April 2015

"Family: Wives..."

April 30, 2015

“Family: Wives…”

Blessings folk!

These verses often cause turmoil in the church.
Why?
Because people superimpose their beliefs and culture upon the Word, rather than letting the Word speak.

Read again…

Col 3:18-21
Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them.
Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord.
Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they will not lose heart.


We are being told how to…

  • let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts
  • let the word of Christ richly dwell within us
  • do all words and deeds in the name of the Lord

The Lord begins with how the family relates to one another.

These truths are simple.

Wives are to be subject to their husbands, as is fitting to the Lord.
This is not a cave-man mentality where the wife must do any/everything that the husband demands.
It speaks to the governmental structure that the Lord has designed for the family.
The Authorized Version gives a clearer understanding…

Col 3:18
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.

Wives are to submit to their own husbands.
Not to other husbands.
Submission is not a position of weakness.
There is nothing more powerful than a God-fearing woman who submits herself as unto the Lord.

The Lord tells us more in Ephesians, 1 Peter and several other portions of the Word.

For today, wives, walk in humility, submission, reverence before your husband.

Eph 5:33
Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

Next...husbands...

"The Family Strong Man"

April 29, 2015

“The Family Strong Man”

Blessings folk!

Recounting…

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…
Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you…
Whatever you do in word and deed, do all in the name of the Lord…
Give thanks through Jesus to Father.

Where are we to do this?
Everywhere.
Beginning in the home.

Col 3:18-21
Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them.
Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord.
Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they will not lose heart.

For today, note the structure.
Wife.
Husband.
Children.

A “traditional, nuclear” family.

Such is not esteemed today.
Such is becoming less and less the norm.

The family is being destroy...on purpose.
The enemy is behind it.
It is done in the name of “good”.
Yet, the “good” of man is the strategy of the evil one.

The Lord warned us of such.
Read what the Lord says occurs when the “strong man” is removed from the house.

Mat 12:29
“Or how can anyone enter the strong man's house and carry off his property, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house.

Mar 3:27
“But no one can enter the strong man's house and plunder his property unless he first binds the strong man, and then he will plunder his house.

Luk 11:21
“When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are undisturbed.

Remove the man, the husband, from the home and you get Baltimore, Overtown, Watts.

Men, determine to be the strong man the Lord has called us to be.
Strong.
Fully armed.
Guarding our own houses.
Undisturbed.

...to be continued...

"In the Name of the Lord'

April 28, 2015

“In the Name of the Lord”

Blessings folk!

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…
Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you…

Then…

Col 3:17
Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

We “do” in word.
Do we speak forth the truth of the Lord?
Do we speak love, encouragement, exhortation?

We “do” in deed.
Do we do deeds of the Kingdom?
Or, are we doing deeds of the flesh in the name of the Kingdom?

Whether word or deed, all must be done in the name of the Lord Jesus.
There is Power in His Name.

All the while, giving thanks to God the Father.
Thanks through the Lord Jesus to Father.

Any other “word/deed” will be false...the work of the flesh at best.

So, for today, may all that we do be in the name of the Lord.
All we say, may it be in the name of the Lord.

May every deed be reflective of thanks unto the Lord.
May every word reveal a heart of thanksgiving to the Lord.

"Sing With Thankfulness"

April 27, 2015

“Sing With Thankfulness”

Blessings folk!

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.
Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you.

We as Believers have a choice.
We have a decision.
Whether to “let” Christ…or to “let” the flesh/soul.

See how the Word will work…

Col 3:16
Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.


If we allow, the Word of Christ will richly dwell within us.
Not just dwell.
Richly.
The depths of the Most High will reside within us.
The richly indwelling Word will break forth in song...if we “let”.
The Word will teach and admonish us.
We are to teach and admonish one another...in the wisdom of the Word.
How?
In...
- Psalms: psalmos - a striking, twanging, the striking of a chord on a musical instrument, a pious song
- Hymns: hymnos - sacred song, hymn, song of praise to God

ōdē - a song, ode, the idea being a spontaneous song of the Spirit

(Much man-made, self-imposed division in the Body of Christ would disappear if we gave close heed to this verse.)

Song is to be used to teach and admonish one another.
Song is to be used to give thanks to the Most High - privately and corporately.

