Most believers know the importance of reading and studying the Word of God, which is good, but most do not take the time to meditate on God's Word. We have stressed the need to being born again and to live a godly life, but most new believers do not receive much teaching or encouragement regarding the necessity of having a renewed mind. Isn't it interesting the enthusiasm and joy that comes with the born again experience, but unless a new believer engages and feeds on the Word that joy will eventually die out.
The mind is similar to a sponge when it comes to knowledge. However, most knowledge comes by-way-of our five senses giving the mind will and emotions control over a person. But when one feeds on the Word through meditation, the mind slowly but surely becomes renewed. As the mind is renewed, the Word is then lived out because faith continually grows. Eventually, the spirit begin to take control and the mind then comes into fellowship with the spirit. This is very important principle for all believers not only new ones. Many Christians are led by the mind, will and emotions because their minds are not being renewed and their spirit is being starved of the truth.
The apostle Paul shows us two important aspects of the born again life in regard to the physical body and its thinking process, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." (Romans 12:1-2) Take notice that believers are to present their bodies, which holds the five senses to the Lord. This is in the sense of the Old Testament priest offering a sacrifice on the alter to the Lord. It is a dedication of yourself to the Lord for His service, which is a reasonable thing to do. Why? Because no matter how long you have been born again, every persons mind has been influenced by the things of the world. For many, worldly concepts have had you under their dominion and you have not come to the freedom that comes by the truth.
Many today live in a semi-spiritual darkness still finding it difficult to know and understand the true nature, character, will, purposes and plan of God. Many continuously go to a church leader to deal with issues that never seem to leave because they have not taken it upon themselves to renew their mind. But as one renews his/her mind, they will come to know the Lord in a deeper personal manner. Not only that, but as ones mind continues to be renewed they will not be satisfied with the acceptable and the good will of God but will want to know what is the perfect will of God.
One of the ways that you can gauge if your mind being renewed will be seen in how much your faith is growing. A person who year after year shows little faith is almost invariably a person whose mind is not being renewed. Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 4:16 "Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day." The inward man is your spirit and as you feed your inward man the Word, your mind also becomes renewed.
Finally, take to heart what the Lord spoke to Joshua concerning His Word, "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success." (Joshua 1:8) Through meditating on the Word day and night you will come to walk in God's will, recognize that His ability and strength has been given to you as well as the promise that was given to Joshua, "For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success" so it shall be with you.
Monday, November 19, 2012
Monday, November 12, 2012
Say What?
For years medical research has been studying and discovering the impact spoken words have over an individuals health. Whether they want to admit it or not, they are agreeing with what the Bible says, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit." (Proverbs 18:21) So how a person perceives themselves will determine what they say. If you perceive yourself as having poor health, even if you don't, it will become so real that you will most likely live out that reality until you die. However, the opposite applies. If you speak of yourself as having excellent health, even when you don't, chances are you will live a long healthy life (remember, Proverbs 18:21) Jesus said it this way, "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks." (Luke 6:45)
Right now some who are reading this may be thinking that I talking about metaphysics, the power of positive thinking or some type of mysticism. No, I am talking about the confession of God's Word through faith. I am talking about believing in and agreeing with God's Word and speaking it over your body. "My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart; For they are life to those who find them, and health (medicine; marginal rendering) to all their flesh." (Proverbs 4:20-22) We can say it this way, "God's Word is medicine to my entire body." Look at what the Psalmist says, "He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions." (Psalm 107:20) Did you notice something here? He sent His Word and healed them...
In Matthews gospel we see an incredible act of faith. However, it was not from a child of Abraham, but from a pagan. Let's look at what took place, "Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, saying, "Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented." And Jesus said to him, "I will come and heal him." The centurion answered and said, "Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed." (Matthew 8:5-8) Look at what the centurion said to Jesus, "...only speak a word and my servant will be healed." Do you see the power that words have. Now let's look at the outcome of this event, "When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, "Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel...Then Jesus said to the centurion, "Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you." And his servant was healed that same hour." (Matthew 8:10, 13) This event had nothing to do with metaphysics, but faith in Christ and the power of His Word.
All to often Christians speak things that are contrary to God's Word because they have been taught or have assume things that are contrary to God's Word. This is a result of living today on their own past experiences, the experiences of someone they know or accepting the word of another even a church leader that they admire. What it comes down to is their personal perception or interpretation of God and His Word. This is due to a lack of understanding His nature, character, will, purposes and plan. This is also why many Christians believe that God lets bad things to happen to His Children (them or other Christians) even though Jesus has fully redeemed humanity and has restore him to what Adam was before the fall.
