March 31st, 2018

The God of the Increase

“So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.”  1 Cor. 3:7

God is the One who grants the increase and causes things to grow in our lives.  We may be surrounded by people that plant wonderful things and water those things.  Yet Paul makes it clear it is only God who causes the growth.

The Lord does not want us following the path of the popular at the risk of deception.  When our eyes are taken off Jesus and focused on a Paul or Apollos, we are headed in the wrong direction.  The church at Corinth was experiencing quarreling and division.  Some were drawn to Paul, others to Apollos.  The church had knowledge, but they lacked wisdom.  They were proving themselves to be, in the words of Paul, “infants in Christ.”

May we recognize God as the growth agent in our lives.  We can be thankful and genuinely appreciative of those He puts in our path to plant and to water.  Our spiritual growth and maturity is due to God.  May He garner first place in our hearts and minds, for He is the only One who makes things grow in our lives.  Thank you to our Paul and Apollos, but praise be unto You, our Everlasting Father!

March 30th, 2018

Mighty Warrior

“The angel of the Lord came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites.  When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.”  Judges 6:11-13

God chose this least likely man, Gideon, to be His mighty warrior.  Gideon told God that he was the least (youngest) in his family, which was from the weakest clan in the tribe of Manasseh.  The tribe of Manasseh was considered as a forgettable tribe, derived from the meaning of Manasseh’s name.  We recall that when Joseph brought Manasseh and Ephraim before Jacob for their blessing, Jacob placed his right hand on Ephraim.  This was done despite the fact that Ephraim was the younger brother.  Jacob conferred the greater blessing upon the younger child.  Thus, even though Manasseh was the firstborn son, he did not receive the firstborn blessing.  He was, in a sense, forgettable. 

Gideon could relate to this, as he did not think much of himself, yet the Angel of the Lord said, “The Lord is with you.”  Gideon was exactly the person the Lord was looking to use!  He chose this cowardly appearing man to defeat the Midianites.  God saw greatness in Gideon and he was called forth as the valiant warrior.  Gideon went from coward to charismatic leader.  He came from the hidden place to prominence. 

God is rising up Gideons around the world.   There is a generation of Gideons hidden within the street gangs.  God wants to bring them from the hidden place to prominence in the Kingdom.  There are infants on the verge of dying – from AIDS, from hunger, from genocide.   There are Gideons in prisons, on street corners, and if we raise our voices in prayer and do what we see our heavenly Father doing, those Gideons shall be called by name and take their rightful places.

March 29th, 2018

A Royal Priesthood

“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness and into His marvelous light.”  1 Peter 2:9

A king is one who rules or reigns.  The word comes from the origin meaning “a place to walk” which can suggest dominion; a foundation of powers.  As kings, we are members of a Kingdom and we are called to rule over a royal dominion clothed with royal dignity.  It implies an authority to reign and to rule.  As kings, we are given an authority to rule because of Jesus Christ.

A priest is a person serving at God’s altar.  Priests in the Old Testament included ministers, chief rulers, high officials, as well as priests and high priests.  As priests, we are servants who minister to the Lord.  We might be called “royal servants,” as we are part of a “royal priesthood.”  Or, if you prefer, we are royal housekeepers.

As kings and priests, we are that “kingdom of priests and a holy nation” first mentioned in Exodus 19:6 and again in 1 Peter 2:9.  Our ministry is one of worship and servant hood; our authority is our witness.

Melchizedek was the first king and priest mentioned in the Bible – Gen. 14:18.  He was known as “King of Salem,” which means “peace.”  Jesus was the perfect king and priest, known in Hebrews as a better priesthood (see Hebrews 7 & 8).  Jesus oversees the royal priesthood today, which is composed of those of us who have been “saved by grace through faith.” {Eph. 2:8}   We follow in the priestly order of Melchizedek and Jesus Christ!

