Month: April 2018

MAKE THE CHOICE TO REJOICE…


Spiritual Blog - Rejoice

Psalm 95:1-2 – “O come, let us sing for joy to the LORD, Let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation.  2 Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.”  NASU

 

I love the Psalms for they are filled with wonderful spiritual nuggets that lift my spirit and elevate my view far above the turmoil of this life.  Today I have been struggling with what is happening in our world and the condition of the heart of man, as I see it.  Then in my reading, I turn to this Psalm and immediately I heard the Holy Spirit ask, “Are you going to just read it or do it?”  I made the Choice to Rejoice and my spirit is soaring!

Consider what he said: 

  1. Let us sing for joy to the LORD.  (A definite decision for us to do something.) 
  2. Let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation. (I realize that might not be dignified but I’ve been having a bit of a spell shouting to the Lord here alone in my house and feel good about it.)
  3. Let us come before His presence with Thanksgiving. (As I sang to the LORD and shouted to the LORD my heart was filled with thankfulness.)
  4. Let us shout joyfully to Him with Psalms.  (Yep that’s just what I did!)

 

You have at least two choices every day and in every situation.  You can turn it all inward and become depressed or you can look outward and upward and make the choice to rejoice.  I have done both in life and can testify that the latter is the better of the two choices.

So as you go through this day – Rejoice with singing to the LORD, shout to the LORD, come before Him with a THANKFUL HEART and just let go singing and shouting the Psalms you might just be amazed at how therapeutic that is.

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

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THE SPEAKING GOD….


Spiritual Blog - God Speaks

Genesis 1:1-3 – “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters. 3 Then God said…” NASU

 

If I counted correctly nine (9) times in Genesis 1 we find “Then God said…”  Nine times he spoke something into existence and almost that many times the Bible tells us that “God saw…”  In these two descriptions, we have a clear revelation that God is ALIVE, SEES, and SPEAKS.   Even in the New Testament we find the words of Jesus in John 10:27 where He declared that His sheep ‘HEAR’ His voice.  Yet, many today look at you as if you fell out of a well if you say, “God told me” or “God said to me.”  Can I ask one simple question, “When did God stop speaking?” 

Jesus told the disciples that the Holy Spirit, the Comforter would come and He would teach them all that Jesus had said.  I don’t know how He was to teach but one of the most used methods of teaching is SPEAKING and I do believe that the Holy Spirit speaks to people today.  I am not telling you that I hear audible voices but I hear God clearly in my heart and know that I am hearing God and not just me or something or someone else.  I have learned the voice of Jesus and the voice of the Spirit of God.  Any voice that contradicts Scripture is immediately rejected but when God speaks and I know it is God, I LISTEN!

Who would you rather teach you what is in the book, the author or a commentator about what the author meant?  Who would you rather instruct, you in life the one who sees the end from the beginning or man who sees the beginning from the end?  Who would you rather guide your life, the one who created all things or someone who has limited experience as do all humans?  If God is the creator of all things, and Omnipotent, Omniscient, and Omnipresent why do we relegate Him to speaking only through the Bible or Preachers?  I do not suggest and would reject any notion that God would say anything contradictory to the written Word of God.  But, as Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice and follow Me.”

I desire fellowship with God and when I have fellowship with any human being there is some talking that takes place, so why would it be different with God?  In my prayer time I talk and I listen.  Sometimes I hear that still small voice in my deep inner man and sometimes I hear a much bolder voice in my heart but I HEAR GOD!  You HEAR GOD and probably much more than you think you do.  I content that God is “always speaking” but we are not “always listening” so we need to learn to listen more and we need to expect to hear more.

As you go through this day go through it expecting to hear God speak to you in guidance, counseling, and comfort.  He wants to communicate with you and will guide you through the maze of life.  Blessings as you go through your day!

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FORGET DIGNIFIED I NEED A MIRACLE…


Spiritual Blog - Miracles

Luke 18:35-43 – “As Jesus was approaching Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the road begging. 36 Now hearing a crowd going by, he began to inquire what this was. 37 They told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. 38 And he called out, saying, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 39 Those who led the way were sternly telling him to be quiet; but he kept crying out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 40 And Jesus stopped and commanded that he be brought to Him; and when he came near, He questioned him, 41 “What do you want Me to do for you?” And he said, “Lord, I want to regain my sight!” 42 And Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.”  43 Immediately he regained his sight and began following Him, glorifying God; and when all the people saw it, they gave praise to God.”  NASU

 

I have had people sternly rebuke me for not being “dignified in church” and even had one person tell me that emotion had no place in a worship service.  Bartimaeus, the blind man, had people around him trying to force him to follow proper decorum and be proper but he would have none of it.  He had heard of Jesus and when they told him that this miracle worker was coming by he immediately begin to make a scene and got loud trying to get Jesus’ attention.  Oh, how we need to allow ourselves to lose our rigidity and get God’s attention in our time of need.  He was successful and when Jesus stopped and addressed him with the question, “What do you want Me to do for you?”  Bartimaeus unlike the lame man at the pool of Bethesda was specific and clear about what he wanted.  He said, “I want to regain my sight!”  Jesus received that as an expression of faith and declared “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.”  Bartimaeus went from there seeing again!

