A wise man stated once that unfortunately many Christians fail to truly understand the fullness of receiving salvation and being sealed with the Holy Spirit. He likened it to winning the lottery for millions of dollars. One who was poor and living on the streets received this gift and after receiving their money they went out to look for food in the trash can. They could afford to buy restaurants but becuase they didn't fully understand the gift they were given they continued to live the same life that was full of self inflected struggle due to poor decissions and filled with human works. One who understands that they are rich dramatically changes their perspective on life and they live according to the reality of receiving that gift.
While it will ultimately take the rest of our lives to go through the process to be conformed into the image of Jesus Christ through the work of the Holy Spirit, understanding that our lives are no longer the same is a reality for today!!! Accepting the fullness of the Gospel of Christ has afforded us the pleasure of being a vessel that God will use to spread the light of His Son Jesus Christ. Paul spoke this to the saints in Rome, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God", (Romans 12). We no longer have to stay in the cage of this life, the door has been swung wide open. Galatians 5:1 "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."
No matter how your life looks today, please know that it is wrapped in Christ and He wishes to have you live it to the full. Accept the gift and the purpose for your life and allow the light of Christ to shine before men and this dark world. It is not easy letting go of expectations, but this life is greater than we could have ever imagined once we let go of everything that keeps us from the fullness of the gift we have received. Today, take your place in the Will of God and allow His Wisdom that knows what you were created for displace your expectations, Trust Him for everything!!! Be Encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of recognizing God's Gifts on purpose!!!!!
Luke 4
Jesus Rejected at Nazareth
14 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. 15 He was teaching in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.
16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”[f]
20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
22 All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” they asked.
Acts 13
26 “Fellow children of Abraham and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent. 27 The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath. 28 Though they found no proper ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him executed. 29 When they had carried out all that was written about him, they took him down from the cross and laid him in a tomb. 30 But God raised him from the dead, 31 and for many days he was seen by those who had traveled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now his witnesses to our people.
Soldiers of God
Ever ready for the Charge
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Gift Wrapping Volume 1, Issue 3
There are brothers and sisters in the Faith today who seem to be standing still in their journey with God. They are very frustrated in this life because they can not move forward in God's Will due to anger with Him, but they cannot go back to the world because they have been exposed to too much light and the world cannot accept them. These saints truly have hearts for God, yet they have a hard time accepting God's Will based on their unmet expectations of what their life in Christ has become. They accepted the gift of Christ and they want to please God but they want to do it in their own way or the way they feel would best benefit the world and God.
The book of Jonah speaks well to the saints that find themselves in this position. God had a purpose and mission to carry out through Jonah. Jonah wished not to carry this purpose out and he ran from the Lord. As we all know and as Jonah found out there was no where that he could go to flee from the presence of the Lord. This frustration usually turns into a bitterness that robs the saint of hours, days, weeks, years, decades, and sadly for some a lifetime of enjoying a life as a vessel of gold. This bitterness could deal from many sources such as, sickness in self or a loved one, death of a loved one, poverty, lack of acknowledgement by man, lack of promises fulfilled by God, Lack of appreciation from God, lack of love from family and friends, lack of worldly possessions, or past brokeness never heeled.
The same reason why divorce takes place outside of adultery and abuse, is the same reason why these saints stop pressing forward in God's Will for their lives, their EXPECTATIONS was not met. Expectations can simply be defined as "those actions performed by others that the receipeint beleived would take place". Many fall away from pursuing God with all their heart because they have a lack of Faith. See man defines Faith as "believing in what God is going to do", but we should see faith as "believingt in what God has already done"!!! Even the end of times and Christ's return has already been spoken into existence through the inspired WORD of God. So it not a matter of is it going to come to fruitition, the question is when and only God knows that answer. Our faith in Christ is not based on the hope that He will save us from hell, it's on the Fact that He has Saved us from the penalty of sin. Our expectations of this life in Christ must be placed on the cross or we will become a slave to them as well. We must not deny the gift of this blessed life lived in Christ becuase of our frusterations due to unmet expectations!!! Today, if you have found yourself in a pattern of wrestling with God's Will and therefore by default rejecting the gift of pursuing God with all your might by standing still in your race, place your expectations and frustrations on the cross and release the shackels of bondage in your walk!!! Be Encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of recognizing God's Gifts on purpose!!!!!
Luke 4
Jesus Rejected at Nazareth
14 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. 15 He was teaching in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.
16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”[f]
20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
22 All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” they asked.
Acts 13
26 “Fellow children of Abraham and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent. 27 The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath. 28 Though they found no proper ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him executed. 29 When they had carried out all that was written about him, they took him down from the cross and laid him in a tomb. 30 But God raised him from the dead, 31 and for many days he was seen by those who had traveled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now his witnesses to our people.
The book of Jonah speaks well to the saints that find themselves in this position. God had a purpose and mission to carry out through Jonah. Jonah wished not to carry this purpose out and he ran from the Lord. As we all know and as Jonah found out there was no where that he could go to flee from the presence of the Lord. This frustration usually turns into a bitterness that robs the saint of hours, days, weeks, years, decades, and sadly for some a lifetime of enjoying a life as a vessel of gold. This bitterness could deal from many sources such as, sickness in self or a loved one, death of a loved one, poverty, lack of acknowledgement by man, lack of promises fulfilled by God, Lack of appreciation from God, lack of love from family and friends, lack of worldly possessions, or past brokeness never heeled.
The same reason why divorce takes place outside of adultery and abuse, is the same reason why these saints stop pressing forward in God's Will for their lives, their EXPECTATIONS was not met. Expectations can simply be defined as "those actions performed by others that the receipeint beleived would take place". Many fall away from pursuing God with all their heart because they have a lack of Faith. See man defines Faith as "believing in what God is going to do", but we should see faith as "believingt in what God has already done"!!! Even the end of times and Christ's return has already been spoken into existence through the inspired WORD of God. So it not a matter of is it going to come to fruitition, the question is when and only God knows that answer. Our faith in Christ is not based on the hope that He will save us from hell, it's on the Fact that He has Saved us from the penalty of sin. Our expectations of this life in Christ must be placed on the cross or we will become a slave to them as well. We must not deny the gift of this blessed life lived in Christ becuase of our frusterations due to unmet expectations!!! Today, if you have found yourself in a pattern of wrestling with God's Will and therefore by default rejecting the gift of pursuing God with all your might by standing still in your race, place your expectations and frustrations on the cross and release the shackels of bondage in your walk!!! Be Encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of recognizing God's Gifts on purpose!!!!!
Luke 4
Jesus Rejected at Nazareth
14 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. 15 He was teaching in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.
16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”[f]
20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
22 All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” they asked.
Acts 13
26 “Fellow children of Abraham and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent. 27 The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath. 28 Though they found no proper ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him executed. 29 When they had carried out all that was written about him, they took him down from the cross and laid him in a tomb. 30 But God raised him from the dead, 31 and for many days he was seen by those who had traveled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now his witnesses to our people.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Gift Wrapping Volume 1, Issue 2
You have heard this term before; "The Gift that keeps on Giving"!!! For many people this gift can be represented by many things in this world. The one true gift that keeps on giving is that of Salvation from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!!! That's sounds great and biblical but let's actually test the facts to see if this is true.
First, you accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and you receive atonement from sin which frees you from the penalty of breaking the law. Simply you will not have to spend eternity in HELL!!! We could have received eternal rest with just our eyes closed in the dirt and that would have been just fine, rather than going to a burning lake of fire!!! John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
Second, we are given the Holy Spirit to dwell in us the rest of our lives, which is God's Spirit that will go through the process of sanctifying us. So we have been saved from the penalty of death, then we get this Holy Spirit which intercedes on our behalf in prayer, gives us the power to over come temptations from the evil one, and transforms us from the sinful nature that was separated from God, to conform us into the image of Jesus Christ which allows us to have fellowship with God and reflect the light of Christ to the world. Acts 1:8 "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Third, we become co-heirs with Jesus Christ, as such we enter His Father's House and we will remain in Heaven for eternity once our last breath is taken on this earth. We not only escape the burning lake but then we get to live out eternity in this place where God the Father's presence is. John 14:2 "In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you."
