Proverbs 18:2 – “A fool has no delight in understanding, but in expressing his own heart…13 He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him.”  NKJV

            I have been around people who no matter what the situation or event another was relating seemed compelled to chime in saying, “That was nothing…” as they proceeded to tell their event(s) that topped the account.  I have been around those in church, business and politics whose greatest desire is to ‘be heard’ or to ‘express their opinion’ often at the expense or disregard of the pathway of conversation.  When something is being related they will often butt in and give an answer before they hear the question.  The Bible calls that person a FOOL. 

You may not like calling anyone a FOOL but you have to admit it is both offensive and foolish to conduct oneself in that manner.  It is an evidence that the individual has little or no interest in the circumstances of others or the purpose of the discussion.  It is an evidence that the focus of their heart is SELF so in a sense it is talking a selfie with words and is counterproductive to any rational or reasoned discussion.  Even if the person is unaware that they are dominating the conversation with SELF it screams to everyone involved that they are without interest in understanding.  That will result in people finding excuses to avoid them over time and they will become isolated.

I have learned that one of the most important components in effective communication is detailed and careful listening.  If I listen more than I speak I find an unveiling of the hearts and motives of others and can more effectively speak to the situation and heart.  If before you conclude your sentence I am beginning mine you are put off for my action indicates that what you are saying is of little interest to me.  Some engage in a conversation or discussion and rather than listening to what is said they are thinking and formulating their response to what they perceive is going to be said.  Sometimes they are correct and often they miss the heart and details of what is being said and their response, though reasoned and possibly well phrased is off the mark.

If we are trying to communicate the Gospel of Jesus Christ and engage in that type communication we will find that those outside the family will become unresponsive to our message.  I experienced this as I observed a fellow Christian attempt to witness to a person who was not a believer.  The unbeliever had questions and presented ideas that this believer failed to hear because they were engaging in the type of behavior I have described.  The unbeliever was so put off as they felt, and rightly so, the believer was not truly interested in their concerns, arguments, questions or thoughts.  They felt that this person witnessing to them was only interested in hearing the sound of their own voice.  How do I know that?  They later told me as much.  I tried to diffuse the criticism and at the same time listen carefully and in so doing over time was able to plant seed that germinated in to spiritual fruit over time.

Don’t be that person but be one who hears the conclusion of the whole matter before rendering a judgment.  Be a person that reserves his answer until he hears the matter fully.  Be a person that is slow to speak and swift to hear.  Be a person that listens for the heart as well as the words.  Become a LISTENER and you will also become a better COMMUNICATOR.

            God bless you as you go through your day!

Psalm 20:1-9 – “May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble; may the name of the God of Jacob defend you; 2 May He send you help from the sanctuary, and strengthen you out of Zion; 3 May He remember all your offerings, and accept your burnt sacrifice.Selah

4 May He grant you according to your heart’s desire, and fulfill all your purpose.  5 We will rejoice in your salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners!  May the LORD fulfill all your petitions. 

6 Now I know that the LORD saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven with the saving strength of His right hand. 

7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. 8 They have bowed down and fallen; but we have risen and stand upright.  

9 Save, LORD!  May the King answer us when we call.”  NKJV

The Psalmist captures the situation and the solution when we encounter times of darkness, difficulty and trial.  He recognizes there is a problem “Day of Trouble” and the source of our help, “God of Jacob”.  He reflects on the heart, God’s salvation and our proposed plan of action.  He identifies that God does not fail to protect or come to the defense of His anointed and answers prayer.  THEN without shifting gears he brings us face to face with a powerful and pertinent issue – “What or Who do we trust?”  

• Some Trust the Arm of Flesh.  (Chariots and Horses or the ability and equipment at man’s disposal or within his makeup.)

I have had people tell me more than once that God helps those who help themselves and He should not be bothered with what we can handle.  There may be some elements of truth in that but if we TRUST in the Arm of Flesh the Arm of Flesh will fail us.

• We Will Remember The Name Of The Lord Our God.   (The choice ever before us is TRUST.  We can opt to trust our ability, resources or something natural or we can turn to the supernatural and the Arm of the Lord.)

             He reminds us that those who choose the first option of the Arm of Flesh bow and fall.  Failure is almost guaranteed in trusting the Flesh.  He then reaffirms that those who choose the latter course of Trusting the Name of the Lord will rise and stand upright in victory.

I realize that making this blanket statement does not equip you to wage the spiritual warfare required for victories in life but it identifies where you need to turn.  The apostle Paul informed us that the purpose of the ‘five-fold ministries’ in the Body of Christ is to “equip and train” believers for the work of ministry.  We are informed that we are to put on the ‘whole armor’ of God and withstand the devil.  God has the provisions, will guide through the preparation and empower us to STAND if we turn our Trust to the Name of The Lord!   Never trust in your chariots or horses but always anchor you hope in THE LORD OUR GOD!

