Tuesday, November 23, 2010
"The ungodly are NOT so"
Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
3 He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.
The ungodly are not so,
But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.
Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment,
Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
For the LORD knows the way of the righteous,
But the way of the ungodly shall perish. -Psalm 1
David declares the beauty of the person who submits themselves to God... likens their strength to a tree planted by rivers of water. That is one strong tree! A tree with nourishment for it's very being.. Roots extending mightily downward, branches expanding mightily upward and outwards. Lush, green leaves housing creatures from ants to squirrels to birds... And at the height of the current maturity cycle producing fruit capable of making more like itself. What a powerful comparison David makes to a righteous person with that tree. But if we look at another writing of David, the picture looks a little different:
Psalm 73
1 Truly God is good to Israel,
To such as are pure in heart.
2 But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled;
My steps had nearly slipped.
3 For I was envious of the boastful,
When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4 For there are no pangs in their death,
But their strength is firm.
5 They are not in trouble as other men,
Nor are they plagued like other men.
6 Therefore pride serves as their necklace;
Violence covers them like a garment.
7 Their eyes bulge with abundance;
They have more than heart could wish.
8 They scoff and speak wickedly concerning oppression;
They speak loftily.
9 They set their mouth against the heavens,
And their tongue walks through the earth.
10 Therefore his people return here,
And waters of a full cup are drained by them.
11 And they say, “How does God know?
And is there knowledge in the Most High?”
12 Behold, these are the ungodly,
Who are always at ease;
They increase in riches.
13 Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain,
And washed my hands in innocence.
14 For all day long I have been plagued,
And chastened every morning.
15 If I had said, “I will speak thus,”
Behold, I would have been untrue to the generation of Your children.
16 When I thought how to understand this,
It was too painful for me—
17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God;
Then I understood their end.
18 Surely You set them in slippery places;
You cast them down to destruction.
19 Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment!
They are utterly consumed with terrors.
20 As a dream when one awakes,
So, Lord, when You awake,
You shall despise their image.
21 Thus my heart was grieved,
And I was vexed in my mind.
22 I was so foolish and ignorant;
I was like a beast before You.
23 Nevertheless I am continually with You;
You hold me by my right hand.
24 You will guide me with Your counsel,
And afterward receive me to glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but You?
And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.
26 My flesh and my heart fail;
But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
27 For indeed, those who are far from You shall perish;
You have destroyed all those who desert You for harlotry.
28 But it is good for me to draw near to God;
I have put my trust in the Lord GOD,
That I may declare all Your works.
Here we see David setting forth the anguish and sometimes confusion from choosing the Way of the righteous. Being in a storm and being blown fiercely by internal forces as well as external. And he realizes to whom he should turn for his strength and his answers.
The ungodly however are not so!!!! When the day of judgment arises (and not just the day when Christ returns and all will be judged, but the day when life wraps back around to bring a person into account) the ungodly are found to be dried up, without sustenance or resource, not rooted. Like chaff would be in a raging storm, so are the ungodly. David reveals that they are on a "slippery" place...He says they will be consumed by terrors.. He says God Himself will cast them down to destruction.
If you have been so wise to choose the Way of the righteous, don't think you won't feel like David on some occasions. Looking over and seeing the ungodly and saying to yourself "They got it goin on!". But understand the benefit of where you are standing; planted by the rivers. When the storm comes you will be not only be better prepared but will also be able to provide security for others. You will be nourished to your very soul and the Lord will know your way and help you along it.
The ungodly are not so....
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
3 He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.
But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.
Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment,
Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
For the LORD knows the way of the righteous,
But the way of the ungodly shall perish. -Psalm 1
David declares the beauty of the person who submits themselves to God... likens their strength to a tree planted by rivers of water. That is one strong tree! A tree with nourishment for it's very being.. Roots extending mightily downward, branches expanding mightily upward and outwards. Lush, green leaves housing creatures from ants to squirrels to birds... And at the height of the current maturity cycle producing fruit capable of making more like itself. What a powerful comparison David makes to a righteous person with that tree. But if we look at another writing of David, the picture looks a little different:
Psalm 73
1 Truly God is good to Israel,
To such as are pure in heart.
2 But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled;
My steps had nearly slipped.
3 For I was envious of the boastful,
When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4 For there are no pangs in their death,
But their strength is firm.
5 They are not in trouble as other men,
Nor are they plagued like other men.
6 Therefore pride serves as their necklace;
Violence covers them like a garment.
7 Their eyes bulge with abundance;
They have more than heart could wish.
8 They scoff and speak wickedly concerning oppression;
They speak loftily.
9 They set their mouth against the heavens,
And their tongue walks through the earth.
10 Therefore his people return here,
And waters of a full cup are drained by them.
