1 Peter 2:5 – “you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”  NASB

Previously, I broached the subject of ‘Spiritual House’, or ‘Stone Pile’ and I desire to delve a little deeper into that idea.  I truly believe that I have a Word from the Lord on this subject and hope that you will hear what I’m saying, evaluate it, pray about it, examine it, and then render a decision as to how it applies to you and your local fellowship.

Sometimes there is a new word not because it is NEW but new because it has not been heard yet.  I believe that there is a spiritually dynamic life to be had in the Body of Christ beyond what has been enjoyed by most Christians and Churches.  Sometimes to move into a new area in God there has to be a ‘leap of faith’ and a ‘change in our concept’ of the function of the church and the individual.  That being said, I want you to consider a ‘problem’ that prevents this, and I believe as you see the problem you will be willing to invest yourselves into finding and implementing the solution.

Here in the text, it mentions ‘living stones’ and a ‘spiritual house’ for the purpose of a Holy establishing a Holy Priesthood.  That is not talking about those who carry the title of ‘minister’ or ‘preacher’ but Christians.  Peter, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, offers a ‘natural picture’ to help us understand a ‘spiritual truth’.  Natural stones produce natural houses and spiritual stones produce spiritual houses.

• These are LIVING STONES – – [lively zoes]. 

Stones, building blocks, but building blocks that are alive.

• There is a PROCESS – – Being built up.

Constructing or forming is taking place and it involves time.  It is not instantaneous!

• There is an OBJECTIVE – – A Spiritual house.

Fully functioning spiritual house which is a body, a family, and a unit.

Imagine living building blocks!  Wouldn’t that be a wonderful reality in today’s church?  I do believe that it is becoming a reality in many locals, but sadly in much of the church world, it is more of a whimsical fantasy and a theoretical dream than a reality.  A significant portion of organized religion is far from being a Spiritual House either locally or universally.  What we see much of the time is a ‘pile of bricks’.  No question they are living stones with incredible potential but not functional because they have never Been Formed into a Spiritual House.  There is a vast difference between a Spiritual House and a Stone Pile! 

There are several contributing factors to the dilemma.  First, often there is little to no understanding of the Kingdom, biblical church government, and function.  Second, frequently our newfound freedom in Christ encourages us to run everywhere and do everything with no real spiritual submission to authority and without proper training.  [Equipping – Ephesians 4].  This equipping, according to the Scripture is done under the oversight of the Wise Master Builders or God’s under-shepherds and the gifts in the Church.

It is possible to have a ‘system of government’ that is biblical in theory but not in practice.  It is possible to have ‘elders & deacons’ in name, who do not have the calling, anointing, or function of true elders or deacons.  It is possible to have a ‘team concept’ of ministry but not practice it truly.  It is possible to have ‘home cell groups’ without having the ‘gift people’ in the right place or function.  It all looks good, sounds good, and the desire is good but it doesn’t produce life because it has not been ‘fitly framed’ together so it can be more than a Pile of Stones!

To be a Spiritual House, the stones/bricks Must be ‘fitted together’ with design, foresight, and planning.  According to the Bible, each member of a congregation is a ‘living stone’ a building block.  Most churches spend an enormous amount of money and energy trying to amass stones and in the view of the world the more stones you have the more successful you are.  The number of stones is equated with success, so everyone is focusing on gathering stones but not fitting them into a Spiritual House.  It is stones, stones, stones!  Let’s get more stones!  Well, you might as well ‘get stoned’ if that’s all you have it will do you about as much good.

If we are to impact this world as Jesus commissioned and commanded us it is imperative that we become Spiritual Houses, not Stone Piles!  Make this a commitment of your heart and seek to become ‘fitly framed together’ into a Spiritual House for a Holy Priesthood.  The lost need it.  The saved need it.  God desires it!

