Allow God to reign

 

Daily battles

 

The more we try to honor God the more Satan sends his attacks!

 

Are you ready to R U M B L E ?

 

Voices of accusation

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. . . . . Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.(Romans 8:1-2,5)

The voices of accusation are not from God. We cannot allow ourselves to be swayed by the voices of the world. The Spirit within the believer allows us to be calm and not to hastily react, but pray . . . pray for those who wrongly attack us and react with words of dishonor and wrongful complaints. 

Remember, what God has for us as individuals is for us. Many will not understand. It's ok. We must also remember that Satan can use just about anyone to cause us to lose focus. Let's allow God's Spirit to grace us with patience and prayer!

Ready to Rumble?

Are you ready to rumble? We have a fight on our hands. It is gonna take courage and it will be intense.

So you must go and make disciples of all nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And you can be sure that I am always with you, to the very end.” (Matthew 28:19-20 (NIrV)

The world needs CHRISTians to be seen in everyday life. We need not to be in hiding! How else will a world of so many choices know there is One who offers answers to all life's basic questions:

• Who am I?
• Why am I here?
• Where am I going?

You see, if we say the world is too bad to raise children, then the world can only get worse as the enemy gains control. If we who are believers fail to impact the world around us, then again, things get worse . . . and much quicker.

We may not be able to save the world or even change it. We can however help individuals to change and lead others to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ! 

Are you ready to rumble?

Waiting for what? The Journey (Part VII)

 Have you ever sensed something big is about to happen? Excitement is brewing . . . tension is escalating . . . maybe nerves on edge? God is up to something but He seems to be waiting. Waiting for what?

He just may be waiting for you and me to act . . . to ask . . . to do something on our part! Many times we procrastinate. Other times we play the blame game and pass the buck. How many times do we simply waste time worrying? 

He spoke another parable, because He was near Jerusalem and because they thought the kingdom of God would appear immediately. Therefore He said: “A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return. So he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Do business till I come.’ (Luke 19:11-13)

God may just be waiting for us to get up and do something first . . . show some concern and some initiative . . . before he steps in and does His thing! He wants us to take responsibility. He is not going to simply step in and bail us out time after time! It was that way with our house situation. We were waiting, worrying, and wondering for years how we could do better and we finally took the first step and wow . . . God stepped in big time!

As we take take one step, God takes a giant step! Don't hesitate. Don't procrastinate.  Don't make God wait!

We are not thinking

 Do not become complacent! Physical battles are the easiest to win. It is the mental battles . . . . the internal struggles  . . . that eat away at us. Why? . . .  because we do not see them coming and do not plan to fight them. They come when we are at rest. They come when we are dealing with physical challenges. They come when we are not thinking!

David's sin came when he was celebrating victory. He was feeling good about himself! Our struggles may come after we have been through a losing battle. It may come when we think we are out of the woods. Internal battles can pop up when we least expect. The point is, we must always be prepared! It begins within our minds. (Romans 12:1-2)

We must not run from battle and always be prepared to fight . . . in the battle! God is with us. The Holy Spirit is within us for this reason. 

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. (2 Corinthians 10:3-6)

Rejoice always?

 Paul tells us to "rejoice always"! (Philippians 4:4) Is that a reality? Who wants to hear those words when things are going badly? I know I don't! Yet like Paul, we need to praise God for Who He is, not what is happening! He is still God and His promises are still true! He will provide as He sees fit. God shows up in the praises!

I am always blown away by Job. No one suffered so much for reasons unknown, yet he fell to His knees and worshipped when he lost it all! He did not curse God, blame God, or forsake his beliefs. 

Can we practice this today when things go wrong? Rejoice!!!

Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. And he said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb,

And naked shall I return there.
The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away;
Blessed be the name of the Lord.” In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong. (Job 1:20-22)

God knows . . . and He really cares!

“I have made a covenant with my eyes;
Why then should I look upon a young woman? For what is the allotment of God from above, and the inheritance of the Almighty from on high? Is it not destruction for the wicked, and disaster for the workers of iniquity? Does He not see my ways, and count all my steps? (Job 31:1-4)

From the earliest book in the bible, we see the struggles of man . . . our eyes! As we are honest with ourselves, we men (and even women today) have a struggle with our eyes! We allow them to stray far too often and far too long, looking at things we have no business observing!

I don't think I have to go into detail here . . .we all know! Yet God also knows and He really cares about us and wants us to change. We must depend upon Him, His Spirit within us, and partner with Him to change. 

    For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses     . . . (Hebrews 4:15).

