Hebrews 10:23-25 – “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; 24 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” NASU

I have been challenged many times regarding the purpose of ‘Corporate Gatherings’ of the Church.  Some have argued that it is nothing more than a religious exercise that has more symbolism, pomp, and circumstance than substance and that may frequently be true, I hope not.  Is there a meaning and purpose to the ‘Corporate Gathering’ that is deeper than what is seen on the surface?  I would say unequivocally, YES!  I want to embark on a brief journey and hope to stir you with some questions that will provoke thought and reflection.

There are two major areas that I want to at least skim the surface of:  The Law of Degeneration and the Spirit of Our Day.  I believe that we can understand much about the value of the Corporate Gathering if we give at least cursory consideration to those two areas.  Join me for the journey.

THE LAW OF DEGENERATION…..

I am convinced that everything in this present world DEGENERATES if left alone.  I realize that there could be exceptions to that but virtually everything will degenerate if left alone including the FLOCK OF GOD.  Paul admonished those charged and commissioned as ‘overseers’ in Acts 20:28 to care for ALL the flock.  We readily understand that the FLOCK refers to all the sheep (people) as ‘one body’.  It is the whole yet comprised of individual sheep.

Overseers are understood as ‘pastors, ministers, elders’ and are charged to be ‘watchmen on the walls’ with the specific responsibility for the oversight of the ‘spiritual care’ of the ENTIRE FLOCK. That involves worship, training, and the general spiritual health of the congregation.  That is a weighty responsibility.  I did not say they were to DO IT ALL but are RESPONSIBLE for it all.

What are we talking about when we say the ‘spiritual health’ of the body?  That is a question that I have never ceased to ask myself.  I have discovered that I better understand this responsibility if I examine the Law of Degeneration as illustrated in the book of Jeremiah.

Jeremiah 2:21 – “Yet I have planted thee a noble vine, wholly a right seed: how then art thou turned into a DEGENERATE PLANT of a STRANGE VINE unto me?”   (Emphasis mine)

There is a ‘state of growth’ or a ‘growth process,’ in the local church where truths are planted.  Believer, we have truth!  I am no referring to one group over another in denominational debates but the Body of Christ has truth because we have Him Who is Truth!   Many times I have had someone say regarding their church or a particular church:  “If they only knew about the worship, preaching, ministry, love, etc. that is regularly offered in this church the place would be packed every service.”  My question is, “Why don’t they know?”

I believe it can be understood in the LAW OF DEGENERATION.  As time passes, the original planting with either produce a ‘Noble Vine’ or will become a ‘Strange Vine’.  It will either ‘generate’ or ‘degenerate.’  As we teach truth and plant right seed much energy and emphasis is placed on the ‘sowing’ of the seed.  That is not a bad thing but the one thing that cannot be forgotten is that unless we energetically ‘maintain’ truth it will decay.

Now I realize that I stopping here may leave you with questions and challenges to that last statement but please hold that thought until tomorrow and we will dig a little deeper.  May God be with you, bless you, guard you, and guide you through your day!  BLESSINGS!

Mark 6:30-32 – “The apostles gathered together with Jesus; and they reported to Him all that they had done and taught. 31 And He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while.” (For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.) 32 They went away in the boat to a secluded place by themselves.”  NASU

There was a time in Christian ministry that I somehow mistakenly formed the opinion that the work was too pressing for me to take a break and when I did I would feel guilty for taking time away from the work.  I could not rest away from the field of labor.  I found it difficult to fully enjoy rest and relaxation for thinking of all that needed to be done, the people needing to be ministered to, and the opportunities missed in my absence.  One day that changed when a very senior minister came to me with this passage and said, “Son, I need to be obedient to the LORD and help you understand something about ministry and life.”  My deep respect for him caused me to listen and thank God I did.

In the course of our conversation he related several stories about minsters losing their families because they were doing exactly what I was doing.  He related to me a couple of situations where the minister became so ‘burned out’ that they lost their faith and became so bitter that they hated the church and all it stood for.  He then told me that while he knew my heart was right my actions were wrong and that even Jesus took a break from time to time.  There is much more to the story but long story short he got my attention and caused me to go to the LORD in prayer and begin to carefully examine scripture about this subject and the Holy Spirit changed my mind, attitude, and actions.

Truthfully if you so completely immerse yourself in your ministry or vocation that you cannot relax and recharge your batteries you will ‘burn out’ or ‘burn up’ and become so spent that you are not effective or as effective as you could be.  The danger I wanted to avoid was swinging the pendulum too far to the other side.  I have seen ministers so guard their ‘away time’ that they ignore true emergency situations.  Life or death situations whether spiritual or natural cannot be ignored and if you give up your break to address one of those, God will help you find another time to get away and become refreshed.

