The wild salmon that live in the North Pacific Ocean have to fight those waters for years to get back to their spawning grounds. According to the “foodies”, it is the wild salmon that have the best "flavor". They attribute that flavor to all the fighting they have to do to survive and the struggle to get back to where they were born.
Flavor is the quality of anything which affects the taste. When someone remarks on the flavor of something they are trying to describe the specific way something tastes. Flavor can also be used to describe the act of adding a taste alteration to change the taste to something. This is usually done by adding. (From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
You wonder why you go through so much struggling in your life? God wants you to have the best flavor for this world! He is conforming us into the image of His Son (Romans 8:29 “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son”), and it takes a lot of work for some of us. He has to “add” His flavoring all the way through our journey to get us to be tasteful and flavor “full”.
Only God knows what circumstances and situations in our lives will cause us to swim upstream. Only He knows what will make us stronger and what will cause us to search for Him with all our hearts.
Acts 17:26-28 tells us that:
“26 and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, 27 that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; 28 for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, 'For we also are His children.”
He allows circumstances in our lives to cause us to “grope” for Him; groping as a man in total darkness for a way to the light. He knows where we need to be to draw closer to Him. He knows what will bring out our full flavor to this world! He knows what will cause us to reflect the image of His Son to this lost and dying world.
We have that inborn nature, just like the salmon. The salmon have to get back to where they came from to fulfill their purpose in life. No matter how far away they have gone, that innate motivation causes them to swim against the hardest waves and tides to get back to where they belong. During the “process”, something wonderful happens to them. During that fight to get back, they become very strong and full of flavor for someone else.
We have that innate motivation inside of us as well. We have a void to fill. We have someplace we have to be. Nothing else will fulfill that void but getting back to where we belong. No matter what we try as alternatives, nothing will fill His spot. We strive all of our lives to get back to that place, the place of communion with God, the place of our beginning. "He also has planted Eternity in men's heart and mind (a divinely implanted sense of a purpose working through the ages which nothing under the sun, but only God can satisfy). Ecclesiastes 3:11 Amplified.
We’re always swimming upstream to find our way back to God, whether we realize it or not. People take many different routes, but are all innately trying to “full fill”. Only He can fill His place. Just as the salmon, only when we arrive at our destination, is their life complete….our desitnation of communion with God. Only then are they the best flavor they can be for others.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Friday, June 5, 2009
Hard Lesson
One of the hardest lessons I’ve had to learn this last year is that you can’t help someone who doesn’t want help. You can’t give love to someone who won’t receive love. You can’t feed someone who won’t eat. The old saying, “you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink”, was shown to me in full force. If someone doesn’t hunger and thirst after righteousness, you can’t make it happen. It’s all about choice.
They “say” they want help, but their actions aren’t showing they are really hungry and thirsty for righteousness. They want their "lives" to change, but they don’t want to change. They want their "circumstances" to change, but they don’t want to change. They aren’t devouring the Word and hearing those that God has sent into their lives to help them. They won’t “receive” encouragement. They won’t “receive” love. They definitely won’t “receive” correction and instruction in righteousness.
My Bible tells me the only way to change or be transformed is by the renewing of the mind (Romans 12:2), by the washing of the water of the Word (Ephesians 5:26). When you see transformation in someone’s life, you know that they are washing with the Word. Their mind is being transformed. Therefore, their lives are being transformed.
Matthew 25:34-40 tells us we are to clothe, feed, and house those who need help. He will bless us for that. But He also tells us, if they claim to be His child, there are expectations of behavior. They must show His fruit and grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. There comes a time to release.
The Holy Spirit showed me in the Word how Jesus handled these situations. The Prodigal Son wasn’t chased down by the Father. The Father had to wait for him to return after “he came to himself”. Had someone been there all the time to rescue that boy out of the pigpen and kept bailing him out, he would have remained too comfortable to make a change. Sometimes we get in God’s way and do the same.
Acts 17:26-27 says: 26And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; 27That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:
God knows the “place” or what the bounds of our habitation needs to be that will cause us to seek after Him. One version says He puts us in a place, or land, or boundary to cause us to “grope” for Him as in desperation. Let’s stay out of God’s way.
Jesus shared His love and truth. If they didn’t “hear” Him, He shook the dust from His feet and went on. People who came “to” Him because they wanted healing and deliverance were healed and delivered. If someone says they want it but don’t come to Him, don’t grope for Him, aren’t hungry for Him, aren’t desperate for Him………it won’t happen.
It’s very heartbreaking when you can see the potential in someone, yet they desire to stay in that place of comfort and complacency. It’s very heartbreaking when you see the pain that Jesus wants to heal, and they won’t let you in to help. It’s so difficult to watch someone self-destruct by the words of their mouth, knowing that they will have to reap what they are sowing. It’s so difficult to know they are rebelling against God’s authority and those He put in authority, because they have to reap what they sowed. Galatians 6:7 – “Be not deceived. God is not mocked. Whatsoever a man sows that shall he also reap”.
