Month: July 2018

WHY DID GOD LEAVE ENEMIES IN THE LAND???


Spiritual Blog - Let God Arise

Judges 3:1-4 – “Now these are the nations which the LORD left, to test Israel by them (that is, all who had not experienced any of the wars of Canaan; 2 only in order that the generations of the sons of Israel might be taught war, those who had not experienced it formerly). 3 These nations are: the five lords of the Philistines and all the Canaanites and the Sidonians and the Hivites who lived in Mount Lebanon, from Mount Baal-hermon as far as Lebo-hamath. 4 They were for testing Israel, to find out if they would obey the commandments of the LORD, which He had commanded their fathers through Moses.”  NASU

 

I have often wondered about many things in Scripture and in the history of mankind, the nation of Israel, and the Church.  My title question is one that I have studied at length and I wish I could say that I have a fully exhaustive conclusion to offer.  I do not, but I do have some thoughts that I believe are based on Scripture.  The Bible tells us definitively some of the reason and among those was to ‘Teach them to War.’  In this passage, we are also informed that the enemies were allowed to remain to TEST ISRAEL.  One of their purposes was to test them to see if they would obey the Commandments of God.  Now, I personally believe that God knew the answer but was allowing an object lesson for the people and successive generations to see both the benefits and dangers of failure to OBEY.

In 1 John 3:8 we read, “…the Son of God appeared so that He might destroy the works of the devil.”  John 16:11 informs us that when the Holy Spirit came, His ministry would be to bring CONVICTION.  That conviction was three-pronged it addressed SIN, RIGHTEOUSNESS, and JUDGMENT.  It is important to note that Jesus spoke this in the ‘perfect tense’ BEFORE He went to the Cross.  Let me ask, “is TIME a spirit world or a sense world commodity?”  Hebrews 2:14-15 informs us that Jesus rendered powerless, the one who had the power of death, the devil.  Who did Jesus render POWERLESS?  The devil.

Colossians 2:8-10 reveals that people are taken captive through philosophy, empty deception, the traditions of men, and the elementary principles of this world.  WOW!  The apostle Paul identified, in Ephesians 6, the RULERS & AUTHORITIES are not those in the natural realm but in the spirit realm.  Jesus stripped the demonic powers and the devil of authority and power. I suggest that you read Colossians 2:11-15 and focus on the truth that Jesus, our Lord, and Savior, DISARMED the rulers and authorities and made a public display of them.  THAT IS POWERFUL!  In the Book of Revelation Chapter 12, we realize that believers OVERCOME through the Blood of Jesus and the Word of their testimony.  We do that because of the work of Jesus on the Cross.  He said in John 19:30, “IT IS FINISHED!”  

Based on what I have just said and quoted it would appear that the purpose and intent of God were to Drive out All Enemies and Give Rest from War.  However, in Exodus 23:29-31 we find that God informed them that He would not drive out the enemies in a single year because if he did the beasts of the field would become so numerous they would overrun the land.  God’s Promise was “little by little” He would drive out the enemy.  Wait?  Didn’t God say He would go before them and drive out the enemy?  YES, He did.  There is no contradiction because God did drive out the enemies but He did it in a way that taught them obedience and instilled confidence and faith.

In 1 Corinthians 3:9 we are told that we (believers) are God’s Field.  That is incredibly interesting and demands the question, “How do you Possess the Field or Land of God little by little, under the Plan & Power of God?”   Lack of Information can lead to deception and deception can lead to advantage being taken of us.  Paul addressed the importance of not being ignorant of the devices and schemes of the devil in 2 Corinthians 2:11. Are you Ignorant of the Schemes of the devil in your own land, your life, your family, your ministry?  Do you know the strategies he employs?  Do you comprehend how he is attempting to steal from and defraud you?  What is your greatest area of weakness?  How is he keeping you weak?

We will discuss those questions in the next devotional but until then may the Lord bless you richly and keep you safe and walking in the Full Victory of God’s Abundant Living.

