Life

MEMORIAL STONES – Reminders of God’s Victories and Promises…


spiritual blog - memorial stones

Joshua 4:1-7 – “Now when all the nation had finished crossing the Jordan, the LORD spoke to Joshua, saying, 2 ” Take for yourselves twelve men from the people, one man from each tribe, 3 and command them, saying, ‘Take up for yourselves twelve stones from here out of the middle of the Jordan, from the place where the priests’ feet are standing firm, and carry them over with you and lay them down in the lodging place where you will lodge tonight.'” 4 So Joshua called the twelve men whom he had appointed from the sons of Israel, one man from each tribe; 5 and Joshua said to them, ” Cross again to the ark of the LORD your God into the middle of the Jordan, and each of you take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Israel. 6 ” Let this be a sign among you, so that when your children ask later, saying, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ 7 then you shall say to them, ‘Because the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off.’ So these stones shall become a memorial to the sons of Israel forever.”   NASU

Is it possible that we too frequently allow significant events and victories in our lives to go unmarked?  Later we remember that it happened but we have nothing to refer back to and nothing to point to for the next generation and relate the story of God’s accomplishment in our lives and what it means to us, the ministry entrusted to us, and our families.  Here, Israel is about to enter the Promised Land.  Moses, the key figure in the deliverance from Egyptian bondage, the wanderings in the wilderness, the nation becoming a nation and developing the ability to fight as one man, is dead.  A new leader is taking his place and this new leader is somewhat unproven.  Moses had placed the mantle on him and identified him as the one God had chosen to the people but at this point, the people had not seen his leadership first hand so there was some trepidation.  As they cross Jordan in another miracle from the Lord, God instructs Joshua to do something significant that we all need to learn to do in our lives and battles.  He had him build a Memorial to be remembered by future generations and as a reminder to the present generation of God’s hand of deliverance.

One stone for each tribe was taken from the river, the place of problem which potentially blocked the path to victory.  Out of the bed of the river the priest lifted stones and assembled them on the Canaan side of the river so that whenever future generations asked, “What does this mean?” they could relate God’s miraculous deliverance all the way back to Egypt.  It was a Memorial of Victory!  Call it whatever you will, but it was an identification point that would inspire faith and confidence in a proven act of God under His assigned leadership.  Following God’s man, in God’s plan, God’s way leads to victory and allows the body to function as ONE!

I have built many memorials to past victories in the Lord and some are as insignificant as a note, a stone, an artifact, or a framed Bible verse.  But, when I go back to them I remember the event as though it were yesterday and am able to relate it to my children, grandchildren, and anyone who asks and the faith that was borne in my heart on that day rises to the surface again and takes root in my heart motivating me to continue to move forward.  We dare not cast away our confidence but should carefully guard memories of the victories of the Lord in our lives as triggers to inspire both faith and determination to continue pressing toward the mark.

Today, many of you will have opportunity to build a memorial of memory and a tribute to the miracle-working hand of God.  Take this opportunity to establish something that will serve as both encouragement and trigger faith in the future when things might not seem so rosy.  On this day, God… 

May God bless you as you continue your week in Him!

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THE STARTING POINT- – Then God Said…


spiritual blog - god said

Genesis 1:1 – “In the beginning God….”  NKJV

Every journey begins with a first step.  Every race has a starting point as well as a finish line.  Every theory has a first principle.  Every life has a point of conception.  There is a beginning to everything that we encounter and that beginning point is GOD!  Let me rephrase that, the beginning point in our lives Should be God!