11 And they say, “How does God know?
And is there knowledge in the Most High?”
12 Behold, these are the ungodly,
Who are always at ease;
They increase in riches.
13 Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain,
And washed my hands in innocence.
14 For all day long I have been plagued,
And chastened every morning.
15 If I had said, “I will speak thus,”
Behold, I would have been untrue to the generation of Your children.
16 When I thought how to understand this,
It was too painful for me—
17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God;
Then I understood their end.
18 Surely You set them in slippery places;
You cast them down to destruction.
19 Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment!
They are utterly consumed with terrors.
20 As a dream when one awakes,
So, Lord, when You awake,
You shall despise their image.
21 Thus my heart was grieved,
And I was vexed in my mind.
22 I was so foolish and ignorant;
I was like a beast before You.
23 Nevertheless I am continually with You;
You hold me by my right hand.
24 You will guide me with Your counsel,
And afterward receive me to glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but You?
And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.
26 My flesh and my heart fail;
But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
27 For indeed, those who are far from You shall perish;
You have destroyed all those who desert You for harlotry.
28 But it is good for me to draw near to God;
I have put my trust in the Lord GOD,
That I may declare all Your works.
Here we see David setting forth the anguish and sometimes confusion from choosing the Way of the righteous. Being in a storm and being blown fiercely by internal forces as well as external. And he realizes to whom he should turn for his strength and his answers.
The ungodly however are not so!!!! When the day of judgment arises (and not just the day when Christ returns and all will be judged, but the day when life wraps back around to bring a person into account) the ungodly are found to be dried up, without sustenance or resource, not rooted. Like chaff would be in a raging storm, so are the ungodly. David reveals that they are on a "slippery" place...He says they will be consumed by terrors.. He says God Himself will cast them down to destruction.
If you have been so wise to choose the Way of the righteous, don't think you won't feel like David on some occasions. Looking over and seeing the ungodly and saying to yourself "They got it goin on!". But understand the benefit of where you are standing; planted by the rivers. When the storm comes you will be not only be better prepared but will also be able to provide security for others. You will be nourished to your very soul and the Lord will know your way and help you along it.
The ungodly are not so....
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Cleave in the Holidays
Taken from "The Generous Wife"
November 20, 2010
Cleave in the Holidays
Just a little holiday reminder ...Our marriage relationship is very important. Yes, we need to love on and respect extended family, but not at the expense of our husband.
God is very clear - when we marry, we LEAVE our home of origin and CLEAVE to our spouse, creating a new family and home. What that means practically is that we need to take into consideration what is good for our spouse. We may need to stand up for our spouse with our family of origin, and we don't ask our spouse to be someone they are not or treat them differently at family gatherings.
I realize that family expectations can be challenging during the holiday season, but I strongly encourage you to highly value your husband and your marriage during the coming holidays.
Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. Genesis 2:24 NKJV
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Daddy's Girls
To my Sisters who faithfully and valiantly uphold the name of Christ in this dark age, I say keep on fighting that good fight. The world may relentlessly trample on your morals and your values, or not understand the emphasis you place on holiness instead of Gucci, Prada, Coach or Dolce & Gabbana, but you just keep on fighting because your fight has eternal reward!
The devil has been wreaking havoc with the world but you have had the wisdom and the faith in God to guard yourselves and your homes. You have recognized that the devil wants to see your family devastated and broken and you have set a watch. You have not allowed your children to raise themselves but have "trained them up in the way they should go". You have supported your husbands and even those who have no husbands have fended off the enemy to raise decent God-fearing children. you have not felt the need to show as much flesh as you can to the world to be considered "sexy", but have become humble and loving and appealing to God and believe me Sister you are catching the eye of godly men! You know your power, the power much like the power of the Holy Spirit: Ever working on things pertaining to Christ, quietly knitting the pieces together with explosive results. You Sisters who put on the full armor of God and stand against the devil's attacks just like the Brothers do. You Sisters that choose, for Christ's sake, to give up all the pleasures you could be enjoying because of His Word. He said you have a greater reward and it is not in the hereafter, it is NOW.
So, this Brother, if there be no others, take this time to value you... and thank you... Starting with my beautiful, virtuous, strong woman of God, Devan Brie Green and out to everyone of you that share in the inheritance with our Lord Jesus Christ. You don't need a man or all of mankind to validate you, approve of you... Our Father who art in heaven does that for you! Love all of you Daddy's girls! :-)
The devil has been wreaking havoc with the world but you have had the wisdom and the faith in God to guard yourselves and your homes. You have recognized that the devil wants to see your family devastated and broken and you have set a watch. You have not allowed your children to raise themselves but have "trained them up in the way they should go". You have supported your husbands and even those who have no husbands have fended off the enemy to raise decent God-fearing children. you have not felt the need to show as much flesh as you can to the world to be considered "sexy", but have become humble and loving and appealing to God and believe me Sister you are catching the eye of godly men! You know your power, the power much like the power of the Holy Spirit: Ever working on things pertaining to Christ, quietly knitting the pieces together with explosive results. You Sisters who put on the full armor of God and stand against the devil's attacks just like the Brothers do. You Sisters that choose, for Christ's sake, to give up all the pleasures you could be enjoying because of His Word. He said you have a greater reward and it is not in the hereafter, it is NOW.
