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!

FORGET IT?

James 1:23-24 “For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.”

Many Christians fall under this same category that James describes. We love to dive into the depths and mysteries that we find in the Word of God, however, when it comes to applying those same truths in our own lives, we often become very resistant. I believe that we have the answer to this problem found in the Scripture stated above.

The mirror, spoken of, represents the Word of God in this passage. This passage simply declares to us as Christians, that we are to journey into the Word of God, with hearts and minds that are ready and willing to apply (obey) any principle that we encounter.

The passage further states that if we do not apply the principles, we discover that we will soon forget the liberating truths we have uncovered, especially when we face opposition. There is something about applying (obeying) the principles in the Word of God that causes these discoveries to stick with our spirit man. If we practice discovery and application of the principles contained in God’s Word, there are two things that occur as a result. This is a Spiritual Law!
1) We will not forget who God has made us to be!
2) We will not forget with what ability we have been enabled!

We find this exact principle summarized in Deuteronomy 28: 1-2 “Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey (apply His Principles) the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments…, that the Lord your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey (apply His directives) the voice of the Lord your God.”

The other truth that James states is that when we do NOT apply the principles (commandments) of God and we face an attack, we forget “what kind of man” we are. The spiritual glue, or power of the Holy Spirit, is activated in our lives when we obey. If we refuse to obey, the Holy Spirit can not activate the Reality of the Truths contained in His Word in our lives and we enter into the struggles of life, powerless, and uncertain of the great things God has done for us!

1Corinthians 2:9 “…it is written, Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither has entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love him.”

If you are walking in unforgiveness or bitterness, it is not worth the price you pay. God’s Principles declare the necessity to forgive. If you don’t forgive, then you will never reach the level where you realize Who You are in Christ and you will continue to walk in defeat!

John 1:12 “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God…”

If you discover and obey God's Principles, you too will, like the kitten pictured above, will turn into a lion. When you encounter obstacles in your life, they will be transformed into stepping stones!

A WORK IN PROGRESS!

Phillipians 1:6 “And I am sure that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again.”

When I first came to know the Lord personally, someone came to me and told me that THEY hadn’t sinned since they had gotten saved several years ago. That statement floored me, because I was still struggling in certain areas of my life. Thank God I found the Scripture above. Exactly what it states is this. “Until the day I pass on, or Jesus returns, I am a work in progress and that there are no perfect people in this earth."

Even Paul struggled with his post conversion life. Romans 7: 14-24 “…I am carnal, sold under sin. For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do…. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice…I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.”

Paul needed to know, even as we do, that in fact, we are not perfect when we are saved, except within our spirit. Remember you are a spirit. We have a soul (mind, emotions, intellect, willpower, imaginations, etc.,) and we live in a house called a body. During your life time you will be on a continuous journey to working toward perfection in Christ. I’m sorry to say, but even people who are of the family of God, still do sin.

Thank God that He does not demand that I change immediately and completely. My little mind would explode in the face of the impossibility! Paul felt the same way. Romans 7:24 “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” The Word for you today is to be patient!

Get into the presence of God today and ask Him what He wishes to work on, at this time in your life. Then respond in loving obedience. His wish list and priority list may be quite different than yours. When He “began the good work within…” me, He chose areas of my life that were different than I would have chosen! He wanted to work on my “love” life instead of the drugs and alcohol, first! Know this, that what He commands you to do, He will also empower you to finish! Phillipians 2:13 “For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him.”

When you first come to a saving knowledge and personal relationship with Jesus, all of your sins are forgiven. As long as you continue in developing your relationship with God and believing in His free gift of eternal life, when you do stumble and sin, what is effected is your fellowship with Him, not your eternal destiny! Sin effects your intimacy level with God, your ability to hear, receive, and walk in his promises and His divine ability

When we do fall in sin, His method of restoration to fellowship is to confess our failure as sin. 1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” The area that really effects our fellowship with Him is the habitual, repetitive sins. 1 John 1:6 “So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness.” This Scripture carries the idea that habitual sin destroys our intimate fellowship with God.

