1Jn 1:5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
God is light.
There is NO darkness in God at all!
Psa 104:1 Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty.
Psa 104:2 Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain
Covers Himself with light as with a garment- clothed with honor and majesty.
2Co 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Rev 21:23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.
Truly, beyond the word light meaning mental enlightenment, it means- light - physical illumination. Physical light and mental understanding. Light truly does reveal life around us. Have someone blindfold you and lead you to an undisclosed location. Once there have them keep you in darkness but take your blindfold off. Being in complete darkness you have NO clue what is surrounding you. You don't know if you take a step forward if you'll trip over something, bump into something, fall into something, you're clueless. Darkness hides our surroundings. Once we are used to living in the light, used to using light to know what is around us, dependent upon the light to keep us from the harm darkness can bring, it's very difficult to be told you must live in darkness. People who live sin-filled lives often long for darkness to hide what they're doing. Physically no one wishes to be totally blind, even the blind wish for ways to reverse that blindness. Spiritually there are many who love being blind-
Joh 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
Sin brings darkness. Sin destroys the light. When we choose to walk in darkness we choose to walk in sin. Choosing to walk in light is to walk in the glory of God, in the path that God wills us to walk in Him.
1Jn 1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
1Jn 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
1Jn 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1Jn 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
We have to walk in the way of God- not sinning. Even then we cannot declare ourselves to be sinless because we don't have that power in us. We have to confess our sins to our Savior and He will forgive us and cleanse us.
Man before choosing salvation cannot be saved without accepting Jesus as his Savior. Man cannot WORK to save himself- not now, not ever.
Man after accepting salvation must live a life that glorifies the salvation he has received- his life will reflect the glory of God, he must walk in the light of God.
Man walks in darkness before Salvation- spiritual darkness and they can NEVER walk in the Spiritual light of our Savior without first making Him their Savior.
If we choose to walk in darkness after we have been saved, we don't really walk in the light of Christ, we are not living a life in Christ and if we are not living a life in Christ- the blood of our Savior cannot cleanse us from our sins.
Our works will not save us, but we know for a fact that faith without works is dead. Is it sad so many who become Christians - truly accepting the sacrifice of our Lord- turn around and continue to live the same sin-filled life. They don't fully understand that their new faith will have new works resulting from that faith- they don't want to 'work' for their salvation they claim, but that's not what is meant at all by being saved by grace not of works. Their new works will be a life in the light of Christ, living as He lived, loving as He would have us love, not living a life of sinning because He did not sin. We have to walk in the light- live in the light, if we are living in darkness and our lives are filled with sin we KNOW we are not walking in the light. We have to confess those sins, we have to repent of those sins, we have to go and sin no more as we actively seek to live in Christ's light through His grace.
All glory, praise, and honor to our King!
By His mercy now and forever!
Amen.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Simple concerning evil
Rom 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
Rom 16:18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
Rom 16:19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.
Rom 16:20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
Being among contention is never pleasant, or at least it isn't pleasant to me. Would I knowingly put myself among those who only wish to cause division and offense ? I hope not. Some consider jumping into the fray of witnessing about their beliefs a noble thing. Some could careless what others think and long for the fight just to be able to say they stood up for their beliefs. It is a good thing to be able to stand up for what you believe in, but it's not a good thing to purposely insert yourself into a situation where you know others have already decided against your beliefs. For them to have decided against your beliefs they most likely have had enough information to make that decision - the witness was already given to them, maybe not by you but by others. Am I saying we shouldn't witness? No. Our lives are to be a living witness to others. To purposely try to incite those who choose not to believe as you do is NEVER a good thing.
Here Paul is beseeching his brethren in Christ telling them to MARK- to take note of - those who cause divisions, those who commit offenses that are against the truths they have learned. Why is Paul telling them to make note of these people? So they can AVOID them. Not so they can continue to witness to them. AVOID.
Webster's terms Avoid as follows--
Avoid
AVOID', v.t. [Eng. side, void, widow; L. vidua, vito, evito. See Void.]
To shun; to keep at a distance from; that is, literally, to go or be wide from; as, to avoid the company of gamesters.
~~
Shun them, keep away from them. That doesn't sound very Christian like, but it is. There will ALWAYS be those opposed to our Savior, opposed to Christ's way, opposed to the truth and we aren't to put ourselves purposely into situation with them thinking by some miraculous way they'll suddenly convert. If we happen to find ourselves in that situation that's a different thing but to purposely enter into a situation of contention with those who have already had access to learning the truths of Christ is us only asking for trouble.
Rom 16:18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
They serve their own belly…
Belly-
G2836
koilia
koy-lee'-ah
From κοῖλος koilos (“hollow”); a cavity, that is, (specifically) the abdomen; by implication the matrix; figuratively the heart: - belly, womb.
They serve their OWN heart, their own desires and not Christ's. Whenever any one of us serves ourselves before we serve Christ we are in danger. We need to avoid those whose only concern is themselves. We need to avoid those who speak eloquently in deception pointing other away from Christ.
I've had the opportunity to catch a few- not many, but a few- late night Christian television programs - watching bits of them and I was saddened to listen to these VERY eloquent people using Christ's name to support self-serving, self-advancement, self-wealth, self-love. They twist things to make them appealing to those who want to put self first and have an advantage in life through their pretended, and deceptive walks with Christ. Many love to listen to these preachers, they absolutely LOVE them because they placate them that they are fine and walking in God's plan by being prosperous and serving themselves first and foremost. God will grant them riches, God will bless them if they follow simple rules. There is nothing in their sermons about adhering to the 10 sacred commandments of God, and if they are mentioned it's only to subvert their true meaning to make them more acceptable to the sinners who want to keep on sinning and still be saved. Men and women everywhere are deceived- the hearts of the simple are deceived! We are NOT to put ourselves into situations that are contrary to the truths we've learned of our Lord and Savior. We are NOT to tempt God that way. And it is tempting God to do something He clearly would have us not do and expect Him to keep us from being deceived. We have to FOLLOW God, not test Him. If we find ourselves in a bad situation without purposely seeking that bad situation- yes, God will protect us. But we can't 'throw ourselves down off a wall' figuratively, any more than Jesus could when He was tempted to do so.
Rom 16:19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.
Rom 16:20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
Wise unto that which is good.
Simple concerning evil.
God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with us.
Wise unto that which is good.
Simple concerning evil.
Php 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
We aren't to think on the evil things. Evil surrounds us daily in many, many forms but we need to think on the good things, be wise to the good- whatsoever is TRUE, HONEST,JUST,PURE,LOVELY, GOOD REPORT, VIRTUE, PRAISE- think on these things.
If we spent more time in our day to day lives seeking to think about the good things do you think our lives would be different?
Too often our minds focus on the evil things. I'm not saying we are to be UNAWARE of the signs of the times around us- we must be. I'm not saying we aren't to note the evil in the world, we have to. I'm not saying that we can't be concerned about Satan and his deceptive way- we have to watch and be ready. But we have to WATCH not study , not participate in, not delve deeply into the evil. We are to note the evil and be *simple* concerning the evil- not absorbing it into our lives. We are to be WISE to the good. We are to knowledgeable, we are to study, we are to participate in, we are to delve very deeply into the good things of God.
