"Fake People"!!! There is such a cry out against people being fake in our society today. No one wants to be around people who smile in your face and talk behind your back. Everyone desires to have people in their lives who wants the best for them and will be there to encourage them. Fake people are always the ones that cause drama. Yet, let us look at this from a different perspective. How many people are real with themselves. The reason why we have so many fake people is because no one wants to look in a "real mirror". "For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise", (2 Corinthians 10:12). We are still conforming ourselves to the world when we are looking at each other and comparing ourselves to one another, we are all broken sinners. "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will", (Romans 12:2).
When we look at ourselves we make changes to ourselves based on what we see in others. Mankind is a broken mirror due to sin, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God", (Romans 3:23). Yet there has only been one mirror that has never been broken. All Christians are to look into that mirror to see their reflection. This mirror reflects the brokenness of our sinful hearts and it declares the areas in which we need to die on the cross daily. This mirror is Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, the only human to walk the face of this earth and yet did not commit a sin. Jesus is the measuring stick that we are to compare ourselves to. "For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters", (Romans 8:29). The reason why there are so many "fake people", is because no one wants to see the reality of who they really are. If they do look in the mirror of Jesus Christ, they soon turn away from the mirror forgetting what they see. In other words, people would rather deal in their brokenness rather than deal with the fire that purifies the flesh that conforms us into the likeness of our Savior Jesus Christ. So because I don't want to deal with my issues, it's okay for you not to deal with yours. I will love you as I am called to do and accept your ways which are not pleasing to God, because I know my ways are not pleasing to God. "As long as when I compare myself to you, I look good, then we are okay". The reason the Pharisee and Sadducee's wanted Jesus dead was because He exposed them to the darkness of their broken and wicked hearts. We cannot accept less than what Jesus Christ died for, that man would be conformed into His likeness and His image to shed light onto this dark world so that some may come to the saving grace of God the Father!!! While none of us will never be perfect until we die in this life and receive our new bodies in eternity, settling for looking into broken mirrors will keep the church filled with "fake people"!!! Today, let us make sure the mirror we are looking into is the one illustrated in the scriptures of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!!! Be Encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of keeping it real on purpose!!!!!
James 1
Listening and Doing
19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
Soldiers of God
Ever ready for the Charge
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Monday, June 20, 2011
Keeping it Real Volume 1, Issue 1
"Keeping it Real", has become a very known cliche' in our society today. This statement is used right before or after someone has shared what they believe is truth, which may have offended the recipient. This cliche' is also used by someone to justify their actions when they know what they have done is of a lower standard than what is required. Sadly, the majority of the people waking the face of this earth know very little about reality. Reality has to be based on truth. There is only one book which truly lists out the truths of mankind. When buying a product, our expectation is to learn everything we need to know about the functionality and how to operate the product through reading and applying what we have learned from the instruction manual included. The creator of that product is truest source of how that product "ought to" operate and function. The Bible serves as the instruction manual to mankind because the author is the creator of mankind.
The reality of mankind, is that man was created to serve a purpose just like everything else that has been created in the universe. The purpose is not to fulfill our own Will, but the Will of God the creator of the universe. There are clear and precise instructions in how mankind is to relate to God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, the Holy Spirit, and the rest of mankind. We have instructions on how to govern ourselves in this life and why we were created. We have understanding in the tools (Gifts) we have been given in order to execute the purpose of our creation. Living by any other guidelines driven by self and the world is living by a false reality. Today, examine the scriptures to see if you are living in and by the reality of God!!! Be Encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of keeping it real on purpose!!!!!
James 1
Listening and Doing
19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
The reality of mankind, is that man was created to serve a purpose just like everything else that has been created in the universe. The purpose is not to fulfill our own Will, but the Will of God the creator of the universe. There are clear and precise instructions in how mankind is to relate to God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, the Holy Spirit, and the rest of mankind. We have instructions on how to govern ourselves in this life and why we were created. We have understanding in the tools (Gifts) we have been given in order to execute the purpose of our creation. Living by any other guidelines driven by self and the world is living by a false reality. Today, examine the scriptures to see if you are living in and by the reality of God!!! Be Encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of keeping it real on purpose!!!!!