Today, sing unto the Lord a new song.
Your song.
You are the only one who can.

"Let the Word of Christ Richly Dwell Within You..."

April 26, 2015

“Let the Word of Christ Richly Dwell Within You…”

Blessings folk!

Yesterday we saw that the Word tell us to let the peace of Christ rule in your heart…

Col 3:15
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.


Now, the next verse.

Col 3:16
Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

Look at the first part for today.

Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you.
The Lord desires for His Word to dwell within us.
He has given us His written Word.
He speaks through His Body.
He speaks through His Spirit.

We must hear His Word.
We must know His Word.
Begin with the written Word of God.
Learn it.
Know it.
Live it.

"Let the Peace of Christ Rule..."

April 25, 2015

“Let the Peace of Christ Rule…”

Blessings folk!

Love is the perfect bond of unity.
Believers do not have to “seek/create” unity.
We are unified by definition.
We are One Body of the Lord Jesus.
The Spirit unifies.
What we must do is simple…
  • set aside ourselves
  • put on the things of the Spirit.

Therefore, we are able to…

Col 3:15
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.

Notice the word “let”.
Allow.
Permit to function.

True Believers have the Peace of Christ.
We must decide to let His Peace rule in our hearts.
We can set Peace aside.
We can live in the flesh.

Do you lack peace?
Are you a Believer?
If so, then allow the peace of the Lord to rule.
Rule not your own heart.

This is Peace within.

There is also the Peace from without...Peace with the Body.
We are called in One Body.
Again, One Body.

Therefore, be thankful for the Peace that the Lord provides in His Body.
Pursuit Peace by being faithful in living in Love.

Heb 12:14
Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord.

Psa 34:14
Depart from evil and do good;
Seek peace and pursue it.

Rom 14:19
So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.

2Ti 2:22
Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

1Pe 3:11
“HE MUST TURN AWAY FROM EVIL AND DO GOOD;
HE MUST SEEK PEACE AND PURSUE IT.

"Put On Love"

April 24, 2015

“Put On Love”

Blessings folk!

Col 3:14
Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.

“Beyond all these things…”
What things?
The things we saw yesterday…

Col 3:12-13
So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;
bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.


These are good things.
These are things that we should manifest.
But, beyond these things, we are to put on love.

This is not a love of the flesh that we create.
This is the love of the Most High God that is within us by His grace and mercy.
We are to appropriate that which is already there.
Yes, we can quench it.
Yes, we can reject it.
Yes, we can walk in rebellion.
All this is sin.

Let us choose to walk in the love of the Lord.

His love is the perfect bond of unity.

The Body of Christ is, by definition, unified.
We are His.
It is love that is the perfect bond.
Love holds and maintains the unity of the Body.

Put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Bear with one another.
Forgive one another.
Put on Love.

"Put On A Heart..."

April 23, 2015

“Put On A Heart…”

Blessings folk!

“So”...in consideration of, therefore, in light of…

“So”, in all of what we have seen to this point, how are we to live?
What does the true Body of Christ look like?

Col 3:12-13
So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;
bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.

The Lord reminds us who we are...
We are chosen of God.
We are holy.
We are beloved.

Then, the Lord tells us what to do…
Put on a heart of…

  • compassion
  • kindness
  • humility
  • gentleness
  • patience

If we need to put on patience, then this means that the Body will provide opportunities for us to be patient.
The same can be said for all the others.
Being a True Believer and a part of the Body of Christ does not mean that there will not be relational challenges. That is the reason that we need to actively put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

But, there is more.

We are to bear with one another.
This means that there will be times that I must be forbearing...not related to sin, but to style, preferences, etc.

Then, this jewel...so needed within the Body.

We are to forgive one another.
Whoever has a complaint.
Forgive.
Has nothing to do with “wanting to”, “feeling like it”, etc.
Simply forgive.
Has nothing to do with “them asking for forgiveness” or “them deserving”.
We are to forgive as the Lord forgave us.
We did not deserve His forgiveness.
We did nothing to earn His forgiveness.
How much more so should we forgive one another.

"Christ Is All and In All"

April 22, 2015

“Christ Is All and In All”

Blessings folk!

