Month: February 2016

DID YOU HEAR WHAT PAUL SAID???


Spiritual Blog - Bond Servant

Romans 1:1-7 – “Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God 2 which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, 3 concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, 4 and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. 5 Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name, 6 among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ; 7 To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”  NKJV

 

Through the years, I have noticed and been guilty of reading the Bible from strictly a Western mentality.  I have contended for years that if we truly want to understand what is being said we have to understand what it meant to those who read and heard in that day.  Here in Romans Chapter 1, we find some powerful statements by the apostle Paul.

BONDSERVANT – The word is “Doulos”, which often is translated servant, but if we render it properly it means SLAVE.  It identifies one who is totally the property of his master and when Paul uses it here it is not for show but for defining purposes.  Those who heard his declaration understood that he was calling himself a SALVE of Jesus Christ and that his life was no longer his in any way but entirely the property of the LORD Jesus.  We say that but do we mean that?  He was “willingly” a slave to the LORD.

CALLED TO APOSTLESHIP – The word is “apostolos” which signifies a messenger or envoy.  He is one who has been sent on a confidential errand.  Here it goes far beyond that and means an “extraordinary messenger” sent on behalf of the Master of the Universe, God Himself.  The fact that Paul said he had been “called” to be an apostle signifies that he understood that He was joined to Jesus just as the Twelve had been.  He was truly a messenger with authority.

SEPARATED UNTO THE GOSPEL – This is important in that Paul is not just separated “from” the world but “to” the Gospel.  He has identified a specific work and a work to which he is separated.  The Gospel is his life, calling and purpose and as a SLAVE his purpose that which the LORD determines not his preference nor is it optional.  He has chosen to be exclusively committed to the purposes of God regardless of where that might lead or what the result might be.

Paul identifies this “gospel” which is timeless in the heart of God, promised through the prophets of old and is now coming to fruition.  The commitment to the “gospel” is paramount in the mind and heart of this apostle.  He has a purpose, assignment and mission in life and later would declare, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”  (2 Timothy 4:7-8). 

Paul’s life and ministry are marked by his singular commitment and dedication to his calling.  He refused to be dissuaded or diverted but set his heart to fulfill the wishes of his LORD and MASTER to whom he considers himself a “willing slave.”  A slave for life by virtue of his choice to be completely bound by the Master’s desire.  That is an incredibly powerful message and testimony.  “I have totally committed my life, will, and desire to Him.  It is no longer my rights but His desire that controls my life and purpose.  I must decrease but He must continually increase.”   If that were the heart of each of us today, TOTALLY, we would see a revival like we have not heretofore seen.  I have not yet attained but I am, like Paul, pressing toward the mark, the prize of the high calling of Jesus.

    God bless you as you reaffirm your commitment and embark on the journey of this day!

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THAT WHICH WAS LOST…


Spiritual Blog - Lost

Luke 19:1-10 – “Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. 2 Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. 3 And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way.  5 And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.”  6 So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully. 7 But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, “He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner.”

 8 Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.”

 9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham;  10 for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”   NKJV

 

I find the last few words of Jesus to Zacchaeus most compelling.  He said, “…for the Son of man has come to seek and to save that which WAS LOST.”  [Emphasis mine].  That corresponds with the truth that is woven throughout the New Testament concerning the Victory of Jesus at the Cross and Resurrection.  That which WAS LOST not that which is lost.  Do not misunderstand, I am not saying that people are not lost but that Jesus is making a declaration prior to His becoming the sacrifice for the sin of the world.  He is speaking prophetically and looking ahead in time in the natural.  However, in the Spirit Realm, He sees it as an accomplished fact.  He saw the devil defeated and man redeemed and/or rescued from the legal dominion of the devil.  Jesus is seeking that which was formerly in the clutches of the devil but now rightfully belongs to God, the creator and He is seeking that lost property or soul.

