Anchor of Hope

“Hear my cry, O God. Attend to my prayer. From the end of the earth I will cry to You. When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For You have been a shelter for me, a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in Your tabernacle forever, I will trust in the shelter of Your wings. For You, O God, have heard my vows, You have given me the heritage of those who fear Your name. You will prolong the king’s life, his years as many generations. He shall abide before God forever. O prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him! So I will sing praise forever that I may daily perform my vows.”
Psalm 61:1-8

This is one of my most favorite Psalms that I pray. When I need the protection and assurance that comes from trusting a loving, caring Father, this prayer reminds me that He is always with me as I remain submitted to Him. Do you need to be encouraged in the Lord? Go to the Psalms. See how David found strength and hope; a refuge from oppression and heart ache. He found the words to cry out to the Father when nothing or no one was able to help. Find a passage that will see you through and hold fast to it when all else fails. God’s word offers life when death is at our door, it offers joy when sorrow overwhelms us. The Truth of God can overcome every lie of the enemy. His word brings healing in sickness, dancing in oppression, peace during chaos and deliverance from imprisonment. David knew all of this. He knew how to run to the Father with his words and his songs and was able to turn his hopelessness into faith in God to see him through every trial. Find an anchor of hope and wait for your Deliverer. He is coming!

Word Above Reputation

“I give You thanks with all my heart. Not to idols, but to You I sing praise. I bow down before Your holy temple and give thanks to Your name for Your grace and truth; for You have made Your word even greater than Your reputation.”
Psalm 1-2

Remember the days when a man’s word was his bond? You could count on him to do everything possible to fulfill a promise or oath made because not doing so would bring harm to his reputation. Keeping your word at all costs proves you can be counted on in the future. Integrity in a person is a wealth hard earned, but well worth the price paid.

How many times have we placed our trust in someone only to have them fall short of expectations? How many times have we ourselves made promises we have found hard to keep? It is so easy to over commit ourselves to people or tasks when there are so many needs. We should strive to help others when needed, but we must also know when to say no as much as when to say yes. If we're not careful we can become so busy we exhaust ourselves. We may have to bow out of something which could be more important than all the other tasks we’ve become distracted doing.

We cannot be caught up in what others think of us. Is your word placed above your reputation? Is it more important to you what others think or that you are true to your word? Your reputation is built upon your word, not the other way around.

Although this may be a short word of encouragement this week it does not negate the importance of the message. Think about your commitments. Have you fulfilled them to the best of your ability? Have you made sure your word can be trusted? Can you be counted on to finish what you start? If not, now is the time to do so.

“But give me your opinion: a man had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ He answered, ‘I don’t want to’; but later he changed his mind and went. The father went to his other son and said the same thing. This one answered, ‘I will, sir’; but he didn’t go. Which of the two did what his father wanted?’ ‘The first.’ They replied. ‘That’s right.’ Yeshua said to them.’ ‘I tell you that the tax collectors and prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God before you! For John came to you showing the path to righteousness, and you wouldn’t trust him. The tax-collectors and prostitutes trusted him; but you, even after you saw this, didn’t change your minds later and trust him.
Matthew 21:28-32

TEMPER TANTRUMS: Fits To Be Tied

The Lord says to be angry and sin not, but how many of us can actually get angry and not have it bleed over into just about every area of our lives, or have it consume us in a way that eats at our conscious life and even during the hours meant for rest? It seems that there are clues, or should I say cues, put place to give warning when we are about to cross a line from simple agitation into outright rage. Problem is, many of us ignore the warning signs and proceed into uncontrollable emotion while making excuses for our behavior.

While talking to a parishioner who could not seem to control his anger, a pastor asked him, “While in the midst of your rage if the phone rang and it was me, how quickly would your anger abate? Being honest with himself he agreed that he would immediately regain control of his emotions.

Yes we can gain control, but many of us willingly pass the point of no return. When the Holy Spirit is in our lives, we can exercise self-control along with love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness faithfulness and gentleness. The question is, do we want to? The Word of God gives us the direction we need to help us overcome the sin nature in man, but we must be willing to be obedient to it. The strength we need to accomplish this comes from Christ through the Holy Spirit.

