Author: rbeaird

THE POWER OF PREACHING…


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John 17:20-23 – “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word;  21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.  22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one:  23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.”  NKJV

 

Jesus’ prayer for the disciples was powerful and it is most encouraging that He intentionally stressed that His prayer was not for those hearing and following Him at that time but for future believers as well.  He identified that this prayer was for them but also for all WHO WILL BELIEVE and then emphasized the importance and power of preaching.

My lament to the church is that we too often relegate the idea of ‘preaching’ to that activity in the pulpit on Sunday’s and at other times.  Preaching is simply the ‘proclamation’ of the gospel and that can transpire anywhere, at any time, and under any conditions.  The opportunity to ‘proclaim’ the gospel should be exhilarating to every believer regardless of their oratorical ability or lack thereof.  We are instructed to “go” and “proclaim” to anyone and everyone the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Some of the greatest preaching I have ever heard has come from believers who would cringe at the thought of standing in a pulpit and preaching.  Yet, on the street corner, offices, homes, and restaurants some of them give a powerful presentation of the Gospel in the most simplistic terms and the anointing is powerful and the message gripping.  Their lives so authenticated their words it reached deep into the soul and arrests the hearer and left them no choice but to receive or reject the conviction that floods their hearts and minds.

Please do not think me discounting or devaluing pulpit preaching for I have heard some incredibly powerful, enlightening, and arresting proclamations from that sacred desk as well and treasure those memories and experiences.  The Word of God coupled with a life of Righteousness has a power to which nothing can compare.  The Word of God is, according to Hebrews 4:12, Alive, active, sharper than any man-made sword and capable of penetrating to the very depths of the soul, judging and inspiring the heart.  When God’s Word is verbalized and delivered orally it has a unique power and one that is sometimes missed or misunderstood.  God’s Word in the mouth of God’s children is a mighty weapon of spiritual warfare.  It provides spiritual nourishment and sustenance that can be received in no other place.

Therefore, let me encourage you to be unafraid to ‘proclaim’ the Word of God and know that when you speak His Word you are speaking Spiritual Power into the atmosphere and when it is spoken in faith and confidence it pulls down strongholds, encourages hearts, breaks chains, and sets captives free.  So, let’s do more and more PREACHING in our daily lives and through our daily lives!

            God bless you as you continue your journey in Christ!

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SOUR AND DOUR…


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Psalm 126:2-3 – “Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing. Then they said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.” 3 The LORD has done great things for us, and we are glad.”  NKJV

 

I had a very serious saint in a particular church I was leading say to me, “You cannot be a real man of God because you laugh and tell jokes.”  She was dead serious!  I laughed and had to apologize for any seeming disrespect but I found her assertion laughable and almost beyond belief.  However, after years of Christian service, I have discovered there are a significant number of believers who believe that we must be “sour and dour” or we are not exhibiting righteousness and godliness.  They are “sour and dour” while the world is “crying and dying.”  I know that the passage in Hebrews 1:9 speaking of Jesus being anointed with the “oil of gladness” is not speaking about humor but anointing but the message through scripture is that laughter is like medicine and a good thing not an example of a worldly or evil heart.  It could be but cannot be a blanket description.

In Luke 6:21, Jesus said, “…Blessed are you that weep now: for you shall laugh.”  Job, a man who endured incredible difficulty in life spoke in Job 8:21 of God filling our mouths with laughter and our lips shouting joy.  The wisdom of Ecclesiastes is revealed in 3:2-4 where we are informed there is “A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest.  A time to kill and a time to heal.  A time to tear down and a time to build up.  A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance.”  Even the Proverbs 31 woman is described as being a person that “laughs without fear of the future.”  Then in Proverbs 17:22, we find that a “cheerful or merry heart” is like medicine but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.  So I ask which is better, “being able to laugh” or being “sour and dour” and presenting an image that no one outside the faith would want.

In Proverbs 15:13 we find the declaration that “A joyful heart makes a cheerful face, but with a heartache comes depression.” Then in v.15 we are told, “For the despondent, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continual feast.”  So, again, which is better “Sour and Dour” or demonstrating the ability to “Laugh and Smile”?  I truly believe that God has a sense of humor, after all, we are made in His image and likeness are we not?  If we have that woven in our nature and have that ability do you think God does not.  The lady that came to me with her accusation of my condition was not amused when I asked if she thought God had a sense of humor.  She said, “He is serious because life is serious.”  Therefore, I could only conclude that her answer was no so I said, “I am reminded of His sense of humor every morning when I look in the mirror.”  She said, “Are you saying I’m funny looking?” then stormed off in a huff.  No, I said, “When I looked in the mirror I was reminded of God’s sense of humor.” 

