THE CHRISTIAN’S DILEMMA REGARDING GOVERNMENT…


Spiritual Blog - God and Government

Romans 13:1-7 – “Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. 3 For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; 4 for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. 5 Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. 7 Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.”  NASU

I heard this again from the Lord in my time with Him this morning of having coffee and fellowship with Him.  I again asked the Lord, “What do Christians do when the leaders follow paths that violate your Word?”  He instructed my heart again this way.

SUBJECTION AND PRAYER:

We are whenever and wherever possible to be subject to and obey the laws of the human government.  God does have all authority and He has a purpose for allowing leaders to be in place and sometimes that is simply to wake up the people from their slumber and apathy as has been the case time after time in Scripture.  Yet, when their laws violate the directive of the Lord we must make a choice understanding the possible consequences of both man and God.

OBEY GOD RATHER THAN MAN:

Acts 5:27-32 – “When they had brought them, they stood them before the Council. The high priest questioned them, 28 saying, “We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” 29 But Peter and the apostles answered, ” We must obey God rather than men. 30 ” The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had put to death by hanging Him on a cross. 31 ” He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. 32 “And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.”   NASU

When we have a directive from the Lord and human government instructs us to violate that directive we must make a choice.  To disobey human government could mean incarceration in prison or even death but to disobey God is an even greater peril, at least for me. I’m not talking about opinion; I’m talking about a clear directive from the Lord and His word.  If God has directed us, as Christians, we have only one choice and that is obedience no matter the cost or repercussions.  What happens if Caesar asks for something that belongs to God?

RENDER UNTO CAESAR AND RENDER UNTO GOD:

Matthew 22:21-22 – “They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” Then He said to them, ” Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.”  22 And hearing this, they were amazed, and leaving Him, they went away.”  NASU

If the government asks us for something that belongs to God how shall we give it?  That would include everything from the above verses as well.  If we make government a god that would violate the Ten Commandments and clear directive of God that I have no other gods before Him.  I cannot give honor to something that is dishonorable and violates the sanctity of human life that would violate God’s revealed manner of life and principles.  I may have cause to fear them even if I am doing right because they are opposed to God and His way, therefore, I fear God, not a man and the fear I have for God is a reverential fear not one of terror.

WHAT DO WE DO?  We pray for those in leadership.  We pray for their salvation.  We pray that they make right decisions.  We pray that their decisions bring the people to a place of repentance and returning to God.  We pray that God gives His grace (mercy & divine enablement) to all those who follow Him to walk through the fire and not be burned; to walk through the flood and now drown.  We pray for our brothers and sisters as well as the lost and dying.  We pray for God’s Grace and Mercy to flood the land and maintain our integrity walking in the light of His Word and in total obedience to Him.  And having done all to stand we stand fast and stand firm in the directives of our LORD and if it comes to crunch time we follow the path of the Disciples – “Whom shall we obey God or man?”  The answer is GOD!

The Blessings of the LORD be upon you is my prayer and desire!

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CONVERSATION WITH A COLLEGE PROFESSOR…


Spiritual Blog - Confusion

Genesis 1:1-2 – “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.”  NKJV

 

The time changed last night and the March winds are howling this morning, but it is a great day to be alive and my time with the Lord this morning has been inspirational.  From time to time the Lord reminds me of encounters with people from various walks of life I have had and one, in particular, came to mind that I want to talk about today.  It was a conversation I had recently with a College Professor about CREATION.

That individual has 2 Ph.D.’s in areas of science and is a devout evolutionist but also claims to be a devout Christian.  Our conversation led to many areas but finally, this individual said, “You just need to study the Tree of Life.”  I replied, “I have studied the “Word of Life and my name is in the Book of Life, so I believe that I understand the Tree of Life that God has established.”  The response was, “Oh the Bible, that outdated, error-filled book of fables and myths.”  Okay, now I have a problem with one area of devoutness in this person’s life and it’s not regarding their devotedness to the theory of evolution.  This person denies the validity of the Bible and questions the very existence of the God of the Bible but believes there is a higher intelligence but it’s interwoven in nature and is not a single entity.

