Thursday (March 25, 2010)
Isaiah 40:4 (King James Version)
Every
valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the
crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain:
Today I have been struggling with my emotions. I love the fact that God gave us emotions, but sometimes they seem to get the best of me. The above passage tells us something about our walk with the Lord. Circumstances come and go, and too often we base our emotions on the set of circumstances we are facing. Many times we say things like, “Everything is going so well, I must be in the center of God’s will.” That can’t be more from the truth. Circumstances are just circumstances. If things are going good, or if they are going bad that shouldn’t change our emotions. Every valley will be exalted, and the mountain made low, and the crooked made straight, and the rough places smooth. Do you get the picture? We aren’t supposed to have these emotional highs and lows. (I need to remind myself.) Too many Christians are up one minute and down the next. The problem with this flurry of emotions is that it sends out the wrong message to those to whom we are ministering. You might be saying, “it’s just too hard, I can’t do that.” The good news is that you don’t have to do it on your own. You can ask God to help you according to Isaiah 40.
Philippians
4 (King James Version)
13I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
We can take control of our emotions with the help of God. So why not decide today that no longer will
your circumstances determine your mood.
Many only have happiness when things are going well, however I don’t
want happiness, I want joy. Joy is from
the Lord, and comes from spending time in His presence, and it isn’t determined
by my mood or my circumstances.
Wednesday (March 24, 2010)
Galatians 5:17-23 (NIV)
17 For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.
19
The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality,
impurity and debauchery; 20
idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage,
selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.
I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Have you ever given much thought to the fruit of the Spirit verses the gifts of the Spirit? I was thinking about both the fruit and the gifts. Both are so important to our Christian walk. Both the fruit and the gifts are from the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit give the gifts and the Holy Spirit brings forth the fruit. God’s desire is for His people to exercise the gifts of the Spirit, and He wants His people to bring forth the fruit. There isn’t supposed to be a conflict between the two, however many put more stock into one as opposed to the other. So then what is the real difference?
Gifts are given and received in a single brief transaction. They can’t be earned, and they can’t be worked for. When we get a gift from the Holy Spirit, it isn’t because we’ve worked for it, or earned it. The Bible says the gifts are given as the Spirit wills for the common good. So God gives gifts as He sees fit according to the needs present. Fruit on the other hand comes by a process of gradual growth. Fruit needs to be cultivated.
The gifts of God represent the power of God and the fruit represents the character of God. The gifts of God used without character is very dangerous. Many have dismissed God and His power because those who were used were without real Godly character. God is a God of balance. Just as using the gifts of God without having character (fruit) is dangerous, it is equally ineffective to have character without having the gifts in operation. Our Christian life needs to be about more than offering people sympathy, but on the contrary we need to offer some sort of solution. The power of God is that solution. For example its one thing to be sympathetic to the needs of a sick person, but its another thing altogether when we can offer a gift of healing, or the working of miracles through faith. Jesus is the perfect example. He had the perfect fruit in His life. He had amazing character, but He also exercised the gifts of the Spirit.
Remember both the gifts of the Spirit and the fruit of the Spirit are so very important to the Christian walk. Many of us emphasize the gifts and yet we have no character or fruit. Fruit must be cultivated, it is a process of becoming more like Jesus everyday. We set aside things like anger, jealousy and put on love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness and self control.
Tuesday (
Nehemiah 8:10
10 Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
In our society today it seems that joy is one thing that is lacking. As I look around at the shopping malls, and on the street, people are wandering about emotionally bankrupt. just going through the motions with the look of “there’s got to be more to life than this,” on their faces. Joy can only come from the Lord. The above passage tells us that the JOY OF THE LORD is our strength. The word for strength there in the Hebrew is Moaz, which means a place made strong against attack. So the JOY OF THE LORD is the stuff that makes us strong against the attacks of the enemy. When the devil robs you, he’s not after your possessions; he’s after your joy. So how do we get joy? It comes ONLY from the Lord.
Many times we misunderstand real joy. For example sometimes we confuse joy with pleasure. Pleasure is a satisfaction of the body. There are many things that bring us pleasure, but each one is in the physical realm. Remember that joy only comes from the Lord. Sometimes we also confuse with joy is happiness. Happiness is satisfied in the soul, which consists of the mind, the will, and the emotions. Happiness depends on the circumstances of life. Joy depends on the Lord. Circumstances often change and when they do people’s emotions change. Joy however depends on someone who NEVER CHANGES. Joy’s source is found in God Himself. If we only live in the realm of the body and the soul we will only know happiness, and pleasure, but never know real joy. Remember we are three part people. We are a spirit that lives in a body that has a soul. Joy has ONLY ONE SOURCE, and that source is God. Joy comes from a direct, personal, and continuing relationship with Father God. Without that relationship it is impossible to know true joy. You may know pleasure, and you may know happiness, both of which are fleeting, however you will never know real joy.
THE JOY OF THE LORD IS OUR STRENGTH. It is so important that we understand the power of joy, for it really is the stuff that keeps us strong against the attacks of the devil. So next time he comes to steal realize that it’s not your money, or you appliance, or even your relationships that he’s after, he’s after your joy. Pleasure has its place, and so does happiness, but both are temporary, and both are rooted in the emotional and physical realms, however joy comes out of our relationship with Jesus. He gives us joy, and that joy empowers us in so many ways, one of which is to empower us against the attacks of our enemy. So stand strong in the JOY OF THE LORD today. Hold on to Jesus as He holds on to you, and just laugh at the enemy when he comes with his lies and his bag of tricks.
Monday (March 22, 2010)
It’s official. I have
now caught spring fever. You know that
you’ve been infected by this disease when those things that you dread in the
fall, you now begin to look forward.
Things like weeding, and mowing the grass, and even raking up those left
over leaves. As I longingly look forward
to these activities, I can’t help but draw my attention to my early years
working of the farm. Growing up a city
boy in
Have you ever thought about the miracle of the seed? Think of the watermelon seed for instance. It has the power to draw from the earth its needed nutrients until it reaches over 200,000 times its weight. That seed really produces. The seeds that you and I plant produce equally.
Galatians 6:7
Don’t be misled: No
one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest. The person who
plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others—ignoring God!—harvests a crop
of weeds. All he’ll have to show for his life is weeds! But the one who plants
in response to God, letting God’s Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a
crop of real life, eternal life. So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued
doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up,
or quit. (Message Bible)
Many times were drawn to the negative side of what we plant. Seeds of selfishness, severed relationships, along with other forms of ugliness do indeed produce and equally ugly harvest. However I want to focus on planting some positive seeds for a moment. We have the wonderful opportunity to plant the word of God in the lives of others. The Word of God is so amazing. It is a seed that once planted immediately begins to grow much like the watermelon seed. It has the ability to grow many times its original state. That being the case the question is, “What are you planting?” So often we are planting seeds of doubt, unbelief, and anxiousness. Understand it takes the same effort to plant a negative seed as it does to plant the seed of God’s Word. There is something powerful about planting God’s word but how do we do it? Let’s compare it to actual farming for a moment. The plants in the plant beds are the seeds that have previously been started. I see this as nurturing the plantings, and we do that by sowing words of encouragement from God’s word. Remember our words DON’T PRODUCE, but God’s Word produces much. We also have the privilege of planting fresh starts. We get to sow the Word into the lives of the unbeliever. Sometimes it takes a bit of time before we see any results, so don’t be discouraged, that is the nature of that type of planting. I personally enjoy seed scattering. I enjoy proclaiming the Word of God over situations around me. I speak to the mountains and they, because of the power of the Word, have to respond.
Are you planting wisely? Are you making declarations, and proclamations? Its spring time in the natural and I believe that we can take the principles that we’ve learned from the farmer and begin to prepare for the seed time, but more importantly the HARVEST. Remember if we don’t plant in the spring there will be NO CROP IN THE FALL.
Friday (March 19, 2010)
Proverbs 4:23-27
Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that's where
life starts.
Don't talk out of both sides of your mouth; avoid
careless banter, white lies, and gossip.
Keep your eyes straight ahead; ignore all sideshow
distractions.
Watch your step, and the road will stretch out
smooth before you.
Look neither right nor left; leave evil in the dust.
Recently I heard the story of a minister who was trying to book ministry in various churches. His schedule was filling up; however he viewed several of the smaller opportunities as too small and insignificant. My first response was one of total amazement. I have always view any ministry as a huge privilege and something to be revered. The above passage in Proverbs is an instruction for us to keep a WATCH OVER OUR HEARTS, because that’s where LIFE starts. How does a person allow his heart to get in this condition?