Let me state emphatically that a person laughing and making light of everything may well be hiding behind that mask of frivolity not wanting to face and address real problems in life.  But, if we remember the words of the writer of Ecclesiastes, “There is a time for everything…”  There are times that laughter brings healing to a heart and can restore relationships as well as enable a person to move past a difficult moment.  There are times when laughter and lightheartedness are inappropriate and thus the warning of Ephesians 5:3-4, “But among you there must not be either sexual immorality, impurity of any kind, or greed, as these are not fitting for the saints.  Neither should there be vulgar speech, foolish talk, or coarse jesting – all of which are out of character – but rather thanksgiving.”  Ecclesiastes 7:6 also tells us, “For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity.”

What kind of person has zero sense of humor?  In my view, that would be a robot not a human being with feelings and emotions.  As I read the encounters of our Lord with the Pharisees I cannot miss His wit and humor.  If you read the parables and his zippy asides to Roman authorities, His tart replies to the Scribes and Pharisees, and even His off-the-cuff remarks how do you not see His humor?  God in me brings JOY and I want to be so overflowing with JOY that people who meet me are not threatened by me or turned off by my “Sour and Dour” outlook they want what I have and open their hearts to hear about Jesus.  Yes, you can joke too much and at the wrong times but if you never see the humor in anything my heart breaks for you.  I want to embrace life and live it abundantly rather than simply endure life and live in day to day drudgery thinking I am making God proud in being “Sour and Dour.” 

God bless you as you go through this wonderful day and “Live, Love, and Laugh” it will make the day go better and even extend your lifespan according to many reports I have read. 

Post Script:

Recommended Listening:   http://www.bpnradio.com  Breakout Prayer Network is an Internet Radio Station broadcasting 24/7/365 with a wide variety of hosts including myself.  Dale Gentry launched this ministry to inspire, encourage, and mobilize the masses to prayer and I endorse that effort.  God bless you richly is my prayer!

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DIVINE ORDER and STEWARDSHIP… [Continued]


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Luke 16:1-13 – – Recommended Reading…

             Now, let’s pick up where we left off and consider the Old Testament Financial Order.  The Old Testament, especially as it relates to what Acts 7:38 calls “The Church in the Wilderness” sets forth many patterns, types, and shadows of the New Testament Church.  We find the Pattern of Worship seen in the Tabernacle of Moses and David as well as the Temple of Solomon.  We see the pattern of the Priesthood set out in the Aaronic and Levitical Priestly order. We see the pattern of Redemptive Truth set forth in the Feasts of Israel and the pattern of Covenantal Relationships in the many Old Testament Covenants.  Do we also find a pattern for finances and support of the Lord’s ministry and House of God?  YES! 

It is unfortunate that many believers have never studied this area of truth and most churches are completely out of order regarding finances.  The only financial system that God ordained and blessed is the order He gave us there.  The pattern of Church Finance is seen in the Old Testament and visible in the nation of Israel.  Those basic principles are carried over to the New Testament Church and the Old Testament serves as a schoolmaster for our benefit.  I contend what I said in the beginning, “If we want God’s Blessings it is important and imperative that we get in God’s Divine Order.”  In studying Israel we observe God’s Order and find their giving covered two particular aspects or areas – Tithes and Offerings.

How, you might rightly ask, does that relate to the New Testament Church?  The TITHE means ‘tenth’.  Tithing is actually a teacher in which the student learns the principles of giving.  If we remember that 100% belongs to God then grasping that He has graciously allowed us to keep nine-tenths to use.  That would make parting with the first tenth easier.  Leviticus 27:30-33 declared that the TITHE was Holy to the Lord… You may not believe in the TITHE and my point is not to argue but to present what I see and you and God work that out. However, if we understand that in tithing we are simply offering to God the ‘first fruits’ of what is His, to begin with.  If we understand that then we know that Tithing is not Giving for we cannot give what is not ours.  Using the Law of First Mention we find Abraham in Genesis 14:17-20 was a Tither and we are the ‘seed of Abraham’ and we are under the priestly order of Melchizedek and kings and priest unto God.  The Gospels declare that Jesus is our King-Priest and He established the communion table with the bread and wine of the New Covenant.  Therefore, we share in the bread and wine and give our tithes to Melchizedek, Jesus, who lives in the Power of an Endless Life.  Tithing is not a Law Principle for it existed BEFORE the Law was given.  Jacob was a tither as seen in Genesis 28:10-22.  That was BEFORE the Law.  The people of Israel were tithers and kept the practice under the Law.  In Matthew 23:23, Jesus addressed the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees and noted that they paid tithes of all but omitted weightier matters.  He then said, “These you ought to have done (the weightier matters) without leaving the other undone.” 

