Spiritual

NO BILLY GOAT FOR A BBQ…


Spiritual Blog - Prodigal

Luke 15:11-32 – “Then He said: “A certain man had two sons.  12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood.  13 And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living.  14 But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want.  15 Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.  16 And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything.

 17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!  18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, 19 and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”‘

 20 “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.  21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

 22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet.  23 And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; 24 for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.

 25 “Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing.  26 So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant.  27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.’

 28 “But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him.  29 So he answered and said to his father, ‘Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat that I might make merry with my friends.  30 But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.’

 31 “And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours.  32 It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.'”  NKJV

 

I could leave off my comments and just post this passage and the impact would be incredibly positive for the Kingdom of God but I sense the Holy Spirit desires that I make some comments.  I want to draw out of this entire story the attitude of the older brother – No Billy Goat for a Barbeque or Woe is Me is an attitude possessed by far too many in the world of Christendom.

The beautiful story of a prodigal who had ‘wasted his inheritance’ on wantonness and waste returning home not asking to be restored to full sharing with his brother but to be received back as one of the hired servants is not the focus today.  The older brother had remained faithful and loyal to his father and the family enterprise.  He had suppressed any desire he had for sowing his wild oats and labored diligently.  Now, his brother returns from a life of debauchery and waste and his father treated him like royalty.  The older brother is insulted, offended, and angry.  Most of us would be as well, so before we criticize him we might want to honestly look in the mirror that reflects our heart.  He goes off and pouts.  Many are the times I have gone to a church member who took offense at something and felt their faithfulness unappreciated when someone who had been anything but was received back into the church fold. I cannot count the number of times I’ve ministered to someone who was overcome with anger at God because someone who had been a prodigal was received back into God’s graces and they felt slighted.

The attitude of the older brother blinds as to what God offers and what is available.  Consider what the father told this distraught son.  He said, “Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours…”  Did you hear that?  You are always with me, and ALL THAT I HAVE IS YOURS…His inheritance was his all along and he could have had the BBQ anytime he wanted but he had apparently not asked for it or demonstrated a desire for it UNTIL the wayward son comes home.  IT IS YOURS!  Your brother took his part and squandered it but what is left belongs to you.  It was right that we rejoice over one that was dead but is alive again, and was lost but has been found.  Forgiveness is a powerful part of faith and we must ever guard against resentment, bitterness, and self-centeredness.  One of the most powerful messages of the Bible is Reconciliation.  If we allow them to take root we will miss what God has for us and fail to realize the Abundant Life He has for us.

             God bless you on this beautiful day!

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SHOULD CHRISTIANS PLAN FOR THE FUTURE FINANCIALLY???


Spiritual Blog - Financial Planning

Luke 12:22-34 – “Then He said to His disciples, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on.  23 Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing.  24 Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds?  25 And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?  26 If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest?  27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.  28 If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith?

 29 “And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind.  30 For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things.  31 But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.

 32 “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.  33 Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys.  34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  NKJV

 

I have known people and more than a few preachers who considered it a violation of God’s directive to plan for the future financially.  After all, they demand, Jesus instructed us in Luke 12 to not give anything financial a second thought.  So, if the birds do not have to work for what they eat, neither should I.  I will just wait on God to provide.

I 100% concur that God is our source!  I also stand in complete agreement that mammon cannot be our focus.  However, I cannot ignore the overriding principles of the Bible with regard to counting the costs and providing for my own.  I believe that the ideal condition of the Christian mind is confidence that God will provide.  Negligence is never justified.  We are instructed to be “wise as serpents and harmless as doves” and I believe that applies to life’s planning and preparation.

Life should not be lived in FEAR or WORRY.  The believer should live with confidence that when we have done all we know to do and walked in obedience to God’s Word and the directive to our individual hearts, HE WILL PROVIDE.  The illustration of the ravens and the lilies of the field provide a beautiful word picture for us to visualize the keeping and care of God in all things in our lives.  If we allow concern for the natural things to overshadow the eternal we will live in fret and frustration.

David declared, “I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging bread.”  Can Christians have financial problems?  We see it every day!  Most of the times when I have faced financial difficulty I can trace the root to my error in judgment or failure to live within my means.  I am not discounting, today’s economic situation where some who WOULD WORK cannot find jobs and are facing incredibly difficult times.  Was that their making?  NO!  That is where God, the Church, the Community and Family come into the picture.  PROVISION comes from many sources but all under the guidance and direction of the LORD.

