Mr. and Mrs. Controversy

The person who thrives on controversy will find trouble wherever he or she goes. It doesn’t matter where they’re at or who they’re with, they’ll find a reason to stir and agitate to the point that a wake of victims lie in their path. And perhaps there are times where their concerns are genuine and need to be addressed – but they generally carry a hammer where a wet sponge would do the job.

This is the person that uses God’s Word as a tool to constantly find fault in others. It’s the person who sees another’s desire to serve God, but finds one piece in the puzzle that doesn’t fit to their liking and hyper focuses on that. It’s their method of ‘helping’ others look just and right (from the outside, of course) before God.

The person who thrives on controversy sees themselves as being able to ‘discern’ the problems of other people, but they often can’t discern their own issues. They may have a hard time discerning what's of God and what's coming from their own emotions and strongholds, so all of their words and actions are self-labeled as 'just.'

Tragically, this kind of person draws individuals who are in need of a strong motherly or fatherly figure, ‘trains’ them in their methods, and they begin to see the world through the same eyes as Mr. or Mrs. Controversy.

But we are not held captive by this type of thought. We are those who discern God’s ways and will, and progress in this walk of sanctification. So don’t take offense at Mr. or Mrs. Controversy – seek God’s input and pray! Stay away from those that constantly stir up strife; live a quiet and peaceful life in serving God.

“But refuse (shut your mind against, have nothing to do with) … (ill-informed, unedifying…) controversies over ignorant questionings, for you know that they foster strife and breed quarrels.
And the servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome (fighting and contending). Instead, he must be kindly to everyone and mild-tempered [preserving the bond of peace]; he must be a skilled and suitable teacher, patient and forbearing and willing to suffer wrong.
He must correct his opponents with courtesy and gentleness, in the hope that God may grant that they will repent and come to know the Truth … and that they may come to their senses [and] escape out of the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him, [henceforth] to do His [God's] will." (2 Timothy 2:23-26)

Waiting to Forgive - Until Your Last Breath

As a hospice chaplain I regularly meet with people who's prognosis is death - within the next 6-8 months. Many of these are elderly people, but some are young.

People who are dieing have a different perspective on life than those who are actively living: they are often better able to examine themselves more truthfully because they have nothing to protect and nothing to hide. They are in life's most vulnerable position.

As a result, many of these people are willing to forgive long time grudges and be released to heaven with a clean heart. They see the Truth of God's love more clearly than many of us that are seeking and serving God and have many years left to do so.

Many of them also express deep, deep sorrow and gut wrenching heartache over having carried unforgiveness for so long. They seem to be able to see through the eyes of God into how things could have been if they'd forgiven sooner. How tragic it is to witness this and grieve with these people in their darkest moments, when they see that they have been bound by the chains of unforgiveness and it has poisoned themselves and the people around them.

But once they release forgiveness they are soon released into the arms of the Father - He keeps them breathing long enough to help them repent of all the darkness in their hearts then they enter into the gates of heaven with a 'hallelujah, I'm forgiven' on their lips!

Don't wait until your last breath. Don't live in darkness and withhold the love of God from your domain. Use every living breath wisely, and when you are old and ready to pass, leap into heaven with joy at having lived a life of love and forgiveness through the Spirit of God.

Out of Condemnation - Into Opportunity!

As I scraped a small area of loose paint around our tub it began to come off in small sheets - then a piece of the plaster underneath fell into my hands. By the time I was done ‘scraping,’ the lower half of the wall around the tub was lying inside of the tub – water damaged. At that point I couldn’t decide if I should cry about the damage or be happy that I’d found this problem: we spent the next 2 months of the summer repairing walls and water leaks in the bathroom.

As strange as it seems, this is very much parallel to the feelings we have and the process we go through when God reveals something unhealthy and destructive in our hearts and lives. On one hand we might wish we hadn’t discovered it, especially if we tend to lean toward the old adage which says “what you don’t know won’t hurt.” But on the other hand, it may be a relief to know the source of the issue which has affected our own life and that of others around us. That damage under the surface of the paint was causing serious allergy problems for our daughter and I was in constant prayer asking the Lord to reveal the source of it.

The process of sanctification should include an abundance of revelation concerning our personal ‘issues’ that God wants us to be rid of. However, never should these revelations be a source of condemnation - they are simply a moment in time where God is shining His Light on us in a new way so that we can repent, be healed and cleansed, and become a vessel with greater abilities to walk in His image – and this may take time!

