We ardently desire peace, but we are at war. We didn't start this action against us, no....satan, the accuser did, but the Lord Jesus will finish it, and we right there with Him, His soldiers. We are soldiers, but not like natural soldiers...we are highly specialized. We have been equipped by the Holy Spirit, given eyes to see things no night vision goggles can see, ears to hear things no super sensitive microphones can detect, a shield of faith that deflects missiles, wielding a sword of the spirit, the living and active Word of God, that slices through demonic onslaught with greater ease and power than a light saber in a Star Wars flick. We can launch prayers that are like guided missiles, going forth and not returning void, finding their designated targets in perfect timing.
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
Led by the Holy Spirit, we can identify, take captive, and destroy every pretense, breech and tear down every stronghold, and demolish every argument that tries to turn loose the "little foxes" (fear, hatred, misunderstandings, unforgiveness, and everything that hinders love) in our vineyards attempting to destroy the abiding vines (trust, hope, faith, belief on Christ alone)that we must have.
He trains my hands for battle;
my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
You give me your shield of victory,
and your right hand sustains me;
you stoop down to make me great.
JYou broaden the path beneath me,
so that my ankles do not turn.
I pursued my enemies and overtook them;
I did not turn back till they were destroyed.
I crushed them so that they could not rise;
they fell beneath my feet.
You armed me with strength for battle;
you made my adversaries bow at my feet.
Psalm 18:34-39
Beloved, love ferociously, advance forcefully...use the tremendous power we have at our disposal.
From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.
Matthew 11:12
We are the forceful.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Focal Point
"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
Colossians 3:17
We live in a culture of mediocrity, where excellence is a rarity. So often so many want to do so little-as little as possible-of what they must do, so they can move on to things that they want to do. Most people are dissatisfied with their jobs-what they do and who they work for, as well as being dissatisfied with other various aspects of their lives.
The reason?
It's human nature to naturally focus on ourselves-what makes us happy, feeding fleshly desires, and conversely, we also focus on that which makes us unhappy.
The Bible tells us that the pursuit of happiness and excellence in life-job performance and satisfaction, personal life and relationships, happens when Jesus is the center of everything we have, do, are. When we do it all, live for Him we exude and demonstrate excellence and the pursuit of happiness and excellence is found in focusing only on Jesus.
He is the Focal Point.
Colossians 3:17
We live in a culture of mediocrity, where excellence is a rarity. So often so many want to do so little-as little as possible-of what they must do, so they can move on to things that they want to do. Most people are dissatisfied with their jobs-what they do and who they work for, as well as being dissatisfied with other various aspects of their lives.
The reason?
It's human nature to naturally focus on ourselves-what makes us happy, feeding fleshly desires, and conversely, we also focus on that which makes us unhappy.
The Bible tells us that the pursuit of happiness and excellence in life-job performance and satisfaction, personal life and relationships, happens when Jesus is the center of everything we have, do, are. When we do it all, live for Him we exude and demonstrate excellence and the pursuit of happiness and excellence is found in focusing only on Jesus.
He is the Focal Point.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Return of the King/ Coronation Day
“Say to the Daughter of Zion,
‘See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’ ”
They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,
“Hosanna to the Son of David!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Hosanna in the highest!”
Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. “It is written,” he said to them, “ ‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it a ‘den of robbers.’”
The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them. But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple area, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they were indignant.
“Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked him.
“Yes,” replied Jesus, “have you never read,
“ ‘From the lips of children and infants
you have ordained praise’?” (Matthew 21:5, 7-9, 12-16 NIV84)
Most people will agree that God's plans are better than our own, but there is the question of who sits on the throne on our own lives- who is the real King?
When we surrender our hearts to the the Lord Jesus, He doesn't just come in and "occupy" us, He is ascending the Throne room that he created solely for His dwelling place; inside the Temple, in the Holy of Holies-deep within our hearts.
The term "occupy" has a flavor of temporarily taking control over something that doesn't rightfully belong to the occupier. This is the place that belongs to Him, this is the return of the King to his rightful throne. In my spirit lately I have been seeing Jesus storming into His house, His Temple(s), overturning everything that is unholy, out of order; everything that hinders love for Him and for others.
When Jesus came, He burned furiously with holy zeal and in the same way, Jesus also burns with zeal to be Lord of our lives-what's inside of our hearts. He doesn't just come in and turn over the tables, leaving wreckage behind, no, He rearranges everything -and that changes everything.
Beloved, is today Coronation Day?
‘See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’ ”
They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,
“Hosanna to the Son of David!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Hosanna in the highest!”
Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. “It is written,” he said to them, “ ‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it a ‘den of robbers.’”
The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them. But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple area, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they were indignant.
“Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked him.
“Yes,” replied Jesus, “have you never read,
“ ‘From the lips of children and infants
you have ordained praise’?” (Matthew 21:5, 7-9, 12-16 NIV84)
Most people will agree that God's plans are better than our own, but there is the question of who sits on the throne on our own lives- who is the real King?
When we surrender our hearts to the the Lord Jesus, He doesn't just come in and "occupy" us, He is ascending the Throne room that he created solely for His dwelling place; inside the Temple, in the Holy of Holies-deep within our hearts.
The term "occupy" has a flavor of temporarily taking control over something that doesn't rightfully belong to the occupier. This is the place that belongs to Him, this is the return of the King to his rightful throne. In my spirit lately I have been seeing Jesus storming into His house, His Temple(s), overturning everything that is unholy, out of order; everything that hinders love for Him and for others.
When Jesus came, He burned furiously with holy zeal and in the same way, Jesus also burns with zeal to be Lord of our lives-what's inside of our hearts. He doesn't just come in and turn over the tables, leaving wreckage behind, no, He rearranges everything -and that changes everything.
Beloved, is today Coronation Day?
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Thoughts/ Ascribing Glory
What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us."
A.W. Tozer, The Knowledge of The Holy
“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
~Jesus the Messiah, Mark 8:29a
What place in your thought life, your deepest places, does the Lord occupy? I'm not talking about what you say, but rather, does the Most High God occupy the highest place, front and center, in your heart, mind, soul, and spirit?
Ascribe to the Lord, O mighty ones,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.
The voice of the Lord is over the waters;
the God of glory thunders,
the Lord thunders over the mighty waters.
The voice of the Lord is powerful;
the voice of the Lord is majestic.
The voice of the Lord shakes the desert;
the Lord shakes the Desert of Kadesh.
The voice of the Lord twists the oaks
and strips the forests bare.
And in his temple all cry, “Glory!”
Psalm 29:1-4, 8, 9
Beloved, give the Lord His dues, He is our first and greatest, love Him furiously, be consumed with Zeal for Him- the same way that He burns with love for each of us.
A.W. Tozer, The Knowledge of The Holy
“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
~Jesus the Messiah, Mark 8:29a
What place in your thought life, your deepest places, does the Lord occupy? I'm not talking about what you say, but rather, does the Most High God occupy the highest place, front and center, in your heart, mind, soul, and spirit?
Ascribe to the Lord, O mighty ones,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.
The voice of the Lord is over the waters;
the God of glory thunders,
the Lord thunders over the mighty waters.
The voice of the Lord is powerful;
the voice of the Lord is majestic.
The voice of the Lord shakes the desert;
the Lord shakes the Desert of Kadesh.
The voice of the Lord twists the oaks
and strips the forests bare.
And in his temple all cry, “Glory!”
