) My brothers, I do not count myself to have taken possession, but one thing I do, forgetting the things behind and reaching forward to the things before,
(14) I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Very few of us could boast a past as abysmal as Paul's. Read about him - he wasn't nice.
As this word was being presented to us, the Lord brought me a thought that I'll record here, so as to share and not forget.
We are to be salt and light. (Matt 5:13) I've never really understood the detail of Lot's wife until now. She is a picture of a redeemed Christian that is hung up on the baggage of her past. She was truly redeemed - she was out of harms way. But she could not let go of her past, and she became a pillar of salt. Still salt, yes, but now a motionless pillar, unable to distribute but only available as an example from which people could take as they needed or desired. People, that is about as lame as your ministry can get, but if you are a child of God, you will minister in some way - even if it's from example.
God is interested in what you are - and what you are becoming in Him. This is your testimony. He isn't interested in what you've been - that's old news. He is a God of new wine. We are to become more like Jesus every day. This gives much value to the gift of prophecy - for this is the right-now word about your future. Embrace the plans God has for you, and "forget the things behind" that have only served to weigh you down.
God does not deal with the past of His children in a judgmental way. He has already judged our sin completely. Paul said,
Php 3:13-14 MKJV
(13) My brothers, I do not count myself to have taken possession, but one thing I do, forgetting the things behind and reaching forward to the things before,
(14) I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Very few of us could boast a past as abysmal as Paul's. Read about him - he wasn't nice.
As this word was being presented to us, the Lord brought me a thought that I'll record here, so as to share and not forget.
We are to be salt and light. (Matt 5:13) I've never really understood the detail of Lot's wife until now. She is a picture of a redeemed Christian that is hung up on the baggage of her past. She was truly redeemed - she was out of harms way. But she could not let go of her past, and she became a pillar of salt. Still salt, yes, but now a motionless pillar, unable to distribute but only available as an example from which people could take as they needed or desired. People, that is about as lame as your ministry can get, but if you are a child of God, you will minister in some way - even if it's from example.
God is interested in what you are - and what you are becoming in Him. This is your testimony. He isn't interested in what you've been - that's old news. He is a God of new wine. We are to become more like Jesus every day. This gives much value to the gift of prophecy - for this is the right-now word about your future. Embrace the plans God has for you, and "forget the things behind" that have only served to weigh you down.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
The Divine Mirror
The results of the Old Covenant and the New Covenant appear to mirror each other. Here is a very simplified example:
In the time of Moses, if you had leprosy and you touched someone, that 'someone' became unclean. However, Jesus implemented a mirror image that showed Him touching a leper, and the leper became clean. See the mirror?
Here is a much more complex example:
Lev 14:35-36 MKJV
(35) and if he that owns the house shall come and tell the priest, saying, A plague is seen by me in the house;
(36) then the priest shall command that they empty the house before the priest goes to see the plague, so that all that is in the house may not become unclean. And afterwards the priest shall go in to see the house.
(48) And if the priest shall come in and look, and, behold, the plague has not spread in the house after the house was plastered, then the priest shall pronounce the house clean because the plague is healed.
(49) And he shall take two birds to cleanse the house, and cedar-wood, and scarlet dye, and hyssop.
(50) And he shall kill one of the birds in an earthen vessel over running water.
(51) And he shall take the cedar wood, and the hyssop, and the scarlet dye, and the living bird, and dip them in the blood of the slain bird and in the running water, and sprinkle the house seven times.
(52) And he shall cleanse the house with the blood of the bird, and with the running water, and with the living bird, and with the cedar wood, and with the hyssop, and with the scarlet.
(53) But he shall let the living bird go out of the city into the open field, and make an atonement for the house. And it shall be clean.
The "house" in this case was a real house, or stone dwelling. But it's also the same word for 'temple', which Jesus used interchangeably with our 'physical body'. Basically... this could be a passage about our physical body being sick with a plague. So what just happened?
The body is sick so the priest comes:
Jas 5:14-15 MKJV
(14) Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.
(15) And the prayer of faith will cure the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up. And if he has committed sins, it will be forgiven him.
The body is sick so priest comes:
In the time of Moses, if you had leprosy and you touched someone, that 'someone' became unclean. However, Jesus implemented a mirror image that showed Him touching a leper, and the leper became clean. See the mirror?
Here is a much more complex example:
Lev 14:35-36 MKJV
(35) and if he that owns the house shall come and tell the priest, saying, A plague is seen by me in the house;
(36) then the priest shall command that they empty the house before the priest goes to see the plague, so that all that is in the house may not become unclean. And afterwards the priest shall go in to see the house.