I believe the vastness of John 3:16 when it says, “WHOSOEVER…”  I believe the vastness of John in 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  I believe in the completeness of Romans 10:10, “…for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.”  I believe in the fullness and inclusiveness of the words of Jesus in Matthew 11:28, “Come unto Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”   I believe that if we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive them and in that act of forgiveness we experience the New Birth and become new creations.  We once were lost in sin but Jesus took us in.  We were aliens and strangers but now sons and daughters.  I believe!

Today is the day of Salvation!  Now is the Accepted Time!  If you feel the tugs at your heart then I urge you to respond to His call and know that He will not cast you aside.  You are welcome to enter through the doorway into the Kingdom of God.

God bless you as you go through this beautiful day!

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NO BILLY GOAT FOR A BBQ…


Spiritual Blog - Prodigal

Luke 15:11-32 – “Then He said: “A certain man had two sons.  12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood.  13 And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living.  14 But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want.  15 Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.  16 And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything.

 17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!  18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, 19 and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”‘

 20 “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.  21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

 22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet.  23 And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; 24 for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.

 25 “Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing.  26 So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant.  27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.’

 28 “But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him.  29 So he answered and said to his father, ‘Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat that I might make merry with my friends.  30 But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.’

 31 “And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours.  32 It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.'”  NKJV

 

I could leave off my comments and just post this passage and the impact would be incredibly positive for the Kingdom of God but I sense the Holy Spirit desires that I make some comments.  I want to draw out of this entire story the attitude of the older brother – No Billy Goat for a Barbeque or Woe is Me is an attitude possessed by far too many in the world of Christendom.

The beautiful story of a prodigal who had ‘wasted his inheritance’ on wantonness and waste returning home not asking to be restored to full sharing with his brother but to be received back as one of the hired servants is not the focus today.  The older brother had remained faithful and loyal to his father and the family enterprise.  He had suppressed any desire he had for sowing his wild oats and labored diligently.  Now, his brother returns from a life of debauchery and waste and his father treated him like royalty.  The older brother is insulted, offended, and angry.  Most of us would be as well, so before we criticize him we might want to honestly look in the mirror that reflects our heart.  He goes off and pouts.  Many are the times I have gone to a church member who took offense at something and felt their faithfulness unappreciated when someone who had been anything but was received back into the church fold. I cannot count the number of times I’ve ministered to someone who was overcome with anger at God because someone who had been a prodigal was received back into God’s graces and they felt slighted.

The attitude of the older brother blinds as to what God offers and what is available.  Consider what the father told this distraught son.  He said, “Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours…”  Did you hear that?  You are always with me, and ALL THAT I HAVE IS YOURS…His inheritance was his all along and he could have had the BBQ anytime he wanted but he had apparently not asked for it or demonstrated a desire for it UNTIL the wayward son comes home.  IT IS YOURS!  Your brother took his part and squandered it but what is left belongs to you.  It was right that we rejoice over one that was dead but is alive again, and was lost but has been found.  Forgiveness is a powerful part of faith and we must ever guard against resentment, bitterness, and self-centeredness.  One of the most powerful messages of the Bible is Reconciliation.  If we allow them to take root we will miss what God has for us and fail to realize the Abundant Life He has for us.

             God bless you on this beautiful day!

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SHOULD CHRISTIANS PLAN FOR THE FUTURE FINANCIALLY???


Spiritual Blog - Financial Planning

Luke 12:22-34 – “Then He said to His disciples, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on.  23 Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing.  24 Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds?  25 And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?  26 If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest?  27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.  28 If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith?

 29 “And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind.  30 For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things.  31 But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.

 32 “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.  33 Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys.  34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  NKJV

 

I have known people and more than a few preachers who considered it a violation of God’s directive to plan for the future financially.  After all, they demand, Jesus instructed us in Luke 12 to not give anything financial a second thought.  So, if the birds do not have to work for what they eat, neither should I.  I will just wait on God to provide.

I 100% concur that God is our source!  I also stand in complete agreement that mammon cannot be our focus.  However, I cannot ignore the overriding principles of the Bible with regard to counting the costs and providing for my own.  I believe that the ideal condition of the Christian mind is confidence that God will provide.  Negligence is never justified.  We are instructed to be “wise as serpents and harmless as doves” and I believe that applies to life’s planning and preparation.