If we look at the System Israel followed I believe it will be beneficial for today.  The Twelve Tribes tithed to the Lord [Leviticus 27:30-33; Numbers 18:21; Nehemiah 10:37] and that tithe was the income of the priestly tribe the Levites.  The Levites had no inheritance but were sustained by the tithe of the people and that was called “The Lord’s Tithe.”  There was no committee charged with dispensing or dispersing it, it was to be the livelihood of the priest or ministers.  The tithe was on all the INCREASE and that is very important.  The tithe could be withheld for personal use for a time and there was a penalty associated with it of 20%. Then we see the ‘Tithe of the Tithe’ where the Levites tithed on the tithe they received.  Then there was a ‘Second Tithe’ and this was largely a ‘budgeting system’ that the individual used for himself and his household to cover expenses at the National Feasts. This was for his family’s spiritual development and enable them to attend the Feasts and not come before the Lord ’empty handed.’  Then amazingly, there was a Third Tithe which was set aside for the Levite, the stranger, orphans, and widows.  This was for Charity and it was collected every third year and was virtually a ‘Saints Relief Fund’ enabling them to minister to the unemployed, sick, widows, and orphans.  Then once they got a king there was a Government Tithe imposed.

In the Old Testament, it can be observed that tithing dropped off in spiritual decline and increased in times of spiritual awakening.  I have discovered that the spiritual condition of a person, church and/or people usually reveals their spiritual condition.

What is my point?  Not to debate tithing but to promote STEWARDSHIP and to recognize God’s order and the truth that all we have we received and He is the owner of it all.  May the Lord richly bless you as you go through this beautiful day in Him!

 

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DIVINE ORDER and STEWARDSHIP… [A further look]


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Luke 16:1-13 – – R E A D

             Let’s turn our attention to the story of our text as we pick up where we left off in the last devotional.  In Chapter 16 of Luke, we find the parable of the “unjust steward” which our Lord used to challenge His followers to be faithful in Stewardship.  The word STEWARD comes from two Greek words ‘Oikos’ = house and ‘nemo’ = to distribute or dispense.  That means that a STEWARD is one who is charged with the administration of the affairs of the owner.  The STEWARD is a Manager, not an Owner.  I am reminded of Paul’s question to the Church at Corinth in 1 Corinthians 4:7, “And what do you have that you did not receive?”  All we have, including the very breath we have in our nostrils at this moment are a gift from God.

In the parable we find in 16:1 the steward is accused of wasting his master’s goods and squandering his master’s possessions.  That is a serious charge!  In 16:2 he is called into account and in 16:3 he is relieved of his position.  In 16:5-6 he goes to his master’s debtors and reduces their debt and in 16:8 the master commends for his shrewdness.  Some have found that part problematic but note the master DID NOT commend him necessarily for his actions but for his wisdom and shrewdness.  Jesus said, “The children of this age are wiser than the children of light.”  WHAT?  That should never be so.  This steward did a shrewd and if you will wise act after he had forfeited his position and gained friends who welcomed him into their habitations and trust because of his acts. Before we venture into a quagmire we cannot pull ourselves out of let’s focus on the relationship a believer is to have with money or finances.

The key word in addressing Stewardship is Faithfulness and that is seen in 16:9-13.  Paul tells us that a Steward must be Faithful – [1 Corinthians 4:1-2).  What was God’s declared purpose in BLESSING Abraham?  That he (Abraham) would be a blessing and through him all the families of the earth would be blessed.  We are Stewards the question is what kind?  We are charged with managing the affairs of the True Owner and this is a Divine Trust we have been charged with keeping.  If we remember that we are never owners but always stewards handing finances as God directs will be much easier.

If we consider OWNERSHIP we must realize that God owns it all.  The references to support that are too numerous to list.  The simple truth is that without heaven’s blessings the earth would perish.  We have rain, sunshine, dew, season, etc. without which we would have a planet that could not sustain life or provide what we need to survive.  We depend on God’s Blessings as individuals and as a people.  As we turn our attention to STEWARDSHIP we realize that we are Stewards and have a responsibility and accountability to God for all we have been given, what we have, and what we do with what we have.

There is a major problem that creeps into the heart of man regarding finances and that is COVETOUSNESS.  There are some fascinating revelations in scripture regarding money and money is probably one of the topics men are most sensitive about.  So, what is it about money that causes people to react that way?  In 1 Timothy 6:7-10 we discover that the LOVE of money is the root of all evil.  I did not say money but the LOVE of it or for it.  We have more warnings in the Gospels against money and its misuse than any other topic.  One verse in four in Matthew, Mark and Luke deal with money.  One verse in six in the New Testament references money.  Almost half the parables of Jesus referenced money in one way or other.  The first sin in Israel which brought defeat to the entire camp was MONEY as seen in Joshua 7:20-21.  The first apostle to fall was Judas.  He sold Jesus for money but never lived to spend it.  The first sin of the Early Church concerned money as is revealed in Acts 5:1-10.  The sin of ‘simony’ concerns money and seeking to buy the gifts of God with it as seen in Acts 8:14-24.  It is also worthy of note that the two words in the New Testament that have the numerical value of “666” are Wealth and Tradition.