Fourth, but not last, we get treasures based on our level of stewardship in this life and how well we run the race that God created us for. So we learn through the Word of God that we are not just here by happenstance and that our salvation is not the end of our journey in this life. We were created with a purpose and allowing the Holy Spirit to perform it through us please's God. So we, in our own effort, do not have to perform, but just be willing vessels to move when God calls us to move. By doing so God interns rewards us with riches and treasures and a position of purpose in Heaven. Matthew 6:19-21 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." James 1:12 "Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him."
To wrap up, we accept the gift of Christ as our Lord and Savior and He performed all the work necessary for our salvation. We accept God's Will for our lives and the Holy Spirit does all the work to complete His purpose through us, all we have to do is be a faithful steward of the gift. Sounds like all we are required to do is make the right choices and the rest is in the hands of the The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, what a gift!!! Sadly, many today as yesterday have not received the gift because the wrapping is not appealing enough to them, their eyes have been blinded by their own desires. The gift of Salvation is the only gift on the face of this earth that has NO expiration date!!! Be Encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of recognizing God's Gifts on purpose!!!!!
Luke 4
Jesus Rejected at Nazareth
14 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. 15 He was teaching in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.
16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”[f]
20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
22 All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” they asked.
Acts 13
26 “Fellow children of Abraham and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent. 27 The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath. 28 Though they found no proper ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him executed. 29 When they had carried out all that was written about him, they took him down from the cross and laid him in a tomb. 30 But God raised him from the dead, 31 and for many days he was seen by those who had traveled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now his witnesses to our people.
First, you accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and you receive atonement from sin which frees you from the penalty of breaking the law. Simply you will not have to spend eternity in HELL!!! We could have received eternal rest with just our eyes closed in the dirt and that would have been just fine, rather than going to a burning lake of fire!!! John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
Second, we are given the Holy Spirit to dwell in us the rest of our lives, which is God's Spirit that will go through the process of sanctifying us. So we have been saved from the penalty of death, then we get this Holy Spirit which intercedes on our behalf in prayer, gives us the power to over come temptations from the evil one, and transforms us from the sinful nature that was separated from God, to conform us into the image of Jesus Christ which allows us to have fellowship with God and reflect the light of Christ to the world. Acts 1:8 "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Third, we become co-heirs with Jesus Christ, as such we enter His Father's House and we will remain in Heaven for eternity once our last breath is taken on this earth. We not only escape the burning lake but then we get to live out eternity in this place where God the Father's presence is. John 14:2 "In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you."
Fourth, but not last, we get treasures based on our level of stewardship in this life and how well we run the race that God created us for. So we learn through the Word of God that we are not just here by happenstance and that our salvation is not the end of our journey in this life. We were created with a purpose and allowing the Holy Spirit to perform it through us please's God. So we, in our own effort, do not have to perform, but just be willing vessels to move when God calls us to move. By doing so God interns rewards us with riches and treasures and a position of purpose in Heaven. Matthew 6:19-21 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." James 1:12 "Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him."
To wrap up, we accept the gift of Christ as our Lord and Savior and He performed all the work necessary for our salvation. We accept God's Will for our lives and the Holy Spirit does all the work to complete His purpose through us, all we have to do is be a faithful steward of the gift. Sounds like all we are required to do is make the right choices and the rest is in the hands of the The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, what a gift!!! Sadly, many today as yesterday have not received the gift because the wrapping is not appealing enough to them, their eyes have been blinded by their own desires. The gift of Salvation is the only gift on the face of this earth that has NO expiration date!!! Be Encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of recognizing God's Gifts on purpose!!!!!
Luke 4
Jesus Rejected at Nazareth
14 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. 15 He was teaching in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.
16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”[f]
20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
22 All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” they asked.
Acts 13
26 “Fellow children of Abraham and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent. 27 The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath. 28 Though they found no proper ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him executed. 29 When they had carried out all that was written about him, they took him down from the cross and laid him in a tomb. 30 But God raised him from the dead, 31 and for many days he was seen by those who had traveled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now his witnesses to our people.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Gift Wrapping Volume 1, Issue 1
Many Blessings the Father intend for our good are rejected because of our own way in which we believe the blessing will come. The children of Israel desperately awaited the Messiah that was prophesied about in Isaiah and by the other prophets who would come to save the children of Israel. They knew that their Savior was going to be a conquering King like David who would be a mighty man of War. He would overthrow the Roman government and bring peace to the Children of Israel for eternity. This carpenter from Nazareth could not be the King that would usher in this new era of prosperity for their nation.
Mankind's pride and worldly wisdom are the reasons why man still to this day, miss the gifts and movement of God!!! God presented Israel with a perfect Savior and He was rejected because the present was not wrapped in the proper package. It did not have the proper bows attached and therefore was rejected by the very sheep that the Shepperd came to save. God has plainly said in His Word that "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts", (Isaiah 55:9). We to this day continue to reject the blessings and movements of God in our Marriages, Families, Friendships, Workplace, Church, and the world because we are busy looking for what we believe to be the proper packages. Today, look at your life and ask God to give you eyes to see and a heart to understand all the wonderful gifts He has bestowed upon you. Be Encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of recognizing God's Gifts on purpose!!!!!
Luke 4
Jesus Rejected at Nazareth
14 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. 15 He was teaching in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.
16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”[f]
20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
22 All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” they asked.
Acts 13
26 “Fellow children of Abraham and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent. 27 The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath. 28 Though they found no proper ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him executed. 29 When they had carried out all that was written about him, they took him down from the cross and laid him in a tomb. 30 But God raised him from the dead, 31 and for many days he was seen by those who had traveled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now his witnesses to our people.
Mankind's pride and worldly wisdom are the reasons why man still to this day, miss the gifts and movement of God!!! God presented Israel with a perfect Savior and He was rejected because the present was not wrapped in the proper package. It did not have the proper bows attached and therefore was rejected by the very sheep that the Shepperd came to save. God has plainly said in His Word that "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts", (Isaiah 55:9). We to this day continue to reject the blessings and movements of God in our Marriages, Families, Friendships, Workplace, Church, and the world because we are busy looking for what we believe to be the proper packages. Today, look at your life and ask God to give you eyes to see and a heart to understand all the wonderful gifts He has bestowed upon you. Be Encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of recognizing God's Gifts on purpose!!!!!
Luke 4
Jesus Rejected at Nazareth
14 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. 15 He was teaching in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.
16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”[f]
20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
22 All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” they asked.
Acts 13
26 “Fellow children of Abraham and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent. 27 The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath. 28 Though they found no proper ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him executed. 29 When they had carried out all that was written about him, they took him down from the cross and laid him in a tomb. 30 But God raised him from the dead, 31 and for many days he was seen by those who had traveled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now his witnesses to our people.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Dying to Live vs Living to Die Volume 2, Issue 5
My Dear Beloved, on this day almost 2000 years ago, I committed the greatest act of LOVE I could, on your behalf. I knew that by me taking every stripe for your sins that we would have this day to speak to one another, but greater than that my Father would now be able to see me in you as you accepted me as your Lord and Savior. My Father delights in every discussion He has with you, and He wishes to have more of you today. Every word I spoke and every action I made was not in vain because you simply are here today in this relationship with me, the Father and the Holy Spirit.
I know that your decision to follow me was not an easy one, as my decision to die for you also carried a heavy burden. As my Father has shown the world through my Resurrection, I am the way, the truth and the light!!! I defeated death and the grave on that very day to atone for your life. Every sin that you committed before knowing me, after you came to me, and the ones you will commit tomorrow has been accounted for. They are as far from you as the east is from the west. They have been drowned into the sea of forgetfulness!!! I did this so that you may be set FREE from the penalty of sin and to live a life that would glorify my Father. Keeping my two commandments to Love my Father and to love one another will show the rest of the world my love that I had for you.
I know at times I may seem distant from you, but make no mistake, I am your High Priest who is sympathetic and empathetic to every temptation and tribulation that you will ever experience. The enemy has known since your birth that the day of your salvation would come to bare and he has tried everything to keep you from me, but the power of Love will always break the power of evil. He now seeks to keep you bound with the desires of your heart and the hurts of your past, but once again I am here to carry that burden. Cast every care today upon me and I will supply you with my Father's peace that surpasses all understanding, for His Grace is sufficient. My Father has created you for a particular purpose, just as He created my earthly body for the perfect death, and in love He wishes you to accept His Will not because He wishes to Lord over you, but because you desire to please Him knowing that He created your purpose for another's GOOD.