Whatever character problems God reveals, and in whatever way He chooses to reveal them, don’t let condemnation come into your heart and mind. These revelations are continued proof of God’s love for us and never ending dedication to be faithful in recreating us into His image. Don’t allow the enemy to come in and beat you over the head when you get a revelation of ‘self,’ just sink into God and let the washing of the water of the word renew your mind and change your life.

Give yourself time, seek God, reject condemnation, and be thankful when these opportunities present themselves. God is cutting off chains and moving you toward the open door you’ve been waiting for, however, He sometimes has to trim off our excess ‘self’ to get us through that door!

Thou Shalt Not Be Exclusive!

The Body of Christ is composed not only of our fellowship group or even our group and the neighboring group with whom we 'click.' The Body is universal – we are one huge group of believers across the world.

But what I’ve seen in the past few years is a great ‘move’ of exclusiveness within individual bodies of believers. Each one claiming God is working in them far above and beyond what He is doing in other groups – and if others would come to us, they could experience God because we have the ‘market’ on His ‘move.’

This is a subtle ploy of the enemy to exalt ourselves in pride and prejudice! It’s a worldly attitude that looks and longs for renown – to draw others under our own authority with God’s name on it. Where God is truly moving amongst His people He is inspiring them to take His love to others for a Kingdom harvest - there's an excitement to share outside of the walls of our gatherings.

Just in the area where I live there are multitudes of churches and small groups who gather regularly for prayer – asking God to change their hearts and draw them closer to Him. Asking Him to guide them in lifting His name that all men would be drawn to Him – and then they are ready to submit to what He chooses as His way of doing so.

Even though these groups aren’t unified under one roof, they are all seeking the same thing. So who can claim the ‘move’ of God as He works amongst us when He, Himself, has inspired each body to for pray for these things?

Godly Grandmas are sitting in their prayers closets, praying for God to have His way with the church; they’re shut-ins and can’t get to the local church. Are they excluded from the presence and power of God that others claim to house? And what about the new believer who is desperately seeking God but hasn’t found that exclusive gathering? Is she excluded?

So I plead with the Body to throw away exclusiveness! Know that God has inspired His Body all over the world to pray for the same things that you are praying for, and to live holy lives of honor before Him. This is His universal call to the church and it’s a point of unity, not division and exclusivity.

Blessed be His name!

Pull Up the Anchor and Move Forward!

Pull up the Anchor and Move Forward!

Sometimes we rehash and rehash and rehash - instead of throwing it in the trash! Nobody's perfect - and we can't 'fix' other people, but we can forgive them and move forward!

Someone might say "but you don't know what happened to me!" And I would reply "and you don't know what happened to me -or her, or him, or them...." But we all know what happened to Jesus - and He forgave completely through the greatest sacrifice ever made!

But that sacrifice wasn't made for your forgiveness only - it was made so that you could be enabled to completely forgive (and love) others and live life to the fullest! Jesus said "I have come that they may have life, and that more abundantly (John 10:10)."

Live life to the fullest in Him - be and do all that He has created you for - to the end that He would be glorified. Clip the anchor that's holding you back - whatever happened to you - and walk forward.

Enjoy life!

Payback is (from) Hell!

Throughout the Bible we’re told not to take vengeance on those who have hurt or persecuted us (Lev 19:18, Deut 32, Roman 12, 1 Sam 25, Eze 25). Vengeance is a sort of ‘pay back’ for wrongs done to a person, but it also includes making a judgment against another person. This type of judgment isn’t just a decision that someone has wronged us - it's acting as though we have the authority to proclaim a sentence, as though we are the presiding judge in a court of law, or as though that person is in our hands and we can decide how they’re to be dealt with. This is, in fact, usurping God’s authority because He decides when vengeance is due and He carries it out according to His plan. “Vengeance is mine, says the Lord.”   It’s not ours – to contemplate, to brew or to carry out.

Perhaps you haven’t gone as far as actively avenging someone else for what they’ve done – but if you’re still thinking on it then you’re holding a grudge. Leviticus 19 connects grudges and vengeance – they are demonic twins. To avenge is to take action toward punishing someone, but to hold a grudge is to cherish anger in your heart toward them. To ‘cherish’ anger means to have an aversion towards anger when the person is thought of, or to replace affection for that person with anger toward him or her.

