Author: rbeaird

IF THEN… What is the IF and the THEN???


Spiritual Blog - IF

Colossians 3:1-11 – “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. 

5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them. 

8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, 11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.”  NKJV

 

The “IF” is if you are raised with Christ in Salvation and set free from the bondage of sin having been transferred from the kingdom of darkness to the Kingdom of Light in Jesus.  The “THEN” is if the first part is true then here are some things you are to do and chargeable in.

  • SET YOUR MIND on Heavenly (Spiritual) things not Earthly (Carnal) things.

This is based on the fact and reality that you have died to that life and now your life is hidden with Christ in God.  You are a new creation.  You are a new person.  You are not the same as you were before.  Therefore, if in your spirit you are new then take steps to TRANSFORM your mind.

  • PUT TO DEATH your flesh.

Put to death fornication, uncleanness, passion (inordinate affections), evil desire, and covetousness which is a form of idolatry.  This is not just something God is going to deliver you from and take from you but something you will cooperate with the Spirit of God and put them to death.  You make choices every day and you must RESIST the devil for him to flee.  These things bring the wrath of God and they are traits of your former condition in your lost state.  Now you are IN CHRIST so put to death the flesh.

  • PUT OFF these character traits.

Anger (uncontrolled rage), wrath (which produces murder), malice, blasphemy, filthy language.  When I hear people profess to be Christians and exhibit those traits it concerns me for I know how the world views that profession of faith and hypocrite is too tame a word for what they think.

  • DO NOT LIE.

Do not lie to one another and do not lie to yourself.  You have received Christ as you savior and the Old Man is now dead allowing the New Man to rise from the ashes of life.  Put off the deeds of the old and take on the garments of the new in salvation.  Allow the Holy Spirit to renew your minds so that you can truly manifest Jesus to the world.

IF we are IN CHRIST we should and will THEN set our minds on the spiritual not the carnal, put off the character traits and acts that are unbecoming to our position and condition in Christ and resist the devil speaking the truth in righteousness.  We are members of The Body of Christ and IF that is true THEN let our walk match our profession and thereby become epistles known and read of men.

            God bless you as you go through this beautiful day!

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MARK MISSERS??? That Would Be Everyone…


Spiritual Blog - Mark Missers

Romans 3:21-26 – “But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.”  NKJV

  

Sin is rightly described as “missing the mark” and when Paul says, “…all have sinned…” and reveals that we have all “fallen short” of the Glory of God he is identifying a valuable truth and reveals the clear need of EVERYONE for a Savior.  No one has, can, or will earn their salvation.  We are all MARK MISSERS and sadly many are missing the mark because they are aiming at the wrong target.  Humans have a tendency to “justify” or “compare” and that always leads to problems, especially with regard to Salvation and our relationship with God.

I heard a nationally known minister who is the senior pastor in a Mega-Church declare that there are many ways to God.  Really?  If I believe the Bible, and I do, the Bible declares that there is ONLY ONE WAY to the Father and that is through Jesus Christ.  (John 14:6).  Jesus declared that He WAS/IS, the Way, the Truth, and the Life and the ONLY door through which one can enter to attain or receive salvation.  The matter is not up for discussion if we believe the Bible.  It is clear and there is no ambiguity in the words of our LORD.

I have heard people argue that those living in lifestyles the Bible declares as abominations to God and thereby MARK MISSERS are the way they are because God made them that way.  Really?  If that is true, and it is not, then God is the most sadistic tyrant ever because He has declared those lifestyles ABOMINABLE and yet the people are as they are because He made them that way.  How can that be?  I readily acknowledge that there are many factors and contributors to human behavior but at the heart is CHOICE.  Adam and Eve did not have to “partake of the forbidden fruit” but they opted to believe THE LIE of the serpent rather than obey the Commandment of God.  The result was birthed out of their CHOICE not because God made them eat the fruit.