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

Mark 2:14-17 – “As He passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting in the tax booth, and He said to him, ” Follow Me!” And he got up and followed Him. 15 And it happened that He was reclining at the table in his house, and many tax collectors and sinners were dining with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many of them, and they were following Him. 16 When the scribes of the Pharisees saw that He was eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they said to His disciples, ” Why is He eating and drinking with tax collectors and sinners?” 17 And hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”  NASB

The Pharisees were self-righteous.  They provided Jesus object lesson after object lesson to present His message of Grace.  In today’s world, I find it incredibly disturbing the level of bitterness and hatred that exists among people.  I find it even more disturbing when I find it among those identifying as followers of Christ and Christianity. 

The Pharisees thought they had a corner on truth and were the only ones pure in their doctrine and Jesus repeatedly revealed that it was not the outside of the cup that God focused on but the heart.  The Pharisees had their spiritual ‘T’s’ crossed and their ‘I’s’ dotted and yet missed the mark in the eyes of the Savior and the revealed will and heart of God in the Bible.  They sought to earn their acceptance and in doing so demonstrated the reality they were ‘sick’ spiritually and ‘bankrupt’ relationally. 

We have a condition where those who are outside the faith are filled with enmity toward each other.  We have a condition in the church where those of various sects, groups, camps, and/or persuasions are at enmity with those not, like them.  That identifies the condition of my title – “We, as a society, are sick and need healing.”

When Jesus called Levi, the tax collector, a man whose occupation caused him to be despised by the Pharisees, the Lord was the immediate target of the religious crowd.  Our Lord went into this vile man’s home, sharing a meal and when the Pharisees knew it, they cheerfully branded Him a heretic because he was associating with SINNERS! 

Imagine that!  The Great Physician seeking out those in need of spiritual healing.  These Pharisees were not bold enough to confront Jesus to his face, so they buttonholed his disciples asking their condemning questions, “Why is He eating and drinking with tax collectors and sinners?”  Jesus heard them and responded directly to their accusations and condensation saying, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”  If it were not for the incredible seriousness of that, it would be hilarious the way Jesus put the Pharisees in their place. 

His answer should have caused an immediate recognition by the judgmental, self-righteous looking down their noses as those they considered SINNERS! But it didn’t!  Jesus identified His purpose of “seeking and saving that which was and is lost.”  His declaration, that it is not the healthy that need a physician but the sick was an indictment against, the attitude of the Pharisees.  It exposed the truth that although they were rigid in their keeping the Law of God but also the Laws of their own making, they were suffering from a serious heart problem. 

Their hearts were not gracious or loving.  They were not forgiving or interested in the spiritual condition of those they considered SINNERS!  They were judgmental and harsh in their treatment and view of anyone not a member of the Association.  Jesus identified that attitude was foreign to His heart and the purposes of God.  He identified that there is a Spiritual Physician who has come to Heal the Spiritually sick if the sick will receive Him.

If we allow ourselves to become like the Pharisees, we reveal a spiritual sickness in our own hearts and our great need of the Heavenly Physician to heal us.  If we, who are followers of Christ, fail to manifest spiritual health how will those in the world believe and receive it!  In many ways, we are sick and need healing.  I encourage you to bring your entire heart and mind to the Cross and allow our Lord through the Holy Spirit to apply His healing balm and heal us.  In that state of wholeness, we can manifest not just represent Christ to the world.

God, bless you as you embark on this beautiful day in Christ!

Matthew 16:13-19 – “When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” 14 So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”  16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.  18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.  19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”  NKJV

I realize that some might disagree that there is a need for Restoration today, but I believe that is biblically verifiable and applicable for today’s Church.  What is Restoration? To “restore” is to bring back to the original condition.  I believe that God is moving on hearts today to bring us back to and into the condition and function He purposed in the beginning and is required for the Last Days Harvest.  I believe God is moving to bring us back to our “biblical roots”.  He is not bringing us back to some point or place in man’s tradition, structure, or governmental form but is bringing us back to Him and fullness in Him. 

