Spiritual

CHANCE OF A LIFETIME – Part Two…


Spiritual Blog - Lifetime

Matthew 8:28-34 – “When He came to the other side into the country of the Gadarenes, two men who were demon-possessed met Him as they were coming out of the tombs. They were so extremely violent that no one could pass by that way. 29 And they cried out, saying, ” What business do we have with each other, Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?” 30 Now there was a herd of many swine feeding at a distance from them. 31 The demons began to entreat Him, saying, “If You are going to cast us out, send us into the herd of swine.” 32 And He said to them, “Go!” And they came out and went into the swine, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and perished in the waters. 33 The herdsmen ran away, and went to the city and reported everything, including what had happened to the demoniacs. 34 And behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw Him, they implored Him to leave their region.”  NASU

 

Last time we began to examine this event and saw that the entire city had come out to meet Jesus and see the supernatural occurrence.  I’m quite sure they were apprehensive and probably fearful as well as curious.

WHEN THEY SAW JESUS, THEY REALIZED THAT HE WAS DIFFERENT.

The presence of Jesus always brought light into the darkness and caused men to realize their sinfulness.  His Holiness made them uncomfortable and it still does. I have no doubt that they conjured an image of Him in their minds as they came to the scene, but He was not what they expected.  Their curiosity morphed into fear, trepidation, and the conviction they were feeling made them incredibly uncomfortable.

Remember what the soldiers said to the rulers who had sent them to arrest Jesus.  They came back in John 7:46 and said, “…never man spake like this man…”  We have never heard anything like what He is saying, and we recognize a power in His words and an authority we have never witnessed before.  I have little doubt they came expecting to see something spectacular and watch the show.  They were not expecting the moral and spiritual demands that His presence brought into their midst.  The holiness of Jesus touched them and when God comes into the presence of sin, sin is made incredibly uncomfortable.

I suggest that it is impossible to come into the presence of Jesus and go away the same as you came.  You may not accept Him, but you are impacted eternally.  His presence brings the holiness of God into whatever situation He enters.  Jesus’ presence made them uncomfortable and they reacted as carnal sinful man often does in the presence of God.

THEY ASKED HIM TO LEAVE. 

Their actions suggested that they preferred hogs to liberty.  They did not give Him the opportunity to teach them the truths of God and bring to them the Light of God’s Love, their fear and focus on the material drove them to reject Jesus.  They were uncomfortable in His presence and His presence represented a loss of economic gain, so they asked Him to leave.

Jesus brought disorder to their order.  He brought the abnormal to their normal.  If He remained in their midst there would be some changes required and they did not want to leave their comfort zones and their way of life.  His presence brought conviction to their hearts.  Conviction will either break us and bring us to Jesus or prompt us to build a wall, a barrier and reject Him.  He had come to bring Liberty to this people and they missed the opportunity of a lifetime!  They turned Him away.

I suggest that they are not very different from people today.  Jesus has come time and again to people only to have them refuse to open the door.  He stands at the door and knocks today as He did then.  How often do people do what these people did and ask Him to “leave their coasts or region.”  They were like the person that told me, “Preacher I cannot accept Jesus because if I do I will have to stop doing what I like to do.”  What he meant was, “I enjoy sin and don’t want to stop.”  The Bible tells us that sin is pleasurable (Hebrews 11:26).

Jesus has come to us today the only question is “What Will We Do With Him?”  He has come to Save, Heal, Deliver, and bring us God’s Abundant Life.  He has come to provide whatever we need.  Opportunity is knocking at our door today.  The only question is “What Will We Do With Jesus?”  My prayer is that each of us will say, “Enter Lord Jesus.  I receive You and want to Live in Your Presence.”