I won’t mention the church this individual is a part of because I know some another folk who attend there and that’s not their view.  This reminds me of a college professor I had years ago with whom I got into several debates and disproved his theories and assertions in class and ended up being forbidden to speak in class else I would fail the class.  I have no doubt that many in Academia and the “so-called” intellectual community believe as this individual.  I have no doubt that there are those taught by our public school system have been fed this type of fallacy and do not believe or are not sure what they believe about creation and evolution.  I don’t fall into that category, I know exactly what I believe, and it begins, “IN THE BEGINNING GOD CREATED…”

Therefore, believing the first verse of the first chapter of the Bible, I can go on to believe the rest of the Bible.  I believe that Jesus came in the flesh, born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, died on the cross for us, rose again on the third day, ascended to the right hand of the throne of the Father and now makes intercession for us and is coming back like He said.  With that settled, I have received Jesus as my savior, repenting of my sins and have been transferred from the kingdom of darkness into God’s marvelous light.  I am BORN AGAIN!  My eternal soul will live forever in the presence of the Almighty God, the God of the Bible and I am at perfect peace with that.  It doesn’t matter what happens in this world that will not change.  They may, at some point in time, separate my head from my mortal body but that won’t change my faith only my location.  I will then be absent from the body but present with the Lord!  I rejoice in Genesis 1:1 and the door it opens!  Rejoice, my friends, rejoice redemption draws near!

May the richest of God’s Blessings flow to and through you as you enjoy this wonderful day He has prepared. 

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DRESSED AND READY FOR BATTLE…


Spiritual Blog - Battle REady

Ephesians 6:14-20 – “Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints —  19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”  NKJV

 

The morning began a bit later than usual and things have a vastly different appearance when that happens.  The quietness and solitude are not so quiet and there are many of God’s creatures scurrying about including workers just over my backyard fence.  Yet, I still enjoyed my coffee, bible reading, and conversation with the Lord.  He told me to “Get Dressed…”

I was praying for this country and the state she is in and what we can and should do to right the ship.  He let me ramble for a while and heard my rants, fears, concerns, complaints and then finally when I took a breath I heard in my spirit, “Get dressed to go out to Battle.  Get dressed to take a stand and not be moved.  Get ready for the battle after the battle.  Be prepared no just for the battle but for the war.”  That stopped me in my tracks and caused me to think for a while and after about an hour or so I turned to the computer to write and put my thoughts on paper.

We are to stand “wrapped” in truth, God’s truth.  The truth that shall make us free!  The truth that leads us to life!  The truth that is impeachable and impeccable!  The Good News of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ the Righteous!  Wrapped in that truth is step one!  Then, we are to have on the breastplate of righteousness.  Our hearts must be covered with righteousness, not ours but His.  Our righteousness is but filthy rags but His righteousness is whiter than the driven snow.  It is pure without the human imperfections.  Seek first the kingdom of God and HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS!  That’s when things happen not before!  Take the shield of faith.  We must exhibit faith, trust, and confidence settled assurance in Him, His word, His will, and His way.  We are to walk in TOTAL CONFIDENCE in Him and His promises; walking without wavering.  We must not be double-minded but steadfast in our confidence.  We are to take the helmet of salvation.  It is most interesting that Salvation would be a helmet (head covering) but that is because we must get our minds right, our thoughts right.  We are to bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.  As a man thinks in his heart so is he.  We are to take the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.  We must immerse ourselves in God’s word and become so saturated with that word that if you cut us we would bleed the word.  So, we are ready always to give an answer to every man for the reason of the hope that is within us. Finally, we are to PRAY, which is the vital portion of this attire.  We are to pray ALWAYS!   Praying with ALL prayer and supplication in the spirit – watching with perseverance for all the saints and THEN we can STAND and STAND BOLDY.  It is then we can become unmovable, steadfast.  Dressed up and ready to go to war and ready to go home if the need be, but UNMOVABLE!  Prepared for Battle!

