Month: January 2017

JESUS’ GUIDANCE FOR GODLY LIVING…


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Matthew 6:1 – “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.”  NASU

 

The whole of Matthew Chapter Six can be viewed as a basic guide for ‘Godly Living.’  It covers a wide gamut of topics and areas of life that there is a tendency and temptation to allow a motive other than godliness to reign.  I begin with verse one because it opens the door and deals with the human ego and reveals how easily we can allow something other than service for service to determine what we do in life.

I’m sure that each of us is aware of people who take great pains to ensure that everyone notices what they do.  Their acts of benevolence are done in such a manner so as to call attention to them.  I’ve witnessed church splits and ministry divisions whose roots were directly connected to ‘human ego’ and ‘jealousy’.  One of the reasons that many local churches do not achieve the prominence and effectiveness that God desires is rooted in this human frailty and flaw.  I have known, men and women who are in the lead position in a congregation who are unable to allow the gifts in others function fully and effectively because it diverted the attention from themselves.  They needed to be noticed and anything or anyone that detracted from that notice became a thorn in the side and, at times, an enemy.  If it is God’s church and He is the builder and owner, then we are managers or stewards of that which is His and if He has placed gifts and talents in the church it is vital that we recognize the benefits of those and utilize them fully without fear of our being diminished.  We need to remind ourselves of the words of John the Baptist, “He must increase but I must decrease.” 

If we are doing what we do for recognition and notice, we are seeking ‘fulfillment’ from a wrong source.  It is not the praise of men that gives us significance it is the HAND OF GOD.  It is Who we are in Him.  It is the fact that we are members of the Body of Christ and He has chosen our position and function and as in the human body all the parts must work in harmony for health and life.  I am reminded of the analogy of Paul in 1 Corinthians 12.  He reminded the Corinthians that the human and spiritual body is not individuals or individual parts but many parts linked together to producing life and health.  The hand is part of the body, not the primary focus.  The ear is part of the body and contributes greatly to the overall function but it is not the primary focus.  The eye is very beneficial in the operation of the body but even the eye is not the primary focus nor does it stand alone.  The head which houses our brain is vital to life but if we understand that We are not the Head, Jesus is we find it much easier to function as a unified body working in harmony and utilizing all the parts and functions.  Your title does not make you important, God’s purpose does.

I do not call myself anything but a Child of God because I have never wanted people to notice me and extend flattery to me.  I am a human being and battle human ego the same as others so I guard my life desiring what I do to call attention to God, not me.  Paul dealt with the Corinthians in another place as they divided into sects and cliques saying, “I’m of Paul, I’m of Apollos, I’m of Cephas, or I’m of Christ” which only called attention to themselves not the Kingdom of God.  The identifier “Christian” is the only identifier we need.  If you see me functioning in a gift, know that God chose to use me in that gift for that time and for that purpose.  I have instructed congregations that I have led, “Do not look at me, look at Jesus.  If you find what I’m teaching and preaching is consistent with God’s word embrace it, if not bring it to me and let’s come to a clearer understanding together.”  When I have left churches, I have pleaded with people, “Do not refer to Roy Beaird in the future, as some benchmark or guide. Refer to the Word of God and work with the new leadership to fulfill the purposes of God in this community.”  I have said and mean it with my whole heart, “I do not care if people remember who I am if they will remember the truth that I presented and allow that to transform and guide their lives.”  I am not the focus, God is.

Any sense of significance we gain from the recognition of others is fleeting but the fulfillment in serving God from a pure heart produces a contentment that is beyond human understanding.  So, whatever we do we need to guard against doing what we do for recognition of others.  My prayer is, “Lord make the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart pleasing in your site.  Guard and guide my steps and help me to decrease that you might increase in my life.”  

God, bless you as you empty yourself of yourself and allow the Holy Spirit to fill you with His fullness.   Walk in abundant blessings today!

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WHO LET THE DOGS OUT???


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Philippians 3:2-6 – “Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision; 3 for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh, 4 although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless.”  NASU

  

Most of you have either heard the song or heard of the song, “Who Let the Dogs Out?”  It was performed by a Bahamian group called “Baha Men” and released as a single on July 26, 2000.  It was not about dogs but men who women would consider dogs and in a great sense the idea here in Philippians is not about the canine creature but about human beings who are like scavenging dogs seeking destruction.

