WIMPS – WARRIORS – WITCHCRAFT…


Spiritual Blog - Wimps

Luke 4:5-8 – “Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. 7 Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.”  8 And Jesus answered and said to him, “Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.'”  NKJV

             For a very long time I have been stirred in my heart and meditating on the matter of being Wimps, Warriors, and Spiritual Witchcraft.  As I have considered this my heart has been crying out the see WHAT God wants, WHY this is happening, and WHAT we, as believers can do about it.  The conviction of my heart is what is going to happen is going to be considered by man and much of the Church as Radical and Revolutionary.  In my pursuit of understanding I have discovered a Spiritual Reality that is both provable in Scripture and has been and is being walked out experientially.  Simply, that is there are Kingdoms, Thrones, and Dominions in the satanic kingdom in which there is a “Ranking Prince” (Strongman) that is operating in and over various geographic regions and influencing the lives of people, politics, economics, and health in those regions.  (Ephesians 6:12; Colossians 1:16; 2:15).

These Kingdoms or Domains and their demonic princes are both detectable and discernable to the spiritual eye and ear.  They are Defeatable (Colossians 2:15) and we discover that Jesus has “disarmed them”.  (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).  We, the Body of Christ, have the Weapons to stop them.  Jesus identified the ‘strongman’ and what we can do. (Luke 11:21-22).  We can BIND the strongman, SPOIL him, and PLUNDER his house.  That sounds like a total victory to me!  Hallelujah!  That leads to the question, “Why then are so many cities, churches, homes, and lives being held captive and tormented by those forces of darkness?”  If Jesus defeated the devil, took his weapons, and has placed in the hands of the church (believers) the Full Armor of God and the Complete Weaponry of the Spirit to enforce that victory won at the Cross – WHY does it often appear the exact opposite?  Why does the Church often appear to be the one on the retreat and experiencing defeat?  WHY?

I believe there are four primary reasons.  We do not KNOW what we face.  (We don’t know our enemy as fully as we should and can.  It is tragic that there is no prophetic vision in the church and we suffer spiritual blindness.)  We do not KNOW our inheritance.  (We give mental assent to our victory but do not manifest genuine confidence or faith in its reality.)  We do not KNOW how to operate in true biblical authority and order.  We have ADOPTED an escapism mentality and have a hold the fort concept rather than more than conquerors confidence.  I believe in the Coming of the Lord but I also know that He said OCCUPY and that is more than trying to hang on.  I believe those four factors are reasons we continue to suffer rather than conquer.

Many churches and believers falter in one or more of those areas.  The strongman laughs in our faces and refuses to back off.  He knows that if we ‘resist in faith’ he has to flee but he knows that we do not KNOW that we KNOW the reality of God’s Promises.  You may be an active member of a church, regular in attendance, contributions and read the Bible daily and pray diligently but have been taken captive (2 Timothy 2:26) and the lie prevails.  The result is that the church is paralyzed in fear and living in a fort holding condition waiting to be rescued rather than plucking them as brands from the burning.

The question I have often asked is, “Does the devil have dominion over the world?”  He said he does but the Bible says, “The earth is the Lord’s and all that it contains, the world and those who dwell in it.”  Jesus said in Matthew 28:18, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth…”   From that basis, He said, “GO YE THEREFORE…”  So, WHO HAS AUTHORITY?  The Bible says Jesus does and He has granted that authority to  His followers.  We testify that God does but in our practice and thoughts we often act or react like the devil does.  How many times have you said or heard someone say, “The devil is on my back or attacking me.”?  Where would you expect him to be or do?  We testify that we believe God and voice our inheritance and insist we are willing to follow the cloud of God and enter into and possess the Place of Promise.  BUT, we get a flat tire, a bad report, something breaks down, someone gets sick, money runs short, somebody gets their feeling hurt and become estranged from us and we WILT crawling into our holes and cry out in despair.  “Oh, Lord, why have you forsaken me.”  We question whether God cares, insist that the Word is not working and proclaim how much the devil is after us.  I may upset somebody but that attitude is the attitude of a WIMP not a WARRIOR and is the result of SPIRITUAL WITCHCRAFT.

The devil knows that we fear him, WE TELL HIM.  Bullies do not back away from Wimps they delight in tormenting them.  We either receive the vision and revelation of TRUTH or we do not. We either take a stand on God’s word or we do not.  We either stand in God’s truth or we do not.  We will either be a Wimp or a Warrior and that is our choice.  God stands ready to EMPOWER us, has PROVIDED for us, and will NEVER leave us.  Come Holy Spirit we need you!

God, bless you richly is your pursuit of God’s Purposes!