Hear me carefully, God will never ask us to do what He does not or has not done.  He is the Greatest Giver of all.  He gave Himself and is Love and Love’s chief characteristic is GIVING.

I want to address this a little further but will pause here and hold those thoughts until next time.  May the Lord greatly enrich you as you journey through this day in Him!

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DIVINE ORDER and STEWARDSHIP…


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Luke 16:1-13 – “He also said to His disciples: “There was a certain rich man who had a steward, and an accusation was brought to him that this man was wasting his goods.  2 So he called him and said to him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.’

 3 “Then the steward said within himself, ‘What shall I do? For my master is taking the stewardship away from me. I cannot dig; I am ashamed to beg.  4 I have resolved what to do, that when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.’

 5 “So he called every one of his master’s debtors to him, and said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’  6 And he said, ‘A hundred measures of oil.’ So he said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’  7 Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ So he said, ‘A hundred measures of wheat.’ And he said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’  8 So the master commended the unjust steward because he had dealt shrewdly. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light.

 9 “And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home.  10 He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much.  11 Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?  12 And if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own?

 13 “No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”  NKJV

 

Yes, that is a lot of scripture to include in a devotional that I desire to add comments or message.  In traveling throughout the nation and the world, I have become painfully aware there are some subjects few want to touch.  I truly believe that if we want God’s Divine Blessings we must get in God’s Divine Order and follow God’s Divine Principles.  What I’d like to address, as is evident in my text is STEWARDSHIP and FINANCES.  I realize that some might consider that meddling, so call me a meddler and let’s proceed.  If we want God’s Best we need to follow God’s order.

In both Testaments, we are taught that God is the OWNER, POSSESSOR, and GIVER of ALL THINGS to man.  We are taught that believers, in particular, are receivers and therefore charged to be stewards of all they have within their oversight.  They are responsible to God for EVERYTHING!  That brings me to our text and the story contained therein.

STEWARDSHIP could be defined as “the practice of systematic and proportionate giving of time, abilities, and material possessions based on the conviction that these are a Trust from God to be used in His Service for the Benefit of His Kingdom.”  If we accept that definition or description we will understand that we have a “Divine-Human” Partnership in which God is recognized as the Senior Partner.  It is a WAY OF LIVING where God’s OWNERSHIP is recognized over all our possessions and our very lives.  It is our responsibility and duty to faithfully use and care for those to be used for the advancement of Christ’s Kingdom in this present world.

I believe it is a fact, impossible not to recognize, that all believers are responsible and accountable to God for everything!  God desires to develop the Owner-Steward Relationship between Himself and His people.  LIFE is what we have received.  TIME is what we have been allotted.  TALENTS are what we have been given to use.  POSSESSIONS are what has been entrusted to us.  FINANCE is what we have labored for.  Please, hear me, God IS the Giver, Possessor, Owner, and Rewarder!  Man IS the receiver and steward and is responsible and accountable to God for what we do with what we have received.  Man may use, abuse, and even lose what has been entrusted to him but the Faithful will be rewarded.  In a very real sense, Man is a Trustee of what belongs to God!

Okay, that will have to serve as an introduction and foundation for what I desire to relate so with that we pause until next time.  I only ask that you carefully and prayerfully consider who you are and whose you are and as you open your hearts to Him I know His blessings will flow.  May the Lord richly bless you as you embark on today’s journey in Christ Jesus our Lord!

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THE FRUIT OF CHRISTIANITY…


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Proverbs – 11:30 – “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.”  NKJV

The last portion of that verse should be both an encouragement and compulsion for every believer in our daily lives.  It clearly declares that it is the privilege and duty of every believer to reject the notion that evangelism or spreading the gospel is to be relegated to the “professionals” or preachers.  It is the expressed commission of every believer to “go ye therefore” and spread the news of the gospel and salvation that can only be found in Christ Jesus our Lord.  There are myriads of stories of people in history who have been powerfully used of God in evangelism and I wish to share one of those.

In the 1700’s there was a young black man named John Marrant.  He was born in New York, his father passed away when John was eleven, and his mother sent him to Charleston, South Carolina, to live with an older sister and learn a trade.  Instead of following that course, he became a skilled with both the violin and French horn.  In a couple of years, he became a child prodigy and as he recounted, “I was invited to all the balls and assemblies that were held in the town and met with general applause of the inhabitants.  I was a strange to want, being supplied with as much money as I had any occasion for.”  His talent made a place for him and provided for him amazingly.

