I used to have a poster by my desk at work, it said: "If you were accused of being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to prove it?". Have you ever considered what your Christian walk looks like to others?
This morning my "walk" is on my mind, I know I stumble, I fall and I make mistakes, maybe that makes my life look like I'm not a Christian, but actually what it shows is that I'm not a "Perfect Christian".
What I am is a person that has recognized that I am not perfect, I am a person who has heard the truth that there is Someone that was willing to pay for my imperfections and I have chosen to accept that payment to cover me because I was not able to make the payment myself.
When I allowed myself to be bailed out by Someone else it put me in a position of considering the other Person's opinions and desires for my life are more important than my own.
Choices I now make reflect what I do because I am a person that has been forgiven for a debt that I could not pay. I am in debt to the One who paid the price for me.
The choices I make may not be evidence to anyone other than myself, but I do hope that my life reflects that I am a Christian.... sometimes it is something that can't be seen by the world. We can do many works that make us look like we are something that we are not....we can have a head knowledge and not a heart knowledge....it takes more than just works and more than just knowledge.....but yes! I am washed clean and forgiven through Jesus' blood and now live as His! I am a Christian!
Wednesday, December 27, 2017
Thursday, December 7, 2017
Called to Holiness
Is it possible that we have made an image of God in our thinking that is not accurate? Have we removed the "Holiness" from His image? Have we made Him such a loving God that He is willing to wipe away the call to holiness that He has put on us?
I hear so many people call on Him as if He is simply the father figure on an old TV show. Is He the strict but gentle loving father that chuckles over the antics of his wife and children~ I think not.
He is the Holy Creator of all things! He is the great I AM, the Ancient of Days, the Alpha and Omega. He is Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Omniscient! Who are we to recreate Him in our image!?
While He does love us immensely because we are covered by Jesus' precious blood, He knows our hearts better than we do and He has given us a path to walk, a narrow path.
He has more good plans for us than we can imagine but that does not remove the holiness and the purity we are called to, if we believe it does we are going to be sadly surprised.
As His Kingdom, we need to walk circumspectly, we need to constantly consider and inspect our hearts, our actions, words, thoughts. Acts 24:16 "In view of this, I also do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience both before God and before men."
Yes, I know we walk in a new freedom, paid for by our Saviour, but we are instructed in Romans 12:2 "Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect."
Remember, we're not to transform God into what is pleasing to us, we are to be transformed ourselves into what is pleasing to Him.
Tuesday, November 28, 2017
Who Pays When You Can't?
We know that Jesus came to pay for our sins, that is the beginning teaching that has brought us into a relationship with our Heavenly Father, but there was a time that Lane and I had this lesson shown to us in a different format.
Let me describe the lesson we learned. For a while, Lane worked as a server for a prominent United States restaurant chain. This job position made it easy for us to be able to transfer to another town when the Lord told us it was time to relocate. During this season the Lord provided our finances with the tips that the customers left on the table after their meals. (A side note here, yes, there are people whose next meal depends on how well you tip them after you have eaten your meal! As a Christian, you should consider being generous with your kindness and money to those who are serving you in all circumstances!)
During the winter part of this journey there was a snowstorm that paralyzed the city, businesses and schools were all closed. The city was doing it's best to dig the roadways out from under the covering of snow and ice but it took a week or so. Because a server at a restaurant lives by tips, and they are not able to get to get to work and the customers are not able to get to the restaurant there are no tips and therefore no money!
As soon as the roads became passable Lane was back at work. There still weren't many customers brave enough to go out to eat, so after missing days of no pay, there was still a shortage of tips. One evening we believed we were supposed to be at a church service across town, we ventured out even though we didn't have very much gasoline. While we were still in the praise service Kevin, a man that regularly attended there with us came to Lane and gave him an envelope of cash. He told Lane that the Lord had told him to give us the money for "our giving". Even though the money wasn't "on the tables" while Lane was working, the Lord still provided enough for us to be able to "give" back to Him! Isn't that amazing!? That is just like Jesus coming and paying the price for our sins when we weren't able to pay it ourselves! We don't know how much was in the envelope, we didn't open it, we told the Lord "Thank You!" and put the envelope in the offering. And if that wasn't enough, at the end of the service another man came and gave Lane a "cash handshake", and informed him that God had told him to buy us some gasoline! He apologized that he didn't have more, but he was obedient and it was enough that we had money to buy gasoline to get home and for Lane to go back to work. God is so Good!
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33
Let me describe the lesson we learned. For a while, Lane worked as a server for a prominent United States restaurant chain. This job position made it easy for us to be able to transfer to another town when the Lord told us it was time to relocate. During this season the Lord provided our finances with the tips that the customers left on the table after their meals. (A side note here, yes, there are people whose next meal depends on how well you tip them after you have eaten your meal! As a Christian, you should consider being generous with your kindness and money to those who are serving you in all circumstances!)
During the winter part of this journey there was a snowstorm that paralyzed the city, businesses and schools were all closed. The city was doing it's best to dig the roadways out from under the covering of snow and ice but it took a week or so. Because a server at a restaurant lives by tips, and they are not able to get to get to work and the customers are not able to get to the restaurant there are no tips and therefore no money!
As soon as the roads became passable Lane was back at work. There still weren't many customers brave enough to go out to eat, so after missing days of no pay, there was still a shortage of tips. One evening we believed we were supposed to be at a church service across town, we ventured out even though we didn't have very much gasoline. While we were still in the praise service Kevin, a man that regularly attended there with us came to Lane and gave him an envelope of cash. He told Lane that the Lord had told him to give us the money for "our giving". Even though the money wasn't "on the tables" while Lane was working, the Lord still provided enough for us to be able to "give" back to Him! Isn't that amazing!? That is just like Jesus coming and paying the price for our sins when we weren't able to pay it ourselves! We don't know how much was in the envelope, we didn't open it, we told the Lord "Thank You!" and put the envelope in the offering. And if that wasn't enough, at the end of the service another man came and gave Lane a "cash handshake", and informed him that God had told him to buy us some gasoline! He apologized that he didn't have more, but he was obedient and it was enough that we had money to buy gasoline to get home and for Lane to go back to work. God is so Good!
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33
Thursday, November 2, 2017
How Do You Respond?
Good day to you Mighty Warrior of the One True King!
We do well to remember that the greatest response, no matter what is going on in life, is to be praying and offer up worship! It will cause doors to be opened and chains to be loosed, for you and for those who are around you.
- created by Lane Mercer (twoarrowsministries@gmail.com to schedule for ministry to your group)
We do well to remember that the greatest response, no matter what is going on in life, is to be praying and offer up worship! It will cause doors to be opened and chains to be loosed, for you and for those who are around you.
When they had struck them with many blows, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to guard them securely; and he, having received such a command, threw them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them; suddenly there came a great earthquake so that the foundations of the prison house were shaken; immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened. - Acts 16:23-26
Is it easy? Nope! Is it worth it? Yes! There are so many things that we can pray and sing about. The following is not an all-inclusive list however it is a great starting place: the goodness of God; His incredible faithfulness; the amazing love of Jesus; the power of the blood; the same Spirit that raised Christ up from the dead is indwelt within us and we can boldly access the throne of grace.
Take stock of your life right now - what areas can you see that in the midst of whatever is going on that I will choose to pray and sing praise to the one true King? You might be in stocks like Paul and Silas were, or you might be in a place where it seems that everything is out of control in your world. What a great time to get doors open in your life and have chains be loosened - for you and whomever else is in your surroundings! You might be on the opposite side of life and you are successful, and you have no idea about hard times. What a great time to keep doors open in your life and stay chain free - for you and whomever else in your surroundings!
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| Photo Credit |
What a great testament to who the Lord is in your life that you go after Him during the good, bad and just plain ugly!
Tuesday, October 31, 2017
Climbing Higher
In the beginning of becoming a Christian it sounds so easy....it really does. Just tell Jesus that you believe in Him and accept Him as your Saviour....easy right?
Then you take another step and try to change something in your life. You start reading your bible. Now you realize there are things in your life that need to go....and somethings that need to come.
Now you need to learn to pray, stop cursing, no more living together, no more accepting diversity, before this, you figured "live and let live", now you learn that what God hates you are supposed to hate....wow! and you didn't really know that God hated anything! He does~
I can tell you that the further down the path you go the more uphill it is. Yes, you want to go up and yes, the Lord is there to help you....but it is still a climb!
There is much to lay aside to be able to climb higher, much! There is not a lot that you can carry with you as you climb to new levels, but there is not much that you need at the higher levels and what you do need is provided...if it is not provided then you may not have needed it!
Sometimes the things you have let go of are returned, but not always. Remember, through it all keep your eyes up...not looking back and not looking down.
The things that we have turned loose of are too many to list, as is the case for many others who are climbing higher and running this race to win.
I thought I had turned loose of the desire for "community" but now I am facing turning it loose again. We have a favorite Pastor that has spoken on this before. He has said that when you run for the Lord, there are not a lot of people that you will see running at your pace.
I have recently heard a message about people that drop out of the race, it is almost like the Lord was preparing me for this next step, and then last weekend I received a word about "intense focus", more preparation.
This morning I am hearing the Spirit comfort me with the understanding that "community" is not always available. Paul longed to go into the synagogues and speak to the Jewish people, but they stoned him and threw him out for dead. We have not had to deal with that, however, at times it has felt like it!
