Spiritual

WHAT DEPOSIT ARE YOU MAKING IN OTHERS?


2 Timothy 2:1-2 – “You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”  NASB

Making disciples, as seen in verse two ‘commit to…’ is essentially ‘making a deposit’ in their lives.  It is like putting money in the bank.  You drive alongside or go inside and deposit the money and the money is there when you need it.  But, what about the times when you do that with people and they quit on you, betray you, hurt you, leave you, abandon, you in the time of heated battle? 

You may say, ‘that deposit didn’t work am I supposed to do it again?’  YES!  Everyone’s been hurt or will be hurt.  If ‘fear’ grips your heart you dare not go back into isolation and refuse to risk being hurt again.  If you do, then the devil’s plan is succeeding.  The temptation is always there to protect your heart from hurt but when you realize that you cannot if you are to continue in the ministry and fulfill the commission the Lord gave us you will press on.  Always remember you cannot function in battle alone and be effective.  This is a Body Ministry.  This is an Army!  This is a Family!  This is not a bunch of isolated individuals or body parts trying to be the whole for that is certain defeat!

In making disciples we quickly learn the power and importance of Forgiveness! We must determine that we will forgive, forgive, and forgive.  That will prevent a root of Bitterness from springing up in our hearts and defiling us and others.  It is necessary to maintain order and keep the battle moving forward.  If we have been ‘abandoned’ in the war zone we need to be ‘healed’ and ‘restored.’  Refuse to allow wounds to fester and become infected.  Healing comes by allowing the wound to be opened, the blood to flow to it and life to be administered. 

A word of wisdom and warning – “Pick the right friends this time!”  Do not be too quick to lay hands on people.  How do you pick the right ones?  Discernment and testing!  I’ve had people want to be friends and comrades in arms as the battle began only to find that they quickly became disillusioned and disappointed.  They had expectations of me that I could not fulfill and therefore they turned on me.  Some have been offended that I would joke, laugh, enjoy recreational sports, etc.  They expected me to be, as they stated “different” which really meant ‘abnormal’ and ‘weird’.  They had not learned that we are all human and even Jesus was anointed with the oil of gladness above his fellows. 

It would be easy to say, “Never again. I won’t risk being hurt.”  That attitude and approach will seal the deal, making failure certain and limit any effectiveness we might have in the kingdom.  Too many pastors have allowed the wrong people to be made ‘elders’ and ‘deacons.’  We do that in our churches and our lives too frequently. That is why it is vital that we exercise the ‘discerning of the Spirit.’ 

Always remember that the qualifications for leadership are not ‘community influence’, ‘financial status’, ‘charisma’, or ‘perceived leadership potential.’  It is Commitment!  We all have the capacity for a great number of friends but only room for a few close intimate relationships.  You are to ‘deposit’ a portion of your life into that person or persons and that deposit is precious so guard it with your all.  You are going to war with this individual so you must Know Them! In war, you must “know” your fellow soldiers will stand and do their jobs.  Your life may and probably will depend on it.  I am not talking about preferences I am talking about War!  Once you have committed your life to Jesus you are a candidate for Font Line Duty!

There is nothing more destructive to a local fellowship than misplaced leadership.  Likewise, there is nothing more destructive to an individual life than misplaced friendships or relationships.  1 Corinthians 15:23 tells us that “bad company corrupts good morals.”  Proverbs 25:19 teaches that “confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth or a foot out of joint.”  It is painful and can be quite harmful.

In your enlistment in the Army of God, I pray that God not only equips you for battle but enables you to equip others and to have the spiritual insight and discernment to recognize the ‘right people’ to stand with.

Blessings as you go through your day!

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AUTHORITY vs THEORY…


Mark 1:22 – “And they were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.”  NASB

This is a powerful revelation about Jesus.  He did not teach theoretical possibilities but spoke with authority.  He knew what He was talking about and when He spoke, He spoke knowing that what He said was not just truth but a viable possibility in the lives of those hearing Him.

The Scribes and Pharisees were always surprised when Jesus spoke with demonstrated power and authority.  The Sanhedrin was totally awed by the reality that Peter, John, and the other disciples had not been trained in their prestigious institutions of learning but spoke with authority.  That seems to be a characteristic of a person who has been trained by the Holy Spirit in God’s School of Theology and Life.  They “know” because they “know” the one in whom they have placed their trust.  God is not theoretical to them but a living being.  He is not “a” god but “The Living God!”

I have attended both secular and religious universities and at both encountered professors who spoke only the theoretical.  I was frequently intrigued by their presentations but was left with the reality that, they did not know, they were theorizing.  When I encountered a professor who ‘knew’ unquestionably that what he or she was saying was reality I was moved to a level the others could not achieve. 