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YOU MUST DISPOSSESS TO POSSESS… [Part Two]


Spiritual Blog - Promise

Deuteronomy 12:1-3 – “These are the statutes and the judgments which you shall carefully observe in the land which the LORD, the God of your fathers, has given you to possess as long as you live on the earth. 2 “You shall utterly destroy all the places where the nations whom you shall dispossess serve their gods, on the high mountains and on the hills and under every green tree. 3 ” You shall tear down their altars and smash their sacred pillars and burn their Asherim with fire, and you shall cut down the engraved images of their gods and obliterate their name from that place.”  NASU

Yesterday we embarked on this journey of understanding the requirement to Dispossess in order to Possess our Promises in God.  We discussed some of the principles and truths involved and beginning there I wish to press into this discovery and truth a bit more.

It is imperative that we realize that our DISPOSSESSING will involve Kingdoms, Locals, and Individual enemies.  God gives us a Promise.  He gives us the Anointing and Grace.  Yet there is a Process that requires us to go beyond Prayers to Action.  What is involved in the Process and Action of Dispossession?

  • We Must DISCERN – – We Mark the Enemy.
  1. We must Study the Enemy and Understand His Tactics and Purposes.
  2. We must study the Scripture to Learn our Legal Claim and their Legal Defeat.
  • We must DISDAIN – – Despise our Enemies Reject Them.
  1. We Reject what they stand for and what they do.
  2. We Remind them of their Eventual State or Future through the Promises of God.
  • We must DISCLOSE – – Uncover, Expose, and Reveal the Enemy.

We bring them to the Light of God and Expose them through God’s Truth.

  • We must DISCOMFORT the Enemy.

We bring them into a state of confusion, cause consternation in their hearts and minds, and bring terror to their hearts through the Word and Power of God.  Remember the Spies in Jericho and what Rahab the Harlot said to the Spies?  When we heard our hearts melted.

  • We must DISINHERIT – – We seize Possession of the Promise.
  1. We serve an Eviction Notice on the Enemy and Kick Them Out and Off the Promise.
  2. We Occupy the Place of Promise by Faith.
  3. We then set up guards and defenses to Keep Them

I am totally convinced that when we really understand what Jesus has accomplished for us at the Cross and in the Resurrection, we move toward total victory.  When we know that Jesus, as us and for us, TOTALLY Defeated the devil we have a new sense of faith and courage arise within.  Consider the truth that IF Jesus did it “as me” and “for me”, then the Authority He has, I have!  He is the Head and we are the Body.  The authority of the head is experienced and enforced by the body.

Every demon you encounter has already been defeated at the Cross.  They saw the defeat!  You may never have considered that but there are no new demons.  Demons don’t have babies.  You are not battling a new, reinforced set of demons.  Jesus defeated the ALL at the Cross!   He has given us AUTHORITY over all the Power and Authority of the forces of hell.  Through His Word, we have the Authority, through His Spirit the Anointing, and through His Blood the Power and Grace to STAND VICTORIOUSLY.  The demons must obey us just as they had to obey Him.  Let me give you five things, steps, or parts of the process that are vital and valuable:

  1. Identify the Enemy and Your Inheritance.
  2. Reject their Deceit and Intimidation. [Intimidate them not them intimidate you.]
  3. Bring them to the Light of God’s Word and Expose their Lies and Illegitimacy.
  4. Move them out of their Fortified Positions or Strongholds through the Word of God. [You Unsettle them].
  5. Take from them the Territory they have ILLEGALLY OCCUPIED. [Dispossess them and then Possess the Promise.]

We must Enforce the Victory Jesus Won at the Cross.  How do we do that?  BY FAITH!  We have to realize, believe, and act upon His declaration, “the works that I do, greater works shall you do.”

I conclude with this passage, Colossians 2:8-17 – “For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, 10 and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority; 11 and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ; 12 having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 13 When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, 14 having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him. 16 Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day —  17 things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ.”  NASU

If you are not now POSSESSING your Place of Promise examine the situation and discover if there are ILLEGAL squatters occupying your Promise.  If they are, take the Spiritual Weapons of Warfare through the Word and Prayer and EVICT them, then once you have DISPOSSESSED them, POSSESS your Promise.  God Promised you ABUNDANT LIFE and declared you to be MORE THAN A CONQUEROR.   Be what God has declared you to be!

God bless you richly as you embark on this new journey of Faith and Spiritual Freedom!