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

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CHANCE OF A LIFETIME…


Spiritual Blog - Liftime

Matthew 8:28-34 – “When He came to the other side into the country of the Gadarenes, two men who were demon-possessed met Him as they were coming out of the tombs. They were so extremely violent that no one could pass by that way. 29 And they cried out, saying, ” What business do we have with each other, Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?” 30 Now there was a herd of many swine feeding at a distance from them. 31 The demons began to entreat Him, saying, “If You are going to cast us out, send us into the herd of swine.” 32 And He said to them, “Go!” And they came out and went into the swine, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and perished in the waters. 33 The herdsmen ran away, and went to the city and reported everything, including what had happened to the demoniacs. 34 And behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw Him, they implored Him to leave their region.”  NASU

 

It is an interesting journey to consider how many times, in the Word of God, people encountered Jesus only to turn Him away and lose their “Chance of a Lifetime.”  I can only imagine how the heart of God was grieved each time.  That grief was compounded as city after city and group after group rejected the offer of the Lord Jesus to experience God’s Abundant Life.

The very presence of Jesus spoke of the Abundant Love the Father had and has for the world.  John 3:16 is pounding in my ears as I consider this reality.  That truth was demonstrated and evidenced in the very person and presence of Jesus.  God is Love and Love was walking in their midst and yet they turned Love away, time and time again.

In this incident, we find Jesus had just ministered to several different and difficult cases bring the miraculous into the midst of those observing.  He had healed the Lepers, the Centurion’s servant, Peter’s mother-in-law, and had quieted the storm on the sea.  His followers were observing and amazed at the great power of God in the person of Jesus.  Now, He and they have come to the country of the Gadarenes and is met by two demon-possessed men.  Mark only identifies one, but Matthew tells us there were two.  These men had been bringing terror into the hearts and lives of those around them.  They were violent and dangerous.

The demons recognized Jesus as the Son of God and knew they were powerless in His presence because of His faith, not simply His divinity.  They requested, and Jesus granted that they enter the herd of hogs in the area and cast them out.  The keepers of the hogs went to the city and reported what had transpired.  They told of the exhibition of supernatural power and divine authority they had witnessed.  I’m sure they were saying, “Something miraculous has transpired come and see.”  Talk about advertising, eye witness testimony!

THE WHOLE CITY WENT OUT TO MEET JESUS.

According to the biblical account, there were about 2,000 hogs lost in this occurrence but two souls (human beings) had been liberated from the power of darkness.  One would think that even with the financial loss they would be ecstatic about the two men but as the story progresses we find that mammon was more important the people.  Is today really, that much different?

Imagine this scene.  The Messiah had come to their country.  Talk about the opportunity of a lifetime.  Unfortunately, they did not come to see a savior they came to see a sign.  They came out of curiosity.  They came because of carnal greed and concern for their livelihood.  Their focus was not salvation.  They came out of curiosity, question, and concern for their way of life.

I have noticed in my years of Christian service that if something supernatural transpires people will drive hundreds of miles to see what has happened.  It does not have to be a miracle, it may be an act of incredible evil through the demonic, but the interest and curiosity are peaked, and people come in droves.  People are naturally “sign seekers” and “supernatural hunters.”

What an opportunity this city had.  The entire city was on the scene and Jesus was in their midst.  This is an opportunity to hear the Messiah speak and work miracles in their midst.  This is their Day, their Opportunity.  The question is what will they do with Jesus?

I apologize for putting you on hold, but I will pause here and pick this up in the next devotional and deal with the squandering of the greatest opportunity of their lifetime.  I will ask, “What were they thinking?”

Until the next time, I pray that God will go with you and bless you richly!  Have a fantastic day!

 

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NEVERTHELESS…


Spiritual Blog - Nevertheless

Matthew 26:36-39 – “Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go and pray over there.”  37 And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. 38 Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.”39 He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” NKJV

Luke 22:41-44 – “And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.”  43 Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. 44 And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”  NKJV

 

It is not my intent to attempt to exegete this fully.  I hope to focus on something that leaps off the page in my spirit when I read it, the word NEVERTHELESS.  We know that our LORD in a very short time would experience the Cross and as He prepares for that time of suffering and shame giving Himself a sacrificial lamb for whosoever would believe and receive He went to the garden to pray.  Clearly, from the biblical accounts, He was agonizing over what He knew was coming.  I do not believe His agony was simply the suffering but the momentary separation from the Father in sin being laid on Him.  He knew what was coming!