Job knew the love of God and His care for him. He chose to honor God and the women in his life. Job made a covenant with God! He realized the destruction that can come from lust. We too must realize this and take steps to restrain our eyes! 👀

What about you and me?

That very same Spirit!

 

Now we can do everything the law requires. Our sinful nature no longer controls the way we live. The Holy Spirit now controls the way we live. 

Don't live under the control of your sinful nature. If you do, you will think about what your sinful nature wants. Live under the control of the Holy Spirit. If you do, you will think about what the Spirit wants.

 The way a sinful person thinks leads to death. But the mind controlled by the Spirit brings life and peace.

 The sinful mind is at war with God. It does not obey God's law. It can't.

 Those who are controlled by their sinful nature can't please God.

 But your sinful nature does not control you. The Holy Spirit controls you. The Spirit of God lives in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to Christ. 

 Christ lives in you. So your body is dead because of sin. But your spirit is alive because you have been made right with God.

 The Spirit of the One who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you. So the God who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your bodies, which are going to die. He will do this by the power of his Spirit, who lives in you. 

 Brothers and sisters, we have a duty. Our duty is not to live under the control of our sinful nature. (Romans 8:4-12)

Think about it . . .the very same Spirit of God that was working in and through Christ . . . the same Spirit Jesus committed back to God on the Cross . . . . the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead . . . . that very same Spirit lives in you and me . . . . the Christ follower

The power that raised Jesus from the grave lives inside of every believer! It grieves me daily to ask this question of myself and others: Why do we keep on grieving that Spirit? (Ephesians 4:30) Jesus said if we love Him we would keep His commandments, yet I still sin! I do love Jesus too! It is a battle indeed that only the Spirit can win! 

Yet we fight from victory . . .the Risen Savior! He promised us His Spirit and He lives within us. I fight it . . .you fight it . . . Paul fought it as well (Romans 7). It is a fight we can and will win . . . There is victory in Jesus! 

That very same Spirit fights with us and for us!

it is time for the CHRISTian to speak up and act today!

 As Frederick Douglass looked out on the boisterous crowd that had gathered to celebrate America’s independence, he thought of Psalm 137.

By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept

when we remembered Zion. There on the poplars

we hung our harps,

for there our captors asked us for songs,

our tormentors demanded songs of joy;

they said, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!”

How can we sing the songs of the Lord

while in a foreign land? (v. 1–4)

The Rochester Ladies’ Anti-Slavery Society had invited Douglass to deliver the keynote address for their Fourth of July celebrations in 1852. Fourteen summers earlier, Douglass had escaped from slavery. Now, at only 34, he was America’s most famous abolitionist.

Yet there’s a side of Douglass that’s not often remembered or celebrated: his radical Christian faith. Douglass was a kind of prophet crying in the wilderness of Christian slaveholding America. It’s no coincidence that in the most famous speech of his life—“What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?”—Douglass quoted the prophet Isaiah at length. He aspired to speak to America as biblical prophets once spoke to their people: with words of warning and rebuke, grace and hope.

In honor of one of my wife's forefathers, I say it is time for the CHRISTian to speak up and act today!

Looking back . . .Moving Forward!

 So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Return, O Lord! How long? And have compassion on Your servants. Oh, satisfy us early with Your mercy, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days! Make us glad according to the days in which You have afflicted us, the years in which we have seen evil. Let Your work appear to Your servants,  and Your glory to their children. And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us,  and establish the work of our hands for us; Yes, establish the work of our hands. (Psalm 90:13-17)

Most theologians agree that this psalm was written by Moses, thus the oldest psalm written. After years of wandering in the wilderness, Moses leads the people of Israel in prayer . . . a prayer of looking back and moving forward! 

Since God called Abraham to start a Nation, His people have a HIS-tory of rebellion/repentance/restoration. God had given them guidelines and as they rebelled, He would have to correct them. He would always have compassion upon them and restore them.  This unfortunately is our HIS-tory as well!

As we look back on 2020 and move forward to 2021, we are surely able to see God's hand in it all . . . a hand of correction and affliction as well as mercy. We have witnessed evil. We have seen failures. Yet we have also been a witness to His beauty and provision.

Take time to look back . . . take time to plan ahead. 

Identify (number) failures and corrections. See where we have wandered from God's plan. Seek His forgiveness and mercy. Also identify (number) where God has provided, supplied needs, granted mercy and even surprised us! Allow Him to direct your path forward. (Proverbs 16:9) 

As a Nation, as teachers, as students, as husbands, wives, moms, dads, students and children . . . . allow the past year to teach. It is time to count our blessings and move forward in Christ. (Jeremiah 29:11)

He Who was God then for the Jews is our God today . . .New year, same God!