James 1
Listening and Doing
19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
Friday, June 17, 2011
The Process Volume 1, Issue 5
FREEDOM!!!! The process that we face in Christ, is being set free from the world, it's wisdom, it's strongholds, it's soul ties, it's materials, and greater than that ourselves. God wants to free us from our pride, our lusts of the flesh and the lust of our eyes. "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", (1 John 2:16). Having a sober vision of ourselves will give us the desire to be set free from all those things that hinder our transformation in Christ Jesus. While we may see the great fight against the world and the evil one, the greatest fight is within ourselves. We have to understand that the enemy uses what is already in the depths of our of hearts and minds to wage war against us. We give the enemy the bullets to shoot at us!!! It's like your enemy comes on your property and uses everything in your shed including rakes, shovels, picks, ropes, hammers, nails, and axes to wage war against you. God our loving Father, wants to clean out our sheds and free us from all the things the enemy uses. God then fills our shed with His Son Jesus Christ, which the enemy cannot use.
A subtle but deadly weapon we give the enemy to use against us is a unforgiving heart. As we have memories of people who have hurt us and we still have scares of those hurts, the enemy brings people in our lives that remind us of those people. He may also resurface those people. These may be the people God wants to shine the Light of His son through us for their salvation, but we are blocking the light because we do not want to have anything to do with them. It is not enough just to be free from "habits", because new ones can be introduced. It is not enough to be free from past hurts, because new ones can come. The enemy can do just as much damage with empty vessels as with vessels full of anger, bitterness, greed, and evil. “When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation”, (Matthew 12:43-45). If that vessel is not pursuing the Holiness of Christ through the written Word of God and fellowship with the Spirit, the enemy will wage a greater war than before!!! We must remember that throughout the rest of our lives we will face temptations and trails, we can only defeat the enemy in Spirit and Truth with the Word of God. Anything less than God will have no affect against the enemies attacks. We will never become perfect in this flesh, but we must strive for perfection. We must desire the fire of the Holy Spirit to purge us of all the impurities that are deep down, so that we will be filled with Christ to reflect His light to this darken world!!! Today, seek the fire of the process and the passion to be free to do God's pleasing and perfect Will in the earth!!! Be Encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of enjoying the process on purpose!!!!!
Romans 12
A Living Sacrifice
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
1 Thessalonians 4
Plea for Purity
1 Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God; 2 for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus.
3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5 not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified. 7 For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. 8 Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given[a] us His Holy Spirit.
A subtle but deadly weapon we give the enemy to use against us is a unforgiving heart. As we have memories of people who have hurt us and we still have scares of those hurts, the enemy brings people in our lives that remind us of those people. He may also resurface those people. These may be the people God wants to shine the Light of His son through us for their salvation, but we are blocking the light because we do not want to have anything to do with them. It is not enough just to be free from "habits", because new ones can be introduced. It is not enough to be free from past hurts, because new ones can come. The enemy can do just as much damage with empty vessels as with vessels full of anger, bitterness, greed, and evil. “When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation”, (Matthew 12:43-45). If that vessel is not pursuing the Holiness of Christ through the written Word of God and fellowship with the Spirit, the enemy will wage a greater war than before!!! We must remember that throughout the rest of our lives we will face temptations and trails, we can only defeat the enemy in Spirit and Truth with the Word of God. Anything less than God will have no affect against the enemies attacks. We will never become perfect in this flesh, but we must strive for perfection. We must desire the fire of the Holy Spirit to purge us of all the impurities that are deep down, so that we will be filled with Christ to reflect His light to this darken world!!! Today, seek the fire of the process and the passion to be free to do God's pleasing and perfect Will in the earth!!! Be Encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of enjoying the process on purpose!!!!!
Romans 12
A Living Sacrifice
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
1 Thessalonians 4
Plea for Purity
1 Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God; 2 for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus.
3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5 not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified. 7 For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. 8 Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given[a] us His Holy Spirit.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
The Process Volume 1, Issue 4
To forgive someone who has wronged you is one thing. To invite them to literally eat and drink at your table is another. “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you", (Matthew 5:38-42). Only the process of Jesus Christ being manifested in you can produce the fruit of being able to sit across from your enemy with no bitterness or guile and wish the same thing for them that you would your loved ones and that is that they would come to know the saving power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. When we are wronged or sit in the company of those who wish to persecute or attack us, we sit in the same seat the our Lord sat in. He gave us specific instructions what to do when we are faced with this difficult situation. "Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times", (Matthew 18:21-22). How can this be done? "But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible”, (Matthew 19:26).