As minister’s we often, especially during an altar call, make the statement, “If you were the only person on earth, Jesus still would have come to die for you.” I wonder if this minister agrees. Sadly many in ministry have lost sight of the ministry of Jesus. Yes, He would have come for just one; He would have left the 99 for the one. Jesus wasn’t concerned with crowds. He’d minister in a living room, a hill side, in a boat with a few friends, and before the multitudes. Actually the multitudes came due to His heart of love for the people. They knew they could trust in Him, and they knew that He loved them.
Jesus would come for the one, but I wonder how many ministers would. It’s time for us to re-evaluate our motive for ministry. Are you a minister of the Gospel so that you can make a living? Have you become a professional pastor, singer, or teacher? Keep watch over you’re your heart because it’s there where the life starts. Many are looking for validation through their service to their Lord; however that is still a wrong motive. Our motive should be that of love for God, and His people. Ministry should stem from a calling and if you are called you simply minister because you can’t do anything else. If you’re called then that calling will take you to all kinds of places. My favorite is on the street with just a few listeners or even to a homeless shelter. The reason I love these opportunities most, is because of the huge need of the people.
David had a reputation for being a man after God’s own heart. In recent years I have come to view this statement as meaning one who desires to have a heart like God’s heart. I am after God’s heart. If you’re a minister of the Gospel, then I want to encourage you to carefully guard your heart. Constantly evaluate your motives and keep it pure and free, because your heart carries your life. I believe that if your heart is in the right condition, then the fruit of your life will be huge in God’s eyes. Remember God’s way of measuring is different then ours. He doesn’t look at the huge meeting as a sign of success. He looks into the heart of the minister. I pray and long for these two words, “Well Done.”
Thursday (March 18, 2010)
Revelation 1:8 (KJV)8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
The Greek alphabet begins with the letter Alpha and ends with the letter Omega. Alpha is the first letter and Omega is the last just like our A and our Z. In John 1 the Bible tells us that Jesus is word that became flesh and dwelt among us, and here in Revelation we see that He is not just the word, but He is the complete Word of God. Everything that God has to say is summed up or found in Jesus. Everything begins with Jesus and ends with Jesus. Think about that just for a moment. Jesus equals completeness. There isn’t anything that we need that is found outside of Jesus. That’s easy to say / type, but another thing altogether to embrace.
Psalm 23 (New International Version)
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
How many times have we heard and quoted this passage. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in WANT. Everything we need is found in Jesus, if it’s not in Him we just don’t need it. What was Adam and Eve’s sin? They are in this lush utopia surrounded by all types of gorgeous vegetation. Thousands of variations of trees, plants and shrubs were a part of the garden’s make up, and God simply pointed out one tree in the middle of the garden and told them not to mess with that one. Their sin was the sin of discontentment. 999 other varieties of trees, but they had to have the one that was forbidden. Sound familiar? God blesses us so much each and every day, but instead of looking to what He’s done for us, we get fixated on what isn’t happening. We are disappointed by what we don’t have, or even worse we’re jealous of what someone else has. I SHALL NOT WANT. Jesus is the first and the last and that just means that He is our everything. He’s all we need. Paul states it very well in Philippians 4:11-13
Philippians 4:11-13 (KJV)
11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Contentment is so very important for us to grasp hold of if we are to avoid the pitfall of offense. If we focus on what we feel God hasn’t done, then we are likely to become offended and disappointed. God is trustworthy. Paul says here that he’s learned to be content in whatever circumstances face him. We too need to learn to be content. The key is found in verse 13. We can only do it through Jesus. HE IS OUR SHEPHERD, WE SHALL NOT WANT.
Today instead of focusing on the one tree, the tree of disappointment, or the tree lack, why not focus on the other 999 trees that are in your life. Look, and meditate on what God has done for you in the past. Look at what you have and not at what you don’t have. We can learn, just as Paul did, to be content. Remember Paul wrote this from prison. I think he learned his lesson well.
Wednesday (March 17, 2010)
Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Jeremiah 23:29 (KJV)
29 Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?
In Psalms 1:1-3 it tells us that we are blessed if we don’t seek the counsel of the ungodly, or sit in the seat of the scornful, or stand in the pathway of sinners, but instead our delight is in the law of the Lord, and in that law we meditate day and night. It then goes on to give us some promises as a result of that type of lifestyle. It’s time for us to have a greater reverence for the Word of God, its time for us to understand that the Word is perfect without error. It is the foundation of life, and is so very powerful. The Word is truly “supernatural.” It is life changing, and we need to come to the place that we respond to it completely. In John 1:1 it declares that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Jesus was the Word in the flesh.
We have been entrusted with God’s Holy Word. Think of it for a moment, what a responsibility. In Exodus, Moses meets with God and then must go back to the people to tell them what happened. He’s telling God that the people won’t believe that He’s met with God or that He is speaking for God, so God gives him a rod. This rod is God’s rod but it is in Moses’ hands. The rod can represent the Word of God or the tool for us to use to declare God’s power. God tells Moses to throw it on the ground and once he does, it becomes a serpent. Moses then begins to run from the snake, and I don’t blame him one bit. God then tells him to pick it up again or to grasp it. We too need to grasp the Word, and not run from it. We have been given a responsibility to handle accurately the Word of God.
Psalms 149:1-9 (KJV)
1 Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints.
2 Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.
3 Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.
4 For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.
5 Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.
6 Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand;
7 To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people;
8 To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron;
9 To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD.
In Psalms 149:9 we’re told that we have this two edged sword in our hands and that it’s been given to us to EXECUTE THE JUDGMENT WRITTEN.
When we declare the Word that’s exactly what it does. The word is so powerful that it’s described as being alive and active. I wonder if we really believe that. Once Moses grasped the rod he was then told to stretch it out. We have the responsibility of stretching out the Word, but how do we do that? I believe we do it by proclamation. We take the Word and begin to proclaim what’s written. We boldly speak it forth in every situation and it becomes a seed that’s planted. Think of the first time you heard someone share the Word with you. Even if you didn’t accept it, it began to grow in you. The seed began to grow and blossom inside you until the day it became fruit.
Instead of speaking our words (which have no power), why not begin to speak the Word of God. For example you’re given a terrible diagnosis or death notice from the doctor. You can either speak that death or you can choose to speak life. “I shall not die but live and declare the works of the Lord.” (Psalm 118:17)
We’re told that we have both life and death in our tongues. I choose life. I choose to begin to excute the judgment written. That judgment isn’t necessarily negitive. There are many judgments that are positive. Judgments against the enemy for example. The Word is alive and active. It has creative power, but it also has destructive power. Choose your WORD wisely. Jeremiah was told by God “This day I have put my word in your mouth.” I choose to put God’s Word in my mouth for no on.
Tuesday (March 16, 2010)
Mark 3:25 (KJV)
25 And if a house be divided
against itself, that house cannot stand.
I want to start a revolution. The definition of a revolution is the overthrow or renunciation of one government or ruler by substitution. For too long the devil has had the church right where he wants us. We’re divided and as a result the house isn’t able to stand. Think of that in terms of the attacks that have come against the body of Christ over the years. I wonder how long it will take before we understand that we aren’t standing, and the reason is due to our divisions.
The revolution I’m talking about is a revolution of UNITY. Another definition for revolution is a fundamental change in the way of thinking about something, a change of paradigm, or a sudden, radical and complete change. One of its synonyms is REBELLION. So I guess what I’m asking is will you join me in rebelling against the plans and schemes of the devil who knows that a house (or church) that is divided can’t stand or withstand. This revolution is one that says no more to race and culture division. Its time that the church become the church, beautiful, diverse, and colorful.
2 Chronicles 5:11-14 (KJV)
11 And it came to pass, when the
priests were come out of the holy place: (for all the priests that
were present were sanctified, and did not then wait by
course:
12 Also the Levites which were
the singers, all of them of Asaph, of Heman, of Jeduthun, with their sons and
their brethren, being arrayed in white linen, having cymbals and psalteries
and harps, stood at the east end of the altar, and with them an hundred and
twenty priests sounding with trumpets:)
13 It came even to pass, as the
trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in
praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with
the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the LORD, saying,
For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then
the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD;
14 So that the priests could not
stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled
the house of God.
There is awesome power in UNITY. God always moves through UNITY. In the above passage they were assembled without regard to division and began to lift up their voice to God. Notice it doesn’t say voices but voice. They were unified so much so that the glory of God showed up and the priests fell out under the power of God. They couldn’t stand to minister.
In Acts 2 they were all assembled together once again without regard to divisions. There were gathered people there from every tribe and nation and once again the power of God fell in an incredible powerful way. I WANT TO START A REVOLUTION. It’s time for us to learn from these examples and bring the church together. Why is Sunday a day of segregation? Why are there black churches, white churches, Asian churches, Hispanic churches? I want to start a revolution that brings all the races and cultures together.
