On the Other Side of Today! (10/31/13)

So you made a mistake. You love the Lord, but you screwed up. God knew you were going to do it, He's not surprised.

Jesus told Peter in Luke 22 "I've prayed for you Peter. You're going to lose faith and turn your back on me. But, when you repent and believe again, help establish your brothers in Christ. Help them, through what you've been through, to recognize an attack and stay in faith."

Peter replied to Jesus "I'd never leave you or deny you." Really, Peter? You're so impetuous and head strong! Yesterday you cut off someone's ear and today you're in such a hurry to speak your own words that you ignore Jesus words of prophecy!
But Jesus wasn't moved by Peter's immaturity-He was looking down the road to what Peter was to become, on the other side today.

In fact, when Jesus met the disciples for breakfast, after His resurrection, He cemented Peters calling to mentor and train and love the brethren. Three times Jesus asked Peter to "feed my sheep", but the 2nd time the word feed meant "to shepherd or pastor or lead." Lead and feed, Peter!

He knows the end from the beginning....and He ever lives to intercede. Turn your failures into platforms to teach someone else! Exalt the name of Jesus Christ!

Family Motto! (10/29/13)

Family motto!

Welcome to the Family! I'm your sister in Christ. This is our family motto, the result of the Spirit of God in us.

"I have the Holy Spirit Power. ... I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense,and my future is secure. I am finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tame visions, mundane talking, chintzy giving, and dwarfed goals."

"I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by presence, learn by faith, love by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power."

"...I cannot be bought, compromised, deterred, lured away, turned back, diluted, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity."

March on!  Be strong!

(from: The Fellowship of the Unashamed)

 

 

Is it humility or disobedience? (10/23/13)

Is it humility or disobedience?

"Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth (Num 12:3).

Moses humility was displayed in his willingness to give God the reigns of his life-to put the person of 'self' under His Lordship. It was in recognizing that God is the source of power and He gets all the glory for what we do under His empowerment!

False humility shies away from walking forward in the work of God or tries to accomplish it under the power of self. There is no humility in saying "I can't" if the Lord says "do this"....that is actually disobedience and a form self exaltation!

Humility repents and moves past sins...believing that His sacrifice is sufficient! False humility is inspired by the enemy-it will hang on to repented sin and dwell on it-in essence, striving to diminish the Sacrifice which paid for our sins.

When we are humble we understand the we can boldly carry out the work of God because it is His will, accomplished through His power, for His glory!

How to be a 'nothing' (10/20/13)

How to be a 'nothing'

If you are desiring more of God, perhaps the best way to make that happen is to learn to love. God is love: more love, more God!

Here are some simple formulas from 1Co 13 relating to love:
1. Gift of prophecy minus love = nothing!
2. Mountain moving faith minus love = nothing!
3. Understanding and knowledge minus love = nothing!
4. Benevolence minus love = nothing!

What are the signs that love is present? Patience, kindness, bearing up under all things, believing the best in others, hope, and endurance. Love grieves over separation from God and is eager for restoration in others and self. Let love be your motive! Let love reign!

1Jn 3:18 Little children, let us not love [merely] in theory or in speech but in deed and in truth (in practice and in sincerity).

Jealousy in the Church OR I'm my own grandpa! (10/17/13)

Jealousy in the Church OR I'm my own grandpa!

Jealousy for God is zealously wanting the things of God that He would gain glory as you display His person on the earth. Being jealous of others is coveting what they have or some element of their person or gifting. If you are jealous in your heart, you have already stolen what another possesses.

Jealousy in the Church is ruinous to unity. Since we are a family, jealousy causes us to usurp the position of other members of the family: the cousin wants to be the dad, or the mom wants to be the daughter. Or perhaps you could be your own grandpa! Each of us has a work to do in the body, and someday you may be the dad or mom, but right now, be content in the work you have been given!

1 Cor 12 describes the church as a body and talks about jealousy. We would never expect the hand to be jealous of the foot....it sounds ridiculous. Attacking others in the body with a jealous heart is like an allergy in the Church-the body attacking itself.