Think on what we have seen the past couple of days.
Give close attention to the last part of verse 11.

Col 3:8-9
But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth.
Do not lie to one another, since you
laid aside the old self with its evil practices,

Col 3:10-11
and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him—
a r
enewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.


We are to put off the old self...put it to death daily.
We are to put on the new self...the self that is being renewed daily in the image of the Lord.

Knowing this.
That Christ is all.
Christ is in all.

Christ is in all True Believers.

A clear understanding and application of this truth would transform the way that the Body of Christ relates to one another.

How different things would be if we realize that we are dealing with “Christ in you” in our relationships with the Body.

Truly, the world would know that we are His disciples because we would be living evidence and manifestations of His love.

The next verses will show us how this looks...how we are to act.

For today, live as the new self that is constantly being renewed, a vessel of the Lord.

"New Self"

April 21, 2015

“New Self”

Blessings folk!

We are instructed to “put aside”…
  • anger
  • wrath
  • malice
  • slander
  • abusive speech
  • lying to one another

We do so because we have laid aside the old self with its evil practices.

These are actions in the “negative sense”...put aside, lay aside negative things.

Now, in the “positive sense”…

Col 3:10-11
and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him—
a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.

Put on the “new self”.
True Believers are new creations.
We are being renewed.
Renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created us...God...Father/Son/Spirit

We are not renewed according to the pattern of this rebellious world.
Again, we are renewed according to His image.

There is no distinction in this renewal.
All who believe...repent, confess...are renewed
Whether…
Greek
Jew
Circumcised
Barbarian
Scythian
Yankee
Slave
Freeman
Southerner
Auburn fan…just seeing if you are paying attention...
I best stop.

The Lord has no distinction with those that He has called, chosen, elected.

Rejoice in His renewing of you (even the Auburn fans).

Put on the new self that He has designed in/for you.
Be His Presence everywhere, every moment, every day.
Renewed.
Rejoicing.

"Put Aside..."

April 20, 2015

“Put Aside…”

Blessings folk!

“But”…

One of the most powerful words in Scripture.
A contrast.
A juxtaposition.

Rather than walking in the things (sins) of the past we are to do something with them...

Col 3:8-9
But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth.
Do not lie to one another, since you
laid aside the old self with its evil practices,

We are to put them all aside!
Put aside…

  • anger
  • wrath
  • malice
  • slander
  • abusive speech
  • lying to one another

We are to put them aside because we have laid aside the old self.
Evil practice is no longer an option.

Put aside.
Lay aside.

Tomorrow, we will see what we are to “put on”.

"Wrath of God..."

April 19, 2015

“Wrath of God…”

Blessings folk!

The wrath of God will be poured out upon unbelieving man.

Col 3:6-7
For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience,
and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them.

What “things” are the cause?
What we saw earlier…

Col 3:5
Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.


Idolatry: immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, greed.

These will cause the wrath of God to come upon the sons of disobedience.

We all were once sons of disobedience.
We walked and lived in these sins.

But, no more…

1Co 6:9-11
Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals,
nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.
Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.

Rejoice!
Walk in obedience.

"Consider..."

April 18, 2015

“Consider…”

Blessings folk!


Col 3:5
Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.


“Therefore…”!

Because…

  • we have been raised up with Christ
  • we are seeking the things above rather than the things below
  • we are setting our minds on the things above rather than the things on earth
  • we have died
  • our lives are hidden with Christ in God

Therefore…

We are to consider the members of our earthly body to be dead.
Dead to immorality.
Dead to impurity.
Dead to passion.
Dead to evil desire.
Dead to greed.
Dead to all that this amount to - idolatry.

Setting/keeping/seeking our minds upon the things above will enable death to the evil below.

The Lord empowers us to do so.

We have to the choice to walk with Him or not.

"Arise and Praise"

April 17, 2015

“Arise and Praise”

Blessings folk!

Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on the earth.
Die to self.
Consider yourself dead to sin.
Be alive in Christ.

We are not always successful, but the pattern of our life should be such, knowing this…

Col 3:4
When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.

Christ is our life.
It is in Him that we live and breathe and have our very being.
He will be revealed.
He will return in glory.
We will be revealed with Him.

