OBEDIENCE: POSITIONING FOR THE BLESSINGS OF GOD!

John 14:15 “ If you love me, keep my commandments.” John 15:10 “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love…”

Obedience is the decisions in our lives that position us for the Promises of God to take effect in our lives. It is loving obedience that causes us to “abide” in Him. That simply means to remain connected in fellowship with Him. John 15: 7 “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, you will ask what you will, and it will be done unto you.” In Psalm 91, a classic filled with a multitude of God’s promised blessings, the key to positioning ourselves for His blessings is stated as the one who “dwells in the secret place of the Most High” and “abides under the shadow of the Almighty.” Isaiah 1:19 “If you be willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land…”
Let me share with you in two small examples how God is able to bless us and others through our simple obedience even to the small things in life.

Today I was driving down the road toward a business appointment, when I suddenly felt impressed in my spirit to pray for a friend of mine that I have recently reconnected with. I had no clue as to what specifics I needed to pray, so I began to allow the Holy Spirit to pray for me. When I don’t know how to pray, I begin to pray in the Spirit.(Romans 8:26) About ten minutes after I had finished praying, I called my friend to let him know the Lord had placed him on my heart and that I was praying for him! No answer!

About 30 minutes later he called me and told me the following. He had been working in Washington D.C. on scaffolding about forty feet in the air, when a pipe that secured the scaffolding to the side of the building broke loose and the scaffolding separated from the building and began to fall. It separated approximately five or six feet from the edge of the building and miraculously did not continue to fall. Somehow it stopped and he was able to scamper down the scaffolding as fast as his feet would carry him.

The reason he could not answer his phone was that he left it up on the scaffolding. The scaffolding began to fall just as I had begun to pray in the Spirit, and somehow God privileged me to be a part of His protective promise for my friend John! John’s response after he returned my call and realized what had taken place was “Isn’t the Holy Spirit awesome?” That is not coincidence; that is God!
Earlier this week, on the first day back from vacation I was working my way through a packed day filled with work that had piled up while we were away. As is my standard practice, I have a list of all the things I need to get done for the day, and when I complete each item, I practice asking the Lord what to tackle next. I had planned on spending a good portion of the afternoon on securing new business with a host of phone calls. Late morning after completing another task on my list, I asked the Lord what was next and I heard the following. “Go read your Bible and spend some time with Me.”

Maybe He didn’t realize that I was all backed up from vacation and really didn’t have the time at that moment. Perhaps I could find time later on that evening. He persisted and not being as stupid as I look, I decided to take a break and go refresh myself in the presence of the Lord. I picked up my Bible and began to talk with Him.

My cell phone rang about ten minutes into my time. I answered the phone and it was a customer of ours who said the following. “Ken, I want you to know I just got rid of one of my current vendors about ten minutes ago and you popped into my head to replace them at a cluster of our Properties. I want you to get started this week!” We started today and even before we finished our first job, he added three more onto the list for next week.

What would have happened if I decided to ignore the voice and keep on working? As I stated I had been walking in obedience for ten minutes and it appears as soon as I responded “Yes Lord!” this customer started thinking about me and called me to give us a lot of new business. That freed me up an entire afternoon to work on other items I had to do.

These blessings of God are available to those who “listen diligently unto the voice of the LORD God, to observe and to do all his commandments (Everything He asks you to do) …and all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if you will listen and obey the voice of the LORD thy God.” Deuteronomy 28:1-2 Loving Obedience positions us to secure the blessings of God both for ourselves and for others.

Fill out the comment section on the website with your examples of obedience procuring God’s blessings for you or for others!

One that loves God obeys God!

IN THE FIRE!

Isaiah 43:2When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.

Are you feeling the heat? Is the firey trial, situation or circumstance all around you? Do you feel like you're going down for the last time? If so, I have some good news for you!

First, we need to be truthful concerning fire. Fire is hot and causes pain. You should not be surprised or caught off guard when you enter into the fiery furnaces of life. Jesus warned us with these words in John 16:33..."These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation(pressure, stress,squashing,squeezing): but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."

Everyone in this world goes through the fire at one stage or another, and oftentimes it seems that we go from one fire to another. Because He has overcome, we can walk in a place of peace no matter how immense the pressure!

Find His purposes in the fire and set your focus on Him. "For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace." Romans 8:6 Those who set their minds on matters of the Holy Spirit, experience life and peace no matter what the circumstances.

I was going through some pretty wild times a few years back and I cried out to the Lord saying "When will this end?" He simply spoke back in that still, small voice and said "It won't!" I have learned that as a Disciple (Not just a Believer) the heat is usually always on! As younger, immature Christians we sometimes enter in to a time of complaining, resisting and looking constantly for ways to escape the pressure.

I have learned that pressure is a good thing and that God will use the fires of life, no matter what the origin (Himself, Ourself or the devil) to mold, shape and conform us closer to the image of Christ in us, He desires.