I am so delighted once again to speak with you today and whether we have spoken this morning, yesterday, a week ago, or longer, please know that I love to hear your voice and please never hesitate to call out to me, in the "good" or the "bad". I know you know my voice and anytime you wish to hear it, it is available to all my beloved sheep. I have all power and glory in my hand and I sit at the right hand of my Father's thrown. There is no request too small or tribulation too hard that I cannot bare, talk to me!!! I live in the WORD that was left for you by my other sheep. Read of me and my Father, many of your questions about my Father and I are answered there. What you read of this letter is from that inspired WORD!!! It gives you the power to stand against the enemy and to have comfort in hard times. My Father would not have left it for you if it was not for your GOOD. Study so that you may show yourself approved as a faithful student of my teachings and of the Father's love!!! Continue to bare your cross each day, for the journey is worth the body that you will receive when you see me as "I AM". Be Encouraged, for I am with you ALWAYS!!! Have a wonderful life of dying so that others may live on purpose!!!!!
John 10
The Good Shepherd and His Sheep
1 “Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” 6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.
7 Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.[a] They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”
I know that your decision to follow me was not an easy one, as my decision to die for you also carried a heavy burden. As my Father has shown the world through my Resurrection, I am the way, the truth and the light!!! I defeated death and the grave on that very day to atone for your life. Every sin that you committed before knowing me, after you came to me, and the ones you will commit tomorrow has been accounted for. They are as far from you as the east is from the west. They have been drowned into the sea of forgetfulness!!! I did this so that you may be set FREE from the penalty of sin and to live a life that would glorify my Father. Keeping my two commandments to Love my Father and to love one another will show the rest of the world my love that I had for you.
I know at times I may seem distant from you, but make no mistake, I am your High Priest who is sympathetic and empathetic to every temptation and tribulation that you will ever experience. The enemy has known since your birth that the day of your salvation would come to bare and he has tried everything to keep you from me, but the power of Love will always break the power of evil. He now seeks to keep you bound with the desires of your heart and the hurts of your past, but once again I am here to carry that burden. Cast every care today upon me and I will supply you with my Father's peace that surpasses all understanding, for His Grace is sufficient. My Father has created you for a particular purpose, just as He created my earthly body for the perfect death, and in love He wishes you to accept His Will not because He wishes to Lord over you, but because you desire to please Him knowing that He created your purpose for another's GOOD.
I am so delighted once again to speak with you today and whether we have spoken this morning, yesterday, a week ago, or longer, please know that I love to hear your voice and please never hesitate to call out to me, in the "good" or the "bad". I know you know my voice and anytime you wish to hear it, it is available to all my beloved sheep. I have all power and glory in my hand and I sit at the right hand of my Father's thrown. There is no request too small or tribulation too hard that I cannot bare, talk to me!!! I live in the WORD that was left for you by my other sheep. Read of me and my Father, many of your questions about my Father and I are answered there. What you read of this letter is from that inspired WORD!!! It gives you the power to stand against the enemy and to have comfort in hard times. My Father would not have left it for you if it was not for your GOOD. Study so that you may show yourself approved as a faithful student of my teachings and of the Father's love!!! Continue to bare your cross each day, for the journey is worth the body that you will receive when you see me as "I AM". Be Encouraged, for I am with you ALWAYS!!! Have a wonderful life of dying so that others may live on purpose!!!!!
John 10
The Good Shepherd and His Sheep
1 “Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” 6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.
7 Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.[a] They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Dying to Live vs Living to Die Volume 2, Issue 4
Meditate and renew your mind with these scriptures today. I pray that they bless you beyond your recognition!!!
2 Corinthians 5
The Ministry of Reconciliation
11 Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience. 12 We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart. 13 If we are “out of our mind,” as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
16 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:[a] The old has gone, the new is here! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin[b] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Be Encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of dying so that others may live on purpose!!!!!
John 10
The Good Shepherd and His Sheep
1 “Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” 6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.
7 Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.[a] They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”
2 Corinthians 5
The Ministry of Reconciliation
11 Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience. 12 We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart. 13 If we are “out of our mind,” as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
16 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:[a] The old has gone, the new is here! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin[b] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Be Encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of dying so that others may live on purpose!!!!!
John 10
The Good Shepherd and His Sheep
1 “Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” 6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.
7 Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.[a] They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Dying to Live vs Living to Die Volume 2, Issue 3
Let us look below, in our passage of scripture out of John 10 at verse 10. "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." We may have asked, what does having life to the full mean??? Many will say that it means a wealth of prosperity and this is what is being preached in many churches today. Look at the scripture in context. Jesus is talking about eternal life after a physical death of our body. In verse 9 we see Him say, "they will come in and go out and find pasture". This verse speaks to coming to Christ and through Him we will find eternal life.
Now, I will pose this to you, does God want to bless His children??? What Father wouldn't want to give the best of gifts to His children. This is the secret to receiving those gifts. First you must die and come to Christ, allow the Holy Spirit to enter in and transform you from the old you, so that He can conform you to Jesus Christ the image of the Most High's beloved Son. Follow the example of Christ and continue to die to the Father's Will. As the Holy Spirit continues to sanctify you (make you holy), the Father will look upon His children to see whom He can bless with His gifts. God has all power and riches in this life and the next. A Good Father will not bless His child with something that will ultimately bring them harm. A father would not give his 7 year old child the keys to a new car. He knows that the child would hurt himself and maybe someone else. God wants to see the maturing child who knows what to do with the gifts.
The example that Jesus showed us was that he was given power on earth to heal, minister, disciple, feed, and provide for so many. These gifts are not given for our benefit but they are given to benefit others with the purpose of glorifying God. See there's two parts to that equation. Can God trust you to first use the gifts He gives you for others and not yourself. Then if you do decide to use it for others will you take the glory for yourself or give it rightly to the Source of the gift. These gifts may include the spiritual gifts listed in Romans 12:6-8 and 1 Corinthians 12:1-11. They may also be tangible gifts like material possessions and wealth.
The child who will be blessed with these gifts and who will enjoy in this life "life to the full", is the child who has been processed by the Holy Spirit to realize that none of those gifts are for them, so they abide by the "open hand" policy. See once again we must die to every desire of this world and seek the Will of God. God cannot bless some of us because we have our hands closed trying to hold on to something or someone. God can't bring your helpmate because your holding onto the counterfeit. God can't answer that prayer because your holding onto the idea that you will be the one to solve it. If you ever been around a child who is holding on to a toy and you try to give them a new toy, you know the struggle that incurs. They want the new toy but they don't want to let go of the other toy they are holding onto, they try with all their might to hold onto to each one and we have to tell them to "let this one go". Once you let go and allow God's Will to be the master of your life, God will flow blessings through you to others knowing He will receive the glory. In doing so you will experience the "abundant life", because you will be able to witness the movement of God in this earth as He saves lost souls and free His children who are still captive. Today, open up your hands and heart, so that you may let go of everything you have been holding onto, trust God for your needs and let the Holy Spirit take over your life, and watch your life manifest into a life that is "to the full"!!!! Be Encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of dying so that others may live on purpose!!!!!
John 10
The Good Shepherd and His Sheep
1 “Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” 6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.
7 Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.[a] They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”
Now, I will pose this to you, does God want to bless His children??? What Father wouldn't want to give the best of gifts to His children. This is the secret to receiving those gifts. First you must die and come to Christ, allow the Holy Spirit to enter in and transform you from the old you, so that He can conform you to Jesus Christ the image of the Most High's beloved Son. Follow the example of Christ and continue to die to the Father's Will. As the Holy Spirit continues to sanctify you (make you holy), the Father will look upon His children to see whom He can bless with His gifts. God has all power and riches in this life and the next. A Good Father will not bless His child with something that will ultimately bring them harm. A father would not give his 7 year old child the keys to a new car. He knows that the child would hurt himself and maybe someone else. God wants to see the maturing child who knows what to do with the gifts.
The example that Jesus showed us was that he was given power on earth to heal, minister, disciple, feed, and provide for so many. These gifts are not given for our benefit but they are given to benefit others with the purpose of glorifying God. See there's two parts to that equation. Can God trust you to first use the gifts He gives you for others and not yourself. Then if you do decide to use it for others will you take the glory for yourself or give it rightly to the Source of the gift. These gifts may include the spiritual gifts listed in Romans 12:6-8 and 1 Corinthians 12:1-11. They may also be tangible gifts like material possessions and wealth.