Determine in your heart that you will advance the Church by supporting and encouraging others in their work for the Lord. Lift them up, because in doing so, you lift up the Lord to others!

Religious bones in the closet! (10/14/13)

Religious bones in the closet!

Just when we think we have everything figured out, God reveals truth and breaks up our religious attitudes!

Take Peter as an example. At the Lord's prompting he went to the house of Cornelius and expounded the Word to them. While he was talking, the Holy Spirit filled them and they began to speak in tongues and praise God (Acts 10). Peter was stunned!

BUT, when the apostles heard about it, instead of being excited at what God had done, they said "you went into the house of an uncircumcised man" (Acts 11). So Peter explained to them that God had given visions, sent angels and filled Gentiles with the Holy Spirit-and there was nothing he could do to stand in the way of it.

The happy ending is that the apostles accepted God's work in the Gentiles without further objection. They were amazed that God accepted 'even the Gentiles.'

Are there any 'religious' bones in your closet that need to be put at the foot of the cross? Perhaps an old dinosaur that you've been protecting for a long time?

The forgiveness sham! (10/13/13)

The forgiveness sham!

If you've had a parting of ways with another Christian and you think God will never again use that person for His kingdom work, more than likely-you're wrong!

People make mistakes, so do we. But those who continue loving and seeking Him continue to grow and go through the transformation process. Perhaps that person you disagreed with so many years ago is not the same person today that you perceive him to be. Perhaps God has dealt with that person's sin, and he or she has responded to Him, just as God is dealing with your sins.

Wouldn't it be a travesty (mockery or sham) if God forgave the way we sometimes forgive? If He held a grudge in his heart and gave us the cold shoulder the way we do with others?

I am praying for 'chance' meetings for all who see this post. That you will 'accidentally' meet up with those that you have parted from and God will give you no choice but to forgive and be forgiven. Let the Body heal and be whole again!

Be gentle and forbearing with one another and, if one has a difference (a grievance or complaint) against another, readily pardoning each other; even as the Lord has [freely] forgiven you, so must you also [forgive]. Col 3:13 AMP

Is it FAITH? Or the SOUL? (10/11/13)

Is it FAITH or is it the SOUL?

Would you be able to take your present doctrine and put it into any period of history and have it be believable and effective to the Lord's work? His Truth stands the test of time-it's not wrapped around a culture but creates His culture when released!

There are doctrines espoused today which would absolutely flop in the time period of the great persecutions. Jesus never told the people of His time that they wouldn't be persecuted by the Romans or the religious leaders if they had enough faith. On the contrary, He told them persecutions would come and through faith in Him we overcome!

If we alter doctrine to fit our culture, then we have exchanged faith for the power of the soul. When our desires align with our culture instead of God, we can dangerously we use the power of the human soul, in the name of faith, to bring about those desires. This is a disturbing concept-but I challenge you to search and test your heart and soul concerning it!

Psalm 143:8 Cause me to hear Your loving kindness in the morning, For in You do I trust; Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, For I lift up my soul to You.

Giant Slayers! (10/10/13)

Fear of Man!


Fear of man causes us to focus on self. It guides us into pleasing others so they will elevate or approve of us. It brings inner turmoil and turns molehills into mountains. This fear attacks our thoughts and brings hyper focus on what others think, putting us in servitude to pleasing people above God. It's actually mock faith: the enemy's way of grabbing our trust in God and putting it onto ourselves.

Proverbs 29:25 says fear of man brings a snare: a noose which cuts off the life of God. But whoever trusts in the Lord is safe and set above the snare-enabled to see it before their eyes and turn away from it or destroy it.

Giant-slayers fear and reverence God above man! Take the Sword of the Word and cut off the head of fear today-bring down the giant who has stifled the power of God in you!