I discovered and meditated on a very unusual Scripture in James 2:2-4 "Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything."

What? You want me to be joyful when troubles come my way? Am I to be a glutton for punishment? Isn't that crazy? Not when you begin to comprehend that in the midst of the fire, your faith is tested and grown. Going through the fires of life can equip you and get you "ready for anything!" Everyone in the Bible who became what God wanted them to become went through times of testing. Joseph in prison; Daniel in the lion's den; Paul imprisoned and beaten; Jesus in the Garden; Shadrach, Meshack & Abednego in the fiery furnace.

In reading the story of the fiery furnace in Daniel Chapter three we discover...
How to make it through the fire...

1) Know that everyone is currently going through some kind of fire, whether spiritually, financially, family, sickness, relational. You are not the only one in the fire! "But remember that the temptations (trials)that come into your life are no different from what others experience." 1 Corinthians 10:13

Personally, I believe that pressure is designed to create intimacy with God. Think about how distant we seem to wander when everything is going well. Hopefully, as soon as it gets a little rough we are smart enough to turn to God. Eventually, we learn to stay with Him and remain connected with Him in fellowship, praise, prayer and obedience. Daniel 3:21 "So they tied them up and threw them into the furnace..." Because of the sin nature of this fallen world, everyone goes through the fire at one time or another!

If you feel bad about the fire you're in, take a look at what the Apostle Paul had to endure; you'll feel better immediately. "They say they serve Christ? I know I sound like a madman, but I have served him far more! I have worked harder, been put in jail more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again. Five different times the Jews gave me thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. I have traveled many weary miles. I have faced danger from flooded rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the stormy seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be Christians but are not.I have lived with weariness and pain and sleepless nights. Often I have been hungry and thirsty and have gone without food. Often I have shivered with cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm. 2 Corinthians 11:23-27
Now stop whining...it could be worse!

2) Know that you are not alone God is with you! Psalm 118:6 states that "The Lord God is on my side; I will not fear what man can do..." He has promised He will be with us no matter what we do or what we feel. Even when you FEEL alone, He is with us! Heb 13:5 "…he has said, I will never leave you, nor forsake you."

3) You will be tempted to give up and succumb to the effects of the flames. The enemy of your soul will speak these words to you in the midst of your fire, attempting to have you give up and quit. "I will give you one more chance. If you bow down...all will be well. But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. What god will be able to rescue you from my power then?” Daniel 3:15

Remember that "...God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can’t stand up against it. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it. 1 Corinthians 10:13” You don't have to bow!

4) Make a declaration of God's willingness & ability. Daniel 3:17 "If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power..." Stop your mind from being overwhelmed with facts. God's Truth always over-rides fact! Romans 10:10 "For with the heart man believes...and with the mouth confession is made..."

When David faced his giant, he prophesied the fall of the giant even before he engaged in combat. 1 Samuel 17:45 “Then said David to the Philistine, Thou come to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou have defied. This day will the LORD deliver thee into my hand; and I will smite you, and take your head from you; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.” Begin to prophesy your emergence from the fire and your ultimate victory!

5) Know that it may get a little hotter before it gets better! Daniel 3:19 "Nebuchadnezzar was so furious with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego that his face became distorted with rage. He commanded that the furnace be heated seven times hotter than usual." In the Kingdom of God, there are processes that we must endure in order for him to fulfill His purposes, maybe even in the lives of others. Have you noticed that our trials usually involve other people, as well ? He doesn’t always answer the way you think He should. He is God and He knows best. His timing is always perfect.

6) Connect with others in the midst of your fire. You are not designed to ever go it alone. We are the members of the Body of Christ. If you go it alone you will be burned. 1Corinthians 12:21 “…the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of you: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.” You cannot state this either by your words or your actions; the way you live your life in relation one to another. If you disconnect and enter the fires of life by yourself, the odds remain against your survival. Daniel 3:23 23 “And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.”

7) Know that the power of God is with you! Daniel 3:25 “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. His presence, His ability, His Companionship, His strength, His wisdom, His power, His destiny for you will all be present in the heart of the fiery trials of your life. Ask Him what good can come out of this trial. Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Its refreshing to know that God has a plan that determines the final outcome of your trail.

8) You are destined to go through the fire and you will come out on the other side and people will see that “the fire had not touched them. Not a hair on their heads was singed, and their clothing was not scorched. They didn’t even smell of smoke!.” 1 Samuel 3:27 You will not be consumed by your trial. The experience will not slow you down or defeat you. It will empower you to trust further in His ability.

9) God will receive praise for your personal victory. You will stand as an eternal memorial to the goodness and faithfulness of God as you rely on Him. The world needs to see His movement in your circumstances so they too can come into relationship with Him! Daniel 3:29 “Therefore I make a decree, That …. there is no other God that can deliver after this sort.”

10) Here is the best news yet. On the other side of your fiery furnace there is a promotion from the king for YOU! Daniel 3:30 “Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego…”

STEPPING UP!