I have heard people argue, “…the devil made me do it.”  Really?  I would contend that he tempted you, deceived you, pressured you, and encouraged you but he DID NOT MAKE YOU DO IT.  You made that choice UNLESS you are demon possessed and completely under the control of the demonic spirits and power.  I do not believe you want to testify or claim that condition so please do not argue that you could not help yourself.  God has promised in 1 Corinthians 10:13, “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”  Therefore, we have the ability to choose obedience or disobedience, flesh or spirit, unrighteousness or righteousness.  The problem is we are MARK MISSERS!

The good news is that “…if we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  (1 John 1:9).  It is “by grace that we are saved through faith, and not of ourselves, it is the gift of God…” (Ephesians 2:8)  We have the most beautiful declaration in John 3:16-17 – “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”  NKJV

Yes, we are MARK MISSERS but He corrects our aim through His shed blood and grace enabling us to move from darkness to light and from unrighteousness to righteousness.  Thank God we are saved and are being saved by His Love, Mercy, Blood, and Grace.

God bless you as you embark on this daily journey.

 

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HOW TO HAVE PEACE IN ALL THINGS…..


Spiritual Blog - Peace

Philippians 4:6-7 – “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  NASU

 

Each of us has experienced a time or times when we were troubled in spirit and anxious or worried about something.  I find it most comforting and challenging that the Bible teaches that we can have “peace” in all things, all the time, in all circumstances.  That does not mean it is necessarily easy but possible and a promise from the Lord.  There is a “key” to this level of living that cannot be practiced on an intermittent basis but must become a lifestyle if we are to walk on this plane continually.

Here Paul gives us some keys to “Peace”

  1. Be ANXIOUS for Nothing. (Don’t fret, don’t worry, don’t fear, don’t become overcome, or overrun by what is happening around you.)  That is a TALL ORDER but then he tells us how to accomplish this.
  2. IN EVERYTHING by “Prayer” and “Supplication” with “Thanksgiving” let your requests be made known to God.Here Paul gives us some keys to “Peace”:
  • Prayer – – Communication with God. (Talking to Him. Telling Him how you feel, what you are thinking, and acknowledging His person, power, and presence)
  • Supplication – – Here is the petition part of prayer. This is where you are presenting your needs, desires, and requests before the throne in light of WHO HE IS.
  • Thanksgiving – – Without a grateful heart little is accomplished in the Kingdom. Without a grateful heart we will forget TO WHOM we owe all that we are, have, and will be.  We forget that WITHOUT HIM we can do nothing.  We forget that our HUMAN FRAILTY will never overcome the CIRCUMSTANCES of life and the EVIL POWERS that come against us.  We will never learn to live in a STATE OF CONTENTMENT.

It is in this condition that Paul tells us that the PEACE OF GOD that is beyond human ability to comprehend or understand floods our hearts, guards our hearts, and covers our minds so that every thought is brought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.  It is here that we walk FREE OF WORRY and LIVE IN A CONTINUAL STATE OF PEACE.  Understand I did not say in a state of total absence of problems!  We are secure in our relationship, or position, or potential, our promise, and our place in Him.  We then can say with Paul, “To die is gain but to live profitable for you.”  We walk in total confidence in Him IN EVERYTHING!  This is where the LOVE OF GOD that banishes all fear fills our hearts and lives and we become so AT ONE with Jesus that when people see us, hear us, and encounter us they encounter Him.  We are then “ruled by peace” and it is a peace that the world did not give and the world cannot steal.

May God bless you as you continue your week in Him!  Blessings in the Lord of Lord and King of Kings!

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LAUGH, CRY, and LOVE, BUT ABOVE ALL LIVE…


Spiritual Blog - Jar

 

Mark 8:34-38 – “When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.  35 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.  36 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?  37 Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?  38 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” NKJV 

The Mayonnaise Jar & Two Beers…

I have seen, read, and heard this in numerous places and have no idea who to give credit to for the original story but it fits today.  I find application for it in my daily life and in helping to shape my world view and views politically as well.  My spiritual views are impacted by the message but my faith is founded on the Word of God and the clear teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit as revealed in the writings of the 40 authors of the 66 Books Canonized in our Holy Bible.