The story is, that on his way to perform at a particular event, he and his traveling companion passed a crowded meetinghouse where they observed an incredibly large crowd and saw, “a crazy man was hallooing there.”  The “crazy man” was none other than George Whitfield and a major religious leader in what is known as the “First Great Awakening”.  Most know a little of the history of George Whitfield and know it is estimated that he preached to as many as 10 MILLION people and preached over 18 THOUSAND sermons averaging over 500 messages per year.  In his meetings, it has been reported, that up to 500 people would fall to the ground prostrate under the power of his sermons and the power of God.  Marrant’s friend dared him to disrupt the meeting by taking his French horn and sound out a loud blast.  As he raised the horn to his lips Whitefield saw him and said, “Prepare to meet thy God, O Israel!”  Marrant fell to the ground as though he had been struck down by some unseen force and lay there for over one-have hour.  Whitfield ministered to him as he came to and after three days John Marrant accepted Jesus as his personal savior.

Marrant returned to his family to share his experience and they rejected him.  He took a similar path as Moses and fled to the wilderness where he was befriended by a Cherokee warrior. They spent ten weeks together hunting, fishing, and becoming fast friends.  Eventually, they went to the warrior’s village and he was immediately made a prisoner because the Cherokee’s were at war with the settlers and Marrant, though black, was clearly one of the settlers.  The chief threatened his life and Marrant spoke to the tribe in their own language, sharing the gospel of Jesus and according to Marrant:  “The king [the chief] himself was awakened [converted], and the others set at [spiritual liberty]. A great change took place among the people; the king’s house became God’s house; the soldiers were ordered away, and the poor condemned prisoner [John] had perfect liberty and was treated like a prince.  Now the Lord made all my enemies become my great friends.”  The chief gave him permission to evangelize the entire tribe and he did so for nine weeks and also reached out to the Muskogees.  It was said of Marrant that he was “A Negro in America…who spread the seed of Christianity among the Native American Indians before the birth of the American Republic.”

Later Marrant worked as a carpenter on a plantation near Charleston, and his heart was broken for the spiritual condition of the slaves and as he preached to them, many were converted.  This resulted in terrible treatment for those converted but they remained true to the word of Christ and forgave those that abused them.  When the American Revolution began, Marrant was captured by the British and forced into service in the British navy.  After the war, he was ordained and continued his soul winning in England, then Canada and finally back in the United States.  He died of an illness when he was 36 but his life left an indelible mark on multitudes.  He truly lived the admonition of Proverbs 11:30, that “He who wins souls is wise.” 

I have discovered that what holds our hearts also finds its way in our conversation.  God help us to become so gripped with the joy of salvation we cannot be silent but become those who fulfill this admonition of Proverbs 11:30.   God bless you as you embark on this beautiful day in Jesus!

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LORD, WHAT IS GOING ON?


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Proverbs 17:3 – “The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests hearts.” AMPLIFIED

 

I don’t even want to think about how many times in times of difficulty or testing I have asked that question, “Lord, what is going on?”  I have heard the lament and complaints of people through the years in times of testing or difficulty asking that question, “Lord, what is going on?”  One of our problems is that we like ease, and there is nothing wrong with ease as long as it is for a time of rest and refreshing.  I wish that we could all live in ease at all times and not endure any attacks of the evil one or difficulties or times of testing in our lives but that is neither realistic or reasonable.  I have just experienced a few days of relaxation and time with family away from technology and it was refreshing, but I never want to make the pursuit of ease my objective but refreshing in the Lord.

Remember the difficult words of James1:2-4, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.  4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”  The Amplified renders it this way, “Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. 3 Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace]. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking nothing.”  THEREFORE, why are we shocked when difficulties and tests come our way?  Sometimes it is a lack of understanding the purpose and sometimes it is a false idea that if we are in God’s will there will be smooth sailing all the time.  Both are problematic and correctable.

When I say understanding the purpose I do not mean specifically understanding the full purpose, blessing or benefit of a specific incident but understand why tests and difficulties come.  James gives us vital revelation in that telling us that the trial, difficulty or test has a byproduct in our lives – ENDURANCE.  Consider the word of our LORD in Matthew 24:13, “But he who endures to the end shall be saved.”  Paul tells us in Hebrews 10:35, “Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward.”  He also reminds us in Galatians 6:9, “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”  In Hebrews 12:1 we are encouraged, “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us…”  Romans 5:3 speaks of the difficulties and trials of our faith and Paul tells us to “glory” in them because they produce perseverance, and perseverance produces character and character produce hope and hope does not disappoint because it is Hope in God!

