Six: Dealing with Doubts
I want to bring up an issue that is a major killer in our walk with Christ. I say major killer, because many warriors of God have fallen on the battleground from this one enemy attack. When we find that we have stumbled in failure, we then deal with guilt, the would have and could have fault pointing of the enemy of our souls. Many times this is a thought that he sends and we then take it and run, bringing about our ruin.
Understand that the devil and his ways is always opposite of what God is and does. He is always the opposite character of God and His nature. Example: where there is faith…his weapon is doubt… where there is love… his weapon is hate… where there is patience… his weapon is impatience..
Our enemy is known to be the one who “harangued” believers. Meaning that he spills out a long, blustering speech.. That it will be tirade.. That it is vehement and denouncing. He is known as the “accuser of the brethren.”
“…the accuser of the brethren, who accused them before God day and night…”
(Rev. 12:10)
We are told in (Daniel 7:25) that he “wears” out the saints. (Hebrews 11:6) says that the enemy comes to “weary” the saints. Especially in failure, he comes with this weapon to tear down and destroy the foundation which we stand in Christ. Understand that he does not care for you at all, he desires only to stop growth in Christ! He desires only to silence the Holy Spirit from speaking in your life. How is this? Through doubt.
His arrow of doubt has as its feather “impatience” as a guide. We are most very impatient people, we want things “now” not later. His arrow then is shot and the destruction begins. But can be stopped when the believer knows and sees the attack.
Here we will look at some steps he takes when we fail to destroy the work God is and has been working in our lives. With this understanding, stand against the wiles of the devil, step on his head, and in Jesus become an overcomer!
The adversary will raise doubts about areas of our own certainty. He does this to bring about “instability” in our lives. When you are not sure of your certainty, in all honesty, you are no longer a threat to the devil.
His arrow tries to bring doubt about our ability.
He accuses us of being feeble and weak. Now, understand that in your greatest strength, the strength within you, your own strength, you are weak. Your only strength is in Christ! You cannot do it on your own! You need His strength, you need His ability! But notice how the Bible puts this: It says that we are strong in weakness. (see 2 Corinthians 12:6-10, Philippians 3, Nehemiah 8, Isaiah 40).
His arrow tries to bring doubt about our destiny.
The Lord desires us to learn the dimensions of His life so we can realize His destiny in our lives. When we stumble, we “fail” God, this is a major attack area. If the enemy can get you to doubt your destiny, the war is over!
“But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.” (John 1:12)
Your destiny is that you are a son or a daughter of God! Note closely, this passage said “gave He power” this means that He gave authority and the ability to become his son, his daughter! This is in His name! and is also in His nature!
This arrow of doubt is meant to cause you to question who you are! If you notice as well, it deals with our ability too!
His arrow tries to bring doubt about Peace.
To disturb our peace brings confusion. If we allow an unleashing of confusion in our lives, this weapon will cause a major tailspin to result, which causes us to fall deep into more failure, thus more destruction.
Possible habitual “cycles” may be the destroyer here. When we find ourselves in a continual cycle of events, our peace is disrupted and we find our live again, in that tailspin we mentioned. Many have no peace because of failure. Life becomes frantic as this is unleashed. Understand, God will keep you in “perfect peace.”
“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” (Isaiah 26:3)
When the storm comes and says, “I am this big! I am severe! I come to bring uneasiness! I come to confuse! I come to disrupt!” You must stand up against it and say, “My God is bigger!”
Doubt about your peace, causes you to focus on the doubt rather than keeping your mind on Christ. Remember, Scripture tells us to be “anxious for nothing” (Phil. 4:6-7). An interesting thing here, “be ANXIOUS…” What is it that causes you to be anxious, restless, uneasy? It says “be anxious for NOTHING..” Usually this is what we are in an uproar about, “nothing.” Here is where that feather of impatience directs and guides the arrow of doubt.
His arrow tries to bring doubt about Timing.
Here is one that is a problem maker. God’s timing. We ask God to help us, we failed Him. We ask Him to help, we even partner with Him in our restoration, allowing Him whatever He needs to do to work in our lives. This arrow then comes because, “God is taking too long.” Hear this! Whatever time it takes, let God have His full and complete way and work in your life! Doubt about timing is a sister to “impatience.” With this it also has “weariness” as a twin.
Ever had to wait? You wait and wait, and it seems like, “will this ever end?” It seems like you want to say, “Look this is a simple thing here, why are we waiting, what is the holdup here?”
“Let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” (Galatians 6:9)
“….be not weary in well doing….” (2 Thess. 3:13)
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 15:58)
Know the enemy comes to weary the saints, he does this with doubt. He attacks faith! But remember God rewards the steadfast. (Hebrews 11:6).
“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he that comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.”
This arrow of doubt, especially doubt in God’s timing causes us to be “without faith.” Know this, the word used here “without” means to be apart from faith, separate from faith. It means to be destitute of faith. If this is the case then we are weak and open and vulnerable to the arrow of doubt. In failure, when we allow this to happen, we find ourselves in a crash and burn potential.
