Month: October 2018

WHAT DOES GOD WANT FOR MY LIFE?


Spiritual Blog - Will of God

1 John 4:7-11 – “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” NASU

 

Let me begin by addressing two things:   LOVE is ‘from’ God and GOD ‘is’ Love!  That is important and possibly more important than one would gather at first glance.  God does not ‘have’ love He ‘is’ love.  I may ‘have’ water but I am not water.  I may ‘have’ money but I am not money.  God, on the other hand, IS Love!  If God IS love, and love IS from God, and I say I KNOW God….  (Know) – Not know about but the word means to know intimately and personally.  It is to penetrate!  So, if I say I KNOW God then I am saying I have ‘penetrated’ God or entered into an intimate personal relationship with Him.  It is then and only then that I truly LOVE!  The mark of a Christian is LOVE! 

I find it most interesting and often frustrating that many Christians are overly obsessed with ‘discovering the will of God’ for their lives.  While that is good and something that every believer should desire to know the approach and mindset can be incredibly frustrating.  So many have adopted the mindset that the WILL OF GOD could never be what is obvious!  Heaven forbid, God would never tell you to do the obvious.  Oh no, He surely will always tell you to do something that is out of the ordinary and even unexpected because that way you will know it is God.

For example, God would never tell you to minister to your neighbor that would be too obvious and logical.  He will send you to the bush of Africa (nothing wrong with that) but why do we feel that He would not desire, as His will, for us to do something obvious?  Some seem to have the idea that if it is something they do not want to do then that is what God wants.  Really?  God is determined to make us do something we do not want to do?  Is that God?  Some have a picture or image of God that He is always ‘weird’ and never on our side.  If you were to say, “I don’t want to go there or do that,” then you can bet your booties that is exactly what God will want you to do.  We become so concerned with the minute and frivolous details that we miss the Big Picture and the purposes of God for our lives.  Some spend so much time seeking to know the will of God that they never get around to doing it.

Let me clear something up – – Before God reveals His will to you He prepares your heart!  He instills in you a ‘want to’ and then asks, “Would you like to?”  That’s how God operates. He is not trying to inflict pain and force you to do things you do not want to do.  God is not ‘weird’.  So often the will of God for my life is simply what my heart has been crying out to do.  It is not a struggle to know the will of God unless we try to complicate it with our insistence on knowing every detail of what we are to do before we do anything.  So much of the time is it simply FOLLOW YOUR HEART!  God has already conditioned your heart for what He desires!

Please know that if you are ‘in’ Him and He is ‘in’ you then you do not have to struggle with knowing His will it is in your heart!  Do not let the devil weigh you down with the minute details and miss the opportunity and blessing of doing what God has and is preparing you to do!  Simply ask, ‘What is in my heart?’

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

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POSSIBILITY OR PROCRASTINATION?


Spiritual Blog - Procrastinatin

Psalm 90:12 – “So teach us to number our days, That we may present to You a heart of wisdom.”  NASU

As the song of years gone by, ‘Everybody wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to die,’ we often live our lives with a sense of permanence that is deceptive.  Most people I have dealt with or worked with in my years of ministry seem to believe that they will have ‘more than enough tomorrows’ to do the things they either did not do or did not want to do today.  Too often people neglect the vital, focus on the important or trivial, and demonstrate little concern because they believe that they will have time to do it later.  We call that Procrastination!

Any student of the Bible knows that there are a number of promises from God in His word that are seldom claimed, appropriated, and stood on in individual lives.  It has been my observation that too many live ‘beneath their privilege’ in God.  I’ve had people tell me that I focus too much on God’s Promises but I fully believe that God gave them because He wanted us to enjoy, appropriate them, stand on them, and live them in this present world.  I believe that each step closer to becoming ‘like Jesus’ we find more Spiritual Power in our lives, touch more Souls of men, and experience more Victory in our daily lives!

This Psalm is attributed to Moses.  He was interceding for God to remove the curse that every Israelite over the age of twenty would die before the nation could enter the Land of Canaan.  He even identifies that most are dying at seventy though some are reaching eighty years of age.  If verse 10 could somehow be attributed to us as a gauge of longevity it would produce an interesting possibility.  [80 years or 16 – 5-year segments].  I wonder how we would live if we evaluated our lives in 5-year increments?  How many have you lived?  How many do you have left?  (Please understand I do not believe that this means we only can live 70-80 years but I use it as an illustration).

Time is either the greatest asset or enemy that we have.  Paul urged his listeners to ‘redeem the time.’  Time is one thing we must learn to use effectively if we are to become the most effective in our lifespan.  We are notorious ‘time wasters,’ at least most of us are.  In order to tap the resources available to us and utilize the ability and power that God has given us there are three things that must take place.

PERCEPTION – – – We must Perceive.

