As we come to the close of the Passover Celebration, we want to make sure that we are in position to receive the Victory that God has ordained for all of His children during this Season. A prophet of God recently shared a Word with me that really hit my spirit. The prophetic word from the Lord was: the measures are in place for a Turnaround, but until My people "turn" and "seek" Me, I WILL NOT provide the strategies to release the measures. Saints, this was a very inspiring word but also a challenging word. Do you know that God has your Turnaround and your Victory already in Place? Guess what, you're the one holding it up. If you want God to turn things around in your life, if you're ready to see manifest the breakthrough that you've been praying about for years, then it's time to make sure that you're positioned to receive A Strategy for Victory.
There are two things in this Word that the Lord says that His people must do in order to receive the Turnaround: Turn (which means Repent) and Seek Him. For many of us, there are some things in our lives, behaviorally as well as attitudinally, that we need to Turn from in order to receive our Blessing and Breakthrough. The Father is very Gracious, Patient and Very Merciful. But saints, It's Time. God is Ready to Move. And for where He's going, you can't follow Him in any type of condition, whether it's your actions or your thinking. The Holy Spirit is Faithful, so I know He has convicted you of what's in place in your life that is not pleasing to God (John 16). The question is, are you willing to make the turn? Are you willing to make the Shift? Are you ready to "think again" (the literal translation of Repent) and allow the Holy Spirit to "renew your mind" (Romans 12). If not, then be prepared to remain in defeat and frustration.
Then we have to Seek Him. Saints I believe that I've said this before, there are a lot of Christians that simply don't love God. We're "grateful" for His love for us, demonstrated in Him sending His Only Begotten Son to die for our sins (John 3). We thank Him for that, but we don't Love Him. And let me take it a step further. If we do love Him, then we're not "in love with Him". We're not on Fire for the Lord. There's no Passion, no Zeal, no Excitement; I like to use the word "juice". We just don't have any Juice for the Lord. The Lord is not into that. That's why the first commandment is to love the Lord thy God with ALL thine heart, ALL thine soul, ALL of your mind and ALL of your strength (Luke 10). We've got to Seek the Lord with everything we've got.
Finally saints, once we've obeyed the instructions of this prophetic word, we are in position to receive the strategies for the measures to be released. Notice He didn't say "the measures would be released"; He said He would provide the "strategies" to release the measures. This is what happened to the children of Israel when they Crossed Over into the Promised Land. God gave them the Strategy to capture the city of Jericho. Walk around the city once for six days, then on the 7th Day, walk around the city seven times and have the priests blow the trumpets (Joshua 6). Strategy. God has a Strategy and strategies just like that waiting for you. Your Turnaround is right around the corner. Are you positioned? If not do so, and receive A Strategy for Victory.
Saturday, April 30, 2016
Friday, April 29, 2016
Male and Female
As the perversion in America seems to get deeper and deeper, we are faced with another issue that, at some point, the church is going to have to take a stand and make a Declaration of Faith. American culture first established the norm or at least "social sanction and approval" of being gay and living a homosexual lifestyle. It was all about "coming out of the closet". Then society said, now that being homosexual is culturally condoned and affirmed, we want to establish "gay rights" in the area of same-sex marriage. Now that the legislation for that defilement of marriage was passed by the Supreme Court in 2015, the next area of "progressive perversion" is in the area of Gender Identity. What's being pushed now is that if you were born a man, you can declare yourself to be a woman, and if you were born a woman, you can declare yourself to be a man.
This type of thinking 60 years ago would've been looked at as simply ridiculous. But it's a new day, and the proponents of this distorted and defiled thinking are very serious about insuring that this "way of life" is infringed and imposed upon the fabric of American society. The church has to take a stand! The country's in an uproar now over North Carolina's new law, that says that if you were "born" male, then you have to go to the "men's bathroom", regardless of what gender you personally "identify" with. The argument by the LGBT community is that this is discrimination against the "transgender community". My argument is that the position of the LGBT community is against the Divine Order of God!