So, this Brother, if there be no others, take this time to value you... and thank you... Starting with my beautiful, virtuous, strong woman of God, Devan Brie Green and out to everyone of you that share in the inheritance with our Lord Jesus Christ. You don't need a man or all of mankind to validate you, approve of you... Our Father who art in heaven does that for you! Love all of you Daddy's girls! :-)
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
What in the World is a Christian: Ambassador
am·bas·sa·dor
[am-bas-uh-der, -dawr]–noun
1.
a diplomatic official of the highest rank, sent by one sovereign or state to another as its resident representative (ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary).
2.
a diplomatic official of the highest rank sent by a government to represent it on a temporary mission, as for negotiating a treaty.
3.
a diplomatic official serving as permanent head of a country's mission to the United Nations or some other international organization.
4. 20Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. -2 Corinthians 5:20,21
an authorized messenger or representative. Abbreviation: Amb., amb.
-taken from dictionary.com
Though the apostle was referring to himself and the other apostles in 2 Corinthians 5:20,21* I believe that the title Ambassador falls on us on all because we have the same elements that pertain to the job.
We are messengers with a message from our Master. We know enough about our Master and the mission to inform, answer an array of questions and paint a picture for he whom the message is intended. When you see a Christian you see one who has been sent. He is on a mission. He should not be hindered and the message should be taken seriously. However if you are a Christian, the message sent should be what has been given you to speak. Not what you heard the next person's mission was. There are some things that we all have been given and we should all know:
-Any Ambassador should be able to tell of his own meetings with the Master (testimony). Things the Master has done should be ready to "flow from go". An ambassador should be able to direct a person to their Lord, if the person requires more personal contact.
- An Ambassador of course should not introduce their own ideas and agendas or the message will become tainted and would not be what the Master sent.
- An Ambassador's lifestyle must match the Master's message. A message of love cannot be properly expressed by a hateful person. A message of hope cannot be conveyed correctly from a dismal individual. A message of forgiveness by a person who will not forgive.
-An Ambassador must trust in the Master's mission and believe that the mission is of the utmost importance and make it front burner priority.
The Word speaks of these and shows faithful servants exhibiting this throughout the NT pages. Looking at Jesus and the Apostles and the early church we see the message being delivered sometimes in the most terrible of places. We see people giving up their very lives for the message. A message which we carry nonchalantly through our days. We are on foreign soil... on a mission, we should not get comfortable, accept all the hospitality, forget that we were sent.
19And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
20For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.-Eph 6:19,20
17A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health. -Prov. 13:17
3 For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. 4 On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. 5 You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness.1 Thess. 2:3-5
20For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.-Eph 6:19,20
17A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health. -Prov. 13:17
3 For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. 4 On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. 5 You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness.1 Thess. 2:3-5
What in the World is a Christian? A Soldier
We all know the popular "Armor of God" scriptures:
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. -Ephesians 6 10-17 NIV
...and a few of us know that this is a defensive set. If you don't know, now ya know. This set of armor as described by Paul even down to the sword is for the defense of that person that wears it. Not to say that that person can not be offensive, but the point here is to "stand against the devil's schemes" and that when"the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground". "How is the sword defensive CJ?"... good question... a sword can be used both offensively and defensively. Offensively to thrust or cut, defensively to block, parry, and on occasion to trap or break the enemies weapon.
The reason why I start this post with this is because it doesn't matter how well you can fight if you can't defend. Sometimes against a weak opponent there is no need to defend but that can only be deducted AFTER the fight. If you think otherwise you are opening yourself up to being surprised and killed because of a misstep in your core thinking. Only once the enemy has been defeated can you judge his strength or prowess.