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LIVING FREE…


Spiritual Blog - Freedom

2 Corinthians 1:24 – “Not that we have dominion over your faith, but are fellow workers for your joy; for by faith you stand.” NKJV 

1 Corinthians 7:17-24 – “But as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk. And so I ordain in all the churches. 18 Was anyone called while circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Was anyone called while uncircumcised? Let him not be circumcised. 19 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is what matters.  20 Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called. 21 Were you called while a slave? Do not be concerned about it; but if you can be made free, rather use it.  22 For he who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord’s freedman. Likewise he who is called while free is Christ’s slave. 23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. 24 Brethren, let each one remain with God in that state in which he was called.”  NKJV

  

            I am becoming increasingly convinced that many people are living in bondage to others needlessly. WHY?  They live in Fear, Fear of People.  Proverbs 29:25, “The fear of man brings a snare…”  I must caution, we must not be Independent to the point that we say, “I don’t care what they think or how they feel.”  We MUST CARE, but we MUST NOT be subservient.  We MUST NOT become enslaved by the opinions of others.  I had a pastor tell me, “I serve the people.”  I appreciate the idea intended but we DO NOT serve people we serve God and in serving God we are of service to people.  Paul declared in 2 Corinthians 4:5 that he was their “bondservant for Jesus’ sake.”  Notice he did not say, “for your sake or our sake but for Jesus’ sake.”

Having served as Pastor and ministering to Pastors I recognize this problem and attitude in the congregation and in the clergy, that the Pastor is the Servant of the People.  I’ve had church members say, “Well that’s what we pay him for and if he doesn’t do what I want I’ll quit the church or get rid of him.”  Isn’t that a wonderful Christian attitude?  Well, at best it is a grossly immature attitude. The Pastor is there to be a Servant of God and to be used of God throughout the entire body and community as God deems necessary and desirable. He may have to say NO at times and believe me I know how negatively that is often received.

It is also important that we are not enslaved to the commandments or traditions of men.  In Matthew 15:9, Jesus warned us not to listen to the doctrines of men.  Unfortunately, there is an incredible amount of man-made tradition in churches across the land.  Some churches are so bound by man-made traditions which cannot be backed up by Scripture they cannot break free and live free.  In John 5:41-44, Jesus warned about the Praise of Men.  He urged those listening to not be drawn into flattery and earthly praise but to seek the honor and smiles of God.  It is a sad situation when a minister is more concerned about the Praise of Men than Obedience to the directive of God.  It is not just sad it is dangerous and destructive!

In Galatians 1:10-12, Paul declared, “For do I now persuade men, or God?   Or do I seek to please men?  For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.”  He was addressing Authority and being under Authority.  We are subject to the authority of government and even in the church but that cannot dictate our ministry and if man’s decree violates God’s we must make the choice and hopefully we choose God not man.

If we are truly serving God obeying His will is of paramount importance to us.  As we obey Him and serve Him we are of service to people and serve them in a productive rather than destructive manner.  We must also beware of following the Wisdom of Men because man’s wisdom will fail but God’s will not.  That leads us to the point that, as believers, we are to be Free from the Fear of Men.  Jesus addressed this in Matthew 10:24-28 telling them that all people can do is KILL YOU in the natural.  But God can destroy both body and soul in hell.

Therefore, set your heart to obey God and refuse to bow down to human commandments and traditions.  Reject the urge and need for the Praise of People and recognize God as your Lord and Master and reject the dictatorial tyranny of people in the world or in the church.  Guard against allowing opinions of others direct your life and ministry and always be guarded regarding the Wisdom of Men.  NEVER and I mean NEVER allow the Fear of Man to rule you.  Remember 1 Corinthians 7:23, “You are bought with a price; do not be the servants of men.”  Jesus has set you Free so LIVE FREE in doing the will of God and allow God to change what needs to be changed.

God, bless you richly is my prayer and desire!

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PAUL’S FOUR ARGUMENTS IN FREEDOM…


Spiritual Blog - Freedom

2 Corinthians 1:24 – “Not that we have dominion over your faith, but are fellow workers for your joy; for by faith you stand.” NKJV

 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 – “But as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk. And so I ordain in all the churches. 18 Was anyone called while circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Was anyone called while uncircumcised? Let him not be circumcised. 19 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is what matters.  20 Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called. 21 Were you called while a slave? Do not be concerned about it; but if you can be made free, rather use it.  22 For he who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord’s freedman. Likewise he who is called while free is Christ’s slave. 23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. 24 Brethren, let each one remain with God in that state in which he was called.”  NKJV

 

As I mentioned last devotional, Paul presented four arguments that we should remain as we are and let God make the changes from within.  Let’s consider them briefly.

  • We Are Called by God.

(v.17) – “As the Lord has called each one…”  That idea is repeated in (vv.18, 20, 21, 24).  He used the words ‘called’ and ‘calling’ nine times.  He concluded with (v.24) – “Brethren, let each one remain with God in the state in which he was called.”  Please understand that does not mean if we are offered a promotion we are to automatically turn it down.  It simply means that you do not immediately make radical changes but you allow God to change things from within.  We have been called by God, therefore we allow Him to open the doors and make the changes.  He can and He will!

  • We Have Been Assigned by God.

(v.17) – “AS God has distributed to every man…”  Our place in society, on our job, our spiritual gifts and abilities are ASSIGNMENTS from God.  God knew and knows exactly what He is doing and when He desires to make changes He will.  If we arbitrarily make radical changes, we will royally mess everything up.  Most of us have been guilty in some area.  Please understand that does not mean we are not to seek to better our condition.  Nobody wants to remain in a difficult situation, but we must also learn to make the most of where we are and rest in God, trusting Him completely.

  • We Belong to God.

(v.23) – “You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men.”  You belong to God!  The value of any object is the price paid for it.  It is amazing the price, some people with pay for various things.  Jesus Christ shed His blood for us and that reveals the value God places on each of us.  “You are bought with a price…”  You and I belong to God, therefore, “do not become slaves of men.”

