As you continue to press towards God in Christ Jesus, you will continue to have to let people have their opinion of you change and not fight back. When we fight against those who call us out, we allow them to have a reason to hate us. "Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth", (Romans 8:33). When God uses us to move in the earth and people take an offense the worst thing we can do is fight back. When we fight back, we give the person and spirit controlling them a way out. See the fight that they are facing is with the Lord, not us!!! When we get in our feelings and lash back we become the one that they take offense to and not the Spirit of the Lord. Now, they will have offense with us, but our job is to insure that it is not because of anything we have said or done outside of the Will of our Father. The main argument they will have is, "Who has given you the authority to do the things you are doing or say the things you are saying? We have to respond just as our Savior did.
Matthew 21:
The Authority of Jesus Questioned
23 Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you this authority?”
24Jesus replied, “I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 25John’s baptism—where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or of human origin?”
They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ 26But if we say, ‘Of human origin’—we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet.”
27So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.”
Then he said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.
The religious people of Jesus’ day are the same in this day and age. They have to challenge the messenger because they know they cannot challenge the source of the message!!! The reason why man will not accept the word of God that comes from His children is because they know if they acknowledge this word as being from God they must respond properly to it!!! People want to look righteous but not actually go through the process of sanctification. It will cost them more than they are willing to give up, so they must seek to attack and extinguish the messenger. By fighting back out of our flesh we give people the ability to turn the offense from the source of God, and rightly place it on us. When Jesus challenged the counsel of Jews and asked them why they never arrested Him in the open temple while he was teaching, the truth was because they had no charge. Even Pilate saw that there was no real charge laid to Jesus and tried to let him go numerous times. Be not worried or dismayed when they talk, for this is the call upon your life!!! Be the light in the midst of the darkness, the least amongst all, and your treasure will be great from the Father who sees your heart and your good works. Do not faint!!! Be encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of enjoying the same persecutions as your Savior Jesus Christ did on purpose!!!!!
Matthew 13
A Prophet Without Honor
53 When Jesus had finished these parables, he moved on from there. 54 Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” they asked. 55 “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? 56 Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” 57 And they took offense at him.
But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town and in his own home.”
58 And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.
Matthew 16
Peter Declares That Jesus Is the Messiah
13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”
14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter,[b] and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades[c] will not overcome it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be[d] bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be[e] loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
Romans 8
14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Soldiers of God
Ever ready for the Charge
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Let Them Talk!!! Volume 1, Issue 3
After getting over the hurt of friends and family rejecting your sanctification and rejecting you in relationship, you find refuge in the local church. You find welcomed arms and like minded people with hope and joy in their eyes. As you continue to go through your process, you will start to find even those who claim to be followers of Christ not so like minded. While we are all in the process of sanctification and will continue to be until our Savior returns or we take our last breath, there are some people that you will find have settled for something less than God and our Savior Jesus Christ. For those who struggle with earning their salvation and then those who struggle with keeping their salvation through human effort, you will battle with this "religious spirit" for the rest of your journey in Christ. When you have been set free by our Lord and Savior, you will come to find out that there is nothing you can do as far as a work in order to earn God's grace or to keep it upon your life. You learn that His Grace is a GIFT and that any attempts to earn it through works defeats the point of Christ dieing on the Cross. A saint's works are simply an assignment given from the God, to be accomplished in God's timing, through the Holy Spirit that resides in the saint, so that no man may boast!!!
So practically you will find that you will start to see people's actions differently and your own actions will start to be motivated out of a motive from God. You will start to discern when actions that people commit will come from a soulish place (out from a selfish motive) or from the Holy Spirit. People will then see your response to this discernment and start to once again separate from you. There are many reasons to justify separating from a saint that people use in the church. The Holy Spirit bares witness in a saint to everything that God is doing around them. The Spirit gives us eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart to understand the things of the Kingdom of Heaven. When you start to see things and hear things that others don't and you respond to them, the religious spirit seek to separate you from the rest of the sheep. We see in the scriptures that our Savior didn't have many issues coming from the gentiles (or the unsaved people in the world), they came from the people who he came to save, the Jews in the church. When the Spirit of God exposes the motives and darkness of the religious spirits, a separation must take place. In this country we experience a separation in relationship, being talked about with rumors being spread, and maybe even being asked to leave a church. In other countries people are still being beaten, publically humiliated, imprisoned, and put to death. As we continue to grow in Christ and He be revealed in us through His Holy Spirit, this is the cross we will bear. We will have to choose each day to let people talk, pray for them, love them, and continue to be a light!!! The joy of bearing the cross is that God will always have at least one saint in each season of your life running the race with you. You will find your comfort in Christ and the few companions that God has allowed to walk through this season with you. The whole point is that this process is not a foreign one to God's elect and you are not the only saint going through it right now!!! May this comfort you as you continue to press towards the mark of your high calling in Christ!!! Be encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of enjoying the same persecutions as your Savior Jesus Christ did on purpose!!!!!