Though we may stumble and fall, we press on knowing that we will be with Him.

Remember,

Pro 24:16
For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again,
But the wicked stumble in time of calamity.

Psa 119:164
Seven times a day I praise You,
Because of Your righteous ordinances.

Arise from the stumble.
Praise Him seven times a day.

"Dead and Hidden"

April 16, 2015

“Dead and Hidden”

Blessings folk!

Seek the things above.
A command of the Lord.

The strategy of the enemy?
To keep our attention on the thing below...the things we see...to distract.

We saw this yesterday…

Col 3:1-2
Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.


Now, read and meditate upon the next verse…

Col 3:3
For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

Look at the first word, “for”...and read again.

“For”= “because, in light of”
“For” what reason?
“For” what purpose?

We are to set our minds on the things above because we have died.
We have died to self.
We have died to the flesh.
We are dead to sin.

Rom 6:11
Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Rom 8:10
If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness.

We have died.
Our life is hidden with Christ in God.

Think on that.
This is true Life.
This is the Life of the Believer.

Life hidden, protected, guarded with Christ in God.
Life that has purpose and works foreordained before the foundations of the world were spoken into existence.

Eph 2:10
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

God prepared all before hand.
Walk in the works He has planned.
Embrace the daily death to self/flesh.
Rejoice in the Life that is hidden in Him.

"Put On Humility"

April 15, 2015

“Put On Humility”

Blessings folk!

Those who are chosen by God are to put on humility.

Col 3:12-13
So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;
bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.

Note the first word, “so”.
The meaning is “therefore, in light of what was just said”.

So, Happy , you know what the means.
You must see what was just said.

First, think for a moment on the verses above.
Those who are chosen of God are holy and beloved.
Never forget this.

Those who are chose of God are to put on a heart of…

  • compassion
  • kindness
  • humility
  • gentleness
  • patience
  • bearing
  • forgiving

We are empowered to do so by the Most High.
Yet, we can refuse to do so.
The “putting on” is a decision on our part.

How do we “put on”?

Well, that is where the context comes in.
Reading the entire letter of Colossians is helpful.
For now…

Col 3:1-2
Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.

Yes, you saw the “therefore”. LOL

Those who have been raised up with Christ are to…

  • keep seeking the things above
  • set our minds on the things above
  • set not our minds on the things on the earth

Keeping our minds set on the things above where the Lord is seated at the right hand of Father will enable us to walk in the humility of the Spirit.

May we do so.



"Humility of Mind"

April 14, 2015

“Humility of Mind”

Blessings folk!

Humility is foundational in the maintaining of love and unity in the Spirit.

Phl 2:1-4
Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion,
make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.
Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with
humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;
do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

With humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves.
Simple.
Direct.
Impossible in the flesh.
The norm in the Spirit.

How does this humility look?

  • does not look after own personal interests
  • looks after the interest of others
  • being of same mind
  • maintaining the same love
  • united in spirit
  • intent on one person
  • encouraging
  • fellowship in the Spirit
  • affection
  • compassion
  • joy

Do so today.
Live in the humility of the Lord.

"Humility - Preserving Unity..."

April 13, 2015

“Humility - Preserving Unity…”

Blessings folk!

God described Moses as…

Num 12:3
(Now the man Moses was very humble, more than any man who was on the face of the earth.)


Moses, the Deliverer, was humble...more than any man who was on the face of the earth.

Such contrast with what we associate with leadership today.

The majority of leadership today, politically and within the Body of Christ, walk not in humility.

Humility is viewed as weakness.
Such is not the case.

We are implored by the Spirit to walk in humility…

Eph 4:1-3
Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,
with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love,
being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

We as True Believers have a high call.
We are to walk worthy of The Call.

Walk with…

  • humility
  • gentleness
  • patience
  • tolerance for one another in love
  • diligence

The goal being the preservation of that which has been granted by God - Unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

We are one in the Lord.
Walking in humility preserves the Oneness of the Body.

"Seek Humility"

April 12, 2015

“Seek Humility”

Blessings folk!

A quick continuation on “humility”.

Zep 2:3
Seek the LORD,
All you humble of the earth
Who have carried out His ordinances;
Seek righteousness, seek humility.
Perhaps you will be hidden
In the day of the LORD’S anger.

