We just celebrated Independence Day and the wonderful freedoms we have in this country. I want to say, "Thank you God for all the freedoms we still have in this country." We still can go to church freely and openly. We can still buy and read the Bible without being jailed. We can still legally preach the gospel.
I know our freedoms as Christians in this country have begun to be eroded in recent years. But whose fault is that? Is it because we as Christians have failed to stand up? Have we become apathetic? Have we tried to be "politically correct" in our churches? Have we failed to preach the truth of God's Word in our churches, the truth that salvation is only through Jesus Christ? We can stand around and point fingers and say that our freedom is being taken from us, but I think in some cases we have given it up, by our failures.
Again, I must say that I believe there is room for repentance within the church within this country. The Bible says "If MY PEOPLE, WHO ARE CALLED BY MY NAME." That is us the the church of Jesus Christ.
2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
We need God to heal our land. What are we going to do about it?
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Saturday, July 3, 2010
"These Things"
As there is so much going on in the world and the economy getting worse and worse in this country it is easy to get caught up in all of it. But there are two scriptures that I think we need to keep in mind especially in this time.
The first verse is: Luke 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
"These things," that this verse is talking about are the things that indicate the end of the age. The kind of things we see increasing every day now such as; earthquakes, weather changes, wars and rumors of wars, etc. As I heard one person say some years ago, "we are not to look at these things, but we are to look up,."
The second verse is: Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
In this verse, "these things" is referring to the material needs that we have such as, food, clothing and shelter. God will supply our needs, if we seek first His kingdom.
The first verse is: Luke 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
"These things," that this verse is talking about are the things that indicate the end of the age. The kind of things we see increasing every day now such as; earthquakes, weather changes, wars and rumors of wars, etc. As I heard one person say some years ago, "we are not to look at these things, but we are to look up,."
The second verse is: Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
In this verse, "these things" is referring to the material needs that we have such as, food, clothing and shelter. God will supply our needs, if we seek first His kingdom.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Oil Disaster Needs Prayer and Repentance
I recently read that a prophetic person stated that the Lord had showed
him in 1997 that after Oral Roberts would go home to be with the Lord there
would be an oil spill disaster in the Gulf of Mexico that only the "thumb of
God " could stop.
So I am praying for the thumb of God to come down and stop this. But I have a feeling it is not going to be until man acknowledges there is nothing he can do to stop this oil from continuing to gush out of the sea bed.
I have a sense that this is the hand of God's judgment on our nation and perhaps the best thing any of us can do is repent. 2 Chron. 7:14 speaks of "my people who are called by my name" needing to humble themselves, and pray, and turn from their wicked ways. I certainly have been in a place laying my heart open before the Lord to see if there is any wicked way in me. (Psalm 139:23-24)
In the mean time I am concerned for and praying for those living along the
Gulf Coast. I am praying for the Christians to hear a clear word from the
Lord about how best to protect themselves from the toxins in the air from the gases being released from the oil well and the very toxic dispersant that is being sprayed.
him in 1997 that after Oral Roberts would go home to be with the Lord there
would be an oil spill disaster in the Gulf of Mexico that only the "thumb of
God " could stop.
So I am praying for the thumb of God to come down and stop this. But I have a feeling it is not going to be until man acknowledges there is nothing he can do to stop this oil from continuing to gush out of the sea bed.
I have a sense that this is the hand of God's judgment on our nation and perhaps the best thing any of us can do is repent. 2 Chron. 7:14 speaks of "my people who are called by my name" needing to humble themselves, and pray, and turn from their wicked ways. I certainly have been in a place laying my heart open before the Lord to see if there is any wicked way in me. (Psalm 139:23-24)
In the mean time I am concerned for and praying for those living along the
Gulf Coast. I am praying for the Christians to hear a clear word from the
Lord about how best to protect themselves from the toxins in the air from the gases being released from the oil well and the very toxic dispersant that is being sprayed.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Seated In Heavenly Places
On Tuesday night at Bible study, Pastor was talking about being seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. If we are in Christ, we are wherever He is.
Ephesians 2:4-7 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
That whole concept of being in two dimensions at once, the natural/physical dimension and the spiritual dimension at the same time is so hard to get my mind around.
Yet according to scripture that is the truth. I am seated with Christ in a place of victory over all the powers of hell as I walk out my Christian life day by day. Paul prayed that we would know this reality in the prayer he recorded in the letter to the Ephesians. I continue to pray this prayer for myself and for others in the body of Christ.
Ephesians 1: 16-23 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; 17That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
Because I am seated with Christ in the heavenlies, I can walk in victory in my Christian life and stand against all the power of the enemy.