After years of preaching, I went to the Lord in prayer and said, “LORD, I’m tired of the theoretical and tired of preaching about You.”  No, I was not tired of being in the ministry and sharing the Good News of the Gospel or even talking about God, but I wanted more and believed the people needed more.  I asked the LORD to help me stop “speaking about Him” and begin “speaking for Him and through Him.”  My view of everything changed.

I have heard enough theory from the pulpit to last five lifetimes and always have a sense of emptiness afterward.  The Holy Spirit impressed upon me a number of years ago to not preach anything that could not be applied in daily life.  Simply, He was instructing me that if I preached it, I had better be able to demonstrate it and lead people into the practical application of that truth.

I can preach Salvation because I have been Saved.  I can preach Healing because I have been Healed.  I can preach Deliverance because I have been Delivered.  I can preach Blessing because I have been Blessed.  I can preach Personal Relationships because He has taken me through the trials, tribulations, struggles, and defeats of interpersonal relationships and applied the biblical truths to those situations.  I have a practical application of Scripture for those areas.  If that seems I am trying to appear super-spiritual, that is not my objective nor my view of myself. I I fail and have flaws, but I am pressing toward the mark and refuse to accept theory, I want demonstrated truth.

Jesus said, in essence, “I can do nothing that I do not see the Father doing and can say nothing I have not heard Him say.”  Our problem, at least my problem, too often, has been that I have not fully expected to see the Bible truths become reality in my situation.  By that, I mean, too often we Hope but do not Expect.  It would be better to say, we Wish but do not Believe that it is a done deal. 

We say, “If Jesus said it, I believe it” but we live as though we are not sure and what we have claimed to believe is theory not reality.  When Peter and John were going to the Temple to pray and the lame man at the Gate Beautiful was begging, they did not offer theory.  They spoke with authority and Peter said, “Be Healed!”  It was not a suggestion it was a command.  When the prophets spoke, they were not offering suggestions as to what could be, they were declaring what was.

The latter portion of 2 Chronicles 20:20 is a declaration that has become an anchor in my life.  It says, “…put your trust in the LORD your God, and you will be established. Put your trust in His prophets and succeed.”   Jesus said, “Seek first, before everything, the Kingdom and Righteousness of God.”  He instructed us to pray, “Thy Kingdom come, and Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.”  God is not a theory but has given us Authority and when we take what He has said we are not wishful we are confident, God never lies and never fails to accomplish what He promised.

God bless you as you walk in Authority and dispense with Theory.  Have a Great Day!

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TEAM EFFORT IN VICTORY…


Exodus 17:8-13 – “Then Amalek came and fought against Israel at Rephidim. 9 So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose men for us, and go out, fight against Amalek. Tomorrow I will station myself on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.” 10 And Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought against Amalek; and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. 11 So it came about when Moses held his hand up, that Israel prevailed, and when he let his hand down, Amalek prevailed. 12 But Moses’ hands were heavy. Then they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it; and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other. Thus, his hands were steady until the sun set. 13 So Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.”  NASB

I love accounts in the Bible that reveal that our victory as the Body of Christ and the Army of God is never solo.  We need each other in life and in our spiritual warfare.  Yes, we are individually responsible for our actions and individually accountable for what we do or do not do, but we are not islands in the ocean of life.  We need each other to fully become what we can be and to achieve the victory that can be ours.

One of the greatest tragedies in churches, especially smaller churches is adopting the mentality, “let clerical George do it.”  What I mean by that is the pastor is viewed as a one-man show.  He is the jack of all trades.  He is not only the overseer but expected to do virtually everything.  I know too many pastors who have become so accustomed to that mentality that they are terrified in relinquishing any control and delegating any authority to others.  They burn out while to burn the candle for the Lord.  That is tragic and not what God intended.

I refer to Moses’ father-in-law’s advice.  He instructed his son-in-law that what he was doing was bad for himself and the nation.  He gave him a plan that was in the heart of God and demonstrated by Jesus and the early church.  He was to select capable men or women in our day, teach them and then release them to function.  If a leader assigns responsibility without releasing with the authority to carry out that function, failure is guaranteed. 

Here, Israel was fighting Amalek, which is used in the Bible as a type of the flesh.  They were fighting Amalek at Rephidim, the place of no water.  That is a very powerful picture if we use the typology of Amalek being representative of the flesh and Rephidim being representative of drought (spiritually).  Get the picture in your mind and you can see a powerful victory in unity and unified efforts.

