Colossians 1:12-13 (KJV)
“12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son”
Epaphras visited Paul’s ministry in Ephesus and so moved by the Gospel he returned to Colossae and began to share the good news with those who would listen. As a result, the church was birthed in his home town (Colossians 1:7).
After the city became influenced by the Gospel, those who had chosen to believe struggled with the back lash of influence given by the city. The two strongest influences were Gnosticism and Judaism.
They are reminded to give thanks unto Father God. This reminds us of our adoption and that we are family. Our greatest family connection in all this is we have the same Father. As a result, our inheritance is this; we get to see things from His perspective.
There is a light in us superseding all other lights. We have been delivered from the power of darkness and have been translated into the kingdom of His dear Son (King Jesus). Being translated into His Kingdom is when His way of seeing, doing, and being becomes ours.
All the “Ism’s” manifesting in our world today and their influences as with the saints in Colossae cannot match the light radiating from our Father. This light is relational – He is our Father and we are His children; it is as we relate to Dad that we get to see, do, and be like Him – this is the Son’s Kingdom.
Saturday, June 28, 2014
Friday, June 27, 2014
LATER ALIGATOR
Luke 18:31-34 (KJV)
“31 Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished.
32 For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on:
33 And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again.
34 And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.”
They had this look in their eyes with Jesus many times, like a cow hunting for an acorn in a snow storm. Jesus did His work and told them; He knew the Holy Spirit would come to do His work and turn it to life later.
The Holy Spirit is all about resurrecting things and making better sense of it after the fact. “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you” (Romans 8:11).
Sometimes things are hidden from us; not that God is hiding them, it is the way we see things in the present hiding what is to come to pass. We struggle with how things are taken from us so God can add to us. Jesus being taken from them in the manner He was to be taken did not make any sense at all; even to the point, their present paradigm dismissed what He said about the future.
How many things are we dismissing because of faulty paradigms? All I can say is “later alligator.” Some things we have to live through and see die before the Holy Spirit can resurrect it to life.
“31 Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished.
32 For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on:
33 And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again.
34 And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.”
They had this look in their eyes with Jesus many times, like a cow hunting for an acorn in a snow storm. Jesus did His work and told them; He knew the Holy Spirit would come to do His work and turn it to life later.
The Holy Spirit is all about resurrecting things and making better sense of it after the fact. “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you” (Romans 8:11).
Sometimes things are hidden from us; not that God is hiding them, it is the way we see things in the present hiding what is to come to pass. We struggle with how things are taken from us so God can add to us. Jesus being taken from them in the manner He was to be taken did not make any sense at all; even to the point, their present paradigm dismissed what He said about the future.
How many things are we dismissing because of faulty paradigms? All I can say is “later alligator.” Some things we have to live through and see die before the Holy Spirit can resurrect it to life.
Thursday, June 26, 2014
JUST DO IT
Luke 8:19-21 (KJV)
“19 Then came to him his mother and his brethren, and could not come at him for the press.
20 And it was told him by certain which said, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee.
21 And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.”
Doing the Word of God runs deeper than blood. Here is this “hearing and doing” thing again. Experience is the revelation of doing. There are some things we cannot do effectively until we have done it. There are some “know how’s” that can only be known by doing. God’s Word is one of them.
Speaking of revelation, Jesus is the Word; therefore, doing Jesus would be doing the Word. This is why He said “…learn of me…” Many deliberate the Word until it is deluded to interpretation. Simply doing it will give us understanding we cannot have metaphysically. Once we have done it and it works for us or even with us, we have it and it has us.
“19 Then came to him his mother and his brethren, and could not come at him for the press.
20 And it was told him by certain which said, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee.
21 And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.”
Doing the Word of God runs deeper than blood. Here is this “hearing and doing” thing again. Experience is the revelation of doing. There are some things we cannot do effectively until we have done it. There are some “know how’s” that can only be known by doing. God’s Word is one of them.
