"Uncorking the Grace Bottle" (July 11, 2013)

Take the cork off of the bottle of grace!

Let's take a new view of grace: it's not only the favor of God, or the mercy of God for our mistakes, nor does it stop at the amazing redemption purchased by Jesus Christ! Grace is constantly extended to and through us by connection with other members of the body because of the gifts that God has put in us. Additionally, when God's grace is extended to us through other members of the body in the form of His giftings, we advance in the sanctification process and others participate in our sanctification.

Here is a true to life example! Sister Susie is struggling with seeing everything in a negative light-she can't see where God is working, only where the enemy is working, and that is being highlighted in her thought life. She gets a brother in the Lord to pray for her and that brother, having the gift of discernment, sees the root of the negative attitude. She understands and has hope after he prays, then the brother directs her to a study where she can be renewed in her heart and mind to have the thoughts of God! The Body has participated in her sanctification through the grace given to each one of them.

Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 12 of the "gifts of the spirit"and the word used for "gifts" is a form of the word "grace." Paul recognized that God's apostolic gifting in him was God's grace extended to the body. 1Co 15:10 "But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me." Not only does God's grace get extended through the gift He's made of us, but that grace enables us to labor diligently to use the gift for the advancement of His Kingdom.

We can stop up the grace of God by denying others the gift in us, by dragging our heels in the sanctification process, by walking in jealousy and envy, and by refraining from fellowship with the rest of the Body. The Body is amazingly connected and in need of every part at all times! Where one is gifted the other is in need of that gift.

Recognize the grace of God in your life and give Him glory! Labor by His grace, give to others through His gifts of grace, receive from others through His gifts of grace. For the benefit of His grace in and through us, to GOD BE ALL THE GLORY, none to us!

"Bad People??" (July 5, 2013)

Bad People???

Have you ever been through a church split, a disagreement with a Christian friend or witnessed ungodliness in a trusted ministry? Most Christians I know have experienced at least one of the above - at least once in their Christian walk.

I've been through enough of this myself and have wondered how God could continue to use that ministry or person after "what they did to me (and others)." They must be "bad people" and since they hurt others God shouldn't use them anymore. Sounds like a healthy attitude, right? I'm being real with you!

Paul, Moses, David, Peter, etc.,etc.,etc.,were all considered 'bad people' at one time or another by other Christians. The amazing thing about God is that He chooses and uses 'bad people' even when we don't trust them and even IF we don't consider them to be good anymore. And in a show of His omnipotence, God even uses jack-asses to get His word across!

Now there are definitely some difficult things going on which cause us to have to make a choice to turn away from some relationships, but the point I'm making is that we, too, are being sanctified, just like the 'bad people.' But we cannot keep a root of bitterness and distaste against others, we must be reconciled in love and repent of our heart attitudes, words and actions so that we don't let that root take hold and bring distress into our lives and the lives of our family members. God does not excuse us from the call to repentance if the other person sinned, too-we are responsible to repent for our sins, no matter what the conditions that caused them.

Since every human being was conceived and raised in sin, we know that strongholds in our thinking and behaviors have grabbed ahold of us and affect how we view one another. I believe this is one of the reasons God has told us not to judge the motives of one another....our judging comes out of our ways of thinking, which are sometimes not sanctified! 1 Cor 13:7 "...love is always ready to believe the best in others."

I heard a clear directive from the Lord to go to the past to make the future better. What He was saying to me is that I can change the present and the future by rectifying the past. There were specific people that I needed to go to and repent of my attitudes and actions, regardless of what theirs were, in order to set things right and open doors to the future. God gave me a new revelation of His love before I did this, inspiring me to move forward with the goal of reconciliation in love. What a marvelous outcome He provided....not because everything is all sweet and we now live in a Candy Crush type world....but because He lifted off years of heartache and distress through repentance and forgiveness. The root which takes hold concerning these past situations can cause a distorted understanding of some parts of His word. You see, when we have allowed a root to be established in this way we will look for ways to justify it, either by misconstruing His word or bringing others alongside of us to agree with us. However, 10,000 people in agreement can never negate the Truth of God!

Matt 18 (21 to end) talks of the unmerciful servant who has his debt forgiven then harshly refuses to forgive others. What great forgiveness we have received-let us extend it to others freely, just as it was extended to us!