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YOU MUST DISPOSSESS TO POSSESS…


Spiritual Blog - Promised Land

Deuteronomy 12:1-3 – “These are the statutes and the judgments which you shall carefully observe in the land which the LORD, the God of your fathers, has given you to possess as long as you live on the earth. 2 “You shall utterly destroy all the places where the nations whom you shall dispossess serve their gods, on the high mountains and on the hills and under every green tree. 3 ” You shall tear down their altars and smash their sacred pillars and burn their Asherim with fire, and you shall cut down the engraved images of their gods and obliterate their name from that place.”  NASU

 

It is a fascinating study of Scripture to view the Bible as One Book.  I view the Bible as a “progression” not an Old Testament (Book of Law and History) and a New Testament (Book of New Law and Grace).  It is ONE BOOK, progressively revealing the Heart and Purpose of God.  That makes it a fascinating book.

In our Christian history, we have achieved some understanding that everything that happened to Israel happened for our understanding.  The principle, “first the natural and then the spiritual” is never more apparent than in the study of the history of God’s People in the Nation of Israel.  Therefore, each event, pattern, practices, etc. in the natural in Old Testament Israel has a spiritual fulfillment in the New Testament Believer and Church.

The declaration of God that they were to POSSESS the Land is important.  Too often we become obsessed with the geographical land and miss the larger picture and message.  I am convinced that this obsession has, at times, robbed the Christian Church of position, promise, and power.  I believe that God wants His Church, His Body to enter into the fullness of His Promises and fulfill His Purposes in this generation.  That, in my view, is sometimes hindered in our failure to understand the term LAND.

Think with me a moment about the term LAND.  Jesus said, “Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the Earth.”  What is the Earth but the Land?  The word in Hebrew and its equivalent always means “The Place of Promise.”  It is our ‘anakali’ or Inheritance.  It is not earned, deserved but inherited.  We enter into citizenship in the Land by birth (the new birth).  However, for it to be fully enjoyed it must be POSSESSED.  The Hebrew word is (yeash) and the implication is “You drive out the tenants who are ILLEGALLY squatting on your inheritance.”  Simply, it is up to you and me to DISPOSSESS them in order to fully POSSESS what has been legally given to us by God Himself.

THE PROCESS is twofold and simple yet complex:

  1. We Respond to God by Faith – – HE IS.
  2. We Begin the Process of Dispossessing the Enemy by Faith – More than Conquerors through Jesus.

When we consider types in Scripture we find that Mountains refer to Kingdoms.  Hills refer to Families of the Land and Green Trees usually refer to People.

Do you desire to fully possess the promises of God and enter into the Abundant Life that Jesus Promised and came to provide?  I know you do, so I ask that you carefully examine your heart and ask the Holy Spirit to bring to you enlightenment, embolden you, and empower you to STAND and PRESS INTO THE LAND – Your Place of Promise!  We will address this more tomorrow.

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

 

 

 

 

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LIVING STONES…


SPIRITUAL BLOG - Church

1 Peter 2:5 – “you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”  NASU

 

Frequently, I broach the subject of our being a ‘Spiritual House’ or ‘Stone Pile’.  Today, I desire to delve a little deeper into that.  I truly believe that this is a Word from the Lord and a matter that is of extreme importance.  It is my hope that you will hear what is presented, evaluate it, pray about it, examine it, and then render a decision as to how it applies to you and your local fellowship.

Sometimes there is a ‘new word’ not because it is NEW but new because it has not been heard or considered fully.  I believe that there is a spiritually dynamic life to be had in the Body of Christ beyond what has been enjoyed by most Christians and Churches.  Sometimes to move into a new area or phase in God there has to be a ‘leap of faith’ and a ‘change in our concept’ of the function of the church and the individual.  That being said, I want you to consider a ‘problem’ which prevents this and I believe as you see the problem you will be willing to invest yourselves in finding and implementing the solution.

Here in the text, we find the mention of ‘living stones’ and a ‘spiritual house’ for the purpose of a Holy Priesthood.  That is not talking about those who carry the title of ‘minister’ or ‘preacher’ but Christians.  Peter, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, offers a ‘natural picture’ to help us understand a ‘spiritual truth’.  Natural stones produce natural houses and spiritual stones produce spiritual houses.

  • These are LIVING STONES – – [lively zoes].

Stones, building blocks, but building blocks that are alive.