There comes a time that you have to let them go. They have to learn hard lessons. We get in the way of God’s work so many times. There are so many times that Christians “rescue”, thinking they are doing the right thing. However, many times the “mercy” gift isn’t really in operation. It is compassion, but not Spirit-led. Many times mercy and compassion doesn’t “look like” mercy and compassion. Real mercy is shown by letting God bring them to a place that will cause them to seek after Him and become desperate for Him. If we step in and give them comfort and solve all their problems, their comfort will negate the desperateness for Him.
Pray before you act. Wait to hear direction before you act. Get wise, Godly counsel before you act. If you really care, you will get out of God’s way. It brings us back to the Jonah situation. Sometimes someone has to be thrown overboard to save the ship. (Read my blog on Jonah).
They “say” they want help, but their actions aren’t showing they are really hungry and thirsty for righteousness. They want their "lives" to change, but they don’t want to change. They want their "circumstances" to change, but they don’t want to change. They aren’t devouring the Word and hearing those that God has sent into their lives to help them. They won’t “receive” encouragement. They won’t “receive” love. They definitely won’t “receive” correction and instruction in righteousness.
My Bible tells me the only way to change or be transformed is by the renewing of the mind (Romans 12:2), by the washing of the water of the Word (Ephesians 5:26). When you see transformation in someone’s life, you know that they are washing with the Word. Their mind is being transformed. Therefore, their lives are being transformed.
Matthew 25:34-40 tells us we are to clothe, feed, and house those who need help. He will bless us for that. But He also tells us, if they claim to be His child, there are expectations of behavior. They must show His fruit and grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. There comes a time to release.
The Holy Spirit showed me in the Word how Jesus handled these situations. The Prodigal Son wasn’t chased down by the Father. The Father had to wait for him to return after “he came to himself”. Had someone been there all the time to rescue that boy out of the pigpen and kept bailing him out, he would have remained too comfortable to make a change. Sometimes we get in God’s way and do the same.
Acts 17:26-27 says: 26And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; 27That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:
God knows the “place” or what the bounds of our habitation needs to be that will cause us to seek after Him. One version says He puts us in a place, or land, or boundary to cause us to “grope” for Him as in desperation. Let’s stay out of God’s way.
Jesus shared His love and truth. If they didn’t “hear” Him, He shook the dust from His feet and went on. People who came “to” Him because they wanted healing and deliverance were healed and delivered. If someone says they want it but don’t come to Him, don’t grope for Him, aren’t hungry for Him, aren’t desperate for Him………it won’t happen.
It’s very heartbreaking when you can see the potential in someone, yet they desire to stay in that place of comfort and complacency. It’s very heartbreaking when you see the pain that Jesus wants to heal, and they won’t let you in to help. It’s so difficult to watch someone self-destruct by the words of their mouth, knowing that they will have to reap what they are sowing. It’s so difficult to know they are rebelling against God’s authority and those He put in authority, because they have to reap what they sowed. Galatians 6:7 – “Be not deceived. God is not mocked. Whatsoever a man sows that shall he also reap”.
There comes a time that you have to let them go. They have to learn hard lessons. We get in the way of God’s work so many times. There are so many times that Christians “rescue”, thinking they are doing the right thing. However, many times the “mercy” gift isn’t really in operation. It is compassion, but not Spirit-led. Many times mercy and compassion doesn’t “look like” mercy and compassion. Real mercy is shown by letting God bring them to a place that will cause them to seek after Him and become desperate for Him. If we step in and give them comfort and solve all their problems, their comfort will negate the desperateness for Him.
Pray before you act. Wait to hear direction before you act. Get wise, Godly counsel before you act. If you really care, you will get out of God’s way. It brings us back to the Jonah situation. Sometimes someone has to be thrown overboard to save the ship. (Read my blog on Jonah).
Thursday, December 11, 2008
SALT
Mark 9:50 "Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another."
Matthew 5:13 "Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men."
Salt can be used in several different ways. I’ve been thinking about all the properties of salt and can see spiritual implications in every one of them. And, no matter what the property is, if the salt has lost it’s “saltness”, chemically it will not work in that property.
Mark tells us to “have salt in yourselves”. …hmmmmmm. What is salt? It could be several things. If we are to have salt within us, let’s see what the Word says about being filled.
Ephesians 3:19 "And to know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God."
Ephesians 5:18 "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;"
Colossians 1:9 "For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;"
2 Timothy 1:4 "Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy."
So “saltness” must be, in short, being filled with the fullness of God by the power of the Holy Spirit by studying, praying, praising, so our joy might be full. In His presence is fullness of joy, and His joy is my strength, so I must have to be in His presence and fellowship with Him and His Word to keep full. Open your spirit to see where this applies in your life and the lives of others around you.
Salt gives flavor.
Did you know that salting something helps bring out its natural flavor? That’s why even a little salt is better than no salt.
Did you know that too much salt ruins it and the true flavor can’t be tasted?
If you keep “salt”’ in yourself, your natural flavor will come out. The person God has called you to be will be available to Him and to others. If you get too salty…no one can tolerate you. You have to communicate in this world with real people who are on this earth. Don’t go overboard.
