Life

THE OLD RUGGED CROSS…


Spiritual Blog - Cross

1 Corinthians 1:18-19 – “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written:

 “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”  NKJV

 

Hebrews 12 reveals to us that Jesus, out of incredible love and great joy, “endured the Cross” to redeem mankind.  The Cross was part of the process but an indispensable portion for without the Cross there would be no Crown and no Redemption for you and me.  Then in 1 Peter 2, we find some of the benefits of the Cross including, salvation and healing both spiritually and physically.  That message is lost to many today and it seems we virtually never sing the old hymns of the church for we have progressed and evolved, as I’ve been told.  If it is deemed progress to relegate the Cross to a position of unimportance then I do not desire progress.  Yes, I want each of us to grow in grace and mature spiritually but I never want to forget the Cross and what our salvation cost.

The timeless hymn was written by George Bernard, a traveling evangelist in 1913, “The Old Rugged Cross” is a song that may not have the modern beat but has a message that is timeless.  He was heckled incessantly by some of the youth at a revival meeting in Michigan.  George Bernard was so troubled by their disrespect and disregard for the gospel he turned to Scripture to study and reflect on the Cross of Christ.  He said, “I seemed to have a vision… I saw the Christ and the Cross inseparable.”  That is powerful.  He completed the first verse during meetings in Albion, Michigan and the remaining three verses were completed in Pokagon, Michigan during meetings in local churches.  He first performed the song in its entirety for the host pastor, Reverend Leroy and Ruby Bostwick, in the living room of their parsonage. They were so moved by the song and message it was incorporated in the revival service on June 7, 1913. 

“On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,

             The emblem of suff’ring and shame:

             And I love that old cross where the Dearest and Best

             For a world of lost sinners was slain.”          

That so encapsulates the message it is amazing.  The refrain so grips my heart I can never read it, hear it, or sing it without tears coming to my eyes:

“So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,

             Till my trophies at last I lay down;

             I will cling to the old rugged cross,

             And exchange it someday for a crown.” 

The next three verses convey the awesomeness of the Cross and the Christ of the Cross.

“Oh, that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,

             Has a wondrous attraction for me;

             For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above

             To bear it to dark Calvary.

             In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,

             A wondrous beauty I see.

             For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,

             To pardon and sanctify me.

 

             To the old rugged cross I will ever be true;

             Its shame and reproach gladly bear;

             Then He’ll call me someday to my home far away,

             Where His glory forever I’ll share.” 

The Cross is and has been seen as foolishness and even unnecessary by many, but to us who are saved it is the Power of God.  It holds the revelation of what we have in this New Birth in Jesus Christ.  It reveals the love and mercy of God for mankind.  It truly is something I will always cherish and to which I cling, not the tree of wood but to the Christ who hung on that tree and the tree is a symbol to me to remind me of WHAT JESUS DID.

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

 

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IF GOD HAS YOUR HEART…


Spiritual Blog - Crosby

Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”  NKJV

 

Through the years, I have heard and been tempted to declare something impossible or too difficult due to handicap, inability, lack of training, lack of resources, and more.  However, when I recall the words of the words recorded in Hebrews 12 about the “cloud of witnesses” surrounding us and reminding us of the hope and future in Christ I am put to shame and fall on my face in repentance.

I have long been interested in the history behind many of the hymns of the church and one writer, in particular, has always caught my attention.  That would be none other than Fanny Jane van Alstyne Crosby.  Fanny Crosby was one of the most prolific and talented psalmist and songwriters of any generation.  She wrote many of her hymns in conjunction with her pastor Robert Lowry and is credited with writing over 8,000 hymns and gospel songs.  She did this although having lost her sight shortly after birth but refused to allow her blindness of sight be blindness of spirit and heart.  Some of her works include, “Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior”, “Blessed Assurance”, Rescue The Perishing”, and “To God Be The Glory”.  That is not an exhaustive list but some of her works that still grip my heart when I read, hear or sing them.  She also wrote over 1,000 secular poems and had four books of poetry published.  She wrote or co-wrote some popular secular songs, political works, and patriotic songs and, at least, five cantatas on biblical and patriotic themes.