Christians are the Ultimate Soldiers here on earth! We have been given the ultimate defensive armor available handcrafted by God Himself. Truth, Salvation, Righteousness, Faith, Readiness with theGospel and the Spirit of God have all come together to protect us if we put it on. There are no "chinks" in our armor... no weak spots, no holes, no weaknesses. In other words... how did Isaiah put it? Lemme see... "No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD." (Isaiah 54:17)
ok so IF we wear the armor we have the ultimate defense... but we still have to "wrestle" with all the powers and principalities and rulers of this dark world and the spiritual forces. If the General says we don't fight with flesh and blood... then we ought not fight against flesh and blood. Doesn't mean flesh and blood won't attack us though! So... we Christians are in the WORLD... surrounded by flesh and blood who want to attack us but we don't attack them because our weapons aren't even carnal, they are spiritual. So if I attack flesh and blood with my spiritual weapons then not only is it not effective, I am in trouble with the General because "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). That is hard.... when we look at it from a carnal mindset.
I can remember my little brothers and cousins getting mad at me and wanting to fight with me. I remember not wanting to hurt them, cause I loved them and because I would get in trouble if I hurt them. So I remember running around, holding their head, going to let an adult know.. something other than fighting em back. That is what we must do with this world. Their attacks are meant to hurt us and they are mad at us and don't like us at the moment, but we are bigger and "we know better". Even if they do manage to hurt us, doesn't mean we have to hurt em back. Being mature we have to act more mature... and instead target that spirit. The way we target that spirit is to remember when it came at us, when it worked through us, when it controlled us. Then we KNOW it... and we deal with accordingly. We pray against it, while loving the person... We all need to work on this... the world needs us to be mature!! They need salvation and healing and a relationship with God! We cannot be folding and buckling and acting like them! We have armor!! We should not be so affected by "what they did to me". We are SOLDIERS for Christ... He is doing the fighting.. we are doing the standing... Get it???!!
Our orders are simple... our orders are not to kill anyone but ourselves... because (just like in our physical Army) our identity is a hindrance. We follow the Commander's every command! So we need to leave us at the door and let Him tell us what to do! Our orders are to love one another more than we love ourselves.. This is that special technique that defines us... this is how people know that they are dealing with the genuine article.... This is what people thirst for... REAL LOVE. God-breathed love.
Soldiers... we got a LOT of work to do.... we have a lifetime exercise in "Standing" ahead... Let's fall out and get to it!!!
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. -Ephesians 6 10-17 NIV
...and a few of us know that this is a defensive set. If you don't know, now ya know. This set of armor as described by Paul even down to the sword is for the defense of that person that wears it. Not to say that that person can not be offensive, but the point here is to "stand against the devil's schemes" and that when"the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground". "How is the sword defensive CJ?"... good question... a sword can be used both offensively and defensively. Offensively to thrust or cut, defensively to block, parry, and on occasion to trap or break the enemies weapon.
The reason why I start this post with this is because it doesn't matter how well you can fight if you can't defend. Sometimes against a weak opponent there is no need to defend but that can only be deducted AFTER the fight. If you think otherwise you are opening yourself up to being surprised and killed because of a misstep in your core thinking. Only once the enemy has been defeated can you judge his strength or prowess.
Christians are the Ultimate Soldiers here on earth! We have been given the ultimate defensive armor available handcrafted by God Himself. Truth, Salvation, Righteousness, Faith, Readiness with theGospel and the Spirit of God have all come together to protect us if we put it on. There are no "chinks" in our armor... no weak spots, no holes, no weaknesses. In other words... how did Isaiah put it? Lemme see... "No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD." (Isaiah 54:17)
ok so IF we wear the armor we have the ultimate defense... but we still have to "wrestle" with all the powers and principalities and rulers of this dark world and the spiritual forces. If the General says we don't fight with flesh and blood... then we ought not fight against flesh and blood. Doesn't mean flesh and blood won't attack us though! So... we Christians are in the WORLD... surrounded by flesh and blood who want to attack us but we don't attack them because our weapons aren't even carnal, they are spiritual. So if I attack flesh and blood with my spiritual weapons then not only is it not effective, I am in trouble with the General because "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). That is hard.... when we look at it from a carnal mindset.
I can remember my little brothers and cousins getting mad at me and wanting to fight with me. I remember not wanting to hurt them, cause I loved them and because I would get in trouble if I hurt them. So I remember running around, holding their head, going to let an adult know.. something other than fighting em back. That is what we must do with this world. Their attacks are meant to hurt us and they are mad at us and don't like us at the moment, but we are bigger and "we know better". Even if they do manage to hurt us, doesn't mean we have to hurt em back. Being mature we have to act more mature... and instead target that spirit. The way we target that spirit is to remember when it came at us, when it worked through us, when it controlled us. Then we KNOW it... and we deal with accordingly. We pray against it, while loving the person... We all need to work on this... the world needs us to be mature!! They need salvation and healing and a relationship with God! We cannot be folding and buckling and acting like them! We have armor!! We should not be so affected by "what they did to me". We are SOLDIERS for Christ... He is doing the fighting.. we are doing the standing... Get it???!!
