Spiritual

ARE WE A SPIRITUAL HOUSE OR A STONE PILE?


Spiritual Blog - Stone Pile

1 Peter 2:1-5 – “Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, 2 like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, 3 if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord. 4 And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”  NASU

 

Personally, I have always found this a fascinating passage.  In fact, I believe that it is God’s Word to the Church in this hour!  I believe that the Church, the Body of Christ has come to a ‘new phase’ in its development and progress in the Kingdom!  I believe we are at a new juncture on our road to BECOMING that which God has designated and desired for us to be at this time.  If we are to become ONE BODY and function as a body to fulfill God’s plan and purpose for our sphere of influence and world we must become a SPIRITUAL HOUSE rather than just be a STONE PILE filled with individual stones.

  1. We MUST come to realize and know who we are.

We will never fully know who we are until we truly know whose we are.  I do not mean the religious cliché “I’m God’s”, I mean HIM – His person, nature, character, love, grace, trustworthiness, etc.  We must come to know the Covenant Maker and Keeper WHO IS GOD.  I’m talking about intimacy with Him not familiarity with Him.

  1. We MUST come to know His Covenant and His Kingdom.

I believe the Covenantal Relationships are the ‘foundation for function’ in the Body of Christ and in life.  The power, provisions, and promise of Covenant as walked out in daily living.  I believe that as we know God’s Covenant and Kingdom we come to know God and thereby know WHO WE ARE.

  1. We MUST come to know God’s Pattern for Function locally.

I’ve often called this the “Jethro Principle.”  This principle was revealed to and practiced by Moses in the wilderness and by Jesus in the New Testament.  It is the PATTERN for Body Ministry and, I believe, the only way to successfully reach and develop the harvest.  It is here we come to know God’s Truths about Body Ministry, Team Ministry, Apostolic authority, and function rather than position.  It is here that we are able to pull down religious hierarchies and come to maturity in Christ.

  1. We MUST become a Spiritual House that is FULLY FUNCTIONING.

We must be ‘fitted and framed’ together as a unit, house, body, and family with the parts functioning as the whole.  It is in this condition that we ‘reproduce’ and ‘disciple’ others enabling them to FULLY FUNCTION as a part of the Body of Christ, God’s Spiritual House.

We are LIVING STONES and the problem with living stones is that we have a mind and will of our own.  We do our own thing, we do not stay where we have been placed, and have egos, ambitions, and feelings.  Unlike natural building stones, we present a unique problem in the function of building.  We are not inanimate objects but LIVING STONES and as living stones, we are literally ‘cells’ in the Body of Christ and linked to each other cell by the blood.  It is imperative that we ‘die to self’ in order to ‘live unto Him.’  Truly the words of John the Baptist is fitting – “He must increase but I must decrease.”

I urge you to make it your objective and purpose to become a SPIRITUAL HOUSE rather than a Stone in a Stone Pile.   May God be with you as you go through your day

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GOD’S PLAN FOR LIBERTY…


Spiritual Blog - Liberty

2 Timothy 3:16-17 – “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”  NASU

 2 Corinthians 9:8 – “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed…”  NASU

 

 I would encourage you to pick up your Bible right now.  I am not concerned with the translation, at the moment, but want you to hold that Bible up in front of you and look at it.  Do you realize what you hold in your hands?  You are holding a miracle book and there is no other book in the world like it.  Three things distinguish this book from all other books in the world.  Those same three things defend and protect it for ordinariness.

  1. THE MIRACLE OF INSPIRATION.

The work of the Holy Spirit in the hearts and minds of human instruments which made their writings a record of Divine Revelation makes it amazing!  The Book that you hold is ‘God-breathed’.  In that book, we find the ‘Mind of God’, the ‘Way of Salvation’, the ‘Revealed Plan of God’ for man for time and eternity, and the ‘Way of the Kingdom Living and Victory.’  That is why we must allow it to be our true source and guide!

