Luke 4:18-19 – “The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; 19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.”  NKJV

We have all met people who believe that the reason they have achieved something is because they are somehow special and better than others.  It is a very egocentric and even narcissistic view they view the world, themselves and others through.  Most of the time, over time, this comes to light and the sheen leaves their star as they topple to the ground of reality.  I have met preachers who had the misguided idea of why they were anointed of God.

I believe that Jesus makes it perfectly clear the reason for the anointing and if we lose sight of that we will not only be in danger of losing the anointing but polluting it.  He declared that the REASON the Spirit of God (Anointing) was on Him was MINISTRY and SERVICE.  It was not to cause people to rave about his oratorical ability, enhance fund raising, or grow a big local congregation.  It is nice to have people attracted to your speaking ability and style as it opens doors.  It is nice to be able to see the funds for ministry roll in and having a large local congregation is or should be good but that is not why the anointing comes.

Jesus identified several things for which He was anointed:

• Preach the Good News to the Poor. – – Poor in spirit and poor in the flesh which would cover all of humanity.
• Heal the Brokenhearted.
• Proclaim Liberty to the Captive.
• Recovery of Sight to the Blind. – –Both spiritually and physically but especially spiritually.
• Set At Liberty the Oppressed.
• Proclaim the Acceptable Year of the Lord.

             I am resisting the temptation to launch into each of those but suffice it to say that the reason we are anointed and the Spirit of God is upon us as believers is to MINISTER and SERVE.  The reason God set the ministries in the Church according to Ephesians is to “equip and train” believers to do the work of ministry.  Our ministry is ministry.  If we lose sight of His purpose and somehow allow our ego to attempt to share His glory we will find ourselves in danger of Herod’s fate when people began to attribute god-likeness to Him after he spoke on one occasion.  Acts 12 informs us that when this happened and Herod believed it or allowed it an angel struck him and he was eaten by worms and died.

I would never want to presume upon God’s glory as somehow being mine.  We are vessels, nothing more and nothing less.  Any ability we have is from Him and all glory belongs to Him.  He is the one that can transform lives not we.  He is the one that can save the soul not we.  He is God we are His creation.  To Him be all Glory Honor and Praise!

May God grant you a rich anointing to do the work of ministry and may He bless you as you go through this day!

2 Timothy 1:3-7 – “I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day, 4 greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy, 5 when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also. 6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”  NKJV

Mother’s Day is a special time set aside each year to recognize and honor our mothers.  Mine has been promoted to heaven but her influence and memory is fresh and real in my life and that of our family.  In looking at this passage on this particular day the one portion that leaps off the page for me is found in verse 5.  The apostle reminds Timothy of his heritage of faith that was demonstrated in his grandmother and mother and called it ‘genuine faith’. 

That distinction is of great value in considering the important role of mothers in our lives.  Timothy’s grandmother and mother manifested ‘genuine faith’ which speaks of permanence, consistency and foundation.  They believed and walked out what they believed and instilled that confidence in Timothy, a quality Paul recognized and learned to depend on.

Faith is a critical element in walking with God for the Bible tells us that without it no person can please the Lord.  That speaks to the need to have confidence in God to weather the storms of life without becoming shipwrecked and a castaway.  If our faith is one of timidity, superficial and conditioned upon circumstance we will be an easy target for the devil and our walk and life will be little more than outward show, noise and fluff without substance.  If we had or have a mother who demonstrated the consistency, persistence and continuance of faith we will have learned that trusting God is not only desirable but possible.

I was blessed to have a mother who consistently demonstrated her faith, faithfulness and fidelity before the Lord and all who knew her.  Her example was invaluable and instilled in us the confidence that a mortal could walk upright before the Lord in faith.  Her love warmed our hearts, her encouragement inspired us to achieve and her faith provided an anchor for us in life.  The value of a mother who gives a heritage of faith is, as Proverbs declares, ‘far above rubies.’

To all the mothers reading this today I tip my hat to you and say ‘thank you’ for what you have done, are doing and will do for your families.  May God give you a special blessing on this day and lift your hearts so that you soar with the eagles.

            Blessings on your special day!