Speaking of revelation, Jesus is the Word; therefore, doing Jesus would be doing the Word. This is why He said “…learn of me…” Many deliberate the Word until it is deluded to interpretation. Simply doing it will give us understanding we cannot have metaphysically. Once we have done it and it works for us or even with us, we have it and it has us.
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
THANK YOU
Jesus You came, not that You weren’t here before; You came
as one of us, You wore our skin and journeyed from birth to death as we do.
Amazing, how can I not acknowledge You? You made the choice for me and countless
others; I simply make You my choice.
As limited as I am, You even the odds, and the fact You came
and that I simply believe You did continues to do in me what I cannot do in and
of myself. Thank You.
HEARING AND DOING
Luke 6:49 (KJV)
"49 But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great."
Our heavenly Father considered hearing and doing one in the same under the Old Covenant – Jesus His only begotten Son considers them the same under the New Covenant. As far as they are both concerned, if we are not doing we have not heard. Faith cometh by hearing and hearing comes by the Word. What are we hearing? Are we hearing anything at all?
"49 But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great."
Our heavenly Father considered hearing and doing one in the same under the Old Covenant – Jesus His only begotten Son considers them the same under the New Covenant. As far as they are both concerned, if we are not doing we have not heard. Faith cometh by hearing and hearing comes by the Word. What are we hearing? Are we hearing anything at all?
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
MERCY
Luke 6:27-36 (KJV)
“27 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
29 And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also.
30 Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.
31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
32 For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.
33 And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.
34 And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.”
Jesus is life altering. I would love to comment on each action He spoke of here; rather, I will discuss the nature of it all. Basically, Jesus addresses our reactions. Acts against us as individuals should not alter our choice to love. This tells us something very significant about love; love exists as much for the undeserving as it does for the deserving. Acts against us are the greatest opportunities to give what has been given to us by God. “Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful” (vs.36).
Our capacity to give mercy is measured by our ability to acknowledge and value the mercy given to us. Let’s let mercy do in us what it longs to do in others.
“27 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
29 And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also.
30 Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.
31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
32 For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.
33 And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.
34 And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.”
Jesus is life altering. I would love to comment on each action He spoke of here; rather, I will discuss the nature of it all. Basically, Jesus addresses our reactions. Acts against us as individuals should not alter our choice to love. This tells us something very significant about love; love exists as much for the undeserving as it does for the deserving. Acts against us are the greatest opportunities to give what has been given to us by God. “Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful” (vs.36).
Our capacity to give mercy is measured by our ability to acknowledge and value the mercy given to us. Let’s let mercy do in us what it longs to do in others.
Monday, June 23, 2014
PLANTED
Isaiah 61:1-4
"1 The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
2 to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy ...for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
4 And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations."
"1 The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
2 to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy ...for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
4 And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations."
Trees are not transit they are established permanently. They become apart of the earth where they are planted. They will do one or the other, “thrive and survive” or they will “wilt and die.” Their survival comes from daily resources of which they draw from. They draw from the storms and the sunny days, they draw from the soil and the wind that blows, they need it all to grow.
Isaiah describes those who are anointed as the planting of the Lord as trees of righteousness; he describes the anointed as those who are appointed. Therefore, it can be said that we are anointed and appointed with a purpose in mind. We are appointed to those that mourn to those who are lamenting and living their lives in regret.
Regret is a sense of loss and longing for someone or something gone; regret can be a feeling of disappointment or distress about something that one wish could be different. In our text it is a reference to those in Israel lamenting the loss of their homeland and with it a loss of their identity and sense of belonging.
Their condition was self afflicted they brought it upon themselves; nonetheless, their mourning was very real, they had become a very regretful people wishing that things were different.
Regret can leave one with the feelings of abandonment, discouragement, and even bitterness. These feelings become so deep that it blinds the mind of seeing any hope or encouragement, everything in life is laced with this negative view of things.
The anointed of the Lord are to build up the waste places, we are to build up the desolate, we are to repair the waste cities, and we are to heal the desolations of the generations devastated by their self afflictions.