March 28th, 2018

The Lord Who Heals

“…If you diligently heed the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases upon you which I have brought upon the Egyptians.  For I am the LORD who heals you.” Ex. 15:26

Here we meet Jehovah-Rapha, the God who heals.  The word “rapha” in Ancient Hebrew is literally “man open;” meaning the mouth of man is open to receive medicinal treatment made from flowers, roots, stalks, and the like.  Such medicine could be ingested or applied to open wounds on the body.  As an example, boils and leprosy were healed by God, both in Genesis 20:17 and in Leviticus 13:18.  We can perhaps view healing as the restoration of health – and such health is both physical and spiritual. 

Let’s take a moment to reflect once again on the verse above.  The words of the Lord were spoken three days after the people of Israel had crossed the Red Sea.  Israel had just been set free from its captor, Egypt!  The Red Sea crossing marked a new beginning for God’s chosen people.  At the first indication of trouble, in this case bitter water that could not be drunk, the people complain.  God responds by showing Moses a tree where the waters were made sweet.  God also established an ordinance of obedience, for which the blessing included health. 

There is much we can learn from this text, including the following truths:

Ø  The Red Sea crossing set God’s people free;

Ø  His free people began a journey in the wilderness;

Ø  God promises healing to His people as they begin their new journey;

Ø  Jesus HEALED the nobleman’s son at the start of His ministry;

Ø  We, the redeemed of the Lord, are promised healing, and have evidence of it through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ!

We are not told when and we are not told how, but healing will happen, this side of heaven or the other.

March 27th, 2018

Fellowship of the Mystery

“To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him.  Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.”  Eph. 3:8-13

The second section of chapter three focuses on what Paul calls the “fellowship of the mystery” and the apostle’s great desire that the people of Ephesus would see and understand it.  First let’s look at the unsearchable riches of Christ.  The word unsearchable in Greek means that which cannot be comprehended; the word riches in Greek is rendered as abundance or plenitude.  We discover that Paul is indicating his goal of sharing the gospel so people will understand, that which cannot otherwise be understood:  the abundance and plenty found in a life with Jesus Christ.  The only way in which the understanding can be gained is by the power of the Holy Spirit as He speaks and quickens the spirits of those who hear the gospel.  For then, faith comes!  Paul speaks of the Word that became flesh and dwelt among men.  Paul speaks of the power of Christ’s life, death, resurrection and ascension.  Paul speaks of the power of Christ in us – the hope of glory!  Amen!

We next move to examine the expression “fellowship of the mystery.”  The word fellowship in Greek is koinonia, which means association, community, communion, or joint participation.  It suggests more than mere relationship; rather, a common bond and focus among people who share in faith, in possessions, in hope, in this “mystery” that Paul says has been revealed: the great gospel message of eternal life and victorious life extended to the Gentiles.  It is what many Biblical scholars refer to as “the Old Testament concealed and the New Testament revealed.” 

As followers of Christ, we may share hurting, but we also share healing.  We may have in common with other believers our share of problems, but we also share a Provider.  Many of us may be in a mess, but we have the One who is Mighty to Save us from that mess.  The fellowship of the mystery is the common union and active participation in the Kingdom of God that followers of Christ Jesus share.  That Kingdom is led by a King.  His Name is Jesus.  We follow His lead as we actively engage in expanding the Kingdom here on earth. 

March 26th, 2018

Strengthened in the Lord

“Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and daughters.  But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.”  1 Sam. 30:6

There was David, surrounded by his own men in Ziklag as they had returned to find the city burned to the ground and all their families take captive by the Amalekites.  How often have we been greatly distressed, which means being in such a tight spot we had nowhere to turn?  How many times have we felt the grief and anger and bitterness of those closest to us, because of a decision we made?  We have a choice: either get caught up in it, or do what David did.  David chose to strengthen himself in the Lord.   The Hebrew word for strengthen is chazaq, and it means to encourage; prevail; be firm; courageous; resolute; conquer; seize; and valiant. David found that place with the Lord in the middle of a disaster, no family to be found, city on fire, and his own army threatening to kill him!  He got with God and stayed with God long enough to be strengthened for the battle, to receive wisdom and direction on how to proceed.  The result was David overtook the Amalekites and recovered everything that was taken from him and his men.