It's so much easier to be caught up in the depressive sickness of our corrupt, very evil world, than it is to find the good in this horrifically evil existence. If we keep Christ ever before us that means keeping the good before us, the salvation that is found with our Savior is the most wondrous thing we can be wise towards. The righteousness of Christ, not the hopelessness of self-salvation should be our focus.
Satan is defeated! Praise God! All the evil works of Satan are defeated. The head of the serpent will be cut off soon and death will be swallowed up in the victory of Christ, our Lord, our Savior!
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
Rom 16:18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
Rom 16:19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.
Rom 16:20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
Being among contention is never pleasant, or at least it isn't pleasant to me. Would I knowingly put myself among those who only wish to cause division and offense ? I hope not. Some consider jumping into the fray of witnessing about their beliefs a noble thing. Some could careless what others think and long for the fight just to be able to say they stood up for their beliefs. It is a good thing to be able to stand up for what you believe in, but it's not a good thing to purposely insert yourself into a situation where you know others have already decided against your beliefs. For them to have decided against your beliefs they most likely have had enough information to make that decision - the witness was already given to them, maybe not by you but by others. Am I saying we shouldn't witness? No. Our lives are to be a living witness to others. To purposely try to incite those who choose not to believe as you do is NEVER a good thing.
Here Paul is beseeching his brethren in Christ telling them to MARK- to take note of - those who cause divisions, those who commit offenses that are against the truths they have learned. Why is Paul telling them to make note of these people? So they can AVOID them. Not so they can continue to witness to them. AVOID.
Webster's terms Avoid as follows--
Avoid
AVOID', v.t. [Eng. side, void, widow; L. vidua, vito, evito. See Void.]
To shun; to keep at a distance from; that is, literally, to go or be wide from; as, to avoid the company of gamesters.
~~
Shun them, keep away from them. That doesn't sound very Christian like, but it is. There will ALWAYS be those opposed to our Savior, opposed to Christ's way, opposed to the truth and we aren't to put ourselves purposely into situation with them thinking by some miraculous way they'll suddenly convert. If we happen to find ourselves in that situation that's a different thing but to purposely enter into a situation of contention with those who have already had access to learning the truths of Christ is us only asking for trouble.
Rom 16:18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
They serve their own belly…
Belly-
G2836
koilia
koy-lee'-ah
From κοῖλος koilos (“hollow”); a cavity, that is, (specifically) the abdomen; by implication the matrix; figuratively the heart: - belly, womb.
They serve their OWN heart, their own desires and not Christ's. Whenever any one of us serves ourselves before we serve Christ we are in danger. We need to avoid those whose only concern is themselves. We need to avoid those who speak eloquently in deception pointing other away from Christ.
I've had the opportunity to catch a few- not many, but a few- late night Christian television programs - watching bits of them and I was saddened to listen to these VERY eloquent people using Christ's name to support self-serving, self-advancement, self-wealth, self-love. They twist things to make them appealing to those who want to put self first and have an advantage in life through their pretended, and deceptive walks with Christ. Many love to listen to these preachers, they absolutely LOVE them because they placate them that they are fine and walking in God's plan by being prosperous and serving themselves first and foremost. God will grant them riches, God will bless them if they follow simple rules. There is nothing in their sermons about adhering to the 10 sacred commandments of God, and if they are mentioned it's only to subvert their true meaning to make them more acceptable to the sinners who want to keep on sinning and still be saved. Men and women everywhere are deceived- the hearts of the simple are deceived! We are NOT to put ourselves into situations that are contrary to the truths we've learned of our Lord and Savior. We are NOT to tempt God that way. And it is tempting God to do something He clearly would have us not do and expect Him to keep us from being deceived. We have to FOLLOW God, not test Him. If we find ourselves in a bad situation without purposely seeking that bad situation- yes, God will protect us. But we can't 'throw ourselves down off a wall' figuratively, any more than Jesus could when He was tempted to do so.
Rom 16:19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.
Rom 16:20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
Wise unto that which is good.
Simple concerning evil.
God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with us.
Wise unto that which is good.
Simple concerning evil.
Php 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
We aren't to think on the evil things. Evil surrounds us daily in many, many forms but we need to think on the good things, be wise to the good- whatsoever is TRUE, HONEST,JUST,PURE,LOVELY, GOOD REPORT, VIRTUE, PRAISE- think on these things.
If we spent more time in our day to day lives seeking to think about the good things do you think our lives would be different?
Too often our minds focus on the evil things. I'm not saying we are to be UNAWARE of the signs of the times around us- we must be. I'm not saying we aren't to note the evil in the world, we have to. I'm not saying that we can't be concerned about Satan and his deceptive way- we have to watch and be ready. But we have to WATCH not study , not participate in, not delve deeply into the evil. We are to note the evil and be *simple* concerning the evil- not absorbing it into our lives. We are to be WISE to the good. We are to knowledgeable, we are to study, we are to participate in, we are to delve very deeply into the good things of God.
It's so much easier to be caught up in the depressive sickness of our corrupt, very evil world, than it is to find the good in this horrifically evil existence. If we keep Christ ever before us that means keeping the good before us, the salvation that is found with our Savior is the most wondrous thing we can be wise towards. The righteousness of Christ, not the hopelessness of self-salvation should be our focus.
Satan is defeated! Praise God! All the evil works of Satan are defeated. The head of the serpent will be cut off soon and death will be swallowed up in the victory of Christ, our Lord, our Savior!
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Borrowed Armor
Borrowed Armor-
Saul wanted David to wear His armor to fight Goliath. David had no armor of his own, being a simple shepherd he had no need to wear armor. Imagine it, David, a simple shepherd conversing with the king of Israel being told he could wear the king's armor- in fact the king put his own helmet of brass upon David's head and he had him put on his coat of mail. Then David picked up the king's sword and put it on the armor and then what did he do? He looked at the king of Israel himself and told him that he could not wear the king's armor. He could not accept this honor bestowed upon him.
1Sa 17:38 And Saul armed David with his armour, and he put an helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail.
1Sa 17:39 And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him.
David was no awestruck shepherd boy cowering under his king's gaze as he took off the armor the king put on him. Here he was ready to face the most fearful of all Philistine warriors- a warrior that NO other in all of the Israeli army would dare to face. In fact for a whole 40 days Goliath- the Philistine champion- offered the Philistine army to the one who could defeat him. No Israeli warrior dared take up the challenge- because the price if he lost was the surrender of the Israeli army.
1Sa 17:8 And he stood and cried unto the armies of Israel, and said unto them, Why are ye come out to set your battle in array? am not I a Philistine, and ye servants to Saul? choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me.
1Sa 17:9 If he be able to fight with me, and to kill me, then will we be your servants: but if I prevail against him, and kill him, then shall ye be our servants, and serve us.