This will take commitment, deep consideration and understanding of the twisted. The anointing is a power that unveils truth in the midst of lies, disfigurement, and convoluted distress. The anointed must be untwisted themselves that they may untwist the twisted.
Isaiah describes those who are anointed as the planting of the Lord as trees of righteousness; he describes the anointed as those who are appointed. Therefore, it can be said that we are anointed and appointed with a purpose in mind. We are appointed to those that mourn to those who are lamenting and living their lives in regret.
Regret is a sense of loss and longing for someone or something gone; regret can be a feeling of disappointment or distress about something that one wish could be different. In our text it is a reference to those in Israel lamenting the loss of their homeland and with it a loss of their identity and sense of belonging.
Their condition was self afflicted they brought it upon themselves; nonetheless, their mourning was very real, they had become a very regretful people wishing that things were different.
Regret can leave one with the feelings of abandonment, discouragement, and even bitterness. These feelings become so deep that it blinds the mind of seeing any hope or encouragement, everything in life is laced with this negative view of things.
The anointed of the Lord are to build up the waste places, we are to build up the desolate, we are to repair the waste cities, and we are to heal the desolations of the generations devastated by their self afflictions.
This will take commitment, deep consideration and understanding of the twisted. The anointing is a power that unveils truth in the midst of lies, disfigurement, and convoluted distress. The anointed must be untwisted themselves that they may untwist the twisted.
Saturday, June 21, 2014
YIELD
Romans 6:12-14 (KJV)
"12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace."...
Have you ever been sick and tired of being sick and tired? Who is in control here? Will we submit to the tyrant abusing us or the one who truly wants to save us? Okay, maybe I have asked enough questions that we might understand what this scripture may being saying with words like, reign, obey, and dominion.
Simple as this, sin takes place where something is broken, dysfunctional, and miserable, righteousness takes place where things are healed and reconciled. Do we want to remain broken down, dysfunctional, and miserable, or, do we prefer to be healed and reconciled?
It all boils down to who we yield our members to; who will we surrender to. Sin seeks to control us; actually, underneath the sin are those things that leave us broken down or dysfunctional these are the tyrants. God simply wants to heal us, to love us, He longs for things to be right between us. He longs for relationship that is free flowing and He refuse to be in a relationship that is strained by control and manipulation.
Which sounds more inviting when it comes to yielding – Law or Grace / Bondage or Freedom? God gave the law to reveal sin and its slavery then He gave us grace to reveal righteousness and its freedom.
"12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace."...
Have you ever been sick and tired of being sick and tired? Who is in control here? Will we submit to the tyrant abusing us or the one who truly wants to save us? Okay, maybe I have asked enough questions that we might understand what this scripture may being saying with words like, reign, obey, and dominion.
Simple as this, sin takes place where something is broken, dysfunctional, and miserable, righteousness takes place where things are healed and reconciled. Do we want to remain broken down, dysfunctional, and miserable, or, do we prefer to be healed and reconciled?
It all boils down to who we yield our members to; who will we surrender to. Sin seeks to control us; actually, underneath the sin are those things that leave us broken down or dysfunctional these are the tyrants. God simply wants to heal us, to love us, He longs for things to be right between us. He longs for relationship that is free flowing and He refuse to be in a relationship that is strained by control and manipulation.
Which sounds more inviting when it comes to yielding – Law or Grace / Bondage or Freedom? God gave the law to reveal sin and its slavery then He gave us grace to reveal righteousness and its freedom.
Thursday, June 19, 2014
BEHAVE
1 Thessalonians 2:1-12 (NASB77)
"1 For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain,
2 but after we had already suffered and been mistreated in Philippi, as you know, we had the boldness in our God to speak to you the gospel of God amid much opposition.
3 For our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit; ...
4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men but God, who examines our hearts.
5 For we never came with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed-- God is witness--
6 nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, even though as apostles of Christ we might have asserted our authority.
7 But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children.
8 Having thus a fond affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us.
9 For you recall, brethren, our labor and hardship, how working night and day so as not to be a burden to any of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.