We have all seen the warning signs on fences, “BEWARE OF DOG” or “BEWARE THE DOG.”  We understood the warning to be valid and that should we dare to venture into the space inhabited by the dog of which we were being warned.  It could be hazardous to our health.  We might be attacked by a creature bent on our destruction.  I find interesting that Paul would begin his address with a warning about dogs and connected it to evil workers, and those who were false in their faith.  He was lumping them all into one basket and virtually every society understands the danger of a dog not tamed or one that is trained to guard or destroy.

A particularly unpleasant verse is Proverbs 26:11 where we are reminded that one of the natural tendencies of a dog that is quite disgusting.  He uses this illustration to compare that to a life that is not rooted and grounded in God.  I don’t know if you recall the passage in Psalm 59 where the Psalmist is addressing God’s punishment and judgment and the prayer for God to not show any graciousness to the treacherous.  The next sentence is, “They return at evening, they howl like a dog…”  In a pack of dogs if one decides to attack the others will follow and they will turn on each other following the strongest dog in the pack.  In Psalm 22:20 the dog is once again mentioned in a negative light, “Deliver my soul from the sword, my only life from the power of the dog.”  Dogs are often used in the Bible to represent agents of destruction and we need to BEWARE of the lurking destruction the enemy plans for us.

I recall years ago, I was working an Insurance Debit and had to collect payments as well as sell insurance.  I stopped at one house and saw a dog pen away from the house and a dog was obviously angry and seeking to be freed.  After conducting my business I was walking back to my car and a hound dog came to meet me.  She was acting timid and I patted her head, then she rolled over on her back and I rubbed her tummy, not thinking anything was wrong.  I took about three steps toward my car and she nailed me behind the knee.  That dog was not what she appeared and fooled me, which is a rarity for me regarding animals.  The bite was bad but the sneakiness of the dog was more infuriating than the bite.  I should have been more alert and remembered the pen away from the house but I was deceived.

Agents of Destruction use deception as their primary weapon. We must always be on the alert and BEWARE of DOGS!  There are dogs in religious circles who are false and working evil behind the scenes.  They will appear as that timid cute dog that wants you to pat, its head or rub its tummy but once you turn your back they will seek to destroy you.  We are ignorant of the devices and schemes of the devil and this is another reason to put on the Whole Armor of God and Pray Always!

God, bless you as you enjoy this day in Him!

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I LIKE KING DAVID…


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Psalm 103:1-5 – “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name.  2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits; 3 Who pardons all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases; 4 Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion; 5 Who satisfies your years with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle.”  NASU

 

I like King David, but so, does God!  After all, how many people is it said of in the Bible “a man after my own heart”?  (I Samuel 13:14 and Acts 13:22).  David’s simple recognition and open acknowledgment of God, His blessings and purpose are refreshing, especially in a national leader.  Oh, for that kind of man to lead America and lead in the nations of the world today!  The message of Psalm 103 is a message that needs to be inscribed on the forefronts of our minds and kept before our eyes daily.  It is a challenge, an encouragement, a revelation, a reminder, and a catalyst to faith. 

Some discount the value of ‘self-talk’ and while I would never want to go overboard on that front, I do believe that it is beneficial for us to remind ourselves of God, His Blessings, and His Purpose.  This is something that King David did regularly and a pattern that helped him become that man that God could say that David was “a man after God’s own heart.”  We all want to hear the words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant, enter into the joys of thy Lord” when we stand before God on that final day.  Anything that can help us become ‘transformed’ by the renewing of our minds should be of interest to us.

What are the reminders the Psalmist gives that we should remind ourselves of daily?

  • PRAISE is a Decision.

“Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name…”  That is a directive David is giving to his inner man and his mind.  He is bringing every thought captive to the obedience of God.  He is making a decision that God is worthy of praise and determining that He will BLESS the LORD or PRAISE Him.

  • PRAISE is a Reminder.

“Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits…”  This is a conscious decision to REMEMBER to REMEMBER and keep in the forefront of his mind the many blessings and benefits afforded to the followers of God.  In times when God seems a million miles away and we can sense nothing of His presence, we need to REMEMBER and be REMINDED of His benefits and blessings.  Having done all to stand we need to stand firm in the promises of God and trust His person.

What are the benefits that the Psalmist is recalling and insisting never be forgotten?  Remember this is written long before the Lord Jesus Christ came and died on the Cross.  It is a forward look to the day of Grace and an expression of confidence in the lovingkindness, mercy, and grace of God.  What are the benefits?

PARDON – – Forgiveness of ALL our iniquities and they are many even if we think that we are basically good people.  We have ALL SINNED and come short of God’s Glory.  We are all MARK MISSERS or SINNERS.  We have sinned and need forgiveness.  Remind yourself daily that He Pardons EVERY Iniquity.

HEALING – – He heals all our diseases.  I sometimes wonder if we truly believe this and if we understand that the Promise of God was healing and health and that Jesus bore the stripes in His body for our healing as Isaiah and Peter remind us.  God wants us to prosper and be in health even as our soul prospers.  I’ve told people for years, “you don’t have to be sick to die.”  God doesn’t need a disease to take you home so let’s believe for healing now for all who are sick and oppressed of the devil.  Let’s pray for one another without condemnation or question but in faith joining faith to faith and trusting the Promises of God, claiming this benefit.

REDEMPTION – – Not just salvation but redemption from destruction and the many things in life that would shipwreck our lives and make our existence miserable on planet earth.  We do not have to live in the pit of life, devoid of God’s mercy, grace, blessings, peace, and provision.

GRACE & PEACE – – He crowns us with His lovingkindness and compassion so that we can be people of grace as well as the recipients of grace.  We can be forgiving so that we forgive others even as He has forgiven us.  We are receivers of mercy and givers of mercy.

SATISFACTION & RENEWAL – – The old song, “Satisfied Mind” comes into my consciousness as I write and I have learned that the only true satisfaction and fulfillment in life is GOD.  His grace and peace bring a contentment that is unsurpassed by anything in this world and beyond comparison to anything in the natural.  Not only are we satisfied but we are renewed like the molting eagle and able to SOAR in the heavenly realm enjoying the Abundant Life that Jesus came to bring.

I like King David because of his simple faith and confidence in God.  I like him because of his willingness to boldly declare his faith and reach out to God in all things and at all times.  I like him because he “Remembers to Remember.”  Thank God for the promises and MAY WE MAKE THIS OUR DAILY ACTIVITY.

God, bless you as you enjoy this wonderful day in Him!

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GETTING OUR FOCUS RIGHT…


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Psalm 127:1-2 – “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman keeps awake in vain.
2 It is vain for you to rise early, to retire late, to eat the bread of anxious labors— for He gives [blessings] to His beloved even in his sleep.”  Amplified

 

                        Jesus stated clearly regarding the Church that it is His and He is the chief builder. Paul identified himself and other apostles as ‘wise master builders’ and we are told that we are to be ‘laborers together with the Lord.’  Therefore, it is clear that we have a responsibility in building the church but the ultimate source is THE LORD.  Without Him, we can truly do nothing lasting.  We can build houses but they will be on shifting sand.  We can build ministries but they become dependent on personality and whims.  We can build political alliances but they wither in the heat of the battle UNLESS the LORD is doing the building and we are following His instructions.  The key, for me, is WHO IS BUILDING the House, GUARDING the City, and GRANTING the Peace.

In Proverbs 16 we find this addressed in a different way.  We read about the plans of the heart belonging to the individual and that most people believe their motives are pure.  However, when we come under God’s spotlight He weighs our motives and it is only as we commit our plans to Him that they can become established positively.  There is an amazing promise in that chapter that says, “When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.”  That is both encouraging and disturbing because we have all had times when we were truly attempting to follow the LORD and our enemies were anything but at peace with us.  In those times, I have done some serious introspection and examination of my heart, actions, and motives.  I also realize that the devil never makes a non-aggression pact that he keeps so we dare not take an isolated passage and shape our entire doctrine but we should take heart that if we are doing what God wants, when God wants it, the way God wants it and with the right motives we can claim that passage and expect it to be a reality in our lives.

