Life

THE REAL, REAL THING [Part II]…


Spiritual Blog - Word

Psalm 119:89 – “Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven.”  NKJV

 

We considered the Truth that “God’s Word is a Settled Fact” last time, now let’s move on to further consideration of THE REAL THING and see how it can and will affect your life powerfully and positively.

THE BASIS AND RELIABILITY OF GOD’S WORD – GOD’S INTEGRITY…

Verse 90 of this Psalm declares, “Your faithfulness endures to all generations…”  The Psalmist reflects on the truth and reality that God “created” the earth and it stands and stands and stands from generation to generation.  It lasts out of God’s desire and purpose and is not in jeopardy of man messing it up.  It is subject to God, not a man and God makes promises that do not fail.

Psalm 148:1-6 – “Praise the LORD! 

Praise the LORD from the heavens; Praise Him in the heights!  2 Praise Him, all His angels; Praise Him, all His hosts!  3 Praise Him, sun and moon; Praise Him, all you stars of light!

4 Praise Him, you heavens of heavens, And you waters above the heavens! 

5 Let them praise the name of the LORD, For He commanded and they were created.  6 He also established them forever and ever; He made a decree which shall not pass away.” NKJV

That is a powerful declaration and one that we should meditate on regularly.

GOD’S WORD IS A LIBERATING FORCE…

When we allow it to truly become “a lamp to our feet and a light to our path” (v.105) and we hide or inscribe it inside our fill our hearts with it, we find that it becomes a treasure and guide which LIBERATES.

Jesus said:  “You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.”

Pilate asked:  “What is truth?”

Jesus declared in prayer:  “Father, Thy word is Truth.”  And we dare never forget that Jesus is the Word made flesh!

If we would apply (2 Timothy 2:15) to our lives and become students of the word we would find the truth and reality of (2Timothy 3:16) that all scripture is both inspired and profitable and find that it is truly “quick and powerful” able to discern and evaluate the heart. (Hebrew 4:12).  God’s Word is truly the “Sword of the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:17) and our warfare is not against flesh and blood but is spiritual.  I would suggest to you that we cannot enjoy, participate in or receive the full benefit of what we do not know, practice or appropriate in our lives.

We need to discover what the Word says.  It is available because God said it and recorded it for all generations to read.  He has given us His Spirit to guide us into all truth and teach us His Principles and He fully intends for it to be personalized in our lives.  The clear directive is STUDY.  For it is through the Word of God we have:

  • Redemption from destruction – [v.92]
  • Revival, Refreshing and Renewal – [v.93]
  • Wisdom – [v.98]
  • Insight – [v.99]
  • Understanding – [v.100]
  • Spiritual Backbone and Ability to Resist Temptation and Evil – [v.101-104]
  • Steadfastness – [v.102]
  • Guidance and a Clear Path upon which to Travel – [v.105]
  • Faith, Complete Trust, and Peace – [v.109]

 

In the Word, we find Salvation, Healing, Blessing, Faith, Information about Who God is and who we are in Him.  It is in the Word we find God’s Promises and Revelation as to the Future.  In His Word, we find God’s way of living, the development of right attitudes and weapons for spiritual warfare and service.  Psalm 1 tells us to meditate in that Word day and night.  In His word and the application of that word we find the answers to life’s questions and the solutions to life’s problems.  The Word is as reliable as God Himself and He NEVER CHANGES.

We believe God.  We believe He is Omniscient, Omnipotent, and Omnipresent and we believe the Bible IS His word not just CONTAINS His word.  As we discover what it says, we need to apply that truth and principle to our lives.

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

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THE REAL, REAL THING…


Spiritual Blog - Real Thing

Psalm 119:89 – “Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven.”  NKJV

 

Our world is filled with fads, gimmicks, and imitations.  If you watch TV much at all you realize that there is a commercial for everything and nothing is taboo any longer. Everywhere you look someone has either discovered, invented, developed, or promise a “sure-fire, quick fix, ease remedy” or answer for whatever ails your or problem you face in any area of life.