When we choose to act as David did in situations where even our friends are opposing us, we strengthen ourselves in the Lord and are spiritually sustained.  It is noteworthy that the word chazaq is frequently used to describe battle scenes in the Old Testament.  One of the ways David was so richly encouraged was by the active process of remembering God’s love, His calling and His promises to David, and all the victories He had given David in the past.  We call these testimonies.  When we meditate on who God is in our lives and what He has done, it is a great source of encouragement!  David overcame any bitterness by turning to the Lord.

March 25th, 2018

Jesus in Our Midst

“He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands.”  Rev. 2:1

Jesus is viewed here as walking in the midst of the church – indeed, all of the churches!  He holds the stars, or messengers, in His right hand.  The right hand symbolizes authority and power; it is by the right hand that the whole person is claimed for the Lord!  He tells the church that He is near to them, so near that He walks in their midst.  He is in complete control!  What a comfort to know He holds us and walks in our midst. 

It is noteworthy that the word lampstand, or candlestick, is used to describe the local church.  Lampstands symbolize light, as they bring forth light.  Jesus is the bearer of light.  In this letter, He is reminding the church at Ephesus that He can give light and take it away.  Lampstands were part of God’s design of the Tabernacle of Moses, where they were located in the Holy Place.  The Holy Place had no windows or openings, and the light in a dark place was brought forth by the lampstand.  There were also tables of showbread in the Holy Place.  We recognize Jesus as the Bread of Life.  The tables could only be seen by the illumination of the light from the lamp stands.  From this we gain an understanding that it is only through the light of the Holy Spirit that we clearly see and discern the word of God.    

March 24th, 2018

Open Rivers in Desolate Places

“The poor and the needy seek water, but there is none.  Their tongues fail for thirst.  I, the LORD, will hear them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.  I will open rivers in desolate heights, and fountains in the midst of valleys; I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.  I will plant in the wilderness the cedar and the acacia tree, the myrtle and the oil tree; I will set in the desert the cypress tree and the pine and the box tree together, that they may see and know and consider and understand together, that the hand of the LORD has done this, and the Holy One of Israel has created it.” Isa. 41:17-20

This passage describes the Lord as:

• Hearing the poor, needy, and thirsty;
• Opening rivers in desolate heights and fountains in valleys;
• Making the wilderness a pool of water and dry land springs of water; and,
• Plant trees in the wilderness.

His reason for doing this is so that people will know and understand it is the work of God.  These are miraculous acts and He has promised us miracles as well.  We may be thirsty – our God will hear us!  We may be in the wilderness – God will plant beautiful trees!  We may be in a desolate place – God says He will open up rivers for us!  When we turn to the Lord, He will be faithful!  He will do what no man or woman can do – He will do the miraculous in our lives.  He is our God who can create something out of nothing.  It is powerful to pray, “Father, create something out of this situation, this tragedy, this dilemma.  I see nothing that can come from it.  It is up to You, God, to create something from this!”

As God works in our lives, we must be good caretakers of that which he has given us.   We can better care for what has been given if we can recognize the stage we are in – and we recognize three stages: planting, watering, and pruning.

1.  The Planting Stage – God will plant things in our lives.  Of course, so will the world.  Mt. 15:13 states, “Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted.”  It is vital to know that it is God who has planted a word, a change, a promise in our lives.

2. The Watering Stage – God will create wondrous ways of watering.  Water is required for things to grow.  For believers, water is symbolic of the Hoy Spirit.   Eph. 5:25 reads, “…that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word.”

3.  The Pruning Stage – Eventually, God will prune those things that are blossoming in our lives.  John 15:2 states, “Every branch that is in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that does bear fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.”   It is important that we know God is doing the pruning and His reason is so that we may bear more fruit.  It is often not easy to be pruned!  We may think we are headed in the right direction and good things are happening and then out come those God-sized pruning shears!  We are pruned so that the next harvest of fruit in our lives will be even more abundant.  When we prune flowering plants, we can see the flowers that come after pruning are more in number, more vibrant in color, and often times last longer. 