Life should not be lived in FEAR or WORRY.  The believer should live with confidence that when we have done all we know to do and walked in obedience to God’s Word and the directive to our individual hearts, HE WILL PROVIDE.  The illustration of the ravens and the lilies of the field provide a beautiful word picture for us to visualize the keeping and care of God in all things in our lives.  If we allow concern for the natural things to overshadow the eternal we will live in fret and frustration.

David declared, “I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging bread.”  Can Christians have financial problems?  We see it every day!  Most of the times when I have faced financial difficulty I can trace the root to my error in judgment or failure to live within my means.  I am not discounting, today’s economic situation where some who WOULD WORK cannot find jobs and are facing incredibly difficult times.  Was that their making?  NO!  That is where God, the Church, the Community and Family come into the picture.  PROVISION comes from many sources but all under the guidance and direction of the LORD.

What we should make most important in our lives is GOD and then do that which we know to do and I am confident that God will provide.  This is not a cry for or against retirement planning, etc.  It is a cry for each of us to “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness” and from that position live in confidence that GOD WILL PROVIDE!

May you receive His rich blessings on this wonderful day!  

 

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REASONS I’VE HEARD FOR REJECTION OF THE BIBLE…


Spiritual Blog - Rejecting

John 8:52 – “Then the Jews said to Him, “Now we know that You have a demon! Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and You say, ‘If anyone keeps My word he shall never taste death.'”  NKJV

 

Through the years, I have heard a great number of reasons people offer for disbelieving the Bible and this passage has been used, at least, Jesus’ response to His accusers.  He said, “If anyone keeps My words he shall never taste death.”  The comeback or justification for not believing the Bible or in Jesus was, “See, this is a blatant lie for every day there are people who believe in God and live as Christians who DIE, so it is all a lie.”  That mindset allows an individual to justify their rejection and gives a certain smugness, arrogance and even meanness when they encounter believers of the Bible and in Jesus.

         Never TASTE death must be understood in light of the clear teachings of the Bible regarding the impact the Victory of the Lord Jesus on the Cross and demonstrated in the Resurrection brings.  If we accept the Lord Jesus Christ walking in His Word DEATH no longer has a sting and in truth we will NEVER DIE.  Oh, we will experience what is called death among mortals but when we receive Jesus we embark on a course and journey called ETERNAL LIFE over which death has no power.  We experience, in this life, what the Bible calls SLEEP which is nothing more than a transition from the natural or present into the eternal.

Adam and Eve, it is often argued, were told by God that the day they ate the “forbidden fruit” they would die and they did not die.  However, if you view what took place in the light of the rest of the Bible you realize they did die, not naturally but spiritually.  Their separation from God was dramatic and could be understood as nothing other than spiritual death.  In the eternal scheme of things, we will either LIVE ETERNALLY or DIE ETERNALLY and that death will not be a complete obliteration of consciousness and finality that many view death as being but a death in which the consciousness of life is ever present but unreachable.

I have encountered a number of believers and preachers who, as one pastor said to me, “The Bible is a good book but filled with a number of myths and plenteous in error.”  If I do not believe the Bible record and consider any of its accounts or prophesies myths I will be an easy mark for the enemy of my soul.  I either believe God or I do not.  I believe the Bible is the Inspired Word of God and that although human hands and minds were involved in penning the words we now hold as the Cannon of Scripture, I believe the Holy Spirit inspired and guided those men.  I recognize that in translating text from the original there is the possibility of inaccurate translation but again, I believe that God is God and capable of guiding the translators in a manner so as to preserve truth.  I acknowledge there are some renderings from the original or near original language into English that I find troubling but I remember that Jesus said, “When He is come (the Holy Spirit) He will guide you into all truth.”  Therefore, I am comfortable and confident that the Bible is Inspired and provides us a guide for faith and practice in life.

God bless you as you embark on your daily journey. 