In the early 1900’s in a small mission located on
Monday (March 15, 2010)
1 Chronicles 14:8-11 (KJV)
8 And when the Philistines heard
that David was anointed king over all
9 And the Philistines came and
spread themselves in the
10 And David enquired of God,
saying, Shall I go up against the Philistines? and wilt thou deliver them into
mine hand? And the LORD said unto him, Go up; for I will deliver them into
thine hand.
11 So they came up to Baalperazim;
and David smote them there. Then David said, God hath broken in upon mine
enemies by mine hand like the breaking forth of waters: therefore they called
the name of that place Baalperazim.
David was a man after God’s own heart. He was literally after the heart of God. I want to be known as a man who is after God’s heart. How awesome David was, as a youth he had incredible faith to go after Goliath. He understood that the battle wasn’t his but it was the Lord’s. Here we see that once again David is confronted by the Philistines. The Philistines spread themselves in this valley called Rephaim, which means the valley of the giants. Have you ever been in a valley surrounded by your giants? I have, and believe me it’s a place where you are totally helpless, a place where you MUST trust and rely on God’s intervention. David was in that place, surrounded by giants who were out for revenge. They wanted him dead. David found himself in the valley and did what we too must do, HE INQUIRED OF THE LORD. He wasn’t only looking for direction, but He wanted to know how God was going to take care of him in this present situation. So he asks if he should go up against the enemy, and if so, would God deliver the enemy into his hand. Sometimes we just assume that we should go up against our giants, but that’s not always the case. We need to inquire of the Lord in each and every situation. David seeks God, and God answers him by saying, “yes, go for it, and don’t worry, I will deliver you.” So David does go up and wins a mighty victory. Then he names that place Baalperazim which means the place of my breakthrough. Have you ever wondered why these men of God would name places and build altars? I think they understood that sometimes we allow the present circumstances of our lives to cloud the memories of God’s past victories. David names this the place of his breakthrough and he says that God made this victory to happen like the breaking forth of waters. In 2 Samuel 5:20 it says that the victory came like a breach of waters. A breach can be described as a penetration or place that has been weakened, like a small crack in a dam. At first it may only start as a trickle but soon the waters will come gushing forth. Perhaps your victory is only a breach presently but rest assured that the might gushing is on its way.
I love the fact that when the Philistines were forced to
retreat that they found themselves in the very place (the
Saturday (March 13, 2010)
John 18:37 – For you say rightly that I am a King, For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world.Jeremiah 1:5 – Before I formed you I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you.
We were created for a purpose, but not only a purpose, but a cause. Think of it before you were even formed God already had a purpose for you, and that purpose is for GOOD. Even as good as it is to have purpose, it is even better to have a cause. Jesus came to this earth with a cause. A vision without a cause is little more than a set of personal goals. When we get a real revelation of A CAUSE, then no matter what comes against us in life, we will not be able to be pulled off course. It is so important to stay focused. The devil will be satisfied if he can keep you from fulfilling your purpose and cause, but he will fight with every fiber in his being if you begin to focus. Jesus was so very focused, everything He did was a part of His cause. In Proverbs 29:18, we’re told that a without a vision we will wander unrestrained. Another version puts it this way, “Where there is no progressive revelation the people die.” Are you wandering? Then perhaps you don’t have a vision, and that vision hasn’t morphed into a cause. So maybe you’re asking, “What’s the real difference between having a cause and having a vision?” When you’re committed to a cause you don’t have to make up a vision. A cause will impact and change your live forever, and will embrace or transcend all denominations, and every vision statement. A person wouldn’t die for a vision but they would for a cause. A vision has options. If a person gets discouraged they will put aside their vision or perhaps even discard it. You can hold a vision in your hand but a cause holds you in its grasp. When your life is griped by a cause, the options disappear and cannot be ignored. However, a vision often is ignored when something better comes along.
I think of great men of God who had a cause, and how that cause really set the course of their lives; men like Martin Luther, Dr King, and even the Apostle Paul. Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the Whittenburg church door, without regard to his personal safety. Dr. King was a man with a cause. That cause took him to many unsafe places, but it wasn’t an option for him to stop even when his very life was threatened time and time again. His cause still lives on today. Why? I believe because it was a cause implanted in his heart by God. The Apostle Paul was another man with a cause that directed his life. A scholar in his own right, Paul set aside everything to follow after Christ.
Do you have a vision or a cause? If you have a vision, ask God to transform it into a cause. Then you too can say like Jesus said, “For this cause I was born and have come into this world.
Friday (March 12, 2010)
You’re sitting in church and the praise team or choir is leading the congregation in worship, when all of a sudden that guy behind you begins to shout at the top of his lungs, “praise you Jesus, praise you Jesus.” You get angry and think to yourself, “I am going to find another church.” How sad it is that we get angry when the guy is just praising the Lord in a Biblical manner.
Another Hebrew word that is translated as praise is Shabach. Shabach praise means to shout, or to make a loud adoration, to address in a loud tone, or to command triumph. This is really a cool form of the word praise because when we command triumph, we are making a declaration that resounds in the Heavens. We are literally defeating the devil as we praise God in this fashion.
Psalm 63:3
Because Thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise Thee.
Because of God’s goodness we make a loud adoration, or command of triumph. So don’t get mad when people around you are simply doing what God desires. I have noticed that when people are shouting around you and you’re not shouting, then it becomes annoying, but if you join in you don’t even notice.
Psalm 145:4
One generation shall praise Thy works to another and shall declare Thy mighty acts.
So parents, are your children learning about the great exploits of God through the triumphant praise that you are shouting throughout the house? We pass on our Faith not by word, but by deed. It’s not taught as much as it is caught. What are you throwing?
The last Hebrew word that is translated as praise is the word Zamar. I love this word because it means to sing a song of praise with the accompaniment of instruments. Some churches do not allow instruments during their worship, but the word itself means to sing along with instruments.
Psalm 47:6-7
Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises unto our King, sing praises, for God is the King of all the earth; sing ye praises with understanding.
Psalm 71:22
I will also praise Thee with the psaltery, even thy truth, O
my God; unto Thee will I sing with the
harp, O Thou Holy one of
Remember that there are 7 Hebrew words for the word that we translate to praise. I believe that as we demonstrate all 7 forms of this word then we are praising in perfection. God loves for His people to be demonstrative, and to worship with a humble, and sacrificial heart. So begin to incorporate these various forms of praise into your daily routine of prayer and worship and see what happens.
Thursday (March 11, 2010)
How very awesome it is to know that when we praise our Father unashamedly that we will experience great power. So far we’ve looked at several Hebrew words that are translated in the English language as praise. How ineffective our words truly seem when compared to their original meanings. We’ve looked at the following Hebrew words: Yodah which means to worship with the extended hand as a form of complete and utter surrender. Towdah which means to extend the hands as a form of sacrifice or to extend the hands in agreement with what the Father has done. Barak, which means to kneel or bow, to give reverence to God as an act of worship. This word implies a continual conscious giving place to God, to be attuned to Him and His presence, to walk in the Spirit. You will notice that each word has associated with it a physical, bodily action. Isn’t it amazing that people will sit with arms folded during worship? How can that be? When we surrender ourselves to God’s presence, our physical man will begin to demonstrate what’s going on inside us. Bowing, dancing, surrendering, and crying all become a part of our physical response to the heart of God.
Let’s look at a few more Hebrew words. Halal is yet another word that we translate as praise. You may notice that this word is the root to the word Hallelujah, which means praise to Yahweh. This word means to make a show or boast, to celebrate, and to be clamorously foolish about God. How cool is this word? When we praise in this way, we are loud, clamorously foolish in the eyes of the observer. We unashamedly are celebrating with every fiber within us without a thought to those who are around us. The following Scriptures use this particular form of praise.
Psalm 35:18
I will give Thee thanks in the GREAT CONGREGATION; I will praise Thee among THE NATIONS.
Psalm 102:18
This shall be written for the generation to come (that’s us)
and the people which shall be created shall PRAISE THE LORD.
Keep in mind that this is the kind of praise that is clamorously foolish, and loud and celebratory.
The next Hebrew word that is translated as praise is Tehillah. This one is defined as a hymn of spontaneous praise glorifying God in song. The total involvement of one’s self in worship to God. This is the type of praise that God inhabits. Notice these passages that use this form of the word.
Psalm 33:33
Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous, for praise is comely for the upright.
Psalm 51:15
O Lord, open Thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
Psalm 22:3
But Thor art holy, O Thou that inhabits the praises of
Wow! The Bible says that when you are singing this spontaneous Hymn / song, then you are looking good, and the maker of Heaven and Earth is going to inhabit that type of praise. In Acts 16:31, Paul and Silas are praising this way when the Bible says that an earthquake happens and the prisoners are set free. Praise happens and God shows up. So next time you’re praising let go and let God. Your Spirit will lead you in a spontaneous song and then get ready for that praise to be inhabited by God Himself.
