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?
Tuesday, October 31, 2017
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
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