Matthew and Luke give their account of this event and both are necessary to have a true picture of that night.  In His deep sorrow, our LORD prayed an agonizing prayer to the Father and Matthew tells us Jesus requested a reprieve from the Cross, the Cup of Suffering If it were possible.  Luke describes it as the LORD asking If it is Your will or If You are willing let it pass.  If we have an understanding of the heart of the Father we know that He would have been instantly willing if it was possible to bring redemption to man without the Cross.  It clearly was not, divine justice could not be satisfied and the legal hold the devil had on man could not be broken without a sinless sacrifice to atone for sin were offered.  Jesus understood this and was totally committed to the mission.

It is here that we find that word that leaps out at me – NEVERTHELESS.  If it is possible, let it pass NEVERTHELESS…  If the world can be saved without this cup let it pass NEVERTHELESS…  I find it powerfully encouraging in Luke’s account that after Jesus prayed for the cup to pass, if possible or if the plan could still be fulfilled were it to pass, an angel sent from the Father strengthened Him and as a result He prayed even more earnestly to the point that blood oozed from his pores and fell to the ground.  He was agonizing but totally on board with the plan, therefore, we hear NEVERTHELESS…  Not nevertheless out of frustration but faith.  It is the, nevertheless of love!

You and I need to reach the NEVERTHELESS stage in our spiritual development where we are committed to the cause, purpose, and plan of God to the place that regardless we can with a joy-filled heart cry NEVERTHELESS.  I do not like suffering but if it is necessary to achieve God’s Purposes NEVERTHELESS, not as I will, but as You will Oh Lord!  When we reach the NEVERLESS place in our spiritual walk we will lose all fear of man, death and the devil.  We will walk into and out of whatever situation with resolute confidence in God and that confidence will anchor our souls.

Remember our Lord’s words, “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness and all these things will be added…”  All These Things spring from the NEVERTHELESS.

May God be with you as you experience this day and all it brings!  Blessings!

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FOUNDED UPON THE ROCK – Part Two…


Spiritual Blog - Rock

Matthew 7:24-29 – “Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock.  25 “And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock.  26 “Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.  27 “The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell — and great was its fall.”  28 When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; 29 for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.”  NASU 

Ephesians 5:18-21 – “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; 20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; 21 and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.”  NASU

 

 In continuing our consideration of the Early Church and the success they had several things come immediately to our attention.

THEY CHOSE TO BUILD ON THE ROCK – Christ Jesus. 

Before their conversion, they were following the practices of their religion and their own hearts and in a very real sense, they were building upon the sand.  The Law was their guide and they followed the customs and ideas of the priest.  Man’s will is not God-like until it has been supernaturally changed through salvation.

Jesus opened a new and better way to them in Grace.  He said, “Upon this Rock, I will build My Church.”  There is no other foundation upon which we can build eternal spiritual buildings.  Had the Early Church been content with what we are too often, the church would not be in existence today.  Before Christ, they had to rebuild after every storm of life.  Trials, tests, and difficulties stopped them but now they had a Foundation that was Eternal.

Jesus was their Rock of Ages.  He is the Author and Finisher of our Faith and He is tried and proven.  He is the anchor that holds no matter what storm comes and He gave them Hope in a hopeless world.  He gave them confidence that they could overcome whereas before they had been accustomed to defeat and lived under the debt of sin.  He taught them that they could be Holy because He Is Holy.  They could be Victorious because He is Victorious.  They could overcome the devil because He did.  In Him, they lived and moved and had being.

THE WORD OF GOD WAS THEIR GUIDE AND FROM IT CAME THEIR STANDARD. 

The Word lived in them.  It was not simply something they read and heard but it lived inside their hearts. They had the Living Word living in them, in Jesus through the Power and Anointing of the Holy Spirit.  The Word of God worked in their lives.  It became a living reality they could apply to daily life situations.  They continually searched the Scriptures and as they discovered the truths contained therein they applied those precepts and principles to their daily lives.

