Prophetically Paving the Future's Road

When Abraham met Melchizedek the Priest, he gave him a tenth of his spoils of war. The Bible tells us that Abraham’s giving was credited to his great grandson, Levi, as though Levi had given this spiritual blessing to Melchizedek himself. Levi wasn’t even born until some 160 years later, but his great grandfather,whom he never met, was storing up a spiritual inheritance through his spiritual actions and honoring of God (Heb. 7:9-10).

Our future descendants are being continually formed inside of us by the spiritual seeds we sow. This happens in a couple of ways. First, our lives are changed as we take on the person of Jesus Christ - there’s an actual change in our nature as we become more and more Christ-like. In this sense we are creating a new atmosphere, imbued with the grace and love of God, which becomes the ‘norm’ for our children and, in turn, their children. No longer do we have ‘earthly’ minded homes and lives, but we live in an atmosphere where Christ reigns and rules. This is a major paving of the road into our descendents spirituality – it’s like giving them a jump in life that lifts them above one of the everyday problems we face in trying to serve well!

Second, while Christians have long feared the negative spiritual dynamics passed on in families, we often don’t see the positive spiritual seeds that have been sown, perhaps even generations ago. Abraham’s great grandson, Levi, was later to become the first priest in the house of God. Abraham’s tithe was a prophetic action which looked forward to and confirmed Levi’s future, spiritual assignment (Heb.7). As complicated as this may sound, it simply says that the spiritual acts done by our ancestors have great affect on us and the work God has given us to do - and ours have the same affect on our descendants. In this way we are able to spiritually and prophetically pave a road for our descendants to walk into the Kingdom life and work which God has called them to.

We also see this concept in Timothy, the NT leader whose “sincere faith” was alive first in his grandmother Lois and then his mother, Eunice. Grandma Lois was ‘paying it forward’ for Timothy – she was actively living and planting in the Kingdom of God, which rolled into her daughter Lois and then exploded spiritually in her grandson, Timothy (1 Ti 1:5).

If you think you have little effect on the future it’s time to rethink your spiritual life. Not only can you affect your physical descendants, but you can sow into your spiritual descendants in the same way. There is never a time when we can simply live for ourselves and live for today, as long as we are part of God’s Kingdom.

In essence, as we cooperate with God we pave the way for His future to be lived out in the next generation(s). In this way we are linked arm in arm with the cloud of witnesses from the past, and we reach forward to future Kingdom workers, prophetically participating in their lives of service.

Failure or Work-in-Progress?

Each one of them made serious mistakes along the way – but they loved God. Each one of them has a list of things they did wrong which might be longer than the things they did right. We even have record of the ways that some of them messed up – like human beings do – while they were trying to follow God.

I’m referring to the Cloud of Witnesses in Hebrews 11. They include Abraham – who was an adulterer and liar. Sarah, who laughed at God and enabled her husband in adultery. Noah, who built the ark, miraculously floated through the flood, but later became a drunkard.

This could be the end of their stories, but God didn’t abandon them in their mistakes and sins; He saw them through to complete what He had for them to do. In Hebrews 11 we read only that Abraham left his family to serve God, and Sarah received strength from God to conceive and bear the child of promise in her old age. We read the Noah built the ark and participated in God’s plan, enabling his sons to become the progenitors of a new generation of people. We read the final chapters of their lives – the summation of God’s view of them, in spite of their past sins and struggles.

These people are us! They are the pastor down the street that messed up but still wants to follow God (perhaps like the Biblical David). They are the ones who grew from their mistakes and grieved in their hearts because they got off track, like the Israelite’s did, and like we do. They weren’t born under the New Covenant, they sinned terribly while claiming to follow God, and yet they are our examples of faithfulness in the Hall of Faith of Hebrews 11.

This isn’t a list of excuses to sin, but an encouragement to the downtrodden. Whatever mistakes we’ve made, in the end God is looking for the heart that will get back on track and follow wholeheartedly after Him. He will write the final page of your story – and perhaps it will be only Him that sees the faithfulness of your heart. Don't ever, ever, ever, let another person put the stamp of condemnation on you as long as you are still breathing, able to repent and move forward in God!

So I ask you, how do you see others? If they’ve sinned in some way, have you put the ‘dead’ label on their foreheads and called them sinners for life – unable to be used again by God? Do you warn others to stay away from them? If so, look again at Hebrews 11 and see what God calls them – He who knows the heart of each person claims them for His own and calls them faithful. He sees every sin and continues to draw us to Him in spite of it – He continues to call us out of our sin that we would learn from our mistakes and follow Him more closely.

Perhaps it’s time for a shift of focus – a shift that will enable us to see ourselves and others in the way God sees us. God told it like it was in Hebrews 11 – the real story. While we might look at it and see their errors along the way – they were a work in progress; half finished when we read of them in the Old Testament. But the Master, who sees the end from the beginning, recorded their faithfulness and left out their sin because He had removed it as far as the east is from the west. He saw them through heaven’s eyes because they lived life through the eyes of faith!

God help us to have ‘heaven’s eyes’ as we see one another’s mistakes and sins. Help us to encourage one another on to godliness instead of condemning and putting the ‘dead’ stamp on our brothers and sisters.

In the end, God sees us as more than conquerors, and that’s reality!

Authority Gone Wrong!

On a tour of a local paper company, I noticed wads of paper underneath a large storage rack. It seemed that human forms were indented into the paper, perhaps a dozen or so, lying in different positions. People were not actually lying there, of course, but they had been there at one point and had rested in those positions under the storage rack. In essence, they were sleeping on the job and had left the evidence behind.

Those workers had the authority to run the plant in their supervisor’s absence and had taken advantage of it. They were entrusted with representing his values, character and power but chose instead to use that authority for their own benefit.