If you keep “salting” others, their natural flavor will come out. You will see them through the eyes of Jesus and be able to minister appropriately. If you salt them too much, they will be overwhelmed. Other properties of salt will take over.
Salt preserves.
Did you know that a salty brine helps preserve things for years? That’s why something good tasting can be expected even after years of preservation.
If you keep “salt” in yourself, you will have the strength to run the race, strength to endure. After all, this is an endurance race. We must be preserved to be able to fulfill His purposes for us.
If we “salt” others, we will help preserve them as well. Encouraging each other daily in the Lord is a form of preserving each other…salting each other.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing."
1 Thessalonians 5:14 "And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all."
Salt causes thirst.
Did you know that salt, even in small amounts can cause thirst? Everybody is different. Everybody needs a different amount of salt to become thirsty. Only God knows the level of salt intake a person needs to cause thirst. So you may have to keep adding salt. Only those who “hunger and thirst after righteousness will be filled” (Matthew 5:6). Let’s help them by salting them.
Salt stops odor.
Did you know if you are cooking raw meat and that less than favorable raw meat mixed with blood smell permeates the air…salt it…the smell will go away? Interesting, huh?
Jesus tells us to love the unlovely. Luke 6:32 says “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.” Matthew 5:44 says: “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;”. Many of us would rather not, but how then are we different from the world? Salt them!
Salt burns.
Did you know that salt on delicate skin or on an abrasion or cut can cause burning?
Did you know the burning doesn’t last long? There are also healing properties in the salt. Again, everybody can tolerate different levels of salt. Be led by the Holy Spirit with your salt shaker.
Salt is abrasive.
Did you know that salt can be used as a cleansing agent because of its abrasive property?
Clean-up in aisle 6 !!! Sometimes we are called upon to clean up a mess. There are different assignments for everyone. And, some have to clean up more messes than others.
Galatians 6:1 tells us: “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted”. Remember that “apart from me, you can do nothing”. He will give you the wisdom to operate in this manner.
Salt causes buoyancy.
Did you know that you can’t sink in really salty water? You float.
As long as you keep enough salt in, on, around and through you, you will not sink! You, however, are the one who has to intake enough salt, envelope yourself in the saltiness of others, and spread the salt around. When you feel like you are sinking in the overwhelming circumstances of life, check the salt level.
Salt melts ice.
Did you know that when you throw salt on ice, it melts?
Did you also know that there is a temperature that is too cold for salt to melt ice?
There are different ways to use salt. Sometimes melting ice is the only way to someone’s heart. God knows who these people are. He also knows whose heart is too cold. The salt may need to be applied in a different manner. Listen to Him.
In Summary:
God knows each individual. He knows our hearts. He knows our circumstances. He loves us so much. Only He knows how the salt will be used in our lives. Only He knows what “saltness” we will need. Our purpose is to be filled with salt and saltness. Let Him use your salt.
Matthew 5:13 "Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men."
Salt can be used in several different ways. I’ve been thinking about all the properties of salt and can see spiritual implications in every one of them. And, no matter what the property is, if the salt has lost it’s “saltness”, chemically it will not work in that property.
Mark tells us to “have salt in yourselves”. …hmmmmmm. What is salt? It could be several things. If we are to have salt within us, let’s see what the Word says about being filled.
Ephesians 3:19 "And to know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God."
Ephesians 5:18 "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;"
Colossians 1:9 "For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;"
2 Timothy 1:4 "Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy."
So “saltness” must be, in short, being filled with the fullness of God by the power of the Holy Spirit by studying, praying, praising, so our joy might be full. In His presence is fullness of joy, and His joy is my strength, so I must have to be in His presence and fellowship with Him and His Word to keep full. Open your spirit to see where this applies in your life and the lives of others around you.
Salt gives flavor.
Did you know that salting something helps bring out its natural flavor? That’s why even a little salt is better than no salt.
Did you know that too much salt ruins it and the true flavor can’t be tasted?
If you keep “salt”’ in yourself, your natural flavor will come out. The person God has called you to be will be available to Him and to others. If you get too salty…no one can tolerate you. You have to communicate in this world with real people who are on this earth. Don’t go overboard.
If you keep “salting” others, their natural flavor will come out. You will see them through the eyes of Jesus and be able to minister appropriately. If you salt them too much, they will be overwhelmed. Other properties of salt will take over.
Salt preserves.
Did you know that a salty brine helps preserve things for years? That’s why something good tasting can be expected even after years of preservation.
If you keep “salt” in yourself, you will have the strength to run the race, strength to endure. After all, this is an endurance race. We must be preserved to be able to fulfill His purposes for us.
If we “salt” others, we will help preserve them as well. Encouraging each other daily in the Lord is a form of preserving each other…salting each other.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing."
1 Thessalonians 5:14 "And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all."
Salt causes thirst.
Did you know that salt, even in small amounts can cause thirst? Everybody is different. Everybody needs a different amount of salt to become thirsty. Only God knows the level of salt intake a person needs to cause thirst. So you may have to keep adding salt. Only those who “hunger and thirst after righteousness will be filled” (Matthew 5:6). Let’s help them by salting them.
Salt stops odor.
