Your Biggest Mistake!

Matthew 6:33 “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

The Ken Bombard translation simply says this: “If you put God FIRST in all things, He will take care of the rest!” Our priorities are out of whack! We have it all backwards. We put every thing and everyone else first, and give Him our leftovers. Our days begin by being instantly thrust into the affairs of the world, without refueling or refreshing in the Presence of God. (Acts 3:19) We struggle in everything we do throughout the day and we wind up at the end of the day thoroughly exhausted and give Him a simple “Goodnight Lord.”

“BUT…” we say. “I have to take care of my family and that takes time!” Let me share a Kingdom secret with you right now! WHATEVER YOU MANUFACTURE, YOU MUST MAINTAIN! That includes the care, provision, protection, nurture and growth of your family. God desires to provide for your every need. Philippians 4:19 “…my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” If we will let Him, that will even include our families. Remember this…WHATEVER GOD MANUFACTURES, HE WILL MAINTAIN! According to Matthew 6:33 quoted above….IF I put Him and His Kingdom work first in my life….HE will take care of my family!

May I add, that He is capable of doing a better job than us! If you rearrange your priorities, and place God where He belongs in your life, then all the time you spend at the Doctor’s office, the Principle’s office, the Counselor’s office, etc., will be eliminated or greatly reduced. It’s hard to row a boat upstream without an oar. Life flows upstream and God is not just our oar, He is our engine and He wants to be our helmsman, as well! Do you also know that it doesn’t hurt your children, to bring them along when you are ministering to others. It gives them a chance to see the Love and the Spirit of God in action!

Last weekend, a group of men helped out a family that needed some special assistance around the yard and their house. One of the men brought his young daughter along and SHE helped the family clean inside along with the only other lady who showed up. Oh My…were they blessed! They were blessed; the young lady learned that blessing others is a greater blessing to ourselves, AND she will be blessed by God for blessing them! What a great deal!

In the same manner please don’t go to work or out into the world without first being with God. If you’re a night person, then spend time with Him in His Word and in conversation (two way prayer) at night, when you are strongest. If you’re a morning person then get up earlier and spend a few precious moments with the One Who loves you, and desires to empower you and give you Godly wisdom for whatever will come your way in the day ahead!

Maybe it’s time to re-evaluate our life priorities. Would you stop for a moment right now and ask Him, “Lord, what are the areas of my life that are out of whack? What do I need to evaluate? What do you wish to change in my life?” If you will consider this challenge, bring a pen and paper when you do ask. As you hear and obey your life will be influenced by Godly Wisdom and empowered by Divine ability! Doesn’t THAT sound refreshing?

If you won’t take the time, what is it that you’re afraid of? The Truth!

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”

NUMBER ONE PRINCIPLE OF GOD!

Matthew 22: 37-38 "Jesus said to him, you shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.

The Bible plainly tells us that loving God is the greatest principle contained within it's pages. Loving God is the reason you were created. To live within a love relationship with Him is the highest of all life purpose and without this intimacy we will live a life that remains frustrated, meaningless, stagnant, empty and without purpose!

So many people do not know the very basics of Loving God. Let's keep in mind we are commanded (it's not optional) to love Him with "all our heart, and with all our soul, and with all our mind."

We are so often concerned that if we love God in this manner that we won't have any time or affections left for others in our lives. The opposite is true. We are told in Matthew 6:33 that if we put God "first" and the affairs of His "Kingdom" and "righteousness" then all the "things" of life are taken care of!

Let's think for a moment about some of the principles we employ when we set our affections on others close to us. If we apply these same tactics to our relationship with God, we will be off to a good start in loving Him, as well.

1) Set aside time to spend with Him. I remember when I first met my wife, Debbie, I believe that I invested enough in fuel taxes to repave all of Richie highway as I traveled back and forth between Pasadena & Annapolis. She became a priority on my daily schedule. it was amazing how much time I had for her when I re-prioritized my life and other interests. You cannot build a relationship by remaining separated or without spending good quality time together.

Time chatting while eating or riding down the road is good, but true intimacy only develops when our sole focus of the moment is on the one we love. Set two or three times a week, initially and have a date with God. Do not cancel, it may harm your relationship!

2) Good love relationships are not easy to develop. They take a lot of effort and good old fashioned work. "...Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that there is a God and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him." Hebrews 11:6 Another translation says He rewards those who "diligently seek Him." Sincerely seeking and diligently seeking, both speak of working to build relationship with God. After all the years of relationship with the world, it takes a concentrated effort to focus on God.