This is similar to what we’ve been given as Christians in God’s Kingdom (Mark 13). He’s granted us full power and authority to care for His possessions and live productively until His return – and all of His assets are at our disposal for this purpose. But true authority is not simply declaring and commanding in the name of Jesus – it has a foundation of Godliness as its source of power. The seven sons of Sceva declared the name of Jesus over demons but they were beaten and abused when they did so. The name of Jesus carries authority only to those who live and walk with Him – displaying His character in this earth (Acts 19)!

Authority has been given us to act in Jesus’ stead: to display his character, walk in the same competency, rule with all diligence and love, apply His power as He would, and exert Godly influence over the world around us. We’re to watch the door of His house for His return and carry on the work of His kingdom. This is our life’s purpose – and each person fits into this purpose with a specific work which is part of the whole.

He is returning soon! Are we asleep on the job or wide awake, alert and ready? Have we given ourselves to walking in His authority – His character, His purposes, and as His representatives in His stead?

What evidence have you left behind?

Are You Driven or Led? And Who's Benefiting?

“These men are servants of the Most High God! They announce to you the way of salvation!” (Acts 16)

Paul became so tired of hearing these words shouted in the shadows behind him that he delivered the demon possessed slave girl who followed them, blurting her message. But someone had been profiting from the spirit of divination operating through this girl – and those people were irate to learn that their benefits had been cut when Paul expelled the demon from her.

It’s not unusual to see someone else benefiting financially, or in some other way, from a stronghold in another person - even if it’s just an erroneous mind set and not a demonic possession. A simple example of this would be the person who is driven by compassionate giving but can’t seem to discern when the Lord is saying ‘open your hand and give’ and when the enemy is whispering ‘give, give, give.’ This compulsion to give will keep another stronghold living and active within the person who is a compulsive taker.

Scripture shows that compulsion is a sign of a stronghold. God gently leads and guides us, but the enemy gets behind us and shoves us - even if it’s a shove in the direction of something we’re gifted in. The enemy will even compel us to unspiritual obsession and captivation with the gift God’s given us, to the point that we consider ourselves the one person who ‘has it right’ or who needs to be heard or who needs no one to discern the use of our gift.

If we get free from the compulsion to give money, the obsession to earn approval by doing and doing and doing, the workaholic mindset, or any other obsession inspired by the enemy, someone stands to lose a benefit and that person might be very angry. However, allowing God to cleanse us from these strongholds will bring TRUE benefits in the long run, not worldly advantages with no Kingdom benefit.

We are Kingdom people and our activities must completely line up with Kingdom ideas. If we neglect our children or spouse to feed our compulsive behaviors we are not in balance with God’s will. We can check ourselves by focusing not just on one scripture to justify our behaviors, but accepting the whole counsel of God in the right balance.

May God give us eyes to see and ears to hear where we are being compelled and driven from behind instead of being led by the King of Kings for His benefit and glory!

When You're About to Snap - Regaining Peace!

Philippians 4 tells us there are 4 simple things that will help us have God’s peace in the midst of tense and trying times. In fact, this scripture commands us to follow these things to get the outcome of peace that passes all human understanding. If God commands us to do something, then we are able and capable through His Spirit. We may have to try more than once but we can succeed at it or He wouldn’t call us to do it!

1. REJOICE IN THE LORD - Rejoicing is a prophetic decree - it lifts the name of God above both our circumstances and the thoughts that try to plague our minds and lead us in the direction of defeat.

The human mind can’t go in two different directions at once. If we’re counting to 10 we can’t say our ABC’s at the same time – the brain can only go down one road at a time. If we’re recounting the goodness of God it’s pretty difficult to think on the things the enemy is trying to defeat us with – especially because rejoicing involves spirit, soul and body. True rejoicing won’t leave your shoulders hanging while you pay lip service to God with a song of praise. Paul and Silas exclaimed the goodness of God and the excellence of His name while in prison because God’s excellence and goodness are constant no matter what our circumstances. The prison doors opened shortly after their rejoicing began!

2. LET YOUR MODERATION BE KNOWN TO ALL MEN –Be gentle and patient in your speech and actions. Don’t fly off the handle and release your frustrations and confusion on other people – take it before the Lord and let the Holy Spirit work on your heart. Be considerate and unselfish – even to the people the enemy may be using to bring about your trying circumstances.

3. BE CAREFUL FOR NOTHING – Let NO THING bring worry, fear or distraction to you. We are not overcome by fear and we do not shrink back, but we stand strong in the Lord and the power of His might. Who of you, by worrying, can add one inch to your stature so that you can tower over your enemy? Growth never comes by fretting, fear and worry. Anxiousness and distraction are works of the enemy and they have no place in the peace of God. They are like round pegs in square holes – they don’t fit in God’s plan for victory!

4. PRAY AND GIVE THANKS – Take your requests to God, cry out to Him and see Him as your source - not your boss or your pastor or your best friend. Mingle your prayers with a thankful heart, knowing that God never fails us or forsakes us. No one forsakes his own Body, and we are His Body.

And God's peace … which transcends all [human] understanding, shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Php 4:7).

God Is Not "Good"

Mark 10 records the story of the rich young ruler who did all the things required by the law: he didn’t commit adultery, lie, covet or steal, he honored his parents and he followed the rest of the law perfectly. Such wonderful qualities must have brought him great peace in his heart and satisfaction in knowing that he was doing what God had called him to do…?!.

But this man’s heart wasn’t settled. Somehow he knew that there was more, and He sought out “The Good Master” to find out how to get that ‘something’ he was missing. He approached Jesus and let Him know he’d done everything required of him under the law and done it perfectly – just a little information to help Jesus give him a quick answer for his problem.