  • We Should Abide with Him.

(v.24) – “Let every man… abide with God.”  If you are where God has placed you, doing the job God has given you to do – YOU ARE ABIDING WITH GOD!  If you rebel against His will, you WILL NOT ABIDE WITH GOD.  If we do not ABIDE we cannot bear spiritual fruit.

Therefore, it is imperative that we ABIDE where He has planted us and stay planted until He transplants us.  We have an ASSIGNMENT from the LORD and until we complete that assignment we are not likely to be given another.  The saying, “Bloom where you are planted” is applicable.

God, bless you richly is my prayer and desire!

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FREEDOM FROM MAN…


Spiritual Blog - Freedom

2 Corinthians 1:24 – “Not that we have dominion over your faith, but are fellow workers for your joy; for by faith you stand.” NKJV

 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 – “But as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk. And so I ordain in all the churches. 18 Was anyone called while circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Was anyone called while uncircumcised? Let him not be circumcised. 19 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is what matters.  20 Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called. 21 Were you called while a slave? Do not be concerned about it; but if you can be made free, rather use it.  22 For he who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord’s freedman. Likewise he who is called while free is Christ’s slave. 23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. 24 Brethren, let each one remain with God in that state in which he was called.”  NKJV

 

Most people understand that FREEDOM is an incredibly valuable commodity.  It is important to understand what Freedom is, what False Freedom is, what it means to be Free from Law, and Free from Sin.  Those are incredibly important but there is one Freedom that must be addressed is “Freedom from Man.”  When men become Spiritual Dictators, it creates an incredibly dangerous and undesirable condition.   In 1 Corinthians 7, listed above, the apostle Paul lays down a basic principle that we SHOULD NOT be subject to people, we SHOULD BE subject to God.

That makes the SETTING of this passage not simply important but vitally critical.  If we fail to grasp the setting, we will miss arrive at some false conclusions and develop some false interpretations.  As I read and study this passage I realize that Paul was battling due to the abuse of some Corinthians regarding their Freedom in Jesus.  The Corinthian Church was made up of people who, by and large, had lived in gross sin.  Many of them had been involved in extreme wickedness and now they had Freedom in Jesus.  Galatians 3:28 advises us, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”  That is important!  The Corinthian believers knew this truth but they were taking it to the extreme.  Simply, they were making use of their freedom to the point of license.

They took that passage and argued that marriage was abolished in Christ, nationality was erased, those in slavery were no longer to obey their earthly masters, etc.  When we come to Christ our sex, nationality, ethnicity, social and economic status does not immediately change.  Salvation affords us the potential to make the most out of every situation.  Salvation is a Spiritual Change!  It can and should bring about change in the home, on the job, and in society.  The crucial point to remember is that God does not work from the outside in he works from the inside out.  He changes us and that change results in a changed attitude and actions and that results in changes around us.

Paul offered a foundational principle, “Remain as you are and allow God to make the change.”  As you consider vv. 7, 17, 20, and 24 we understand that we are to learn to make the most of our present condition and situation.  As we allow the changes to come from within we find that God’s incredible miracle of change comes.  Remember we are FREE, not INDEPENDENT.  No believer can be independent of other believers and likewise, no believer should be totally dependent on other believers.  Our dependency is Christ, not man.  No human is to be a dictator in the lives of others.  That is true in politics, economics, marriage, and spiritually.  The slaves were still slaves but they were FREE.  The masters were to be slaves to Christ but still masters.  You and I are free from the dominion and domination of people but that does not make us independent.  The change in our lives MUST begin on the inside.

Paul presented four arguments for us to remain as we are and allow God to make the changes from within.  I will get to those, next time but for now, I pray that each of us realizes that we are to obey God rather than man when man’s decrees violate God’s.  We are not islands in life but connected to every other believer and although we are Free we are not Independent.

God, bless you richly is my prayer and desire!

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GOD’S NATURAL MEDICINE…


Spiritual Blog - Laughter

Proverbs 17:22 – “A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones.”  NKJV

I enjoy laughter and because of that have been accused of not being serious or spiritual at least not spiritual enough for some.  I personally cannot imagine anyone walking around like they are continually sucking on a sour pickle drawing many to Christ.  Likewise, I cannot imagine people being drawn to Christ by someone who is the Court Jester and Class Clown never being serious.  There is a balance to be achieved but it would be impossible to diminish the benefit of laughter and joy.  There is scientific documentation that valid the benefit of laughter in people who have dire physical maladies and I personally have experienced the healing power of laughter both physically and psychologically.

The contrast presented in this Proverb is incredible.  The imagery presented in having a ‘merry heart’ being medicinal and that of having a broken, defeated, sour spirit, producing depletion of bone marrow which is needed for health and life cannot be missed.  If this is a choice, then it is no choice and I choose God’s medicine.  That’s why I use levity in much of what I say, and look for things to make me smile. I like to have a good ‘belly laugh’ frequently and find that it is refreshing and therapeutic both for me and those around me.  Depression and despondency tend to wear away the defenses and if allowed to continue in a group of people it is like leaven and a little leaven leavens the entire lump.  In a great sense, laughter and brokenness are both contagious or can be.