The Scripture makes it clear that God, the Creator of all humanity, made us Male and Female (Genesis 1). This means that God made an acute distinction between what it means to be a Man and what it means to be a Woman. Once again, just like in the situation with same-sex marriage, to deny and dismiss the Divine Order of Gender that God established for all of His human creation is to say that God is Wrong. The God of the Universe doesn't take lightly His creation claiming that "He" made a mistake. Jesus says very clearly in the 19th chapter of the Gospel of Saint Matthew, when the Pharisees were asking Him about divorce, "have ye not read, that He which made them at the beginning made them Male and Female". The church must take a stand and make it clear that this discussion about "gender rights" is once again a slap in the face of God.
The issue with Bruce Jenner was major in sparking this whole "gender identity" discussion. But what we have to establish as believers in Christ is that human beings don't have the right to "change" their gender. How God made you is how God made you, regardless of "how you feel". Not that we don't want to be sensitive to what's sponsoring the perceived need for this type of gender transition, but regardless of what it is, one's feelings don't negate our responsibility to uphold the Divine Order of God. And then let's take this a step further. Bruce Jenner has changed his genitalia to that of a woman, along with other "female accessories". But does he have a uterus? Does he have fallopian tubes? Does he have a cycle every month? What's my point? He doesn't have the biological equipment that God endowed every woman to have. Therefore, at the end of the day, you're still not really a woman. This is what the church has to promote. A change in sex-organs does not make you a particular gender. You can't reverse the Divine Order of God.
Saints we've got to Wake Up and we've got to Speak Up. This country is headed on a Collision Course with the Almighty God. I applaud North Carolina and also the state of Mississippi for their Religious Freedom Bill, that allows people (particularly Christians) to stand up against the homosexual agenda in the name of their faith and convictions without "breaking the law". But saints we've got to Fight. We cannot afford to be neutral on these issues. The Judgment of God is weighing on whether we Repent of this outright defiance of His Word, His Will and His Way. And in this particular instance, we need to affirm: NO, we do not approve or condone the Transgender Movement. We stand by the Word of God: He made us Male and Female.
This type of thinking 60 years ago would've been looked at as simply ridiculous. But it's a new day, and the proponents of this distorted and defiled thinking are very serious about insuring that this "way of life" is infringed and imposed upon the fabric of American society. The church has to take a stand! The country's in an uproar now over North Carolina's new law, that says that if you were "born" male, then you have to go to the "men's bathroom", regardless of what gender you personally "identify" with. The argument by the LGBT community is that this is discrimination against the "transgender community". My argument is that the position of the LGBT community is against the Divine Order of God!
The Scripture makes it clear that God, the Creator of all humanity, made us Male and Female (Genesis 1). This means that God made an acute distinction between what it means to be a Man and what it means to be a Woman. Once again, just like in the situation with same-sex marriage, to deny and dismiss the Divine Order of Gender that God established for all of His human creation is to say that God is Wrong. The God of the Universe doesn't take lightly His creation claiming that "He" made a mistake. Jesus says very clearly in the 19th chapter of the Gospel of Saint Matthew, when the Pharisees were asking Him about divorce, "have ye not read, that He which made them at the beginning made them Male and Female". The church must take a stand and make it clear that this discussion about "gender rights" is once again a slap in the face of God.
The issue with Bruce Jenner was major in sparking this whole "gender identity" discussion. But what we have to establish as believers in Christ is that human beings don't have the right to "change" their gender. How God made you is how God made you, regardless of "how you feel". Not that we don't want to be sensitive to what's sponsoring the perceived need for this type of gender transition, but regardless of what it is, one's feelings don't negate our responsibility to uphold the Divine Order of God. And then let's take this a step further. Bruce Jenner has changed his genitalia to that of a woman, along with other "female accessories". But does he have a uterus? Does he have fallopian tubes? Does he have a cycle every month? What's my point? He doesn't have the biological equipment that God endowed every woman to have. Therefore, at the end of the day, you're still not really a woman. This is what the church has to promote. A change in sex-organs does not make you a particular gender. You can't reverse the Divine Order of God.
