Month: April 2019

TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES?


Spiritual Blog - Victory

1 John 5:4 – “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world — our faith.”  NASU

I am a literalist especially when it comes to the promises and declarations of Scripture about those who believe.  If we are born-again, washed in the Blood of Jesus, forgiven of our sins and our names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life we are, according to God’s declaration Victorious.  Unfortunately, too many times we live and act and even believe that we are not what He has said we are.

I believe that it is imperative that we bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.  In that declaration, I believe that it is necessary that we learn to think of ourselves and view ourselves as God sees us and has declared us to be in His Word.  In this verse, the writer under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit declares a truth that needs to be embraced by every believer today.  He declares that if we are born-again we overcome the world through faith or through our trust and reliance on Jesus.

I cannot tell you how many times I’ve had someone tell me about their circumstances and relate the defeats they have suffered at the hands of the devil.  Yes, we all have times when we have been overrun and overcome but that is not who we are.  I’ve had people describe the attacks of the devil in such a manner as to make it appear that the devil is equal to God in power and authority.  That is not what the Bible says about us or about the devil.

Every time I hear a believer, almost praising the devil through their acknowledgment of his work against them I want to weep.  I confess I have had times when it seemed that all of hell was attacking me and God was nowhere to be found.  In those times, my mind and my flesh wanted to wave the white flag of surrender and admit defeat, but I couldn’t.  Why?  Colossians 2:15 kept echoing in my mind regarding what Jesus has done to the devil.  Paul is using a Roman military and political custom to describe what Jesus did to the devil.  When a Roman General won a victory that was significant the Senate would vote him a triumph.  He would be placed in a special chariot and paraded through the streets of Rome with the conquered following behind him in chains.  There would be evidence of the spoils of war on display and the shaming of those conquered demonstrating their utter and complete defeat.

That’s what Colossians 2:15 says that Jesus did to the devil.  Read it with me, “When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.”  That’s what God has done to the devil!  The devil has been marched through the streets of heaven DEFEATED and SHAMED!  Hallelujah!  The apostle John tells us in our text verse that we are doing the same thing as we enforce the victory of Calvary and embrace the work and ministry of the Holy Spirit in us.  We are Conquerors!  We are Victors!  We are not cowering in the corner and trying to hold the fort until the rescue team arrives, He has arrived and is In Us Now!

It is time that you and I, the Body of Christ, begin to see ourselves as God declares we are and see Jesus as He is!  It is time that we begin to press toward the mark of the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus and do more than recite the “Lord’s Prayer.”  We need to make Matthew 6:33 a cornerstone of our lives and our faith and expect Him to demonstrate His Power in us and through us as we seek Him first and foremost.  We need to tell the devil that he is a liar when he tells us that we’ve failed, done too much, and God cannot use us.  God says, “Forgiven!”  When He says, “Forgiven!”  He also says, “Go into all the world and go with my Spirit and Power backing you up.”  We are Overcomers so let’s start living like it is a reality because God says it is.  Never, never, never allow a setback or even a roadblock to prevent you from pressing into the fullness of His Promises in this world.  You need that, I need that, and the world needs us to be that!

God bless you and I pray you will have a victorious day enforcing the Victory of Calvary!

 

 

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SECURE OR EXPOSED – Your Choice…


Spiritual Blog - Integrity

Proverbs 10:9 – “He who walks in integrity walks securely, But he who perverts his ways will be found out.” NASU

The old saying, “Everything that goes around comes around,” is applicable here.  The writer of Proverbs is assuring us that if we maintain Integrity we will find God’s defense, protection, and leading.  However, if we do not we will be exposed for the entire world to see.  Which do you choose?

I know that often we are perplexed as to how and why those who walk in wickedness and deception escape without any visible evidence that they are being penalized for their ways and often those who seek to walk uprightly suffer.  That is not ours to be concerned with as it will only lead to doubt, question, and anger.  Instead, we should walk knowing that there will be Pay Day Someday and that whatever is done in secret will be exposed to the light.  It may not be in this world but it will happen.  That being said, I’ve observed that frequently those who walk a perverted path are exposed in time.  Sooner or later their deviousness is brought to light and they are exposed to the light of critical examination.

We should all desire to walk in the Security that God affords and to do so we must maintain Integrity at all times and in all things.  There cannot be lapses or exceptions to that rule.  Tragically, I know people who believe that they have a business life, a social life, a personal life, a religious life, etc.  They compartmentalize their lives into segments as though they were totally separate and unconnected.   We do not have lives we have A Life!  You cannot be lacking in Integrity in business and be a person of Integrity in Church.  It doesn’t work that way.  You either have Integrity or you do not and if you do not in one place you do not in any place.