How many “new and improved” methods of weight loss, male stamina or performance issues, repair gimmicks, and financial solutions can there be?  I know some who have tried every new diet there is.  They have made meals of vitamins, eaten enough grapefruit to become a citrus orchard, and had enough bananas to make them want to swing from every limb they encounter.  There is split-pea soup, garlic, and onion, low calorie, low carbohydrate, low fat/no fat, and even a chocolate diet people have tried.  There is “instant success” promotions where you virtually invest no money, no time, no effort, and no thought and magically people knock down your door to make you rich.  All you have to do is send $$$ for the product or shipping and handling and you’ll discover the secret to instant no effort success.  Hey, if that appeals to you, I have a stable full of unicorns and some ocean front property in the middle of the desert I’d like you to consider.

Coke claims to be the real thing but Dr. Pepper implies that if you are a Pepper your life will suddenly become full and exciting and Pepsi declares they are an entire generation.  Let me introduce you to a Fact, Truth, and Source that will Change Your Life!  Would you be interested in something that could…

  • Transform you from rags to riches.
  • Transform you from bondage to freedom.
  • Transform you from gloom to joy unspeakable.
  • Cause your mind to function better than ever.
  • Cause your thoughts to be cleaner and purer.
  • Cause your outlook on life to be sweeter and more positive.
  • Bring peace that is beyond anything imagined.
  • Cause your joy to be overflowing. 

            This Truth, when applied will usher you into a realm where you have VICTORY over the devil and you even look forward to spiritual encounters because of the Freedom and Power this Source Affords.  Let me introduce you to THE REAL THING. 

Back to our text verse, “Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven…”  Once God declares His will and word, that revelation becomes an established fact.  Matthew 24:35, declares, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words shall not pass away.”  Isaiah 40:8, reveals, “The grass withers and the flower fades, but the Word of our God shall stand forever.”

GOD’S WORD IS A SETTLED FACT…

No debate and no question for this Word is the same from generation to generation.  People change, ideologies change, doctrines change, churches change, traditions change, and nations change but GOD DOES NOT CHANGE!  (James 1:17)  His Word does not change it is constant and consistent.

I want to say more but will leave you with that thought that God’s Word Is a Settled Fact.  Meditate on that truth and it will have a powerful impact on your outlook on life and your direction.  God bless you as you go through this day. 

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THERE IS A PROCESS TO REACH THE PROMISE…


Spiritual Blog - Promise

John 8:31-32 – “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.”  NKJV

 

I’ve been thinking about Israel’s journey into their Promised Land and I some things stood out in my meditation that is applicable to us today in our journey from where we are to the Place of Promise God has for us, individually and collectively.

  • Their Deliverance was not due to their Ability, Power, or Goodness, but solely based on God’s Grace.
  • Their Promised Land, though “legally” theirs, was occupied.
  • Before they could take Possession of their Promise they had go through a Wilderness.
  • They had to learn the Requirements and Conditions of the Covenant.
  • They had to determine who their Enemy was and learn How to Fight. 

I fully believe and often declare, “God wants us to be victorious.”  It is, without question, God’s desire that we “pull down strongholds.”  He wants us to put the enemy to flight and walk in victory and He wants us to “dispossess” the enemy.  Yet, we will never accomplish those things UNLESS we come to the place that we KNOW.  There are some things that we must LEARN and become fully acquainted with if we are to Possess the Promise.

We need to KNOW:

  • God’s Word, His Covenant Promises.
  • God, His Person, and Character.
  • Who We Are, in Christ.
  • Our Weapons of Warfare.
  • Our Enemy. (Not flesh and blood)

It is high time that we as believers and the Church, in general, learn how to fight spiritual warfare and possess our spiritual promises.  It is imperative that we “focus on principles”, learn to be “overcomers” and the reality that although some things are ours “legally” we sometimes fail to possess them “actually.”  I am totally convinced that for us to BECOME what God has purposed we have to PREPARE.  Preparation can be difficult and face much discouragement and will result in failure if we do not have a vision and/or goal.  We have to see the ultimate objective clearly and determine that nothing will deter us from reaching that destination.