They studied to show themselves approved unto God.  They sought to know God’s Word so they could lead others in right paths.  They studied to be grounded. They had a deep desire to know God’s Promises and Provisions.  They studied for guidance and their desire was to be “like Jesus”.  They wanted to do more than represent Him, they wanted to manifest Him.  They sought to be pure, honest, holy, free from unclean habits, modest, decent, and busy about the Master’s business.

They used biblical reasoning in everything they did.  I find evidence that they sought to know what the Bible said on any given matter before forming a standard.  They wanted to know that it would glorify God and was consistent with the Bible.  They wanted to determine if what they planned would do harm or help.  They sought to determine from the Word if their doctrines would increase or decrease faith.

THEIR GOALS WAS TO EVANGELIZE AND DISCIPLE THE ENTIRE WORLD. 

Their love for God motivated them and the Commandment of Jesus was ever present in their thinking.  They knew their message and refused to deviate from it.  They were not looking for some new trendy way to entertain but sought to bring deliverance from sin to lives.  They knew the Power by which they operated was the Power of the Holy Spirit.  They knew their authority was directly given by Jesus in His defeat of the devil.

God’s call for us today is to reevaluate our foundation and be sure we are founded on Jesus.  He wants us to revise our mindset and develop an expectation that the Word will produce the same effect it produced in them.  He wants us to operate with the mentality that He is the same yesterday.

It is God’s desire that we live in the atmosphere of heaven and have the culture of the Kingdom of God in our daily lives and in our churches.  We can move the world through Him so let’s do it!

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

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FOUNDED UPON THE ROCK…


Spiritual Blog - Rock

Matthew 7:24-29 – “Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock.  25 “And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock.  26 “Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.  27 “The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell — and great was its fall.”  28 When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; 29 for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.”  NASU 

Ephesians 5:18-21 – “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; 20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; 21 and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.”  NASU

Even in a cursory reading of the New Testament, we see the incredible success and effect of the Early Church upon their world.  The Sanhedrin were alarmed at this new movement and in Acts 5:28 lamented that the apostles had “filled Jerusalem with their doctrine.”  In Acts 17:6 we find the declaration, “These that have turned the world upside down are come here too.”

I don’t know about you, but when I see that kind of success and the attention given by those who opposed their efforts, I take note.  What was it about them that produced that kind of success?  What did they have that many today do not seem to have?  What did they do to achieve that kind of success and reaction?

According to the declaration of scripture, they were filled (crammed full and overflowing) with the Spirit of God.  They walked in the Spirit, not the flesh.  Their love passed all human reason and their prayers were effectual, fervent, and continual.  They truly knew how to pray and were completely surrender to the Lord Jesus Christ.  He was first in their lives.  They trusted God completely.

They had a foundation, a standard, and a goal and I believe that was key in their success.  They believed all of God’s Words were true and depended completely upon the direction of the Spirit of God.  They had learned to hear that still small voice that said, “this is the way, walk in it.”

  • Their Foundation was Christ.
  • Their Standard was the Word of God – (Based their lives on the Word).
  • Their Convictions were God-given not tradition or man-made rules and regulations.
  • Their Goal was Evangelization and Discipleship of the Entire World.

Their eternity depended upon the truthfulness and dependability of God’s Word and Promises.  They were completely dependent on those words.  A question I have been asked and asked comes to mind.  Was the Success of the Early Church Reproducible?  Can we see what they saw and experience the success and impact they enjoyed?  The answer lies in what they did and who they were.

I hope you will journey with me in considering those thoughts.  You may disagree but if you will hear me to the conclusion, I believe you might modify your disagreement a bit and hopefully, it will whet your appetite and instill a desire in you to experience more of God’s Presence and Fullness in this day.

We will pause here and pick this up next time as we consider their Foundation, Standard, and Goal.   

May the richest of God’s blessings be yours as you enjoy this wonderful day in Him!