We must perceive ‘who we are.’  Initially, we were sinners in need of God.  We are created in the image of God and as John 1:12 tells us we are sons/daughters of God.  Romans 8:17 identifies that we are ‘heirs of God’ and Galatians 3:29 that we are ‘heirs according to the Promise.’  We read of the Promises of God in Deuteronomy 28 and find in Hebrews 8:6 that we have a ‘better covenant established on better promises.’

We must perceive ‘where we are.’  Or the condition or level of maturity we find ourselves.  Some of us are like the little boy that fell out of the bed and when asked why he replied, ‘Because I stayed to close to the edge.’  Some of us have stayed to close to the condition we were in when we first came to Christ.

We must perceive ‘where we are going.’  That applies both spiritually and in this natural life.

PREPARATION – – We must Prepare to get where we are going.

It is vital that we KNOW the promises of the Book (Bible).  It is imperative that we understand that the Bible is a tool, a weapon, a light, and a resource.

It is vital that we KNOW our inheritance as children of the Most High God.  We must prepare mentally, physically, and spiritually.

PROCEED – – We must Proceed on the Planned and Purposed way.

It is important that we see our potential in God, understand and believe the possibilities, and trust God!  If God says we are to be a Moses, Elijah, Paul, John, Peter, or Daniel why can’t we?  The thing that made them unique was that they were fully surrendered and teachable.

It is important that we believe we can be overcomers because God says we already are in Jesus.  It is important that we believe that God can work miracles through us.  Remember who God says you are – – ‘A Child of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.’  Remember that His charted destiny for you is to ‘do His will in this generation.’  Therefore, it is important that we allow God to guide and guard our hearts, thoughts, and lives.  Remember, ‘except the Lord build the house they labor in vain that build it.’

So as you go through the rest of your life will you go as a POSSIBILITY or PROCRASTINATOR?  The choice is yours.  May God be with you as you go through your day in Him!

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ANOTHER LOOK AT TRUST…


Spiritual Blog - Trust

Psalm 56:3 – “When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You.”  NASU

Isaiah 12:2 – “Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid…” NASU

As we examine the record we find that there are ‘five’ separate Hebrew words translated TRUST in the Bible.

Psalm 22:8 – “He TRUSTED in the Lord…”  The word is (galal) which means ‘to roll.’  It speaks of Christ in the hours of His crucifixion.  David wrote:  “He rolled Himself on the LORD.”  He TRUSTED!  This is a picture of confidence and complete dependence.

Job 35:14 – “therefore trust thou in him.”  The word is (chul) which means ‘to wait or stay upon’.  It depicts ‘confidence and patience.’  Elihu said to Job, “Wait for Him.”

Job 35:15 – “Thou He slay me, yet will I TRUST Him.”  In answering his friends Job used the Hebrew word for HOPE (yachal).  Job was declaring that even in the face of death I will HOPE and TRUST in God.

Psalm 91:4 – “He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under His wings shalt thou TRUST…”  The word is (Chasah) which means to ‘flee for refuge.’

The most frequently used word is (Batach) which means ‘to confide in or lean upon.’

Therefore, TRUST seems to be a ‘rolling of our needs upon God’.  It is followed by a ‘patient waiting upon Him’ to act and it is HOPE even when things seem to be hopeless and it means to ‘flee to God and His promises’ for refuge when doubt and fear make a frontal assault on us.  To TRUST is to confide in God as our most trusted friend and to lean upon Him as our strongest supporter!

Thus we find that David and Isaiah are both correct in their statements.  The difference is not in the fact that they trusted it is WHEN they got around to trusting!  David ‘trusted after’ fear had gripped his heart. Isaiah ‘trusted before’ fear took control or make its presence known.

Each of us has TRUST inherent in our natures.  We would be unable to function in normal life without it.  Therefore, the entire thing hinges upon the object of our Trust!

2 Corinthians 1:9 – Advises that we should not trust in ourselves but in God.

1 Timothy 6:17 – “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the Living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.”

CONSIDER THIS:

  • Trust in SELF and you are doomed for disappointment.
  • Trust in FRIENDS and they will disappoint you.
  • Trust in MONEY and you will have it taken away.
  • Trust in REPUTATION and some slanderous tongue may blast it.
  • Trust in GOD and you will never be confounded in time or eternity.

Psalm 37:3 – “Trust in the Lord.”

Isaiah 26:4 – “Trust in the Lord forever.”

1 Timothy 6:17 – “Trust… in the Living God.”

So we can TRUST in God’s self-existence, independence, and eternality.  We can CONFIDE in and LEAN UPON His dependability and infallibility.  We can confidently DEPEND on God’s Omnipotence.  We can TRUST with absolute hope in God’s expressed love and availability.

TRUST is the basis of reliance, faith, and hope!  TRUST forms a basis for faith but it is not faith itself.  FAITH is assurance that God will do what He says.  TRUST is an inner confidence that rests and waits patiently for God’s time of action! So as you go through life TRUST God!  He is faithful!  