Personally, I feel like David when he danced before the ark of God and his wife criticized him from not being dignified declared, “I will be more vile (undignified) and will be base in my own sight…”  He was unmoved because of his love and appreciation for what God had done and meant to him.  There are times when we need to stop worrying about being dignified, proper, or following some man-made rules of how to act in God’s presence and determine that we are going to “touch the hem of His garment”.  I guess it depends on how desperate we are and how much we desire the miracle as to how much we are willing to become a spectacle before God.  When I need the touch of God I do not care what anyone around me thinks I want God to touch me.  If that means crying loudly in public, I will.  If that means dancing as David did, I will.  If that means acting as Bartimaeus, I will.

When we need a miracle that only God can provide, receiving His touch should be our number one priority not how people perceive us!  Know what you want and be willing to reach out for it.  Jesus is passing by and it only takes a touch of His hand or a word from His lips to turn your mourning into dancing.  I’m not telling you that you have to have major outward demonstrations to receive from God, only that receiving from Him and touching Him should be your focus not people’s opinion of you.

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

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THINKING OF OUR MORTALITY….


Spiritual Blog - Mortality

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 – “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.” NASU

 

When I was young in my teens and even in my twenties (after I returned from Vietnam) I never thought about my mortality.  I was ten feet tall and bulletproof, at least that is how I lived.  As I had children of my own, lost my grandfather and then my father I began to realize that I’m just passing through this life and will one day pass from this life.  Some people resist making arrangements in advance for their funeral thinking it too morbid and some have told me that they don’t want to invite “bad karma” by doing so.  The Bible clearly tells us that it is appointed unto men “once to die and then the judgment.”  We WILL all depart this world via death should Jesus tarry His coming.

Paul addresses the reality of losing loved ones and friends in this passage and it has long been a comfort to me and an encouragement.  He addresses the fact of our mortality and the Promise of the Lord to return for us.  He identifies the scene of the Lord’s coming for those who are alive and remain.  He tells us that the Lord will bring back those who have preceded us and as He descends from heaven He will give a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God and at that time the dead in Christ will rise first.  Then those of us who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and that will begin our eternity with God.  He concludes by saying, “Comfort one another with these words.”

Mortality is a reality that none of us can avoid.  You are not invincible in your mortal flesh.  In reality, once you are born you begin the process of dying and you cannot change that.  You cannot take enough HGH or anti-aging creams, rubs, or pills to avoid the absolute eventuality of the end of your mortal existence on this planet.  IT WILL HAPPEN and there is nothing that any of us can do to stop it. What we can do is prepare for it spiritually and if you so choose financially for those you leave behind.  I have had friends who completely planned their memorial services, picked out their burial plot, and purchased their casket.  They had determined what clothes they would wear and everything was settled long before they departed.  Most of the loved ones in those situations have said to me they appreciated it but some have said they felt restricted in what they could do and the honor they could pay because of it.  That is a family thing and I won’t touch it but spiritually preparation is not an option it is a requirement.  So, I do not hesitate to remind you that you are MORTAL and you should begin thinking about that reality today.  Today is the day of salvation!

May God be with you as you embark on today’s leg of life’s journey! 

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THE VALUE OF THE INSPIRED WORD OF GOD…


Spiritual Blog - Inspired

2 Timothy 3:16-17 – “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” NASU

 

In Paul’s teaching of his son in the faith Timothy he gives us a most eloquent and powerful explanation and revelation regarding the value and power of God’s Word.  In these two short verses, we have a treasury of knowledge stored up.  In this passage, there is a virtual “gold mine” wherein we can extract powerful life truths that better enable us to walk this Christian walk on planet earth.

He begins by asserting that ALL SCRIPTURE is INSPIRED by God.  Although it was written by men it was under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit that it was penned.  It has life and power that can penetrate even the hardest heart and gives guidance for life like no other piece of writing found among men.