Correction is different than vengeance: it’s God’s means of providing a path for restoration to Himself whereas vengeance provides self satisfaction. Godly correction is for those who love and cherish one another in the Lord. True correction has an immense desire to see a person walk in the fullness of God and is willing to make sacrifices to help make that happen. Correction is not an avenue for throwing personal hurts back at someone – or trying to vindicate self. Jeremiah expressed the heart of correction when he asked God not to correct him in His anger, lest He bring Jeremiah to complete insignificance and defeat (Jer. 10:24).

Let go of the irritations against your spouse, your pastor, your friend, your child, your coworker or whomever --- and stop usurping the authority of God. Forgive and release those things into His hands; He has better things for you to focus on. If vindication is needed don’t plot it – let God arrange it and it will be much sweeter!

Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave the way open for [God's] wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is Mine, I will repay… says the Lord. But if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals [of conviction] upon his head. Do not let yourself be overcome by evil, but overcome (master) evil with good (Romans 12:19-21 AMP).

Fire in the Tongue!

If you doubt that your words have power, call your son ‘stupid’ day after day for 10 years and see how it affects him (and you). On the other hand, continually tell him he’s filled with the love, wisdom and grace of God, then see what the end result is.

When we look at the power of our words on those terms, it hits home how important it is to use words wisely. They have both long term and short term affect, and they are more effective on our children and others when the character behind the words is Godly.

It's not a coincidence that 'tongues of fire' appeared over heads at Pentecost. The power of God is a great fire - given to spread the Gospel and burn away the old life - if our words are spoken at His direction. And this is not impossible – it simply calls for relationship with God. Jesus exemplified this, and the result is that He only said what He heard the Father say (John 12:49, 14:10). 

The Bible is our example for living and it’s filled with instances of God telling people what to speak – every day, ordinary people like you and I. We are instruments of God’s purposes here on earth and our words and actions are vehicles to fulfill those purposes. In fact, James tells us that the ‘ship of life’ is turned in directions against prevailing winds by the very small rudder called the tongue. A look at the current media trends can verify this same concept (for the negative or positive). People who have made mistakes in their speaking (and today not much is private) see the course of their lives changed by one little sentence.

Although God has given us power through speech, I am not suggesting that we become little dictators to the world around us by commanding everything to our liking, but that we submit our mouths to God as instruments for His work - that we let our words be seeds planted in the right season for a harvest of righteousness.

Life and death are seeds within the power of the tongue – strewn at the tongues bidding. And those who love God will allow Him to direct life and use our mouths to plant seeds accordingly! (Paraphrased from Prov 18:21).

Spinning Your Wheels?

When winter arrives you put away your bathing suit and when summer arrives you put away your snowsuit - each season requires it's own clothing. In the same way, it can be difficult and uncomfortable to step into the next season if you want to wear last seasons activities, worries and thought processes.

Changes in life circumstances require a shift in thinking - concerning how you treat your body, what you spend your time on, how your finances are used and who you spend time with.

An example of this in the natural would be changes in seasons from being single, to being married, to having children, to being an 'empty nester.' Each of these changes requires a shift in life style: you don't live the same way once you have children as you did when you were single - it's not a successful plan for that season.

If we remain stuck in last season's mode of operation we may spin our wheels in the new season. For example, a healthy and active 75 year old does not do the same things he did when he was 15 - his body may be healthy but it acts differently and he must adjust his life accordingly. This is especially possible because he has gained much wisdom in the 60 years that have passed before getting to his current season. It's a bit like having an older car - I can take care of it and treat it with kid gloves, but I wouldn't drive it the same way I'd drive a spanking, new Camaro.

In Luke 56 Jesus chides his audience for not being able to discern the seasons and times they're in. He wanted them to take a clue about the current Spiritual season - to note what was going on around them not just physically, but spiritually, and act accordingly.

If you've spun your wheels and been frustrated, perhaps you've missed the 'shift.' Perhaps the change of seasons has come and you're stuck in last season's mode of thinking and operating. If so, take a step back, go before the Lord and discern the times! Find out what needs to go, what needs to stay, what needs to be stepped up a notch.

Then do it!

Ever Been Misunderstood?

Have you ever been misunderstood and couldn’t seem to bring resolve to the situation? Perhaps your actions or words were taken in the wrong way and someone either wouldn’t listen to your explanation or they wouldn’t believe you!