WAKE UP and stop eating! (10/9/13)

In examining myself concerning the way I view food, this is the conclusion I have come to:

Unfortunately, food has become a recreation in our society. Living in the 'land of plenty' has drawn our attention away from the One who has given these benefits to us, and it has led us into gluttony. We console ourselves with food (which has the opposite effect in the long run), burn up our budget dining out, and spend thousands of dollars in fixing our bodies because we eat too much or eat the wrong foods. Fellowship while dining is wonderful....but fellowship without food is more than possible. This is a societal epidemic in general, but the Church doesn't approach this subject because it's a sore spot for us...an accepted sin. I've seen that most of the church functions this way and it's accepted-don't dare call it 'sin'. Then complaints come, and crying out to God follows, because we have no $$ to pay our bills or give to the poor who are in need! We can point a finger at other sins and be perfectly self-righteous in doing so,because those are the sins that others don't accept as 'normal' to our Christian society. I say to myself and to the Church, WAKE UP, and examine self...take the plank out of your own eyes.
Jas 4:3 "You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures."

Moses "cleft of the rock" experience (10/7/13)

When Moses asked God to show him His glory, the Lord responded with "I will make My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord" (Ex 33:19).

God's response to Moses request was to hide him in the cleft of a rock, pass by, and proclaim: "The Lord, the Lord, merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in loving-kindness and truth..." (Ex 34:7).

God didn't simply pass by in a bright cloud...that was not the totality of His glory. God proclaimed his attributes to Moses. God and His attributes, His characteristics, are inseparable-these are the elements of His glory. The beauty of His glory is in the perfection of His character!

Jesus was called the 'sole expression of the glory of God' and the 'perfect imprint of God's nature' (Heb 1:3). The glory of God was manifested through Jesus not only in His death, but through His example of the perfect character of God in His life.

Bring His glory to the earth in your everyday life, live in His image. You may be amazed at the presence of God in your life as you do so!

The Word became flesh and dwelt among us....we have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son...full of grace and truth (Jn 1:14).

Intellectualizing Jesus Christ (10/1/13)

Intellectualizing Jesus Christ:  the answer to Bill O'Reilly's "Killing Jesus"


While I am not politically or culturally driven, I am driven in standing for the Lord Jesus Christ and spreading His Gospel for His glory and the salvation of all: this includes those who discredit Him and malign His Truth.

Today, I am purposefully answering to a book, it's author and his public proclamation that Jesus Christ died because he "Teed off the Romans by interrupting their tax flow" (Bill O'Reilly, "Killing Jesus"). For a society that sees itself as 'intellectual' this is perfectly acceptable-but the saving work of Jesus Christ cannot be intellectually reasoned away!

People who say such things may think they are removing burdens from the backs of others and setting them free from servitude. In effect, they are placing the burden of sin on people who may otherwise receive the Truth of the Gospel and be free in Christ.

We are in times of testing and turmoil. The spirit of the anti-Christ is at work in our culture in many ways. Pray for our nation! Stand firm in Christ!

Col 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.

Are you God's servant, or is He yours? (9/26/13)

Are you God's servant, or is He yours?

Thinking on the things of earth and focusing on material goals is being earthly minded. However, Kingdom thinking seeks God's will and purpose, aside from the cost to self!

There can be a subtle difference between seeing God as a means of obtaining our will and pleasures and seeing ourselves as a means of accomplishing God's Kingdom will. The latter is filled with eternal rewards and elevates God to His rightful place in our lives.

Today I ask you, are you God's servant or is He yours? Does your view of God lean toward the temporal side or are you thinking on the eternal side and wanting to fulfill the purposes of God?

If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God (Col 3:1-3).

Stop protecting the enemy's work in your life! (9/22/13)

Stop protecting the enemy's work in your life!

Our thought patterns are greatly influenced by the way we are raised, our personal experiences and our culture. A little boy raised in a home with a stifling, overbearing mother may in turn have struggles trusting women. Likewise, a woman who lives with an abusive husband may fear men and shun the love of God.

These experiences, and the resulting thought patterns, are open doors for the devil to wreak havoc and chaos in our lives. He blinds us from seeing the way God would lead and drags us through dangerous and destructive doors by establishing strongholds in our thinking through unfortunate experiences and cultural norms.

Prejudices, hatred, unforgiveness...these are the result of strongholds. These are often means of self defense-but the defense is really protecting the stronghold and not the person-it's a protection of satan's territory in our lives. God is able to re-program and cleanse our thought processes by means of the washing of the water of the word (Eph 5:26). Even if we do not realize we have a stronghold, God will remove it if we are faithful to abide in Him and His word abides in us (John 15).