            He declares that this inspired scripture is profitable and then lists some of the many things for which it is to be used:

  1. TEACHING
  2. REPROOF
  3. CORRECTION
  4. TRAINING IN RIGHTEOUSNESS

 He tells us that the end of this profitability is that the man/woman of God may be “adequate” or as the KJV says “perfect”.  The Greek is “artios” which signifies an integer or whole number in mathematics, to which nothing needs to be added to make it complete.  The idea is COMPLETION and he clearly identifies that in saying, “equipped for every good work.”  The Inspired Word of God teaches, reproves, corrects, and trains us so that we are complete and capable of doing that which God assigns us in this life.  It is quick and powerful and a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.  It is a light to our pathway and a lamp to our feet as Psalm 119:105 reveals.

If we do not spend time in the Word of God we rob ourselves of light, equipment, training, correction, and guidance that would enable us to walk more complete in Him and make this journey much more profitable and palatable.  Do not rob yourself of one of the most valuable resources you have in life – GOD’S INSPIRED WORD.

So as you begin your day today why not take a few minutes of your time and drink of the nectar of spiritual truth that is available in the fountain of God’s Inspired Word?  May God be with you as you go through your day!

 

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A BETTER DAY IS COMING….


Spiritual Blog - Better

Revelation 21:1-4 – “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, 4 and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”  NASU

 

Job got it right when he declared in Job 14:1 – “Man who is born of woman Is of few days and full of trouble.” (NKJV)  James told us in James 4:14b – “For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” (NKJV) We learn quickly from Scripture and experience that Life has problems but the continual and clear promise of the Bible is A BETTER DAY IS COMING!  John declares in the passage above that very truth.

There is coming a time when tears will no longer be a part of our lives, death will be banished, mourning, sadness, crying, and pain will be removed from our existence.  We will spend eternity in the presence of the Almighty God creator of heaven and earth and enjoy His presence, peace, and person through the endless ages.  For some, that sounds like a boring time and while I do not know what takes place in heaven I know that the one thing it will not be is BORING!  I am so confident of that I can declare it without fear of ever being proven wrong in this life or the next.

We all have, are having, or will have difficulty in life!  It is a natural part of the process of traveling from birth to death.  So when you are facing difficult times and events or circumstances that seem insurmountable and more than you can bear remember that A BETTER DAY IS COMING!  There is going to be a day when none of these things we now face will have any place.  There is coming a day when all the troubles mankind faces on this planet will be forever banished and we will enjoy the TOTALITY OF GOD’s PERFECTION.  As I write this my heart begins to become Homesick for Heaven and yet as Paul said, “I’m torn between the two, going home or staying here.”  The reason that I desire to stay is that I know that I have not yet finished my assignment and I selfishly want to spend more time on earth with my wife and family while watching my grandchildren grow up and become beautiful adults.  Yet, as I face and see others face the trials of life my heart says, “How long Lord before you call your children home and deliver us from this death?”

As you go through your day go through it with the thought in mind A BETTER DAY IS COMING!  Lift up your eyes to God and allow your heart to make the choice to rejoice!  Blessings to you as you go through your day!

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BITTER OR BETTER?


Spiritual Blog - Bitter or Better

Genesis 37:27-28 – “Come and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And his brothers listened to him.  28 Then some Midianite traders passed by, so they pulled him up and lifted Joseph out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. Thus they brought Joseph into Egypt.”  NASU

The story of Joseph is one of the most fascinating stories in the Bible, for me.  It is an account of a young man who had heard the story of his great-grandfather Abraham from his father and grandfather from the time he could remember.  He was educated and the truth of the Abrahamic Covenant had been planted in his heart day after day.  It took root and produced the fruit of righteousness and faith as is evidenced in what transpired in his life.

Here in Genesis 37, we find his brothers selling him to the Ishmaelites who sold him to Potiphar, an Egyptian officer, the captain of the bodyguard of Pharaoh.  But in Psalm 105:18-19 we find these words regarding Joseph – “They afflicted his feet with fetters, He himself was laid in irons; 19 Until the time that his word came to pass, The word of the LORD tested him.” NASU  If you trace the route likely taken by the caravan it would have passed within eyesight of Jacob’s camp.  Joseph had been trussed up like an animal, placed in a cage and hung on the side of a camel.  It was more than just being chained it affected him to his inner person and had he not handled it, in God, he would have died a bitter old man in Egypt but he didn’t.