We benefit from trusting God’s timing for planting, watering, and pruning that which He has planted in our lives! 

March 23rd, 2018

The Power of Overcoming Evil with Good

“…overcome evil with good.”  Rom. 12:21

We are called by God to “overcome evil with good” and have regard for good things.  This begins with our thought pattern – are we thinking evil thoughts or good thoughts, especially when we perceive we have been wronged.   To overcome evil with good, we sometimes must re-focus our thoughts, finding what is honest and true, and thinking on such things.  As we concentrate our thoughts on the true and honest, we will find two things:

Ø  We are drawn closer in relationship to the Lord; and,

Ø  We reflect what we behold:  truth and honesty, well-pleasing to the Lord!

Friends, this is Kingdom thinking, which leads to Kingdom speaking and Kingdom actions.  As we meditate upon those things are good and pleasant, our speech will change.   Prov. 16:24 indicates that: “Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.”   We might say that “sweet speech” brings health and healing.  Pleasant speech emanates from pleasant thoughts.

In Matthew 15:18 -19, Jesus responds to criticism that He eats with unwashed hands by saying, “But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man unclean. “   In essence the Lord is instructing us to be more concerned about our unwashed hearts, rather than unwashed hands.  Such evil thoughts are to be stopped and replaced by thoughts of a good report.  Through the Holy Spirit, it can happen!  All of these are instructions to the Kingdom life, filled with an abundance of good things in the Lord.

March 22nd, 2018

After God’s Heart

“But now your kingdom shall not continue.  The LORD has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the LORD has commanded him to be a commander over His people, because you have not kept what the LORD commanded you.”  1 Sam. 13:14

The “man after God’s own heart” was David, the shepherd son of Jesse, the Bethlehemite.  There is so much to be learned about being a person after God’s own heart, about having a deep, unbridled desire for the presence of God in our lives.  David gives us some insight into such a desire for the presence of the Lord.  The text taken from 1 Samuel 13:14 is a result of Saul’s failure to obey God, coupled with his failure to repent.  Saul exhibited little interest in repentance except when it was self-serving.  David, despite acts of deception, adultery, murder, and much more, displayed a repentant heart.  Time after time we find David turning to God and repenting.

David was able to repent because he had a deep desire to please God.  Saul, on the other hand, was obsessed in pleasing people.  Saul was distrustful and jealous, and so in many cases would quickly turn against those closest to him.  David was an example of this, as Saul grew increasingly jealous over the talents and skill of his armor-bearer.  He sought to kill David.  Yet David acted in humble submission to the position of spiritual authority in the person of Saul.  Why?  The answer is found in the key of David’s desire to please God, not man.  God desired and required submission.  Saul was driven by the flesh; David was led by the Spirit.

David became a man who continually inquired of the Lord as to the next steps he was to take.  He relied upon God’s response in formulating his military strategies and advancing his kingdom.  When he failed to ask the Lord, and problems arose, he was quick to remedy the problem.  Saul failed to consult God.  He chose instead to rely on advisers and even consulted a medium on one occasion.  He was seeking answers from man, not from the Lord. 

March 21st, 2018

The Implanted Word

"Therefore, lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness and receive with meekness the "implanted word"  which is able to save your souls."  James 1:21

The Lord gives us clear direction here. Our souls are a place where God seeks to reside. Our salvation cannot come from worldly ways, but from our meekness to seek and our gentle acceptance of His "implanted Word". His Word is powerful and when we accept this "implanted word" that is able to save our souls, God causes it to take root in our hearts.  Isaiah 55:3 says:  "Incline your ear and come to Me.  Hear and your soul shall live and I will make an everlasting covenant with you". 

In meekness seek the His Word today and "let your soul delight itself in abundance."  It is an eternal blessing. 