1Sa 17:10 And the Philistine said, I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together.
What a challenge! One no Israeli solider following Saul would answer- they were too afraid.
1Sa 17:11 When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid.
The king himself was VERY afraid.
Just imagine it- 40 days. A month and ten days, almost six weeks, day in and day out Goliath came to taunt the men in Saul's army. This was a standoff between two armies with one army giving a challenge for the other to meet.
Then along comes a shepherd boy. A SHEPHERD BOY. This shepherd boy wants to face this giant, he wants to answer the challenge and what is the king's reaction?
1Sa 17:33 And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.
You can't do this, you're too young, you're not a warrior, the king told him and David didn't back down. Instead David recounted his experience as a shepherd slaying a lion and a bear. And David did not boast to himself at all! David boasted of GOD. The LORD, he says, delivered him from the lion and from the bear. David knew that of his own strength he couldn't have defeated either the lion or the bear but God delivered Him from both. God saved Him. And if God could save him from vicious, man-eating animals he could deliver him from a human who defied the living God. David knew on his own he could NEVER defeat the giant, never. All the men of Saul's army were thinking not of God but of their own strength and they knew they didn't have the strength or skill to defeat Goliath. David knew he didn't have the strength or the skill either- but GOD had both!
1Sa 17:34 And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock:
1Sa 17:35 And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.
1Sa 17:36 Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.
1Sa 17:37 David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.
David didn't need to borrow Saul's armor to fight, he had God's armor.
We are told to have armor, aren't we?
Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God...
We DO need to borrow armor don't we? Seriously, don't we? We are to borrow God's armor!
We aren't told to put on a mastersmith's armor. We aren't told to go to the local Army Thrift store and pick up some used armor. We aren't told to craft our own armor. We are told plainly to PUT on the whole armor of GOD.
Was David garbed in God's armor when He faced Goliath?
Eph 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
Eph 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Eph 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Eph 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints
David was living in God's truth.
David was living in God's righteousness- not his own.
David was living in God's peace.
David had the shield of faith in God, of that there is NO doubt.
David wore the salvation of God.
David's spiritual sword truly was the Spirit of God and David did pray!
David did not wear his own armor to face Goliath, but he did wear the spiritual armor of God.
We aren't coming face to face with a Goliath- at least most of us aren't- but we ALL come face to face with principalities, with powers, with rulers of the darkness of this world, with spiritual wickedness in high places. No flesh and blood foe here for us (again, most of us) but spiritually wicked flesh, spiritually wicked blood- is it any wonder Christ offered us His spiritual flesh and His spiritual blood to defeat the spiritual wickedness in life. We are to eat His spiritual flesh and drink His spiritual blood- not his real flesh nor his real blood. When we eat and drink of Him we are taking on His Spirituality and it is ONLY His Spirituality that can defeat the wicked spirituality surrounding us. We must put on GOD'S spiritual armor- we must BORROW this armor from God. We must borrow it indefinitely until the spiritual warfare that exists - exists no more. It's not armor of our own making we can't save ourselves, we can't protect ourselves, we have to rely on God to do it ALL! The most we can do is PUT ON the armor- choose to wear God's armor. Choose God.
By His amazing mercy and grace always may we choose to borrow His armor!
Amen.
Saul wanted David to wear His armor to fight Goliath. David had no armor of his own, being a simple shepherd he had no need to wear armor. Imagine it, David, a simple shepherd conversing with the king of Israel being told he could wear the king's armor- in fact the king put his own helmet of brass upon David's head and he had him put on his coat of mail. Then David picked up the king's sword and put it on the armor and then what did he do? He looked at the king of Israel himself and told him that he could not wear the king's armor. He could not accept this honor bestowed upon him.
1Sa 17:38 And Saul armed David with his armour, and he put an helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail.
1Sa 17:39 And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him.
David was no awestruck shepherd boy cowering under his king's gaze as he took off the armor the king put on him. Here he was ready to face the most fearful of all Philistine warriors- a warrior that NO other in all of the Israeli army would dare to face. In fact for a whole 40 days Goliath- the Philistine champion- offered the Philistine army to the one who could defeat him. No Israeli warrior dared take up the challenge- because the price if he lost was the surrender of the Israeli army.
1Sa 17:8 And he stood and cried unto the armies of Israel, and said unto them, Why are ye come out to set your battle in array? am not I a Philistine, and ye servants to Saul? choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me.
1Sa 17:9 If he be able to fight with me, and to kill me, then will we be your servants: but if I prevail against him, and kill him, then shall ye be our servants, and serve us.
1Sa 17:10 And the Philistine said, I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together.
What a challenge! One no Israeli solider following Saul would answer- they were too afraid.
1Sa 17:11 When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid.
The king himself was VERY afraid.
Just imagine it- 40 days. A month and ten days, almost six weeks, day in and day out Goliath came to taunt the men in Saul's army. This was a standoff between two armies with one army giving a challenge for the other to meet.
Then along comes a shepherd boy. A SHEPHERD BOY. This shepherd boy wants to face this giant, he wants to answer the challenge and what is the king's reaction?
1Sa 17:33 And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.
You can't do this, you're too young, you're not a warrior, the king told him and David didn't back down. Instead David recounted his experience as a shepherd slaying a lion and a bear. And David did not boast to himself at all! David boasted of GOD. The LORD, he says, delivered him from the lion and from the bear. David knew that of his own strength he couldn't have defeated either the lion or the bear but God delivered Him from both. God saved Him. And if God could save him from vicious, man-eating animals he could deliver him from a human who defied the living God. David knew on his own he could NEVER defeat the giant, never. All the men of Saul's army were thinking not of God but of their own strength and they knew they didn't have the strength or skill to defeat Goliath. David knew he didn't have the strength or the skill either- but GOD had both!
1Sa 17:34 And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock:
1Sa 17:35 And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.
1Sa 17:36 Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.
1Sa 17:37 David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.
David didn't need to borrow Saul's armor to fight, he had God's armor.
We are told to have armor, aren't we?
Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God...
We DO need to borrow armor don't we? Seriously, don't we? We are to borrow God's armor!
We aren't told to put on a mastersmith's armor. We aren't told to go to the local Army Thrift store and pick up some used armor. We aren't told to craft our own armor. We are told plainly to PUT on the whole armor of GOD.
Was David garbed in God's armor when He faced Goliath?
Eph 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
Eph 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Eph 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Eph 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints
David was living in God's truth.
David was living in God's righteousness- not his own.
David was living in God's peace.
David had the shield of faith in God, of that there is NO doubt.
David wore the salvation of God.
David's spiritual sword truly was the Spirit of God and David did pray!
David did not wear his own armor to face Goliath, but he did wear the spiritual armor of God.