James also encourages us with the knowledge that in enduring the tests of faith and difficulties we find patience developed and patience produces spiritual maturity and completeness in Christ.  He then speaks out of the condition of our having been strengthened by those tests of life and difficulties and addresses the issue of “wisdom” and/or “knowledge” or how to handle the present.  He says (my paraphrase), “If you don’t know how to handle this and need the wisdom and guidance of God through these difficult waters, ASK and God will grant you the wisdom you need.”  Then he adds a caveat, but that asking cannot be flippant or overly casual it must be rooted in faith, without doubt, or double-mindedness.  No, it is recognizing Who God is and Believe that He is Who He says He is and will do What He says He will do!  If it is, as Jesus said in Luke 12:32 that it is the Father’s good pleasure, desire and will to “give us the kingdom” why do we have difficulty we believing He will give us the wisdom needed for the situation?  Trust and Obey for there is no better and no other way to navigate the stormy seas of life.

            God bless you as you embark on today’s journey in Jesus!

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HAVE WE LOST OUR WAY BY FAILING TO SEE WHAT GOD IS SAYING?


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Jeremiah 2:31a – “O generation, see the word of the LORD!”  NKJV

 

In picking up the thought of SEEING the Word of God and our being CALLED OUT the question comes to mind, “Called out to do what?”   Are we called to “be holy”?  Absolutely.  Are we called out to “go to heaven”?  We will, but that is not why you were saved that is a benefit of salvation.  You were saved for a divine purpose and have a divine destiny here on this planet. God has a Plan!  One of the greatest needs of this hour is for individuals and churches to know God’s Plan and understand Our Purpose.  I am totally convinced God has a Plan and Purpose for here and now for each of us.  He has called us out to prepare and equip us.  He has given us the full armor of God which in a real sense is Jesus.  It is the time that the Body of Christ take up our weapons and launch into the battle.

If your mentality is “Escapism” or “Apostate” you will be fearful and may find yourself just trying to “hold on” and “hold-out” unto the end.  That is a wrong mentality and I have good news, the Gates of Hell cannot stop you armed with Jesus or armed in Jesus!  We are not those who are to be on the defensive.  We are not to simply “hold the fort” we are to GO THEREFORE!  I am praying for the Church to develop an Offensive Mentality.  NO, not be offensive but go on offense.  Jesus is coming back for His Bride and she is not an undeveloped little girl or an emaciated old woman, she is a radiant bride full of life and vigor.  The Bride He is returning for is Glorious!

Isaiah 42:4 gives something interesting, “God has called the generations from the beginning…”  The Generations!  I believe that God has designed things so that in each generation He would move and execute His plan unique to that generation always moving toward the Ultimate Goal.  Tragically too many churches and believers are simply trying to “wait it out” until Jesus comes rather than “becoming” and “being” what He has declared us to be.  We have a unique place in history for I believe this is the generation that will usher in the greatest move of God mankind has ever witnessed and we will see the Restored Church rise up and reap the harvest of the End Times.

There are several things are worthy of note.  Psalm 33:11 declares, “The thoughts of His heart are extended to all generations.”  In Psalm 45:17 we read, “I will make They Name to be remembered in all generations.”  Psalm 100:5 reminds us, “His truth endures to all generations.”  Psalm 145:13, “Your dominion endures to all generations.”  Then Psalm 119:90 declares, “Your faithfulness continues through all generations.”  In Acts 13:36 the writer declares, “David served God’s purpose in His own generation…”  Isaiah 58 speaks of the foundations of many generations.  In Psalm 17:18 we have a powerful prayer, “Oh God, forsake me not until I have shown Thy strength unto this generation and Thy power to everyone that is to come.”   At some point in human history, God will raise up a people that will demonstrate God’s power and love to EVERYONE THAT WILL COME!  Always keep it in the forefront of your minds that we are, as Peter declared, “…a Chosen Generation…”  (1 Peter 2:9).  THAT IS US!

If we understand that a generation is a “single step in the line of descent from an ancestor”.  We have a destiny that God has purposed for each of us.  Many, like me, have had a sense of destiny all their lives and that sense of destiny keeps me moving forward. The devil has tried numerous times to stop me.  As a child, I was sickly and the doctors did not think I would live to adulthood, but I did.  There were times in my youth that I had brushes with death but didn’t die.  In Vietnam, on several occasions, I can pinpoint specific times when God did something miraculous to keep me out of harm’s way.  As an adult, I have had the sentence of death on me and God healed or delivered me.  If we realize our Purpose and embrace our Destiny we must become people of prayer and out of that relationship I believe will become people of power.  In that state, we will become voices that can be called nothing less than prophetic as we speak His truth and light to the world.  That will make us Radical Christians and we will learn to be the Glorious Church Jesus came to build exercising dominion and power over the powers of darkness.