            God bless you as you go through this day!

Isaiah 5:20-21 – “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!  21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, And prudent in their own sight!”  NKJV 

I know, I know this is a devotional blog and I’m not supposed to be political but the overbearingness of political correctness has paralyzed much of today’s church and that is troubling to this believer.  We live in a world today where many believe there is ‘No Universal Truth’.  We are engaged in cultural wars to the point that many have been placed in chains out of fear of offending anyone, losing members, support, finances and/or position.  I believe Isaiah spoke to that quite plainly and perfectly.  I believe that the disciples when ordered by the Jewish leadership to speak no more in the name of Jesus understood when they responded, “Shall we obey God or man?” 

It seems that many today are asking the question of Pilate as Jesus stood before him, “What is truth?”  It would seem by the attack on free speech and religious convictions that the modern view is “There is no definitive truth only relativism.”  If we, as the Body of Christ and the representatives of the Lord Jesus Christ in this world, do not reclaim our voice and holy boldness in standing for and speaking truth we will see the fulfillment of the Lord’s question in Luke 18:8, “…when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”

In our modern world and much of Christendom we have evolved to the place that many believe:

• Truth is Subjective. (No longer believing in ultimate or absolute truth)
• Morality is Subjective. (If it feels good do it therefore whatever a person desires should not be condemned or judged by any definitive standard)
• Consciousness is Being Elevated. (Belief that to hold moral and ethical standards based on the Bible reflects a narrow-mindedness and should be rejected.)
• A Prime Objective Must be Sensitivity. (Imprisoning figuratively if not literally who declares Sin)
• In Victimism. (If one is deemed a victim then they are exempt from personal responsibility and accountability.)
• In Multiculturalism. (Ending the ‘melting pot’ ideal of America and separated us into a myriad of varying sects, groups, ideologies, and cultures.  No longer becoming one but remaining isolated and divided.)

          In the Body of Christ we are supposed to become one with Jesus and thereby one with each other.  We are instructed in 2 Corinthians 6:17 to “come out from among them and be separate…”  We are to be holy because He is holy.  The Bible is not silent on sin and lifestyles or actions considered by God to be abominable and we dare not be.  We are instructed to suppress our fear of man because all he can do is kill the body and develop a reverential and holy fear of God who controls our eternal destiny.

           If the Bible calls something sin dare we not call it sin and avoid it?  In fact we read in Proverbs 17:15, “He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.”  In Proverbs 24:24-25 we find, “He who says to the wicked, “You are righteous,” Him the people will curse; Nations will abhor him.  But those who rebuke the wicked will have delight, and a good blessing will come upon them.”

The simple question for each of us is, will we adopt a mindset of Political Correctness or Biblical Correctness.  There are two paths before us and as Joshua addressed the nation, “Choose you this day whom you will serve…”   I choose to follow the LORD!

            God bless you as you go through this day!

1 Corinthians 4:15-17 – “For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. 16 Therefore I urge you, imitate me. 17 For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.”  NKJV

Today is Father’s Day and as I reflect on my own earthly father I am so thankful for his influence in my life as well as my earthly grandfathers and how they helped shape my character through words, discipline and their lives.  They gave me an image of an earthly father that has proven invaluable in both the raising of my children and mentoring spiritual children.  Today, I salute all Fathers who are fathering their children earthly or spiritual.  God bless you!

Producing offspring does not make one a father but provides the opportunity to father.  There are those who father children who have never produced a single offspring in the natural but they have invested themselves in the lives of those children and provided them with the male role model, disciplined, taught and gave oversight to those lives nurturing them into adulthood and able to assume their place in society.  Those men deserve high praise!

When I think about this nation and our Founding Fathers I suggest that if one studies their writings and examine their contributions to the founding of this nation it could be argued they truly Fathered generations.  Today they are under assault by those who would rewrite history.  When I think about my own spiritual father(s) and their invaluable contribution in my life helping to shape, teach, train, nurture, discipline and guide me they gave me a standard to live up to and a goal to strive for spiritually and they are to be praised.  Most of us have been fathered by someone or more than one and today is a day to remember their contribution in our lives.

Yet there is one Father who deserves recognition above all others and that is our Heavenly Father!  Without His love we would not know the joy of salvation or have the promise of eternal life.  He so deeply loves us that He gave His only begotten son that we could have our sins forgiven.  He so deeply loves us that He refused to leave us comfortless and dispatched the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth.  He so loves us that a place is being or has been prepared for us that where He is there we can be also for eternity.  Thank you Father for your love!