  1. THE MIRACLE OF PRESERVATION.

The work of the Holy Spirit upon the hearts, minds, and hands of the Scripture translators, as well as upon the Scripture text itself, which guaranteed the perpetuation and protection of the original message of the Bible makes it amazing!  It has survived the perils of translation and retranslation in changing times and cultures.  The same Holy Spirit who breathed the original message to the first writers has been present to protect this word through the ages.  This work of the Holy Spirit has been so amazing and powerful that the Bible has retained its impact and intent through hundreds of perilous years of translation.  I fully believe that God did not leave the care of His word to men alone. This Book is Divine in its continuation.  It has weathered the attacks of men, withstood the assault of the devil, won over the ravages of religions, and has stood the severest test of all – – TIME!  It is still powerful today!

  1. THERE IS THE MIRACLE OF ILLUMINATION.

The work of the Holy Spirit upon the heart, mind, and life of the preacher, teacher, and student of the Word of God which discloses the inner meaning of the message of the Bible makes it amazing!  This is no small miracle!  The same Holy Spirit who breathed the Word into the hearts of the writers has presided over its perpetuation and now moves upon the hearts of men as it impacts their lives.  This book is Divine in its communication.  In it is found the ‘Mind of God’, the ‘Plan of God’, the ‘Wisdom of God’, and the ‘Precepts’ and ‘Principles’ of God for Kingdom Living and Victory!

In your hand, that Bible you hold is the physical, tangible, visible proof of miracles!  You are holding a miracle in your hand!  God has promised in Jeremiah 1:12 to hasten to His word to perform it or as one translation declares “I am watching over my word…”  In this Book, we find the unveiling of the Plan of God for man.  1 John 2:17 – “And the world is passing away with its desires; but he that does the will of God abides forever.”  Hallelujah!  This book works every day in all times of crisis, and in our lives.  It works everywhere and for everyone!  It is a miracle because it is GOD’S WORD!

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

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WHAT DEPOSIT ARE YOU MAKING IN OTHERS…


Spiritual Blog - Discipleship

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.”  NASU

 

Making disciples as seen in verse two ‘commit to… or entrust’ 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 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 our heats from hurt but when we realize that we cannot we press in.  If we continue in the ministry and fulfill the commission the Lord gave us we 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 one learns quickly the power and importance of FORGIVENESS.  You have to determine that you will forgive, forgive, and forgive.  That will prevent a root of BITTERNESS from springing up in your heart and defiling you and others.  It is necessary to maintain order and keep the battle moving forward.  If you have been ‘abandoned’ in the war zone you 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 ministered to our wounded hearts.

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 in the battle 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 would 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, comrades in arms 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 FRONTLINE 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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THE KEY TO SERVICE IS THE HEART…


Spiritual Blog - Key

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.” NASU

 

In consideration of ‘Spiritual Warfare’ and the preparation and the establishing of leaders in the Church, we must look at the HEART.  In this passage especially if you take the full context you will find some incredibly powerful truths regarding ‘leadership’, ‘service’, and ‘life.’

It has been my observation that one of the best ways to test someone’s character and determine if they are truly a servant having Jesus’ Heart is to let them know you ‘recognize’ the call of God on their lives and then give them a task such as Janitor, Chair set-up detail, Greeter, Usher, or something of the like.  Let him who would be the greatest among you be servant of all.  Then watch them and listen to them.

THE KEY IS THE HEART:

Qualification is not enough!  Faithfulness is the critical element!  This message and all ministry are to be committed to ‘faithful men’ who shall be able….  The word ABLE – [he-ka-nos] speaks of sufficiency.  ‘Who is sufficient…’  Simply, those faithful people who may not be qualified right now but because of their heart will become SUFFICIENT.  Whatever God has called you to do He will make you sufficient if you are faithful!

God does not come looking at our QUALIFICATIONS, after all, they come from Him anyway!  He comes looking at our HEARTS!  Ministry (real ministry) does not begin in the pulpit or on the platform – – it begins in SERVICE!  FAITHFUL SERVICE!

In truth, none of us are truly qualified.  God does not call us because of our natural talents.  He calls us because of our HEARTS!  If a person’s heart is right and willing to be taught, this ‘faithful’ person can become MORE THAN HE NOW IS.