So the order of the day is to…
1) Find out what God is interested in developing in our lives day by day.
2) Receive His willpower and His ability.
3) Confess our sin instantly upon conviction of the Holy Spirit.
4) Repent. Stop the specific sin!

OR WE RUN THE RISK OF LOSING THE CONNECTIVITY BETWEEN THE VINE AND THE BRANCHES JESUS SPEAKS OF IN JOHN 15, RESULTING IN FAILURE!

John 15:5 “…apart from Me, you can do nothing!”

You are a work in progress. Ephesians 2:10 “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus…” While the work is heading toward completion, stay connected with God and receive everything He has to offer through your loving obedience. Deuteronomy 7:9 “Know therefore that the LORD your God, he is God, the faithful God, Who keeps covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments…”

STANDING IN THE STORM!

Matthew 7:27 “When a storm rolled in and the waves came up…” MSG


Thunder Storms…awesome, troublesome, and with the accompanying rain sometimes just bothersome. Ask anyone who has been struck by lightning and it’s also shockingly painful, as well. I can remember one evening in my younger years when I sat in a four wheel drive vehicle on Assateague Island and watched the most intense display of lightning for hours.

Lightening and storms can be beautiful, but they can also be devastating. It's always better to watch the storm as it happens somewhere else!

Most of us remember Hurricane Katrina which pounded the Gulf Coast and took 1836 lives. We have watched pictures of the 2004 Tsunami launched in the Indian Ocean killing over 230,000 people in fourteen countries. That storm generated waves up to one hundred feet high and devastated many lives! Storms are not always beautiful or fun!

We’ve had a lot of lightening and rain the last couple of days and I was driving home late last evening from Church watching the awesome display of God’s majesty in the heavens. Job 37:3 “He directs…His lightning unto the ends of the earth.”Jesus had a lot to say concerning storms too! Jesus said that in this life you can not avoid the storms.

Matthew 7:27 “When a storm rolled in and the waves came up…” There is no way to avoid storms or trials and tribulations in this life. Jesus also stated in John 16:33 that “…In the world you will have tribulation…” That Greek word for tribulation means “pressure, squeezing, squashing, stress, etc.” Experienced any of that recently?

It seems to me that in the Gospels Jesus knew exactly how to still the storms of life. Mark 4:39 “And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.” He is still in the storm business today. He will either calm the storm in you, calm the storm itself, or calm you in the storm!

Here is His advice direct from the Manufacturer’s handbook (Bible.) Translated from the message it goes like this concerning the Word of God. Matthew 7:24-27 “These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit—but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock. But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don’t work them into your life, you are like a stupid carpenter who built his house on the sandy beach. When a storm rolled in and the waves came up, it collapsed like a house of cards.”


So here’s the wrap-up! Jesus simply says that those who discover His Principles written in the Word of God and APPLY (obey) them will stand in the middle of the storms of life! Perhaps He will speak a simple directive (word) into your spirit in a time of prayer. If you apply (obey) that Word, again you will stand in the midst of the storms of this life or “you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit—but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock!”


Soldiers are not thrust right into the fray without extensive training and rehearsal in advance. Isn't it time that you practiced for the next storm! get into God's Word and discover His Principles of Life. Immediately apply them in your life through His Ability. Phillipians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!"

Somebody you know needs to hear this message today. Who do you know that is currently suffering a collapse in the midst of the storm? Pass the site on today! Get involved in someone else's life!

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!

HAND IN HAND!

John 15:5-7 “…apart from me you can do nothing…IF you stay joined to me AND My words remain in you, you may ask any request you like and it will be granted to you!”NLT

There is built within the makeup of every person, a desire to be part of something productive, especially those who have been “born again” into the Family of God. In John 15:8 Jesus said “My disciples bear much fruit. This brings great glory to My Father.”