I have had people tell me I haven’t had a vacation in ten years and I usually say, “Why not?”  If it is finances that, does not mean you cannot have a break only you cannot go on a trip.  I had a minister tell me that he never saw his son play ball because he was too busy in the church.  I suggested that while he was excelling in one dimension of his purpose he was failing in another and a very important one.  If God has allowed children to be a part of your life they are your responsibility to teach and train them in the right way and ignoring them is not going to get the job done.

It is possible to become so busy with busyness that you become ineffective and your busyness becomes busywork not real ministry.  So I encourage you to learn to ‘take a break’ no matter what you are doing.  Ultimately you will be better served, more effective and so will your work.  Blessings as you go through your day!

Matthew 6:19-21 – “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;  20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.  21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  NKJV

People have frequently told me, “it’s not about the money” and each time I remember the quote of H.L. Mencken – “Whey somebody says it’s not about the money, it’s about the money.”  Through the years many people have declared that the reason they made no preparation for retirement was this passage but while it could be stretched to mean make no preparation for later years it is more specifically speaking of WHAT HOLDS YOUR HEART.  There is a significant difference.

If in your preparation for your Golden Years you become obsessed with money, investments, etc. to the point that that is your focus rather than God then you most assuredly have gone beyond the bounds and limits of scripture.  On the other hand making preparation for the latter years is not only acceptable but prudent and helps to insure that you will not become a burden to family, the community, the church, or the nation.  That is part of being wise as serpents and harmless as doves and is not a negative in the realm of faith.  But that is not what this devotional is about.

Jesus is addressing that which HOLDS THE HEART and He calls that a treasure.  He is clearly talking about earthly possessions and the fallacy of placing your entire dependence on the arm of flesh and mammon.  He is equally clear in His address of turning the heart toward God and eternal things and that is the focus.  If earthly things hold your heart they have replaced God as the center of your universe and that is a dangerous place to reside.  Things, money, possessions can be lost, stolen, destroyed or eroded but treasures in heaven cannot be touched by mortal conditions.  No wonder Jesus says in the latter portion of this chapter that we are to SEEK FIRST the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness.  Side-note who or what is the Kingdom?  Read the passage and answer that to yourself.

I have lived in conditions when I did not know where the next meal was coming from and had to trust God.  I have lived in conditions where I had plenty of money to provide for what I needed and still felt I needed to and could trust God.  Man has never been and will never be my source that position belongs to God.  I know that whatever talent or ability I have is a result of God’s work in my life and any open doors are ones that He opened.  If I have to choose between earthly preparation and spiritual preparation I will opt for the spiritual believing that God will honor my choice and provide.  I am not earning His favor or purchasing it I am just enjoying it.

Things, earthly things are temporary.  Spiritual things are eternal.  Which is more worthy of your attention?  If I leave anything for those following me most of all I want it to be a legacy of trusting God and demonstrating to all who will observe God’s faithfulness.  I want my heart to be held by the LORD not earth.

            As you go through your day go in the grace and peace of God!

John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”  NASU There is no greater picture of Life, Liberty, or Freedom than the work of Jesus in purchasing our Salvation.  We are FREE only because He died, rose, and lives for us.  It is through His precious blood that we have access to Eternal Life.  We talk much about political freedom and liberty in national governments but the greatest and truest source of freedom, life, and liberty is GOD.  We could be free politically and a slave spiritually but IN CHRIST we are FREE! The greatest example and display of LOVE was when Jesus willingly went to the Cross.  It describes and demonstrates the Love of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit for mankind.  Such a sacrifice is beyond human reason and the Unconditional Love of God is beyond human description.  We love and love deeply but we do not love that deeply without THAT LOVE living and operating in us.  It is Christ in us that is the Hope of Glory. Eternal Life or Eternal Death, are our only choices.  I know that some who do not believe in Heaven or Hell do not accept that and some of the religions of the world hold to many differing philosophies and beliefs but for me the Bible is my guide.  God is my source of hope and life.  As I told a young gang banger years ago that wanted to challenge my faith, “If I am wrong and you are right that God does not exist I have truly lost nothing because I’m living a fulfilled life.  But, if I’m right (and I fully believe I am) and you are wrong then you have lost everything so which choice makes more sense to you?”  He looked as if I had poured a bucket of ice water on him and he began to shake and finally ran away as an old man stepped out of the crowd and said, “You’d better listen to this man.”  We have choices in life and when the Holy Spirit knocks on our heart’s door the only real option is to accept that invitation.  Any other response would be, in my view, the dumbest mistake one could make.  God loved and loves us enough for Jesus to die for us to pay the penalty for our sin. So hopefully as you celebrated this past Independence Day your remembered that you are Free truly because of Jesus’ finished work on the Cross.  Additionally we must never forget the service and sacrifice the the untold throng of men and women who served.  May God be with you as you celebrate today!

