2 Corinthians 2:11 – “…lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.”  NKJV

Joshua 9:3-4a – “But when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai, 4 they worked craftily, and went and pretended to be ambassadors.”  NKJV

Paul declared to the Corinthians we are not ignorant of the devices of the devil so it is a valuable and worthwhile effort to study to show ourselves approved unto God workmen capable of exposing his tactics and possessing our promise.

First, I would like for us to take note that the victories of Israel brought about a combined, concentrated and concerted attack of enemy forces.  In verse 1 of Joshua 9 we find that idea that the tribal warfare existing among the Canaanites had been laid aside as they joined forces against Israel.  Their petty squabbles and secondary issues were placed on the back burner as they joined forces against a common foe and they amassed an all-out effort to turn back Israel’s advance.

It is important to remember that with every victory as a Christian in your personal life you send out an engraved invitation for a full-scale assault by the forces of hell.  Every time you experience blessing you are one step away from another attack from hell.  I do not say that to discourage but to enlighten you.  The devil may be a defeated foe but he has not quit fighting.  Blessing and battle go hand in hand and instead of allow fear to grip your heart rejoice!  It should be a joy to know that if we are pressed on every side we are in the heart of the battle and moving in the right direction spiritually.  If you are finding temptation almost more than you can bear rejoice.  Remember the words of James, “Count it all joy when…”

I said that in a church once and had a person come to me afterward seeking to set me straight and said, “I don’t know what you are talking about, I haven’t been tempted in years!”  If that is you then I suggest you run to the altar and ask God to let you see yourself as the devil sees you and as He sees you.  The devil does not mess with what is no a threat to him.  Maybe you have matured to the place that you immediately resist temptation and it is almost as though it does not exist for you but if you are moving forward as a threat to the devil he tempts and sees to destroy.

The need for every believer and every church is to lay aside the secondary issues and launch a full scale attack on the enemy repossessing and possessing that which he has stolen.  Unfortunately, too often, the church world is engaged in tribal warfare and too busy settling petty squabbles and splitting doctrinal hairs to engage the real enemy.  There must be jubilation in hell when the church becomes sectarianism protecting the place while the world plunges into darkness.  May God help us to never forget that nothing short of a full-scale united assault by all the people of God (Church) is needed.  It is time to pull down strongholds and set at liberty those who are bruised.  It is time to possess the promise and move into and onto our Canaan.

We are going to pause again and take this up next time as we look at the devil’s deception tactics.  May the Lord bless you richly as you go through this day!

2 Corinthians 2:11 – “…lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.”  NKJV

Joshua 9:3-4a – “But when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai, 4 they worked craftily, and went and pretended to be ambassadors.”  NKJV

Without doubt God’s greatest desire for us that we be saved!  He has no desire for mankind greater than full salvation and complete deliverance.  He wants us to become what He has already declared us – Overcomers!  Most have realized or will that this Christian walk is not a bed of roses and there are battles to be fought.  Most have realized that a battle won is not a war won nor a battle lost is a war lost.  As long as sin lasts and Satan is loosed from the pit there will be conflict.  As long as we live in these fleshly bodies there will be temptation.  However, it is important to remember no one sin can be regarded paramount nor can any sin be lightly regarded.  Any attempt or temptation to compromise with the devil is to invite certain disaster and court sure destruction.

If we can hold it in our hearts and minds that there will be battles lost and times of retreat we can more readily maintain our hope.  However, I firmly believe that if or when we lose a battle and are forced into a temporary retreat it is imperative that we find out the true cause of the set back.  How?  Through prayer!  If we come before God in repentance and prayer He will open the curtain and allow us to look beyond the veil and see.  Prayer will give us understanding but it takes more than prayer to regain or reclaim the lost ground.  We do not render the devil totally defeated in a moment of victory for the process of deliverance is gradual and often slow.