We aren't coming face to face with a Goliath- at least most of us aren't- but we ALL come face to face with principalities, with powers, with rulers of the darkness of this world, with spiritual wickedness in high places. No flesh and blood foe here for us (again, most of us) but spiritually wicked flesh, spiritually wicked blood- is it any wonder Christ offered us His spiritual flesh and His spiritual blood to defeat the spiritual wickedness in life. We are to eat His spiritual flesh and drink His spiritual blood- not his real flesh nor his real blood. When we eat and drink of Him we are taking on His Spirituality and it is ONLY His Spirituality that can defeat the wicked spirituality surrounding us. We must put on GOD'S spiritual armor- we must BORROW this armor from God. We must borrow it indefinitely until the spiritual warfare that exists - exists no more. It's not armor of our own making we can't save ourselves, we can't protect ourselves, we have to rely on God to do it ALL! The most we can do is PUT ON the armor- choose to wear God's armor. Choose God.
By His amazing mercy and grace always may we choose to borrow His armor!
Amen.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Overcoming the World
1Jn 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
1Jn 5:5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
Overcoming the world.
G3528
nikaō
nik-ah'-o
From G3529; to subdue (literally or figuratively): - conquer, overcome, prevail, get the victory.
Conquering the world.
Prevailing against the world.
Getting the victory over the world.
The world is our enemy. You only need to conquer an enemy. You only need to prevail against opposition. You only get victory when there is something to be victorious over, something to win and if something is won it's a given that something is lost. The world is the loser.
Our enemy, our opposition- the world.
A never ending battle is what we exist in. The war is raging on and the casualties are mounting even though the battle has been won.
Just recently during a study it was mentioned that on the cross the victory was won- Satan's head was crushed- the 'death blow' was given and yet Satan is still alive. Satan truly is the living-dead. Satan was defeated at the cross there is NO denying that, however until Jesus comes and the millennium passes Satan will live. The person giving the study made a good point using David and Goliath. A lot of people think that Goliath was killed by the stone that David threw from His sling but that's not true. The stone gave the death blow- incapacitating Goliath but it was David cutting off Goliath's head that finished him off. Cutting off a head doesn't make for a good children's story though- at least it didn't when I was a child. As a child the stories I heard were of David and his sling, the stone killing Goliath. I didn't see any pictures in my books of David cutting off Goliath's head, not a single one and yet that's what killed Goliath.
In Genesis 3:15 the prophecy is given- Gen 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
Hatred would exist between Satan and God's people. Hatred would exist between the seed of Satan and the Seed of God's people. The Seed of God's people would bruise the head of Satan, but Satan would only bruise the heel of the Seed of God's people.
Satan had Jesus- the Seed of God's people killed yet Jesus by the power of the Father was raised from the dead. Jesus has bruised Satan's head- the death blow has been given to Satan and all that remains is to cut off his head.
People wonder why God has allowed Satan to rule so long after Jesus won the victory at the cross. To everyone that has wondered and to everyone that continues to wonder- just their being alive and in a position to wonder, to question God is the answer. You and I, are the answer and it's not for some sadistic purpose on God's part. The entire story of our existence if put in some fantasy movie would have us cheering for the heroes- God's people, the good guys. We would watch this movie with fascination as these humans were brought to life and then fell from grace through the help of an enemy of the Creator. We would see them struggling to survive as this enemy infects as many people as he can trying to destroy all of mankind. We'd watch as the Savior was brought into the world and killed by the enemy- only to be brought back to life- winning! Then we'd be able to see the world continuing on and on as the enemy who has been defeated tries to take as many humans with him as possible. Ultimately we'd come to the grand finale where the enemy is wiped from existence and the good guys win by the victory of their Savior. What a fascinating move that would be- in fact people have used the theme countless times. There is an end to this existence, we are living in this story. Every single person has their part to play and in time it will all play out. Why this has gone on so long is because we are ALL precious to our Savior. We are all in this world able to wonder at all by the grace of our King. How can we debate our own existence? We can't, not really would wouldn't exist by our own logic. And if we really can't debate our existence we can't debate anyone else's. Each person that is born deserves life as much as we do, they deserve to exist.
Overcoming this world is a fact of our existence. Or rather a fact of the existence to those who wish to follow their Creator, their Redeemer. Those who choose to be friends with the world and not fight, not long to overcome the world ruled by Satan, won't. In fact the lovers of this world are in league with Satan and he will use them against us in any way he can.
This is a real war and though people might want to believe it's crazy to' believe' it's true and only wackos believe then those same people must classify Jesus as a wacko as well. Jesus didn't belong to this world and time and time again I know I touch on this point, but I can't help but do so.
Joh 17:15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
Joh 17:16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
Joh 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
We overcome this world through our Savior and ONLY through our Savior.
1Jn 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
1Jn 5:5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
Belief in our Savior. Faith in the Son of God and HIS victory on our behalf.
Let us cling to our Savior and live for Him, not for the world, not for anything in this world except for Christ and those who are His.
In His love!
Amen.
1Jn 5:5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
Overcoming the world.
G3528
nikaō
nik-ah'-o
From G3529; to subdue (literally or figuratively): - conquer, overcome, prevail, get the victory.
Conquering the world.
Prevailing against the world.
Getting the victory over the world.
The world is our enemy. You only need to conquer an enemy. You only need to prevail against opposition. You only get victory when there is something to be victorious over, something to win and if something is won it's a given that something is lost. The world is the loser.
Our enemy, our opposition- the world.
A never ending battle is what we exist in. The war is raging on and the casualties are mounting even though the battle has been won.
Just recently during a study it was mentioned that on the cross the victory was won- Satan's head was crushed- the 'death blow' was given and yet Satan is still alive. Satan truly is the living-dead. Satan was defeated at the cross there is NO denying that, however until Jesus comes and the millennium passes Satan will live. The person giving the study made a good point using David and Goliath. A lot of people think that Goliath was killed by the stone that David threw from His sling but that's not true. The stone gave the death blow- incapacitating Goliath but it was David cutting off Goliath's head that finished him off. Cutting off a head doesn't make for a good children's story though- at least it didn't when I was a child. As a child the stories I heard were of David and his sling, the stone killing Goliath. I didn't see any pictures in my books of David cutting off Goliath's head, not a single one and yet that's what killed Goliath.
In Genesis 3:15 the prophecy is given- Gen 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
Hatred would exist between Satan and God's people. Hatred would exist between the seed of Satan and the Seed of God's people. The Seed of God's people would bruise the head of Satan, but Satan would only bruise the heel of the Seed of God's people.
Satan had Jesus- the Seed of God's people killed yet Jesus by the power of the Father was raised from the dead. Jesus has bruised Satan's head- the death blow has been given to Satan and all that remains is to cut off his head.