"He's Coming for a Pure Bride" (July 2,2013)

 

"He's Coming for a Pure Bride"

We, as a body of believers, are known as the Bride of Christ. As such, we have been given the benefits of the engagement [betrothal] typically bestowed upon a traditional Jewish bride in Biblical times.

The Father of the groom typically chose the bride-to-be for his son-a Biblical example of this is seen in Genesis 24, where Abraham sends his servant, Eliezer, to find a bride for Isaac. Once the bride was selected a bride price was established: 1Corinthians 6:20 "you were bought with a price, therefore glorify God in your body...": our bride price is the life of the Groom.

Betrothal is the next step-the bride and groom are legally bound to one another and cannot separate without a legal divorce. An example of this is seen with Mary and Joseph-although the time had not come for them to be physically living together, they were legally bound to one another. Jeremiah 2:2 and Hosea 2:19-20 speaks of Israel's betrothal to God. Next, a written contract is drawn up and the bride gives her consent. This agreement requires the bride to verbally say "I do" to the contract-Romans 10:8-10 speaks of our verbal confession of Christ and agreement to live for and through Him.

At this point gifts were given to the bride as as symbol of love, loyalty and commitment, and the cup of the covenant was shared between the bride and groom. The gifts were a down payment or promise by the groom to fulfill the marriage contract. Eph.1:14 calls the Holy Spirit "the earnest of our inheritance" to come. The word "earnest" literally translates as "engagement ring" in the Greek language. Our promise to live life as the bride of Christ is enabled by this down payment out of the full inheritance. What a marvelously loving God we serve who pours out the Holy Spirit upon us,enabling us to live for Him, being sanctified day by day, that the Groom would be wed to a pure bride.
The cup of the covenant is then shared-the groom drinking first and then the bride. Luke 22:20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you [the bride]."

The final steps to the marriage contract include the brides mikvah, or water immersion as a ritual cleansing, the departing of the groom back to his father's house to prepare the bridal chamber before the formal wedding ceremony, the brides time of preparation and consecration while the groom is with his father, the return of the groom at an unknown time and the formal wedding ceremony.

Without listing several references from scripture,it is easily seen that this pattern of the Jewish wedding ceremony is the image of the church and Christ's betrothal. We are in the consecration period of the betrothal-awaiting the return of our groom as we daily partner with the Holy Spirit in the process of sanctification.

Look forward to the wedding banquet! We have a glorious inheritance and have not been forgotten....the future holds far more than we can think or imagine...press on!

Rev 19:7 Let us rejoice and shout for joy [exulting and triumphant]! Let us celebrate and ascribe to Him glory and honor, for the marriage of the Lamb [at last] has come, and His bride has prepared herself.

(For further reading see Eddie Chumneys book "The Seven Festivals of the Messiah" which can be read online at http://www.hebroots.org/index.htm)

"Get Your Foot Out Of The Door" (June 22,2013)

 

If you want to shut the door to the past then take the things out of the way that are keeping it open!

There are assignments and blessings in the "here and now" that are held up because we keep our minds and/or affections on the past. Many people have suffered abuse at the hands or mouths of others and some have been abusers. Either way, it's time to repent, receive forgiveness from God, forgive yourself and take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. Take the doorstops out of the way and let the door to the future be opened.

The grace of God is moving us forward into His plans and purposes. If we keep the past in the forefront we are living in a time period which has been laid to rest. God desires to use what He's put in us for this time period to help others advance their walk and give Him glory. Withholding ourselves from God in this way is synonymous with telling Him that His timing is poor and we'll decide when we're ready to use the gift He's put in us.

Php 3:13-16 "...but one thing I do [it is my one aspiration]: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward. So let those [of us] who are spiritually mature and full-grown have this mind and hold these convictions; and if in any respect you have a different attitude of mind, God will make that clear to you also. Only let us hold true to what we have already attained and walk and order our lives by that." AMP

Promoting the "Real" Jesus! (June 16, 2013)

Promoting the "Real" Jesus!

Act 17:11 "Now these [Berean Jews] were better disposed and more noble than those in Thessalonica, for they were entirely ready and accepted and welcomed the message... with inclination of mind and eagerness, searching and examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so."