3) Communication is essential! Most of us have no problems bombarding God with our problems and needs, but when it comes to listening to his heart, we need to employ the skills the prophet Samuel learned. "...Then God came and stood before him exactly as before, calling out, “Samuel! Samuel!” Samuel answered, “Speak. I’m your servant, ready to listen.” 1 Samuel 3:10

We need to learn to be open and honest with God (He knows all of our thoughts anyway), and we need to allow God to be open and honest with us! This is one of the biggest obstacles to developing intimacy with Him. We don't want to hear what He has to say and oftentimes when He does begin to speak into our hearts correction or conviction, we begin to shout Him down with our religious banter! Sometimes heart exchanges with our loved ones can be painful! However, if we wish the relationship to deepen these exchanges of truth need to be allowed in our time together.

4) We willingly and affectionately lay down our own self centered desires to reap a harvest of love from our loved one. "Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God..." Ephesians 5:21 We become givers as a result of our new natures. "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ..." 2 Cor 5:17-18 We remain givers by the continual oversight and review of our will.

We, as a result of our continued, deepening relationship with God, commence to take on the character and nature of God, Himself. " For God so loved the world, that he gave...: John 3:16 We too become givers as we spend time with Him.

5) We discover and share each others giftings and talents. The more time we spend in reading His Word and in discovery of His character and nature, the more we fall in love with Him. The more time we spend basking in His presence the more He begins to reveal Himself to us. (In our own relationships, we DO NOT reveal our innermost thoughts, impressions, motivations and desires to those who are mere acquaintances.) When we first encounter a loved one , we simply "love" them based on first impressions and external observations. The more time we spend together, the more we are able to observe the intangibles which form the very foundation for any long lasting, intimate relationship. (loyalty, faithfulness, trustworthiness, etc...)

The more you know Him, the more your heart goes out to Him and the deeper relationship you develop. "Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord..." 2 Peter 1:2 Here's the way it develops...The More you know Him, the More you love Him!The More you love Him, the more you trust Him!The more you trust Him, the more you obey Him!

6) Finally as your intimacy progresses, you couple together to produce offspring.When you spend time with Him, you discover that His heart goes out for other hearts who desire to be with Him. 2Chronicles 16:9 "For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect (loyal) toward him." His desire is that you remain so intimate and connected to Him (Two operating as one) that your life is filled with much fruit. John 15:5 in The Message says it this way. "I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can’t produce a thing. "

Then out of our Love relationship, and having laid down our own interests and desires, we begin to pursue the desires of His heart. We allow His Holy Spirit to influence others through our lives and the anointing which flows out of us. Out of His love for us and our love for Him, we obey Him and He manifests Himself to us and others.

"He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” John 14:21

Do we really love God with all all your heart, soul, strength and your mind, as He desires and commands?

I Think Not!

Let's begin or intensify (Whichever place you're at) the journey into the heart of God.
Begin Today.

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!

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…”

LOVE IS!

So YOU think you know what love really is!

What is Love? If you ever come to me for marital counseling, this is one of the first questions I will ask you! Do you really love her/him? Of course, because they've come for marriage counseling they always say "Oh, yes..so much!" I follow up with "What do you mean when you say you love him/her?"

Most of the time I get answers like this...
"I want to spend the rest of my life with her!"
"He makes me feel so good and beautiful."
"I want to take care of her and provide for her!"
"I want to share my thoughts and feelings with him!"

You can add your own thoughts to this one. Do you realize that every one of these statements can also be made concerning a puppy?

This is not what love is! These are feelings and emotions and those are but a very small part of what love really is. Once again let's turn to the Manufacturers Handbook to see exactly what love is...

1 CORINTHIANS l3:4-8 from the amplified Bible reads in this manner...

1} LOVE IS PATIENT --
it is slow to lose patience,
does not demonstrate irritations,
or reflect anger,
or have a quick temper.
Has fully accepted the character of the one being married to.

2} IT IS KIND--
looks for ways of being constructive.
It is actively creative;
it is able to recognize needs;
it discovers successful methods of improving or contributing to the spouses life.

3} IT DOES NOT ENVY--
it is not possessive;
it does not hold exclusive control where your partner is allowed little or no freedom to fulfill himself in what God has for him.

4} IT DOES NOT VAUNT ITSELF--
it is not anxious to impress; does not seek to make an impression or create an image for personal gain.