Our God is a “speaking God”.  He still speaks to hearts today.  Let me illustrate something from this Book of the Bible which I believe is the “seedbed” of the Bible the Book of Genesis.  Consider how the following verses begin and what took place:

Genesis 1:3-5 – “Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. 4 And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. So the evening and the morning were the first day.” NKJV

Genesis 1:6-8 – “Then God said, “Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.” 7 Thus God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament; and it was so. 8 And God called the firmament Heaven. So the evening and the morning were the second day.“ NKJV

Genesis 1:9-10 – “Then God said, “Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear”; and it was so. 10 And God called the dry land Earth, and the gathering together of the waters He called Seas. And God saw that it was good.” NKJV

Genesis 1:11-13 – “Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree that yields fruit according to its kind, whose seed is in itself, on the earth”; and it was so. 12 And the earth brought forth grass, the herb that yields seed according to its kind, and the tree that yields fruit, whose seed is in itself according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 13 So the evening and the morning were the third day.” NKJV

Genesis 1:14-19 – “Then God said, “Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years; 15 and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth”; and it was so. 16 Then God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He made the stars also. 17 God set them in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth, 18 and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. 19 So the evening and the morning were the fourth day.” NKJV

Genesis 1:20-23 – “Then God said, “Let the waters abound with an abundance of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the face of the firmament of the heavens.” 21 So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters abounded, according to their kind, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 22 And God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” 23 So the evening and the morning were the fifth day.” NKJV

Genesis 1:24-25 – “Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth the living creature according to its kind: cattle and creeping thing and beast of the earth, each according to its kind”; and it was so. 25 And God made the beast of the earth according to its kind, cattle according to its kind, and everything that creeps on the earth according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.“ NKJV

Genesis 1:26-28 – “Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” NKJV

Genesis 1:29-31 – “And God said, “See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food. 30 Also, to every beast of the earth, to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, in which there is life, I have given every green herb for food”; and it was so. 31 Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day.” NKJV

Each day of creation began with God Said.  God spoke it into existence.  The disciples, on one occasion, were astonished that even the winds and waves obeyed the command of Jesus as they were in the boat during a storm.  Like the old song, “When Jesus says it’s enough it’ll be enough.  When He speaks peace to my situation all my troubles have to flee….” 

Sadly, too many do either do not believe that God speaks today or do not stop long enough for Him to speak to them.  If there is anything more important than “hearing God” in our lives, I don’t know what it is.  It should be the continual prayer of our hearts to “hear Him” and “know” His desire and direction for our lives “in every situation”.  God began this whole process we call life by “speaking” and came to the Garden daily to “talk” with Adam & Eve.  He continues to have the desire to communicate to us and with us in this present world.  So, I encourage you to ask the Lord to speak to your heart.  It is His desire to guide your steps and lead you in the paths of righteousness.

Jesus said,“My sheep know my voice.”  So my prayer for you is that you learn, even more than you do now, to recognize His voice speaking to your heart.  That you rest in the comfort that His voice brings and the peace that comes with knowing that you know the mind of God in any particular matter.

May God Bless you richly is my prayer and guide you through every day of your life.  Blessings!

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SHUT IN WITH GOD – – Part II


spiritual blog - shut in

Revelation 1:9-19 – – (Read)

Picking up where we left off yesterday, let’s dig a little deeper into this subject and see if we can provide some beneficial information that will enable you to accomplish this and walk in more of the fullness of the Lord.  It is my deep conviction that we need this experience in order for God to communicate His Life and reveal His Person to us in a more full measure!   Consider with me:

  1. God Communicates Himself, In A Vision – – – [v. 17] – – “I saw Him….”

I would call this Revelation Knowledge.  This is about Who Jesus is, not just What He does!  This is about the Person of Christ, not the Performance of Christ!  Jesus came not only to redeem us from sin but to reveal to us the Father – [Hebrews 1:1-3].  He came that He might transform us not us. –  [Romans 12:1-2]

  1. Conforming is an act of man.  Transforming is an act of God.
  2. Conformation affects the natural, carnal man. Transformation affects the spirit man.
  3. Conformation is based upon the world’s standard, ideology, and philosophy. Transformation is a result of experience, obedience, and faith in God’s Ideal.
  4. Conforming is temporary depending upon circumstances, fad, and popular ideas. Transformation is eternal.
  5. Being Conformed may change your circumstances temporarily. Being Transformed changes your character permanently.
  6. Conformation focuses on man. Transformation focuses on God. 