If we continually see relationships end in bitterness, get easily angered, feel as though we have to exhaust ourselves in an effort to win friendships.....these may be signs that there is something askew in our thinking process. These are just a few examples, but God can illuminate the root and resulting effect of a stronghold.

Bring your heart and mind as an open book before the Lord. Let the Lord examine you and release you from chains of the stronghold that has been established.

2Co 10:4-5a "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ..."

Time: a seed in your hands! (9/21/13)

Time: a seed in your hands!

"There is a time to every purpose under heaven" (Ecc 3:1). Seasons change and time marches on, however, time does not simply march on until, "PRESTO", an event occurs. Events and fulfillment of seasons generally take effort. As an example, weddings have a specific date on which they occur, but the preparation leading up to that event requires planning and finances to support it (in a typical American wedding).

If we spend our lives waiting for events or fulfillment of promises, we miss the purpose of waiting. Yes, there are periods where we need to be still, but there are also periods where we need to plow and work and grow before we reap the fulfillment of the promise in its season. These are times where God is preparing us to handle the promise once it manifests.

Additionally, looking only to an end result is like missing the joy of the journey and this can cause us to take the wrong road to get to a result. God is interested in perfecting and purifying us in the journey, but keeping our eyes focused only on the end result can leave a trail of destruction as we step over, or on top of, everything in our way to get to that end result. 

God's purposes in bringing His promise include learning to be patient and do things His way, especially as it relates to the lives of other people who we meet on the road to fulfillment.

Time is a seed which we plant. That seed dies to itself and is given over to God so that each day and week and month are allowed the proper actions and heart attitude to bring about God's fulfilled promise in His way. There is a season to work, a season to wait, a season to reap, a season to give....but cooperation with God is a necessity for the proper fulfillment of each season.

Gal 6:9 And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint.

 

Circumstances: Vehicles for the Gospel (9/19/13)

Circumstances: Vehicles for the Gospel

There are times when a situation comes up that we have no control over. We're minding our own business, serving God and BAM!, we find ourselves in a prison of circumstances.

Paul knew how to get through this type of circumstance: he kept his eyes focused on God. He actually used these circumstances to advance the Kingdom of God by preaching the Gospel when he was in a tight spot. He had an 'eye' for those in need of salvation, healing, deliverance and love!

People thought they were putting chains on him to keep him imprisoned, but he was already chained to Christ as His eternal prisoner. There was no shipwreck or imprisonment or beating that could come to him without opening a door for the furtherance of the Gospel and the glory of God. Paul understood that the true prisoners were those who didn't know Christ so he allowed every circumstance to become an opportunity. Prison guards got saved, remote islands became mission fields and his beatings furthered the Truth of the Word as he miraculously rose from the pile of stones through God's healing power!

Paul's circumstances were simply vehicles which took him from one person who needed Christ to the next. They became his 'ride' to the next assignment. He is the ultimate example of serving God in turmoil yet in prayer and fastings and joy-keeping His eye on the prize!

God will further His purpose and His power and love cannot be contained! He came to Paul in Paul's most dire circumstances and delivered much of what we now call the New Testament. Allow your circumstances to be the vehicle for God's purposes to be accomplished!

Php 1:12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.

 

"Thank you for noticing. Really, I'm humbled." (9/17/13)

Here is a telling statement from the Word: Thus, whenever you give to the poor, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites in the synagogues and in the streets like to do, that they may be recognized and honored and praised by men. Truly I tell you, they have their reward in full already (Matt 6:2).

This concept, of showmanship stealing a reward, is repeated in Matt 6:5 and 6:16 concerning fasting and praying. What this speaks to is the motive of one's heart-are we doing the works of God for an 'atta boy' from man or in obedience to God for His glory? Those who 'performed' in this manner often carried horns with them which were blown at the accomplishment of their good deeds to draw accolades. Perhaps this is the source of the phrase "toot your own horn."

And what is this reward? That is the Lord's choice, but He has given many examples of possible rewards: a good measure will be poured into your bosom (Luke 6:38); you'll be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous (Luke 14:14); you shall receive an inheritance in the Lord.