5} IT IS NOT PUFFED UP--
it does not cherish inflated ideas of its own importance;
it is not self-centered;
it has the ability to change;
it is flexible;
it does not allow or expect life to revolve around itself.

6} IT DOES NOT BEHAVE ITSELF UNSEEMLY--
it has good manners;
has respect for others which results in a set of Christ-centered standards;
has direction;
knows what is proper and when.

7} IT DOES NOT SEEK ITS OWN--
it does not pursue selfish advantage;
does not have primary concern for personal sexual appetites or social status but concern for the needs of your spouse and the families involved.

8} IT IS NOT EASILY PROVOKED--
it is not touchy,
not hypersensitive,
or easily hurt;
does not take things too personally;
is not emotionally involved with personal opinions so that to reject ideas is to reject the one giving them.

9} IT THINKS NO EVIL--
it does not keep account of evil;
does not review wrongs which have been forgiven;
does not dwell on past evil;
destroys evidence of past mistakes when possible.

l0} IT DOES NOT REJOICE IN INIQUITY--
it does not gloat over the wickedness of other people;
does not compare self with others for self-justification;
does not use other’s evil to excuse personal weakness.

11} IT REJOICES IN THE TRUTH--
it is glad with all godly men when truth prevails;
is in active fellowship with dedicated Christians;
is occupied with spiritual objectives.

12} IT BEARS ALL THINGS--
it knows no limit to its forbearance;
has the ability to live with the inconsistencies of others;
has empathy for the problems of your spouse.

13} IT BELIEVES ALL THINGS--
it knows no end to its trust;
you believe in your spouse and your spouse’s worth without question.
It has not reason to doubt the person’s integrity.

14} IT HOPES ALL THINGS--
it knows no fading of its hope;
it is not fickle;
it has perfect peace and confidence in God.

15} IT ENDURES ALL THINGS--
it has unlimited endurance;
it is able to outlast anything;
it is able to endure all obstacles
and even love in the face of un-returned love.

LOVE NEVER FAILS!

I challenge you to rate yourself on a 1-10 scale on each of the above 52 categories. If you really wish to have a good dose of reality, have the someone you "love" rate you! When you discover that most of us are really loving others on emotional terms and not living a true life of love, there is where the journey to real love begins. Discovery of truth and breaking out of deception!

Jesus said that real love involves laying our own life down for our loved ones. John 15:13 "There is no greater love than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." This means that we are to put our own self centered issues and desires aside and put the other first. In Marriage women are told to submit to husbands and husbands are told to lay down (die) our lives for our wives. Ephesians 5:21-23

The world says put your own interests and desires first. Protect yourself at all costs. God says put others first. You will reap what you sew! We create our own monsters; both good and bad! When your loved one starts going off course, don't seek to lay the blame on them first! Evaluate what kind of seed you've been sewing. You can also take part of the credit when things are going well. (Good Monsters)

Confess your sin of walking out of love to God and begin the journey. Confess also to the one you love and begin this remarkable journey together. There are 52 principles here that you and your loved one can work on together. Take one a week and pray for God's ability and practice the principle of the week together.

It may be a little painful in the beginning, but to be free to love like we were designed is well worth the journey! Doesn't your loved one deserve better? Don't you?

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!

LET FREEDOM RING!

"If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." John 8:36

As we prepare to celebrate the 234th anniversary of our nation's independence, we reflect on "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" - those attributes of freedom stated in the U.S. Declaration of Independence. Freedom of religion, of speech, the press, of assembly, of petition ... all guaranteed by the first of ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution (known as the U.S. Bill of Rights) proposed by our nation's founders in 1789.

In this great Nation even though our Declaration of Independence states that we are free to pursue Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness, most Americans are still headed in the wrong direction and are becoming more and more frustrated with the pursuit. We're free to pursue it; but we still can't grasp life, liberty or happiness. As a result of the frustration, we have become a society that medicates in some form or fashion to get to sleep at night, to awake in the morning and to make it through the day! One would believe since we are free to pursue, that we ought to have found life, liberty and happiness in the last 233 years. It simply seems we are drifting further from the goal with each passing year.

My first thirty years were spent in pursuing the American dream, and by worldly standards I had achieved the dream. I was a VIP at my High School and played big time College Athletics on a Scholarship. I had money, women, house on the river, parties, "friends", opportunity, cars, boats, party goods and everything this world calls good.