Here are some keys to help us overcome:

1. Don’t give full vent to your anger. Proverbs 29:11
2. Don’t take revenge on a violator. Romans 12:19
3. Don’t get caught up in name calling. Matthew 5:22
4. Don’t expect perfection from people. Romans 3:10,23
5. Seek out the source of your anger. Psalm 139:23-24
6. Ask your wise God for His wisdom. James 1:5
7. Be slow to speak if angry. James 1:19-20
8. Release your right to stay angry. Col. 3:8
9. Give your anger to God. I Peter 5:7
10. Pray for those who persecute you. Matthew 5:44
11. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:13
12. Trust God to bring good from your trials. Romans 8:28
13. Stay read to forgive anyone for anything. Ephesians 4:31-32
14. Cover those who sin against you. Proverbs 10:12, I Peter 4:8
15. You must love your neighbor. I John 4:21
16. Conquer through love. I Corinthians 13:4-7

Notice the last three have to do with love. Scripture tells us that all things will pass away, but love will not pass away. It is enduring through eternity. If we do not have love, we cannot overcome anything, for without it we lack the Christ-likeness which overcomes the world and its works.

Anger, like affection, grief, stubbornness and happiness, is an emotion which can be controlled (not ignored), or it can control. Allow the Holy Spirit control of your emotions and He will make you fit for the kingdom of God.

TRUTH or CONSEQUENCES

“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
John 14:6

There are so many teachings out there on how to improve the life of man, be it his weaknesses, faults or dysfunctions. There are many psychologists, psychiatrists, psychoanalysts, therapist and/or counselors who spout various psychobabble invented in the mind of man and designed to further deteriorate the active and life changing application of the Word of God.

Even Christians have jumped on the band wagon of delving into the degenerate mind and subsequent improvement of basic human life. We have written books for personality improvement, addiction therapy, how to speak, act and look like a perfectly functioning human being in an imperfect world. These ideas sound good, feel good ,and even for a time, work good, but in actuality they just muddy the waters of understanding until we finally come back to the general root of the problem.

The general root of the problem of human weakness is SIN! No amount of therapy can fix that. We cannot cover it up with pretty labels and flowery words of flattery which minimize the real truth of the human condition. We are a sinful people, born with a sinful nature and the ONLY “Way” to correct that is to confess our sin and repent of it. We must be willing to admit we are sinners and repent. We must turn to the Savior, Christ Jesus, our only hope. We cannot continue to indoctrinate ourselves with localized, anesthetic labels which only serve to pinpoint the symptom of a sinful nature. It is deceptive and leads us away from the Truth. We know that we are sinners because the Word of God tells us we are. Defining how we sin with teachings of pretty labels has no beneficial purpose. God gave us His laws to determine that. "Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin." Rom. 3:20 Through those laws He pointed out that we could not save ourselves. We needed a unblemished, blood sacrifice which would, for all time, cleanse us of that sin. How is it that we have excepted the heresy that we can change anything soley because we purpose it in our hearts. The only thing we can purpose to do is “admit” and “submit” to God and His ways and He changes us through the cleansing blood of Jesus and the direction of the Holy Spirit Who convicts and teaches us how to live like Christ in a way which pleases God.

We must be very careful of applying a human teaching in place of the Word of God. If there is found in those teachings one thing which contradicts His word then the whole of the doctrine is defiled. God’s Word warns us against doctrines of demons, “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons.” I Tim. 4:1 It is possible to deceive when a hint of truth is at it’s basis, even Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, not with outright lies, but a distortion of the Truth. But He challenged the distortion with the Truth. Challenge and compare everything to His Word of Truth for His Truth is infallible. Just because it has some truth does not mean it is all truth, lies are only believable because there is an underlying truth that appears to validate it.

There is a saying that knowledge is wealth. “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come; for men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blashphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! For of this sort are those who creep into households make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” II Tim. 3:1-7 “Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.’ When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, ‘Who then can be saved?’ But Jesus looked at them and said to them, ‘With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’” Mt. 19:25-26 “I (we) can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (us.)” Phil. 4:13.

The consequences of trusting another teaching or doctrine is a deception which will lead to eternal consequences of hell and damnation. There is an old saying that ignorance of the law is no excuse. Ignorance of God’s laws is not possible for He has written them on our hearts that we might not sin against Him. We, as Christians, have no excuse for ignorance. There will be consequences if we believe any other way. There will be consequences if we do not warn the lost with the pure and undefiled Truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, The ONLY WAY!

Will it be TRUTH or will it be CONSEQUENCES!