For us to see revival come to this world we must fight the good fight of faith.  WE must continue to pray for our leaders and our land.  WE must continue to be clothed with God’s prescribed attire for battle and we must use the weapons of our warfare, which are mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.  The battle is before us and the Lord is with us the only questions are – – Will we endure to the end?  Will we having done all to stand, stand and keep on standing?  As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!

May the rich and bountiful blessing of the LORD be upon you as go through your day and may the Lord of Hosts, grant you peace and wisdom to do all that you have been commissioned to do on this beautiful day He has made!

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PONDER THE PATH OF YOUR FEET……


Spiritual Blog - Pondering

Proverbs 4:25-27 – “Let your eyes look straight ahead, and your eyelids look right before you.  26 Ponder the path of your feet and let all your ways be established.  27 Do not turn to the right or the left; Remove your foot from evil.”  NKJV

 

It is another beautiful morning with a cool but refreshing breeze.  The sun has not yet risen over the horizon and the creatures have not begun to stir so I sit in solitude thinking of the things of God.  I sit drinking my morning cup of coffee, reading my bible and conversing with the Lord.  The thought that arose in my heart was “Ponder the path of your feet….” 

When we consider parental instructions, we almost always think in the natural realm but we need to elevate our thinking to that of our Heavenly Father’s advice and counsel to us, His children.  These three verses are filled with incredibly valuable counsel and should be heeded, daily.

  1. FOCUS – – The writer directs our thoughts to the need to keep focused on the journey and not become sidetracked by peripheral issues. We are to keep our eyes on the Cross, the empty tomb and turned heavenward looking for the soon appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ the Righteous.  We are to “seek FIRST the Kingdom of God and His righteousness”.  Our focus must be maintained lest our journey take unnecessary detours and have unnecessary delays in reaching our destination.
  2. PONDER – An Interesting word that among other things means to “roll flat”, “revolve”, “weigh mentally”. It is a word that could be used in describing the road building techniques of the Romans.  They would grind to a powder and pulverize the rocks, etc. to make them into the sand-like material that they could be placed where they wanted the road or ramp and then roll them flat to make them compacted together and smooth.  We need to ponder our path or make a smooth road out of life through the power and wisdom of the Holy Spirit.
  3. ESTABLISHED – We need to ensure that our course of life is fixed, settled, determined and prepared. We do this through our relationship with Him by our deep settled commitment to Him and His purposes.  We cover every plan, desire, and purpose with prayer, seeking His face for our every move and walk in the quiet confidence of His guidance.  We fix our eyes on Jesus and stay on the course and run the race to its conclusion.
  4. REMOVE – – We turn back from the past and press toward the prize of the High Calling of God in Christ Jesus. We remove our feet from evil by our complete surrender to Him.  We resign as the captain of our fate and the master of our soul and allow Him to be Lord of All in our lives.  We shun the very appearance of evil and cling to Him the author and finisher of our faith.

We cannot walk this walk, run this race, finish the course in victory without Him leading the way and being Lord of all.  The road is too rough, the race too long and the course too uncertain to do it in our own strength.  We must have Him to pilot our ship through the troubled waters of life.  Jesus, you are Captain my Captain and Lord of All to me!  Guide my life!  Guard my heart!  Give me the grace to walk before you in all things!

May the Lord bless you as you go through your day in Him.  Have a spectacular day on this wonderful day that the Lord has created for us!

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WHEN THE ENEMY COMES IN LIKE A FLOOD…


Spiritual Blog - Flood

Isaiah 59:19 – “So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, And His glory from the rising of the sun; When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him.”  NKJV

 

It is another beautiful morning here in the DFW area in Texas.  I have been running behind this morning because after my time of prayer and fellowship with the Lord there were some things that came up to delay my coming to the computer.  I love these cool mornings when I can rise before it is yet day and bask in the sunlight of His presence.  My heart has been heavy for some time over what I see in this present world and the Lord witnessed to my heart the following:  “Do Not Fear, I Am With You!”