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 Beers.  A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him.  When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls.

He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was. Continuing his teaching session the professor picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar.  He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.  Clearly on a mission with a message, the professor picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else.  He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous ‘YES.’

Then to the complete surprise of the class the professor produced two bottles of beer from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.  “Now,” said the professor as the laughter subsided, “I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life.”

WHAT ARE THE LESSONS TO BE LEARNED:

  1. THE GOLF BALLS are the important things—your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions—and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.
  1. THE PEBBLES are the other things that matter such as your job, your house, and your car.
  1. THE SAND is everything else—the small stuff.‘If you put the sand into the jar first,’ he continued, ‘there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Therefore, it is imperative that you…
  • Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.
    Spend time with your children.
  • Spend time with your parents.
  • Visit with grandparents.
  • Take your spouse out to dinner.
  • Play another 18 holes of golf.
  • There will always be time to clean the house, fix the disposal or deal with things from your job.

The Ultimate Lesson is “Take care of the golf balls first” – – the things that really matter.  Set your priorities.  Make your priorities things that are lasting and can bring you joy and happiness lastingly.  Prioritize, Prioritize, Prioritize.  Live do not exist.  Be do not just Do!  You Must Remember – – “Everything Else is Just Sand.”

It was at the point one of the students raised her hand and inquired what the beer represented.  The professor smiled and said, “I’m glad you asked.”  The beer just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, there’s always room for a couple of beers with a friend.

{Disclaimer – – I’m not advocating drinking but the point is clear and a couple of beers could be a cup of coffee, a glass of tea, lemonade or anything.  Take time to enjoy life!  Stop and smell the roses along life’s pathway!} 

Life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.  (Luke 12:23).  If you are too busy to enjoy the people and events of life you are too busy with busyness to hear God and likely too busy to LIVE.  You are existing, achieving, and gaining things which will perish rather than building memories and treasures in the things that matter.  You may be leaving an inheritance of things but you are not leaving a legacy of love and life.

So, please begin today making the MOST IMPORTANT the MOST IMPORTANT in your life.  There is time to do what is nearest and dearest to your heart.  Your management of time is up to you and if you desire God will help you “redeem the time” so that first things are first and your investment in lives will pay far greater dividends than your amassing earthly treasure.

God bless you as you go through this wonderful day in Him!

 

 

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UNEXPECTED and UNSUSPECTING – – The Theme of the Hour When Christ Returns…


Spiritual Blog - Days of Noah

Matthew 24:36-39 – “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.  37 But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.  38 For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39 and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.”  NKJV

 

I personally believe that this identifies how UNSUSPECTING the generation will be in which the Lord Jesus returns.  I know it means more than just the lack of awareness but it certainly speaks to that.  What were the conditions of mankind in the days of Noah?  What are some things we can identify that might suggest we are or are not living in days comparable to those of Noah?

We find in Genesis 6 a declaration that because of man’s wickedness God allotted a time in which mankind could repent and avert judgment.  In Genesis 6:5 we read, “Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil CONTINUALLY.”  [Emphasis added].  Here is a description of a society in which the mantra was SELFISHNESS and lacking RESTRAINT.   Mankind constantly allowed evil thoughts and actions dominate his life. 

Before the flood, people lived to be centuries old.  Adam lived 930 years and living hundreds of years was not uncommon.  Knowledge and technology expanded incredibly during the 1600 plus years from Creation to the Flood.  We know man built cities (4:17), had livestock ranches (4:20), composed and played music (4:21), discovered things such as metallurgy using allows like brass (4:22) and more.  Imagine what it would be like to have 800-900 years to hone and develop a skill or a craft.  Imagine how effectively one could perfect those skills and talents. The positive side is astounding but lest we forget Genesis 6:5, so is developing evil habits, sinister plans, and devious schemes.  This became so vile and corrupt that God made a most incredible statement in Genesis 6:6, “And the LORD was sorry He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart.”  The longsuffering God of all creation was grieved in His heart at the highly developed wickedness and evil of men’s hearts, lives, and actions.