Saints we've got to Wake Up and we've got to Speak Up. This country is headed on a Collision Course with the Almighty God. I applaud North Carolina and also the state of Mississippi for their Religious Freedom Bill, that allows people (particularly Christians) to stand up against the homosexual agenda in the name of their faith and convictions without "breaking the law". But saints we've got to Fight. We cannot afford to be neutral on these issues. The Judgment of God is weighing on whether we Repent of this outright defiance of His Word, His Will and His Way. And in this particular instance, we need to affirm: NO, we do not approve or condone the Transgender Movement. We stand by the Word of God: He made us Male and Female.
Thursday, April 28, 2016
The Death of Prince
Many people throughout the world are still mourning the death of one of the greatest music legends of our time, Prince Rogers Nelson. There are not many people alive who have not been impacted in some shape, form or fashion by the musical genius of this great musical artist. Even though he was not a "gospel artist", his brilliance in music is unquestionable, producing some very thought-provoking songs like "The Cross", "Free" and "Annie Christian" (which refers to the Anti-Christ). Whether you were a "Prince fan" or not, the world will truly miss the creative genius of this legendary entertainer.
Like most people, when I initially heard the news of Prince's death, I was shocked. It just didn't seem real. But as I began to ponder further his passing away, I began to feel that his death was Prophetic. I heard a prophet say a few years ago that we are living in days now where as believers in Christ, we need to look at current events and the things that are happening around the world with a "prophetic eye". As I continued to reflect on the prophetic aspect of Prince's death, the Lord led me to the 16th chapter of the Gospel of Saint John. The scripture reads, "And when He (the Holy Spirit) is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment. Of sin, because they believe not on me. Of righteousness, because I go to my Father and ye see me no more. Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged." I said, that's it, that's the prophetic confirmation. God always gives confirmation for Divine Revelation through His Word. The Death of Prince was prophetic of the coming Judgment that God is going to send to the earth.
As we break this down a little further, understand that when God gives a Prophetic Sign in reference to a person, the prophetic word is not always about that specific individual. Therefore, I don't believe that the prophetic word has to deal with Prince specifically as an individual person. I believe the Lord used him prophetically because he is a world-renown figure. Let's examine also the "timing" of Prince's death. It is not a coincidence that Prince died during the Season of Passover. The Passover Season starts on the 10th day of Nissan on the Hebrew calendar. This is the day that the Israelites were instructed to choose the lamb that would be slain for the Passover supper (Exodus 12). The Passover Celebration commences the 14th day of Nissan. Prince died on April 21. The Passover Season commenced on April 18. Why would the Lord allow Prince, a world-wide entertainer, to die during the Passover Season? Once again, because it's prophetic of Judgment. The Passover Season talks about God's Judgment of the Egyptians and their gods. Judgment.
Lastly, many people witnessed the Rainbow that was seen over Prince's home after his death. Once again, this is not about Prince "personally", this is about interpreting his death prophetically. The Rainbow was the Covenant Sign of God "after" the 40 day Flood for which Noah built the Ark (Genesis 9). What's the Message? After the prince of this world has been judged (Satan) and his world-system, God will restore and re-establish Covenant Relationship with His people and prayerfully with this nation (America). But notice, the Rainbow wasn't seen until "after" the judgment of the Prince (prophetically in this case, Prince Rogers Nelson).
I hope that we can see saints that the time is short. I truly believe that God used and is still using The Death of Prince as a prophetic sign to show what He's getting ready to do in regards to the Judgment of the prince of this world, reflective of the Judgment associated with Passover. May our hearts be in tune to what the Spirit has to say.
Like most people, when I initially heard the news of Prince's death, I was shocked. It just didn't seem real. But as I began to ponder further his passing away, I began to feel that his death was Prophetic. I heard a prophet say a few years ago that we are living in days now where as believers in Christ, we need to look at current events and the things that are happening around the world with a "prophetic eye". As I continued to reflect on the prophetic aspect of Prince's death, the Lord led me to the 16th chapter of the Gospel of Saint John. The scripture reads, "And when He (the Holy Spirit) is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment. Of sin, because they believe not on me. Of righteousness, because I go to my Father and ye see me no more. Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged." I said, that's it, that's the prophetic confirmation. God always gives confirmation for Divine Revelation through His Word. The Death of Prince was prophetic of the coming Judgment that God is going to send to the earth.