There are Principles which are beyond important if we are to be successful in our journey from our “actual” position to our “legal” position, spiritually.  If we learn those principles and come to grips with those five things I mentioned at the beginning we will be able to fight the good fight of faith and reach the place of victory.  It is as we learn the Principles of Victory and understand that it is not because of us but by His Grace we move forward.  It is as we learn that although the Place of Promise is our legally it is occupied by an enemy, we are able to prepare for the battle and face reality.  It is as we understand that before we can possess the promise we will go through a wilderness training and there we learn the requirements and conditions of His Covenant.  Then, we must discover who our real enemy is and allow the Holy Spirit to train us for war.  Once we have those things in our hearts we must make the commitment to STAND and FIGHT.  We have the Promise and God has provided the armor.  You have a promise and there is an enemy who wants to keep you from possessing it.

Let’s move from longing for the Place of Promise to Preparing to Possess the Promise.  God bless you as you go through this day’s preparation in Him.

 

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WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST???


Spiritual Blog - Two Masters

Matthew 6:24-25 – “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.

 25 “Therefore I say to you…”  NKJV

 

The Bible tell us that “where your treasure is, there your hearts will be also…”  [Luke 6:21].  That which holds our heart holds our love, loyalty, and life.  I have had people try to convince me that if I love God I have to hate possessions and money.  I find that counter-intuitive in many respects.  The Bible uses the word “hate” on a number of occasions not to be interpreted as “despise” but “love less”.  We are to have less an affinity for the things of this world, including money and/or possessions than we do for Christ and the things of God.  That is almost too simplistic a characterization but appropriate, in my view.

It is human nature to develop a love-hate relationship with things that run counter to that which we love supremely.  If we are placed in a position to choose between God or possessions we will gravitate toward one and develop and hatred for the other.  If we are driven by the pursuit of money or things we will find that our hearts have much less room for God and His principles and precepts.  We will find it necessary to justify our actions and lives to accommodate our supreme love, “mammon.”  If we are driven by a desire to “be holy, because He is holy” we will often develop a distrust and disgust for possessions.  Sadly, many never find a balance where God is supreme and possessions or mammon fits into the second position in a wholesome and healthy relationship.  We are “in” this world but not “of” it but we must never forget we are IN IT and therefore, need to learn to operate in it in the light of God and His word.

I am always amazed at how often we take verse 24 as an isolated and stand-alone passage ignoring the THEREFORE of verse 25.  The fact that verse 25 begins with THEREFORE is a reason to examine its content in conjunction with the message and warning of verse 24.  It is because of the truth and danger of verse 24 that we need verse 25.  It is because we cannot serve two masters and will either choose God or mammon that we need to understand the hope of verse 25.

Spiritual Blog - Love

THEREFORE, because you cannot serve two masters and will either serve God or mammon – DON’T WORRY or spend needless energy worrying about food, drink, clothing, housing, transportation, etc.  The continuation of the message of hope and reality continues through verse 33 and is powerful if we can receive it and understand that it is not possessions that are the problem but our being overly concerned with mammon.  It boils down to a matter of TRUST.  If we understand that our hearts cannot hold supreme allegiance to God and the driving pursuit of possessions or money we can then turn our faith to God and place our trust and confidence in Him and His ability and willingness to provide for us.  If I do not trust God completely then I will find mammon gaining strength in my life and focus.

The question is not just “What Do You Love Most?”  It is “What or Who Do You Trust?”  It boils down, simplistically to, Trust God or Trust Possessions.  If God has not met my timeframes, deadlines and schedules I may question whether I can fully and totally trust Him to provide.  But, if I “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” I find that His timing is perfect and my arbitrary deadlines and schedules are manufactured out of my limited ability to see.  He sees the end from the beginning and we see the beginning from the end.

            God bless you as you go through this day!

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YOU CAN’T FAKE IT TILL YOU MAKE IT IN GOD…


Spiritual Blog - Fake It

 

Acts 19:11-20 – “Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them. 13 Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.” 14 Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so.