Ephesians 4:11-14 “He is the one who gave these gifts to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ, until we come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature and full grown in the Lord, measuring up to the full stature of Christ. Then we will no longer be like children…”

God wants you to grow up! A question I often like to pose in many of my classes goes something like this. “How many of you are Children of God?” Of course the majority of hands are immediately thrust into the air as they claim their rightful inheritance. My follow up question goes like this. “When are you going to grow up and become Men and Women of God?”

In today’s Scripture verse we are told of the growth process each of us must encounter if we are to “be mature and full grown, measuring up to the full stature of the Lord!” Whether you like it or not, you will encounter various trials and tribulations in life that will stretch you and cause you to grow. James 1:2-4 states “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” The New Living testament puts it this way. “Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything.”

James is basically saying to “Get happy and let yourself grow up…” God does not want us to remain as little children and oftentimes uses the circumstances of life to assist us in our development process. The exciting news is that by the Grace of God and the movement of His Holy Spirit in my life, He will take me from my infancy to the fullness of Christ. That is an exciting prospect! Do you know that Jesus also went through the growing processes of life?

Hebrews 2:17-18 “Therefore, it was necessary for Jesus to be in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters…Since he himself has gone through suffering and temptation, he is able to help us when we are being tempted.” He went through it all with great success, I might add. Therefore, He “understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same temptations we do, yet he did not sin.” Hebrews 4:15 In all of His Obedience He demonstrated for us that man could overcome the influences of the powers of darkness by relying on God’s Spirit and His Word! “It is written!”

In the order of nature, he went through the growth process; first He changed the water into wine; then He stilled the stormy sea and finally he walked on the water. Each successive directive from the Father required greater faith, fellowship and confidence in Him and His Word. Jesus had never experienced these events in life, but he was growing day by day and moment by moment, to demonstrate the fullness of God in His life. He is our model. God has promised that he will never allow you to be tempted beyond that which you can handle! (1 Corinthians 10:13) In fact, The Lord uses the obstacles and events of our lives to strengthen and grow our faith, character, and spirit, as we grow to be more like Him!

Matthew 4:23 “And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people.” In His ministry of healing he also developed over time, beginning with the healing of sickness and disease; healing the blind and lepers (Creative miracles); and through this process something within Jesus began to emerge with a Holy realization of God’s Power even over death.

Jairus’ daughter was only dead a short while; the widow of Nain’s son was dead for hours and Lazarus four days in the hole! Jesus took one step of growth at a time in every single realm until He manifested God’s Perfect nature!

What mess have you gotten yourself into at this point in your life?
What obstacles has The Lord placed in your life?

Regardless of the source of your challenge, God has promised that you are able (with His Ability) to overcome it and He also desires you to use it as a stepping stone to move higher and closer to conformity to the Fullness of the Stature of Jesus! You must get excited for the day is at hand to thoroughly defeat your adversary! Today is a great day to begin!
2Corinthians 2:14 “Now thanks be unto God, which always causes us to triumph in Christ”

Do Not Be Afraid!

Matthew 17:7 "And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and do not be afraid.”

Jesus said that the greatest commandment is “You shall love the Lord thy God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:37-39 According to His Words these are the two single greatest commandments.

Do you know what ranks a close number three? If we can judge by the number of times in the four gospels that He addressed individual issues with specific commands, the answer is clear. The Gospels list some one hundred twenty plus commands from the lips of Jesus. The two Great Commandments listed above are mentioned only eight times, while the Commands related to fear appear twenty one times. (Not be afraid, not fear, have courage, take heart, be of good cheer) If the number of times a topic is mentioned by Jesus is any indication then Jesus takes the “fear issue very seriously!

Matthew 6:25 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life,
Matthew 9:2 “Take heart, son! Your sins are forgiven.”
Matthew 10:28 “…do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.”
Matthew 10:31 So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to him than a whole flock of sparrows.
Matthew 14:27 But Jesus spoke to them at once. “It’s all right,” he said. “I am here! Don’t be afraid.”
John 14:1 “Don’t let your heart be troubled: you believe in God, also believe in me.”
John 14:27 “Don’t let your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

The List goes on!

Jesus does not wish for us to live a life dominated by fear! Jesus was in the boat with His disciples on a storm tossed sea, when he was awakened from a deep sleep. Waves were crashing over the boat and He was asleep. Oh to know that intimacy with God that we can endure peaceful sleep in the midst of the storm. Before He sprung into action and calmed the turbulence He posed this question. “…Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Matthew 8:26

Occasion to fear may surround us day to day. It may be attacking our minds on a daily basis, or even moment to moment, BUT it does not have to be able to fill our hearts. Remember that “…God has not given us a spirit of fear” 2 Timothy 1:7 Recognize that fear is a “spirit” and it is attacking you and your very spiritual foundation. Fear is the reciprocal (opposite) of faith. If your enemy can get you to operate in fear instead of faith, your boat may go under in the middle of the tempests of life!