Fanny Crosby was a longtime member of Sixth Avenue Bible Baptist Church in Brooklyn, New York.  The cholera epidemic in New York that spanned May to November 1849 did not deter her from serving and she remained in at NYIB nursing the sick.  It was out of that time that Fanny realized that she became aware of something lacking in her spiritual life.  She had become so wrapped up social, political, and educational reform she felt true love for God was absent in her heart so she pursued God more diligently.  She attended churches in various denominations through 1887 including the Plymouth Church of Pilgrims in Brooklyn pastored by Congregationalist abolitionist Henry Ward Beecher was an innovator with church music.  She attended Fourth Avenue Presbyterian Church, pastored by her distant cousin Howard Crosby, and Trinity Episcopal Church.  She enjoyed worshipping in the North West Dutch Reformed Church and the Central Presbyterian Church later known as the Brooklyn Tabernacle.  Later in life, she named Theodore Ledyard Cuyler, who pastored the North East Dutch Reformed Church as one of her favorite preachers. Although she was never publicly identified with the American Holiness Movement she was a follower of the Wesleyan Holiness Movement and attended many of the Wesleyan/Holiness camp meetings.

Fanny Crosby could have become a recluse and felt sorry for herself but like Helen Keller refused to allow her blindness handicap her.  She exemplified the text verse and the idea that “If God has our heart, we can do all things through Christ.”  I stand ashamed, at times, when I reflect on the seeming ease of our generation compared to that of past heroes of faith and spiritual contribution.  They refused to allow difficulty prevent them from reaching for the stars and pressed on continually toward the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

God bless you as you dare to dream and turn your dreams into realities as you give God your whole heart and follow Him into the uncharted territory of life.   Blessings abundantly are my prayer and desire for each of you.

 

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FORGIVENESS and ACCOUNTABILITY…


Spiritual Blog - Forgiveness

Romans 8:1-3 – “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.”  NKJV

 

I have been challenged by some inside and outside the Christian Faith regarding FORGIVENESS and ACCOUNTABILITY.  I had one person say, “But if I forgive I can no longer hold them accountable.  If I forgive they are no longer responsible for their actions or suffer any consequences, therefore I cannot forgive.”  That is a sad misconception that has shipwrecked too many relationships among human beings.  No longer holding someone accountable does not mean we have forgiven and forgiving does not mean there is no more accountability and responsibility for their actions.  In personal relationships, it is a matter of transferring to God the hurt and allowing Him to deal with the person responsible in His way and time.

Some seem to have the idea that FORGIVING and HOLDING ACCOUNTABLE or BEING ACCOUNTABLE are incompatible and somehow violate the spirit and intent of forgiveness. I personally believe they are linked together spiritually in a very complex way.  Yes, God wipes the slate clean when He forgives us but the debt of our sin was paid by Jesus so it was not simply treated as though it never happened.  Ignoring wrongs damages rather than brings freedom by an act we feel obligated to perform, FORGIVING.  After all, the Bible tells us that we must forgive to be forgiven and we all need forgiveness, right?

If we make ACCOUNTABILITY vindictive we err.  It must be an honest evaluation of the actions and appropriate consequences be applied.  Back to our Salvation, God does not continually punish us for our wrong-doing but chooses to forgive us and give us a clean slate through the Blood of Jesus.  Some hold the belief that biblical forgiveness involves the injured party making a decision to no longer hold the offender accountable for their actions.  THAT IS WRONG!  Whitewashing the injury will not heal the hurt but create an environment through which the canker can eat away at the peace and destroy all trust and confidence leaving the one trying to forgive with incredible emptiness.

There must be an honest assessment of the wrong.  If I wrong you in the process of FORGIVENESS and ACCOUNTABILITY I “must” acknowledge my wrong.  If I cannot or will not acknowledge my wrong there is no accountability on my part.  In our judicial system if a person is charged with a wrongful act there is an honest appraisal to determine the facts, evaluate the damage and determine the severity of the wrong. That is identified as Judgment.  Forgiveness could be described as the sentencing after Judgment.  Forgiveness NEVER denies the wrong or damage done but makes the conscious and willful decision to not exact revenge or payment for that wrong.  I believe that it is difficult if not impossible to truly forgive without accountability.  Unless there is an acknowledgment of the wrong there is nothing to forgive.  What are we forgiving if the offender acknowledges no wrong?