Because of the incredible depravity and wickedness of mankind God determined to destroy man from the face of the Earth.  However, the Bible reveals that Noah PLEASED or FOUND GRACE in the eyes of the LORD.  He walked in integrity or in the Lord’s ways and God came to him with the instructions for the Ark and the revelation of His intent.  Noah, one can assume, was perplexed and as he tried to persuade people to turn from their wickedness he endured ridicule and scorn.  The heart of man was deceitfully wicked and filled with self.  How that sounds like today where it is ALL ABOUT ME.  My rights, my wants, what I deserve.

In our text verses, the Lord Jesus described the Last Days and the Days of Noah as parallel in the character of mankind.  Luke 17 echoes those conditions and warnings.  Daniel 12:4 reveals a condition that we sometimes overlook as he tells us that at, “the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.”  Noah’s days were “perilous” with people self-absorbed in their pursuit of pleasure, material things, convenience, immorality was rampant, violence a norm, and rejection of the things of God.  Is that not what Paul said to Timothy regarding the Last Days in 2 Timothy 3:1-5? 

In Noah’s day there they had an exploding population (Genesis 6:1), rampant sexual perversion (6:2), demonic activity (6:2), constant evil in the hearts of men (6:5), and widespread violence and corruption (6:11).  There was little concern with the spiritual with the focus on themselves.  They were a SELF-CENTERED SOCIETY.  How is that different from today?  They, Jesus said, were busy pursuing their own purposes going about their daily lives with self the center and living as though the fulfillment of their desires was the prime objective.  They were oblivious to the conditions, the attitude of God and unsympathetic to the pleas of Noah to repent and as Jesus urged in Matthew 6:33, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness…”

We live in a self-centered society where the individual sees his desires, wants needs, hopes, dreams, and ambitions central.  Even in many churches, we no longer hear the call to repentance, separation from the world, holiness, and the Cross.  What we hear is self-help, self-fulfillment, and motivational speeches.  That is not universal but happens too frequently to be spiritually healthy.  I have long heard the demand that I not offend, not frighten, not upset the status quo, and preach only the positive and rosy.  I am positive and believe that God wants us to enjoy the best of the best this life has to offer, but I also believe that He demands that we remain pure, and be conscious of the times.  We are His voices in the Earth and if we become so like the world they see no difference how will they hear our warnings?

Yes, I believe we are living in a day in which the judgment of God could fall and Jesus could return and the vast majority would be taken completely by surprise.  God help us to recognize the fatality and flaw of self-centeredness and realize that the elevation of self and selfish desire are what cost Adam and Eve their relationship with God in the Garden and plunged man into the darkness of sin.  Jesus came and brought us light.  The world is living in darkness and the value of life is becoming more and more diminished so it is important that you and I become intercessors and stand in the gap to make up the hedge.

God bless you as you go through this day!

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TO OBTAIN THE PROMISE – Follow the Directions…


Spiritual Blog - Directions

Psalm 37:3-8 – “Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.   4 Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. 

5 Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.  6 He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday. 

7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. 8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; do not fret — it only causes harm.”  NKJV 

 

Many are the Promises of the LORD for His children and here the Psalmist gives us a view of God’s incredible Promise of Care and Keeping, Provision and Protection, Guidance and Guarding.  As with most, if not all, the Promises of God there are “conditions” or “requirements” on our part.  NO, we can never earn His blessings but He does place on each of us certain responsibilities.  Therefore, let’s consider the instructions of the Psalmist who speaks under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

  • TRUST In The LORD, and…

Yes, there is an “and” in this bit of instruction we are to TRUST, for if we are to receive we must believe and if we are to walk in this way we must trust the one who is guiding and guarding us.  But, he adds a small three letter caveat “AND”, but AND what?  Do Good.  Our actions are to match our words.  We are to talk the talk but we are to walk the walk as well.  He says, “Trust in the LORD, and do good…”  Then, he tells us to DWELL in the land or the place of promise and feed or feast on God’s faithfulness.  As we do that we can readily DELIGHT ourselves also in the LORD and have confidence that from that condition HE WILL give us the desires of our hearts.  That is incredibly powerful!