Throwing Down the Gauntlet

In medieval times a Knight would challenge another by throwing down a gauntlet or glove. To accept the challenge an opposing Knight would then pick up the gauntlet and the duel would ensue.

Later in history, a duel of swords or pistols would begin by taking a glove and slapping the offender across the face and the challenge would take place in a field at ten to twenty paces, ending in the weakest man's death.

I’m very disturbed by the gauntlets I’ve seen thrown down of late. This gauntlet takes place among our young people, but I’m very sorry to say they have learned it from those who claim to be mature.

The challenge is just as deadly as those of old, and do likewise, cause a death, albeit in the spirit and emotions of those it is inflicted upon.

This particular gauntlet is called "sarcasm". And though the claim is ‘all in good fun’, it invites those who are on the receiving end to take up the challenge and return cutting remarks meant to tear down their opponent.

Sad to say, many enjoy this form of leisure and see nothing wrong with it, but of course when not walking in the spirit, one cannot see in the spirit the wounds that are being inflicted.

You may say, “Lighten up, you’re too serious!” and you would be right. I have been on the receiving end of jokes, sarcasm and verbal abuse throughout most of my young and adult life and can tell you from personal experience that no good thing can come of it. I take the damage done as a very serious matter. To sharpen your wits on innocent and unsuspecting victims is cruel and ungodly.

‘Harsh’, you say? I understand what effect words can have on another, using them and receiving them causes pain and vulnerability of a sort God did not intend.

“Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting: [(1) pleasantry, humour, facetiousness (2) in a bad sense, scurrility, ribaldry, low jesting], which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them.”

Ephesians 5:1-7

Coarse jesting is something the Word of God discourages, as is filthy and foolish talking, they are not fitting for a child of God and will not permit them entrance into the Kingdom of God.

So the challenge I lay before you now is to take up speech which will build, promote and edify the children of God bringing glory to Him in so doing.

"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:8-9

The only Sword which should be parried among the Saints of God is the 'Sword of the Spirit". This sword brings life, growth and godliness. This is what every child of God should strive for, Christ-likeness.

The Ultimate Challenge!

Choices!

Everything in life requires a choice. Every thought, every action, every word. When you wake up in the morning you choose how the day will effect you. When you lay down at night, you choose how you will hold the days memories; cherished or regretted. When you are blessed by a friend or stranger do you return the blessing? When you are cursed, do you release them or hold them responsible?

"If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” John 20:23

There is great power in our choices. The word tells us that love covers a multitude of sins. We can choose to cover those we love while they are separated from God. We can forgive them for wrongs done or we can retain them and hold them responsible for them. How we choose to act will determine the set course for, not only someone else's life, but, by our own actions and words, the course for ours as well.

“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."

Matthew 6:14-15

Choose wisely! For your present and future choices may bring back to you the consequences of your past actions.

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. "Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. "The servant fell on his knees before him. 'Be patient with me,' he begged, 'and I will pay back everything.' The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. "But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. 'Pay back what you owe me!' he demanded. "His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.' But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened. "Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?' In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. "This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart."

Matthew 18:24-35

Long Road Home

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." II Timothy 4:7

There have been many reports in the news lately about "Christians" who have stopped fighting the good fight of faith and have returned to the way of the world. I am not surprised by the world's response which is seemingly accepting and merciful, full of love and compassion. But that is not the true compassion which will encourage to one to overcome. I am saddened for those who have fallen who still believe they will be forgiven and accepted by Christ regardless of how far away the life they've chosen has become to the Word of God. Many will be, and are being, deceived in these last days and are falling away from the faith, but they don't know it. They believe the lie that says a loving God will not judge, that thier sins will overlooked. God is merciful and longsuffering and His love and patience knows no bounds, yet He has given us a pattern, a standard to live by; it is His truth, His living Word. That is His mercy and grace, He has offered us a way out through His Word, His Son, which will not pass away, He will not return void (without purpose), but will accomplish everything for which He was sent. The prize is given to those who overcome, not to those who give up because it's too hard fighting the sin nature of man.

