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 Murray Kentucky.  I was asked to come and minister in three separate services.  Wow!  The presence and power of God showed up and I was so humbled to be a part of God’s plan for this weekend.  God’s presence and power will always move freely in the atmosphere of unity, and real worship.  Churches that allow the Spirit to move as He wills, without time or agenda restraints, will always experience life changing experiences.  That was the case this weekend.  How wonderful to be PRESENCE driven in our times of worship.

 

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 Tyre.  This obvious alluding to Lucifer gives us a clear image of his responsibilities prior to the fall of man.  Remember the giftings and callings of God are without repentance.  Lucifer’s job in Heaven was that of the worship director.  He was the “anointed cherub that covereth.”  He helped to create an atmosphere of worship to the Almighty.  In Isaiah 14:11-15 Lucifer’s ministry and appearance is described.  We must realize that Satan in his present capacity has an extensive knowledge of the inner workings of music.  It should be no surprise to us that music is such a powerful influence in our culture.  With topics of rebellion, adultery, violence, addictions, and false religion, it has become a tool that is shaping our culture. 

 

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 Israel, can I not do with you as this potter?” says the Lord. “Look, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.

 

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 Israel, in the above passage, sometimes find ourselves marred.  We are so marred in fact that God will take that clay to make another vessel.  As marred clay, God takes us and reforms, and refashions us.  As scary as that may seem, in the hands of the potter all our imperfections are worked out and He recreates something amazing.  Think of it, no matter which side you’re on in that process, there is great safety and reward in the hands of our potter.

 

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.

1. The lump of clay – This is the stage before the potter gets a hold of it.  Useless in everyone’s eyes except the potter
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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
6. 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 Israel?  They are headed for the promise land, and Moses sends out 12 men to go before them and spy out the land.  Ten come back with a sour report, filled with fear, faithlessness, and defeat.  Two however, come back declaring the value of the land that God had promised.  Here’s the question.  When God gives you a promise, do you take it and run with it, or do you analyze it to death, causing you to shrink back from the promise?  There is a fatal word that the ten spies used upon returning from their investigation.  That word is BUT.  They declare that yes the land is as God described, filled with milk and honey, BUT.  However the two spies refused to go along with the other’s negative attitude.   Instead they come back and say, “We certainly can do it.”

 

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 Israel, which they murmur against me. ²⁸ Say unto them, As truly as I live, saith the LORD, as ye have spoken in mine ears, so will I do to you: ²⁹ Your carcases shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward, which have murmured against me, ³⁰ Doubtless ye shall not come into the land, concerning which I sware  to make you dwell therein, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun. ³¹ But your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, them will I bring in, and they shall know the land which ye have despised. ³² But as for you, your carcases, they shall fall in this wilderness.

 

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)

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 Right Square at the feet of the husband.

 

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 2:11 says, “Lest Satan get an advantage over us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.”  You and I need to be aware of his devices so that we don’t become tools in his hands.  Every time we accuse our brothers or sisters in the body of Christ, we are being used by the enemy to give him legal access for his three fold plan, to steal, kill and destroy.  Many of our wonderful brothers and sisters are at this very moment laying on the side of the road wounded, and hurt due to the subtle tactics of the accuser operating through deceived and unaware believers.  How long will we allow this to go on?  Remember our struggle is NOT against flesh and blood, EVER.  We need to shut this door and not allow him to use us anymore.  It’s time to begin to walk in grace and become vessels of encouragement.

 

The final method the enemy uses, if all these other doors are sealed off, is to get us to accuse ourselves.  How many times have we gotten discouraged and begun to belittle ourselves?  We declare that we’re unworthy, or unable.  We rehearse the curses that have been spoken over us instead of declaring who we are in Christ.  In Genesis 3 Satan is characterized as a serpent more crafty and subtle than any other beast of the field.  Subtlety he lulls us to sleep and begins to shoot his fiery darts at us.  Darts of worthlessness, darts of sin consciousness, and darts filled with all sorts of other vile accusations.  Please understand that his main objective is to make you so paralyzed by these negative thoughts, that you will be condemned making you totally unable to freely serve Jesus and declare freedom to the captives.  Let’s no longer be unaware of his plan.  Let each of us make an active decision to close every access door to the devil, and then begin to take our legal authority over him.  “Greater is He that is in me, then he that is in the world.”  As for me and my house, we choose to say no to the accuser in every area of our lives.  So the next time he comes to you to remind you of your past, simply remind him of his future.

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 Africa, but these miracles are too few and far between.  I believe the key is unity.  We always want to put the blame on someone’s faith.  We say, “If only they had more faith they would have been healed.”  That very statement is divisive in itself.  We’re told that if we just have faith as small as a mustard seed we can move mountains so how can we not have enough faith? 

 

In Acts chapter 2 we see that the people who had assembled on that day and WERE ALL IN ONE ACCORD, and IN ONE PLACE.  Wow!  That is one insightful statement, they we ALL in one accord, and in one place.  Unity = Power.  If we read further we find out that there were people representing every nation and every tribe who made up that group.  God loves to work through unity.  It’s easy to have unity within your own culture and your own circle, but to have it with those of differing cultures and experiences is something altogether different.  I love the fact that represented here is a multi color, multi cultural, and multi racial mix of both men and women who left all their differences behind to embrace a promise.  Jesus had promised that there was one coming after Him who would be an exact replicate of Himself called the Holy Spirit.  So these people dropped their cultural, sexual, and racial differences and took Him at His word and waited for that promise to be fulfilled.  I’ll bet that group represented each had their own style of worship.  However when they came to a place of unity, the Bible says that the power of God showed up and literally rocked their world.  Unity = Power.  When Jesus said a house divided against itself will not stand, He was giving us a key to successful Christianity. 

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 flesh^b 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.  Lately 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.