Here are some other scriptures concerning speaking words whether they be positive or negative...
"You are snared by the words of your mouth; You are taken by the words of your mouth."
(Proverbs 6:2)
"There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, But the tongue of the wise promotes health. (Proverbs 12:18)
"Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones."
(Proverbs 16:24)
"A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul." (Proverbs 18:7)
Finally, "Let us hold fast the confession of our faith without wavering, for He who promised is faithful". (Hebrews 10:23)
Right now some who are reading this may be thinking that I talking about metaphysics, the power of positive thinking or some type of mysticism. No, I am talking about the confession of God's Word through faith. I am talking about believing in and agreeing with God's Word and speaking it over your body. "My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart; For they are life to those who find them, and health (medicine; marginal rendering) to all their flesh." (Proverbs 4:20-22) We can say it this way, "God's Word is medicine to my entire body." Look at what the Psalmist says, "He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions." (Psalm 107:20) Did you notice something here? He sent His Word and healed them...
In Matthews gospel we see an incredible act of faith. However, it was not from a child of Abraham, but from a pagan. Let's look at what took place, "Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, saying, "Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented." And Jesus said to him, "I will come and heal him." The centurion answered and said, "Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed." (Matthew 8:5-8) Look at what the centurion said to Jesus, "...only speak a word and my servant will be healed." Do you see the power that words have. Now let's look at the outcome of this event, "When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, "Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel...Then Jesus said to the centurion, "Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you." And his servant was healed that same hour." (Matthew 8:10, 13) This event had nothing to do with metaphysics, but faith in Christ and the power of His Word.
All to often Christians speak things that are contrary to God's Word because they have been taught or have assume things that are contrary to God's Word. This is a result of living today on their own past experiences, the experiences of someone they know or accepting the word of another even a church leader that they admire. What it comes down to is their personal perception or interpretation of God and His Word. This is due to a lack of understanding His nature, character, will, purposes and plan. This is also why many Christians believe that God lets bad things to happen to His Children (them or other Christians) even though Jesus has fully redeemed humanity and has restore him to what Adam was before the fall.
Here are some other scriptures concerning speaking words whether they be positive or negative...
"You are snared by the words of your mouth; You are taken by the words of your mouth."
(Proverbs 6:2)
"There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, But the tongue of the wise promotes health. (Proverbs 12:18)
"Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones."
(Proverbs 16:24)
"A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul." (Proverbs 18:7)
Finally, "Let us hold fast the confession of our faith without wavering, for He who promised is faithful". (Hebrews 10:23)
Monday, November 5, 2012
What Did I Miss
Did you ever have an event that you wanted to see or be a part of only to miss it. I am not one for high school reunions, but I remember when my 30th year high school reunion was coming up. I thought that it would be interesting to attend so I sent in the registration form stating that I would attend. The weekend before the event, I once again looked over the invitation but to my surprise the reunion was taking place that very moment. I had inadvertently placed in my mind that is was in one more week. Well, I was wrong. and I missed the reunion. Needless to say I make it a point not to repeat the same mistake again.
This brings me to my point. How many times have we placed within our mind something that we thought was truth but in fact it was contrary to it (the thing is, we did not know it at the time). Maybe some pastor or other church leader had presented what they believed was true but it could not be substantiated by the Bible. Maybe it was something that the mainline church has accepted as truth for years or even centuries but we cannot find chapter and verse to prove that it is so. Honestly, this happens all to often and continues to plague Christians with much misunderstanding of the the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit.
Hosea says it this way, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge..." (Hosea 4:6) Another version of the Bible says it this way, "My people are destroyed because they don't know me..." This is certainly a sad commentary that God says that His people do not know Him and therefore suffer because of it. This is a prophecy concerning Israel but it is an unfortunate reality today. Look at what the apostle Paul states concerning the church and Israel, (for the sake of space I will narrow the scripture to the point) "Now these things became our examples...Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come." (1 Corinthians 10:6-11) In other words, the things that Israel did or failed to do were written for the church so that we do not repeat their failures. But it is apparent that Hosea's prophecy (Hosea 4:6) is as real today as it was when it was spoken.
Today, many Christian leaders in colleges, universities and local churches are inoculating people with philosophies and psychology that has nothing to do with the knowledge of God. Many doctrines that the church still embraces are from the Mosaic economy, the Dark Ages or the old wine skin of the Protestant Reformation. Every now and then they are tweeted to make them seem like truth, but if we have to adjust doctrine then the chances are it is false doctrine. One example of many, concerns God's will, especially when it comes to healing. A great segment of the church does not believe that God heals today like He did in the early church. Many others believe that healing is entirely up to God, meaning that if He wants to heal He will if not, He won't.