The Law or Plan of God given to believers that brings peace, joy, happiness, life and health is not given for the purpose of admiration but obedience.  We are in a spiritual war and that war pits God’s forces against the devil’s legions.  The secret to winning any war lies in strategy.  If you fail to plan you plan to fail.  Joshua had planned the war against the inhabitants of Canaan carefully.  He had taken his forces and driven a wedge westward from Jericho into the heart of the land dividing the forces of the enemy.  He then quickly turned south and destroyed the forces there before coming back North to finish the job. He had a plan, God’s plan!

We face a problem in today’s world in our failure to apply God’s Divine Strategy to our daily lives.  I have witnessed, too often, believers and churches develop a hold the fort mentality and in so doing offer little or no offensives.  So it is legitimate to ask, how often do we apply God’s Divine Strategy to our daily action or planned war against our souls?  Some live hit or miss and miss more than they hit resulting in being outmaneuvered by the enemy.  Satan is not only a roaring lion he is a subtle serpent and the roar of the lion is far less dangerous than the hiss of the snake spiritually.

Joshua 9 is a classic example of the subtility, trickery and deception of the devil and exposes the gullibility of man, especially when he becomes overconfident through a few victories.  Thank God our God is Sovereign, Omnipotent, Omniscient and Omnipresent.  He overrules our mistakes and failures for His glory.  In this passage and account we find a revelation of the wiliness of the devil and a lesson worthy of learning in today’s world.  In this account we can learn things that will help us expose the devil and move into the victory possessing the place of promise in God our Canaan.

Due to time and space we will pause here and pick up next time and hopefully provide some valuable information and tools to use in our daily lives in defeating the devil daily.   God bless you as you go through this wonderful day!

Psalm 46:1-3 – “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3 though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling.”  NKJV

Each of us has an option(s) when we are faced with trouble.  We can, as many, become troubled and allow trouble to flood over us sapping us of our hope and rendering us impotent in its wake.  The other option is to follow the prescription David offers here and experience a revelation that will release the supernatural in our lives and situation.  There is always a choice.

Most of us have experienced times of deep trouble where we were not sure how we would or if we would come through that time of trauma and drama.  When in the face of imminent danger or threat we can allow the waves of fear to overcome us, or we can look outside our fears looking through the situation to the solution.  It is a choice but one that is rooted in relationship and anchored to experiential confidence.  I can have all the information about a matter that is available and know logically and rationally what could or should happen but my confidence in the outcome will be stronger after experience.

David declares, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”  The words ‘present help’ seem to leap off the page at me when I read this.  Most will affirm that the believe God has promised to be our refuge and that He is strength but too frequently we miss the PRESENT-NESS of God.  In the midst of the difficulty HE IS THERE.  He is in the immediate not the projected.  He is in the immediate not the theoretical.  He IS and because He IS David says, “we will not fear…”  The confidence of God’s promise of a provision of safety and His Omnipotence in the IMMEDIATE banishes fear.  Fear and God’s presence are not compatible except for our reverential fear of Him.  Fear that has torment is incompatible with the presence of God.

David describes a condition where there are earthquakes either natural, emotional, social, economic, political or spiritual and declares that because of GOD’s PRESENCE fear is banished.  When he says we WILL NOT he is declaring that this is a cooperation between the heart of man and the power of God.  God provides the power and demonstrates His presence and man has to make the choice to embrace God or fear. 

The question is always, “Do we trust?”  I suggest that knowing the promise is one thing.   Believing that God is Omnipotent is one thing.  Believing that God is NOW PRESENT in our situation is another.  Just knowing it with our heads does not always equal receiving it in our hearts.  Knowing something theoretically without the experiential may leave one with doubt whereas having both knowledge and experience opens the door and makes it easier to enter into the PRESENT REALITY of God’s Presence, Purpose, Promise and Provision.  Therefore, developing a relationship with Him is vital to our forward progress in life spiritually.