The process will transform us from a people who says; "I cannot forgive that", to a vessel that says; "God, please heal me of this unforgiving heart"!!! When we understand what we have been forgiven and the Grace and Mercy that has been poured out on us, it allows us to understand why forgiving others bring glory to God. Once again when man is operating in his own flesh, this is impossible, but when operating in Spirit, this is more than possible. When Jesus Christ washed Judas Iscariot's feet along with the rest of His disciples at the last super knowing that Judas that very night would betray Jesus, we see a totally different principal being introduced into the earth. We see that everything your enemies do to harm you or bring you destruction, God uses to glorify Himself. Judas did exactly what was needed for the Son of Man to be ransomed for the penalty of mankind's sin. "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ", (2 Corinthians 10:3-5). Walking in the Light of Christ affords us the courage to sit at the table with our enemies and love them knowing that all that the enemy wishes to do to us God will use for our good, and His Glory!!! We as the children of God, above any others walking the face of this earth should know full well and live out the principal of "Not taking it personally"!!! Be Encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of enjoying the process on purpose!!!!!
Romans 12
A Living Sacrifice
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
1 Thessalonians 4
Plea for Purity
1 Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God; 2 for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus.
3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5 not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified. 7 For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. 8 Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given[a] us His Holy Spirit.
The process will transform us from a people who says; "I cannot forgive that", to a vessel that says; "God, please heal me of this unforgiving heart"!!! When we understand what we have been forgiven and the Grace and Mercy that has been poured out on us, it allows us to understand why forgiving others bring glory to God. Once again when man is operating in his own flesh, this is impossible, but when operating in Spirit, this is more than possible. When Jesus Christ washed Judas Iscariot's feet along with the rest of His disciples at the last super knowing that Judas that very night would betray Jesus, we see a totally different principal being introduced into the earth. We see that everything your enemies do to harm you or bring you destruction, God uses to glorify Himself. Judas did exactly what was needed for the Son of Man to be ransomed for the penalty of mankind's sin. "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ", (2 Corinthians 10:3-5). Walking in the Light of Christ affords us the courage to sit at the table with our enemies and love them knowing that all that the enemy wishes to do to us God will use for our good, and His Glory!!! We as the children of God, above any others walking the face of this earth should know full well and live out the principal of "Not taking it personally"!!! Be Encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of enjoying the process on purpose!!!!!
Romans 12
A Living Sacrifice
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
1 Thessalonians 4
Plea for Purity
1 Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God; 2 for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus.
3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5 not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified. 7 For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. 8 Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given[a] us His Holy Spirit.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
The Process Volume 1, Issue 3
Part of the process that we will undergo in our sanctification will be the trade of our identity for that of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This is definitely a hard stage to undergo due to many reasons. When we allow the process to take place and we start to allow Jesus Christ to rule our lives, people start to respond to us as they would Jesus Christ. We spent so many years building friendships and then you find that these same people you cared for now want nothing to do with you. Think this not strange, it is not you, it is the Christ in you that they are rejecting. The presence of Christ in you is all the offense some will need to separate themselves from you.
Mark 6:1-6
A Prophet Without Honor
1 Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. 2 When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed.
“Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? 3 Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph,[a] Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.
4 Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” 5 He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6 He was amazed at their lack of faith.
Make no mistake, when Christ takes over your life, you will change. The way you walk, talk, and even look will change to all the people around you. The hard pill to swallow for most that go through this process is that they recognize that the person they were before conversion, could never be a better friend than the person they have become in Christ. When the Holy Spirit deals with our brokenness and sets us free from the pains of our past, we become a vessel of fresh water, giving life and encouragement to all who wish to drink from the source of Christ. We find out that those who were close to us would rather have the broken and pain filled friend from years past than the one who has been transformed through the blood of Christ. Many will stop the process right here from the pain of rejection from family and friends. We cannot turn back!!! While that pain is as real as a knife to the heart, we must also commit that pain over to the cross in order to keep running our race. The biggest pain we will feel is the rejection from those in the body of Christ. Once again remember Christ biggest obstacles came not from the world but from the children of Israel. Christ exposed so much brokenness and truth of motives when He was present that it caused such a great offense. The same takes place today, as the vessel of Christ the greatest offense you will cause will be in the body of Christ. We must stand, in freedom and in the Spirit of truth. We should not worry when people are offended by our presence, we should worry when they are not!!! Be Encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of enjoying the process on purpose!!!!!