The child who will be blessed with these gifts and who will enjoy in this life "life to the full", is the child who has been processed by the Holy Spirit to realize that none of those gifts are for them, so they abide by the "open hand" policy. See once again we must die to every desire of this world and seek the Will of God. God cannot bless some of us because we have our hands closed trying to hold on to something or someone. God can't bring your helpmate because your holding onto the counterfeit. God can't answer that prayer because your holding onto the idea that you will be the one to solve it. If you ever been around a child who is holding on to a toy and you try to give them a new toy, you know the struggle that incurs. They want the new toy but they don't want to let go of the other toy they are holding onto, they try with all their might to hold onto to each one and we have to tell them to "let this one go". Once you let go and allow God's Will to be the master of your life, God will flow blessings through you to others knowing He will receive the glory. In doing so you will experience the "abundant life", because you will be able to witness the movement of God in this earth as He saves lost souls and free His children who are still captive. Today, open up your hands and heart, so that you may let go of everything you have been holding onto, trust God for your needs and let the Holy Spirit take over your life, and watch your life manifest into a life that is "to the full"!!!! Be Encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of dying so that others may live on purpose!!!!!
John 10
The Good Shepherd and His Sheep
1 “Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” 6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.
7 Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.[a] They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Dying to Live vs Living to Die Volume 2, Issue 2
Luke 9
21 Jesus strictly warned them not to tell this to anyone. 22 And he said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.”
23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. 25 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? 26 Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.
Jesus Christ shows us here in the Word of God that anyone who tries to save their life will surely lose it, and whomever loses their life for His names sake and for the sake of the gospel shall surely save it. This is truly talking about salvation and the giving of oneself to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This action is a one time, "sealed and delivered" action. Once saved, always saved. But what then about the lifestyle of the Christian??? We are to constantly follow this pattern of losing our own desires and will, for that of our Father. We are called to daily pick up our cross, which is the picture of a daily death to self so that God may receive the glory for all actions done through our vessels. When we fight for our rights, we should fight for all of them including the right to die a sinners death, and go to hell. We may be quick to point out what we are owed, but let us be careful not to be hypocrites. If we want to fight in this world based on our selfish will and desires, we will also take what is owed to our sinful natures. This is why the Lord says "But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you", (Luke 6:27-31). As the children of God we should show the world a difference in our actions and our speech. This takes place through the process of the Holy Spirit, but we must die to allow the Holy Spirit to move and work through us!!! Today, if you find yourself struggling, trying to fight for your rights in any venue whether it be work, family, friends, or the world, measure the worth of that thing you are trying to hold onto versus the joy and riches of eternal life. Be Encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of dying so that others may live on purpose!!!!!
John 10
The Good Shepherd and His Sheep
1 “Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” 6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.
7 Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.[a] They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”
21 Jesus strictly warned them not to tell this to anyone. 22 And he said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.”
23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. 25 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? 26 Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.
Jesus Christ shows us here in the Word of God that anyone who tries to save their life will surely lose it, and whomever loses their life for His names sake and for the sake of the gospel shall surely save it. This is truly talking about salvation and the giving of oneself to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This action is a one time, "sealed and delivered" action. Once saved, always saved. But what then about the lifestyle of the Christian??? We are to constantly follow this pattern of losing our own desires and will, for that of our Father. We are called to daily pick up our cross, which is the picture of a daily death to self so that God may receive the glory for all actions done through our vessels. When we fight for our rights, we should fight for all of them including the right to die a sinners death, and go to hell. We may be quick to point out what we are owed, but let us be careful not to be hypocrites. If we want to fight in this world based on our selfish will and desires, we will also take what is owed to our sinful natures. This is why the Lord says "But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you", (Luke 6:27-31). As the children of God we should show the world a difference in our actions and our speech. This takes place through the process of the Holy Spirit, but we must die to allow the Holy Spirit to move and work through us!!! Today, if you find yourself struggling, trying to fight for your rights in any venue whether it be work, family, friends, or the world, measure the worth of that thing you are trying to hold onto versus the joy and riches of eternal life. Be Encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of dying so that others may live on purpose!!!!!
John 10
The Good Shepherd and His Sheep
1 “Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” 6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.
7 Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.[a] They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”
Monday, April 18, 2011
Dying to Live vs Living to Die Volume 2, Issue 1
As we read in John 10 below we find this proclamation made by Jesus Christ to the purpose of His coming to earth in the form of man. It was to be the Shepherd to the lost sheep of Israel and to be Shepherd to the lost gentiles. To be a Shepherd is to be one who cares for their sheep, keeps them protected, guides them, and feeds them. Jesus Christ not only provided for the sheep's needs but He also laid down His life for His sheep. The one thing that the children of Israel and even Satan himself never expected the Messiah to do was to voluntarily die a sinner's death. No King comes to have power and authority just to turn around and give it up willingly. This truly still confuses the wisdom of the world. If this was the Son of God, why did he die like a criminal and not stay to rule the earth for centuries as He should have!!! "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts", (Isaiah 55:9).
The mission of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was to establish a true relationship between Man and God as it should have been. By becoming the second Adam and living a sinless life, He fulfilled the requirements to become the sacrificial lamb for man, once and for all. No power on earth or in heaven could have taken the life of Christ, but He Willingly laid it down for mankind on the cross. Jesus Christ had all power before coming to earth as being part of the Trinity. There was nothing to gain, because He already had everything!!! One who strives to gain something is ultimately admitting that he is lacking something. Satan is truly lacking glory, a throne, a kingdom, and especially time. This is why we as the children of God, who have come to the Father through the Son, truly have no lack. All that we ever needed and wanted has already been provided by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!!! Therefore we can lay down our lives daily as we follow the example of our Savior!!! Be Encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of dying so that others may live on purpose!!!!!
John 10
The Good Shepherd and His Sheep
1 “Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” 6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.
7 Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.[a] They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”
The mission of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was to establish a true relationship between Man and God as it should have been. By becoming the second Adam and living a sinless life, He fulfilled the requirements to become the sacrificial lamb for man, once and for all. No power on earth or in heaven could have taken the life of Christ, but He Willingly laid it down for mankind on the cross. Jesus Christ had all power before coming to earth as being part of the Trinity. There was nothing to gain, because He already had everything!!! One who strives to gain something is ultimately admitting that he is lacking something. Satan is truly lacking glory, a throne, a kingdom, and especially time. This is why we as the children of God, who have come to the Father through the Son, truly have no lack. All that we ever needed and wanted has already been provided by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!!! Therefore we can lay down our lives daily as we follow the example of our Savior!!! Be Encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of dying so that others may live on purpose!!!!!
John 10
The Good Shepherd and His Sheep
1 “Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” 6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.
7 Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.[a] They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Dying to Live vs Living to Die Volume 1, Issue 4
Ecclesiastes 2:10-11
10 Whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them.
I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure,
For my heart rejoiced in all my labor;
And this was my reward from all my labor.
11 Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done
And on the labor in which I had toiled;
And indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind.
There was no profit under the sun.
This passage was written by the wisest King of Israel, Solomon. In his life time pursuit of wisdom and knowledge he learned that many things that mankind deemed valuable, had no value at all. The enemy knows that in keeping us busy with the pursuits of our flesh we will waist a life that was created to bring God glory. Sadly, most saints realize this late in life when they are not able to run for God as they would want to because of aging bodies. The enemy knows this fact as well and has destroyed the communication between older and younger generations. Solomon talked and wrote about these vanities towards the end of his life. We today even in the church do not take the time to honor the wisdom of our older generations. Their wisdom is much more valuable than pure gold. The enemy knows that if we stay busy with life and this ever changing age of technology, the art of seating and being still to listen to the wisdom of a seasoned saint will be lost!!!
While brothers and sisters all over the world struggle with the warfare of denying flesh, we must be steadfast in knowing that our struggle is not to live but to die. Today, even many of the works done in the church is done out of fleshly desires, whether for recognition by man, pride, maintaining salvation, earning salvation, or simply brokenness. The enemy knows that if he can keep you busy doing righteous works of the flesh, you will still be on a hamster wheel, not being in the Will of God!!! "In his defense Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working”, (John 5:17). "Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does" (John 5:19). God only blesses the works of His Will and our Savior Jesus Christ spoke directly to this by saying that He never performed a work that was not according to His Father's Will. Every work done by man will be tested by God's standard as it is written in 1 Corinthians 3:13 "their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work." Jesus moved and spoke when His Father told Him to move and speak. We are to have an intimate relationship with our Father so that we will hear His voice and know when to speak and work!!! "For in him we live and move and have our being.’[b] As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring" (Acts 17:28). Letting go of the desires of our flesh and letting go of the desires of our righteousness, let us show the world the Light of our Marvelous God!!! Today, stop dying to live and LIVE to DIE!!! Be Encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of dying so that others may live on purpose!!!!!