John 3:3 – “Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”  NKJV

When Nicodemus came to Jesus in the secrecy of the darkness He was seeking answers to questions beyond what he even knew.  He was a Jew, a ruler among the Jews so he had a reputation to protect, a place and a position.  His heart told Him that something was different about Jesus and that the hand of God was upon Him but he was confused and searching.  The conflict of what he had been taught was tormenting him so he came risking everything to inquire of Jesus.

Jesus read his heart and spoke directly to the question that was not asked and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”  Nicodemus, as the disciples, thought in the natural and that statement of Jesus brought even more confusion to his troubled heart.  Jesus spoke further clarification about the ‘new birth’ something that some in modern Christendom seem desirous to omit.  Nicodemus expressed his honest confusion for this was beyond his natural ability to conceptualize.  How could one be ‘born again’? 

Jesus addressed the distinction between the natural and the spiritual and as He acknowledged the confusion of the carnal mind He questioned Nicodemus, “Are you a teacher of Israel and yet cannot understand?”  Jesus identified His coming death on the Cross and then gave the fabulous oft quoted passage of John 3, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”  Therein is the door, path, channel through which we are to enter the Kingdom and Family of God – JESUS!

Our Lord speaks with clarity that we are all born naturally “of the water” but we must be born again spiritually “of the Spirit”.  He speaks of that transformation spoken of in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “…if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation (born again); old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”  We are translated from the Kingdom of Darkness and the Domain of the Devil to the Kingdom of Light and the Family of God as we receive Christ as our personal savior through repentance and faith.

There may be many voices, even respected voices in the world of Christendom, offering another gospel but there is no other gospel that that which is presented by the Bible.  Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life.  He is the Door.  He is our Savior having paid the debt of sin that we could not pay.  He went to the Cross to open the door to the Kingdom and now the only way into the Kingdom is through that door and He is that door!

            May God be with you as you go through your day!

Matthew 20:24-28 – “And when the ten heard it, they were greatly displeased with the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them.  26 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.  27 And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave —   28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”   NKJV

James and John’s mother was ambitious for her sons and wanted to insure they had prominent cabinet positions in the coming kingdom so she went to Jesus to request that they be given the two most noticeable and prominent positions at his side.  What is often missed is that she did not come alone for it is clear that James and John were there and desired the same thing as is revealed in verse 22.  This caused no small stir among the other disciples and the dissension became so heated that Jesus stepped in and presented a principle of leadership that too many miss.

Jesus addressed the carnal desire for preeminence in the world and how those in power like to lord their position and authority over those under them.  He then told them that leadership in the Kingdom of God cannot and would not take that path.  The principle was simple but powerful and difficult:

• Desire a position of authority?

Then you must demonstrate not only a willingness to serve and follow but you must actually do it.  It is not enough to mentally ascribe to the principles and say all the right things about servant leadership you must BECOME a servant and serve.

That is something that few desiring to occupy position of leadership in or out of the church find palatable.  Me serve?  I was asked to mentor a young man once who wanted to become a pastor.  When I addressed this principle with him he immediately informed me that those menial tasks I was assigning him was not befitting his education or calling and he would not do them.  He could or would not accept the principle Jesus laid out and considered his seminary training an immediate qualification for leadership in the congregation.  He would not serve and I could not allow him to lead.

• Become like Jesus.

If Jesus was willing to and actually became a servant then anything less from us is unacceptable.  

In my years I have found both in the church and in secular business those who cannot or will not follow make terrible leaders.  A person with an entitlement or elitist mentality makes a horrific leader.  I served in the military with some who understood this principle and some who did not.  I would have charged hell with those who did and resented those who did not.  (Remember I was not serving God during that time).  In business or in the church an individual that knows how to follow understands authority and cooperation whereas one that either will not, has not or cannot follow only knows arbitrary power not leadership, community or teamwork and either fail or become dictatorial tyrants and both are tragic.

If you want to ascend to a position of authority in the church or life learn to be a servant.  God bless you as you go through your day!

Psalm 58:6 – “Break their teeth in their mouth, O God!  Break out the fangs of the young lions, O LORD!”  NKJV

They say that honest confession is good for the soul so let me confess; there have been times I wanted God to kick somebody’s behind for me but He didn’t physically.  I have even asked if He would let me do it and He wouldn’t.  Okay now that is out of the way let’s consider this verse and Psalm 58 as it relates to you and I as believers in the 21st century.