Matthew 13
A Prophet Without Honor
53 When Jesus had finished these parables, he moved on from there. 54 Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” they asked. 55 “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? 56 Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” 57 And they took offense at him.
But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town and in his own home.”
58 And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.
Matthew 16
Peter Declares That Jesus Is the Messiah
13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”
14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter,[b] and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades[c] will not overcome it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be[d] bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be[e] loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
Romans 8
14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
So practically you will find that you will start to see people's actions differently and your own actions will start to be motivated out of a motive from God. You will start to discern when actions that people commit will come from a soulish place (out from a selfish motive) or from the Holy Spirit. People will then see your response to this discernment and start to once again separate from you. There are many reasons to justify separating from a saint that people use in the church. The Holy Spirit bares witness in a saint to everything that God is doing around them. The Spirit gives us eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart to understand the things of the Kingdom of Heaven. When you start to see things and hear things that others don't and you respond to them, the religious spirit seek to separate you from the rest of the sheep. We see in the scriptures that our Savior didn't have many issues coming from the gentiles (or the unsaved people in the world), they came from the people who he came to save, the Jews in the church. When the Spirit of God exposes the motives and darkness of the religious spirits, a separation must take place. In this country we experience a separation in relationship, being talked about with rumors being spread, and maybe even being asked to leave a church. In other countries people are still being beaten, publically humiliated, imprisoned, and put to death. As we continue to grow in Christ and He be revealed in us through His Holy Spirit, this is the cross we will bear. We will have to choose each day to let people talk, pray for them, love them, and continue to be a light!!! The joy of bearing the cross is that God will always have at least one saint in each season of your life running the race with you. You will find your comfort in Christ and the few companions that God has allowed to walk through this season with you. The whole point is that this process is not a foreign one to God's elect and you are not the only saint going through it right now!!! May this comfort you as you continue to press towards the mark of your high calling in Christ!!! Be encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of enjoying the same persecutions as your Savior Jesus Christ did on purpose!!!!!
Matthew 13
A Prophet Without Honor
53 When Jesus had finished these parables, he moved on from there. 54 Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” they asked. 55 “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? 56 Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” 57 And they took offense at him.
But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town and in his own home.”
58 And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.
Matthew 16
Peter Declares That Jesus Is the Messiah
13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”
14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter,[b] and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades[c] will not overcome it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be[d] bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be[e] loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
Romans 8
14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Let Them Talk!!! Volume 1, Issue 2
"A Prophet without Honor". The hardest thing for a Christian to face is the response they receive from the people closest to them. There is a crazy phenomena that occurs when someone comes to Christ. When you first give your life to Christ, everyone in your family and most of your friends are very happy for you and proud of you. Then after a while, the more you become like Christ through the sanctification of the Holy Spirit, those same people start to find "ought" with your ways and lifestyle change. They can not be blamed for this, once again. Living in a society where the word "Christian" has no meaning, should take a lot of the blame. The enemy has done an excellent job over the last 2,000 years of defaming Christianity and robbing Christians of their power in Christ. The term "Christianity" is now in the same grouping with the word "Gentleman" as C. S. Lewis describes in his book "Mere Christianity". Lewis points out that the word gentleman has lost it's original meaning, it was originally used to describe a man who owned land and had wealth. So to say that this man was a gentleman was a statement of fact. Over the years we took the way in which these men behaved and carried themselves and changed the meaning of the word to become a behavioral status, not a statement of fact. In the first century a Christians was a person who followed and lived out the teachings of Jesus Christ. It was a statement of fact! Now we say that someone must be Christian based on the way that they behave. Most Christians in our society today, don't know the teachings of Jesus Christ. If they do they have learned them without the process of regeneration (being born again) but simply through classroom study and sermon hearing alone. This Christian is described below:
2 Timothy 3:1-5
1 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.