Whenever we are separated from a vital functioning relationship with Jesus and His Kingdom work, our lives tend to lack excitement, purpose and motivation. We begin to stagnate and stagnant water stinks. In our Scripture today, Jesus tells us how to be productive in His Kingdom work. We must stay joined (connected) to Him and His Words! Pretty simple principle, however so few Christians actually walk in this dual union.

Today, we’ll cover part one…

1) STAYING JOINED WITH HIM…In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus states “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

What you have probably never seen before is that we don’t just come to him to rest, but we are to come to Him to be YOKED with Him. When you come to Him and YOKE yourself to Him, you have to remain close, connected and joined with Him, then you will find “rest for your soul.”

A) The Church has been errant in not teaching us that this is our goal, “to abide in Him.” You did well to come to Him, but you do better to yoke yourself to Him. We never knew that the real calling of Jesus was not just to come, but to be YOKED! Even though we’ve heard the term “abide,” we have never really believed that an abiding life was possible.

B) Perhaps you’re one of the very few who did believe that it was possible to remain joined with Him, but you never discovered the secret to abiding. For the remainder, whenever Jesus would have kept us abiding, sadly to say, we were not ready to stay connected; not prepared to give up everything!

IT IS HIS CALL TO ABIDE IN HIM. IT IS POSSIBLE TO ABIDE OR REMAIN CONNECTED WITH HIM!

Here’s the secret:

a) Be Poor in Spirit…Matthew 5:3 If you want to walk in the Kingdom, you must first realize your desperate need for His ability in your life. You must realize that as often that you have attempted to abide…YOU have failed in your own abilities and strength.

b) Recognize that God desires to enable you with His Ability and Willpower to Abide. Phillipians 2:13 Your willpower and ability will never get it done! Tell Him that you give up and relinquish the responsibility for the willpower and strength necessary to abide in Him. Ask Him to give you His willpower and His ability.

c) Begin to admit your own inability and willpower are insufficient. Understand that in Your weaknesses, His Strength is made perfect. 2 Corinthians 12:9

d) Begin to be real and confess your inabilities and weaknesses. Something wonderful happens when you do! 2 Corinthians 12:9 “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” The power of Jesus comes upon your inabilities and your confession begins to change to “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!” Phillipians 4:13

e) The secret is wrapped up here in Paul’s revelation in Romans 7:24-25 " O wretched man that I am! Who is able to deliver me from this body of death (Dependence upon My own abilities and wisdom)? I thank God! Jesus can and Jesus will!”

RECOGNIZE YOUR OWN INABILITY. CONFESS YOUR INABILITY. ASK HIM TO DO IT ALL INCLUDING WILLPOWER AND ABILITY!

Next issue: How to remain joined with His Word and receive your Kingdom requests!

EAGER TO LET HIM IN!

John 6 20-21 “…he called out to them, “I am here! Don’t be afraid.” Then they were eager to let Him in, and immediately the boat arrived at their destination.”

Jesus had just healed a lame man who had been infirmed thirty eight years, proclaimed to the Jewish leaders that He was the Son of God, and fed five thousand men, plus women and children, from a few loaves and fishes. That evening Jesus’ disciples had gotten into a boat and began to sail to the other side of the lake without Jesus. Let me add right here. Don’t go anywhere without Jesus! You never know when you may encounter a storm!

These disciples had seen the healings, heard the proclamations and actually distributed the fish and bread to the multitudes. They knew from whence the power had flowed, yet they were determined to go it alone in the boat. In the very midst of gale force winds, (their troubles) Jesus approached them. They weren’t even calling out for His help, but He showed up on the scene with the end result that “immediately their boat arrived at their destination.”

1 Peter 5:7 says that “…He cares for you!” With Jesus on the scene and obedience to His command, nothing could stop that boat from reaching the other side in a hurry!

When all is hopeless and reliable means are failing you, you can trust in this fact: He cares for you and He will show up on the scene! There is however, a role for you to play!

You must place yourself in a position to hear His voice, His command. In this particular situation He commanded them “Don’t be afraid!” If the disciples had continued shouting and calling for help, they never would have heard His soothing and peaceful command. When you are in the middle of a stormy situation, you need to position yourself in a place where you can hear His call.