Did you know if you are cooking raw meat and that less than favorable raw meat mixed with blood smell permeates the air…salt it…the smell will go away? Interesting, huh?
Jesus tells us to love the unlovely. Luke 6:32 says “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.” Matthew 5:44 says: “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;”. Many of us would rather not, but how then are we different from the world? Salt them!
Salt burns.
Did you know that salt on delicate skin or on an abrasion or cut can cause burning?
Did you know the burning doesn’t last long? There are also healing properties in the salt. Again, everybody can tolerate different levels of salt. Be led by the Holy Spirit with your salt shaker.
Salt is abrasive.
Did you know that salt can be used as a cleansing agent because of its abrasive property?
Clean-up in aisle 6 !!! Sometimes we are called upon to clean up a mess. There are different assignments for everyone. And, some have to clean up more messes than others.
Galatians 6:1 tells us: “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted”. Remember that “apart from me, you can do nothing”. He will give you the wisdom to operate in this manner.
Salt causes buoyancy.
Did you know that you can’t sink in really salty water? You float.
As long as you keep enough salt in, on, around and through you, you will not sink! You, however, are the one who has to intake enough salt, envelope yourself in the saltiness of others, and spread the salt around. When you feel like you are sinking in the overwhelming circumstances of life, check the salt level.
Salt melts ice.
Did you know that when you throw salt on ice, it melts?
Did you also know that there is a temperature that is too cold for salt to melt ice?
There are different ways to use salt. Sometimes melting ice is the only way to someone’s heart. God knows who these people are. He also knows whose heart is too cold. The salt may need to be applied in a different manner. Listen to Him.
In Summary:
God knows each individual. He knows our hearts. He knows our circumstances. He loves us so much. Only He knows how the salt will be used in our lives. Only He knows what “saltness” we will need. Our purpose is to be filled with salt and saltness. Let Him use your salt.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Progression to Destruction
I was meditating on the story of the Prodigal Son one day and believe I had some revelation. I want to share with you the progressive steps to destruction so you can be on guard in your own life. Each step is progressive, but you will not have one step without the other. It is very intertwined.
1) Broken Fellowship
2) Broken Relationship
3) Ungrateful
4) Unteachable
5) Isolation
6) Resentment
7) Bitterness
When a person decides they know best for their life.....the destruction begins. We make our own plans and succumb to our desires for what we want and think is best for us. 1 John 2:15-17 tells us to "15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever".
Are we fulfilling the lust of our flesh, the lust of our eyes, or our pride of life? Be on guard. The Bible tells us to "Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life" (Proverbs 4:23). If you don't guard your heart, the world will creep in and our focus will be off. When our focus gets off fellowship with the Father and His saints, the destruction begins. It's very subtle. The fellowship with the Father doesn't just break overnight. The fellowship with our brothers and sisters doesn't just break suddenly...unless we get offended and walk away.
We withdraw from the normal fellowship for many reasons. We get offended and cut off relationships. We get too busy....even doing good. If the enemy gets us too busy for fellowship and relationships, he knows it will weaken us. He knows that as we encourage each other in "our most holy faith", we will be stronger. We get sidetracked..."distraction"...one of the enemy's favorite tactics. Our earthly "circumstances" distract us from our focus on God's power and Truth. We surround ourselves with things and/or people that are "easy" to be around so no "Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend [to show rage or worthy purpose]" (Proverbs 27:17). We decide not to love the "unlovely" and make our lives as comfortable as possible. After all, we're tired of the battling, right?
If the fellowship doesn't grow, the relationship weakens. When the fellowship is broken the relationships weaken or are broken as well. We withdraw from our fellowship with God and those who He has placed in our lives to strengthen us. It then doesn't take much to have broken relationships, because other works of the flesh have the open door to creep into our lives full force.
We then get resentful, bitter, ungrateful. Someone didn't treat us right. Someone hurt us. We resent their authority. We resent their behavior. We judge them. That root of bitterness begins to grow the minute any resentment is present. We complain about "their" behavior or our circumstances, etc. That is ungratefulness. We become ungrateful for the things God has done through other people and even become ungrateful to Him for all He has done for us. We withdraw even more and go further away from our "source" of strength...our Father and the people in our lives.
When a person has reached this point, they are unteachable. There is nothing "humanly" possible you can do. You pray and love them unconditionally, but the Holy Spirit has to break them. So, you might as well shut your mouth. Whatever you say, will bring up more judgment and resentment in them. They will not "receive" your words into their spirit. If you open your mouth, be sure you are being used as an instrument of the Holy Spirit.
They will isolate themselves, maybe not physically, but they are behind their walls nonetheless....insulating. They have become the "Prodigal Son". And this isolation, as you can see, isn't always a bad thing.
I'm reminded of a phrase in 1 Kings 12:
"24Thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren the children of Israel: return every man to his house; for this thing is from me. They hearkened therefore to the word of the LORD, and returned to depart, according to the word of the LORD".
“For this thing is from me”……This division? This isolation? Yes! It’s for His purposes. He is the only One Who knows what it will take for some people to turn around. He is the only One Who knows what it will take to form them into the image of His Son.