Rather than being troubled I pray that God will help each on to see the trouble simply a condition unworthy of fear because of the PRESENT-NESS of God.  Look beyond and through the troubles and trials to the solution and in Him rejoice and relax.  He is God and always will be God.

            God bless you as you go through your day!

Proverbs 29:19 – “Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained…” NASU

Proverbs 29:19 – “Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint…” NKJV

As we consider the Value of Vision we must consider the Purpose of Vision.  Vision links and gives direction.  Nothing is ever accomplished without it, NOTHING!  As we read in our text where there is NO VISION, the people perish, are unrestrained, cast off restraint, become demoralized and run wild.  It is interesting that each of those renderings from varying translations have an element of truth and together they give a clear picture of the importance of VISION.  Vision in its simplest definition is the ability to see. 

Spiritually everyone has a vision.  It is either a Kingdom vision or a Survival vision.  It is either a corporate (collective) vision or an individual vision.  It is either God directed or self-centered but regardless everyone has a vision.

I have discovered that where there is no clear corporate vision of the whole the people are without restraint or cast off restraint, become demoralized, are easily disillusioned and often run wild.  It often has the appearance of a stampede of horses running in all directions and produces discouragement and disappointment.  Everyone has a different view or idea about where to go, what to do and how to get there.  It is like horses pulling in different directions and the result is they are working against each other rather than pulling in tandem.

Matthew 6:33 tells us to “seek first the kingdom…”  That requires VISION and DISCIPLINE.  I must see the Kingdom, have a grasp of the purpose of the Kingdom and be planted in the Kingdom.  I must make the determination that I will willingly allow God’s Master Builders to FITLY FRAME me into place. That requires and is the result of VISION.  At that point it is no longer My Vision but HIM.  It is no longer what can you do for me but what does the kingdom need.

No one will ever rise above the level of their vision.  But the vision will cause you to throw your hook over a higher ledge and will tie you to destiny!  You must hear me carefully.  Without an understanding of God’s Purpose; His end time agenda, his eternal purpose and how we fit into that purpose the pressure will become unbearable and we will move in cycles of depression and victory.  It will be victory followed by a sense of sheer frustration, lack of purpose and direction.

It is vital that we receive God’s Vision for the Church so that we can become a House, a Building, a Habitation of the LORD that are FITLY FRAMED TOGETHER rather than a pile of individual 2 X 4’s in the lumberyard of life.  VISION links us together and makes us like work horses pulling together in tandem.

The old illustration I have used many times is:  It was reported that one horse could pull 9,000 pounds and the expectation was that 2 horses would 18,000 pounds.  However, when hooked together in tandem the 2 horse did not pull double but tripled the pulling power.  They somehow gained the benefit of a third invisible horse.  Unity produces more than each part.

No matter how good, worthy, noble or right your vision is if it is not linked to the vision of the whole it will become futile and unproductive.  Vision keeps you moving forward in the face of difficulty and seemingly unfulfilled promises.  Vision links you together with others to fulfill the larger purpose of the Kingdom of God.  So, what is your vision?

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

Proverbs 29:18 – “Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained…” NASU

Proverbs 29:18 – “Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint…” NKJV

Vision or purpose in life is not just important it is vital.  It is vital to a nation, an individual and a church.  Visionless people have no direction and are doomed to experience failure, disappointment and disillusionment.  I am convinced we are living in the time the Bible calls “The Last Days” and I am equally convinced God is up to something wonderful in our present world.  I say that even in the face of some incredibly bleak conditions but my spirit is leaping as I type that there is something big about to happen.

I am reminded of Ezekiel’s vision or prophecy of the Valley of Dry Bones in Ezekiel 37.  It is an incredible prophecy and one that still leaves many wondering as to its full meaning.  Is this speaking of the natural or spiritual or both?  Actually, no matter which interpretation you hold you cannot miss some significant pictures.