Wednesday (March 10, 2010)
In the Hebrew language there are 7 words used for the word we translate as praise. Interestingly the number seven is the number of perfection or completion. Yesterday we looked at the word Yodah. Remember Yodah means to worship with the hands extended in an attitude of total surrender.
Today let’s look at two more Hebrew words that are translated as praise, Towdah, and Barak. Towdah means to extend the hands in adoration and thanksgiving, to agree with what has been done by raising your hands. This word is generally found in connection with the giving of thanks or praise as a sacrifice before the reception or manifestation. We bring the sacrifice of praise to our God while agreeing with His word or deeds, even though we haven’t received the promise. Once again this word has a physical action attached to it.
2 Chronicles 29:31 (KJV)
31 Then Hezekiah answered and said,
Now ye have consecrated yourselves unto the LORD, come near and bring
sacrifices and thank offerings into the house of the LORD. And the congregation
brought in sacrifices and thank offerings; and as many as were of a free heart
burnt offerings.
Psalms 50:23 (KJV)
23 Whoso offereth praise glorifieth
me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew
the salvation of God.
The next Hebrew word for praise is Barak. This word literally means to kneel or to bow, to give reverence to God as an act of worship, to express adoration. This word implies a continual conscious giving place to God, to be attuned to Him and His presence; “walking in the spirit.”
Psalms 95:6 (KJV)
6 O come, let us worship and bow
down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.
Psalms 34:1 (KJV)
1 I will bless the LORD at all
times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
So next time you’re in praise and worship examine yourself to see if you are pursuing perfected praise. Are your hands raised in surrender? Are you lifting your hands in agreement with what God has done or in agreement with what you are declaring as you sing? Are you bowing or kneeling and attuned to the Lord and His presence. My goal is to always create an atmosphere of worship that is presence driven. As we find ourselves in that environment, our physical bodies also respond the God and His presence.
Tuesday (March 9, 2010)
In our English language there seems to be so many words we use that just don’t seem to get the job done. We say we love apple pie, and we love our parents, and then of course we love God. So often I realize that I simply just don’t have the words to truly convey what I’m feeling on the inside. Perhaps there is no language that does an adequate job.
Praise is one of those words that we use that just doesn’t seem to say enough. We praise our children, we praise our employees, and then we praise our God. In the Hebrew language there are 7 words used for the word we translate as praise. Interestingly the number seven is the number of perfection or completion. Let’s look at these Hebrew words for a moment and see if we can gain any insight from their meanings.
YODAH
This word is translated as praise and has two meanings. The first meaning is to worship with the extended hand. The second meaning is to give one’s self in worship and adoration, to surrender yourself wholly to your Holy God. This is pretty powerful stuff. To YODAH, means that in our praise, we are to lift our hands before the Lord in an act of total surrender and reliance on our Heavenly Father. So we say praise, yet this Hebrew word has attached to it a physical action as well. How cool is that? Also think of if just for a moment. In our journey towards perfection each Hebrew word is a step to fulfillment. So if you’re already “praising” with your hands extended in surrender, then you are 1/7 closer towards completion or perfection in your acts of praise and worship. Let’s look at a couple of Scriptures that use this particular form of the word praise. Remember it doesn’t just mean to give praise, or to sing praise alone, but to praise with your hands extended in an act of surrender.
Psalms 7:17 (KJV)
17 I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of t he LORD most high.
Psalms 57:9 (KJV)
9 I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto thee among the nations.
(Notice here we are to praise Him among the people, and even the nations with our hands extended, and in total surrender.)
Psalms 107:7 (KJV)
8 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
(Wow! We are to praise our God to our children with our hands extended, and in complete surrender. What a powerful demonstration of our humility and devotion.)
Monday (March 8, 2010)
I just returned from a wonderful weekend at a friend’s church in
Over the years I have learned some things about music, both through my collegiate education (B.M.E.), and through my 20 + years as a worship leader. ALL music creates an atmosphere of worship. As believers we MUST NOT TAKE THIS FACT LIGHTLY. Irregardless of styles, instrumentation, or musical nuances, music will create an environment in which to worship. The only question we must ask is who or what are we worshiping? Christians throughout the centuries have debated “Holy” musical styles. These senseless arguments seem to miss the only important issue: THE SPIRIT BEHIND THE MUSIC.
In Ezekiel 28:11-19 we read a description of the spirit behind the prince of
GOD CREATED MUSIC FOR WORSHIP. He gave it all the attributes that affect our body, and soul. Fast music literally increases our heart rates, while slow music decreases that rate. Music is used in a restaurant to speed up the pace of the eater. Music is also used in therapy. It can be used to incite a riot, or to calm the wild beast. When we praise and worship God there is something powerful that happens. Not only do we tap into the Spirit that reigns on the inside of each of us, but we also begin to walk in a greater understanding of God’s love and acceptance. Music can (and should) be used to create an atmosphere of God’s presence in our homes as well as our places of worship. With it we can drive out evil spirits, just as David did before Saul.
Perhaps it’s time to quit our excuses and make the decision to be very guarded about what we let into our homes and our spirits, and even our souls.
(If you would like some free downloadable soaking music to use to change the atmosphere in your home, please click on the above tab marked "resources.")
Sunday (March 7, 2010)
Jeremiah 18:3-6
The word which came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying: 2“Arise and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will cause you to hear my words.” 3Then I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was, making something at the wheel. 4And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter; so he made it again into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to make.
5Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying: 6“O house of
How awesome to know that we are clay in the hands of the potter. I know we embrace that idea, I mean there have been songs written, and poems recited about the potter and the clay, but have you ever really thought about what this means? We, like
God is looking for broken vessels. He is looking for those who will say, Father please take me and use me in anyway that will bring you glory, whatever it takes to make me the man or woman of God you desire. Yes, God is looking for brokenness for it is the tuition we pay to become well equipped for His service. The best classroom for ministry is true brokenness. He says in Psalms 51:17, “a broken and contrite heart, He will not despise.” God gives grace to the humble, but opposes the proud. It’s so important that we allow our potter to have full control over our lives. Allow His gentle touch to mold you and perfect you.
Perhaps you’re saying, “yes Lord, that what I want, I want you to take away all my imperfections and fashion me into a vessel of honor for your service.” If that’s the case then please understand that there is a process that you and I will go through as the refashioning takes place.
- The lump of clay – This is the stage before the potter gets a hold of it. Useless in everyone’s eyes except the potter
- The lump of clay mixed with water – The stage where the potter begins to fashion the clay by adding the water. This makes the clay more pliable. God will use the washing with the water of the Word to begin to confront our stiffness or pride.
- The placement on the wheel – This is the stage where the potter takes a more active role in the development of the clay. He begins to form it and fashion it into that which He desires. As in the other stages the clay has absolutely no say as to what it becomes. Totally useless, it’s true value is only seen through the eyes of the potter.
- The work in progress – This is the stage where the clay is being transformed. Although the work isn’t finished it is well on its way. It begins to be somewhat recognizable.
- Furnace Time – As the vessel nears completion it is place in the kiln (furnace) and heated up. It’s in this heating process that the vessel gains it’s true strength
- The finished vessel – This is a one of a kind vessel. Even though there may be similarities between vessels each one is quite distinctive.
Maybe you recognize your present circumstances in one of the above stages of the clay’s development. If so do your best to embrace the potter’s interaction. We can trust our Master craftsman. We also must realize that sometimes our surroundings become the very tools that the potter uses for that development. Many times we are fighting the very tool that is being used to perfect us. Don’t rebuke away the instrument of perfection.
The tools of God, as the potter, are our relationships both Christian & Secular. God will use various relationship or “tests” to mold us. Those relationships become the sandpaper that helps to smooth our rough edges. Remember, to distance yourself from those relationships is to fight the skillful hands of the potter. The potter lovingly reshapes and molds us according to His plan and not ours, and when He’s finished, we may not recognize ourselves, but we will be beautiful and fit for the potter’s use.
Friday (March 5 2010)
James 3:2-8
We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.
3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, 8 but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt (bitter) water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
How powerful are our words. Did you know that your words truly do determine your destiny? Here in James we read the account of the power of the tongue. The tongue is compared to the rudder on a ship, and even though it seems like such a tiny, insignificant part, it actually guides and directs us just like the rudder. If I were preaching right now, I would ask, “can I get a witness?” People would be shouting Amen, and perhaps even standing to their feet, but do we really grasp the importance of what I’ve just said? Our words will chart the course of our lives, much like that rudder determines where the ship is headed. I have met many negative people over the years. They are always focused on everything that’s bad. One such individual would always curse his job. He would come home and declare how much he hated that job, and how he wished he didn’t work there. His words determined his destiny. He was eventually fired, and went for two years trying to find work. Now he reminisces about the wonderful job he used to have, never giving a second thought to the impact his works had in charting his course.