  • There is a PROCESS – – Being built up.

Constructing or forming is taking place and it involves time.  It is not instantaneous!

  • There is an OBJECTIVE – – A Spiritual house.

Fully functioning spiritual house which is a body, a family, and a unit.

Imagine living building blocks!  Wouldn’t that be a wonderful reality in today’s church?  I do believe that it is becoming a reality in many locals, but sadly in much of the church world, it is more of a whimsical fantasy and a theoretical dream than a reality.  A significant portion of organized religion is far from being a SPIRITUAL HOUSE either locally or universally.  What we see much of the time is a ‘pile of bricks’.  No question they are living stones with incredible potential but not functional because they have never BEEN FORMED into a Spiritual House.  There is a vast difference between a SPIRITUAL HOUSE and a STONE PILE.

There are several contributing factors to the dilemma.  First, often there is little or no understanding of the Kingdom, biblical church government and function.  Second, frequently our new found freedom in Christ encourages us to run everywhere and do everything with no real spiritual submission to authority and without proper training.  [Equipping – Ephesians 4].  This equipping, according to the Scripture is done under the oversight of the Wise Master Builders or God’s under-shepherds and the gifts in the Church.

It is possible to have a ‘system of government’ that is biblical in theory but not in practice.  It is possible to have ‘elders & deacons’ in name, who do not have the calling, anointing, or function of true elders or deacons.  It is possible to have a ‘team concept’ of ministry but not practice it truly.  It is possible to have ‘home cell groups’ without having the ‘gift people’ in the right place or function.  It all looks good, sounds good, and the desire is good but it doesn’t produce life because it has not been ‘fitly framed’ together so it can be more than a PILE OF STONES!

To be a SPIRITUAL HOUSE, the stones/bricks MUST be ‘fitted together’ with design, foresight, and planning.  According to the Bible, each member of a congregation is a ‘living stone’ a building block.  Most churches spend an enormous amount of money and energy trying to amass stones and in the view of the world the more stones you have the more successful you are.  The number of stones is equated with success so everyone is focusing on gathering stones but not fitting them into a SPIRITUAL HOUSE.  It is stones, stones, stones!  Let’s get more stones!  Well, you might as well ‘get stoned’ if that’s all you have it will do you about as much good.

If we are to impact this world as Jesus commissioned and commanded us it is imperative that we become SPIRITUAL HOUSES not STONE PILES.  Make this a commitment of your heart and seek to become ‘fitly framed together’ into a Spiritual House for a Holy Priesthood.  The lost need it.  The saved need it.  God desires it!

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

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ARE WE A SPIRITUAL HOUSE OR A STONE PILE?


Spiritual Blog - Stone Pile

1 Peter 2:1-5 – “Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, 2 like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, 3 if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord. 4 And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”  NASU

 

Personally, I have always found this a fascinating passage.  In fact, I believe that it is God’s Word to the Church in this hour!  I believe that the Church, the Body of Christ has come to a ‘new phase’ in its development and progress in the Kingdom!  I believe we are at a new juncture on our road to BECOMING that which God has designated and desired for us to be at this time.  If we are to become ONE BODY and function as a body to fulfill God’s plan and purpose for our sphere of influence and world we must become a SPIRITUAL HOUSE rather than just be a STONE PILE filled with individual stones.

  1. We MUST come to realize and know who we are.

We will never fully know who we are until we truly know whose we are.  I do not mean the religious cliché “I’m God’s”, I mean HIM – His person, nature, character, love, grace, trustworthiness, etc.  We must come to know the Covenant Maker and Keeper WHO IS GOD.  I’m talking about intimacy with Him not familiarity with Him.

  1. We MUST come to know His Covenant and His Kingdom.

I believe the Covenantal Relationships are the ‘foundation for function’ in the Body of Christ and in life.  The power, provisions, and promise of Covenant as walked out in daily living.  I believe that as we know God’s Covenant and Kingdom we come to know God and thereby know WHO WE ARE.

  1. We MUST come to know God’s Pattern for Function locally.

I’ve often called this the “Jethro Principle.”  This principle was revealed to and practiced by Moses in the wilderness and by Jesus in the New Testament.  It is the PATTERN for Body Ministry and, I believe, the only way to successfully reach and develop the harvest.  It is here we come to know God’s Truths about Body Ministry, Team Ministry, Apostolic authority, and function rather than position.  It is here that we are able to pull down religious hierarchies and come to maturity in Christ.