All of us have been burned or hurt in life.  All of us have a call on our lives. All of us need a close covenant of committed friends. All of us need to be a part of a covenant community.  ALL OF US!  For you and me to stand in our commitment to Christ WE NEED to establish a Covenant Relationship with God.  For our families to stand and not become fragmented and destroyed we need to develop a Covenant Relationship in that family order.  For the Fellowship or local Church to stand and possess the land, there must be committed covenant relationships established within that body.

We are facing a SPIRITUAL WAR and to be prepared we must be COMMITTED and FAITHFUL.  We have God’s Promises.  Now as we more fully understand His purposes and receive His power we must be united in a Covenant Family and always stand FAITHFUL.

God bless you as you go through your day!

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THERE MUST BE FAITHFULNESS FOR SPIRITUAL WARFARE…


Spiritual Blog - Faithfulness

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.”  NASU

 

In studying Scripture I have discovered and considered the aspects of what Paul was telling his son in the faith, Timothy.  The charge was for Timothy to find, teach, train, and impart that which was in his heart, received from the Holy Spirit through the apostle Paul.  This was critical to the founding and grounding of the New Testament Church.

There are Three Critical Areas in which Faithfulness is Key:

  1. Faithfulness to God is Absolutely Essential.
  2. Faithfulness in Relationships is Vital.
  3. Faithfulness in Service is Indispensable.

FAITHFULNESS TO GOD.

This needs little examination and discussion.  Most would readily acknowledge the need and essentialness of God’s Faithfulness to us and our Faithfulness to Him.  However, if we are genuinely faithful to God it will be manifest in the other areas or dimensions as well.

FAITHFULNESS IN RELATIONSHIPS.

This is an area that most Christians do not work on and need to give more attention to!  Remember Timothy’s mistake or potential mistake – ‘Choosing people who were possibly qualified and influential but UNFAITHFUL.’

FAITHFULNESS IN SERVICE.

This is absolutely indispensable!  We must learn to be SERVANTS.  We must learn and become willing to do what is asked when it is asked and how it is asked even when the flesh rises up and resists or the ego says that is beneath me.  Even when your ego raises its ugly head and declares that is not using my gifts or abilities to the fullest.  Even when you feel that you are not appreciated and recognized as you should be.

God’s way is to first ‘make the man’ then He ‘releases the ministry’.  Tragically, the Church has gotten the cart before the horse too often.  We recognize ‘gifts’, ‘charisma’, ‘talent’, and ‘ability’ and immediately SEND FORTH into ministry!

PERSONAL TESTIMONY.

In my opinion, I was released wrongly but over time God taught me the necessity and importance of SERVING.  I was sent out almost immediately because people could see the hand of God on me and God gifted me with passion and ability to convey the message.   The desire of my heart was GO OUT!  I should have been sitting under wise tutelage, nurtured and trained but within weeks of my conversion, I was sent out.  I saw this in Bible College and have observed it in my almost 50 years of ministry.  We too often run before we are fully ready to run.

When someone is called or God uses them in some degree or measure of success and instills a vision in their hearts along with His promise.  As a result, they have the mistaken idea that they immediately should be released to pursue that vision but they are not ready.

  • They are overcome with the VISION.
  • They expect to be RECOGNIZED.
  • They become more SPIRITUAL than anyone.
  • They make sure everyone knows they are ANOINTED, APPOINTED, CALLED, and COMMISSIONED.
  • They demonstrate an inability or unwillingness to listen to others without a CRITICAL ATTITUDE believing in their hearts they could do a better job or they just know better.

 They have not learned one of the key traits required for LEADERSHIP which is SERVANTHOOD.  If we do not learn how to SERVE we are not qualified to LEAD.

God bless you as you go through your day!

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EXPERTS AT THE WRONG THINGS…


Spiritual Blog - Experts

Mark 7:9-10 – “He was also saying to them, “You are experts at setting aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition.”  NASU

 

 I have been guilty of being an expert in or at wrong things and most of you probably have too.  This is true in many areas of life but spiritually, it is one of the most destructive activities in which we can engage.  It is detrimental to the message of the Cross and one of the reasons some view the Church in such a negative light.