On the inside I was empty and dead. I had no meaning. Something inside of me was crying out..."There must be more to life than this!" Over my years I had observed others; most were in the same situation that I was in...Nothingness. There were the few however, that had something that was different...they had a peace that made no sense to me. There was a sense of joy in their lives, no matter what their circumstances. Their relationships had depth and meaning and I noticed that they had grasped a hold of what I was searching for. They almost seemed to good to be true!

Every one of these people had a personal relationship with this "Jesus!" I had heard about Him, but I'd never met Him personally! He was the common denominator to securing that which I was seeking...peace, meaning, purpose, ability....LIFE, LIBERTY AND HAPPINESS!

Soooooooooooo...I began to read His Declaration of Independence...the Bible. One of the first Scriptures that impacted me was John 8: 31 "If you continue in my word, then you are my disciples indeed; And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.."

I dug into the declaration and I, in fact, discovered the way to securing true Life, Liberty and Happiness.

1) Life...Jesus said in John 10:10 that He came that we might have Life(Zoe: The God Kind of Life), and have it more abundantly. John 1:4 states that "In him was life; and the life was the light of men."

This Life is what separates Jesus from all the other "philosophers" They came to bring light or illuminate the minds of men, but Jesus came to impart the very Life of God into His precious creation! Here's the way it works out... " But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name." John 1:12 It is only the Life of God that is able to illuminate the minds of men! I have learned as I discover the Principles of God and apply them in my life, I am able to live life the way it was designed...The John 10:10 or "God Kind" of life!

2) Liberty... The more I uncovered the truths contained in His declaration, the more liberty I received. Jesus said that Knowing the Truth would make me free. John 8:32 I am free from the effects of sin...I no longer fear death or feel the guilt and shame when I do sin. Romans 6:18 states that "having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness."

When my Dad passed on into the Presence of the Lord a couple years ago, the Lord spoke this word to me concerning his passing. "No man can stare death in the eye unafraid, whose destiny is not certain!" People often ask me concerning some of the ministry trips I take..."Aren't you afraid, with all that's going on in the world?" My response is simply..."What's the worse case scenario? I die...BUT THEN I live." No one can kill me OR you! We are going to exist forever. Where you spend eternity depends on what choices you make before you exit your earth suit. (Body) Romans 8:2 "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.."

I am free from self doubt and inadequacy because He is my ability! I am free from fear because He is my Peace! I am free from judgment because He is my Righteousness! I am free from what others think of me, because He is on my side! I am free from failure because He is my Victory! I am never alone because He is with me always! I am never empty because He fills my life with meaning and purpose! I am free from weakness because He is my Strength! I am free to live life the way I was designed, because He is my Life. I am never lost because He is my Way! I am never deceived because He is my Truth! I never lose because He is my Way where there is no way! Get the Picture?

3) Happiness... "Happy indeed are those whose God is the LORD." Psalm 144:15 What more can I say? I have the Spirit and the Life of Almighty God coursing through my veins and I'm free! I respect people but I don't fear any man!

So if you continue to search for Life, Freedom and happiness, your search can end today! Forgive me, but I'm not talking about those who simply talk about Jesus; go to church once in a blue moon, yet do absolutely nothing to advance His Kingdom! I am talking about those Believers who have become disciples and are functioning in the Body of Christ, digging into His Word, applying His Principles, telling others of His Love and allowing His Spirit to flow through their lives!

America had it right in the beginning...we were One nation Under God...a Nation founded on Biblical Principles but somehow the world and its concerns have caused us to lose our way! We are the light of the world...we are Ambassadors of Jesus Christ...we have been commissioned to lead this great Nation back to the glory days of old! Let's wrap it up this way... 2 Chronicles 7:14 proclaims "Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land."

It's not America's fault that we have fallen into depravity. The Church needs to arise and show the way, lead the way into the pursuit of Life, Liberty and Happiness! What will you do today?

So I encourage you to "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." Galatians 5:1
As the song goes...."I am free to run. I am free to dance. I am free to live for you. I am free. I am free..."

THE SONFLOWER!

Sunflowers are amazing flowers. Have you ever considered that they grow larger and higher than all the other flowers in the garden?

Then they begin to unfold glorious yellow petals with a wealth of tightly packed seeds in their center...these seeds one day will feed birds, animals and people. They will also produce hundreds more sunflower plants.

Did you know that it is called the sunflower becuse of it's great love for the sun? After it grows tall enough to be free of the threat of any shade...it's face follows the course of the sun throughout the entire day...leaning and turning as it follows the course of the sun's circuit.
THE SUNFLOWER SEEKS TO BE AT ALL TIMES FULLY BATHED IN SUNLIGHT!