In Psalm 45:7 we read, of Jesus, “You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness.  Therefore God, your God, has anointed you will the oil of gladness beyond your companions.”  That is repeated in Hebrews 1:9. We read in Isaiah 61:3, “To grant to those who mourn in Zion – to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they might be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”  In Acts 13:52 we find, “And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.”

God has not purposed us to live in defeat, depression, dejection, and brokenness of spirit.  He has appointed us to Fullness of Joy and Abundance of Life in Christ Jesus.  Jesus was so anointed with gladness that the Bible says of Him in Hebrews 12 that when He looked at the Cross he saw it as JOY set before Him.  JOY?  How could that be as we look back on those horrific times and the incredible suffering and abuse He endured.  JOY?  The Joy was in what He knew it would mean to mankind and He rejoiced in what He knew.  That is why I believe that Christians can laugh in the face of difficulty and allow the Joy of the Lord and a Merry Heart that is like medicine to rise within us.  WE KNOW WHAT IS AHEAD, at least in Jesus and through His Promises.  Thus, we can laugh in the face of adversity and laugh in the face of the devil because of WHO Jesus is and WHOSE we are.

I have read some scientific medical research that suggests that laughter is good for your health.  It relaxes the entire body and boosts the immune system as it decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies thereby improving our resistance to disease.  Laughter triggers endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals which promote an overall sense of well-being and relieves pain.  Laughter improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow which helps protect against heart attacks and other cardiovascular problems.  Laughter, I am told, burns calories so it is helpful in weight control.  No, I didn’t say you could laugh your weight to your ideal weight without diet and exercise but it is beneficial.  Laughter relieves stress, diffuses anger, and will likely help you live longer.  It has been suggested there is a correlation between laughter and good mental health and can strengthen relationships.  Laugh at yourself, not ridicule yourself but laugh at yourself.  Learn to see the humor in situations rather than allow them to become weights too heavy to bear.  Remember funny things that happen and share them and NEVER go a day without laughing even if you have to manufacture a laugh.

I would suggest you do some research and discover the benefits of laughter.  No, I am not suggesting that you abandon reason and responsibility and become a clown but I am suggesting that you LIGHTEN UP and allow stress to roll off you as you laugh your way to victory.  I cannot tell you how many times I have seen tense situations relax with the use of laughter.  It was like medicine and the results were amazing.  I cannot imagine Jesus not laughing at some situations.

Let, Dr. Roy, give you a prescription for better health and well-being.  “Laugh three times a day.” Find something humorous about your situation and have a good belly laugh.  Try that for a week and see if it does not afford you much unexpected and appreciated benefit.  Remember a Merry Heart Does Good Like Medicine.

God, bless you as you enjoy this day.  Love, Life, Laugh, life is too short to miss the fun of it.

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IF I DIDN’T BELIEVE IN THE POWER OF PRAYER…


Spiritual Blog - Prayer Power

            I wouldn’t pray!  It’s that simple!  There are times when we want to keep everything close to the vest and not allow anyone to know what we are going through, the struggles, battles, or attacks upon us and that may be appropriate.  However, there are some things that scream loudly in my spirit when I think of battles in this life and how to respond.  Most of them trump any desire to remain in the shadows and GO IT ALONE!

            OBEDIENCE, the Bible tells us in 1 Samuel 15:22-23, “…Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams.  23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.”  I have, on more occasions that I’d like to acknowledge, either been slow in responding to the direction of the Holy Spirit or failed to properly respond.  In those cases, the difficulty that could have been avoided and victory that could have been realized was either delayed or denied.  It was not because of God’s reluctance or willingness to perform the needed action but my failure to swiftly obey and do what He directed.  I have had times when I felt prompted to go see, call, or talk to someone and delayed and when I did respond I felt almost like Mary and Martha when Jesus finally arrived after their call to come to their brother’s aid.  I refuse to live my life in “what if” but failure to obey and sometimes instantly obey the prompting of the Holy Spirit can and does give the devil a needless advantage and room to do his dirt.  We need to RESIST the devil and one of the best ways I know is to PRAY and enlist the prayer support of a virtual army of believers who will pray in agreement and faith.

            THE POWER OF PRAYER, according to the Bible, is incredible and if we truly believe the words of James 5:16-18, “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.”  If we believe those words, we will be diligent in Prayer and Pray Effectually, Fervently, Persistently, and Consistently.   Our Lord instructed us to Pray and Paul urged us to pray without ceasing.  WHY?  So, that we could engage in a religious activity and appear pious?  HEAVENS NO!  It was because PRAYER HAS POWER and is a vital part of our SPIRITUAL ARSENAL.  Paul told us in 2 Corinthians 10 that we have weapons but they are not the weapons of this world, they are SPIRITUAL WEAPONS.  No weapon is of any use if not used!  We are informed in Ephesians 6 to Pray in the Spirit, on all occasion, regarding every matter, with all kinds of prayers and do so without fail and without ceasing.  WHY?  Because of the recognized and realized POWER OF PRAYER. 