Numbers 13:30-31
30 Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.”
31 But the men who had gone up with him said, “We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are.”
Remember the story of the children of
Numbers 14:20-32
20 And the LORD said, I have pardoned according to thy word: 21 But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD. 22 Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice; 23 Surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that provoked me see it: 24 But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it
26 And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, 27 How long shall I bear with this evil congregation, which murmur against me? I have heard the murmurings of the children of
Notice the outcome. Those who spoke negative never made it to the promise land, however the Bible says that because Caleb had another spirit, and trusted in the promise, he would possess the land. I wonder how many times we have aborted God’s promise by the words we have spoken. Our words will determine the path’s our lives take. Today why not determine to be like Joshua, and Caleb, and say “Certainly I can do it.”
Thursday (March 4, 2010)
Trust is an interesting word. It literally means to have total reliance. Wow! Total reliance. As Christians we say we trust in the Lord, but do we really? Do we have total reliance in Him. Sure we do as long as everything is going our way, as long as we can figure it out, but what about during the seemingly darkest days? In Romans the Word states the we know that God works all things together for good to those that love Him and are called according to His purpose. I used to hate that passage. It seemed to me to say that when I was experiencing the hard spots in my life, that God was at work messing with me. However I have come to realize that if I truly trust in Him then no matter what is happening around me, He is at work. He is there putting in order everything that I am facing, and He is giving me His grace in the process. So yes, we are to trust in the Lord, but I have found that if we have trust issues in our personal lives, then we also have trust issues with our Heavenly Father.
Philippians 4 (New International Version)
4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
If we truly trust in the Lord then we can then "be anxious for nothing," and lift our requests to the Lord, knowing that He's going to take care of us according TO HIS LOVE FOR US. However there is a key and it's found in verse 8. It's contingent upon what we focus. He says, "8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. " The scripture tells us to focus on the things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable. Then He tells us to make our minds dwell on these attributes, rather than the negative. If we focus on what we feel God hasn't done, then we will breed an offensive against our loving Father.
Trust can at times be a challenge, however, if we can get a greater revelation of our Loving Father, then I believe we can truly say, "that He works all things together for my good because I love Him and I'm called to do His will."
Wednesday (March 3, 2010)
Genesis 3:1-8 (KJV)
1 Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:
3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:
5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.
Jesus has paid the price for our sin once and for all. If that’s true, the we no longer have a sin problem. The penalty for all of our sin has been settled; yesterday’s sin, today’s sin, and even tomorrow’s sin. Romans tells us that the wages of sin is death, but because of Jesus that wage has already been settled. The trouble with our sin, isn’t a forgiveness issue, it’s a consequence issue. If I sin, the Bible says that Jesus has ALREADY forgiven me, but my sin has opened up a door to the enemy. I have stepped outside of God’s protective umbrella, and now I will have to deal with the consequences. The devil is so subtle, he gets us to sin and then he begins to condemn us for sinning.
In the garden, Adam and Eve lived in a luscious utopia. Thousands of trees were a part of the complexion of the garden. Adam and Eve enjoyed the garden’s luscious landscape, and they especially enjoyed their walks with their creator in the cool of the evenings. It’s hard to believe that they would trade all this for a lie. That’s the problem with deception, we never know we’re deceived. The Father told them that all that was in the garden was theirs, however they were to not touch the tree that was in the center of the garden. (Remember that there were many trees there in the garden, and only one was off limits. In our lives many times the thing that we deal with most is a lack of contentment. We’re not content with what we have and we focus on what we lack.) They had no trouble with this command until one day when the serpent began to question them. He gets them to look at the forbidden tree and then begins to tell them how much they need it, and how beautiful it is, and how it will make them wise. He gets them to begin to question their loving Father’s instruction. Once the discontentment is seeded, they believe the lie.
I want to say something to all my brothers. God has given you and I certain responsibilities. He has made us the priests of our homes. I didn’t say Lord, I said priests. What do priests do? They lead in praise & worship, they are the Spiritual covering of the home. So here Eve with her husband by her side, begins to communicate with the serpent. My question is, “What on earth was Adam thinking?” As the priest, it was his responsibility to protect her from negative spiritual influences. The same is true today. Men, you and I are to be the covering for our families and our homes. We must be the ones who are sensitive to the spiritual climate around us. In this historical account of the first sin, we read that Eve is there communicating with the enemy. She takes of the forbidden fruit and eats, and then she gives it to her husband and he eats. Why was Adam allowing all this to take place? We give Eve a hard way to go for eating of the fruit, but I also want to say that Adam totally blew it. He was not in his proper place of authority. Remember I said that he wasn’t Lord, but priest. Today we see the same tactics of the enemy talking place. The man has relinquished his proper role in the home, and forced the woman to step into a role for which they were never intended. Let me say one more rather strong statement. I believe that when a man DOES NOT take his role as priest seriously, and forces the woman to be the spiritual head, then this maladjusted alignment allows the devil to gain a legal access to the home, and once he comes in, he then begins to dismantle it one life at a time. I have seen this time and time again. The man, by his lack of spiritual motivation, forces his wife to take the lead. Just as in the first sin, the wife is then, more often than not, confronted with a multitude of temptations. The fault in this scenario can only be placed
The other thing I want to point out is that once Adam and Eve sinned, God did not reject them. God still came to fellowship with fallen man in the cool of the evening. What a wonderful picture of our Father’s love for us even when we mess up. The Bible says that when they sinned they knew that they were naked They knew this before mentally, but now they lost a God-consciousness and gained a self-consciousness. The exchanged their righteousness for unrighteousness. They lost the power to do good and gained the power to do evil. Instead of becoming like God they became unlike Him, in that He has power to do only good. It is morally impossible for Him to sin. Adam and Eve lost that glorious sinlessness and innocence. Today we have had our sins forgiven and we have been given His righteousness. However the devil still wants to keep us SIN CONSCIOUS. Remember he is a liar and even the father of lies. So whatever he says, the opposite is true. I am so thankful that I don’t have to be consumed with a sin consciousness and allow the devil to condemn me over and over again. I no longer have a sin problem. Jesus has settled that once and for all. I think John 14:15 puts it best. “If you love me you’ll keep my commandments.” Make sure you read this passage right side up. It doesn’t say that we show our love if we keep his commandments, it says that once you fall completely in love with Jesus, you just desire to keep His commandments. I’m so thankful that I get to fellowship with my Heavenly Father, not only in the cool of the evenings, but in the heat of the day as well. As a matter of fact many times I need His company more during the heated times of my life.
Tuesday (March 2, 2010)
Ephesians 2:2 (Amplified Bible)
2In which at one time you walked [habitually]. You were following the course and fashion of this world [were under the sway of the tendency of this present age], following the prince of the power of the air. [You were obedient to and under the control of] the [demon] spirit that still constantly works in the sons of disobedience [the careless, the rebellious, and the unbelieving, who go against the purposes of God].
I was checking out the status updates on my Facebook today, when I came across a video of a young woman giving a testimony about her struggle with pornography. She said that God had been dealing with her and that she had successfully overcome her battle with porn, however one day she watched a video after her children went to sleep. She then made a statement, “you can’t rumble with the devil and not expect there to be a brawl”, and then told of how the very same day her oldest boy began viewing pay per view porn on their television racking up rather extensive charges. The above passage in Ephesians states that one of the devil’s titles is “prince and power of the air.” The devil can only do what we give him legal access to do. “The devil roams around like a roaring lion seeking WHOM HE MAY DEVOUR.” There are many things that seem harmless to us and yet they provide the enemy with legal access into our homes. The American culture is really the only nation that doesn’t take demonic intervention seriously. We have been lulled to sleep by our adversary into thinking that demons, and demonic activity is something for fiction and fantasy, but has no place in our civilized lives. Just because you don’t believe in the devil and his activity doesn’t mean that he’s going to leave you alone. On the contrary, with that mentality, you are an easy target for his attacks.
Brittany called me late one night and told me that she had been calling churches but couldn’t find anyone to help her. She recounted the story of the night before's chain of events. It seems her husband, and father of her children, had been messing with things better left alone. That night while the family was asleep, her husband made his way to the nursery and was just about to bludgeon to death his infant son before she had awakened just in time to put a stop to his activity. The police had were called and he was now locked up in the psychiatric ward of a nearby hospital. After much discussion, it was decided that I would come to town, and we would meet at a nearby church, with the couple upon his release from the hospital. I spent several hours counseling him and then ministered deliverance. He was completely set free by the power and authority of the Word of God.