 

Thus says the Lord God: “On the day that I cleanse you from all your iniquities, I will also enable you to dwell in the cities, and the ruins shall be rebuilt. The desolate land shall be tilled instead of lying desolate in the sight of all who pass by. So they will say, ‘This land that was desolate has become like the garden of Eden; and the wasted, desolate, and ruined cities are now fortified and inhabited.’ Then the nations which are left all around you shall know that I, the Lord, have rebuilt the ruined places and planted what was desolate. I, the Lord, have spoken it, and I will do it.” (Ezekiel 36:33-36)

Hey, I know it's rough these days . . . . Covid illnesses and deaths . . . political unrest . . . . social injustice . . . . schools, restaurants, and churches closed or limited in operations . . . . plans put on hold. All around we experience desolation, ruin, waste, depression, isolation, depression, and yes death. Yet as with the Israelites, there is hope in the person of our Father (Deuteronomy 30:3-13) . . . . Jehovah . . . . the same God then is the same God now . . .. Immanuel, Jesus, God with us, Who gave His Spirit so graciously to comfort, console, and restore! (John 14:15-31) 

In 2021, may we trust in God to provide (Jehovah Jireh), heal (Jehovah Rapha), to look over us (El Roi), and to protect us and fight for us (Jehovah Sabaoth). He Who was God then for the Jews is our God today . . .New year, same God!

Are You Part of the TEAM?

 God has placed each part in the body just as he wanted it to be.  If all the parts were the same, how could there be a body?  As it is, there are many parts. But there is only one body. The eye can’t say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you!”  In fact, it is just the opposite. The parts of the body that seem to be weaker are the ones we can’t do without. The parts that we think are less important we treat with special honor. The private parts aren’t shown. But they are treated with special care. The parts that can be shown don’t need special care. But God has put together all the parts of the body. And he has given more honor to the parts that didn’t have any.  In that way, the parts of the body will not take sides. All of them will take care of one another.  If one part suffers, every part suffers with it. If one part is honored, every part shares in its joy. You are the body of Christ. Each one of you is a part of it. (1 Corinthians 12:18-27)

Are you part of the team or on the sidelines, on injured reserve, or worse yet, the other team? A member of a team wears the team colors. It represents something . . . . unity, common goals, brotherhood, commitment, cohesiveness, family. One would not be allowed to play without a uniform. All team members look alike in how they dress. They have a game plan and are committed to it! They work in unison. They are all for one and one for all!

Paul reminds us here that we as members of Christ's Body. . . His team, are to be in uniform daily. . . suited up, ready to engage the enemy, with common goals and a game plan! God is our Coach, Jesus is our Captain and the Holy Spirit carries us on when we get tired and out of breath. Our game plan is clearly drawn up in His playbook, the Bible! We are in it to win it!

Are you ready team? It's game time!

Take notice!

The Lord tells the people of Judah, 

“Stand where the roads cross, and look around.
    Ask where the old paths are.
Ask for the good path, and walk on it.
    Then your hearts will find rest in me.
    But you said, ‘We won’t walk on it.’

I appointed prophets to warn you. I said,
    ‘Listen to the sound of the trumpets!’
    But you said, ‘We won’t listen.’

So pay attention, you nations.
    You are witnesses for me.
    Watch what will happen to my people.

Earth, pay attention.
    I am going to bring trouble on them.
    I will punish them because of the evil things they have done.
They have not listened to my words.
    They have said no to my law. (Jeremiah 6:16-19)

Simple words here from the prophet Jeremiah which the Lord gave him concerning Judah. I believe we can heed to them today. 

God tells Jeremiah to have the world take take notice: ignoring God will bring calamity and confusion!  Oh America. . . Oh CHRISTians in America, when will we take notice and start following God's ways rather than the acceptable norms of this society? Have our eyes been that blinded and our hearts so seared that we no longer even recognize God's voice above that of politics, Hollywood, and social media?

Will we ask of God for the good path and walk upon it or will we continue to say, "We won't listen"?

know how to answer everyone.

 Give a lot of time and effort to prayer. Always be watchful and thankful.  Pray for us too. Pray that God will give us an opportunity to preach our message. Then we can preach the mystery of Christ. Because I preached it, I am being held by chains. Pray that I will preach it clearly, as I should.  Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders. Make the most of every opportunity.  Let the words you speak always be full of grace. Learn how to make your words what people want to hear. Then you will know how to answer everyone. (Colossians 4:2-6)

Lots of noise in our world today for sure . . . but which noise are we listening to and how are we responding? It's easy to latch on this group or that group without knowing the motives of the people behind the words and actions. 