I look around at the world, our nation, much of the world of Christianity and at individual lives and am troubled.  One the one hand, I see the Glory of the Lord moving and on the other; I see the onslaught of the enemy coming in like a flood.  For me to say that our nation is in trouble would be an understatement; it is a disaster!  For me to say that our world is troubled would also be an understatement, it is being dismantled!  For me to say that much of the Christian world has lost some of its direction would be an understatement, much is out of focus and out of order!  I am not trying to be critical of the Church but when I look at what I see, I am not seeing what is depicted in the Bible as being the Church that Jesus is coming back for!  Since the Church is the people within it, my concern is not for the organized church but for the individual cells, members or people within that great organism called THE CHURCH!

There have been times when I have felt overwhelmed by what I saw and in those times, the Lord has given me something to stand on.  This is one of those times and this passage is one of those passages – “When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him.”  That is my rallying cry today!  That is my inspiration today!  That is my declaration of faith today!  Therefore, it does not matter how big the battle, how fierce the attack, how widespread the seeming destruction – GOD will and is LIFTING UP A STANDARD against the enemy.  Simply put, God will STOP him, provide protection and we know that we have weapons that are mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.

Therefore, my word to you today is KNOW that GOD is IN CONTROL and WILL NOT FAIL!  He has promised to NEVER leave us nor FORSAKE us but is with us ALWAYS even to the end of the world!  No weapon formed against us shall prosper and every tongue that rises against us in judgment will be condemned.  We have been attacked on many sides regarding our faith but we must never quit.  The only way the devil can win in our lives is if we quit.  The enemy is ramping up his assault but the Spirit of God is rising up within the hearts of believers worldwide to stand in the gap and make up the hedge.  I, therefore, rest in the protection and provision of the Almighty!

I urge you to approach your day with the confidence that even if the enemy comes in like a flood, God will raise up a standard against him.  Go in peace and rejoice for your redemption draws near.  Blessings to everyone! 

 

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AMERICA’S PRAYER THROUGH HER PEOPLE…


Spiritual Blog - National

Psalms 6:1-10 – “LORD, do not rebuke me in Your anger, Nor chasten me in Your hot displeasure. 2 Have mercy on me, O LORD, for I am weak; O LORD, heal me, for my bones are troubled. 3 My soul also is greatly troubled; But You, O LORD — how long? 4 Return, O LORD, deliver me! Oh, save me for Your mercies’ sake!  5 For in death there is no remembrance of You; In the grave who will give You thanks?  6 I am weary with my groaning; All night I make my bed swim; I drench my couch with my tears. 7 My eye wastes away because of grief; It grows old because of all my enemies. 8 Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity; For the LORD has heard the voice of my weeping. 9 The LORD has heard my supplication; The LORD will receive my prayer. 10 Let all my enemies be ashamed and greatly troubled; Let them turn back and be ashamed suddenly.”  NKJV

As I listen in the silence of the morning and hear hearing the beginning of life stirring in the near and far and sip my coffee as I pore over the passages listed below.  The word of God in my heart is consistent with what a person told me yesterday, “Psalm 6 should be America’s prayer at this time!”  The Lord confirmed that to me this morning, so I share it.

So much going on that is not good or right in this world and especially in our nation.  Truly, we have come to a time when some hearts are failing them for fear of what they see coming on this country and this earth.  Others, are stirring with anticipation of the Lord’s return and are dangerously close to just sitting and waiting for the Lord to return and doing nothing.  Both approaches are contrary to the heart of Scripture, in my humble opinion.  In this Psalm, there is a message and a process that we each individually can and should follow in our pursuit of freedom and liberty.

  1. Cry out to God for His Mercy – – Individually, collectively and nationally.
  2. Admit our weakness and failure as a nation and repent of those sins before God as though we were the nation rather than just individual parts. Repent personally and for the nation.
  3. We must come to the place that the troubled times around us and our desire for God and righteousness bring us to the place that we make our beds swim with tears. We need to mourn this nation and where we have come to as a people and incessantly cry out to God for mercy.
  4. We need to come out from among them and be separate. We need to stand for right and stand against wrong.  How can a nation with the blood of innocent, unborn babies on its hands not face swift and severe judgment?  We must seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.
  5. Then we walk in confidence that God has heard our repentance, our mourning, or intercession, prayer, and supplication and received our prayers.

