Sibling Rivalry

Every family has it. There's no getting around it. Well I'll admit it, I'm green with envy, I'm purple with jealousy. Why am I jealous? Am I envious of your churches, no. Or your degrees, no. How about the number of people that flock to you, no. Is it that you are honored by men, or have big houses, or the finest cars, no. These are nice things, and blessing from God. What then is my problem?

I am jealous of all the children who know God better than I. Has God shown you a vision? Then I am jealous. Have you been to heaven, or been shown a mystery of God? Then I am jealous. When you pray, does the Spirit move and the presence of the Lord come in power? Then I am jealous. Have you felt the power of the Fathers love, or the power to heal and deliver? Do you know His voice, and hold conversations with Him? Does He show you things to come? Then I am jealous.

You see, I want to steal His heart. I want His attention. I want to be the apple of His eye. The favorite son, the one to who He can visit, and talk and explain the mysterys of the universe. Or just to have me sit in His presence. To soak in His goodness and love. When He wants something done, or wants to speak to His people, I want to be His messenger. I want to be the boy He wants me to be. "Send me" is my hearts desire. What then shall I do? Will I throw up my hands in defeat, are there to many sons for Him to single me out? Not for a moment! I know a secret! I have found a way! I know how to stop God in His tracks, to have Him hear my voice above all the others!

I will worship Him! This is the secret, this will cause Him to stop all activity's, to hush the angel's, to take a brake in the meetings. I will worship Him! He will cancel His appointments, and leave His work, and will come to see and hear my cry for the heart of my Father. I will worship Him! He will answer me with His presence. He will fill my heart with goodness and His joy. I will worship Him! He will supply all my needs and show Himself strong on my behalf. And I will worship Him again!

So if you are ever in a service and the presence of the Lord comes, consider. Before you credit the preaching. Or the saintly people, or the beautiful music and wonderful choir. It may not be the number of people or their fine cloths. Look around and see, their may be a stranger in your midst. Or it may be one of your own number. One who also found my secret. Church be very aware. Their is a WORSHIPER THERE!!

The Peculiar People

There is a people in the earth that are not citizens of this world. They are from another place. They are born from above. They are filled with the Spirit of the Almighty. They walk in victory in all situations. The Lord is with them to strengthen them and to guide them into all truth and wisdom. They know no defeat, they are not weary, but are renewed day by day, hour by hour, and moment to moment.

The Father's love flows through them, and the joy of the Lord wells up in them. They speak with other tongues and get revelation concerning the will and purposes of God. The Holy Spirit is manifest in power to reveal the secrets of mens hearts. To show the things of God, to give understanding to their minds. To transform them into the image of Jesus.

They lay hands on the sick and they recover. They cast out devils in the name of Jesus, and God is glorified. These are the worshipers of the Lord. And God leads them out in peace, and fullness of joy. The word of their God is in there mouth and in their mind and in their heart. They count it a joy to bring the lost to the living God, and savoir of their souls. The redeemer of men the Lord Jesus Christ.

These walk in newness of life, the very life of God. They fear neither men nor demons nor plagues or any thing present or yet to come. They are safe in the love of God through Jesus the Lord. The Lord is their sheppard and they have no lack. Their's is the love of the Father, that hastens to do His will. Their's is the trust to follow where ever He leads. With out questions or explaination. Only rejoicing to hear His voice, and do His bidding.

These are the sons of the Most High God. Born of the Spirit, through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is their heritage, to do the works prepared for them before the world came into being, by the Father. To show forth His glorious riches to those who believe in His Son.

Eternal View

I was reading a book that was trying to explain how if we travel at the speed of light time is reduced to the eternal moment. This stuff is way over my head at this time. (I guess I need to speed up!) Anyway, we know that God lives in eternity, or timelessness, the eternal moment. Which brings up this question. If God from his perspective sees the end as well as there beginning, why don't we ask for his leading? Are we confident that God knows what he's doing and how to get it done? If we are, then it's a question of why don't we see that anything else is futile?

We must agree that if we know the outcome of any event, we have a huge advantage over the people who don't have this information. Like a tape of some horse race that ran last week. It is obvious foreknowledge is worth a great deal. This forknowledge is available to us through the Holy Spirit, God in us. He also knows the end from the beginning, being God. In whatever situation we find ourselves, at any time or place, God has already seen it and has provided for his plan for his purpose.