Paul did not give up his testimony of Christ to fit into the community and evidently, they were not comfortable with his witness, but Paul climbed higher! Maybe the comfort in this is that Paul is a good guide to climbing higher and his community is the community we should seek?
Then you take another step and try to change something in your life. You start reading your bible. Now you realize there are things in your life that need to go....and somethings that need to come.
Now you need to learn to pray, stop cursing, no more living together, no more accepting diversity, before this, you figured "live and let live", now you learn that what God hates you are supposed to hate....wow! and you didn't really know that God hated anything! He does~
I can tell you that the further down the path you go the more uphill it is. Yes, you want to go up and yes, the Lord is there to help you....but it is still a climb!
There is much to lay aside to be able to climb higher, much! There is not a lot that you can carry with you as you climb to new levels, but there is not much that you need at the higher levels and what you do need is provided...if it is not provided then you may not have needed it!
Sometimes the things you have let go of are returned, but not always. Remember, through it all keep your eyes up...not looking back and not looking down.
The things that we have turned loose of are too many to list, as is the case for many others who are climbing higher and running this race to win.
I thought I had turned loose of the desire for "community" but now I am facing turning it loose again. We have a favorite Pastor that has spoken on this before. He has said that when you run for the Lord, there are not a lot of people that you will see running at your pace.
I have recently heard a message about people that drop out of the race, it is almost like the Lord was preparing me for this next step, and then last weekend I received a word about "intense focus", more preparation.
This morning I am hearing the Spirit comfort me with the understanding that "community" is not always available. Paul longed to go into the synagogues and speak to the Jewish people, but they stoned him and threw him out for dead. We have not had to deal with that, however, at times it has felt like it!
Paul did not give up his testimony of Christ to fit into the community and evidently, they were not comfortable with his witness, but Paul climbed higher! Maybe the comfort in this is that Paul is a good guide to climbing higher and his community is the community we should seek?
Wednesday, October 25, 2017
It Is Not About Us
Good day to you Mighty Warrior of the One True King!
It is one of the greatest litmus test for your life and/or your ministry: where are you directing your focus? We do well to remember that the example left by one of the "greatest men who ever lived" (spoken by Jesus about John the Baptist, Matthew 11:11) is to get people to realize that it is not about us - it is all about Him, the King of Kings!
John spoke "Behold, the Lamb of God!". When you dig down and study the word "behold" it means "Don't miss this! It is an observable, objective fact!" This understanding now stresses that whatever follows the use of the word "behold" is to say that if you hear and/or get nothing else that I say - hear this. I can almost see it as one grabbing you by the shoulders and shaking you in a way to gain all of your attention. So what is the message that is being conveyed here?
Again the next day John was standing with two of his disciples, and he looked at Jesus as He walked, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. - John 1:35-37
This is my prayer and I encourage it for you as well - may the message we bring and the words we speak cause others to follow Jesus all the way to the heart of the Father!
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| Photo Credit |
No matter what issue, circumstance, situation, event, occasion, argument, concern, controversy, matter, problem, question, subject or topic remember this: Behold the Lamb of God and follow Jesus!
- created by Lane Mercer (twoarrowsministries@gmail.com to schedule for ministry to your group)
Wednesday, October 18, 2017
What Do You Trust In?
Good day to you Mighty Warrior of the One True King!
One of the many things that are amazing when we look at parables that Jesus teaches us is that He can bring forth such amazing truth on multiple levels. Take for example the following parable that Jesus shares regarding the Pharisee and the tax collector. When we first look at it we can see that he is addressing this to "some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and viewed others with contempt." We can see at first reading, that Jesus gives a great example of a life influenced by having a religious spirit compared to a life influenced by having a relationship. One stakes his hopes and claims on what he has done and the other entirely on the mercy of God.
And He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’ I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.” - Luke 18:9-14
Now let's look again. What is another lesson that can be gleaned in addition to the first one? There is still hope - this is huge! Jesus did not say that due to his condition of the heart that there is never a chance that it can be changed. In fact, one of the most self-righteous Pharisees of all was saved by God’s mercy and went on to become the Apostle Paul. There has never been a heart too hard that God's mercy can not pierce.
One word of caution to you though - don't fall into the trap that you see yourself as one relying on God's mercy and then comparing yourself to the ones that do not, thinking that you are better than they. Remember how Jesus ended this parable, "everyone who exalts himself will be humbled..."
- created by Lane Mercer (twoarrowsministries@gmail.com to schedule for ministry to your group)
Tuesday, October 10, 2017
When The Storm Comes...
Good day to you Mighty Warrior of the One True King!
We can become so familiar with a section of the Word that we can miss what is being conveyed. For example, take the story of Jesus calming the storm - we know the ending that we can easily skip the start of the story. Look at this first part of the story: “They [diciples] took Him [Jesus], just as he was, in the boat.”
Leaving the crowd, they took Him along with them in the boat, just as He was; and other boats were with Him. And there arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up. Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” And He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Hush, be still.” And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm. And He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” - Mark 4:36-40
Why does that part of the story matter? This actually is one of the biggest parts of this story - it is huge! To understand why look at the last section of this story: "Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?" Did you catch it - Jesus had faith before the situation - just as He was. We need to learn to build up our faith before not during a situation!
- created by Lane Mercer (twoarrowsministries@gmail.com to schedule for ministry to your group)
We can become so familiar with a section of the Word that we can miss what is being conveyed. For example, take the story of Jesus calming the storm - we know the ending that we can easily skip the start of the story. Look at this first part of the story: “They [diciples] took Him [Jesus], just as he was, in the boat.”
Leaving the crowd, they took Him along with them in the boat, just as He was; and other boats were with Him. And there arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up. Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” And He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Hush, be still.” And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm. And He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” - Mark 4:36-40
The disciples were exercising fear rather than faith. Notice Jesus did not get onto them for coming to Him - it was because they were afraid! This is a great example that shows that fear cancels faith and faith cancels fear. We need to learn to build our faith up and not our fear.
How do we build up our faith? The following is not an all-inclusive list however it is a great starting place: 1) prayer, 2) study and 3) meditate on the Word. Fear will disappear as our faith grows!
How do we build up our faith? The following is not an all-inclusive list however it is a great starting place: 1) prayer, 2) study and 3) meditate on the Word. Fear will disappear as our faith grows!
- created by Lane Mercer (twoarrowsministries@gmail.com to schedule for ministry to your group)
Monday, October 2, 2017
The Greatest Command
Good day to you Mighty Warrior of the One True King!
There is a phrase that is used to describe the game of chess (It could be applied to a lot of applications I am sure) - the more I think about it though, I think it even better applies to being a follower of Jesus. It is the following: "Easy to learn: A lifetime to master"
It seems simple enough. Love God. Love people. Yet, when we look at this the way Jesus lays it out we see it is way more involved.
"'Teacher, which command in the law is the greatest?' He [Jesus] said to him, 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important command. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands.'"
[Matthew 22:36-40]
I mean look at the way we are to do both, love God and love people. With all your heart, all your mind and all your soul! One thing that stands out to me is the amount we are to invest all of who we are. Have I arrived at hitting both at 100 %? Hardly the case for both let alone one. It is encouraging that once we get a grasp on this the Word will be opened to a whole different level. Look again at what Jesus says, "...All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands."
Don't be discouraged if you are not arriving at 100% either. Remember, Easy to learn: A lifetime to master.
Sunday, October 1, 2017
If You Can, Do!
Last night I was trying to sleep, but the Holy Spirit would have none of that! So while praying I found myself interceding for our Nation. The Holy Spirit lead me into the understanding that if God's body does not stand up and be involved in our government that we are going to lose all that we were put here to protect.
I know we don't often think of Christians in the political arena, but we need to start thinking of just that very thing. Our nation has gone a long ways down the rabbit hole of the liberal agenda and as loving Christians we think that we are called to stand back and love the misguided people and not be judgemental.
I'm thinking that is not what God's agenda for all Christian lives is, scripture says we are here to be "salt and light". Salt does not go unnoticed and neither does light!(Matthew 5:13-16)
How do you go about being "salt and light'? There are people that are to be involved in the Marketplace and in the Political Arena. We need Christians in every area of life!
I know when a person walks into a store, they can tell if the store is filled with light or darkness, I have entered stores that I could not leave fast enough, we need Godly store owners and managers. We can also tell if our children are being taught by someone that is called to be salt or someone of the world. We need Godly parents involved with the whole education system, yes I know there are many but we need more, the world is stealing our children before they ever leave the education process!
Many Christians have chosen to homeschool their children and that is their choice (I give them no condemnation), but for those people that are not able to or choose not to do homeschooling (again, no condemnation) who do you want teaching your children and what material do you want to be taught to them?
Who do you want to make the laws of your City, State, and Nation?
Remember when our entertainers were decent enough that we were able to watch a program with the whole family and not have to cringe at something said or hinted at? Why have we allowed this to change?
These questions are to stir you to see that you have to step out of your comfort zone and let your voice be heard. To save our families and America we have to become involved with the process. Who is choosing your children's curriculum? Who is overseeing the teachers? Who is making choices concerning your city, you need to be in these processes, and this is just for the average citizen!
We also need to be praying for and calling forth Christians to be involved in the National Political arena. As the salt we are supposed to be we are to be mixed into the world, not isolated from it and not changed by it, but changing it!
As the light, we are to drive out darkness. I know many Christians believe that we are not to get too involved in the things of the world, but that is not what the scripture is saying, it says not to cover your light, you are to put it on a lampstand! That doesn't mean hide away from controversy, it means to let it be seen, make a statement with your life!