Psalm 29:1-4, 8, 9
Beloved, give the Lord His dues, He is our first and greatest, love Him furiously, be consumed with Zeal for Him- the same way that He burns with love for each of us.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Refreshment 159
"He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:25-31
In times of weariness, weakness, and dryness, refreshing and strengthening comes as we call on Him, and are reminded of the nature of our Lord. God, who is our Rock, our Help, our everything, as He comes in power, He makes it possible for us, those who believe and trust Him,
to dance on the heights, envigorated and refreshed.
Not only can we run this race, beloved, as we stay on course, but we will finish strong,
as we trust and hope in God alone.
and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:25-31
In times of weariness, weakness, and dryness, refreshing and strengthening comes as we call on Him, and are reminded of the nature of our Lord. God, who is our Rock, our Help, our everything, as He comes in power, He makes it possible for us, those who believe and trust Him,
to dance on the heights, envigorated and refreshed.
Not only can we run this race, beloved, as we stay on course, but we will finish strong,
as we trust and hope in God alone.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Potential 296
"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother”–which is the first commandment with a promise– “that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord."
Ephesians 6:1-4
In Eden, God warned Adam and Eve to stay away from the Trees of Knowledge and Life,
but He blessed them with everything else. All provisions, perfect health, ideal environment, even relationship face to face with God their Father. They were in a perfect world,and all they needed to do was to listen to the instruction of their Father and all would be well, but what happened?
At the first suggestion of the serpent/devil they gravitated to the only thing that was withheld from them, and it brought their perfect world crashing down. As a result they brought down on themselves and all mankind, hardship, corruption, separation from their Father and death.
Parenthood is daunting. We see reflections of Eden in the willful defiance of our children even from infancy. As parents we are charged with training up our kids in the "way they should go", but to do it with encouragement and discipline, the scriptures tell us "not to exasperate" our children- there is tremendous power in what we say to them. Our Father draws us with lovingkindness, the Holy Spirit will convict us when we fall, but who hears Him say things like: "you are dumb, ugly, stupid, lazy, worthless...you'll never amount to anything good"...?
No, God deals with us in love, He calls things into being that may yet to be manifested, our potential have not been brought into fruition yet.
As children, which we all have been and in a sense will always be with our heavenly Father, we must practice obedience, even if we don't always agree. Children tend to think that they are invincible, that nothing bad can happen to them...but this word is a commandment, not a suggestion. The following verse reads "so that it will go well with you", meaning that if we do not obey, things may not go well, and our very lives are at stake, in much the same way that Adam and Eve's futures were changed dramatically for the worst.
Today in whatever roles in our lives this word applies to, let us listen to the voice of the Father as well as our own fathers and mothers.
Our very lives may depend on it.
Ephesians 6:1-4
In Eden, God warned Adam and Eve to stay away from the Trees of Knowledge and Life,
but He blessed them with everything else. All provisions, perfect health, ideal environment, even relationship face to face with God their Father. They were in a perfect world,and all they needed to do was to listen to the instruction of their Father and all would be well, but what happened?
At the first suggestion of the serpent/devil they gravitated to the only thing that was withheld from them, and it brought their perfect world crashing down. As a result they brought down on themselves and all mankind, hardship, corruption, separation from their Father and death.
Parenthood is daunting. We see reflections of Eden in the willful defiance of our children even from infancy. As parents we are charged with training up our kids in the "way they should go", but to do it with encouragement and discipline, the scriptures tell us "not to exasperate" our children- there is tremendous power in what we say to them. Our Father draws us with lovingkindness, the Holy Spirit will convict us when we fall, but who hears Him say things like: "you are dumb, ugly, stupid, lazy, worthless...you'll never amount to anything good"...?
No, God deals with us in love, He calls things into being that may yet to be manifested, our potential have not been brought into fruition yet.
As children, which we all have been and in a sense will always be with our heavenly Father, we must practice obedience, even if we don't always agree. Children tend to think that they are invincible, that nothing bad can happen to them...but this word is a commandment, not a suggestion. The following verse reads "so that it will go well with you", meaning that if we do not obey, things may not go well, and our very lives are at stake, in much the same way that Adam and Eve's futures were changed dramatically for the worst.
Today in whatever roles in our lives this word applies to, let us listen to the voice of the Father as well as our own fathers and mothers.
Our very lives may depend on it.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Sex, Lies, and Liberty
We live in a culture of lies, fascades, deception and selfishness, and misinterpretations of biblical truths abound, particularly regarding definitions of liberty. Just as what became the norm in the declining era or ancient Greece, Rome, and Corinth, the jewel in the crown of this dark and Godless philosophy is what is called "sexual freedom". It is, however, nothing more than what the Bible warns us against perhaps more than any other sin: sexual immorality.
"Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more.
For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.
It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you. For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit. "
1 Thessalonians 4:1-8
HE WHO REJECTS THIS INSTRUCTION REJECTS GOD. IF THIS DOESN'T GET YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE SEEK COUNSELING AND PRAYER IMMEDIATELY.
There is something particularly insidious about sexual immorality, for a couple reasons that come to my mind in particular:(a) the loss of self control that in itself opens the flood gates to a whole host of other sins, and (b) because of the spiritual and emotional mechanisms that God has engineered to be beneficial to us in the act of marriage. Sex apart from marriage creates and maintains bonds between partners that were never intended of any relationship outside of marriage.
We are to be sanctified, set apart from the world for holy purposes, not joined to it! These ties are hard to break, with good reason, and so as people move about in promiscuity, disobeying God, they heap disaster on themselves, tie themselves to sinful relationships, unequal yokes...the end results are tremendous damages- physically(diseases), emotionally, and spiritually.
"But since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband. The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. The wife's body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband's body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife. Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self‑control."
1 Corinthians 7:2-5
The Word tells us that those of us who are married are not to be selfish, but to put the needs of their spouse above their own; we are not to use our bodies or sex as a weapon against the other, and we are not to deprive their spouses. When sex is withheld as punishment or as manipulation, or for whatever reason, this causes emotional distancing from one another, insecurity, anger, suspicion, jealousy, and opens the door to a variety of temptations, which can lead to sexual immorality-adultery.
“Everything is permissible for me”–but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me”–but I will not be mastered by anything. “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food”–but God will destroy them both. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.” But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit.
Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
1 Corinthians 6:12-20
Beloved, let us remember who we belong to, having been bought and paid for at an extremely high cost, His mark of ownership is on us... be sanctified and walk in holiness, love, giving thanks to Him who is worthy and has the best plan for each of us-as we obey Him.
This is where we find real freedom, liberty, and truth.
"Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more.
For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.
It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you. For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit. "
1 Thessalonians 4:1-8
HE WHO REJECTS THIS INSTRUCTION REJECTS GOD. IF THIS DOESN'T GET YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE SEEK COUNSELING AND PRAYER IMMEDIATELY.
There is something particularly insidious about sexual immorality, for a couple reasons that come to my mind in particular:(a) the loss of self control that in itself opens the flood gates to a whole host of other sins, and (b) because of the spiritual and emotional mechanisms that God has engineered to be beneficial to us in the act of marriage. Sex apart from marriage creates and maintains bonds between partners that were never intended of any relationship outside of marriage.
We are to be sanctified, set apart from the world for holy purposes, not joined to it! These ties are hard to break, with good reason, and so as people move about in promiscuity, disobeying God, they heap disaster on themselves, tie themselves to sinful relationships, unequal yokes...the end results are tremendous damages- physically(diseases), emotionally, and spiritually.
"But since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband. The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. The wife's body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband's body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife. Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self‑control."