            THE PROMISE OF JESUS, as revealed in 1 John 5:14-15, “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.”  If Prayer is something that can be delayed for a convenient time and not an act of Spiritual Warfare, then carrying the burden alone might be appropriate.  However, if Prayer brings us into the Promise and brings about the Realized Victory of our Lord, then immediate and incessant Prayer is not only desirable but imperative.  Consider what John said through the Holy Spirit.  He spoke of CONFIDENCE or SETTLE ASSURANCE in Jesus’ Promises.  What is that confidence?  IF and I emphasize that word IF, we ask ANYTHING.  I must ask, what does ANYTHING cover?  If anything does not mean anything it means nothing!  If we ask anything according to His will.  It is not just that He Promised it but also that we act in obedience to His directive and demonstrate confidence in His Process and Ways.  That means we PRAY.  If we ask anything according to His will HE HEARS US.  That is important especially considering the next word AND.  And what?  If we are asking according to His will, His biblical revelation and promise, He hears us, AND if we KNOW that He Hears us.  Knowing that we know that we have gained an audience in the Throne Room of heaven is an incredible source of confidence and a faith builder and booster.  The result of asking according to His will that involves obedience is that He hears us and IF He hears us whatever we are praying, WE KNOW.  There is that word of confidence and settled assurance again.  We know that we have the petitions we have asked of Him.  IF we PRAY and do that according to His Will, we know that HE HEARS us and if He hears us we know that HE GRANTS OUR REQUEST.  That is incredible. 

With that in mind, I must ask, “Why would we ever give the devil ONE SECOND of opportunity when we can combat Him with God’s Word and Will in Prayer?”  Thus, my calling as a Watchman on the Wall demands that WHEN I see danger I SOUND THE ALARM.  That is who and what I am.  My confidence in God and the Power of Prayer demands that when I see danger I not only pray personally but I urge the intercessors to move into action.  If I believe that the prayer of the righteous is both effective and powerful I MUST PRAY and URGE, the Army of Intercessors to move onto the Front Line and PRAY.

No matter what the battle or the situation, if the Holy Spirit has made His will clear and most of the time He has through God’s Word, IMMEDIATE ACTION in Prayer should be our first response.  We are not islands and none of us live or die to ourselves. We are part of the BODY OF CHRIST, not individual members and if the hand needs help the head cannot ignore that need.  If one member of the Body is facing a crisis the rest of the Body needs to be mobilized to come to that part’s aide IMMEDIATELY.  If you saw a perp about to harm a child would you delay until you had notified everyone connected to that child BEFORE calling for help and moving into action?  NO!  Likewise, if we believe in God and the Power of Prayer dare we give the devil an advantage by not enlisting the Prayer Warriors?  I CANNOT DO THAT with a clear conscience. 

This is my call to action in prayer.  Our nation needs prayer.  Our churches need prayer.  Our ministers need prayer.  Those facing dire situations in life need our prayer.  If you believe in God and believe in prayer I ask that you join me in praying for every need that we become aware of, when we become aware of it, and determine to persist UNTIL the answer comes!

            God, bless you is my desire!

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PRAISE CANNOT BE OVEREMPHASIZED… (Continued)


Spiritual Blog - Praise

Psalm 138:1-3 – “I will praise You with my whole heart; before the gods I will sing praises to You. 2 I will worship toward Your holy temple, and praise Your name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth; for You have magnified Your word above all Your name. 3 In the day when I cried out, You answered me, and made me bold with strength in my soul.”  NKJV

  

Another dimension of Praise is that it opens a channel for God to speak to us and be heard.  I find that awesome and encouraging!  I do believe that God is a Speaking God and if He is the same yesterday, today, and forever then if He ever spoke He speaks today and wants to communicate with His people personally and individually.  It is one thing to say, “My praise brings God pleasure” but that does not necessarily bring change to my situation.  Psalm 29:1-2, “Ascribe to the LORD, O sons of the mighty, Ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. 2 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due to His name; Worship the LORD in holy array.”  As we take note of the verses 3-9 we find THE VOICE OF THE LORD being mentioned.  In Psalm 68:32-3, “Sing to God… Sing praises to the Lord… Behold He speaks forth with His voice, a mighty voice…”

Sometimes in Prayer, we do not hear God because we’ve locked the ‘talk button’ in the on position.  We are in the ‘transmit mode’ and that is okay, but in Praise when coupled with Prayer we release the ‘talk button’ and bridge the gap giving access and opportunity for God to speak to us.  Proverbs 27:21, “As the refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold: so is a man for praise.”  It is normal, in times of Praise to have our spirits heated as we are touched by His Presence and ‘hidden thoughts, motives, and desires’ rise to the surface.  As we become broken in His Presence those foreign impure elements are separated from the precious metal of our spirits.  THEN, we are able to take them to the Cross and be cleansed, washed, purified, and delivered.  Hallelujah! 

God wants to skim away all that defiles so that we can see His Face in the molten metal of our hearts.  Psalm 29:4 – The voice of the Lord is Powerful and full of majesty.  Psalm 29:5 – The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars (Royal Trees).  Psalm 29:7 – The voice of the Lord divides the flames of fire (Fiery darts).  Psalm 29:8 – The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness. (Place of testing).  Psalm 29:9 – The voice of the Lord makes hinds to calve (life) and in His temple, everyone speaks of HIS GLORY!  Praise!