Our orders are simple... our orders are not to kill anyone but ourselves... because (just like in our physical Army) our identity is a hindrance. We follow the Commander's every command! So we need to leave us at the door and let Him tell us what to do! Our orders are to love one another more than we love ourselves.. This is that special technique that defines us... this is how people know that they are dealing with the genuine article.... This is what people thirst for... REAL LOVE. God-breathed love.
Soldiers... we got a LOT of work to do.... we have a lifetime exercise in "Standing" ahead... Let's fall out and get to it!!!
What in the World is a Christian?: A Trader
A Christian becomes a trader of the seen for things that are unseen. The things that may be touched for intangible things. Faith becomes our currency... the bigger the trade, the more faith involved. And not just faith for the sake of having faith. God is the entity we put faith IN. God is a Spirit, the very first trial of our faith is to believe something we can't see exists. Next step is to go further and say not only someTHING but someONE and that someone created all that we see... Then to believe He loves us and always has our best interest in mind. So to allow this to become our reality, we start to let what we can see go. If you are or know of a Christian who hasn't traded any physical eyesight for spiritual eyesight through faith in Christ, then you or that person have some growing to do.
Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. - 1 Corinthians 9:24,25 KJV
If we don't believe there is an incorruptible crown, why are we running.. ARE we running? If we are a Christian, but we won't trade our life for Christ, do we really want to be Christians? Christians see the value in letting the whole world go to gain Christ. The physical for the spiritual, the corruptible for the incorruptible, the temporal for the eternal. God is holding something much greater than what we are holding. The surface reason that we won't trade is because we can't see what God has with our human eyes, but the deeper reason is tat we don't trust God.
If the Pharisees and Elders of Israel would have been willing to give up what they thought was so very important, they would have welcomed Jesus with open arms and embraced him as the Messiah. Jesus even showed them things they could relate to.. physical things. But they instead chose not to trade, kept their wallet of faith closed and in the process killed the Son of God.
“I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to finish—the very works that I am doing—testify that the Father has sent me. And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me. You have never heard his voice nor seen his form, nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent." - John 5:36-38 NIV
Day to day as Christians we should be trading the seen for the unseen. So that when the time of things seen come to an end, and the elements are burned up with a fervent heat, what we have built up that can't be seen will be shown. With exercise these trading skills go up... your job gets easier and you realize your willingness to detach yourself from the physical is your proof of you being a pilgrim and a traveler here. The days that come and go are not a time-line for the life of a carnal being, but a footprint for an eternal spirit. A trader who always makes the maximum possible profit... a Christian.
Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:
But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
- 1 Peter 1:18-25
Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. - 1 Corinthians 9:24,25 KJV
If we don't believe there is an incorruptible crown, why are we running.. ARE we running? If we are a Christian, but we won't trade our life for Christ, do we really want to be Christians? Christians see the value in letting the whole world go to gain Christ. The physical for the spiritual, the corruptible for the incorruptible, the temporal for the eternal. God is holding something much greater than what we are holding. The surface reason that we won't trade is because we can't see what God has with our human eyes, but the deeper reason is tat we don't trust God.
If the Pharisees and Elders of Israel would have been willing to give up what they thought was so very important, they would have welcomed Jesus with open arms and embraced him as the Messiah. Jesus even showed them things they could relate to.. physical things. But they instead chose not to trade, kept their wallet of faith closed and in the process killed the Son of God.
“I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to finish—the very works that I am doing—testify that the Father has sent me. And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me. You have never heard his voice nor seen his form, nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent." - John 5:36-38 NIV
Day to day as Christians we should be trading the seen for the unseen. So that when the time of things seen come to an end, and the elements are burned up with a fervent heat, what we have built up that can't be seen will be shown. With exercise these trading skills go up... your job gets easier and you realize your willingness to detach yourself from the physical is your proof of you being a pilgrim and a traveler here. The days that come and go are not a time-line for the life of a carnal being, but a footprint for an eternal spirit. A trader who always makes the maximum possible profit... a Christian.
Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:
But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
- 1 Peter 1:18-25
Friday, November 12, 2010
Don't get arrogant, Children of God
Romans 11
11 Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious. 12 But if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their full inclusion bring!
13 I am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I take pride in my ministry 14 in the hope that I may somehow arouse my own people to envy and save some of them. 15 For if their rejection brought reconciliation to the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? 16 If the part of the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches.
17 If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, 18 do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. 19 You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” 20 Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but tremble. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either.
22 Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off. 23 And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. 24 After all, if you were cut out of an olive tree that is wild by nature, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much more readily will these, the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree!
25 I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in, 26 and in this way[e] all Israel will be saved. As it is written:
“The deliverer will come from Zion;
he will turn godlessness away from Jacob.