1 Corinthians 7:2-5
The Word tells us that those of us who are married are not to be selfish, but to put the needs of their spouse above their own; we are not to use our bodies or sex as a weapon against the other, and we are not to deprive their spouses. When sex is withheld as punishment or as manipulation, or for whatever reason, this causes emotional distancing from one another, insecurity, anger, suspicion, jealousy, and opens the door to a variety of temptations, which can lead to sexual immorality-adultery.
“Everything is permissible for me”–but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me”–but I will not be mastered by anything. “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food”–but God will destroy them both. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.” But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit.
Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
1 Corinthians 6:12-20
Beloved, let us remember who we belong to, having been bought and paid for at an extremely high cost, His mark of ownership is on us... be sanctified and walk in holiness, love, giving thanks to Him who is worthy and has the best plan for each of us-as we obey Him.
This is where we find real freedom, liberty, and truth.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
The Divider 305
“I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed! Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother‑in‑law against daughter‑in‑law and daughter‑in‑law against mother‑in‑law.”
Luke 12:49-53
"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double‑edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account."
Hebrews 4:12, 13
When I was an atheist, the limited knowledge of the concept of Jesus and Christianity disturbed me deeply. Before my salvation experience, I was irked and annoyed by Him, even then my very thoughts were being divided within my spirit. My salvation divided me out from an unbelieving world, from an eternal damnation in a fiery hell into the glorious majestic Kingdom of God.
There is a saying that goes something like this: "avoid discussions involving politics and religion especially with family if you want to avoid fights and division." reread the very words of the Master in Luke 12! If you were raised in an unbelieving family, do you remember the reaction to your salvation, and what happened when you happily announced it to unbelievers, the reality of Jesus was thrust onto the scene, into your family and social life?
Jesus will cause instant consternation and division, overturning tables, bringing about a similar reaction as when Jesus confronted the raging demoniac possessed by legions of demons, or other demon possessed people, all "hell" breaking loose.
Jesus came to divide light from darkness, the spirit from the flesh, good from evil, belief from unbelief, sanctification means to be set apart-we are set apart for His purposes and good pleasure-we are to be divided from worldly and fleshly things.
We are no longer of this world, having become sojourners, strangers in a strange land.
When division and upheaval comes because of Jesus, joyfully embrace it (James 1), pray as the dust is swirling, He is at work, ruining old paradigms, dividing and trashing idols, fear, shame, unforgiveness, and all manner of sins, when everything settles, unity that comes through Jesus will prevail.
Luke 12:49-53
"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double‑edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account."
Hebrews 4:12, 13
When I was an atheist, the limited knowledge of the concept of Jesus and Christianity disturbed me deeply. Before my salvation experience, I was irked and annoyed by Him, even then my very thoughts were being divided within my spirit. My salvation divided me out from an unbelieving world, from an eternal damnation in a fiery hell into the glorious majestic Kingdom of God.
There is a saying that goes something like this: "avoid discussions involving politics and religion especially with family if you want to avoid fights and division." reread the very words of the Master in Luke 12! If you were raised in an unbelieving family, do you remember the reaction to your salvation, and what happened when you happily announced it to unbelievers, the reality of Jesus was thrust onto the scene, into your family and social life?
Jesus will cause instant consternation and division, overturning tables, bringing about a similar reaction as when Jesus confronted the raging demoniac possessed by legions of demons, or other demon possessed people, all "hell" breaking loose.
Jesus came to divide light from darkness, the spirit from the flesh, good from evil, belief from unbelief, sanctification means to be set apart-we are set apart for His purposes and good pleasure-we are to be divided from worldly and fleshly things.
We are no longer of this world, having become sojourners, strangers in a strange land.
When division and upheaval comes because of Jesus, joyfully embrace it (James 1), pray as the dust is swirling, He is at work, ruining old paradigms, dividing and trashing idols, fear, shame, unforgiveness, and all manner of sins, when everything settles, unity that comes through Jesus will prevail.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Words
Today I am convalescing and am meditating on God, and His Word, His Magnificence, His Holy Spirit. I am overtaken by all that Jesus is-our all in all. He is the solution to every problem, and salvation is found no where else, in no other Name under the heavens:
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’There is no commandment greater than these.” "
Mark 12:30, 31
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
He was with God in the beginning.
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
In him was life, and that life was the light of men."
John 1:1-4
"His left arm is under my head, and his right arm embraces me."
Song of Solomon 2:6
"In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple.
Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying.
And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty;
the whole earth is full of his glory.”
At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.
“Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined!
For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.”
Isaiah 6:1-5
"What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.
I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ."
Philippians 3:8
"But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall."
Malachi 4:2
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
Matthew 5:3-11
The more I seek Him, the more I find Him available and accessible.
He beckons to us to seek His Face, His fiery gaze is seeking to lock onto ours.
The greater the hunger and thirst, the greater the banquet, so sumptuous the feast He has set before us.
Do you feel His draw, the spiritual hunger and magnetism the communion that we are created for?
Either you understand me and say Amen, or this leaves you puzzled, thinking me a Jesus freak or perhaps even a fool.
Whichever your assessment, it is well with my soul.
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’There is no commandment greater than these.” "
Mark 12:30, 31
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
He was with God in the beginning.
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
In him was life, and that life was the light of men."
John 1:1-4
"His left arm is under my head, and his right arm embraces me."
Song of Solomon 2:6
"In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple.
Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying.
And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty;
the whole earth is full of his glory.”
At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.
“Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined!
For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.”
Isaiah 6:1-5
"What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.
I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ."
Philippians 3:8
"But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall."
Malachi 4:2
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
Matthew 5:3-11
The more I seek Him, the more I find Him available and accessible.
He beckons to us to seek His Face, His fiery gaze is seeking to lock onto ours.
The greater the hunger and thirst, the greater the banquet, so sumptuous the feast He has set before us.
Do you feel His draw, the spiritual hunger and magnetism the communion that we are created for?
Either you understand me and say Amen, or this leaves you puzzled, thinking me a Jesus freak or perhaps even a fool.
Whichever your assessment, it is well with my soul.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Foundations/ Moments of Truth
“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”
Luke 6:46-49
Feeding on the Word of God, and being disciples, and doing what Jesus commanded becomes critical especially in times of testing and trials...when the winds blow, and the shaking comes. The moments of truth...when foundations that have been prepared, and roots that have gone deep as a result of the Gardener's pruning and proper "feeding" will stand the testing. If you are a young believer, or have been spared up till your reading of this post, or you have gone through your share already, be rest assured: the trials will come,
BUILD AND FORTIFY YOUR FOUNDATIONS NOW.
These trials will come in many different forms: sickness, death of someone near you, financial issues, persecution as a Christian for your faith, marriage upheaval, prodigal children, governmental evil in the country you live in as Christians are more and more becoming targets.
Beloved, eat the scroll, feed upon His Word, as He is the Word.
To eat the scroll is as taking communion with Him...pray without ceasing.
Prepare to stand and stay standing in every moment of Truth and testing.
Luke 6:46-49
Feeding on the Word of God, and being disciples, and doing what Jesus commanded becomes critical especially in times of testing and trials...when the winds blow, and the shaking comes. The moments of truth...when foundations that have been prepared, and roots that have gone deep as a result of the Gardener's pruning and proper "feeding" will stand the testing. If you are a young believer, or have been spared up till your reading of this post, or you have gone through your share already, be rest assured: the trials will come,
BUILD AND FORTIFY YOUR FOUNDATIONS NOW.