This all means when someone actually gives their life to Christ and becomes sealed with the Holy Spirit, their life truly changes. They walk and talk with an authority that is not their own. Through the process of sanctification, justification, and glorification this person now resembles more of his Savior Jesus Christ than him/herself. They now become a Christian by statement of fact and not by behavior because most "christians" today behave like people that are portrayed in movies, television, and what they see in their churches. People will no longer be comfortable around you because you are now an alien; "I have become a stranger to my brothers, and an alien to my mother’s children", (Psalm 69:8). Christ came into the world and the world did not recognize Him, so if He truly dwells in you, will those around you really recognize you??? When family and friends start to talk about you being different or judgemental, count it not against them!!! People took the same offense when Jesus Christ!!! Let them talk, continue to pray for them and be a light in the midst!!! Be encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of enjoying the same persecutions as your Savior Jesus Christ did on purpose!!!!!
Matthew 13
A Prophet Without Honor
53 When Jesus had finished these parables, he moved on from there. 54 Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” they asked. 55 “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? 56 Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” 57 And they took offense at him.
But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town and in his own home.”
58 And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.
Matthew 16
Peter Declares That Jesus Is the Messiah
13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”
14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter,[b] and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades[c] will not overcome it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be[d] bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be[e] loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
Romans 8
14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
2 Timothy 3:1-5
1 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.
This all means when someone actually gives their life to Christ and becomes sealed with the Holy Spirit, their life truly changes. They walk and talk with an authority that is not their own. Through the process of sanctification, justification, and glorification this person now resembles more of his Savior Jesus Christ than him/herself. They now become a Christian by statement of fact and not by behavior because most "christians" today behave like people that are portrayed in movies, television, and what they see in their churches. People will no longer be comfortable around you because you are now an alien; "I have become a stranger to my brothers, and an alien to my mother’s children", (Psalm 69:8). Christ came into the world and the world did not recognize Him, so if He truly dwells in you, will those around you really recognize you??? When family and friends start to talk about you being different or judgemental, count it not against them!!! People took the same offense when Jesus Christ!!! Let them talk, continue to pray for them and be a light in the midst!!! Be encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of enjoying the same persecutions as your Savior Jesus Christ did on purpose!!!!!
Matthew 13
A Prophet Without Honor
53 When Jesus had finished these parables, he moved on from there. 54 Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” they asked. 55 “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? 56 Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” 57 And they took offense at him.
But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town and in his own home.”
58 And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.
Matthew 16
Peter Declares That Jesus Is the Messiah
13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”
14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter,[b] and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades[c] will not overcome it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be[d] bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be[e] loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
Romans 8
14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Let Them Talk!!! Volume 1, Issue 1
There will be people who will talk about you being many things in this life and a "child of God", will definitely not make the list. As Jesus shows us in His Word below, people always got an idea of who you are, but they don't have the complete story unless they themselves have the same spirit. Jesus faced many persecutions that most of us will not face in this life, but the most common one that most, to all Christians, will face is the talking that takes place by others and the spreading of rumors due to one's choice to follow their Lord and Savior!!! If this has not already happen to you yet, just give it time!!! If you are walking with Christ you will be walking against the will of the majority around you and your light will start to expose the darkness around you in others. The following scripture is usually a good temperature gage to see if you are in the center of God's Will or not; "Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you, for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets", (Luke 6:26). If everyone is saying great things about you and you have no problem with the people around you with your Faith in Jesus Christ something is WRONG!!! While this brings hurt to many of God's children, it also should bring assurance that we are walking on the correct path which is narrow. Today, let the bitterness of those who persecute you go and bask in the presense of your your Lord and Savior and continue to wait on Him who will renew your strength!!! Be encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of enjoying the same persecutions as your Savior Jesus Christ did on purpose!!!!!
Matthew 13
A Prophet Without Honor
53 When Jesus had finished these parables, he moved on from there. 54 Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” they asked. 55 “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? 56 Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” 57 And they took offense at him.
But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town and in his own home.”
58 And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.
Matthew 16
Peter Declares That Jesus Is the Messiah
13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”
14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter,[b] and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades[c] will not overcome it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be[d] bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be[e] loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
Romans 8
14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Matthew 13
A Prophet Without Honor
53 When Jesus had finished these parables, he moved on from there. 54 Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” they asked. 55 “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? 56 Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” 57 And they took offense at him.
But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town and in his own home.”