We need to look no further than the words of Galatians 6:1-2 – “Brethren, even if a man is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burden’s, and thus fulfill the law of Christ.”  Paul addressed this reality in Romans 14:7 when he called to our attention that we are not islands.  Jesus called us His Body and the Bible makes it clear in the Scripture that the body needs all its parts to function fully and efficiently.

When we are struggling, we need to reach out to those who are walking in victory.  Do not reach out to someone who is in the muck with you, they will bring you down.  Reach out to someone on the mountaintop not someone in the lowest of the valley.  When we reach out to those who are struggling, we are to do so with the view of restoration in mind and share with them how the Lord brought us to victory.  Share comfort, hope, and expectation.

When the church adopts a view of genuinely caring for each other and becomes a body not just a gathering of people, we will see incredible victory over the darkness of the devil.  We will see an influx of souls into the kingdom because hurting people will gravitate to where there is real help.  If the church presents an image to the world that we are in the same condition they are, hopeless, depressed, defeated, and isolated, why would they want what we have?

Remember the promise of scripture, “We are more than conquerors through Him that loves us.”  Remember the promise, “All things are possible to them that believe” and “All things are possible with God.”  If I can encourage one heart, my day is filled with joy.  If I can break the power of darkness in one life, I am overjoyed.  If I can be a shoulder to lean on to any brother or sister or anyone, I am thrilled.  My purpose is Christ’s purpose and that purpose is “destroying the works of the devil.”

God bless you as you enjoy this day in Him, and may your day be filled with joy and victory!

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LIVING TO BE NOTICED…


Matthew 6:1 – “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.”  NASB

Matthew 5:16 – “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”  NASB

This has always been a bit of a troubling reality for me.  All of us, whether we admit it or not, like to be noticed and given appropriate accolades.  You may argue that you do not, and I won’t argue with you, but I would ask that you carefully consider that position in the light of God’s full knowledge of our hearts.  Most people enjoy a certain amount of flattery, even those who are truly self-effacing in most things and most of the time.  It is part of our human DNA.

Jesus, in this passage and in other places, warns against doing what we do for recognition of man.  Man is not the one we need to impress.  Man has the power to kill the body but not the soul.  Man has the power to make our lives miserable or pleasant but cannot determine our eternity.  Man, no matter how powerful or resourceful is not our source, God is.  The warning of our LORD is powerful.

The warning is ‘beware’, but beware of what?  Beware of practicing your righteousness or religion before people so that they notice you.  The implied is that they notice, recognize, and praise you.  They deem you a very pious person.  That became the pursuit of the Pharisees in Jesus’ day.  They prayed long prayers in public and the suggestion is those prayers were not grounded by earnest prayers in private.  They dressed in a manner as to appear more pious and righteous than others.  They gave to be noticed. 

Jesus’ warning includes the explanation, “otherwise, you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.”  Here and other places, our LORD instructed those hearing His words, “If you do what you do for pretense or recognition, that’s all you get.”  How warm are you in the cold, with the recognition of others?  How full is your stomach when you are hungry, with the platitudes of others?  How able are you to defeat the devil when he comes in like a flood, with the accolades of people?

In Luke 6:38 Jesus gave a powerful discourse on this very principle and reiterated the powerful Law of Sowing and Reaping and the Law of Harvest.  He said, “Give”.  That alone would be enough, but He said more, much more in the instruction and revelation.  He said, “Give and IT shall be given…”   (Emphasis mine).  That is the word that transformed my understanding of giving and living – IT! 

In keeping with the thought of being noticed by man and rewarded by the Father, this verse is uniquely appropriate.  The giving is IT and the “It” is whatever you give.  Therefore, I suggest that our giving and living should be to please the Father but also with a specific object or goal.  The passage in Luke is not about money only, it is about Life.  In the Law of Sowing and Reaping and the Law of Harvest, we understand the farming principle that we Reap WHAT we so, we Reap MORE than we sow, and we Reap LATER than we sow. 

Reaping WHAT we sow is incredibly important in learning to live so as to please God rather than winning the recognition of men.  If we need Love and give Love out of Love for God and for people, we receive a harvest of love both from God and people.  If we need understanding and we give understanding out of a genuine concern for others and a love for God, we receive a harvest of understanding and compassion. 

We can live in religious pretense or out of sincerity with our focus on being recognized as a righteous man or woman and our reward is only their words and thoughts. But if we live focused on God and truly become one who ‘seeks first the kingdom of God and His righteousness we will find favor with God and God’s favor opens the storehouse of heaven for us. 