There are many jobs in God's body, some are called to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers, missionaries to foreign countries, and now I'm suggesting that He has also given some the job of being leaders in our government!
If you can, do! If you cannot, pray for those who can! Call forth Christian leaders to guide our local and national government back to its Godly foundation.
“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:13-16
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2
I know we don't often think of Christians in the political arena, but we need to start thinking of just that very thing. Our nation has gone a long ways down the rabbit hole of the liberal agenda and as loving Christians we think that we are called to stand back and love the misguided people and not be judgemental.
I'm thinking that is not what God's agenda for all Christian lives is, scripture says we are here to be "salt and light". Salt does not go unnoticed and neither does light!(Matthew 5:13-16)
How do you go about being "salt and light'? There are people that are to be involved in the Marketplace and in the Political Arena. We need Christians in every area of life!
I know when a person walks into a store, they can tell if the store is filled with light or darkness, I have entered stores that I could not leave fast enough, we need Godly store owners and managers. We can also tell if our children are being taught by someone that is called to be salt or someone of the world. We need Godly parents involved with the whole education system, yes I know there are many but we need more, the world is stealing our children before they ever leave the education process!
Many Christians have chosen to homeschool their children and that is their choice (I give them no condemnation), but for those people that are not able to or choose not to do homeschooling (again, no condemnation) who do you want teaching your children and what material do you want to be taught to them?
Who do you want to make the laws of your City, State, and Nation?
Remember when our entertainers were decent enough that we were able to watch a program with the whole family and not have to cringe at something said or hinted at? Why have we allowed this to change?
These questions are to stir you to see that you have to step out of your comfort zone and let your voice be heard. To save our families and America we have to become involved with the process. Who is choosing your children's curriculum? Who is overseeing the teachers? Who is making choices concerning your city, you need to be in these processes, and this is just for the average citizen!
We also need to be praying for and calling forth Christians to be involved in the National Political arena. As the salt we are supposed to be we are to be mixed into the world, not isolated from it and not changed by it, but changing it!
As the light, we are to drive out darkness. I know many Christians believe that we are not to get too involved in the things of the world, but that is not what the scripture is saying, it says not to cover your light, you are to put it on a lampstand! That doesn't mean hide away from controversy, it means to let it be seen, make a statement with your life!
There are many jobs in God's body, some are called to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers, missionaries to foreign countries, and now I'm suggesting that He has also given some the job of being leaders in our government!
If you can, do! If you cannot, pray for those who can! Call forth Christian leaders to guide our local and national government back to its Godly foundation.
“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:13-16
Friday, September 29, 2017
Kingdom Come!
When I was in grade school we started daily with the Lord's prayer, led by the teacher. I have it memorized by the continual repetition but now I realize how important that prayer is!
Think about this scripture, "Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven." from Matthew 18:18.
Focus on the part about whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven. Stay with me for just a bit, this point is quickly made!
In the Lord's prayer, we ask for God's kingdom to come, for His will to be done, on earth! as it is in heaven! That is really a big thing, think about it? We all are anxious to go to heaven, but Jesus told us we can pray for it to come here!
That is point 1, but now for point 2, when I was a child in grade school praying this, there were millions of school children praying that very thing daily! and our country was much more stable with less violence and strife, less division. What if the prayers of millions of children were bringing God's kingdom to our world?
Now, what if we all started praying this every morning or evening? Yes, it has been removed from schools, but we can bring it into our world, our families can pray it, our churches can pray it. We think we have to be prayer experts to say the right things but Jesus gave us the perfect prayer, speak the words out loud and listen to the words as you speak them to your Heavenly Father, put your heart into them and watch Him change the very atmosphere where you walk.
So yes Lord, I do come to you and join the body of believers saying~
‘Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.‘Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.
‘Give us this day our daily bread.‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’ Matthew 6:9-13
Sunday, September 24, 2017
Unnecesary
One of the deceptions of the enemy team is to convince you that you are unnecessary.
The enemy may use different approaches, telling us that because other people have made us feel unimportant that we are totally unimportant, or maybe he enters through our own selfish desires to be free of the responsibility to the Kingdom of God and we listen and in our own thinking we decide that we might be unimportant to the body of believers...then we grab it and run with it!
We decide that we don't need to go to church Sunday or ever for that matter, it will go on just fine without us....or we don't need to give financially to church or that ministry, someone else will....we don't need to help in the nursery or cleaning the church, someone else will, we don't need to sing praises, someone else will....we don't need to pray about anything...someone else will... at this point you should be wondering who "someone else" is?
Part of becoming an adult is realizing that nobody else is going to pick up your responsibility, it is yours. A few people may appear to have bypassed their responsibilities but that doesn't mean they have become adults.
If you want to be an adult in the Kingdom, and who doesn't want to grow out of a baby believer status?...who doesn't want to become a disciple of Jesus?.....who doesn't want to start walking in the power of the Spirit?.....you have to accept your responsibilities, get up and go be part of the body of believers.
Yes, that means going to church, meeting with other believers, financially supporting God's work, bypassing your own leisure if it interferes with your walk with Him.
You are important, important enough that the enemy wants to lie to you and convince you that you don't need to bother to pick up your cross and follow your Saviour.
Imagine any sports team and remove one of the players...isn't the team always weaker because of that removal? That is the body of Christ without you. Yes, it can go on and it will...but it is not as strong as it would be if you stepped in and took your place of responsibility and you will never reach the maturity in Christ that you need to for yourself, your family and your community.
Do not believe the voice of the enemy of your soul. You are very necessary! Attend, give, support, pray, praise, encourage, work, minister, for the sake of the Kingdom and for yourself!
The enemy may use different approaches, telling us that because other people have made us feel unimportant that we are totally unimportant, or maybe he enters through our own selfish desires to be free of the responsibility to the Kingdom of God and we listen and in our own thinking we decide that we might be unimportant to the body of believers...then we grab it and run with it!
We decide that we don't need to go to church Sunday or ever for that matter, it will go on just fine without us....or we don't need to give financially to church or that ministry, someone else will....we don't need to help in the nursery or cleaning the church, someone else will, we don't need to sing praises, someone else will....we don't need to pray about anything...someone else will... at this point you should be wondering who "someone else" is?
Part of becoming an adult is realizing that nobody else is going to pick up your responsibility, it is yours. A few people may appear to have bypassed their responsibilities but that doesn't mean they have become adults.
If you want to be an adult in the Kingdom, and who doesn't want to grow out of a baby believer status?...who doesn't want to become a disciple of Jesus?.....who doesn't want to start walking in the power of the Spirit?.....you have to accept your responsibilities, get up and go be part of the body of believers.
Yes, that means going to church, meeting with other believers, financially supporting God's work, bypassing your own leisure if it interferes with your walk with Him.
You are important, important enough that the enemy wants to lie to you and convince you that you don't need to bother to pick up your cross and follow your Saviour.
Imagine any sports team and remove one of the players...isn't the team always weaker because of that removal? That is the body of Christ without you. Yes, it can go on and it will...but it is not as strong as it would be if you stepped in and took your place of responsibility and you will never reach the maturity in Christ that you need to for yourself, your family and your community.
Do not believe the voice of the enemy of your soul. You are very necessary! Attend, give, support, pray, praise, encourage, work, minister, for the sake of the Kingdom and for yourself!
Tuesday, September 12, 2017
Old Wisdom
Don't believe everything you hear and only half of what you see.
This is a very old saying of wisdom. There used to be a lot of them, what happened to them? They seem to have been swept away from public knowledge or thinking.....
If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all.
A stitch in time saves nine.
A fool and his money are soon parted.
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
Actions speak louder than words.
All that glitters is not gold.
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
I want to share something that I thought I witnessed. We were recently at a fast food restaurant for their WiFi and I thought I saw an act of laziness, and I even started grumbling to Lane about a man that went off and left his tray of trash on his table. I started saying, "that man went off and left all of his wrappers and stuff for someone else to clean up for him"! I couldn't see everything that was on the tray, but I did see the trash! Lane looked over and said he could see food on the tray too. Where we were sitting we could see the man walk out, so we knew he wasn't coming back.... but then we saw the truth of the situation. Another man, kind of scrubby looking, came to the table, looked at the tray and picked up an already wrapped burger, put it in his pocket and then picked up an ice cream dessert with a spoon, and then the tray. He took the tray to the trash can, dumped it out and went away with the burger and ice cream.
At this point, I'm not sure what all I had just witnessed, except I think maybe it was a kindness that we saw instead of laziness. The old saying "Don't believe everything you hear and only half of what you see" came to mind and I thought what a good lesson that was and an important thing to remember before I start trying to judge someone else's actions!
This is a very old saying of wisdom. There used to be a lot of them, what happened to them? They seem to have been swept away from public knowledge or thinking.....
If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all.
A stitch in time saves nine.
A fool and his money are soon parted.
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
Actions speak louder than words.
All that glitters is not gold.
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
I want to share something that I thought I witnessed. We were recently at a fast food restaurant for their WiFi and I thought I saw an act of laziness, and I even started grumbling to Lane about a man that went off and left his tray of trash on his table. I started saying, "that man went off and left all of his wrappers and stuff for someone else to clean up for him"! I couldn't see everything that was on the tray, but I did see the trash! Lane looked over and said he could see food on the tray too. Where we were sitting we could see the man walk out, so we knew he wasn't coming back.... but then we saw the truth of the situation. Another man, kind of scrubby looking, came to the table, looked at the tray and picked up an already wrapped burger, put it in his pocket and then picked up an ice cream dessert with a spoon, and then the tray. He took the tray to the trash can, dumped it out and went away with the burger and ice cream.