These trials will come in many different forms: sickness, death of someone near you, financial issues, persecution as a Christian for your faith, marriage upheaval, prodigal children, governmental evil in the country you live in as Christians are more and more becoming targets.
Beloved, eat the scroll, feed upon His Word, as He is the Word.
To eat the scroll is as taking communion with Him...pray without ceasing.
Prepare to stand and stay standing in every moment of Truth and testing.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Invaluable 233
“What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety‑nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety‑nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost."
Matthew 18:12-14
The Lord never ceases to amaze me with His love that is uncompromising, furious, and relentless.
He will never accept the loss of any of his sheep, any prodigal, anyone who gets lost, so valuable are each of us to Him!
We are priceless to the Lord, we are the reward of His suffering.
How valuable is He to us?
He was betrayed for thirty pieces of silver, but He gave His life up for us,
He endured a horrible death on the cross, while we were yet sinners He died for us,
offering us eternal life for our choosing...because of His great love for us.
How can we not be compelled, and love Him in return?
Let us set our love upon Him-hearts, mind, body, soul, spirit...on Him, constantly and consistently.
Let us do no less.
Matthew 18:12-14
The Lord never ceases to amaze me with His love that is uncompromising, furious, and relentless.
He will never accept the loss of any of his sheep, any prodigal, anyone who gets lost, so valuable are each of us to Him!
We are priceless to the Lord, we are the reward of His suffering.
How valuable is He to us?
He was betrayed for thirty pieces of silver, but He gave His life up for us,
He endured a horrible death on the cross, while we were yet sinners He died for us,
offering us eternal life for our choosing...because of His great love for us.
How can we not be compelled, and love Him in return?
Let us set our love upon Him-hearts, mind, body, soul, spirit...on Him, constantly and consistently.
Let us do no less.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Resolve and Patience 303
Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains. You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing right at the door. As an example, brethren, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. We count those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord's dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.
James 5:7-11
There is no question that exercising patience, is one of the most difficult aspects of my life as a disciple, and most others as well.
The fact is that practicing patience is not a natural human trait.
We live in an instant gratification world, a world where twitter, Facebook, google and a huge river of data rushes around us; merchandisers hawk their wares, proclaiming that we don't need to wait, we can have it all now, and pay for it later, and then some. Who can even fathom the concept of a prophetic voice foretelling what would be realized 700, 400, or 100 years from now? The USA is only 236 years old, Plymouth Rock was landed not even 400 years ago. We are a people in a young civilization that is thin on resolve, endurance, and the concept of patience. Yet these are things that the Lord desires, I dare say requires we have, lest we go running away, falling short, at the first signs of disappointment, or stormy horizons.
We are to be patient until the coming of the Lord.
We have no idea, beloved, what this timeline looks like, but we need to know that the time is short. He will come, and when He does it will happen as a thief in the night, suddenly, but until then we are to strengthen our hearts, our resolve-and practice the art of patience.
James 5:7-11
There is no question that exercising patience, is one of the most difficult aspects of my life as a disciple, and most others as well.
The fact is that practicing patience is not a natural human trait.
We live in an instant gratification world, a world where twitter, Facebook, google and a huge river of data rushes around us; merchandisers hawk their wares, proclaiming that we don't need to wait, we can have it all now, and pay for it later, and then some. Who can even fathom the concept of a prophetic voice foretelling what would be realized 700, 400, or 100 years from now? The USA is only 236 years old, Plymouth Rock was landed not even 400 years ago. We are a people in a young civilization that is thin on resolve, endurance, and the concept of patience. Yet these are things that the Lord desires, I dare say requires we have, lest we go running away, falling short, at the first signs of disappointment, or stormy horizons.
We are to be patient until the coming of the Lord.
We have no idea, beloved, what this timeline looks like, but we need to know that the time is short. He will come, and when He does it will happen as a thief in the night, suddenly, but until then we are to strengthen our hearts, our resolve-and practice the art of patience.
Expressions of Love 297
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Galatians 5:1
For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
Galatians 5:13
But the one who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with Him. Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.
1 Corinthians 6:17-20
Spiritual freedom, freedom from sin, is gained when we join ourselves to the Lord. Jesus said that no one can serve two masters, that we will serve one and despise the other. The implication is that whether we admit to it or not we are always serving someone or something.
Freedom as a Christian can be misunderstood, and such misunderstandings have been occurring since the earliest church. Our freedom as disciples of Jesus means to do what He did and what He tells us to do- freedom from sin, but not to do whatever we feel like we want to do,Which is the spirit of this age, which means that our flesh, our bodies would then be the master over our spirit.
Discipline, from the term "disciple", means to a Christian that we walk in the Spirit, not according to flesh, we are spoken for by the Bridegroom. We are to love and serve one another, and if Jesus wouldn't take part in something then neither do we, especially since there is nothing done in secret that is unseen by our Creator God. We do not belong to ourselves, we belong to the Lord and He is holy. Jesus said that "He will be with us even to the end of the age"...
Let us remember that, beloved, in all times including hardship, testing, provision, and temptation.
We belong to Him.
Galatians 5:1
For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
Galatians 5:13
But the one who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with Him. Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.
1 Corinthians 6:17-20
Spiritual freedom, freedom from sin, is gained when we join ourselves to the Lord. Jesus said that no one can serve two masters, that we will serve one and despise the other. The implication is that whether we admit to it or not we are always serving someone or something.
Freedom as a Christian can be misunderstood, and such misunderstandings have been occurring since the earliest church. Our freedom as disciples of Jesus means to do what He did and what He tells us to do- freedom from sin, but not to do whatever we feel like we want to do,Which is the spirit of this age, which means that our flesh, our bodies would then be the master over our spirit.
Discipline, from the term "disciple", means to a Christian that we walk in the Spirit, not according to flesh, we are spoken for by the Bridegroom. We are to love and serve one another, and if Jesus wouldn't take part in something then neither do we, especially since there is nothing done in secret that is unseen by our Creator God. We do not belong to ourselves, we belong to the Lord and He is holy. Jesus said that "He will be with us even to the end of the age"...
Let us remember that, beloved, in all times including hardship, testing, provision, and temptation.
We belong to Him.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Preeminence 234
"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end."
Revelation 22:13
"...that in all things He would have preeminence."
Col.1:18
Recently I read an article by Stephen Venable from IHOP-KC that ignited something extraordinary in my spirit regarding beholding Jesus, or more aptly put, how we should behold Jesus.
Early this morning the Holy Spirit repeated in my Spirit, deep calling into really, really, deep, the word preeminent along with the scripture of Rev. 22:13.
The concept, or rather, the realization, of the greatness of the person and identity of Jesus, and how it affects our lives: actions, thoughts, attitudes, everything.
Jesus said that He is the beginning and the end, first and last...this applies not only to chronology/time, and sequences, but truly in everything. As we hunger and thirst, our fullness, satisfaction, contentment, and fulfillment are found in Him alone. I have found,though, if we are too casual, too familiar, as perhaps the Children of Israel who witnessed so many miracles in the desert may have become, Jesus may be trivialized or taken for granted.
Let us never forget for a moment who Jesus is, what He accomplished for our benefit, both in this life and the life to come, and let us behold Him, in all of His glory and magnificence, all the time, keeping Him as our one and only magnificent obsession.
He is more than worthy!
Revelation 22:13
"...that in all things He would have preeminence."
Col.1:18
Recently I read an article by Stephen Venable from IHOP-KC that ignited something extraordinary in my spirit regarding beholding Jesus, or more aptly put, how we should behold Jesus.