We need to follow the Lord(THE SON) the way the sunflower follows the sunshine. Seek Him First every morning and the last at night. Practice focusing on Him throughout the day!

THE SONFLOWER SEEKS TO BE AT ALL TIMES FULLY BATHED IN SONLIGHT!
Joh 8:12 ¶ Then Jesus said to them, "I am the light of the world: he that follows me will not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."

His Promise here is this....That if we follow Him...hear His Word and do His Will...darkness will not overcome us...but our lives will be flooded with His Life...His truth...His directives...THE SON SHINING IN AND THOUGH OUR LIVES!

In order to grow above and beyond all of the other flowers(especially the weeds in life) we need to keep focused on the SONSHINE!

When we stay focused on the Son, then others can feed off of the fruit in our lives just like birds and animals feed off the Sunflower. We also produce other offspring for God as we plant our seeds into other peoples lives!

Follow the SON all day today!

MANUFACTURER'S HANDBOOK

GOD’S WORD…THE BIBLE OR THE MANUFACTURER'S HANDBOOK!

1) LIFE…REAL LIVING COMES FROM THE WORD OF GOD…
Mt 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man Does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.

2) YOU DISCOVER …
A) THE TRUTH ABOUT GOD…HIS CHARACTER, HIS GREATNESS, HIS LOVE, HIS MOTIVATIONS.
B) THE TRUTH ABOUT LIFE..WHAT’S GOD..WHAT’S NOT!
John 8: 31 ¶ Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed on him, If you continue in my word, then you are my disciples indeed; 32 And ye will know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

3) THE FAITH AND POWER TO ENJOY LIFE COMES FROM HIS WORD…Romans 10:17 17 Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

4) THE WORD GIVES US ANSWERS TO LIFE’S QUESTIONS & SOLUTIONS TO LIFE’S PROBLEMS… Ps 119:105 Your word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

5) TEMPTATIONS ARE DEFEATED BY THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT(Eph 6:17)…
Ps 119:11 I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

6) HEALING COMES FROM THE DISCOVERY & APPLICATION OF GOD’S WORD…

A) HEALING FOR DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIORS…Ps 107:20 He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.

B) HEALING FOR THE DISAPOINTMENTS AND DEFEATS IN LIFE…Matthew 7: 24 Anyone who listens to my teaching and obeys me is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. 25Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse, because it is built on rock

C) HEALING FOR PHYSICAL DISEASES…
Prov 4: 20 Pay attention, my child, to what I say. Listen carefully. 21Don’t lose sight of my words. Let them penetrate deep within your heart, 22for they bring life and radiant health to anyone who discovers their meaning. NLT

D) HEALING FOR EMOTIONS OR DEPRESSION…Heb 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Mark 4:1-25 The measure you measure the Word of God is the measure you receive in return! It's time to get serious about the Manufacturer's Handbook read and apply it it today. Everytime you read the Bible look to discover the Character and Nature of God and search for His prinicples to a cussessful way of living! Joshua 1: 8 "Meditate in this book day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written therein. You will make your way prosperous and you will have good success!"

NEED TO FEED!

"Man lives...by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God." Matthew 4:4

We discovered the nest when we walked outside our front door last year and immediately came under attack from the parents. The nest stands in a 6' pine bush we have next to our sidewalk. We've watched and waited patiently for the birthing process to occur. I was rewarded when the first little guy popped through and wobbled back and forth unsteadily. He was hilarious, with a completely naked body, huge bug eyes and a patch of hair on the very top of his head. It looked like he had a bad mohawk haircut. (SEE THE PICTURE ABOVE...THIS IS PROOF!)

Then there were more in the nest and every time I made a noise their mouths poped open eagerly expecting to feed on something! If we REALLY WANT TO LIVE LIFE TO IT'S FULLEST, we need to develop the same attitude spiritually. Jesus said that “Man lives by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.” The converse is also true...if you don't feed on the Word of God you are not able to live like He desires you to live.

In John 10:10 Jesus said that He came that you and I might "…have life and have it more abundantly." The Greek word used for life is "zoe" and one translation declares it to be "the God kind of life." God has designed a lifestyle that he desires to flow through us and Jesus declares that lifestyle should be the “God kind of lifestyle.” Acts 17:28 states “For in him we live, and move, and have our being; …For we are also his offspring.” Nothing in the Bible states that we will go through life unaffected and untouched by the troubles, situations and circumstances of life. On the contrary the Bible declares in Psalm 34:19 “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivers him out of them all.”