His troubles didn’t end in Potiphar’s house where he is falsely accused of attempted rape and it seems that Potiphar believed Joseph was innocent because Egyptian law required the offender to be killed but instead of killing Joseph he imprisoned him.  He had to save face and do something but he did not exercise the demand of the law that tells me that he believed Joseph.  In prison, Joseph was promoted because of God’s hand upon him and had he been a bitter man that would never have happened.  Each trial only made him better rather than bitter.  He was tested by God and when the right time came he was promoted to 2nd in the most powerful nation of the existing world of his day.  God worked all things together for his good.  None of them were good in themselves individually but when they worked together they produced a mighty, godly, powerful leader that would preserve the seed nation of the Messiah.

In life things either make us “bitter or better” and the choice is ours.  We can elect to become bitter and angry, filled with resentment and seek revenge or allow the desire and drive to retaliate to rise or we can become “better” and “godly”.  God is there for us but allows us to make the choice.  Everything in life is an opportunity to either become embittered or rise to new heights in God and become more Christ-like.  It is our choice!

May God help you become better not bitter in life!  Blessings as you go through your day!

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THE RESURRECTION – Cornerstone of Christianity…


Spiritual Blog - Resurrection

1 Corinthians 15:12 – “Now if Christ is preached as raised from the dead, how is it that some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised; 14 and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain [useless, amounting to nothing], and your faith is also vain [imaginary, unfounded, devoid of value and benefit—not based on truth]. 15 We are even discovered to be false witnesses [misrepresenting] God, because we testified concerning Him that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised, either; 17 and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless and powerless [mere delusion]; you are still in your sins [and under the control and penalty of sin]. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19 If we who are [abiding] in Christ have hoped only in this life [and this is all there is], then we are of all people most miserable and to be pitied.” Amplified.

 

 In a day when a world religious leader can suggest there is no hell one wonders what salvation means to him.  I have long preached that the motivation for seeking God for Salvation should not simply be to avoid hell but to enter into fellowship with our Creator.  Our remorse over sin should not be that we got caught and in repentance we avoid punishment but that our hearts are broken as God’s because of sin.  Regardless of what motivates you to seek the Lord Jesus Christ and receive His mercy, forgiveness, and pardon that new life you are entering into would not be possible were it not for the Resurrection.

Jesus came, born of a virgin, lived a sinless life (no He did not have affairs and a secret wife and family), gave Himself a sacrifice on the Cross to satisfy divine justice to pay the penalty for the sin of mankind and purchase us back from the domain of the devil.  On the Cross, He cried, “It Is Finished!”  His death paid our debt and opened the door to salvation for whosoever and as he descended into the devil’s domain, He stripped the devil of his authority and took the keys of hell and the grave from him.  Jesus revoked the devil’s authority upon anyone and everyone who would receive the atonement He (Jesus) provided.  Then on the third day, He AROSE from the dead.  The Resurrection is the key to the completion of the Work of Atonement!  If Jesus did not rise from the dead then there is no resurrection for anyone, no atonement, no new birth, no salvation, and no access to the Father.  Our faith would be in vain and our hope shattered on the rocks of despair.  The angels declared on that Resurrection Morning – “He is not here… He is Risen!”  They (Sanhedrin and Romans) killed Him but couldn’t keep Him dead!  They crucified Him, but He arose triumphant over the devil and sin.  HE IS ALIVE!  HE IS RISEN!

As we celebrate this marvelous day, this incredible truth should penetrate our hearts with a sense of overwhelming awe, joy, gratitude, and thanksgiving.  HE IS RISEN!  We are not living a delusion, as some contend.  We are not living in a fool’s paradise, hoping for something that is fictional.  We are not serving a dead savior, but He is THE LIVING GOD!  He is not the creation of some man’s imagination.  Our religion or faith is not based on some man’s concoction of a system of religion.  The Living Lord, when He comes into a heart TRANSFORMS that individual and transfers them from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light.  He rescues us, restores us, and empowers us with power over all the power and authority of the devil.  WE ARE MORE THAN CONQUERORS and that is verified in the Resurrection!

When He ascended into Heaven as the crowd witnessed, the angel said, “This same Jesus, just as you have seen Him go will come again.”  The Resurrected Jesus is coming back for His bride, the blood-washed, forgiven, transformed body of believers who have trusted Him for salvation.  My sins where are many have been covered in the blood and my Hope is IN HIM and the reality that He is Alive!

God bless you as you celebrate this wonderful Resurrection Sunday and reflect on what that event means to each of us and all who have lived and will live in the future.  John reported it perfectly as He captured the words of Jesus in John 3:16 – “For God so [greatly] love and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His [One and] only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts Him [as Savior] shall not perish, but have eternal life.”  Amplified.

 As you celebrate His Resurrection and our Hope today I pray that the LORD will richly bless you!  Have a Great day and may His blessings abound in your life!

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