Look at the commands.

Seek the Lord
Seek righteousness.
Seek humility.

Who is to seek?
The humble on the earth.
The ones who have carried out the ordinances of the Lord.

Then, perhaps you will be hidden in the day of the Lord’s anger.

Those who are true believers will be spared the day of the Lord’s anger - the Day of the Lord.

Unbelievers will not be spared the wrath of the Lord.

There will be some that will “make it through” the Day of the Lord...some Jews, some Gentiles...

"Roman Citizen!"

April 11, 2015

“Roman Citizen!”

Blessings folk!

We will continue looking at what the Word says about humility tomorrow.

For today, look at this account.

Paul/Silas have been imprisoned.
Why?
They had upset the wrong folk.
Setting a young lady free from a demon had cost some people some money.

Read the passage...longer than normal.
Then, consider the short questions.
Give close attention to how Paul/Silas reacted.

Acts 16:22-40
22 The crowd rose up together against them, and the chief magistrates tore their robes off them and proceeded to order them to be beaten with rods.
23 When they had struck them with many blows, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to guard them securely;
24 and he, having received such a command, threw them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.
25 But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them;
26 and suddenly there came a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison house were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened.
27 When the jailer awoke and saw the prison doors opened, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped.
28 But Paul cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here!”
29 And he called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas, 30 and after he brought them out, he said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
31 They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him together with all who were in his house. 33 And he took them that very hour of the night and washed their wounds, and immediately he was baptized, he and all his household.
34 And he brought them into his house and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, having believed in God with his whole household.
35 Now when day came, the chief magistrates sent their policemen, saying, “Release those men.”
36 And the jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, “The chief magistrates have sent to release you. Therefore come out now and go in peace.”
37 But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us in public without trial, men who are Romans, and have thrown us into prison; and now are they sending us away secretly? No indeed! But let them come themselves and bring us out.”
38 The policemen reported these words to the chief magistrates. They were afraid when they heard that they were Romans,
39 and they came and appealed to them, and when they had brought them out, they kept begging them to leave the city.
40 They went out of the prison and entered the house of Lydia, and when they saw the brethren, they encouraged them and departed.

Why did Paul wait until being released to declare that he was a Roman citizen?
Why not say so while being beating initially?

I think it is for this reason.

Paul knew that he would suffer for the cause of Christ.

Act 9:15-16
But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel;
for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake
.”

While being beaten, Paul considered suffering to be for the cause of Christ.

Yet, Paul would not allow the cause of Christ to suffer.
To be dismissed from the town in secret, as the magistrates desired, would have harmed the cause of Christ.
Paul used his Roman citizenship to reveal that the magistrates were wrong.
The Kingdom preached by Paul and his entourage was not just some fad religion.

We will suffer for the cause of Christ.
Let us not allow the cause of Christ to suffer.




"Humility"

April 10, 2015

“Humility”

Blessings folk!

The humility of the Spirit.
The Spirit seeks to grant it.
We must choose to walk in it.

Give heed to the Word as it speaks to humility.

Pro 15:33
The fear of the LORD is the instruction for wisdom,
And before honor comes humility.

Pro 18:12
Before destruction the heart of man is haughty,
But humility goes before honor.

Pro 22:4
The reward of humility and the fear of the LORD
Are riches, honor and life.

So many want to be honored.
They want the place and position of honor.
Yet, they have not submitted to humility.

Humility comes first.
Then, honor.

No humility?
Then destruction.
The opposite of humility?
Haughtiness.

Humility is rewarded...in this life and the next.
The fear of the Lord is rewarded.
The rewards?
Riches.
Honor.
Life.

Walk in the humility of the Spirit.
Walk not in the hubris and haughtiness of the flesh.



"Anointed"

April 9, 2015

“Anointed”

Blessings folk!

A question arose on a social media forum.
It was related to the “not touching God’s anointed”.

The Scripture says this…

1Ch 16:22
“Do not touch My anointed ones,
And do My prophets no harm.”

Psa 105:15
“Do not touch My anointed ones,
And do My prophets no harm.”

The discussion arose from the tendency of the western church to use these verses to give carte blanche to those in “leadership”.