In America, we have and are going through some strained times politically, relationally, and facing difficulty in many areas.  We are a divided nation and people and even among those who profess to be followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, there is division politically.  The divide has caused people to form groups, sects, camps, and cliques and virtually go to war with each other and labor tirelessly to achieve their objectives.  What we, believers, must always remember is the truth of this Psalm and recall the declaration of Daniel that it is God who ‘sets up kings and takes them down.’  I do not believe that all we are to do in life, any aspect is simply WAIT on the Lord to do it for us.  I believe that faith without works is dead or non-productive.  Yet, I believe that our first principle must be GOD. We must acknowledge His person, power, purpose, and presence and then we SEEK HIS FACE to get our marching orders.  We find out WHAT He wants, HOW He wants it WHEN He wants it, and WHERE He wants it and THEN we put on the Whole Armor of God and pull down the strongholds utilizing the spiritual weapons of warfare.  Incorporated in the spiritual battle we will find that we must do things in the natural to ‘walk out’ His promises and purposes in our lives.  We are ‘laborers together’ with Him not sitting as birds in the wilderness waiting to be fed.

I heard a young preacher declare once, “I don’t study or prepare my sermons, I just open my mouth and God fills it.”  I thought, “Yeah, with flies.”  In life, there is preparation and preparation always precedes blessing.  Remember the directive of Elisha in 2 Kings 3 where he told Jehoshaphat and the others, “make this valley full of ditches?”  Then next morning the ditches were full of water but the enemy saw it as blood and thought they had an easy victory.  Had they not made the valley full of ditches there would have been no water and not perception by the enemy that led to victory.  Preparation preceded Blessing and Victory! 

We are to acknowledge God first and foremost, then SEEK HIS FACE and after we have HEARD from Him we go into action.  We need to get our focus right and then our actions can be in harmony with the Purposes and Plan of God and He will establish them!

God, bless you richly as you change your focus and receive your blessing!

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PRAYER IS A VITAL PART OF LIFE… [A Further Look]


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Last time we looked at two powerful examples of Prayers in the Bible that produced a very positive result and that we can incorporate in our own lives.  We considered the Prayer of Jabez and what we call The Lord’s Prayer.  Now, I want us to consider a few more examples that will inspire our hearts and encourage us to engage more regularly and fervently in prayer.

JONAH’S PRAYER FOR SALVATION – Jonah 2:1-10.

Jonah 2: 1-10 – “Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the stomach of the fish, 2 and he said, “I called out of my distress to the LORD, and He answered me. I cried for help from the depth of Sheol; You heard my voice. 3 “For You had cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the current engulfed me. All Your breakers and billows passed over me. 4 “So I said, ‘I have been expelled from Your sight. Nevertheless, I will look again toward Your holy temple.’

5 ” Water encompassed me to the point of death. The great deep engulfed me, Weeds were wrapped around my head. 6 “I descended to the roots of the mountains. The earth with its bars was around me forever, but You have brought up my life from the pit, O LORD my God.

7 “While I was fainting away, I remembered the LORD, and my prayer came to You, Into Your holy temple. 8 “Those who regard vain idols Forsake their faithfulness, 9 But I will sacrifice to You With the voice of thanksgiving. That which I have vowed I will pay.  Salvation is from the LORD.”  10 Then the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah up onto the dry land.” NASU

Jonah had been given an assignment but he resisted and rebelled.  His rebellion produced a situation in which he was placed in a life or death situation and in that position and condition he prayed.  He recognized his rebellion and sin and as he repented making a commitment to do what God desired the answer came.  This is a reminder that even if we drift from God’s pathway if we will open our hearts and call upon God to repentance and become willing to be obedient THE ANSWER COMES!  This is a prayer for anyone who has resisted God’s will and gotten off track.  It is an example that that condition does not have to be fatal or final.  I call it the Prayer of the Backslider!

DAVID’S PRAYER FOR DELIVERANCE – Psalm 3.