Paul warns us to be watchful and careful regarding current situations. We can't simply react to a situation without careful thought and preparation. We must be grace-filled and be sure our words will be received in a positive manner. . . .helping to encourage others but also honoring God! 

Remember, Jesus did not hide from the ills of society, but showed compassion, concern, and offered reconciliation and redemption. Do our words and actions as CHRISTians bring others closer to Christ? Be careful concerning our answers to today's culture!

The bad things people have said about you......

 We who have strong faith should help the weak with their problems. We should not please only ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbors. Let us do what is good for them in order to build them up. Even Christ did not please himself. It is written, “The bad things people have said about you have been aimed at me also.” (Psalm 69:9) Everything written in the past was written to teach us. The Scriptures give us strength to go on. They encourage us and give us hope. Our God is a God who strengthens and encourages you. May he give you the same attitude toward one another that Christ Jesus had.  Then you can give glory to God with one mind and voice. He is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Christ has accepted you. So accept one another in order to bring praise to God.(Romans 15:1-7)

Being shut-in so much has caused me and probably you to be a bit strained at times.  Frustrated, irritable, anxious, and jittery can be just a few words to describe Corona times!

It has given me a lot projector reflect upon the past as I wonder where we are headed. I have lost count of the times I have been lied to, lied on, tricked, manipulated and deceived by folks I thought I knew, yes even Christ followers. As a result I realize I have installed a mental barrier of distrust and skepticism regarding people. Truth be told, it has deeply charred the relationships I do have!

Do you find it hard to forget even when you forgive? Do you have trouble trusting anymore? I have to force myself to be live God! Listen to what Paul writes:

The bad things people have said about you have been aimed at me also.” (Psalm 69:9) Everything written in the past was written to teach us. The Scriptures give us strength to go on. They encourage us and give us hope. 

I need the Spirit to help me to fully trust again. How 'bout you?

 

I want it NOW!

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.  Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?  Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent?  If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.(Matthew 7:7-12)

 So many today want so much . . . . and they want it NOW! Many cannot see the struggles many have gone through for what we have now. Even believers are demanding from the government for things right now . . . . a cure for illness, economic relief, ending homelessness and yes even justice for all. However, as we read in Matthew, we have to know Who the Source of all our needs is . . . . God alone.

We sometimes act as if God doesn't see or hear. However, Matthew reminds us that we need to go to God first, keep working in a Godly fashion, and trust Him with the results. It's hard to wait. Our society demands things NOW!

If I have learned anything the past year it is to plead and plead with God and then allow Him to do His thing. I am trying to stay out of His way. Oh, I am putting in the work, but trusting God with the results!

This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him

I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.My soul shall make its boast in the Lord;The humble shall hear of it and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me,And let us exalt His name together. I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces were not ashamed.This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them. (Psalm 34:1-7)

More than four years ago when walking the campus of Liberty University with a group of our ministry teens, I asked the Lord to somehow allow our son Michael to be able to attend Liberty. You see, as missionary/teachers, we do not have the funds to pay for a college education. It would have to be God or Community College! Our son is a great kid, loving son, caring for friends and family, but is challenged in the classroom. Occasionally he would make honor roll. He would even take and do well in a few AP courses along the way. I must say, even while playing four years of varsity soccer, he made it through by the grace of God, servant prayers of his parents, and meeting some late night deadlines!

Yes, this poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him! Not that my prayers are any better than anyone else's. I often wonder why He even bothers listening to me! Yet He did! Now we sit here at the end of June 2020 and our son has been accepted, has enrolled, and will be attending Liberty University in the Fall of 2020, Covid-19 and all!!!! Look at my God!

So yes, magnify the Lord with me! Let's exalt His name together! Oh yes, I will praise Him and bless Him at all times . . .good and bad . . .but especially now! When I began to plead with the Lord, many in my circles doubted, but I said wait and see . . .

Well, now they can see! See what God can do! Eye has not seen and ear has not heard what the Lord can and will do for those who love Him. (1 Corinthians 2:9) This is all for the glory of God! 

«Now God, please continue to work in the life of my son as he travels along the path of life. Keep a watch over Him and as he stumbles and falls, and he will, please be there to pick him up and place him back upon solid ground . . .the solid Rock! (Proverbs 3:5-6)