 15 And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?”

 16 Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17 This became known both to all Jews and Greeks dwelling in Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. 18 And many who had believed came confessing and telling their deeds. 19 Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20 So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed.”  NKJV

 

 This devotional is available via YouTube in audio form.  The link is:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htwO5O2AiiQ&feature=youtu.be

 

I can understand this type of activity from non-believers but it is especially troubling when believers try to imitate someone being used of God in the miraculous.  I have learned and am totally convinced that God cannot be reduced to a formula but will always remain the Sovereign God of All Creation and just because He does His works one way through one does not mean that can be reduced to a formula.  This account illustrates the fallacy and insult to God in attempting to press Him into a box and manipulate His power.  It is not only foolish but dangerous to attempt to do so.

When a move of God transpires or a minister comes through and God uses that movement or minister in “the works that I do you shall do also” and brings the Book of Acts to life through them, I cringe when I see churches copying what was done.  They attempt to duplicate God’s works by mimicking what they say.  I have been informed I am not welcome in places because I refer to this passage when I see that.  We will not manifest God by mimicking what we see in another.  We will manifest God when we give our hearts wholly to Him and allow the Holy Spirit to direct our steps, words, and deeds.  There is no “shortcut” to God or God’s Power.

These men were impressed with the miraculous and wrongly assumed if they used the words and followed the pattern of Paul they would achieve the same result.  Boy, were they wrong and if it were not so tragic it would be comical when we see that in churches.  We must always remember it is, “Christ IN US the hope of glory.”  It is not what we see in another that is the hope of glory.  It is Christ IN US…  It is Christ THROUGH US.  It is Him manifesting Himself through us in the manner He chooses not how we decide He should.

Some hold the belief that the days of miracles are passed, but I cannot find that in the Bible after honest evaluation.  Yet, those same people, when faced with the need of a miracle, will ask people to pray.  Why?  If the days of miracles are passed, what is the point in wasting time praying for God to intervene and perform a miracle?  I believe this is in the same category as the saying, “There are no true atheists in foxholes during battle.”  I believe that we all believe in miracles when we need one and that suggests that deep inside we believe that God is God and can do today what He has done at any time in the past.  He is truly the same yesterday, today, and forever.  He does not change! 

I pray that God will help each of us allow Him to be God to us, for us, and through us at all times and in all situations.  God bless you as you enjoy this wonderful day in Him!

 

 

 

 

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PRAYING FOR AN OPEN HEAVEN…


Spiritual Blog - Open Heaven

Revelation 4:1 – “After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.”  NKJV

 

This passage has been used as a proof text often but I want to take something of a different approach in considering the “door standing open in heaven” in conjunction with John’s vision and revelation.  I want to expand it and examine what it means when there is an “open heaven”.  In the Bible, there are a number of references to an “open heaven” and I would like to briefly ask you to consider some of them with me.

In Genesis 28:13 we find Jacob falling asleep with a stone as his pillow where he had an incredibly vivid dream seeing a “ladder” come down from heaven and angels ascending and descending on it. God was at the top of the ladder.  In Ezekiel 1:26 we are introduced to the Radiant Being (God) who appeared in the midst of the four living creatures and the fire of God.  The prophet saw God’s glory manifested in a most powerful manner.  In Matthew 3:16, we see the Holy Spirit descend on Jesus and the voice of the Father declare, “This is My Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”  In Acts 7:54, we see Stephen filled with the Holy Spirit and saw Jesus standing at the right hand of the Father.  In Acts 9:5, Saul of Tarsus had his encounter that transformed his life as Paul the apostle.  In Acts 10, Peter had his vision of an open heaven and the great sheet lowering bringing him a new revelation.  Here in Revelation 4, we have the “open door” and the command to “come up here…” 

The thread that seems to be visible in each of those encounters was that God became more real to those having the experiences each time.  Something mighty transpired when God opened the doors or portals of heaven and revealed Himself to man.  Joel prophesied that in the Last Days God would “pour out” His Spirit on all flesh and His sons and daughters would prophesy with the old having dreams and the young seeing visions.  In that time, He would do mighty exploits.  With that in mind, I pray for God to give us an “open heaven” today and transform our world with His saving and miraculous power.  I ask that He bring to bear on the hearts of humanity the righteousness of God arresting our paths so that we are drawn back to Him and that David’s prayer become a reality in our world.  God “create in us a clean heart, renew in each heart rightness of spirit, and grant us the visitation of the Holy Spirit.”