What we should make most important in our lives is GOD and then do that which we know to do and I am confident that God will provide.  This is not a cry for or against retirement planning, etc.  It is a cry for each of us to “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness” and from that position live in confidence that GOD WILL PROVIDE!

May you receive His rich blessings on this wonderful day!  

 

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REASONS I’VE HEARD FOR REJECTION OF THE BIBLE…


Spiritual Blog - Rejecting

John 8:52 – “Then the Jews said to Him, “Now we know that You have a demon! Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and You say, ‘If anyone keeps My word he shall never taste death.'”  NKJV

 

Through the years, I have heard a great number of reasons people offer for disbelieving the Bible and this passage has been used, at least, Jesus’ response to His accusers.  He said, “If anyone keeps My words he shall never taste death.”  The comeback or justification for not believing the Bible or in Jesus was, “See, this is a blatant lie for every day there are people who believe in God and live as Christians who DIE, so it is all a lie.”  That mindset allows an individual to justify their rejection and gives a certain smugness, arrogance and even meanness when they encounter believers of the Bible and in Jesus.

         Never TASTE death must be understood in light of the clear teachings of the Bible regarding the impact the Victory of the Lord Jesus on the Cross and demonstrated in the Resurrection brings.  If we accept the Lord Jesus Christ walking in His Word DEATH no longer has a sting and in truth we will NEVER DIE.  Oh, we will experience what is called death among mortals but when we receive Jesus we embark on a course and journey called ETERNAL LIFE over which death has no power.  We experience, in this life, what the Bible calls SLEEP which is nothing more than a transition from the natural or present into the eternal.

Adam and Eve, it is often argued, were told by God that the day they ate the “forbidden fruit” they would die and they did not die.  However, if you view what took place in the light of the rest of the Bible you realize they did die, not naturally but spiritually.  Their separation from God was dramatic and could be understood as nothing other than spiritual death.  In the eternal scheme of things, we will either LIVE ETERNALLY or DIE ETERNALLY and that death will not be a complete obliteration of consciousness and finality that many view death as being but a death in which the consciousness of life is ever present but unreachable.

I have encountered a number of believers and preachers who, as one pastor said to me, “The Bible is a good book but filled with a number of myths and plenteous in error.”  If I do not believe the Bible record and consider any of its accounts or prophesies myths I will be an easy mark for the enemy of my soul.  I either believe God or I do not.  I believe the Bible is the Inspired Word of God and that although human hands and minds were involved in penning the words we now hold as the Cannon of Scripture, I believe the Holy Spirit inspired and guided those men.  I recognize that in translating text from the original there is the possibility of inaccurate translation but again, I believe that God is God and capable of guiding the translators in a manner so as to preserve truth.  I acknowledge there are some renderings from the original or near original language into English that I find troubling but I remember that Jesus said, “When He is come (the Holy Spirit) He will guide you into all truth.”  Therefore, I am comfortable and confident that the Bible is Inspired and provides us a guide for faith and practice in life.

God bless you as you embark on your daily journey. 

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AN INCREDIBLY REVEALING QUESTION…


Spiritual Blog - Question

John 5:1-6 – “After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches. 3 In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. 4 For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had.   5 Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?”   NKJV [Emphasis mine…]

 

Every time I read this account of a miracle performed by our LORD I see something new or additional, but also have a tugging at my heart strings over the question.  Do you want to be made well?  That is an amazing question especially in light of the fact this man had been at the pool for a very long time.  He had, without question, resigned himself to his physical malady and plight and had in a very real sense allowed himself to view his status as VICTIM.  He was totally dependent on others to transport him or help him achieve virtually anything in life.

Jesus approached the pool of Bethesda and I have no doubt scanned the scene and fixed his eyes on this individual, not just because of his condition for all were in need of healing, but because of his mindset.  The question was arresting and I am sure the man was somewhat stunned by the question.  I can almost sense some outrage in his response, “Sir, I have no man to put me in the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.”  In East Texas, the response would have been, “ARE YOU BLIND, I can’t walk to get to the pool.”  Jesus ignored his victim mindset and gave a command that demanded a response.  Jesus’ command shook the man free from his victim mindset.  The man complied with Jesus’ command and healing took place.