2 Corinthians 5
Awaiting the New Body
1 For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2 Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, 3 because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4 For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
6 Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7 For we live by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
10 Whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them.
I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure,
For my heart rejoiced in all my labor;
And this was my reward from all my labor.
11 Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done
And on the labor in which I had toiled;
And indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind.
There was no profit under the sun.
This passage was written by the wisest King of Israel, Solomon. In his life time pursuit of wisdom and knowledge he learned that many things that mankind deemed valuable, had no value at all. The enemy knows that in keeping us busy with the pursuits of our flesh we will waist a life that was created to bring God glory. Sadly, most saints realize this late in life when they are not able to run for God as they would want to because of aging bodies. The enemy knows this fact as well and has destroyed the communication between older and younger generations. Solomon talked and wrote about these vanities towards the end of his life. We today even in the church do not take the time to honor the wisdom of our older generations. Their wisdom is much more valuable than pure gold. The enemy knows that if we stay busy with life and this ever changing age of technology, the art of seating and being still to listen to the wisdom of a seasoned saint will be lost!!!
While brothers and sisters all over the world struggle with the warfare of denying flesh, we must be steadfast in knowing that our struggle is not to live but to die. Today, even many of the works done in the church is done out of fleshly desires, whether for recognition by man, pride, maintaining salvation, earning salvation, or simply brokenness. The enemy knows that if he can keep you busy doing righteous works of the flesh, you will still be on a hamster wheel, not being in the Will of God!!! "In his defense Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working”, (John 5:17). "Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does" (John 5:19). God only blesses the works of His Will and our Savior Jesus Christ spoke directly to this by saying that He never performed a work that was not according to His Father's Will. Every work done by man will be tested by God's standard as it is written in 1 Corinthians 3:13 "their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work." Jesus moved and spoke when His Father told Him to move and speak. We are to have an intimate relationship with our Father so that we will hear His voice and know when to speak and work!!! "For in him we live and move and have our being.’[b] As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring" (Acts 17:28). Letting go of the desires of our flesh and letting go of the desires of our righteousness, let us show the world the Light of our Marvelous God!!! Today, stop dying to live and LIVE to DIE!!! Be Encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of dying so that others may live on purpose!!!!!
2 Corinthians 5
Awaiting the New Body
1 For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2 Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, 3 because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4 For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
6 Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7 For we live by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Dying to Live vs Living to Die Volume 1, Issue 3
Let's look at the three ways that Satan keeps us bond to the hamster wheel of life. It started with him long time ago as an angel gifted as the beautiful sound of music, (Ezekiel 28:11-19). He learned that angels were subjected to mood changes based on his gifting. That is why still today music plays such an impact into our lives, the way it affects our moods, and this gift was never taken away from him. In that time, iniquity was found in him because of three things, he saw the praise God received from His creations and he was jealous. He coveted the glory that God received. Based of his gift he believed that he was worthy of that glory. The sin that manifested in Lucifer was the lust of his eyes, the lust of his flesh, and the pride of life. 1 John 2:16-17 "For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever." When Jesus Christ was tested he was tested in these three areas:
Luke 4
Jesus Is Tested in the Wilderness
1 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2 where for forty days he was tempted[a] by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.
3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” (Lust of the Flesh)
4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’[b]”
5 The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. 7 If you worship me, it will all be yours.” (Lust of the Eye)
8 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’[c]”
9 The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. 10 For it is written:
“‘He will command his angels concerning you
to guard you carefully;
11 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’[d]” (Pride of life)
12 Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’[e]”
Satan knows that if he keeps us tempted through our eyes, flesh, and pride he will keep us from living a life of freedom in Christ. Make no mistake, Satan knows you better than you know yourself and your tests and temptations are specifically for you. These are the tools he uses, these are the weapons of warfare that is raged on every single human being. The only way to defeat Satan during these times of temptation is through the same tool the Jesus Christ used and that is the Word of God!!! Many humans are dying to live because their life is filled with pursuits that never satisfy. God tells us in, 2 Corinthians 13 "Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified. 6 But I trust that you will know that we are not disqualified." Today look at the areas of your life and test to see if your pursuits are based off the lust of your eye, the lust of your flesh, or the pride of life. If any are, turn immediately and repent, use the scriptures to clear the trappings of the enemy and focus back on the good and pleasing Will of our Heavenly Father!!! Be Encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of dying so that others may live on purpose!!!!!
2 Corinthians 5
Awaiting the New Body
1 For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2 Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, 3 because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4 For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
6 Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7 For we live by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the bod
Luke 4
Jesus Is Tested in the Wilderness
1 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2 where for forty days he was tempted[a] by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.
3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” (Lust of the Flesh)
4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’[b]”
5 The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. 7 If you worship me, it will all be yours.” (Lust of the Eye)
8 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’[c]”
9 The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. 10 For it is written:
“‘He will command his angels concerning you
to guard you carefully;
11 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’[d]” (Pride of life)
12 Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’[e]”
Satan knows that if he keeps us tempted through our eyes, flesh, and pride he will keep us from living a life of freedom in Christ. Make no mistake, Satan knows you better than you know yourself and your tests and temptations are specifically for you. These are the tools he uses, these are the weapons of warfare that is raged on every single human being. The only way to defeat Satan during these times of temptation is through the same tool the Jesus Christ used and that is the Word of God!!! Many humans are dying to live because their life is filled with pursuits that never satisfy. God tells us in, 2 Corinthians 13 "Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified. 6 But I trust that you will know that we are not disqualified." Today look at the areas of your life and test to see if your pursuits are based off the lust of your eye, the lust of your flesh, or the pride of life. If any are, turn immediately and repent, use the scriptures to clear the trappings of the enemy and focus back on the good and pleasing Will of our Heavenly Father!!! Be Encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of dying so that others may live on purpose!!!!!
2 Corinthians 5
Awaiting the New Body
1 For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2 Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, 3 because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4 For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
6 Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7 For we live by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the bod
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Dying to Live vs Living to Die Volume 1, Issue 2
The evil one, the fallen angel Lucifer, known now and forever as Satan is our example of one who is busy dying to live. His existence is now filled with the desire to take as many souls with him to hell. He knows not the hour of our Lord's return and so he is in a panic to accomplish as much as he can before entering the lake of fire. This is why we see the evidence of the world growing darker and darker. Once again man has the same decease that Satan has and that is to be like the Holy God. As we take a look at the passage below we will see why Satan was cast to the earth and why he has been so busy.
Isaiah 14
12 How you have fallen from heaven,
morning star, son of the dawn!
You have been cast down to the earth,
you who once laid low the nations!
13 You said in your heart,
“I will ascend to the heavens;
I will raise my throne
above the stars of God;
I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly,
on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon.[b]
14 I will ascend above the tops of the clouds;
I will make myself like the Most High.”
15 But you are brought down to the realm of the dead,
to the depths of the pit.
It's amazing when we look at the conversation between Satan and Eve, he uses the same thing that he knew got him kicked from the presence of God to separate mankind from God. “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. 5 “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil, (Genesis 3:4-5).” Ever since that separation, Satan has sought to keep every one of God's creations separated from His presence. While many men have lived and died never knowing the blessed hope we possess, we see their lives filled year after year trying to defame the most High God. Everyday souls are being saved in the name of Jesus Christ against everything that the enemy stands for. All the attempts of the enemy are vain in the fact that one day every tongue shall proclaim and every knee shall bow to the Lord Jesus Christ, (Romans 14:11)!!! While Satan is truly a formidable foe for mankind, he is no match for our Lord and Savior as he was defeated on the cross (which took away the power of death and the separation of mankind from God) and on the day of Christ's return, He will be defeated once and for all!!! Be Encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of dying so that others may live on purpose!!!!!
2 Corinthians 5
Awaiting the New Body
1 For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2 Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, 3 because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4 For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
6 Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7 For we live by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
Isaiah 14
12 How you have fallen from heaven,
morning star, son of the dawn!
You have been cast down to the earth,
you who once laid low the nations!
13 You said in your heart,
“I will ascend to the heavens;
I will raise my throne
above the stars of God;
I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly,
on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon.[b]
14 I will ascend above the tops of the clouds;
I will make myself like the Most High.”