In this isolation, the Prodigal Son, “came to himself” or “came to the end of him self”. That’s where we all need to be. Only when we come to the end of “self”, do we go back to the Father and stop trying to do it ourselves. No amount of counseling or deliverance can ever crucify our flesh. That is a decision we have to make on our own on a regular basis. We must “daily” crucify the flesh so we won't get off course by the pride of life, lust of the eyes, and lust of the flesh...down the road to destruction.
1) Broken Fellowship
2) Broken Relationship
3) Ungrateful
4) Unteachable
5) Isolation
6) Resentment
7) Bitterness
When a person decides they know best for their life.....the destruction begins. We make our own plans and succumb to our desires for what we want and think is best for us. 1 John 2:15-17 tells us to "15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever".
Are we fulfilling the lust of our flesh, the lust of our eyes, or our pride of life? Be on guard. The Bible tells us to "Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life" (Proverbs 4:23). If you don't guard your heart, the world will creep in and our focus will be off. When our focus gets off fellowship with the Father and His saints, the destruction begins. It's very subtle. The fellowship with the Father doesn't just break overnight. The fellowship with our brothers and sisters doesn't just break suddenly...unless we get offended and walk away.
We withdraw from the normal fellowship for many reasons. We get offended and cut off relationships. We get too busy....even doing good. If the enemy gets us too busy for fellowship and relationships, he knows it will weaken us. He knows that as we encourage each other in "our most holy faith", we will be stronger. We get sidetracked..."distraction"...one of the enemy's favorite tactics. Our earthly "circumstances" distract us from our focus on God's power and Truth. We surround ourselves with things and/or people that are "easy" to be around so no "Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend [to show rage or worthy purpose]" (Proverbs 27:17). We decide not to love the "unlovely" and make our lives as comfortable as possible. After all, we're tired of the battling, right?
If the fellowship doesn't grow, the relationship weakens. When the fellowship is broken the relationships weaken or are broken as well. We withdraw from our fellowship with God and those who He has placed in our lives to strengthen us. It then doesn't take much to have broken relationships, because other works of the flesh have the open door to creep into our lives full force.
We then get resentful, bitter, ungrateful. Someone didn't treat us right. Someone hurt us. We resent their authority. We resent their behavior. We judge them. That root of bitterness begins to grow the minute any resentment is present. We complain about "their" behavior or our circumstances, etc. That is ungratefulness. We become ungrateful for the things God has done through other people and even become ungrateful to Him for all He has done for us. We withdraw even more and go further away from our "source" of strength...our Father and the people in our lives.
When a person has reached this point, they are unteachable. There is nothing "humanly" possible you can do. You pray and love them unconditionally, but the Holy Spirit has to break them. So, you might as well shut your mouth. Whatever you say, will bring up more judgment and resentment in them. They will not "receive" your words into their spirit. If you open your mouth, be sure you are being used as an instrument of the Holy Spirit.
They will isolate themselves, maybe not physically, but they are behind their walls nonetheless....insulating. They have become the "Prodigal Son". And this isolation, as you can see, isn't always a bad thing.
I'm reminded of a phrase in 1 Kings 12:
"24Thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren the children of Israel: return every man to his house; for this thing is from me. They hearkened therefore to the word of the LORD, and returned to depart, according to the word of the LORD".
“For this thing is from me”……This division? This isolation? Yes! It’s for His purposes. He is the only One Who knows what it will take for some people to turn around. He is the only One Who knows what it will take to form them into the image of His Son.
In this isolation, the Prodigal Son, “came to himself” or “came to the end of him self”. That’s where we all need to be. Only when we come to the end of “self”, do we go back to the Father and stop trying to do it ourselves. No amount of counseling or deliverance can ever crucify our flesh. That is a decision we have to make on our own on a regular basis. We must “daily” crucify the flesh so we won't get off course by the pride of life, lust of the eyes, and lust of the flesh...down the road to destruction.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Hearing God
There are several things that God’s Word instructs us to do to make sure we are hearing “HIS” voice and not the voice of the enemy of our souls, the world, or our own voice. Is there a litmus test? Yes. Did we really hear God? He tells us that “my sheep hear my voice” (John 10:27). He gave us safeguards to make sure we heard correctly. He knows we are but flesh.
The Bible tells us that “our hearts are deceitful and desperately wicked, who can know it”? (Jeremiah 17:9). I don’t trust myself to hear God’s voice perfectly on all things. God already told me I would hear many voices and that my heart gets in the way. 1 John 4:1 states: “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God.” My mind and emotions and experiences many times get in the way of hearing clearly to make proper decisions. We need to follow the safeguards laid out in God’s Word.
PRAY. That is number one. When I need direction from God and I hear something I believe is His direction, it has to line up with His Word.
Did He give me an answer for what I was praying for? Luke 11:11-13 says, “If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” The Bible tells us that “…He will guide you into all Truth” (John 16:13). If you believe you heard Him correctly, follow His other directions in the Word.