This man had a special measuring stick by which he measured himself and Jesus. He considered himself “good” because he kept the law and was an upright and civil man, and Jesus was the “Good Master” because He also followed the law and acted righteously. But Jesus corrected him very quickly on his perception of “good.” God is good because of His great love for us and His desire to be merciful and benefit us – not because He strives to be the perfect example of the fulfillment of the law as a testimony of His righteousness. This man had understood the letter of the law but not the heart of it: God desires mercy, not sacrifice as a means of appearing righteous.

So to drive the point home to the rich, young ruler, Jesus told him the “one thing” he needed to do was sell all he owned and give to those in need - to do good by sacrificially and mercifully benefiting others. Mark 10:21 records that Jesus looked compassionately on this man and had great love for him. The “one thing” He was asking the man to do would be the most difficult act of his life, but it would break the religious mindset off of him and reset his heart on God and true goodness.

“One thing” was needed to open up the Kingdom of God for this young man. One thing tipped the scales from the grips of works to the heart of God. Mary chose the “one thing” in Luke 10 and we must also choose the “one thing”: seeking and knowing the heart of God in life over striving in works which bring the appearance of righteousness.

Is there anything in your life that needs to be left behind? Is there anything that brings the appearance of “good” but leaves you feeling empty?

God’s great love and compassion are prompting you to choose the “one thing” today!

Get Rid of the "Elephant in Your Room"

Sometimes we become so used to something that once repelled us that we begin to feed that thing or allow it to live with us. Weight issues, family dynamics that are unhealthy, things that would make our lives better if we took care of them once and for all – how do these wind up on the 'someday I’ll get to it' pile?

Perhaps there was even a time when the answer to these problems came as an 'ah ha' moment or revelation from God, and we had great excitement about the solution. Or maybe we made a try at getting that thing resolved and failed - so now we have just decided that life will be lived with that problem in it - like a big elephant in the middle of the living room.

“Failing” at something is not trying over and over and over again without accomplishing that thing – it’s making the decision that we won’t work anymore at getting it resolved. But we are not failures – we are conquerors through Christ! We may have to take that elephant one piece at a time, but if we chip away at it, it will eventually get smaller and disappear.

In fact, trying to resolve all of it at once may not be God’s way of doing it. When the Israelites were conquering the promised land (and note that they had to conquer it, God didn’t hand it to them), God told them to take it little by little. He was there to work with them in driving out its inhabitants, but He wanted them to do it step by step so the ‘beasts’ didn’t overcome them in their striving to 'enter in' (Exodus 23). If they became discouraged and tired by trying to push too hard to conquer, they would make themselves vulnerable and their adversaries would beat them down.

God told then “if you work with me, we will take this elephant one chunk at a time, and then you will fully take possession of the promised land.” God’s still saying that today – He’s still working with us to get us to the land of promise, peace and victory on this side of heaven.

Take the ‘beast’ one step at a time. Be patient. Get victory over the first step before you take the second – and do your happy dance each step of the way, celebrating every “small” victory. There will be a time when you look back and see that the elephant is gone and you are the inhabitant of God’s promised land!

How to Increase in Kingdom Power!

When the disciples and Jesus gathered in the upper room before His death, Jesus reiterated the importance of humbly serving others as He washed the disciple’s feet. The Son of God was about to die for the entire world and instead of expounding on their individual ministry ‘plans’ or dividing the money bag, He washed the disciples feet. The final message He wanted them to have before His death was shown by this foot washing example: humbly serve others with the power God’s given you!

Peter struggled with the idea of Jesus bowing before him and washing his feet – this wasn’t the customary view of leadership he’d seen in the Pharisees and Sadducees. But Jesus said “those who want to be first shall be last and shall be a servant of all (Mark 9:35).” In other words, those who truly lead aren’t the ones who tower over others with a demand for submission, but they are those who submerse themselves in the lives and needs of others through the power God’s given them to extend His grace.

Jesus said “I came not to be served, but to serve (Mark 10:45).” Jesus knew that people were beaten down and dominated by the world and religious systems and He didn’t come here to be one more overbearing and controlling authority figure in their lives. He brought the love and compassion of God to people, freeing them from captivity and prompting them to repentance and a heartfelt willingness to humbly serve the King.

If the disciples could catch the lesson Jesus was giving them, they’d be able to establish the Kingdom of God in purity and power! If they were willing to put aside self promotion and elevation, and humbly serve in the example He’d set, then power and authority on this earth would increase without limit – the increase of His Kingdom would see no end.

We are those disciples - we are the servants of God whom He uses to increase His Kingdom on the earth. Humble service is the road on which this Kingdom is established. Be the road!

The Power of a Holy Embrace

Jesus was immensely approachable - so much so that people swarmed Him, not just for His power, but for His loving touch. In Mark we see people running to Him simply to greet and embrace Him (Mk. 9), in Luke He beckoned the little ones to come to Him, enfolding them in His arms, and in Mark 41 compassion rose up in Jesus as He gently took the discolored and diseased hand of the leper into His own, embracing him with love.

An embrace or a loving touch establishes or increases trust and opens the heart of a person to further receive the love of God. Even medical science today has proven the emotional benefits of touch – some stating that ‘happy’ chemicals are released in the body through innocent, physical embrace, having positive health benefits (see Google Scholar). This is one reason why Judas’ betrayal of Jesus was so deeply cutting: he greeted Jesus in the garden with an embrace and a kiss - a sign of trust and love - as a signal to religious leaders that Jesus was the person he was betraying.

The Kingdom of God greatly depends on the touch of God by way of the touch of one person to another: the laying on of hands, the embrace of love, the tender holding of another’s hand. Today the Church is the living, physical touch of Jesus Christ and the Spirit of God is the inspiration for that touch.