  • COMMIT your way to the LORD…

In truth, this is “cutting a covenant” in which we commit ourselves even unto death to fulfill that commitment.  I find it interesting and important that the Psalmist says, “Commit your way to the LORD…”  Then adds or reinforces the requirement to “Trust also in Him…”  It is as we TRUST and do good, COMMIT and trust that we have the assurance that God will bring His Promise to fruition in our lives.  That is awesome!  We read here that God will bring forth our righteousness as the light (witness and testimony) and our justice as the noonday.  He will not leave us or forsake us and we can have the confidence Paul speaks of in 2 Timothy 1:12, “…I know whom I have believed and am convinced (confident) that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.”  I am Persuaded!

  • REST in the LORD, and…

Another AND is added to REST.  Jesus said, “Come unto Me and Rest…”  We enter into God’s rest through TRUST (Faith) and COMMITMENT (Covenant) and out of that REST we are to “…WAIT PATIENTLY FOR HIM…”   Remember the words of Isaiah 40:31, “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint.”  Our focus is to be JESUS, not conditions, circumstances, situations or people.  Just as when Peter got out of the boat to walk on the water, FOCUS was the Key Factor for as He stayed focused on Jesus, He trusted but when he shifted his focus he began to sink.  We are encouraged that the wicked will not forever prevail or prosper and that in our condition of TRUST, COMMITMENT, and REST we are to “Cease from anger, and forsake wrath…”  We are also to dismiss fretting, worry, and doubt for that only brings harm to us spiritually, mentally, emotionally, economically, and physically.

We have Great and Precious Promises from our LORD but to obtain them and have them manifest in our lives we must RECEIVE those promises from a condition of TRUST, COMMITMENT, and REST.  God bless you as you go through this day!

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The Word is SHALL, Not IF…


Spiritual Blog - Shall

2 Timothy 3:1 – “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.”  KJV

 

I often see eyes roll and heads shake when I mention the LAST DAYS whether in a church service, casual conversation, or on the streets.  I have had preachers tell me, “We don’t need any more of that gloom and doom preaching, we need a positive message.”  I agree that we need a positive message but we dare not omit reality and the proclamation of God’s Word regarding the End of Times and the condition of men’s hearts.  If we do, we do so at our peril endangering the eternity of others and for me to be silent when I see destruction or danger coming would be a violation of everything I believe regarding God, the Bible, humanity, and my calling.  I feel an obligation to not only warn but defend lives as best I can in the natural and spiritual.

The Bible does not say IF or MAYBE perilous times could possibly mark the Last Days but that “Perilous Times SHALL Come…”  There is no “maybe” or “if” in that statement there is an absolute guarantee from the Word of God that IT IS COMING and in many ways IS NOW, HERE.  This is not the only passage in the bible regarding the perils coming to our world.  Peter warned, “Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming?”  (2 Peter 3:3-4)  Jesus addressed the End of Times in Luke 21:25-26 giving us the signs in natural calamities and conditions.  Paul told the Thessalonians that the Day of the Lord would come suddenly like a thief in the night.  (1 Thessalonians 5:2-3).  Joel prophesied that in the Last Days there would be a massive outpouring of the Spirit of God causing the elderly to dream dreams and the young to see visions and that God would empower and anoint mightily His servants and handmaidens.  Daniel told us that understanding of many of the mysteries of God would be sealed UNTIL the Time of the End.  (Daniel 12:4).