Early this morning the Holy Spirit repeated in my Spirit, deep calling into really, really, deep, the word preeminent along with the scripture of Rev. 22:13.
The concept, or rather, the realization, of the greatness of the person and identity of Jesus, and how it affects our lives: actions, thoughts, attitudes, everything.
Jesus said that He is the beginning and the end, first and last...this applies not only to chronology/time, and sequences, but truly in everything. As we hunger and thirst, our fullness, satisfaction, contentment, and fulfillment are found in Him alone. I have found,though, if we are too casual, too familiar, as perhaps the Children of Israel who witnessed so many miracles in the desert may have become, Jesus may be trivialized or taken for granted.
Let us never forget for a moment who Jesus is, what He accomplished for our benefit, both in this life and the life to come, and let us behold Him, in all of His glory and magnificence, all the time, keeping Him as our one and only magnificent obsession.
He is more than worthy!
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Too Many To Count 303
"Many, O Lord my God,
are the wonders you have done.
The things you planned for us
no one can recount to you;
were I to speak and tell of them,
they would be too many to declare."
Psalm 40:5
"So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge–that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."
Ephesians 3:17-19
Last night as I slept the Lord was speaking to me, reminding me of His faithfulness,
recounting His goodness to me.
So many are the wonders He has done for us, so many blessings, deliverance coming often at 11:59:59, beyond hope or expectations:
Providing my life partner, the spouse that is perfect for me, at a time I was not even looking for a mate,
Successful pregnancies, and beautiful children after a series of miscarriages and broken hearts,
Prodigal children who come home, falling in love with Jesus,
Serious diseases and illnesses healed against all the doctor's prognoses,
Finances miraculously provided, times and time again, when there was no prospect shortly before,
Protection from traffic accidents that damaged and destroyed other vehicles,
homes spared from hurricanes and tornados,
Restoring brokenness and dysfunction, and using us for His divine purposes,
And so many more...
Our Redeemer lives, and the plans He has for us are great ones.
Let us draw near to Him joyfully with thanksgiving, praising Him, dispelling fear, worry, doubt...his love for us deeper, wider, higher, and longer than we can imagine.
are the wonders you have done.
The things you planned for us
no one can recount to you;
were I to speak and tell of them,
they would be too many to declare."
Psalm 40:5
"So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge–that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."
Ephesians 3:17-19
Last night as I slept the Lord was speaking to me, reminding me of His faithfulness,
recounting His goodness to me.
So many are the wonders He has done for us, so many blessings, deliverance coming often at 11:59:59, beyond hope or expectations:
Providing my life partner, the spouse that is perfect for me, at a time I was not even looking for a mate,
Successful pregnancies, and beautiful children after a series of miscarriages and broken hearts,
Prodigal children who come home, falling in love with Jesus,
Serious diseases and illnesses healed against all the doctor's prognoses,
Finances miraculously provided, times and time again, when there was no prospect shortly before,
Protection from traffic accidents that damaged and destroyed other vehicles,
homes spared from hurricanes and tornados,
Restoring brokenness and dysfunction, and using us for His divine purposes,
And so many more...
Our Redeemer lives, and the plans He has for us are great ones.
Let us draw near to Him joyfully with thanksgiving, praising Him, dispelling fear, worry, doubt...his love for us deeper, wider, higher, and longer than we can imagine.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Fear and Trembling 298
"Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. "
Phil. 2;12-13
“… but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.”
Romans 8.13
Imagine these scenarios:
The phone rings, on the other end is an important client of yours. You and your employees have just finished renovating his home, and the client is now informing you that he is missing things, personal property, from his home. The possible fallout could ruin your reputation, your good name and integrity is at stake. The only possible person who had exposure and opportunity is a trusted employee and friend, a devout Christian who is actively involved in his congregation. Upon questioning him, he sheepishly admits stealing those items, but instead of coming clean, he lies about the circumstances, etc.
You turn on the news to see a breaking story about a prominent and trusted religious figure being accused of mismanaging his church's finances, or rampant rumors about his infidelity...
We have all seen the results of the wages of sin. Misdeeds of the body, orchestrated by a backslidden, proud, and/or arrogant mind, that has failed to take every vain, empty, and dark thought captive.
The scriptures say, "So as a man thinks, he becomes."
What is the result , the huge cost, to a person, to those around them, and even to those whom they don't personally know?
How weighty the concept: "WORK OUT YOUR SALVATION WITH FEAR AND TREMBLING." It is one thing to be responsible for your own eternal destiny, how much moreso, how heavy the responsibility for the salvation of others, and the eternal consequences of having kept precious souls from entering into heaven, those who have been driven from the arms of the Savior because of the pain and hurt caused by the fall of one that was so close, so trusted, so dear to them?
Let us draw near to Him, zealously pursuing ownership of "the mind of Christ", and being conscious of our responsibilities as we work out our salvation daily...we are our brother's keepers.
There but for the grace of God goes each of us.
Phil. 2;12-13
“… but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.”
Romans 8.13
Imagine these scenarios:
The phone rings, on the other end is an important client of yours. You and your employees have just finished renovating his home, and the client is now informing you that he is missing things, personal property, from his home. The possible fallout could ruin your reputation, your good name and integrity is at stake. The only possible person who had exposure and opportunity is a trusted employee and friend, a devout Christian who is actively involved in his congregation. Upon questioning him, he sheepishly admits stealing those items, but instead of coming clean, he lies about the circumstances, etc.
You turn on the news to see a breaking story about a prominent and trusted religious figure being accused of mismanaging his church's finances, or rampant rumors about his infidelity...
We have all seen the results of the wages of sin. Misdeeds of the body, orchestrated by a backslidden, proud, and/or arrogant mind, that has failed to take every vain, empty, and dark thought captive.
The scriptures say, "So as a man thinks, he becomes."
What is the result , the huge cost, to a person, to those around them, and even to those whom they don't personally know?
How weighty the concept: "WORK OUT YOUR SALVATION WITH FEAR AND TREMBLING." It is one thing to be responsible for your own eternal destiny, how much moreso, how heavy the responsibility for the salvation of others, and the eternal consequences of having kept precious souls from entering into heaven, those who have been driven from the arms of the Savior because of the pain and hurt caused by the fall of one that was so close, so trusted, so dear to them?
Let us draw near to Him, zealously pursuing ownership of "the mind of Christ", and being conscious of our responsibilities as we work out our salvation daily...we are our brother's keepers.
There but for the grace of God goes each of us.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Focus
"Now as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. And He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. Going on from there He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and He called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him."
Matthew 4:18-22
"Another of the disciples said to Him, "Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father." But Jesus said to him, "Follow Me, and allow the dead to bury their own dead." When He got into the boat, His disciples followed Him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being covered with the waves; but Jesus Himself was asleep. And they came to Him and woke Him, saying, "Save us, Lord; we are perishing!" He said to them, "Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?" Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it became perfectly calm.
Matthew 8:21-27
I find it interesting that although Matthew's Gospel records some of the disciples, upon hearing Jesus' beckoning them, immediately left their livelihoods, and followed the Lord, but just a short time later it seems that the cares of the world ("Permit me to go bury my father...") and unbelief ("why are you afraid, you of little faith?")had crept in.
In all honesty, I find the same challenges in my own walk, as I continue to run this lifelong marathon.
The Holy Spirit reminds me though: "Do not look at what is behind you, forge ahead, don't look to the left or the right, as taking your eyes off the prize will cause you to veer off your intended course."