As part of a touch we pass on the ‘fire’ or ‘kindling’ of the Light of God, according to Vincent’s Word Studies (Mark 1:41). There’s more that passes between us in a hug than a nice pat on the back – the Spirit can release healing power, encouragement, peace, comfort, reassurance and the love of God - all with minimal contact.

Sometimes a word of wisdom isn’t needed, or a correction, or instruction. Sometimes a hug or a reassuring touch is the prescription that God has written for a situation – it’s the very thing that will kindle the fire of God and the light of His glory in our lives.

If you want to light the fire of God in someone, reach out and embrace them – and watch the Spirit move!

The "Inner Circle" Mindset

It's wonderful to have friends and those who encourage us and whom we encourage, but striving for 'inner circle' status to the exclusion of others creates division and sects in the Body of Christ. In fact, this will stop the operation of the Spirit of God in our midst because it squelches His love and humility from operating through us.

The disciples had this mindset at times. Though they loved God, and loved the Son, they guarded their 'positions' carefully and saw themselves as the experts in the things of God. They were so guarded that they tried to stop miracles from happening because the people performing them in Jesus' name weren't in their group (Mark 9:39).

But Jesus told them not to stop others from acting in His name – on the contrary, they were to encourage them. There was a time when the disciples didn’t understand that praying for others , driving out demons and performing miracles are done through a heart of service to others. They didn’t see that it’s the compassion of Christ that moves us to draw on His power, through faith, to extend healing and freedom to the sick and captives. They didn't grasp that this great grace and compassion of God requires more than 12 men from the ‘inner circle’ if it is is to cover the surface of the earth with His love.

Jesus said there are “many sheep” that we don’t know about (John 10); those whose hearts and minds are set on Him. They may not be in our inner circle or even agree with us entirely in doctrine. They may even be sitting within a small group of people in someone’s home, but they most likely are more concerned with glorifying Jesus Christ and loving others than impressing us.

There can be no exclusiveness in the Body of Christ. If we love and serve God, He will use us at His discretion to bring about His will. Those outside of our ‘inner circle, or those belonging to a different local body, are no less loved. Nor do we have the keys to the kingdom and they need to come to us to see God’ move – it’s to Christ we all must go – His heart is the ‘inner circle.’

If we let the character of Christ reign in our lives we will disregard exclusiveness and stop striving to show others how gifted or privileged or wise we are. We will have our eyes opened to see that God is doing great things amongst many different people and we alone do not house His glory.

Let it be so, Lord Jesus!

When "I Am" Steps Into Your Boat!

Jesus instructed his disciples to get into the boat and row to the other side while He dismissed the 5000+ people He’d miraculously fed. Straining against ever increasing waves and winds, they rowed and toiled for hours but made it only half way across the 8 mile lake.

As the weather grew worse their hearts and minds became more troubled – they became like their surroundings - like the water that was disturbed and disquieted. To top off the weather conditions and their exhaustion, a ‘ghost’ suddenly appeared on the lake and immense fear overtook them.

But the ‘ghost’ was Jesus, and in spite of the waves and strong winds which had kept the disciples from crossing the lake, Jesus walked toward them. He was ready to pass by if there was no invitation to come into the boat (Mark 6:48) – but as they cried out He comforted and reassured them that “I Am” was with them. As Jesus stepped into the boat the winds ceased and the waves calmed down.

The Bible says the disciple’s hearts were hardened (Mark 6:52). They hadn’t considered and understood the miracle of the loaves – they simply saw that Jesus fed hungry people. So when trouble arose on the water they reasoned out of their fleshly needs and the turmoil of their surroundings: I’m hungry, I need a physical rescue, I’m exhausted …. I need a miracle.

It’s not the unbeliever that suffers with a hardened heart – but the believer who looks for provision without relationship, often twisting His Word and making it into a list of things that God is required to give us. The hardened heart expects God to ‘perform’ a miracle and make life easier and better – but disregards the opportunity to become Christ-like through intimacy with the Living God and His Word.

The heart that is soft and pliable in the hand of God will ponder His Word and His acts with great love and understanding – seeing His character behind the miracles He performs.

God wanted them to connect the provision He gave the 5000+ with His desire and ability to care for us and love us, and for us to trust Him in all circumstances. If they had done this their surroundings wouldn’t have overtaken them – they would have recognized that Jesus was in the boat with them before He ever physically stepped into it.

Is your heart hardened? Do you recognize that Jesus is already in the boat with you? Are you willing to see the great love behind His miraculous power and his desire for a deep relationship with you?

When A Bad Situation Becomes "Normal"

Sometimes we can get so used to a bad situation that we accept it as ‘normal.’ That’s what happened with the people who lived in the region of the Gadarenes, where the demoniac dwelt amongst the tombs (Mark 15).

Everyone who lived there knew about this ‘strong man’ who screamed and cut himself and walked around naked. However, that didn’t stop the locals from grazing their pigs in nearby fields - perhaps they even stayed at a distance and watched this man’s actions as entertainment while they tended the swine. And just maybe this area had become ‘well known’ for this demoniac and he became the local ‘freak show’ which drew silent onlookers who hid from his sight – after all, this wouldn’t be much different than what’s seen in today’s video games or TV programs.

But when Jesus stepped out of the boat to the shore of the Gadarenes, He upset their ‘normal’ and delivered this man from the legions of demons who possessed him. The demons flew into a herd of nearby pigs and forced them over a cliff into the water below, drowning every one of them.

When the locals heard what happened they ran to investigate. They were so upset and shook by seeing the demoniac delivered, clothed, in his right might and sitting at Jesus feet that they became immensely afraid - it was shocking to them! They had become used to dealing with this man as a demoniac, it was their ‘normal,' but now that he was walking in God’s ‘normal’ they were overcome with fear. The killing of the swine became secondary to the deliverance of this man – this was what caused their immense fear and prompted them to ask Jesus to leave their area!