10 You are witnesses, and so is God, how devoutly and uprightly and blamelessly we behaved toward you believers;
11 just as you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father would his own children,
12 so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory."
The work of an apostle is to both preach and live (behave) the Gospel. Actually, the preaching of the Gospel is authentic only when it is a manifestation out of one who lives it; Gospel behavior precedes knowledge when imparted appropriately. Jesus was full of grace and truth (John 1:14). The grace we give empowers the truth we give. Take it from the apostle, the only reason we have anything to give is because it has been given to us.
“I like my friend Steve Fry’s recent take on authority. My rough paraphrase: ‘Authority is not so much about power and control and submission to leadership, it is “author-ity” – creating, originating.’…” (David Baroni – Dreams, Kings and Unseen Things).
To know nothing save Jesus Christ and Him crucified is to carry splinters from the greatest plus sign known to humanity (the cross +). The splinters we have to offer supersede our evaluations of shortcomings or shortness in others. Glory (revelation) exudes from the cross, when offered as recipient to its power and wisdom, we offer creativity and ability.
Behave.
"1 For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain,
2 but after we had already suffered and been mistreated in Philippi, as you know, we had the boldness in our God to speak to you the gospel of God amid much opposition.
3 For our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit; ...
4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men but God, who examines our hearts.
5 For we never came with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed-- God is witness--
6 nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, even though as apostles of Christ we might have asserted our authority.
7 But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children.
8 Having thus a fond affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us.
9 For you recall, brethren, our labor and hardship, how working night and day so as not to be a burden to any of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.
10 You are witnesses, and so is God, how devoutly and uprightly and blamelessly we behaved toward you believers;
11 just as you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father would his own children,
12 so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory."
The work of an apostle is to both preach and live (behave) the Gospel. Actually, the preaching of the Gospel is authentic only when it is a manifestation out of one who lives it; Gospel behavior precedes knowledge when imparted appropriately. Jesus was full of grace and truth (John 1:14). The grace we give empowers the truth we give. Take it from the apostle, the only reason we have anything to give is because it has been given to us.
“I like my friend Steve Fry’s recent take on authority. My rough paraphrase: ‘Authority is not so much about power and control and submission to leadership, it is “author-ity” – creating, originating.’…” (David Baroni – Dreams, Kings and Unseen Things).
To know nothing save Jesus Christ and Him crucified is to carry splinters from the greatest plus sign known to humanity (the cross +). The splinters we have to offer supersede our evaluations of shortcomings or shortness in others. Glory (revelation) exudes from the cross, when offered as recipient to its power and wisdom, we offer creativity and ability.
Behave.
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
SING
Ephesians 5:18-21 (KJV)
“18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.”
If we allowed it our life could be a musical. Being filled with the Spirit brings about a sound in us waiting to be released every time we come together. Harmony brings multiple sounds together, the sound in you and the sound in me is coming from the same Holy Ghost when we allow ourselves to be full of Him.
Singing in the choir takes on a new meaning if we can catch it. Being in fellowship with God strengthens our fellowship with each other; actually, the Holy Ghost inside us is the choir director, He can direct our voices into the places they belong.
When God’s presence becomes our song we can’t help but sing and is when our harmony becomes one voice of thanksgiving to our KING (Jesus).
“18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.”
If we allowed it our life could be a musical. Being filled with the Spirit brings about a sound in us waiting to be released every time we come together. Harmony brings multiple sounds together, the sound in you and the sound in me is coming from the same Holy Ghost when we allow ourselves to be full of Him.
Singing in the choir takes on a new meaning if we can catch it. Being in fellowship with God strengthens our fellowship with each other; actually, the Holy Ghost inside us is the choir director, He can direct our voices into the places they belong.
When God’s presence becomes our song we can’t help but sing and is when our harmony becomes one voice of thanksgiving to our KING (Jesus).
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
RECEIVE
John 1:12-13 (KJV)
“12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”
This was the mindset Melchisedec had, “To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually” (Hebrews 7:2-3). Adopting this mindset is the power to become and is how we accept our adoption. Being accepted in the beloved is as much about us accepting our adoption as being adopted.