Hannah, who cried before God for a child of her own, was accused of being drunk. Mary, when she anointed Jesus feet with spikenard, was accused of having ulterior motives of prostitution. But neither of these women had motives other than to serve God and give to Him the things they treasured most in life: Hannah her child and Mary her heart.

Hannah was able to explain her situation and make herself understood, but Mary wasn’t. However, Jesus spoke up for Mary – He knew the intentions of her heart. Where Mary had previously used her body in the life of a prostitute, she now gave all she had to the sacred service of her Lord Jesus Christ – even her hair and tears were meant to honor Him. Jesus understood her, but those around her snubbed her in spite of His explanation. Sometimes people will see us in light of our ‘past’ lives and refuse to let us out of that box – but not Jesus Christ, He sees the motive of the heart.

One reason people misunderstand others is because they have been hurt in the past (perhaps more than once) and our words or actions trigger the memory of that hurt. In response, they put the same motives behind our words and actions that were (or thought to be) behind the words and actions of those that hurt them. So we become just another offender – perhaps one in a series of offenders who have been misjudged or misunderstood.

There are a few things you can do to help a situation where you have been misunderstood:
1st – Pray, of course! Let God show you how to handle this – He may give you insight and you’ll be able to resolve it quickly or He may tell you to wait on His timing.
2nd – Check your heart for any hidden motives – was there anything inside of you that was taking an opportunity to ‘stick it to’ someone? If so, repent.
3rd – Go directly to the person, in LOVE, and ask for a meeting. If they are willing to meet, make sure grace and restoration are your motives. When you meet - Listen! - hear the heart of the other person. If they aren’t willing to meet, consider waiting a while then trying again.
4th – When another’s past hurts are involved, you will be dealing with a stronghold in the person’s emotions – God has to do the work. If they won’t meet or won’t forgive, you still need to forgive and move on or you'll stifle the love and work of God in your life. Don’t hold the hurt – and don’t spread the ‘news’ to others about it. Let nothing fester inside of you and form a stronghold which overrides future situations.

The Bible has various means of dealing with being ‘wronged’ (Matt 18), but this study is dealing with misunderstanding one another. Perhaps if we can quickly resolve a misunderstanding it won’t turn into a full blown ‘war’ between two of God’s children and the focus can be brought back to serving God instead of carrying out the plan of the enemy to divide the brethren.

Blessed are the peacemakers!

I'm Prettty Sure I Don't Sin Anymore!

Since sanctification is a process, the realization of sin has to be a parallel process. Sanctification is the renewing of the mind to God’s way of thinking, and in turn reflecting Him in our everyday lives. Because renewing the mind happens in ‘steps’ and over time, repentance must then come in steps as our understanding is opened and we turn more and more TO Christ and AWAY from the world.

In other words, our confession of Christ doesn’t keep us from the sinful ways that have developed in us throughout our lives – however short or long they have been – because we understand God and His ways progressively as they are revealed to us. So there is a process of removing sin in our lives and turning our hearts and minds to Christ – a process of separating ourselves to Christ and away from sin.

This process of sanctification includes repentance. So, for instance, when God gives us a revelation in our lives which turns our thinking away from error, He is showing us where there is sin and drawing us to repent and be sanctified in that area. If we accept those revelations as such, and repentance becomes a regular part of our lives, then we progress in Christ-likeness.

The ‘aha’ moments, the sudden revelation of scripture that breaks off erroneous doctrine or an old way of thinking, the wisdom given by a friend extending God’s grace, these turn us away from self and toward God. And if these things turn us to God, then they turn us away from sin and error. We may not want to call these aha moments ‘revelations of sin,’ but anything that is not God’s way of thinking or living is sin. It’s that simple.

This process should never stop as long as we are alive and willing to be cleansed from sin. If we think we’ve arrived, God will give us an ‘aha’ moment and break off a chunk of the old mindset, removing sin. He’ll show us where we’re mistreating our spouse, have a plank in an eye, are too stubborn to move forward, etc., etc. This is not so we walk around with conviction and condemnation hanging on us – but that our hearts and minds would be open to accept and give greater grace and love.

What is the greater purpose of your ‘aha’ moment? Thank God for His faithfulness to our sanctification as He continually reveals sin in our lives and brings us to repentance.

Blessed be His name!

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).