Jesus gave the admonishion to "follow me", I believe the Spirit also says, "follow me". The ways of God are consistent. It appears to me that the best work we can apply ourselves to is to learn the voice, and the urging of the Spirit. We are severely handicaped with out the skill to dissern the work and word of the Spirit. I would venture to say, we could do excedingly great and marvious things, if we will take the time and effort to lean on the Spirit.

The down side is if we won't "follow me", the Spirit, just like Jesus, will go and find someone else who will. The harlots, and sinners, and the heathen, will enter before the righteous. Just like in the walk of Jesus, he didn't strive with the blind guides to the blind. He left them, and went "his way". The Spirit also, will leave, and go "his way". We will not convince God to do it our way, it will be "his way", or no way. Yes, you will be saved, but you will lose your reward.

There is a lot of talk on "what is good preaching". I will have my say. Good preaching is when a man of God opens his mouth and says "Father, and the whole place is filled with the glory of the Lord, and the people are slain under His power. And the people are weeping for mercy, or shouting for joy. And the Lord is worshiped, and the awe of the Lord fills the hearts". That's good preaching!

Stop, Look, and Listen

This is a questioning post. I'm not at all sure where it leads, it's just something that has been rolling around in my spirit. The bible speaks of Christ and the Church, in the same relationship as a husband and wife. The women seem to grasp this easier than men. That they have a partner who is better equiped to handle a lot of the problems that come up in living. It appears to me that this attitude of Deferring to Another is a grace that men need in their walk and work in the Lord.

Beyond all dispute the women of God have had a great impact for Christ. They learn early in life to make a conscious decision to "let him handle it". This is a vital part of the christian walk. In our manly life this is contary to "being the man". Of Moses it was said he was the humblest of men. To me that translates into, "the least self-assertive". Or "always willing to be seen and not heard". Prefering to let another "handle it".

The role of the Holy Spirit in our lifes is to be "the helper", but if we are already running ahead of him, then his work is voided, and we are left to our own devices. We all as christians possess knowledge, but knowledge puffs up, love builds up. Jesus didn't preach the sermon on the mound in the temple! In other words, there is a time and a place for every truth. And a truth for every place. But they are not the same, and are not for the same people.

The whole point is to "be led by the spirit". Then our work will be effective, and the kingdom will be established, both for us and for others. The starting place is to be "committed" to following the leading, and waiting for the leading of the Spirit. If we aren't committed, then when we are led we will not recognize his leading. The conscious decision to stop and listen, waiting for an uction to speak, or to do what we're led. In becoming familiar with the "still small voice" of the Spirit, we will grow to mature obedience, and instant response.

The Lord gives us many opprotunities in our lives, in small things, in ordinary everyday life. We need to turn our attention to him, and wait for him, and hear and do what we're told or perceive in our hearts. To fail is not the issue, to learn is the goal. So that we will be of more use to the Lord. Not to try is the worst thing. Our trust in the Lord's leading will grow. So as we live in Him, let's be conscious of His presence in us. And look inward, to hear, and to see what, if any thing we should say or do. Making it a habit to "stop, look, and listen", before we run off ahead.

What You Looking At

This is the problem with us, we're looking at ourselves. Why look at us? We have been told to look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. If we only see us, then we will see lack, confusion, and mission impossible! The word is a mirror of us, the image is that of Jesus and the work of the Spirit and the word.

Philemon 6, "That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus".

We want our faith to be effectual and change us into the image of Christ. We want the blessing in the word to become manifest in the world. This is the way; to speak and believe the word. To say, I am the righteousness of God in Christ. I am blessed with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places. I am more than a conqueror, I have peace with God. I am a son of the Almighty. And as many promises as there are, they are Yes, and Amen in Jesus.

We are the God class of being, speak those things that are not, as though they were, and you shall have what-so-ever you say, according to the word and will of God. The Father delights to hear his word on our lips and in our mouth, and in our hearts.

What right do we have? The Holy Spirit! He lives in us. We need to learn to live from the "inside out". To draw from the well of salvation with joy. And to bring forth the gifts and calling of God that has been placed in us in our spirit by God. To sing spiritual songs, to prophesy forth the purposes of God. And to acknowledge every good thing which is in us in Christ Jesus.

Don't look at your lack, look at Christ's sufficient supply. Wisdom? It's in Him. Health, it's in Him. Strength, it's in Him. What ever you need, it's in Him. Your life is in Him. And all the promises to you will be fulfilled, in Him who lives in you. Focus on Him, he is the force and the power and the life that is in us. If God be for us, who can be against us?