People wonder why God has allowed Satan to rule so long after Jesus won the victory at the cross. To everyone that has wondered and to everyone that continues to wonder- just their being alive and in a position to wonder, to question God is the answer. You and I, are the answer and it's not for some sadistic purpose on God's part. The entire story of our existence if put in some fantasy movie would have us cheering for the heroes- God's people, the good guys. We would watch this movie with fascination as these humans were brought to life and then fell from grace through the help of an enemy of the Creator. We would see them struggling to survive as this enemy infects as many people as he can trying to destroy all of mankind. We'd watch as the Savior was brought into the world and killed by the enemy- only to be brought back to life- winning! Then we'd be able to see the world continuing on and on as the enemy who has been defeated tries to take as many humans with him as possible. Ultimately we'd come to the grand finale where the enemy is wiped from existence and the good guys win by the victory of their Savior. What a fascinating move that would be- in fact people have used the theme countless times. There is an end to this existence, we are living in this story. Every single person has their part to play and in time it will all play out. Why this has gone on so long is because we are ALL precious to our Savior. We are all in this world able to wonder at all by the grace of our King. How can we debate our own existence? We can't, not really would wouldn't exist by our own logic. And if we really can't debate our existence we can't debate anyone else's. Each person that is born deserves life as much as we do, they deserve to exist.
Overcoming this world is a fact of our existence. Or rather a fact of the existence to those who wish to follow their Creator, their Redeemer. Those who choose to be friends with the world and not fight, not long to overcome the world ruled by Satan, won't. In fact the lovers of this world are in league with Satan and he will use them against us in any way he can.
This is a real war and though people might want to believe it's crazy to' believe' it's true and only wackos believe then those same people must classify Jesus as a wacko as well. Jesus didn't belong to this world and time and time again I know I touch on this point, but I can't help but do so.
Joh 17:15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
Joh 17:16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
Joh 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
We overcome this world through our Savior and ONLY through our Savior.
1Jn 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
1Jn 5:5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
Belief in our Savior. Faith in the Son of God and HIS victory on our behalf.
Let us cling to our Savior and live for Him, not for the world, not for anything in this world except for Christ and those who are His.
In His love!
Amen.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Love of God
1Jn 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
1Jn 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
1Jn 5:5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
God's commandments- commandments that were instituted when?
We know for a fact beyond any doubt that at least ONE of the ten commandments was instituted in Eden- before sin entered the world.
Gen 2:1 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.
Gen 2:2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
Gen 2:3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.
Exo 20:8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
Exo 20:9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:
Exo 20:10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:
Exo 20:11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
Do you see the similarities?
The seventh day, the Lord created heavens and the earth, rested, blessed, sanctified-hallowed.
Is there really any doubt that the sabbath was instituted during creation week?
God's commandments are NOT grievous.
Grievous- Strong's Greek Dictionary
G926
barus
bar-ooce'
From the same as G922; weighty, that is, (figuratively) burdensome, grave: - grievous, heavy, weightier.
God's commandments are not weighty, they aren't burdensome, they aren't heavy upon us.
God's commandments are blessings to us not restrictions. We are blessed to have a God who counsels us and gives us guidance. People talk about God NOT conversing with them, how they pray and yet never get any real response. I've had people say that to me just recently and my response was God gave us His word in the Bible. Though nothing more was said I had the distinct impression that the answer I gave wasn't the sort of answer the person was looking for.
God has given us all the direction we'll ever need in life, but it's easy to overlook that direction because we want the answers to all come out in our favor. We want God to answer in our way- leaning to what we desire more than anything else. We say we are prepared to accept God's guidance in all things and yet we secretly (or not so secretly to God) really want our will to be done. In God's commandments we find so much more than just a lot of shalt nots. If God were to spruce up His commandments we'd find things like this…
Mat 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you
Heb 13:16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
Mat 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Mat 5:12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Mat 5:39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
Mat 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
Mat 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
Mat 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Mat 7:1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.
While these are NOT the ten commandments - not the sacred ten commandments- not the ONLY commandments written by the finger of God Himself- all these things Jesus told us when He walk the earth, God with us- are all embodiments of those ten sacred commandments written by God's finger and etched in stone by God.
Exo 31:18 And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.
Those ten commandments contain every other commandment.
We are to LOVE GOD and LOVE OUR FELLOWMAN. Out of that love we are to live our lives and by the grace of God we can do that. God's commandments are NOT grievous, they just aren't. The devil would have us believe they are chains wrapped around our neck weighing us down. The devil would have us treat God's commandments as something horrifically grievous to bear.
If we are to OVERCOME this world-we will live God's commandments- ALL of them for the love of God is in those commandments.
1Jn 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
By His grace!
Amen.
1Jn 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
1Jn 5:5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
God's commandments- commandments that were instituted when?
We know for a fact beyond any doubt that at least ONE of the ten commandments was instituted in Eden- before sin entered the world.
Gen 2:1 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.
Gen 2:2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
Gen 2:3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.
Exo 20:8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
Exo 20:9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:
Exo 20:10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:
Exo 20:11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
Do you see the similarities?
The seventh day, the Lord created heavens and the earth, rested, blessed, sanctified-hallowed.
Is there really any doubt that the sabbath was instituted during creation week?
God's commandments are NOT grievous.
Grievous- Strong's Greek Dictionary
G926
barus
bar-ooce'
From the same as G922; weighty, that is, (figuratively) burdensome, grave: - grievous, heavy, weightier.
God's commandments are not weighty, they aren't burdensome, they aren't heavy upon us.
God's commandments are blessings to us not restrictions. We are blessed to have a God who counsels us and gives us guidance. People talk about God NOT conversing with them, how they pray and yet never get any real response. I've had people say that to me just recently and my response was God gave us His word in the Bible. Though nothing more was said I had the distinct impression that the answer I gave wasn't the sort of answer the person was looking for.
God has given us all the direction we'll ever need in life, but it's easy to overlook that direction because we want the answers to all come out in our favor. We want God to answer in our way- leaning to what we desire more than anything else. We say we are prepared to accept God's guidance in all things and yet we secretly (or not so secretly to God) really want our will to be done. In God's commandments we find so much more than just a lot of shalt nots. If God were to spruce up His commandments we'd find things like this…
Mat 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you
Heb 13:16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
Mat 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Mat 5:12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Mat 5:39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
Mat 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
Mat 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
Mat 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Mat 7:1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.
While these are NOT the ten commandments - not the sacred ten commandments- not the ONLY commandments written by the finger of God Himself- all these things Jesus told us when He walk the earth, God with us- are all embodiments of those ten sacred commandments written by God's finger and etched in stone by God.
Exo 31:18 And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.
Those ten commandments contain every other commandment.
We are to LOVE GOD and LOVE OUR FELLOWMAN. Out of that love we are to live our lives and by the grace of God we can do that. God's commandments are NOT grievous, they just aren't. The devil would have us believe they are chains wrapped around our neck weighing us down. The devil would have us treat God's commandments as something horrifically grievous to bear.
If we are to OVERCOME this world-we will live God's commandments- ALL of them for the love of God is in those commandments.
1Jn 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
By His grace!
Amen.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Deep Roots
Mar 4:5 And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth
Mar 4:6 But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.
Roots deep into the earth.
Roots deep into the word of God.
Mar 4:16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;
Mar 4:17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.
When affliction or persecution arises for Jesus' sake.