May the Lord guard and guide you as you go through this wonderful day in Him.  Abundant Blessing is my prayer for each one.

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GOD, What Have You Not Told Me???


Spiritual Blog - Courageous

Joshua 1:1-9 – “After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, it came to pass that the LORD spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying: 2 “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them — the children of Israel. 3 Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the River Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your territory. 5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. 6 Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”  NKJV 

 

Have you ever wondered what God might be leaving out when He gives you direction and inspires your heart to tackle a certain task or ministry?  I have!  This situation with Joshua illuminates the need fact that, often, when God sends you forth there is much He did not tell you.  You have to learn to TRUST HIM completely and RELY on Him fully or you will be overcome with the obstacles you encounter.

Consider with me the fact that three times God said to Joshua, “Be strong and of good courage…” (v.6), “Only be strong and very courageous…” (v.7), and “Be strong and of good courage…” (v.9). God, what is it in the fulfillment of your directive that I am going to encounter that necessitates You telling me THREE TIMES to “Be Strong and Courageous?”  I am not asking for FULL DISCLOSURE but when I hear that I immediately wonder, WHAT HAVE I GOTTEN MYSELF INTO?

The Promise of God that “no man would be able to stand against him” was conditional on his being, STRONG, COURAGEOUS, and OBEDIENT.  The explicit condition was obedience and adherence to the Law of God he had learned through Moses.  The explicit condition was that he not deviate even slightly from the path prescribed by God.  He could not adlib and wing it, but must follow the prescribed path.  If he did that and was strong and courageous then God would make him and his army invincible and prosperity would be their normal condition.  God’s word would cause him and Israel to be prosperous in battle, in their economy, and in their spiritual condition.  It would result in their achieving the objective.  Their end would be a success!  Even if they faced seeming insurmountable odds they were to never allow dismay or discouragement to settle in and prevail.  Joshua as the leader of the nation was to lead by example and demonstrate courage and strength following the Law of Moses and setting his face like a flint toward the objective set before them.  That kind of leadership inspires the people to follow.

God did not give him the details about the obstacles and enemies to be faced.  He did not tell him the problems that would arise from within their own ranks and the opportunities for discouragement and despair.  What God told Him was you do this and YOU WILL SUCCEED.  That was enough for Joshua and should be enough for us.  I have, in the past, cried to the LORD to give me FULL DISCLOSURE only to realize that it would have been more harmful than beneficial.  What I needed and need is FULL CONFIDENCE in Him, His Promises, and His Word.  I need to keep near to my heart, “I can do all things through Christ” and that Jesus will “never leave nor forsake me.”  In that confidence, I can run through a troop and leap over a wall.  God you don’t have to tell me everything just go with me for if your presence does not go before me I do not want to go!

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

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WALK THE WALK Don’t Just TALK THE TALK…


Spiritual Blog - Talk and Walk

Proverbs 14:23 – “In all labor there is profit, but idle chatter leads only to poverty.”  NKJV

 

It is no surprise to me that the Bible would encourage us to be “doers of the word, not hearers only.”  Regardless of what your field of labor or occupation might be, you gain through your labor.  It is not the one who talks a good fight or plan who achieves but the one who implements the plan and puts legs to his words and prayers that achieve.

We have all been associated or known people who are “dreamers” and love to “talk” about their dreams but never actually launch out in pursuit of those dreams.  I have had people come to me as I served congregations as a pastor with their ideas of “how” and “what” should be done, but they never actually “did” what they suggested.  Often, I would tell someone who had the propensity to chatter about “what if’s” and “grandiose proposals”, reach for your dreams and authorized them to begin the process.  Some would initiate action but it would be short-lived for they were “talkers” not “doers” and “dreamers” rather than “laborers”.  If success were determined by their proposals, promises, and proclamations the church would have turned the world upside down and their personal fortunes would have been massive, but they were often impoverished in many areas of life.  They talked the talk but failed to walk the walk.