When we accept demonic activity, darkness and oppression as ‘normal’ and simply arrange our lives around it, we have lost sight of the power and goodness of God. When our situation becomes ‘livable’ because it’s the standard mode of operation for us, and we stop pressing into God to remove it, then we’re living amongst the tombs as ‘normal.’ When the move of God becomes something to fear, instead of being awe inspiring and praiseworthy, then perhaps we have accepted darkness as a way of life.

It’s time for a change – for a new ‘normal’ to overcome the darkness that we’ve become used to. Jesus stepped out of the boat to get to the Gadarenes. Are you willing to step out of the boat and allow Him to change your ‘normal?’ Are you willing to become the vessel which brings God’s ‘normal?’

The Devil's Anointing

Stirring trouble and finding fault will eventually backfire on us – God does not give an anointing for finding fault and bringing others into it with you. If you're bored get a job or go help someone in need - but don't look for opportunities to get into someone else's business.

Fault finding, finger pointing - these are born out of the devil's anointing. We, the people of God, are called to the ministry of restoration and reconciliation. People who continuously find fault will try to discern the motives and actions of other people through their own misconstrued ideas and motives. But the best way to find the motive of another person is to sit down and talk with him or her - if it’s your business to begin with. When we have to come face to face with another person we may be more reluctant to ridicule them through social media and the internet.

If you feel the need to point out someone else's sin it's better be born out of a heart of prayer and concern for that person (or that organization). The heart that focuses on exposing others as its motive, instead of restoring people to complete righteousness in God through His love and means, is looking for exaltation and attention to self. Someone who tries to get others to 'act' a certain way, without helping the misunderstandings inside of the person, has created a law of their own and wants others to fall under that law and stay in line with their ruler-ship.

Many people today are on a ‘holy crusade’ – looking to correct people as a means of reclaiming God’s Kingdom. But the Kingdom of God is within us – it doesn’t come by pushing and pulling and forcing others to line up with us. If that were the case we wouldn’t need the Spirit of God inside of us, just a physical weapon in hand and a little boost from the Spirit to physically overcome those we consider to be enemies of the cross – or perhaps enemies of our ideas.

This is a straight forward commentary - but it's much needed in many circles. It's a MUST that we question ourselves about our MOTIVES. Why are we feeling this, doing this, talking like this? Are we trying to win the favor of another person by lining up with their ideas? Are we trying to fix someone? Or has God moved on our hearts to pray and intercede for another person that they'd have complete restoration to Him and fullness of life in Him? Do we love that person with the heart of God? If we do, then our actions and words will show it – they will be born out of God’s motives.

Power Filled or Pew Warmer?

A demon possessed man began to cry out during Jesus sermon, trying to drown Him out. “What do you want with us? Leave us alone, Holy One of God,” they screeched through the man’s voice. “Be quiet!” Jesus said. “And come out of him.” Suddenly the man fell to the floor in convulsions as the demons fled from Jesus presence (Mark 6).

This man had attended the synagogue his entire life and never heard God’s word delivered with the power to free him. For years he’d fulfilled the religious requirements that ‘guaranteed’ his soul was saved, but he went home week after week with the same agonizing company of demonic spirits holding him captive.

This was the religion of Jesus’ day – a system of do’s and don’ts that gave false hope. But Jesus came to blow the cover off of false hope and bring Truth. He came to free every captive that is in any way bound or influenced by the lies of the enemy – and that is all of mankind.

People were ‘astonished’ at Jesus teaching – for the first time in their lives they felt loved, alive and empowered! Could this be the Christ?! The religious leaders watched nervously – afraid that something might break out in “their” service – they might lose control of the people and be powerless to rule their lives. They had worked so long and hard to create subservient pew warmers - was Jesus going to take that pleasure away from them now?

But it was too late – the people were awed and amazed at the power and freedom they felt in Jesus’ presence. He didn’t follow man’s protocol or tip toe around religious ceremony – He was there to bring freedom to the captives.

When Jesus opened the door to the synagogue that day he pulled down religious practices! Religion keeps us bound – but Jesus sets us free. Religion calls us to strive for position – but Jesus Christ brings freedom and anointing to do His works. Religion demands that we serve its master – but Jesus Christ came to serve and calls us to serve others.

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Jesus Christ and upon His Body! God has anointed Him and His Body to set captives free –to proclaim liberty to captives and to open prison doors (Isaiah 61).

You are His Body – you are freedom to those who are captive – set them free by the power of God!

Authority to Trample Snakes!

I had a dream that a snake bit me-it intentionally jumped up, as though it had legs - and bit my calf. I was on the ground level of a building, doing a new work for the Lord, and the snake was lying in a trash heap I was sweeping. I thought it was dead when I first saw it and I paused for a moment to decide how to handle it….then it suddenly reached up - fangs out - and lunged at my leg. I had no fear of the snake, which fell to the ground and died, but I immediately noticed a small patch of swelling at the site of the bite. As I went on with my work in the Lord the swelling disappeared.

This dream reminded me that we are exposed when we step out in the Lord, and the enemy is lurking and waiting to attack. He would like to attach himself to us and deter us, especially when we’re ready to obediently extend love to others through the work God’s given us.

Every person in the Bible who sought to serve God wholeheartedly suffered attacks. In fact, Paul was bitten by a snake when he was shipwrecked on Island of Malta, but he shook off the snake and continued in his service to the Lord (Acts 28). Paul was not walking in disobedience or running from the Lord’s work; he was serving diligently when he was bitten. In the long run, surviving the snake bite with no ill effects turned out to be a blessing: the island’s inhabitants honored Paul and he was able to extend God’s healing to those who were sick.