Therefore, PERILOUS TIMES are coming so what do we do?  Violence is increasing here in America and around the world.  The flames of hatred are being fanned to the point wide scale violence could erupt at any moment.  Islamic Jihadism is rampant as they pursue their Caliphate.  We have groups calling for the total destruction of other groups largely based on skin color, religious, or social preference.  Our society is being poisoned by hate, fear, and distrust, morality is ebbing into nothingness, and the level of depravity is endangering our entire world and way of life.

Consider the conditions described by the apostle Paul which are characteristics of THE LAST DAYS:

  • Self-Love.
  • Pride filled Braggart and Boasters. Narcissistic Behavior.
  • Blasphemers – Fearlessly decrying the truth and reality of God, morality, the Bible and right living.
  • Disobedient and Rebellious.
  • Hate filled, Unloving, Unforgiving, Bitter, Resentful, Revengeful, and Vindictive.
  • Slanderous Behavior, Anything Goes – No Self-Control and an expansion of a page out of the 60’s, “If it feels good, do it.”
  • Elevating Pleasure and the Flesh rather than God and Holiness.
  • Faux Christians following a doctrine of man rather than serving God with a whole heart. Eliminating the Cross offering hope other than Jesus and polluting and diluting the Gospel of Christ.

In the condition of this present world, I believe that we will soon see riots on an epic scale.  There is coming a time, soon, when it will not be safe to leave your home and you will not be unscathed even in your home.  There is coming persecution to all who take a stand on Biblical Principles and seek to follow the directive of Jesus in Matthew 6:33, “…seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness…”

Two conditions or streams will occur and flow simultaneously.  There will be Peril, Destruction, Chaos, and Corruption on a scale never witnessed before and there will be Revival, Renewal, Harvest, and Power in the Spirit like never seen.  There is going to be a Scorched Earth and a Blossoming Eden at the same time.  Some, no many, will lose their lives and die as victims of violence or martyrs for the faith.  Some will rise up as powerful witnesses for Christ and the underground, unseen church will rise in power and at the same time sweeping destruction will prevail.  That I see coming!

Now, that I have sufficiently presented a message in which some will only hear the Darkness of the Hour let me say that God is still God and will always be God.  He has not and will not leave us nor will He forsake us.  God is our shield and buckler.  He is our defense, covering, and protection.  I do not want anyone to take this message and allow the devil to instill fear in the heart. Rather I hope that you will understand that by DISCERNING THE TIMES you will be able to prepare and even pluck some as “brands from the burning” and walk in the fullness and power of the provisions of our LORD!  We are MORE THAN CONQUERORS through Him Who Loves Us!  Hallelujah!

            God bless you as you go through this day!

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ALLY CAT MORALS…


Spiritual Blog - Morals

1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 – “Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God; 2 for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus. 

3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5 not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified. 7 For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. 8 Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit.”  NKJV

 

I am deeply troubled and have been for quite a long time concerning the mindset of promiscuity among those who profess to be followers of Christ, believers of the Bible and Christians.  How widespread is it?  I do not know and pray that it is less prevalent than it seems.  I do not know how any God-fearing person could not be troubled by the significant decline in morality in our nation and our world.  I am aware of regular church attendees who see nothing problematic in their regular one-night stands, frequenting the clubs searching for sexual gratification.  Some have said, “That’s just the way I am” and “I have needs.”  I am not just talking about men but women as well have become aggressive in their pursuit of lasciviousness.

I hope I am wrong, but it seems that too little is said from the pulpit in and private counseling by men and women of God regarding this condition and situation.  Here in 1 Thessalonians Paul spoke plainly that “sexual immorality” damages and even destroys our sanctification.  He spoke about things that I have been told should not be brought up in public meetings, “possessing one’s own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in passion of lust.”  Just because you can do something does not mean you should and having your brains in your britches is a dangerous course in life.  I’ve addressed this before to have people leave and threaten to leave the church because they didn’t want their teenagers hearing that discussion.  Some of them would later come to me asking for my help and council when their daughters or sons faced life altering decisions because of fornication.  I am not a prude and would never want to crude in this discussion but if we do not warn our children and adults of the dangers of sin why should we be surprised when they fall prey to temptation?