Kingdom power and authority is embedded the Saviors sacrifice (Revelation 1:5-6). Breaking ties with this world and our connections to it is not living in denial that we are humans it is living in the revelation that we are becoming sons of God; we have a heavenly Father who loves us and is for us and not against us. Being Born of the Spirit is simply being born of God; we become His children and He becomes our Father.
“12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”
This was the mindset Melchisedec had, “To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually” (Hebrews 7:2-3). Adopting this mindset is the power to become and is how we accept our adoption. Being accepted in the beloved is as much about us accepting our adoption as being adopted.
Kingdom power and authority is embedded the Saviors sacrifice (Revelation 1:5-6). Breaking ties with this world and our connections to it is not living in denial that we are humans it is living in the revelation that we are becoming sons of God; we have a heavenly Father who loves us and is for us and not against us. Being Born of the Spirit is simply being born of God; we become His children and He becomes our Father.
Monday, June 16, 2014
COMMITTED
Titus 1:2-3 (KJV)
“2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
3 But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour…”
I am not Paul; however, I do share in his words. Been preaching since I was nine years old; God has committed this to me. It began with the kitchen chairs at home after school alone; after lining the chairs up like chur...ch pews I would take the family Bible almost larger than me and let them have it.
There was this one chair bent out of shape and seem to oppose every message I preached. Guess God was getting me ready for humans. When God commits something to you there is no room for questioning, only obedience. Never had it me to question God on whether He had missed it or not. His Word is manifested through preaching, it is a command not a volunteer position.
Eternal life has been promised to us before the world began. All this started before I got here and it will continue when I am gone. By His grace I will continue in that which He has committed to me; my very existence depends on it.
“2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
3 But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour…”
I am not Paul; however, I do share in his words. Been preaching since I was nine years old; God has committed this to me. It began with the kitchen chairs at home after school alone; after lining the chairs up like chur...ch pews I would take the family Bible almost larger than me and let them have it.
There was this one chair bent out of shape and seem to oppose every message I preached. Guess God was getting me ready for humans. When God commits something to you there is no room for questioning, only obedience. Never had it me to question God on whether He had missed it or not. His Word is manifested through preaching, it is a command not a volunteer position.
Eternal life has been promised to us before the world began. All this started before I got here and it will continue when I am gone. By His grace I will continue in that which He has committed to me; my very existence depends on it.
Saturday, June 14, 2014
REFRESHING FOLKS
1 Corinthians 16:17-18 (KJV)
“17 I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied.
18 For they have refreshed my spirit and yours: therefore acknowledge ye them that are such.”
There are some folks like this and when you know who they are it would be good to hang out with them more often.
“17 I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied.
18 For they have refreshed my spirit and yours: therefore acknowledge ye them that are such.”
There are some folks like this and when you know who they are it would be good to hang out with them more often.
Friday, June 13, 2014
THE FOUNTAIN
Psalm 36:7-9
“7 How precious is your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings.
8 You feed them from the abundance of your own house, letting them drink from your river of delights.
9 For you are the fountain of life, the light by which we see.” ...
Fountain implies a natural flow; God’s unfailing love, or lovingkindness flows out of who He is. It is in His being to be, it is not coerced or conjured; God simply is and why He referred to Himself as “I am.”
He chooses to be nothing else other than who He is and is why 2 Timothy 2:13 says, “If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.”
Nothing can stop Him up or plug Him up, He is a free flowing fountain of life; He is our life source and He is our light source. It is in Him we can live and in living can see.
“7 How precious is your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings.
8 You feed them from the abundance of your own house, letting them drink from your river of delights.
9 For you are the fountain of life, the light by which we see.” ...
Fountain implies a natural flow; God’s unfailing love, or lovingkindness flows out of who He is. It is in His being to be, it is not coerced or conjured; God simply is and why He referred to Himself as “I am.”