15 But you are brought down to the realm of the dead,
to the depths of the pit.
It's amazing when we look at the conversation between Satan and Eve, he uses the same thing that he knew got him kicked from the presence of God to separate mankind from God. “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. 5 “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil, (Genesis 3:4-5).” Ever since that separation, Satan has sought to keep every one of God's creations separated from His presence. While many men have lived and died never knowing the blessed hope we possess, we see their lives filled year after year trying to defame the most High God. Everyday souls are being saved in the name of Jesus Christ against everything that the enemy stands for. All the attempts of the enemy are vain in the fact that one day every tongue shall proclaim and every knee shall bow to the Lord Jesus Christ, (Romans 14:11)!!! While Satan is truly a formidable foe for mankind, he is no match for our Lord and Savior as he was defeated on the cross (which took away the power of death and the separation of mankind from God) and on the day of Christ's return, He will be defeated once and for all!!! Be Encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of dying so that others may live on purpose!!!!!
2 Corinthians 5
Awaiting the New Body
1 For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2 Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, 3 because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4 For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
6 Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7 For we live by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Dying to Live vs Living to Die Volume 1, Issue 1
The world is living a life full of vanity, ever seeking for that one thing that will fulfill that void in their life. We as the children of the one and true living God, once had this great void that made us chase after those things which were fleeting. The chase of life comes from a deep seated fear of death. Death is the trump card used by the enemy to keep people ever searching in vain for something to fulfill them while here on this earth. We are all given the desire to worship something and until we find that thing we are incomplete. For many they make money, spouses, children, parents, religion, occupations, drugs, music, sports figures, movie stars, materials of wealth, or sex their "gods". These hurting people are "dying to live", in other words they are trying with all their might to find that thing that brings them peace and fulfillment.
Only Jesus Christ who is "the way, the truth, and the life", John 14:6 could provide us with the life that fulfills. While we see those all around us suffering from bondage and unrest, we are to die so that they may live. This is to say we die daily to our flesh in order that the world may see a love that will draw them to a loving Savior. We must allow the loving compassion from our Savior to be manifested through our vessels so that the world will ask questions which will open the door for the gospel to be shared "which is the power unto salvation", Romans 1:16. As they continue to die we see the desperation of their actions in this fallen world, we are the light unto this darken world and we must allow Christ to shine through us to bring our Heavenly Father glory. Today, in the places where your feet tread, allow the light of Christ to so shine to the dying, that they may gain life everlasting as you have!!! Be Encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of dieing so that others may live on purpose!!!!!
2 Corinthians 5
Awaiting the New Body
1 For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2 Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, 3 because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4 For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
6 Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7 For we live by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
Only Jesus Christ who is "the way, the truth, and the life", John 14:6 could provide us with the life that fulfills. While we see those all around us suffering from bondage and unrest, we are to die so that they may live. This is to say we die daily to our flesh in order that the world may see a love that will draw them to a loving Savior. We must allow the loving compassion from our Savior to be manifested through our vessels so that the world will ask questions which will open the door for the gospel to be shared "which is the power unto salvation", Romans 1:16. As they continue to die we see the desperation of their actions in this fallen world, we are the light unto this darken world and we must allow Christ to shine through us to bring our Heavenly Father glory. Today, in the places where your feet tread, allow the light of Christ to so shine to the dying, that they may gain life everlasting as you have!!! Be Encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of dieing so that others may live on purpose!!!!!
2 Corinthians 5
Awaiting the New Body
1 For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2 Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, 3 because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4 For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
6 Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7 For we live by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Marriage Volume 2, Issue 5
As a very wise friend once illustrated marriage is like merging two companies. You bring together vision statements, mission statements, finances, assets, and expectations for how this newly merged company should grow and prosper. In one company the accountant might be stronger and so that accountant will be in charge of the companies finances. The other company might have had a strong ability to see the future and to plan accordingly to the trends of society so that company is put in charge of vision. Basically the two companies come together and communicate hopes, expectations, and desires. Through this communication there is a beautiful dance that takes place, where one company is weak the other is strong and so at certain parts of the song one partner will not just allow but encourage the other partner to lead. See these two companies have come together and they want a win win scenario because they both have so much invested in this merger. They might not always see eye to eye and they may hit a couple of ruff spots through trial and error like any business, but they are committed to ensuring that this business is healthy and growing.
God wants us to understand that in this life our spouses are no longer just another person that is walking the face of the earth but that they are an extension of us. Look at your marriage in terms of a team. When you play on a sports team, your goal is not to win all the personal achievements that are out there. The ultimate goal is to win the championship of that sport. Every great athlete has found out the most important piece to the equation to the success of a team, this is that no matter how talented any one player is on the team it takes the elevation of the whole team's talent to win a championship. They learned as their motivation changed from just wanting to shine in the spot light to helping all those around them, they found success was able to be reached. You never want your teammates to lose, if they do, you do!!! In marriage we should not look to win arguments with our spouse if she or he loses you both lost. In times of disagreements the goal should be to communicate expectations and desires clearly and then come to the best decision possible so that the team continues to focus on it's goal. When an offense has taken place, we as a team should not want to hurt one another, we should move to reconcile as soon as possible. A husband should want the best for his wife and the wife should want the best for her husband, and the best is becoming what God created us all to be in the Body of Christ!!! Today, adopt the business/team mentality in regards to your marriage and work to ensure that above anything else your partner is a winner!!! Be Encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of enjoying Marriage on purpose!!!!!
Ephesians 5
Marriage—Christ and the Church
22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. 24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. 28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. 30 For we are members of His body,[d] of His flesh and of His bones. 31 “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”[e] 32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
God wants us to understand that in this life our spouses are no longer just another person that is walking the face of the earth but that they are an extension of us. Look at your marriage in terms of a team. When you play on a sports team, your goal is not to win all the personal achievements that are out there. The ultimate goal is to win the championship of that sport. Every great athlete has found out the most important piece to the equation to the success of a team, this is that no matter how talented any one player is on the team it takes the elevation of the whole team's talent to win a championship. They learned as their motivation changed from just wanting to shine in the spot light to helping all those around them, they found success was able to be reached. You never want your teammates to lose, if they do, you do!!! In marriage we should not look to win arguments with our spouse if she or he loses you both lost. In times of disagreements the goal should be to communicate expectations and desires clearly and then come to the best decision possible so that the team continues to focus on it's goal. When an offense has taken place, we as a team should not want to hurt one another, we should move to reconcile as soon as possible. A husband should want the best for his wife and the wife should want the best for her husband, and the best is becoming what God created us all to be in the Body of Christ!!! Today, adopt the business/team mentality in regards to your marriage and work to ensure that above anything else your partner is a winner!!! Be Encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of enjoying Marriage on purpose!!!!!
Ephesians 5
Marriage—Christ and the Church
22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. 24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. 28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. 30 For we are members of His body,[d] of His flesh and of His bones. 31 “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”[e] 32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Marriage Volume 2, Issue 4
Children are truly a blessing and a heritage from God. Proverbs 17: 6 "Children’s children are the crown of old men, and the glory of children is their father." We know as parents that the blessing of a child is an honor sent from God. Just like with everything else God has given for our good, the enemy wishes to pervert and to use it as a stumbling block to bring division between husband and wife. If we are truly obedient to God's Word, we will not allow even our own children to come between us and our spouse. God would not set two people on a journey for a life time together then bless them with a child that would tear them apart. His Word says in Matthew 19:6 "So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” The command was not to let no man separate, father from child or mother from child, but let no man (which includes children) separate husband and wife!!!
Many marriages today are hindered by the raising of children. When mother and father are not on one accord a child desperately seeks to exploit this division for their own gain. Becoming one flesh means that with all things we are one including the philosophy of how we raise our children. When the testing of the child comes and they find that mother and father are unified in their stance on issues the child will learn to respect each parent equally. Many husbands and wives look for children to fulfill the missing part of the equation in their marriage, this is very dangerous!!! There is a three strand rope and that is husband, wife, and God!!! A father's or mother's identity cannot be driven by the child. If this becomes the case you have now stepped outside of the Will of God.