• These bones once lived. [They were part of real bodies and real people].
• These bones are now scattered and divided without order or ability to function. [Not just dead but scattered and separated].
• These bones are being sovereignly pulled together by the Holy Spirit and joined (fitted) together. [Each bone in its place.  Refer to Ephesians 2:11-22 and Ephesians 5]
• These bones are returning to a former state or condition.
• As these bonces come together and come alive, they have purpose, direction and significance. [Though many they are ONE there is a compound unity].

Without attempting to be exhaustive or exhausting on the matter, I believe that is exactly what is happening in a very real way in God’s Church today.  The Spirit of God is crossing man-made barriers, divisions, sects, schisms, denominations and walls and calling to a remnant to hear, heed and follow His voice unhindered by the man-made barriers, dogmas and doctrines.  That which has been heretofore lifeless, ritualistic and a mere form without power or substance is being transformed into something powerful and dynamic.  God is, I believe, raising up an authoritative organism THE BODY OF CHRIST and moving us into the arena of spiritual conflict.  These bones are beginning to live again.

Although there is much disagreement on many points of doctrine and when one considers the beginning of the Church in Acts it is virtually impossible not to see it as a powerful force in its world.  It was dynamic and impacted its world powerfully.  It tore down the walls of legalism and extended grace to whosoever will.  It had a powerful impact on its world with its message, ministry and the lives of those who were called Christians.  Even though its message was not embraced by everyone it was:  Feared (Acts 5), Respected (Acts 17:6), Triumphant and demonstrated the Authority Jesus bequeathed to it (Luke 19:10 and Mark 16).

The 1st Century Church had VISION, REVELATION and UNDERSTANDING.  It had purpose and power.  They could see what to do and knew where to go as the Holy Spirit led them.  They demonstrated vision, direction and purpose and to some degree that has been lacking too often in the modern church world.

We are told in Matthew 6:33 that we are to “seek first the Kingdom of God…” and to pray for the Kingdom to come.  So what does this have to do with vision?  Everything!  In Matthew 15:14 Jesus spoke of “the blind leading the blind…” and the subsequent failure.  What is the purpose of seeking the kingdom if we do not know what the kingdom is?  How would we know it if we found it if we do not know what it involves?  Therefore, for us to have VISION and have that vision plugged into God’s Purpose for significant and effective development and service WE MUST see the Big Picture.  We must have a or the God given vision.

Time and space prohibit me from continuing so I will pause until next time and until then pray that God begin to birth in you HIS VISION so that you may plug into that which He has for you, where He desires and accomplish His purposes in your life in this generation.  Blessings!

Matthew 23:1-12 – “Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, 2 saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat.  3 Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do.  4 For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.  5 But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments.  6 They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, 7 greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’  8 But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren.  9 Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven.  10 And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ.  11 But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.  12 And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”  NKJV

I have a friend who would often say to his children when they questioned something, “…because I said so…”  He felt that it did not matter what he said they should obey his command even if his own actions contradicted that edict.  I have said to my children, “…because I said so…” but never felt that it was sufficient as a standalone statement and felt that due to the immediate or imperativeness of the situation explanation might not be in order and compliance was required but believe that usually a fuller explanation would be beneficial.

Jesus addresses the hypocrisy of the Pharisees in their list of religious lists of do’s and don’ts but themselves failed to comply.  If they considered something wrong or contrary to the Law and their modification of the Law they operated other than the principle taught in what we call the Golden Rule of Matthew 7.  The principle:  “Do unto others AS we would have the do unto is” applies to all facets of life and is directly connected to forgiveness, mercy, judgment and is illustrated in the Law of Sowing and Reaping and the Law of Giving Jesus addressed in Luke 6.  The Pharisees demanded obedience to their directives (What they said) opposite of what Paul taught when he said, “…follow me AS I follow Christ…” (1 Corinthians 11:1)

I heard a person some time ago tell his wife, “You WILL respect me!”  He felt that because he was the husband and a man he had the authority to tell her what to do, when and how to do it.  He felt that if he said frog she should ask how far she should leap.  If he came home he demanded that food be on the table and if he wanted a drink she should be there to respond to his beck and call.  He would belittle her in public making light of something she said or did and expose her to harsh criticism.  He then was stunned that she showed him no respect.  He was reaping what he was sowing and if he wanted her to show him respect he needed to give respect.  If he wanted her to be caring he need to demonstrate concern.  He did not and received exactly what he planted.