That means to calm down your fearful mind by reading His Word out loud, by singing praises or just shouting His Name. David called on his Deliverer while facing the giant. David “encouraged himself in the Lord” while everyone in Ziklag wanted to kill him. Paul and Silas shouted praise at midnight while stuck on prison. Then hear what He has to speak into your heart!

Do what He says. Apparently in this situation He told the disciples to let Him into the boat, because the Bible says “…they were eager to let Him in the boat." In John 15, Jesus tells us that, if we obey Him, we will remain connected with him, and that nothing will be impossible. Remember that there is always a way out, or through, or around, your situation or circumstance. 1Corinthians 10:13 “…God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted (troubled) above that which you can handle; but will with the temptation (trouble) also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it.”

Sometimes He shows the way out, or around the trouble. Sometime He allows you to go through the fiery trail. Father knows best! Whatever way He chooses, even if it’s through it, He will be with you, speaking to you, encouraging you and empowering you. Daniel 3:27 says that the fire could not harm the three Hebrew young men and that even the smell of smoke was not allowed upon their garments. In Daniel 3:30 we are told that they received a “promotion” after having gone through their fire!

Are you eager to “let Him in” today? If He wants to come in your boat, let Him in. If He wishes to row, let Him row. If He wants to steer let Him steer. If He wants you to row or steer, row or steer. Your boat is soon to arrive at its destination, if you will hear and obey! Let HIM in the Boat!

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 PATH

Galatians 5: 16-17 “So I advise you to live according to your new life in the Holy Spirit. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The old sinful nature loves to do evil, which is just opposite from what the Holy Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are opposite from what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, and your choices are never free from this conflict.” NLT

Everyone wants to know if they are on the right path in life and sometimes it becomes downright fuzzy as to where we are. There is a difference between the path dominated by the Flesh(Our own abilities and desires) or a path influenced and orchestrated by the Spirit of God. Oftentimes I am asked “How can I know if I’m walking according to my flesh (Own abilities and desires) or if I’m walking in the Spirit?” (His ability and His desires) The Bible has drawn a very clear line of distinction regarding the two:

FLESH:

Galatians 5:19 “When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, your lives will produce these evil results: sexual immorality, impure thoughts, eagerness for lustful pleasure, 20idolatry, participation in demonic activities, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, divisions, the feeling that everyone is wrong except those in your own little group, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other kinds of sin.”

The Message translation states the same verse this way: “It is obvious what kind of life develops out of trying to get your own way all the time: repetitive, loveless, cheap sex; a stinking accumulation of mental and emotional garbage; frenzied and joyless grabs for happiness; trinket gods; magic-show religion; paranoid loneliness; cutthroat competition; all-consuming-yet-never-satisfied wants; a brutal temper; an impotence to love or be loved; divided homes and divided lives; small-minded and lopsided pursuits; the vicious habit of depersonalizing everyone into a rival; uncontrolled and uncontrollable addictions; ugly parodies of community.

SPIRIT:

Galatians 5:22 “But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, and self-control.” The Message says it this way: “But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.

Isn’t it time to pause and reflect on whether you are pursuing Your own agenda or God’s? I know if you’re reading this blog, you love God in the best way you know how. Aren’t you tired of running your own affairs and ending up in the muck and mire time after time?

Romans 8: 13-14 sums it up in this manner: “For if you live according to the flesh (your ability and desires) you (or areas of your life) will die; but if by the Spirit (His ability and His desires) you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.

It’s time for you to ask God daily and even moment by moment to take over ALL the affairs of your life (Even the ones you think you are able to handle!). Jesus says in Matthew 11:28-30 “ Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light.”

He says that first we must come to Him, and Take His yoke (His ability and His desires). Next we let Him teach us the way of life and in this we will find the rest we seek. Joshua 1:8-9 “This Book…shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

Take time today to run to the Lord and ask Him to take over your own willpower and infuse your path with His ability. Phillipians 2:13 "For it is God who works in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure."