Forgiveness does not continually punish for the wrong.  I’ve known people who were quick to acknowledge their wrong and accept responsibility when the carrot of being let off the hook was dangled before them.  Yet, genuine accountability does not view forgiveness through that prism.  Accountability deals frankly and honestly with the wrong and is grateful for the forgiveness.  When I accept responsibility and demonstrate accountability for my wrong I will also seek steps to prevent it from reoccurring and out of that condition and position forgiveness affords me a new lease on life.

Remember that Accountability demands the offender acknowledge and accept their responsibility for their actions.  It is from that position that forgiveness is possible and can be life changing.

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

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THE GOSPEL – Simple and Explicit…


Spiritual Blog - Gospel

Acts 2:37-39 – “Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”

 38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 for the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”  NKJV

I had someone attempt to argue that the way of salvation as taught in the Bible was ambiguous and left room for many possible ways to attain that prize.  I have heard national and internationally known ministers contend for many avenues to salvation.  Yet, the more I read and study God’s Word the more convinced I am that the Gospel is both incredibly simple and explicit with regard to Eternal Salvation.  There is, in my view, no ambiguity whatsoever.  The Bible is silent and not explicit regarding some areas of life but not Salvation.

After the Resurrection, Jesus instructed the disciples and all the followers who saw Him ascend out of their sight to TARRY or WAIT in Jerusalem for the Promise of the Father, the Holy Spirit.  Then on the Day of Pentecost when the incredible outpouring of the Holy Spirit resulted in people hearing God’s Word in their own native tongue by those who did not know the language, and the display was so incredible those observing thought the followers of Christ were on a drunken binge.  Something was happening and as Peter addressed the crowd he brought a clear and simple message about what was happening and from whom it came.  As a result, of his preaching, the Bible says that those hearing were, “…cut to the heart…”  Conviction flooded their being and they sought for direction asking, “…what shall we do?”

The message of Peter had no ambiguity and was incredibly simple.  He said, “REPENT”.  I know that recently we heard a politician declare that he did not know if he had ever asked forgiveness and didn’t like doing that.  He is not alone, there are many in the same boat but the message of Peter began with REPENT.  Without repentance, there is no next step in the process of salvation.  Repentance involves an acknowledgement of “missing the mark” or SIN.  It reveals that we not only know we have sinned but that we have remorse for that sin.  Sadly, some have remorse that they’ve been exposed not that they have sinned.  Repentance is to “change our mind” about where we are headed and “change our direction” doing an 180-degree turn.  I heard a preacher say once that we needed to do a 360-degree turn but I do believe that would be evidence of nothing having changed.  He clearly misspoke.

The verses following the question and answer reveal that about 3,000 souls came to Christ that day.  They repented, were baptized and continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine, fellowship, breaking bread, and in prayers.  The message of the Gospel here and elsewhere in the New Testament is: Believe, Repent, Receive, Obey, and Continue.  It is not a complicated message and offers no means of earning our way into the Grace of God.  It is “by grace” that we are saved.  It is God’s gift to us.  It is the Life that Jesus purchased on the Cross.  The Gospel is both simple and explicit regarding salvation and as we read in 2 Corinthians 6:2b, “…Behold, now is the accepted time; behold now is the day of salvation.” 

            God bless you as you receive His grace and walk in His Light. 

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YOU CANNOT GIVE WHAT YOU DO NOT HAVE…


Spiritual Blog - Lame Man

 Acts 3:1-10 – “Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.  2 And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; 3 who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. 4 And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.” 5 So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. 6 Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” 7 And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. 8 So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them — walking, leaping, and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God. 10 Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.”  NKJV

 

It has always impressed me that the disciples continued in many of the things of their Jewish tradition such as praying in the temple.  They attended Synagogue and went to the Temple and I am convinced that after their encounter with Jesus and their experience on the Day of Pentecost those times were incredibly special and not a matter of form or routine.  They knew the reason of their prayers personally and had tasted the New Wine of Salvation and the Power of the Holy Spirit in their lives making them walking talking reservoirs of God’s love and power everywhere they went.