March 20th, 2018

Our Unchanging God

"And the woman was left with her two daughters in law."  Ruth 1:5-6

We find in these verses that Naomi's husband Elimelech and their two sons Chilion and Mahlon have died.  Chilion's name in Hebrew meant puny and pining.  Mahlon's name meant sickly.  Prior to her son's deaths, they both married Moabite women.  Now this would be so displeasing back home in Bethlehem Judah, these two Jewish boys marrying Gentile girls.   Naomi finds herself a widow and childless.  She is left with her two daughters-in-law  in the pagan  land of Moab.

There is a clear warning in these verses.  Naomi's experience exemplifies what can happen when we leave the "House of Bread and the Place of Praise". They no longer experienced the  joy of living in Bethlehem-Judah. Everything went wrong.   It was a desperate move.   However, Naomi will see God's grace at work and His purpose in all of this.  Naomi will move ahead.

Be encouraged.  When it feels like all hell has broken through in your life remember God is still God.  "Greater is He who is in me that he who is in the world." 1 John 4:4.  He is unchanging.  He will bring you through when you call upon His Holy Name.

March 19th, 2018

Free from the Spirit of Fear

 “…we have not been given the spirit of fear; but of power, love, and a sound mind.”  2 Tim. 1:7

Fear that begins to control our thinking and decision-making is unhealthy and masks us in our relationships with God, others, and ourselves.  We all will encounter fear in life – in and of itself, fear is not a problem.  Read what happens when fear goes unchecked in a life.

“I remember sitting with two other women as we shared our lives.  As I was describing what it was like to try and live a “normal” life with seizures, one woman listened intently and when I finished, said to me, ‘You must be afraid of being afraid.’  Those words went through me like a sword.  I had never thought of it that way!  Yet, as I processed her words, the enormity of her sentence became clear.  At age nineteen, I had barely paid attention to the first seizure.  Over time and episodes, fear began to creep in, undetected and unresolved.  I was determined to persevere – all on my own strength!  More years passed; there was more activity, and more fear.  It had crept up on me, snuck in, and comfortably grown – until I was at a point of being afraid of being afraid, that I might have another seizure.  Fear had such a grip on me it became a spirit – no longer just a momentary feeling – but a regular visitor of my mind.  I don’t remember when fear became a stronghold in my life.  I only remember the words of that wise woman that day, and how the spirit of fear was broken and lost its grip on me.”

The Bible gives us God’s response to the spirit of fear:  NO!  2 Timothy 1:7 states that “we have not been given the spirit of fear; but of power, love, and a sound mind.”  Let us take this oft-quoted verse and break it down to see what God is fully revealing to His faithful saints.  We have not a spirit of fear; instead we have:

Ø  Power

Ø  Love

Ø  A sound mind

We have the Trinity in operation in our lives, according to this Scripture.  For it is by the Holy Spirit’s power, our Father’s love, and the mind of Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior, that we are overcomers and can walk victoriously.  If we allow the truth to soak, seep, and enter our spirits – power, love, a sound mind – power, love, a sound mind - power, love, and a sound mind; be prepared to be set free in the name of Jesus!

March 18th, 2018

God’s Covenant with Us

“Yet I will remember the  covenant  I made with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish an everlasting covenant with you.” Ezekiel 16:60.

Let us be clear in our understanding of the covenants created by God:  He initiated them; He created them; He set forth the terms and conditions; and He implemented them.  He presented the covenants to man and we can either accept it or refuse it.  The “free will choice” is ours.  The covenants are a statement of God’s will, rather than God’s idea.  We cannot change God’s expressed will through His covenants. 

God’s covenant with us is His expressed will for us, accomplished through His divine commitment to us.  Covenant expresses:  YOU ARE MINE.  Covenant says:  COME INTO ETERNAL INTIMACY WITH ME.  Covenant demonstrates:  I LOVE YOU WITH AN EVERLASTING LOVE.  God illustrates such love in the covenant of marriage (Malachi 2:14-16).

The actions God takes are purposed and planned.  What He does is a direct reflection of who He is.  The acts of God reflect His character, His nature, yes, even His name. 

There are three essential components of the covenants, defined as:

Ø  The words of the covenant (also known as His promises);

Ø  The blood of the covenant; and,

Ø  The seal of the covenant.