  1. We MUST become a Spiritual House that is FULLY FUNCTIONING.

We must be ‘fitted and framed’ together as a unit, house, body, and family with the parts functioning as the whole.  It is in this condition that we ‘reproduce’ and ‘disciple’ others enabling them to FULLY FUNCTION as a part of the Body of Christ, God’s Spiritual House.

We are LIVING STONES and the problem with living stones is that we have a mind and will of our own.  We do our own thing, we do not stay where we have been placed, and have egos, ambitions, and feelings.  Unlike natural building stones, we present a unique problem in the function of building.  We are not inanimate objects but LIVING STONES and as living stones, we are literally ‘cells’ in the Body of Christ and linked to each other cell by the blood.  It is imperative that we ‘die to self’ in order to ‘live unto Him.’  Truly the words of John the Baptist is fitting – “He must increase but I must decrease.”

I urge you to make it your objective and purpose to become a SPIRITUAL HOUSE rather than a Stone in a Stone Pile.   May God be with you as you go through your day

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GOD’S PLAN FOR LIBERTY…


Spiritual Blog - Liberty

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

 2 Corinthians 9:8 – “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed…”  NASU

 

 I would encourage you to pick up your Bible right now.  I am not concerned with the translation, at the moment, but want you to hold that Bible up in front of you and look at it.  Do you realize what you hold in your hands?  You are holding a miracle book and there is no other book in the world like it.  Three things distinguish this book from all other books in the world.  Those same three things defend and protect it for ordinariness.

  1. THE MIRACLE OF INSPIRATION.

The work of the Holy Spirit in the hearts and minds of human instruments which made their writings a record of Divine Revelation makes it amazing!  The Book that you hold is ‘God-breathed’.  In that book, we find the ‘Mind of God’, the ‘Way of Salvation’, the ‘Revealed Plan of God’ for man for time and eternity, and the ‘Way of the Kingdom Living and Victory.’  That is why we must allow it to be our true source and guide!

  1. THE MIRACLE OF PRESERVATION.

The work of the Holy Spirit upon the hearts, minds, and hands of the Scripture translators, as well as upon the Scripture text itself, which guaranteed the perpetuation and protection of the original message of the Bible makes it amazing!  It has survived the perils of translation and retranslation in changing times and cultures.  The same Holy Spirit who breathed the original message to the first writers has been present to protect this word through the ages.  This work of the Holy Spirit has been so amazing and powerful that the Bible has retained its impact and intent through hundreds of perilous years of translation.  I fully believe that God did not leave the care of His word to men alone. This Book is Divine in its continuation.  It has weathered the attacks of men, withstood the assault of the devil, won over the ravages of religions, and has stood the severest test of all – – TIME!  It is still powerful today!

  1. THERE IS THE MIRACLE OF ILLUMINATION.

The work of the Holy Spirit upon the heart, mind, and life of the preacher, teacher, and student of the Word of God which discloses the inner meaning of the message of the Bible makes it amazing!  This is no small miracle!  The same Holy Spirit who breathed the Word into the hearts of the writers has presided over its perpetuation and now moves upon the hearts of men as it impacts their lives.  This book is Divine in its communication.  In it is found the ‘Mind of God’, the ‘Plan of God’, the ‘Wisdom of God’, and the ‘Precepts’ and ‘Principles’ of God for Kingdom Living and Victory!

In your hand, that Bible you hold is the physical, tangible, visible proof of miracles!  You are holding a miracle in your hand!  God has promised in Jeremiah 1:12 to hasten to His word to perform it or as one translation declares “I am watching over my word…”  In this Book, we find the unveiling of the Plan of God for man.  1 John 2:17 – “And the world is passing away with its desires; but he that does the will of God abides forever.”  Hallelujah!  This book works every day in all times of crisis, and in our lives.  It works everywhere and for everyone!  It is a miracle because it is GOD’S WORD!