I can hear someone saying, “Wait, Roy, what about lapses or stumbling.”  I have no problem with the idea that a person might have a momentary lapse and fall short of walking in Integrity but what they do after that lapse is what determines if they maintain Integrity or not.  Do they excuse it, hide it, or do they immediately take it to the Cross confessing their sin and receiving the forgiveness of God.  If others were wounded do they go to them and ask forgiveness?  Integrity is not whimsical or fleeting.  It is a rock-solid anchor of life and we either have it, demonstrate it or we do not.  If we do then the promise of God is that our way will be Secure.  If we do not God’s promise is we will be Exposed!

So, as you face situations today that give you the opportunity to either manifest Integrity or not, carefully weigh what is happening and choose the way of Security in Integrity!

God bless you as you go through this day!

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GOD’S TREES ARE NOT ORNAMENTAL SHRUBS…


Spiritual Blog - Trees

Luke 13:6-9 – “And He began telling this parable: “A man had a fig tree which had been planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and did not find any.  7 “And he said to the vineyard-keeper, ‘Behold, for three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree without finding any. Cut it down! Why does it even use up the ground?’  8 “And he answered and said to him, ‘Let it alone, sir, for this year too, until I dig around it and put in fertilizer; 9 and if it bears fruit next year, fine; but if not, cut it down.'” NASU

 

This is somewhat of a difficult passage for most people to fully wrap their minds around and accept.  The reason I say that is if you fully examine the message it suggests that there can and will come a time when God through the Holy Spirit will deem that a person has become nothing more than an ornamental shrub rather than a fruit tree in the Kingdom.  Two possibilities can be arrived at in this.  One is that if you fail to produce fruit in your life through relationship and obedience to God, He may choose to remove you from the earthly orchard and take you home.  A second is that failure to produce fruit separates you from God and that is seen in the words “cut it down.”

No matter which interpretation you choose the fact is clear that God is not desirous of ornamental shrubs in his garden He wants trees that bear fruit.  The kingdom is not enhanced by fruitlessness.  Lives are not touched by fruitlessness.  If we are nothing more than an ornamental shrub in the garden of God we have little functional value.  I do not mean to suggest that you have to be a pulpit preacher or doing great exploits for the Kingdom simply that you are doing what the Holy Spirit has and does give you to do and being faithful in that.  If you do that you will Bear Fruit, the fruit God chooses not the fruit man deems valuable.  Our lives should be trees that the lost can come to and be introduced to the life-changing fruit of salvation.  Our lives should be trees that the saved can come to and receive the life-enhancing fruit of wisdom, knowledge, encouragement, and brotherhood.

We are to be Trees of Righteousness and those trees bear fruit.  If you want to know how Jesus feels about fruitlessness reexamine his reaction to the Fig Tree that had leaves indicating fruit but no figs.  That will move you to serious thought and hopefully such self-examination that you will turn to Him and call out for His mercy and pray like David, “Renew in me a right spirit, create in me a clean heart, and do not take your Holy Spirit from me.” 

We have been equipped, commissioned, and commanded to Bear Fruit!  Examine your heart and life and if you are fruitless it is time to run to the Throne Room of prayer and cry out for renewal and restoration in an attitude of repentance.  I encourage you to pursue the Fruit of Righteousness in your life.  You can be a Tree of Righteousness.  God says we are, so let’s become what He says we are!

God bless you as you go through your day!

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SOME THINGS CANNOT BE BOUGHT WITH MONEY…


Spiritual Blog - Money

Luke 12:15-21 – “Then He said to them, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.”  16 And He told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man was very productive.  17 “And he began reasoning to himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?’  18 “Then he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.  19’And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry.”‘  20 “But God said to him, ‘ You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?’  21 “So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”  NASU

Jesus made it incredibly clear that greed is a vice or character trait to be avoided.  He didn’t differentiate between different types of greed or covetousness but addressed every form of greed.  Your Life is not based upon or defined by your Possessions, it is your Relationship with God!  He gave a parable of the rich man that was very successful and the fallacy in the man’s thinking regarding life.  The rich man settled back, looked on his accomplishments, made plans to increase more and more and said, “Now I can relax and enjoy my possessions.”  GOD said, “No, tonight you will enter into eternity.”  What you have achieved will be enjoyed by another not yourself.  If you have diligently made preparation for this life but have not prepared for the next you have made a tragic mistake.  I commend your diligence and success but I question the wisdom of investing your life into this world’s possessions while failing to invest in the Eternal Kingdom of God.