I have dealt with people in my years of Christian ministry to whom, I have asked the question, “Do you want to be free?”  Some were in the bondage of pornography, lust, and other things as they succumbed to the pull of the flesh.  I have had some declare with weeping, YES and others would, as this man offer one excuse or another as to why they could not be.  Some blamed their spouses for their infidelity and while I concur that a spouse can add to the problem the final decision is the individual who commits the act.  They could say NO and resist! 

In life, the question is, “Do you want to be made well?”  Do you want to be HEALED by the Blood of the Lamb?  Do you want to be transformed and become a new creation in Christ Jesus?  Do you want to have the shackles holding you back removed?  Do you?  Then, call to God with honest hearts and acknowledge your condition, repent of your attitude and dependency and do whatever the Holy Spirits directs your heart.  As with this man, the question, “Do you want to be made well?” is the first step toward the complete and total healing of the whole man.

God bless you as you go through this day!

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FORGIVENESS IS NOT OPTIONAL…


Spiritual Blog - Forgiveness

Matthew 6:14-15 – “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”  NKJV

Mark 11:25-26 – “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.  26 But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.”  NKJV

Luke 6:37 – “…Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”  NKJV

 

I have had many people tell me, “I don’t get mad I get even.”  Others have lamented, “But if I forgive them they will just hurt me again.”  To the first, the Bible declares that “vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” [Romans 12:19] so getting even is not a biblically accepted option.  It may be what many do but it is not endorsed or accepted by the LORD of Hosts, Jehovah God.  To the second, it may happen but when the disciples asked Jesus how many times they were to forgive, Jesus answered, “…I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.”  [Matthew 18:22].  Sadly, some including a current politician indicated they were taking the 70 X 7 literally and on the 491st time she would GET EVEN.   This was not a numeric specific but an illustration that forgiveness must be continual. 

Personally, if someone demonstrates a propensity to remain in the condition or hold the attitude revealed in their actions that are harmful to me or the labor before me, I do not continue to place myself in a position for them to do further damage.  I forgive and realize that the Bible does not demand “divine amnesia” so I learn from events and situations as to how to proceed and with whom I will associate on a deeper level.  I will continue to pray and forgive not just because I have to but because I want to.  I want the heart of Jesus to be in me and shine forth from me.

Forgiveness is not like an option on a car or computer.  It is not elective or cosmetic surgery but essential to our Spiritual Walk and Life.  When we fail to forgive we block the flow of forgiveness to us as well as through us.  It not only harms those who need forgiveness but it harms us and places us in the chains of bitterness whereby many are defiled.  We are not islands and everything we do or fail to do affects us and those around us whom we influence or who are watching the Bible of our lives.

Therefore, I urge you to never view forgiveness as something optional for it is a matter of life or death spiritually and will impact you physically, emotionally and often economically as well.  My prayer is that the LORD send forth the Helper (Holy Spirit) to enable us to walk in forgiveness and offer forgiveness as a norm in our lives.

            God bless you as you go through this day in Christ Jesus our Lord!

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OUR FUTURE of HOPE…


Spiritual Blog - Plans

Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”  NKJV

 

First, I know this was written specifically for the Nation of Israel regarding the seventy years of Babylonian captivity and that God had not forgotten them and they had a future beyond captivity.  However, as with many if not all passages of the Bible it has an application for you and me in our current existence, lives, purposes, plans and condition.

God is not a disinterested, absentee landlord as some seem to believe but is very interested in our lives, situations, conditions and future.  When we came to Jesus to receive His forgiveness and drink of the cup of salvation the Bible describes that event as the NEW BIRTH and in that birth, we are new creations in which the old has died or has passed away and now we embark on a New Life or Future.  God has plans for each of us and while some spend their entire earthly walk trying to find God’s Will for their lives He never intended it to be complicated, obscure or mysterious.

Let me illustrate it this way.  If I have a child and want that child to do some specific things how would either of us be served for me to say, “I have something I want you to do but you’ll have to figure out what it is without any explanation or direction from me.”  Failure is almost guaranteed and the child and I will both be disappointed.  Likewise, if I have a business and tell my employees, “I have a business plan and plan of productivity for each of you but you will have to figure that out without my help and if you fail, you are fired” how can anything but failure occur?  NO, God has a plan and purpose and has given us His written word to guide us and nudges our hearts toward that which so draws us that finding His purpose is not mysterious but simple if we stop complicating it.  He has not called everyone to be the leader of the Free World, lead the largest congregations, build dynamic and prosperous businesses or be generals in the Army of God.  But, He has given each of us a gift(s), talent(s) and abilities through which we can fulfill that niche He has designed and purposed for our lives.  It is in learning to be “content” that we find His purposes not in striving to be something we are not and He has not ordained.