So on this special day set aside to honor fathers I encourage you to pay tribute to your own earthly father if he is still with you and if he has gone on to the other side then pause and remember his contribution to your life.  On this day I would encourage you to pay tribute to your spiritual father(s) if they are still on this side of eternity and if not then reflect on their contribution in your life.  If you are a father I urge you to take a moment and reflect on your privilege, duty and responsibility as a father and take your children in your arms (if possible) and let them know you love them.

So as you celebrate Father’s Day I pray that God make it a joyous day for you and your family.  Blessings to one and all on this special day!

Acts 1:4-6 – “And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me;  5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”  NKJV

How many times in pursuit of the purposes of God and fulfillment of a call or dream from God have we gotten the cart before the horse?  How many times have we run before we had fully developed the message, understood the strategy or received the empowering needed to fulfill that destiny?  How many times have we failed to fully obey the directive of the Lord in fulfilling His call?   HOW MANY?  Tragically many more than any of us would like to admit or possibly even realize.

In this account of the followers of our Lord after the resurrection and before the ascension of Jesus the Lord gives a direct and specific command that can be applied to many situations in life.  It is also a directive or command that is overlooked when applied to situations beyond this particular account.  Jesus had been with them forty days unveiling the heart and purposes of God and the Kingdom.  He gathered them together and commanded, not suggested that they NOT DEPART Jerusalem but WAIT for the Promise of the Father, the Holy Spirit.  The coming of the Holy Spirit was to transpire BEFORE they launched out in their ministry as directed in Mark 16 to GO INTO ALL THE WORLD. 

I am sure they wanted to immediately launch out into the deep but the Lord gave specific directions to WAIT UNTIL.  I am reminded of the story in 2 Samuel 18 where Joab takes David’s army to battle against Absalom and Ahimaaz begged to be allowed to run with the message.  Joab gave the command to the Cushite to run and Ahimaaz continued to press to be allowed to run also but he had no message.  He felt inspired to run but he had not been properly prepared, did not have the clear message and did not have the full authority to run but he wanted to run.  Finally Joab said, “Run”.  Ahimaaz ran through the valleys and across the plains and outran the Cushite.  The watchmen for David saw both runners and David anticipated news from their lips.  Ahimaaz arrived first and David asked for the report but all he could say was, “I saw a great tumult, but I did not know what it was about.”  David was not pleased nor edified with those words.  He ran, he ran well, he ran fast but he ran in vain for he had not been fully prepared. 

In a great sense, that is what we are being told here in this passage.  If we are to effectively take this message to the world we must be fully prepared and that means we WAIT UNTIL.  We wait until the Holy Spirit fully empowers us.  We wait until the release of the Lord to run.  We wait until we have seen the message.  We wait until we have been developed, equipped and trained.  We wait and that, for most of us, is almost impossible.  I personally hate to wait.  I don’t like lines.  I don’t like waiting lists at restaurants.  I don’t like slow computers.  I don’t like traffic jams.  I don’t like fighting through in prayer when the answer is delayed.  I, like most, like instant gratification and immediate answers.  BUT, there is a tremendous power in learning to WAIT ON THE LORD.  We learn to reign in our emotions.  We learn to channel our zeal.  It is in waiting that we learn to hear that still small voice of the Lord saying, “This is the way walk in it.”  They that wait upon the Lord renew their strength.  They that wait on the Lord hear His voice.  They that wait on the Lord receive His clear directive, understand His plan, and receive His power.  They that wait fulfill His purposes!

May the Lord quicken to your heart the importance of WAITING UNTIL!  God bless you as you go through this day!

Numbers 13:1-2 – “And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Send men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the children of Israel; from each tribe of their fathers you shall send a man, every one a leader among them.”  NKJV

The Land of Promise – Canaan.  What does Canaan represent?  It is far more than just some plot of ground in the Middle-East.  Remember Abraham’s promise according to Romans 4:13 was THE WORLD.  Therefore this is about more than just the Jews in Canaan.  What took place for them in the natural is to instruct us in the spiritual and God desires that we ‘take’ and ‘possess’ the Land or Place of Promise.

REMEMBER:

• God gave Adam RULE over the Earth – – (Genesis 1:26,28)
• He repeated the Promise to Noah – – (Genesis 9:1-2)
• God gave man RULE of the earth – – (Psalm 8:6)
• God’s Kingdom is Everlasting and His Dominion endures for all generations – – (Psalm 145:13)
• God Promises to subdue people and nations under our feet – – (Psalm 47:3)
• God has given Authority (Dominion) over all the Power of the Enemy to us. (Luke 10:19) 

Those are Facts!  God’s Promise!  However, although the Promise has been issued there are occupants on our Place of Promise who do not want to cede ground.  We have the Promise and often will have to ‘dispossess’ before we can ‘possess.’  We are charged with ‘reclaiming’ the land, ‘appropriating’ the promise and ‘enforcing’ the victory won for us through our Lord Jesus Christ.