The problem with this type of teaching, is that it is not found in the Bible. It is the product of church leaders lacking in understanding God's true nature, character, will, purposes and plan. It is a lack of knowledge that only comes by way of the spirit by exercising faith. When I talk about faith, I mean the Bible or God kind of faith that comes from the heart, not the mystical kind of faith that comes from the head nor the natural kind of faith that comes from the senses. The only way to operate and understand true Bible faith is to do as Jesus did, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'" (Matthew 4:4) We must live on God's every Word.
This means letting go of mans wisdom, your own personal reasoning and using your senses to understand the things of the spirit. The apostle Paul says it this way, "The natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." (1 Corinthians 2:14) Paul is not only referring to those who are spiritually dead, but he is also addressing Christians who are carnal. You cannot expect to know the things of God through the natural mind. Jesus said, "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life." (John 6:63) We can only discern or understand spiritual things through the spirit which requires true Bible faith.
So, if we do not want to miss the wonderful things that God has for His children then we must come to grips with what faith really is and shed all of the doubts that have been entertained in the mind. We must embrace God's Word with all of our heart. We must "...believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6) and remember, "God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good? (Numbers 23:19)
This brings me to my point. How many times have we placed within our mind something that we thought was truth but in fact it was contrary to it (the thing is, we did not know it at the time). Maybe some pastor or other church leader had presented what they believed was true but it could not be substantiated by the Bible. Maybe it was something that the mainline church has accepted as truth for years or even centuries but we cannot find chapter and verse to prove that it is so. Honestly, this happens all to often and continues to plague Christians with much misunderstanding of the the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit.
Hosea says it this way, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge..." (Hosea 4:6) Another version of the Bible says it this way, "My people are destroyed because they don't know me..." This is certainly a sad commentary that God says that His people do not know Him and therefore suffer because of it. This is a prophecy concerning Israel but it is an unfortunate reality today. Look at what the apostle Paul states concerning the church and Israel, (for the sake of space I will narrow the scripture to the point) "Now these things became our examples...Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come." (1 Corinthians 10:6-11) In other words, the things that Israel did or failed to do were written for the church so that we do not repeat their failures. But it is apparent that Hosea's prophecy (Hosea 4:6) is as real today as it was when it was spoken.
Today, many Christian leaders in colleges, universities and local churches are inoculating people with philosophies and psychology that has nothing to do with the knowledge of God. Many doctrines that the church still embraces are from the Mosaic economy, the Dark Ages or the old wine skin of the Protestant Reformation. Every now and then they are tweeted to make them seem like truth, but if we have to adjust doctrine then the chances are it is false doctrine. One example of many, concerns God's will, especially when it comes to healing. A great segment of the church does not believe that God heals today like He did in the early church. Many others believe that healing is entirely up to God, meaning that if He wants to heal He will if not, He won't.
The problem with this type of teaching, is that it is not found in the Bible. It is the product of church leaders lacking in understanding God's true nature, character, will, purposes and plan. It is a lack of knowledge that only comes by way of the spirit by exercising faith. When I talk about faith, I mean the Bible or God kind of faith that comes from the heart, not the mystical kind of faith that comes from the head nor the natural kind of faith that comes from the senses. The only way to operate and understand true Bible faith is to do as Jesus did, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'" (Matthew 4:4) We must live on God's every Word.
This means letting go of mans wisdom, your own personal reasoning and using your senses to understand the things of the spirit. The apostle Paul says it this way, "The natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." (1 Corinthians 2:14) Paul is not only referring to those who are spiritually dead, but he is also addressing Christians who are carnal. You cannot expect to know the things of God through the natural mind. Jesus said, "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life." (John 6:63) We can only discern or understand spiritual things through the spirit which requires true Bible faith.
So, if we do not want to miss the wonderful things that God has for His children then we must come to grips with what faith really is and shed all of the doubts that have been entertained in the mind. We must embrace God's Word with all of our heart. We must "...believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6) and remember, "God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good? (Numbers 23:19)
Monday, October 29, 2012
What do You Know
Throughout the ages, man has accumulated great amounts of knowledge. We have experienced advancements in the sciences that have led to many technological achievements. The majority of these advancements have come by way of mans ability to reason. In reality it comes down to the knowledge that his five senses can understand which I call sense knowledge. However, anything outside of the five senses that cannot be explained becomes a guess. For instance, Charles Darwin could not fully understand the reason for creation. He did not truly know the reason or origin of man, nor the origin of life, motion, matter or light. Therefore, at the end of what his senses could make tangible, he developed a system of nothing more than ideas, theories, that were unproven and today many accept as fact. The theory of evolution is a product of Darwin's lack of knowledge of the aforementioned things due to his rejection of a revelation of the Creator. His limitation was then transformed into nothing more the the great guess that has deceived man for over a century and a half.