Isaiah 30:31 tells us that the Voice of the Lord defeats enemies.  In Isaiah 66:6 we find that the Voice of the Lord brings recompense to our enemies.  I encourage you to read the powerful declaration of Jeremiah 33:11-14 and then Joel 2:11 we find that the Lord utters His voice before His army and 3:16, “The Lord roars from Zion and utters His voice from Jerusalem, and the heavens and the earth tremble…”  In Psalm 46:6 we discover that the Voice of the Lord causes kingdoms to be moved.  Praise releases the Voice of God and opens the door for God to tabernacle in the midst of His people.  Hallelujah!

Psalm 22:3 declares that God is enthroned upon the Praise of His People.  In Psalm 148:14, we find that through Praise God exalts the Horn (Authority) of His People.  Psalm 8:2 gives us the revelation that “Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings God has ordained strength” and Matthew 21:16 renders that as Perfected Praise.  In Psalm 149 we are told to sing to the LORD a “new song.”  I hope this is resonating with you that Praise is not just expressing words, songs, dance, etc.  It is when we offer up Praise from the heart and our spirits get heated up in His Presence that His voice is released and He tabernacles in us!  It is there that we experience His Presence.  It is there that His Person comes into full view.  It is there that His voice can be heard.  It is there that His power is manifest.  I encourage you to read and recall the account in 2 Chronicles 20 of Jehoshaphat and Israel.  They were under siege from much more powerful and numerous enemies.  We learn that Jehoshaphat was serving and walking with God as 17:3 reveals that “God was with him.”  Three powerful enemies were attacking and Jehoshaphat reacted as most humans would, “Fear gripped his heart.”  Then in 2 Chronicles 20:3 the key came into focus, “He set himself to seek the Lord.”  Notice that his prayer is not one of question and desperation but of victory and praise.

Consider his prayer. 

  • Are you not God in heaven! (An affirmation not a question)
  • Do you not rule over the kingdoms of the heathen! (Affirmation not question).
  • Is not power and might in your hand so that none can stand against you! (Affirmation not question).
  • Are you not our God who drove out the inhabitants of the land and gave it to the Seed of Abraham, Your friend, FOREVER! (Affirmation not question).
  • If evil comes upon us and we stand before this house IN YOUR PRESENCE and cry to you, You hear and help! (Affirmation not question).
  • NOW, we don’t know what to do, BUT our eyes are upon you! (That opens the door).

The prophecy that came forth in v.20 gave instruction, “Trust God and be established.  Trust His prophets and succeed.”  Jehoshaphat took action and in v.21 he appointed singers and praisers and set them in front of the army.  (The Lord utters His voice before His army).  In v.22, WHEN they began singing and praising God set an ambush and defeated the enemy. Confusion fell on the enemy camp and they turned on each other and it took three days to gather the spoils.  They returned with JOY and God gave them PEACE.  It could not and would not have happened had they not been obedient and Praised God in the midst of danger and potential disaster.  Praise released the Power of God in their midst!

If you are battling an impossible situation in your life – TAKE TIME TO PRAISE GOD!  May the Lord bless your richly is my prayer and desire!

 

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PRAISE CANNOT BE OVEREMPHASIZED…


Spiritual Blog - Praise

Psalm 138:1-3 – “I will praise You with my whole heart; before the gods I will sing praises to You. 2 I will worship toward Your holy temple, and praise Your name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth; for You have magnified Your word above all Your name. 3 In the day when I cried out, You answered me, and made me bold with strength in my soul.”  NKJV

 

I have long believed that Praise is a practice that is invaluable for the Church and for the individual believer.  I recognize that Praise is like many other things in life, everybody responds differently and engages in the practice differently.  Praise can be effected by singing Scripture Choruses and it can also be achieved by simply lifting our voices to God and expressing our love, respect, and appreciation.  One Chorus that I dearly love is “We Worship and Adore You.” 

 

“We worship and adore you, bowing before you, Songs of Praise singing, 

              Hallelujahs ringing, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah! Amen.

              We worship and adore You, bowing down before you, Songs of Praise singing,

              Hallelujahs ringing, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah! Amen.

              Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah!  Amen.”

             Praise is both a natural and normal part of life and is experienced and practiced beyond Church.  Some seem to think that the only place that praise is abnormal or needing restriction is in religious gatherings.  How can that be?  If you think about the advertisements, we are bombarded with we find that Manufacturers praise their products.  If you are around doting parents long you realize that parents praise their children.  Men will praise their automobiles and women will praise hairdressers, wardrobes, etc.  Children praise, sportswriters and coaches praise, politicians praise, and preachers praise.  Life is filled with praise and it is normal, natural, and proper praise is healthy.

It is ingrained in our nature to ‘spontaneously’ give praise to whatever we deem of value.  Therefore, if God is among those things we value, it is normal to release our inner being in Praise to Him.  Please understand, God does not need our praise, but we need to offer it.  We need to hear it from our lips because in Praise there is a ‘release’ that is incredibly powerful and liberating.

If you have gone to a sporting event, you have observed and possibly participated in the virtual insanity and eruption of praise and expression as your team scores or prevents the other team from scoring.  The team did not need the praise in order to score, they scored BEFORE the crowd began praising.  It was the spectators who were benefitted by the clapping, yelling, standing, waving their hands, hats, and banners, and going berserk.