I fear that we have, at times, attempted to take the New Wine of God and put it in Old Wineskins of tradition.  There comes a time when an overhaul is no longer acceptable, and replacement is required.  Sadly, we keep trying to remodel the church rather than returning to His order, structure, function, and purpose.

Challenging traditions is a difficult and often dangerous endeavor.  We can and sometimes do the same as the Pharisees and make commandments of God out of doctrines of men and that is not what God desires.  One question I have asked and been asked is, “How far are you willing to go to follow the cloud spiritually?”  If we are going to be what God has intended us to be as the Church Action is Required!  Throughout history, we can understand that much was lost and is being restored.  Let’s back up and walk forward a bit and see if we can see this as reality.

The church lost the truth of Justification by Faith and God used Martin Luther to restore it. The truth of Sanctification was lost, and God used Wesley to bring it back.  The infilling of the Holy Spirit was lost, and God used the men like W.J. Seymour to bring it back.  Davidic Worship and Praise was lost, and God used the Charismatic movement to bring it back. 

Those are only a few examples of some things that God has and is bringing back to the Church.  But the bottom line is we must return to being a people who “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.”  God is moving to bring to fullness the ministry and purpose of Jesus to the Church of today.  [Note:  Isaiah 61; Mark 16; John 14:12; Ephesians 4].

At some point each of us has to determine which is more important, our traditions, place, rights or perceived rights, or God being manifested in fullness.  When we have truly and fully died to self the only thing that matters is God, His will, and purpose in our lives and world.  I am convinced as we see the Church become more aligned to the biblical pattern and purpose, we will see a greater and greater release of ministries and functions than we have in the past.  God is moving in today’s world and His purpose is that each of us is available and involved in His Harvest.

God bless you as you take another step in your journey! 

Ephesians 6:14-20 – “Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints —  19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”  NKJV

I am convinced that God is raising up a New Breed of Spiritual Warrior in our times.  They will be filled with compassion, but they will be Warriors extremely sensitive to the voice and guidance of the Holy Spirit.  Spiritual Warfare is a reality that cannot be divorced from the Church or our Christian walk, in today’s world.  The apostle Paul understood that the battle rages in that unseen world, but he also knew and taught that it is vital that the Church and Christians learn how to use the weapons of warfare and understand the devices of the devil and God’s divine strategy on Earth! 

Have you ever wondered why the Church local, often seems so vulnerable to the attacks of the devil?  Let me capsulize it this way:  “You don’t put armor on wounded soldiers, infants or children.”  Remember the caution or objective Paul addressed in Ephesians 4:13, “…’til we all come into the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God to a PERFECT MAN…”  An army that is strong and effective only entrusts armor to the most healthy and well-trained not the weak and wounded. 

Spiritually, the Church needs the “Man or Woman of Armor” to step forward.  Who is this?  This is the person who is consistently led by the Spirit of God.  The simple reality is that people who are led by God’s Spirit manifest God’s power! 

The Church is sometimes weak because we have been willing to send children and the wounded into battle rather than those of full stature who are adorned with Spiritual Armor.  If you study the Bible and history you realize that, in a very real sense, God’s Kingdom rests in the hands of Fragile People!  No, God is not fragile, but we are.  We are flawed vessels and dare not fail to remember that.  Additionally, if we do not know what is required how will we ever be what has been declared and do what is required?

There are characteristics of the Triumphant or Victorious Army I would like to consider:

• The Victorious Warrior waits for a Certain Sound.

In Paul’s statement of 1 Corinthians 14:18, I believe the implication is Do Not go into battle Until you hear a Sure Sound! 

• The Victorious Warrior depends on Definable Leadership.

Look around and ask, “Where are and who are the generals in the Church today?”  It is important that the troops know why they are dying in battle and maintaining a total confidence that their leaders are getting their marching orders from God.  It is imperative that the vision is presented clearly so that everyone knows what is at stake.