God has not left us on this earth without a blue print to His sovereign Will. Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." Our duty as parents is to train up the child in the way of our Lord and Savior so that they will be able to have all the truth that they need to make the most important decision they will have to make in life, that is whether they will accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior or allow the enemy to be their Lord. We cannot make the decision for them and they will not make it to heaven based on our relationship with Christ. When we understand that the child is not our own but just like with every good gift given from God, they are intended to be turned back over for His Glory, we have peace just knowing we did all that we could do to train them up.
There is a principal called "the before, during, and after" principal. The way God intended for our lives to be shaped was that we would come to him in our age of understanding, which is around the teenage years. That means that we would have had a relationship with Him, before we got married, while we were married, and after marriage whether in this life or the next. The order of marriage is that we were married before the children came, we are married while we are raising the children, and we will be married after the children are grown and gone on their own. Please remember the only two relationships that you choose to be in with a required time frame is your relationship for Christ which has an eternal time frame and your relationship with your spouse which has a lifetime commitment. We cannot pick our family, which include our children and the choice of who we have as friends has no time limit requirement, so once again the two most important relationships is our God and our Spouse!!! Today, our life may not have followed God's blueprint, but by His Grace and Mercy, with the understanding of His Word and our Love to bring Him Glory, we can allow the Holy Spirit to put our lives and priorities in proper order!!! Be Encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of enjoying Marriage on purpose!!!!!
Ephesians 5
Marriage—Christ and the Church
22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. 24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. 28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. 30 For we are members of His body,[d] of His flesh and of His bones. 31 “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”[e] 32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
Many marriages today are hindered by the raising of children. When mother and father are not on one accord a child desperately seeks to exploit this division for their own gain. Becoming one flesh means that with all things we are one including the philosophy of how we raise our children. When the testing of the child comes and they find that mother and father are unified in their stance on issues the child will learn to respect each parent equally. Many husbands and wives look for children to fulfill the missing part of the equation in their marriage, this is very dangerous!!! There is a three strand rope and that is husband, wife, and God!!! A father's or mother's identity cannot be driven by the child. If this becomes the case you have now stepped outside of the Will of God.
God has not left us on this earth without a blue print to His sovereign Will. Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." Our duty as parents is to train up the child in the way of our Lord and Savior so that they will be able to have all the truth that they need to make the most important decision they will have to make in life, that is whether they will accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior or allow the enemy to be their Lord. We cannot make the decision for them and they will not make it to heaven based on our relationship with Christ. When we understand that the child is not our own but just like with every good gift given from God, they are intended to be turned back over for His Glory, we have peace just knowing we did all that we could do to train them up.
There is a principal called "the before, during, and after" principal. The way God intended for our lives to be shaped was that we would come to him in our age of understanding, which is around the teenage years. That means that we would have had a relationship with Him, before we got married, while we were married, and after marriage whether in this life or the next. The order of marriage is that we were married before the children came, we are married while we are raising the children, and we will be married after the children are grown and gone on their own. Please remember the only two relationships that you choose to be in with a required time frame is your relationship for Christ which has an eternal time frame and your relationship with your spouse which has a lifetime commitment. We cannot pick our family, which include our children and the choice of who we have as friends has no time limit requirement, so once again the two most important relationships is our God and our Spouse!!! Today, our life may not have followed God's blueprint, but by His Grace and Mercy, with the understanding of His Word and our Love to bring Him Glory, we can allow the Holy Spirit to put our lives and priorities in proper order!!! Be Encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of enjoying Marriage on purpose!!!!!
Ephesians 5
Marriage—Christ and the Church
22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. 24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. 28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. 30 For we are members of His body,[d] of His flesh and of His bones. 31 “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”[e] 32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Marriage Volume 2, Issue 3
Wives as we see in the passage below God calls you to respect your Husband in verse 33. In our society today, wives this is a very hard task to accomplish. A wife who truly wishes to conform to God's Will and fulfill this commandment, has a hard road to travel unless see allows the Holy Spirit to do it through her. There are very little examples for you to draw from in the world. Parental guidance has always taught you to be strong and independent. The media tells you to go and conquer the world. Your friends tell you that there are no good men out here and especially none worth giving up your identity for. In the meantime you have this Holy and Righteous God calling for your full submission to Him and to your husband. In order for this to take place you will have to allow the Holy Spirit to break generational bondage!!!
Once again you have no problem loving your husband, in the sense that you will sacrifice time and energy to benefit him. The problem most wives have is in truly respecting her Husband. This is because your natural being doesn't speak the language of respect. The first weapon a young girl learns to use is her tongue. She learns by the age of 5 or younger that if someone does something that hurts her in any way, she can defend herself by giving them a tongue lashing. While men defense mechanism is physical, women's is emotional. A physical pain will subside much easier than a word that was dealt to the bone of someone's existence. When we think about hurts that we suffered in our younger years that still hurt today, they were not physical, they were hurtful words spoken by someone who meant the world to us. This is not just a coincidence, the enemy knows that if he can train up a woman to use her tongue to cut down any opposition, when it's time for marriage she will use that same weapon any time she feels she needs to with her husband.
The bible states in Proverbs 18:21 "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit." Most women are taught that in order to get a man to move in the direction you want them to go, insult them or nag them. Your also taught that words don't hurt a man, he is to be strong and get over it. The reason why your man doesn't move to the whipping of your tongue is because you are killing him inside out. There is not life being produced in him, it's death. He will become more and more like a corpse in your marriage if you continue to produce death with your tongue. Most people will not understand why a man would hit a woman in the street, especially his wife (Now he is 100% wrong in the matter), but the understanding comes from the fact that the one person that he is to care the most about just put a dagger in his heart (which physically felt like a dagger) from something she said and he reverted back to how he defends himself, which is with violence. Look back at the scripture from proverbs, it plainly says, that if you sow seeds of life with your tongue, you will reap the fruit of life. If you sow seeds of death with your tongue, you will reap the fruit of death.
The enemy wants nothing more than to show the world why they should not get married, and to defame the whole purpose of getting married which is to bring Glory to God, by showing the world the relationship of love between Christ and the Church. If you have been experiencing death in your marriage recently, try praying for a change in your heart towards your husband. Ask God to heal your hearts and at the same time teach you how to sow seeds of life into your husband's heart. It is never too late for this manifestation of the Holy Spirit to take place, you just have to submit to Christ and allow the Holy Spirit to get to work. There is nothing more beautiful than a wife being in a loving and committed relationship with a husband that loves her, like Christ loves the Church, trust me it is worth the effort!!! You will never feel as free in your life than when your marriage is operating as it ought to be under God's ordinance and you have truly given respect to your husband in full submission to him. Here is a standard to strive to and an example to go back to from time to time; Proverbs 31:10-31, which is spoken from a Mother to a Son which had become King!!! Be Encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of enjoying Marriage on purpose!!!!!
Ephesians 5
Marriage—Christ and the Church
22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. 24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. 28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. 30 For we are members of His body,[d] of His flesh and of His bones. 31 “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”[e] 32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
Once again you have no problem loving your husband, in the sense that you will sacrifice time and energy to benefit him. The problem most wives have is in truly respecting her Husband. This is because your natural being doesn't speak the language of respect. The first weapon a young girl learns to use is her tongue. She learns by the age of 5 or younger that if someone does something that hurts her in any way, she can defend herself by giving them a tongue lashing. While men defense mechanism is physical, women's is emotional. A physical pain will subside much easier than a word that was dealt to the bone of someone's existence. When we think about hurts that we suffered in our younger years that still hurt today, they were not physical, they were hurtful words spoken by someone who meant the world to us. This is not just a coincidence, the enemy knows that if he can train up a woman to use her tongue to cut down any opposition, when it's time for marriage she will use that same weapon any time she feels she needs to with her husband.
The bible states in Proverbs 18:21 "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit." Most women are taught that in order to get a man to move in the direction you want them to go, insult them or nag them. Your also taught that words don't hurt a man, he is to be strong and get over it. The reason why your man doesn't move to the whipping of your tongue is because you are killing him inside out. There is not life being produced in him, it's death. He will become more and more like a corpse in your marriage if you continue to produce death with your tongue. Most people will not understand why a man would hit a woman in the street, especially his wife (Now he is 100% wrong in the matter), but the understanding comes from the fact that the one person that he is to care the most about just put a dagger in his heart (which physically felt like a dagger) from something she said and he reverted back to how he defends himself, which is with violence. Look back at the scripture from proverbs, it plainly says, that if you sow seeds of life with your tongue, you will reap the fruit of life. If you sow seeds of death with your tongue, you will reap the fruit of death.