His arrow tries to bring doubt about God’s Completion.
Satan will accuse that God will never finish the work He has begun in you. But we are told in a promise that God bring it to a completion (Phil 1:3-6). Restoration is the desire of the Father. When we fail Him, He says, “I am able to rebuild, will you let Me?” God said He will restore what has been lost.
“And I will restore to you the years that the locust have eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm…” (Joel 2:25)
We are to let the Spirit of God fill us and allow Him to continue in the rebuilding process. Allow Him to restore us from our failures.
In closing, perishing is two-fold: 1) it first starts as a crack in our foundation of faith… 2) with the enemy continual attack the cracking becomes bigger cracks, deeper and then finally complete destruction. We have great need to stand up against the enemy of our soul. We have great need to allow God all He needs to do whatever He decides best with our lives. Scripture tells us:
“…my people perish for a lack of knowledge..” (Hosea 4:6)
Please know that success, rebuilding, and restoration are the results of failure, when placed into the hands of our God!
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Seven: Looking at the Flame of Love
The many times of failing God. How can He possibly still want to use someone like me? I do well, then I fail. I get up and go for and with Him, then I stumble. I get into things that I know deep inside is not where I need to be, but still yet, I dive right in and go there anyhow. In so doing, I then afterward knew, that what I did, was totally against all that His Word has told me, it was against what I knew I should have done, and still I went there. How can He love someone like me? How can He want to keep working with me?
Sound familiar?
Even though, in this slip and slide life, if we can call it that, is there still deep down within a desire to serve and love God? Is there this one place within you that wants to do right? Is there a “want to” still in there, to do all that is possible to try, at least, and please God? Does it seem like even though the fire of our heart may have seemed to calm down, there is still something inside that burns for the Lord? If so, then I have some news for you!
“A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoking flax He will not quench.” (Isaiah 42:3)
One other translation of this verse says it in this way: “…. a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish…” If there is a small, tiny fire still burning on the candle of life, it says He will not extinguish, rather He will keep it aflame. Listen, we are talking, even down to small sparks! If there is a tiny something there, it is enough for Him to kindle it back into full flame!
We never need to worry that when we humbly come to Christ for forgiveness or restoration or strength or wisdom, that He will despise our weakness and refuse our request. He treats the bruised and the scorched with tenderness.
Our God is a God of love, of grace and mercy. Our God is a tender God. He loves us even when we fail Him. What is needed is our willingness to allow Him to complete His work within us, for Him to mold and shape us, for Him to correct, forgive and restore our lives. He tenderly loves us and desires our full restoration.
In my own personal walk, I have made many mistakes. I have made decisions that was wrong. I have stepped into situations that I knew before I even stepped, I was wrong in thought, deed and heart. Now, I also know that as a minister of the Gospel of Christ, I am to be an example. Well, news is, I try. And news is, I have succeeded sometimes, but there has also been times where I made a big mess. Now, news is also, so have you!
But the one thing I can assuredly say and know, God is a loving God! He is forgiving, and still desires to make something of me, and even the mess I made. Reason being, He has shown me, that past all my stuff, and deep inside my heart is a candle, that at times, yes has become a “dimly burning wick” but in His tenderness, He restores that flame to a healthy fire. Now, I must also get something inside me as well. That is, I must do all I can to learn and NOT repeat my failures. I must strive to keep inline with God’s Word and Will. But also understand that even this area of “want to” comes at times from a “dimly burning wick.”
All of us have one major theme in common. Sin. We have the thread of sin that twines and wraps around us fast and furious. We also have a common enemy. This is the one who does not care in any shape, form or fashion about who we are, his only concern is that whatever it takes to stump our growth, to stop us from exceeding in God, then so be it! But, too, this enemy is under our feet in Christ Jesus, he was defeated at the cross!
So one may ask then, “So why do I still mess up? Why do I still fail God?” One may add to this, “Is there a point that God will give up on me?” There are answers to every one of these question!
1) So why do I still mess up? Why do I still fail God? If you have accepted Christ as your Savior, then you are one with Him. His likeness and holiness are present within your life. The very power that enabled Jesus to resist all temptation dwells within you.
Still, there remains within your mortal body an impulse to sin, a “sinful nature” that MUST be surrendered to God. Paul writes, “For I know that in me )that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells” (Romans 7:18). Yet we are not stranded in this barren place, for Paul also says, “the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me” (Galatians 2:20). Through faith we access God’s power to overcome our sinful impulses. Paul also said it in this way: “Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16).
We receive Jesus’ gift of freedom only by exercising faith in God. We must believe that He can remove ungodly strongholds within our hearts and that He continuously works to make us free from all sin and bondage. Our responsibility is to say “no” to sin and “yes” to God as we trust Him to provide the all-encompassing liberty that our souls crave.
2) Is there a point that God will give up on me? NO! It doesn’t matter who you are, what you have done. He will NOT give up on you, He desires that you come to repentance and His forgiveness, and growth in Him.