Ultimately, the child of God seeks to please God and advance His Kingdom in love and generosity. We are given and in return are able to give and provide for others as a testimony of our God's great love and provision.

A perfectly placed stone! (9/16/13)

A perfectly placed stone!

We all live on the same time continuum-the line of time on which God has laid out the history of the World with its seasons and events. Knowing what was ordained beforehand and what would come to pass before time on earth began, He put you in just the right spot at just the right time. (Acts 17:26)

You have an assignment here and a connection to other members of the Body of Christ. You may be a support person for another or you may be a Paul in the Kingdom, but you are one of the living stones that strengthens the wall and enables the entire Body to function properly.

With this in mind we must move past jealousy and competitiveness. The Body cannot be climbing over itself to accomplish the purposes of God. Each of us will be fulfilled to the greatest degree of contentment when we are aligned with purpose of God and work to build up the rest of the Body.

Jealousy involves guarding what God has given, it walks in envy and rivalry and finds ways to draw attention to itself. Since God has put His anointing inside of each person, jealousy of anothers gift is equal to being jealous of God. How ridiculous does that sound?!?!

Advance the Kingdom of God both by developing God in you and encouraging and helping others move forward in their assignment. Be the living stone He made YOU to be-with Him as the Chief Cornerstone.

Some questions about words! (9/14/13)

"Keeping" you in prayer?

We are a society with many freedoms, one of which is speech. We talk with varied people throughout the day and can reach a multitude of other cultures simply by phone or internet.

As I've pondered this recently there have been a few thoughts that have stuck with me as conviction concerning my words:
1. Agreeing to 'keep you in prayer' is a serious commitment. To keep means to protect, preserve, watch over and guard. This phrase is not a cliche`
2. If angels hearken to the voice which speaks the word of God (Ps 103:21) what happens when words are spoken which are inspired by the devil?
3. Since Jesus was perfect and He spoke only what the Father told him to speak (Jn 12:50), how much does listening have to do with righteous speech?

Col 4:6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Zeal or Fanaticism? (9/13/13)

God gives us purpose in life and the zeal and grace to fulfill it. Sometimes we see that zeal being used for a misguided purpose-in both the saved and unsaved.

Paul said in Gal 1:13 You have heard of my earlier career and former manner of life in the Jewish religion (Judaism), how I persecuted and abused the church of God furiously and extensively, and [with fanatical zeal did my best] to make havoc of it and destroy it.

Paul's zeal led him to fanatically destroy the Church of Jesus Christ, persecuting His followers, all the while genuinely believing he was doing God's work.

Misapplied zeal turns into fanaticism, has hyper-focus, pinpoints people for destruction and justifies the means, is unreasonable, has no desire for reconciliation and exalts self.

The zeal of the Lord is Spirit led-displaying the fruits of the spirit in love and grace yet with passion and endurance given by the Lord for His glory. Consider Paul's 'before' and 'after' zeal: immediately after his encounter with Jesus he began preaching the 'Good News' in the zeal of God!

Discern for yourself (and in yourself) between the zeal of the Lord and the zeal of the flesh through the enemy - is the "Good News" being spoken in all sincerity and grace?

Attention! Calling all Adversaries. (9/12/13)

Paul said he had an 'open door of opportunity' to minister in Ephesus, but immediately following that statement he said 'and there are many adversaries.' An open door is not a guarantee of 'happily ever after' in your life and work for the Lord!

When Nehemiah was ordained by God to rebuild the wall in Jerusalem there were adversaries all around. The builders carried a sword in one hand and worked on the wall with the other. Those who were not working on rebuilding served as armed guards. Nehemiah gave them the tools to both do the Lord's work and fight their enemies as they worked: "I said to the ...people, do not be afraid of the enemy; remember the Lord and imprint Him [on your minds], great and terrible, and [take from Him courage to] fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes." Neh 4:14

In this life we will have trouble-that includes adversaries prompted by the enemy of our souls and things within ourselves that keep the road from being smooth, even if the door of opportunity is wide open. Moving forward in God's plans will draw the adversaries attention.