As we break this down a little further, understand that when God gives a Prophetic Sign in reference to a person, the prophetic word is not always about that specific individual. Therefore, I don't believe that the prophetic word has to deal with Prince specifically as an individual person. I believe the Lord used him prophetically because he is a world-renown figure. Let's examine also the "timing" of Prince's death. It is not a coincidence that Prince died during the Season of Passover. The Passover Season starts on the 10th day of Nissan on the Hebrew calendar. This is the day that the Israelites were instructed to choose the lamb that would be slain for the Passover supper (Exodus 12). The Passover Celebration commences the 14th day of Nissan. Prince died on April 21. The Passover Season commenced on April 18. Why would the Lord allow Prince, a world-wide entertainer, to die during the Passover Season? Once again, because it's prophetic of Judgment. The Passover Season talks about God's Judgment of the Egyptians and their gods. Judgment.
Lastly, many people witnessed the Rainbow that was seen over Prince's home after his death. Once again, this is not about Prince "personally", this is about interpreting his death prophetically. The Rainbow was the Covenant Sign of God "after" the 40 day Flood for which Noah built the Ark (Genesis 9). What's the Message? After the prince of this world has been judged (Satan) and his world-system, God will restore and re-establish Covenant Relationship with His people and prayerfully with this nation (America). But notice, the Rainbow wasn't seen until "after" the judgment of the Prince (prophetically in this case, Prince Rogers Nelson).
I hope that we can see saints that the time is short. I truly believe that God used and is still using The Death of Prince as a prophetic sign to show what He's getting ready to do in regards to the Judgment of the prince of this world, reflective of the Judgment associated with Passover. May our hearts be in tune to what the Spirit has to say.
Wednesday, April 27, 2016
Preparation for Possession
As we continue to celebrate the Passover Season, we want to remember that not only were the children of Israel delivered from Egyptian bondage during this season, but the Lord also brought them into the Promised Land during the Passover Season as well (Joshua 5). This is significant because it lets us know that God's Plans for Passover did not just involve Deliverance, but they also entailed Receiving of Promises. For many during this Season, you are expecting God for a Supernatural Miracle. You're waiting for God to release your Blessing. And now is the time. But as we prepare to receive our Promised Land, we want to keep in mind that the goal is not simply to "enter" the Promised Land, it's to possess it.
My concern for many of the saints is that when God releases the Miracle Blessings and we receive our Promised Reward, we will be elated and content therein. This is not the Will of God. God told Moses to instruct the people to enter and Possess the Land (Deuteronomy 1). This is what we must do. It's not enough for us to simply enter into what God has ordained for us, we must also be proactive and Possess It. For this reason God is taking us through Preparation for Possession.
One of the areas of Preparation is Sanctification. Before the children of Israel "passed over" the Jordan River, Joshua had instructed the people to "sanctify yourselves" (Joshua 3). Saints I can assure you, you will not receive your Inheritance until you have dutifully Sanctified yourself (Acts 26). The word Sanctified means to be Set Apart. If you're going through a season of isolation, alienation and particularly separation, it is not a coincidence. It's part of the Sanctification Process that God is utilizing for your Preparation for Possession. Sanctification is difficult, and it does take time; but it is the necessary prerequisite for receiving our Reward.
Another part of the process for Preparation for Possession was Circumcision. God instructed Joshua to circumcise the people a "second time" (Joshua 5). If you're going to Possess what God has ordained for you, you're going to have to cut some things off and have some things cut out of you. Some of us are too "clingy". We want to cling to the past, cling to certain relationships, cling to our jobs, cling to our homes, cling to our churches; and God is saying Circumcise. As with Sanctification, Circumcision is a painful process. Joshua was divinely instructed to make "sharp knives" for the Circumcision (Joshua 5). Why? The sharper the knife, the cleaner the break. Let the Holy Spirit make the necessary cuts required in your life in order to facilitate your Preparation for Possession.