Your money cannot buy you God’s Love or God’s Favor.  Your money will not satisfy the demands of divine justice when you stand before God.  Only the Blood of Jesus shed for your sins will satisfy that requirement.  Only your repentance and acceptance of that sacrifice will open the door to God’s Eternal Kingdom for you.  You can’t purchase a ticket with money, possessions, or earthly accomplishments.  As the Beetles song, “Can’t buy me, love.”  God says to us, “You cannot Earn your way into My family” you enter by adoption through grace.  Jesus is the only door.”

If you are spending all your time and energy in setting aside possessions for this life and neglecting the Eternal Kingdom of God I urge you to rethink your actions.  I urge you to change your focus and instead of seeking things that you ‘seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.” 

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

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WHAT THE, THEREFORE, IS THERE FOR…


Spiritual Blog - Therefore

Colossians 3:1-4 – “Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. 3 For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.”  NASU

 

I love it when the Bible says ‘therefore’ because if you will continue reading or read the previous you will find out what the, therefore, is there for.  Here the apostle Paul is teaching about the New Self and as he begins his discourse in this passage, he says, THEREFORE…  Therefore what?

  1. IF you have been RAISED up with Christ.

That is a conditional statement that renders the remainder null and void if the answer to that assertion is in the negative.  This only applies to those who have been raised up with Christ in the New Birth.  It only applies to those who have been grafted into the true vine, adopted into the Family of God, and have their names written in the Book of Life.  It is not speaking to everyone but has a specific audience in mind – Believers!

  1. IF that is your condition THEN keep seeking the things above.

If you are born again by the blood of Jesus then make it a daily and continual practice in your life to SEEK the things of God, those things where Jesus resides at the Right Hand of the Father.

  1. IF that is your condition SET your mind on the things above not on the things of the earth.

Your focus, loyalty, and desire are to be spiritual things, not earthly things.  That should be the overriding characteristic of your life. 

WHY?  Because you have ‘died and your life is hidden with Christ’.  Because when Christ is revealed, you will be revealed with Him in glory.  You are just a sojourner in this world.  You are just passing through.  Your ultimate citizenship is not this world but God’s Eternal World.  You are looking for the City whose builder and maker is God.  Your desire is God above all else.  You have been transferred or translated from the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of God’s Light.  You are Born Again!  Therefore…

The ‘therefore’ is there for you to know what you have and where you are headed as well as to give you guidance on How to Live while you make your journey from this natural world to God’s eternal spiritual world – Heaven!  You have an assignment, responsibility, and opportunity but your ultimate objective and goal – – Eternity!

God bless you as you go through your day!

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DO YOU KNOW HOW TO FIGHT?


Spiritual Blog - Fight

2 Corinthians 10:1-6 – “Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ — who in presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you. 2 But I beg you that when I am present I may not be bold with that confidence by which I intend to be bold against some, who think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.” NKJV

 

It has been my experience in life both in practice and observation that too many people just do not know how to fight.  They fight but as one beating the air and shadow boxing without really accomplishing anything except exhaustion and disappointment.  I’ve observed people try to fight spiritual battles with natural weapons and usually end up dividing and alienating other people rather than accomplishing the objective of God and the Spirit of God which is always reconciliation and liberty.

Paul makes it clear that we cannot divest ourselves of the flesh for we live in an earthly tabernacle of clay called Flesh.  We will battle fleshly tendencies as long as we remain on this planet or in this life.  However, he made it equally clear that our battles are not to be fought in the natural but the spiritual and that those weapons afforded or supplied to us by God Himself are mighty and able to pull down strongholds and bring every thought into obedience to Christ.  That is powerful!

This lends to the thought that at least part of the battle is waged in the mind.  If we get our thinking right we will get our acting right, our living right, and our relationships right. We are not what we think we are but we are what we think.  We are the product of what we allow to be planted, grow, and develop in our minds.  Our thought life is incredibly important and a key part of our spiritual weaponry and spiritual warfare.  Too many fail to comprehend this and never seek to allow the Holy Spirit to have control of our Thoughts but let them run around unsupervised and unbridled.  That is not only dangerous it is destructive.