Although man has advanced in many fields, he is still limited to what his senses can achieve. Many today refuse to step beyond the sense realm which keeps man in darkness and come into the light of revelation knowledge. It is the lack of the revelation of God that keeps man in this impassable chasm causing him to make one guess after another. This is not God's doing, For it is God, "who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." (1 Timothy 2:4) If Charles Darwin would have sought the Lord, he would have found Him and would have received the revelation knowledge that would have supplemented his limited sense knowledge. This would have brought him to a real conclusion of creation.
Jesus said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
(John 3:3) This is the only way that man can escape from his own thinking and see the things of God. Unfortunately, many church leaders today look to senses knowledge and have missed the freedom that comes with revelation knowledge. They say the Bible is the Word of God by totally deny it through their words and lack of action. The Bible stands alone among all of the books of the world as the book of a revelation from God to man. It presents a revelation of the origin and reason for man and creation as well as the origin of sin and mans redemption. It provides a revelation of the new creation in man through Jesus Christ and most important, it provides a revelation of God Himself, His nature, character, will, purposes and plan.
Many reject the reality of God because they say that they cannot see Him, hear Him or touch Him so He is not real. Well, think about this. Silent movies mean nothing to a person who is blind but it does not mean that they are not real. Radio means nothing to a person who is deaf but it does not mean that it is not real. In the same manner, God may mean nothing to the person of sense knowledge but in the same way it does not mean that He is not real.
Many Christians today also operate in the same realm of sense knowledge. They do indeed say that all things have been created by God, but when it comes to His nature, character, will, purposes and plan, they tend balk. They quickly return to reasoning and in doing so have limited God in their lives. God is not out of reach, He is not out of touch nor has He or His Word changed (Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8) So it stands to reason that if Christians are struggling in this life (apart from persecution for Christ's sake) then chances are they too are operating through their senses and not through revelation knowledge.
To grasp revelation knowledge is to let go of the senses and hold on to another intangible, faith. The writer of Hebrews says it this way, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1) In other words having the assured confidence that the things you want to happen will indeed happen even though there is no tangible evidence. This is the realm that makes the impossible, possible (Matthew 17:20) This is the only realm where God responds (Hebrews 11:6) and it is the realm that every Christian can walk in (Mark 9:23) So if you want to come into the realm of revelation knowledge, you must yield to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, believe God's Word has not changed nor will it change and then act upon His Word.
Although man has advanced in many fields, he is still limited to what his senses can achieve. Many today refuse to step beyond the sense realm which keeps man in darkness and come into the light of revelation knowledge. It is the lack of the revelation of God that keeps man in this impassable chasm causing him to make one guess after another. This is not God's doing, For it is God, "who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." (1 Timothy 2:4) If Charles Darwin would have sought the Lord, he would have found Him and would have received the revelation knowledge that would have supplemented his limited sense knowledge. This would have brought him to a real conclusion of creation.
Jesus said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
(John 3:3) This is the only way that man can escape from his own thinking and see the things of God. Unfortunately, many church leaders today look to senses knowledge and have missed the freedom that comes with revelation knowledge. They say the Bible is the Word of God by totally deny it through their words and lack of action. The Bible stands alone among all of the books of the world as the book of a revelation from God to man. It presents a revelation of the origin and reason for man and creation as well as the origin of sin and mans redemption. It provides a revelation of the new creation in man through Jesus Christ and most important, it provides a revelation of God Himself, His nature, character, will, purposes and plan.
Many reject the reality of God because they say that they cannot see Him, hear Him or touch Him so He is not real. Well, think about this. Silent movies mean nothing to a person who is blind but it does not mean that they are not real. Radio means nothing to a person who is deaf but it does not mean that it is not real. In the same manner, God may mean nothing to the person of sense knowledge but in the same way it does not mean that He is not real.
Many Christians today also operate in the same realm of sense knowledge. They do indeed say that all things have been created by God, but when it comes to His nature, character, will, purposes and plan, they tend balk. They quickly return to reasoning and in doing so have limited God in their lives. God is not out of reach, He is not out of touch nor has He or His Word changed (Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8) So it stands to reason that if Christians are struggling in this life (apart from persecution for Christ's sake) then chances are they too are operating through their senses and not through revelation knowledge.