This is nothing new.
It is also not Scriptural.

Here is a statement I made in the discussion thread…


From a New Covenant understand...all True Believers are "anointed". We are to walk in love, honor, humility. We are not to cause harm to one another. Those who seek to "lord over" the Body are in error. Those who seek to address issues using the strategies of man are wrong. We simply need to do live as the Lord instructs. Live within the giftedness that He has released...


Another commented…

An anointed one is dead to self, exhibits the fruit of the Spirit, loves the Lord with all his heart, mind, soul, strength and loves his neighbor as himself. An anointed one is meek, yet strong in the Lord. An anointed one thinks of others as better than himself...humble. An anointed one walks with the Lord. LR


Well stated.

One who is anointed is anointed by the Holy Spirit.
Not the spirit of man. The Holy Spirit.
Therefore, the fruit of the Spirit will be evident.

RT has much to say about this…
“The Anointing”

The Word has many example of true leadership.

True leadership…

  • does not “lord over”
  • is humble (Moses is the great example)
  • exalts the Lord, not themselves...a serious problem in today’s church
  • loves
  • models by example
  • is full of the Spirit
  • etc. etc.

If you desire to know more, here are a couple of resources that have been highly useful to me personally…

“The Making of A Leader”
A wonderfully detailed examination of how God raised up the leaders we see in the Word.

“Biblical Eldership”

Receive the anointing of the Lord.
Walk as the Anointed of the Most High.

More later...for today…walk in humility...that is a sign of true anointing...

1Pe 5:5
You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.



"Misleading Mockers..."

April 8, 2015

“Misleading Mockers…”

Blessings folk!

See to it that no one misleads you.
See to it that no one deceives you.

Jesus warned us.
Give heed.

We have seen how that will occur.
Many will come in the name of the Lord saying “I AM the Christ”.
False teachers.
False prophets.
Liars.
Deceivers.
Mockers.

The Holy Spirit tells us more through Peter.

2 Peter 3:3-6
Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts,
and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.”
For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water,
through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water.

In the last days...we are in them.
Mockers will mock.
They will follow after their own lusts.

How are they mocking in this passage?
They are belittling the truth of the beginning of creation.
They are saying that everything continues the same since the beginning of creation...the “scientific” term is uniformitarianism.
They do not believe that God created.
They say “all is the same, nothing has changed”, implying “where is God?”

The response that the Spirit gives is amazing.
He speaks of Creation by the Word of God - ex nihilo - from nothing. By Word.
He speaks of The Flood.
Yes, the Noah Flood.

The Spirit uses the Flood as evidence that everything has not continued the same from the beginning of creation.

Mockers will mock.
The Enlightened Fools will reject.
Yet, God created ex nihilo by His Word.
The universal Flood that covered the world occurred.

Remember this truth.
The very things that the world...and many who profess to be believers… reject, Jesus spoke about.

Jesus spoke about Adam/Eve/Creation.
Jesus spoke of the Flood.
Jesus spoke of Jonah and the great fish.
Jesus called Daniel a Prophet.

Trust in the Word of the Lord.
Trust not in the word and wisdom of man.

"In My Name..."

April 7, 2015

“In My Name…”

Blessings folk!

Jesus instructed us to see to see it that no one deceived us.

Mat 24:4
And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you.
NASB
And Jesus answered and said unto them,
Take heed that no man deceive you.
KJV


What did Jesus mean by this?

He continues and explains…

Mat 24:5
For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many.

Many “misleaders”/deceivers will come.
They will say “I am the Christ”.

I believe this can be understood in a couple of ways.

Many will come claiming to be “christ”...the “anointed one”...etc.
They will claim to be Messiah, the Savior of the world.

Many others will say “I am the Christ”...meaning that they will state that Jesus is the Christ, that Jesus is the Messiah. Yet, they will mislead many while professing that Jesus is Christ.

Both come in “His Name”.
In the name of the Lord.

Just because someone comes “in the name of the Lord”…
Just because someone comes saying “I am the Christ”…
does not mean that they are true believers.

Be discerning.
See to it that you are not deceived.
Know the Word.
Be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Abide in the Lord.

"See to It..."