Whenever you entertain fear filled thoughts, “take…the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,” Ephesians 6:17 and begin to swing your sword. Do you believe that it is possible to control your own thoughts? Our Creator certainly knew what He was doing when He made these incredible houses that we live in.

Try this simple illustration! Begin to count silently in your mind backwards from 100 to 1. When you get to 90 say “Jesus!” three times out loud. What happened to your counting? Amazing, that God has given us a very simple tool to combat stinking thinking, the power of speech. Proverbs 18:21 “Death and life are in the power of the tongue…”

The Word of God is your weapon. Fear is a temptation. How did Jesus combat temptation in the desert? “It is written…” (Matthew 4) Jesus took the Sword of the Spirit and thwarted the attack of the enemy. The power is in the Word of God when it is spoken by you lips! My favorite is Psalm 118:6 “…the Lord God is on my side, I will not fear…”

Remember, Jesus commanded “Do not fear…” Isn’t today a good day to obey! Speak His Word and walk in victory. How long do I speak the Word? Speak the Word until the fear subsides. If it raises it’s ugly head again, start swinging your Sword again!

How to Destroy Fear in Your Life!

"That roused the Philistine, and he started toward David. David took off from the front line, running toward the Philistine. " 1 Samuel 17:48

Fear is one of the most amazing tools that the enemy has to paralyze our lives.

I was at a conference for people with Prophetic giftings some years ago, when a brother preached on the topic of fear. At the end of his message he gave an altar call and of the over 1000 people in attendance, all but 3 or 4 of us got out of their seats and ran toward the altar. I was floored!

It really opened my eyes to the enormity of this spiritual stronghold in the lives not only of the world, but in the hearts of believers as well, even in the five-fold ministry gifts.

Whether it's fear of failure, rejection, opposition, exposure, relationships, involvement, separation, inadequacy, inability, insecurity and so on, the fact remains that this is one of the major bondages that stifles the flow of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

How do we defeat fear?

1) Let the Holy Spirit be honest with you? Ask Him to reveal where in your life fear is making it's presence known. Set aside time to be quiet before the Lord with pen and paper in hand. Write down what he reveals to you! John 16:13 "...when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth..."

2) Understand that fear does not come from God. 2Timothy 1:7 "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." Fear comes from the input( in your thought life) and influences of the devil and the direct result of walking in sin. Genesis 3:10 "I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself."

Fear is the reciprocal (opposite) of faith and whenever we exit faith we enter into sin! Romans 14:23 "...for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. "

3) Know that God is with you...He's on our side! Psalm 118: 6 "The LORD is on my side; I will not fear..." God is with you, for you and in you! 1 John 4:4 "You are of God, little children, and have overcome...because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world." No matter who or what comes against us, they need to know Who is coming against them on our behalf! (You need to know too!) Romans 8:31 "If God is for us, who can be against us? "

4) Choose not to fear...your will is involved...you make the choice... Psalm 118: 6 "The LORD is on my side; I WILL not fear..." We must will not to fear. Check out the classic battle in 1 Samuel 17 between David and Goliath. Fear can be the Giant in your life and may be holding you back from engaging in the battle at hand. Goliath was unusually large (Huge problem) and kept on taunting the people of God with words.

1 Sam 17:10-11 "I defy the armies of Israel! Send me a man who will fight with me!” When Saul and the Israelites heard this, they were terrified and deeply shaken" Sound familiar?

5) Remember and rehearse what the Lord has done in your past. 1 Samuel 17:37 "The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine." Think about all the things God has done both great & small in your own life. Remember His faithfulness and His greatness. Psalm 103: 2 "Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits."

6) Begin to speak the Word of the Victory of the Lord to the giant of fear in your life! read the following classic out loud right now and let these words of Faith reverberate in your spirit. They will begin to come alive as you speak them over and over again. Listen to what these words are speaking to you!

1 Samuel 17: 45 "Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’S, and He will give you into our hands.”

7) Now here comes the best one... RUN TOWARD THE GIANT David took off "running toward the giant" 1 Samuel 17:48 Scare the hell out of that giant!

In Africa when a pack of lions hunt, the old toothless lion with the loudest roar sets himself on one side of the prey. Even though he can not run like he use to, he still roars a good game. The young able bodied hunters await the victim on the other side. When the prey hears the roar, their natural instinct prompts them to run away from the roar; right into the mouths of the young hunters! Don't run from fear... RUN TO THE ROAR! If you're afraid of the dark and you hear a noise in the house that arouses fear, start speaking the word and walk toward the noise. The spirit of fear will break! Fear of heights...find the tallest glass elevator you can find; stick your nose on the exterior and ride up and down, speaking the Word "The Lord God is on my side, I will not fear!" until the spirit of fear breaks. Ephesians 6:17 "And take...the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God..."