If we are to learn how to fight we must learn how to bring our thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ and thereby pull down strongholds.  We must be ready to bring rogue and destructive thoughts to the Cross and allow them to be crucified there with Jesus nailing them to the Cross and having the covered with the precious blood of Jesus.  Our thoughts are far more important to our victory in our Christian walk than most are willing to acknowledge because to acknowledge that would mean that they have to take responsibility for what they think.  They could no longer declare, “Well I can’t help thoughts coming.”  That is true but you can prevent them from staying!  You can prevent them from being able to take root and grow.  You are responsible for What You Think!  Our entire person belongs to God, not just parts!

Therefore, as you go through this day go with the realization that your thoughts are important and you are responsible for what you think on. 

God bless you as you go through your day!

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CAN YOU MAKE THIS APPEAL?


Spiritual Blog - Imitate

1 Corinthians 11:1 – “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.” NASU

Of course, you can, but my real question is “Dare you make this appeal?”  Dare you make it in light of the ‘all knowing’ and ‘all seeing’ God of the Universe observing?  Dare you make it knowing your own heart?  Dare you make it with the flaws in your own vessel?  I truly hope that you say Yes but realize that many would probably be wise to take the path of caution.

Paul is telling those hearing him imitate me because or just as I imitate Jesus Christ. However, in keeping with the contextual interpretation of Scripture Paul is saying, ‘imitate me in the matter being discussed, just as I imitate Christ.’  But, I’m pressing this further and saying, ‘Dare we appeal to be to imitate us in life based on the truth and reality that we imitate Christ in life?’  That’s the issue for me today.  That’s the question in my heart and mind today.  That is the goal and objective of my life today.  I want to be able to appeal to people to follow and imitate me because or as a result of my complete dedication, following, and imitation of Jesus Christ.  I want them to truly see Jesus when they see me.

I never want to be one that says, “Do as I say not as I do.”  I do not want that to be the description of my life and attitude.  I want to be able to appeal to people both in the church, the family of God, and the lost to follow my life because when you do you will see a life that is following Christ without reservation or hesitation.  That should be the objective of each of our lives and thus we should be carefully examining our own hearts, lives, words, deeds, and actions daily to see if there is anything wanting in our lives and if there is run to the Cross.

Paul’s complete commitment to God is more than commendable it is a genuine example and a target that each of us should adopt as our life’s goal.  We never want to be a stumbling block or hindrance to anyone and it is imperative that we Always remember who we are, where we are, and whose we are.  If we do that many of the conflicts in our life will become minor rather than major and we will win people to the Lord Jesus through our lives which present and demonstrate Christ in a very real tangible way in this present world.

Therefore, as you go through your day go with the consciousness that God sees, and people see you so conduct yourself in that light.

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

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HANDFULS ON PURPOSE….


Spiritual Blog - Handfuls

Ruth 2:15-16 – “And when she rose up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, “Let her glean even among the sheaves, and do not reproach her. 16 Also let grain from the bundles fall purposely for her; leave it that she may glean, and do not rebuke her.” NKJV

 

The story of Ruth who is incorporated into the lineage of our Lord Jesus a most interesting one.  After the death of her father-in-law, brother-in-law, and husband her mother-in-law Naomi decided to return to Israel this Moabite committed to going with her.  She told her mother-in-law “your people are my people” demonstrating an amazing loyalty.  Upon arrival in Israel she and Naomi were struggling to survive, and Naomi sent her to the fields to gather grain so that they could live and when the owner of the fields Boaz saw her, God touched his heart and after talking with her instructed his laborers to ‘purposefully leave handfuls’ of grain for her.  It was a custom in those days to leave the corners of the field for the hungry and needy. but Boaz went far beyond that custom and his instruction while missed by Ruth was not to Naomi.

It was this act of kindness and godliness that prompted the counsel of Naomi to send Ruth to Boaz which would lead to her becoming his wife and from there the rest is history as she is listed in the genealogy of Jesus.  Matthew lists Jesus as the son of David although Abraham was first, it appears that Matthew wanted to introduce Jesus as the coming King.  Luke appears to have been prompted to show Jesus as both King and Priest and took his genealogy back to Adam.

Matthew lists six very significant women in Jesus’ mother’s lineage.  They were Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary all powerful women that had incredible influence on those of their generation and their children.  But the thing I want to focus on is the kindness of Boaz and the provision of God for us.

If we allow ‘handfuls on purpose’ to be distributed to the needy God will open the door for an incredible return to us both in the natural and spiritual.  If loyally serve those that God has placed in our lives He will open doors and bring to pass divine encounters that will position us for greatness in the kingdom.  Both are important!  Both require commitment, obedience, and faith.