Psalm 3 – “O LORD, how my adversaries have increased! Many are rising up against me. 2 Many are saying of my soul, “There is no deliverance for him in God.” Selah. 3 But You, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the One who lifts my head. 4 I was crying to the LORD with my voice, And He answered me from His holy mountain. Selah. 5 I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD sustains me. 6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people Who have set themselves against me round about. 7 Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God! For You have smitten all my enemies on the cheek; You have shattered the teeth of the wicked.  8 Salvation belongs to the LORD; Your blessing be upon Your people! Selah.”  NASU

             If you examine David’s acknowledgment and petition you will find a powerful example and source of encouragement.  If you take David’s words and then examine the history of his life and exploits you will find cause for rejoicing and a renewed confidence in God and His incredible love and mercy.

HANNAH’S PRAYER OF PRAISE – 1 Samuel 2:1-10

1 Samuel 2:1-10 – “Then Hannah prayed and said, “My heart exults in the LORD; My horn is exalted in the LORD, my mouth speaks boldly against my enemies, Because I rejoice in Your salvation. 2 ” There is no one holy like the LORD, Indeed, there is no one besides You, nor is there any rock like our God. 3 ” Boast no more so very proudly, do not let arrogance come out of your mouth; For the LORD is a God of knowledge, And with Him actions are weighed.

4 ” The bows of the mighty are shattered, But the feeble gird on strength. 5 “Those who were full hire themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry cease to hunger.  Even the barren gives birth to seven, but she who has many children languishes. 6 ” The LORD kills and makes alive; He brings down to Sheol and raises up. 7 ” The LORD makes poor and rich; He brings low, He also exalts. 8 ” He raises the poor from the dust, He lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with nobles, and inherit a seat of honor; For the pillars of the earth are the LORD’S, And He set the world on them.  9 ” He keeps the feet of His godly ones, But the wicked ones are silenced in darkness; For not by might shall a man prevail. 10 ” Those who contend with the LORD will be shattered; Against them He will thunder in the heavens, The LORD will judge the ends of the earth; And He will give strength to His king, and will exalt the horn of His anointed.”  NASU

 

This is such an encouraging example of complete dedication to the Lord and a prayer that builds to a crescendo in faith.  She takes us systematically through examination of Who God Is and His Faithfulness.  This is a prayer that is subsequent to her petition and God’s response.  She is praying the promises and praising in prayer.  Prayer is not simply a petition it is worship and conversation with God.  It is to always be engaged in with THANKSGIVING!

I hope these examples provide a source of encouragement as you encounter various situations in life and in your daily routine!  God, bless you richly is my prayer and desire!

 

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PRAYER IS A VITAL PART OF LIFE…


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In times when I have struggled with prayer, I have sought out examples of prayer that worked in the Bible and found encouragement, challenge, and inspiration to ‘fight the good fight of faith’ in prayer.  If prayer were not vital in our lives I do not believe that God would have included it as a directive in the Bible.  If prayer does not ‘avail’ or ‘produce’ positive result, then it is a futile and useless exercise.  If I did not believe that prayer worked I would not pray!  I do not intentionally engage in worthless or meaningless exercises that do not work.  I prefer to do things that have a purpose and engage in practices that produce positive results.  I do not find it redemptive or beneficial to go through religious exercises that are only for show but without power and purpose.

Let me list a few examples in the Bible of Prayers that Produced or will Produce.  These are not listed in order of importance but as they have come to mind.

THE PRAYER OF JABEZ – 1 Chronicles 4:10

1 Chronicles 4:10 – “Now Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that You would bless me indeed and enlarge my border, and that Your hand might be with me, and that You would keep me from harm that it may not pain me!” And God granted him what he requested.”  NASU

             The name Jabez means, ‘to grieve, sorrowful.’  His mother named him Jabez because she ‘bore him in pain.’  His prayer has been used by many in Christendom and most focus on the first two aspects of it, ‘bless me indeed’ and ‘enlarge my border.’  He also asked that God’s hand be on him and divine protection keeping him from harm and pain!  The last portion of the verse is, in my mind, the most important of all – “And God granted him what he requested.”  HALLELUJAH!  That’s the objective of prayer – THE ANSWER!  He prayed, he specified what he was needing or desiring and GOD GAVE IT TO HIM!  Would he have gotten it without prayer?  I cannot say absolutely yes or no but HE DID PRAY and GOD DID ANSWER!