To grasp revelation knowledge is to let go of the senses and hold on to another intangible, faith. The writer of Hebrews says it this way, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1) In other words having the assured confidence that the things you want to happen will indeed happen even though there is no tangible evidence. This is the realm that makes the impossible, possible (Matthew 17:20) This is the only realm where God responds (Hebrews 11:6) and it is the realm that every Christian can walk in (Mark 9:23) So if you want to come into the realm of revelation knowledge, you must yield to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, believe God's Word has not changed nor will it change and then act upon His Word.
Monday, October 22, 2012
Who Cares
There are numerous human frailties that the Bible deals with. Most of them rob Christians of the abundant life the Jesus promised. (John 10:10) One of these is worry. Jesus says it this way...
"Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? (Matthew 6:25) The first thing we see is Jesus dealing with human necessities which cause most people to worry. He finishes His statement with a question that we must truly consider, "Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?"
To answer that question, one must decide who it is that is master of their life. Jesus tells us, "No one can serve two masters..." (Matthew 6:24) Although Jesus is talking about serving God or wealth it still applies to each person when it comes to worrying. Worry allow one's mind to dwell on difficulty or troubles as well as excessive concern or uncertainty over actual or potential problems. Although the following statement will probably not go over well with some, the bottom line is, for a Christian, worry is sin. Why? It is an actual rejection of God's Word as the truth and the acceptance of what the world or the devil say is true. When we think about it, the world is filled with the ways of the devil and Jesus tells us that, "...there is no truth in him (the devil). When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it." (John 8:44) Trusting in what the world has to say rather than what God's Word says, not only promotes worry but again it is sin We may want to deny that worry is sin but Paul tells us, "...for whatever is not from faith is sin." (Romans 14:23)
Jesus uncovers the reason why worry takes hold of the Christians life, "...O you of little faith." (Matthew 6:30) Well you may say "I have faith" and you would be absolutely correct. The apostle Paul tells us in Romans, "...God has dealt to each one a measure of faith." (Romans 12:3) But what have you done with the faith that God has given to you? If you still deal with worry it is obvious that you have not permitted God's Word to take hold of your spirit therefore growing your faith, "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17) nor have you acted upon God's Word, "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves...I will show you my faith by my works." (James 1:22, 2:18)
You may be thinking, "well how can I rid myself of worry?" It is a training process that every Christian (if you worry) must work through. We begin with the obvious, "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." (Romans 12:2); "Be renewed in the spirit of your mind." (Ephesians 4:23) Renewing our minds with God's Word will cause us to speak about our circumstances completely different. The writer of Hebrews says, "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful." (Hebrews 10:23). Basically, a renewed mind in God's Word, changes what we think, what we think changes what we believe, what we believe is what we speak and what we speak is how we will act. By giving the Word of God the ascendancy in our life we will confess and stand on His Word not the circumstances of life. This will eliminate worry because we learn to let go of our ability and trust in God's ability. We learn to place our faith in and on God's Word. In doing so we will do as Peter tells us, "casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7) There is no sense in us worrying if God says that He is going to handle the problem.
Finally, Jesus also tells us that we are of more value to our heavenly Father than all the rest of creation and that the Father knows everything that we need. (Matthew 6:26-32) Take some time and meditate on this fact. You are of more value to the Father than ALL of creation. Mix this with faith and you will see worry flee as well as seeing the works of God manifest in your life. (John 5:20) .
"Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? (Matthew 6:25) The first thing we see is Jesus dealing with human necessities which cause most people to worry. He finishes His statement with a question that we must truly consider, "Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?"
To answer that question, one must decide who it is that is master of their life. Jesus tells us, "No one can serve two masters..." (Matthew 6:24) Although Jesus is talking about serving God or wealth it still applies to each person when it comes to worrying. Worry allow one's mind to dwell on difficulty or troubles as well as excessive concern or uncertainty over actual or potential problems. Although the following statement will probably not go over well with some, the bottom line is, for a Christian, worry is sin. Why? It is an actual rejection of God's Word as the truth and the acceptance of what the world or the devil say is true. When we think about it, the world is filled with the ways of the devil and Jesus tells us that, "...there is no truth in him (the devil). When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it." (John 8:44) Trusting in what the world has to say rather than what God's Word says, not only promotes worry but again it is sin We may want to deny that worry is sin but Paul tells us, "...for whatever is not from faith is sin." (Romans 14:23)
Jesus uncovers the reason why worry takes hold of the Christians life, "...O you of little faith." (Matthew 6:30) Well you may say "I have faith" and you would be absolutely correct. The apostle Paul tells us in Romans, "...God has dealt to each one a measure of faith." (Romans 12:3) But what have you done with the faith that God has given to you? If you still deal with worry it is obvious that you have not permitted God's Word to take hold of your spirit therefore growing your faith, "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17) nor have you acted upon God's Word, "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves...I will show you my faith by my works." (James 1:22, 2:18)
You may be thinking, "well how can I rid myself of worry?" It is a training process that every Christian (if you worry) must work through. We begin with the obvious, "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." (Romans 12:2); "Be renewed in the spirit of your mind." (Ephesians 4:23) Renewing our minds with God's Word will cause us to speak about our circumstances completely different. The writer of Hebrews says, "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful." (Hebrews 10:23). Basically, a renewed mind in God's Word, changes what we think, what we think changes what we believe, what we believe is what we speak and what we speak is how we will act. By giving the Word of God the ascendancy in our life we will confess and stand on His Word not the circumstances of life. This will eliminate worry because we learn to let go of our ability and trust in God's ability. We learn to place our faith in and on God's Word. In doing so we will do as Peter tells us, "casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7) There is no sense in us worrying if God says that He is going to handle the problem.