Did I pray in faith? Hebrews 11:6 tells us: “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
Did I pray in agreement with someone? “Where two agree as touching any one thing it shall be done” (Matthew 18:19). The Bible says that “one puts a thousand to flight, but two puts 10,000 to flight” (Deuteronomy 32:30). Praying in agreement is ten times stronger.
Did I let someone “bear my burden and so fulfill the law of Christ” with me? (Galatians 6:2).
Did I seek wise, godly counsel?
Proverbs 15:22 - “Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.”
Proverbs 1:5 - “A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels”.
Proverbs 12:15 -“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.”
Proverbs 20:18 - “Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.”
Proverbs 11:14 - “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.”
Did I seek confirmation? The Scripture tells us that “in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established” (2 Corinthians 13:1).
Is there peace? Follow peace. 2 Timothy 2:22 states: “Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart”. Hebrews 12:14 tells us to: “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord”.
In the times we are living, with all the voices, even though we hear His voice, the Bible tells us that even the very elect will be deceived. Matthew 24:24 tells us “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” The Word has given us these safety nets so we can know His voice in decisions we make.
So, for example, if someone tells me they spent the weekend alone with God, and God gave them direction, I want to hear what God has said to them. But I also want to know if they followed His safeguards in their decisions as well. Because, they were also alone with their own thoughts with plenty of time to think and dwell on situations, people, circumstances, etc. His Word is His Word…verbal, written, or by spiritual impressions. His Word is alive inside of us. Let’s confirm His Word to make sure we are walking in His Word.
If someone has to give reasons and excuses along with “hearing His voice”, are they looking at circumstances? Circumstances are not the litmus test of God’s voice. Did they really hear Him? Or are they following experiences, feelings or heart?...that deceitful thing…that desperately wicked thing.
Just remember, whatever the situation is in your life, you can’t take a misstep in direction that He can’t fix. He will get us back on the narrow path if we submit to Him and let “His Word be a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path” (Psalm 119:105). Let His "Word" lead you.
The Bible tells us that “our hearts are deceitful and desperately wicked, who can know it”? (Jeremiah 17:9). I don’t trust myself to hear God’s voice perfectly on all things. God already told me I would hear many voices and that my heart gets in the way. 1 John 4:1 states: “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God.” My mind and emotions and experiences many times get in the way of hearing clearly to make proper decisions. We need to follow the safeguards laid out in God’s Word.
PRAY. That is number one. When I need direction from God and I hear something I believe is His direction, it has to line up with His Word.
Did He give me an answer for what I was praying for? Luke 11:11-13 says, “If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” The Bible tells us that “…He will guide you into all Truth” (John 16:13). If you believe you heard Him correctly, follow His other directions in the Word.
Did I pray in faith? Hebrews 11:6 tells us: “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
Did I pray in agreement with someone? “Where two agree as touching any one thing it shall be done” (Matthew 18:19). The Bible says that “one puts a thousand to flight, but two puts 10,000 to flight” (Deuteronomy 32:30). Praying in agreement is ten times stronger.
Did I let someone “bear my burden and so fulfill the law of Christ” with me? (Galatians 6:2).
Did I seek wise, godly counsel?
Proverbs 15:22 - “Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.”
Proverbs 1:5 - “A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels”.
Proverbs 12:15 -“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.”
Proverbs 20:18 - “Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.”
Proverbs 11:14 - “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.”
Did I seek confirmation? The Scripture tells us that “in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established” (2 Corinthians 13:1).
Is there peace? Follow peace. 2 Timothy 2:22 states: “Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart”. Hebrews 12:14 tells us to: “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord”.
In the times we are living, with all the voices, even though we hear His voice, the Bible tells us that even the very elect will be deceived. Matthew 24:24 tells us “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” The Word has given us these safety nets so we can know His voice in decisions we make.
So, for example, if someone tells me they spent the weekend alone with God, and God gave them direction, I want to hear what God has said to them. But I also want to know if they followed His safeguards in their decisions as well. Because, they were also alone with their own thoughts with plenty of time to think and dwell on situations, people, circumstances, etc. His Word is His Word…verbal, written, or by spiritual impressions. His Word is alive inside of us. Let’s confirm His Word to make sure we are walking in His Word.
If someone has to give reasons and excuses along with “hearing His voice”, are they looking at circumstances? Circumstances are not the litmus test of God’s voice. Did they really hear Him? Or are they following experiences, feelings or heart?...that deceitful thing…that desperately wicked thing.
Just remember, whatever the situation is in your life, you can’t take a misstep in direction that He can’t fix. He will get us back on the narrow path if we submit to Him and let “His Word be a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path” (Psalm 119:105). Let His "Word" lead you.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
How Vital Are You in the Kingdom of God?
2 Kings 5:1-3 tells us about a great commander of the armies named Naaman. He was a high ranking official, a general in the army. And then, there was his wife’s little maid. Read the rest of the chapter to get the whole story.
His wife’s maid was a “servant”. This was actually a promotion in God’s Kingdom, because God had an assignment for her to do. She didn’t get into this “position” by chance. She was good at her job, no matter how menial it may have seemed to those on the outside looking in. If she hadn’t been there to do her “assignment” by using her gifts and abilities, things may have turned out quite differently. God knew she was the one who would be obedient and fulfill this task for Him.