We are to “Put on Christ.”  The life that we now live in the flesh, we live by the faith of or in the Son of God.  Transformation is impossible outside the realm of learning how to have times of being Shut In With God!

  1. If you listen to Jesus you will hear the voice of the Father. [John 12:49]
  2. If you look at Jesus’ works you will see the works of the Father. [John 5:19-20] 

I am convinced that everything about Jesus reveals the Father!  In becoming as He is the fear of having a relationship with the Father is removed!  Now, we can know Him, love Him, trust Him, and worship Him in freedom!  The level of our experience, relationship, and worship will be determined by our concept of God.  How we see Him is incredibly important!

It is a sad reality that some never allow their concept to be enlarged.  If you think about it, a large portion of our singing, testifying, talking about Jesus refers to Him as Healer, Savior, Comforter, Blesser, Baptizer, Lover, and much much more!  So please listen carefully to what I am saying, there are roles that he fills in His relationship with us.  Yet, they only illustrate a small portion of Who He Is!

  1. To the Sinner – – – – – – He is Savior!
  2. To the Seeker – – – – – -He is Baptizer!
  3. To the Sick – – – – – – – – He is Healer and Health.
  4. To the Sorrowful – – – – He is Comforter, Friend, Guide. 

Yet, the New Testament message is that HE IS LORD!  He is more than just the one who meets our needs, HE IS MY EVERYTHING!

John Saw Him!  John had known Jesus intimately in the flesh.  He had walked, talked, ate, prayed, and ministered with Jesus in person.  But, this revelation far exceeds all his former knowledge of the Lord.   He saw the Glorified, Resurrected LORD!

  1. John saw Jesus’ total sufficiency. He saw Him as Priest, King, and Judge!  He saw Him as Alpha & Omega.  He saw Him as the sum total of all things.  [vv. 12-15]
  2. This vision caused John to recognize his own insufficiencies. He understood what John the Baptist said and meant when he said, “He must increase, but I must decrease.”  And what Paul said and meant when he declared, “My strength is made perfect in weakness.”  It is all Him!  He is our Sufficiency!
  3. This vision brought John to a new place of submission to the LORD! [v. 17] – “I fell at His feet as dead.” 

I hope you see this!  How could we not love Him, if we have SEEN HIM?  There is no self-will, no self-exaltation, just submission on John’s part!  It is here that he fully recognizes and understands that there is No Other Name that brings Redemption, Restoration, and Renewal but the NAME OF JESUS!  In Him, there is power, healing, cleansing, joy, life, relationship, sonship, and perfect peace!

I want to stop there and pick up the second way that God communicates Himself tomorrow but allow you to digest what has been said and examine it to see if this is true.  Be a good Berean and search the scriptures to see if what I am saying is true.  If it is true it will bear up under examination and if it does not then discard it.  I am never afraid to have what I say or write examined by the Word of God. I desire to speak truth and promote the Lord Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God!

May God bless you and be with you as you go through your day and walk in the path that He has chosen for you on this day!  We will examine more tomorrow so until then may God’s Peace be upon you in a mighty way!

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SHUT IN WITH GOD…


spiritual blog - shut in with god

Revelation 1:9-18 – “I, John, your brother and fellow partaker in the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance which are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like the sound of a trumpet, 11 saying, ” Write in a book what you see, and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.”  

12 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands; 13 and in the middle of the lampstands I saw one like a son of man, clothed in a robe reaching to the feet, and girded across His chest with a golden sash. 14 His head and His hair were white like white wool, like snow; and His eyes were like a flame of fire. 15 His feet were like burnished bronze, when it has been made to glow in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of many waters. 16 In His right hand He held seven stars, and out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword; and His face was like the sun shining in its strength. 