How often would you say you are afflicted or persecuted for Jesus' sake? Take a few moments and think about it. Take a few more minutes if you need to. For worshipping God, for loving God, for believing in Jesus, for following your Savior- when were you afflicted for that? When were you persecuted. I don't know about you, but I'm afflicted and persecuted daily. No, I don't get stones thrown at me. I don't have people rioting about my house threatening to kill me. I don't have people verbally abusing me for my faith. Many are persecuted that way, many are afflicted with heavy burdens by other people for their faith, probably a lot more people than we realize face a lot of hardship just because they believe in God and God's Son.
The affliction and persecution I'm talking about is different than the sort we often envision upon reading these verses. We think back to the early days of Christianity and how horrifically the followers of Christ were treated- tortured mercilessly. We think of that sort of persecution and often fail to consider this other sort of persecution and affliction.
Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
The Contemporary English Version of the Bible says this--
(CEV) We are not fighting against humans. We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world.
The International Standard Version says this--
(ISV) For our struggle is not against a human opponent, but against rulers, against authorities, against cosmic powers in the darkness around us, against evil spiritual forces in the heavenly realm.
Struggling, fighting, wrestling- does this sound like affliction and persecution? To struggle, to fight, to wrestle you have to have an opponent to do this with. Even when people say they are fighting with themselves they are fighting against opposing self desires- the desire to follow God and do things acceptable to Him and the desire to follow self and fall to the tempter's snares. A fight involves at least a dual component.
Our persecution is a daily, on going event in our lives and like a lot of things some days it will be more and some days less. The afflictions can come at any time and make no mistake, most of our upsets are Satan induced. If Satan can persecute us and get us to give up on God, get us to lose faith, he will!
Mar 4:16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;
Mar 4:17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.
People hearing about Jesus, people lost in the love of Jesus, people immersed in the new birth with their Savior seem to have a protective bubble about them. The newness of it all just overwhelms every other thing in life. The invincibility of that new walk with Christ truly is like that seed falling to the ground and finding all it needs to come to life. The hard outer shell of the seed breaks open due to the nutrients it finds in the soil and along with moisture and sunlight it begins its new life. How happy are you when you sow seeds and a few days or so later you witness the seedling rising from the ground. I don't know about you but I'm thrilled! I love witnessing the sight of new life, new growth it sparks something inside me to see the fruitfulness of that dry seed becoming so much more. Then I watch it, tending it and day after day I'm pleased with it's growing. I'm not pleased when one of the seedlings withers and dies, not pleased at all. When that root doesn't take, and there is no protection in the little seedling to keep the sun's heat from destroying it, I'm far from happy. The death of that new life is tragic. Seriously. Maybe it's not tragic on the level of human life, but it's still life that has withered up and away never reaching its full potential, its full growth. When we do NOT partake of the spiritual food necessary to our spiritual growth, we will wither up and away as well. I don't care if you've been a Christian for two days, two months, two years, or two decades- your spiritual life can die. As a new Christian facing hardship - facing spiritual persecution and affliction, yes, you're more likely to just return to your former life. But any Christian is susceptible to succumbing to the scorching heat of Satan's abuse. The oldest living tree could have the deepest roots, the thickest trunk, but it too can die if all it's sustenance is taken away- it might take awhile but it will die.
We need to recognize that spiritual affliction can be found in the smallest thing that irritates us. Satan would have us just blow it off to being part of 'life', but in truth he's hard at work using every little thing he can to afflict us, to persecute us and ruin our Christian life. Anything that would take us away from our walk with Christ is potential disaster. We need to protect our roots, nurture our roots. If we want to be strong Christians we have to have very deep roots buried in the Word of God, buried in our Savior, entwined and twisted about each and every word of our Lord - ready to draw all the spiritual nutrients we can from our source of spiritual sustenance.
By the grace and mercy of our Savior!
Amen.
Mar 4:6 But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.
Roots deep into the earth.
Roots deep into the word of God.
Mar 4:16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;
Mar 4:17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.
When affliction or persecution arises for Jesus' sake.
How often would you say you are afflicted or persecuted for Jesus' sake? Take a few moments and think about it. Take a few more minutes if you need to. For worshipping God, for loving God, for believing in Jesus, for following your Savior- when were you afflicted for that? When were you persecuted. I don't know about you, but I'm afflicted and persecuted daily. No, I don't get stones thrown at me. I don't have people rioting about my house threatening to kill me. I don't have people verbally abusing me for my faith. Many are persecuted that way, many are afflicted with heavy burdens by other people for their faith, probably a lot more people than we realize face a lot of hardship just because they believe in God and God's Son.
The affliction and persecution I'm talking about is different than the sort we often envision upon reading these verses. We think back to the early days of Christianity and how horrifically the followers of Christ were treated- tortured mercilessly. We think of that sort of persecution and often fail to consider this other sort of persecution and affliction.
Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
The Contemporary English Version of the Bible says this--
(CEV) We are not fighting against humans. We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world.
The International Standard Version says this--
(ISV) For our struggle is not against a human opponent, but against rulers, against authorities, against cosmic powers in the darkness around us, against evil spiritual forces in the heavenly realm.
Struggling, fighting, wrestling- does this sound like affliction and persecution? To struggle, to fight, to wrestle you have to have an opponent to do this with. Even when people say they are fighting with themselves they are fighting against opposing self desires- the desire to follow God and do things acceptable to Him and the desire to follow self and fall to the tempter's snares. A fight involves at least a dual component.
Our persecution is a daily, on going event in our lives and like a lot of things some days it will be more and some days less. The afflictions can come at any time and make no mistake, most of our upsets are Satan induced. If Satan can persecute us and get us to give up on God, get us to lose faith, he will!
Mar 4:16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;
Mar 4:17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.
People hearing about Jesus, people lost in the love of Jesus, people immersed in the new birth with their Savior seem to have a protective bubble about them. The newness of it all just overwhelms every other thing in life. The invincibility of that new walk with Christ truly is like that seed falling to the ground and finding all it needs to come to life. The hard outer shell of the seed breaks open due to the nutrients it finds in the soil and along with moisture and sunlight it begins its new life. How happy are you when you sow seeds and a few days or so later you witness the seedling rising from the ground. I don't know about you but I'm thrilled! I love witnessing the sight of new life, new growth it sparks something inside me to see the fruitfulness of that dry seed becoming so much more. Then I watch it, tending it and day after day I'm pleased with it's growing. I'm not pleased when one of the seedlings withers and dies, not pleased at all. When that root doesn't take, and there is no protection in the little seedling to keep the sun's heat from destroying it, I'm far from happy. The death of that new life is tragic. Seriously. Maybe it's not tragic on the level of human life, but it's still life that has withered up and away never reaching its full potential, its full growth. When we do NOT partake of the spiritual food necessary to our spiritual growth, we will wither up and away as well. I don't care if you've been a Christian for two days, two months, two years, or two decades- your spiritual life can die. As a new Christian facing hardship - facing spiritual persecution and affliction, yes, you're more likely to just return to your former life. But any Christian is susceptible to succumbing to the scorching heat of Satan's abuse. The oldest living tree could have the deepest roots, the thickest trunk, but it too can die if all it's sustenance is taken away- it might take awhile but it will die.