In this we see the fullness of the Godhead – our Father’s word spoken to us, the blood of His Son as the atoning work for us, and the Holy Spirit’s sealing work of the covenant in us.

March 17th, 2018

Hope as our Anchor

“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.”  Verse 20 continues, “It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf.  He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” Heb. 6:19-20

So often we find ourselves in situations where we are in need of hope.  The Bible gives us great hope through Scriptures that encourage us to face battles, dilemmas, and obstacles.  These verses are given to us so we can better understand our Savior, and draw closer to Him. 

It is powerful to know we have hope as an anchor!  Anchors are secure, rock-solid, and immoveable.  When a boat lowers its anchor, the boat is secured.  The hope mentioned in Hebrews serves as an anchor for our soul.  It is described as a firm and secure anchor.  Think upon such hope as being firm and secure in our lives.  It acts in such a way that in the midst of hopelessness, an anchor is tossed to us.  We can grab hold of it and hold onto it.  It is an eternal hope, made possible by covenant.  Jesus Christ is our hope. 

Many people suffer from shame and guilt in their lives, and need an anchor whose name is Jesus.  When we place our hope in Him, freedom comes!  If you are downcast, put your hope in Jesus.  Peter describes this as a “living hope” which is what we find in the Lord.

May our hope in Christ sustain us and be our anchor all the days of our lives.

March 16th, 2018

His Plans for Us

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  Jer. 29:11

We can stop trying to be good enough for God.  God loves us right now, whether we are homeless or in a mansion; unemployed or salaried; on death row or in the front row of church every week.  We can do nothing to increase God’s love for us, nor decrease it.  For His love is total, complete, and without condition.  He created us, He adores us, He wants the best for us.  Nothing can ever change that.  No amount of sin will stop that love.  God’s Word states it, and Jesus lived a life with examples of it.  God’s love for, and use of the lost to accomplish His purposes, brings the lost to their knees where finally they are found.  When we understand that incredible force of love, when we accept it, we want to become better people.

Understanding that the Lord has a great plan for us opens the door for us to see not with our eyes, but with our hearts.  It creates a climate of mercy, of forgiveness, of grace.  Where once we viewed the world darkly, we now see it brightly lit.  We find the best in people, not the worst.  We speak with hope, not despair.  For we have the Holy Spirit, whose very life within us allows us to forgive the transgressor.  On our own we cannot do it.  But with the Holy Spirit it is possible.    We are salt, we are light in Him.

Finally, we are introduced to real love.  Not infatuation, not a crush.  We see real love, Christ like love.  Love that frees, not binds.  Love that unshackles, not chains.  Love that permits another chance, not denies a second opportunity.  Love that extends beyond the borders of those we like to those we despise.  Love within the walls of the sanctuary and love inside the walls of the prisons.  Love within our homes and love within the homeless shelter.  Love that accepts.  Love that forgives.  Love in all languages, all colors, all nationalities.  Love that heals.

God knew every wrong step, every misdirection, and every mistake you and I would make before we were born.  It didn’t change His love for us.  He has shared in our anguish and in our joy.  We are imperfect people who have said yes to a perfect Savior.  God uses us, the imperfect, to be ministers of His mercy, His grace, His reconciliation.  We are part of His plan, His perfect plan.  We give thanks to God.

March 15th, 2018

The Father of Faith

“Just as Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him for righteousness.  Therefore, know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham.  And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, ‘In you all the nations shall be blessed.’  So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.”  Gal. 3:6-8

Paul describes Abraham as the father of faith.  Paul is stating that back in the days of Abraham, who chose in Gen. 15:6 to “believe in the LORD” that God counted it to Abraham for righteousness.  Abraham did not believe in himself, he believed in the word of the LORD.  He believed by faith – because he certainly did not see evidence of what the LORD was promising him.  The doctrine of faith starts with Abraham!  All who believe in the Lord have it counted to them as righteousness – which we call salvation by faith through grace.  It is notable that this covenant between God and Abraham was made 430 years before God gave the law to Moses on Mt. Sinai. 