Psalm 37:23 states that “the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and He delighteth in his way”. Her steps were ordered of the Lord. She had an assignment.
Sometimes we are in “positions” that we resist. You tell yourself it’s too menial. I have more to offer…blah, blah, blah. I could actually be a promotion in the Kingdom of God. Does God have an assignment for you? Has He given you this position to accomplish a mission for the Kingdom? There are no mistakes when He has ordered your steps.
My favorite Scripture tells it like no other. Acts 17:26-27:
“And He made from one common origin, one source, one blood, all nations of men to settle on the face of the earth, having definitely determined their allotted periods of time and the fixed boundaries of their habitation, their settlements, lands, and abodes, so that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel after Him and find Him, although He is not far from each one of us.”
It’s my favorite Scripture because it has been an encouragement to me for years. When I felt lost and out of place, I read that verse. When things didn’t fit in my life, I read that verse. When nothing fell in line, I read that verse. He was placing me in position to seek after Him. The circumstances of my life caused me to seek after Him.
We are in the “place” and “time” where He has placed us. God assigns you your residence. You don’t choose where to live. He knows where you will seek Him the most. One translation says that we would “grope” after Him as in desperately groping for something in the dark. He places us in time, place, and circumstances so that we will “grope” after Him, to seek after Him. He wants us dependent on Him. He wants to give us direction and assignments where we are, in the midst of sometimes overwhelming circumstances.
So, no matter where you are and what you are doing, God has an assignment. It may seem small, but may accomplish much. Naaman was used by God to win battles. He was a mighty warrior and was gifted of God as a leader. Had he not been healed, what good would he have been to God’s army? Had the little maid not obeyed God, Naaman would have lost position and ultimately died. Israel would have lost battles and suffered great loss. You tell me the little maid didn’t have a big assignment? Her obedience saved the nation. How important are you to God’s Kingdom? You never know………just be obedient where you are.
His wife’s maid was a “servant”. This was actually a promotion in God’s Kingdom, because God had an assignment for her to do. She didn’t get into this “position” by chance. She was good at her job, no matter how menial it may have seemed to those on the outside looking in. If she hadn’t been there to do her “assignment” by using her gifts and abilities, things may have turned out quite differently. God knew she was the one who would be obedient and fulfill this task for Him.
Psalm 37:23 states that “the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and He delighteth in his way”. Her steps were ordered of the Lord. She had an assignment.
Sometimes we are in “positions” that we resist. You tell yourself it’s too menial. I have more to offer…blah, blah, blah. I could actually be a promotion in the Kingdom of God. Does God have an assignment for you? Has He given you this position to accomplish a mission for the Kingdom? There are no mistakes when He has ordered your steps.
My favorite Scripture tells it like no other. Acts 17:26-27:
“And He made from one common origin, one source, one blood, all nations of men to settle on the face of the earth, having definitely determined their allotted periods of time and the fixed boundaries of their habitation, their settlements, lands, and abodes, so that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel after Him and find Him, although He is not far from each one of us.”
It’s my favorite Scripture because it has been an encouragement to me for years. When I felt lost and out of place, I read that verse. When things didn’t fit in my life, I read that verse. When nothing fell in line, I read that verse. He was placing me in position to seek after Him. The circumstances of my life caused me to seek after Him.
We are in the “place” and “time” where He has placed us. God assigns you your residence. You don’t choose where to live. He knows where you will seek Him the most. One translation says that we would “grope” after Him as in desperately groping for something in the dark. He places us in time, place, and circumstances so that we will “grope” after Him, to seek after Him. He wants us dependent on Him. He wants to give us direction and assignments where we are, in the midst of sometimes overwhelming circumstances.
So, no matter where you are and what you are doing, God has an assignment. It may seem small, but may accomplish much. Naaman was used by God to win battles. He was a mighty warrior and was gifted of God as a leader. Had he not been healed, what good would he have been to God’s army? Had the little maid not obeyed God, Naaman would have lost position and ultimately died. Israel would have lost battles and suffered great loss. You tell me the little maid didn’t have a big assignment? Her obedience saved the nation. How important are you to God’s Kingdom? You never know………just be obedient where you are.
Who Guards the Shepherd?
1 Samuel 26:1-16 shows us a principle that applies to our lives today, but many feel free to ignore or don’t have spiritual understanding in the matter. It is very important to understand that honoring authority is high on God’s priority list.
The statement that is the center of this whole passage is in verse 16: “What you have done is not good. As surely as the Lord lives, you and your men deserve to die, because you did not guard your master, the Lord’s anointed”. Wow! You deserve to die!!?!! Sounds like serious business to me. Sounds like serious business to God.
We are held accountable to God to guard those in authority over us. Romans chapter 13 is clear on the matter of authority:
“1Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment…give honor to whom honor is due”.