17 When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. And He placed His right hand on me, saying, “Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, 18 and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades.”  NASU

Two key verses in this reading are verses 10 & 17.  They hold great truth to help unlock the others.  Have you ever noticed how much people enjoy relating pleasant experiences?  People tell stories about trips they have taken, using glowing words and phrases to describe their enjoyment, excitement, and pleasure!  Phrases such as: “The time of my life!”  “Couldn’t have been better!” or “Colossal or Awesome!”

Also, we hear speeches, songs, concerts, sermons, stories, and happenings and say: “That was the best ever.”  We have food and meals, which to us are so delightfully delicious that we declare them to be Heavenly!  We have experiences and say things like: “I could stay here or have stayed there forever.”

In examining this passage of Scripture a thought comes to mind that I would like to share with you.  This is something that is more wonderful than any and all of which I have described in the above paragraphs.  I truly hope that you have ears to hear regarding this.  I fully believe that the church of today is engaged in the greatest warfare of human history.  Today, we are faced with enemies in areas many never dreamed would become reality.  We are encountering pressures to a degree and at a rate above measure!

The Church, (Body of Christ) of today and its message is, being maligned and threatened, not only from the outside but from within the ranks of Christianity.  Lies, innuendos, half-truths, and haphazard living are creating a crisis in the church!

I believe that it is time to expose the devil!  It is time to pull back the veil and expose him for what he really is!  It is time to reveal God for who He really is also!  It is time to lift up the Name of Jesus like never before!  I believe that God’s greatest desire for us is that we come to a life-changing knowledge of Jesus and experience the New Birth purchased for us at the Cross!  He has no greater desire for mankind than that we become united with Him in full salvation and complete deliverance.  He wants us to become what He has already declared us to be, overcomers!

I believe that His desire is for us to fully manifest that we have been transformed and are metamorphosing into His Image!  He wants us to live as conquerors, pull down strongholds, and bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ and demonstrate a militant spirit storming the very gates of hell.

The Book of Hebrews 11:6 declares that “…he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.”

  1. God Is – – – – – – – – REALITY.
  2. God Does – – – – – -RELIABILITY.
  3. We Are – – – – – – – -RESTORATION.

John, the revelator, learned as did Paul, Moses, Elijah, and a host of others that is imperative for our spiritual health, growth, and life that we have times when we get “Shut In With God.”  That is what I’m leading up to and want to discuss in more detail.  I want to show you what I’m speaking of and the rewards of developing that time and experience in your life on a regular basis.

It is only in that relationship that the transforming, healing, restoring, and empowering of the Holy Spirit can take place.  We have to come aside into the Holy Spirit’s abode and become shut in with God so that He might have our complete attention!  Then, He can reveal Himself to us!  Then, incredible and glorious things transpire in our hearts, minds, and lives when we reach that place of being truly SHUT IN WITH GOD!

  1. All of us need Eternal and External Help, we cannot go it alone.
  2. Satan is Relentless in both his desire and attempt to destroy and stop us.
  3. God’s Greatest & Ultimate Purpose for us is that we are Transformed into His Image. He desires to Reproduce His life in and through us.
  4. God has made Provision for us through His Word, Spirit, Prayer, and Covenant.

That is why I feel comfortable proclaiming that today’s greatest need for the believer is TO BE SHUT IN WITH GOD!

So, we will stop at this point today and pick up tomorrow and delve a little deeper into this subject, passage, and thought.  May God instill a new and renewed hunger in your hearts for “alone time” with Him.  So, as you go through your day may you walk in the abundance of peace and enjoy the presence of the Lord in a special and dynamic way.  Blessings upon you!

Shut in with God in a secret place 
There in the spirit, beholding His face 
Gaining new power to run in this race 
Oh, I love to be shut in with God 

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ARE WE ANGRY OR DESPERATE?


