Saturday, December 30, 2017

Battlefield of the Mind

Ephesians 6:12 - For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

This is for YOU! 

Please read this! Don't throw it into the trash just yet. Don't delete it. Don't think it pertains to some but not to you.

I have to remind myself often the statement above! There is an enemy of our souls whose only job is to torment, to steal, kill and destroy, as the Bible says. He's angry and jealous with God and is seeking to take down as many people in this world as he can. He tells lies to everyone. One is how it is not so important to know Him and take Him and His Word seriously and it's okay to live as we desire because He will not allow anyone to not go to heaven. 

It's why we need to be focused on God and the truth of His Word. Truths can be hard. They can shatter what we have always believed, those lies. I'm not trying to be a Debbie Downer or a doom and gloomer. I'm just saying people need to know what is right and wrong. God is a good God. He wants none to perish. But He also knows when He needs to judge. And He will. And He will judge those who have not allowed themselves to learn the truth. But here's a promise:

You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. (Isaiah‬ ‭26:3‬)

Perfect peace. Peace through Christ. Trusting in Him, not self or others, or a religion or denomination. Relying on Him. Knowing Him and His Word. Minds stayed and focused on Him, His truths, His Word. On Him.

Some people who have known me for many years know I have changed. My beliefs are different. My stance on things are different. I thank God for that, while others may not! He opened my eyes when I gave my life to Him. All I had believed, the same lies as everyone else, became blatantly, clearly errors. When the truths poured in I changed, not to everyone's liking. 

The Word of God tells us, once we are saved through the power of Jesus ...do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. ‭‭(Romans‬ ‭12:2‬)
“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32)

How do we renew our mind? Through the Bible. That's where the truth hangs it's hat. If we get angry thinking we don't need to read His Word, we will miss out on all the peace. It is a battlefield of the mind, which we can overcome! We just need to submit to the truth. The world doesn't revolve around any one of us. Good chance our beliefs do not line up with God's. Who do we think we are believing we are smarter than God? He will judge us on that one! 

There will come a day when we all will know exactly where we stand with Him. Every knee will bow and tongue confess Him to the glory of God. We will be separated between true believers and non-believers. It will either be a glorious day or one of great sorrow. Don't be fooled into thinking you are right with God if you have not tried learning what truth is. 

Isaiah‬ ‭55:8-9‬ ‭- “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.”
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Monday, December 25, 2017

And Everything in Between

Luke 2:11-14 -  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”  Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

I’m sharing a daily devotion by Oswald Chambers. Our pastor touched on this new birth yesterday at our Christmas Eve morning service. He also touched on the Spirit of God and His influence. Nothing is done, as a friend and I recently discussed, that God hasn’t already been involved in or directed. We have to know that everything must involve Him. Our birth, life, death and everything in between, whether we realize it or not. His hand is in it. Sometimes though our own wills get in the way...

So today is Christmas. The celebration if the birth of Christ. Not that He was born December 25, but that we honor His birth at this time. As Christ was born and entered into life, so too can we all. We are separated from God in this worldly life but Jesus humbly came that we might receive a new life in and through Him.

It is we who must humbly come to Him for our new birth. We must enter into that new life. Believing we are fine in our own selves without Him is a big mistake and misunderstanding.

By God’s Spirit we enter in. This Christmas I pray that the Spirit of the living God would touch all who do not understand this concept and cannot believe it. It’s not just about saying a prayer one time, or repeatedly. It’s not about how good we think we are compared to —.  No single prayer without a heart change accompanying will work. No amount of our works will be the answer.

As He came in the form of a Child, we too must come as little children, removing all the ideas we have accumulated in our time on earth, all the self-taught determinations, misconceptions or lies. We come with an open heart and mind to learn the truth of Who this Man is and what His followers believe. It’s a whole new and different life and it is glorious.



His Birth and Our New Birth

"Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us."  MATTHEW 1:23

His Birth in History. “…that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God (Luke 1:35). Jesus Christ was born into this world, not from it. He did not emerge out of history; He came into history from the outside. Jesus Christ is not the best human being the human race can boast of—He is a Being for whom the human race can take no credit at all. He is not man becoming God, but God Incarnate—God coming into human flesh from outside it. His life is the highest and the holiest entering through the most humble of doors. Our Lord’s birth was an advent—the appearance of God in human form.