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AN INCREDIBLY REVEALING QUESTION…


Spiritual Blog - Question

John 5:1-6 – “After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches. 3 In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. 4 For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had.   5 Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?”   NKJV [Emphasis mine…]

 

Every time I read this account of a miracle performed by our LORD I see something new or additional, but also have a tugging at my heart strings over the question.  Do you want to be made well?  That is an amazing question especially in light of the fact this man had been at the pool for a very long time.  He had, without question, resigned himself to his physical malady and plight and had in a very real sense allowed himself to view his status as VICTIM.  He was totally dependent on others to transport him or help him achieve virtually anything in life.

Jesus approached the pool of Bethesda and I have no doubt scanned the scene and fixed his eyes on this individual, not just because of his condition for all were in need of healing, but because of his mindset.  The question was arresting and I am sure the man was somewhat stunned by the question.  I can almost sense some outrage in his response, “Sir, I have no man to put me in the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.”  In East Texas, the response would have been, “ARE YOU BLIND, I can’t walk to get to the pool.”  Jesus ignored his victim mindset and gave a command that demanded a response.  Jesus’ command shook the man free from his victim mindset.  The man complied with Jesus’ command and healing took place.

I have dealt with people in my years of Christian ministry to whom, I have asked the question, “Do you want to be free?”  Some were in the bondage of pornography, lust, and other things as they succumbed to the pull of the flesh.  I have had some declare with weeping, YES and others would, as this man offer one excuse or another as to why they could not be.  Some blamed their spouses for their infidelity and while I concur that a spouse can add to the problem the final decision is the individual who commits the act.  They could say NO and resist! 

In life, the question is, “Do you want to be made well?”  Do you want to be HEALED by the Blood of the Lamb?  Do you want to be transformed and become a new creation in Christ Jesus?  Do you want to have the shackles holding you back removed?  Do you?  Then, call to God with honest hearts and acknowledge your condition, repent of your attitude and dependency and do whatever the Holy Spirits directs your heart.  As with this man, the question, “Do you want to be made well?” is the first step toward the complete and total healing of the whole man.

God bless you as you go through this day!

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FORGIVENESS IS NOT OPTIONAL…


Spiritual Blog - Forgiveness

Matthew 6:14-15 – “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”  NKJV

Mark 11:25-26 – “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.  26 But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.”  NKJV

Luke 6:37 – “…Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”  NKJV

 

I have had many people tell me, “I don’t get mad I get even.”  Others have lamented, “But if I forgive them they will just hurt me again.”  To the first, the Bible declares that “vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” [Romans 12:19] so getting even is not a biblically accepted option.  It may be what many do but it is not endorsed or accepted by the LORD of Hosts, Jehovah God.  To the second, it may happen but when the disciples asked Jesus how many times they were to forgive, Jesus answered, “…I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.”  [Matthew 18:22].  Sadly, some including a current politician indicated they were taking the 70 X 7 literally and on the 491st time she would GET EVEN.   This was not a numeric specific but an illustration that forgiveness must be continual. 

Personally, if someone demonstrates a propensity to remain in the condition or hold the attitude revealed in their actions that are harmful to me or the labor before me, I do not continue to place myself in a position for them to do further damage.  I forgive and realize that the Bible does not demand “divine amnesia” so I learn from events and situations as to how to proceed and with whom I will associate on a deeper level.  I will continue to pray and forgive not just because I have to but because I want to.  I want the heart of Jesus to be in me and shine forth from me.

Forgiveness is not like an option on a car or computer.  It is not elective or cosmetic surgery but essential to our Spiritual Walk and Life.  When we fail to forgive we block the flow of forgiveness to us as well as through us.  It not only harms those who need forgiveness but it harms us and places us in the chains of bitterness whereby many are defiled.  We are not islands and everything we do or fail to do affects us and those around us whom we influence or who are watching the Bible of our lives.

Therefore, I urge you to never view forgiveness as something optional for it is a matter of life or death spiritually and will impact you physically, emotionally and often economically as well.  My prayer is that the LORD send forth the Helper (Holy Spirit) to enable us to walk in forgiveness and offer forgiveness as a norm in our lives.

            God bless you as you go through this day in Christ Jesus our Lord!

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