"You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; 18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen." II Peter 3:17-18

I urge you, don't give up the fight you are in for Christ-likeness! Be Holy as He is Holy. Trials and struggles in our Christian walk are common to us, but God will make a way out. We must continue to stand firm in our faith against the wiles of the devil, crucifying our own flesh daily. Those lusts of the flesh are not how God created us, we were not born this way to stay this way, it is a result of the sin nature inherited by the fall of the man, Adam. But now we have a new inheritance because we are of a new family with a new nature. We are now new creatures in Christ Jesus; the old man has passed away and Behold! ALL things are now made new. Repentance IS a gift, and the first step to restoring a right and righteous relationship with our Father. Do not be deceived! Do not accept the lie that says God created you to be in direct opposition to His Word! Our Father has created us to be in fellowship with Him, but first we must overcome, we must be cleansed by the blood of Jesus to be able to walk through that veil which has separated us from our Father. Jesus said, "

"I assure you, I am the gate for the sheep," he said. "All others who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them. Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. Wherever they go, they will find green pastures. " John 10:7-9

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it."

Matthew 7:13

Our Father Who is in Heaven, Hallowed be Your name.

Thy kingdom Come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven

Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasseses as we forgive those who trespass against us

Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Your Move!

Do you sometimes feel like life is nothing more than a complicated game of chess? Where every move you make seems to bring a new set of choices and challenges that could change your future forever.

Many of us don't think that far into the future. There's nothing wrong with living life like there's no tomorrow. It is important, however, to remember that the choices we make today will set the outcome of our future. There comes a time in every life when we'll have to make choices that will effect us eternally.

If your life is going down the wrong path? It's not too late to change your course. You can choose a new life, you can choose to be a new person, you can choose a new direction with a chance to change your future right now!!

"And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve ; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell : but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."

Joshua 24:15

What Time Do You Have?

What time is it?

Luke 12:54-56
Then Jesus turned to the crowd and said,"When you see clouds beginning to form in the west, you say, 'Here comes a shower.' And you are right. When the south wind blows, you say, 'Today will be a scorcher.' And it is. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky, but you can't interpret these present times.

Sounds a little stern, coming from Jesus! But we are held responsible for knowing what is going on around us, the times that we are in, and what is about to happen. Most of us are content to let time and events take place without paying concious attention to them We need to know what is taking place in our neighborhoods, churches, government, our world and the world around us. It is not enough to just see our immediate circumstances and not know how the rest does and will continue to immediately and gradually effect us adversely. We are responsible to pray and influence those who make decisions that effect change in the world around us. We may not always be able to do anything in the natural, but sometimes we will. We are called to pray for those in authority over us no matter what role they play. Do not be guilty of sitting idly by and incorrectly interpreting these present times and not respond accordingly. You, your prayers, your words, your actions may make all the difference in your world! We are to be in it, but not of it. Be pro-active! Be aware!

Who Cares?

A Woman sits alone in her bedroom crying in the night after putting her children to bed. Her husband has died and she lives too far for the arms of her loving family to comfort her. Who cares?

See the man in the office window with his hands running through his hair and the stress etching premature lines across his face. Who cares?

An adult child guides her aging father back into the house for the 3rd time after he's wandered off, wondering where he is or where he's supposed to be. Who cares?

A little boy sits outside alone with his baseball while his daddy talks to his mommy's doctor about a new treatment for cancer. Who cares?

Are you the caring neighbor, the sympathetic co-worker, the loving family member, the compassionate friend who can make a difference in one of these lives? Are you the arms of hope that Jesus uses to reach out and lighten a burden for someone who has lost hope or given up? Who cares enough to reach out and help? Jesus does. Can you?

Who cares?

Knowing When Enough is Enough!

There are so many instances where we can become overwhelmed, be it activities, people, responsibilities, etc. We need to be able to remove ourselves from the chaos long enough to gain peace. How do we so that?

I'm glad you asked.Jesus gave us the perfect example when even He went off by Himself to pray. He told His friends, "Wait here while I go pray." Funny how we expect people to be able to read our minds or just know when we've had enough and need to be alone. They can't and don't unless we tell them. It shouldn't have to become something that offends others when we reach the point of overload. Just say, "Excuse me, please, I need some alone time." Your friends will understand and those who don't know you will learn that you are just as human as anyone else. In this case, learn to help others by learning to help yourself, know when enough is enough!

"Heavy"

I saw this picture of soldier recruits carrying the Statue of Liberty to the tune "She's Heavy" (Movie: Across the Universe) and was absolutely captivated by the message it portayed. The weight of responsibility felt by those who procure our freedom is often times overlooked and we are de-sensitized to it's true meaning by commercialism and over- exposure.