Have you ever noticed that it is often the humblest and yet most balanced and open minded that Praise the most and those who are cranky, cynical malcontented and angry Praise the least?  Praise could be viewed as “Inner Health made Audible.”  There is a genuine tragedy in religious circles that teaches people to ‘repress’ praise.  I held a revival years ago, and a crowd of young people came forward for salvation.  Some of them began to get excited when the experienced Salvation and the burden of sin being lifted.  They began to become demonstrative and the pastor went to them and said, “We leave the shouting at the football game, this is church.”  WHAT?  Are we supposed to get more excited and demonstrative over a football game than over God?  Praise cries for release.!

The word Hallelujah broken down is ‘Hallel’ – praise.  “Oou’ – Our.  ‘Jah’ – God.  Thus, the word means Praise our God!  Praise, in my understanding and belief, is an expression of INNER HEALTH, but it wasn’t inner health alone that caused the crowd to praise at the ball game.  There was an ‘external stimulus’ that invoked it.  The response of the crowd was in direct proportion to the stimuli.  That is why the more we talk about Jesus, focus on Him, His person and work the easier it is to engage in the activity of Praise!

Praise for many, if not most, does not just flow naturally and spontaneously.  It is something that many have to press into. WHY?  Most people who come to church do so from an Outer Court condition.  The temporal is so large in our lives, thinking, and living it requires an act of the will to move beyond it into Praise unto God.  When we determine that we are going to Praise God we are virtually telling the flesh, “Come to attention, we are going to Praise God.”  We have to bridge the gap between the heavenly and earthly realms and this is accomplished through Praise.  Praise affects the thinking and according to the Bible brings pleasure to the heart of God.  Psalm 149:4,” For the Lord takes pleasure in His people.”  Psalm 104:1, “Bless the Lord, O my soul…”  Bless Who?  Revelation 4:11, “Thou art worthy, O Lord to receive glory, and honor, and power: For thou hast created all things, AND for Thy pleasure they are and were created.”  Ephesians 1:12 tell us that we are to be the Praise of His Glory!

God derives pleasure, gratification, and enjoyment in our Praises.  Imagine that!  You and I can engage in an activity that brings genuine pleasure to God.  Hallelujah!  I want to say more about Praise, it’s purpose and power but will wait for the next devotional.  God, bless you richly is my desire and prayer!

 

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THE POWER OF PEACE…


Spiritual Blog - Peace

Proverbs 14:30 – “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.”  NIV

Depending on the translation we find this rendered, “sound, peaceful, and tranquil”.  We can look at it in the natural and the spiritual and glean benefit from both views.  In the natural, a ‘sound, tranquil, and peaceful’ heart identifies a heart that is functioning properly circulating blood throughout the body which is essential for life, health, and healing in the natural.  A heart that is not stressed with labor or worry is a strong benefit in natural longevity but if the heart is diseased and weak life will not be long experienced and the life experienced, in the natural, will be limited and restricted.

But when we consider the entire sentence we realize that although this can be applied to the natural heart it goes far beyond that to the spiritual condition or core of man identified as THE HEART.  I have long been convinced that if our spiritual hearts are not whole and healthy resting in the Peace of God that passes human comprehension the natural man suffers as well.  I find the correlation between natural health and spiritual health taught in the Bible unmistakable and powerful both as a caution and a promise or hope.

A “heart at peace” gives life to the body.  The Shalom of God strips the devil of his power to cause us to ‘fret’ and ‘worry’ over circumstances of life and helps us to ‘rest’ confidently in the Lord.  It enables us to become people who not only can but actually WAIT on the LORD. Paul identifies this kind of heart when he declared, Philippians 4:11-13, “…I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things, I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”  This is the heart that is not in turmoil but is content and confident that God is God and He WILL NOT FAIL.  That heart pumps life into the body both naturally and spiritually.

The contrast to a heart of peace is the heart filled with ENVY which leads to COVETOUSNESS and rots the bones.  I have been told that there are two kinds of ENVY the benign and malicious.  I am not sure that I can ascribe to that but they argued that “Benign Envy” was healthy and productive for it motivated the individual to perform at a higher level and seek the coveted position desired.  On the other hand, they contended that “Malicious Envy” was destructive for it prompted and prodded the one envying to attempt to ‘destroy’ the one they envy.  It seeks to level the playing field by ‘tearing down’ rather than building up self.  It is cancerous in its nature and spreads not only throughout the body with destructive chemical releases in the brain and body but infects others and becomes a root that defiles.

The Bible offers several passages about the malignancy or rotting effect of iniquity and the absence of peace in a heart.  Leviticus 26:39 speaks of “rotting because of iniquity.” Proverbs 10:7 reveals that “The memory of the righteous will be blessed, but the name of the wicked will rot.”  ENVY is rooted in COVETOUSNESS and Covetousness is the root of virtually every sin man commits.  The Ten Commandments can be understood in the last commandment, “Thou Shalt Not Covet.”  Adam and Eve, actually COVETED God’s Position based on the inference and lies of the serpent.  They wanted to “be as God” and in their disobedience, they “Fired God” or “Voted Him Out” as the Sovereign of the Universe and installed self as the center of their universe.  That separated them from God and resulted in the decay of their flesh and they began the process of decay.