Through Ezekiel God utters an incredible statement, “…I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you.  And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.”  [Ezekiel 36:26].  The result of that can be seen in the words of Malachi, “But for you who fear My name, the Sun of Righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings.  You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall.”  [Malachi 4:2].  One of the most powerful declarations of any believer in the Bible or out is found in Philippians 3:14, where the apostle Paul declares, “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward (high) call of God in Christ Jesus.”  

Our Future and Hope is to do that which we hear in our hearts and say that which we hear in our spirits.  God will guide us one step at a time and if we would surrender to following the purpose inspired by that which draws our hearts the most we would be light years ahead in our pursuit of The Will of God for our Lives.

God bless you as you pursue His purposes and enjoy this wonderful day of transition from one month to the next.   Abundant Blessing is my prayer and desire for each of you!

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YOU WANT TO LIVE A LONG TIME – Why?


Spiritual Blog - Longivity

Exodus 20:12 – “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you.”  NKJV

Ephesians 6:1-3 – “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: 3 “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”  NKJV

 

That is a question I have been asked more than once in my years of Christian service.  I had one person ask that question and followed it up with, “Brother Roy, don’t you want to go to heaven?”  YES, I want to go to heaven but like Paul, I sometimes feel in a difficult place between choosing to go home or stay here and continue the labors set before me.  I believe I have a purpose for which God created and called me yet fulfilled.  Therefore, I want to LIVE LONG or, at least, LONG ENOUGH to accomplish that purpose.  I am not saying, as the George Burns and Ray Price song, “I Wish I Was Eighteen Again” but I do want to live long, be strong and impact my world for the cause of the Kingdom of God.

The Psalmist in Psalm 34:11-14, declared, “Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.  12 Who is the man who desires life, and loves many days, that he may see good?  13 Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit.  14 Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” NKJV.  That is an essential part of my desire to have a long life on earth.  Frequently, in Scripture, the Word of the Lord was, “do this and I will give long life or prolong your days.” 

I like to think like Caleb when Israel began to possess the Promised Land, “As yet I am as strong this day as on the day that Moses sent me; just as my strength was then, so now is my strength for war, both for going out and coming in.”  [Joshua 14:11].  The writer of Proverbs instructed, “Hear, my son, and accept my sayings and the years of your life will be many.”  [Proverbs 4:10].  He also said concerning God’s Commandments, “…length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.”  [Proverbs 3:2]

In Acts we read concerning David, “…when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep…”  [Acts 13:36].  Our desire and purpose should be to fulfill the purposes, mission, commission or assignment to which we have been called.  You are never too young or too old to fulfill God’s purposes.  He speaks through children and we have numerous references to people in advanced age doing exploits for God.  It is declared that in these Last Days, when God pours out His Spirit upon all flesh, “Your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions…”  [Joel 2:28].

If we throw in the towel and declare we are too old, too young, too weak, too tired, too rich or too poor we impede the purposes of God in our lives and affect others around us.  Who can say that your timely word or deed will not reach a heart who becomes a Daniel, David, Jeremiah, Billy Graham, and David Brainerd, Charles Finney or someone who will become a mighty warrior in these Last Days?

My grandfather declared for as long as I can remember that he would live to be 100 years of age.  He did and almost made it to 101 passing into glory just 9 days short of that milestone.  He did not just exist but impacted others around him with his character, words of wisdom and being a role model for his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and countless others.  He impacted my life in many ways and one was his committed resolve to demonstrate integrity.  He was a man among men and what made him the most powerful was his love for God and family.  I want to live long to fulfill my purpose.  Heaven will be for eternity but our sojourn through this thing we call life is incredibly temporary.

God bless you and I pray you have a wonderful day and a long life to enjoy God, life and fulfill His purposes in your generation.