At this point, I'm not sure what all I had just witnessed, except I think maybe it was a kindness that we saw instead of laziness. The old saying "Don't believe everything you hear and only half of what you see" came to mind and I thought what a good lesson that was and an important thing to remember before I start trying to judge someone else's actions!
Friday, September 8, 2017
Stay Spiritually Clean
Lane and I have been to a conference recently and we know we are entering a new season of growth that while it brings exciting new opportunities it also puts us into new battles in the spirit realm.
"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places." Ephesians 6:12
He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. Revelations 3:21
He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son. Revelation 21:7
"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places." Ephesians 6:12
The Lord does not leave us on our own to fight the battles as best we can, but teaches us! He has equipped us with His armor, Ephesians 6:10-17, His Holy Spirit reveals things to us and matures us in our walk if we submit to the changes and the teaching.
The lesson I have been given this week is to not allow the enemy to have anything "in us", even as Jesus said in John 14:30, "for the ruler of the world is coming, and he has nothing in Me". The visual that He allowed me to see was frightening and convinced me that it is vital to follow these instructions! They are not just casual suggestions, but instructions for our survival.
Daily we are to put the Armor of God on and sometimes more than once a day if we remove part of it at any point! But we are also to walk clean, to give the enemy no ground in ourselves.
What does that mean? It means to give no room for fear, bitterness, envy, jealousy, criticalness, lust, selfishness, addictions, anger, pride, depression...the list goes on and on, but whatever the enemy holds out is bait of this world and that if you bite at it, that is the ground you have given to him to come against you. If you bite at his bait, he takes you deeper and deeper, if you resist, you are free from him and he has nothing in you, you are clean!
In this season, it is vital that you stay clean! Pick up your cross daily, walk the path that Jesus walked, selflessness....at the end of the day, ask the Holy Spirit to show you any "slime" that you picked up through the day, any place that you might have slipped into the enemies grasp and confess it, get clean again! Don't go to sleep dirty! You cannot defeat the enemy if you do not stay spiritually clean.
Remember he is wily, but with the Lord you are victorious! Sometimes all it takes to overcome the enemy is to stand firm and refuse to be dragged into it. James 4:7 says, “Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” An overcomer is one who resists sin no matter what lures Satan uses.
He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son. Revelation 21:7
Friday, August 25, 2017
I Need More Composting!
Sometimes I am selfish, self-centered and self-controlled. With all of that said, I see that my self is the block to walking completely in You Lord!
I try to pick up my cross and follow You Lord - but then I drop it and forget to pick it up again. Please forgive me for my shallow soil. Help me to grow deeper in You. I see I need more composting, I need to enrich my spiritual soil by throwing in more of my fleshly ways, more of what has been pruned from me into the compost pile....to decompose. Let the process of turning from self to You make my spiritual soil richer and stronger Father.
You are my heart's desire! I do choose to take up my cross and follow You.
I try to pick up my cross and follow You Lord - but then I drop it and forget to pick it up again. Please forgive me for my shallow soil. Help me to grow deeper in You. I see I need more composting, I need to enrich my spiritual soil by throwing in more of my fleshly ways, more of what has been pruned from me into the compost pile....to decompose. Let the process of turning from self to You make my spiritual soil richer and stronger Father.
You are my heart's desire! I do choose to take up my cross and follow You.
Thursday, August 24, 2017
Three Rants For the Price of One!
If you wanted to destroy a society, some good steps to take would be to separate the generations.....that is being done daily! We send our kids to school to be taught whatever somebody other than ourselves has decided is important (unless you are one of those involved parents and if you are then applause to you!) and even when we have them with us we stare at a cell phone to see what is important to someone other than our children! Watch anywhere you go, parents are committing child neglect out in public now, they take their children to the store, the restaurant, and sometimes even to the park, but do they speak to their children or teach them as they walk along? No, they stare at the screen of their phones! What can be so important that you neglect the child that you so desperately wanted in your life?! And on a side note, my granddaughter cannot read what I write because cursive is no longer important enough to be taught....but that also means this generation cannot read anything hand written prior to the typewriter, such as the Constitution, Bill of Rights, Gettysburg Address.
The second thing I would do as a step to destroy a society would be to allow many different customs to be recognized as equal to the customs of the current society. You know, like be tolerant of every other holiday around the world, and every religion that wants to enter our society. Yes, I know tolerance is encouraged currently and you cannot be politically correct unless you are "tolerant", however, our society was originally to be the "Melting Pot" of the world, that doesn't mean we all stand out separate, it means we all mix together. Not demanding that everyone change to please us, but that if we wanted in this country we would change to fit into it!
And then I would separate people from their history. If a person has no history or set of traditions then they could be created into whatever society I wanted them to be! Wait that is being done also! We are now to forget the Civil War happened and that many people believed in the rights of the states to create their own laws and govern themselves.......
........do you think that we see these 3 things happening daily means anything?
The second thing I would do as a step to destroy a society would be to allow many different customs to be recognized as equal to the customs of the current society. You know, like be tolerant of every other holiday around the world, and every religion that wants to enter our society. Yes, I know tolerance is encouraged currently and you cannot be politically correct unless you are "tolerant", however, our society was originally to be the "Melting Pot" of the world, that doesn't mean we all stand out separate, it means we all mix together. Not demanding that everyone change to please us, but that if we wanted in this country we would change to fit into it!
And then I would separate people from their history. If a person has no history or set of traditions then they could be created into whatever society I wanted them to be! Wait that is being done also! We are now to forget the Civil War happened and that many people believed in the rights of the states to create their own laws and govern themselves.......
........do you think that we see these 3 things happening daily means anything?
Monday, July 24, 2017
Diversity
The Lord has been impressing me with the message that as a body of believers it is vital for each of us to learn to reach out to generations different from our own. The older generation needs the younger and vice versa, the younger needs the older!
Each generation is going to see things from their perspective, but we need to realize that God has many dimensions and as His body, we do too! We can learn from each other and we need to! The younger generation has the energy and passion for bringing new things into the body and the older generation have the stability and experience to be a strong guiding force.
If we think our generation has the corner on the truth of God, then we are going to be easily deceived and divided. Each of us needs to be aware of and be able to respect the strengths of one another and to gain and grow from them.
For the older generation, catch the fresh wave of energy and excitement for the Lord that the younger generation is bringing, but the younger generation, respect your elders, they have seen a lot of life and have wisdom that will help you advance and not make the mistakes they have. Listen to them and learn!
Reach across the aisle in church to those outside of your age group, learn to speak and listen to the people older and younger than youself. Everyone has something that you can learn from if you take the time to listen.
The world talks about "tolerance" but I'm encouraging you to be tolerant of the people in church that don't look like you, if they're older, they may have wrinkles you don't have, but if they're younger they may dress weird....but it's ok! They are family! We are one body!
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35
Each generation is going to see things from their perspective, but we need to realize that God has many dimensions and as His body, we do too! We can learn from each other and we need to! The younger generation has the energy and passion for bringing new things into the body and the older generation have the stability and experience to be a strong guiding force.
If we think our generation has the corner on the truth of God, then we are going to be easily deceived and divided. Each of us needs to be aware of and be able to respect the strengths of one another and to gain and grow from them.
For the older generation, catch the fresh wave of energy and excitement for the Lord that the younger generation is bringing, but the younger generation, respect your elders, they have seen a lot of life and have wisdom that will help you advance and not make the mistakes they have. Listen to them and learn!
Reach across the aisle in church to those outside of your age group, learn to speak and listen to the people older and younger than youself. Everyone has something that you can learn from if you take the time to listen.
The world talks about "tolerance" but I'm encouraging you to be tolerant of the people in church that don't look like you, if they're older, they may have wrinkles you don't have, but if they're younger they may dress weird....but it's ok! They are family! We are one body!
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35
Tuesday, July 18, 2017
Which Path Do You Choose?
I was just receiving this teaching about healing from the Holy Spirit. I was seeing so clearly that when we receive healing we are faced with two paths to choose between. Imagine you're walking on a path and then it divides, there is a sign pointing in each direction, one says flesh....one says Spirit.
There are times we are prayed for and receive healing but we don't "absorb" it, we may not feel healed and we don't put it into our belief system that we are healed.
We have a choice to make, we may believe the "symptoms" that we've been dealing with and walk their path or we may choose to believe the "healing" and walk it's path.
The choice is ours, we are the healed (Isa 53:5), do we walk as the healed or do we choose to trust our flesh more than the truth of the Spirit and the healing?
It might be easier for us if we were able to make the choice once and for ever, but the test is in choosing daily to walk in the healing. We may have to remind ourselves by repeating the promises in Scripture....through Jesus' stripes I am the healed, I am a new creation, I am fearfully and wonderfully made! ....or we can listen to our flesh that loves to whine and get attention and demand to be made comfortable.
You choose your path, are you sick or are you healed? If you accept the healing then find a way to absorb it, and to daily stay on that path! These scriptures help me, but there are many more, find the ones that work for you:
1. The punishment, which made us well, was given to him, and we are healed because of his wounds. Isaiah 53:5b
There are times we are prayed for and receive healing but we don't "absorb" it, we may not feel healed and we don't put it into our belief system that we are healed.