On this occasion, Peter and John were going to the temple to pray and although I am quite sure the lame man had been there every other time they passed by, this time, the Holy Spirit empowering them had other plans for that day.  The man was calling out begging for alms and as Peter heard that cry the Holy Spirit arrested him and he stopped.  Some of the things Peter did had to have been inspired by the Spirit of God otherwise, they could have landed him in incredible trouble.

Imagine the situation of the lame man who had been begging for a long time having someone stop and say, “Look at us…”  Without question, the man’s heart leaped within in anticipation.  His heart must have held the expectation of something far more than simply tossing a coin in his cup because Peter called for him to cease crying out and turn his undivided attention to them.  That must mean something big was coming his way in the form of a gift.  Then Peter crushed his anticipation saying, “Silver and gold have I none…”  WHAT?  You are broke and interrupted my endeavor to receive help, how cruel is that?  Peter continues, “… BUT WHAT I DO HAVE, I GIVE…”  I can only imagine what the man thought at that moment if he though anything.  I can only imagine what those in earshot thought as Peter made this proclamation.  “Look at us.  We are broke but we will give you what we have IN THE NAME OF JESUS, rise up and walk.”  Most Evangelist would have said, “Now, see if you can walk or something of the sort,” not Peter he acted in a manner that would have been disaster had it not been inspired of God.  Peter said those words then reached out, took the man by the right hand and pulled him to his feet.  IMMEDIATELY the Power of God surged through his body and he was healed and ran off leaping, walking and praising God.  He shook up the entire crowd and I’m quite sure made quite a spectacle of himself.  Wouldn’t you?

However, you can only give what you have.  You can’t be like those in Acts 19 who watched the exploits of miracles by God through the apostle Paul and copied his actions as well as his words and attempted to cast out a demonic spirit, saying, “…we exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.”  The demon responded, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?”  They were trying to give what they did not have and that is an impossibility, especially spiritually.  We become wells without water and clouds without rain when we try to regurgitate what we have heard but it has not become part of us.  SUCH AS I HAVE I GIVE nothing more and nothing less.

            God bless you as you go through this day!

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THE POWER – Don’t Leave Home Without It…


Spiritual Blog - Power

Acts 1:4-8 – “And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me;  5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”  6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.  8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”  NKJV

 

When I compare words used in various places in the Bible regardless to how they are translated into English I often find it interesting, beneficial and revealing.  In Luke 10:19 in the KJV the word “power” is twice seen but when you go to the Greek you find two different words being translated by the same English word.  Jesus said, “Behold I give you (exousia) to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the (dunimas) of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”  Two words with two different meanings in the Greek.  In most other translations this word is translated “authority” and its broad meaning would include jurisdiction, liberty, power, right, and strength.  In the second case, the word translated “power” is dynamic with means power but it also means, ability, abundance, might, and strength.

Clearly our LORD is telling His disciples what it was He conveyed to them in Matthew 28:18.  He explained to them that He had been given AUTHORITY, all authority in Heaven and Earth.  He has AUTHORITY over all the POWER and AUTHORITY of the devil.  The god of this world has been vanquished, stripped of his authority and his power subordinated to the power of Jesus Christ.  Jesus, then tells his followers, “That AUTHORITY and POWER that I have I am giving it to you.”  That makes Acts 1:8 incredibly powerful not only for them but for us today.  He instructs them to “tarry” or “wait” in Jerusalem for something incredible to happen.  It would be an action of the Holy Spirit to EMPOWER them WHEN the Holy Spirit comes upon them and as a result, they will be able to fulfill the Great Commission.  They will operate in the AUTHORITY and POWER of the Lord Jesus Himself.  Heaven will be backing them in a mighty and dynamic manner.  Too often, we want to run before we have the full message or have developed the authority, ability, and power to fulfill the purpose.