58 And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.
Matthew 16
Peter Declares That Jesus Is the Messiah
13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”
14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter,[b] and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades[c] will not overcome it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be[d] bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be[e] loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
Romans 8
14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
First Love Volume 1, Issue 3
Honoring our first love becomes more and more difficult the longer we live. The warfare we face becomes more and more subtle the longer we find ourselves in this relationship. The enemy continues to infiltrate our affections for God and redirect them to something a little less. We have to keep a vigilant watch over our affections to ensure that they are always pointed at the creator and not a creation. Facing distractions of the world may be easy to spot, but what about the distractions of our heart. A precise tool to be used in measuring the balance of our affections is the conviction of our consciousness. The Lord speaks to our hearts everyday. Whether we choose to listen to His voice is totally up to our free will. When we hear Him say, you haven't open your bible in a while or you haven't spent time talking with me lately, that is the actual God of the Universe specifically using His Holy Spirit to align your affections back to Him. Remember these words; “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple", (Luke 14:26).
There is a cost to following Christ and when we first began this journey it was easy to give up everything and follow Him. Now after we have accomplished living more years and acquiring more things (even those we believe came from God), it becomes a lot harder to hear those same words. God never wants us to hate our families, spouses, children, and co-workers. He does want us to Love Him more!!! "He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother”, (Matthew 12:48-50). There is nothing wrong with hobbies and liking nice things, they only become an issue when they are enjoyed more than being in the presence of our Lord and Savior and doing His Will. The hardest thing to put into check is our work for the Lord. Certainly our call to perform a work cannot be questioned by the Lord, could it? "The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven”, (Luke 10:17-20). Even our "good works" cannot take precedence over our personal relationship with God. God has to be the greatest receiver of our affection. Put everything else in it's proper priority after Him, and you will find that you and your First Love will be more intimate than ever!!! Be encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of enjoying your First Love on purpose!!!!!
Revelation 2
To the Church in Ephesus
1 “To the angel[a] of the church in Ephesus write:
These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. 2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.
4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. 5 Consider how far 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. 6 But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
There is a cost to following Christ and when we first began this journey it was easy to give up everything and follow Him. Now after we have accomplished living more years and acquiring more things (even those we believe came from God), it becomes a lot harder to hear those same words. God never wants us to hate our families, spouses, children, and co-workers. He does want us to Love Him more!!! "He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother”, (Matthew 12:48-50). There is nothing wrong with hobbies and liking nice things, they only become an issue when they are enjoyed more than being in the presence of our Lord and Savior and doing His Will. The hardest thing to put into check is our work for the Lord. Certainly our call to perform a work cannot be questioned by the Lord, could it? "The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven”, (Luke 10:17-20). Even our "good works" cannot take precedence over our personal relationship with God. God has to be the greatest receiver of our affection. Put everything else in it's proper priority after Him, and you will find that you and your First Love will be more intimate than ever!!! Be encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of enjoying your First Love on purpose!!!!!
Revelation 2
To the Church in Ephesus
1 “To the angel[a] of the church in Ephesus write:
These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. 2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.
4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. 5 Consider how far 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. 6 But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
First Love Volume 1, Issue 2
"Whatever you did to get her; you have to keep on doing, to keep her"!!! This was great advice that I received on my wedding video from a very wise woman. Many times in our pursuits of love once we feel like we have "obtained" our goal, we get complacent and stop doing all the things we once did. Our actions change considerably and we expect the other person to keep up the actions that they once performed. Upon receiving this advice I took away that character is everything. Who we are before in our pursuit of love must be consistent in our continuation of that love. Marriage to ones spouse is much like the relationship we have with God. First, if we are really smart, we realize early in the relationship that there is truly nothing we can do to make our partner love us. Their love comes from a free will. Second, we can learn what language of love they enjoy and the things in which produces happiness inside of them. Third, we can allow their influence in our lives to balance us and change us for the better. The number one key to success in a marriage though is not to keep up the same actions (just like our pallet changes in what we like to eat as we get older, so can your partner's love language/actions change), what must stay the same, is your motive for loving them. It must be pure in that we love them at a sacrifice of ourself for the benefit of them. All motives of ones heart will eventually be revealed in one's words and actions!!!