We are told in the initial Scripture that "Man lives...by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God." Matthew 4:4 If you want to live life the way it was designed to be lived, then you need to feed on the Word and the promises of God! If you continue to exercise your physical body or your mind without feeding them, your physical strength will fail and your mind will grow dull and stagnate. It’s the same with your spirit man. Remember…you are a spirit. You live in a house called a body and you have a soul (Mind, emotions, intellect, willpower, imagination). The most essential part of your life is to feed on God’s Word!

Paul tells us that the Word of God “ is alive, sharp and powerful Hebrews 4…” Solomon relates to us that the words of God are “life to those that find them and health to all their flesh.” Proverbs 20

His Word keeps you from offending or rebelling against Him. Ps 119:11 “I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”

His Word empowers and strengthens you! Ps 119:28 “My soul melts from heaviness; Strengthen me according to Your word.”

His Word will not change; EVER! Ps 119:89 “For ever, O LORD, your word is settled in heaven.”

His Word gives us instruction or as I like to call it “The Manufacturer’s Handbook.” Ps 119:105 “Your word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”

His Word illuminates the way to the liberating truth! John 8:32 “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

His Word contains His Principles of living the God kind of Life as discovered in John 10:10 .Joshua 1: 8 “This book of the law must not depart out of your mouth; but thou must meditate therein day and night, that thou may observe to do according to all that is written in it: for then thou will make thy way prosperous, and then thou will have good success.”

God has a Commandment concerning taking His Name in vain…BUT His Word is even more VALUED by God! Ps 138:2 “…for you have magnified thy word above your name.”

Every human being has an eternal, innate drive or quest for satisfaction, that can only be satiated when you give in to the hunger and thirst for His Word and feed on it. You begin to live when you live by every word that God has given us!

Jesus said that the key to withstanding the storms of life comes from the discovery and application of the principles (Word) of God. Matthew 7:24-27.

Grace (The Divine Ability of God) and peace are increased in our lives as we increase our intimate knowledge and communion with God through His Word. The Bible declares that He has given us everything “that pertains to life and Godliness, through the knowledge of Him.” 2 Peter 1:3

Here’s what it boils down to…

The More you know Him…The more you’ll love Him.

The More you love Him…The more you’ll trust Him.

The More you trust Him…the more you’ll obey Him!

It all begins with knowing Him through His Word!

Like the baby bird outside my house…you were designed to respond every time you hear His sound. You spiritual mouth drops open and desperately seeks to feed. Sad to say…most of us continue to starve and die, refusing to feast at the table that God has prepared for each of us!

Respond today and make time for His Word. You’ll never know Him until you do. You can hear about God from people like me or even from people who don’t know Him at all. Discover the Character and Nature of God as revealed in the life of Jesus. “…he that has seen me has seen the Father…” John 14:9

LIVE LIFE TODAY…FEAST ON HIS WORD! Those who feed continuously will grow into Godly Character and display His nature!

Thanks Baby Bird!

CHECK ME OUT LORD!

Psalm 139:23-24 “Search me O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.”

One of my Spiritual mentors taught me from the beginning, a very simple secret to walking closely with God. He taught me always to be honest with God and also to always let God be honest with me. I never had a problem with being honest with God because I knew that He already knew all about me. Job 21:27 “Behold, I know your thoughts…” Psalm 94:11 “The LORD knows the thoughts of man…” It was easy for me to be honest with Him because He was the one that I could not fool. Knowing that, it was easy for me to bare my soul, openly share my feelings with Him, and expose my weaknesses, inabilities and insufficiencies.

This was a safe place to be, because I knew He cared for me even when I was a miserable sinner, desperately seeking satisfaction everywhere else but the source. Romans 5:8 “But God commends his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.” If you have never realized this fact, it’s time to have a heart to heart conversation with the One Who formed you and called you into existence. He desires for you to unload your burdens, trials and tribulations on Him! His heart calls out to yours, “Come unto me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me… and you shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

His heart speaks that if we simply come to Him, He will give us rest. In addition, if we hitch (yoke) ourselves to Him and His Promises, we will find rest for our souls as well. (Our minds, emotions, imaginations, intellect, etc.) Today spend time with him and see His love and peace flowing into your being.