We have a choice to make, we may believe the "symptoms" that we've been dealing with and walk their path or we may choose to believe the "healing" and walk it's path.
The choice is ours, we are the healed (Isa 53:5), do we walk as the healed or do we choose to trust our flesh more than the truth of the Spirit and the healing?
It might be easier for us if we were able to make the choice once and for ever, but the test is in choosing daily to walk in the healing. We may have to remind ourselves by repeating the promises in Scripture....through Jesus' stripes I am the healed, I am a new creation, I am fearfully and wonderfully made! ....or we can listen to our flesh that loves to whine and get attention and demand to be made comfortable.
You choose your path, are you sick or are you healed? If you accept the healing then find a way to absorb it, and to daily stay on that path! These scriptures help me, but there are many more, find the ones that work for you:
1. The punishment, which made us well, was given to him, and we are healed because of his wounds. Isaiah 53:5b
2 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 2 Corinthians 5:17
3 I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well. Psalm 139:14
I'm not saying that it is always easy, and Yes, my flesh still fights and tries to win, but I am much happier and healthier when I am listening to my spirit and the Holy Spirit in me!
Saturday, June 17, 2017
no choice at all
the moon races slowly through the early morning sky...
where has it been all night?
Enjoying the solitude and peace of a night sky?
Now it has a great deal of area to move through before the sun cuts it's path short.
maybe the moon would move faster if it had a choice?
maybe it is like me and has a path to follow and not always in it's own timing
what if the moon zoomed ahead and was through before midnight?
what if it chose to not even appear at all?
those are choices i might also make!
but now you see, the moon is like me.....a path to follow and a schedule to keep...not always my choice
(yes, i could follow a different path, but how miserable for me would it be! so in truth, no choice at all!)
where has it been all night?
Enjoying the solitude and peace of a night sky?
Now it has a great deal of area to move through before the sun cuts it's path short.
maybe the moon would move faster if it had a choice?
maybe it is like me and has a path to follow and not always in it's own timing
what if the moon zoomed ahead and was through before midnight?
what if it chose to not even appear at all?
those are choices i might also make!
but now you see, the moon is like me.....a path to follow and a schedule to keep...not always my choice
(yes, i could follow a different path, but how miserable for me would it be! so in truth, no choice at all!)
Monday, June 5, 2017
Bully-Proof
I want to share a word of wisdom I received yesterday. Sometimes the wisdom is just common sense and I think it isn't necessary to share, but this one I have been told to share here.
(Disclaimer: Everyone knows I am a Christian, I follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. He is my King, Master, and Saviour. So whatever I am going to write or share is from a Christian worldview.)
Currently, there is an epidemic of "bullying", not only among children but at every level of maturity! There has always been bullying and there will always be bullying, but we need to protect our children and grandchildren from the slings and arrows of this world.
How do we protect them? Today there is a problem of "social media" on electronic devices of all types. This has increased the opportunity for bullies to operate, and it has even made some bullies that would not be "face to face" bullies. It is impossible to stop all bullying! It is multiplying, and yes, we need to teach against hurting others, but we will never be able to stop it all.
The word of wisdom is that instead of attacking the issue from the offensive angle, we need to be armed on the defensive side! We need to teach our children and grandchildren who they are, not just that they are attractive, smart, kind, great athletes, good musicians, amazing students or any of the other accomplishments that they may have acquired through human effort, but they are children of God!
Are they a "child of God"? What does it mean to be a "child of God"? To me it means they are in an alien country, yes, they will face bullies! But who cares! They belong to the Creator of the Universe! They have a destiny and a promise! I know it isn't an easy walk, but as a parent, it is not only our responsibility to feed and cloth them but to nurture and care for their spirits also. We have to instill an understanding of what it means to be a child of God! You cannot leave it to the Youth Leader at your church to "Bully-Proof" your child, it is up to you!
Many parents are overworked and over-scheduled so I'm calling Grandparents out on this too! Pray, teach and be role models for your Grandchildren. Teach them who they are in God by showing them who you are in Him! I'm not saying to teach them a set of rules, but teach them about creation, teach them their roots in creation, teach them they were knit together in their mother's womb, teach them they are not an accident or just biology at work, they are a wonderful amazing gift from God.
We focus a lot on their physical or mental growth, but do we spend as much effort on their spirits? They are created to be a trinity of body, soul, and spirit. Don't neglect the spirit or they are easy targets for bullies. We spend hours running them to every soccer practice, baseball game, and music recital....how many verses of scripture do we teach them, how much have we invested of our time and ourselves to make them "Bully-Proof"?
How well balanced are their interests and teachings?
It is not enough to cloth and feed them if we want them to be "Bully-Proof", teach them who God says they are, and no bully will be able to hurt them!........just saying~
(Disclaimer: Everyone knows I am a Christian, I follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. He is my King, Master, and Saviour. So whatever I am going to write or share is from a Christian worldview.)
Currently, there is an epidemic of "bullying", not only among children but at every level of maturity! There has always been bullying and there will always be bullying, but we need to protect our children and grandchildren from the slings and arrows of this world.
How do we protect them? Today there is a problem of "social media" on electronic devices of all types. This has increased the opportunity for bullies to operate, and it has even made some bullies that would not be "face to face" bullies. It is impossible to stop all bullying! It is multiplying, and yes, we need to teach against hurting others, but we will never be able to stop it all.
The word of wisdom is that instead of attacking the issue from the offensive angle, we need to be armed on the defensive side! We need to teach our children and grandchildren who they are, not just that they are attractive, smart, kind, great athletes, good musicians, amazing students or any of the other accomplishments that they may have acquired through human effort, but they are children of God!
Are they a "child of God"? What does it mean to be a "child of God"? To me it means they are in an alien country, yes, they will face bullies! But who cares! They belong to the Creator of the Universe! They have a destiny and a promise! I know it isn't an easy walk, but as a parent, it is not only our responsibility to feed and cloth them but to nurture and care for their spirits also. We have to instill an understanding of what it means to be a child of God! You cannot leave it to the Youth Leader at your church to "Bully-Proof" your child, it is up to you!
Many parents are overworked and over-scheduled so I'm calling Grandparents out on this too! Pray, teach and be role models for your Grandchildren. Teach them who they are in God by showing them who you are in Him! I'm not saying to teach them a set of rules, but teach them about creation, teach them their roots in creation, teach them they were knit together in their mother's womb, teach them they are not an accident or just biology at work, they are a wonderful amazing gift from God.
We focus a lot on their physical or mental growth, but do we spend as much effort on their spirits? They are created to be a trinity of body, soul, and spirit. Don't neglect the spirit or they are easy targets for bullies. We spend hours running them to every soccer practice, baseball game, and music recital....how many verses of scripture do we teach them, how much have we invested of our time and ourselves to make them "Bully-Proof"?
How well balanced are their interests and teachings?
It is not enough to cloth and feed them if we want them to be "Bully-Proof", teach them who God says they are, and no bully will be able to hurt them!........just saying~
Thursday, May 25, 2017
Light
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16
Monday, May 22, 2017
Holiness
I read an interesting thing this morning in my YouVersion devotion, it's from Oswald Chambers' writings, the devotional is titled, "Peace, Life in the Spirit".
After a weekend of much Spiritual activity and meetings, I am pretty much always exhausted! This explained it to me a lot!
"Holiness is spiritual peace, but holiness is not quietness; holiness is the intensest spiritual activity."
It is a satisfied exhaustion on Monday mornings, but it is still a time I rest and regroup for the week ahead.
“What I am leaving with you is shalom — I am giving you my shalom. I don’t give the way the world gives. Don’t let yourselves be upset or frightened." John 14:27 (CJB)
After a weekend of much Spiritual activity and meetings, I am pretty much always exhausted! This explained it to me a lot!
"Holiness is spiritual peace, but holiness is not quietness; holiness is the intensest spiritual activity."
It is a satisfied exhaustion on Monday mornings, but it is still a time I rest and regroup for the week ahead.
“What I am leaving with you is shalom — I am giving you my shalom. I don’t give the way the world gives. Don’t let yourselves be upset or frightened." John 14:27 (CJB)
Thursday, May 18, 2017
Come Up Here!
Visualize this with me for a moment, we go to church, we praise God and lift our hearts, spirit, and soul to focus on Him, we hear the Pastor bring words of encouragement, teaching, and growth for us to hear and learn from. Then there is a moment after all of this when God has provided a banquet in the front of the sanctuary for our pleasure, for our health and well-being, for our nutrition, for our elevation to a higher level in Him when the speaker invites people to come for prayer....but 90% of the people politely reject His offer of ministry and gather their things and walk out....what is up with that!?
This can't be said of every church, I'm pretty sure....but many churches every Sunday, or maybe Wednesday, but sometime during the week, they have an opportunity for people to go up front and be prayed for.
I see this as a time when God is wanting to minister to His people, but the part I don't understand is why so few people take advantage of it? It's like people don't want more of God? or are they only afraid of what others will think of them for going up front for prayer?
Are we so afraid of man or what he might think that we turn our back on the special time that God is wanting to meet with us at the end of a service? Or are we in such a rush to get to our food (lunch) that we can't be bothered to be prayed for?
Do we not realize the "slime" we gather as we walk through the world daily and weekly that could be cleaned off of us at that prayer time. Do we not realize how we could be prepared for the battles we will be facing in the week ahead if we went and enjoyed the banquet the Lord has placed before us at prayer time every week? Do we really believe we don't need prayer? Do we really want to choose to walk through the battle without the extra strength, wisdom, and guidance that our Heavenly Father would provide if we met Him at the front of the church at prayer time?