The Bible declares that the “marriage bed” is undefiled and God does not consider it a minor misstep in our walk when we engage in infidelity.  I am not surprised that the apostle Paul spent as much time as he did teaching proper and godly relationships between husbands and wives, parents and children, and keeping chaste and pure until marriage.  Some schools today pass out condoms indiscriminately, have visual demonstrations that could only be identified as soft porn if not hardcore, and rather than teach abstinence and identify the problems that come from pre-marital and extra-marital sexual relations.  Most teachers are unable to address the effect it has physiologically and psychologically and rather than deal with the hard questions they avoid the subject completely except for the Sex Education Classes and Condoms.

Once we come to Christ it is imperative that we seek to maintain purity in all aspects of our lives including the physical.  Imagine the ramifications regarding members of the community and others far beyond the confines of the church walls or community boundaries when a man or woman of God is “caught” in failure in this area.  It not only affects them, their homes, their marriages, and their congregations but those outside the church who say, “See they are hypocrites and no different than anyone else.”  It severely damages the reputation of the Gospel in the eyes of those who are outside the Body of Christ.  Church, we dare not sit silently while many in today’s world demonstrate the morals of an ally cat.  We must manifest “self-control” and “shun” the very appearance of evil in our own lives.  We are to shun the appearance evil, not people.  We are called to be holy because He is holy.  This is weighing so heavily on my heart and I dare to bring it up.  My prayer is that if it touches one person and prevents them from making a critical error in their lives any push back I receive is well worth it.

            God bless you is my prayer and desire.

 

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CONTINUE EARNESTLY…


Spiritual Blog - Continue

Colossians 4:2-6 – “Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; 3 meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, 4 that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.  

5 Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. 6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.”  NKJV

 

I heard a preacher tell his congregation, “It is the Ten Commandments, not Ten Suggestions.”  He was using that to illustrate the importance of biblical directives offered by the apostles, and prophets in Scripture.  I have long believed that if God considered it important enough to have the human authors write it is important enough to obey and incorporate in our lives.

One of the most urgent directives of Scripture is PRAYER.  It was a central message in the life and ministry of Jesus, the disciples, and the apostle Paul.  I like what Charles Finney stated as a major factor in the success of the revivals he conducted where entire towns would be converted, bars would close and houses of ill-repute cease functioning.  He attributed it to his team of prayer warriors who would often go into a city weeks ahead of his coming and would engage in intercession almost 24 hours per day.  They prayed while he preached and their prayers followed the pattern Paul urges here in Colossians 4.  We would be well served to incorporate this pattern into our lives.  Paul urged them to CONTINUE…

  • Earnestly in Prayer.

I might ask, what value is a prayer that is not earnest?  If it is nothing more than memorized rote, form, or ceremony it is often powerless and ineffectual accomplishing little in substance.  We are to CONTINUE in prayer but that prayer is to be EARNEST and I might add URGENT.

  • Being Vigilant in Prayer.

The KJV renders it “watch” in prayer or have a prayer watch.  We are to be awake and aware of what is happening around us in the natural as well as in the spirit realm.  Remember Jesus asked His disciples to “watch with Him one hour” and they failed to CONTINUE but fell prey to their fatigue and demonstrated a lack of urgency.  Their lack of urgency might have been from a lack of understanding of their hour but nevertheless, they did not CONTINUE with Vigilance.

  • Pray with Thanksgiving.

If we are thankful in prayer, what are we thankful for?  Are we offering thanks for the problem or need or are we offering thanks for Who God is, What God has done, and the Answer?  If our hearts overflow with Thanksgiving to God we maintain a focus and consciousness of His Person, Power, and Presence. 