In Acts 2:4 we find the fulfillment of this directive and promise of the Lord Jesus when the Holy Spirit made a dramatic entrance which resulted in thousands being converted and the disciples having recognized authority and power spiritually.  It was such an incredible sight that those observing thought they were drunk with wine but Peter corrected them indicating both the time of day and the prophecy of Joel as well as the Promise of Jesus.  After Peter’s anointed preaching under the AUTHORITY and POWER of the Holy Spirit, the people asked, “what shall we do?”  Peter gave them simple instructions in Acts 2:38 that repentance was required, then instructed them to be obedient in following the LORD in baptism and said, “…and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”  Then in Acts 2:39 he makes a most incredible statement that should bring encouragement to us in this generation.  A revelation that TODAY we have access to the same power and authority they had in the First Church.  He said, “For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”

If you do not have spiritual authority manifest in your life and are not operating in spiritual power I urge you to find your Jerusalem and tarry or wait for the Promise of the Father to saturate your life.  I recognize that the Holy Spirit is with you and even in you as a child of God but if He is not manifesting Himself in power and giving you the spiritual authority to combat the forces of hell – – ASK.   Remember Jesus said, “Ask and you shall receive, Seek and you shall find, and Knock and the door will be open to you.”  We are in a spiritual conflict and our weapons are mighty through God to the pulling down of Strongholds.  Spiritual Weapons are given by God and empowered by the Holy Spirit.

God bless you as you walk in His Authority and Power in your pursuit of your purposes in this generation.

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THE SPOTLIGHT…


Spiritual Blog - Spotlight

1 Corinthians 1:18-19 – “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written:

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”  NKJV

 

I love the message of John the Baptist and his strong affirmation that he was simply “a” or “the” voice of one crying in the wilderness.  He was a forerunner to announce the coming of the Christ.  He declared in John 3:30, “He must increase, but I must decrease.”  That should be the heart of every child of God to LIFT UP CHRIST, not recognition, acclaim, accolades, position, prominence, or power.  We are MESSENGERS, not the MESSAGE.  He is the FOCUS, not we.  As Jesus declared, in John 12:32, “…if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.”  He is the MESSAGE.  He is the FOCUS.  He is the one with the Words of Eternal Life.  He is the Door to Salvation.  He is the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE.

We must never forget the commission given in Mark 16:15-18, “And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.  16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.  17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”   Nor dare we forget the words of the apostle Paul to the believers in Corinth in 2 Corinthians 5:20-21, “Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

I have always been disturbed when a man, any man, is elevated to the place of worship and especially so in those preaching the Gospel of Christ.  In my years of Christian service and ministry, I have encountered people so enamored with a particular preacher that they could hear nothing other than that minister’s message and method.  I appreciate Paul telling those following his ministry and the Christian walk in 1 Corinthians 11:1, “Imitate (follow) me, just as I also imitate (follow) Christ.”  We dare never allow any man, ministry or fellowship to descend to the state of the Church in Corinth which Paul addressed in 1 Corinthians 3:4 where they were becoming sectarian and virtually idolizing men, methods and styles.  We are Christians, followers of Christ and should NEVER elevate any human or their message above Christ and the Word of God.  Men/Women are simply MESSENGERS they are not the MESSAGE.

The Spotlight that draws people to the Cross and brings salvation is the GOSPEL not oratorical ability and personalities.  I heard a man tell a senior minister once, I follow you because you saved me.  The minister responded, “If I saved you, we are both in trouble because I then become responsible for you and I am not God.”  He continued, “I can save no one, I am simply the messenger, not the message.”  He then taught the man and all who would hear that their loyalty and devotion was not to be him but God and there would come a time he would no longer be their pastor and if they made him their focus they would hinder the progress of the local fellowship and potentially become roadblocks to people receiving Jesus.  He quoted John the Baptist’s declaration and admonished the crowd, “Make God and the Gospel the Spotlight of all you do not a man, men, or earthly ministries.”  Gold cannot save you, personality cannot buy you entrance into heaven for ONLY JESUS can SAVE.

Therefore, please always guard and pray that the Spirit of God will help you to guard against allowing anything or anyone, even your own ego become the Spotlight.  It must be, “…seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness…”  [Matthew 6:33].

            God bless you as you go through this beautiful day in Christ!

 

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FORGETTING THE PAST…


Spiritual Blog - The Past

Philippians 3:12-16 – “Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do:  forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you; 16 however, let us keep living by that same  standard to which we have attained.”  NASU

 

Many times I’ve heard the saying, “The Past is the Past” as an encouragement to let “bygones be bygones” or “bury the hatchet”, reconcile and move on with life and relationships.  There is great need to refuse to allow the PAST to determine the PRESENT and thereby influence the FUTURE.  However, I do not believe this is an admonition to IGNORE the past rather refuse to allow it to hinder the present.