Ephesians 2:4-7 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
That whole concept of being in two dimensions at once, the natural/physical dimension and the spiritual dimension at the same time is so hard to get my mind around.
Yet according to scripture that is the truth. I am seated with Christ in a place of victory over all the powers of hell as I walk out my Christian life day by day. Paul prayed that we would know this reality in the prayer he recorded in the letter to the Ephesians. I continue to pray this prayer for myself and for others in the body of Christ.
Ephesians 1: 16-23 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; 17That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
Because I am seated with Christ in the heavenlies, I can walk in victory in my Christian life and stand against all the power of the enemy.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Known From Afar?
Psalm 138:6 For though the LORD is exalted, Yet He regards the lowly, But the haughty He knows from afar.
I want to know God up close and personal. I don't want Him to be far from me. So God I choose this day to humble myself before You. May I never walk in pride/haughtiness.
I want to know God up close and personal. I don't want Him to be far from me. So God I choose this day to humble myself before You. May I never walk in pride/haughtiness.
Friday, April 2, 2010
He Could Have Come Down
Mark 15:29-32 And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, 30Save thyself, and come down from the cross. 31Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save. 32Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him.
As Jesus hung on the cross many came by taunting and mocking him. I would think it would be so difficult to continue to hang there and suffer, knowing that you had the power to do the things they were saying.
Jesus could have come down off that cross to prove to them that He had the power. But if He had He would not have fulfilled the purpose for which He came to the earth. Just like when Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness to prove Himself to be the Son of God by making the stone into bread. Jesus had the power, but did not do it. It was not the Father's will. Jesus would not take a shortcut of bypassing the cross to obtain the kingdoms of the earth.
Jesus delighted to do the Father's will. That included taking on a human body, coming to this earth, and dying on the cross carrying my sins.
I am so thankful that Jesus was fully obedient to the Father's will and completed His mission on this earth. He stayed on that cross until He died. In dying, He paid the penalty of death for my sin so that I did not have to pay it.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
As Jesus hung on the cross many came by taunting and mocking him. I would think it would be so difficult to continue to hang there and suffer, knowing that you had the power to do the things they were saying.
Jesus could have come down off that cross to prove to them that He had the power. But if He had He would not have fulfilled the purpose for which He came to the earth. Just like when Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness to prove Himself to be the Son of God by making the stone into bread. Jesus had the power, but did not do it. It was not the Father's will. Jesus would not take a shortcut of bypassing the cross to obtain the kingdoms of the earth.
Jesus delighted to do the Father's will. That included taking on a human body, coming to this earth, and dying on the cross carrying my sins.
I am so thankful that Jesus was fully obedient to the Father's will and completed His mission on this earth. He stayed on that cross until He died. In dying, He paid the penalty of death for my sin so that I did not have to pay it.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
O The Deep, Deep Love Of Jesus
"O the deep, deep love of Jesus, Vast unmeasured, boundless, free! Rolling as a mighty ocen In its fullness over me, Undrneath, me all around me, Is the current of Thy love; Leading onward, leading homewoard To my glorious rest above."
"O the deep, deep love of Jesus, Spread His praise from shore to shore! How He loveth, ever loveth, Changeth never, never more; How he watches o'er His loved ones, Died to call them all His own; How for them He intercedeth, Watcheth o'er them from the throne."
"O the deep, deep love of Jesus, Love of every love the best; 'Tis an ocean vast of blessing, Tis a haven sweet of rest, O the deep, deep love of Jesus, 'Tis a heav'n of heav'ns to me; And it lifts me up to glory, For it lifts me up to thee."
by Samuel Trevor Francis
What a wonderful hymn!!!! The love of Jesus is so vast, it will take eternity to begin to experience the full depth of it.
Paul in the letter to the Ephesians prayed that they might know this love that can't be known by the mind but can only be known by the experience of it in our inner man through Christ dwelling within us.
Ephesians 3:17-19 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
"O the deep, deep love of Jesus, Spread His praise from shore to shore! How He loveth, ever loveth, Changeth never, never more; How he watches o'er His loved ones, Died to call them all His own; How for them He intercedeth, Watcheth o'er them from the throne."
"O the deep, deep love of Jesus, Love of every love the best; 'Tis an ocean vast of blessing, Tis a haven sweet of rest, O the deep, deep love of Jesus, 'Tis a heav'n of heav'ns to me; And it lifts me up to glory, For it lifts me up to thee."
by Samuel Trevor Francis
What a wonderful hymn!!!! The love of Jesus is so vast, it will take eternity to begin to experience the full depth of it.
Paul in the letter to the Ephesians prayed that they might know this love that can't be known by the mind but can only be known by the experience of it in our inner man through Christ dwelling within us.