Lastly saints, the scripture says that "about 40,000 prepared for war passed over before the Lord unto battle" (Joshua 4). If we're going to Possess the Promised Land and not just enter, we're going to have to be Prepared for War. Are you ready to go to Battle? Are you ready to fight to the death to receive and obtain and to exercise Dominion over what is your Divine Right to receive? Trust me when I tell you, you're not going to receive what God has for you without a Fight. That's why the scripture says to fight the good fight of Faith ( 1Timothy 6). You're going have to fight to get there, and we're going to have to fight to stay there. It's time saints. No matter how rough it is right now, don't be weary in well-doing (Galatians 6). Just understand that all that you're going through is simply Preparation for Possession.
My concern for many of the saints is that when God releases the Miracle Blessings and we receive our Promised Reward, we will be elated and content therein. This is not the Will of God. God told Moses to instruct the people to enter and Possess the Land (Deuteronomy 1). This is what we must do. It's not enough for us to simply enter into what God has ordained for us, we must also be proactive and Possess It. For this reason God is taking us through Preparation for Possession.
One of the areas of Preparation is Sanctification. Before the children of Israel "passed over" the Jordan River, Joshua had instructed the people to "sanctify yourselves" (Joshua 3). Saints I can assure you, you will not receive your Inheritance until you have dutifully Sanctified yourself (Acts 26). The word Sanctified means to be Set Apart. If you're going through a season of isolation, alienation and particularly separation, it is not a coincidence. It's part of the Sanctification Process that God is utilizing for your Preparation for Possession. Sanctification is difficult, and it does take time; but it is the necessary prerequisite for receiving our Reward.
Another part of the process for Preparation for Possession was Circumcision. God instructed Joshua to circumcise the people a "second time" (Joshua 5). If you're going to Possess what God has ordained for you, you're going to have to cut some things off and have some things cut out of you. Some of us are too "clingy". We want to cling to the past, cling to certain relationships, cling to our jobs, cling to our homes, cling to our churches; and God is saying Circumcise. As with Sanctification, Circumcision is a painful process. Joshua was divinely instructed to make "sharp knives" for the Circumcision (Joshua 5). Why? The sharper the knife, the cleaner the break. Let the Holy Spirit make the necessary cuts required in your life in order to facilitate your Preparation for Possession.
Lastly saints, the scripture says that "about 40,000 prepared for war passed over before the Lord unto battle" (Joshua 4). If we're going to Possess the Promised Land and not just enter, we're going to have to be Prepared for War. Are you ready to go to Battle? Are you ready to fight to the death to receive and obtain and to exercise Dominion over what is your Divine Right to receive? Trust me when I tell you, you're not going to receive what God has for you without a Fight. That's why the scripture says to fight the good fight of Faith ( 1Timothy 6). You're going have to fight to get there, and we're going to have to fight to stay there. It's time saints. No matter how rough it is right now, don't be weary in well-doing (Galatians 6). Just understand that all that you're going through is simply Preparation for Possession.
Tuesday, April 26, 2016
It's Not About Your Age
Many of us have heard the saying, "age is just a number". As nice as that sounds, unfortunately, it's not true. Age is more than just a number; it's a chronological marker of how long you've humanly existed on this planet. There are a lot of things in our society that are regulated by one's age. You can't receive Social Security until you reach a certain age. People don't generally retire until they get to a certain age. You're not allowed to legally drive until you reach a certain age. You can't exercise the right to vote until you reach a certain age. And certain relationships between the opposite sex cannot legally take place unless both parties are of a certain age. So from a social and cultural standpoint, age is definitely more than just a number.
But when it comes to the Kingdom of God and the fulfillment of God's Divine Will and Calling for our lives, we can no longer afford to be regulated nor restricted by our Age. For the record, It's Not About Your Age. Is Age just a number? No it is not. But are the Plans and Purposes that God has ordained for you contingent upon your Age? No they are not. We need to understand this, because there are some of us that are restricting and restraining our faith based upon our own perception of how our Age plays into the fulfillment of God's Destiny for our lives. Some of us think that we are too young to be used by God significantly at this time. Then there are others of us that think we're too old, that "time" has passed us by. Both of these assessments are totally incorrect. God is not worried about your Age, He's concerned about your Faith. If your Faith is up to date, God can work it out to where your chronological status really doesn't matter.