We need to recognize that spiritual affliction can be found in the smallest thing that irritates us. Satan would have us just blow it off to being part of 'life', but in truth he's hard at work using every little thing he can to afflict us, to persecute us and ruin our Christian life. Anything that would take us away from our walk with Christ is potential disaster. We need to protect our roots, nurture our roots. If we want to be strong Christians we have to have very deep roots buried in the Word of God, buried in our Savior, entwined and twisted about each and every word of our Lord - ready to draw all the spiritual nutrients we can from our source of spiritual sustenance.
By the grace and mercy of our Savior!
Amen.
Monday, December 13, 2010
God's Way
As David lived with the Philistines and the Philistines prepared to do battle against God's chosen people, Israel, not all the Philistines were pleased with David- an Israelite who had fought against them- who had slain Goliath, who had been touted as having slain thousands of those against Israelites.
Read this…
1Sa 29:1 Now the Philistines gathered together all their armies to Aphek: and the Israelites pitched by a fountain which is in Jezreel.
1Sa 29:2 And the lords of the Philistines passed on by hundreds, and by thousands: but David and his men passed on in the rereward with Achish.
1Sa 29:3 Then said the princes of the Philistines, What do these Hebrews here? And Achish said unto the princes of the Philistines, Is not this David, the servant of Saul the king of Israel, which hath been with me these days, or these years, and I have found no fault in him since he fell unto me unto this day?
1Sa 29:4 And the princes of the Philistines were wroth with him; and the princes of the Philistines said unto him, Make this fellow return, that he may go again to his place which thou hast appointed him, and let him not go down with us to battle, lest in the battle he be an adversary to us: for wherewith should he reconcile himself unto his master? should it not be with the heads of these men?
1Sa 29:5 Is not this David, of whom they sang one to another in dances, saying, Saul slew his thousands, and David his ten thousands?
They didn't want David and his armies to fight with them, they were worried David would turn on them instead of fighting against his own people. Yes, Saul was his enemy. Yes, Saul wanted him dead, but more than once David could have slain Saul and yet he spared his life because he'd been anointed king by God Himself and David wasn't about to murder him- even though Saul had no trouble wanting David murdered.
Imagine it, seriously, make it personal to you for a moment. You are taken in by a king appointed by God so and then that king turns on you. You have to run and hide so you're not murdered by this king and his minions. Then miraculously you are presented with an opportunity to kill before you are killed, your mortal enemy is right there- delivered into your hands seemingly by God Himself! No one would fault you for killing someone who is trying to kill you first, no one. It's self-defense right? It's self preservation! Can you imagine living knowing someone is out to kill you? We'd go to the police and they'd try to get a hold of this person and see if there is any real threat. They might issue a restraining order which we ALL know means NOTHING if someone wants you dead- they aren't caring about obeying an order of restraint. How many battered woman have taken out restraining orders on abusive husbands only to be killed by them, how much is that order really worth in the grand scheme of things? Still we obey the law and get that restraining order and hope for the best. Sometimes we'll get a weapon to defend ourselves- pepper spray, a gun, a knife. We do this so we can try to protect our lives just incase the one who is after us gets close enough to try and hurt us. Now I've just been describing this in more civil terms and not warfare related. Let's take it to the battlefield where there is an army intent on killing you for your enemy's sake. Imagine our soliders over in Afghanistan being hunted by a band of killers, they miraculously get into a situation where they come upon those hunting them and can over take them- the LEAST they would do would be to take them prisoner- right? Would they ever just choose to let them go? Maybe but it wouldn't be something considered prudent, would it?
David could have killed his arch nemesis, Saul, but David didn't dare because he feared God more than he feared man.
The Philistines knew that David had done this, they knew that David had spared the life of their enemy even though that enemy was set on killing David. It's no wonder at all that they didn't want David going to war with them. They really couldn't trust that during battle David would kill those they were killing. It was the right thing to do to send David and his armies back. How did David react to this...
1Sa 29:6 Then Achish called David, and said unto him, Surely, as the LORD liveth, thou hast been upright, and thy going out and thy coming in with me in the host is good in my sight: for I have not found evil in thee since the day of thy coming unto me unto this day: nevertheless the lords favour thee not.
1Sa 29:7 Wherefore now return, and go in peace, that thou displease not the lords of the Philistines.
1Sa 29:8 And David said unto Achish, But what have I done? and what hast thou found in thy servant so long as I have been with thee unto this day, that I may not go fight against the enemies of my lord the king?
David wasn't happy with being sent away from the battle to come, was he? He asked- 'What have I done? I've been with you all this time and did nothing against you. I want to fight against the enemies of my lord the king.'
David was giving his civil allegiance to the Philistine King, not to King Saul. David was giving his allegiance to the one giving him shelter from Saul. But it wasn't enough.
1Sa 29:9 And Achish answered and said to David, I know that thou art good in my sight, as an angel of God: notwithstanding the princes of the Philistines have said, He shall not go up with us to the battle.
1Sa 29:10 Wherefore now rise up early in the morning with thy master's servants that are come with thee: and as soon as ye be up early in the morning, and have light, depart.
1Sa 29:11 So David and his men rose up early to depart in the morning, to return into the land of the Philistines. And the Philistines went up to Jezreel.
The king found nothing wrong with David, King Achish called him 'an angel of God'. Still David had to leave.
Isn't it all a little bizarre? To us it's strange and yet God had it all in hand. God uses situations, God allows situations that we can't possibly understand, to take place for our own good yet we can't always see that. We have to have… FAITH. David was holding fast to God in faith in the situations he was in.
After David was sent back to where he lived this happened…
1Sa 30:1 And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire;
1Sa 30:2 And had taken the women captives, that were therein: they slew not any, either great or small, but carried them away, and went on their way.
1Sa 30:3 So David and his men came to the city, and, behold, it was burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captives
Another enemy can attacked while they were gone, taking their wives, their children, their goods!
So what does David do? Does he rush off to get them back? NO. David consulted God first!
1Sa 30:7 And David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech's son, I pray thee, bring me hither the ephod. And Abiathar brought thither the ephod to David.
1Sa 30:8 And David enquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.
David's trust in God was amazing! Is it any wonder God favored him????
1Sa 30:17 And David smote them from the twilight even unto the evening of the next day: and there escaped not a man of them, save four hundred young men, which rode upon camels, and fled.
1Sa 30:18 And David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away: and David rescued his two wives.
1Sa 30:19 And there was nothing lacking to them, neither small nor great, neither sons nor daughters, neither spoil, nor any thing that they had taken to them: David recovered all.
1Sa 30:20 And David took all the flocks and the herds, which they drave before those other cattle, and said, This is David's spoil.
David did not get to do what he wanted to do.
David wanted to go fight with the Philistine king, but he was sent away.
David did not just rush off to fight to retrieve what was stolen from him- his wife and children.
David wanted God's guidance!
We need to see the reality of David's life for what it was and not glamorize it. God worked in David's life and God will work in our lives if we give our lives to Him. God needs to come first in our lives.