It was early one morning and my wife and I were sitting in our living room praying for our foster children. They had been with us for about 6 months and we sensed that they had been under attack by a spirit of rejection. (When spirit of rejection comes into a life it can really wreak havoc. Many times rejection gains legal rights through negative attitudes and words spoken over us while we’re still in the womb. We say that it’s too early after marriage to have children or too soon after another child’s birth. Perhaps we are fearful of a financial strain that causes a conflict between parents, or maybe they even contemplate abortion.) While we were talking authority over the spirit of rejection, all of a sudden we heard a hideous scream, so shrill that even the dog began to growl while running to the door barking, as if to usher out the evil presence. Interestingly enough from that moment on, our children were completely changed. Over the course of their stay with us we had to deal with various other spirits that they would pick up at the prison while visiting their birth mom.
We must not be ignorant of our enemy’s schemes and devices. The devil loves it when we lay idle, suffering his attacks, all the while attributing them to bad circumstances or even worse, bad karma. It’s time to believe the Bible. Jesus Himself went about casting out the devil, and dealing with demonic intervention. Demonic activity is a part of life. John 10:10 says that the thief comes ONLY to steal, kill and destroy. That being the case it’s so important that we take him and his activity seriously. Remember just because you ignore a problem doesn’t make it go away. Greater is He that is in you then he that is in the world. Don’t let the enemy steal or devour anymore. Be very careful what you allow in your home either through the airwaves or what you personally bring inside.
Monday (March 1, 2010)
I love to worship. I was a worship leader in a local church for over 20 years, and during that tenure, I received one of the greatest revelations I have ever received. In Hosea, God tells His worshipers, “I hate and despise the noise of your festivals, because you offer me lip service but your hearts are far from me.” Wow! What a statement. I have seen so many give God lip service. I have seen many professional Christians. A professional Christian whether a pastor or a praise leader or singer, is one who has all the mechanics, knows how to work the crowd, but their heart is far from the Lord. One way to test this is to see what’s in your heart. The Bible says that out of the abundance of your heart, your mouth speaks. That simply means the stuff that comes out of your mouth, especially during times of stress, demonstrates the heart’s true condition. Scary isn’t it?Genesis 4:1-6
Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, and said, “I have acquired a man from the LORD.” 2 Then she bore again, this time his brother 2Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. 3 And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the LORD. 4 Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the LORD respected Abel and his offering, 5 but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell.
6 So the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”
These 2 brothers, Cain and Abel, brought an offering to the Lord. One’s offering was rejected, and the other one was accepted. Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground while Abel brought the firstborn of his flock and their fat. What follows is quite interesting. The Lord respected Abel and his offering but HE DID NOT RESPECT CAIN AND HIS OFFERING. Have you ever wondered why? This is a great word to all singers, musicians, praise leaders, and those called to ministry.
In our worship it IS NOT OUR WORKS that make it. Cain brought an offering based on the fruit of HIS labor. You cannot worship God with what you bring to Him of your own work, wisdom, or accomplishment or talent. Cain was resentful and said, “I don’t like it that you won’t accept my offering on My terms.” Even though we are sincere and devoted, we can’t worship Him on our terms. Able on the other hand brought a sacrifice, recognizing that it wasn’t about his accomplishments but about God’s. We are to bring a sacrifice to the Lord. Our lives should be a sacrifice to the Lord. We are no longer our own, but we have been bought with a price.
The Spirit of worship is submitting to God’s rule in our lives. It becomes a time to realign our attitudes, and a time to lay aside pride. When we worship we are to confront the pride and independence that is in our lives. We must realize that we are to totally depend on God. So many have trust issues, and because they do, they feel they have to be in control at all times. God wants us to trust in Him. As a matter of fact He tells us in Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord WITH ALL YOUR HEART, and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths. God is looking to and fro for those that will worship Him in Spirit and in truth. So lay aside YOUR TALENTS, and YOUR ABILITIES, and bring to Him a SACRIFICE OF PRAISE.
Sunday (February 28, 2010)
Revelation 12:10 (King James Version)
10And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
What a glorious day that will be when the accuser of our brethren is cast down. Did you realize that one of the devil’s titles is the accuser of the brethren? The Bible says that he is accusing us before God day and night. In Job 1:6-7, the Bible says that there was a day when the angels would present themselves before God, and Satan was there. In this instance, Satan, begins to accuse Job before God. I’m sure you’re familiar with the rest of that story, but the point I want to make is that we have an adversary and his name is Satan, and one of his titles is the accuser of the brethren.
There are three different ways in which the accuser operates today. He accuses the believer to God, he accuses the believer to other believers, and he accuses the believer to himself.
Think about it for a moment. Satan comes before throne of God and begins to accuse us, but because of the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior, Jesus, he has no LEGAL RIGHT. Jesus has become our advocate. That simply means that he’s our lawyer in Heaven. Every time Satan accuses us, Jesus says, “Not guilty, I paid the price for that.” Because Jesus gave His life for us as the wage or price of our sin, no longer can the enemy legally accuse us before our Father. The penalty has been taken care of and the cost has been satisfied, but the devil doesn’t stop there. Once he finds that door closed, he begins to look for another opening.
The next way he accuses us is from believer to believer. The sad thing is that many of us don’t recognize this tactic. 2 Corinthians
Saturday (February 27, 2010)
Mark 3:25 (KJV)
25 And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.
Acts 2:1-2
1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
Lately I’ve been thinking about real unity. Unity = Power. A simple equation but true nonetheless. In Mark we read that a house divided against itself CANNOT STAND. Have you ever wondered why the church today seemingly lacks power? The early church saw so many incredible miracles. Blind eyes opening, deliverance, lame men walking, and even dead men rising. Now I have personally seen blind eyes opened, and the lame and sick being healed by the power of God while ministering in
In Acts chapter 2 we see that the people who had assembled on that day and WERE ALL IN ONE ACCORD, and IN
Today the church seems to be the one place that embraces the most division. It’s often said that Sunday, during church services, is the most segregated hour. I believe that every Sunday we are limping through our services because we are missing so many body parts. The devil is so subtle, and skilled at keeping our HOUSES OF GOD divided. I don’t know about you but I’m on a crusade to change that. I’m starting a revolution of unity. I’m ready to see my church with every culture, race, creed and color represented. I’m ready to leave my differences behind and embrace a promise, a promise of unity. I’m tired of division. How about you? The real question is how tired are you really? Are you tired enough to seek change? How about becoming a missionary of sorts? Will you dare to become a person who will leave the comfort of their style of worship, and preaching for the sake of unity. If your answer is yes, then seek the Lord and ask Him for the directions to your mission field, your promise land. I personally am praying for God to lead multi cultural, multi racial missionaries to my church. May God fulfill the prayers of His son Jesus, “Make us one.”
Friday (February 26, 2010)
Psalm 126:2
Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them.
Have you ever noticed that this passage says that their mouths were filled with laughter? It doesn't say that they began to laugh, but that they were filled with laughter. It doesn't say that they sang, it says that their tongues were filled with singing, as if some outside force was controlling these events.
For many years in my Christian experience I would have glanced over this passage and simply thought that some emotional event triggered their response to God, and that as a result the people around noticed their excitement. However, several years ago something happend to me that has given me insight into what actually happend to them.
It had been a grueling week of meetings with a guest Evangelist. I was physically exhausted. I was a music minister in those days, and the extended meetings, which were happening both day and night, were taking their toll on me. It really wasn't about the singing, or even the number of meetings that had been compacted into the seven day period. No something else was causing my fatigue. The Evangelist was known for a strange manifestation which seemed to follow his meetings; spontaneous outbreaks of uncontrollable laughter. I had never experienced this in all my years of ministry. People would just start laughing and at times couldn't even talk. They were like drunkards spawled out all over the auditorium. I didn't like, no I didn't like it one bit. I kept waiting for someone to put things in order. Why were we allowing this spectacle of the flesh to continue night after night? I suppose this was the main reason for my exhaustion. My sleep at night was interrupted by thoughts and reasonings occuring in my head. Somebody make them stop!