We have the same responsibility today. Search the scriptures, both OT and NT. We are not to search scripture to prove our ideas, but to attain the truth of the Word and the true character of Christ. Take careful consideration not to alter what is written, not to take it out of context, to embrace the truth of it and discard hype-doing otherwise is disparaging to the character of Christ, the Living Word. Taking liberties with the Word is, in essence, promoting a Jesus who is not real!

There is no possible way to build true faith with doctrine that is not in agreement with the Word. What happens when we have doctrine that is "off" is that we destroy people's faith. As someone once said on this concern: wrong doctrine=high expectation based on wrong information!

Be true to Christ-accept Him as He truly is-the Living Word!

Psalm 119:11 Your word have I laid up in my heart, that I might not sin against You.

Practice Makes Perfect (June 12,2013)

Today you may have a list of things to get done, and we all have responsibilities that need to be taken care of. However, instead of jumping into your work or your play take the day and make it His, then let your life flow out of Him.

John 5:19 "Then Jesus answered and said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Him self, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. " Lord, let us be like Jesus, to do only what the Father shows us to do.

John 14:10 "[Jesus said] 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." Lord, let us be like Jesus, to say only what we hear the Father say.

It's entirely possible to live this life moment by moment with Him as our source-Jesus did. What You say I say, what You do I do: let it be so!

Practice righteousness-right standing with God (because of the blood of Jesus) which leads to continued communion with God which leads to integrity, virtue, purity of life, correctness of thinking feeling, and acting!

Take Command of Your Soul! (June 9, 2013)

Take Command of Your Soul and Praise Him!

Psa 103:1-5 "A Psalm Of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with loving-kindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's."

David is calling on his soul, commanding his innermost being, to worship the Lord in thankfulness for the loving-kindness He's shown him. Sometimes the lips can do little to express the gratitude in the heart for the goodness that God has shown us, then our innermost being must burst forth with thankfulness toward Him!

At other times we struggle and must commit ourselves to worship and praise Him in thankfulness for His promises and tender mercies. At those times, again, do as David did: command yourself to worship and remember His goodness! Take your mind and focus off of the things around you and put them onto Him, speaking out the blessings He's poured on us as children of God!

Whatever the state of your soul today, whether it be rejoicing or grieving, focus on the Lord and bless Him with thankful praise! By the end of this Psalm David was beckoning the rest of God's creation to join him in praise to God: a thankful heart beckons others to join in worshiping Him!

Obliterate the Road Block (May 4, 2013)

2Co 12:8-9 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

This scripture came to mind as I prayed and cried out to God, yet again, on a particular road block in my life. For a number of years I've asked Him to remove the road block, I've had others praying for me, I've commanded the thing to leave, I've gotten advice and tried a list of various other methods to get this "thing" out of my way.

Today, as I prayed about this same thing, 2 Cor.12:8-9 came to mind. But today I had victory because of this scripture. What the Lord is saying to me is that He is not going to remove this thing, but between the two of us, He and I, we will press through it and leave it in the dust when all is said and done.

Knowing that I am weak to accomplish this task, He has reminded me that we are in covenant, He and I, and He is extending His grace (divine influence, benefits and favor) to me by giving me His power (miraculous strength and force) to complete and accomplish the very thing He's given me to do! In this process His grace is also teaching me, through patience and love, to walk in His way! (Titus 2:10-12)

There are some things in life for which we simply have to run the roadblock, obliterate it, be forceful and push through-but with the wisdom and grace of God. When we get to the other side we can look back and celebrate His goodness and faithfulness in bringing us through-and the fact that He knew what was best for us!

Press on, be diligent, make crooked paths straight, keep your eyes on the prize in Him!
Php 3:14 I press on toward the goal to win the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward.

God Cherishes Differences in People (June 3, 2013)

"God Cherishes Differences in People"

 

1Co 12:4-7 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

Expanding the meaning of the words in this scripture (Strong's Concordance) could bring us to a clearer picture of what is said: Now there are different kinds of gifts.....there are different ways to serve with those gifts.....and there are a variety of affects as a result of using those gifts...

There are no two baseball players alike, no two pianists alike..likewise, there are no two Spiritual gifts in God's Kingdom which will operate in the same exact fashion. A look at the prophets of the old testament readily confirms this-personality is cherished by God. This is not to say that our un-sanctified personalities are perfect for the work He's given us to do, not by any means. The gift inside of us works perfectly with a perfectly submitted body, soul and spirit.