I think the word translated “forgetting” means “to lose out of mind; by implication, to neglect.”  When the Bible tells us that God has cast our sins, as Micah 7 declares, “…into the depths of the sea” or as we often describe it the SEA OF FORGETFULNESS or FORGETTING.  This does not mean that God no longer has any memory of our past but that He has consciously chosen to not allow that which is forgiven to be used in future considerations.  He has not developed divine amnesia but has made a conscious decision to not allow that which is under the blood (PAST) to be used against us in the future.

If we are to LEARN from our Past how can we do that in the modern understanding of forgetting?  I find that the definition of “forgetting the past” of many in our modern world could be translated “ignore the past”.  I believe the admonition is not the development of “divine amnesia” or to “ignore” but to move beyond, learning the vital lessons but to “press on” or “reach forward” to that which lies ahead.  It is not a matter of pretending that it never happened but to refuse to allow it to remain a part of our present.

Spiritual Blog - Amnesia

We know that we cannot enter God’s Temple with dirty garments or lives and, therefore, the PAST must be put under the Atoning Blood.  However, if we are striving to FORGET as in IGNORE or have NO CONSCIOUSNESS of the past how can, Revelation 2:5 be applied to today?  If we are to follow the directive of Isaiah 46:9 how can we accomplish “remembering former things” and having our faith and confidence in God soar if we adopt the modern idea of “forgetting the past.”

We have a history that is indelibly etched in the annals of time but we must come to the Cross, receive the Atonement and move past the past into the present and reach for our future in Him.  The slate is clean in the sense that WE ARE FORGIVEN.  I had a person call me once, after they had been involved in a fender bender and said, “Pray that this never happened.”  Obviously, that is impossible and so is trying to IGNORE our history.  We forget in that we give the past not place in our present.  We no longer play the video of the past but the lessons learned are invaluable in our present and our pursuit of our future.  Rather than seek to forget as in never having happened we should seek to have it under the Atonement, learn the lessons therein, and refuse to allow the past to control our present and future.

            May the LORD be with you as you go through this day.

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THE SPIRIT OF ABSALOM – [Conclusion]


Spiritual Blog - Discord

2 Samuel 15:4 – “Moreover Absalom would say, “Oh, that I were made judge in the land, and everyone who has any suit or cause would come to me; then I would give him justice.”  NKJV

 

Let’s talk about MARKING certain groups of people and see if we can get beyond the objection that we are not to JUDGE.  The Bible does not say that we can never judge but that we are to judge righteous judgment and the measure or standard we use will be used toward us.  That is often overlooked in the demand that we never judge for we judge every day.

The first Group to MARK is those who cause DIVISIONS.  The second those who SET THE RIGHT EXAMPLE.  Both are important to note and be aware of.  MARK THEM BOTH but AVOID the ones who cause division and JOIN yourselves with those who set the right example.  If you can receive this, “the devil can never defeat the church from the outside.”  People can say all they want about us.  They can criticize us and fight us with character assignation and even put their hands on us in a very literal and legal sense but they will come to naught and God will lift us to a PLACE IN HIM that we have yet to taste and experience.  It is NEVER the outsider, the critic, the jealous preacher, the jealous church, people, or politicians that defeat us.  They CANNOT!

The ONLY THING that can destroy the church is You and Me.  We are the only ones who can destroy the local church and defeat its purpose in the Kingdom of God.  In order for the devil to defeat and/or destroy the church (local) is to get inside, in the middle and divide the church, the leadership, the membership, and attendees.  He must get us on opposite sides and at odds with each other.

LET ME BE CLEAR – – The devil does not make you a rebel or an outlaw.  He comes in with innuendo, suggestion, and criticism.  He deceives you into believing that your perceived ministry, gifts, talents, and abilities are superior to others.  He inspires and encourages you to focus on your perceived injuries and hurts.  He, as with Absalom, Eve and multitudes throughout human history, suggests that you should have more and be more and the leadership is hindering you.  Therefore, in your mind, the leadership must be ousted.  THAT IS NOT YOUR JOB, it is GOD’s JOB.