The enemy wants nothing more than to show the world why they should not get married, and to defame the whole purpose of getting married which is to bring Glory to God, by showing the world the relationship of love between Christ and the Church. If you have been experiencing death in your marriage recently, try praying for a change in your heart towards your husband. Ask God to heal your hearts and at the same time teach you how to sow seeds of life into your husband's heart. It is never too late for this manifestation of the Holy Spirit to take place, you just have to submit to Christ and allow the Holy Spirit to get to work. There is nothing more beautiful than a wife being in a loving and committed relationship with a husband that loves her, like Christ loves the Church, trust me it is worth the effort!!! You will never feel as free in your life than when your marriage is operating as it ought to be under God's ordinance and you have truly given respect to your husband in full submission to him. Here is a standard to strive to and an example to go back to from time to time; Proverbs 31:10-31, which is spoken from a Mother to a Son which had become King!!! Be Encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of enjoying Marriage on purpose!!!!!
Ephesians 5
Marriage—Christ and the Church
22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. 24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. 28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. 30 For we are members of His body,[d] of His flesh and of His bones. 31 “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”[e] 32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Marriage Volume 2, Issue 2
Husbands please look closely at the bottom of our scripture passage below. We have been given a command in verse 33, it states that each husband should love his own wife. Let us start off with a question. Why is a "command" given? Let us go back to Exodus 20 when God gives the children of Israel the 10 commandments. These were given to them for three reasons, one to build a relationship between the Israelites and God, second to distinguish them from the rest of the world and point a sinful world back to the living God, and third to show the Israelites themselves that they would never be able to fulfill the law in their natural flesh and that His love for mankind would be demonstrated in the sacrificial death of His sinless Son, Jesus Christ.
That being said a command is given because a person would not perform this function in their natural state. In other words you do not have to command a dog to bark, a rabbit to hop, a fish to swim, or a lion to roar. These behaviors come naturally to these species. Yet, man was commanded to "Love" his wife. The reason why men are from mars and women are from Venus is because we speak two different languages. Men naturally speak respect, with out teaching a man, they would naturally respect those they admire and seek respect from all those around them. Women on the other hand naturally speak love, with out teaching a woman, they would naturally love those they admire and seek love from all those around them, that is why they are commanded in verse 33 to respect their husbands.
Now let's go back once again, a command is given but it can not be fulfilled in our natural flesh, as God has shown us before. A husband can only fulfill this command by being under submission to Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Now we can say there are many married couples that are not Christian and it seems that there are husbands that love their wives, that may be true but it's based on the standard of love from the world. The world asks what are they doing, so they can see and hear a sign. God, asks why are they doing it. Remember God doesn't judge actions as we seen in Jeremiah 17:10, "I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings." Two husbands performing the same action of opening the car door for his wife would be seen by man as righteous. God would see the man that did it out of the want for sex later on in that evening and count it unto him as selfish. While He will take a look at the other husbands action which was performed out of a motive of safety for his wife and it will be counted as selfless. Only a man under the submission to the Holy Spirit will have a pure motive because it is the Spirit that is inside of him operating. This is why Christ died for the Church, out of a Love Motive!!! Christ died for our sins almost 2000 years before we were born. We cannot judge our actions of whether we are loving our wives based on their actions or lack of respect for us. Christ died for man will we were yet still sinners!!! Now, with this love demonstrated to the world from a husband to a wife, the world will see the love that was demonstrated from Christ to the Church. Today, husbands allow the Holy Spirit to continue to conform you into Christ, so that you may Love your wife as you ought to, for this is a part of God's pleasing and perfect Will for your Life!!! Be Encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of enjoying Marriage on purpose!!!!!
Ephesians 5
Marriage—Christ and the Church
22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. 24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. 28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. 30 For we are members of His body,[d] of His flesh and of His bones. 31 “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”[e] 32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
That being said a command is given because a person would not perform this function in their natural state. In other words you do not have to command a dog to bark, a rabbit to hop, a fish to swim, or a lion to roar. These behaviors come naturally to these species. Yet, man was commanded to "Love" his wife. The reason why men are from mars and women are from Venus is because we speak two different languages. Men naturally speak respect, with out teaching a man, they would naturally respect those they admire and seek respect from all those around them. Women on the other hand naturally speak love, with out teaching a woman, they would naturally love those they admire and seek love from all those around them, that is why they are commanded in verse 33 to respect their husbands.
Now let's go back once again, a command is given but it can not be fulfilled in our natural flesh, as God has shown us before. A husband can only fulfill this command by being under submission to Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Now we can say there are many married couples that are not Christian and it seems that there are husbands that love their wives, that may be true but it's based on the standard of love from the world. The world asks what are they doing, so they can see and hear a sign. God, asks why are they doing it. Remember God doesn't judge actions as we seen in Jeremiah 17:10, "I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings." Two husbands performing the same action of opening the car door for his wife would be seen by man as righteous. God would see the man that did it out of the want for sex later on in that evening and count it unto him as selfish. While He will take a look at the other husbands action which was performed out of a motive of safety for his wife and it will be counted as selfless. Only a man under the submission to the Holy Spirit will have a pure motive because it is the Spirit that is inside of him operating. This is why Christ died for the Church, out of a Love Motive!!! Christ died for our sins almost 2000 years before we were born. We cannot judge our actions of whether we are loving our wives based on their actions or lack of respect for us. Christ died for man will we were yet still sinners!!! Now, with this love demonstrated to the world from a husband to a wife, the world will see the love that was demonstrated from Christ to the Church. Today, husbands allow the Holy Spirit to continue to conform you into Christ, so that you may Love your wife as you ought to, for this is a part of God's pleasing and perfect Will for your Life!!! Be Encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of enjoying Marriage on purpose!!!!!
Ephesians 5
Marriage—Christ and the Church
22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. 24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. 28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. 30 For we are members of His body,[d] of His flesh and of His bones. 31 “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”[e] 32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Marriage Volume 2, Issue 1
The institution of marriage is truly a sacred and beautiful relationship when followed after the model that God's Word has set. Marriages are to be the most intimate relationships we have outside of our relationship with God. One main hindrance to the level of intimacy experienced in most marriages is that one or both spouses has not yet cleaved to the other. In God's Word it states: Matthew 19: 3 Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?” 4 “Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’[a] 5 and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’[b]? 6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” 7 “Why then,” they asked, “did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?” 8 Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. 9 I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.” Many husbands and wives are still cleaved to their parents, friends, previous spouses, entertainment (t.v., Internet, video games, hobbies, etc...), occupations, or spiritual leaders. A man and wife are to leave and become one flesh and this is not just in the physical. When this command was given the ancient custom was that the husband would go and find a part of land on his father's property to make a home for him and his wife. The "leave" means that we let go of the influence of our parents in our lives so that our most important confidant is our spouse, outside of God. There is no problem with gaining wisdom or help from a parent in a trying season of marriage, but to allow your parent or anyone else to have a significant voice in your decision making or how your household is run will only hinder the ability to be intimate with your spouse. To become one flesh is to share one another not just physically but also mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. If one spouse feels that they are less important than anyone else in the other spouse's life, intimacy will not be fully realized in that marriage. This leads many couples to divorce because a spouse felt that they did not have the full affection of the other spouse. Remember, you can never serve two masters, you will love one and hate the other, or you will be devoted to one and despise the other, Matthew 6:24. This scripture was spoken in reference to money and God. This scripture can also be applied to marriage in the sense that if you serve the wises and desires of your parents or anyone else in your marriage, you will not be able to serve the wishes and desires of your spouse fully. This can be a hard saying to receive basically because we want to "honor" our parents and if we have a great relationship, it may be hard to let go. Some signs that may lead you to believe that it is time to let go is, (1) You discuss major decisions in your life with someone else before your spouse, (2) The opinion of someone else has heavier weight than your spouse, (3) Time is more spent with someone (whether it be on the phone or in person) than your spouse, and (4) Your spouse is compared to someone in a negative way. Just as another note, if you find this person or thing a hindrance to your marriage most likely they are a hindrance to your intended intimate relationship with God as well!!! Today, if there is anyone or anything that you have to leave in order to allow your marriage to become as intimate as it was intended to be, please start that journey with the support of your spouse!!! Be Encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of enjoying Marriage on purpose!!!!! Ephesians 5 Marriage—Christ and the Church 22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. 24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. 28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. 30 For we are members of His body,[d] of His flesh and of His bones. 31 “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”[e] 32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
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