           Canaan represents ‘The Place of Promise’.  It represents the Abundant Life and Victory but cannot be taken without war.  The war for them was waged in the natural but for us it is waged in the spirit.  So how do we dispossess the enemy and possess the promise?  Simply, follow Biblical patterns and revelation and Numbers 13 is the beginning point.  God has an order He operates in and we must learn His order.

We, as they, must develop a strategy for taking the city and occupying our place of promise.  Let me give you an illustration that will help:  How do you get rid of thistles, crab grass, weeds, etc.?  Do you clip them off at the ground or go for the roots?  One way will give temporary relief but the process will have to be repeated ad nauseam and will be perpetual. The other will solve the problem permanently.  One is more difficult and involved but gives the desired result so which is better?

The devil cannot operate unless he has ‘legal ground’ or we are ‘ignorant’ of our position, condition, place and authority.  We need a strategy to determine if there is ‘legal ground’ through which the devil is operating on our place of promise.  It is as we know who we are and who we are fighting that the battle plan comes into focus and victory realized.

Part of learning how to fight is to understand our weapons and our authority in God.  It is to understand our condition and His redemption.  We learn the power and importance of praise in the process and enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise.  From the attacks of the devil God will build character in us, expose and defeat the enemy and teach us how to occupy and possess the Promises.  I believe that as we realize who we are and whose we are we develop an incredible sense of destiny and our faith begins to soar.  The visible evidences include a radical spirit of generosity, eradication of apathy, eliminating spiritual pride and become one rather than isolated individualist and we become people of prayer.  There are times we must travail until birth to possess the promise.

We have a choice to make.  We can take the path much of Christendom has taken for generations and accomplished little or we can move with the cloud and learn to wield our spiritual weapons and drive the enemy from our Promise.  It will not necessarily be easy but to possess we will first dispossess.  What will we have?  God bless you as you go through this day and move into your place of promise and possess it!

Numbers 13:1-2 – “And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Send men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the children of Israel; from each tribe of their fathers you shall send a man, every one a leader among them.”  NKJV 

This account of the nation of Israel’s process to ‘Possessing the Promise’ and ‘Occupying the Place of Promise’ provides a beautiful lesson.  The apostle Paul declared in Romans 15:4 that “…whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction…”  He said in 1 Corinthians 10 that the things happened to them as an example for us and were written for our instruction.  The word example means ‘stamped as a model or a scar and is permanent’. The word instruction means ‘to place in the mind.’ 

In the Abrahamic Covenant there were some specific and incredible promises made:

• The promise was to your ‘seed’ or ‘descendants’ I will give this land. (Genesis 12:7)
• Those of faith are the Children of Abraham. (Galatians 3:7)
• The promise was made to Abraham and his seed. (Galatians 3:16)
• The covenant was confirmed in Christ and The Law which came 430 years later could not disannul it. (Galatians 3:17-18)
• There is neither Jew nor Greek in God but all are one in Jesus Christ and if we belong to Christ we are Abraham’s Seed and heirs of the Covenant Promise. (Galatians 3:27-29) 

In view of the covenant and promise God instructs Moses on how to possess the promise.  He says, “Go get information…” 

I realize some might think that unnecessary but it is the order God used and has been used by military strategist for generations.  Know your enemy or discern the gates of the city!  Moses gave specific instructions and selected men to become part of the information gathering party.  In verses 17-20 he gave specific instructions as to what they were to look for and where they were to go.  Some key elements were:  The Land, the People, the Cities and the Produce of the Land or Fruit.

God NEVER sends forth an ‘uninformed’ army.  He always equips and prepares us for battle and His ways are not the ways of man.  As this story unfolds they come back with a singular report (v.25) concerning the goodness of the land but with two distinct and diverse mental attitudes.  One group (10) could only see the natural, the problems and potential problems.  The other group (2) could look beyond the natural and see the supernatural.  The report was “The land is good and truly flowing with milk and honey.”  But the (10) saw a people too strong to overcome and cities too fortified to attack.  The (2) saw a strong people but a stronger God.

Throughout scripture we find accounts where people of faith overcame incredible odds to achieve the victory and possess the promises of God.  Daniel overcame the lions, the three Hebrew children overcame the fire and in 2 Kings 6 we find Elisha, the double portion prophet thwarted the entire Syrian army with his ability to ‘see’ and ‘hear’ in the unseen realm.

The Promise of God to Moses:  “This Land is yours.”  The Problem:  “The land was occupied by people who did not desire to give it up.”  Therefore, it was necessary for Moses and Israel to develop a strategy, learn how to fight and move onto the land of promise and possess it.  God gave the promise but the occupants of the land were uncooperative so Israel had to dispossess before they could possess.

I want to pause there and pick back up next time on the Place of Promise and what it means and represents in this story.   God bless you as you go through your day!