Spiritual Blog - Desperate

Exodus 2:23-25 – “Now it happened in the process of time that the king of Egypt died. Then the children of Israel groaned because of the bondage, and they cried out; and their cry came up to God because of the bondage. 24 So God heard their groaning, and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. 25 And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God acknowledged them.”  NKJV

 I hesitate to incorporate the political side of life with the spiritual in this devotional but I feel I must to make the point that I feel compelled to make.  Many Americans today are angry over something and most of it has to do with what has gone on in government over several years.  Many are frustrated and don’t know where to turn or what to do so they lash out and attack and sometimes what or whom they are attacking is the wrong target and is a symptom rather than the root of the problem.

We have been warned for decades that we were heading for this day by statesmen, politicians, historians, prophets, preachers, economist, and many others but most of it fell on deaf ears because we were comfortable and it didn’t seem to be affecting us individually much.  In our ease, we allowed those seeking to destroy the very framework and fabric of American society and this Nation we allowed to position themselves and consistently and diligently do their deeds bringing us to a time when our Freedom is in Jeopardy and our Nation is in peril.  In fact, the Bible repeated warned us of the time that would come when we’d see this kind of thing in the world.

Paul warned us in 2 Timothy 3 that we would see a day when people would become self-centered, selfish, greedy, dishonest, deceitful, disobedient to right principles and good morals, ungrateful, seekers of pleasure, treacherous, and even treasonous.  They would turn on family, friends, business associates, and even God in their pursuit of gaining their own ends.  Jesus warned us of the “Last Days” and depicted some of those characteristics in people of that time.  I Believe We Are There!  I’m not talking about getting there I’m saying We Are There!

Back to my title question:  “Are we angry or desperate?”  In a very real sense, it really does matter which.  In the text I used, the children of Israel were angry but more so they were desperate.  They had come to the end of themselves and no longer hoped for a better day, their misery and heart condition was so deplorable that their prayers had become “times of groaning.”  They were agonizing when they cried out to God and God heard them.  He doesn’t always respond to “anger” but He does respond to “the desperate heart” that is calling to Him.

2 Chronicles 7:14-16 – “… if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 15 Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place.” NKJV

Here we have a prescription for Deliverance!  It wasn’t just individual any longer it was national.  It wasn’t just one family it was all families.  It wasn’t just a tribe it was all tribes.  It wasn’t just a particular ethnic group it was all ethnic groups.  They corporately were to:

  1. Humble themselves.  We need to confess to God our sin of being slack in our responsibility and duty as a nation.  We need to confess to God our sin of turning a blind eye to what was going on because it didn’t seem to affect us too much.  We need to admit to God We Need Him!
  2. Pray.  Not just utter a few words but the kind of prayer that we saw from the Children of Israel in Exodus during their Egyptian bondage.  We have to become “desperate” in our cry to the Lord for Him not just to be free from our bondage but to be restored to Him.
  3. Seek God’s Face. Make Him Lord of All.  Make Him the first and most important element in our lives.  Give Him our entire being to use as He will.
  4. Turn from our wicked ways.  Repentance personally.  Repentance nationally.  Then demand accountability from everyone including the President, Congress, the Judicial System, and every other Agency of Government.  It is not Republican or Democrat it is Righteousness that we need.

It is at that point that God promises to Hear Us, Forgive Us, and Heal Us!  He is watching, what is our next step?  I declare to you from what I feel deep inside my spirit that if we want freedom, spiritually, politically, socially, and economically as an individual and a nation We Must follow this prescription for Deliverance!  I guess the question is:  “How hungry and desperate are we?”  The ball is in our court and our response will determine the outcome.  God is willing and He is able.  This is one of those “if” – “then” times in life.  If we do what He has instructed, He will do what He has promised.

Hopefully, I have challenged you and possibly even caused you to revisit how you feel about what is happening today and consider this as a possible alternative or an addition to what you are now doing to effect change and see Restoration!

May God bless you as enjoy this day in Him!

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REDEEMING TIME…


Spiritual Blog - Time

Ephesians 5:15-21 – “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.  18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of God.”  NKJV

I like the directive issued by the apostle Paul but have a few questions regarding verse 16.