The parakletos also reminds me (us)not to think with a worldly mindset, especially in difficult times; we are to stay focused, walk by faith, and not by sight.
Matthew 4:18-22
"Another of the disciples said to Him, "Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father." But Jesus said to him, "Follow Me, and allow the dead to bury their own dead." When He got into the boat, His disciples followed Him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being covered with the waves; but Jesus Himself was asleep. And they came to Him and woke Him, saying, "Save us, Lord; we are perishing!" He said to them, "Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?" Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it became perfectly calm.
Matthew 8:21-27
I find it interesting that although Matthew's Gospel records some of the disciples, upon hearing Jesus' beckoning them, immediately left their livelihoods, and followed the Lord, but just a short time later it seems that the cares of the world ("Permit me to go bury my father...") and unbelief ("why are you afraid, you of little faith?")had crept in.
In all honesty, I find the same challenges in my own walk, as I continue to run this lifelong marathon.
The Holy Spirit reminds me though: "Do not look at what is behind you, forge ahead, don't look to the left or the right, as taking your eyes off the prize will cause you to veer off your intended course."
The parakletos also reminds me (us)not to think with a worldly mindset, especially in difficult times; we are to stay focused, walk by faith, and not by sight.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Figuring It Out 237
"I'm so alone.": Headline cover quote of Kim Kardashian, Life Style Magazine.
I’ve been chasin’ the wind
Trying hard to win
A race I was never meant to run
Seeking for selfish gain
All the while using Your name
As a stool to stand upon
To hear mine proclaimed
"So many wasted days I’ve spent living for the dream
Seeking a life of comfort no matter what the means
So many wasted days I’ve spent living for the dream
Until I finally realized that life isn’t what it seems
I finally got it figured out, true happiness can only be given by You
Jesus, most joyful man I finally got it figured out, my goal, sole purpose
Is to be loved by You and to love You in return
All that was to my gain I count it now as loss
For the sake of knowing You, Jesus, I forget what lies behind
I press on to win the prize there is so much more of You, that I have to know
There is so much more of me, that’s left to give"
"Chasing, by Justin Rizzo
We live in a culture where success is measured in dollars, the posh and luxurious life. As I was at the grocery store yesterday I saw the headline above: Kim Kardashian's sad statement about being all alone. Here is a young woman with material success, fame, posh living, but she is hounded by emptiness, sadness, loneliness. I hear it and see it over and over again: the pinnacle of fame and wealth is attained, the ability to acquire every material thing along with it.
But from the depths of their souls this question is shouted:
"IS THAT ALL THERE IS?"
Beloved, the only Way to true happiness is found in Jesus,
salvation is found in no other name under the heavens or on this earth.
Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."
We live for one purpose: To love....To love the Lord our God with everything we are-all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to be loved by Him, and to love our neighbors as ourselves.
To know our Heavenly Father/Master/Bridegroom is to love him, and to love Him, is to embrace His commandments, His word, and be led by the Holy Spirit, not our fleshly religious spirits.
To know God as revealed through His Holy Spirit and His Word, to walk with Him and hear His voice, and have the blessed assurance of eternity with Him when this life is over is the greatest treasure. Everything else is like garbage, worthless by comparison.
Lay up treasures in heaven which cannot rust, decay, or be stolen.
I’ve been chasin’ the wind
Trying hard to win
A race I was never meant to run
Seeking for selfish gain
All the while using Your name
As a stool to stand upon
To hear mine proclaimed
"So many wasted days I’ve spent living for the dream
Seeking a life of comfort no matter what the means
So many wasted days I’ve spent living for the dream
Until I finally realized that life isn’t what it seems
I finally got it figured out, true happiness can only be given by You
Jesus, most joyful man I finally got it figured out, my goal, sole purpose
Is to be loved by You and to love You in return
All that was to my gain I count it now as loss
For the sake of knowing You, Jesus, I forget what lies behind
I press on to win the prize there is so much more of You, that I have to know
There is so much more of me, that’s left to give"
"Chasing, by Justin Rizzo
We live in a culture where success is measured in dollars, the posh and luxurious life. As I was at the grocery store yesterday I saw the headline above: Kim Kardashian's sad statement about being all alone. Here is a young woman with material success, fame, posh living, but she is hounded by emptiness, sadness, loneliness. I hear it and see it over and over again: the pinnacle of fame and wealth is attained, the ability to acquire every material thing along with it.
But from the depths of their souls this question is shouted:
"IS THAT ALL THERE IS?"
Beloved, the only Way to true happiness is found in Jesus,
salvation is found in no other name under the heavens or on this earth.
Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."
We live for one purpose: To love....To love the Lord our God with everything we are-all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to be loved by Him, and to love our neighbors as ourselves.
To know our Heavenly Father/Master/Bridegroom is to love him, and to love Him, is to embrace His commandments, His word, and be led by the Holy Spirit, not our fleshly religious spirits.
To know God as revealed through His Holy Spirit and His Word, to walk with Him and hear His voice, and have the blessed assurance of eternity with Him when this life is over is the greatest treasure. Everything else is like garbage, worthless by comparison.
Lay up treasures in heaven which cannot rust, decay, or be stolen.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
All Consuming Fire 235
"The Son, radiant Image of the Father's glory, proclaimed that He had come to cast a fire upon the earth and that He longed for it to burst into blaze. It was in the form of fiery tongues that the Holy Spirit of Pentecost descended upon a timorous group of men and women. Their minds and hearts having been enkindled with a burning love and ardent zeal, those who received the Spirit sparked the astonishing transformation of an unbelieving and corrupt civilization into a community of faith and love.
In our day the divine fire has not been extinguished. The consuming conflagration has not been contained.the proven incapacity of committees and clubs, speeches and surveys, electronics and entertainment profoundly and and permanently to change vast numbers of people for the better has to be conceded. As the experience of the centuries attests, true transformations in the world and in the Church continue to come only about through the intervention of men and women on fire- that is, through saints.
The evidence is overwhelming. It is alo widely ignored, for it contains an otherworldly wisdom that this world does not welcome. indeed at this very moment, deep and lasting changes in the Church are being brought about by a faithful few who are burning interiorly as a consequence of the deep prayer given by the Holy Spirit, who renews the face of the earth in ways other than our own. These quiet, humble, unassuming individuals seldom write position papers, and are not likely to appear on controversial television talk shows or to attract frontage headlines. They are not identified with an "ism" and they care nothing for a life of luxury or notoriety...they are like the saints that have always been...the burning ones are the unflickering light of the world, the savory salt of the earth, the lively leaven in the mass."
- Thomas Dubay, FIRE WITHIN
“I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!"
Luke 12:49
There is a fire that is burning in the hearts of those who hunger and thirst after the "All Consuming Fire", and this fire is being released across the earth, in the hearts of saints everywhere. There is a breakthrough coming as everyday people who are tired of "same old same old" are diving deeper, acknowleding the call to prayer and the desire to imitate Jesus, their dried out souls are perfect kindling for the Holy Spirit to ignite the fire within them, to set ablaze their inner man. A generation tired of tv shows, movies, and all manner of entertainment, who are beholding Jesus in all His magnificence are burning, hungering, and thirsting for the only One who will ever satisfy us.
Today beloved, if you are wondering what has been missing, if you are hungering and thirsting, shut down those distractions, get away into your prayer closet, confess your dryness and emptiness, ask for His Spirit to be poured out without measure and get ready to receive it.