Let's take a look at a few Biblical Witnesses. Let's start with Abraham. Abraham was 75 years of age when he answered God's Call for his life (Genesis 12). Remember that Moses was 40 when he initially embarked upon what God had ordained him to do, and then 80 when he was finally equipped and prepared to fulfill it (Acts 7). Then let's look at some of the younger saints. Jesus was twelve years of age when He stood in the Temple and astounded the doctors with His Wisdom and Insight (Luke 2). Joseph was 17 when God first revealed to him is Divine Destiny (Genesis 37). And don't forget the prophet Samuel, who as a boy ministered a prophetic word to the priest Eli (1Samuel 3). Now you may be saying, "well, that was in the Bible days, it's different now". Really? Is the God we serve different? Is it not the same God who used them that is calling us today? My Bible says that the God we serve "changeth not" (Malachi 3). And the scriptures explicitly state that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forevermore (Hebrews 13). What's different is not God, what's different is our Faith. My point saints is, don't let your belief and faith in God be unduly influenced by your Age. You are not too old and you are not too young. The God we serve is a renewer of strength (Isaiah 40). The God we serve is a conveyor of Wisdom (James 1). At the end of the day, It's Not About Your Age.
But when it comes to the Kingdom of God and the fulfillment of God's Divine Will and Calling for our lives, we can no longer afford to be regulated nor restricted by our Age. For the record, It's Not About Your Age. Is Age just a number? No it is not. But are the Plans and Purposes that God has ordained for you contingent upon your Age? No they are not. We need to understand this, because there are some of us that are restricting and restraining our faith based upon our own perception of how our Age plays into the fulfillment of God's Destiny for our lives. Some of us think that we are too young to be used by God significantly at this time. Then there are others of us that think we're too old, that "time" has passed us by. Both of these assessments are totally incorrect. God is not worried about your Age, He's concerned about your Faith. If your Faith is up to date, God can work it out to where your chronological status really doesn't matter.
Let's take a look at a few Biblical Witnesses. Let's start with Abraham. Abraham was 75 years of age when he answered God's Call for his life (Genesis 12). Remember that Moses was 40 when he initially embarked upon what God had ordained him to do, and then 80 when he was finally equipped and prepared to fulfill it (Acts 7). Then let's look at some of the younger saints. Jesus was twelve years of age when He stood in the Temple and astounded the doctors with His Wisdom and Insight (Luke 2). Joseph was 17 when God first revealed to him is Divine Destiny (Genesis 37). And don't forget the prophet Samuel, who as a boy ministered a prophetic word to the priest Eli (1Samuel 3). Now you may be saying, "well, that was in the Bible days, it's different now". Really? Is the God we serve different? Is it not the same God who used them that is calling us today? My Bible says that the God we serve "changeth not" (Malachi 3). And the scriptures explicitly state that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forevermore (Hebrews 13). What's different is not God, what's different is our Faith. My point saints is, don't let your belief and faith in God be unduly influenced by your Age. You are not too old and you are not too young. The God we serve is a renewer of strength (Isaiah 40). The God we serve is a conveyor of Wisdom (James 1). At the end of the day, It's Not About Your Age.
Monday, April 25, 2016
Are You Worthy?
As we celebrate this Passover Season and continue to press into the Kingdom of God, we want to make sure that we're undergoing a thorough self-examination to insure that we are Worthy of the Calling for which God has placed upon us (1Corinthians 11). Many people want to believe that when it comes to Christianity and our relationship with God, that "worthiness" is not a factor or a pertinent issue. After all, aren't we all sinners saved by Grace? Yes we are. But at some point in our walk with Christ and the Witness of the Church, there needs to be a firm demarcation between Salvation and Sanctification. Yes, Salvation is Free (even though it cost Jesus His Life). The Bible clearly says "whosoever will, let him come" (Revelation 22). But there is a price to Sanctification, there is a Cost. Not everyone is willing to pay the Cost of Sanctification. Therefore I ask the question, Are You Worthy?