Is David really asking God to ‘break the teeth and fangs’ of the wicked?  We find something similar in Psalm 3:7 and again I ask, is he asking God to kick some booty?  I know people who believe that based on these passages and a few others in Scripture they can enlist God’s help in hurting those who hurt them and live wickedly.  These same people want the Grace of the New Testament and the license of “an eye for an eye” of the Old.  Sometimes people adapt scripture to fit their desire or belief rather than allowing scripture to guide their faith and conduct.

I would suggest that if you notice the beginning of this Psalm that David is addressing those in positions of political and/or spiritual authority and they are not presenting or promoting righteousness.  He suggests this is due to the wickedness of their heart and all they say and do is poison and destructive.  When people either religiously or politically see wrong and sit silent they are complicit and in a great sense guilty of that very evil.  I suggest that David is speaking metaphorically and asking God do ‘take away their power and authority’.  If God renders them powerless, without influence or authority they will no longer be able to do their destructive works.

In that sense I fully endorse praying this kind of prayer toward those who demonstrate wickedness in this world.  I believe as in Ezekiel 33 that we are charged to ‘warn the wicked’ to turn from wickedness and if we do not do so we are guilty of their sin and the innocent blood will be on our hands.  Therefore, I believe it fully in agreement with the Bible to ask God to render those desiring to do wickedness and destruction powerless.  In fact we Job declaring in Job 29 of ‘breaking the fangs’ of the wicked and snatching victims from their teeth and considered it honorable to do so.

I realize that the Bible instructs me to pray for those in positions of authority and I do but I also realize that the Bible instructs and permits me to pray against evil and I do.  I have no hesitation to ask God to forcefully intervene against ‘sex offenders, sex traffickers, abortionist, and child-molesters, terrorist and even oppressive government.’  How can I watch as evil is carried out and not do that which I know to do to stop and silence it?

Therefore while I do not expect God to, physically ‘break out the teeth’ of the wicked I do ask Him to expose them and strip them of power.  I have no qualms about asking God to intervene on behalf of His children when oppressed, targeted, bullied and abused and ask Him to silence those guilty of such acts.  I do not encourage anyone to view God as their bouncer or enforcer but rather as their shelter in the time of storm and wall of defense for He has declared He desires to be.

Please do not ask God to do physical violence to those who seek your hurt rather pray for their souls, pray against their works and always maintain a right attitude.  As you demonstrate His character, pray His promises and stand on His principles you will see God move on your behalf and while those doing the deed may not see or understand others will and lives will be touched.

            God bless you as you go through your day!

Proverbs10:8-12 – “The wise in heart will receive commands, but a prating fool will fall.  9 He who walks with integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will become known. 10 He who winks with the eye causes trouble, but a prating fool will fall. 11 The mouth of the righteous is a well of life, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked. 12 Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all sins.”  NKJV

The foolishness of the heart is often revealed in the incessant blabber of the lips whereas the wise person desires to gain knowledge and instruction.  Walking in one’s integrity is a walk that exudes from peace and security whereas the wicked seeks shortcuts and perverts justice and wisdom.  The words from the mouth of the righteous brings peace, hope and points to life whereas the mouth of the wicked propels toward destruction and often is accompanied by violence.

Sadly, I know some in Christendom who have taken what I call the ‘Three Money Approach’ to sin.  They refuse to see it, refuse to hear it and refuse to speak against it!  They pretend to see nothing, hear nothing and offer no rejection of or objection to wickedness in our present world.  That approach, in my view, expresses HATE not LOVE.  I know, I have made a very bold statement and desire to explain what I mean if you will afford me the opportunity.

If you recall the words of Solomon in Proverbs 13:24 we are told that the parent who refuses to discipline (the rod) HATES the child.  We also read in Proverbs 10:12 that HATRED stirs up strife, but LOVE covers offenses.  That is not a directive to ‘wink at sin’ but for forgiveness.  In Proverbs 8:13 we are told that the fear of the Lord is HATRED of evil.  I would ask, “If you saw a relative or friend destroying their life would it be a demonstration of love to remain silent and allow them to continue when you could give warning?”  I would suggest it could be argued that it is the opposite of LOVE for if I see you in mortal danger and remain silent how can I argue that I am doing so out of Love?