Daniel 2:20-22 – “Daniel answered and said:

 “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, For wisdom and might are His. 21 And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding. 22 He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, And light dwells with Him.” NKJV

When king Nebuchadnezzar had his dream and threatened the entire kingdom wanting an interpretation Daniel’s words declare why he was fearless in his actions, words, and life even before the most powerful despot in the known world at that time.  It should also be a reason for us to live fearlessly.

Consider Daniel’s declaration:

• He recognized God as Eternal and his Source.
• He recognized God’s power over the natural and spiritual.
• He recognized God’s authority over man even mighty despots.
• He acknowledged the true source of wisdom and knowledge.
• He was openly receptive to the prophetic power of God and the omniscience of God.

            Imagine living when you are 100% confident that God is not only eternal but your source of everything.  Living in a condition and attitude where you ‘fear no man’ because you know that God has control of EVERYTHING from the weather to rulers and knows the hidden and revealed things and He is guiding you.  Imagine!  That is exactly where we should be living.

We have the promise of God to NEVER leave or forsake us.  We have the promise of God to guard, guide, and grace us in all things and at all times.  We know that He has defeated the enemy of our souls and in the time needed He will give us the words to declare, open the way for us, and guide our footsteps.  That is our God!

           I refuse to live in fear of man or the devil. Man may kill me physically but have no impact on my eternal destiny that is in God’s hands and I trust Him.  Man may restrict my ability to live freely in the natural but cannot prevent me from being free in the Spirit.  Because of WHOSE I am I live fearlessly and free!

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

2 Corinthians 10:3-6 – “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, 4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 5 We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, 6 and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.” NASU

Hebrews 9:22 – “And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.” NKJV

Now let’s get to the question we ended the last post with – How are we made righteous? The simple answer is THE BLOOD OF JESUS! Romans 5:9 – “Much more then, being now justified (made righteous) by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.” There it is we are MADE RIGHTEOUS through the Blood of Jesus.

In the Blood there are antibodies or antitoxins. These elements help prevent infection. The white cells fight infection when it occurs, but the antibodies prevent the infection from getting a foothold. Without these disease preventing elements we would all soon perish. These elements are produced in response to an infection and they often keep you from getting the same disease again and again. There is IMMUNITY in the Blood!

Do you follow that? The whole plan of redemption rests upon the power of the Blood of Jesus. It is the Blood alone that can reach every part of the Body and unite every member with the Head. The BLOOD has some incredible unique and powerful properties, roles, and ministries within us. The Blood has:

• Parts that we do not yet understand.
• Antibodies to prevent disease.
• Fuel for the body.
• Capacity to carry off waste products and tissues.

Only Jesus and His Blood can CLEANSE, NOURISH, and PROTECT! The Blood of Jesus is the only source of spiritual life! The Blood provides armies of white cells to fight infection kill germs and engulf them eliminating them from the body.

Revelation 12:10-11 – “Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying,

“Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night. 11 “And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death.” NASU

How can we fight the devil and win? THE BLOOD OF JESUS! When we receive the Blood an ARMY of spiritual white cells is released to cleanse you! Some simple steps to righteousness would be:

• CONFESSION.
• ASK FOR THE BLOOD TO BE APPLIED
• COMMIT YOURSELF TO GOD.

The atonement is in the Blood it is sinless and incorruptible. The Blood of Jesus makes us righteous. It is eternal, incorruptible, divine, sinless, overcoming, and precious and when applied by the Spirit of God to our lives it avails and will NEVER LOSE IT’S POWER! No wonder the devil hates the blood!

Remember God did not say, “When I see your goodness, morality, works, worship, or earnestness I will pass over you.” NO He said, “When I see the Blood!” The Blood is mentioned over 700 times from Genesis to Revelation and Revelation 1:5 declares “Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His Own Blood.” The Blood is God’s only purchase price for redemption. Remember we are the Redeemed. We are Nurtured and Protected by the Blood of Jesus.

1 Peter 1:18-19 – “knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, 19 but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.” NASU

The Blood of Jesus is a cleansing agent, protecting agent, nurturing source, and a weapon of spiritual warfare! May God be with you protecting and covering you as you go through your day!</p>