He chooses to be nothing else other than who He is and is why 2 Timothy 2:13 says, “If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.”
Nothing can stop Him up or plug Him up, He is a free flowing fountain of life; He is our life source and He is our light source. It is in Him we can live and in living can see.
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
HIS MISSION
Romans 8:26-27 (KJV)
"26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God."
The Holy Spirit is our greatest intercessor, trust Him, He knows the Father’s will. He is our counselor, the one who walks beside us, He knows our will also. When we submit to Him He reconciles the two, this is His mission, this is His intercession; bringing our hearts in alignment with the Father’s heart.
"26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God."
The Holy Spirit is our greatest intercessor, trust Him, He knows the Father’s will. He is our counselor, the one who walks beside us, He knows our will also. When we submit to Him He reconciles the two, this is His mission, this is His intercession; bringing our hearts in alignment with the Father’s heart.
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
THE DOOR
Matthew 12:1-14
There is a door when opened our election or what we have been chosen for is discovered. Jesus said, “For many are called, but few are chosen” (Matthew 22:14). Wearing Jesus comes from putting Him on every chance we get. “But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof” (Romans 13:14). The grace we are given teaches us to “deny” the flesh its request. To walk in grace is to learn how to deny ourselves of invitations subverting His invitations.
Do we push the door open or does it open on its own? There are those who have tried to push it open with garments of iniquity and the door replies – depart from me I never knew you. We cannot know how He feels unless we have chosen to wear Him when the flesh has called us to participate. Wearing Him in our places of weakness is when His greatest strength is realized.
Celebrating His Kingdom can only be attended by those who have learned to wear Him because He fits. It is one thing to be invited it is another to find ourselves there because the Father has dressed us time and time again because His heart is for us to be there.
Many are called, but few are chosen. Jesus is the door and when opened we can freely walk into the celebration with an understanding that comes from wearing Him, and when the Father ask why are we here; we can answer, because You have dressed us to be here.
2 Peter 1:10-11
10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
There is a door when opened our election or what we have been chosen for is discovered. Jesus said, “For many are called, but few are chosen” (Matthew 22:14). Wearing Jesus comes from putting Him on every chance we get. “But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof” (Romans 13:14). The grace we are given teaches us to “deny” the flesh its request. To walk in grace is to learn how to deny ourselves of invitations subverting His invitations.
Do we push the door open or does it open on its own? There are those who have tried to push it open with garments of iniquity and the door replies – depart from me I never knew you. We cannot know how He feels unless we have chosen to wear Him when the flesh has called us to participate. Wearing Him in our places of weakness is when His greatest strength is realized.
Celebrating His Kingdom can only be attended by those who have learned to wear Him because He fits. It is one thing to be invited it is another to find ourselves there because the Father has dressed us time and time again because His heart is for us to be there.
Many are called, but few are chosen. Jesus is the door and when opened we can freely walk into the celebration with an understanding that comes from wearing Him, and when the Father ask why are we here; we can answer, because You have dressed us to be here.
2 Peter 1:10-11
10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Saturday, June 7, 2014
LOVE LANGUAGE
1 John 2:3-5 (KJV)
“3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.”
Herein is God’s Love language. It speaks louder than words. Our actions express more than we can ever imagine. What we do marks us as liars or as true and authentic.
“3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.”
Herein is God’s Love language. It speaks louder than words. Our actions express more than we can ever imagine. What we do marks us as liars or as true and authentic.
Friday, June 6, 2014
GIFTED
James 1:12-18 ESV
“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Th...en desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.”
This really is a gift from God; the ability to say no to temptation, to say no to sin. It is not ironic that wisdom is mentioned in this process and that being gifted is also. In the Old Covenant when it came to having the skill and ability to work with silver and gold providing instruments to the tabernacle, it is said, God had given them wisdom.
Therefore, their wisdom was afforded to them by God which gave them the ability to work with gold and silver as craftsmen; this is being gifted by God through wisdom.