I want people to like me, but I refuse to live my life with that as my primary objective.  I want to be a man after God’s own heart.  I want to become the righteousness of God in Christ.  I want the mind in me that was also in Jesus.  I want to love as Jesus loves or better Have Jesus love and live through me.

Refuse to let what people say about you determine how you live.  Learn to live with God, His will and purpose at the center of your daily pursuit.  He will never fail you and will never leave you.

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

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THE CRAFTINESS TRAP…


Genesis 3:1 – “Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?”  NASB

The word is “subtle” in the KJV, but other versions use the word “crafty” and both are incredibly accurate and applicable in describing the wiles and schemes of the devil in his dealings with man.  He is the master of deception and uses the tactic that some have become quite proficient using, “Answering questions with questions to create doubt or confusion.”

The word is ‘aruwm’ (aw-room) in the Hebrew and means cunning, usually in a very bad sense.  The word God uses to describe the serpent is that he was more devious than any of the other animals.  He is cunningly deceptive, and the New Testament refers to him as we are told in 2 Corinthians 11:14. We discover that the devil masquerades as an angel of light or as the KJV renders it “transforms himself into an angel of light.”  He is not but pretends to be.

Deception is never what it appears and the deceived never realize they are being duped until the trap has been sprung and the prison doors slam shut.  The deceiver must have a willing audience to succeed in deception.  That is why it is powerfully important that we are attuned to the Holy Spirit and learn to test the spirits to discover their source and intent.

I have had the sad responsibility of dealing with marriages that have been crushed due to one or the other being deceived and falling into the trap of adultery.  It usually begins so innocently and even playfully, but the power of deception and flattery weaken even the strongest hearts if we do not keep our commitment fresh.  It is devastating to tell the wife or husband, “He/She meant nothing to me.”  I had a session once when the man told his wife that and she said, “I’d feel better if she did mean something to you because when you say she meant nothing, that means you value me even less than I had hoped.” 

The devil usually attempts his crafty deception by creating doubt as to God’s Word.  He does not immediately come in a frontal assault and question God’s character but suggests that we have misinterpreted what God said.  The deception is, “You just misunderstood God.  Did He really say?”  If he manages to gain a foothold and engage us in conversation and we demonstrate even the most remote tendency to question what God’s Words says, he takes the next step.

In step two, the devil begins to cast aspersions on God’s goodness and even suggests that God might be menacingly withholding something good from us.  He will add to the Word of God, something we are warned against in the Bible.  He suggests that God might be holding something back that would be good for us and that brings God’s character and goodness into question.  If he succeeds in drawing us into that conversation and thought, he takes the final step.

He then contradicts the Word of God as we see in Genesis 3:4, completely contradicting what God said about disobedience and death.  God made one prohibition in the Garden.  You can call it an apple if you please.  The prohibition was to achieve obedience and the sin was not the fruit it was the rebellion against the directive of God. 

God could have said, “Don’t cross the bridge over this stream” and it would have been the same thing.  However, the fruit affords us the opportunity to see how the devil uses things that are revealed in Genesis 3:6, good for food, pleasing to the eyes, and conveyed the idea of inherent wisdom hidden in it.  We see this powerfully in 1 John 2:16 – “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.” 

Beware the craftiness trap and anytime anyone or any spirit suggests that God’s Word does not say what it says, or that God does not mean what He says, or questions God’s character – SHUN IT!   Jesus’ promise regarding the Holy Spirit is that one of His ministries is that He will “guide us into all truth.” (John 16:13).

If you are tempted to question God, don’t.  If you feel God is withholding something good from you, ask Him about it.  If you entertain the devil’s suggestions, you will fall prey to his deception and his craftiness will rob you of your peace.  Therefore, I pray that God will help you to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves through the Gift of Discerning of Spirits.  

God bless you as you walk free in Christ!

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FORGIVENESS – How Much and How Often?


Matthew 18:35 – “So shall My heavenly Father also do to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart.”  NASB

The question of how much and how often do we forgive is an issue that has troubled believers for a very long time.  It is argued and debated, frequently out of a self-justifying mindset.  The argument, “But you don’t know what they did?  You don’t know how much the did?  You don’t know how often they did what they did?”  You are right, I don’t but I do know what God says about it and that is far more important than what you or I experienced in the situation. 

This truth is illustrated powerfully in Peter’s question in Matthew 18:21 – “Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”  Peter, like most people, was looking for a numeric specific or a tally sheet.  We often argue that we don’t keep them, but my experience is WE DO!  Jesus’ response was not a numeric specific in saying “70 times 7” but a Hebraism that meant ENDLESSLY or WITHOUT NUMBER!  We never hide, justify, or excuse their sin, that is not forgiveness it is enabling and pacifying.  We love them and endeavor to lead them to the Light of God’s Love. 