WHO NEEDS CHURCH?

1 Corinthians 12:21 “The eye can never say to the hand, ‘I don’t need you…’ ”

I know many professed Christians who faithfully attend “Saint Mattress” every Sunday morning tucked warmly within the confines of their sheets. These are the same people who don’t go to church unless their nephew is playing a sheep in the Christmas pageant. They also claim that they receive more out of a walk in the woods, than spending time in a Church all cooped up with a bunch of hypocrites.

What does the Bible say about Church attendance? Can Christians survive apart from a local Church? There are some who are trapped in a hospital bed, nursing home or some remote locale where attending Church is physically impossible. You can still go to Heaven even if you can’t go to Church.

The New Testament never divides Christians into Church members and non-church members. It does however assume that everyone participates in their local community assembly. Wherever and whenever Christians in the New Testament Church are within range of each other they come together to worship corporately, pray for one another and minister their giftings to one another. “Acts 20:7 reveals the practice of the early Church: “And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached to them.” Regular gathering was a part of life!

Why should you go to Church?

1) You don't want to cheat the Church; the Body of Christ! 1 Corinthians 12: 7 states that “A spiritual gift is given to each of us as a means of helping the entire Church.” NLT When you don’t join together with me…you are depriving me the benefits of your gifting! 1 Peter 4:10 commands us to use our spiritual giftings to help each other.

2) You will miss the impartation of the Gifting of others into your life. There are people at your local Church who are meant to encourage, uplift, edify and exhort you as described in the verse above.

3) You will miss the Voice and directives of God. Ephesians 4:11 “And he gave…apostles… prophets…evangelists…pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ…” If the Pastor in your local Church hears from God and isn’t speaking from Readers Digest, Life Magazine, or some predetermined liturgical schedule, then you will hear the Voice of the Lord speaking a word that brings life to your soul and a spring to your step. It will touch you right where you’re at. It’s amazing how the Holy Spirit speaks to all those who attend in one form or another. You can receive a word of encouragement, correction, direction, blessing, etc. The Ministry gifts of your local Church are anointed and empowered to assist your development in the Lord and to build you up.

4) To receive the Care God has provided for you! The lone rangers of the Christian world, cry out to God and ask why hasn’t He responded and cared for them. That care is most oftentimes provided within the boundaries of your local Church. 1 Corinthians 12: “…all the members care for each other equally..” NLT Again in verse 27: “Now all of you together are Christ’s Body, and each one of you is a separate and necessary part of it.”

5) So you don't disobey the “one another” commands. The New testament is full of these “one another” commands. We are to comfort one another (1 Thessalonians 4:18), build up one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11), confess our sins and pray for one another (James 5:16), and many others. How can we obey these directives if we do no associate with the community of believers. You will reap what you sew into the lives of others.

6) You access Accountability! To many that sounds like an evil word. We are free people; we don’t need to be accountable to anyone! You’re not reading the same Bible I am! God designed the Church as a place where spiritual leaders could watch out for (Not Control) our welfare, as a shepherd guards his sheep. (1 Peter 5:1-4, Hebrews 13:17) A Christian who answers only to himself can easily rationalize sinful attitudes or behaviors, while regular contact and fellowship with other Christians can keep us sharp and growing.

7) You come alive and prevent decay! I’d like to quote my Mentor on this one. “A hand cut off from the Body, becomes a pile of dead meat!” You are not designed to operate alone! God has created you as part of a living, moving, functioning Body of Believers! You can put water in your gas tank if you want, however since it’s not designed to operate that way, it will break down and die. You will not survive apart from the Body of Christ! Paul warns us in Hebrews 10:25: “…let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other…”

Stop living your life below par! Come alive in your local Church this Sunday! By the way, if you enter into a local Church and you don’t experience the Presence of God and the love of His people….GET OUT…and find the place where He wants you! We’re waiting for you!