At the end of the week the pastor sought counsel about continuing these meetings for another seven days. I cringed at the very thought. So ofcourse my counsel was a resounding NO! I'm not sure about anybody else's opinions but when it was all said and done, the meetings ended at their regularly scheduled time. Have you ever noticed that God isn't concerned about getting our permission when He moves? I guess that's why He's God. About six months had passed. I remember the night so well. I had been rehearsing with a traveling music ministry, as was our custom. Each Saturday evening we would gather up at the church and practice for about three hours. The practice had finished and I was on my way home about 11 pm. I remember that I was spending time just thanking God for the weekend of ministry, and for an exceptionally good rehearsal, when all of a sudden I began to laugh. LAUGHTER HAD FILLED MY MOUTH, AND MY TONGUE WAS FILLED WITH SINGING. As a matter of fact it was as if the members of my body now had a mind of their own, because no matter how hard I tried, I simply COULD NOT STOP LAUGHING. I laughed for the 30 minute ride home. I laughed as I opened the garage door. I laughed as I made my way upstairs to bed. Then the strangest thing happend. As I arrived upstairs, my wife asked me what was so funny. My mind processed the question, and my tongue began to formulate the response, but all that came out was laughter and tongues. No matter how hard I tried I could not speak. I was totally drunk but not with wine, but with some other intoxicating substance. I tried to get undressed, and in the process fell to the ground with my pants wrapped around my ankles. As you can imagine that resulted in more of the same, uncontrollable laughter. I litterally laughed the night away. For the next four to five hours i was a basket case. Finally my laughter subsided as I succumbed to sleep.
I have heard many give their negative opinions to these type of strange manifestations over the years. Each time I smile and say to myself, your day is coming. All I know is that something both strange and wonderful happened to me that evening. When I awoke the next morning I was litterally a new man. God had changed me entirely as a result of the joy that had filled my mouth and heart. I'm always very careful never to teach such manifestations as doctrine. I have realized that that just isn't my job. Nor is it my job to try to expain away things that i don't understand. There are many things that we will experience that don't fit into our understanding, but wasn't it God Himself who said His thoughts are not our thoughts and His ways are not our ways? I think the safest stand to take is to test everything with the "does this give glory and honor to Jesus" test. All I know is that when my experience had finished, this skeptic had been changed in a way he never had expected. I had been transformed, not only in my preaching, teaching and singing, but in my attitude about what God can and can't do. I think from now on I will let God be God.
You may be reading this and say well that brother's elevator doesn't go all the way up to the top, and that may be true, but no matter how far it goes, I will be the one enjoying the ride.
Thursday (February 25, 2010)
The other day I received a phone call from a dear brother in the Lord. He is a new convert and called to ask several questions about his new found faith in Christ. The first few questions were those that you'd expect. Issues of God's forgiveness and walking a Holy and blameless life. However, the third question really got me to thinking. He asked why are there so many different churches with so many differing beliefs, and how do you minister to someone who has opposing doctrine or views on the Bible than you. As I began to answer him I felt the Lord prompt me. "More & Less."
When it comes to our faith we were never called or commissioned to convert believers to OUR way of thinking. We were never called to become agents of Bible debate. No that was never God's plan, if it were surely He would have used a real master of debate like the Apostle Paul. Paul was definitely qualified for such a task, and yet, God never used Him in this way. How many times have we been tempted to spend hours trying to win someone over to our way of thinking. How many times have we found ourselves totally exhausted and yet in the end nothing has been accomplished. No God has called us to preach the Gospel, the Good News, to give drink to those who are thirsty. I think the reason this task is so tiring is because it's not our job but the job of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the agent that is used for such purposes. He takes the Word of God and illuminates it to those who are born again. True, sometimes it can be a rather lengthy process, at least is seems to be in my case, but nevertheless the Holy Spirit causes God's Word to come alive in us. It is the Spirit who gives us revelation. More & Less.
The less part is for us to realize that we need to focus less on those who are of the faith, but simply just don't see it the way we do. More & Less.
Now for the more part. What if we began to expel the same energy in reaching the lost that we do in trying to convert the saved? Jesus Himself didn't come to convert the Pharisees but the Bible tells us that He came to seek and to save those who were lost. Wow! Just think of it, during a time when debate was the entertainment of the day, Jesus himself didn't enter into that arena. No Jesus came to the simple, the lost, the weak, the dying, the hurting. You get the picture. Now if you're like me you may have friends or family who just don't see it the way you do. Your intentions I'm sure are good, however you are trying to usurp the work of the Holy Spirit. Let Him mold and fashion them into the image and nature of Christ. Your job is to just live your testimony before your saved family and friends, meanwhile with all fervor demonstrate and preach the Gospel to the lost and dying.
More & Less.
Tuesday (February 23, 2010)
The Greatest Revelation that I received this past year is found in Ephesians 6:12: For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Think of it just for a moment. If the Bible is true, and it is, and if I really choose to believe it, and I do, then our struggle is NEVER against flesh and blood. Wow! How many times have I chosen to fight my battles in the flesh? According to the Bible, that battle is totally unproductive and a complete waste of time. Each time I have decided to get mad at a boss, or to fight with a family member, or even struggle with a neighbor, I have been just spinning my wheels. God's word boldly declares that our struggle is not against flesh and blood but it is againt the powers and principalities, the powers of this dark world and the spiritual forces in the heavenly realms. It's time that we call a cease fire on people, and declare a Holy war against darkness.
Perhaps you struggle with this concept. Maybe you would say, "come on now, get real, you mean to tell me that you believe that there are demons and devils, and that I should focus my attention on their intervention in my life?" Simply put my answer is a resounding, YES. In the Bible there is a Greek word - daimonizomsi, which means to be demonized. Interestingly enough there is no word in the Bible for possession. The word used is daimonizomsi - or demonized. The devil's main objective is to mess with us. Depending on how much access we allow will determine how much we're "messed" with. 1 Peter 5:8 tells us that the devil roams around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. He's seeking those who will allow him to mess with them. If we're possessed, then we have just allowed him, or given him complete access and control. THIS IS WHERE THE REAL BATTLE MUST BE WAGED.
So today why not make a decision to fight the good fight of faith. That fight is fought in the heavenly realm and not here on earth against the people who God loves. Those people are made up of both sinners and saints. Remember God so loved the WORLD, that He gave His only Son.
Sounds like a plan to me. "Father, please help me to see behind my trials today. Lord help me to realize that the battle I fight today is a spiritual one and not a fleshly one. I choose today to pick up the weapons of my warfare which are not carnal but mighty to the pulling down of strongholds." Amen
Sunday (February 21, 2010)
James 1:27 - Pure religion and undefiled before our God and Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.Today Glenn Kaiser ministered at Servant's Heart. He ministered on change. I was thinking about change. Many times we say that we embrace it, and even desire it, but then we just sit around and wait for it. God is a God of change. He tells us that if we're in Christ we change, we become new creatures. He's constantly changing us, yet He himself never changes. We we're confronted with an unchangable God, we must make the changes. Do we take intentional steps toward change? Do we actually plan and implement the very changes that our Father desires. Several years ago when we came across the above passage in James, we decided to become intentional about changing our lives and embracing "pure religion." We decided to take in 2 children who were fatherless. It was drastic, it was crazy, but it was God. Out of that tiny step, God began to do a new work in our lives, a work that would forever change us. Isn't that exactly what Father wants? Doesn't he want us to forever be changed into His image in every aspect of our lives. Think about change, and think about what steps you can take to not only embrace change, but to implement it in your life. Glenn read a quote that was simple yet profound. Without change there would be no butterflies. I want to be that butterfly. I desire a Metamorphosis in my life. How about you?
Saturday (September 19 2009)
As I'm preparing for tomorrow's sermon on Rejection, I can't help but ponder at the vastness of this attack of the enemy. The Bible tells us that our struggle isn't against flesh and blood, but we continue to fight as if it were. We hurt in retaliation of past hurts, and rejections. The Word mandates that when we are hurt or rejected we are to forgive. The inability to release forgiveness opens up doors through which the devil will legally attack and gain access. The reactions to rejection are varied and include: escapism, depression, insecurity, self-pity and much more. The solution is deliverance. Jesus came to bind up the broken-hearted. He has given us the ministry of closing the door to the enemy. Whether it's due to a generational curse, or a self inflicted curse by our own mouths, the solution is simple, close the legal access by forgiving. It's amazing how many of us choose to hold on to past hurts, and even plan retaliation. The problem with this is that it is sin. What are we supposed to do? Forgive those who hurt us and remember that our struggle is NOT against flesh and blood. I wonder how many of us Bible believers fail to grasp this all important concept found in the Word of God.Father I choose to forgive all those who have hurt me. I choose, by faith, to walk in forgiveness. I realize that the hurts and rejection I have encountered, are merely attacks and seeds of the enemy designed for my destruction. I will not be bound any longer by these tools of the adversary. I release forgiveness now in Jesus Name! Amen!