Jesus is the power of God and He is the wisdom of God (1Corinthians 1:24), He in us becomes our power or ability and He becomes our wisdom in doing and being. Learning how to submit to Jesus in our temptations is a skill (wisdom and ability) afforded to us by God. This makes our ability to say no to sin as being a gift from God.
No matter the temptation there are no variations or shadows due to change when it comes to Jesus in us; He is our power and He is our wisdom in every situation – we are gifted by the greatest gift – JESUS.
“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Th...en desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.”
This really is a gift from God; the ability to say no to temptation, to say no to sin. It is not ironic that wisdom is mentioned in this process and that being gifted is also. In the Old Covenant when it came to having the skill and ability to work with silver and gold providing instruments to the tabernacle, it is said, God had given them wisdom.
Therefore, their wisdom was afforded to them by God which gave them the ability to work with gold and silver as craftsmen; this is being gifted by God through wisdom.
Jesus is the power of God and He is the wisdom of God (1Corinthians 1:24), He in us becomes our power or ability and He becomes our wisdom in doing and being. Learning how to submit to Jesus in our temptations is a skill (wisdom and ability) afforded to us by God. This makes our ability to say no to sin as being a gift from God.
No matter the temptation there are no variations or shadows due to change when it comes to Jesus in us; He is our power and He is our wisdom in every situation – we are gifted by the greatest gift – JESUS.
Thursday, June 5, 2014
REVELATION
Revelation 1:1-2 (KJV)
“1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.”
The testimony of Jesus changes everything; His testimony becomes our testimony if we can manage to walk in the revelation of its authenticity ...and potential.
“And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” (Revelation 19:10).
The testimony of Jesus is actually beyond our imagination, His testimony whisper the Father’s heart, what the Father has envisioned for us (potential waiting to happen by relational formation). “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9). God has a storehouse of things waiting for us, waiting to take shape and become reality.
These things are not as important as the love and relational formation it takes to release them. The love between the Father and the Son, the relational formation between them pours out of them into the midst of the throne; actually, it is the river flowing from the throne. That same river seeks to flow from our bellies.
It is so important to worship; “…worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” The Spirit of Prophecy is one of the seven Spirits of God burning in His presence. This burning is His motivation motivating us to fulfill His heart; the Spirit of Prophecy is just one of seven motivations burning and churning in the hearts of those in relational formation with Daddy.
The Revelation of Jesus in the midst of life affords us to come into relational formation with Father God. What Jesus is saying about us trumps what the accuser is saying; what Jesus is saying (testimony) is not as much about where we are as to where we can be – this is the Spirit of Prophecy motivating us. It all depends on the revelation and whether we truly believe it or not.
“1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.”
The testimony of Jesus changes everything; His testimony becomes our testimony if we can manage to walk in the revelation of its authenticity ...and potential.
“And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” (Revelation 19:10).
The testimony of Jesus is actually beyond our imagination, His testimony whisper the Father’s heart, what the Father has envisioned for us (potential waiting to happen by relational formation). “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9). God has a storehouse of things waiting for us, waiting to take shape and become reality.
These things are not as important as the love and relational formation it takes to release them. The love between the Father and the Son, the relational formation between them pours out of them into the midst of the throne; actually, it is the river flowing from the throne. That same river seeks to flow from our bellies.
It is so important to worship; “…worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” The Spirit of Prophecy is one of the seven Spirits of God burning in His presence. This burning is His motivation motivating us to fulfill His heart; the Spirit of Prophecy is just one of seven motivations burning and churning in the hearts of those in relational formation with Daddy.
The Revelation of Jesus in the midst of life affords us to come into relational formation with Father God. What Jesus is saying about us trumps what the accuser is saying; what Jesus is saying (testimony) is not as much about where we are as to where we can be – this is the Spirit of Prophecy motivating us. It all depends on the revelation and whether we truly believe it or not.
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
REDEMPTION
Luke 21:25-28 ESV
“And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your... redemption is drawing near.”
“…roaring of the sea and the waves…” the chasm between carnality and spirit, the floor of heaven, the sea of glass, the canopy surrounding the earth, the place where all bidding takes place affecting our environment.