The Apostle Paul beseeches the believer to walk worthy of the vocation wherewith we have been called (Ephesians 4). The exhortation to Walk Worthy automatically suggests that we can also have an "unworthy" walk with the Lord. Once again, don't get the two confused; you are saved by grace through faith, but that doesn't mean that your walk and relationship with the Lord can't be raggedy. It's like a person's who's married but doesn't choose to honor the marriage relationship that they're in. Yes, their marital status is confirmed based upon the vows made during the ceremony and the signing of the marriage license. But if the spouse is not committed to the marriage, irresponsible, unfaithful, then what kind of marriage do the two people really have? So it is with Christ. You can be saved by the Blood but where is you faithfulness and obedience to Christ? Are You Worthy?
Paul goes on to give some of the characteristics of a Worthy Walk in Christ, particularly in regards to our Calling. He says we need to be lowly and meek. I would suspect that most of us are inclined to think that we are already on the humble and meek side of things. However, take this word as a Warning. We are about to enter a Season of Promotion. It's much easier to be humble and meek when "you ain't got nothing" (forgive my vernacular). Many of the saints that I've talked to have been struggling in regards to their finances and other material aspects of their lives. That's about to change, Praise God. However, when it does, we've got to make sure that we don't change. This shift in attitude and posture happens to so many unassuming Christians when God chooses to elevate their lot in life. Don't let it happen to you. Work to stay humble. Work to stay meek. Work to stay lowly. Are You Worthy? (Hosea 13)
Lastly, Paul admonishes us to endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4). This is easier said than done. If we be honest, there are some people we just don't like, for whatever reason. And don't be fooled, there are some people that just don't like you, for whatever reason. But this doesn't mean that we can't all get along. Satan loves nothing more than to create division amongst the people of God. Why? Because there's Strength in Unity (Psalm 133). For this reason saints we've got to work to get along. Let's rise above the pettiness. Let's move beyond the disagreements and personality clashes. Let's focus on the Purpose. Let's focus on the Calling. Let's identify what God has ordained for all of us to bring to the table in the advancement of His Kingdom. Are You Worthy?
The Apostle Paul beseeches the believer to walk worthy of the vocation wherewith we have been called (Ephesians 4). The exhortation to Walk Worthy automatically suggests that we can also have an "unworthy" walk with the Lord. Once again, don't get the two confused; you are saved by grace through faith, but that doesn't mean that your walk and relationship with the Lord can't be raggedy. It's like a person's who's married but doesn't choose to honor the marriage relationship that they're in. Yes, their marital status is confirmed based upon the vows made during the ceremony and the signing of the marriage license. But if the spouse is not committed to the marriage, irresponsible, unfaithful, then what kind of marriage do the two people really have? So it is with Christ. You can be saved by the Blood but where is you faithfulness and obedience to Christ? Are You Worthy?
Paul goes on to give some of the characteristics of a Worthy Walk in Christ, particularly in regards to our Calling. He says we need to be lowly and meek. I would suspect that most of us are inclined to think that we are already on the humble and meek side of things. However, take this word as a Warning. We are about to enter a Season of Promotion. It's much easier to be humble and meek when "you ain't got nothing" (forgive my vernacular). Many of the saints that I've talked to have been struggling in regards to their finances and other material aspects of their lives. That's about to change, Praise God. However, when it does, we've got to make sure that we don't change. This shift in attitude and posture happens to so many unassuming Christians when God chooses to elevate their lot in life. Don't let it happen to you. Work to stay humble. Work to stay meek. Work to stay lowly. Are You Worthy? (Hosea 13)
Lastly, Paul admonishes us to endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4). This is easier said than done. If we be honest, there are some people we just don't like, for whatever reason. And don't be fooled, there are some people that just don't like you, for whatever reason. But this doesn't mean that we can't all get along. Satan loves nothing more than to create division amongst the people of God. Why? Because there's Strength in Unity (Psalm 133). For this reason saints we've got to work to get along. Let's rise above the pettiness. Let's move beyond the disagreements and personality clashes. Let's focus on the Purpose. Let's focus on the Calling. Let's identify what God has ordained for all of us to bring to the table in the advancement of His Kingdom. Are You Worthy?