How Far To Go

We all know the history of Abraham, how he became the father of faith. He believed that what God had promised him, God was able to perform, and gave glory to God. He didn't consider that even though his body and Sarah's were as good as dead, that the promise would fail.

I read a testimony of a brother; he had asked the Lord for a healing in his body. He told the Lord that he was resting on the promise and not considering his body. He was standing on Romans 4:19 (Abraham)"and not being weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about a hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb".

When after a time nothing had changed, but was in the same condition, he inquired of the Lord. "I'm lying here and not considering anything and nothing is happening". The Lord spoke, "that's your problem. You are not considering anything. Why don't you consider me?" He did and was healed. His problem is like our's, we don't go far enough. Turning our thoughts off of the natural and focusing on God.

A New Way

Maybe I'm slow or dull, but I've seen something a little clearer today. It's not new or anything, and yet it is new in my understanding. I've tried to take the Word of God and apply it to all areas of my life. Not dividing it into secular, and spiritual, but a total view. Last night the admonition of "bringing the body into subjection", "casting down strongholds", "putting off the old man", and other scriptures of "works of the flesh", were brought to my mind.

In the past I would always make a resolution, or commit to working on different areas of struggle, and to some how walk more circumspectly. This would be an act of my will, and would only bring either temporary relief, or total disgust. This I think is an area of much sorrow and confusion in the body of christ.

As I was thinking something was dropped into my mind. The Lord has called us overcomers by, "the blood of the lamb, and the word of our testimony". "This is the victory, even our faith". This is "a new way". Generally we applaud those who have made great strides in God. And hold them in honor, and esteem them as something beyond our ability. And in a sense we are right, but it was also beyond there ability too.

God has made the way, and it's "the way of grace through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, so that no man may boast on the day of the Lord". Paul in his letters plainly says that it was the Spirit of grace that was given to him that does the work. So then if there is no boasting of man, then it's all the work of Grace!

For some reason (confusion) I thought that the works of the flesh were some kind of test, to see how much we loved God. Or how committed we were, or how strong we were, or a number of other lies. I don't remember ever thinking, that if I can do it, then who is getting the glory? Is it by my striving, strenght, or will power? Even if I could, then it's become a "work of the flesh"!

I just never "got it" when the flesh was mentioned I thought that was my job. The rest was the Lord's job. Wrong. It's always my job to believe, and to ask for the grace to overcome my flesh, and it's always the Lord's job to acomplish the work by the Spirit! It's no different than asking the Lord to heal a brother. We ask according to his will, the word, and the Lord answers in his love and grace. He's the one who set up this system, and He's the one who gets the Glory!

The weapons of our warfare are "mighty through God", to remove all obstacles. It's the "through God" that I was not seeing, amazing! Just because it said "flesh" I would switch out of the realm of the spirit and faith, and strive in the flesh, dumb, no more of that. Christ is my victory and the captain of my flesh, He will give, and has provided me the victory.

Can't Touch It

The way God made a blood covenant with Abraham is quite instructive to us as christians. There are a lot of firsts, which reveal the plan of God. I want to look at the way each participated in the ceremony. God told Abraham to get the animals and to prepare them. After he did he watched over them awaiting God.

Before God showed up He caused Abraham to go into a deep sleep. As the sun was setting the Lord showed up and walked through the sacrifice alone. By this He was showing Abraham that God himself would both make the promise, and by Himself fulfill the promise. Abraham's only participation was to hear and understand, and Believe. He was not allowed to touch it, to try to help God, or to have any part in bringing the blessings and will of God to pass. Only to believe!

In the beginning of Abram's walk with God, he was told to leave his people, and land, and follow God to a place that God would show him. Abram did as he was told. But in this case he was not told to do anything. The lesson here is for us to do what we know God has spoke for us to do, and to leave to God those things that God alone can do. We sometimes assume that unless we are busy about the things of God nothing will get done. But usually it is us trying to do God's work, in our own strength. We can't do God's job.

The promises of God can only be fulfilled by God. So believe the word, and hold to your confession, and then rest in the Lord. For He alone can and will bring it to pass. Give yourself a brake and take a nap, so we're not in God's way when He shows up.

The Words of Eternal Life

When Jesus was teaching in Capernaum on his flesh being the bread that came from heaven, and his blood drink to eternal life, his disciples said, "this is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?" Jesus explained that, "The Spirit gives life, the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life". At this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. Jesus asked the Twelve. "You do not want to leave too, do you"? Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God."