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THE DEVIL IS FULL OF PRUNES…


Spiritual Blog - Prunes

Matthew 7:13-14 – “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it.  14 “For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.”  NASU 

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

Okay, now that you have possibly smiled at my title and wondered about it in connection with the text let me begin.  I stand in amazement at some people’s logic and reason.  Without examining the fact, without first-hand knowledge, with only the advice of the father of lies and deception they decide:

  • It’s too Hard to Live for God.

They believe that there is too much temptation.  They believe that will be required to give up too much.  They believe that if they become Christians all the fun will be sucked out of their lives.  What they really mean is they don’t want to quit sinning and don’t want to stop being self-centered and their own god.

  • They Cannot Do Great Things for God.

They believe that doing anything for God requires too much faith, they are not good enough, not educated enough, too poor, or too something.

Based on the lies of the devil they present their arguments as to why they cannot do what God ways they can.  They came to a place in life where they could either believe the Truth (God’s Word) or the Lie (devil’s word) and they took the easy road of rejection.  No, it is not truly easy but is the path of self.  They have believed what the devil said, and I say to that, “The devil is full of prunes!”

I have encountered too many people, especially the young who have decided that serving God is too difficult or constraining so why try?  The enemy has convinced many that, so few really care about the plight of others so why bother at all?  But, I say, “The devil is full of prunes!”

Let me offer a caution.  Never make a decision until all the facts are in.  Get the evidence before rendering a decision.  Hear the conclusion of the whole matter as we are instructed in Ecclesiastes 12:13.

2 Kings 6:16 encourages us to “…fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.”  I John 4:4 instructs, “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.”  Then in Matthew 19:26 we read, “…with God all things are possible.”  So, I ask, “What are you going to believe?”  Are you going to believe God whose track record is impeccable or the devil?  Can you say with me, “The devil is full of prunes!”

Let me make this declaration and I hope it resonates with you.  You can live for God and you can do something for God!  You are more than a conqueror.  You are more than a match for the devil.  You are an overcomer!  You can serve God today!  Paul declared in Philippians 1:6, “Being confident of this very thing, that He which has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ!”  Hallelujah!  2 Timothy 1:12 encourages us, “…for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed to Him against that day.” 

God forgives ALL Sins!  God is able to Keep us till the end!  God is willing to do everything short of forcing us to serve Him to enable us to serve Him.  We can serve Him if we choose to do so and we can make that decision with the confidence that He has promised to send the Holy Spirit to help us!  I always draw strength from the biblical account of Daniel in captivity.  He chose to serve God regardless of the dangers to his own life.  God shut the mouths of hungry lions to protect him.  That same God will protect you and me!  He is our provider, our defense, our protector, our God, our Savior, and our Soon Coming King!

Get it in your heart that the devil is full of prunes!  He is a liar and the father of lies!  If he says you can’t then you can take it to the bank, you can!   I would encourage you to reread the account of Gideon in Judges 7 and couple that with the words of Leviticus 26:7-8, “And you shall chase your enemies, and they shall fall before your sword.  And five of you shall chase a hundred, and a hundred of you shall put 10,000 to flight: and your enemies shall far before you by the sword.”  Then in Deuteronomy 32:30 we find the reference of one chasing a thousand and two putting 10,000 to flight.  Out of the mouth of two or three witnesses, every word is established.

The only question for us today is, “Who are we going to believe?”  You may think it foolish, but I suggest that you orally declare to the devil, “You are full of prunes!”  Let God be true and every man and every devil a liar.   You can because God said you could.  He has not and will not leave you as an orphan and deserted.

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

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KINGDOM SEEKERS – Conclusion…


Spiritual Blog - Kingdom

Matthew 6:33 – “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”  NASU

Let’s begin today discussing the second question that I raised in the first devotional on this subject.

WHAT IS THE PRIORITY OF THIS SEEKING?

It is to be FIRST or Above All Else!  According to Matthew 10:37 it is to be before all human relations including family.  God is to be the Number One in all things and at all times!  If God is First everything else falls into its proper place.  It is to be before the pursuits of life according to 2 Timothy 2:4.