1 Corinthians 12:21 “The eye can never say to the hand, ‘I don’t need you…’ ”

Sincerely,

The Body of Christ

PLEASE TELL OTHERS ABOUT THIS WEBSITE. IT'S ABSOLUTLEY NECESSARY TO SPREAD THE TRUTH OF GOD'S GOODNESS AND MERCY BY AS MANY MEANS AS POSSIBLE! TELL THEM TO GO TO THIS ADDRESS AND SIGN UP FOR AUTO DELIVERY: http://heart2heartblog.blogspot.com/

Plugged In!

“…you cannot be fruitful apart from me. ….For apart from me you can do nothing…But if you stay joined to me and my words remain in you, you may ask any request you like, and it will be granted! When you obey me, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father and remain in his love.” John 15:4,5,7,10 NLT

A toaster will function properly as long as it remains connected to the power source. The most expensive stereo system can not play beautiful music unless it’s connected to a source of power. Your automobile can be stalled in your driveway by a single disconnected, broken or corroded wire.

Initial connectivity with God comes through faith in His promises of eternal life as “whoever believes in him (Jesus) would not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

Continued connectivity with God and entering into the fullness of His desired provision comes through our love for Him, as evidenced by our obedience. In John 15, Jesus tells us that as long as we remain connected to Him we continue to be fruitful and His provision is manifested in our lives. He also tells us that to remain connected to Him, we need to walk in obedience.

The Provisions of God are not automatic to everyone who receives Jesus as Lord and Savior. They come with a price attached to them. Eternal Life is a free gift, but Covenant benefits are obtained through relationship with Him.
That relationship with God is established by faith and maintained by obedience!

Psalm 91:1 states that “Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”

It’s those people who stay connected or “plugged in” who are able to live (dwell, remain, stay) in His shelter, and therefore are able to declare and lay hold of the multi faceted Provisions of God. (His protection, prosperity, provision, healing, power to minister, power to heal the sick or cast out devils, etc.) Sadly to say most of us who are Christians never really enter into, or remain connected with God, but through our disobedience, choose to walk away from that which He desires to impart in and through our lives. As a result of our powerless, fruitless lives, we then commence to make excuses for God, as if He was responsible for the lack of His Provision and Power in our lives.

This is not a Unilateral (One sided) Covenant we have entered into through the mercies of the shed blood of Jesus. It is a bilateral covenant in which we also have covenant responsibilities. “Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the Lord your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the Lord your God” Deuteronomy 28:1-2

All of His promises are contingent on our hearts responding in love with total submission and obedience to His written Word and His spoken Word when the Holy Spirit gives us directions throughout the day. In this manner we stay connected!

Being connected to God is what life is all about! Your body’s organs, muscles, and bones all work because they are connected. Disconnected, they would wither and die. None of them could live independently. Without connective tissue, you would fall apart! What is true of your body is true of everything else. Life is all about connecting. A life disconnected from God through a Believer’s continued disobedience to His will and His way is merely existing and not living the God kind of life as described in John 10:10 “I came that you may have life (Zoe:The God kind of Life,) and have it more abundantly!

If we truly understood the consequences of a disobedient life style and how it effects our living in, and for Him, we would cast away those little sins that so easily beset us! Remember that Jesus is coming back for a “glorious Church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” Eph 5:27

Lets stop playing church and let’s become the CHURCH! Let’s walk in obedience, Get Holy and watch God’s provisions pour out of our lives like the Bible says they should. What area of your life is God dealing with today? Obey Him! Become one of those who “live in the shelter of the Most High” AND then you will “find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1-2

Believe me, The More You Know Him; the More You Will Love Him!



PLEASE TELL OTHERS ABOUT THIS WEBSITE. IT'S ABSOLUTLEY NECESSARY TO SPREAD THE TRUTH OF GOD'S GOODNESS AND MERCY BY AS MANY MEANS AS POSSIBLE! TELL THEM TO GO TO THIS ADDRESS AND SIGN UP FOR AUTO DELIVERY: http://heart2heartblog.blogspot.com/