That part of the deal is pretty easy; but now it’s time to get on with the difficult part. For me, it was not easy to allow God to be honest with me, because then the enemy of my soul would always trick me into thinking that God was harping on all of my imperfections. I would thank Him, Praise Him, and Worship into His Presence and every time I would stop to hear His response and allow Him to speak into my life, He would tell me of His great love, care and desire to provide for me. I could listen to that all day long, but then He wanted to get even more honest and would focus my attention on an area of my life that needed cleaning up.

Precisely, at that point in the conversation, I would begin to shout Him down with praise or something like it. When he started to get real with me about me, I did not want to hear it! When I was young, I was taught that God was simply a matter of “You can’t do this. You can’t do that. You won’t do this and you won’t do that. You don’t do this and you don’t do that.” No more commandments from anyone, even God! Then I experienced a breakthrough! I discovered that His Commandments were not a burden; BUT A BREAKTHROUGH! 1John 5:3 “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.”

I discovered that in these quiet times when I allowed Him to speak to me, my faith came alive. (Romans 10:17) In these times of quiet, He would reveal Himself and His ways to me.(Psalm 46:10) His still small voice would speak to me and inject His Life into the darkest of my circumstances. His Word sprung forth in healing for my body and soul in these precious moments when I listened. (Proverbs 4:20-22) The directives, corrections and orchestrations He gave me in those quiet times literally revolutionized my life. (Proverbs 3:6, Matthew 4:4)

Go ahead Lord, Have your way! “Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” Psalm 139:24 When He points out that which offends Him, He is seeking only your good. His desire is that you would respond in loving obedience and be led along the “path of everlasting life.”

It is no coincidence that you have two ears and only one mouth. You should listen to the Voice of God twice as much as you speak to Him! How about right now! Listen to Him and allow Him to be honest with you! It’s for your own good! Thanks Pastor Anthony Spero for one of the many times you’ve been used by the Holy Spirit to change my life!

FOR MEN ONLY! It's OK for ladies to peek.

WE have a responsibility to lead the congregation into the Presence of the Lord…to be bold and unashamed in undertaking this leadership role. People will never rise above the level of their leadership. God has given us that role and right now He is calling us to lead others into the presence of the Lord…

In this time..what could be more important than resting in His presence and His might?

2 Samuel 6 speaks …

¹Then David mobilized thirty thousand special troops. He led them to Baalah of Judah to bring home the Ark of God, which bears the name of the LORD Almighty, who is enthroned between the cherubim. David and all the people of Israel were celebrating before the LORD with all their might, singing songs and playing all kinds of musical instruments—lyres, harps, tambourines, castanets, and cymbals....

12 So David went there and brought the Ark to the City of David with a great celebration…. ¹⁴And David danced before the LORD with all his might, wearing a priestly tunic.(Linen undergarment) So David and all Israel brought up the Ark of the LORD with much shouting and blowing of trumpets.

¹⁶But as the Ark of the LORD entered the City of David, Michal, the daughter of Saul, looked down from her window. When she saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD, she was filled with contempt for him….

²⁰When David returned home to bless his family, Michal came out to meet him and said in disgust, “How glorious the king of Israel looked today! He exposed himself to the servant girls like any indecent person might do!”

²¹David retorted to Michal, “I was dancing before the LORD, who chose me above your father and his family! He appointed me as the leader of Israel, the people of the LORD. So I am willing to act like a fool in order to show my joy in the LORD. Yes, and I am willing to look even more foolish than this, but I will be held in honor by the girls of whom you have spoken!” ²³So Michal, the daughter of Saul, remained childless throughout her life

David knew what was the most important calling in His life…to restore the Presence to the people. He was not ashamed…He proclaimed that if others thought he was a fool…then let them think that. WHO CARES what other people think. It’s what God thinks that matters. In times of crisis they will come to those who are fools in and for Christ!

Jesus said Mt 11:12 “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.”

I think it’s time we start a revolution! Let’s get violent in the Spirit of God. Stop fearing man and what they think and start fearing God!

Let’s start killing the flesh (self) and all of it’s self centered desires!

Let’s put God’s priorities first!

Let’s begin to praise God unashamedly…out loud…in front of the congregation!

Let’s lead them into the presence of God!

Let’s begin to pray what God speaks to us to birth into this earth and it’s sickened atmosphere!

Let’s begin to recapture our families by pursuing God first!

Let’s begin to connect with other Christian men and use them as accountability partners!

Let’s get holy!

Let’s read our Bibles like never before!

Let’s believe our Bibles like never before!