Let me offer this word of caution for anyone having difficulty forgiving others and I believe it will be beneficial.  I suggest that you purpose in your heart and commit yourself to pray for them daily.  I do not believe that we can honestly and from the heart pray for people and continue to hate them.  It may take weeks, months, or even years but there will be a change in our attitude toward them and our desire for them.  I did not say, pray for God to GET THEM but pray FOR THEM!

We see the immense peril of unforgiveness illustrated in Proverbs 17:13 – “He who returns evil for good, evil will not depart his house.”  Who wants that?  I would hope, nobody.  It is a good thing to forgive and a bad thing to refuse to forgive.  It is detrimental to everyone to withhold forgiveness.

There is a distinct difference between Forgiveness and Judgment.  For example, if somebody lies to me ten times, I may forgive that person each time, but in my heart, I make a judgment.  In my heart, I see that person as a liar.  I may have taken care of the individual incidents, but I have rendered a judgment that he/she is a liar and therefore, I see them as a Liar.  I have forgiven the sin, but I am still judging the person!  God is the God of Restoration and bringing Wholeness.

Let me suggest that you do not say, “I’m sorry” when you ask for forgiveness.  What?  That doesn’t sound right, so what could I mean.  I suggest that you say, “Will you forgive me?”  At that point the person that I am confessing to and asking forgiveness of can truly release what is in their hearts and both free me and themselves, at the same time. 

I also suggest that you don’t rush out to everyone you have ever harbored an ill-thought toward or held a grudge against and tell them everything that you thought or felt.  Why?  You should forgive them BEFORE you tell them all the nasty details.  I had a person come to me wanting to tell me all they had ever felt negatively about me.  I said, “I forgive you and I do not need to know or want to know the details of how you felt.  I ask you to forgive me for what I did to cause you to feel that way.”  There may need to be some detailing so that the air can be cleared, and true forgiveness can ensue, but often it is not only unnecessary but unwise.

Some people want you to know, not because they are repentant but because they believe that through their revealing their pain to you and your ugliness, they can change you.  When I perceive that is the intent, I frequently stop them and say, “I forgive you and ask that you forgive me.”  There will be some things that need to be confessed in detail to a counselor in a time of ministry in order to become free, but it should never be a forum to dump or trash another person. 

Forgiveness is a very important and misunderstood key to freedom as believers.  We need to identify any and all areas of unforgiveness in our lives.  We need to repent of those areas and ask forgiveness both of God and the one offended and the offender.  We need to release all bitterness and judgments.  We need to receive forgiveness. I hope these sessions have been beneficial and resonated with you in your pursuit of wholeness and freedom in Jesus. 

God bless you as you enjoy this wonderful day in His Love!

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FORGIVENESS – Conviction and Pronouncing Release…


Matthew 18:35 – “So shall My heavenly Father also do to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart.”  NASB

You cannot simply decide to repent and find true repentance or forgiveness.  It requires the conviction of the Holy Spirit brings to light your condition.  Acts 11:18 amplifies that reality, “God has granted to the Gentiles also repentance that leads to life.”  The simple truth is that if a person is not repentant it is impossible to minister life to them.  That being said, it has been my experience that most people are, at least somewhat, repentant. 

A non-repentant person is usually filled with ‘self-justification.’  That is one of the reasons that people grow angry and remain angry over what someone has done, they have accepted the devil’s deliver that they are the victim!  Some truly are, but most simply see themselves as the victim rather than a participant.

It is necessary that we confess our sins.  Some people are far more interested in broadcasting what has been done to them, than repenting of any sins on their part.  Once we have repented, there is a clear biblical directive as to what must come next.  We, must forgive!  We must forgive all those people who wronged us, and we must repent of receiving the anger, making it our own, and allowing the heartache, anger, and rejection that were the fruit that incident bore.  We must repent of believing the lies of the devil.

I call to remembrance the directive of our LORD in Luke 6:41-42 – “And why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 42 “Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye.” 

The first seven verses of Psalms 32 are powerfully descriptive of our Covenant Promise and the Process to remove sin.  There can be no deceit or hiding, but we must become fully transparent and open.  Bitterness causes physical problems such as arthritis and more.  It is healthy to Confess it and allow the Holy Spirit to do the spiritual surgery needed to remove it.