As long as there is breath in your body, as long as your heart is beating, as long as you are alive, right now! He will not give up on you! As hard as it may seem to believe and understand God sees the good that can be brought out of the lives of all people. He will never give up even on a seemingly “disaster area life.”
We are the ones who give up! We give up on ourselves. We give up on God. Now understand this is just what the devil wants you to do! When we give up, we are giving up on the faithfulness of God, which never changes, which is always the same. His faithfulness never gives up or caves in on anybody!
The Strength of Love and Forgiveness in Failure
A story from the Scriptures, tells us and shows us the strength of love and forgiveness when we fail. This story you may have heard many times, but allow me to point out a few things that show this one fact of His loving and forgiving heart.
“The He said: ‘A certain man had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, “Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.” So he divided to them his livelihood. And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would gladly have filled his stomach with then pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself, he said, “how many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!” I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against haven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.” And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. And the son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.” But the father said to his servants, “Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry, for this my son was dead and is alive again, he was lost and is found…..” (Luke 15:11-24)
Read this again if you need to.. ALLOW it to get into your spirit! For in this story is great understanding that we have need of.
Have you ever noticed that before we jump off into a failure to obey God, we will allow it to get into our spirit what we are fixing to go do. While it is “brewing” within us, we travel to a “far” land. Now, I am not speaking of getting on a plane and flying somewhere, or even get in your car and going somewhere, even though it could be 20 miles away. The “far” land is that area of failure we are heading for. It is that area of guilt which we will soon find ourselves in. It is Guilt, because maybe even before we stepped out, we knew where we were going to wind up being.
As we travel to this “far” land, we may even play out all that we are wanting to do, how we are going to totally enjoy this “venture” of life. We go over all the pleasure that is involved. Now, let me remind you, this is not inline with God’s Word or Will. This place we are driving so hard to get to, once there, once the act has been done, once we fail, and once we find ourselves totally without peace, without what we had with God. In that area of failure, is where we failed God, and “did” our own thing. This land we traveled too, usually travels back to forbidden territory, forbidden waters, those things, places and even sometimes people we need to break “ties” with are part of this “far” land.
At this point, we find that “citizen” of that country, a citizen whose name is “guilt.” Whose wages is nothing, whose wage only leaves our spiritual stomach hungry and without. Whose wage brings a torment to our soul, a despair because of our actions. This citizen, we feel can help us, so he gives us that job of “slopping” the pigs. We find ourselves feeding the “swine” of our own pleasure. We even will get down on our knees and eat away at the “slop” we have made. We eat at the rotten, stinky food of sinful living. It will be this way until we “COME” to our “SENSES“ and realize that as a child of God, this is NOT where we are destined to live!
It is here that we know, it is way better at the Father’s house. That even the servants of His house have it better than this. We even go through our “Eeore” speech, “I am not worthy anymore!” We go on to say: “I have sinned! I am no longer worthy of anything!” We always try to bid God for second best, because we failed at the first. We will say; “Father, let me be reduced to a lower standard, I am no longer a child, just let me be a lower than average child, if you will.” It is possible that we may have been here before, struggling in this “mess” we are in, this mess we have made. Here we also have found ourselves thinking, “He will never use me! I have failed Him!”
But let me ask you this. “How many robes, sandals and rings do you suppose God has?” How many fatted calves does He own? Be assured, it is enough to cover all the mess you made! How does He rejoice when we learn our mistake and come to Him and repent and ask for forgiveness? Scripture tells us that ALL of heaven rejoices when a soul is turned around! I believe that this rejoicing is not only for sinners who come to Christ, but is also for the Christian who finds that he has fallen into failure, then repents and asks for cleansing and forgiveness of God.
“I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine who need no repentance.” (Luke 15:7)
Now, understand this in no way gives license for sin!!!!!!
The point here is that His love and forgiveness, His restoration and rebuilding is huge! It is massive when it comes to our walk with Him. He desires so much for us to grow, and He loves so much, that when we fail, He picks us up, cleanses us off, and says, “Come now, let’s try it again.” Hear this! He can and will bring good out of our failures! Allow Him His way in rebuilding who you are in Him!
The many times of failing God. How can He possibly still want to use someone like me? I do well, then I fail. I get up and go for and with Him, then I stumble. I get into things that I know deep inside is not where I need to be, but still yet, I dive right in and go there anyhow. In so doing, I then afterward knew, that what I did, was totally against all that His Word has told me, it was against what I knew I should have done, and still I went there. How can He love someone like me? How can He want to keep working with me?
Sound familiar?
Even though, in this slip and slide life, if we can call it that, is there still deep down within a desire to serve and love God? Is there this one place within you that wants to do right? Is there a “want to” still in there, to do all that is possible to try, at least, and please God? Does it seem like even though the fire of our heart may have seemed to calm down, there is still something inside that burns for the Lord? If so, then I have some news for you!