THE LORD’S PRAYER – Matthew 6:9-13

Matthew 6:9-15 – “Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. 10′ Your kingdom come.  Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11′ Give us this day our daily bread. 12 ‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13’And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’ 14 ” For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  15 “But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.” NASU

This is a powerful prayer and beautiful pattern for our daily prayer but tragically some stop at the end of verse 13 but we dare not stop there for verses 14 & 15 are critical as well.  If we begin with our petition we are disrespecting God so we begin prayer with recognition of Him, His person, presence, and power.  The Bible tells us that we enter God’s gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise.  Praise conditions our heart to shift our focus from us and our situation to Him and His Power.  We are to pray the prayer of submission to the will of God on earth and in our lives.  Then we pray for our needs and follow that with forgiving others.  We recognize the spiritual warfare in which we are engaged and pray for God’s deliverance and protection and conclude with recognition and testimony of His Purpose, Power, Person, and Name!  We anchor this prayer with FORGIVENESS, giving and receiving!

I want to address a bit more on this topic so I will stop here for today and pick up tomorrow with a few more examples of Powerful Prayer in the Bible!  God, bless you richly as you embark on today’s portion of your life journey. 

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WHY PRAY IF IT DOES NOT CHANGE THINGS???


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James 5:16b – “The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.”  NASU

James 5:16b – “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” KJV

James 5:16b – “The heartfelt and persistent prayer of a righteous man (believer) can accomplish much [when put into action and made effective by God—it is dynamic and can have tremendous power].”  AMP

 

I have, more than once, discussed this question with people of varying doctrinal views within Christianity.  There are those who argue, “Prayer does not change things, nor does prayer change God or His mind.”  I have been told, “Whatever God has predetermined is going to happen whether we pray or not and no amount of prayer can or will change that.”  When given those arguments and other similar ideas I always ask or wonder, “If prayer has no effect WHY did Jesus encourage His disciples to pray and encourage us to pray?”  If prayer has no purpose or power, WHY PRAY?  Would it not be a total waste of time?  If prayer has no purpose or effect the many passages in the God’s Word seem contradictory and would allow questioning God on many fronts.

I believe, based on Scripture, that prayer does change things. I know it changes people and frequently people change things.  However, if prayer has no effect shall we erase our text passage from the Bible?  How about the examples in Scripture where people like, Hezekiah, Moses, Joshua, David, Hannah, Paul, and others received specific answers to their prayers?  The patriarchs and prophets of old and the apostles and disciples of the New Testament believed in prayer, it’s power and purpose.  There are literally hundreds of verses where people in the Bible prayed asking God to CHANGE THINGS and He did!

One of my go-to verses concerning our nation and lives is 2 Chronicles 7:14, “…My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”  That seems a bit sadistic on God’s part if Prayer has no effect and changes nothing.  How about Jeremiah 33:3, “Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.”  Our Lord instructed in Matthew 6:5-6, ““Whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, because they love to pray while standing in synagogues and on street corners so that people can see them. Truly I say to you, they have their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.”  If Prayer has no effect and our LORD was guilty of giving false hope to His followers and that is not the God of the Bible.

I know from both the Word of God and personal experience that PRAYER is POWERFUL and CHANGES THINGS!  If there is one thing that we need to do in our present world is become PEOPLE OF PRAYER.  We need to make 2 Chronicles 7:14 and Matthew 6:33 a significant part of our lives.

God, bless you richly is my prayer and may you find that when you do not know how to pray rightly the Holy Spirit will pray through you according to Romans 8:26-27 – “In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; 27 and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” 

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PROTECTED…


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1 Peter 1:3-5 – “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”  NASU

 

These three verses are incredibly interesting and powerful, in my view.  They convey a message of Salvation and Hope but offer some interesting phraseology that is not commonly discussed in most religious circles.  I would like for you to journey with me through these verses and let’s see if we can glean some beneficial truths to help us in our walk, work, and warfare in Christ.