So, believer, allow the Holy Spirit to birth in your heart sense of destiny and purpose and allow the visions of God birthed in your heart to become outworkings of your life.  God bless you as you embark on your new journey in Christ!

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CAN YOU SEE WHAT GOD IS SAYING?


Spiritual Blog - Seeing

Jeremiah 2:31a – “O generation, see the word of the LORD!”  NKJV

I believe there are exciting times ahead for the Body of Christ. What is in my heart is far more than I could deliver in one brief devotional or even several devotionals so I will attempt to condense this to a thought and present an idea that, hopefully, will resonate and benefit you.  What I hope to unveil could be considered prophetic, not eschatologically but directionally.  Let’s begin and trust the Spirit of the Lord to accomplish this objective.

The KJV and NKJV use the word SEE and that word literally means: “to behold, consider, discern, enjoy, gaze, look on, perceive, respect or to have vision.”  That, I believe is what we need today in the Church.  Joel 2:28 tells us that “…young men will SEE visions.”  It said SEE not necessarily HAVE visions or vision.  It truly could be have, but it is more than just having visions.  It is declaring that they will “behold, discern, respect, etc. GOD’S VISIONS!”  They will be able to communicate and run with those visions not just have them reside in their hearts.  I truly believe God is raising up what can only be called a “New Generation” of warriors for these last days.  Men and women who will lead the Body of Christ forth in His Revival, Renewal and Restoration prophesied in Scripture.

In John 17:15-17 we hear our Lord in a powerful and vital word for any generation but particularly for this one.  He said, “I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.  They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.  Sanctify them by Your truth.  Your word is truth.”  Let me ask as simple but important question.  How many of Jesus’ prayers get answered?  If you said anything other than ALL OF THEM I ask you to rethink your answer.  Now, look at what He said beginning at verse 15.  His prayer was not that the Father take us out of this world.  Wow!  That means we are inescapably in this world and our purpose is to function in it.  We are here with a purpose, therefore we are not to seek ISOLATION for we are to be salt and light.  In verse 17 He prayed for our Sanctification or setting apart.  Again, that is not a desire for us to be ISOLATED and INSULATED but SET APART for His Work in the midst of the raving wolves of this world.  If you recall Matthew 16:18 you realize that Jesus is building a Church that has power over and no fear of the powers of hell.

We are the CALLED OUT but not called out in the sense of not living here but called out to be distinct from the world and world system.  We are called out of the philosophy and system of the world.  Our minds are to be different because we have renewed minds.  We are not like the world because of the Grace of God and the Work of Jesus on the Cross.  We are THE PEOPLE OF GOD and as such we emanate the Spirit of God and manifest Jesus to the world in our character, words, deeds, and attitude.  He has not called us to ISOLATE from the world but to PENETRATE the world with the truth of God’s Eternal Grace and Love.  We have a reason for being, a purpose and a destiny.  We are to walk in Love, with Power springing out of Life!

Too many want to live in their “safe haven” of strictly religious circles and inside the four walls of the local fellowship.  Unfortunately, that is not where the world is and if we are to “go into all the world” we have to leave those safe havens and our isolation and penetrate the darkness with His light.  Too many seem to suggest that “if we build it, they will come” and we are waiting for them to come to the Oasis rather than launching out where they are in the highways, byways and hedges seeking that which is lost.

I have heard Christians with the Comfort Zone, Safe Haven mentality lament, “My job is terrible.  I’m around sinners all the time.  They use profanity and speak of crude things and it just makes me feel dirty.”  Where did Jesus go?  He went to the sinners and even ate with them, which brought about the ire of the Pharisees.  If we have that mentality we will hide inside the church and our select fellowship groups and think, “Man this is great but when I’m out there in the world it is difficult.  Thank God I don’t have to go out there anymore.”  YES YOU DO!  If we are to obey His commission and be lights shining in the darkness, representing and manifesting Jesus to the world that is exactly where we have to be.  Jesus said, “Father, I do not pray that You take them out of this world but that you keep them…” 

God did not give us a spirit of fear and instead of being contaminated by the sin of the sinners infect them with righteousness.  Which is more powerful, what we have or what they have?  We are infected with Jesus and God has called to Penetrate, not Isolate.  We have been CALLED OUT to GO OUT and bring the Good News to WHOSOEVER…

I have more to share but will pause there and pick up next time with a few more thoughts on SEEING the Word of God in this hour.  God bless you richly as you go through this wonderful day He has made and go forth rejoicing!