Attacks will come – but our focus must be on God, not the works of the enemy. If we remain fully clothed in His armor (Eph 6) and constant in prayer He will bring strength and wisdom to press through every battle!

“Take hold of this: I have given you authority and power to trample upon snakes and scorpions, and [physical and mental strength and ability] above and beyond the power that the enemy [possesses]; and nothing shall in any way harm you” Luke 10:19 (paraphrased).

"Itching Ears" Syndrome

Whether it be one of life’s painful situations, or desires in our lives that are not yet sanctified in Christ, we can develop itching ears. Itching ears long to be ‘scratched’ with words that falsely comfort us or justify our longings. They are created by desperation in the soul that turns the heart to things the Bible calls ‘fables’ (1 Tim. 4:4).

Fables are partial truths and cunningly devised schemes which lack the truth and power of God. When a fable is propagated, fragments of the word are gathered to create a doctrine that satisfies the longings of the soul: fragments that are very often taken out of context in order to satisfy the flesh.

We are most vulnerable to the ‘itching ear syndrome’ when we have unresolved hurts, great grief in life which we struggle to give over to God, or desires which have not been sanctified by the Spirit and the word. While the heart needs to be turned completely to the Lord for further sanctification and God’s strength to help us through difficulties, instead we settle for the easy way out, accepting a doctrine of self satisfaction.

Doctrines that please the flesh and line up with our own perception of God, instead of the God of the Bible, will bankrupt us in every way in the long run. Freedom comes from knowing the truth, but captivity comes with false doctrine – this is evident by looking at the lives of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Once desires are fulfilled through this false doctrine, the heart and mind shut out anything in the word of God which disagrees with that doctrine. This is the ‘in’ the enemy is looking for with false doctrine! He will subtly harden hearts from taking the whole counsel of God’s word, creating ‘new Biblical insights’ on a ‘higher plain’ to satisfy fleshly longings (more fables)!

Be a good Berean: honest and noble with the word of God. Rightly divide by the Spirit instead of by the desires of the flesh (Acts 17:11). Hold no offense toward the person who asks a question about your beliefs, but be ready to give an answer that will hold solid Biblical ground for your doctrine (1 Pet. 3:15).

It is to our advantage to read the word of God through His Spirit; allowing Him to reveal His truth instead of gathering data that serves to uphold our current doctrine.

Bloody Battles: A Spiritual Example

God is love – even in the bloody battles of the Old Testament. But that love may seem different than what our culture defines as love today. God as the One who commands Israel to physically kill her enemies; the One who opens the earth and swallows people; the All Consuming Fire – these characteristics are extremely different than our definition of love today.

But what we may not see is that God’s use of physical force in the Old Testament, His use of anything we might consider ‘taboo' or un-loving, was done out of His perfection in order to perfect and protect His people. When God took up a sword, it was the sanctified action for that circumstance. When He opened the earth and swallowed Korah, it was the holy and righteous response for that circumstance. If we try to judge God’s actions according to our cultural norms, or through our limited understanding of Him, we may wind up recreating God into our own image of Him – and that’s called idolatry! The simple fact is that God is perfect – and what He says and does in any circumstance is perfect.

The glory of the Old Testament is that it physically happened just as it’s written, but it’s also a spiritual example for us today. 1st Corinthians 15:46 tells us that natural things happened and the spiritual followed. The first man, Adam, was a natural man, but the second man, Jesus, is a spiritual man - this is the story of our lives, also. We are born of the flesh, but reborn of the Spirit.

What happened in the Old Testament, in the natural, is very often a spiritual example for us. It teaches us to rid ourselves of the ways of the flesh through the Spirit of God, not through physical means. We are not living life today by physically changing the circumstances around us more than being changed by the Spirit of God inside of us.

The examples of the Old Testament take on great meaning for us today when we see them as spiritual battles. We are not battling against flesh and blood, but against principalities and wickedness in high places. Through God’s Spirit in us, we annihilate anything that sets itself up against God's dominion in our lives.

This life we live is a spiritual life which overflows into the physical – all for the glory of God!

Angels: All In A Day's Work!

-Angels strengthen us. When Jesus was in the garden of Gethsemane he was strengthened (enabled, invigorated and empowered - emotionally, mentally, spiritually and physically) by angels who were sent to Him. This came after He asked the Father to take the cup of suffering from Him, but instead God sent angels to strengthen Him (Luke 22:43). Jesus was also strengthened by angels after his 40 days of fasting and temptation (Matt 4:11), and Daniel was strengthened by an angel in Daniel 9. If you need strengthening, ask God – He will dispatch angels at His discretion!

-Angels are sent of God -they are not called or directed by humans. God sends angels to assist and minister to those who are His children (Heb 1:14). When Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane with Peter and a few other disciples, Peter cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant. Jesus’ rebuke to Peter included these words: “I could pray to the Father and He would send Me more than 12 legions of angels to assist Me” (Matt. 26:53). God knows the proper time to dispatch angelic hosts and He has command over them (Psalm 91). If you need supernatural help, ask God – He will send angels at His discretion!

-Angels are messengers. Daniel received a message from an angel after He prayed for interpretation of a vision God had given him (Dan. 9, 10); Zacharias received a message from an angel concerning the birth of John the Baptist (Luke 1); an angel was sent to Cornelius while he was fasting and praying (Acts 10, 11) and the women who went to Jesus tomb received a message from an angel (Luke 24). The Bible contains many more examples of angels bringing messages to humans. If God wants to get a message to you He may dispatch it (and help you understand it), through an angel.

Angels also protect us (2 Kings 6), war on our behalf (Daniel 9,10), watch over and are assigned to specific nations (Dan. 9:21, 12:1), hearken to the voice which speaks God’s word (Ps 103), and rescue us from imprisonment and danger (Acts 27).