Luke 6:20-26
20 Looking at his disciples, he said:
“Blessed are you who are poor,
for yours is the kingdom of God.
21 Blessed are you who hunger now,
for you will be satisfied.
Blessed are you who weep now,
for you will laugh.
22 Blessed are you when people hate you,
when they exclude you and insult you
and reject your name as evil,
because of the Son of Man.
23 “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets.
24 “But woe to you who are rich,
for you have already received your comfort.
25 Woe to you who are well fed now,
for you will go hungry.
Woe to you who laugh now,
for you will mourn and weep.
26 Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you,
for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets.
Romans 12
A Living Sacrifice
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
1 Thessalonians 4
Plea for Purity
1 Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God; 2 for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus.
3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5 not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified. 7 For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. 8 Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given[a] us His Holy Spirit.
Mark 6:1-6
A Prophet Without Honor
1 Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. 2 When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed.
“Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? 3 Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph,[a] Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.
4 Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” 5 He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6 He was amazed at their lack of faith.
Make no mistake, when Christ takes over your life, you will change. The way you walk, talk, and even look will change to all the people around you. The hard pill to swallow for most that go through this process is that they recognize that the person they were before conversion, could never be a better friend than the person they have become in Christ. When the Holy Spirit deals with our brokenness and sets us free from the pains of our past, we become a vessel of fresh water, giving life and encouragement to all who wish to drink from the source of Christ. We find out that those who were close to us would rather have the broken and pain filled friend from years past than the one who has been transformed through the blood of Christ. Many will stop the process right here from the pain of rejection from family and friends. We cannot turn back!!! While that pain is as real as a knife to the heart, we must also commit that pain over to the cross in order to keep running our race. The biggest pain we will feel is the rejection from those in the body of Christ. Once again remember Christ biggest obstacles came not from the world but from the children of Israel. Christ exposed so much brokenness and truth of motives when He was present that it caused such a great offense. The same takes place today, as the vessel of Christ the greatest offense you will cause will be in the body of Christ. We must stand, in freedom and in the Spirit of truth. We should not worry when people are offended by our presence, we should worry when they are not!!! Be Encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of enjoying the process on purpose!!!!!
Luke 6:20-26
20 Looking at his disciples, he said:
“Blessed are you who are poor,
for yours is the kingdom of God.
21 Blessed are you who hunger now,
for you will be satisfied.
Blessed are you who weep now,
for you will laugh.
22 Blessed are you when people hate you,
when they exclude you and insult you
and reject your name as evil,
because of the Son of Man.
23 “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets.
24 “But woe to you who are rich,
for you have already received your comfort.
25 Woe to you who are well fed now,
for you will go hungry.
Woe to you who laugh now,
for you will mourn and weep.
26 Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you,
for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets.
Romans 12
A Living Sacrifice
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
1 Thessalonians 4
Plea for Purity
1 Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God; 2 for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus.
3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5 not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified. 7 For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. 8 Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given[a] us His Holy Spirit.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
The Process Volume 1, Issue 2
We do not just sit idly by as the process of sanctification happens within us. We have an active part to play in the process as well. While it is true that only God, through the work of the Holy Spirit, can produce the fruit of the Spirit, we must also play our position which is to give our whole heart to Him, study the Word of God, pray without ceasing, and picking up our cross daily. Picking up our cross is a symbol to the world that Jesus Christ represents us. He is the atonement for our sins. It also is the active place were we daily deny the Will of self and die for the glory of God.
"So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin", (Romans 7:21-25). This is our Apostle Paul not speaking as once going through this before coming to Christ, but as his daily present struggle. Paul also states; "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize", (1 Corinthians 9:24-27). There is an active beating of our body into submission. We want our fleshly body submit to the Will of God!!! In order to do this we have to know our weaknesses. A sprinter who knows that they have a hard time getting out of the starting blocks will devote a tremendous amount of time working on getting out of the blocks. We must see the wicked places in our hearts and draw nearer to God so that these places of temptation can be beat into submission. This process is not for spectators, it is designed for those who wish to run the race for their crown!!! Be Encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of enjoying the process on purpose!!!!!