Then we have the dire warning of our Lord in Matthew 18:34-35 that if we do not forgive them from our hearts, the tormentors will come.  Therefore, confession and forgiveness frees from guilt and allows us and them to enjoy God’s wonderful grace, love, mercy, and freedom.  This will never happen without the conviction of the Holy Spirit and our laying our cares and hurts at the feet of Jesus at the Cross.

There is another area that is frequently missed and terribly misunderstood by most evangelical believers.  That is the area of ‘pronouncing forgiveness’.  Before you insist that ‘only God’ can do that, let me ask that you examine some pertinent passages and thoughts from scripture.  God does forgive, but we become the vehicles through which the offender and offended receives forgiveness and enjoy the fullness of pardon.

I would ask that you ask yourself, why does James 5 instruct us to confess our sins to one another?  Then, ask yourself, what do we do after we have confessed to another?  Do we share those juicy tidbits we heard in confession?  No, we can pronounce forgiveness and watch them experience powerful deliverance and freedom. 

Why Confess?  I believe there are two basic reasons that are germane to our discussion.  First, it breaks the power of the fear of exposure and second, it frees from condemnation.  One of the first gifts associated with receiving the Holy Spirit according to John 20:22-23 was pronouncing forgiveness.  “And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 “If you forgive the sins of any, their sins have been forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they have been retained.”  Our great need is to be forgiven.  We need to be forgiven by God and by others, it is liberating.

Matthew 6 teaches that if we do not forgive others God will not forgive us.  The sad reality for many is that we try and try but find it virtually impossible to forgive from our hearts.  There is a residue that keeps hanging on through the years.  I suggest that it is a supernatural thing not a willpower thing.  Ask God to help you to forgive.  Repent and be honest with Him and He will help you and set you free and enable you to set others free.

I want to talk about forgiveness in the light of how many times and how much we are to forgive?  We will address that in the next session. 

May the LORD bless you richly as you enjoy this wonderful day in Him, forgiven and forgiving.

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FORGIVENESS – Releasing the Hidden Things…


Matthew 18:35 – “So shall My heavenly Father also do to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart.”  NASB

Forgiveness is not just important in the Christian walk and in all walks of life, it is a matter of life or death!  We wear masks and hide our real feelings and selves because of the ‘fear of exposure.’  We sometimes harbor questions in our hearts such as, “What if they really knew me?”  We justify our animosity, resentment, and hurt and allow the festering sore of failure to forgive to defile us and thereby defile others around us. 

Let me offer this encouragement in the journey to transparency, openness, and forgiveness – Jesus Will Not Reject You!  He declared that in John 6:37 and He never says anything He does not mean and will not fulfill.  If we want total freedom and release from the pain of unforgiveness we must come to God and CONFESS. 

I caution everyone to be aware of where and to whom you confess.  Only confess your faults, failures, and sins to those who have the objective of making whole and restoration.  Never confess to someone who is loading up ammunition for juicy tidbits of ‘news’ (Gossip).  God promises to forgive ALL sin ALL not some but ALL!  Therefore, it is imperative that we forgive Everyone just as He forgives us.

Let me insert this for your consideration – For anyone to be truly forgiven or to truly receive forgiveness there must be Repentance.  I am not talking about installing some new law, rule, regulation, or requirement for them to buy your pardon but repentance.  The reason that I say Repentance is required is the heart will not release what it has not repented of, therefore, if there is no repentance there is no forgiveness.

Beware the devil’s schemes and attempts to ensnare and entrap.  Do not bury your feelings and deny the need for repentance or forgiveness by saying, “Oh, but I got over that a long time ago, it was nothing.”  If that is the truth then explain why when it comes up and you are reminded of it you start crying, getting angry, grow cold inside, get sick at your stomach, etc.?  How is it that you still carry around the guilt and an element of shame?  The Bible says that God removes it as far as the East is from the West, yet somehow, we still have it and can readily find it. 

In 1 John 1:9, we are instructed that “If we confess our sins…”  That is Repentance!  The word confess (Homologeo) means to confess by way of admitting you are guilty of what you have been accused of.  That is the result of an inward conviction by the Holy Spirit. 

It means to agree with God and say the same thing God says about the situation rather than your pious and sometimes self-righteous dismissal of it.  It is speaking the same thing as God, therefore, to confess is to repent.  It is not just uttering words, it comes from the heart and is an admission of guilt and accepting responsibility for the action and turning away from it.  It is to do an about-face and go the other direction and includes Godly Sorrow!