• The Victorious Warrior depends on the Strategy of the Holy Spirit.
• The Victorious Warrior requires Adequate Resources.
• The Victorious Warrior must exhibit Proper Discipline.
• The Victorious Warrior or Army Must provide a place of healing for the Wounded Warriors.
• The Victorious Warrior or Army is built on Trust.

Unfortunately, we have factions in the world of Christendom that are warring against each other rather than warring against principalities, powers, and rulers of darkness.  Your Brother in Christ is not your enemy. 

There is no Spiritual Armor to fight brothers in Christ who hold a different understanding of some things spiritual.  When we fight among ourselves, we become weak and defeated.  We have to learn to Trust.  The flesh will make mistakes and human beings will come to wrong conclusions but if we trust Christ in Us, we can trust the Holy Spirit to lead us into All Truth! 

What is at stake?  Eternity!  When I visit a church or am invited to speak, I always look for “Who is truly in Charge.”  Why?  Because I want to know if man is in charge or if God is?  What is at stake?  Abundant Life!  Jesus said in John 10:10that He came to give us Life and that Life would be Abundant.  Much of the church world is devoid of government and order and our independence sometimes relegates us to a weakness that results in unnecessary defeats. 

According to the Bible, God’s People are Heirs of the Earth.  (Romans 4:13, 18; Galatians 3:29).  No, I do not mean a takeover by Christians but that we, as believers, are to Live a Bold Witness in our generation. 

We must recognize the real enemy and attack any force that withstands or seeks to delay the purposes of God on this earth.  We must wage war against anything that seeks to disqualify Jesus as the Chief Cornerstone.  We must wage war against anything that seeks to disjoint or prostitute the Church Jesus is building.  We must make the Voice of the Church heard again in the world!

If you are a Wounded Warrior call the Medics do not attempt to conceal your wounds and hide behind masks.  If you are still a child or a teenager spiritually, run to those who can mentor and equip you for service.  If you are healthy, whole, and equipped spiritually refuse to complain and become engaged in the War.  The Medics should focus on the Wounded. The Fathers are to teach the Children.  The Warriors are to Prepare for Battle. God has and is developing a Mighty Victorious Spiritual Army! 

God bless you richly is my prayer and desire!

1 Peter 2:9-10 – “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.”  NKJV

Without getting too detailed, the Greek word for out is “ek” and the word translated called is “kalesantos”.  The Greeks put them together to form another word “ekklesia” which means, Called Out and refers to an assembly or gathering of people that have been called together.  That is the Church.  It is a gathering of people not a building per se. 

Jesus spoke to Peter in Matthew 16:18 and said, “…on this rock I will build My church…”  We, believers, are the “called out” or Church of Jesus Christ.  But what do we see or think when we say the word Church?  When we hear the word Church what is the mental imagery or descriptive term that comes to mind.  I believe that is important.

When we talk about the function of the Church, we refer to it as a Body. When we talk about responding to God in praise and worship, we call it a Temple.  When we focus on fellowship and relationships within the Church local, we call ourselves a Family.  If we speak of the Church as it relates to God’s Government and Kingdom, we call it a Nation or a Holy Nation.  When we focus on our tenets or beliefs, we call it the Household of Faith.  When we speak of the spiritual battles, we encounter we call ourselves an Army.  Therefore, what we see or think when we say Church is important.  It identifies Focus, Function, Ministry, and Purpose.

The Old Testament Prophets spoke boldly regarding the conditions of our generation.  Their prophetic utterances often addressed the circumstances or conditions of our lives at this particular moment in time.  There is an incredible declaration found in Amos 3:7 which tells us that God will do nothing that He does not first reveal to His prophets.  That would indicate it is important for us to grasp what the prophets have declared and follow the directions given by the Holy Spirit through them.