Sister Susie and Brother Bob may have the same type of gift, but it may not manifest exactly the same way through each of them. God knows what gift is needed at any given point in time and who He wants to call on to use the gift He's placed inside of them. Be submitted, stay in the Word, be humble! Simply be the sanctified you-ready and willing!

Forbid Heart Hardening (May 30, 2013)

 

 

We cannot allow ourselves to become hardened by past experiences, but we must gain wisdom and understanding through them.

Cultivate (advance the growth with tender, loving care and diligence) understanding and patience for others. There are usually things behind people's actions that we do not see or understand and all we can do is give it over to God and wait on Him with all patience, prayer and grace. In that time of waiting He will show us things in ourselves that we had not seen or understood before. We must make excellent use of this time to seek God not only to bring peace and understanding, but to cleanse our own hearts and minds from those ideas that do not line up with God's.

Jud 1:20 "But you, beloved, build yourselves up [founded] on your most holy faith [make progress, rise like an edifice higher and higher], praying in the Holy Spirit;
Jud 1:21 Guard and keep yourselves in the love of God; expect and patiently wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah)--[which will bring you] unto life eternal. "

Weak Flesh, Strong Spirit (May 28, 2013)

 Weak Flesh, Strong Spirit!

Just a simple word of encouragement today to press in, move forward, keep living the life of Christ!

David committed adultery, Abraham lied twice about his wife being his sister, Moses killed a man, Paul (Saul) participated in the death and torment of Christians...and the list goes on. What I speak of here is our propensity toward evil, even when we have a relationship with God. Paul said in Romans 7:15 "For I do not understand my own actions [I am baffled, bewildered]. I do not practice or accomplish what I wish, but I do the very thing that I loathe..."

The flesh is weak, but the Spirit in us is strong and powerful. Repent (turn away from the sin in tenderness of heart, trust once again in the Lord), seek Him, and leave the past behind.

God used every one of these people after they had committed sin-they were moved by the love and calling of God and He took their human weakness and turned it around for His glory.

Today, do not beat yourself over the head for sins committed-whether it be thought, word of deed. Repent, move forward and enjoy the life of Christ he's provided for you. Come out of the cave of oppression and guilt and into His arms....He is your strong tower! There is nothing that can separate you from the love and forgiveness He has provided.

Rom 8:38-9 I am absolutely sure that not even death or life can separate us from God's love. Not even angels or demons, the present or the future, or any powers can do that. Not even the highest places or the lowest, or anything else in all creation can do that. Nothing at all can ever separate us from God's love because of what Christ Jesus our Lord has done.

The Issues of Life (May 25, 2013)

 

The Issues of Life

 

Pro 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

I see this scripture as a diamond, a true and pure gem. A diamond has many facets, causing light to reflect on it differently from various angles. This is true of this scripture, it is multi-faceted, with two of the facets illuminated in this writing. What is being encouraged in this scripture is not simply to discard evil which comes towards us, but to search out and implant into our hearts the purposes and ways of God.

The word "keep" is similar to the word we use when we promise to pray for others, "I will keep you in prayer." The promise is to hold the person up before the Lord in all diligence. This is what "keep" indicates in Proverbs 4:23, a holding of the heart before the Lord both for protection and purification.

Out of the heart flow the "issues of life"-I would choose not to separate these words in defining the meaning because together they give a clearer picture of scriptures intent. The "issues of life" are the those things which bring and release true spiritual and physical life, the true life of God in us and through us.

Act 17:28 "For in him we live (are quickened to physical and spiritual health and vitality and have purpose), and move (are stirred to extend Him through our lives), and have our being (have true existence both here and in eternity)..."

Ungodly Reproduction (May 23, 2013)

 

 Ungodly Reproduction

 

Gen 21:9-12 Now Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, mocking [Isaac]. Therefore she said to Abraham, Cast out this bondwoman and her son, for the son of this bondwoman shall not be an heir with my son Isaac. [Gal. 4:28-31.] And the thing was very grievous (serious, evil) in Abraham's sight on account of his son [Ishmael]. God said to Abraham, Do not let it seem grievous and evil to you because of the youth and your bondwoman; in all that Sarah has said to you, do what she asks, for in Isaac shall your posterity be called. [Rom. 9:7.]