I was reminded of the heaviness of the burden of these six young men aging 18-24 years to stake a claim in the name of freedom on a tiny island. 3 died, 3 came home. Appx. 7000 gave thier lives at Iwo Jima and only 27 boys came home who ever stepped foot there. The cost of a country's freedom in this historical event came at a high price for most of these boys, children who were scared and yet duty-bound to fight.

And yet no greater burden was ever carried than that of the innocent Man, Jesus, His Father's only Son, to purchase the lives of an unworthy people at the price of His own. People who may never understand the true cost of freedom, who will mock the sacrifice offered in love, spit in the face of the greatest gift they could ever receive and crucify the the very One who won their right to claim any human, civil or ammendment "rights".

What has your freedom cost you? Do you care? Someone did and still does. Do you know Him? His name is Jesus. He bought our freedom. He paid the debt you and I owed to set us free from slavery to sin and death. Our cost? Receiving it!

Tapestry of Life

For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, Line upon line, line upon line, Here a little, there a little."
Isaiah 28:10

I remember my first experience with a bike. I had to get on my cousins bike and let her pump me on the handlebars. I had to learn to trust hers and my own sense of balance at the same time. It took more than one fall, a few scrapes and a bruise or two before we could master two on a bike. Later when I learned how to ride for myself, I began to build on those first principles adding to the new ones of steering, breaking, standing, wheelies, no hands and pumping others. Now, I’m learning to ride a motorcycle; and like the child who had learned to trust others as well as herself; using the same principles as riding a bicycle, I am again adding to those first lessons and implementing them in this new challenge.

Those lessons didn't discontinue and start over again with each new level of difficulty; they were built upon one at a time like the scripture in Isaiah. Life lessons woven into a beautiful tapestry of time, experiences, emotions and events. A piece of work so intricate in detail that the life it represents is not aware of until it is forced to look back through the windows of time. The patterns which appear random while unfinished begin to reveal a superb, matchless work of art only made possible at the hands of a unique and involved Artist. A day at a time, a moment stitched to a moment, bound by a week, a month, a year. The wool of ideas, ideals and concepts, ribbons of destiny, strings of events joined by the needles of an ultimate Weaver all coming together to form a piece of art so detailed and exquisitely designed as to give the Maker of it great pleasure at His own creativity.

Turn around. Look back over the years of your life and see the great work that has been done in you precept upon precept, line upon line, her a little, there a little. Appreciate every layered lesson learned through pain, joy, repitition, patience and love. You are a unique creation designed by the Master Creator. There is no other like you. There is no other like Him.

Old Wounds, "Ancient of Days" Remedy

“Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful. The Lord builds up Jerusalem; He gathers together the outcasts of Israel. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name. Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite. The Lord lifts up the humble; He casts the wicked down to the ground. Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; Sing praises on the harp to our God, who covers the heavens with clouds, who prepares rain for the earth, who makes grass to grow on the mountains. He gives to the beast its food, and to the young ravens that cry. He does not delight in the strength of the horse; He takes no pleasure in the legs of a man.

The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him,
in those who hope in His mercy.”
Psalms 147:1-11

I’ve come around the mountain again; another layer of the onion is being peeled. I’ve been told that if you are going through the same thing this year that you were going through the year before, then there is a problem and that is probably very correct. But, in this case, it’s just getting at something that’s been buried for a long time and it takes time to heal after each layer has been removed. I’ve discovered that things I thought were long resolved have only been lying dormant or scabbed over until the Lord could prepare me for the next round of spiritual surgery and antibiotics. We all have to go through trials and struggles of the heart as long as we are a part of this dying world. Sometimes it’s the testing of our faith or trust, "Regard it all as joy, my brothers, when you face various kinds of temptations; for you know that the testing of your trust produces perseverance. But let perseverance do its complete work; so that you may be complete and whole, lacking in nothing." James 1:2-4. Sometimes it’s just the wickedness of our hearts and the consequences of sin, "Righteousness protects him whose way is honest, but wickedness brings down the sinner." Proverbs 13:6. And sometimes it’s the weakness of others who have not yet yielded their own flesh to the Lord "And one will say to him, 'What are these wounds between your arms?' Then he will answer, 'Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends." Zechariah 13:6. Regardless of the situation, the Lord has knowledge of them all and nothing is too difficult for Him. The test for me, and possibly many of you, will be letting the Lord remove the infection while not yielding to the temptation to cover my wounds to protect them; even from Him. My very human response to pain is typical, I’m sure; a reaction to the foreknowledge that most cures can be as equally painful, if not more so, as the illness. This test is a one I’ve been through before. The Lord brought me through the first one and He will bring me through this one for He is faithful and just and will finish the good work He has begun. Though it feels bad, it is good because the Lord is with me. Everything the adversary means for evil the Lord will use for good, His and mine. He will get the glory and I will be free. So if you find yourself with another layer of the same onion being peeled off and wonder why you must endure this again, remember this: the Lord says, “See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; Your walls are continually before Me.” Isaiah 49:16 Do you think that anything, anyone or any situation can remove you from His hand if He has tattooed you there, I think not. I am secure in the knowledge that I am His and He is mine and nothing shall remove me from the Love of God which is in Christ Jesus.