Finally, Jesus also tells us that we are of more value to our heavenly Father than all the rest of creation and that the Father knows everything that we need. (Matthew 6:26-32) Take some time and meditate on this fact. You are of more value to the Father than ALL of creation. Mix this with faith and you will see worry flee as well as seeing the works of God manifest in your life. (John 5:20) .
Monday, October 15, 2012
Living the Dream
When you here the phrase "Living the Dream" it is mostly used to describe ones success or personal achievement(s) that has made their life what they had hoped (dreamed) it would be. The Bible reveals two kinds of life and although there are several Greeks words for life, we will look at the two that are used the most to describe the life of mankind . The first word is "psuche" which means "natural human life" and the other word is "zoe" which means "life as God has it; everlasting life or eternal life." Most Christians tend to only see life from the natural perspective. This is very unfortunate, because those who only see life from the natural are robbed of the truth that sets us free.
Jesus made some incredible remarks pertaining to life (zoe). Here are just a few...
John 5:24 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.
John 10:10 "...I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."
John 14:6 "Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life."
The apostle John says...
John 20:31 "...these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name."
Observing these few scriptures we see that the believer is not to muddle through life here on earth struggling in the natural kind of life. Believers are to enjoy the abundant "life as God has it." What does this mean? It means living the dream. One day, before we let Christ enter our life, we were all living in the natural realm of life. We were spiritually dead and did not understand that we were partakers of the fallen nature that was ruled by our flesh. We did not understand that man's fallen nature is the very nature of Satan. (John 8:44) We did not realize that all sin, misery, sickness or as the apostle Paul reveals, the works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21) were working death in us. But the time came when God began to draw us to His Son (John 6:44) and we confessed the Lordship of Jesus and received Him as Savior.
Even though many people have received Christ as Lord and Savior, a serious problem still exists in their life. Today, most Christians still equate sickness, disease, financial struggles, premature death and so on as a part of the Christian life. Many Christians blame God when these things come upon themselves, a loved one or someone they know? Many Christians see these things as part of God's sovereign plan for their life? Honestly, does this sound like "life as God has it?" Does this sound anything like what Jesus or John said in the above scriptures? Think about what they both said, "that they may have life (zoe), and that they may have it more abundantly."..."that believing you may have life (zoe) in His name."
When one confesses the Lordship of Jesus Christ and accepts Him as Savior, God immediately gives life as He has it, eternal life. Think about it from another perspective...
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation." (2 Corinthians 5:17-18) Your spirit is made a new creation. This is an actual transformation of your old fallen, fleshly, satanic nature into the nature of God or "life as God has it." Now you can certainly allow the old nature to have place, but in God's eyes, it has been wipe completely out "old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." (PTL)
As New Creation we are no longer sinners, beggars or even servants, but sons and daughter of the Living God. (John 1:12, Romans 8:16, 1 John 3:1) Look at what Jesus says, "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him." (Matthew 7:11) Now let's think about this logically. If you were a parent who had only one child, would you want your child to have a life of sickness and misery? If you were a parent and had two or more children, would you want one of them to enjoy a good life and the others to struggle with sickness or misery? What about if one of your children did something that you did not approve of, would you want sickness or misery to come upon them as a means to correct them or change their character? Absolutely not to all of these questions!!!
Then why is it that most Christians, either consciously or subconsciously treat God as a failure of a Father? That some how He allows sickness and misery to come upon His children when we as parents would not even think such things for our children? Can you see that even logically this kind of thinking is completely twisted and contrary to the very nature of God? The sad thing is, most Pastors teach these things from pulpits all around the world and in doing so, those who listen and believe these things will live under the bondage of Satan in the natural life. I did not say that they are going to hell or that they do not love the Lord. I am saying that they are not living the life that God has provided through His Son Jesus Christ.