It is also noteworthy that Gen. 28:14 is repeated by Paul in Gal. 3:8: “In you all the nations shall be blessed.”    The covenant with Abraham is filled with the promise of God’s blessings.  Let’s consider just a few below.

• Personal Blessing – Gen. 12:2.  God promised Abraham “I will bless thee.”  This makes the covenant irrevocable.  Not only did He bless Abraham, but God also extended the same covenant blessing to Abraham’s son, Isaac, and to Jacob, and then to the nation, Israel.
• Blessing to Others – Gen. 12:2.  Another promise of God to Abraham was, “Thou shalt be a blessing.”  He was going to be blessed in order to be a blessing to others.  This is an important spiritual truth for us.
• Blessed by Others – Gen. 12:3.  “I will bless them that bless thee,” God promised.  This continued the river of blessings, expanded to those who blessed Abraham.
• Messianic Blessing – Gen 12:3.  What a blessing!  God promised Abraham “in thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed.”  Blessings would continue generationally and to all through the line of Abraham.  This included Isaac, Jacob, the nation Israel, David, and of course, Jesus Christ.  Both the natural seed line and the spiritual seed line would be blessed.  What a prophecy of the Jew and the Gentile receiving the blessing of God!

March 14th, 2018

Prayer for the Children of Chicago

“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.  Let the redeemed of the Lord say this-those He redeemed from the hand of the foe, those he gathered from the lands, from east and west, from north and south.”  Ps. 107:1-3

Father we praise and thank You for Your name, Your nature, Your character, and Your desire to act on behalf of the children of Chicago.  We who minister before You today in Your house O Lord, we extol You and sing praises that You alone are worthy.   We thank You for choosing Your children as Your treasured possession.  We commend Your great works Almighty God and tell our children – so Your truth may be passed from generation to generation.  We praise You for what You have done in our lives and share our testimony so that our families will know You.  We exalt the name of Jesus Christ over the city of Chicago, over the families in Chicago, and over the children.  We praise You God, that You are sovereign over Chicago.  The government of Chicago rests upon Your shoulders, O God.  We praise You God, for desiring to heal relationships, and to strengthen the parent-child bond during this time of incarceration.

 We thank You that even now, in this time of morning prayer, that You are standing at the right hand of the needy in the city, ready to save lives from the enemy that seeks to condemn.  We thank You God, that You are interested in the high crime neighborhoods in Chicago, that You love and care for all in the city. 

We praise and thank You for the weapons of warfare You have given us, Lord of Hosts.  You have trained our hands for war and fingers for battle – and so we offer You our worship this morning as we lift our praises up to You today.   We bless You and thank You that Your love endures forever and that You redeem Your loved ones from the hand of the foes that operate in city streets and neighborhoods – the foes of death, drugs, gangs, violence.  We thank You Lord for watching over the young women and girls in Chicago who are involved in sex trafficking.  Praise You, most gracious God for saving our children – even today, right now in the name of Jesus.  Thank You Lord of Hosts for sending Your forces of good to deal with the forces of evil  and to disrupt the activities and assignments of human trafficking and slavery of young children in city airports.  Gather our children, Your children, who have been scattered and broken and lost – gather them in Your arms this morning, O Lord.  We trust You for this work and we honor You and praise Your Most Holy Name.  Amen.

March 13th, 2018

The Unshakeable Kingdom

“See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven?  At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, "Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens."  The words "once more" indicate the removing of what can be shaken--that is, created things--so that what cannot be shaken may remain.  Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our "God is a consuming fire."  Hebrews 12:25-29

Everything shall be shaken until the only things unshaken are the things of God – His kingdom.  Idols shall be shaken.

The works of man shall be shaken

The nations shall be shaken

All things not of God shall be shaken

God does this because He loves us.  He wants to restore us and prepare us as His Bride without spot or blemish.  He wants to heal the brokenhearted and set free the captives.  He loves us so much He won’t let us stay in our current condition.  When we encounter the living Christ, we are changed.  We want to change.  We want His healing and His restoration in our lives.