What Is Your Opinion?

How many times have you been asked for an opinion that you didn't have one? Everyone has an opinion; a thought; a certain perspective or viewpoint about everything they are involved in. How many times have you been told that your opinion matters, you has a right to your opinion, or your opinion is vaulable? In today's world and by its standards we are encouraged that our opinions or viewpoints are permissable, and in some instances required, to judge whether or not a thing is right and true. But in the household of faith, that is a contradiction is terms! When "we" enter into the mix, we take the absolutes of God out of the picture. To follow that train of thought we will eventually eliminate the need for a Saviour. Remember! We are to be in the world but not of it (and it, the world, absolutely should not be in us). We are supposed to be transformed by the renewing of our minds into the image or likeness of Christ.

What is the likeness of Christ?

Romans 12:2
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

John 12: 49 For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. 50 And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak."

John 5:19 Then Jesus answered and said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. 20 For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel. 21 For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will.

John 14:10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. 11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.

John 5:30
I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.

John 8:28
Then Jesus said to them, "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things.

John 8:54
Jesus answered, "If I honor Myself, My honor is nothing. It is My Father who honors Me, of whom you say that He is your God.

In our Christ-likeness we are to be transformed into the image of the Father just as Jesus was:

2Corinthians 3:18
But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

It is the reflection of the Son, which is the glory of the Father, that He should see in us just as silver or gold reflects the silversmith or goldsmith when it has been completely purified. The purity of Him should be seen in us after all impurities and dross have been removed through the seive of Jesus' blood. There is nothing in His pure word that allows the contaminate of our opinion to be the standard by which we judge, test, or interpret His word. Only the life (blood), death and ressurrection of the pure unblemished Lamb revealed through the Holy Spirit can be the litmus which determines the truth of His word; not our opinions.

When next you hear the request to state your opinion in matters of faith; guard well your heart, mind and mouth for pride and a fall will not be far behind. It may be a well laid trap of the adversary to get you to question, "you will not surely die"?

Revival

I’ve been contemplating revival, the need for it and the prerequisites for obtaining it. There are many scripture passages that speak of restoration, whole-heartedly going after God, and seeking His face and from what I’ve gathered they all have two things in common. True revival only comes from God and only to truly repentant hearts. “A broken and contrite heart you will not despise, O God.” I cannot expect to see a sovereign move of God in our cities and churches unless I first seek a true move of God in my own heart and home. Revival requires a turning back to God from wickedness (the heart of man is eternally wicked). You say you have not turned away from God? How can anyone know if they have turned from God? Who am I to say that we have turned our hearts from seeking after Him? There is evidence of the presence of God found in personal and corporate revival. It’s not falling out in the spirit, speaking in tongues, prophesying, healing, deliverance, salvations, etc., although these things may take place as a result of revival. The evidence of true revival is a holy response to the physical presence and awareness of the holiness of God. No man can stand in the presence of a holy God without becoming immediately aware of the spiritual condition of their heart and becoming aware of the spiritual condition of those around us. Isaiah, Ezekiel, John, Legion were all aware they were in the midst of the presence of a holy God. Do we fear God? Are we in awe as we stand (not literally) in His presence? Are we genuinely afraid to sin for fear of being separated from Him? How do we respond when others take the name of the Lord in vain or blaspheme His Holy Spirit or make the things of God common? Does it make us cringe? Do we have a strong desire to cleanse and remove ourselves from the midst of the corruption found in movies, music, intimate gatherings, even those found in the house of God? Do gossip, back-biting, arguments, course jesting and wrong teaching make us fear immediate and long-term consequences? I do not believe God is standing in heaven waiting for us to mess up (not that He’d have to wait long) so that He can punish us, but long-suffering is not an eternal attribute; it will eventually come to an end. Sin demands payment! Jesus paid that debt, but if we continue to sin, crucifying Him over and over in favor of following after our own lusts and desires, then our actions will inevitably bring about the consequence which sin demands; the payment of death.