I am not opposed to Tradition but if our traditions run contrary to the Word of God they must be sacrificed on the altar of faith.  The Pharisees were notorious for making their traditions superior to the Word of God.  I am not suggesting that they were always malicious in that, but it evolved into a very confining and destructive society.  They put ‘man-made fences’ around the Commandments of God to keep people from getting near enough to the Commandment to break it.  Their traditions became so important to them, they were willing to condemn if not stone anyone daring to deviate from their traditions.  I have known churches and church people almost that bad.  One of the things that got me into trouble as a new Christian was the question, WHY?  That was a taboo question for many not because the question was in itself bad but because they had no answer and how dare an upstart question the TRADITIONS they held so firmly too.  Most of them could tell me, at length, what they did not believe or did not do but could not articulate with scriptural backing what they DID BELIEVE. 

As a new Christian, I was completely willing to abide by the traditions and directives I was being given providing my question was answered satisfactorily.  I have never been one to blindly accept, “We don’t because we don’t.”  I don’t mind giving up things providing I have a genuine reason and basis for doing so.  When I first became a Christian, I encountered much negativity regarding what we could or could not do.  My newfound love for the LORD prompted me to seek to know and I wanted and want to please Him in everything.  Therefore, I studied and sought to find answers in Scripture.  Add to that equation my love for and confidence in those who had led me to Christ and the church, over time, I became one of them and became an ‘expert’ in wrong things.  I, like many, would try to find justification and explanation for Scripture that contradicted the traditions I was told to observe.

I would become defensive when anyone questioned my traditions UNTIL the Holy Spirit arrested me during a time of prayer.  I was convicted of my failure to consider ALL SCRIPTURE and weigh each scripture and seek to interpret the Bible in light of the ENTIRE BIBLE rather than taking a doctrinal position and looking for proof-texts to support my view.  I felt the LORD instruct me to ‘put my theology on the shelf’ and not take anything down until He instructed me to do so.  Over a period of several years, my entire world was turned upside down and I had people question my sanity as well as my faith.  I was called a reprobate, a rebel, and a troubler of the faith.  As I began to embrace the ENTIRE BIBLE in a new way.  I felt that the directive of the LORD was for me to become more inclusive of other believers in different denominations and to listen to their reasons for their beliefs.  I was not being instructed to accept their views but to HEAR THEM and in hearing them I would become more Berean and study the Scriptures to see if their views were correct.  In doing so, I found that some of the things I had accepted as final truth were, in fact, only partial truths and needed to be expanded.  I found that some things I believed were in error and needed to be discarded.  I discovered a new world in the Bible and over the past, many years have found it to be a goldmine and a revelation that I will never exhaust this side of heaven.

I only suggest that you allow the Holy Spirit to shine the Light of God’s Eternal Truth upon what you profess to believe in the area of Traditions.  I know that some will argue that theirs are not traditions but sound doctrine and I contend that if you allow the Holy Spirit to shine the Light of God’s Truth on all you believe you may, no you will find, that some things are very incomplete.  If you want to harness the harvest of God’s promises and live to the full the Abundant Life Jesus came to give, then open your hearts to ALL SCRIPTURE and rather than interpreting it according to your predetermined doctrine allow the Holy Spirit to open the Word of God to you.  Resist being an ‘expert in wrong things’ and become a Berean.

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

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JUDGING and THE CHRISTIAN…


Spiritual Blog - Judge

Matthew 7:1-6 – “Do not judge so that you will not be judged.  2 “For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.  3 “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?  4 ” Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye?  5 “You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.  6 ” Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.”  NASU

 

I’ve heard many sermons on Judging and many of those sermons were Judgmental and sometimes bordered on Self-Righteousness or were advancing a Christianity that the preacher could not demonstrate.  Before you assume that I am challenging this directive of our Lord Jesus Christ, I am not and hope to offer something that might be beneficial in your walk and help you avoid the unnecessary and unwarranted condemnation of both the devil and other Christians.