(48) And if the priest shall come in and look, and, behold, the plague has not spread in the house after the house was plastered, then the priest shall pronounce the house clean because the plague is healed.
(49) And he shall take two birds to cleanse the house, and cedar-wood, and scarlet dye, and hyssop.
(50) And he shall kill one of the birds in an earthen vessel over running water.
(51) And he shall take the cedar wood, and the hyssop, and the scarlet dye, and the living bird, and dip them in the blood of the slain bird and in the running water, and sprinkle the house seven times.
(52) And he shall cleanse the house with the blood of the bird, and with the running water, and with the living bird, and with the cedar wood, and with the hyssop, and with the scarlet.
(53) But he shall let the living bird go out of the city into the open field, and make an atonement for the house. And it shall be clean.
The "house" in this case was a real house, or stone dwelling. But it's also the same word for 'temple', which Jesus used interchangeably with our 'physical body'. Basically... this could be a passage about our physical body being sick with a plague. So what just happened?
The body is sick so the priest comes:
- the house is cured
- the sacrifice is made, while the plague is carried to the Dead Sea
- the house is anointed
Jas 5:14-15 MKJV
(14) Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.
(15) And the prayer of faith will cure the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up. And if he has committed sins, it will be forgiven him.
The body is sick so priest comes:
- the house is anointed
- the sacrifice has already been made (Jesus), who carried our sins as far as the east is from the west (notice Lev 14:49: cedar, scarlet, and hyssop), but is here claimed by the prayer of faith
- the house is cured
Monday, May 10, 2010
More Fulfillment
Joe 2:28-31 MKJV
(28) And it shall be afterward, I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh. And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy; your old men shall dream dreams; your young men shall see visions.
(29) And also I will pour out My Spirit on the slaves and on the slave women in those days.
(30) And I will show wonders in the heavens, and in the earth, blood and fire and pillars of smoke.
(31) The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of Jehovah.
This is a graphic depiction of what will go on right before the end of the age. Luke quoted part of this in Acts. It is undeniable that the Spirit of God is truly being poured out right now. People who are relatively new in the faith are having visions and are walking in the prophetic. People of other faiths are having dreams that reveal the identity of Messiah, Jesus. This is happening to ALL flesh.
What about the rest of the passage? We do see wonders in the heavens, regularly now. Meteor showers, comets, strange activity with the sun, eclipses... just a lot of interesting heavenly activity. Blood and fire and pillars of smoke? We certainly have all of this we want. There is a volcano that is right now creating the fire and pillars of smoke, and is also blotting out the sun and turning the moon colors, depending on where you live. These are all very definite clues, and they are most-certainly being fulfilled right now.
It's a bleak passage, but there is really nothing more than needs to happen before we can put a check mark beside it as being 'fulfilled'. It lacks nothing. So what is next?
(28) And it shall be afterward, I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh. And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy; your old men shall dream dreams; your young men shall see visions.
(29) And also I will pour out My Spirit on the slaves and on the slave women in those days.
(30) And I will show wonders in the heavens, and in the earth, blood and fire and pillars of smoke.
(31) The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of Jehovah.
This is a graphic depiction of what will go on right before the end of the age. Luke quoted part of this in Acts. It is undeniable that the Spirit of God is truly being poured out right now. People who are relatively new in the faith are having visions and are walking in the prophetic. People of other faiths are having dreams that reveal the identity of Messiah, Jesus. This is happening to ALL flesh.
What about the rest of the passage? We do see wonders in the heavens, regularly now. Meteor showers, comets, strange activity with the sun, eclipses... just a lot of interesting heavenly activity. Blood and fire and pillars of smoke? We certainly have all of this we want. There is a volcano that is right now creating the fire and pillars of smoke, and is also blotting out the sun and turning the moon colors, depending on where you live. These are all very definite clues, and they are most-certainly being fulfilled right now.
It's a bleak passage, but there is really nothing more than needs to happen before we can put a check mark beside it as being 'fulfilled'. It lacks nothing. So what is next?
Wednesday, May 05, 2010
The Office of Minister
For many of us who have grown up in church or who are actively involved, going into 'full-time ministry' has always been a VERY pleasant thought. Working with like-minded people, most of whom you are probably good friends with, doing lunches, meetings, missions, etc... together, is appealing. However, after taking inventory the reasoning behind this appeal can be somewhat sobering.
We like to hang out with people who are like minded in faith and vision because it's easier. We like the thought of a non-stress work environment. After all, I'm not responsible, necessarily, for those I work with if everyone is already a believer - right?
In some ways, trading in the corporate office for an office down at the church would be much like taking a soldier off the battlefield and putting him or her into the recruiting office. You get to talk about conflict all day long, but you don't have to endure any. (No offense to recruiters - most have done their time!)