27 And this is[f] my covenant with them
when I take away their sins.”[g]
28 As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies for your sake; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs, 29 for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable. 30 Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience, 31 so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may now[h] receive mercy as a result of God’s mercy to you. 32 For God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.
11 Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious. 12 But if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their full inclusion bring!
13 I am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I take pride in my ministry 14 in the hope that I may somehow arouse my own people to envy and save some of them. 15 For if their rejection brought reconciliation to the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? 16 If the part of the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches.
17 If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, 18 do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. 19 You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” 20 Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but tremble. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either.
22 Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off. 23 And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. 24 After all, if you were cut out of an olive tree that is wild by nature, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much more readily will these, the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree!
25 I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in, 26 and in this way[e] all Israel will be saved. As it is written:
“The deliverer will come from Zion;
he will turn godlessness away from Jacob.
27 And this is[f] my covenant with them
when I take away their sins.”[g]
28 As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies for your sake; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs, 29 for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable. 30 Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience, 31 so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may now[h] receive mercy as a result of God’s mercy to you. 32 For God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.
Food for Thought
Luke 5:30-32
30 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”31 Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Kangaroo Court
Matthew 26
59 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. 60 But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward.
Finally two came forward 61 and declared, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’”
62 Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” 63 But Jesus remained silent.
The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”
64 “You have said so,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
65 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. 66 What do you think?”
“He is worthy of death,” they answered.
67 Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him 68 and said, “Prophesy to us, Messiah. Who hit you?”
The way I see this... is that they came out arrested Jesus. Then tried to find evidence to support a charge they didnt have yet... He then chose to answer under oath whether he was the Christ, the Son of God. He spoke the truth, which was good enough for them to say it was a lie and a lie worthy of death.
This was spiritual more so than it was physical and this spirit is still in the world today. Believe me when I say that the Christ in you sends you through this same trial. You are "arrested" without charge and railroaded to your own personal cross. Jesus had very little to say to anyone during that time and that is an example for us. The Spirit may want you to keep quiet and open up a line to God.
Not only will we find ourselves in Jesus' place but I am also inclined to believe that if not careful we can find ourselves in the chief priests and elders place too. Arresting someone without a charge, interrogating them to find their dirt or something that we can use for dirt, because they said something we may not have liked but was true. Especially someone that cuts us with the truth.
59 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. 60 But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward.
Finally two came forward 61 and declared, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’”
62 Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” 63 But Jesus remained silent.
The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”
64 “You have said so,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
65 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. 66 What do you think?”
“He is worthy of death,” they answered.
67 Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him 68 and said, “Prophesy to us, Messiah. Who hit you?”
The way I see this... is that they came out arrested Jesus. Then tried to find evidence to support a charge they didnt have yet... He then chose to answer under oath whether he was the Christ, the Son of God. He spoke the truth, which was good enough for them to say it was a lie and a lie worthy of death.
This was spiritual more so than it was physical and this spirit is still in the world today. Believe me when I say that the Christ in you sends you through this same trial. You are "arrested" without charge and railroaded to your own personal cross. Jesus had very little to say to anyone during that time and that is an example for us. The Spirit may want you to keep quiet and open up a line to God.
Not only will we find ourselves in Jesus' place but I am also inclined to believe that if not careful we can find ourselves in the chief priests and elders place too. Arresting someone without a charge, interrogating them to find their dirt or something that we can use for dirt, because they said something we may not have liked but was true. Especially someone that cuts us with the truth.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
"To fear the LORD is to hate evil" Prov. 8
“I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence;
I possess knowledge and discretion.
To fear the LORD is to hate evil;
I hate pride and arrogance,
evil behavior and perverse speech.
Counsel and sound judgment are mine;
I have insight, I have power. (Prov. 8: 12-14)
... Blessed are those who listen to me,
watching daily at my doors,
waiting at my doorway.
For those who find me find life
and receive favor from the LORD.
But those who fail to find me harm themselves;
all who hate me love death.”(Prov 8: 34-36)
I possess knowledge and discretion.
To fear the LORD is to hate evil;
I hate pride and arrogance,
evil behavior and perverse speech.
Counsel and sound judgment are mine;
I have insight, I have power. (Prov. 8: 12-14)
... Blessed are those who listen to me,
watching daily at my doors,
waiting at my doorway.
For those who find me find life
and receive favor from the LORD.
But those who fail to find me harm themselves;
all who hate me love death.”(Prov 8: 34-36)
Friday, November 5, 2010
Battle Preparations!
Good morning men and women, soldiers of the Most High God!