Anything and I mean anything that holds our affections, allegiance, interest, involvement, and investment holds our hearts as revealed in Matthew 6:21, “…for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Let me offer this thought for you to muse on.  If you control your life, God does not.  If anything is sought, to the expense of God and His Kingdom and Righteousness it is being sought first.  It is imperative that we remember that there can be Only One Number One!   I am saying, “Oh Me” as I type, and I encourage everyone to join me in being completely honest and transparent with God.  He already knows but it is important that we acknowledge the truth to Him and in that acknowledgment, He can come in and help us move out of that bondage into His victory!   I believe that it is not only important but imperative that we make God our Earliest and Primary Object of attention.  We give Him Preference over Everything!

I understand that life’s obligations and duties may occasionally make it difficult to invest time in prayer at the outset of your day, but if that is the norm then I must ask, “What is Number One?”  Are we willing to make everything take a backseat to God?  Are we willing to even endure hardships, ridicule, make sacrifices, and even suffer loss, in the natural to make Him Number One?

WHAT ARE THE RESULTS OF SEEKING GOD FIRST?

It is here that I hope to eliminate all arguments and excuses against this pursuit of God.  Notice what Jesus says: “And all these things will be added to you.”  Do you see it?  You lose nothing by making Him Number One in all things and at all times!  What are “All These Things?”  Read the preceding verses and you realize that He is speaking of both heavenly treasures as well as natural treasures.  He is talking about new-found freedom that is incredible.  He is speaking about deliverance from fear, worry, carnal lusts and draws our attention to the Promises of His Provision in Life of All that we need!

  • Incorruptible
  • Indescribable Peace.
  • Supernatural Provision.
  • Eternal Inheritance.

That which is the most important will be that which is most sought after.  It reveals what is Number One!  So, I ask each of us to be totally honest with ourselves and with God.  Are we seeking First the Kingdom and Righteousness of God?  Would we, will we renounce anything for Him?  Is our heart’s cry right now, “Guilty, I’m Guilty of failure to do this, Lord so I ask that you forgive me for my negligence and any unwittingly manufactured excused for my omission?” 

As I conclude the chorus – “Mercy rewrote my life” is ringing in my heart.  So, I come before the Lord in repentance and in receive His mercy.  I declare that my heart’s greatest desire is Him, His Kingdom, and His Righteousness.  I want to see the fulfillment of the prayer Jesus instructed His followers to pray in Matthew 6.  “Lord, I want to see your kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven and I want it to be a present reality in my life.”

If your heart is crying out to Him in repentance for any negligence know that He both hears and forgives and if you ask He will transform you and you can go forth renewed and manifest as well as represent Him to a fallen world.

God bless you as you enjoy this day in Him!

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KINGDOM SEEKERS – Part Two…


Spiritual Blog - Kingdom

Matthew 6:33 – “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”  NASU

Last time we introduced the question that was the first in the three things I suggested this text unveils.

WHAT ARE WE TO SEEK?

First, we are to Seek the Kingdom of God.  That almost goes without saying, but it is important that we address it.  The immediate question is “What is the Kingdom of God?”  I will not get into a lengthy discourse or discussion that question but suffice it to say, “It is the sphere or realm of God’s Rule.”  I believe that encapsulated in that declaration we find the reality of God’s Kingdom in His Presence, His Rule, His Reign, and His Sovereignty.  Let me offer a few passages to illustrate what I am saying.

Psalm 22:28 – “For the kingdom is the LORD’S and He rules over the nations.” 

Psalm 145:13 – “Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Your dominion endures throughout all generations.” 

Dan 4:25b – “…the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind and bestows it on whomever He wishes.” 

Luke 1:52 – “He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.” 

The area and right of God’s Rule are universal.  He has the Right and Authority to rule everything and everyone.  But, although He has the right to Rule the whole earth, the earth is the scene of a cosmic and universal rebellion against Him.

Luke 4:5-8 – “And he led Him up and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 And the devil said to Him, “I will give You all this domain and its glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. 7 “Therefore if You worship before me, it shall all be Yours.” 8 Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD AND SERVE HIM ONLY.'” 