• Micah’s cry was for Justice and Mercy and continually urged God’s people to pay careful attention to the Will of God.
• Zephaniah’s prophetic message was Restoration and a Pure Language [Zephaniah 3:9].  Remember God’s action at the tower of Babel and the confusion of the languages.  This prophet spoke of a time when God’s people would hear a Pure Sound that they would recognize, know, and understand.
• Haggai called God’s covenant people His Signet Ring, His Standard, and His Witness to mankind. [Haggai 2:23]
• Zechariah foretold a time when the nations would come to the Anointed Places of Worship. [Zechariah 1:14-17; 2:11]
• Habakkuk instructed us to write the vision and publish it.  [Habakkuk 2:2]
• Malachi gave details on how to finance God’s Plan. [Malachi 3:8-12]. Then he prophesied of Family Restoration both natural and spiritual.  [Malachi 4:6]

Those are just a few of the prophetic directives from the ancient prophets.  The prophets Joel and Ezekiel had a message that was somewhat different.  Joel warned of War [Joel 3:9].  Of all the Old Testament prophets Joel saw most clearly the connection between a spiritual outpouring from God and the power to wage war against evil on the earth.  Joel’s prophecy spoke of the releasing of the Holy Spirit powerfully upon all flesh enabling God’s people to both prophesy and wage spiritual warfare. 

Ezekiel saw a spiritual Army [Ezekiel 37].  It is my conviction that God is raising up an Army of spiritual warriors in our time and as we near the end it will become more powerful and numerous.  Both Joel and Ezekiel envisioned a time when God’s Church would both Hear God and wage Warfare with His Word!  They spoke of and foresaw an Army that was Mighty and Victorious in Battle.  If we need anything today it is for the Church to become the Army of God and pull-down strongholds.

May the Lord help us to hear and heed the voice of the prophets and make ourselves available to the Holy Spirit as soldiers in the Army of the Lord in this generation!

Blessings as you go through this wonderful day!

Romans 5:1-11 – “Therefore, having been made righteous by trusting, we have shalom with God through our Lord Yeshua the Messiah. 2 Through Him we also have gained access by faith into this grace in which we stand and boast in the hope of God’s glory. 3 And not only that, but we also boast in suffering—knowing that suffering produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Ruach ha-Kodesh who was given to us. 6 For while we were still helpless, at the right time Messiah died for the ungodly. 7 For rarely will anyone die for a righteous man—though perhaps for a good man someone might even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Messiah died for us. 9 How much more then, having now been set right by His blood, shall we be saved from God’s wrath through Him. 10 For if, while we were yet enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved by His life. 11 And not only that, but we also boast in God through our Lord Yeshua the Messiah, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”  TLV

I recently saw a meme that read: “Everybody’s a Christian until it gets biblical.”  I thought, wow!  That speaks to the mentality of many in today’s world and church.  That reminds me of a conversation in a movie some thirty years ago.  A bumbling inept desk-jockey FBI agent told another FBI agent that he was working undercover.  The 2^nd agent asked, “Who made you undercover?”  The 1^st said, “I did.”  The 2^nd said, “It doesn’t work that way!  You can’t make yourself undercover!” 

What’s my point?  That seems to be the logic employed by too many in the church today or in the world today.  That is particularly true regarding entertainers and politicians, but it is not exclusive to them.  It is far more pervasive than I am comfortable acknowledging. 

For many, in today’s world, being a Christian has nothing to do with the Blood of Jesus Christ.  To them, it is simply a confession and a measure of repentance but has virtually nothing to do with Jesus Himself and His work on the Cross.  They resemble the FBI agent in many ways.  I remember hearing a person, when asked how they became a Christian say, “I was born that way.”  They did not say, ‘born again’ but ‘born.’  Meaning they had always been a Christian because it was a family heritage.  Basically, they made themselves a Christian apart from the atoning work of Jesus.

People following that mindset make themselves out to be their own god.  They establish their own form of righteousness and their own definition for the requirements for entry into heaven.  Sadly, everybody is not going to heaven. 