Today we engage the enemy yet again troops! Hope you all are coming to the battle in your battle raiment... the whole Armor of God: Belt of Truth, Breastplate of Righteousness, Prepared Boots of Gospel, the Shield of Faith and your Helmet of Salvation. And of course you made sure the sword you grabbed was the sharpest you could acquire, that is the Sword of the Spirit a.k.a. the Word of God. We will be utilizing an awesome weapon called Praise, which will be continuously on our lips from now on... it confuses the enemy!
This battle will last all day, as usual, but we will not grow weary in our well doing, we will press on toward our higher calling. We will fight on mountaintops and in low valleys, there will be casualties and deserters, there will be unexpected enemies but also unexpected allies. We must never be cut off from each other, because it is not good for us to be alone. Our enemy is looking for the ones that isolate themselves so that he can devour them. Stick together!!! This is WAR! We are fighting for loved ones and also for ones God loves. People unknown to us but beloved to God. People that we don't know but can't give to the enemy without a knockdown dragout fight!!
The weapons we are equipped with and our training is for spiritual warfare only! Defend against physical attackers, but seek out and destroy spiritual enemies as they tend to dig in and multiply. We are not wrestling against flesh and blood!!
Our enemy will be using every dirty trick in the book, attacking our bodies, minds and souls. He is relentless and will not give up!! But his methods are not totally unknown to us. Our Commander has shown us that the enemy will be using three main strategies to try to subdue us: The Lust of the Eyes, The Lust of the Flesh and The Pride of Life. Our knowing these strips him of his surprises, now we must simply endure his never-ending frontal, flanking and rear waves of attacks throughout the day.
Oh and for anyone who didn't get the memo, we have already won! The battle was decided long ago! Our Lord Jesus spilled all the blood that needed to be spilled! We are now fighting the good fight of faith, enduring the last attempts of the enemy to bring us down. So it's not a battle we have to win, just one we have to fight! And with that being said.... Fall out and give em hell!!!
Today we engage the enemy yet again troops! Hope you all are coming to the battle in your battle raiment... the whole Armor of God: Belt of Truth, Breastplate of Righteousness, Prepared Boots of Gospel, the Shield of Faith and your Helmet of Salvation. And of course you made sure the sword you grabbed was the sharpest you could acquire, that is the Sword of the Spirit a.k.a. the Word of God. We will be utilizing an awesome weapon called Praise, which will be continuously on our lips from now on... it confuses the enemy!
This battle will last all day, as usual, but we will not grow weary in our well doing, we will press on toward our higher calling. We will fight on mountaintops and in low valleys, there will be casualties and deserters, there will be unexpected enemies but also unexpected allies. We must never be cut off from each other, because it is not good for us to be alone. Our enemy is looking for the ones that isolate themselves so that he can devour them. Stick together!!! This is WAR! We are fighting for loved ones and also for ones God loves. People unknown to us but beloved to God. People that we don't know but can't give to the enemy without a knockdown dragout fight!!
The weapons we are equipped with and our training is for spiritual warfare only! Defend against physical attackers, but seek out and destroy spiritual enemies as they tend to dig in and multiply. We are not wrestling against flesh and blood!!
Our enemy will be using every dirty trick in the book, attacking our bodies, minds and souls. He is relentless and will not give up!! But his methods are not totally unknown to us. Our Commander has shown us that the enemy will be using three main strategies to try to subdue us: The Lust of the Eyes, The Lust of the Flesh and The Pride of Life. Our knowing these strips him of his surprises, now we must simply endure his never-ending frontal, flanking and rear waves of attacks throughout the day.
Oh and for anyone who didn't get the memo, we have already won! The battle was decided long ago! Our Lord Jesus spilled all the blood that needed to be spilled! We are now fighting the good fight of faith, enduring the last attempts of the enemy to bring us down. So it's not a battle we have to win, just one we have to fight! And with that being said.... Fall out and give em hell!!!
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Looking at 1 Peter 2 (What in the world is a Christian?)
Here we are in 2010, and I say that if we look around we see everyone doing pretty much what they wanna do. The world doin it naturally and a large amount of Christians doin it and callin it Christianity. So if we could hear from Peter, after he walked with Jesus, denied Jesus, saw the Lord after He rose, was baptized in the Spirit on Pentecost, ministered to the first body of believers, saw the splitting of the original church, and before he himself was crucified upside down... what would he say about the mindset we should have as Christians. I say we could turn to 1 Peter 2 and get a glimpse:
1 Peter 2
Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, 2As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
- Action on our part: laying aside all malice,guile, etc. becoming as a newborn baby, changing our desires, so we can grow!!! We're not growing because we're not laying aside stuff, not becoming babes, not changing our desire to want the Word. Still trying to justifying holding on to the things we know God wants us to let go of.
- And who calls themselves a Christian who has not tasted of His grace??
5Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
6Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
7Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
8And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
- Peter calls Christ a living stone, who men (the builders, the professionals) threw away, but God chose to use and considered it precious... and then he says we are all living stones too and God is setting us where he wants us to be in his house, but why??? To offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to god by Jesus!! There is OUR calling... OUR mission. Our benefit when we believe on Jesus??? That we will NOT be confounded!!! So we know our thinking is wrong somewhere because people are madly confounded nowadays. So easily confused are we... because we haven't grown (see verse 2). When you are a stone set in a building by the builder you dont get confused and jump all over the place. You stay set in place that more building can be built onto you.
9But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;
10Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
- I have heard so many people use this, but at the same time, I see the chosen wanting to be like everyone else, people are scared to be seen as peculiar. Wanting the world to understand them when that is a lost cause. If someone is to understand you, it is because they have started to leave the world behind and come towards Christ. Because we should be showing forth our praises to God for what He has done. For changing us, accepting us, showing us mercy. Our praise of Him is exactly what shows us as set apart and peculiar.
11Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
12Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
- Strangers and Pilgrims lets us know that we do not belong here. Stop trying to fit in, get comfortable, be accepted. You either are not a stranger and a pilgrim and have become a citizen or you are looking like a flake for trying to play both sides. Conversation means life. The way you live, what your life is speaking. Someone is always gonna be there to challenge what your life is saying. We need to grow (verse 2) to be able to be "blameless" so that God can get his glory and win another soul.
14Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
15For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
- If reading vv 13 & 14 your stomach did a little turn onto itself, like mine did upon first getting this, let v15 comfort you. It is God's holy will. If we find ourselves not wanting to submit ourselves to the ordinances of man then we should remember it is the will of God. There us another chapter to be written, in which God moves. Hold your faith till then, or for the rest of your life if necessary.
- True freedom and liberty is something that the world does not have. Something all Christians do not recognize and cherish. Those that have it and know it have to remember we are servants, ambassadors, and that we are in a Kingdom, and we still have to answer to the King. We remember this so we don't get beside ourselves and use our liberty in a way that harms others. We have a responsibility.
18Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.
19For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
20For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
- Suffering wrongfully is something that very few people I know are willing to do... quietly at least. If fast food people make a mistake with people orders, it's hard for people to keep a lid on. This is our world but God calls us to be more. He says it is a credit to you, GLORY for YOU, if you can endure it because of a God-consciousness... This is "acceptable" to God. Cain killed his brother because His sacrifice was not accepted. That's how deep it was. How many times a day can we endure wrongful suffering patiently and hear God say it is "acceptable"????? Hooo -weeeee I feel like preachin... movin on...
21For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
22Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
23Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
24Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
- Wait a minute... did v21 just say "even hereunto were ye called"?? Meaning, that's WHY you were called HERE or THIS is WHERE you were called... *falls out of my chair*... And it goes on to say "because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow in his steps". But yet we cry... all the time.. "it just aint right, it's not fair, they not gone do this to me!!!" We gotta stop and think about this. This has to become our nature with God's help. We have to commit ourselves "to Him that judgeth righteously".
25For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
- Lord, I know there are many reasons you laid down your life. And I know one of them was to leave an example of how we should be. Your life, your death, your resurrection and even now your intercession at the Father's side on our behalf are all harmoniously showing us how we should be and who we should become to show whose we are... Thank you Lord for making us lively stones, precious in your sight though cast away by the world. Put us where we need to be Lord, and strengthen us in our purpose.
1 Month smoke free
6Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
I am one month without a Black & Mild and it feels great! I always pictured a long hard struggle with smoking but it really isn't that hard at all... not with the Spirit of God strengthening me!
Every major challenge, every destructive bad habit, God has removed with ease.. Things I thought would take my lifetime to get over, God spoke and it was done. Drinking, cursing, fornication, porno, and now I can add smoking to the list. Some might think it is my own strength, that I used to do these things, but I wanna say that is not the kind of strength I possess. I am naturally obsessive compulsive. if it's good, I usually do it with my full strength and with increasing frequency until it becomes a problem... then I do it some more. So believe me... it is not me... It is the hand of God... Thank you Jesus!
7Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
8Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
9Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
10But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
11To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
I am one month without a Black & Mild and it feels great! I always pictured a long hard struggle with smoking but it really isn't that hard at all... not with the Spirit of God strengthening me!
Every major challenge, every destructive bad habit, God has removed with ease.. Things I thought would take my lifetime to get over, God spoke and it was done. Drinking, cursing, fornication, porno, and now I can add smoking to the list. Some might think it is my own strength, that I used to do these things, but I wanna say that is not the kind of strength I possess. I am naturally obsessive compulsive. if it's good, I usually do it with my full strength and with increasing frequency until it becomes a problem... then I do it some more. So believe me... it is not me... It is the hand of God... Thank you Jesus!
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