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

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WHAT DEPOSIT ARE YOU MAKING IN OTHERS…


Spiritual Blog - Discipleship

2 Timothy 2:1-2 – “You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”  NASU

 

Making disciples as seen in verse two ‘commit to… or entrust’ is essentially ‘making a deposit’ in their lives.  It is like putting money in the bank.  You drive alongside or go inside and deposit the money and the money is there when you need it.  But, what about the times when you do that with people and they quit on you, betray you, hurt you, leave you, abandon, you in the time of heated battle?  You say, ‘that deposit didn’t work am I supposed to do it again?’  YES!  Everyone’s been hurt or will be hurt.  If ‘fear’ grips your heart you dare not go back into isolation and refuse to risk being hurt again.  If you do then the devil’s plan is succeeding.  The temptation is always there to protect our heats from hurt but when we realize that we cannot we press in.  If we continue in the ministry and fulfill the commission the Lord gave us we will press on.  Always remember you CANNOT function in battle alone and be effective.  This is a Body Ministry.  This is an Army!  This is a Family!  This is not a bunch of isolated individuals or body parts trying to be the whole for that is certain defeat!

In making disciples one learns quickly the power and importance of FORGIVENESS.  You have to determine that you will forgive, forgive, and forgive.  That will prevent a root of BITTERNESS from springing up in your heart and defiling you and others.  It is necessary to maintain order and keep the battle moving forward.  If you have been ‘abandoned’ in the war zone you need to be ‘healed’ and ‘restored.’  Refuse to allow wounds to fester and become infected.  Healing comes by allowing the wound to be opened, the blood to flow to it and life to be ministered to our wounded hearts.

A word of wisdom and warning – “Pick the right friends this time!”  Do not be too quick to lay hands on people.  How do you pick the right ones?  Discernment and testing!  I’ve had people want to be friends and comrades in arms in the battle only to find that they quickly became disillusioned and disappointed.  They had expectations of me that I could not fulfill and therefore they turned on me.  Some have been offended that I would joke, laugh, enjoy recreational sports, etc.  They expected me to be, as they stated “different” which really meant ‘abnormal’ and ‘weird’.  They had not learned that we are all human and even Jesus was anointed with the oil of gladness above his fellows.

It would be easy to say, “Never again. I won’t risk being hurt.”  That would seal the deal making failure certain and limit any effectiveness, we might have in the kingdom.  Too many pastors have allowed the wrong people to be made ‘elders’ and ‘deacons.’  We do that in our churches and our lives too frequently.  That is why it is vital that we exercise the ‘discerning of the Spirit.’  Always remember that the qualifications for leadership are not ‘community influence’, ‘financial status’, ‘charisma’, or ‘perceived leadership potential.’  It is COMMITMENT!  We all have the capacity for a great number of friends but only room for a few close intimate relationships.  You are to ‘deposit’ a portion of your life into that person or persons and that deposit is precious so guard it with your all.  You are going to war with this individual so you must KNOW THEM.  In war, you must KNOW your fellow soldiers, comrades in arms will stand and do their jobs.  Your life may and probably will depend on it.  I am not talking about preferences I am talking about WAR!  Once you have committed your life to Jesus you are a candidate for FRONTLINE DUTY!

There is nothing more destructive to a local fellowship than misplaced leadership.  Likewise, there is nothing more destructive to an individual life than misplaced friendships or relationships.  1 Corinthians 15:23 tells us that “bad company corrupts good morals.”  Proverbs 25:19 teaches that “confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth or a foot out of joint.”  It is painful and can be quite harmful.

In your enlistment in the Army of God, I pray that God not only equips you for battle but enables you to equip others and to have the spiritual insight and discernment to recognize the ‘right people’ to stand with.

Blessings as you go through your day!

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THE KEY TO SERVICE IS THE HEART…


Spiritual Blog - Key

2 Timothy 2:1-2 – “You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” NASU

 

In consideration of ‘Spiritual Warfare’ and the preparation and the establishing of leaders in the Church, we must look at the HEART.  In this passage especially if you take the full context you will find some incredibly powerful truths regarding ‘leadership’, ‘service’, and ‘life.’

It has been my observation that one of the best ways to test someone’s character and determine if they are truly a servant having Jesus’ Heart is to let them know you ‘recognize’ the call of God on their lives and then give them a task such as Janitor, Chair set-up detail, Greeter, Usher, or something of the like.  Let him who would be the greatest among you be servant of all.  Then watch them and listen to them.