April 6, 2015

“See to It…”

Blessings folk!

Jesus’ time on earth was drawing to an end.
He had just had an intense encounter with the Religionists.
Afterwards, the disciples had tried to “lighten the moment” by pointing Jesus’ attention to the beauty of the structures in the Temple complex.
Jesus was having nothing to do with it.

They walked from the Temple to the Mount of Olives.
Four of the disciples came to Jesus…


Matthew 24:3
As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”


We have covered this discussion in much detail in the past, but we do well to remember, to reflect, to refresh.

The first thing that Jesus told them is foundational.

Mat 24:4
And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you.
NASB
And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
KJV


We are to be careful to be not deceived.
But, there is much more.
We are to “see to it”.

We have the major role.
We are responsible.
It is not someone else responsibility.
It is ours personally.

See to it.
Active.
Purposeful.

How?
Through the Word...we must know the Word of God.
Through the Spirit...we must be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Through the Body...we must live as the Body of Christ as the Lord designed.

If we know the Word…
If we are filled with the Spirit…
If we abide in the Lord and His Body…

We will not be deceived.

Choose Truth.
Speak the Truth.

Watch the “little things”.
There is so much deception today.
So much that is considered “true”, yet is untrue.

Be not deceived.

"I Grant to You"

April 5, 2015

“I Grant to You…”
Blessings folk!

Jesus was dealing with disputing disciples.
They were arguing over who was the greater.
We saw His initial response yesterday.

Then, He says…

Luke 22:28-30
“You are those who have stood by Me in My trials;
and just as My Father has granted Me a kingdom, I grant you
that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Jesus encouraged and exhorted them with the truth.

They had stood by Him in the midst of His trials (though all but one was about to fail).
They would be able to eat/drink at the Lord’s table in the Kingdom that Father is to give the Son.
They will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

There was no need to argue.
No need to dispute.
No need to determine “the greatest”.
All would “sit on thrones” in the Kingdom.
All would be at “My Table”...the Table of the Lord.

He will reign over all.

Let us learn.
Argue not.
Seek not to “lord over” one another.

Be faithful and obedient in the Kingdom the Lord grants.

"Disputing"

April 4, 2015

“Disputing”

Blessings folk!

We see so much of ourselves in the disciples.

Jesus and the disciples are having a meal.
Their last meal together...He knew it. They did not.
(Not a Passover meal proper. That would be the next day. Jesus would be the sacrificed Lamb of God of the Passover later in the day. This meal “instituted” the new covenant.)

1Co 5:7
Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, just as you are in fact unleavened. For Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed.

What were the disciples doing?
Disputing over who is the greatest.

Luke 22:24-27
24 And there arose also a dispute among them as to which one of them was regarded to be greatest.
25 And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who have authority over them are called ‘Benefactors.’
26 But it is not this way with you, but the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant.
27 For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at the table? But I am among you as the one who serves.


Jesus tells the disciples that the kings of the Gentiles lord over people.
Those in authority carry titles.

Such is not with true believers.

Yet, sadly it is more often the case than not.

I could go through example after example of those in leadership who…

  • demand attention
  • “lead” be dictate and mandate
  • expect strict adherence to personal and/or denominational interpretations of man-made structures
  • dismiss those who are not “team players”
  • constantly manifest the ways of the world rather than the Life of God
  • confuse manipulation and witchcraft with true biblical leadership
  • “lord over” rather than serve
  • reject the humble heart of God

The balance of the Body of Christ is not much better.

We…
  • seek the position, the title, the adulation
  • desire to be called the greatest
  • turn to man rather than God
  • demand a “vision” by man rather than simply walking in the Word of the Lord
  • etc. etc.

May we quit disputing.
May we quit all the stuff that we do “in church” and simply be The Church.
The Lord has shown us how.

When will we begin?

"Three Times"

April 3, 2015

“Three Times”

Blessings folk!

Jesus said…

Luke 22:31-32
31 “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; 32 but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”

We looked at it yesterday.
Now, looks what follows…

Luke 22:33-34
33 But he said to Him, “Lord, with You I am ready to go both to prison and to death!” 34 And He said, “I say to you, Peter, the rooster will not crow today until you have denied three times that you know Me.”