The words of life are only found in the word of God. We also are believers, and know this is true. As we are about our lives we will hear a lot of words. Some from every source, the educator, the medical practice (who gave then the right to practice on live people?). Our friends, and the work place, TV, the radio. The news channel and the movies. In all of these there is no life. Confusion and death, lies, doubts and fears, or fantasy. There is also the voice of our own reasoning, and experiences. Or those we preceive to be an authority of some sort, congress man, judge, or some public office. Those who spout there own wisdom and etc. Enough already. Everyone has there own opinion. But there is only one truth and one source, and one author of eternal life, God.

The things that we think are true will affect our speaking. And our speaking will affect our actions. And our actions will affect our outcome in our life. If we want the blessings of God to abound abundantly in our lives, then our thinking, speaking, and acting will have to line up with what he has said. Again, only God's word brings life. Not what you think about what he said, not the experiences you had, not what your neighbor said about it, or your grandma, or even the pastor. Only and exactly what God has said. Any thing else can't produce life. Everything else is useless at best, and death at the worst.

Do you know of any thing that needs life? Ezekiel was shown a valley of dead bones. And God told him to speak words of life to them, and they lived. Do your children need life, then as Ezekiel, speak life to them, and in your prayers. Speak life to your body if it's sick or weak. Speak the words of life to your job, your dreams, your hopes. Put the word of faith to whatever you need. And all that the Lord has promised to you. Search the scriptures and prophesy to yourself that these promises will surely come to pass in your life. Claim your inheritance, God has told us to put him in rememerance of his word. He delights in our faith in his word, and will answer to show himself strong on our behalf. The words of God can revive a valley of dry bones, and they can surely resurrect any dead thing in our lifetime.

Shall I find faith when I Return

Have faith in God. What a declaration. I know that we as christians are determined to see that Jesus does. Yet I want to take it out of our narrow view. Do we believe that the church is all that it was designed to be. I would say if we poled a 100 not 10 would say that it is. Is this a problem? Or are we anxious that we're missing it? How many of the programs in our churchs are there to relieve the stress of spiritual impotence? In other words, do we busy ourselves to convince ourselves that we are "doing all we can"?

Will I think we can find a better way. The world evaluates there products by sales and popularity. If something sells, they make more. If not it gets scraped and another takes it's place. A lot of busyness to find something that works. We have an unchangeable product (faith in God). The times and seasons of man were ordained by God. There is nothing that has taken God by suprise. These times were known to Him in ages past. Do we trust that he has provided all that is necessary for us to go forth in the victory and power of the gospel.

We are instructed to "be carefull and anxious in nothing". Why, because we "have faith in God". These days have not slipped up and caught God by suprise. The days of distress are the days of the glory of the Lord. Think about Joseph, in a prison, and taken to the throne. Or Israel in slavery to egypt, and taken to a land flowing with milk and honey. Look at Jesus, who was born after 400 yrs. of silence from heaven. Then the disciples who watched him die. All hope appeared lost. Wrong, the worst times are the times for the Glory of God to be manifest!

So this I say, don't fear the things that appear and come on the earth. Rather lift up your praise to God and thank him for his faithfulness to deliever, and to heal, and to save. Thank him for his mighty acts and wonderous deeds in the midst of this present darkness. Give glory to him for his power to cause all things to work for his purposes, the redeeming of all things into one authority, even Jesus. "There is no plan or councel that can prevent the will and purposes of God". Let us hold fast our faith, and see the salvation of the Lord!

The Confidence of God

What does the Creator of the universe, and all that is in it, place His confidence in? According to Jesus, and the scriptures, it's the word of God. The Word of His power. God is quite confident that the stars will shine in the sky. That all the constellations are present and accounted for. That their planets and moons are in their orbits. That everything is working just as He told them to in their creation. All of this He accomplished by the word of His power.

Let's bring this to our level. That which concerns us, the word and work of God in salvation and redemption of man. As christians we sometime forget that all of creation was by His word. We get so focused on His word to us we look at the heavens, and may not realize that they are a witness to, the word of God. I am glad the Lord reminded me, are you standing on the word of God? Then the heavens are telling you, rest assured, it shall come to pass. On what grounds? The word of God.

No wonder Jesus often had to rebuke his disciples for their lack of faith. Jesus is the Word of God, made manifest in the flesh. He for ages past had spoken, stars, and planets, moons and untold numbers of galaxies into being by His word, and was amazed at their unbelief. Their problem, and ours, is that they didn't know that; whatever He said would come to pass.