Every time the spirit of fear raises it's ugly head, purpose in the Spirit that you will take the Word of God and cut it's head off. James 4:7 "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you... (in stark, shear terror)"

Now let's go kill a few giants and have ourselves some fun!

DEFEATING TEMPTATION

1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”

This is the infamous Wye Oak Tree, which until its recent demise was the largest white oak tree in the U.S. The mighty Oak Tree is a tree that exerts much influence over a very large portion of ground. It sends its roots deep and across the ground desperately seeking water to insure its survival. It is a very difficult tree to cut down and chop into fireplace sizes, because the wood is very hard. Oak trees are a lot like temptations in that they literally devour the ground in which they are planted.

Do you know the easiest way to kill a Giant Oak tree?

Crush it while it’s still an acorn. It hasn’t taken root or broken the surface of the life sustaining ground. The same principle works wonders with temptations! Kill them before they take root. Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit tells us in 2 Corinthians 10:5 “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” We are told in this Scripture to get rid of any thought that is contrary to Christ or the Word of God. (Jesus is the Word of God, John 1:1)

Here’s how to defeat any temptation that comes against you! At the first sign of any thought contrary to the Word of God…implement the following immediately…

1) Turn to God for the way out as described in 1 Corinthians 10:13. He will direct your paths. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6. Ask Him “What do I do?” Listen and respond to what He says.

2) Speak the Word of God like Jesus did when he was tempted. (Luke 4:1-13) “I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me.” Phillipians 4:13 “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” Ephesians 6:17

3) Turn on Praise and Worship music or begin to sing praises to Him. Psalm 8: 1-2 “O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who has set your glory above the heavens. Out of the mouth(praise) of babes and sucklings have you ordained strength because of your enemies, that thou might still the enemy and the avenger.”

4) Read your Bible out loud! James 3:4-5 tells us that our tongue is that which literally steers the course of our lives. Re-direct your thoughts with the sound of His Word breaking through those tempting thoughts.

5) Pray and ask God for His willpower and His ability to be victorious. Phillipians 2:13 “For it is God who works within you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.”

6) Call a spiritual partner and tell them of the temptation. Pray together until the temptation passes! 1 Corinthians 12:21 “…the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.” Ephesians 2:22 “In whom you also are built together for a habitation of God through the Spirit.” Ephesians 4:16 “From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplies, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, makes increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.”

7) Thank God with the words of your mouth! 1Thessalonians 5:18 “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

YOU CAN NOT FAIL WHEN YOU APPLY THE PRINCIPLES OF GOD! CRUSH THE THOUGHT BEFORE IT TAKES ROOT!

BITE YOUR TONGUE!

James 3: 2-5 “…If you could find someone whose speech was perfectly true, you’d have a perfect person, in perfect control of life. A bit in the mouth of a horse controls the whole horse. A small rudder on a huge ship in the hands of a skilled captain sets a course in the face of the strongest winds. A word out of your mouth may seem of no account, but it can accomplish nearly anything—or destroy it!” The Message

James tells us that our lives can be filled with accomplishments or destructions, depending on the words we choose to speak. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, he compares the words we speak to the rudder of a ship, steering us resolutely toward our destination, either positive or negative.

Think of the many times in your life when you said that you could not, and the moment you said it you were defeated. You said that you didn’t have any faith and doubt, doom, gloom and fear arose like a giant and bound you up. You constantly spoke of failure, insecurity and inadequacy and they entombed you in utter helplessness. Proverbs 6:2 confirms this fact. “You are snared with the words of your mouth, you are taken (captive) with the words of your mouth.”

Very few people realize that our words dominate us. If you’re one that always speaks your “mind” and that mind is not renewed with the Mind of Christ, then you are steering your life in the wrong direction. A Christian should never talk defeat or failure; never for one moment acknowledge that God’s ability can’t put you over your situation or circumstance.

When you become “God lives inside me conscious,” remembering that “You are of God, little children, and have overcome…because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world,” 1John 4:4 then you can overcome anything that comes against you! Remember that God created this world with WORDS. Your words are more powerful then guns or bombs. Your words can make you a pauper or a millionaire; loved or despised; victor or victim.

When your thoughts begin to run amuck, begin to speak what God says about your situation or circumstance. Remember His Word of truth always trumps fact! Your thoughts may come and attempt to stay lodged in your mind, but if you will refuse to put them into words, they will die unborn.

Hebrews 14:14 “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

Hebrews 10:23 “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering…”

Don’t ever confess that you are a “miserable sinner saved by grace.” The fact is that maybe you were a miserable sinner, but the TRUTH is that you are “the righteousness of God in Christ.” Maybe the doctor’s report says that you have cancer, but the TRUTH states “by His stripes you were healed.” Don’t steer your life in the wrong direction, use your tongue and speak the words of life. “My words are life to those who find them and health to all their flesh.” Proverbs 4:20 Say about your life, your situation, your circumstances, what God says about them. Romans 4:17 states that God “calls those things that are not as though they are.”