“A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoking flax He will not quench.” (Isaiah 42:3)
One other translation of this verse says it in this way: “…. a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish…” If there is a small, tiny fire still burning on the candle of life, it says He will not extinguish, rather He will keep it aflame. Listen, we are talking, even down to small sparks! If there is a tiny something there, it is enough for Him to kindle it back into full flame!
We never need to worry that when we humbly come to Christ for forgiveness or restoration or strength or wisdom, that He will despise our weakness and refuse our request. He treats the bruised and the scorched with tenderness.
Our God is a God of love, of grace and mercy. Our God is a tender God. He loves us even when we fail Him. What is needed is our willingness to allow Him to complete His work within us, for Him to mold and shape us, for Him to correct, forgive and restore our lives. He tenderly loves us and desires our full restoration.
In my own personal walk, I have made many mistakes. I have made decisions that was wrong. I have stepped into situations that I knew before I even stepped, I was wrong in thought, deed and heart. Now, I also know that as a minister of the Gospel of Christ, I am to be an example. Well, news is, I try. And news is, I have succeeded sometimes, but there has also been times where I made a big mess. Now, news is also, so have you!
But the one thing I can assuredly say and know, God is a loving God! He is forgiving, and still desires to make something of me, and even the mess I made. Reason being, He has shown me, that past all my stuff, and deep inside my heart is a candle, that at times, yes has become a “dimly burning wick” but in His tenderness, He restores that flame to a healthy fire. Now, I must also get something inside me as well. That is, I must do all I can to learn and NOT repeat my failures. I must strive to keep inline with God’s Word and Will. But also understand that even this area of “want to” comes at times from a “dimly burning wick.”
All of us have one major theme in common. Sin. We have the thread of sin that twines and wraps around us fast and furious. We also have a common enemy. This is the one who does not care in any shape, form or fashion about who we are, his only concern is that whatever it takes to stump our growth, to stop us from exceeding in God, then so be it! But, too, this enemy is under our feet in Christ Jesus, he was defeated at the cross!
So one may ask then, “So why do I still mess up? Why do I still fail God?” One may add to this, “Is there a point that God will give up on me?” There are answers to every one of these question!
1) So why do I still mess up? Why do I still fail God? If you have accepted Christ as your Savior, then you are one with Him. His likeness and holiness are present within your life. The very power that enabled Jesus to resist all temptation dwells within you.
Still, there remains within your mortal body an impulse to sin, a “sinful nature” that MUST be surrendered to God. Paul writes, “For I know that in me )that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells” (Romans 7:18). Yet we are not stranded in this barren place, for Paul also says, “the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me” (Galatians 2:20). Through faith we access God’s power to overcome our sinful impulses. Paul also said it in this way: “Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16).
We receive Jesus’ gift of freedom only by exercising faith in God. We must believe that He can remove ungodly strongholds within our hearts and that He continuously works to make us free from all sin and bondage. Our responsibility is to say “no” to sin and “yes” to God as we trust Him to provide the all-encompassing liberty that our souls crave.
2) Is there a point that God will give up on me? NO! It doesn’t matter who you are, what you have done. He will NOT give up on you, He desires that you come to repentance and His forgiveness, and growth in Him.
As long as there is breath in your body, as long as your heart is beating, as long as you are alive, right now! He will not give up on you! As hard as it may seem to believe and understand God sees the good that can be brought out of the lives of all people. He will never give up even on a seemingly “disaster area life.”
We are the ones who give up! We give up on ourselves. We give up on God. Now understand this is just what the devil wants you to do! When we give up, we are giving up on the faithfulness of God, which never changes, which is always the same. His faithfulness never gives up or caves in on anybody!
The Strength of Love and Forgiveness in Failure
A story from the Scriptures, tells us and shows us the strength of love and forgiveness when we fail. This story you may have heard many times, but allow me to point out a few things that show this one fact of His loving and forgiving heart.
“The He said: ‘A certain man had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, “Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.” So he divided to them his livelihood. And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would gladly have filled his stomach with then pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself, he said, “how many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!” I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against haven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.” And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. And the son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.” But the father said to his servants, “Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry, for this my son was dead and is alive again, he was lost and is found…..” (Luke 15:11-24)
Read this again if you need to.. ALLOW it to get into your spirit! For in this story is great understanding that we have need of.
Have you ever noticed that before we jump off into a failure to obey God, we will allow it to get into our spirit what we are fixing to go do. While it is “brewing” within us, we travel to a “far” land. Now, I am not speaking of getting on a plane and flying somewhere, or even get in your car and going somewhere, even though it could be 20 miles away. The “far” land is that area of failure we are heading for. It is that area of guilt which we will soon find ourselves in. It is Guilt, because maybe even before we stepped out, we knew where we were going to wind up being.
As we travel to this “far” land, we may even play out all that we are wanting to do, how we are going to totally enjoy this “venture” of life. We go over all the pleasure that is involved. Now, let me remind you, this is not inline with God’s Word or Will. This place we are driving so hard to get to, once there, once the act has been done, once we fail, and once we find ourselves totally without peace, without what we had with God. In that area of failure, is where we failed God, and “did” our own thing. This land we traveled too, usually travels back to forbidden territory, forbidden waters, those things, places and even sometimes people we need to break “ties” with are part of this “far” land.