Mankind's greatest battle is always to release oneself from the idea that we can earn anything from or accomplish anything for God. The enemy knows if he can get us wrapped around trying to earn our salvation or keep our salvation then we will be outside of the Will of God. "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast", (Ephesians 2:8-9). Our own pursuit of "getting right/staying right" with God will become our graven Idle. What brought us to the saving knowledge and acceptance of Jesus Christ was the realization that we could not earn our own salvation. We accepted Christ based on our self awareness of our sickness and the fact that He was the only Physician who could heal us. "On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners”", (Mark 2:17). Our first love was produced out of our humility and seeing one greater than ourselves. Our love for God and life long journey with Him, has to come from a pure motivation of humility and reverence. "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God", (Matthew 5:8). It is never about judging actions with God, it is the HEART, that is what He always judges!!! "For the word of God is alive 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", (Hebrews 4:12). Coming back to our First Love, is repenting from our pride and once again putting God in His proper place as Creator and God of Grace!!! Be encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of enjoying your First Love on purpose!!!!!
Revelation 2
To the Church in Ephesus
1 “To the angel[a] of the church in Ephesus write:
These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. 2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.
4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. 5 Consider how far 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. 6 But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
Mankind's greatest battle is always to release oneself from the idea that we can earn anything from or accomplish anything for God. The enemy knows if he can get us wrapped around trying to earn our salvation or keep our salvation then we will be outside of the Will of God. "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast", (Ephesians 2:8-9). Our own pursuit of "getting right/staying right" with God will become our graven Idle. What brought us to the saving knowledge and acceptance of Jesus Christ was the realization that we could not earn our own salvation. We accepted Christ based on our self awareness of our sickness and the fact that He was the only Physician who could heal us. "On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners”", (Mark 2:17). Our first love was produced out of our humility and seeing one greater than ourselves. Our love for God and life long journey with Him, has to come from a pure motivation of humility and reverence. "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God", (Matthew 5:8). It is never about judging actions with God, it is the HEART, that is what He always judges!!! "For the word of God is alive 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", (Hebrews 4:12). Coming back to our First Love, is repenting from our pride and once again putting God in His proper place as Creator and God of Grace!!! Be encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of enjoying your First Love on purpose!!!!!
Revelation 2
To the Church in Ephesus
1 “To the angel[a] of the church in Ephesus write:
These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. 2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.
4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. 5 Consider how far 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. 6 But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
Monday, September 12, 2011
First Love Volume 1, Issue 1
Circumstances of life affect us all in many different ways. Difficult circumstances may produce anger, fear, sadness, discontentment and bitterness. Positive circumstances may produce pride. The enemy we have in this life has a great way of taking our focus off of our Savior and placing them on the circumstances of life. We are all able to be drawn away as many sheep are from the flock and the Shepherd. Our great Shepherd has an unconditional Love that allows us to always turn back and acknowledge Him. He never left us because He cannot go against His Word; "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you”, (Hebrews 13:5).
We turn from our Shepherd and go after the desires of our heart. Every temptation is a desire that the enemy already knows you have in your heart and exploits it to create ways to draw you form your First Love. "O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open. You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections. Now in return for the same (I speak as to children), you also be open", (2 Corinthians 6:11-13). Dealing with the desires of our hearts is one of the best ways to keep from being tempted by the enemy. By setting our affections on God and His Word, you will be able to fight a good fight that keeps you centered in God. Setting your affections means to set your Joy in knowing God more intimately through reading His Word, conversing with Him regularly, and reflecting on the truths of God within the community God has set around you. Have a conversation with the Father, He hears, He cares, and most important He wants to talk with you. Be encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of enjoying your First Love on purpose!!!!!
Revelation 2
To the Church in Ephesus
1 “To the angel[a] of the church in Ephesus write:
These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. 2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.
4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. 5 Consider how far 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. 6 But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
We turn from our Shepherd and go after the desires of our heart. Every temptation is a desire that the enemy already knows you have in your heart and exploits it to create ways to draw you form your First Love. "O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open. You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections. Now in return for the same (I speak as to children), you also be open", (2 Corinthians 6:11-13). Dealing with the desires of our hearts is one of the best ways to keep from being tempted by the enemy. By setting our affections on God and His Word, you will be able to fight a good fight that keeps you centered in God. Setting your affections means to set your Joy in knowing God more intimately through reading His Word, conversing with Him regularly, and reflecting on the truths of God within the community God has set around you. Have a conversation with the Father, He hears, He cares, and most important He wants to talk with you. Be encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of enjoying your First Love on purpose!!!!!
Revelation 2
To the Church in Ephesus
1 “To the angel[a] of the church in Ephesus write:
These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. 2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.
4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. 5 Consider how far 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. 6 But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
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