In our day the divine fire has not been extinguished. The consuming conflagration has not been contained.the proven incapacity of committees and clubs, speeches and surveys, electronics and entertainment profoundly and and permanently to change vast numbers of people for the better has to be conceded. As the experience of the centuries attests, true transformations in the world and in the Church continue to come only about through the intervention of men and women on fire- that is, through saints.
The evidence is overwhelming. It is alo widely ignored, for it contains an otherworldly wisdom that this world does not welcome. indeed at this very moment, deep and lasting changes in the Church are being brought about by a faithful few who are burning interiorly as a consequence of the deep prayer given by the Holy Spirit, who renews the face of the earth in ways other than our own. These quiet, humble, unassuming individuals seldom write position papers, and are not likely to appear on controversial television talk shows or to attract frontage headlines. They are not identified with an "ism" and they care nothing for a life of luxury or notoriety...they are like the saints that have always been...the burning ones are the unflickering light of the world, the savory salt of the earth, the lively leaven in the mass."
- Thomas Dubay, FIRE WITHIN
“I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!"
Luke 12:49
There is a fire that is burning in the hearts of those who hunger and thirst after the "All Consuming Fire", and this fire is being released across the earth, in the hearts of saints everywhere. There is a breakthrough coming as everyday people who are tired of "same old same old" are diving deeper, acknowleding the call to prayer and the desire to imitate Jesus, their dried out souls are perfect kindling for the Holy Spirit to ignite the fire within them, to set ablaze their inner man. A generation tired of tv shows, movies, and all manner of entertainment, who are beholding Jesus in all His magnificence are burning, hungering, and thirsting for the only One who will ever satisfy us.
Today beloved, if you are wondering what has been missing, if you are hungering and thirsting, shut down those distractions, get away into your prayer closet, confess your dryness and emptiness, ask for His Spirit to be poured out without measure and get ready to receive it.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Falling Like Flies/Remembering The Heights
Tonight my wife and I ran across the names of people we once attended church with, we found them on youTube- they are musicians, and once led worship at our former church.
On their website their music is all secular, there is a video about the story of their lives, and there is no mention of God, their former(?)faith...nothing.
Remember the heights from which you have fallen.
I wish this were a rare story, but as I take a look around I see the wreckage of once strong Christian lives scattered and strewn about like the once powerful Egyptian armies after the Israeli Defense Forces destroyed them in the Six Day War, leaving nothing but carnage behind.
A valley of dry bones.
"Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved."
Matthew 24:12, 13
Take a look around...if you have been walking with the Lord, running this race, been in "the Lord's army" for a while I am sure you can relate. Many have been deceived, fallen from the heights, backslidden and fallen out of relationship with their First Love:
"Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place."
Revelation 2:4, 5
When a season of refining and pruning comes, when we stumble and fall down, when we have opened doors that we know should never have been unsealed, we get back up,repent, close those doors and nail them shut, take a deep breath, cast aside fear, discouragement, unforgiveness, hatred, lust, unbelief, we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. We continue to "eat the scroll", stay in His Holy Word daily, we keep on praying and seeking Him....he who endures to the end will be saved. HE WHO ENDURES TO THE END WILL BE SAVED.
This implies that those who do not endure to the end will be lost...LOST!
There is nothing in this world that will give lasting satisfaction-ever.
There is no other place to go to, no other name under heaven by which we can or will be saved.
The only one we must be surrendered to, and stay that way, is the Lord Jesus;
His will, His ways, not our own.
Beloved, do not turn to the left or the right, stayed focused on the Lord Jesus, all day, everyday, He is to be our Magnificent Obsession...it is no different for us in this regard than it was for the children of Israel, in every generation,
we are being warned to love and worship the Lord our God only.
Be bold and courageous, love fiercely, be vigilant and wary against the wiles of our enemy, do not tread where Christians aren't supposed to go, crucify those dark secrets no one knows about except Jesus, remember that we are in an ongoing war till the end that we will win but-
We must never never never never never give up.
Vance Havner said, "Show me a Christian whose Bible is falling apart, and I'll show you a Christian whose life isn't."
On their website their music is all secular, there is a video about the story of their lives, and there is no mention of God, their former(?)faith...nothing.
Remember the heights from which you have fallen.
I wish this were a rare story, but as I take a look around I see the wreckage of once strong Christian lives scattered and strewn about like the once powerful Egyptian armies after the Israeli Defense Forces destroyed them in the Six Day War, leaving nothing but carnage behind.
A valley of dry bones.
"Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved."
Matthew 24:12, 13
Take a look around...if you have been walking with the Lord, running this race, been in "the Lord's army" for a while I am sure you can relate. Many have been deceived, fallen from the heights, backslidden and fallen out of relationship with their First Love:
"Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place."
Revelation 2:4, 5
When a season of refining and pruning comes, when we stumble and fall down, when we have opened doors that we know should never have been unsealed, we get back up,repent, close those doors and nail them shut, take a deep breath, cast aside fear, discouragement, unforgiveness, hatred, lust, unbelief, we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. We continue to "eat the scroll", stay in His Holy Word daily, we keep on praying and seeking Him....he who endures to the end will be saved. HE WHO ENDURES TO THE END WILL BE SAVED.
This implies that those who do not endure to the end will be lost...LOST!
There is nothing in this world that will give lasting satisfaction-ever.
There is no other place to go to, no other name under heaven by which we can or will be saved.
The only one we must be surrendered to, and stay that way, is the Lord Jesus;
His will, His ways, not our own.
Beloved, do not turn to the left or the right, stayed focused on the Lord Jesus, all day, everyday, He is to be our Magnificent Obsession...it is no different for us in this regard than it was for the children of Israel, in every generation,
we are being warned to love and worship the Lord our God only.
Be bold and courageous, love fiercely, be vigilant and wary against the wiles of our enemy, do not tread where Christians aren't supposed to go, crucify those dark secrets no one knows about except Jesus, remember that we are in an ongoing war till the end that we will win but-
We must never never never never never give up.
Vance Havner said, "Show me a Christian whose Bible is falling apart, and I'll show you a Christian whose life isn't."
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Picking and Choosing 236
"Has the LORD as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices
As in obeying the voice of the LORD?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
And to heed than the fat of rams.
For rebellion is like the sin of divination,
and arrogance like the evil of idolatry."
1 Samuel 15:22-23a
Although Saul made many sacrifices on the altar to God, he had failed to obey the word of the Lord in its entirety. In this passage (1 Samuel 15) he succumbed to the will of the people, choosing to have selective obedience, picking and choosing from what he had been commanded to do by the Lord.
Selective obedience also means selective disobedience.
What are synonyms for disobedience?
Rebellion...arrogance...pride...these are the seeds of the harvest of downfall and destruction, individually and corporately.
I heard Lou Engle ask the question, "What if Jesus had chosen to be selectively disobedient on just one point? What if He chose to turn the stone into bread (which He was capable of) at the devil's command?
The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Matthew 4:3-4
Just as Saul's kingship was torn away from him, Jesus' authority would've been tainted, nullified, because of sin, and our salvation shattered.
Jesus, the Son of the Living God, understands total obedience, and we can too. The Lord Jesus pronounced over us, " Greater things than these shall you do" ...
Beloved, listen to the voice of the Good Shepherd, do not shrink back.
Total obedience is the requirement.
Do not trivialize or diminish the commands of the Lord, or any prophetic word spoken over you, even if it was years ago but has not been fulfilled yet.
Obedience is better than sacrifice.
As in obeying the voice of the LORD?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
And to heed than the fat of rams.