Revival means to revive. You cannot re-vive something if it was never alive to begin with. Revival is for the saved; those saints who have grown cold, lukewarm, complacent, apathetic, separated from their relationship with a Holy Father. The only way to receive a reviving is to realize our condition and turn to Father God with godly sorrow which leads to repentance, ask for and receive His forgiveness and restoration into a right relationship with Him. “Search me and know me and see if there be any wicked way in me.” I cannot place judgment on those around me as to whether or not they have been truly revived in their hearts, but I can’t judge the fruit of their labors; their works; their speech. Do we edify? Even in correction; is the motive to restore right relationship with the Father? Do we honor God in every deed? Is there a reverential fear/awe of God when we come together? These determine our spiritual atmosphere. We are not ignorant creatures by design; by choice we ignore the evidence of our spiritual condition. God states, “Be ye holy, for I Am Holy”. We must set ourselves apart from the world and flee every appearance of evil. How will we be distinguished from the rest of the world if we look just like them, act just like them, sound just like them, smell just like them? There is nothing in us that should resemble this temporary, dying world except for the dying part. We must die to ourselves, crucifying the flesh that is corrupt, and walk in a new, revived life of Christ through whom we can do all things.

Nature Walk-Part 7

The Impatience of Knowing God

As we’ve seen through His word and nature, God can reveal Himself in so many different ways; not just to show how infinite His ways are, but to relate to us through them. It is important that we pay attention to those we happen to notice and learn to appreciate them as unique. He has designed the best possible way of communicating with each of us specifically. No one feels as we feel, thinks like we think, needs or responds the way we do. We are unique and require a unique God who knows us intimately the way no one else can, not even we ourselves. Search Him out. See for yourself who God wants to be to and for you. Don’t just rely on someone else’s description or interpretation of Him. He wants to take you on a journey of understanding, of relationship with Him. Learn to walk in the cool of the day with Him. David said, “Early will I seek You, Lord”. That doesn’t just mean in the morning, it also means early in our life; before it is “too late”! There will come a time when it will be “too late”. Don’t wait till you have regrets before you start seeking Him. “Regret”, “if only” and “could’ve-should’ve-would’ve been” will only be wasted emotions spent too late to be effective. Now is the time of your salvation. Now is the Dawn of your Morning. Now, while it is still called Day, is the time to know the One who truly knows you. Don’t wait! This is the one time in all our lives we will be encouraged to be impatient, zealous, anxious (yet not fearful) to do something; to seek Him and to love Him with all our heart, mind, soul and strength. Run hard after Him and don’t be satisfied with anything less than a face-to-face encounter with the One True God! Yahweh! Adonai! Abba, Father! Holy One of Israel! Ancient of Days! The Only One who truly loves you!

Nature Walk-Part 6

ELEMENTAL PATH

And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Acts 2:2

I form the light and create darkness, I make peace and create calamity; I, the Lord, do all these things.' Isa 45:7

And they came to Him and awoke Him, saying, "Master, Master, we are perishing!" Then He arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water. And they ceased, and there was a calm.
Luke 8:24

After these things I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree. Rev. 7:1

A Psalm of David when he was in the wilderness of Judah. O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water. Psalm 63:1

He causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; He makes lightning for the rain; He brings the wind out of His treasuries. Psalm 135:7

Has the rain a father? Or who has begotten the drops of dew? Job 38:28

The sight of the glory of the Lord was like a consuming fire on the top of the mountain in the eyes of the children of Israel. Exodus 24:17
For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God. Deut. 4:24
For our God is a consuming fire.Hebrews 12:29Therefore understand today that the Lord your God is He who goes over before you as a consuming fire. He will destroy them and bring them down before you; so you shall drive them out and destroy them quickly, as the Lord has said to you. Deut. 9:3