I have talked to people who like the idea of being a Christian, but they have zero interest in living in any semblance of obedience to the Word of God or living in faith.  They do not want to change.  When I received Jesus, He changed my heart and the want to was taken away.  Couple that with my desire to please Him and learning that it was incumbent on me to walk in obedience, I changed!  But none of that would have happened without the shed Blood of Jesus Christ on the Cross in atonement for my sins.

Being a Christian is not something you become based on your personal standards regardless of how morally right they may be.  Being a Christian begins with the belief that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He is God. 

Being a Christian is confessing our sins.  It is acknowledging our inability to present a sacrifice acceptable to God for the forgiveness of our sins.  Being a Christian is repenting of our evil godless ways.  Being a Christian means we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior. Becoming a Christian is through faith alone.  It is not by works.  It is not by second party sacerdotal intervention nor infant baptism.  It is an absolute lie of hell that a person can be born a Christian.  We are born again but when we are born naturally, we are not Christians. 

We are not okay just because we deem ourselves as good as the next person.  Being a Christian is not something we decide we are for convenience sake it is having our sins forgiven and living in fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ.  What I have presented is not an exhaustive look at salvation but it such be sufficient to reveal that Nothing, but The Blood of Jesus can cleanse us from our Sins.

God bless you as you enjoy this day in Him!

Ezekiel 33:7-9 – “Now as for you, son of man, I have appointed you a watchman for the house of Israel; so you will hear a message from My mouth and give them warning from Me. 8 “When I say to the wicked, ‘O wicked man, you will surely die,’ and you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require from your hand. 9 “But if you on your part warn a wicked man to turn from his way and he does not turn from his way, he will die in his iniquity, but you have delivered your life.” NASB

I do not want to be political in my devotional, but I have to ask is it always right to be silent?  A time back, I became aware of a ‘racy advertisement’ out of Colorado that used beer and sex to promote the Affordable Health Care Act.  It’s been a few years back but still speaks to today.

The picture was of a young woman with a guy standing beside her and the caption was “Let’s Get Physical OMG, he’s hot!  Let’s hope he’s as easy to get as this birth control.  My health insurance covers the pill, which means all I have to worry about is getting him between the covers.”  I got insurance.  Now you can too.  Thanks, Obamacare!”  Am I, as a Christian supposed to ignore that immoral nature of that and not speak out in condemnation of that kind of advertising?  I Cannot!

In fact, I find that on more than one occasion in the Bible God considered ‘silence’ as being complicit in the action.  If you will recall when Moses was commanded to ‘speak to the rock’ and with Aaron standing beside him in anger he smote the rock.  The rock was a type of Christ and God did not take Moses’ disobedience lightly nor did he take Aaron’s silence as his brother committed this act lightly.  They were both Banned from entering the Promised Land.  Therefore, I have to wonder if I would be guilty and complicit if I remained silent while this type of action is taken on behalf of a government program! 

Regardless of whether God would hold me guilty with those who did this my repulsion for this type of encouraged declension morally is more than I can tolerate.  I don’t care what political party you identify with, hopefully, you identify with God first and foremost and are appalled at this.  It is time that we speak out against evil no matter where it originates and with whom it originates.  My purpose is not to be political in a devotional, but we must allow the Holy Spirit to so touch our hearts that we are deeply troubled by the apparent depravity of our country in allowing this and encouraging this. 

There are times when I believe that we as Christians must rise up and Speak and Express our Revulsion to some things.  This kind of public behavior is one of those for me.  I pray to God that as America where the motto on our money is still, “In God We Trust” that we unite in prayer for revival in this land.  If this is an indication of where we are morally then we are in deep trouble as a nation.

God bless you as you go through your day!