Peter begins, acknowledging that God’s mercy through Jesus is the provision for our salvation.  He says, that God’s mercy ‘caused’ us to be born again is the verbiage here but in the KJV we read, “hath begotten” us.  The message is that the Mercy of the Father produced the seed that would procreate in us a life that can only be found in Him through Christ Jesus.  The effecting of this salvation is realized through, not just the death of Jesus on the Cross, but His resurrection from the dead.  We have an empty cross and an empty tomb because He is no longer found there.  As the angel said, “He is not here but is risen.”  The offer of Salvation according to multiple passages of scripture is to ‘whosoever will’.  We know that it is not God’s will that any should perish, so the offer of Grace and Mercy is to everyone.

The New Birth produces an inheritance that is more than amazing!  The inheritance, Peter describes, is Imperishable and Undefiled.  It will never fade away so it is eternal.  Jesus came that we could have life and life more abundant NOW not just in Eternity.  In fact, John informs us in 1 John 4 that we are as He is in this present world.  John points to the reality that while we are spiritually seated with Christ in the heavenly places, we live in this present world.  Jesus is not so removed from this world that we are left alone but we have the Holy Spirit to teach us to pray, guide our steps, teach us the truths of Christ, and empower us to live.  That suggests that IN THIS LIFE we Abundant Life NOW.  Not to lose sight of our heavenly reward, he tells us that that inheritance is RESERVED IN HEAVEN for us.

Then, he gives us great comfort that we are PROTECTED by God and our salvation GUARDED by His person.  The fullness of our Salvation will not be revealed or understood until the last time.  We see through an opaque glass in this life but one day we will see what we do not now see.  We operate and live by faith.  We have not SEEN but we BELIEVE His promise and Word.  Yet we know that NOTHING can separate us from God’s Love and we have His promise to NEVER leave us nor forsake us!  We have God’s Divine Protection and we need to run into His pavilion tent and allow Him to guard and guide our lives!

You and I have a Salvation that comes through God’s incredible mercy and are born again into a Living Hope that is Eternal, Imperishable, and will Never Fade.  God protects us by His power through faith.  If you have received Jesus as your personal savior I urge you to place your complete confidence in His Power to keep that which you have committed to Him and never lose your hope of our inheritance. Let us REJOICE in His PEACE that passes all human understanding!

God, bless you richly is my prayer!

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THE WRONG QUESTION(s) HINDERS PROGRESS…


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Exodus 3:10-12 – “Therefore, come now, and I will send you to Pharaoh, so that you may bring My people, the sons of Israel, out of Egypt.” 11 But Moses said to God, ” Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt?” 12 And He said, “Certainly I will be with you, and this shall be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall worship God at this mountain.”  NASU

 

The account of Moses is an incredible journey and reveals how intricately God works in our lives preparing us for His purpose(s).  Moses, as you will recall, was born in a time when Pharaoh had issued an edict to kill all the male children born to the Hebrews.  Moses’ mother hid him for 3 months then placed him in a wicker basket in the Nile where he was found by the daughter of Pharaoh who had compassion on the child.  Miriam, Moses sister, was watching and suggested that she be allowed to find a nurse to care for the child.  Moses was raised in the nurture and admonition of the LORD by his birth mother before entering Pharaoh’s house where he was trained in multiple disciplines in Egypt.  We remember his flight into the desert fleeing a vengeful Pharaoh and there came into the house of Jethro and married Zipporah and had children.  While watching the flocks of Jethro he saw a phenomenon in the desert a burning bush.  That was not unusual and as the words of Moses reveals it was not the burning bush that caught his attention but that the bush burned but was not consumed.  This was out of the ordinary and he wanted to find the reason and observe the strange occurrence.

It was as Moses approached the bush that God spoke to him and instructed him to take off his shoes because he was standing on Holy Ground.  It was holy because God’s presence was there!  God made it holy as He does wherever He is.  God revealed to Moses that He had heard the ‘groaning’ of the people of Israel in Egypt and in honoring His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob God was going to deliver them.  God said to Moses, “Therefore, come now, and I will send you to Pharaoh, so that you may bring My people, the sons of Israel, out of Egypt.”  God had prepared Moses for such a time as this but Moses’ mind was not sufficiently set free and he resisted.  He asked the Wrong Question, saying, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt?”   WHO AM I is the wrong question and posed a potential problem to shipwreck God’s Plan for Moses and Israel.