Take courage! Fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, your homes! HE is greater in us than the enemy is in this world!

 

Missing peace. (9/10/13)

Missing peace!

2Co 13:11 Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.

I find this to be an interesting scripture in light of Jesus words in John 14:27 :"my peace I leave you, my peace I give you." Can't we simply call for peace and have it come to us?

What Paul is saying, however, is somewhat progressive. First he tell us to be fully restored-to be complete and perfected in the knowledge and life of Christ. Following this he calls for encouragement (building up and strengthening the Body) and unity in Christ. This unity cannot come about without being in agreement in doctrine and having great love, patience and grace toward the other members of the Body.

Paul then gives the command to live in peace! How many of us look for peace and feel it has drifted away and we cannot find it? Here we are commanded to actively live peaceably: make the choice to put aside those things which create havoc and bring stress in relationships and life in general. This is the peace Jesus left us!

After all this Paul says that the "God of love and peace will be with you (accompany and participate)." If you want to draw the presence of God, cultivate and pursue peace! Peace is the fruit of righteousness-it comes as a result of actively living the righteous life of God as Paul directed: restoration, encouragement and unity.

All for His glory-the fruit of righteousness is peace!

The battle rages! Is it Us against Them? (9/9/13)

The battle rages! Is it Us and Them?

Are you on our side or theirs? This was Joshua's question to the 'man with a sword' who stood before him shortly before the battle of Jericho (Josh 5:13-14). And the angel of the Lord replied to him "NEITHER, I have come as the commander of the army of the Lord."

Though the Lord had guided the Israelites through the wilderness and was now taking them into the promised land, this was a reminder that the Lord was not following them, but they were following Him and His plan.

We know that God is 'for' us, however, in the bigger scheme of life, God's plan is what's being carried out and we are participants in it. Here is where we need to take care in the Lord not to choose people and sides of battles over seeking and serving God. Humans have a tendency to see disputes and battles as 'us and them' where God looks at the eternal perspective.

In the everyday life of the Christian we are not battling against flesh and blood-the battle is against principalities and powers behind flesh and blood which come against the Spirit of God in us (Eph 6). The way God directs us into battle is to arm ourselves entirely with His word, will and way-be completely aligned with Him!

Set your mind on eternal perspectives: be FOR God and focus on His eternal purposes rather than AGAINST flesh and blood. He will then have an open door to guide you into all righteousness and give you His victory-that is the only true victory!

Pride, motives and relationships!

The Bible is the ultimate guide to relationships! As much as God desires for us to have undisturbed, faithful and pure relationship with Him, He also desires that we have the same with one another.
So what happens when difficulties trouble our relationships and strife puts a wedge between us?

This post has little space for a long discussion, but I believe there is one major key to the beginning of restoration in these situations: examining one's self before the Lord through the Holy Spirit!

Allow the Lord to show where strongholds in thinking processes have taken place in you. Let Him guide your own heart into all Truth, revealing pride and motives within you. Where these sins exist they separate us from God-these must be removed before clear understanding can come.

Pride-proof your heart in the Lord, then He can freely direct the healing of your relationships as much as it depends on you.

Psa 26:2 Examine (test and investigate) me, O Lord, and prove me; test my heart and my mind.

Forceful people take hold of it! (9/3/13)

Choosing God is rejecting the way of the flesh and it's often a severe battle. Reading the Old Testament shows us that man is unable to control himself to righteous living...Jesus is the one person on earth that did it! We need the help of the Spirit-every day all day long-to live for the Lord from the inside out.

Paul said he reached forth (stretched himself) and pressed toward (fleeing the past and passionately pursuing) Godliness (Php 3:13-14)! What's needed is a violent rejection of the ways of the enemy of our souls and a forceful breakthrough into the ways of God-coming from the Spirit within us.

Determine to leave no Spirit-directed weapon unused in your arsenal: prayer, fasting, worship, giving, fellowship, self-sacrifice...in forcefully pursuing and following God.

Mat 11:12 Since the days of John the Baptist, the kingdom of heaven has been advancing with force. And forceful people are taking hold of it.