The directive is quite clear – “Do Not Judge So That You Will Not Be Judged.”  However, I have to ask, “Is God going to Judge Us?”  Yes, He is.  A second question I feel drawn to is, “Are there times when we are to Judge?”  Before you argue that this passage totally prevents us from exercising Judgment, “what does the Bible have to say about Judgment?”  Also, “Can you think of situations in life where it is imperative that you Judge?”  We will get to those but let me suggest that is passage is not simply a blanket command to NEVER JUDGE anyone it is a directive of our LORD against “being judgmental” or “pharisaical.”  You may still disagree so let’s proceed.

Allow me to refer you to John 7:24 and the words of our LORD, “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”  WAIT, I thought we were not to Judge?  Simply, that suggests that we are never to judge when in areas we are unqualified to do so.  We are not to Judge according to appearance.  If we judge based on what we see which will be filtered through the grid of preference or experience we will be in danger of wrong judgment.  The Bible is clear that if we condemn someone for things that we are guilty we bring on ourselves condemnation.

We should always refrain from judging matters of opinion, as directed in Romans 14:1-4 and Romans 14:10-13.  We can NEVER assume the place of God in Judgment but remember the directive of Scripture to “mark” which means to judge or determine their motives certain people both those that cause division and those that pursue righteousness.  In Leviticus 19:15 we are warned, “You shall do no injustice in judgment.  You shall not be partial to the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty. But in righteousness, you shall judge your neighbor.”  WHAT?  If I am told to NEVER Judge how can I follow those directives?  Paul even said that Christians were in error taking each other to court for other believers were to Judge those matters (1 Corinthians 5:9-13).  I dare not omit, 2 Thessalonians 3:6 where we are told to withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly.  Is that not exercising judgment?  In verses 14,15 of that chapter, we are told to not count the one who walks disorderly as an enemy but to admonish him/her.  In Romans 16:17-18 we are instructed to make note or mark those that cause division.

Might I also suggest that in the course of human events and human relationships, business, social, political, and spiritual the exercise of discernment is necessary and in that usage, we will Judge?  We are never to make unqualified judgments and many matters we must leave in the hands of the Almighty.  However, in our interpersonal dealings, we must make judgments.  The problem is that we often fail to remember the Law of Harvest and that what we reap we sow.  In this directive of our LORD, we are warned against making unqualified and unrighteous judgments of condemnation usually based on personal preference or beliefs, not Scripture matters we have qualified information or knowledge.

Another passage I feel I should insert is found in Galatians 6:1, “Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself so that you too will not be tempted.”  We are told to bear one another’s burdens.  Any judgment must be righteous and have the ultimate motive of restoration.

Rather than accept the idea that you can exercise no judgment and thereby determine associations and activities in life reject that condemnation.  On the other hand, resist becoming a self-appointed ‘fruit inspector’ for the LORD, He does not give you that authority nor does He need that help.   He knows the hearts whereas we only see the exterior, hear the words, and see the actions.  Be one who forgives and seeks to restore but never fears making a righteous judgment for proper associations requires it.

God bless you as you enjoy this wonderful day He has made!

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THE COMMON DENOMINATOR…


SPIRITUAL BLOG - Hearing

Revelation 3:20-22 – “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.  21′ He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.  22′ He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'”  NASU

Notice the words “He that has an ear, let him hear…”  If you are familiar with Chapters 2 & 3 you will quickly realize that this expression is the ‘Common Denominator’!  All the churches are addressed in the same fashion – “He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches…”  This suggests that the ‘Common Denominator’ of these churches was Danger!  A danger that they would ‘forget’ or become ‘too busy’ to HEAR what the Spirit said or was saying!  They all had the same root problem and today is really no different.

The apostle John through the revelation of the Spirit was saying:  “All of you CAN hear.”  You can hear IF your heart has been renewed by the Spirit of God.  You can hear IF you have a spiritual ear.  Jesus said: “This is the characteristic of My sheep – they HEAR My Voice!”  Therefore, the warning came because they were in grave danger of NOT HEARING!

That has been the ‘danger’ and ‘fault’ of every generation of Christians since the beginning of the church.  In fact, if you examine church history you will discover something that is quite disconcerting.  You will discover that church history teaches us that church history teaches us nothing because we continually repeat the same mistakes!