At this point, we find that “citizen” of that country, a citizen whose name is “guilt.” Whose wages is nothing, whose wage only leaves our spiritual stomach hungry and without. Whose wage brings a torment to our soul, a despair because of our actions. This citizen, we feel can help us, so he gives us that job of “slopping” the pigs. We find ourselves feeding the “swine” of our own pleasure. We even will get down on our knees and eat away at the “slop” we have made. We eat at the rotten, stinky food of sinful living. It will be this way until we “COME” to our “SENSES“ and realize that as a child of God, this is NOT where we are destined to live!
It is here that we know, it is way better at the Father’s house. That even the servants of His house have it better than this. We even go through our “Eeore” speech, “I am not worthy anymore!” We go on to say: “I have sinned! I am no longer worthy of anything!” We always try to bid God for second best, because we failed at the first. We will say; “Father, let me be reduced to a lower standard, I am no longer a child, just let me be a lower than average child, if you will.” It is possible that we may have been here before, struggling in this “mess” we are in, this mess we have made. Here we also have found ourselves thinking, “He will never use me! I have failed Him!”
But let me ask you this. “How many robes, sandals and rings do you suppose God has?” How many fatted calves does He own? Be assured, it is enough to cover all the mess you made! How does He rejoice when we learn our mistake and come to Him and repent and ask for forgiveness? Scripture tells us that ALL of heaven rejoices when a soul is turned around! I believe that this rejoicing is not only for sinners who come to Christ, but is also for the Christian who finds that he has fallen into failure, then repents and asks for cleansing and forgiveness of God.
“I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine who need no repentance.” (Luke 15:7)
Now, understand this in no way gives license for sin!!!!!!
The point here is that His love and forgiveness, His restoration and rebuilding is huge! It is massive when it comes to our walk with Him. He desires so much for us to grow, and He loves so much, that when we fail, He picks us up, cleanses us off, and says, “Come now, let’s try it again.” Hear this! He can and will bring good out of our failures! Allow Him His way in rebuilding who you are in Him!
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Who Do You Know?
Thus says the Lord: Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom. Let not the mighty man glory in his might. Nor let the rich man glory in his riches: But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the Lord......... Jeremiah 9:23-24
Intelligence, power, and riches all give human beings the illusion of being in control - but the illusion always comes to an end. When we put our confidence in God alone, we find something worth boasting about.
One translation of this passage uses the word "boast" in place of "glory." Either way, the question still remains, What do you boast in? Whom do you glory?
When it comes to wisdom, the greatest wisdom a man can have is the mind of Christ. Scripture states; ""Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus" (Phil 2:5). God's wisdom in matters that concern our lives, is way above the wisest man walking earth. His wisdom is a truth to live by. In his wisdom, as well there is no failure, where in man, he can fail and will somewhere, somehow do so. Even with the wisest mind, man still will confuse something. In Christ, with His mind, a clear direct path is always laid out. And in this, everytime, the wisest path is laid out.
When it comes to power and might, many people are incredibly strong. Many can do amazing feats with their strength. Many have power to command, might in their commanding. Many can cause people to know that they are with someone who is "powerful" someone who is a leader, and a ruler. But even then, their power, their might, their authority, is weak compared to the strength, power, and might of the Lord. The passage states: "Its not by might, not by power, but by my Spirit saith the Lord." His Spirit is the strength, the power, the authority that we need.
When it comes to wealth and riches, many use their wealth to buy, power, authority, might, many buy with it the best schooling that can be offered. Many use their wealth for good, many for bad. But there is One who is wealthy way above and beyond the richest on earth. One who in that wealth, will reach down and pick up the weakest, those who are without, and meet the needs that they have. There is One Who is the "source" and the "resource" of every need you will ever face. Scripture says: "He owns the cattle on the hills.." Even better: "He cares for the birds of the field, if He will care for them, how much more will He care for you.."
The greatest area of boasting and glorifying is that of boasting and glorifying God! It is the area of understanding Him. Understanding the One who says, "My ways are above your ways..." Understanding the One Who loves us in the most incredible way. In this too, not only in understanding Him, but even better "KNOWING" Him. You can Know Him, and then you can Know of Him. Many say they know Him, but in reality only "know of" Him. There is a huge difference between "knowing of Him" and KNOWING HIM!!!" Knowing that He is Lord!!!!! It is knowing Who He is. It is knowing Who is your strength, it is knwoing Who is your wisdom, it is knowing Who you can trust, it is Whom you have faith in, it is Jesus!!
Know Him today! Boast in Him today! Glory in Him today!
Intelligence, power, and riches all give human beings the illusion of being in control - but the illusion always comes to an end. When we put our confidence in God alone, we find something worth boasting about.