The church at large is still slow to believe, I know I have been. Even the advancements I have made is as nothing compared to the unshakeable, infallible, and unfailing words of the power of God. Our minds can't fathom the fact that every word of God will accomplish that for which it was sent, and will not return void. Our hearts get a glimps of it, because the Holy Ghost lives in us, and shows us the things of Jesus.

I ask you, what could be better than knowledge of the Word of God? Jesus said, "it's better for you that I go away, that the Comforter (Holy Spirit) will come to you, and will be with you and live in you". The Spirit of God, that is who is better for us! The Spirit of God is the one who works to bring to pass the Word of the Lord. His job discription is; the Word of God Manifestor! He brings to pass the word, Jesus said; "unless you are born of the Spirit, you can't enter the kingdom of God". The Spirit births in us the life of God. That is only the beginning of our life in God.

Paul in Romans wrote; "I am not ashamed (confident) of the gospel of Christ, it is the power of God unto salvation". The gospel of Jesus sacrifice for our sin, and the resurection from the dead, for our being made alive unto God. This word of the Lord is accomplished in us by the Holy Spirit. As we started in Him, let's walk in Him. Man cannot work the word of God, God the Spirit does the work. We would fail, the Spirit never fails, and will bring it to pass. We are to obey the word, and to act on it, but the Spirit brings it to pass.

It is written; "He that began a good work in you will surely bring it to completion". This is the Confidence of God, that the Spirit will bring that word of promise to pass. Paul said; "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagaine, according to HIS POWER that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen".

Have Love one for Another

Jesus said by having love one for another, the world would know we are His disciples. I have not found that walking in love towards first the brethern, and then the world to be a hard thing. On the contary it's when we are blindsided and get out of love that we have problems. The way of love will cause us to believe the best of people, and for people that we deal with in our everyday life. The beauty of love is it always hopes, always trusts, always propects, and always perseveres. Love never fails. Love is patient, love is kind.

This is the goal of the mature christian, to love as Christ loves. This is a love that is moved with compassion toward the hurting, sick, blind, and bound. A love that is compelled to find a way, to meet the needs of man. To turn the world to God, the world will have to see His love in us. Then it will be said of us, "I what what you have". We are to show forth the beauty of the love of God.

The love of God will remove all fear, it is a powerful force, by it Jesus was made our sacrifice. And by it we will become like Him. Without love we are a clanging noise. If we will yield to the moving of the Spirit (moved by compassion) we will see the manifestations of the love of God in our midst. The world is watching in hope, to see if we have something that will make a difference for good in life. They are awaiting the sons of God to show the power of His love. Indeed the people of the world will come and join our number when they see the love of God manifest in our lives.

Do you want to do great things for your King? Then follow after love, grow in the love of God. Do good to all men, and speak kindly as you proclaim the word of life. But above all love the Lord your God fervently. And be filled with the Spirit (the love). God is love, not has love, if you have love, you have God. God gives us of Himself, the love is Him!

Living Large

For we as christians to live, "life's of quiet desperation", is not an option! The way to full-hearted life starts with God. This is the first place to go, "thou shalt love the Lord with all thine heart, all thine soul, and all thy mind, and all thy strength". If we will obey this command with a zeal and a fervent spirit, then we will have the confidence to Large Living in every area of Life. This inspires, and energises, and gives us boldness in our everyday walk. To know that God watches over us affectionately. And is working on our behalf, because we have made Him the reason for the rest of our labor.

"From the days of John the Baptist until now the kindom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force". When we are hole-heartedly in love with God, then we can wrestle in life to drive back the darkness, and show forth the true light. There is much talk about,"leaving it up to God". You can't leave up to the Lord what he has left up to you. You want victory, it's yours, but you have to wrestle it from the devil. Have you been told to do something, then you have to become violent and see that it gets done.

When you committ your life to the love of God, you will receive a boldness, and authority in the name of Jesus that will work the works of God in your life. There will be no doubt, no questions, no wondering, just simple and undeniable and unstopable faith. And the victory's will be manifest in your life. You cannot worship God and be weak, or fearful, or unbelieving. You will know the way to go, and you will walk in victory all the time.

Did you know that God's desire is for you to always have victory? It is, the Holy Spirit of God knows no defeat, and He lives in us to give us the victory. Jesus purchased our total redemption. There is nothing lacking. The whole of heaven is waiting for us to wake up and walk in the fulness of the sons of God. It's "Christ in you, the hope of Glory". Let Christ arise in us and put away the works of the devil in our generation.