Angels are laborers for God’s specific purposes, part of the everyday life of Kingdom believers. We are not of this world: we live in a supernatural world!

Was Jesus Rich?

I’ve heard many theories about the great wealth of Jesus while he lived on earth – this seems to be a doctrine that’s floating around the church. We know that Jesus had all He needed to carry out His ministry on this earth, but evidence that He lived in lavish, earthly wealth is not found in the Word of God.

Matthew 12 tells the story of Jesus and the disciples walking through fields on the Sabbath, plucking heads of grain to fill their empty stomachs. The Pharisees saw this and were indignant. Had they finally caught Jesus sinning? Was He a law breaker? NO WORK ON THE SABBATH – and picking grain was certainly work. Jesus response to their condemnation was very telling: “Haven’t you heard that David went into the temple and ate the bread off of the altar?”

So David and his band of men, and Jesus and the disciples, had this in common: they had no food and they had no money to buy food. This problem didn’t come up simply because it was the Sabbath - everyone planned ahead to have food on the Sabbath so they wouldn’t have to work on that day to prepare meals. If Jesus had been lax in His Sabbath preparation He would have been sinning and breaking the law. But the law had a special provision in it for those who were poor and hungry – they could glean from the fields on any day and NOT be sinning.

This was how God extended mercy to the poor on earth under the law (Deut. 23:25) – it was His way of giving them provision when they were hungry. We know that Jesus kept the law perfectly, so it would have been ‘illegal’ for Him to gather the grain if He had funds to buy food and He would have ceased to be perfect if He’d been lax in keeping the Sabbath preparations.

Jesus gave up all for us – all of the riches of heaven and earth – He became poor for our benefit! He lived a life of complete sacrifice and dependence on God. How much more I love Him knowing the sacrifices He made in both living and dying.

(Other scriptures on this topic: Matt. 8:20, 17:27, 19, Luke 8:3, Acts 3:6, Php 2:6-8).

Feeling Insignificant?

There are things we do or say which seem small or insignificant at the time we do them - but we never know just how ‘big’ that small thing might be to someone else, or how important it might be to the Kingdom of God and His plans.

That was precisely the case with the woman who anointed Jesus with an expensive jar of perfumed oil. As dinner guests rested and conversed at the table she came to the house uninvited, sank down to her knees before Jesus, and poured the oil over His feet. Tears of thankfulness mingled with the oil as she kissed his feet and wiped them with her hair. While some were indignant and critical, Jesus knew she had been prompted by God to prepare Him for His burial, and He stated that this great and humble act would forever be remembered in the Gospels (Luke 7).

The Bible is filled with these kinds of acts and they probably seemed to be insignificant to God's purposes for the people who did them. Pharaoh’s daughter, when she pulled Moses’ basket out of the Nile, had no idea that God was using her to bring about His desired results. She was moved with Godly compassion and took the child into her arms, thereby advancing God’s purpose. And Ruth the Moabitess, when she followed her mother-in-law back to Judah, had no idea that she would become the great grandmother of King David and an ancestor of Jesus Christ!

The seemingly small acts of life, when prompted by the heart of God, are like building blocks for His Kingdom - and each one of us is here ‘for such a time as this’ as an instrument in God’s hands to advance His work. Carry out those ‘insignificant’ acts of God with humility,joy and thankfulness… one block at a time!

Pressed, But Not Crushed!

Gethsemane means "press" or "olive press." What perfect words to describe what Jesus went through in the Garden of Gethsemane. He was pressed, persecuted, and pushed to His limits - to the point of sweating droplets of blood. He experienced agony of heart and yet maintained His determination to serve His Father by fulfilling His purpose. Out of His great agony came the pure oil of victory for all mankind!

There are times when we go through the press – feeling as though we’re being twisted and life is being squeezed out of us, perhaps agonizing over what we might have to face next. But we have a great Savior who is able to sympathize with us, knowing the feeling of the press (Heb 4:15-16).

Paul described this experience perfectly when he said “We are hedged in (pressed) on every side [troubled and oppressed in every way], but not cramped or crushed; we suffer embarrassments and are perplexed and unable to find a way out, but not driven to despair; We are pursued (persecuted and hard driven), but not deserted [to stand alone]; we are struck down to the ground, but never struck out and destroyed; Always carrying about in the body the liability and exposure to the same putting to death that the Lord Jesus suffered, so that the [resurrection] life of Jesus also may be shown forth by and in our bodies” (2 Cor 4:8-10 AMP).

Here is God’s answering to the pressing: He will allow it so that the resurrection life of Jesus Christ can be shown forth in our lives! That the power of God may work in and through us for His victory and glory.

We are instruments of resurrection power! If you are going through the press know that you will not be destroyed by the enemy. You have victory in Jesus Christ and you can display His resurrection power through your words, actions and attitude of heart.

Thank God for the resurrection, because through it power has been given to you for every circumstance in life. Press through!

Unclaimed Property - Hidden FOR You!

We received an official government letter in the mail this week telling us we have unclaimed funds which could be retrieved by filling out the enclosed paperwork. How did that happen? We haven’t had a change of address for over 20 years and we’re not careless with money. But as it turns out, the business on the other end of the process hid some information from us about ten years ago, which kept the funds under their control.

This is exactly how the enemy of our soul’s works: he hides the goodness of God from us to keep us in the prison of fear, doubt, lack, ignorance, exhaustion and other hell inspired miseries. Although we know this life has trials and difficulties, the plan of the enemy is to keep us from seeing that God is bigger and He has enfolded His arms of wisdom, provision and mercy around us to hold and keep us through those trials and difficulties.