I know many quote the passage in Proverbs 13:24 as “spare the rod and spoil the child” but it is stronger than that as you can read.  It is spare the rod (refuse proper discipline) is an evidence of HATRED not LOVE and SPOILING the child is a minor thing compared to the destruction that awaits.  In Proverbs 23:13 we are told that in administering discipline to the child we prevent that child from death (spiritual and possibly natural).  This can be expanded to all relationships.

As a Christian and a minister I do not want to come across as all Hell Fire and Brimstone but there are times when I must sound the alarm and identify sin as sin and warn of its destruction.  If I ‘wink at sin’ and pretend it is not a big deal that sin, whatever it might be or however small, can grow into a deadly cancer in the soul and my ‘Three Monkey Approach’ only brings death and destruction.  The Bible says that ‘faithful are the wounds of a friend’  (Proverbs 27:6)  You may not like what I have to say or I may not like being called out when wrong but if the objective is life and restoration then wound me please!

The Three Money Approach creates a condition where the supposed pursuit of tolerance and acceptance becomes a death sentence and reduces the church to a social club rather than a spiritual hospital and rehab center.  If we truly LOVE one another we will not be abusive but we will not ‘wink at sin’ for the love that lives in us will overpower the desire to be accepted by all.  If you are my friend please NEVER ‘wink at my sin’ and let your love for me compel you to speak truth to my life whether I like it or not for if you love me you will help me see the fallacy of my ways and lead me to the place where sins are covered.  If you allow me to continue without objection you only bring me and possibly you trouble.

Oh God, please break our hearts over sin again!   May the Lord be with you as you go through your day!

Revelation 3:16 – “So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.”  NKJV

Through my years of serving as lead pastor I often met the objection or excuse from someone regarding a need in the church, “I would but I’m just too busy.”  I always opted to leave it at that and move on to someone who was less apathetic or self-absorbed.  Before you castigate me for that statement let me suggest that ‘busy people’ are often the ones who give the most time in volunteer work so is it busyness or something else that is the real issue?

I really cannot find any scriptures to support APATHY or SELF-CENTEREDNESS but if you have them feel free to enlighten me.  Now I must caution you they will need to be contextual not just an isolated passage such as the two I’ve heard used where a person angry at another quoted, “Judas went out and hanged himself… Go thou and do likewise.”  Two isolated partial passages used to convey a desired message.

The words of the LORD to the Church at Laodicea are arresting and I wonder how applicable they are to today’s church and Christians?  He addresses them identifying the fact of their lukewarmness and then declares, “I will spew you out of my mouth.”  He identified their attitude as totally unacceptable.  The Bible tells us that ‘whatever our hand finds to do to do it with our might’ and that would appear to be opposite of lukewarm.

If we are APATHETIC and our focus is SELF we will find that unless it directly impacts us we are largely disinterested.  Sin and man’s lost condition does not tug the heart as a daily rule and any conviction over that attitude is quickly dispelled with images of our selfish objectives.  We justify our inaction and apathy with the claim of BUSYNESS in the interest of caring for our own and fail to remember that our LORD declared that if we ‘seek first’ the Kingdom of God and His righteousness all these things will be added to us.  Therefore, from a biblical perspective the best approach to life is:

• God First and Foremost.
• Others Second.
• Self Last.

In every area of life I have encountered APATHY and when people are apathetic politically freedoms are lost.  When people are apathetic relationally relationships are destroyed.  When people are apathetic economically opportunity is lost.  When people are apathetic spiritually souls are lost and the abundant life promised eludes us.

I have long said that when speaking to a crowd I thrive on two kinds of crowds:  Those who are enthusiastically for me or enthusiastically against me.  The crowd or audience that drains me is the apathetic crowd.  I would rather watch grass grow than speak to that kind of audience.  I suspect God feels the same and thus the reason for the warning and plea to the church at Laodicea.

May God stir your heart so that you are HOT rather than COLD and press toward the mark of the prize of the high calling of God in Christ.   Be blessed and walk in the power provided by the Spirit of God.