It is then that we will see the hand of God move and our enemies (the enemies of this Great Land) and the enemies of the Kingdom of God turned back, become greatly ashamed and troubled.  It is then that God will cause them to turn back in shame SUDDENLY!  His act will be swift and His judgment sure!  It is in our hands!

My desire and prayer are that all believers cry out to God in repentance for ourselves personally and this nation collectively.  That we cry out for the Kingdom of God to come, on earth as it is in heaven, and we submit ourselves to the rule and reign of the Lord Jesus Christ in all things!  Pray like you’ve never prayed and work like you’ve never worked, evil does not take a holiday!

Through our God, we will see victory either here on earth and in heaven or just in heaven, but we will see victory!  I heard the Lord say to me, “It’s in your hands to put it back in mine!”

Blessings as you begin your week.  May the Lord Bless you richly on this special day that the Lord has made!

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SHATTERED TEETH AND A FACE SLAP…


Spiritual Blog - Shield Around Us

Psalms 3:1-4:1 – “O LORD, how my adversaries have increased!  Many are rising up against me. 2 Many are saying of my soul, “There is no deliverance for him in God.” Selah.  3 But You, O LORD, are a shield about me, My glory, and the One who lifts my head.  4 I was crying to the LORD with my voice, And He answered me from His holy mountain. Selah.  5 I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD sustains me. 6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people Who have set themselves against me round about. 7 Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God! For You have smitten all my enemies on the cheek; You have shattered the teeth of the wicked.  8 Salvation belongs to the LORD; Your blessing be upon Your people! Selah.”  NASU

 

This morning is so still it would be eerie except for the peace it brings.  Cool, damp and wonderful.  As I sat drinking my coffee, reading Psalm 3 and listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit, the Lord spoke to my heart about our distress as a people.

I, as many of you, have for some time contemplated the rise of the enemies of America and the increase in the activities of the evil one in our land and even against our lives and those of our family and friends.  Some have even gone into a deep state of depression over what they see and because they see no deliverance on the horizon, their faith has waned, and their hearts have grown weak.  Others are having become like the Children of Israel while in Egyptian bondage and have daily and incessantly been crying out for DELIVERANCE!  We live in troubling times and are facing trouble on every hand.  Except for God’s hand of deliverance we perish!

I heard the Lord speak to me, “Relax, I’m not through yet.  Continue to do all I’ve told you and tell you to do but relax I will work a work in your day that even if I told you, you would not believe it.”  We do not have to fear the thousands of people or thousands of thousands who have set themselves or will set themselves against us.  We do not have to fear the powers of hell that are in or will set themselves in array against us for we have and are crying out to the Lord of Host to DELIVER us.  We will see the day when GOD smites the cheek or SLAPS THE FACE of the enemy and shatters their teeth of the wicked.  Salvation belongs to God and we are children of the Most High God! His blessings are and will be upon His people!

Therefore, rise up, shake yourselves and rejoice for your HELP is in GOD, your HOPE is in GOD, your DELIVERANCE is in GOD and He has not FORGOTTEN us.  Pray with fervency and work with diligence for our day of deliverance is coming!  I rejoice in that word this morning and encourage you to do so as well.

Blessings to you as you begin this beautiful day in the Lord!  Lift up your voice and rejoice! 

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ANYBODY THIRSTY??? REALLY THIRSTY?????


Spiritual Blog - Thirsty

John 7:37-39 – “Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, ” If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink.  38 “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.'”  39 But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.”  NASU

 

WOW!  Today is another beautiful morning, as I awaken and sit before the Lord enjoying the solitude of my quiet place.  Darkness fills the air in the natural and light fills my heart in the spiritual.  My coffee tastes especially good this morning, the Word is incredibly refreshing and the communication with the Lord enlightening.  He asked me this question from the passage in John’s Gospel, “Are You Thirsty, Really Thirsty?” 