One translation of this passage uses the word "boast" in place of "glory." Either way, the question still remains, What do you boast in? Whom do you glory?
When it comes to wisdom, the greatest wisdom a man can have is the mind of Christ. Scripture states; ""Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus" (Phil 2:5). God's wisdom in matters that concern our lives, is way above the wisest man walking earth. His wisdom is a truth to live by. In his wisdom, as well there is no failure, where in man, he can fail and will somewhere, somehow do so. Even with the wisest mind, man still will confuse something. In Christ, with His mind, a clear direct path is always laid out. And in this, everytime, the wisest path is laid out.
When it comes to power and might, many people are incredibly strong. Many can do amazing feats with their strength. Many have power to command, might in their commanding. Many can cause people to know that they are with someone who is "powerful" someone who is a leader, and a ruler. But even then, their power, their might, their authority, is weak compared to the strength, power, and might of the Lord. The passage states: "Its not by might, not by power, but by my Spirit saith the Lord." His Spirit is the strength, the power, the authority that we need.
When it comes to wealth and riches, many use their wealth to buy, power, authority, might, many buy with it the best schooling that can be offered. Many use their wealth for good, many for bad. But there is One who is wealthy way above and beyond the richest on earth. One who in that wealth, will reach down and pick up the weakest, those who are without, and meet the needs that they have. There is One Who is the "source" and the "resource" of every need you will ever face. Scripture says: "He owns the cattle on the hills.." Even better: "He cares for the birds of the field, if He will care for them, how much more will He care for you.."
The greatest area of boasting and glorifying is that of boasting and glorifying God! It is the area of understanding Him. Understanding the One who says, "My ways are above your ways..." Understanding the One Who loves us in the most incredible way. In this too, not only in understanding Him, but even better "KNOWING" Him. You can Know Him, and then you can Know of Him. Many say they know Him, but in reality only "know of" Him. There is a huge difference between "knowing of Him" and KNOWING HIM!!!" Knowing that He is Lord!!!!! It is knowing Who He is. It is knowing Who is your strength, it is knwoing Who is your wisdom, it is knowing Who you can trust, it is Whom you have faith in, it is Jesus!!
Know Him today! Boast in Him today! Glory in Him today!
Saturday, July 19, 2008
The Midway Between Disobedience and Obedience
Recently while in study, I came across and old article that was speaking on the subject of obedience. A teacher whom I have admired for years, Andrew Murray, was laying forth some thoughts on the definitions of "obedience." A point that caught my eye was a statement about the "Garden" in Genesis. How God removed Adam and Eve from the Garden and from the Tree of Life, because of "disobedience" to His command.
An the Lord God commended the man saying, Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in that day that you eat of it you shall surely die.......Then to Adam He said, Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, You shall not eat of it...... So He drove out the man: and He placed cheribum at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life. (Genesis 2:16-17, 3:17, 24).
He pointed out that at the end of the Bible, in the Book of Revelation, that the way to the Tree of Life is made possible in the end, but by "obedience" to His command.
Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. (Rev 22:14)
He then showed how the "midway" point that made the difference was "The Cross of Christ."
For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man's obedience many will be made righteous. (Rom 5:19)
A point here, notice how it says, "by one Man's obedience..." Jesus was obedient to the cross, by so doing, we have an opportunity and a way to righteousness.
The thought then came to me, whether it be diobedience or obedience, we will go through the Cross for both decisions. Let me state why I thought that. We have been commanded by God, "Be ye holy for I am Holy..." We have been told throughout the Word of God to be obedient to His Word. Now when I choose to walk in disobedience, I have to walk across what I have been commanded and told "Not" to do. So, therefore I will walk through and by the Cross of Christ, and in so doing, take a walk of disobedience to His Word to get to the place I really should not be in. The same holds true for "obedience" when I come to a decision and in that walk the way I have been commanded, walk the way that is True, then I walk through and by the Cross of Christ. In that I walk a walk of obedience to His Word.
So the Midway Between Disobedience and Obedience is the Cross of Christ...
But also too.. Thank God for His love, thank God for His mercy, His Grace.. That when we do fall into disobedience, and need forgiveness, He tells us: "That if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins" (Rev 1:9). We must stay pointed to the cross, we must stay directed through the cross. We must stay guided by the cross. For it is there that our freedom lies, our life is found, our forgiveness is found in Christ.
Recently, with the release of our new cd "Reflections and Foundations" a song was given, "Your Amazing Grace" a song that to me is close to the heart. Using lines from "Amazing Grace" what was added is:
"Its your amazing grace that covers me... Its your grace that sets me free.. And I will sing this song all my life... cause I was blind but now I see..."
Personally, I am thankful for that Amazing Grace. I know the relief of being set free from bondage. I know the healing of wounds, I know the forgiveness of sin. I know that in obedience to His word, I must pass through the Cross of Christ.
Even though this blog is more of a thought article. It is a true article of a freedom we can all have. It is something we all need. His love and grace through the cross, but getting there is a path one must take, a path of obedience.