My heart breaks when I listen to church leaders, through their own ignorance of scripture, their lack of faith and a true knowledge of God's nature, talk about our heavenly Father as a loving God (He most certainly is) who allows sickness and misery to be upon His children. That He allows sickness and misery to come upon His children as some mysterious blessings. That He uses sickness and misery as a way to discipline His children. That sickness and misery is one of His ways to either draw His children closer to Him or some sort of training tool to grow their faith. Jesus said, "Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed." (John 8:36) So, if you have received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, then you are free to live the rest of your life right here on planet earth experiencing "life as God has it", free of sickness, disease, financial struggles, premature death, misery and so on beginning now!!!
"Jesus said to him, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes." (Mark 9:23) This means YOU!!! (Hallelujah)
Jesus made some incredible remarks pertaining to life (zoe). Here are just a few...
John 5:24 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.
John 10:10 "...I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."
John 14:6 "Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life."
The apostle John says...
John 20:31 "...these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name."
Observing these few scriptures we see that the believer is not to muddle through life here on earth struggling in the natural kind of life. Believers are to enjoy the abundant "life as God has it." What does this mean? It means living the dream. One day, before we let Christ enter our life, we were all living in the natural realm of life. We were spiritually dead and did not understand that we were partakers of the fallen nature that was ruled by our flesh. We did not understand that man's fallen nature is the very nature of Satan. (John 8:44) We did not realize that all sin, misery, sickness or as the apostle Paul reveals, the works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21) were working death in us. But the time came when God began to draw us to His Son (John 6:44) and we confessed the Lordship of Jesus and received Him as Savior.
Even though many people have received Christ as Lord and Savior, a serious problem still exists in their life. Today, most Christians still equate sickness, disease, financial struggles, premature death and so on as a part of the Christian life. Many Christians blame God when these things come upon themselves, a loved one or someone they know? Many Christians see these things as part of God's sovereign plan for their life? Honestly, does this sound like "life as God has it?" Does this sound anything like what Jesus or John said in the above scriptures? Think about what they both said, "that they may have life (zoe), and that they may have it more abundantly."..."that believing you may have life (zoe) in His name."
When one confesses the Lordship of Jesus Christ and accepts Him as Savior, God immediately gives life as He has it, eternal life. Think about it from another perspective...
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation." (2 Corinthians 5:17-18) Your spirit is made a new creation. This is an actual transformation of your old fallen, fleshly, satanic nature into the nature of God or "life as God has it." Now you can certainly allow the old nature to have place, but in God's eyes, it has been wipe completely out "old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." (PTL)
As New Creation we are no longer sinners, beggars or even servants, but sons and daughter of the Living God. (John 1:12, Romans 8:16, 1 John 3:1) Look at what Jesus says, "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him." (Matthew 7:11) Now let's think about this logically. If you were a parent who had only one child, would you want your child to have a life of sickness and misery? If you were a parent and had two or more children, would you want one of them to enjoy a good life and the others to struggle with sickness or misery? What about if one of your children did something that you did not approve of, would you want sickness or misery to come upon them as a means to correct them or change their character? Absolutely not to all of these questions!!!
Then why is it that most Christians, either consciously or subconsciously treat God as a failure of a Father? That some how He allows sickness and misery to come upon His children when we as parents would not even think such things for our children? Can you see that even logically this kind of thinking is completely twisted and contrary to the very nature of God? The sad thing is, most Pastors teach these things from pulpits all around the world and in doing so, those who listen and believe these things will live under the bondage of Satan in the natural life. I did not say that they are going to hell or that they do not love the Lord. I am saying that they are not living the life that God has provided through His Son Jesus Christ.
My heart breaks when I listen to church leaders, through their own ignorance of scripture, their lack of faith and a true knowledge of God's nature, talk about our heavenly Father as a loving God (He most certainly is) who allows sickness and misery to be upon His children. That He allows sickness and misery to come upon His children as some mysterious blessings. That He uses sickness and misery as a way to discipline His children. That sickness and misery is one of His ways to either draw His children closer to Him or some sort of training tool to grow their faith. Jesus said, "Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed." (John 8:36) So, if you have received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, then you are free to live the rest of your life right here on planet earth experiencing "life as God has it", free of sickness, disease, financial struggles, premature death, misery and so on beginning now!!!