THE KEY IS THE HEART:

Qualification is not enough!  Faithfulness is the critical element!  This message and all ministry are to be committed to ‘faithful men’ who shall be able….  The word ABLE – [he-ka-nos] speaks of sufficiency.  ‘Who is sufficient…’  Simply, those faithful people who may not be qualified right now but because of their heart will become SUFFICIENT.  Whatever God has called you to do He will make you sufficient if you are faithful!

God does not come looking at our QUALIFICATIONS, after all, they come from Him anyway!  He comes looking at our HEARTS!  Ministry (real ministry) does not begin in the pulpit or on the platform – – it begins in SERVICE!  FAITHFUL SERVICE!

In truth, none of us are truly qualified.  God does not call us because of our natural talents.  He calls us because of our HEARTS!  If a person’s heart is right and willing to be taught, this ‘faithful’ person can become MORE THAN HE NOW IS.

All of us have been burned or hurt in life.  All of us have a call on our lives. All of us need a close covenant of committed friends. All of us need to be a part of a covenant community.  ALL OF US!  For you and me to stand in our commitment to Christ WE NEED to establish a Covenant Relationship with God.  For our families to stand and not become fragmented and destroyed we need to develop a Covenant Relationship in that family order.  For the Fellowship or local Church to stand and possess the land, there must be committed covenant relationships established within that body.

We are facing a SPIRITUAL WAR and to be prepared we must be COMMITTED and FAITHFUL.  We have God’s Promises.  Now as we more fully understand His purposes and receive His power we must be united in a Covenant Family and always stand FAITHFUL.

God bless you as you go through your day!

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THERE MUST BE FAITHFULNESS FOR SPIRITUAL WARFARE…


Spiritual Blog - Faithfulness

2 Timothy – 2:1-2 – “You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”  NASU

 

In studying Scripture I have discovered and considered the aspects of what Paul was telling his son in the faith, Timothy.  The charge was for Timothy to find, teach, train, and impart that which was in his heart, received from the Holy Spirit through the apostle Paul.  This was critical to the founding and grounding of the New Testament Church.

There are Three Critical Areas in which Faithfulness is Key:

  1. Faithfulness to God is Absolutely Essential.
  2. Faithfulness in Relationships is Vital.
  3. Faithfulness in Service is Indispensable.

FAITHFULNESS TO GOD.

This needs little examination and discussion.  Most would readily acknowledge the need and essentialness of God’s Faithfulness to us and our Faithfulness to Him.  However, if we are genuinely faithful to God it will be manifest in the other areas or dimensions as well.

FAITHFULNESS IN RELATIONSHIPS.

This is an area that most Christians do not work on and need to give more attention to!  Remember Timothy’s mistake or potential mistake – ‘Choosing people who were possibly qualified and influential but UNFAITHFUL.’

FAITHFULNESS IN SERVICE.

This is absolutely indispensable!  We must learn to be SERVANTS.  We must learn and become willing to do what is asked when it is asked and how it is asked even when the flesh rises up and resists or the ego says that is beneath me.  Even when your ego raises its ugly head and declares that is not using my gifts or abilities to the fullest.  Even when you feel that you are not appreciated and recognized as you should be.

God’s way is to first ‘make the man’ then He ‘releases the ministry’.  Tragically, the Church has gotten the cart before the horse too often.  We recognize ‘gifts’, ‘charisma’, ‘talent’, and ‘ability’ and immediately SEND FORTH into ministry!

PERSONAL TESTIMONY.

In my opinion, I was released wrongly but over time God taught me the necessity and importance of SERVING.  I was sent out almost immediately because people could see the hand of God on me and God gifted me with passion and ability to convey the message.   The desire of my heart was GO OUT!  I should have been sitting under wise tutelage, nurtured and trained but within weeks of my conversion, I was sent out.  I saw this in Bible College and have observed it in my almost 50 years of ministry.  We too often run before we are fully ready to run.

When someone is called or God uses them in some degree or measure of success and instills a vision in their hearts along with His promise.  As a result, they have the mistaken idea that they immediately should be released to pursue that vision but they are not ready.