Jesus cried out at the last day of the feast a question that would have been applicable to every person there.  “Is anyone thirsty…”  Then He gave the solution to quenching that thirst, “let him come to Me and drink…”  This is not the first time that we’ve seen water regarding the people. We saw it in Exodus 17 Israel was encamped a Rephidim, but there was no water to drink and God through Moses’ hand provided water from the rock (a type of Christ).  Now, Jesus was telling the crowd if you have a thirst there is water that will quench it permanently for once you drink of this water there will be an inner river flowing out of your being to continually satisfy.  Remember the woman in Samaria (John 4) whom Jesus asked to give Him a drink and ultimately told her that there was water that she did not know about that would quench her thirst permanently?  Water that would become a fountain of water from within that would spring up into everlasting life was what He was offering her.

That Water of Salvation is available to everyone but ONLY those who THIRST find it.  If any man thirsts let him come unto Me and drink.  He speaks of the power of the Holy Spirit within our lives who will provide that continual flow of the waters of salvation in our beings.  He is offering that continual connection to Himself and the Father to whoever will come to Him and drink.

How do we drink?  We confess with our mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in our hearts that God raised Him from the dead.  We confess our sins and He is faithful and just to forgive us of all our sins.  We find that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.  We drink from the fountain filled with blood that flows from Emmanuel’s veins.  We come to the Cross and receive the sacrifice that Jesus offered to pay for our sins.  We receive Him into our lives as Savior and as Lord!  He is the Water of Life, a continual flow from the throne of the Father, to us who are thirsty!  But, we must become thirsty or we will never seek that flow!

Today, allow your hunger and thirst for righteousness to be satisfied by turning fully to Jesus with your heart, your soul, your mind and your spirit.  Once you taste this water you will never thirst again! As you begin your day, go forth from the fountain of life having drunk from His waters and be satisfied!  Once you have quenched your thirst at His fountain go forth and share that water with others who are searching and thirsty!

Blessings as you go through your day!  May the Lord provide all that you need to do all that your heart desires on this day!

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WHO ARE YOU?


Spiritual Blog - Who

Acts 19:11-15 – “Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them. 13 Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.” 14 Also, there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so. 15 And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?”   NKJV

 

As the darkness covers the backyard, stillness and quietness allow my mind to reflect on the things of my heart without interruption from external sources.  Reading passages from the Bible and listening to the Lord refreshes the soul.  This morning I sat thinking about the question above from the scripture text passage.

This account in Acts is so applicable to us today as in any day.  Some diminish the power of the forces of hell to the point that they mock and taunt those forces while others are so fearful that they live life with such timidity that they cannot accomplish anything for the Lord.  We have authority, we have weapons of warfare that are mighty through God (2 Corinthians 10) and we have a commission to go into all the world with the “Good News”. (Mark 16)

Luke 10:18-20 – “And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.  19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.  20 Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” NKJV

 We, having been born again, have the privilege of carrying the “Good News” to the ends of the world and to every person.  In so doing, we will be invading territory that is currently occupied by the forces of darkness.  They will not want to give up that territory without a fight, so it is imperative that we KNOW who we are and whose we are.  Our faith and confidence are not in our ability, spirituality, gifts or talents but in HIM, otherwise, we will find the evil forces saying to us what was said to the sons of Sceva in Acts 19, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know but who are you?”   May that never be!

Our rejoicing is not, that the powers of darkness are subject to us through Christ, but that our names are written in heaven.  Our rejoicing is not in our ability to cast out demons, see signs and wonders but in souls coming into the Kingdom of God.  Seeking the demonstrations of power is to focus wrongly.  Seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness is the proper focus and the other will be a by-product of that relationship, as needed and where needed.  It’s not important that anyone know our name or recall any exploits that we may have done or been used to accomplish, in Christ, but that they KNOW HIM!  The objective is reaching those who are lost, dying, hurting, bound, wounded, bruised, battered, defeated and bring them out of the darkness into His marvelous light!  There will be demonstrations of power when God moves!  The purpose of those demonstrations is not to call attention to us but to turn hearts to our Lord!  My desire is to see the captive free, not have attention called to me.  My purpose is to lead so that others can follow Him, not that I have a following.  So, for my name to be feared in hell it must be written in heaven and my heart must be completely submitted to Christ!  We are children of the Most High God and have authority over all the power of the enemy!  We do not walk in fear but in confidence in Him!