1 John 5:19 – “We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” 

Revelation 11:15-18 – “Then the seventh angel sounded; and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign forever and ever.” 16 And the twenty-four elders, who sit on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, 17 saying, “We give You thanks, O Lord God, the Almighty, who are and who were, because You have taken Your great power and have begun to reign. 18 “And the nations were enraged, and Your wrath came, and the time came for the dead to be judged, and the time to reward Your bond-servants the prophets and the saints and those who fear Your name, the small and the great, and to destroy those who destroy the earth.” 

Second, the Kingdom of God is the Sphere in which, at any given time, His Rule is Acknowledged.  Please understand that God has not and will not relinquish His Sovereignty in the face of man’s cosmic rebellion today any more than he did in the Garden of Eden or in the Wilderness Temptation of Jesus.  Yet, He has declared His purpose and desire to Establish His Kingdom on Earth as it is in Heaven.

Daniel 2:44 – “In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which will never be destroyed, and that kingdom will not be left for another people; it will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, but it will itself endure forever.” 

Daniel 7:14 – “And to Him was given dominion, Glory and a kingdom, that all the peoples, nations and men of every language might serve Him.  His dominion is an everlasting dominion which will not pass away; and His kingdom is one which will not be destroyed.”  

1 Corinthians 15:24-25 – “then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power. 25 For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet.”  

Third, the Kingdom of God is that Realm in which Christ’s Lordship is not only accepted but earnestly sought and manifested.  W.E. Vines said, “Now, the King and His Rule being refused, those who enter into the Kingdom of God are brought into conflict with all who disown its allegiance, as well as with the desire for ease and the dislike of suffering and unpopularity, natural to all.  On the other hand, subjects of the Kingdom are the subjects of the care of God (Matthew 6:33) and of the rejected King (Hebrews 13:5).

LET ME GIVE TWO QUICK STATEMENTS:

  • Entrance into the Kingdom of God is by the New Birth – Salvation.  
  • Residence in the Kingdom is through total submission to the King.

Let me offer a word of caution, warning, and encouragement before concluding this devotional.  We are to seek “The Righteousness of God” with our all.  Incorporated in the Righteousness of God we discover the sum-total of the requirements of His Goodness.  His Righteousness is to be incorporated in our lives daily and His Righteousness in us enhances the Kingdom of God in this present world.  We are more than His Representatives we are to be His Manifestations.

There is a checkpoint in the Bible that will be revealing if we apply the questions of Jesus to the Rich Young Ruler to our own lives.  What would you do if the Lord were to ask you to do what He asked that man?  Be Honest.  The issue is both Trust and Total Submission.

It is my hope and desire to encourage you and me to “Seek first and above everything, Him, His Kingdom, and His Righteousness.”   I will pause here and pick this up again tomorrow with the question, “What is the Priority of Seeking First His Kingdom and Righteousness?”

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

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KINGDOM SEEKERS…


Spiritual Blog - Kingdom

Matthew 6:33 – “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”  NASU

I hesitate to use a single verse in this devotional because the preceding and subsequent verses are incredibly germane and vital for the full understanding and impact.  However, I am focused on three words, “But seek first…”  Not just seek anything but something specific and that is God, His kingdom and His righteousness.  He must become the prime pursuit of our lives and must be sought before and above everything or anything else.

There have been countless messages, sermons, and exhortations regarding the need and value of Commitment and Dedication to God.  The warning cry of men of God for generations has been to beware of putting anything before or above God.  There has been urgent pleas week after week from pulpits around this world seeking to inspire and encourage people everywhere to see that which is the most important in life.

There is something or someone to be placed above everything in life and that is God!  There is something or someone upon which or whom or Eternal Existence depends and that is God!  The message of Jesus in this declaration is not just valuable for the believer it is vital.  It is not simply a suggestion, but a declaration of not only what God desires but that which will produce the most incredible victory we could ever experience this side of heaven.