  • They are overcome with the VISION.
  • They expect to be RECOGNIZED.
  • They become more SPIRITUAL than anyone.
  • They make sure everyone knows they are ANOINTED, APPOINTED, CALLED, and COMMISSIONED.
  • They demonstrate an inability or unwillingness to listen to others without a CRITICAL ATTITUDE believing in their hearts they could do a better job or they just know better.

 They have not learned one of the key traits required for LEADERSHIP which is SERVANTHOOD.  If we do not learn how to SERVE we are not qualified to LEAD.

God bless you as you go through your day!

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EXPERTS AT THE WRONG THINGS…


Spiritual Blog - Experts

Mark 7:9-10 – “He was also saying to them, “You are experts at setting aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition.”  NASU

 

 I have been guilty of being an expert in or at wrong things and most of you probably have too.  This is true in many areas of life but spiritually, it is one of the most destructive activities in which we can engage.  It is detrimental to the message of the Cross and one of the reasons some view the Church in such a negative light.

I am not opposed to Tradition but if our traditions run contrary to the Word of God they must be sacrificed on the altar of faith.  The Pharisees were notorious for making their traditions superior to the Word of God.  I am not suggesting that they were always malicious in that, but it evolved into a very confining and destructive society.  They put ‘man-made fences’ around the Commandments of God to keep people from getting near enough to the Commandment to break it.  Their traditions became so important to them, they were willing to condemn if not stone anyone daring to deviate from their traditions.  I have known churches and church people almost that bad.  One of the things that got me into trouble as a new Christian was the question, WHY?  That was a taboo question for many not because the question was in itself bad but because they had no answer and how dare an upstart question the TRADITIONS they held so firmly too.  Most of them could tell me, at length, what they did not believe or did not do but could not articulate with scriptural backing what they DID BELIEVE. 

As a new Christian, I was completely willing to abide by the traditions and directives I was being given providing my question was answered satisfactorily.  I have never been one to blindly accept, “We don’t because we don’t.”  I don’t mind giving up things providing I have a genuine reason and basis for doing so.  When I first became a Christian, I encountered much negativity regarding what we could or could not do.  My newfound love for the LORD prompted me to seek to know and I wanted and want to please Him in everything.  Therefore, I studied and sought to find answers in Scripture.  Add to that equation my love for and confidence in those who had led me to Christ and the church, over time, I became one of them and became an ‘expert’ in wrong things.  I, like many, would try to find justification and explanation for Scripture that contradicted the traditions I was told to observe.

I would become defensive when anyone questioned my traditions UNTIL the Holy Spirit arrested me during a time of prayer.  I was convicted of my failure to consider ALL SCRIPTURE and weigh each scripture and seek to interpret the Bible in light of the ENTIRE BIBLE rather than taking a doctrinal position and looking for proof-texts to support my view.  I felt the LORD instruct me to ‘put my theology on the shelf’ and not take anything down until He instructed me to do so.  Over a period of several years, my entire world was turned upside down and I had people question my sanity as well as my faith.  I was called a reprobate, a rebel, and a troubler of the faith.  As I began to embrace the ENTIRE BIBLE in a new way.  I felt that the directive of the LORD was for me to become more inclusive of other believers in different denominations and to listen to their reasons for their beliefs.  I was not being instructed to accept their views but to HEAR THEM and in hearing them I would become more Berean and study the Scriptures to see if their views were correct.  In doing so, I found that some of the things I had accepted as final truth were, in fact, only partial truths and needed to be expanded.  I found that some things I believed were in error and needed to be discarded.  I discovered a new world in the Bible and over the past, many years have found it to be a goldmine and a revelation that I will never exhaust this side of heaven.

I only suggest that you allow the Holy Spirit to shine the Light of God’s Eternal Truth upon what you profess to believe in the area of Traditions.  I know that some will argue that theirs are not traditions but sound doctrine and I contend that if you allow the Holy Spirit to shine the Light of God’s Truth on all you believe you may, no you will find, that some things are very incomplete.  If you want to harness the harvest of God’s promises and live to the full the Abundant Life Jesus came to give, then open your hearts to ALL SCRIPTURE and rather than interpreting it according to your predetermined doctrine allow the Holy Spirit to open the Word of God to you.  Resist being an ‘expert in wrong things’ and become a Berean.

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

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