I’ve had people tell me that they were on God’s side and God was on their side and they had a mandate from God to oust the leadership.  I always challenge them to examine their actions and attitudes.  I identify how they are spreading DISCORD.  I ask if they acknowledge speaking against the leadership which God established.  I call to the fore their plans to oust the leaders.  I challenge their proclamation their love for God and the leaders when they are working diligently to overthrow the leadership rather than praying for God to raise up or take down those in authority.  That, I tell them is NOT BEING ON GOD’S SIDE.  I challenge them with scripture and show them that God opposes that attitude and action.  Sometimes I am successful in pulling back the veil and expose the Sowing of Discord and Error and sometimes I am told to find the door but I will not be silent and condone anything that blatantly violates God’s word and pattern.

Proverbs 16:18-19 – “Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.  Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.” 

If we allow the Spirit of Absalom to dominate in our lives we will, as Absalom be left hanging in the tree not ascending to the position or place God would have us rise.  It is not about us but about the Kingdom of God.  It is about the Great Commission and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  It is about life and death.

God bless you and if you recognize an Absalom spirit in yourself or others NOTE it, repent of it personally and divest yourself of it collectively.   May the Lord richly bless your walk, word, and warfare in Him.

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THE SPIRIT OF ABSALOM – [Part II]


Spiritual Blog - Divisions

2 Samuel 15:4 – “Moreover Absalom would say, “Oh, that I were made judge in the land, and everyone who has any suit or cause would come to me; then I would give him justice.”  NKJV

 

Leadership is a much-desired position but few want the accountability and responsibility that goes with it.  Many want the recognition and the perks of being the top dog, front or lead man or woman but not the dirty details that accompany leadership.  The Church is not devoid of Enemies.  Every local congregation faces spiritual warfare in the fight for its existence and the pursuit of its purposes.  Satan would like nothing better than to destroy the local congregation and the only way he can accomplish that is from within.  Thus the ever present reason for UNITY of the Faith.  I want to challenge you with some scriptures I believe are critical and key regarding the Church, Leadership, and Order, something that is much needed.

Romans 16:17 – “Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on [MARK] those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away [AVOID] from them.”

Did you hear that?  MARK THEM that cause divisions among you.  I am 100% convinced that the only way for the local church to function in the power of God and fulfill its true purposes in the earth and the local community is to learn to “dwell together in unity.”  I am not talking about making concessions and compromises to offer an appearance of unity but TRUE SPIRITUAL UNITY.  I am talking about having a COMMON VISION, becoming CHRIST-CENTERED, and laying aside PERSONAL AGENDAS and EGOS.  That is most difficult for human beings, especially those who are competitive and ambitious.

Psalm 133:1 – “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity.”

Acts 4:32 – “And the congregation of those who believed were of ONE HEART and SOUL, and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own; but all things were common property to them.”

Matthew 23:8 – “But, do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers.”

Romans 12:16 – “Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly.  Do not be wise in your own estimation.”  [v.17 – never pay back evil for evil and v. 19 – never take your own revenge.]

Romans 15:5-6 – “Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus; that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

1 Corinthians 1:10 – “Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, that you all AGREE and there be NO DIVISIONS among you, but you be MADE complete in the same mind and in the same judgment.”

             Let that sink in and soak in for a bit before continuing on and pursuing a position of leadership!  The unquestioned call and absolute necessity are UNITY.  It not optional but essential.  It is the difference between health and spiritual sickness and life or spiritual death.  A house truly cannot stand divided against itself and it is absolutely critical that we all have the same VISION and JUDGMENT.

Ephesians 4:1-3 – “I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing forbearance to one another in love, being diligent to preserve THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT in the BOND OF PEACE.”

Philippians 1:27 – “Only, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ; so that whether I come to see you or remain absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in ONE SPIRIT with ONE MIND striving together for the faith of the gospel…”

Philippians 3:16 – “…however, let us keep living by the same standard to which we have attained.”

Back to MARKING THEM… The Bible gives us two types of people to MARK or NOTE.  Romans 16:17 tells us to MARK a certain group, and Philippians 3:17 tells us to MARK another group.  Philippians says, “Brethren, join in following my example, and observe [MARK] those who walk according to the pattern you have in us.”  Romans says, MARK those who cause divisions.  Both are to be MARKED or NOTED.

Now that I have opened this can of worms I must address it more fully and will do so in the next devotional but for now, I pause to say God bless you as you go through this day in Him.

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