We can't judge ANYONE'S situation. We don't know how God is working in people's lives. We might never imagine God in some situations using those situations for ultimate good, but it's not up to us to do so. God is in charge! God is in control! It is our job, our duty, to LOVE God and to LOVE one another, not to judge, not to presume to know things we can't possibly know.
By the grace of our Lord and Savior may we be found in Him now and forever!
In His amazing love!
Amen.
Read this…
1Sa 29:1 Now the Philistines gathered together all their armies to Aphek: and the Israelites pitched by a fountain which is in Jezreel.
1Sa 29:2 And the lords of the Philistines passed on by hundreds, and by thousands: but David and his men passed on in the rereward with Achish.
1Sa 29:3 Then said the princes of the Philistines, What do these Hebrews here? And Achish said unto the princes of the Philistines, Is not this David, the servant of Saul the king of Israel, which hath been with me these days, or these years, and I have found no fault in him since he fell unto me unto this day?
1Sa 29:4 And the princes of the Philistines were wroth with him; and the princes of the Philistines said unto him, Make this fellow return, that he may go again to his place which thou hast appointed him, and let him not go down with us to battle, lest in the battle he be an adversary to us: for wherewith should he reconcile himself unto his master? should it not be with the heads of these men?
1Sa 29:5 Is not this David, of whom they sang one to another in dances, saying, Saul slew his thousands, and David his ten thousands?
They didn't want David and his armies to fight with them, they were worried David would turn on them instead of fighting against his own people. Yes, Saul was his enemy. Yes, Saul wanted him dead, but more than once David could have slain Saul and yet he spared his life because he'd been anointed king by God Himself and David wasn't about to murder him- even though Saul had no trouble wanting David murdered.
Imagine it, seriously, make it personal to you for a moment. You are taken in by a king appointed by God so and then that king turns on you. You have to run and hide so you're not murdered by this king and his minions. Then miraculously you are presented with an opportunity to kill before you are killed, your mortal enemy is right there- delivered into your hands seemingly by God Himself! No one would fault you for killing someone who is trying to kill you first, no one. It's self-defense right? It's self preservation! Can you imagine living knowing someone is out to kill you? We'd go to the police and they'd try to get a hold of this person and see if there is any real threat. They might issue a restraining order which we ALL know means NOTHING if someone wants you dead- they aren't caring about obeying an order of restraint. How many battered woman have taken out restraining orders on abusive husbands only to be killed by them, how much is that order really worth in the grand scheme of things? Still we obey the law and get that restraining order and hope for the best. Sometimes we'll get a weapon to defend ourselves- pepper spray, a gun, a knife. We do this so we can try to protect our lives just incase the one who is after us gets close enough to try and hurt us. Now I've just been describing this in more civil terms and not warfare related. Let's take it to the battlefield where there is an army intent on killing you for your enemy's sake. Imagine our soliders over in Afghanistan being hunted by a band of killers, they miraculously get into a situation where they come upon those hunting them and can over take them- the LEAST they would do would be to take them prisoner- right? Would they ever just choose to let them go? Maybe but it wouldn't be something considered prudent, would it?
David could have killed his arch nemesis, Saul, but David didn't dare because he feared God more than he feared man.
The Philistines knew that David had done this, they knew that David had spared the life of their enemy even though that enemy was set on killing David. It's no wonder at all that they didn't want David going to war with them. They really couldn't trust that during battle David would kill those they were killing. It was the right thing to do to send David and his armies back. How did David react to this...
1Sa 29:6 Then Achish called David, and said unto him, Surely, as the LORD liveth, thou hast been upright, and thy going out and thy coming in with me in the host is good in my sight: for I have not found evil in thee since the day of thy coming unto me unto this day: nevertheless the lords favour thee not.
1Sa 29:7 Wherefore now return, and go in peace, that thou displease not the lords of the Philistines.
1Sa 29:8 And David said unto Achish, But what have I done? and what hast thou found in thy servant so long as I have been with thee unto this day, that I may not go fight against the enemies of my lord the king?
David wasn't happy with being sent away from the battle to come, was he? He asked- 'What have I done? I've been with you all this time and did nothing against you. I want to fight against the enemies of my lord the king.'
David was giving his civil allegiance to the Philistine King, not to King Saul. David was giving his allegiance to the one giving him shelter from Saul. But it wasn't enough.
1Sa 29:9 And Achish answered and said to David, I know that thou art good in my sight, as an angel of God: notwithstanding the princes of the Philistines have said, He shall not go up with us to the battle.
1Sa 29:10 Wherefore now rise up early in the morning with thy master's servants that are come with thee: and as soon as ye be up early in the morning, and have light, depart.
1Sa 29:11 So David and his men rose up early to depart in the morning, to return into the land of the Philistines. And the Philistines went up to Jezreel.
The king found nothing wrong with David, King Achish called him 'an angel of God'. Still David had to leave.
Isn't it all a little bizarre? To us it's strange and yet God had it all in hand. God uses situations, God allows situations that we can't possibly understand, to take place for our own good yet we can't always see that. We have to have… FAITH. David was holding fast to God in faith in the situations he was in.
After David was sent back to where he lived this happened…
1Sa 30:1 And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire;
1Sa 30:2 And had taken the women captives, that were therein: they slew not any, either great or small, but carried them away, and went on their way.
1Sa 30:3 So David and his men came to the city, and, behold, it was burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captives
Another enemy can attacked while they were gone, taking their wives, their children, their goods!
So what does David do? Does he rush off to get them back? NO. David consulted God first!
1Sa 30:7 And David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech's son, I pray thee, bring me hither the ephod. And Abiathar brought thither the ephod to David.
1Sa 30:8 And David enquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.
David's trust in God was amazing! Is it any wonder God favored him????
1Sa 30:17 And David smote them from the twilight even unto the evening of the next day: and there escaped not a man of them, save four hundred young men, which rode upon camels, and fled.
1Sa 30:18 And David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away: and David rescued his two wives.
1Sa 30:19 And there was nothing lacking to them, neither small nor great, neither sons nor daughters, neither spoil, nor any thing that they had taken to them: David recovered all.
1Sa 30:20 And David took all the flocks and the herds, which they drave before those other cattle, and said, This is David's spoil.
David did not get to do what he wanted to do.
David wanted to go fight with the Philistine king, but he was sent away.
David did not just rush off to fight to retrieve what was stolen from him- his wife and children.
David wanted God's guidance!
We need to see the reality of David's life for what it was and not glamorize it. God worked in David's life and God will work in our lives if we give our lives to Him. God needs to come first in our lives.
We can't judge ANYONE'S situation. We don't know how God is working in people's lives. We might never imagine God in some situations using those situations for ultimate good, but it's not up to us to do so. God is in charge! God is in control! It is our job, our duty, to LOVE God and to LOVE one another, not to judge, not to presume to know things we can't possibly know.
By the grace of our Lord and Savior may we be found in Him now and forever!
In His amazing love!
Amen.
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