An the Lord God commended the man saying, Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in that day that you eat of it you shall surely die.......Then to Adam He said, Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, You shall not eat of it...... So He drove out the man: and He placed cheribum at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life. (Genesis 2:16-17, 3:17, 24).
He pointed out that at the end of the Bible, in the Book of Revelation, that the way to the Tree of Life is made possible in the end, but by "obedience" to His command.
Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. (Rev 22:14)
He then showed how the "midway" point that made the difference was "The Cross of Christ."
For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man's obedience many will be made righteous. (Rom 5:19)
A point here, notice how it says, "by one Man's obedience..." Jesus was obedient to the cross, by so doing, we have an opportunity and a way to righteousness.
The thought then came to me, whether it be diobedience or obedience, we will go through the Cross for both decisions. Let me state why I thought that. We have been commanded by God, "Be ye holy for I am Holy..." We have been told throughout the Word of God to be obedient to His Word. Now when I choose to walk in disobedience, I have to walk across what I have been commanded and told "Not" to do. So, therefore I will walk through and by the Cross of Christ, and in so doing, take a walk of disobedience to His Word to get to the place I really should not be in. The same holds true for "obedience" when I come to a decision and in that walk the way I have been commanded, walk the way that is True, then I walk through and by the Cross of Christ. In that I walk a walk of obedience to His Word.
So the Midway Between Disobedience and Obedience is the Cross of Christ...
But also too.. Thank God for His love, thank God for His mercy, His Grace.. That when we do fall into disobedience, and need forgiveness, He tells us: "That if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins" (Rev 1:9). We must stay pointed to the cross, we must stay directed through the cross. We must stay guided by the cross. For it is there that our freedom lies, our life is found, our forgiveness is found in Christ.
Recently, with the release of our new cd "Reflections and Foundations" a song was given, "Your Amazing Grace" a song that to me is close to the heart. Using lines from "Amazing Grace" what was added is:
"Its your amazing grace that covers me... Its your grace that sets me free.. And I will sing this song all my life... cause I was blind but now I see..."
Personally, I am thankful for that Amazing Grace. I know the relief of being set free from bondage. I know the healing of wounds, I know the forgiveness of sin. I know that in obedience to His word, I must pass through the Cross of Christ.
Even though this blog is more of a thought article. It is a true article of a freedom we can all have. It is something we all need. His love and grace through the cross, but getting there is a path one must take, a path of obedience.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Hebrews 11:6 = "The Rewarder"
But without faith it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Recently, while preparing to do a service, in prayer and in study, Hebrews 11:6 was the passage God was laying on my heart for this service. As I was meditating and contemplating this verse, I found that a word kept sticking out to me, "DILIGENTLY." Several times over this word seemed to be the basis of the whole upcoming service.
In a way, picking up from where recently leaving off with the last blog, "True Praise.." Listen and watch for the connections here. We stated, that when we know Him for Who He is, He is indeed the answer to any and every need we have. He is Lord, He is King, He is Saviour, He is healing, salvation, our source and our resource. We must believe in Who He is.
But this one word kept sticking out, "He is a rewarder of those who 'diligently' seek Him. In defining this word something comes to light that is encouraging as well as challenging. First off, it comes as a challenge to "make it our business" to seek Him. We must be earnest in our seeking, we must be forward in our seeking, zealous, we must make it "our calling" to seek Him. We must "search Him out!" Investigate Him. Inquire and require of Him. It should become to us as the "Gold Medal" to one in the olympics. We must "run for the gold." In this is yes, agony, but in this is a refusal to give up. Are you striving for Him? Then run for the gold!
It is in my "diligent" seeking that He rewards me. My "diligent" search He rewards. Listen to a translation of this verse, J.B. Phillips states it: "God rewards those who search for Him..." Very simple, very plain. But in this. we can find a promise given to us, found in Proverbs 8:17.
I love them that love me, and those who seek me early shall find me.
He again is the answer to any and all my needs. I have no reason for complaints, I do have reason for praise. He is faithful and true.
This reward, what is it? The reward is God Himself. Genesis 15:1 says "I Am thy exceedingly great reward." Again, all we need is God. He is everything we need. So, are you diligent in your search for Him. He is waiting to reward you with Himself.
A new song we have recorded and been blessed with is called: "Recklessly Abandoned." A term not many have heard before. It is attached to one St. Francis of Assissi. He was a wealthy man, his family was in clothing, he had all he could ever desire. But threw it all away and took on a rough "toesack" habit for clothing. He lost all to "seek" the Saviour. He was recklessly abandoned unto Jesus. Are you willing to loose all to gain all? Loose all to have only Jesus? A true challenge to our faith. But the answer to diligent seeking. A very radical approach to living in the Spirit of Christ!!!
You see as the lyrics state: "I hear you calling me, calling me to change, You say to lay it all down and dont look back, Just come be recklessly abandoned with you.. I hear you saying to me, leave my all at the cross, you say just lay it there and dont take it back.. Just be recklessly abandoned with you..." In this I must be diligent. Seek Him, that is the key.....