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SOME SCOFF AT RIGHTEOUSNESS NOW BUT ONE DAY…


Spiritual Blog - Righteousness

Isaiah 13:11 – “I will punish the world for its evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; I will halt the arrogance of the proud, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.”  NKJV

 

Throughout human history, men have scoffed at God’s Word and His call to righteousness and holiness.  They have designed their own paths and smugly laughed in the shadows thinking they were getting away with their devices.  Most of those did not and do not believe God is GOD and some even have an attitude that they are gods.  That may last for a time but there will come a time when God says, ENOUGH and then this passage will come into full view for all the world to see.

There will be a judgment of the entire world for evil.  Today, we have evil rampant and fills the news and internet that many are literally becoming afraid to venture beyond the four walls of their homes.  Some will no longer travel on commercial conveyances for fear of lurking danger and the diabolical acts of terrorist and depraved humanity.  We have large groups of people aligning themselves with a religious belief that they are doing the bidding of God in eradicating all who will not convert to their belief system.  We have entire nations turning the backs on the moral principles taught in the Bible and establishing man and the flesh as the supreme director of their lives.  We have those who call good evil and evil good, subverting the truth of God and advancing the lie of the devil as that which is to be believed and accepted.  We have legislative and governmental edicts that wage war on morality and strip people of their dignity, property and lives.

They may appear to succeed for a time but there will come a day, and I believe that day is soon when God says ENOUGH.  In that day, He will punish the world for its evil and punish individual wickedness for their lives and actions.  There will come a time when the arrogance of the proud will be reduced to shambles and the haughty will stand in fear and trembling as they witness what God is doing.  Yes, there will be a day when “every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is LORD.”  No, Jesus will not destroy the Bible and call for everyone to convert to Islam or any other religion, as some Islamic jihadist have declared, for He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  He is the Door and the only access to the Father and Eternal Life.  God is Holy and will not accept that which defiles winking at sin and excusing ignorance.

There is a shaking coming to the world and America will not be exempt.  God’s wrath is going to overflow toward evil, wickedness, iniquity, pride, arrogance and haughtiness.  If we humble ourselves He will receive us, comfort us and draw us into His bosom to comfort us.  If we repent of our transgressions He will pardon.  If we forsake the old path of sin and follow the new path of righteousness and life He will guard and guide our lives.

Never despair over the seeming prosperity of the wicked and the fact they seem to go unscathed when they blatantly defy God, the Bible and all sense of moral principles.  They may scoff at righteousness now but ONE DAY!  One day God will demand account and I would not want to be in their shoes at that time.

God bless you as you go through this day.  Call upon Him and He will answer you!

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GOD’S WATCHMEN…


Spiritual Blog - Watchmen

Isaiah 56:10-12 – “His watchmen are blind, they are all ignorant; they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.  11 Yes, they are greedy dogs which never have enough. And they are shepherds who cannot understand; they all look to their own way, every one for his own gain, from his own territory.  12 “Come,” one says, “I will bring wine, and we will fill ourselves with intoxicating drink; tomorrow will be as today, and much more abundant.”  NKJV

Isaiah is describing a very sad condition when

Isaiah is describing a very sad condition when ‘watchmen’ do not do what they are called to do.  Ezekiel identified God’s call for His people to be ‘watchmen on the walls’ and to warn of danger.  Israel has always had many enemies and many cities including Jerusalem had high thick walls to keep the enemies out but walls could be breached therefore the need for early warning of impending danger or attack.  Israel’s guards stood upon the walls and in the towers and sounded the alarm if danger neared.  The Hebrew word for ‘watchman’ is [tsapah] which means, “To lean forward, to peer into the distance; by implication means to observe, behold, spy out, wait for, and keep watch.”

Isaiah described the negligence of God’s appointed watchmen calling them “blind, ignorant and dumb dogs”.  They were giving no warning but rather they were sleeping and exercising greed.  He was speaking of shepherds or leaders, those charged with the oversight and care of the flock or people.  They were self-centered, caring for their own desires, positions, pocketbooks, etc. rather than the people.  They were becoming intoxicated with pleasure ignoring danger and thereby failing God and the people.

Some tell me, “Roy, a Christian should never be involved in politics.”  Let me ask, “Does politics affect your life or livelihood?”  God has given us LIFE both spiritual and natural and if we are going to be good stewards of that life we must, as leaders, be on the alert for danger and sound the alarm when it is impending.  Failure to do so places us in the category Isaiah described and you can rest assured God was not pleased with those ‘watchmen’.