Our job in this is to believe (John 6:29) and to express our faith.   It is to yield to the purifying flames of God, to ask Him to remove the impurities of our lives, remove the dross.  Heb. 12 says we are to serve God with reverence and Godly fear.  We know that we are receiving an unshakeable kingdom, with Lord Jesus as King.  We’re to confess with our mouths our faith; to call forth from the Cross of Christ those things that were secured on our behalf by the One who knew no sin, yet became a sin offering for us.  We are challenged to call it forth even if we don’t yet see it. 

Things are shaking and will continue to shake – all around us.

Religion is being shaken until relationship is left standing.

Information is being shaken until intimacy is left standing.

Hurts are being shaken until healing is left standing.

Commitment to self is being shaken until commitment to Christ is left standing.

Thank You Father, for Your plan that shall be established and for Your unshakeable Kingdom.

March 12th, 2018

Famine in the Land

 "And they came into the country of Moab and continued there."  Ruth 1:2

Elimelech and his family entered Moab due to the famine in Bethlehem Judah, the House of Bread and great Place of Praise.  How could this have happened in such a blessed land?  Why would there be a famine in the land?   There are many warnings in the Bible God gives us to not leave his commandments. Such as in 2 Chronicles Chapter 7-22.   Because they forsook the Lord God of their fathers and embraced other gods a famine or calamity would come upon that land .  During the famine Elimelech convinced his family  that God was not providing in the House of Bread any longer and that they must move to Moab.  The book of Amos 8:11 wrote about a famine not in the sense of food, but of hearing the Word of God. 

We all experience times of (famine), spiritual dryness in our lives.  Times of difficulties.  It isn't the fact that we have a famine in our land, but what we are going to do with this famine.   Are we going to press into the Word even more or sojourn to another land?  

Sometimes in our spiritual walk, we feel like we are not hearing from God like we did before.  We had experienced the joy of praying and receiving answers immediately, but now it seems like we can barely breakthrough.  Bible Study used to seem so exciting, but not so much now.  We know we are experiencing spiritual dryness. 

Good news!  God has a cure for this spiritual dryness. Remain where you are and call upon His Glorious Name and He will answer.  He sees us through our dry times.  We come out better and more full of wisdom that before.  We have an exciting testimony to share and can praise the Lord for His goodness.  The Lord enables us to help others during their times of dryness. 

March 11th, 2018

Solomon’s Porch

“The apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders among the people.  And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade.” Acts 5:24

We see that this place, Solomon’s Porch, was a place of Old Covenant weeping and mourning, according to Joel.  It was also a place of New Covenant miracles.  We have this spiritual Solomon’s Porch – a place of access and entrance where we can gather together in unity and as we pray, we intercede, we weep between that porch and altar, we find it is the place of the miraculous.  In that spiritual space we come – we go up to the House of the Lord, we enter in, we have illumination of Truth by the Spirit, and we offer our spiritual sacrifices to the Lord.  He calls us at times to weep, for “there is a time to weep and a time to laugh,” according to Eccl. 3:4.  As we come forth with the tears of sorrow from God’s broken heart and offer them to Him, He responds.  He responds powerfully.  He responds lovingly.  He responds miraculously.  He breaks chains that bind.  He takes our tears and uses them to overcome strongholds that hinder us, hinder our loved ones, and hinder our communities.    

Who will come and weep?  Who will sow tears of sorrow to reap morning joy?  Who will present the lost to the Lord?  Who will come forward with the brokenhearted and present them to God?  Who will cry for the lives taken at horrific events?  Who will travail in tears for this community, for this country?  Who will come to the place of the miraculous and present the prisoner for freedom, the afflicted for healing, the oppressed for freedom? 

When we meet in unity and agreement at this spiritual Solomon’s Porch, sign and wonders can occur.  When we spend ourselves in prayer and we weep, Jesus lovingly responds.  He goes where we cannot go and does what we cannot do.  He shows Himself for who he is and we stand in awe.