I cannot get the four beasts diverse in nature out of my mind that came up out of the sea in Daniel 7. Although these kingdoms or man’s attempt of control broke through the sea and caused much roaring, the ancient of days stately and poised upon his throne crushed them all, and, although they may have been literal in Daniel’s day; these kingdoms become a paradigmatic visual for all kingdoms bidding the same.
Our environment under this canopy will always reflect the wars in the heavens; nothing can happen in the spirit without it affecting our carnal existence, always has and always will. When the roaring of the seas and the waves takes place as a result of the heavens being shaken, we must maintain our peace.
The worse things become, deliverance comes closer. I realize there are times we get knocked down so low we have to look up to see down; nonetheless, we must straighten up and look up. There is only one answer to the atrocities caused by the thrashing of the sea; the ancient of days cradled in His throne and from it a river of fire flowing with redemption.
“And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your... redemption is drawing near.”
“…roaring of the sea and the waves…” the chasm between carnality and spirit, the floor of heaven, the sea of glass, the canopy surrounding the earth, the place where all bidding takes place affecting our environment.
I cannot get the four beasts diverse in nature out of my mind that came up out of the sea in Daniel 7. Although these kingdoms or man’s attempt of control broke through the sea and caused much roaring, the ancient of days stately and poised upon his throne crushed them all, and, although they may have been literal in Daniel’s day; these kingdoms become a paradigmatic visual for all kingdoms bidding the same.
Our environment under this canopy will always reflect the wars in the heavens; nothing can happen in the spirit without it affecting our carnal existence, always has and always will. When the roaring of the seas and the waves takes place as a result of the heavens being shaken, we must maintain our peace.
The worse things become, deliverance comes closer. I realize there are times we get knocked down so low we have to look up to see down; nonetheless, we must straighten up and look up. There is only one answer to the atrocities caused by the thrashing of the sea; the ancient of days cradled in His throne and from it a river of fire flowing with redemption.
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
BURN
2 Peter 3:11-18 (NASB77)
“11 Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,
12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, on account of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat!
13 But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.
14 Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless,
15 and regard the patience of our Lord to be salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you,
16 as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.
17 You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard lest, being carried away by the error of unprincipled men, you fall from your own steadfastness,
18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.”
Such a powerful Word Peter. My mind goes to Daniel when he saw the Ancient of days and fire coming from His throne (river of fire) consuming the fourth beast (Rome). Those beasts poked their heads up through the sea with the intent to challenge the one upon the throne. Our God is a consuming fire and has consumed much in the process of mankind (Daniel 7).
Wow, in the end, His fire will still be consuming all opposing elements. What a mighty God we serve. He is patient, His longsuffering is our salvation. His salvation to us is almost like the little bush on the back side of the desert, consumed but destroyed. Burn Father, Burn out of us all that oppose.
“11 Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,
12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, on account of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat!
13 But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.
14 Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless,
15 and regard the patience of our Lord to be salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you,
16 as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.
17 You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard lest, being carried away by the error of unprincipled men, you fall from your own steadfastness,
18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.”
Such a powerful Word Peter. My mind goes to Daniel when he saw the Ancient of days and fire coming from His throne (river of fire) consuming the fourth beast (Rome). Those beasts poked their heads up through the sea with the intent to challenge the one upon the throne. Our God is a consuming fire and has consumed much in the process of mankind (Daniel 7).
Wow, in the end, His fire will still be consuming all opposing elements. What a mighty God we serve. He is patient, His longsuffering is our salvation. His salvation to us is almost like the little bush on the back side of the desert, consumed but destroyed. Burn Father, Burn out of us all that oppose.
Monday, June 2, 2014
WILL
1 Timothy 2:3-4 (KJV)
“3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”Father God and His will for us is that we be reconciled to Him. “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). His will is evident; nonetheless, it cannot happen until it becomes our will.
“3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”Father God and His will for us is that we be reconciled to Him. “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). His will is evident; nonetheless, it cannot happen until it becomes our will.
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