An incredible fact is that if you examine history you will find that each revival had a lifespan of approximately forty years.  By the time forty years transpired, those who were IN the revival had gotten old and their children were taking over, but the children had only ‘heard about it’ from their parents rather than experienced it.  Then by the time eighty years transpire the revival becomes a monument.  Everybody has forgotten why it was there, to begin with, but it is still there!  That is why all through church history we have the Great Mausoleums! 

Simply, we are left with denominations that celebrate a revival that everybody has forgotten what happened when it did happen but we still have the name and revel in the past!  That raises the question – “Why is it that they continually missed it?”  For almost 2,000 years we see revivals come and go and last about forty years and then it is gone.  Why?  Because, in virtually every case, the revival began when people HEARD GOD and God’s words became alive in their hearts!  It became the LIVING WORD and they responded to it making the revival one to one relationship with God.  God has spoken and they knew it!  Then, gradually it became a ‘philosophy’.  What had been a ‘Living Dynamic’ with God speaking and interacting with the people was now a form and ceremony.  God had been put in a box and reduced to a set of rules, regulations, formulas, patterns of action, and ritual.  The idea became that IF you’ve been in the revival you don’t do this/that/the other.  Forgotten was the truth that the reason we did not do this/that/the other was because of LIFE springing up within not manmade regulation.

God help us to return to the altar of life and drink from the fountain of God’s Life again!  God help us to move from the manmade to the God-breathed!  God bring us revival again!

Blessings as you go through your day!

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LET’S TAKE ANOTHER LOOK AT PRAISE…


Spiritual Blog - Praise

Psalm 103:1-5 – “Bless the LORD, O my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name.  2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits; 3 Who pardons all your  iniquities, Who heals all your diseases; 4 Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you with loving-kindness and compassion; 5 Who satisfies your years with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.”  NASU

 

It is my desire to delve a little deeper into the subject of Praise and its immense value and importance to our Christian walk on an everyday basis.  Another dimension of Praise is that it opens a channel for God to speak to our hearts and be heart in our inner being.  To me, that is awesome!  Not only does praise bring pleasure to the heart of God it opens the door to change your situation in a positive and powerful way.

Psalm 29:1-2 “Ascribe to the Lord… Glory and Strength.  The Glory due to His Name: Worship the Lord in Holy Array. (The Beauty of Holiness).”  Then in verses 7-9, we read of “The voice of the Lord.”  It opens a channel for God to speak to our hearts and be heard.

Tragically, sometimes in prayer, we are unable to HEAR GOD because we have locked the ‘talk button’ in the on position and are in a continuous ‘transmit mode’ rather than having an open channel of reception.  But in Praise the reverse is true in True Praise we become like a ‘radio receiver’ and there is an open channel for God to speak and we become so focused on Him without we can hear Him rather than simply making our endless petitions!

Proverbs 27:21 – “As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold: so is a man for praise.”

It is quite normal, in times of Praise, when our spirits become so heated spiritually and so touched and moved by the Spirit of God and the Presence of the Lord of Hosts that hidden thoughts, motives, and desires rise to the surface.  As we become broken in His presence those foreign impure elements are separated from the precious metal of our lives and THEN we can take them to the Cross and be cleansed, washed, purified, and delivered!

God wants to skim away all that defiles where He can see His face in the molten metal of our hearts!  Praise opens the door to purification within!

In Psalm 29:4-9 we see a beautiful truth:

  1. – The Voice of the Lord is powerful and full of majesty.
  2. — The Voice of the Lord breaks the cedars (royal trees).
  3. – The Voice of the Lord divides the flames of fire. (Fiery darts).
  4. – The Voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness. (Place of testing).
  5. – The Voice of the Lord makes hinds to calve. (fruitfulness).
  6. – The Voice of the Lord discovers the forests. (people). It is in God’s temple that everyone speaks of His Glory.

Isaiah 33 informs us that the Voice of the Lord defeats the enemies.  Isaiah 66 declares that it is the Voice of the Lord that brings recompense to the enemies of God.  Joel 2 tells us that God utters His voice before His army and Psalm 46:6 tells us that the Voice of the Lord causes Kingdoms to be moved!  Praise is one of the most powerful endeavors we can engage in and provides unlimited benefit spiritually and even physically to our lives.