"Jesus said to him, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes." (Mark 9:23) This means YOU!!! (Hallelujah)
Monday, October 8, 2012
Who is the Strong Man Now
As I meet with fellow ministers and listen to the words that come from their lips my heart sometimes sinks. It is almost as if Jesus only came to earth to forgive sin, and the results of life on the earth for the Christian is nothing more than a life of weakness, disappointment and misery. That Christians are nothing more than weak sinful church goer that God has saved from hell and some day when we pass from this life to the next we will finally have the victory.
Well, if you have been trained to think along these lines than I have some good news for you. The days of oppression are over (actually they were over when Jesus was raised from the dead). Satan has receive a paralyzing blow through the meritorious work of Jesus and has been rendered harmless and ineffective against the believer. How do I know this? "No one can enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. and then he will plunder his house." (Mark 3:27) Jesus has bound the strong man (Satan). Look at what the Word of God also says about these things...
John 10:10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
Acts 10:38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.
1 John 3:8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.
Colossians 2:15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.
Hebrews 2:14-15 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
Does any of this indicate that the devil has any authority or dominion over the believer? Absolutely not! Well if the devil has had his authority and dominion over the believer taken away then this means that everything that is of or from him also has been extinguished such as, fear, doubt; sickness, poverty all manner of evil, etc. Jesus is now Lord and the believer is identified with Him...
2 Corinthians 5:17-18 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ…
Colossians 1:13-14 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.
1 Corinthians 3:16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
1 Corinthians 6:19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?
Romans 5:1 Therefore, having been justified (declared righteous) by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
Romans 8:16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God
Do you see that? When one confesses with their mouth the Lord Jesus Christ, believes in their heart that God raised Him from the dead, they instantaneously are transformed into the very things that the above scriptures tell us. Believers are no longer beggars and sinners, but as Paul tells us by the Holy Spirit, "...put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness." (Ephesians 4:24) Isn't this great news. Can you now understand that when Jesus said, "Therefore if the Son make you free, you shall be free indeed." (John 8:36) that you are completely free of all the works of the devil? Makes you want to jump up and shout, "Thank You Jesus."
So let us put our foot down and cast away the erroneous doctrines of man and know that the words that Jesus spoke have as much power today as they did when He spoke them...
Matthew 7:11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!
Matthew 18:19 Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven
Matthew 17:20 for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you
Matthew 21:21-22 So Jesus answered and said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' it will be done. And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive."
Mark 9:23 Jesus said to him, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes."
Mark 11:23-24 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.
Finally, I want to leave you with this last thought, no word from God is void of power. Do you believe this?
Well, if you have been trained to think along these lines than I have some good news for you. The days of oppression are over (actually they were over when Jesus was raised from the dead). Satan has receive a paralyzing blow through the meritorious work of Jesus and has been rendered harmless and ineffective against the believer. How do I know this? "No one can enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. and then he will plunder his house." (Mark 3:27) Jesus has bound the strong man (Satan). Look at what the Word of God also says about these things...
John 10:10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
Acts 10:38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.
1 John 3:8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.
Colossians 2:15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.
Hebrews 2:14-15 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
Does any of this indicate that the devil has any authority or dominion over the believer? Absolutely not! Well if the devil has had his authority and dominion over the believer taken away then this means that everything that is of or from him also has been extinguished such as, fear, doubt; sickness, poverty all manner of evil, etc. Jesus is now Lord and the believer is identified with Him...
2 Corinthians 5:17-18 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ…
Colossians 1:13-14 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.
1 Corinthians 3:16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
1 Corinthians 6:19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?
Romans 5:1 Therefore, having been justified (declared righteous) by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
Romans 8:16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God
Do you see that? When one confesses with their mouth the Lord Jesus Christ, believes in their heart that God raised Him from the dead, they instantaneously are transformed into the very things that the above scriptures tell us. Believers are no longer beggars and sinners, but as Paul tells us by the Holy Spirit, "...put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness." (Ephesians 4:24) Isn't this great news. Can you now understand that when Jesus said, "Therefore if the Son make you free, you shall be free indeed." (John 8:36) that you are completely free of all the works of the devil? Makes you want to jump up and shout, "Thank You Jesus."
So let us put our foot down and cast away the erroneous doctrines of man and know that the words that Jesus spoke have as much power today as they did when He spoke them...
Matthew 7:11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!
Matthew 18:19 Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven
Matthew 17:20 for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you
Matthew 21:21-22 So Jesus answered and said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' it will be done. And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive."
Mark 9:23 Jesus said to him, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes."
Mark 11:23-24 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.
Finally, I want to leave you with this last thought, no word from God is void of power. Do you believe this?
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