Let’s act on the commands and promises contained in our Bibles!

Let’s pursue the knowledge of God like never before!

Let’s obey God like never before!

Let’s love our spouses like never before!

Let’s Love our children like never before1

Let’s clear away the meaningless things of this world and allow time for Kingdom work!

Let’s re-establish our priorities and put Him & His Kingdom first!

Let’s actually love (sacrifice) our neighbors like never before!

Let’s get involved in Kingdom work!

Let’s get involved in other people’s lives, hurts & problems!

Let’s be bold as lions because we are righteous!

Let’s release the power and authority of God!

Let’s get to Church a half hour early and get our spirits & the environment ready for His appearance!

Can I count on YOU to get violent?

Rest in His Presence!

WHAT IS GOD REALLY LIKE?

Jesus replied, “… Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking to see him?” John 14:9 NLT

People tell me all the time that “It would be awesome if we could discover what God was really like?” I listen as others vainly attempt to convince each other that God probably has this or that kind of characteristic. Still, others still believe that God is like an old man walking around wrapped up in a sheet, with a beard hanging down from head to toe. (These are the same ones who believe that angels are little naked babies floating around on pink clouds strumming their harps. We’ll get to that lie some other time!)

Just because you have certain ideas about God, does not mean they’re right! Your personal conception of what God is like doesn’t matter. What matters is the truth! Jesus said in John 8:31 “to those…who believed Him, “If you continue (stay in, discover and apply) in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Where then can we discover the truth concerning God; the heartbeat of God? What’s God really like? What moves His heart? How does He react in certain situations? What makes Him sad or disappoints Him? What angers God? What kind of heart captures His attention? Jesus said in John 14:9 that “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father!” Paul also writes in Hebrews 1:3 that Jesus is “…the express image of His person.” The NLT translation and The Message say the same thing in this manner. “…everything about him represents God exactly.” And “This Son perfectly mirrors God, and is stamped with God’s nature.” 2 Corinthians 4:4 confirms this fact. “…They don’t understand the message we preach about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.” NLT

Where do we begin? We simply read the Gospels…Matthew, Mark, Luke and John and as we do, we look at what the life of Jesus speaks about the Character and Nature of God the Father.

Every time I read any of the Bible, I’m always looking to discover two things.
1) I want to discover God’s character and nature.
2) I want to discover His principles so I can apply them in my life and teach the same to others.

For example…

Luke 5:17 shows us that whenever people gather in the Presence of God, there is power to heal all who are present, and sadly some will still walk away without getting what they really needed.

John 11:39 demonstrates that God desires us to do whatever we can do (as directed by the Spirit) and then we get out of His way as He does what only He can do!

Luke 13:34 reveals that God desires to be able to gather us under His wings of protection, but so often we won’t let Him.

Matthew 20:30-34 allows us to see that when someone gets a revelation of, and calls on the Mercy of God, (His extreme desire to be involved in removing the source of distress in our lives) it opens the way to the heart of God… “And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What do you want me to do for you?”

Matthew 23:37 shows that God dislikes “religious” people who try to profit from their status or position. These people focus on the religious aspects of traditional (man made laws) denominational garbage that keeps us from relationship with God. These focus on matters of ritual instead of issues of the heart as it seeks to connect with God himself.

Matthew 8:16 demonstrates that God wishes to heal everyone who will come to Him but we also discover in Mark 6:5-6 that unbelief throttles the hand of God and His ability to heal.

Matthew 19:14 reveals that God loves childlike faith.

Mark 5:34 allows us to see that Faith does play a role in receiving from God!

Mt 14:14 “And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.” Speaks for itself…. Now it’s your turn to dive into the life of Jesus and discover for yourself what God is really like.
Stop living your life vicariously!
Get to know Him yourself.

I don’t need to write the book again…it’s already been settled. You need to get into the Word. Take a look at the character and nature of God as revealed in the life of Jesus. Begin to read the Gospels today. “ Jesus said, “I am the Road, (Way) also the Truth, also the Life. No one gets to the Father apart from me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him. You’ve even seen him!” John 14:6-7 Message

If you really know Jesus…study His life…His motivation…watch Him operate…observe His lifestyle…learn His principles and obey His commands. You will see the Heart of God revealed right before your eyes AND receive a reward. Hebrews 11:6

2Pe 1:2 “Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord.” Grace and Peace will multiply in your life as you truly discover Who God is and what he is like. It’s a lifelong journey!

Begin today!

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!