  1. How do you redeem time?
  2. What exactly does that mean?
  3. Is it even possible to redeem time?

Obviously, the answer to the last question is yes or it would not have shown up in the Bible written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.  Therefore, that would lead back to the first two questions.  How and what is he talking about regarding “redeeming the time?”  The two obvious elements in this equation are:  Time and Redeem or Redemption of Time.  Probably definitions of both would be appropriate to help us consider this subject and then strive to be in compliance with the directive.

THE GREEK:  exagorazonemoi ton kairon

We find in Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance the first expression is from the word [exagoranzo] translated redeeming which means to buy up, ransom, and/or rescue from loss.  The third expression is from the word [kairos] which means an occasion, opportunity, season, or time.  From this, we can conclude that “redeeming the time” is the idea of making the most of every opportunity because “time” cannot be recalled if it is allowed to pass.

Psalms 90:12 – “…teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.” NKJV

Job 14:1 – “Man who is born of woman Is of few days and full of trouble.” NKJV

Psalms 39:4-5 – “LORD, make me to know my end, And what is the measure of my days, That I may know how frail I am.  5 Indeed, You have made my days as handbreadths, And my age is as nothing before You; Certainly every man at his best state is but vapor.” NKJV

Ecclesiastes 3:1 – “To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:”  NKJV

The brevity of life is a fact that cannot be escaped and the importance of making the most of every moment and opportunity is clear in the light of that brevity.  We do not get a second chance at a missed opportunity.  We may get another opportunity that is similar but that one is gone forever as far as time is concerned.  If we “waste” time, fail to “manage” time and are not “diligent” with our time we will find that at the end of the day and the end of our days we have regrets and that is not the way God wants us to live.

Time should be “prioritized” as is revealed in Acts 6 where the apostles viewed the situation of caring for the widows and needy by laying out a plan whereby that task could be completed and not take away from their “time” of prayer and ministering the word of God.  Paul also admonished the Roman believers in Romans 13 that they need to be “aware” of the time and sense, the urgency of every moment in their efforts for the Kingdom.

In Colossians 3 we are advised that our investment of time in everything that we do should be done with gusto and the giving of 100% because whatever we are doing we are doing as unto the Lord.  Peter calls us to remembrance that much of our lifetime has been spent in serving the devil so we need to devote our time to the Lord of Hosts as seen in 1 Peter 4:3.  Jesus was very conscious of “times” and “seasons” as He spoke in John 7 when He told His followers that His “time” was not yet, but their “time” is now.

If we are to Redeem the Time we must be conscious of time and while Jesus most assuredly pulled back from His labors to rest from time to time and encouraged His followers to do the same He Never lost sight of the ultimate purpose and mission and therefore made the most of His time.  Most of us would probably do better if we developed a schedule allowing room for spontaneity and the unexpected.

We should Always be sensitive to the direction of the Holy Spirit and upon hearing that still small voice saying within our hearts, “this is the way, walk in it,” we should obey.  My challenge is to Redeem the Time by not allowing it to fall on the trash heap of Idleness or Carelessness.  I don’t mean, don’t have fun and enjoy time away from your work, labor, and ministry but Always keeping our focus on the ultimate prize, purpose, and goal.

I don’t do New Year’s Resolutions but a good resolve for each of us would be to become better Stewards of our Time.

May God bless you as you labor for His kingdom and walk through this maze called life!  Blessings!

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THE WORDS OF JESUS STILL ECHO THROUGH TIME…


Spiritual Blog - Truth

John 18:28-38 – “Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the Praetorium, and it was early morning. But they themselves did not go into the Praetorium, lest they should be defiled, but that they might eat the Passover. 29 Pilate then went out to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this Man?” 30 They answered and said to him, “If He were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered Him up to you.” 31 Then Pilate said to them, “You take Him and judge Him according to your law.” Therefore the Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death,” 32 that the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled which He spoke, signifying by what death He would die. 33 Then Pilate entered the  Praetorium again, called Jesus, and said to Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?”