Rottenness in the bones and as Psalm 112:10 identifies that when the Righteous Prosper the Wicked see it and become envious or grieved in their hearts and it causes such anxiety of heart that they waste away physically and spiritually.  Let me ask the question that Paul asked that, in my view, ties this up in a neat package and affords freedom powerfully.  He asked in 1 Corinthians 4:7, “…What do you have that you did not receive?”  Every Good and Perfect Gift comes from God and if we have nothing that we did not receive of Him, why are we envious of others?  Envy is misplaced angry toward God.  We are jealous and envious of others which are an expression that we believe God either blew it or is not just and either produces rottenness in our hearts and bones and eats away at our peace leaving us destitute and hopeless.

God, bless you richly as you enjoy what He has placed in your hands and I urge you to be faithful in a few things and He will, in His time, grant you many things.  Blessings!

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THE FRUIT OF YOUR MOUTH…


Spiritual Blog - Words

Proverbs 12:14 – “A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth, and the recompense of a man’s hands will be rendered to him.”  NKJV

As I read and study the words of Proverbs 12 I find some wonderfully exciting thoughts and some troubling declarations that are not always easily reconciled in our lives.  We all have opinions, convictions, and fixed beliefs about God’s Truth or our understanding of our little facet of His incalculable truth.  Truly His ways are beyond our finding out and His thoughts higher than our thoughts.  We, as Paul taught, “know in part and see through the glass dimly.”  We have not attained perfect knowledge and that may never be a possibility even in our glorified state in eternity.  God is God and we are and will ever be the creature or the created.

The writer or writers of Proverbs offers incredible insight into life, and human nature as well as giving prescriptions for advancing in the Kingdom of God or in our personal relationships with Him Who is King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  In this Chapter, the emphasis is RIGHTEOUSNESS and offers insight into why we do not have it and how we can have it.  If we understand RIGHTEOUSNESS as “Right Standing” rather than simply acts or activities, we will benefit greatly in consideration of many truths in God’s word.  I find it interesting that he begins his comments with “knowledge” and “correction”.  When I consider the second part of that first sentence I am immediately drawn to the idea that “loving instruction and knowledge” indicates a willingness to receive correction, rebuke, and/or chastisement because we understand the purpose of those in our lives.  If we reject correction, the writer says we are ‘stupid.’  I am always cautious about using that term because of the offense it conveys but when we consider the ways and words of God we must remember the words of Psalm 14:1, “…the fool says in His heart, there is no God.”  Therefore, using that term in this context is not only appropriate but necessary.

When the writer speaks of a “good man” the words of Jesus immediately come to mind when He asked in Mark 10:18, “Why do you call me good?… there is none good but one, that is, God.”  I consider how any man becomes ‘good’ and that is through God for as we know from Romans 3:10, “As it is written:  There is no one righteous, not even one…”  We also know that our righteousness is as filthy rags before God.  It is HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS that makes us Righteous and His Grace that enables us to walk in Right Standing with Him.

In v.3 we discover an incredible truth, simple but powerful.  Wickedness will fail but righteousness will help us become like trees planted by refreshing water and like houses built on a firm foundation.  If we ‘seek first God and His kingdom’ we will find that we are able to ‘think the thoughts of Christ’ and bring every thought ‘captive’ to the obedience of Christ thus making our thought right, wholesome, and productive.  Deceit is in the heart and mind of the wicked and they are devious and treacherous in their interpersonal dealings with others.  What happens to them?  According to v.7 they are overthrown and cease to exist contrasted to those so ‘seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness’ and walk uprightly before God.  The wicked’s house falls but the house of the righteous is firmly fixed in God’s truth and stands against all storms.

Then we skip down to vv.13-14 and the message there is, in my view, not only powerful but desperately needed in our daily lives.  We need to not only hear but heed this truth and incorporate it into our lives.  We are told that the ‘wicked’ are ensnared by the transgression of their lips.  As a friend in East Texas used to say, “They let their elephant mouths overload their peanut behinds.”  Their mouths write checks they cannot cover and thus they are ‘ensnared’ and God holds us accountable for every word that we speak.  The contrast is that the Righteous will ‘come through trouble’.  The Bible never teaches that there will not be difficult for godly people but that ‘through it all’ we will come forth and as Job, we need to be careful to ‘not sin or charge God foolishly’.  We need to seek for the Holy Spirit to set a guard at our lips and our minds so that we SAY the right things and AGREE with God’s declaration and assessment of any and every situation.  Isaiah 57:19 speaks of God creating the ‘fruit of the lips’ and Hebrews 13:15 brings that into our lives, “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that openly profess His name.”

The writer declares that the FRUIT OF OUR MOUTH  will bring satisfaction.  Remember what Jesus did when He endured the Temptation in the Wilderness with the devil?  He continually said and I emphasize SAID, “It is written…”  He quoted Scripture.  He rehearsed what God had said.  He declared God’s truth with His mouth and it defeated the devil.  If our words match our works, we will enjoy the fruit of v.14 and not only be SATISFIED we will have the RECOMPENSE of God for our labors. We will demonstrate Faith and Works and the words of our mouth and the meditation of our hearts will be acceptable in His sight.

May the Lord help each of us carefully guard our words and have our words match our walk, work, and warfare.  We can AGREE with God and realize the harvest of the fruit of His Promises in our lives.  God, bless you as you enjoy this day in Him!

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