Hear attentively the thunder of His voice, And the rumbling that comes from His mouth. He sends it forth under the whole heaven, His lightning to the ends of the earth. After it a voice roars; He thunders with His majestic voice, And He does not restrain them when His voice is heard. God thunders marvelously with His voice; He does great things which we cannot comprehend. For He says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth'; Likewise to the gentle rain and the heavy rain of His strength. Job 37:2-6


Fire and hail, snow and clouds; Stormy wind, fulfilling His word Psalm 148:8

The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit." John 3:8

Nature Walk-Part 5

IN THE SHELTER OF A TREE

Then Jesus said, "What is the Kingdom of God like? How can I illustrate it? It is like a tiny mustard seed planted in a garden; it grows and becomes a tree, and the birds come and find shelter among its branches." Luke 13:18-19

My favorite place as a child was in the top of a very old tree. I was about five or six years old (back when your parents didn’t have to worry too much about your whereabouts), when I’d go to the back of my grandparents property and climb as high as I could get before the branches began to bend under my weight. The low-lying limbs were very thick and close enough together for my then short legs to clamber up. I would climb so high that I could see over other trees into the horse pasture behind us and beyond, and would sit for hours daydreaming. I can still remember the smell of the surrounding pines and the sound of birds, frogs and crickets, singing symphonies solely for my enjoyment. In that tree, the world stood still so that I could appreciate its beauty. Although I didn’t know “the” God on a personal level yet; in that tree was where He first introduced Himself to me. I imagined that there had to be someone who had thought up such wonderful sights, smells and sounds and would even talk to this unknown Person telling Him how beautiful everything was. I felt that the whole world had been created for me to appreciate it. I first learned to pray in that tree even though I had not been churched or taught who God was or that there even was a God. And though I had never read a Bible or specifically heard anyone out loud, I felt that He had spoken back to me. I would never forget those words and later found that they had been spoken long ago and written down for all creation to discover for themselves; words that I had cherished from childhood and carried into adulthood as my very own. When I learned who God was, I understood what He had done to bring me into relationship with Him. Those trees, in the woods behind my grandparent’s house, became witnesses that testified of an Awesome God drawing a small, insignificant and lonely child into an eternal, Paternal relationship with her Creator. God had involved Himself with me. Every chance I got I would run out through the woods and climb as high as I could get to experience what I experienced at that first ascent. I expected what had happened to me the first time, to happen every time, and I was not disappointed. A tiny seed, planted into the imagination and heart of this child became a tree of knowledge that lead me on a journey to know my Father, God.

The next time you find yourself out in the woods, imagine yourself in the very top of one of those trees, as close to God as you can possibly get.

Pay attention to the sounds of creation singing of the Creator and the aroma of His presence in your surroundings.

Appreciate what He has done to get your attention and tell Him how grateful you are.

He will answer you with secrets He’s long waited to share with you.

Nature Walk-Part 4

ROCK & ROLL!

Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock in Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink." And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.
Exodus 17:6

"Take the rod; you and your brother Aaron gather the congregation together. Speak to the rock before their eyes, and it will yield its water; thus you shall bring water for them out of the rock, and give drink to the congregation and their animals."
Numbers 20:8

Rocks are simple things, yet they hold a great many responsibilities. They can be spoken to, struck, stacked as witnesses, and used as weapons. They yield water, give support and offer shelter. The church has been built on one and yet Another provides salvation.

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But He said, "You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live." And the Lord said, "Here is a place by Me, and you shall stand on the rock. So it shall be, while My glory passes by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock, and will cover you with My hand while I pass by. Then I will take away My hand, and you shall see My back; but My face shall not be seen.”
Ex 33:20 -23

To be hidden in the cleft of the rock, being sheltered from death by awe, and have God Almighty, the Ancient of Days, reveal the lattermost part of His glory is a fearful thing to be sure. And God still wants us to know Him. All we can stand at a time is what He has done and hints at doing in the future, but to experience it up close and personal, face to face, would surely cause our death, for no man can see God and live. He has provided a "Way" for us to experience Him on a personal level that will not kill us, through His Son, the “Rock” on which we stand, He will consider us on His behalf.

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But He answered and said to them, "I tell you that if these should keep silent the stones would immediately cry out."
Luke 19:40

And so, we are again presented with another choice; to praise Him of our own accord or let the rocks cry out in our place.

All Heaven and earth already praises Him, for they have never questioned their existence or their Creator.

We have so much to learn from creation, we should not be outdone by rocks!