34 Jesus answered him, “Are you speaking for yourself about this, or did others tell you this concerning Me?” 35 Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered You to me. What have You done?” 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.” 37 Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?” 

Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” 

38 Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, “I find no fault in Him at all.” NKJV

 

The High Priest and Sanhedrin had only one charge to lay against Jesus before Pilate in hopes to have him eliminated.  They suggested that He was claiming to be a king.  This was a charge they hoped would motivate Pilate to condemn Him. Pilate didn’t fall for their antics but did play right into their hands and ultimately fulfilled the plan in crucifying Jesus.  That act though intended to silence Him and end His influence only served to open the door to Redemption for all of mankind.

Pilate asked Jesus, “Are You the King of the Jews?”  Jesus’ answer is so powerful that it demands continued examination.  He explained to Pilate and all that would listen that His Kingdom was not an earthly one for if it had been war would be going on at that time.  Pilate was puzzled and further inquired, “Are you a king then?”  Jesus did not back away from the question but met it head on saying, “You say rightly that I am a king.  For this cause, I was born, and for this cause, I have come into the world, that I should bear witness of the truth.  Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”  Pilate then issued his infamous comment or question, “What is truth?”  The world is still asking that question and Jesus is still the answer!

As we begin a new year let’s remember He who is The Truth and allow Him to have Lordship in our hearts and lives.  May God be with you as you go through your day and as you conclude this year!  Today provides a new opportunity to chart a better course, walk in more obedience, and capitalize on the mistakes and blessings of the past and become all that we can be for our King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

May the rich and bountiful blessings of the LORD be yours each day this coming year! 

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THE NEW YEAR IS UPON US…


Spiritual Blog - New Year

Jeremiah 29:11-14 – “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”  NIV

The context of this passage was the LORD speaking to Israel about their return from Babylonian captivity and that after 70 years there would be an awakening and God’s plan would be put into play.  Israel would seek Him and find Him as they sought Him with their whole heart.  As we come to the last day of 2018 my heart cries out for us to Look Forward rather than Backward.

God has plans for us individually and collectively and those plans include a Hope and Future.   In any situation or time when people truly begin to seek the LORD with a whole heart He demonstrates His power and reveals Himself to them.  He has promised that if we Seek Him we will Find Him.  He is not trying to hide from us or make knowing His will, plan, or purpose difficult or impossible to discern.  It is in God’s interest for us to Know what He wants and then to Do what He directs.  Hiding that from us would not serve the purposes of the Kingdom.

Rather than looking back on the disappointments, struggles, unrest, or bitterness exposed and expressed in 2018 let’s look toward the possibilities of 2019.  Rather than lamenting over the failures of the past let’s look toward the victories of the future.  Tomorrow or tonight at 12:01 AM the year 2019 will have fully begun and God will still be God and His plan and purpose for our lives will still be real and possible.  Nothing anyone or any power can do will change that.  The devil may try and will try to get you to lose focus on the prime objective and discourage you but resist his temptations and Fix or Affix your focus squarely on the Throne of Heaven and the Lord Jesus Christ.  Take these words in Jeremiah as your personal word from the Lord for 2019 and enter this New Year with Hope, Faith, Enthusiasm, and Confidence.

I dare say that none of us saw, in totality, what we wanted to see although we may have seen some significant and wonderful things.  The New Year affords us somewhat of a ‘clean slate’ and we have the opportunity to begin on January 1, 2019, a journey of faith that will be the most exciting and productive year of our lives.