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THERE IS A PROMISE, HOPE, DREAM, and EXPECTATION… [Part Two]


Spiritual Blog - Promise

Ephesians 5:25-27 – “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.”  NKJV

 

As we consider the Plan of God and acknowledge that it has never ceased in the Heart of God we should examine some Old Testament types and shadows.  God uses them to direct us from the natural to what He has in mind in the spiritual.  What flesh cannot and could not do the Spirit can.  Paul informed us that the Old Testament was written as an example for us in the New.  God gave us the Old Testament for more than history but also for education, so we could learn His principles and purposes and apply them in our lives spiritually.  We also learn from Paul that God’s process is “first the natural then the spiritual.”  The Old Testament points us to the New and as what we see “in the natural” in the Old testifies to us of what God’s plan is for the Spiritual.

An example of that can be seen in the deliverance of Israel from bondage in Egypt.  This, I believe, is clearly a type of the Church (Christ’s Body) coming out of bondage and enslavement to liberty and freedom.  In Egypt, we see sin and man’s system.  God’s covenant people are called out and set free by the miraculous hand of God.  A beautiful truth, often missed, is that there were SPOILS in their exodus.  They did not go out empty handed.  As they departed and were liberated Pharaoh and his army were decimated by the hand of God and if we can receive it, the wilderness was spiritual boot camp or training ground for the fulfillment of the Promise.  They crossed Jordan which is a type of “death” but it is death to self so they could then function and entered Canaan which is a picture of the Place of Victory.  Victory, here and now! 

God has no Plan by which we can take a shortcut through the wilderness.  You cannot get to the Promised Land without going through the wilderness.  The Tabernacle helps us to understand this truth and as we examine this reality we can learn WHERE we are and WHERE God is taking us, and we learn, order and His process.  He takes us step by step, line upon line, and precept upon precept.  No steps are omitted or bypassed.  Adam failed, but Jesus, the Last Adam came and restored us legally all that was lost.  He has given gifts, anointing, and abilities to fulfill His Covenant.  We must move into Him fully to gain this reality experientially rather than simply doctrinally or judicially.

  • THE CHURCH IS CHRIST’S BODY.

If we are to understand our authority and position we must look to and at Jesus.  He has dominion, is fruitful, and fully manifests the Father in all He said and did on earth.  By His Work on the Cross and through God’s Covenant we are the Body of Christ and we have legally and judicially been restored to that position Adam lost.  Isaiah 61, fulfilled in Jesus is to be a current reality in His Body, the Church.  John 14:12, fulfilled in Jesus was promised to His Body, the Church and is to be expected in today’s world.

The transition revealed in the name change of Abraham is significant.  He was Abram but became Abraham.  The name change reflected both a character change and purpose change in his life.  He transitioned from a heathen idolater who worshiped the moon to the man of faith he became.  His Promise was that he would become a Great Nation, be Blessed, have Fame & Honor, be a Blessing, Bless his friends and curse his foes and that through him ALL THE NATIONS could be Blessed.  He was 75 when this word came to him.  He was married but childless and was probably already resigning himself to the probability that he and Sari would have no children of their own.  Then the Promise came and that revealed the Problem.  How would he be a great nation if he had no heir?  His human reason was poised to shipwreck his participation in the Promise.  Human reason is not always a friend of God’s Promises or Purposes.

The Promise was clear.  God said, “Go forth…”  He set out for Canaan, the Place of Promise.  He knew where he was going.  God then told him, “I will give you and your descendants the land…”  But he had no descendants so the Promise revealed the Problem.  He faced difficulties in the pursuit of the Promise and Purpose of God but in it all, he maintained his confidence in “El Shaddai” and rested in God’s sufficiency.  Human, reason often asks questions rooted in doubt but faith says, “I may not see it or comprehend how it can be but God is sufficient for me!”

In Egypt he allowed deception to enter through lying about his relationship with his wife.  Later, he listened to her counsel and Ishmael was produced rather than fully trusting God.  In Genesis 17 God returned and reaffirmed the Promise and Covenant and gave him his name change.  The story is amazing and when Paul tells the story in Romans 4 his tells us that “Abraham, staggered not…”  WHAT?  He became what God said but at the initial moment of hearing the Promise he staggered.  It is not the momentary but the eventuality that is most important.  Abraham had God’s Promise and knew WHERE God wanted to take him but he could not see HOW he could get there.  Finally, he rested in God’s Promise and received the fulfillment.

God gives you and me a Promise and wants that Promise to become a Hope and that Hope to become a Dream or Vision and that produces Faith to achieve the Promise.  Where are you now in your spiritual walk?  God has given you a Promise, Hope, Dream, and Expectation and you may be vacillating between two points and may be near casting away your confidence.  You may have even produced an Ishmael or two in the process but take heart, God wants to help you get back to where you got off course and achieve the Dream.  Resist being shipwrecked by Human Reason and place your confidence in God’s Promise.

May the Lord richly bless you as you go through this day and the rest of your life!

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