It is easy to remain diligent in prayer if we are ALERT, AWARE, VIGILANT, and in that state, we realize the need for EARNESTNESS and the importance of THANKSGIVING for without Him we could do nothing and would be nothing.  It is in this attitude of prayer that we can manifest a life lead by wisdom in our dealings with the world and will help us manage our time conscientiously.  It is in this mindset of PRAYER that we find a guard placed at our mouths where our speech is gracious and seasoned with salt or having a redeeming quality and rightly using knowledge which is wisdom.  In that mindset, we not only become effectual and fervent in our intercession but we become those who stand in the gap and make up the hedge for others as well.

May the LORD bless you richly, empower you greatly and guide you gently in the pursuit of His purposes on earth in your life.  

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JOHN’S PRAYER FOR PROSPERITY…


Spiritual Blog - Even As

3 John 2-4 – “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. 3 For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.”  NKJV

  

We have no real way of identifying Gaius the beloved to whom John writes but it appears he was a godly man, an elder, and walking uprightly before the Lord.  I have heard a number of sermons and teachings on this passage and some used it as an explanation for sickness or disease causing havoc in a person’s body.  Some have used it to piously proclaim the reason for their financial prosperity. Some have been troubled by it and expressed wonder how any could enjoy the rich blessings of the Lord with the conditions John places on PROSPERITY.

I want to approach it from a three-fold view.  John expresses it is his wish, desire, and/or prayer that Gaius would have PROSPERITY on at least three fronts.  One manuscript adds “en aleetheia” to the verbiage and that would give it a very different meaning, “that you may be sound in truth.”  I believe that is applicable but let’s consider the points John makes in his prayer.

  • He prays for Gaius to Prosper in HEALTH OF BODY.

Physical health is, in my understanding of Scripture, something a believer can have as    well as physical healing.  According to Isaiah 53:5, “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and by His stripes we are healed.”  1 Peter 2:24, “Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness; for by whose stripes you are healed.”

Please understand I am not saying if you are sick or a fatal disease comes upon you, it is a curse from God or a revelation that your soul is not prosperous and upright.  I am saying, that if we are sick we have every reason to call upon God with the expectation to bring about healing in our physical bodies through His work of Grace.  So John prays that Gaius enjoy a healthy body just as he enjoys a healthy soul.

  • He prays for Gaius to Prosper in HIS SOUL.

Nothing is more important than a right relationship with God through Jesus Christ.  Nothing is more valuable than having a “clean heart” and a “right spirit.”  David recognized that and thus prayed in Psalm 51:10, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit in me.”  We read in 1 Thessalonians 5:23, the Prayer of Paul, “May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through.  May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  James 1:21, “Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.” 

  • He prays for Gaius to Prosper in SECULAR AFFAIRS.

Let me give you an amazing passage from Proverbs 16:7, “When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.”  There are times when we need favor with men to achieve the objectives set before us and the Bible indicates that God will cause favor to come to us when our “souls prosper.”  2 Corinthians 9:8, the apostle Paul assured his hearers, “God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”  That is incredibly powerful.

To me, it is evident that that he is praying for Gaius to PROSPER and increase in his finances as well as his knowledge, physical health, spiritual walk, and interpersonal relationships.  He wanted PROSPERITY for the whole man. Some in the Christian faith seem to believe that financial prosperity is a sign of faith and righteousness and if you do not achieve wealth it is an indication you are either lacking in faith or righteousness.  I believe that God wants us to be able to pay our debts and have all we need and more, but the purpose of His financial blessings is not just to bless us but so that we can be blessings and be a flow through for the Kingdom.  We have the Promise of God in Philippians 4:19, “…my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

It is important that we have spiritual health and our souls be healthy.  It is a wonderful blessing to be healthy in body and have the financial health needed to meet all our needs and have the ability to give to every good cause God brings before us.  Therefore, our objective should be a pursuit of Matthew 6:33, “…seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”   God first and foremost in our lives is the fulfillment of John’s prayer.

God bless you as you go through this wonderful day in Him!

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