Therefore, I encourage you to make Praise a daily portion in your life!  Blessings as you go through your day!

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PRAISE IS A NATURAL PART OF LIFE…


Spiritual Blog - Praise

Psalm 103:1-5 – “Bless the LORD, O my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name.  2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits;  3 Who pardons all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases;  4 Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you with loving-kindness and compassion; 5 Who satisfies your years with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.” NASU

 

Often when I am around other believers the topic will turn to PRAISE and how important and valuable it is, yet too often we make it an option rather than an essential in our walk.  For some, it is a part of the Sunday morning ritual rather than a cornerstone of the daily life.  It is relegated to a brief time during the Sunday service rather than a fixture in life.  That strips it of much of its power and benefit and robs the individual of an endeavor that God has offered to lift us into His presence in a more pronounced and powerful manner.

Praise is a natural and normal part of life!  In fact, it is only considered ‘abnormal’ or in need of ‘restriction’ when it is associated with Religious Gatherings.  Manufacturers praise their products.  Parents praise their children.  Men praise their automobiles.  Women praise their hairdressers or wardrobes.  Children praise, sportswriters and coaches praise.  Politicians praise, preachers praise.  If you think about it, life is filled with praise of one kind or another.  It is normal and natural.  It is ingrained into our nature to ‘spontaneously’ give praise to whatever or whomever we value.  Therefore, if God is among the things we value it is normal and natural to release our inner being in praise to Him!

It is not because God needs our praise but because we need to offer Him praise.  We need to hear our selves praise Him. There is a ‘release’ in our spirits that is incredibly powerful as we do.  Something happens inside of our innermost being in the activity of praise!

Let me give you an example in the natural.  The crowd at a football game would virtually go crazy if they were not allowed to express themselves when their team scores a touchdown.  The team did not need the praise to score they scored ‘before’ the crowd began praising.  It was the spectators who benefited by clapping, yelling, standing, waving their hands, hats, and/or banners.  Yet, when it comes to religious gatherings that is often forbidden and frowned upon as being inappropriate!  Did you ever question how a touchdown is more deserving of an outward demonstration of appreciation than God?

I’ve noticed that it is the humblest of souls, the most balanced and open-minded that praise the most and the cranky, malcontented praise the least.  Praise seems to be ‘inner health’ made ‘audible.’  The very word ‘Hallelujah’ demands an outward demonstration of praise.  Hallel – praise.  Oou – Our.  Jah – God.  Praise is an expression of ‘inner health’, but it wasn’t ‘inner health’ that caused the crowd to praise at the ballgame.  There was an outward stimulus!  The praise was in direct proportion to the stimuli.  That is another reason why the more we talk about Jesus, focus on Him, His person and work the easier it is to Praise Him!

Praise, for most people much of the time, does not flow easily.  It is something that has to be pressed into because most people begin in the ‘outer court’.  The temporal has become so large in our thinking and living that Praise and entering into the ‘inner court’ requires an act of our will.  It is when we instruct our flesh to come to attention and determine that we will praise the Lord!  We make the choice to rejoice and enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise.  We have to allow the Holy Spirit to help us bridge the gap between the heavenly and the earthly realms and this is accomplished through Praise!

If we could grasp the truth that Praise brings pleasure to the heart of God it would dramatically affect how we view it.  We read in Psalm 149:41 – “For the Lord takes pleasure in His people.”  We read in Psalm 104:1 – “Bless the Lord, O my soul.”  In Revelation 4:11 – “Thou art worthy, O Lord to receive Glory and Honor, and Power: For thou hast created all things, and for Thy Pleasure they are and were created.”  Then in Ephesians 1:12 we read that we are to be the Praise of God’s Glory!  So understand that God literally derives pleasure, gratification, and enjoyment out of our praise.  Imagine that, we can do something that brings pleasure to God not to mention what it produces within our inner being.

Therefore, I urge everyone to allow Praise to become a normal natural part of your daily relationship with God!  Blessings as you go through your day!

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