I know we are able to pray by ourselves and receive each of the things listed above, but there is a special power in the prayer of the leadership that is over you. And there are times that you need an extra boost in your prayers. And there is a special blessing in the humility that you exhibit in wanting prayer from those over you. I'm sure you understand the concept that parents have a strength in their prayers for their children that others don't have, it is the same concept that the Pastor and the prayer warriors in your church have strength in prayer over you!
Come on up people, be hungry and not proud! ! Come up front, come meet your Heavenly Father! come receive prayer and be made whole, be made stronger, be de-slimed, be lifted to a higher level! Receive wisdom, receive guidance, receive health.
After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven, and the first voice which I had heard, like the sound of a trumpet speaking with me, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things.” Revelation 4:1
This can't be said of every church, I'm pretty sure....but many churches every Sunday, or maybe Wednesday, but sometime during the week, they have an opportunity for people to go up front and be prayed for.
I see this as a time when God is wanting to minister to His people, but the part I don't understand is why so few people take advantage of it? It's like people don't want more of God? or are they only afraid of what others will think of them for going up front for prayer?
Are we so afraid of man or what he might think that we turn our back on the special time that God is wanting to meet with us at the end of a service? Or are we in such a rush to get to our food (lunch) that we can't be bothered to be prayed for?
Do we not realize the "slime" we gather as we walk through the world daily and weekly that could be cleaned off of us at that prayer time. Do we not realize how we could be prepared for the battles we will be facing in the week ahead if we went and enjoyed the banquet the Lord has placed before us at prayer time every week? Do we really believe we don't need prayer? Do we really want to choose to walk through the battle without the extra strength, wisdom, and guidance that our Heavenly Father would provide if we met Him at the front of the church at prayer time?
I know we are able to pray by ourselves and receive each of the things listed above, but there is a special power in the prayer of the leadership that is over you. And there are times that you need an extra boost in your prayers. And there is a special blessing in the humility that you exhibit in wanting prayer from those over you. I'm sure you understand the concept that parents have a strength in their prayers for their children that others don't have, it is the same concept that the Pastor and the prayer warriors in your church have strength in prayer over you!
Come on up people, be hungry and not proud! ! Come up front, come meet your Heavenly Father! come receive prayer and be made whole, be made stronger, be de-slimed, be lifted to a higher level! Receive wisdom, receive guidance, receive health.
After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven, and the first voice which I had heard, like the sound of a trumpet speaking with me, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things.” Revelation 4:1
And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.”
Revelation 11:12a
Monday, May 15, 2017
Drain The Swamp Of Self
Father,
I have a swamp within me, please help me drain it!
There is so much filth of offense, bitterness, distrust, hurt, self-pity, rejection, disappointment....on and on! I pull the plug and try to have it all drain away, but the drain becomes clogged and more things rain in!
I need Your help! Please, guide me into the complete forgiveness that will keep the drain clear and drain the swamp of bitterness and rejection, and help me grow into the complete humility that will stop the incoming flood of negative ideas and emotions from offense and self-pity and distrust!
I purpose to walk in Your "Dunamis"(Greek word meaning -might, power, marvelous works). I long for more of You and less of me! But I get in the way, time after time!
Guide me into Your Dunamis, Holy Spirit, let me flow in Your power and live in Your peace and joy and remove the filth from my own ways.
Please help me to drain the swamp of self.
I love You Father, thank You for loving me!
I have a swamp within me, please help me drain it!
There is so much filth of offense, bitterness, distrust, hurt, self-pity, rejection, disappointment....on and on! I pull the plug and try to have it all drain away, but the drain becomes clogged and more things rain in!
I need Your help! Please, guide me into the complete forgiveness that will keep the drain clear and drain the swamp of bitterness and rejection, and help me grow into the complete humility that will stop the incoming flood of negative ideas and emotions from offense and self-pity and distrust!
I purpose to walk in Your "Dunamis"(Greek word meaning -might, power, marvelous works). I long for more of You and less of me! But I get in the way, time after time!
Guide me into Your Dunamis, Holy Spirit, let me flow in Your power and live in Your peace and joy and remove the filth from my own ways.
Please help me to drain the swamp of self.
I love You Father, thank You for loving me!
Saturday, May 6, 2017
Honor Your Roots! Honor Your Heavenly Father!
(This is preaching to the choir!)
This morning I was reading in Haggai and I read some words that seemed to fit some of our thoughts in this new season, and I was cautioned to be aware that we need to always “Consider your ways!", why? because God told us too! The whole verse is "Thus says the Lord of hosts, “Consider your ways!". And it even has an exclamation point!
How does this apply to this new season? Well, the whole set of verses is about not neglecting God's house. This is a season of people developing their confidence in what God wants them to do and in walking in the power of the Holy Spirit. Yes, we are the Temple of God, but God still has a "house" that has been dedicated and consecrated to Him.
People have spent years gathering together to worship, teach and pray, focusing on our Heavenly Father, we cannot now begin to forget that because we are moving into our own more powerful walk that we can not maintain the gathering of the church body or the building.
If we desire God's blessing on our walk and our ministry, we need to be careful to always heed His voice, to always work to bring glory to His name and His Kingdom. We cannot neglect anything that carries His name to pursue a "new thing". We cannot neglect the body or the building that is His face and representative to the world. Do walk the new path, but don't forget to honor our roots, go to your community church, contribute your energy and finances to maintain the home body while you reach out to the future in your new path.
“Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses while this house lies desolate?” Now therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts, “Consider your ways! You have sown much, but harvest little; you eat, but there is not enough to be satisfied; you drink, but there is not enough to become drunk; you put on clothing, but no one is warm enough; and he who earns, earns wages to put into a purse with holes.”
Thus says the Lord of hosts, “Consider your ways! Go up to the mountains, bring wood and rebuild the temple, that I may be pleased with it and be glorified,” says the Lord. “You look for much, but behold, it comes to little; when you bring it home, I blow it away. Why?” declares the Lord of hosts, “Because of My house which lies desolate, while each of you runs to his own house. Therefore, because of you the sky has withheld its dew and the earth has withheld its produce.I called for a drought on the land, on the mountains, on the grain, on the new wine, on the oil, on what the ground produces, on men, on cattle, and on all the labor of your hands.”
This morning I was reading in Haggai and I read some words that seemed to fit some of our thoughts in this new season, and I was cautioned to be aware that we need to always “Consider your ways!", why? because God told us too! The whole verse is "Thus says the Lord of hosts, “Consider your ways!". And it even has an exclamation point!
How does this apply to this new season? Well, the whole set of verses is about not neglecting God's house. This is a season of people developing their confidence in what God wants them to do and in walking in the power of the Holy Spirit. Yes, we are the Temple of God, but God still has a "house" that has been dedicated and consecrated to Him.
People have spent years gathering together to worship, teach and pray, focusing on our Heavenly Father, we cannot now begin to forget that because we are moving into our own more powerful walk that we can not maintain the gathering of the church body or the building.
If we desire God's blessing on our walk and our ministry, we need to be careful to always heed His voice, to always work to bring glory to His name and His Kingdom. We cannot neglect anything that carries His name to pursue a "new thing". We cannot neglect the body or the building that is His face and representative to the world. Do walk the new path, but don't forget to honor our roots, go to your community church, contribute your energy and finances to maintain the home body while you reach out to the future in your new path.
Thus says the Lord of hosts, “Consider your ways! Go up to the mountains, bring wood and rebuild the temple, that I may be pleased with it and be glorified,” says the Lord. “You look for much, but behold, it comes to little; when you bring it home, I blow it away. Why?” declares the Lord of hosts, “Because of My house which lies desolate, while each of you runs to his own house. Therefore, because of you the sky has withheld its dew and the earth has withheld its produce.I called for a drought on the land, on the mountains, on the grain, on the new wine, on the oil, on what the ground produces, on men, on cattle, and on all the labor of your hands.”
Haggai 1:4-11New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Friday, April 21, 2017
Passion!
Where is your passion? Some people are passionate about sports, some about art, some about hunting, fishing, shopping, family, books, movies, food!
The things we can become passionate about are as diverse as we as humans are. I've read to follow your passion for your job or work focus and then you are happy in your occupation! That does sound like good advice, doesn't it?
However, we do have to be careful in following our passions, some passions lead us into areas that people were never meant to allow to run freely. In an example, if we allow our passion for food to have it's way, we end up morbidly obese! Notice the word "morbid", not a good thing!
So let's look at the word passion, the definition is "strong and barely controllable emotion", or I like this definition too "Passion is when you put more energy into something than is required to do it. It is more than just enthusiasm or excitement, passion is an ambition that is materialized into action to put as much heart, mind, body, and soul into something as is possible."
There is a passion that we are instructed to follow and to stir up, and God will not leave me alone about this, I keep hearing messages about passion. We are to be passionate in our relationship with Him. He doesn't want a lukewarm relationship, He wants our passion!
In scripture, it is always the passionate person that is pleasing to Him. Daniel, Samuel, David, Peter, Paul, Mary Magdalene(....is that a music group? There was a music group with that name, but that is not who these people are!) and those are just the first few that come to mind, each of these people were passionate in the pursuit of God and each are well known through scripture.