Blessings as you go through your day!

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TRUST…


Spiritual Blog - Trust

Psalm 56:3 – “When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You.”  NASU

Isaiah 12:2 – “Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid…” NASU

The above passages are incredibly interesting.  Both have to do with ‘fear’ and ‘trust.’  It is great that David could say, “When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You,” but it is even better when Isaiah could say, “I will trust and not be afraid.”  Charles Spurgeon commented on these two passages and said, “All who get on board Heaven’s train will arrive in heaven, but those who join David will ride ‘third class’ and those who join Isaiah will ride ‘first class’.  I do not want to diminish David’s faith and confidence in God but the two expressions reflect different attitudes we face in life regarding ‘trust’ and ‘fear’.

TRUST is not a product of FEAR; it is a PREVENTATIVE of FEAR!  I heard an illustration years ago that makes this point perfectly:

There was an airliner flying during a severe storm and the turbulence became so violent that even the Flight Attendants were reaching for airbags.  Terror gripped everyone.  Some began to weep, others cursed, and a few prayed.  All but one lady sitting in the first class section was terrified.  She sat calmly unmoved by the turbulence and someone asked why?  She replied, “Well, my husband is the pilot and he is well qualified to get us to the airport.”  She TRUSTED!

 It was said that Stonewall Jackson and his sister-in-law were being ferried across the river just below Niagara Falls and his sister-in-law was quizzing the ferryman until Stonewall spoke up and said, “Unless you are better qualified to ferry this boat across the river, sit down and be quite.”  He was talking about TRUST!

 TRUST according to Webster’s Dictionary is ‘assured reliance on the character, strength, or truth of someone or something.  Confidence and dependence are listed as synonyms.  Isaiah was saying:  “I will have assured reliance on the character, strength, and truth of the Almighty God and I WILL NOT BE AFRAID!”  Therefore, FAITH in the general usage of Scripture is TRUSTING in God’s testimony!  It is RECEIVING all that God has revealed to us!

FAITH is not an Old Testament Word.  It is used only twice in the Old Testament but TRUST is used over 140 times.  Yet, Hebrews 11 credits its many Old Testament characters with having FAITH while the Old Testament speaks of them TRUSTING God!  Simply, they were men and women who had a ‘complete reliance upon God.’  This affected their attitudes and actions in life!

It is imperative that we TRUST God!  Failure to ‘trust’ Him will open the door to ‘fear’ which has torment and will cause us to act and react negatively in the situations of life and rob us of our ultimate victory in God’s provision of Abundant Life!

Allow the Holy Spirit to bring you to a place of ‘assured reliance’ on God’s character, strength, and truth!  May God be with you as you go through your day!

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ONE MORE LOOK AT VISION AND ITS IMPORTANCE…


Spiritual Blog - Vision

Proverbs 29:18 – “Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained, But happy is he who keeps the law.” NASU

All of us have the capacity for vision!  All of us have vision!  God made each of us to be ‘vision containers’ or ‘vision holders.’  HIS VISION!  He created us to be men and women of purpose – HIS PURPOSE!  God wants us to love Him enough to trust His leadership and to be willing to give ourselves totally to Him, His Vision, and His Purpose.

Being VISIONLESS is a problem spiritually.  In Matthew 11:29 we read – “Take My yoke upon you….”  That signifies a commonality of vision and purpose where two or more are pulling in tandem toward the same objective!  Vision is like a Yoke!  Without that yoke, there is no restraint in the individual life or the local fellowship.  It becomes like a stampede rather than a concerted orchestrated effort that is effective and productive. It becomes confusion and chaos rather than order and productivity.

Vision from God is priceless!  Vision from God keeps us on the God-ordained course and builds a fire in our hearts spiritually.  The degree to which we acknowledge and align ourselves with the Vision of God determines what we will be and do for the Kingdom of God.  If the local fellowship is going to accomplish the purposes of God for its community and generation it must rise above the level of ‘personal’ and ‘survival visions’ and ascribe to the ‘Vision of God’.

When a church or individual has a God-given vision they do not get shook up by the shaking!  WHY?  Because they know what God has said and are yoked in tandem together and with the Holy Spirit pulling toward the God-ordained and God-inspired goal and objective.  Obstacles are only temporary problems and opportunities for God to demonstrate His might.

A God-given vision will cause an individual and a local fellowship to examine and reexamine what their purpose is and why they hold it.  It will cause us to examine and reexamine what we believe and why we believe it.  It will cause us to look at God’s government and its role, function, and authority in our lives.  It will cause us to become Kingdom conscious.

A God-given vision will cause an individual and a local fellowship to desire the will of God more than life and create a willingness in the heart to do whatever is required to fulfill the purposes of God in this generation.

My prayer and desire are God give us vision and ground us with purpose!  May God be with you as you go through your day!

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