I knew a man who had taken a meager project into a multi-million dollar business.  He seldom “talked” about ideas he “implemented” them.  He was a man given to little talk but was tireless in his labors and investment of time and energy toward the success of his business.  He invested time and money in the lives of others, in whom, he saw that same spirit.  He said, “I never invest in talkers but in doers.” 

If you are going to achieve your dreams there are some keys that are critical.  Those dreams may be spiritual, material, personal, and relational or in any area of life and the keys remain largely the same.  You have to become a person of “Action” not simply a person who “Dreams” and “Talks”.  You can talk to enlist support for your ideas but ultimately you have to DO to achieve the dream.  Let me give you a short list of some things required:

  • Make Time For The Things You Want To Accomplish.

If you do not allocate time you will never actually do those things. Develop the discipline and become a time manager with specific goals and time allotted to the pursuit of your purposes. 

  • Establish A Specific Goal or Goals.

If you don’t know where you are going how will you know when you get there?   There is a time for a vacation that has not objective but most of the time we have a plan that is modifiable, but we have a plan.  The same is true in every aspect of life. 

  • Refuse To Take On Too Much.

If you overload yourself you will burn out or become discouraged and throw in the towel.  That is true in every area of life.  

  • Never Let Failures Stop Your Dream or Pursuit of Those Dreams.

There will be setbacks, there will be failures, and you will face opposition and obstructions will be in your path.  If you are easily discouraged you will likely never achieve your dream and will be relegated to dreaming or talking about them rather than doing and realizing them. 

  • Reject The Voices That Give You All The Reasons It Cannot Be Done and Receive The Voices That Give You Reasons It Can.

I am not simply talking about thinking positively but about the active and positive pursuit of your dreams and purposes.  If you are called by God to a ministry or mission know that the devil will fight you and the nearer you come to the fulfillment of that purpose the more he will fight.  Remember, we can do all things through Christ…  Defeat is momentary not permanent unless we give up. 

So dream your dreams but never allow yourself to simply dream and talk about your dreams, determine to achieve them through action.  God bless you as you walk the walk of the talk you talk.  Blessings!

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HERITAGE AND INHERITANCE…


Spiritual Blog - Heritage

Proverbs 13:22 – “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.”  NKJV

 

We can strictly make this about money and miss the message of this passage.  I hold the view that prosperity is about far more than possessions but what possess us.  It is my conviction that true prosperity begins on the inside and the flows to the outside.   A good man in the broadest sense of this word is someone who seeks good and desires to do and be right.  I acknowledge that this passage is most assuredly about money and possessions and while I contend it goes far beyond that reality it is still a reality.

Leaving an inheritance is not the same as leaving a heritage because a rich heritage with a biblical foundation will provide the needed stability for the recipient to handle it rightly and not be overwhelmed with possessions.  Even the pagans realized that “ill-gotten gain” frequently failed to reach the 3rd generation.  There is a quote I have heard “De male quaesitis non gaudet tertius haeres” which translated means, “The third generation shall not possess the goods that have been unjustly acquired.”  Ill-gotten gain is a curse, not a blessing.

I know many of my fellow believers lay claim to the second portion of this passage citing it as a declaration that they will one day be rich.  I believe they miss sometimes miss the mark of what and why the “wealth of the sinner” is stored up for the righteous.  If God’s purpose and the objective were simply to make His children rich, we would all be wealthy because truly He owns the cattle on a thousand hills and all the earth is His.  That cannot be his purpose to simply have us live in the lap of luxury and remain consistent with the message of the Bible.  When I think of the many places in scripture that speak of money, talent, and increase I find a consistent theme that the heart is the Kingdom, not Mammon or Possessions.  We have a commission and a mission and that requires finances to fulfill, therefore, God has determined that “ill-gotten gain” will be lost by the wicked and that loss will fall to the righteous through right paths.  Job 27 declared, “The innocent shall divide the silver…”  In Exodus 12 we read that the Israelites would spoil the Egyptians and “eat the riches of the gentiles.”