Monday, March 2 2009
Ephesians 6:10-17
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against fleshb and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 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, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
This passage describes our armor. How important it is for us to make sure that we are fully dressed. Like a trained Roman Legionary, we are to make sure that we aren't trying to do our commander's bidding without having the proper offensive and defensive weapons. Just as we wouldn't dare leave out in the morning without all our clothes on, we shouldn't leave without all the tools that our Master has given us. God will never lead us into the battle without making sure that He has supplied us with all that we need. However, many times we have left His supplied suit of armor laying beside our beds like discarded dirty clothes. It's time to make sure that we are fully dressed. Let's look at the girdle or belt of truth. On the Roman soldier, this belt held all the other weapons. It is such an important part because all the rest relied upon it. Truth is such a powerful tool and an important character trait. We are called upon by our commander to tell the truth, to be sincere, open, honest, and tranparent. Remember if we don't have truth then we have left ourselves open to the attack of the enemy. The belt or girdle on the Roman Legionary was also used to tuck in his cumbersome tunic. He was to gird up his loins or tuck in his tunic for action. If there was no girdle then he would not be able to move freely. How much are we encoumbered by our lack of truth. Sure as good Christians we know that we're to tell the truth, but how open and transparent are we? Do we hide our real selves and offer a plastic version? As you and I walk in truth, unemcombered by the false-ness of our religions facades, then and only then will we be fit for battle. Let's put on truth and then learn to use the rest of our armor so that we can tear down those strongholds of the enemy that have built up in our lives and the lives of unsuspecting humanity. Put on truth!
Sunday February 7, 2009
In John 17 Jesus prays for His church and asks for unity of believers. He prays that we would be one as He and the Father are one. How far we seem to be from the fulfillment of that prayer, or are we. Tonight I had the joy of spending some time with several pastors in Portland. These brothers (and their wives) all have such a heart after God and for His plan in the inter-city. I am honored to be a part of what God is doing and I have a huge expectantcy that He is going to show up in a big way. As we shared with each other and then spent time in prayer I could sense that God is positioning things for a great outpouring of His Spirit. I hope that in a few months I will be blogging about the mighty miracles and outpouring of the Spirit downtown in Portland. If you are reading this blog may I ask you to join with me in intercession for the work here in Louisville's inter-city know as the Portland community?
Father please pour out your Spirit. Father please send your glory down to visit us in like measure as it was present at Azusa Street! God please heal and deliver the broken hearted and hurting people of Portland. Amen.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Our words determine the course of our lives. This is an awesome revelation that the Lord is revealing to me. We need to keep our hearts in a constant state of thankfulness. The word of God tells us that out of the abundance of our hearts our mouths speak. That being the case, we can tell what is on the inside by what is coming out. The Bible tells us that Jesus is the Hight Priest of our "Confession". If our words don't line up with the Word of God then Jesus isn't able to be our High Priest. Just think about it, we are able to experience the entire benefits of salvation only if we allow Him to be our High Priest, and He can't be our High Priest if we don't keep our confession consistant with God's word. It's time we made some changes. Since we're embarking on a new year... why not make some changes. Let's start with changing our mouths... our confessions, to line up with God's word. Then we'll have God's words coming out of our mouths and His word will set our lives on the right course!
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Hebrews 3:1
Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession;
Isn't it awesome to think or consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession. He tells us in His Word that He is the Apostle and High Priest of our confession. Wow! He wants His Words to be a part of our speech. Think of it, if we aren't speaking His Words then we are misuseing our tongues.
Lately I've been meditating on the power of our tongue. The Bible tells us that it holds both death and life in it's power. No grey area.... death and life. I've been asking myself, Do I really believe that? If I truly believe it then my speech would have to change. It is. Lat
ely I catch myself getting ready to respond to a cricumstance or situation with a negative word, then I think of God's word and change my speech. I really believe that the course of our lives is set by our words. I'm this day changing my course. I'm headed to life, health, prosperity, and everything else promised to me in God's Word.
Lord I pray that you give me greater revelation of the power that I have at my disposal, my tongue.
Friday, January 16, 2009
"If any man be in Christ he is a new creation, the old has passed away, behold all things are made new." It seems that every now and again we come face to face with rememberances of the old. Old friends, old places, even old habits bring, in our minds, right back to the time when we accepted Jesus. I'm reminded this evening of how awesome God is and how precious is my relationship with Him. I love how God, through His love for me, continually reminds me of His grace and mercy. I have much to be thankful for and much debt to repay.
Lord may my life be a blessing and please allow me to make a difference.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Revelation 12:11 (Amp)
11 And they have overcome (conquered) him by means of the blood of the Lamb and by the utterance of their testimony, for they did not love and cling to life even when faced with death [holding their lives cheap till they had to die for their witnessing].
God has given us the ability to glorify Him. How awesome in out tongues we hold both death and life. God tells us to choose life. We need to choose life. Our tongues need to become instruments of praise. We can worship in tongues, or we can use our tongues as vessels of encouragement. Another way for us to speak life instead of death is to testify to the power of God. As we do we will see awesome things take place. When was the last time you made a real effort to look for opportunities to testify to the power of God. Each time in the Bible where individuals testified to God's power salvation followed.
Lord help me to be an agent of declaring your power through my testimony. Amen.
Tuesday January 20, 2009
"God is good!" A simple but true statement, but do we really believe it? We visit someone in the hospital who is suffering. We go through circumstances in our own lives that are nearly devistating. Pain visits us until we think that it would be better to die than to endure another moment. Life happens. Remember we live in a fallen world and the enemy is constantly on the move. It would be so easy to sit amidst our current circumstances and blame or even worse curse God, but God is good! At the very foundation of our faith, and in the very fiber of the Bible is the understanding that God is good. I must keep my focus, I must keep my faith and boldly declare: "God is good!" You might say that is to simplistic, that's just too immature, on the contrary it is the most mature thing you and I can cling on to. To understand the goodness of God is to get a glimpse into heaven itself. "On Earth as it is in Heaven." God's desire is to send Heaven to this planet. He did it when He sent Jesus. Yes, Heaven came down to Earth and from that time on, God's desire is to send us all His goodnes. That's why I can declare that; "God is good!"
Father let the Words of my mouth glorify you and let me remember that regardless of the trials I face, that you are good! May I say it one more time; "God is good!"
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Matthew 6:19-21: 19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Tonight I arrived home just in time to catch the last few moments of American Idol. Although I hate the name, I do find it very entertaining. The unfortunate thing is that many times people are being entertained at the expense of those who are auditioning. As I've watched in the past I'm amazed at how many will do anything for a moment of "star-dumb" (no spelling error). There are those who are serious but sadly mistaken regarding their talent. There are also those who know they have no talent but are looking for a moment of fame at the expense of their self esteem.
As I watched tonight during those last few moments there was a little 18 year old girl from Ohio. Right before she went into the audition they were interviewing her and her mom. Her mom made the statement that when her daughter was little someone prophesied over her and said that she would one day make her mama rich. A few moments later she came out with the prized "golden ticket". I wonder if they have ever thought what that fame would cost. We hear reports of young and old stars alike being addicted to drugs. Multiple marriages, and unhappiness seem to become a way of life. As I watched that young girl's mama become so excited about the possibility of her daughter's trip towards that cancerous lifestyle, I wondered if perhaps that prophet had another defination of "rich". The young girl did have a very nice voice, but perhaps God has some other ideas for it's use. Although there have been a few participants that have embraced their Christianity, it seems that for them, their faith is like the heavy anchor on a sinking ship, at least as far as the competition is concerned. The passage in Matthew speaks to us about being careful not to embrace the riches and fame that will end up taking us to place where the vermon gnaw. Rather we are to use our God-given gifts to His glory. Perhaps the name of the show is actually very appropiate, "American Idol". Perhaps money and fame have become our idols, but I'm afraid that their path will only lead to much dissapointment and unhappiness.
Lord please help me to be an agent of distributing your true riches rather than trying to amass my fortune. Lord help me to place all that you entrusted me as your steward, into that which will spread the Gospel. Lord please allow lead that young girl from Ohio to the genuine fulfillment of your prophetic leadings.
Monday, January 26, 2009
The following is an exerpt from a devotional written by John G. Lake:
1 John 4:4 "'Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world."
A person with Christ within by the Holy Ghost is greater than any other power in the world. All other natural and evil powers are less than God. Satan is a lesser power. Man with God in him is greater than Satan. That is the reason that God tells the believer that he shall be able to cast out devils. The Christian, therefore, is a ruler. He is in the place of dominion, the place of authority, even as Jesus was. Jesus knowing that all power had been given unto Him, took a basin and a towel and washed His disciples' feet. His power did not exalt Him. It made Him the humblest of all men. So the more a Christian possesses Christ's power, the more of a servant he will be. God is the great servant of the world. he is the one who continually gives to men the necessity of the hour. Through His guidance and direction of the laws of the world, He provides for all the needs of mankind. He is the great servant of the world, the greatest of all servants. Yes, Jesus, knowing that all power had beeen committed to Him, comits through the Holy Ghost, by His own Spirit, all power to Man.
Lord Jesus, grant me the strength and courage to walk in the power You have given me. Amen.