Ephesians 3:17-19 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Jesus Understands
Hebrews 4:14-16 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 2:17-18 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. 18For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.
Jesus was tempted in all points the Greek word for "tempted" means to test, scrutinize, entice, discipline. In other words Jesus went through a lot. He is God and yet He became a man. He put on flesh and bones, walked on the earth and experienced all the feelings and emotions we do. He was mocked. He was lied about. He was raised by a “stepfather” so to speak, Joseph, and his mother Mary. He experienced the ridicule of being considered an illegitimate child. On and on I could go.
Sometimes we may think God is beyond understanding what we have been through or how we really feel as humans. But He does. The man Christ Jesus is seated on the throne with His father today interceding on our behalf as a priest who is touched by the feelings of our “infirmities.”
Hebrews 2:17-18 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. 18For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.
Jesus was tempted in all points the Greek word for "tempted" means to test, scrutinize, entice, discipline. In other words Jesus went through a lot. He is God and yet He became a man. He put on flesh and bones, walked on the earth and experienced all the feelings and emotions we do. He was mocked. He was lied about. He was raised by a “stepfather” so to speak, Joseph, and his mother Mary. He experienced the ridicule of being considered an illegitimate child. On and on I could go.
Sometimes we may think God is beyond understanding what we have been through or how we really feel as humans. But He does. The man Christ Jesus is seated on the throne with His father today interceding on our behalf as a priest who is touched by the feelings of our “infirmities.”
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Judgment or Revival? YES
I have heard some say that God is done with America and is pouring out His judgment upon our land. I have heard others say we are coming into a time of great harvest and revival. For some time now I have thought someone has to be wrong.
As I look around at where our country as a whole is spiritually I almost have to say God is finished with the USA. We have been so blessed by God and what have we done with that blessing besides turn around and deny Him. We have received mercy upon mercy. I was leaning toward this view until God spoke to me about a year ago and said, "I am not finished with the USA." But I still have wondered about what seems to be the beginning of judgment on our land.
I still want to believe for the great harvest and revival I hear many speak of and for which I have prayed for many years.
Yesterday God dropped this into my heart..."Judgment and harvest and revival are not incompatible."
Isaiah 26:9 With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.
As I look around at where our country as a whole is spiritually I almost have to say God is finished with the USA. We have been so blessed by God and what have we done with that blessing besides turn around and deny Him. We have received mercy upon mercy. I was leaning toward this view until God spoke to me about a year ago and said, "I am not finished with the USA." But I still have wondered about what seems to be the beginning of judgment on our land.
I still want to believe for the great harvest and revival I hear many speak of and for which I have prayed for many years.
Yesterday God dropped this into my heart..."Judgment and harvest and revival are not incompatible."
Isaiah 26:9 With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Being Moved By Compassion
Recently at Tuesday night Bible study we were looking at what we call the "Parable of the Good Samaritan", found in Luke 10:25-42. In the parable there is a man that has been robbed and beaten and left by the road to die. A priest came by and walked right past the guy. A Levite came by and also walked right past. Both of these men would have been considered Jewish religious leaders, but they did nothing. A Samaritan, a man of a race despised by the Jews, came by and ministered to the man's wounds, put the man on his donkey, took him to an inn, and left money for the man to be cared for.
As we read it this time I noticed, perhaps for the first time, the Samaritan, "felt" compassion when he saw the man. (vs. 33) That is what moved him to action.
We see in scripture that Jesus was moved to action by compassion time and again. The following are just a few of the scripture references in which you will find this: Matthew 9:36; 14:14; 15:32; 20:34
I tend to believe that real ministry only flows from a heart of love. Although love and compassion are somewhat different. I don't think we can have compassion without having love.
I wonder how often I am more like the religious leaders and fail to let the Lord's compassion fill my heart and move me to action. I want to be like Jesus. If I am going to be like Jesus I will need to be moved with compassion.
God I need you to fill my heart with your love so I can be moved with compassion.
As we read it this time I noticed, perhaps for the first time, the Samaritan, "felt" compassion when he saw the man. (vs. 33) That is what moved him to action.
We see in scripture that Jesus was moved to action by compassion time and again. The following are just a few of the scripture references in which you will find this: Matthew 9:36; 14:14; 15:32; 20:34
I tend to believe that real ministry only flows from a heart of love. Although love and compassion are somewhat different. I don't think we can have compassion without having love.
I wonder how often I am more like the religious leaders and fail to let the Lord's compassion fill my heart and move me to action. I want to be like Jesus. If I am going to be like Jesus I will need to be moved with compassion.
God I need you to fill my heart with your love so I can be moved with compassion.
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