Abraham loved his offspring, but the child (Ishmael) was born from an ungodly union. If we want to share in the inheritance of God, we cannot do it through things originating in the flesh. We cannot expect God to bless that which we have created from a mixture of the world and our own mind, will and emotions. We are born again, recreated in Christ: we must cast out the things of the world and have a Kingdom mindset. We'll experience frustration and irritation and a whole range of unhealthy emotions if we try to mix the two kindgoms-it's not God's plan.

Ishmael was not conceived of God, he represented slavery to the world's kingdom. Isaac was conceived of God (and in God's timing), he represented the Kingdom of God and the fulfillment of the promise of God.

You are a child of the promise, one who has cast away slavery and the things of the world. You have inherited a Kingdom which is not of this world! What has crept into your life that God is calling you to cast out? It may be hard to release, but when you do, your hands will be free to take hold of what God wants you to grasp.

True Existence (May 21, 2013)

True Existence

It occurs to me at times that we live this life upside down in comparison to how God has called us to live. Our physical bodies have so much sway over us that we cater more to that side of our being than the spiritual side. Knowing that we are a 3 part being (spirit, soul and body) we must make the choice to use each part as God intends.

1Tim 4:8 "For physical training is of some value (useful for a little), but godliness (spiritual training toward holiness) is useful and of value in everything and in every way, for it holds promise for the present life and also for the life which is to come."
Godliness, spiritual training, is useful for everything! Physical training has value for this life, especially in being able to have the health and endurance to do the work He's called us to do, but spiritual training will lead to the fulfillment of His will in our lives and the realization of His promises toward the end of fulfilling that will.

Spiritual training leads to the right balance in all things of life-because we truly live this life only to the extent that we live it through Him. What can happen is that we grab a-hold of a God thing and turn it into a flesh thing, carrying out the 'command' through the flesh and overemphasizing it. Then it becomes as a taskmaster to us, a law which we come under, thus usurping the authority and purpose of God.

What is written here is not to say that physical training needs to be curtailed, that was simply an example, the purpose is to say that God is the creator of life and He knows how He's created us to function-each one of us-in His timing and for His glory.

Act 17:28 "For in him we live (are truly alive and have purpose), and move (are stirred with passion and purpose), and have our being (have true existence both here and in eternity)..."

Gal 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."

Blessings or Covenant?

Blessings or Covenant?  

Gen 17:20-21 And as for Ishmael, I have heard and heeded you: behold, I will bless him and will make him fruitful and will multiply him exceedingly...But My covenant, My promise and pledge, I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you at this season next year.

Ishmael was blessed by God, but Isaac was in covenant with God! Here is the difference between the saved child of God and the unsaved people of the world: the saved are in covenant with God and are called His children! God causes the sun to shine and the rain to fall on the entire world, all are benefits of His blessings, but all are not in covenant with Him (Matt 5:45). Inside of the covenant we have with God is every blessing that he has bestowed upon His children!

A covenant requires two parties to come into agreement, each one committing what they will do and/or provide under the covenant-marriage is a prime example of this. Historically, covenants in Biblical times were ratified by blood sacrifices. Our covenant with God is ratified (set in place and established) by the blood of Jesus Christ!
The Bible is our written covenant with God-every word of it is true and He is faithful to keep covenant with us! God requires, as our part of the covenant, that we walk faithfully with Him, as He stated to Abraham: "... walk before me faithfully and be blameless. Then I will make my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers" Gen 17:1-2. The simplest fact of our covenant with God is that He desires us to walk with Him (live continually for His glory, turn our faces to Him at all times, be recreated into His image). Jesus paid a great price to ratify this covenant while at the same time bringing us back into right relationship with the Father and Creator of the Universe. Walking with Him is the only means of fully realizing the elements of the covenant.

Heb 13:20-21 "Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. "

What's in a Name? (May 15,2013)

 

What's in a Name?

 

Act 11:26b ...and in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.

God changed the names of various people in the Bible-some examples are Abram (meaning exalted father) to Abraham (meaning father of many nations) Gen 17:5, Jacob (supplanter) to Israel (God prevails) Gen. 32:28.

In both the old and new testament a name carries significance concerning God's assignment for people. Abraham is a perfect example of this-going from "Exalted Father" to "Father of Many Nations" describes God's plan for him. "Name" as a word is defined as "authority, character, rank, majesty, power, excellence." When God gives a name to someone, the name is descriptive of God's purpose for that person and as such, carries His authority to accomplish His assignment(s). Acts 11:26b says they were "called Christians." Strong's Concordance defines the words as such: called [commanded, assigned], Christians [followers of the Anointed One-those who live as representatives of Christ].