God's word tells us "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind." in Matthew 22:37, that sounds like passion, doesn't it, and it even tells us where to direct that passion, to Him! We can also read "For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline." in 2 Timothy 1:6-7. This tells us to stir ourselves up! Stir up our love, spirit, and passion!
I know there are some that think to follow Jesus is not really about "passion" and that you can do it reasonably, without making a big deal out of it, or making any big changes in your life, just be a nice person and do good things....but I caution you to think on the verse that tells you that God wants you all in.....not part way...."So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth." Revelation 3:16
So now, as it said in 2 Timothy, I encourage you to "kindle" or as it says in another version, "Fan the flame"! Be passionate in your pursuit of God, He wants your passion, not your lethargy, He doesn't want you in the middle of the spectrum! He wants you all in! Quit holding back! Jump in with both feet! "Let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance"!, let us "run with endurance" and with passion the race that God has set before us!
The things we can become passionate about are as diverse as we as humans are. I've read to follow your passion for your job or work focus and then you are happy in your occupation! That does sound like good advice, doesn't it?
However, we do have to be careful in following our passions, some passions lead us into areas that people were never meant to allow to run freely. In an example, if we allow our passion for food to have it's way, we end up morbidly obese! Notice the word "morbid", not a good thing!
So let's look at the word passion, the definition is "strong and barely controllable emotion", or I like this definition too "Passion is when you put more energy into something than is required to do it. It is more than just enthusiasm or excitement, passion is an ambition that is materialized into action to put as much heart, mind, body, and soul into something as is possible."
There is a passion that we are instructed to follow and to stir up, and God will not leave me alone about this, I keep hearing messages about passion. We are to be passionate in our relationship with Him. He doesn't want a lukewarm relationship, He wants our passion!
In scripture, it is always the passionate person that is pleasing to Him. Daniel, Samuel, David, Peter, Paul, Mary Magdalene(....is that a music group? There was a music group with that name, but that is not who these people are!) and those are just the first few that come to mind, each of these people were passionate in the pursuit of God and each are well known through scripture.
God's word tells us "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind." in Matthew 22:37, that sounds like passion, doesn't it, and it even tells us where to direct that passion, to Him! We can also read "For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline." in 2 Timothy 1:6-7. This tells us to stir ourselves up! Stir up our love, spirit, and passion!
I know there are some that think to follow Jesus is not really about "passion" and that you can do it reasonably, without making a big deal out of it, or making any big changes in your life, just be a nice person and do good things....but I caution you to think on the verse that tells you that God wants you all in.....not part way...."So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth." Revelation 3:16
So now, as it said in 2 Timothy, I encourage you to "kindle" or as it says in another version, "Fan the flame"! Be passionate in your pursuit of God, He wants your passion, not your lethargy, He doesn't want you in the middle of the spectrum! He wants you all in! Quit holding back! Jump in with both feet! "Let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance"!, let us "run with endurance" and with passion the race that God has set before us!
Friday, April 7, 2017
Dancing and Leaping
There is something that happens every Sunday, in church after church and I am amazed and encouraged to see it. People come to church for different reasons, for some, it is to honor God, some come to seek God, some out of habit and some out of curiosity.
The people that I love seeing there are those who have a genuine understanding of Jesus as their Lord and Master and those who have learnt that our Heavenly Father is a Father of love and revel in Him!
These people are usually easy to spot, there is joy in their countenance, there is love in their eyes. I love how God's Spirit pulls them to the front during worship. They are not able to stay at their seats and quietly sing a little verse or two, they want to sing and leap before the Lord, even as David did!
The joy of the true believer cannot be contained, and they no longer fear man more than God.
If you are not yet to that level, push in! You can attain that joy in the Lord...but you have to want it! You have to pursue Him, meditate on Him and His attributes. Read Psalms, read scripture, learn God's nature, His love and what He has done and is doing for you!
Soon you will be dancing! Your spirit will be leaping!
Tuesday, March 14, 2017
Do You Want To Be?
As a Christian who has worked in an environment hostile to Christians, I know from what the people have told me that they do not like Christians because of the behaviour they see acted out in the lives of people claiming to be Christians.
Whether the people claiming to be Christians or not is not mine to say. that is something that God only can know. Only God sees the heart of people, it's probably really a blessing that we're not able to!
The challenge here is, are you a person claiming to be a Christian but not living as you are called to? Is it too much for God to ask you to walk a holy path? Everything you do reflects on Him, do you cause His family to be shamed or do you bring honor to the name Christian, not because you deserve honor, but because you are a follower of the One who does deserve honor?
I have heard people say that it's not possible to live a holy life as described in the Bible, but that simply is not true! If we believe in Jesus, then we have to believe Scripture, there is no excuse not to, Jesus believed it and we believe in Him....so now we realize we are required to trust that what God has said in scripture is what He means to say.
If we believe in Scripture and it tells us that we can do "all things" in Christ, Who strengthens us, then we know we can live as we are called to! We may say but it's so hard! Yes, it is hard, but God's word also tells us that He will complete the "good work" that He has started! So, as we keep turning and submitting to God, saying "Please, change me!", He will and it will become easier!
Do you want to be an embarrassment to the body? Do you want to be a stumbling block to non-believers? I'm hoping you said no to both of those...so keep pushing in, keep bringing yourself into the changing process that the Holy Spirit will bring about as it brings sanctification into your life.
But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. 2 Thessalonians 2:13
Whether the people claiming to be Christians or not is not mine to say. that is something that God only can know. Only God sees the heart of people, it's probably really a blessing that we're not able to!
The challenge here is, are you a person claiming to be a Christian but not living as you are called to? Is it too much for God to ask you to walk a holy path? Everything you do reflects on Him, do you cause His family to be shamed or do you bring honor to the name Christian, not because you deserve honor, but because you are a follower of the One who does deserve honor?
I have heard people say that it's not possible to live a holy life as described in the Bible, but that simply is not true! If we believe in Jesus, then we have to believe Scripture, there is no excuse not to, Jesus believed it and we believe in Him....so now we realize we are required to trust that what God has said in scripture is what He means to say.
If we believe in Scripture and it tells us that we can do "all things" in Christ, Who strengthens us, then we know we can live as we are called to! We may say but it's so hard! Yes, it is hard, but God's word also tells us that He will complete the "good work" that He has started! So, as we keep turning and submitting to God, saying "Please, change me!", He will and it will become easier!
Do you want to be an embarrassment to the body? Do you want to be a stumbling block to non-believers? I'm hoping you said no to both of those...so keep pushing in, keep bringing yourself into the changing process that the Holy Spirit will bring about as it brings sanctification into your life.
But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. 2 Thessalonians 2:13
Monday, March 6, 2017
Jesus' Purpose?
We all know that Jesus came to Earth because He loves us, right? He came to save us! A lot of us grew up singing "Jesus loves me this I know"! I am one of those who grew up with those words in my heart and they did help me through a lot of hard times in life. There wasn't a lot else I knew about Jesus' purpose other than He was God's Son and came to Earth to die and shed His blood for me.
I have been striving to come into a deeper, more mature relationship with all that God is and believe that Jesus had a little more on His mind than just me when He came to Earth. and so today when I read a word about what Jesus came here to do, it really grabbed my attention!
I have been striving to come into a deeper, more mature relationship with all that God is and believe that Jesus had a little more on His mind than just me when He came to Earth. and so today when I read a word about what Jesus came here to do, it really grabbed my attention!
The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil. 1 John 3:8
Wait, do you mean that He was doing battle with the devil when He came to Earth? Do you mean He was here to destroy something, not just to die for my sins? Wow, that stops you for a moment, doesn't it?
There are many people who are more greatly "learned" than I am and have spent their lives studying scripture from top to bottom so I am not going to attempt to do an indepth study or blog on this....I simply want to say that there is more to Jesus' mission to Earth than just my forgiveness.
His Father was and is His greatest love....always has been and always will be...do you think maybe He came to restore what His Father had created and the enemy destroyed? Maybe His Father's desires were top most in His mind? Try to imagine a scenario with a Father that had created a paradise and an enemy came and ruined it...wouldn't a Son that loved and honored His Father long to restore everything to His Father that was in His power to do? I believe so! I believe we leave out a very important part of the picture when we think that it's all about us!
If we want to be more than extras in this scenario then we need to see what we can do to aid Jesus in His desire to restore to His and our Father what was destroyed! We are His kingdom on Earth, we do have a job! Jesus told us to go into all of the world and spread the Kingdom! Make disciples!
Now don't get upset, I'm not saying that Jesus didn't come to save you and I'm not saying that He doesn't love you....I'm saying don't be immature and let His mission to Earth stop there....that was just the beginning!
.....and don't forget, His Father loved us and "sent" His Son.....
Thursday, March 2, 2017
Caged Bird? Overcomer!
Have you ever read the poem "Caged Bird" by Maya Angelou? It is a beautiful poem even for those among us that don't really care for poetry. I am at a point in life that I often feel like a "caged bird", but in being caged I am forced to grow in areas that might not be faced if I was free to fly on the wind.
In life many things can form our cage... finances, health, relationships, wants, needs...what forms the cage isn't really the important things right now, it's more about what you do while you're in the cage.
Yesterday while I was thinking about the caged bird I wrote just a bit of my own thoughts.....
Why does the caged bird sing?
Is it happy?
Is it content?
Is it safe?
Is it sad?
Is it lonely?
Is it calling to someone?
Is it asking for help?
Is it crying for hope?
When the caged bird learns to sing for God's glory, in a cage or free, then it will be fulfilled and content.