John 8:31-36 – “Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.  32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” 33 They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?” 34 Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.  35 And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever.  36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.”  NKJV

You can be in chains and not be a slave or be without bond and be enslaved.  Chains do not determine Freedom.  The heart and mind do!  Unfortunately, nothing we do will eradicate human bondage and men will enslave other men against their wills in the natural.  I can only imagine the physical, mental, and even spiritual torture that being captive brings.  My heart breaks for anyone who has endured that condition either as a prisoner of war, a human slave against their will, a hostage, or anything of the like. 

I know two men who although captives, were never Enslaved in their hearts and minds.  One was a Japanese prisoner during WWII and escaped the other was held in Hanoi by the Vietnamese and endured years of horrific inhumane torture and abuse.  Both professed that their faith in God and belief in the Word of God kept them Free though in chains.  They were and are examples of True Freedom!

The only True Freedom is through the shed blood of Jesus and the Grace of God.  If we receive the forgiveness of sin and are born again we experience True Freedom.  A person that is thusly free can be imprisoned, chained, and otherwise enslaved physically but they will Never be a Slave in their heart or mind because the Son has set them free!

Today, in America, we still celebrate our Independence, and yet multiplied thousands are still enslaved in some form.  Enslavement of the mind is possibly worse than being enslaved in the flesh for if a person’s mind is captive the attitude and actions will reflect that condition.  Breaking free and living life to the full is virtually impossible because the mind is in chains to wrong thinking, victimization, and false premises.  But if we receive the Freedom that Jesus came and brought we CANNOT be enslaved.  Remember, if God is for who can be against us or as a friend always says what difference does it make who is against us if God is for us.

God bless you and BE FREE in Jesus. 

Habakkuk 1:1-4 – “The oracle which Habakkuk the prophet saw. 2 How long, O LORD, will I call for help, and You will not hear? I cry out to You, “Violence!” Yet You do not save. 3 Why do You make me see iniquity, and cause me to look on wickedness? Yes, destruction and violence are before me; Strife exists and contention arises. 4 Therefore the law is ignored and justice is never upheld. For the wicked surround the righteous; Therefore justice comes out perverted.”  NASB

I can hear the pain in the words of the prophet of old.  He is praying, preaching, and warning but nothing is happening.  God seems to be a million miles from him and his world around him crumbling.  I can hear the depressions, frustration, and anxiety in his words and confess, I have felt that way before. 

I felt like Elijah after his confrontation and victory over Jezebel and the prophets of Baal.  He sat under the juniper tree wallowing in his plight and complained to God, “I did what you said, and now it’s just me… Nobody cares, so let me die… Woe is me!”  God spoke to him, “Get up and quit wallowing in your self-pity.  I am still God and will act in My time and My way.  Your job is to do what I say.  You are not responsible for the outcome or attitude of others.”   God quickened my heart and I repented before Him and, in His time and His way, the victory came or is coming! 

I love the response of God to the prophet that begins in v 5 and God says, “Open your eyes and look around.”  When we do that.  When we really open our eyes spiritually, we are often Astonished and Awed by God’s ways and works. 

I love the statement in the latter portion of that verse, “Because I am doing something in your days – You would not believe if you were told.”  We must shake yourself and come out of the doldrums and tunnel vision of our on immediate reality to see what God is doing.  We should remember that He (God) sees the end from the beginning, and we can only see the beginning from the end.  He is Omnipotent, Omniscient, and Omnipresent.  He is infinite but we are finite.  He is unlimited but we are limited.  He is God the Creator of Everything and we are the created. 

It is like the little lady talking about faith saying, “If God tells me to jump through a hole in the wall it is my business or responsibility to jump and His to make the hole in the wall.”  The key is GOD Telling us not us deciding to jump.

Yes, our world is troubled and terrible things are happening all around us.  The genocide of abortion, the despotism that is bringing chaos to the world and misery to millions is a reality.  The darkness of sin seems to be growing stronger and stronger and evil men are waxing worse all the time.  Yet, God is still God and greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world.  With God, all things are possible, and we are in God. 