God has various names, all representative of a part of His character-El Shadai (the All Sufficient One), Jehovah Rapha (the Healer), Messiah (Anointed One), among others. Each of these names also represents a facet of His miraculous power. A look at the gifts God has placed in His body of believers reveals that many of God's O/T names and the accompanying power are extended through the Holy Spirit in us today.

We are called "Christian." We represent Him and carry His authority and power as we carry His character. Let us complete His assignment, with His authority and power and character, in bringing Him to a sin sick world.

The All Sufficient One (May 12, 2013)

Gen 17:1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. 

What seems like a simple line of scripture in Gen 17:1 is filled with promise! In appearing to Abram God calls Himself the "Almighty God." The Hebrew words are "El Shaddai" meaning "the powerful and all sufficient God." God then commands Abram to walk before Him (live habitually with your face turned to Me) and be perfect (blameless, whole, without blemish).
God is telling Abram that He is all sufficient and powerful, the means for Abram to walk before Him and be perfect. This is true for us, as it was for Abram. We are called to live for God, but we can only doing this through His sufficiency. For this life God has called us to live, He supplies all that's needed to live for Him as we keep our faces turned to Him.

Mat 6:22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.

Keep my [spiritual] eyes single on You, Lord!

Wait on the Lord (May 10, 2013)

 

 

Rom 4:19-21 And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about an hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah's womb. He did not waiver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. 

Piggy-backing off of the last post (Haste), this scripture gives insight into the next step that Abraham and Sarah took after trying in their flesh to make His promises come to pass - they learned to wait on the Lord.

To waiver means to separate, withdraw, hesitate or contend. The issue with Abraham wasn't whether he believed God would fulfill His promise, it was if he believed that God would fulfill His promise without the intervention of Abraham's flesh. But the process of learning to fully (purely) believe, strengthened Abraham and Sarah in more ways than one - the implication with this verse is that their bodies were also strengthened. At 100 years old it would have been physically impossible for them to have a child, but God did something miraculous in their bodies. The more they focused their eyes of faith on Him, the more strengthened (empowered) their bodies became to conceive and bear a child.

Php 1:6 And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you.

Haste: Unwillingness to Wait on God (May 8, 2013)

Haste-unwillingness to wait on God for His time. 

In Genesis 16 we read how Abraham and Sarah so desired a child that they took matters into their own hands and timing...these scriptures are written as examples for us. Haste brought bitterness and strife into their lives and, finally, the sending of Hagar and her son into the wilderness.
We may have the ability to accomplish the end result of God's promise, but if we do not take HIS road to arrive at that end result we may create havoc and strife on the way. Receiving the end result is not the only reward - it includes serving obediently, being continually sanctified and knowing Him through the whole process.

Gal 4:4-5 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.
The fullness of time: the perfect season; when all things are set into place for God's perfect timing; when the boat is filled with oarsman, merchandise and soldiers; when all tools are gathered and ready for use; when power is made available (Strong's and Thayer's).

Arise! Enter In (May 7, 2013)

 

Arise!  Enter In.

 

 

Gen 13:17 Arise, walk through the land, the length of it and the breadth of it, for I will give it to you. 

These are God's words to Abraham after he'd not only left his country and family, but after he'd given Lot first choice of the lands that lay ahead of them before they parted ways.
Inserting the word meanings in this scripture from Strong's Concordance brings a clearer picture of what God was saying to Abraham: Arise (lift your head, be established and strengthened, endure), walk through the land (enter in), the length and breadth of it (the all encompassing magnitude of it), for I will give it to you (I commit it to you as my gift).
Today, enter in and take hold of what God has given you. Lift your head and be strengthened, knowing that His all encompassing promises belong to you as a blood bought child of the great inheritance! See that all He has given is to extend grace to a dieing world and love to His children. To Him be all glory!

The Pliable Heart (May 6, 2013)

 

 

Psalm 37:4-5 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. 