Recently, while preparing to do a service, in prayer and in study, Hebrews 11:6 was the passage God was laying on my heart for this service. As I was meditating and contemplating this verse, I found that a word kept sticking out to me, "DILIGENTLY." Several times over this word seemed to be the basis of the whole upcoming service.
In a way, picking up from where recently leaving off with the last blog, "True Praise.." Listen and watch for the connections here. We stated, that when we know Him for Who He is, He is indeed the answer to any and every need we have. He is Lord, He is King, He is Saviour, He is healing, salvation, our source and our resource. We must believe in Who He is.
But this one word kept sticking out, "He is a rewarder of those who 'diligently' seek Him. In defining this word something comes to light that is encouraging as well as challenging. First off, it comes as a challenge to "make it our business" to seek Him. We must be earnest in our seeking, we must be forward in our seeking, zealous, we must make it "our calling" to seek Him. We must "search Him out!" Investigate Him. Inquire and require of Him. It should become to us as the "Gold Medal" to one in the olympics. We must "run for the gold." In this is yes, agony, but in this is a refusal to give up. Are you striving for Him? Then run for the gold!
It is in my "diligent" seeking that He rewards me. My "diligent" search He rewards. Listen to a translation of this verse, J.B. Phillips states it: "God rewards those who search for Him..." Very simple, very plain. But in this. we can find a promise given to us, found in Proverbs 8:17.
I love them that love me, and those who seek me early shall find me.
He again is the answer to any and all my needs. I have no reason for complaints, I do have reason for praise. He is faithful and true.
This reward, what is it? The reward is God Himself. Genesis 15:1 says "I Am thy exceedingly great reward." Again, all we need is God. He is everything we need. So, are you diligent in your search for Him. He is waiting to reward you with Himself.
A new song we have recorded and been blessed with is called: "Recklessly Abandoned." A term not many have heard before. It is attached to one St. Francis of Assissi. He was a wealthy man, his family was in clothing, he had all he could ever desire. But threw it all away and took on a rough "toesack" habit for clothing. He lost all to "seek" the Saviour. He was recklessly abandoned unto Jesus. Are you willing to loose all to gain all? Loose all to have only Jesus? A true challenge to our faith. But the answer to diligent seeking. A very radical approach to living in the Spirit of Christ!!!
You see as the lyrics state: "I hear you calling me, calling me to change, You say to lay it all down and dont look back, Just come be recklessly abandoned with you.. I hear you saying to me, leave my all at the cross, you say just lay it there and dont take it back.. Just be recklessly abandoned with you..." In this I must be diligent. Seek Him, that is the key.....
Monday, July 14, 2008
True Praise Does Not Complain
The title here on this blog, is a simple sentence that I recently came across. And how true these words, "True Praise Does Not Complain." True praise is thanksgiving, it is praising God for all the good and wonderful things He has done in our lives. With that, what would one have to complain about. In all reality, nothing, he has way more to be thankful for.
Hebrews 11:6 says something that we can use here. "Without faith it is impossible to please God. For he who comes to God must believe that He is......." Who is He to you? Is He Lord of lords, King of kings? Is he your healer? Is he your source? Your resource? Your deliverance? Your peace? Does He meet your needs? If you take time to look around you, you will find that He is way more than you may even think about. He has done wonderful things in and around your life. With that, does the words of thankfulness come from your heart, and off of your lips? If so, what do you have to complain about? Nothing, He has everything in control in and around your life.
Today, Thank Him, Praise Him!! He has done great things!!!!
Hebrews 11:6 says something that we can use here. "Without faith it is impossible to please God. For he who comes to God must believe that He is......." Who is He to you? Is He Lord of lords, King of kings? Is he your healer? Is he your source? Your resource? Your deliverance? Your peace? Does He meet your needs? If you take time to look around you, you will find that He is way more than you may even think about. He has done wonderful things in and around your life. With that, does the words of thankfulness come from your heart, and off of your lips? If so, what do you have to complain about? Nothing, He has everything in control in and around your life.
Today, Thank Him, Praise Him!! He has done great things!!!!
Thursday, October 11, 2007
A Word for Today!!
Just a note:
This morning was a wonderful time with God. Quiet, alone, and yet full of His presence. On my computer, I have a daily devotional, this has been in there for the longest, but on this day, I was greeted by the Lord through it, in a way I have never before seen. With this devotional, I take it as the Word of the Lord for today, a Word straight from God. It was simple, short, and to the point. All it said was.....
.........launch out into the deep.......... (Luke 5:4)
With that..... Enough said.
This morning was a wonderful time with God. Quiet, alone, and yet full of His presence. On my computer, I have a daily devotional, this has been in there for the longest, but on this day, I was greeted by the Lord through it, in a way I have never before seen. With this devotional, I take it as the Word of the Lord for today, a Word straight from God. It was simple, short, and to the point. All it said was.....
.........launch out into the deep.......... (Luke 5:4)
With that..... Enough said.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