Today, as you work, war and witness for our Lord know that you are more than a conqueror through Him that loves us!  Perfect love casts out fear!  Walk in His love and allow Him to demonstrate the power of that love through us.

May the rich and bountiful Blessings of the LORD accompany you as you go through your day! 

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FOURTH MAN IN THE FIRE…


Spiritual Blog - Fourth Man

Daniel 3:16-25 – “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17 If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. 18 But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.”  19 Saved in Fiery Trial Then Nebuchadnezzar was full of fury, and the expression on his face changed toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. He spoke and commanded that they heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated. 20 And he commanded certain mighty men of valor who were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, and cast them into the burning fiery furnace. 21 Then these men were bound in their coats, their trousers, their turbans, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. 22 Therefore, because the king’s command was urgent, and the furnace exceedingly hot, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. 23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. 24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished; and he rose in haste and spoke, saying to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.”  25 Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.”  NKJV

  

What a beautiful beginning to a new day.  I am sitting with my morning coffee, bible and the presence of the Lord, reading, and listening.  In the stillness I heard “There is a Fourth Man in the Fire!”

The Book of Daniel is a most interesting book, to me.  I love watching the hand of God upon lives that are completely committed to Him and seeing His delivering hand.  A truth that too frequently we forget and allow ourselves to fret, fuss and fume over various situations and circumstances.  The Hebrews taken captive to Babylon had among them, four very distinctive personalities.  Daniel, whom they named Belteshazzar but we always find him called Daniel.  Hananiah the Babylonian’s renamed Shadrach; Mishael to Meshack and Azariah to Abed-Nego names we find them referred to in the book henceforth.  These four young men made some early decisions regarding their commitment to the Almighty God whom they served.

  1. The refused to eat the king’s meat or drink the king’s Oh, how we need to understand that we must “come out from among them and be separate”.  They didn’t try to make themselves noticeable to everyone around them in their difference, just maintain their commitment to God and allow the result to speak for itself.  Their commitment elevated them to prominent positions in the kingdom of Babylon, yet they maintained their integrity and commitment to God.
  1. The refused to bow before the king’s idol even though, in the natural, it meant sure death. They responded to the king by saying, king we do not need to try to justify our actions to you, we trust the God we serve and He will deliver us and if not no big deal.  We must always remember that this life here is just a sojourning; we are passing through as “strangers and pilgrims on this earth.”  This is a temporary home, not our permanent one.  Therefore, keeping the focus on the “goal, the prize of the high calling” is more important than being politically correct or fitting in with the world.
  1. They were delivered by THE FOURTH MAN IN THE FIRE whom Nebuchadnezzar declared looked like “the Son of God.” Even the Babylonian king could not deny the truth of God nor His great power because of the commitment of these young men.

It doesn’t matter what we face!  It doesn’t matter what obstacles are laid in our path!  It doesn’t matter what opposition comes our way!  It doesn’t matter what danger our lives might be placed in – – THERE IS A FOURTH MAN IN THE FIRE!  If we “seek first His Kingdom and His Righteousness”; our eyes upon Him and our commitment firmly rooted in His Word and refuse, as the three Hebrew Children to BEND, BREAK or BOW we will walk out of the fire either in this life or in the next unscathed and into His presence!  They may be able to kill our bodies but they cannot kill our souls, therefore we need not fear them, whoever they might be!

I pray that as you begin your day today you will have a knowing deep inside that if today leads you to the fiery furnace the FOURTH MAN IN THE FIRE will be awaiting you there to cover you over with His feathers and under His wings, you can trust, rest and be protected.  We will either receive deliverance or promotion and both are victories!

Blessing my friends as you go through your day!

 

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