Romans 12
A Living Sacrifice
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
1 Thessalonians 4
Plea for Purity
1 Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God; 2 for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus.
3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5 not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified. 7 For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. 8 Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given[a] us His Holy Spirit.
"So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin", (Romans 7:21-25). This is our Apostle Paul not speaking as once going through this before coming to Christ, but as his daily present struggle. Paul also states; "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize", (1 Corinthians 9:24-27). There is an active beating of our body into submission. We want our fleshly body submit to the Will of God!!! In order to do this we have to know our weaknesses. A sprinter who knows that they have a hard time getting out of the starting blocks will devote a tremendous amount of time working on getting out of the blocks. We must see the wicked places in our hearts and draw nearer to God so that these places of temptation can be beat into submission. This process is not for spectators, it is designed for those who wish to run the race for their crown!!! Be Encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of enjoying the process on purpose!!!!!
Romans 12
A Living Sacrifice
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
1 Thessalonians 4
Plea for Purity
1 Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God; 2 for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus.
3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5 not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified. 7 For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. 8 Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given[a] us His Holy Spirit.
Monday, June 13, 2011
The Process Volume 1, Issue 1
We have everything we want at our fingertips today. The joy of the process has been long gone from this generation. When we have a society built on doing every thing quicker, stronger, better, bigger, we lose the opportunity to enjoy the process. Cooking a meal from scratch is a lost art in our day. Those that still perform this act of love, gain joy from going through the process of preparing the food, then the gift they receive is the enjoyment of the food by their loved ones. While microwaving and preparing precooked meals may help us in devoting time to other things, the flavor, taste, nourishment, and memory of a home cook meal can never be replaced.
Sadly, many Christians may seek to be microwaved into seasoned saints, performing works. A life of service to our Loving Father is a good thing, but we have to remember that the Father has His way of preparing us for that service. Our Father is a Master Chief and loves to take care in making Kingdom cooked meals for mankind to feast on!!! Look at our example in the form of our Savior, Jesus Christ. God slow baked Jesus for roughly thirty three years before God served Him on a platter for the World's consumption. "But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which anyone may eat and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world”, (John 6:50-51). God is in no rush, but He is a gentleman and will only use those who choose to freely give of their bodies to be transformed into a beautiful meal that the Lord will prepare. God can and does use any ingredient for His glory, so it is ultimately our Will to determine whether we will be used in a microwave dinner for the world's consumption or as part of a four coarse meal. We can disqualify ourselves from the four coarse meal by not choosing to submit to the process of sanctification. Remember the memory of a microwaved meal may last an hour, but the memory of a four coarse meal may last a life time. Today, choose to be an ingredient that the Master Chief will use in one of His special feasts, submit to the process!!! Be Encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of enjoying the process on purpose!!!!!
Romans 12
A Living Sacrifice
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
1 Thessalonians 4
Plea for Purity
1 Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God; 2 for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus.
3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5 not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified. 7 For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. 8 Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given[a] us His Holy Spirit.
Sadly, many Christians may seek to be microwaved into seasoned saints, performing works. A life of service to our Loving Father is a good thing, but we have to remember that the Father has His way of preparing us for that service. Our Father is a Master Chief and loves to take care in making Kingdom cooked meals for mankind to feast on!!! Look at our example in the form of our Savior, Jesus Christ. God slow baked Jesus for roughly thirty three years before God served Him on a platter for the World's consumption. "But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which anyone may eat and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world”, (John 6:50-51). God is in no rush, but He is a gentleman and will only use those who choose to freely give of their bodies to be transformed into a beautiful meal that the Lord will prepare. God can and does use any ingredient for His glory, so it is ultimately our Will to determine whether we will be used in a microwave dinner for the world's consumption or as part of a four coarse meal. We can disqualify ourselves from the four coarse meal by not choosing to submit to the process of sanctification. Remember the memory of a microwaved meal may last an hour, but the memory of a four coarse meal may last a life time. Today, choose to be an ingredient that the Master Chief will use in one of His special feasts, submit to the process!!! Be Encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of enjoying the process on purpose!!!!!
Romans 12
A Living Sacrifice
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
1 Thessalonians 4
Plea for Purity
1 Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God; 2 for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus.
3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5 not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified. 7 For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. 8 Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given[a] us His Holy Spirit.
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