Let me offer this example and hopefully paint an applicable picture.  I had a person who came to me for counseling and was battling many areas in their life.  In the course of the session he said, “Well, I didn’t like my father.”  I said, “You didn’t like him?”  He said, “Well, I guess I resented him a little.”  I responded in the same manner and said, “You resented him a little?”  He had given me a picture of his life in the home and how his father had cheated on his mother, sexually abused his sister, beat him until he bled.  I said, “If my father had done all the things you say, I would not have resented him a little, it would have gone much deeper than that.”  He said, “Well, I was really angry at my father and I guess I had a little bit of bitterness.”  I said, “Oh, really!  No, it goes much deeper than that it is full-fledged hate.”

You may think me too bold in my challenge to this individual, but God is looking for a match in your heart with what He sees with His eyes.  Honesty always precedes repentance.  If we hide behind masks and embrace false religious expectations, we will never become completely honest and never experience true Repentance and true Forgiveness.  It is the Key!

The Psalmists tells us that “God loves a broken and contrite heart.”  (Psalms 51:17).  There is False Repentance which is rooted in emotion.  We see that in the Bible for in Hebrews 12:17 we read that Esau sought repentance with tears but could never attain it.  Why?  Sorrow is not Repentance.  Paul offers some incredible insight in 2 Corinthians 7:9-10 – “I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God, in order that you might not suffer loss in anything through us. 10 For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation; but the sorrow of the world produces death.” 

Sorrow is not Repentance!  Repentance is a matter of the heart, not the emotions.  There are many who are sorrowful that they got caught and were exposed not for what they have done.  Have you ever witnessed children screaming and crying because they got caught, not because of what they had done?  They were sorrowful for the punishment coming and the shame not what they had done.  Repentance leads to deliverance and freedom.

I want to address the reality that we cannot simply decide to repent it takes conviction.  I also want to discuss the Pronouncing of Forgiveness and the power therein.  We will take up those topics in the next session.

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

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FORGIVENESS – Being Set Free!


Matthew 18:35 – “So shall My heavenly Father also do to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart.”  NASB

Our objective is being set free from the clutches of Sin and the terribleness of unforgiveness.  I have dealt with people bound by this terrible taskmaster and they frequently argue, “I really haven’t done anything wrong.  It is unfair.  Do you know what the have done to me?”  Basically, it is “I Am A Victim!”  It is will often become a demonstration of Self-Pity Syndrome.  If that exists in any area of your life it must be eradicated now!

The crux of the matter is whether or not we receive and internalize what has been done to us.  Tragically too often we own it.  The devil delivers the package to our front door and we can either sign for it or reject it.  The choice is ours.  That is probably overly simplistic, but it is true. 

Jesus said, “Forgive them for they know not what they do.”  Do you understand what He was saying and doing?  He separated the sinner from the sin.  He was saying, “I see that the devil is using them in this.”  In 2 Corinthians 10 we find the powerful truth that this is War but not a war with flesh and blood, it is spiritual.  Therefore, I do not have to take offense, I can separate the sin from the sinner and Forgive!

Self-Pity says, “They are doing this to me. I am going to blame everyone but myself.  I am the victim.”  It is vicious and deadly.  I’ve tried to pray with and for people who were wallowing in ‘self-pity’ and it was an exercise in futility.  When I tried to console them, they just dug a little deeper into their mire.  The matter grew bigger and bigger and they could not shake their sense of being the victim.

Let me offer this warning – Do not focus on Fairness!  God never said that life would be fair.  That is one of the lies and schemes of the devil and believe me it is impossible and deadly to attempt to engage in a non-aggression pact with the devil.  He will sift you like wheat.  You cannot do that and fight this spiritual war at the same time. 

According to 1 John 2:1, the standard is “not to sin.”  But if we fail and sin, there is provision.  However, our objective and goal must be to “not sin.”  Let me suggest that you meditate on the following realities in 1 John 1, it is enlightening and can be liberating.  1:6 – “if”.  1:7 – “But, if”.  1:8 – “if”. 1:9 – “if”. 1:10 – “if”.  Carefully consider what the ‘if’ means and is instructing in each of those verses.  The objective is “not to sin.”

The Bible teaches the incredible need and benefit of Fellowship (Koinonia) which means – “Community, joining together, fitting together, linking bone to bone.”  It is to become one through with Christ and with each other as the Body of Christ.  If my hand offends my foot, I do not cut off the hand, but they must work together as one body.  Hebrews 10:25 instructs, “forsake not the assembling of yourselves together.”  Why?  Because we need it.  No, because it is vital for the life of the body.

I am not talking about meeting but assembling together.  I am talking about all the parts being linked together in the right place and in the right relationship.  I am talking about linking in function and purposes where the Body builds itself up in love.  We are God’s Spiritual House, Christ’s Body, a Community, and the Family of God!