You don’t have any problems talking to your car when it won’t start, or your washing machine when it breaks down. Begin today to call the things in your life that are all in a huge mess, the way that God sees them. Don’t agree with the naysayers…agree with God. He says that there isn’t anything you can’t do “through Christ who strengthens you,” and He means it! Phillipians 4:13 Joel 3:10 “…let the weak say, I am strong.”

Jesus said in Matthew 12:36 “…I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.” An idle word is any word that does not line up with God's Word.

Correct your words and change your life!

I am a new Creation… all things are of God
I am living Eternal Life right now…
I am full of the Divine nature of God Almighty…
I am the Righteousness of God…as though sin has never touched my life…
I can do anything through Christ..
When I pray, my prayers are answered…

Pr 18:21 "Death and life are in the power of the tongue ..."

Get a firm grip on the rudder of your life ship!

Betrayal

Luke 22 tells us the story of the process of betraying Christ. Websters defines betrayal as : “to lead astray ; seduce, to deliver to an enemy by treachery, to fail or desert especially in time of need.”. The Bible says in vs. 4 that Judas went to the religious leaders specifically to “discuss the best way to betray Jesus to them.”

When you fall in love with Jesus and truly recognize all He’s done for you, betrayal cuts to the core of our hearts. Betrayal stifles our walk and progress with Him. Betrayal cuts us off from the fellowship of believers, from intimate relationships with others and from the very mercy seat of God. When I walk or move contrary to His Word or His Spirit (sin) I betray Him! How is it possible that with such a great Lord, Savior and King that we could ever possibly consider betrayal. Luke 22 gives us some insight.

1) Betrayal results when we give an opportunity for the flesh or the enemy to “enter in” to our lives. In John 14:30 Jesus said that the ruler of this world was coming after Him, but that he had no part in Him! There is an old saying that “When you reach out to shake hands with the devil, he’ll bite your arm off!” We must TOTALLY subdue our fleshly, selfish desires and submit to the Spirit of God. There must be no area of entrance into our lives for the enemy of our souls. Do a review in your own life. Ask the Spirit of God to reveal the weaknesses in your walk. Then shore up those areas by fasting & prayer and discipline and denial and accountability with others. Stay Holy!

The best way to kill a giant Oak tree is when it’s an acorn. Do not let it take root! When sin or self knocks at your door…do not open the door! The Bible says in 1Co 10:13 that “There hath no temptation overtaken you that is not common to man: but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above your strength, but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you are able to bear it.” Have you ever formulated a way of escape? We already know our own areas of weakness, therefore we should have a Divine Strategy already in place for the time when temptation strikes. You don’t wait until fire breaks out before an exit strategy is in place. There’s one in every hotel room! Take some time today, get with God and create an exit strategy. I know one brother who suffered form severe addiction to crack cocaine and lost everything he had. When he got his Divine Escape plane AND put it into action continually…He experienced VICTORY!

When temptation comes…begin to destroy the thoughts immediately…begin to sing praises to God out loud! James tells us that the tongue steers the course of your life (like the rudder of a ship)…When you speak, your thoughts are refocused in another direction. Pull out the Word of God (The Sword of the Spirit) and begin to speak against that “Stinkin thinkin!” Jesus did it! (Matthew 4:4) call your prayer or accountability partner and expose the thought to another…when wrong thinking is exposed to holy air…it’ suffers a violent, swift death!

Remember…you are just thinking about shaking hands…your enemy is considering biting your arm off!I’ll be back soon to continue this message. In the mean time, read Luke 22: 2-6 and see what He speaks to you!

Resting in His Ability Today!

Ken Bombard

ARE YOU CRAZY?

Gal 3:3 "Have you lost your senses? After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort?” NLT

Do you love the Lord but still find yourself involved in the same sin or sins over and over again? Do you find yourself full of resolve and good intentions on doing what is Godly but still keep on stumbling? The same old pattern repeats itself time after time. You stand strong for a period of time and when all seems to be going well…Wham…it hits you and you fall for the same old trap again.

We know that when we sin, we lose fellowship with the Lord. Notice I said fellowship; not salvation. When we fall, we are unable to stay intimate or connected with Him, abiding in the shadow of His protection and the fullness of His provision.

Re-read the beginning Scripture above. It wasn’t our good works that brought us into His Kingdom and it won’t be our self empowered efforts or willpower that causes us to overcome the temptations we encounter. As long as we continue to try and “become perfect by our own human effort,” we will continue to fail miserably. Paul felt this same way when he cried out in Romans 7:24 “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” He knew that his own ability was severely lacking. Fortunately, he was given the answer and he responds in the next verse. “Thanks be unto God! Jesus can and Jesus will!”

You are attempting to obey God in your flesh. The verse says that the same way you got saved, by believing in Him, is the same way you walk in the spirit. Romans 8:12 "So, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation whatsoever to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you keep on following it, you will perish. But if through the power of the Holy Spirit you turn from it and its evil deeds, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.”