When I learn to rein in my own wants and desires I will be singing for God's glory and be an overcomer!
Please pray for me to be an overcomer and if you let me know you long for the same thing, I will pray for you! (lorna)
Here's the poem for those who might want to read it ~
In life many things can form our cage... finances, health, relationships, wants, needs...what forms the cage isn't really the important things right now, it's more about what you do while you're in the cage.
Yesterday while I was thinking about the caged bird I wrote just a bit of my own thoughts.....
Why does the caged bird sing?
Is it happy?
Is it content?
Is it safe?
Is it sad?
Is it lonely?
Is it calling to someone?
Is it asking for help?
Is it crying for hope?
When the caged bird learns to sing for God's glory, in a cage or free, then it will be fulfilled and content.
When I learn to rein in my own wants and desires I will be singing for God's glory and be an overcomer!
Please pray for me to be an overcomer and if you let me know you long for the same thing, I will pray for you! (lorna)
Here's the poem for those who might want to read it ~
A free bird leaps
on the back of the wind
and floats downstream
till the current ends
and dips his wing
in the orange sun rays
and dares to claim the sky.
on the back of the wind
and floats downstream
till the current ends
and dips his wing
in the orange sun rays
and dares to claim the sky.
But a bird that stalks
down his narrow cage
can seldom see through
his bars of rage
his wings are clipped and
his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.
down his narrow cage
can seldom see through
his bars of rage
his wings are clipped and
his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.
The caged bird sings
with a fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom.
with a fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom.
The free bird thinks of another breeze
and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees
and the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright lawn
and he names the sky his own
and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees
and the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright lawn
and he names the sky his own
But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams
his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
his wings are clipped and his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.
his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
his wings are clipped and his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.
The caged bird sings
with a fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom.
Caged Bird Related Poem Content Details
BY MAYA ANGELOU
with a fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom.
Caged Bird Related Poem Content Details
BY MAYA ANGELOU
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems-and-poets/poems/detail/48989
Wednesday, February 8, 2017
Wearin' Your Armor?
Are you wearing the Armor of God? You know God told you to, right? "Put on the full armor of God" Ephesians 6:11a
If you are wearing it, are you consistant? Do you wear it daily or every once in awhile? You realize that He told you to wear it "so that you will be able to stand firm"(that's in Ephesians 6 too). If you wear it so you can stand firm then you must be putting it on everyday, not just every once in awhile, right? I know you don't want to be knocked about by the enemy and you do want to stand firm against the schemes of the devil (Ephesians 6:11), so you must be wearing it daily!
And you probably already know what the Armor of God is...but we'll refresh our memories for those who maybe aren't wearing it daily.
There is:
The scripture goes in a different order, but I put it on in this order because it visually works for me, I actually speak the act of putting on each piece of the armor and visualize it as I put it on. I start at my head, work my way down and then pick up the shield and sword and I'm ready to go!
The helmet protects our minds and thoughts, so I have it on and I can focus on what I'm doing! The breastplate protects our hearts, then we can put our armor on in a heartfelt way. not wavering in our minds or hearts! The belt of truth we wrap around ourselves, the truth of God and His word. We put on the shoes of peace so we stand on a firm foundation and are free to focus, walk in God's Spirit. The shield of Faith is lifted in front of us and protects us when the enemy tries to attack, in faith we know that God is for us and the enemy will not prevail! The sword of the Spirit! God's word! It is a two edged sword and cuts through all things, read it, study it and speak it, the enemy does not have a chance against this!
Okay, now we know we need to wear the Armor daily, and we know what it is. So, let's look at how we wear it, do you put the armor on and wear it in a lazy manner or do you cinch it up and keep it in place all day? Do you let the helmet of salvation slip back on your head, after all you know you are saved and you know who saved you...so why keep it sitting up on top of your head all day? It's not just about being saved! It's about your thought life now that you are saved! Protect your mind and your thoughts, taking every thought captive.
Do you keep the Breastplate securely against your chest, or does it get a little uncomfortable to move around with it all day? Maybe you can just lay it on your desk, or even leave it in the car and put it back on after work or school? Then what will protect your heart? That little thin shirt you're wearing? Our battle is against Principalities! not spit wads! Keep that breastplate up close like a bullet proof vest! Live a righteous life, walk a righteous path, maintain that Breastplate of Righteousness!
Now the belt of truth...does it get to feeling a little too tight and you need to loosen it up just a bit? I mean too much truth could really squeeze you uncomfortably, right? What's wrong with a little stretching of the truth here and there? It's still a belt and still wrapped around you, just not quite as binding? The purpose is to protect your core! To strengthen your inner man, it's not just about holding up your pants!
Are you still wearing the shoes? Did you kick them off when you wanted to get comfortable? But the shoes of peace should protect your standing and walking in all situations! Everywhere you go you could run into trouble with out shoes, there is a lot of situations that appear as broken glass and thorns in the world but the shoes of peace will guard you as you walk through them.
Here we go with my favorite parts! The shield of Faith and the sword of the Spirit! Some people think that is all they need to have to fight a battle with, but that is ridiculous! I do love these two pieces, but if we don't protect ourselves with the rest of the armor we will be wounded and not able to hold or carry the shield and sword. At first we may find the shield of faith is a heavy thing to carry, but as we carry it we become stronger and eventually can even be equipped with bigger shields! It is important to not drop our shield or let it drag behind us, we are too easily wounded if the shield is not up in place and protecting us as it is designed to be. The sword is vital, it is the only piece that's both offense and defense. Read, study and meditate on the Word of God be prepared constantly for battle because our enemy is roaming about looking for someone to devour, do battle! Fight him, pierce him with the Sword! the Word! in Jesus' name!
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, Ephesians 6:10-18
If you are wearing it, are you consistant? Do you wear it daily or every once in awhile? You realize that He told you to wear it "so that you will be able to stand firm"(that's in Ephesians 6 too). If you wear it so you can stand firm then you must be putting it on everyday, not just every once in awhile, right? I know you don't want to be knocked about by the enemy and you do want to stand firm against the schemes of the devil (Ephesians 6:11), so you must be wearing it daily!
And you probably already know what the Armor of God is...but we'll refresh our memories for those who maybe aren't wearing it daily.
There is:
- The helmet of Salvation
- The breastplate of Righteousness
- The belt of Truth
- The shoes of Peace
- The shield of Faith
- The sword of Spirit (the word of God)
The scripture goes in a different order, but I put it on in this order because it visually works for me, I actually speak the act of putting on each piece of the armor and visualize it as I put it on. I start at my head, work my way down and then pick up the shield and sword and I'm ready to go!
The helmet protects our minds and thoughts, so I have it on and I can focus on what I'm doing! The breastplate protects our hearts, then we can put our armor on in a heartfelt way. not wavering in our minds or hearts! The belt of truth we wrap around ourselves, the truth of God and His word. We put on the shoes of peace so we stand on a firm foundation and are free to focus, walk in God's Spirit. The shield of Faith is lifted in front of us and protects us when the enemy tries to attack, in faith we know that God is for us and the enemy will not prevail! The sword of the Spirit! God's word! It is a two edged sword and cuts through all things, read it, study it and speak it, the enemy does not have a chance against this!
Okay, now we know we need to wear the Armor daily, and we know what it is. So, let's look at how we wear it, do you put the armor on and wear it in a lazy manner or do you cinch it up and keep it in place all day? Do you let the helmet of salvation slip back on your head, after all you know you are saved and you know who saved you...so why keep it sitting up on top of your head all day? It's not just about being saved! It's about your thought life now that you are saved! Protect your mind and your thoughts, taking every thought captive.
Do you keep the Breastplate securely against your chest, or does it get a little uncomfortable to move around with it all day? Maybe you can just lay it on your desk, or even leave it in the car and put it back on after work or school? Then what will protect your heart? That little thin shirt you're wearing? Our battle is against Principalities! not spit wads! Keep that breastplate up close like a bullet proof vest! Live a righteous life, walk a righteous path, maintain that Breastplate of Righteousness!
Now the belt of truth...does it get to feeling a little too tight and you need to loosen it up just a bit? I mean too much truth could really squeeze you uncomfortably, right? What's wrong with a little stretching of the truth here and there? It's still a belt and still wrapped around you, just not quite as binding? The purpose is to protect your core! To strengthen your inner man, it's not just about holding up your pants!
Are you still wearing the shoes? Did you kick them off when you wanted to get comfortable? But the shoes of peace should protect your standing and walking in all situations! Everywhere you go you could run into trouble with out shoes, there is a lot of situations that appear as broken glass and thorns in the world but the shoes of peace will guard you as you walk through them.
Here we go with my favorite parts! The shield of Faith and the sword of the Spirit! Some people think that is all they need to have to fight a battle with, but that is ridiculous! I do love these two pieces, but if we don't protect ourselves with the rest of the armor we will be wounded and not able to hold or carry the shield and sword. At first we may find the shield of faith is a heavy thing to carry, but as we carry it we become stronger and eventually can even be equipped with bigger shields! It is important to not drop our shield or let it drag behind us, we are too easily wounded if the shield is not up in place and protecting us as it is designed to be. The sword is vital, it is the only piece that's both offense and defense. Read, study and meditate on the Word of God be prepared constantly for battle because our enemy is roaming about looking for someone to devour, do battle! Fight him, pierce him with the Sword! the Word! in Jesus' name!
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, Ephesians 6:10-18
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