Honor: high respect, as for worth, merit, or rank: to be held in honor
Resisting authority here in Romans 13 doesn’t mean that you do everything no matter what. Our examples are Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. You honor God number one. All others authorities fall into place after honoring God and His Word. You can “respectfully” honor them without agreeing with them. That is the same as with our parents. The Word tells us to “honor” our parents in Deuteronomy 5:16 and Ephesians 6:2. That’s the only verse with such a great promise. The Word tells us that “our days will be long and things will go well with us”. We don’t have to agree with everything, but honor their position as God has chosen them to give you a place in this earth and His Kingdom.
Leadership and authority are flesh as we are. We all “sin and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). The onslaught of the enemy is many times harder on those in leadership. They need us in their corner.
Have we dishonored God’s appointed and anointed? Have we disrespected the one God put in authority over us? What have we done to protect them spiritually even when we haven’t agreed with them? Have we encouraged them in the Lord? Have we prayed for them? I Timothy 2:1-4 even tells us why we need to pray for those in authority. Have we loved them and treated them also as a brother or sister in Christ? Have we borne their burdens? (Galatians 6:2). Have we been Aaron and Hur to them? Have we lifted their arms up in battle? (Ephesians 6:10-18). Have we stood in their corner through their failures? (James 5:16) or have we deserted them? Have we helped to restore?
David is our example. He did his best to honor God’s authority over him. He didn’t cross that line of disrespect. AND, in the natural or flesh, we would agree he deserved to take revenge. Saul was evil to him on so many levels. Yet, David fought battles for Saul. He killed Saul’s enemies. He sang and played music for Saul to calm his spirit. David used all his gifts and talents to honor the King. He also knew when he had to leave. That is the reality in many of our lives. There is a time to leave…without dishonoring the other person’s authority.
There were many times after “leaving” that David had to stay in a stronghold for protection. But there was a time that he left the stronghold to go into the land of Judah (1 Samuel 22:5). The Prophet Gad came to him to tell him to go. God’s timing is everything. He knows that sometimes we need protection. Sometimes we need to be out of the way for a while. But, He sends those along side of us to give direction. The best thing the Prophet Gad did was tell him to leave the bondage and go into PRAISE…from the stronghold to Judah. That’s the place we need to be in the midst of it all as well.
God holds us accountable to “guard the shepherd”. We may have to do it from a distance, but let us honor God by doing so.
1 Samuel 26
9David said to Abishai, Do not destroy him; for who can raise his hand against the Lord's anointed and be guiltless?
The statement that is the center of this whole passage is in verse 16: “What you have done is not good. As surely as the Lord lives, you and your men deserve to die, because you did not guard your master, the Lord’s anointed”. Wow! You deserve to die!!?!! Sounds like serious business to me. Sounds like serious business to God.
We are held accountable to God to guard those in authority over us. Romans chapter 13 is clear on the matter of authority:
“1Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment…give honor to whom honor is due”.
Honor: high respect, as for worth, merit, or rank: to be held in honor
Resisting authority here in Romans 13 doesn’t mean that you do everything no matter what. Our examples are Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. You honor God number one. All others authorities fall into place after honoring God and His Word. You can “respectfully” honor them without agreeing with them. That is the same as with our parents. The Word tells us to “honor” our parents in Deuteronomy 5:16 and Ephesians 6:2. That’s the only verse with such a great promise. The Word tells us that “our days will be long and things will go well with us”. We don’t have to agree with everything, but honor their position as God has chosen them to give you a place in this earth and His Kingdom.
Leadership and authority are flesh as we are. We all “sin and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). The onslaught of the enemy is many times harder on those in leadership. They need us in their corner.
Have we dishonored God’s appointed and anointed? Have we disrespected the one God put in authority over us? What have we done to protect them spiritually even when we haven’t agreed with them? Have we encouraged them in the Lord? Have we prayed for them? I Timothy 2:1-4 even tells us why we need to pray for those in authority. Have we loved them and treated them also as a brother or sister in Christ? Have we borne their burdens? (Galatians 6:2). Have we been Aaron and Hur to them? Have we lifted their arms up in battle? (Ephesians 6:10-18). Have we stood in their corner through their failures? (James 5:16) or have we deserted them? Have we helped to restore?
David is our example. He did his best to honor God’s authority over him. He didn’t cross that line of disrespect. AND, in the natural or flesh, we would agree he deserved to take revenge. Saul was evil to him on so many levels. Yet, David fought battles for Saul. He killed Saul’s enemies. He sang and played music for Saul to calm his spirit. David used all his gifts and talents to honor the King. He also knew when he had to leave. That is the reality in many of our lives. There is a time to leave…without dishonoring the other person’s authority.
There were many times after “leaving” that David had to stay in a stronghold for protection. But there was a time that he left the stronghold to go into the land of Judah (1 Samuel 22:5). The Prophet Gad came to him to tell him to go. God’s timing is everything. He knows that sometimes we need protection. Sometimes we need to be out of the way for a while. But, He sends those along side of us to give direction. The best thing the Prophet Gad did was tell him to leave the bondage and go into PRAISE…from the stronghold to Judah. That’s the place we need to be in the midst of it all as well.
God holds us accountable to “guard the shepherd”. We may have to do it from a distance, but let us honor God by doing so.
1 Samuel 26
9David said to Abishai, Do not destroy him; for who can raise his hand against the Lord's anointed and be guiltless?
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