It's through the power of the Holy Spirit alone that you can obey! Start turning even your ability to obey over to Him. Ask Him to give you His willpower and ability to walk in obedience. Phillipians 2:13 “For it is God who works in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”

Tell Him you can't do it and you need His Willpower and ability...He will gladly take over. If you think about it, when you give it all to Him...He moves...when you take some back into your own ability...you hinder His ability!

Paul knew this secret...2 Cor 12: 9 "And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. "

He knew that if he boasted in his inability...the Power of Christ would be his ability!
Get back up on your horse...shake the dust off and get back at it! You are on the verge of a permanent breakthrough as long as you trust Him for His willpower and His ability.

Tell Him today that you recognize your inability to be a wife, husband, father, mother, Christian, businessman, Church leader, employee. Tell Him “I can’t do it!” Tell Him you can’t pray, worship, read you Bible, witness or minister without Him. Then simply ask Him to give you His willpower (To do His will) and His ability in all that you do. Phillipians 4:13 states that “I can do all things through Christ, Who strengthens me!”

Insanity is defined as doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Isn’t it time to defeat sin God’s way? Stop trying to win with your own willpower and ability. If you’ve “lost your senses” then begin to experience victorious living God’s way right now! Give it all to Jesus!

No go back to the picture above from the NASA space telescope and see God's hand reaching out to help you!

THE SPIDER AND THE FLY!

The Spider and the Fly
Mary Howitt

Will you walk into my parlour?" said the Spider to the Fly, 'Tis the prettiest little parlour that ever you did spy; The way into my parlour is up a winding stair, And I've a many curious things to shew when you are there." Oh no, no," said the little Fly, "to ask me is in vain, For who goes up your winding stair can ne'er come down again." "I'm sure you must be weary, dear, with soaring up so high; Will you rest upon my little bed?" said the Spider to the Fly. "There are pretty curtains drawn around; the sheets are fine and thin, And if you like to rest awhile, I'll snugly tuck you in!" Oh no, no," said the little Fly, "for I've often heard it said, They never, never wake again, who sleep upon your bed!"

I was "deadheading" my rose bushes in the front yard the other day when my hand became entangled in a spider web. When I looked closely, I saw the huge spider in the picture above and he appeared to be staring at me. I believe I saw him lick his lips in anticipation of the largest meal he had ever captured. Observe his size compared to the cicada trapped in his web.

After I picked myself up off the ground, I began to look at his web and how intricate, attractive and enticing it was. If I had been a bug meandering on by, I probably wouldn't even have noticed the web, and would have flown straight into it. Then I'm sure I would have panicked and by the struggle, I would have become more entangled in it's clutches. Not knowing what this beautiful black and gold creature, who was crawling toward me had in mind, I would have been enraptured by his black and golden yellow coloring and the silver crown that adorned his head. I would have ceased my struggle,,,,UNTIL he opened his mouth to eat me!

The Bible warns us to " Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil...walks around, seeking whom he may devour: 1Pe 5:8" Everything he displays is meant to trigger responses in and of your fleshly desires. All of his objects are beautiful to the eyes and pleasing to the senses, stirring up the lusts and passions of our hearts and minds.

I believe that he may have inspired the very words of the Poem quoted above."Its the prettiest little parlor that ever you did spy...and I have many curious things to shew you..." "Just one last fleeting moment of pleasure." "Just this one last time." "You're not hurting anyone, because no one will know." "Just one more glance, one more bowl of ice cream, one more toke, one more sleazy movie, one more drink, one more abuse, one more neglected tithe, one more idol between you and God, one more Sunday morning to sleep in..." The list goes on. Fill in your own "just one more."

Remember in his case, beauty is only superficial. He has been a "...a murderer from the beginning, and has abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him...for he is a liar, and the father of lies." John 8:44 Remember this! Every time you walk voluntarily into his web of deceit and lies (departing from God's Truth) something will die in your life. Sin has a cost, and its a price that you must pay. Romans 6:23 confirms this fact. "For the wages of sin is death..." Every time we fly into the web of sin and destruction something dies, is stolen, or destroyed. John 10:10 Relationships, finances, physical or emotional well being, family, emotional bonds, trust, relationship with God, annointing, marriages, futures, jobs; all aspects of our lives take a hit when we choose to depart from the "shadow of the Almighty," as described in Psalm 91.

In 1 Peter 5: 8, we are commanded to be sober...Not to be intoxicated, affected or influenced by the things of this world. We are to be under the influence only of the Spirit of God. Ephesians 5:18 "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit..." We are to be marked by seriousness and a sense of gravity. This is serious business which exerts eternal and temporal influence.

We are commanded to be vigilant...to be paying close and continuous attention to the influences that surround us, because our actions and choices have consequences on our lives and the lives of those in our household. You know that this spiritual truth is valid. The children of an abusive alchoholic are more likely to end up with the same sort of lifestyle. Vigilant means to focus your complete attention on all the details of life, keeping track of our surroundings and maintaining a watchful eye, and a hearing ear on any possibilities of trouble.