His Birth in Me. “My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you…” (Galatians 4:19). Just as our Lord came into human history from outside it, He must also come into me from outside. Have I allowed my personal human life to become a “Bethlehem” for the Son of God? I cannot enter the realm of the kingdom of God unless I am born again from above by a birth totally unlike physical birth. “You must be born again” (John 3:7). This is not a command, but a fact based on the authority of God. The evidence of the new birth is that I yield myself so completely to God that “Christ is formed” in me. And once “Christ is formed” in me, His nature immediately begins to work through me.

God Evident in the Flesh. This is what is made so profoundly possible for you and for me through the redemption of man by Jesus Christ. 

From My Utmost for His Highest Updated Edition
Bible in One Year: Zephaniah 1-3; Revelation 16


Friday, December 15, 2017

Full

1John 1:1-4 - That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life—the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us—that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.

The disciples knew Christ. They saw Him, walked with Him, listened to Him. We have not had the pleasure of seeing or listening to the Lord  physically. Some of us have met Him, though. Those who have can relate to this: Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. ...while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (2Corinthians 4:16,18, Hebrews 11:1)

This is the Christmas season. It’s a time for many to celebrate with parties and get togethers. Along with that is eating (and drinking). Never a shortage of food. Diets are just around the proverbial holiday corner. We get full! Maybe, probably, overfilled, with the food that fills our bellies.

...for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Romans 14:17)
Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance. (Isaiah 55:2)

Remember when the Israelites wandered in the desert? All their needs were supplied. Clothing and sandals did not wear out. They had their fresh manna every day. It came down from heaven. Moses struck a rock and water appeared. Bread and water...

...and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. (1Corinthians 10:4)
I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world. (John 6:51)

As the Bible says, life is not about the food and the drink as we tend to think it is. This life, this world will pass away some day. Those who do not have the spiritual food and drink will pass away also, eternally. Those who have tasted and seen that the Lord is good, will not pass away but will live with Christ. 

So, Christmas is a time to celebrate the life of One who gives us all our physical life, but more importantly, eternal life through Christ. We celebrate His birth which led to His life and death...all so we might have life if we choose to acknowledge Him, every day, not just at Christmas. 


John 15:11 - These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.
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Thursday, December 7, 2017

The Day God Came Down

Oh, come, let us adore Him! 

I woke up about 1:00AM. The Words “the day God came down” came to mind. I jotted them down and thought about them this morning. The intense meaning of it all. Greater than anyone can wrap their head around. 

John‬ ‭1:1-5‬ - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was WITH God, and the Word WAS God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made THROUGH Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was LIFE, and the life was the light of men. And the light SHINES in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. ‭‭

Do you know? Do you really know...that God came down from heaven in the form of an innocent little baby Boy? God came down. Let that sink in. HE came down.

HE came down. He who sits on His glorious heavenly throne. The One who created all things with no more than the sound of His voice. The One who is perfectly loving, holy and just. He humbled Himself to be among the much less-than-perfect that He might be seen and known, that we might be forgiven of sin, made children of God and given eternal life and be reconciled back with our Father in the heavenlies...through faith in this little baby Boy, with that powerful voice. Not faith in our works. Not faith in what we think is our own goodness. Faith in one Man...who CAME DOWN from the highest place to be among us.

He is still here beckoning all who will listen. All who will receive. All who will come to Him humbly as a little child. This Child that was in the very beginning WITH God as well as WAS God, who created, who brought life on earth and now wants to give eternal, spiritual life to ALL. He was born that He might die...for us.

This world is in very heavy darkness as we speak...at least for those without this Hope. And there still is hope. This hope is in Jesus. He is the ONLY hope. While this may not be the real season of His birth, we celebrate. We celebrate His life which can bring us life. While this IS the season we do celebrate, some can celebrate every day for His miraculous birth...and for the miraculous new lives He gives those who will receive. It’s not about all the presents. It’s about the gift. His gift, free to all who want to receive from Him.

He came down...for you and for me. For sinners, which includes ALL. Did you know, the first to see Him after He was born were the shepherds, not the kings! He calls the young, the old, male, female, rich, poor, any color, any race. ALL. All who will come humbly. Are you counted among those? Have you received a new life with the very God of the universe, the One who came down for you? If not, He’s waiting. It’s never too late, you’re never too sinful or proud. You can’t be filled with too much anger or hate. He receives ALL. Come, as another little child. Do not be afraid of the great tidings, the good news, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Listen to the words of Linus from the Charlie Brown Christmas movie. They are God’s Words!

Luke 2:10 - The the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people."