I have upset religious people by saying, “I do not go to church, I am the church.”  They think I mean I do not attend meetings, but I continue, “I go to meetings, but the meeting is not the church, we are the church, the Body of Christ.”

Tragically our ‘fear of exposure’ keeps us from being assembled in the biblically prescribed manner.  To truly be assembled requires a significant amount of transparency and inter-dependency.  Unfortunately, too often we listen to the lie of the devil and run away and wear our masks.  The devil seeks to isolate and separate us, but God wants to link us to each other as one. 

I want to discuss “releasing the hidden things” that shame produces we can be free like we have never been free in our lives.  We will dig into that goldmine in the next session, but for now, we will pause.

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

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FORGIVENESS…


Matthew 18:35 – “So shall My heavenly Father also do to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart.”  NASB

It is more than a little needful for everyone to read Matthew 18:21-35 for the full context and understanding of what we are going to discuss. We only listed the last verse for the sake of space but urge everyone to read the entire paragraph.

It is vital that believers learn the ‘schemes’ of the devil to enable us to defeat him and set free those who have been held captive by his deception.  Part of that process is learning more about Forgiveness and the lack thereof.  This is an area in which, I have witnessed satanic strongholds developed in lives.  The devil operates in this area legally as a result of our failure to forgive or understand what true forgiveness involves. 

Jesus identified how important Forgiveness is in numerous passages.  In Matthew 6:12 we are told that we are forgiven (as) we forgive.  In verse 14 we are informed that (if) we forgive others, the Father will forgive us.  In Matthew 18:21 we discover the unlimited requirement to forgive.  In verse 35 we realize that the forgiveness being given us is directly connected to our forgiving others.  In Mark 11:25 we realize that Forgiving others is the key to God’s forgiveness and our prayers being answered.  In Luke 6:37 we can apply this rule and principle of Life – We Reap What We Sow.

The Law of Retribution flows to its inevitable conclusion UNLESS forgiveness is effected in the heart as we read in James 1:13-15.  The matter of anger is an example.  Anger is a stimulus.  It engenders a response and each response becomes a stimulus to the other parties.  Each response demands a response that becomes a stimulus that produces a response that stimulates another response.  It is a vicious cycle.  Arguments incite fights.  Group hassles become riots.  National tensions become wars.  Those truths are incorporated in the words of James 4:1-2.  I suggest that this is the Law of Stimulus and Response; Sowing and Reaping; Retribution.  That’s how powerful Forgiveness or failing to Forgive is in our lives and in our world.

Let me nip something in the bud at the outset.  Will Power and suppressing responses only delays the inevitable, they do not correct the problem.  The Cross is the only real answer.  Our problem is that something has blinded our minds and obscured the Cross creating a situation in which we are ‘held captive, bound, bent’ for destruction UNLESS there is divine help.  It does involve our wills, but it is not simply a matter of Will Power. 

Have you considered the reality that we would not have a problem with Forgiveness if it were not for the Problem of Sin?  Too often, we excuse and justify our sin saying: “I’m only human.  I’m not perfect.”  That is the truth, but it can never be a justification for sin.  God will never accept that flimsy attempt to justify ourselves.  He wants the heart and will accept nothing less.

God’s standard and the plan are for us to be transformed and become new creations with new hearts so that we do not sin.  Before someone argues, “But we do sin and we can’t help it.”  I suggest that taking that view is to guarantee that we will never become what God says we are and can be.  With God, all things are possible including our sanctification.

It is wonderful that Jesus always meets us where we are not where we think we are supposed to be in order to receive His mercy.  He takes us where we are and elevates us to a higher place spiritually. It is a process.  In Luke 6:40 we read, “A student is not above his teacher, but when he is trained, he becomes just like his teacher.”  Also, in 1 John 4:17 we are reminded that “As He is, so are we in this world.”  Not in the world to come but NOW!

I suggest that we become what we behold and what we worship.  If you want to study that reality mediated on Psalms 115-135.  We should never make excuses and accept sin as an inescapable prospect in our daily lives.  When we do, we place a roadblock in the path of repentance.  We must focus on the Root Cause and receive the promise of Jude 24, “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling” and the encouragement of 1 John 2:6, “…He who abides in Him ought to walk as He walks.”

My interest is for us to be FREE!  The Truth will enable us to enter into true freedom in Christ and that is my objective.  Therefore, in the next few devotionals, we will focus on Forgiveness and hope that we can mine sufficient truth to bring us to a new level of liberty and freedom in Christ.

God bless you and we will continue this in the next meeting!  Have a fantastic day!

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