We are commanded to be sober and vigilant because the enemy of our souls is looking for someone "whom he may devour." If the cicada in the picture above had been sober and vigilant, he would still be singing in the forest out back. Instead he now lies dead and is currently being eaten! Like the spider, satan himself often appears to be very attractive to our thought life, but each and every encounter with them can be deadly, no matter how attractive the scenario may be!

Let me close with this:
EVERY TIME YOU REACH OUT TO SHAKE HANDS WITH THE DEVIL...
HE WILL BITE YOUR ARM OFF!

Ro 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. MAKE YOUR CHOICE TODAY! RUN WITH GOD. ABIDE IN HIM. DWELL IN THE SECRET PLACE. ABIDE IN THE SHADOW!

JESUS TOOK YOUR DISEASES...

Isaiah 53:4 “ Surely he has borne(carried away) our griefs (Hebrew: choliy…malady, anxiety, sicknesses and diseases) , and carried our sorrows(Hebrew: mak'ob, anguish, affliction, grief, pain, sorrow.).

OK…read it this way…” Surely, He has carried away our maladies, anxieties, sicknesses and diseases and carried away our anguish, afflictions, griefs, sorrows and pains.”

If someone comes into your house and bears or carries away your furniture, then obviously you don’t have your furniture anymore! If UPS came to your house with a box, all damaged and broken, full of poisonous spiders and snakes and said “Sign here for these.” What would you say? If you’re the average Christian, your response will probably be something like this. “Oh well, I guess since you’re delivering the package, it must be mine, so I’ll accept it.” If you take the package and its not yours You Are Crazy!

In the same way when the enemy of our soul comes along with a fever, sniffles or flu like symptoms, we receive the package even though it doesn’t belong to us! If Jesus carried your diseases and sicknesses away and He personally bore them for you, the He took the package and you don’t have to! Reject the package. Let violence rise up on the inside of you at the very onset of the temptation (initial symptoms). Jesus said in Matthew 11:12 “…from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth (has allowed) violence, and the violent take it (The Kingdom of Heaven) by force. Israel had to kick the enemy out of their promised land, and its no different for us! Deuteronomy 11:8 “Therefore you must keep all the commandments which I command you this day, that ye may be strong, and go in and possess the land…”

You must kill that Thought before it takes root in your heart. Violent Christians get violent by wielding their sword and swinging it at anything that exalts itself against the Word of God. Ephesians 6:17 “And take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God…” Do not let the symptoms or initial thoughts of any sickness or disease take root in your heart. It is a lie of the devil because Jesus has “carried away your sicknesses and diseases.”

Do you know the easiest way to kill a giant oak tree? Squash it when it is an acorn. We see in Jesus’ life our example for resisting things that originate with the devil. In Matthew 4 we see His acorn squashing strategy… “It is Written…” and every time…EVERY TIME… the enemy spoke and threw inappropriate suggestions His way His immediate response was to swing the Sword of the Spirit. So too, when you awake with cold or flu symptoms, you must begin to speak God’s healing promises and kill that attack before it takes root!

“By the stripes of Jesus, I am healed” 1 Peter 2:24

“He forgives all of my sins and heals me of all my diseases.” Psalm 103:3

“Jesus took my infirmities and bore my sicknesses…” Matthew 8:17

“Well, I said that once and nothing happened.” Start swinging your sword and don’t stop until the enemy is totally defeated and all symptoms are gone! Chew on this statement by E.W. Kenyon for awhile. It’s pretty heavy. “If you are prepared to stand on the Word of God FOREVER, You won’t have to wait very long!” Your enemy knows how long you’ll last. He knows that you’re not the giant of faith that you pretend to be, and he’ll let you take a couple of swings at him until you tire out and let your sword fall to the ground in despair.

If you are in a place of serious sickness or illness, then you have a more difficult, but not an impossible task ahead of you. Matthew 19:26 “…Jesus said to them…with God all things are possible.” Mark 9:23 “Jesus said to him, If thou can believe, all things are possible to him that believes.” It takes longer and a great deal more effort to cut down the giant oak tree than it does to squash an acorn, BUT its still possible!

Get into your Bible…Read the Gospels…watch the hands and heart of Jesus in action. Discover God’s Will as displayed in His life and Healing Ministry. Matthew 8:16 “When the evening was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed ALL THAT WERE SICK.” Connect with fellow Believers who know God’s Will for healing you! Have them teach you, encourage you and pray for you! Discover His principles; apply them and position yourself for His healing flow.

GOD WILL NEVER LOVE YOU ANY MORE THAN HE DOES RIGHT NOW!

GOD WILL NEVER LOVE YOU ANY LESS THAN HE DOES RIGHT NOW!

Healing to you from the Heart of God!