If we want people to be understanding we need to sow seeds of understanding and keep the Law of Sowing and Reaping near to our hearts.  Just because you show understanding does not mean that person is going to immediately change their attitude and reciprocate but if you remember that we reap WHAT we sow, LATER than we sow and MORE than we sow you can continue planting seed for the harvest you desire.  Everyone will not appreciate or reciprocate so rather than be discouraged allow the Heart of Jesus to flow through you and as my grandmother used to tell me, “kill them with kindness”.  I never mastered that growing up and it is no wonder that I experienced much of what I did.  She, on the other hand, was one of the kindest human beings I have ever known and people loved her dearly and respected her greatly.  She was unfazed by what others did but demonstrated what was in her heart and reflected Jesus powerfully.

So if you are not getting the respect you would like and people are responding negatively to you more than you would hope try to give them what you would like to receive.  Begin planting seed for a harvest that will come!

            God bless as you go through this day!

Proverbs 11:24-25 – “There is one who scatters, yet increases more; And there is one who withholds more than is right, But it leads to poverty.  25 The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself.”  NKJV

It is always fun to read in the Old Testament and find a passage that has been clearly interpreted and defined in the New either by our Lord Himself or one of the apostles.  There are two prominent New Testament Principles that can find their beginnings in this passage.  The Law of Sowing and Reaping or Reciprocity and Giving.  These are explicitly addressed in the New Testament.

Here the writer describes two kinds of people – Generous and the Stingy.  I’ve known people who were generous to a fault and some who pinched every penny so tightly it squealed when released.  The latter would sometimes give, but grudgingly and with much compulsion and urging.  The writer declares that one leads to increase and the other to lack.  He reveals that the generous will prosper and the wonderful truth that the one who cares for others will be cared for by others.

Paul taught that God loves a cheerful giver and some have so expanded this truth to make it an investment plan to provide riches for themselves with no consideration for the motive behind the giving or the purpose for the increase.  That is why some have attempted this principle became disillusioned and gave it up as a false doctrine.  Purpose is as important as the gift.  What is the motivation behind the gift?  Is it to honor God, act in obedience or simply for person gain through the expected return?  God is not interested in satisfying human greed or carnal appetites.  He does what He does with purpose and it is always focused on the redemptive.

The Law of Sowing and Reaping reveals a farming principle:

• We reap WHAT we sow.  If we plant watermelons we will not reap cucumbers.  If we plant peanuts we will not reap carrots.  WHAT we sow regardless of what that is will come back whether that is money, compassion, labor, etc.
• We reap LATER than we sow.  No farmer plants seed on day and expects to get up the next morning to bring in the harvest. Time is important in the process.
• We reap MORE than we sow.  We plant a grain of corn and it produces a stalk that produces ears of corn which have multiple grains.  We plant a pea and reap a stalk that produces many pods with numerous peas in them.  So we reap what we sow, later than we sow and more than we sow.  The principles revealed here is the same.

Jesus addressed giving in numerous places and the Bible makes it clear that God is far more interested in the purpose and proportion than the amount.  In Luke 6:38 Jesus spoke of this principle saying, “Give, and IT (whatever you give) will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put in your bosom.  For with the same measure (proportion) you use, it will be measured back to you.”             

The Law of Giving as described by Jesus reveals that WHAT we give is WHAT we get in return and the principle is advanced that the return will be WHAT we give and MORE than we give.  I suggest that this principle can be immediate or over time but it will be WHAT and MORE and be directly connected to the proportion of our giving.  If we give love then love will come back to us.  If we give mercy then mercy will come back to us.  If we give hate then hate will come back to us.  If we give a helping hand then a helping hand will come back to us.  As we cast our bread on the waters after many days it returns to us.