So, if it is within your ability to leave ‘handfuls on purpose’ for the needy do so!  If you are the recipient of ‘handfuls on purpose’ realize that it is the hand of God that has engineered your situation to provide for you.  In both cases allow rejoicing to be the rule of your life and if you are the needy one, remember this when you become prosperous and do the same for others.  The principle or law of reciprocity comes to mind as I write.

Blessings as you go through your day!

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THE SECRET TO SUCCESS…


Spiritual Blog - Mind To Work

Nehemiah 4:6 – “So we built the wall and the whole wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.”  NASU

In this account of rebuilding the Walls of Jerusalem, there were obstacles and opposition but Nehemiah had the heart to see the city rebuilt and believed that God’s hand was upon them and the work not only could be accomplished but would be accomplished.  Sanballat, Tobia, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites were all in opposition because it threatened their standing and was a sign that the God of All Living was restoring a people who would follow Him in the land.

Nehemiah said that the wall was built and the whole wall joined together to half its height because the people ‘had a mind to work.’  Nothing ever gets done unless that becomes the attitude of a people.  We have to look past the obstacles and opposition to the God of All Living and realize that He will enable us to accomplish that which appears impossible.  In this labor, there are several things that shine forth to me.

  1. The mindset of the people was to DO THE WORK. 

They believed the report of Nehemiah and were inspired to invest their time and energy in the accomplishment of the task set before them.  

  1. The OPPOSITION surfaced almost immediately. 

Anytime the people of God begin to move toward accomplishing a God-ordained task the devil’s crowd immediately and viciously attack.  

  1. The people not only PRAYED, and WORKED, but the ARMED THEMSELVES. 

It was not ‘spiritual weapons’ alone that they took up but swords, spears, bows, etc.  They were committed to ‘fighting in the natural’ if necessary to accomplish the purposes of God and achieve their freedom.  

  1. GOD demonstrated His greatness on their behalf. 

God will bring to naught the attempts of the enemy if we will remain faithful and diligent in pursuit of His purposes.

Whatever is set before you by the Spirit of God and any godly challenge presented by the leaders should be entered into prayerfully but with total commitment to seeing it through to the conclusion.  If we make a total commitment and rely on God we will find Success!  That my friend is the ‘Secret to Success” – – Commitment. Determination and Faith.  Those will be the lights leading us to successful accomplishment of the purpose set before us.

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

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JESUS OUR ATTORNEY…


Spiritual Blog - Advocate

1 John 2:1-2 – “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; 2 and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.”  NASU

 

It is clear from scripture that only God can forgive sin and that you and I, as sinful human beings, have no claim upon God. Our only access or hope of pardon comes through the sacrificial work of Jesus on the Cross as a sacrifice for the sin of mankind.  It is by ‘grace’ that we are saved through ‘faith’ and not works.  It is recognition of our condition, admission of our guilt, repentance, and reception of what He has done, who He is, and the forgiveness that comes to us as a result.

It is interesting to note that while most of the mentions of the word translated ‘advocate’ or prakleetos is normally applied to the ministry and person of the Holy Spirit.  Here it is applied to Jesus and depicts the imagery of one representing us in a court of law.  However, it is quite different than what would be the normal course of a human attorney.  For no human attorney would begin his defense of his client by acknowledging their guilt but Jesus does!

A human attorney would seek to find either justification for the actions of the client or put into question the guilt of that person they represent.  They would be seeking ‘reasonable doubt’ in the minds of the jurors.  Not so with Jesus, He readily and immediately acknowledges our guilt.  He acknowledges that we are guilty as charged and makes no attempt to conceal or justify our sin.  He then becomes surety for us and the universe.  He brings to the fore His sacrifice and identifies that He has satisfied divine justice with regard to sin and that based on our repentance and reception of His sacrifice we can be and should be acquitted of the punishment for our sin.  He presents the case for our admission or adoption into the family of God.

Do not think that you will ever be able to argue your case before the Father and win, you won’t.  If you try to stand on your own merit you will fail.  If you fall on the mercy of the court and receive the ‘Blood of Jesus’ as the covering and cleansing of your sin you will walk into eternity white as snow having been washed in the blood of the lamb.  The choice is yours!  You can believe and receive, or you can deny and try to justify yourself.  I only recommend the former not the latter.

God bless you as you go through your day!

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