For rebellion is like the sin of divination,
and arrogance like the evil of idolatry."
1 Samuel 15:22-23a
Although Saul made many sacrifices on the altar to God, he had failed to obey the word of the Lord in its entirety. In this passage (1 Samuel 15) he succumbed to the will of the people, choosing to have selective obedience, picking and choosing from what he had been commanded to do by the Lord.
Selective obedience also means selective disobedience.
What are synonyms for disobedience?
Rebellion...arrogance...pride...these are the seeds of the harvest of downfall and destruction, individually and corporately.
I heard Lou Engle ask the question, "What if Jesus had chosen to be selectively disobedient on just one point? What if He chose to turn the stone into bread (which He was capable of) at the devil's command?
The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Matthew 4:3-4
Just as Saul's kingship was torn away from him, Jesus' authority would've been tainted, nullified, because of sin, and our salvation shattered.
Jesus, the Son of the Living God, understands total obedience, and we can too. The Lord Jesus pronounced over us, " Greater things than these shall you do" ...
Beloved, listen to the voice of the Good Shepherd, do not shrink back.
Total obedience is the requirement.
Do not trivialize or diminish the commands of the Lord, or any prophetic word spoken over you, even if it was years ago but has not been fulfilled yet.
Obedience is better than sacrifice.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
The Plumb Line
Recently I watched a movie about a well known wealthy movie producer, Tom Shadyac, who had a traumatic concussion. The injury caused medical and mental conditions that he eventually recovered from, but these events caused him To take a look around, and to ask profound life questions:
A) What is wrong with the world we live in? and B) What can I do about it?
These are important questions but in all of this and his quest for answers and truth, he still missed it.
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God– children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God."
John 1:1-4, 10-13
Jesus *said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.
John 14:6
Tom visited with all types of spiritual people, philosophers and scientists.
But he never asked more basic profound existential questions:
"Who am I, what is my purpose, why was I created"
"How did all of this get here?
"What is real peace and fulfillment and where is it found?"
In this film he never expresses thoughts about God.
Jesus is the beginning, and He is the end, the Alpha and the Omega!
He created all things, maintains all things, He is the foundation, plumb line, Cornerstone,
He is everything. But that is just the "tip of the iceberg"... We are His masterpiece, His greatest creation, He didn't just make us because He was bored, the Lord created us to commune with Him, and dwell in relationship, face to face, heart to heart, with Him.
We can love, because He loved us first, and it was because of His great love for us that He endured the shame and pain of the cross.
This was the point of breakthrough for me, as I believe it will be for Tom, when I was looking for the answers to those mysterious profound questions. The Lord Jesus' great love for me, how desperately and jealouly He loves us, and how He is mindful of each of us, even while we are/were yet "far away from home".
Abundant, joyful, fulfilled living is wrapped up in relationship with Jesus. Only He can satisfy, sweeping away disillusion, deception, emptiness, satisfying our deepest cravings, the last piece of the puzzle we call "life".
A) What is wrong with the world we live in? and B) What can I do about it?
These are important questions but in all of this and his quest for answers and truth, he still missed it.
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God– children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God."
John 1:1-4, 10-13
Jesus *said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.
John 14:6
Tom visited with all types of spiritual people, philosophers and scientists.
But he never asked more basic profound existential questions:
"Who am I, what is my purpose, why was I created"
"How did all of this get here?
"What is real peace and fulfillment and where is it found?"
In this film he never expresses thoughts about God.
Jesus is the beginning, and He is the end, the Alpha and the Omega!
He created all things, maintains all things, He is the foundation, plumb line, Cornerstone,
He is everything. But that is just the "tip of the iceberg"... We are His masterpiece, His greatest creation, He didn't just make us because He was bored, the Lord created us to commune with Him, and dwell in relationship, face to face, heart to heart, with Him.
We can love, because He loved us first, and it was because of His great love for us that He endured the shame and pain of the cross.
This was the point of breakthrough for me, as I believe it will be for Tom, when I was looking for the answers to those mysterious profound questions. The Lord Jesus' great love for me, how desperately and jealouly He loves us, and how He is mindful of each of us, even while we are/were yet "far away from home".
Abundant, joyful, fulfilled living is wrapped up in relationship with Jesus. Only He can satisfy, sweeping away disillusion, deception, emptiness, satisfying our deepest cravings, the last piece of the puzzle we call "life".
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Excellence
"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."
1 Corinthians 10:31
Jesus said, "By their fruit you will know them."
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self‑control.
How do all these things combine to manifest in our lives?
What will others see in us in the marketplace, offices, construction sites, classrooms, highways, malls, wherever our workplace is, wherever we happen to be?
Jesus is our King ...We call Him Lord, He is to be our Master in all we do and pursue....our excellence for the Most Excellent One, our best, our utmost for His Highest.
Today, let God's glory shine through you and in you, through every word that comes from your mouth, and through every action, no matter how seemingly trivial, let it shout:
UNTO YOU LORD, MY UTMOST FOR YOU, MY MASTER, MY KING, YOU ARE WORTHY
1 Corinthians 10:31
Jesus said, "By their fruit you will know them."
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self‑control.
How do all these things combine to manifest in our lives?
What will others see in us in the marketplace, offices, construction sites, classrooms, highways, malls, wherever our workplace is, wherever we happen to be?
Jesus is our King ...We call Him Lord, He is to be our Master in all we do and pursue....our excellence for the Most Excellent One, our best, our utmost for His Highest.
Today, let God's glory shine through you and in you, through every word that comes from your mouth, and through every action, no matter how seemingly trivial, let it shout:
UNTO YOU LORD, MY UTMOST FOR YOU, MY MASTER, MY KING, YOU ARE WORTHY
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
The Search
My testimony goes something like this: as an atheist I chased relationships, constantly hunting for the one that would satisfy that gaping chasm of a hole inside of me, that would give me a lasting sense of completeness, value, worth...and give me the answer to the question of why I was created and who I am.
The thing is that the more intimate relationships I had, the bigger that hole got, and I didn't realize it at the time, but the search was getting more desperate, I was getting more desperate. There was great personal expense: divorce, hepatitis B transmitted through intimate contact, ulcers, emotion scars, and physical ones, too, from fits of rage, and self mutilation.
I could deny everything that had anything to do with God, but when I finally surrendered in the end, after exhausting every other possibility, it was the Lord that was there to catch me, and falling into His arms in faith, and trusting Him, I realized the Answer, and the fact that it was right in front of me the whole time.
I was created to dwell in relationship with Him first, and this Holy ordained relationship is the only one that could fill this chasm, finally my search was over.
"The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities–his eternal power and divine nature–have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.
Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator–who is forever praised. Amen.
Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.
Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God‑haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.
Romans 1:18-32
The thing is that the more intimate relationships I had, the bigger that hole got, and I didn't realize it at the time, but the search was getting more desperate, I was getting more desperate. There was great personal expense: divorce, hepatitis B transmitted through intimate contact, ulcers, emotion scars, and physical ones, too, from fits of rage, and self mutilation.
I could deny everything that had anything to do with God, but when I finally surrendered in the end, after exhausting every other possibility, it was the Lord that was there to catch me, and falling into His arms in faith, and trusting Him, I realized the Answer, and the fact that it was right in front of me the whole time.
I was created to dwell in relationship with Him first, and this Holy ordained relationship is the only one that could fill this chasm, finally my search was over.
"The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities–his eternal power and divine nature–have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.
Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator–who is forever praised. Amen.
Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.
Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God‑haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.
Romans 1:18-32
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