God has given us a hope and a future, and it’s hidden in Him. The world may say “What you don’t know won’t hurt,” but where life in Christ is concerned, this is a lie from the pit of hell. God has not hidden these secret things from us, He’s hidden them FOR us, and they are found in relationship with Jesus Christ. IN HIM we live and move and have our being. IN HIM is value and purpose. IN HIM all has been retrieved and restored, and we have the receipt to prove it: His love letter to us, the Word of God.

What has God so unselfishly gifted you that has not been claimed? What did Jesus Christ suffer for that the enemy has hidden from you?

“But He was broken and slain for our rebellion, He was beaten and bruised for our guilt and sin; the chastisement and reproof [needful to obtain] peace and well-being for us was laid upon Him, and with the stripes [that wounded] Him we are healed and made whole.” (Isaiah 53:5 paraphrased)

Over Eating - The Accepted Sin

Over the years I’ve struggled to keep my weight down. It’s been like hell on earth, at times, battling myself. Food often looked like my friend but turned out to be my enemy - like a wolf in sheep’s clothing. The palate’s delicacies are like the prostitute in David’s Psalms – continually drawing us to pleasures that are short lived and very destructive in the long run.

But what’s deeper in the soul where overeating is concerned? Why do we spend so much to get so little in the end? Is it like the rest of society’s vices – filling a void, comforting a hurt, suppressing a feeling, calling out for help or just rebelliously walking in self-satisfaction and destructive habits? It may be hard to stop the desire for food until we know what’s driving it – why it calls out to us when we are far from hungry or in need of replenishment.

Suppressing the appetite or saying ‘no’ to self are good, Biblical practices, but continually being consumed by thoughts of food shows a deeper underlying stronghold. The church doesn’t often recognize it as so, however, because it’s an accepted sin. Other sins seem to be far worse and are called out and condemned, while the plank remains in the over-eater’s eye.

This is not a note of condemnation; it’s a wake-up call, a call to see things as they really are, a call to cry out to God for help and a call to stop the flesh. It’s a call to myself, as well as the Body of Christ. We have to STOP over eating and killing ourselves – this is both physical and spiritual suicide and it deprives us of the funds and health needed to carry out God’s purposes. It's time to do something about it!

This is not something I often do, but I am recommending a short book as a jump start that may possibly help in this area: "Help! I'm a Slave to Food," (found on Amazon.com). If others have information you’d like to share, please post your positive comments and encouragement.

“We can [and must] do all things through Christ.” (Philp 4:13)

Betrayed By A Judas?

A few days before Jesus death he dined at the house of his friends: Lazarus, Mary and Martha. Dinner done and conversation flowing, Mary poured a jar of expensive perfume on Jesus’ feet and wiped them with her hair, preparing Him for his burial. Judas was irate – his eyes saw money being poured out on the floor – and greed swelled up in him (Matt 26, Mrk 14, John 12). Jesus shushed him, defending Mary’s actions. Perhaps this left Judas feeling humiliated, stirring his anger and greed to a new level.

Judas let the seeds of greed and irritation stew inside of him overnight – providing fertile soil for the enemy to sprout a plan of betrayal in his mind (John 13:2). With this mindset Judas attended the Passover meal with the rest of the disciples and Jesus. He was present at Jesus’ foot washing ceremony, watching as the Savior removed Judas own sandals, tenderly washing and drying his feet. But Jesus humble example of servanthood didn’t soften Judas’ heart or bring repentance.

As the meal began Jesus handed Judas a piece of bread - then satan entered into Judas. “If you are intent on this,” Jesus said, looking into Judas’ eyes, “Do it now. I Am ready.” Then Judas and satan left the table and presented themselves to the Chief Priests for the formal betrayal of Jesus Christ.

The one who Jesus broke bread with, the one who participated in Jesus foot washing, the one who handled the ministry’s finances – was the one who turned his face from Jesus for a few small coins, and later, the one who kissed his cheek in the Garden of Gethsemane. But note how Jesus wasn’t shaken. Note how He kept His focus on God and what God had given Him to do. Note how He saw it coming and gave every opportunity to the betrayer to turn from his wickedness without condemning him.

If you have been betrayed it’s time for you to move on. It’s time to carry on with God’s work and put it behind you. It’s time to extend the forgiveness of God and put away condemnation. And perhaps it’s time to consider that God may be using the betrayal to move you forward in His purposes – taking a painful situation and turning it for His good.

Forward in Christ!

Your Words - An Amazing Treasure!

God has always desired to use man to bring His will and purposes into the earth – especially through the words we speak. Amos said that God does nothing in the earth before He enables the prophets to either act or speak it out (Amos 3:7 paraphrased). Until Jesus Christ returns to this earth we are the vehicle through which He operates here – He has gifted and enabled us to be His mouth, hands, feet and presence in this world.

When our hearts are submitted to God we have the ability to bring about good things through our speech (Matt. 12). “Good” in this case means beneficial, honoring to God and used for His purposes. In fact, if our hearts are submitted to God they are a treasure trove of good words waiting to be spoken at His prompting.

A heart submitted to God should be bursting with Living Words intended to benefit others. Those words have the power to bring about His purposes, bless the socks off of other people and stir angelic hosts into action (Psalm 103:20). This isn’t talking about making a list of name it/claim items you’d like to have in your garage or on your ring finger – it’s talking about God’s words being spoken through us to lay down a road for His entrance into the earth. In fact, that road is continuously being built up and will be entirely complete at the time of His return – and your words are helping to lay the pavement.

The reason for this is simple yet profound; it’s what the Bible is about. God has chosen to manifest Himself on this earth through people. Whether you speak a word of encouragement, exhortation, prophecy, or sing a song – if your heart is stayed on Him, He will use your mouth to bring about good things into the atmosphere around you.

You are the carrier of God’s benefits for this world. You are the builder of the road which brings His entrance. Keep your heart stayed on Him and He will form Living Words in you - a treasure trove to be opened and spoken in His perfect timing.