When I have presented this argument some have countered saying, “Well that was Old Testament and we are under the New so it does not apply today.”  We are to walk in love and obey those that have the rule over us.  Yes we are and yes we do but we are also commissioned to watch over the flock of God.  Acts 20:28 declares, “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.”  Therefore, pastor you are a watchman whether you want to be or not and have a responsibility to yourself, your congregation and God to SOUND THE ALARM on all fronts when there is impending danger and that includes the political.  In a measure, every believer is to be a “watchman” and warn of impending danger.

We need to recognize we are in a WAR and that root of that war being played out in the natural is a SPIRITUAL WAR.  We are not warning with flesh and blood but flesh and blood are being used in this warfare.  Flesh and blood are imposing danger upon lives and unless there is a warning cry many will be overcome and destroyed by that evil imposed.  1 Peter 5:6-9, “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, 7. Casting all your anxiety (care) on Him, because He cares for you.  8. Be of sober spirit, be on the alert.  Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.  9. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren around the world.”  BE ON GUARD and if you SEE SOMETHING then SAY SOMETHING!

We can rest in the assurance given by the Psalmist in 121:4-5, “…He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.  The LORD watches over you – – the LORD is your shade at your right hand…”  Beloved, if we are going to be good stewards of this life God has granted us both natural and spiritual we must be vigilant, alert, on guard and sound the alarm when we see impending and imposing danger coming.  If it is simply a bad political policy or a life or death danger we must SOUND THE ALARM.  We must both WATCH and PRAY!

            God bless you as you go through this day!

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DELIVER ME AND GIVE ME WILL POWER, OH LORD…


spiritual blog - Abstain

1 Peter 2:11-12 – “Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, 12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.”  NKJV

 

I know of a situation where a man who was often caught succumbing to fleshly temptation blamed God for his problem.  He said, “God made me this way and if He wants me to abstain then He needs to deliver me.”  My response is, SERIOUSLY?  You actually want to blame God for your failures! 

I believe, have learned, and demonstrated in my life that there is a need for God’s deliverance but there is also a need for discipline and willpower.  In truth, God delivered us when he saved us but if we are going to walk out that gift in this earthly life we will have to exercise discipline, restraint, and willpower.  God will not force you to be chaste or practice fidelity but will help you if you truly want His help.

The urgency of Peter in this cannot be overlooked.  He says, “…I beg you…”  I am not just suggesting but pleading with you that YOU ABSTAIN.  Notice, he did not say, “I plead with you that you be delivered from fleshly lusts but that YOU ABSTAIN…”  The part we play in this is inescapable.  Peter reminds us of the ETERNAL and the fact that we are only here on this planet temporarily.  The clear message is that we are passing through headed to our heavenly home where that type of behavior would be completely foreign, therefore it should be foreign to us here.

He also reminds us that by so doing we will present conduct that is recognized by those outside the faith and then when we decry evil they have something to base our words on.  Our honoring of the directives of the LORD and keeping ourselves free from fleshly lust gives authority to our words and may well be the catalyst that opens the eyes of someone outside the faith.  However, if we are not chaste, and do not abstain from fleshly lusts but live just as the world in the pursuit of passion and infidelity our words have no impact and are like rain falling on a tin barn.

I have long prayed for the LORD to give me the courage, determination, strength and willpower to “resist the devil” in all things and at all times.  Someone said, “You’d better not pray that way because when you do it is like asking for patience.  You will be tested.”  Although there is truth to that I have found that when my heart overflows with a desire to live pleasingly to the LORD and the want to with regard to resistance to fleshly temptations regardless of their nature, GOD HELPS ME!  Through the years, I have learned that those who fall prey to fleshly lusts are seldom caught off guard in the heat of the moment.  If they honestly backtrack they find that they opened little doors here and there and invited the temptation to either come or continue.  Maybe it was flattery.  Maybe it was the thought of momentary pleasure.  Maybe it was deception but regardless of the root, the door was left open at least a little.

That is another reason we are told to “resist the devil and he will flee from us.”  Do not allow thoughts or visuals to have a welcome place in your mind.  When on a tour in Israel our guide told us to hide our belongings before leaving the bus saying, “What the eye cannot see the heart will not lust after.”  That applies in virtually all areas of life.  If we do not allow our minds eyes or natural eyes to entertain a temptation the heart will not long for it.  Therefore, we need not only the deliverance of the LORD but the strength, determination, and dedication to exercise willpower.

May the LORD be with you as you go through this day in His strength!

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