Saturday, April 23, 2016
Alone, but Not Alone
One of the greatest social challenges that many people face today is Loneliness. I personally believe that a lot of the ills, dysfunction and delinquency that we witness in our world today has a lot to do with people's inability to deal with the chronic Loneliness that many are faced with each and every day. God did not design human beings to live in isolation and alienation. We are creatures of community. Therefore, when we are cut off from community, whether by choice or circumstance, something in the core of our being becomes out of sync. A lot of this Loneliness starts with our families. Children don't get along with their parents, spouses don't like each other, siblings are jealous of one another. None of this is of God. And then when you try to find friends who will love you and accept you as you are, more times than not you're often rejected and disappointed. As a result, people stop trusting people and begin to cultivate a life of Loneliness and Emotional Survival.
The sad part about this commentary is that this social plight is not restricted to the non-believer. There are many a Christian that has been affected and infected with the social disease of Loneliness. You go to church with a sanctuary packed with hundreds and thousands of people, and folks barely know your name. You listen to the pastor preach the word of God every week, and yet you can't get close enough to shake their hand. Then when it comes to sharing your true problems that can actually make you look "un-Christian", you're too embarrassed to share them with your "church family" because you're too afraid that they're going to "judge" you. For many Christians and believers in Christ, we too are challenged to navigate this emotional obstacle called Loneliness.
But my friends, what the believer in Christ needs to understand is that, even though we may be challenged to deal with being lonely, we are never Alone. There are times where yes, you will have to be alone and take a stand all by yourself. Sometimes your faith in juxtaposition with the world and even fellow professors of the faith, will make you become ostracized, feeling Alone even in the midst of the crowd. But saints once again, you may be Alone, you may be by yourself, but you are never Alone. You can be Alone, but not Alone. For the Christian, in the natural, yes, you may be faced with the lack of social relationships, the lack of companionship, the lack of emotional support. But in the Spirit Realm, no saints, you are never Alone. Jesus said He would be with us always even unto the end of the world (Matthew 28). The Father has declared that He will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13). And don't forget the innumerable amount of angels that the Father has placed at His disposal to minister to us at His will (Hebrews 1). We Are Not Alone. But what we have to learn to do now is tap into the Spirit Realm and find solace and comfort in Cosmic Companionship with the Father and with the Son in and through the Holy Spirit. How do you do this? By Faith. Once we learn to find our Companionship in Christ and support from the Spirit Realm of Heaven and the Kingdom of God, in the natural we may be alone, but in the Spirit, Not Alone.
The sad part about this commentary is that this social plight is not restricted to the non-believer. There are many a Christian that has been affected and infected with the social disease of Loneliness. You go to church with a sanctuary packed with hundreds and thousands of people, and folks barely know your name. You listen to the pastor preach the word of God every week, and yet you can't get close enough to shake their hand. Then when it comes to sharing your true problems that can actually make you look "un-Christian", you're too embarrassed to share them with your "church family" because you're too afraid that they're going to "judge" you. For many Christians and believers in Christ, we too are challenged to navigate this emotional obstacle called Loneliness.
But my friends, what the believer in Christ needs to understand is that, even though we may be challenged to deal with being lonely, we are never Alone. There are times where yes, you will have to be alone and take a stand all by yourself. Sometimes your faith in juxtaposition with the world and even fellow professors of the faith, will make you become ostracized, feeling Alone even in the midst of the crowd. But saints once again, you may be Alone, you may be by yourself, but you are never Alone. You can be Alone, but not Alone. For the Christian, in the natural, yes, you may be faced with the lack of social relationships, the lack of companionship, the lack of emotional support. But in the Spirit Realm, no saints, you are never Alone. Jesus said He would be with us always even unto the end of the world (Matthew 28). The Father has declared that He will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13). And don't forget the innumerable amount of angels that the Father has placed at His disposal to minister to us at His will (Hebrews 1). We Are Not Alone. But what we have to learn to do now is tap into the Spirit Realm and find solace and comfort in Cosmic Companionship with the Father and with the Son in and through the Holy Spirit. How do you do this? By Faith. Once we learn to find our Companionship in Christ and support from the Spirit Realm of Heaven and the Kingdom of God, in the natural we may be alone, but in the Spirit, Not Alone.
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