"Delight thyself", according to Strong's Concordance, means to be pliable and delicate in the hands of God. I see this scripture as a command from God, as though He is saying to us, "Make yourself pliable and completely vulnerable in my hands and I will place my desires within you. As you succumb to me I will so shape your heart that you will desire what I have planned for you. Then we, you and I (God), will be in agreement and I (God) will bring it to pass."
This is all for the glory of God, that we would become what He has created us to be and carry out His will.
God, make our hearts as a watercourse in Your hands, that we would be pliable to completely flow in the direction you desire.

PeaceMAKER or PeaceKEEPER part 1

As an introductory note, I submit to you that I am seeking God for conflict resolution, the operation of true love and the perfection of His peace in all relationships.  Here are some of my findings thus far.

 "How blessed are those who make peace!   For they will be called sons of God.”  

Matthew 5:9 (Complete Jewish Bible)

Our prime example for perfect human behavior is Jesus Christ.  In studying the life of Christ as written in the Bible we see the imprint of God himself, the exact representation of His being in all His glory, and we are called to be perfect as He is perfect.  However, as we consider various situations He dealt with, could we possibly imagine ourselves giving such answers (or refraining from answering) as He did and feel comfortable, or even correct, in doing so?  To Peter Jesus said “get thee behind me, Satan” (Matt 16:23).  Contrasting this example is Jesus appearance before Pilate in which He kept silent, as a lamb being led to slaughter (Matt 26:63).
 

      We can easily see that Jesus was not concerned about political correctness, but about pleasing the Father.   As we examine Jesus’ life more earnestly we see that He gave Himself fully to the purposes of God with the motive of completing the Father’s will in making peace between God and man.  Jesus destiny was to break the yoke of sin and reconcile man to God.  His entire being was intent on fulfilling God’s purposes and to this end every thought, word and deed he released on this earth was in God’s perfect will.  Reconciling Jesus method of peacemaking to today’s modern thinking can be difficult, but Jesus said in John 14:27 “ [My] peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you...”  Jesus great purpose was to make peace between God and man: to this end He is called “The Prince of Peace.” 

The word “make” is highlighted in the above paragraph because it is the word on which this entire study hinges.  Had Jesus come to earth to keep peace, the outcome would have been greatly different.   True peace comes out of resolving differences with the motive of restoration to the Father :  this is Jesus example and it should be ours.

 Peacemaking requires breaking through social norms with the love of God.  It requires putting self protection and preservation and justification aside and advancing the Kingdom of God in righteousness-not our own, but His!  Because the Kingdom of God is within us, we cannot have inner turmoil and live in peace with God and others.  This is where we come to a crossroads in every relationship and situation in life and we must make a decision in Christ that we will either make peace through God or keep peace through fear. 

Peace keeping involves guarding situations and relationships passively, sidestepping  the resolution of concerns to preserve the status quo and avoid what might be perceived as turmoil or upheaval.  Peace making involves bringing God’s love, truth, purpose and reconciliation into situations and relationships, thereby closing doors to misunderstanding and distrust.  The word “peacekeeper” in Matthew 5:9 is defined in Vincent Word Studies as “those who seek to bring men into harmony with each other.”  I would revise the definition to say “those who seek to bring men into harmony with God and each other.” 

Some aspects of making peace require God’s love to come in forthrightness, boldness and blatancy, while others require a gentle, guiding answer.  There is no possible way to compose a formula for making peace because this would remove the need for the Holy Spirit’s guidance from life.  Our dependency on God for regulating relationships is part of what separates us from a world that is lost.  God has called us to walk in righteousness, His way of doing things, and this can only be done through right relationship with Him.  Life on earth is ultimately about relationship with other people and we are instruments in His hands to bring people to reconciliation with God through relationships.

Do not misunderstand me to say that making peace is an excuse to be rude, unkind, controlling or manipulative.    Perhaps you have known persons who claim to seek peace but in reality want control.  Once again, this is a matter of motive: God’s peace is brought about with the motive of reconciliation to God and each other, so the true peace keeper desires to bring God’s way of doing things, God’s thoughts and ultimately God’s heart into every situation.  These are the people that will be called “children of God”, His offspring, following His example.  

As lengthy as this “introduction” may seem, it is the platform from which we must view peace.  Motives that do not line up with God’s purposes are produced out of self-centeredness.  True peace makers operate in Christ-centeredness - this takes the sting out of peacemaking in that the overriding theme becomes imparting the love and reconciliation of God.