I believe we must read this in context else we could develop a misguided and erroneous interpretation of God’s promise here.  Justice is always part of God’s purpose and plan as is discipline and correction.  If we train our children in the right path and teach them to teach their children the right paths we will leave a heritage that enables them to walk in any abundance that comes to them without developing a “mammon mentality”.  In verse 25 we read, “The righteous eats to the satisfying of his soul, but the stomach of the wicked shall be in want.”  Many things can be said here but sufficient it to say that “Contentment” is the key.  We become as Paul declared, “content with whatever state we find ourselves” and “confident in the ability and reality of God’s provision.”  A contented mind is a place of peace but one that devises schemes and through deceit and wickedness seeks to secure gain will always be in turmoil and live in constant fear of someone taking from them what they have.  Through deceit and corruption, they acquired, therefore they view everyone as themselves and trust no one and fear everyone.  There is no real peace for the wicked.

If I leave my children and grandchildren a heritage of righteousness, not just wealth I have given them something which will lead them to the Light and Life.  I have provided something far more valuable than money or possessions.  I desire to give them an inheritance that enhances their lives materially but mostly I desire to leave them a heritage of godliness that will lead them to life spiritually.  So, I will leave an inheritance but in that inheritance, I desire to leave a heritage.

            God bless you as you enjoy this wonderful day in Christ!

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HE IS RISEN – – “Fear and Great Joy”…


Spiritual Blog - REsurrection

Matthew 28:1-8 – “Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. 2 And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. 3 His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. 4 And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.

 5 But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. 7 And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.”

 8 So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.”  NKJV

 

Imagine the scene at the sealed tomb on that eventful day.  The Roman soldiers assigned to guard the tomb were in all likelihood unbelievers whose only concern was ensuring that the followers of Christ did not steal His body and perpetrate a fraud upon the people.  They were, as their superiors, convinced that the only way Jesus’ prophecy of rising again on the 3rd day could even appear fulfilled was His followers taking and hiding His body.  The disciples were perplexed, their Messiah was dead.  Everything about that troubled them because they were convinced He had come to restore the kingdom to Israel but He was dead.  The two Mary’s came to the tomb that morning and with many questions nursing their disappointment and despair.  Matthew records it that when they went there was a great earthquake and an angel of God descended rolling away the stone from the door and sat on it.  The angel’s countenance was like lightening bring terror to the hearts of the guards. The announcement of the angel to the two Mary’s was, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.  He is not here; for He is risen, as He said…”  

The angel brought them into the tomb to witness the emptiness of it and then instructed them to go quickly to the other disciples and tell them that JESUS IS ALIVE and that He would go before them into Galilee where they would see Him.  The two Mary’s went quickly from the tomb with “FEAR and GREAT JOY”.  In many respects, that is exactly the condition we should live our lives in following our LORD.  Proverbs 9:10 instructs, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”  In Proverbs 2:5 where the writer is speaking about God’s Words and Wisdom tells us that as we mine out the nuggets of truth in the Word we gain an understanding of the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.

It is as we KNOW God that we both FEAR and LOVE Him.  It is as we KNOW God and His WORD we have a foundation to understand His purposes, promises, and provisions.  It is as we KNOW Him that we understand the importance and impact of being God-fearing and the Joy His Love brings.  It is reverential but it is more than just respect it is an understanding that He love us unconditionally but is Holy and will judge sin unforgiven without favor.  The FEAR of God can and should bring Great Joy because it enables us to comprehend the choice between sin and salvation, heaven and hell, life and death.  The women went from the tomb with FEAR because His resurrection anchored their Hope that He was the Messiah and God.  It produced Great Joy because, in that confidence, which brought trembling to their mortal minds, they could REJOICE that ALL HE SAID and PROMISED WAS REAL.

So on this day of Celebration of His Resurrection may we move forward with FEAR and GREAT JOY!  May the richness of His presence, the power of His provision, and the permanence of His promises explode in your hearts today!

Happy Easter, First Fruits, or Resurrection Sunday if you prefer.   God bless you is my prayer and desire! 

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