The declaration in the “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and…”  The “and” is a vital word in this truth.  It reveals the benefits of following the directive.  It reveals the natural benefits, the material benefits, but it also reveals the eternal and spiritual benefits.  There is nothing in life that is more important than the Presence of God and In His Presence, we find Hope, Peace, Joy, Forgiveness, and the incredible Provision of His Promises.

Sadly, many stop at the “seek first the kingdom…”  Rather than seeking His kingdom often they are investing themselves, their time, energy, money, talents, and abilities into developing a kingdom of their own.  It is a kingdom of recognition, fame, fortune, influence, power, and things.  In that kingdom, God is often forced to the sidelines or out of the picture entirely.  The world and even the church are filled with Kingdom Seekers, but not His Kingdom and His Righteousness.

I must be cautious lest I appear too negative.  I do not believe that everyone in the Church or even most of the people in the Church are in that position and condition, but too many times we relegate God to the Emergency Button Position.  We seek Him as we would break the glass in case of an emergency.  We talk to Him in times of trial rather than making Him the most important and first sought after of our day.

When I meditate and muse on this passage I see several things clearly suggested:

  • Something is to be Sought.
  • The Priority of that which is to be Sought.
  • The Benefit of Obedience. 

So, over the next couple of devotionals, I want to focus on those three things and I hope you will join me and then take it far beyond what I suggest as you meditate, muse, consider, and ponder this passage again and again.  I am going to pause here and declare that in the next devotionals we are going to consider the question, “WHAT ARE WE TO SEEK?”

It is my prayer and desire that LORD richly will bless you and create a hunger and thirst in your heart as you prepare your hearts to “Seek First, Him, His Kingdom, and His Righteousness.”   

May your day be rich and filled with His presence and His blessings!

 

 

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WHAT CAN ONE MAN DO???


Spiritual Blog - One

Romans 5:12-19 – “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned — 13(For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come. 15 But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many. 16 And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification. 17 For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) 

18 Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. 19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.”  NKJV

 

We have all heard stories and seen statistics of how one person or one vote changed the entire course of nations and history.  I call to mind the quote attributed to Benjamin Franklin, “For the want of a nail the shoe was lost, for the want of a shoe the horse was lost, for the want of a horse the rider was lost, for the want of a rider the battle was lost, for the want of a battle the kingdom was lost, and all for the want of a horse-shoe nail.”   That is a powerful reminder of how important one person, one event, one vote or one action can be and often is.

Here Paul reminds us of the power of one in two different situations.  Sin entered the race through the disobedience of Adam, one man.  Salvation came to mankind through the obedience of Jesus, one man.  I wonder how often we read this and although we rightly focus on the work of Christ we fail to allow the importance and power of one.  It only takes one rotten apple to spoil the entire barrel and sometimes only takes one act of kindness to totally reverse years of animosity, hatred, bitterness, and conflict.  One word spoken at the right moment can completely change the course of events.  One word spoken at the wrong time can escalate things to full-blown warfare.

I have heard people lament, “I am only one person” offering that a justification for not launching into the daunting task before them.  As the old saying, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step” we should never allow ourselves to stop believing in the Power of One.  I do not recall when I first saw it but I remember a Mercedes Benz television commercial in which the automobile collided with a concrete wall in a safety test.  Someone asked the company spokesman why Mercedes Benz did not enforce their patent on the energy-absorbing car design which was eventually copied by most manufacturers.  He stated simply, “Because some things in life are too important not to share.”   That is powerful!

You are one and I am one and we are one with Christ and are being formed into One (The Body of Christ) and although still one we are many and powerful.  In all matters of life, we must never lose sight of the importance of ONE!  You are having an impact on your world whether you realize it or not.  If you omit one act of kindness or Christian charity it impacts others and if you commit one act of kindness or Christian charity it impacts others.  Therefore, never diminish the importance of one word, one deed, one prayer, one testimony, one vote or one life.

God bless you as you make the devil know you are ONE whose life is hidden with God in Christ and as ONE in Jesus you are a majority and powerful.   

God bless!

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