The question should be replaced by a more pertinent one.  We should be asking, “WHO ARE YOU, LORD rather than WHO AM I?”  The success of God’s purpose(s) is not dependent on Who We Are but Who He Is.  The focus should be on WHO GOD IS and His sufficiency, not our insufficiency.  If we focus on our insufficiency without focusing on His sufficiency, we guarantee defeat.  If we focus on His sufficiency and recognize that in our weakness His strength is released powerfully we will find success.  God responded to Moses question with a promise to God with him but Moses still protested out of his limited mindset.  God’s response to Moses’ protest and the question as to WHO GOD IS was powerful.  God said, “Tell them I AM.”  He said I AM WHO I AM! 

Moses, what do you need?  I AM That!  God tell Israel that the All Sufficient, All Powerful, All Wise, and Eternal God has sent you and whatever you need I AM.  I will be with you, go before you, empower you, enable you, enlighten you, and anoint you to do that which I have sent you to do.  SUFFICIENCY is with you!  That is the message you and I need to become engraved in our hearts and in the forefront of our minds.  It does not matter our status in life, our age, our education, our finances, our experience WHO GOD IS matters and that is all that matters!  It is our willingness to obey His call and pursue His purpose(s).  He will NEVER leave us, nor will He FORSAKE us.

God, bless you richly is my prayer!

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THERE IS A PURGE COMING…


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Zephaniah 1:1-6 – “The word of the LORD which came to Zephaniah son of Cushi, son of Gedaliah, son of Amariah, son of Hezekiah, in the days of Josiah son of Amon, king of Judah:

2 “I will completely remove all things From the face of the earth,” declares the LORD.  3 “I will remove man and beast; I will remove the birds of the sky and the fish of the sea, and the ruins along with the wicked; and I will cut off man from the face of the earth,” declares the LORD.  4 “So I will stretch out My hand against Judah and against all the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And I will cut off the remnant of Baal from this place, and the names of the idolatrous priests along with the priests. 5 “And those who bow down on the housetops to the host of heaven, and those who bow down and  swear to the LORD and yet swear by Milcom, 6 And those who have turned back from following the LORD, and those who have not sought the LORD or inquired of Him.” NASU

 

As I read this prophecy and warning of impending judgment I cannot help but relate it to our day.  We read, in numerous passages, that the patience of God is not unlimited.  There will come a time when He says, “Enough!”  I am not alone in my declaration that I truly believe based on what I know of the Bible, through prayer and observation that there is coming a ‘purge’ in the world of Christendom and the world as a whole.

Sadly, in our present world, and in America in particular, we have severely tested the limits of God’s patience.  We have allowed the eviction of God and the Bible from all things public. We have insisted that it is not allowable or acceptable to pray in school or at government sponsored events or activities.  We have determined that it is acceptable to force people to violate their convictions to accept a lifestyle or activity that they believe anti-biblical.  We have allowed the slaughter of MILLIONS of babies in the womb.  We have allowed this nation to become so secularized and guided by Political Correctness that churches and ministers walk on eggshells fearing to let their voice be heard.  In a real sense, the spirit of Baal is imposing its will on churches through the federal government’s edicts.  We have allowed worldliness to enter the church and in our pursuit of tolerance and being accepting we have diluted the Gospel message and included teachings that are specifically and directly foreign to the Bible.  Many have been and are being led astray by diabolical ministers and well-meaning ministers alike.

God is not going to tolerate the perversion of His Gospel and He that sets up kings and takes them down also sets up Christian leaders and takes them down.  There is coming a shaking in the church and the world and when it comes it will be both terrible and wonderful.  Terrible in that the shaking will cause such chaos and embolden many who hate the Bible and perilous times will become more pronounced.  Wonderful in that those God raises up to take the place of the fallen leadership will go with the spirit and power of Elijah and Elisha as well as the diplomacy of Moses, and the courage of Paul.  God is going to have a harvest in these last days and the shaking or purging will open the door to a MIGHTY REVIVAL and that is coming soon.

God, bless you and may you find that when the shaking comes you are on a solid foundation in Jesus with a pure heart and right motive. 

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