When Jesus sat near the offering  container and watched those who had much put in their gifts He was largely unimpressed but when the widow came and gave her all He was.  He even declared that she had given more than all the others.  MORE?  Not in the amount but in the proportion.  I like to say, “If you didn’t notice it or feel it when it left you will likely not notice or feel it when it returns.”  If it had no impact on you departing it will have no impact when it returns.  If you give with a teaspoon why expect a watering trough return?  I know the return is MORE than the outlay but the proportion will still hold true.

            I pray that God inspire a spirit and heart of generosity in each of us.  Blessings!

Ps 150:1-6 – “Praise the LORD!

 Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty firmament! 2 Praise Him for His mighty acts; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness! 3 Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; Praise Him with the lute and harp! 4 Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes! 5 Praise Him with loud cymbals; Praise Him with clashing cymbals! 6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. 

Praise the LORD!”  NKJV

Not only do we invite God into our midst through Praise, we go into His presence and enter His throne room as well.  We stand in His courts spiritually!   In examining the record we find that the first mention of Praise is Genesis 29:35 and is in connection with the birth of Judah.  Leah was forced upon Jacob in a deceitful switch at their wedding.  He only claim to her husband’s affections was the fact she had borne him three (3) sons, Ruben, Simeon and Levi.  She began to feel that Jacob was joined to her in verse 34 for up to that point she felt the marriage was a legal and physical enterprise but now, she felt there was a spiritual joining and the marriage had become a true marriage for in verse 35 she declares, “Now will I praise the Lord; therefore she called his name Judah (Praise).”

The name Judah appears more than 40 times in the Pentateuch and among those references we find:

Genesis 49:9-10 – “Judah is a lion’s whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: He stooped down, he couched as a lion and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up?  The sceptre shall not pass from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.”

Revelation 5:5 – “The Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

Jesus came from the Tribe of Praise!  Another side note is that in the travels of Israel in the Wilderness as described in Numbers 2:2-3, Judah was placed on the East side facing the rising sun and the only entrance into the tabernacle enclosure.  You can’t get in without going through Praise!  It is the person of praise that catches the first glimpse of the “Son of Righteousness” (Malachi 3:2).  It is the one who is engaged in Praise that has his/her face to the SON!

What does praise do?  It is a God-given garment to ward off the spirit of heaviness as seen in Isaiah 61:1-3.  No medicine will cure the ill of discouragement like praise.  Depression cannot live in the heart that has learned the truth of and practices Praise!  Praise sets the heart at liberty like nothing else.

• Praise causes us to be conscious of the Presence of God mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually.
• God’s Presence makes me conscious of His Person. Jesus, our Master, Counselor, Might God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, and Son of Man, Son of God, Divine Creator, Deliverer, Lover and our Encouragement.  He is our ALL IN ALL. 
• His Person makes me conscious of His Power. He is Omnipotent (Job 42:2; Psalm 115:3, Matthew 19:26; Luke 1:37)  He is Omnipresent (Psalm 139:8, Jeremiah 23:24)  He is Omniscient (Job 26:6, Psalm 147:5, Hebrews 4:13)

Praise causes one to focus on God and become conscious of Him.  As we see His person we are directed to His will and plan and as we see His power we receive confidence to depend on and trust Him completely.  The more we Praise and Magnify Him, the more we become conscious of Him and the more aware we are of Who He is, the Fact that He is, What He can do and is doing.

Praise is the entryway into His miraculous deliverance in a very real way.  Psalm 50:23 – “He who sacrifices thank offerings honors Me, and he prepares the way so that I may show Him my salvation.”  Praise infuses God’s strength into our situation and exposes us fully to God like nothing else we can do.

Praise may be sacrificial initially and then become like an artesian well.  May God enable you to enter into His Presence and learn to Praise!  Blessings!