There is a shaking happening and perilous times are upon us but at the same time there is a harvest and an awakening in the Spirit realm that is mighty and awesome.  We simply need to allow the Holy Spirit to Open our Eyes and enable us to see beyond the natural into the supernatural. 

When you have been praying and nothing seems to be happening, remember the words of the angel to Daniel, “We heard you on the first day…”  Hold the words of 1 John 5:14-15 near your heart, “This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.”  NASB

Do not lose heart and do not give up!  Weeping may last for the night, but joy and victory are coming!   

God, bless you richly is my prayer!

Nahum 1:1-3 – “The oracle of Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite. 2 A jealous and avenging God is the LORD; The LORD is avenging and wrathful. The LORD takes vengeance on His adversaries, And He reserves wrath for His enemies.  3 The LORD is slow to anger and great in power, And the LORD will by no means leave the guilty unpunished.” NASB

Most of us would rather talk about “God is Love” rather than “God is a Consuming Fire.”  We like the Mercies of God, not the Judgments, and rightly so.  No one wants to be judged or punished.  We want mercy and forgiveness and that is the ultimate heart of God as revealed in both the Old and New Testaments.  I have often said, “God is more willing to give pardon than we are to receive it.”  In that I mean, He is always looking for a way to restore, and sometimes we are too full of pride to truly repent and submit ourselves to Him in humility, repentance, and faith.

This is an incredibly interesting prophecy for it deals with a city that repented when Jonah preached to them of impending destruction.  Now, this city has drifted back to its former state and God’s patience has worn thin.  If we only had this book of the Bible to understand who God is, we would not see Him as He really is but only as a vengeful being with the power to crush mankind like a bug. 

When I read, “A jealous and avenging God is the LORD…”  I tremble.  When I continue reading and hear, “The LORD is avenging and wrathful…”  I am terrified.  When I read, “The LORD takes vengeance on His adversaries, And He reserves wrath for His enemies.”  I want to find a hiding place, but quickly realize there is none. 

Who are the enemies of the LORD immediately becomes my question and quest to discover so I can avoid being among that number?  He becomes that image many have of God that He is “carrying a big stick and just waiting for us to step out of line so He can beat us over the head.” 

That image of God prevents the one adhering to that concept from every developing a loving and learning relationship with Him.  We dare not become too visible and certainly would never want to get too near out of paralytic fear.  When we read, “The LORD is slow to anger and great in power, and the LORD will by no means leave the guilty unpunished” we become hopeless.  What if we are the ones deemed guilty and guilty, we are for “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God”?  What do we do?  Where do we turn?  Where is our Hope?

Thankfully this is not the only reference concerning God in the Bible.  We do need to understand His Power and that at a word He can cause the sea to become dry, the clouds obey His command, the soil and cities of the Earth are under His power.  Nothing escapes His eye and there is no place to hide from His presence.  So, if we align ourselves with the devil directly or indirectly, intentionally, or unintentionally and allow our devices to become a scheme against God Look Out!  We sometimes fret over the lack of obvious judgment for the wicked and those who openly oppose God and His people but take heart God promises or warns that whatever anyone schemes against Him will come to nothing. 

Nineveh was informed by Nahum the prophet that though they were strong and full of themselves they would be cut down to nothing.  They had been known for generations as a might people but soon would find their name no longer mentioned in awe and they would be cut off.  Then, the prophet slips in a word concerning the Coming Messiah in v 15, “Behold, on the mountains the feet of him who brings good news, who announces peace!”  

That was a word of comfort to the Jewish people and to all of those in generations to come who Believe!  The wicked will not prevail but God will and in Him we will ascend to the mountain of God and worship in His Holy Hill.  We should fear the LORD with reverential fear and know that there is another side to Him beyond Judgment.  He is also the God of Mercy!  He longs for us to COME TO HIM!

God, bless you as you rest in His presence and peace.