Well, Peter is getting better.
In a previous encounter, Peter had said “Lord, no!”
If He is Lord, you cannot say “no”.
If you say “no”, He is not Lord.

Now, Peter is stating that he is ready to go both...both!..to prison and to die for the Lord.

Even though the Lord had just told him “when you turn again”...that he would turn away.

So, in a manner of speaking, he was going against the Word of the Lord. Just not as forthrightly.

Jesus is patient.

He tells Peter what would happen.
Peter would deny Him.

He told Peter when.
Before the cock crowed.

He told Peter how intense the denial would be.
Peter would deny Him three times.

We dare not rest in our abilities.
We boldly rest and trust in the Lord.

Should He forewarn, may we have eyes to see and ears to hear.

"Simon, Simon"

April 2, 2015

“Simon, Simon”

Blessings folk!

The disciples were eating a meal with Jesus.
The last meal they would have together.

Jesus was sharing profound things with them.
Their reaction?
They were arguing as to which is the greatest.

Read the following passage.
See the context.

Note what the Lord says...especially when He speaks directly to Peter.

Luke 22:24-31
24 And there arose also a dispute among them as to which one of them was regarded to be greatest.
25 And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who have authority over them are called ‘Benefactors.’
26 But it is not this way with you, but the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant.
27 For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at the table? But I am among you as the one who serves.
28 “You are those who have stood by Me in My trials;
29 and just as My Father has granted Me a kingdom, I grant you
30 that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
31 “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; 32 but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”

Today, look at what the Lord told Simon/Peter.
What truth do we see?

  1. Satan had demanded permission to sift Peter like wheat. Satan must receive permission from the Lord - see Job. The sifting of wheat is the process of separating the real/valuable wheat from the useless chaff. Satan did not desire to do so to “improve” Peter. He desired to revealed the “chaff” in Peter. He desired to destroy Peter. The Lord knew this. The Lord knew that the process would be to His glory.
  2. “But!” Jesus had prayed for Peter. What did He pray? That Peter’s faith would not fail. Though Peter would soon deny/fail, he would know that the Lord had prayed for him
  3. Jesus now gives a command. Strengthen your brothers. When? After you have turned again! This means Peter would turn away, but he would “return”.

More later.

For now, know that…
  • the Lord knows
  • nothing comes our way that the Lord does not know about
  • the Lord prays for us
  • the Lord desires for us to turn to him

Do so.


"Fools"

April 1, 2015

“Fools”

Blessings folk!

Yeh, yeh, yeh,
April 1.
“April Fools’ Day” as it is called in many countries.

The setting aside of a day for pranks, practical jokes, etc. is amazingly universal among man. It has a long lineage.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_Fools%27_Day

Should Believers participate in such.
I am incline to say “no”.

Certainly there is nothing wrong with laughter.
There is nothing wrong with joy.
There is nothing wrong with a chuckle.
But, if such comes at the expense of another, regardless of the “lack of harm”, then we need to be careful

The Word is clear.
Believers are not to be involved in “course jesting”.

Eph 5:4
and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.

We are called to give thanks.
Not to practical jokes, pranks, coarse jesting, silly talk.

Today, when tempted to do otherwise, give thanks.

Play not the part of the fool.
Remember the Word of the Lord.
We are not to speak in anger and call someone a “fool”…

Mat 5:22
But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

We know who the true fool is…

Psa 14:1
For the choir director. A Psalm of David.
The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.”
They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds;
There is no one who does good.

Psa 53:1
For the choir director; according to Mahalath. A Maskil of David.
The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God,”
They are corrupt, and have committed abominable injustice;
There is no one who does good.

Pro 10:8
The wise of heart will receive commands,
But a
babbling fool will be ruined.

Pro 28:26
He who trusts in his own heart is a fool,
But he who walks wisely will be delivered.

Isa 32:6
For a fool speaks nonsense,
And his heart inclines toward wickedness:
To practice ungodliness and to speak error against the LORD,
To keep the hungry person unsatisfied
And to withhold drink from the thirsty.


Be not a fool.
Be a faith, obedient Giver of Thanks to the Most High God.
Be not ensnared nor entrapped in the foolishness of man.