May God be with you as you go through your day!  HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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SCHISMS AND DIVISIONS…


Spiritual Blog - church

1 Corinthians 1:10-17 – “Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe’s people, that there are quarrels among you. 12 Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, “I am of Paul,” and “I of Apollos,” and “I of Cephas,” and “I of Christ.” 13 Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so that no one would say you were baptized in my name. 16 Now I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized any other. 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void.”  NASU

Most of the time I do not have a significant problem with people following different elements within the Body of Christ as their primary worship center or foundation of faith and practice!  That being said, sometimes I wonder how the heart of God is grieved when we separate, alienate, and seek to annihilate others from differing denominations over schisms and points of faith because we believe that we and we alone are right and they are not only wrong but heretical in their beliefs.

I do not expect everyone to believe exactly what I believe but I do ask that we seek to believe what the Bible teaches and allow the Word of God to be the true and final interpreter of God’s Tenets and Truths.  Paul exhorted the Church in Corinth along these lines urging them to settle or move away from divisions and schisms which were not only points of disagreement but points of separation doing damage to the efforts of the fledgling Church of Jesus Christ.  He went through his list of people identifying with a particular personality, as their argument and basis for their rightness.  That is no different than the hordes of people who not just proudly but divisively declare, “I’m this or that” regarding a particular denomination or non-denominational denomination.

A number of years ago the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart and said, “You are being too exclusive and not open to some outside your group and I want to use them to speak to you.”  I attended some conferences and meetings where men and women were speaking that in the past I had severely criticized as being in gross error.  The Holy Spirit instructed me to Listen and that in doing so I would find more to applaud than to criticize.  One of the main speakers preached a message that so stirred my heart I developed several series from his message because God had used him to speak truth to my heart that in a very real way changed my outlook on many things.  The church he was leading was putting the principles of the gospel in practice and while I still do not agree with all he taught or teaches I will allow the Holy Spirit to speak to me through whatever means He chooses.

I realize that some will say that I am compromising my faith and I hope that is incorrect.  I do not excuse or wink at sin nor will I sit silently when I hear what I believe to be heresy taught, at least not silent with those whom I have any influence or responsibility.  I try to separate the message from the messenger and identify what I believe the Bible says while refusing to focus on the personality.  If that is compromise, then I guess I am guilty but in my desire to do what the Spirit of God instructed me I will follow this practice and ask you to disagree disagreeably if you choose.

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

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DEAD MEN DON’T REACT AND AREN’T TEMPTED…


Spiritual Blog - Sin

Romans 6:1-7 – “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? 2 May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also being the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; 7 for he who has died is freed from sin.”  NASU

I had a fellow preacher say to me recently, “I’m dead to sin.”  In the course of the conversation, he began to complain about how some situation was troubling him with the temptation to sin and how another situation was causing him grief and offense.  I waited until the conversation had continued a bit more and said to him, “You said you are dead to sin, right?”  He very piously shouted, “ABSOLUTELY!”  I asked, “How many dead people have you seen tempted, offended, or grieved?”  He looked stunned and I continued, “If you are truly Dead to Sin then temptation should have no impact on you nor should things offend.” 

The problem is that this is a goal, prize or dream that we should shoot for and attain but much of the time, for most of us, it is just that, a dream or a hope.  We are ‘pressing toward the mark’ but we have not arrived or my experience in my own life and with others is that we are aiming for it, striving for it, working toward it but too often we find that it is not a fulfilled reality in our lives at least on some level.

Maybe we need to rethink our understanding of salvation and begin to ask the Holy Spirit for discipline and determination to actually walk out in life what the Bible declares about us.  Once we come to Christ and have our sins forgiven we enter into the newness of life.  We are not, at that point, perfect but find that our spiritual life is a progression and growth experience.  We mature, we develop, we encounter, we overcome, we fail, we succeed, and we become more like Christ as we move through this dimension called time.

We should not now or in the future be ‘slaves to sin’ because we have been set free from its bondage and chains through the Blood of Jesus.  When we find that we are not quite as dead as we professed it is time to head to the prayer closet, shut the door, and cry out to God for His help.  It is time to allow the Holy Spirit to identify those areas of our life that need to have radical spiritual surgery done on and those areas in which we are anything but dead so we can through death to sin rise to newness of life in Jesus.

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

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