I'm not saying there isn't a place or purpose for this, but no wonder it's not God's will for everyone to work in the church office! We need soldiers doing ministry on the battlefield. We need office leaders who will pray for their company's success and for the salvation of their peers. We need people who live it and walk it - outside the church walls.
If your dream is to work for the church - don't abandon that. But meanwhile, keep hammering where you are, because you are the minister on duty. You are gate that heaven has opened for others - today - right now! Don't discount it! You hold a very important office!
We like to hang out with people who are like minded in faith and vision because it's easier. We like the thought of a non-stress work environment. After all, I'm not responsible, necessarily, for those I work with if everyone is already a believer - right?
In some ways, trading in the corporate office for an office down at the church would be much like taking a soldier off the battlefield and putting him or her into the recruiting office. You get to talk about conflict all day long, but you don't have to endure any. (No offense to recruiters - most have done their time!)
I'm not saying there isn't a place or purpose for this, but no wonder it's not God's will for everyone to work in the church office! We need soldiers doing ministry on the battlefield. We need office leaders who will pray for their company's success and for the salvation of their peers. We need people who live it and walk it - outside the church walls.
If your dream is to work for the church - don't abandon that. But meanwhile, keep hammering where you are, because you are the minister on duty. You are gate that heaven has opened for others - today - right now! Don't discount it! You hold a very important office!
Tuesday, May 04, 2010
One World Steps
BRUSSELS (AP) — EU transport ministers vowed Tuesday to reform the continent's patchwork air traffic control system into a seamless European airspace and to establish binding rules to determine when volcanic ash makes it too dangerous to fly. At an emergency aviation meeting, they vowed that the airspace reform was "a top priority" to reduce any possible future travel chaos caused by volcanic ash.
God promised that at the end of the age, there would be a one-world system enforced on most of the world (Rev 13). We've been seeing steps made towards that for quite a while now, but to me this is quite a large step. It is amazing to me how God pushes His agenda when it's time, and that which would otherwise take decades occurs in a matter of weeks.
In this case, one volcano in a historically volcanic nation at the top of the world creates such havoc that world governments vow to join forces in order to deal with the mess it causes. That is classic. One volcano...
God doesn't have to work up much of a sweat, does He?
Monday, May 03, 2010
Nothing Left on the Third Day
Lev 7:18 MKJV
(18) And if any of the flesh of the sacrifice of the peace offerings is eaten at all the third day, it shall not be accepted, neither shall it be imputed to him who offers it. It shall be an abomination, and the soul that eats of it shall bear his iniquity.
The book of Leviticus is difficult to read, but it gets infinitely more interesting when you start to run everything through the Jesus-filter. All of the Tanakh's references to sacrifice somehow point to Jesus, and this is no different.
It was Jesus Himself who said:
Joh 6:54-55 ESV
(54) Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.
(55) For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.
In the case of verse 18, none of the sacrifice could be left by the third day. Is this a clue that Jesus raised from the dead on the very dawn of day three? After all we know that He bore NO iniquity whatsoever.
Who offered this sacrifice? Jesus Himself, for He laid down His own life, and He is our high priest. What kind of sacrifice did He make? All of them including the peace offering - rolled into one. Everything required by God, Jesus fulfilled.
So what?
We, too, are to render ourselves living sacrifices. We, too, are to be resurrected on the third day - because He was. We are at the dawn of the third millennial day since Jesus went to prepare a place for us. The question is, which part of the third day does God check to see if there is any part of the sacrifice left?
(18) And if any of the flesh of the sacrifice of the peace offerings is eaten at all the third day, it shall not be accepted, neither shall it be imputed to him who offers it. It shall be an abomination, and the soul that eats of it shall bear his iniquity.
The book of Leviticus is difficult to read, but it gets infinitely more interesting when you start to run everything through the Jesus-filter. All of the Tanakh's references to sacrifice somehow point to Jesus, and this is no different.
It was Jesus Himself who said:
Joh 6:54-55 ESV
(54) Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.
(55) For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.
In the case of verse 18, none of the sacrifice could be left by the third day. Is this a clue that Jesus raised from the dead on the very dawn of day three? After all we know that He bore NO iniquity whatsoever.
Who offered this sacrifice? Jesus Himself, for He laid down His own life, and He is our high priest. What kind of sacrifice did He make? All of them including the peace offering - rolled into one. Everything required by God, Jesus fulfilled.
So what?
We, too, are to render ourselves living sacrifices. We, too, are to be resurrected on the third day - because He was. We are at the dawn of the third millennial day since Jesus went to prepare a place for us. The question is, which part of the third day does God check to see if there is any part of the sacrifice left?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)