Our culture has created a religion of false comfort. The consequences are evident with obesity, drug and alcohol addiction and long mindless hours in front of the television to escape reality. Meaningful relationships are exchanged for the latest toy or gadget on the market. Hours are spent on social media websites rather than praying and seeking the heart of God. No wonder the emptiness and dryness in spiritual matters! This present generation is devoid of any real sense of comfort when facing national, economic or a world crisis. The idols of internet, TV, social media, movies or even a host of events and activities that fill the day can not produce a shred of lasting comfort or peace.
Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 1:3, "Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort" (KJV). God's comfort is found in the truth of His sufficiency. His grace is enough to carry us through very difficult and painful times. His power is sufficient to help us stand in the hour of temptation. When faced with opposition at work, God's peace over rides any fear of ridicule and persecution. God's comfort is not dependent on feeling good or circumstances going our way.
You see, beloved, God's comfort is not necessarily a means to void pain and suffering. Rather He uses painful times to further His comfort in our lives and those around us. The comfort of the world is to numb the mind, ease the body and make every effort to dodge painful experiences. However, God's comfort works two-fold: we are comforted in our sufferings so that with the same or greater measure we are able to console others in need (read verse 4). And this is the remarkable difference with the comfort of God and of the world. The world will always be looking to meet it's self interest and preserve their well being at any cost.
As mentioned earlier, the truth of God's sufficiency is the source of God's comfort. Paul writes in 3:5 "Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God" (KJV). When we understand that it is not in our nature to comfort ourselves or others for that matter but only through God's grace and power then we are the most freest of people from the ills of self-comfort.
For those who have suffered terrible events or from the hands of others, surrender your pain to Christ. Place it in the nail scarred hands of the Savior. To the measure of your suffering, God will bring great comfort to soothe your broken heart and bring peace to your mind. Accept His comfort without demanding change in those who have wounded you. Let them go by His power and He will deal with them accordingly.
As you are comforted, extend the same comfort to others in need for then you will be Christ to someone who has grown weary of the world's empty promises of comfort.
Saturday, March 29, 2014
Saturday, March 22, 2014
The Bread of Deception
Joshua leading the nation of Israel were successfully in taking possession of the Promised Land. There was no giant, kingdom or nation able to withstand the strength of Israel because God was with them.
One day the enemy came to their door as emissaries from a far country. The put on a quite a show for Israel. They described their long journey evidenced by their tattered clothes and sandals worn thin by miles they traveled. They showed them the wine skins emptied and torn. Then they said, "This bread of ours was warm when we packed it at home on the day we left to come to you. But now see how dry and moldy it is." (Joshua 9:12, NIV).
Rather than Israel consulting God it says they sampled the provisions (verse 14). They believed what they saw and tasted than taking a moment to seek God. He would have told them plainly they are courting the enemy. Remember God gave clear instructions from crossing the Jordan, taking Jericho, uncovering Achan's sin to destroying Ai. Why did they not seek Him now? We must be on guard in times of victory and blessing never to assume we have the mind of God. Later after making an oath, they learned they were the Gibeonites, their neighbors, an enemy who possessed royal cities (verse 16).
Beloved, when we agree to the circumstantial evidence before us rather than consulting God we will find ourselves bound to an enemy. Such is the bread of the Devil to deceive by appeasing the natural senses while dulling true spiritual discernment. Satan is a master of re-direction and distraction. Look here not there! See what's in the right hand while the left hand is behind his back! When the Gibeonites were attacked Israel came to their defense and could not destroy them because they made a treaty.
Centuries later when there was a famine for three years, King David sought the Lord for the reason. The Lord said it was because King Saul killed the Gibeonites (2 Samuel 21:1). The remedy was to kill King Saul's sons (except one who David spared) as retribution and shortly afterwards, the rains fell.
We need not to be bound in serving the Enemy even if we were foolishly deceived by his schemes. Galatians 3:13 says, "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree". Christ broke the back of sin and defeated our foe!
Understand this beloved, as Christ confronted the Devil, "It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." (Matthew 4:4, KJV). God's bread is the very word of God that give us freedom, life and strength. It will makes us discerning and wise when the enemy comes to our door with moldy bread and a tale of lies.
One day the enemy came to their door as emissaries from a far country. The put on a quite a show for Israel. They described their long journey evidenced by their tattered clothes and sandals worn thin by miles they traveled. They showed them the wine skins emptied and torn. Then they said, "This bread of ours was warm when we packed it at home on the day we left to come to you. But now see how dry and moldy it is." (Joshua 9:12, NIV).
Rather than Israel consulting God it says they sampled the provisions (verse 14). They believed what they saw and tasted than taking a moment to seek God. He would have told them plainly they are courting the enemy. Remember God gave clear instructions from crossing the Jordan, taking Jericho, uncovering Achan's sin to destroying Ai. Why did they not seek Him now? We must be on guard in times of victory and blessing never to assume we have the mind of God. Later after making an oath, they learned they were the Gibeonites, their neighbors, an enemy who possessed royal cities (verse 16).
Beloved, when we agree to the circumstantial evidence before us rather than consulting God we will find ourselves bound to an enemy. Such is the bread of the Devil to deceive by appeasing the natural senses while dulling true spiritual discernment. Satan is a master of re-direction and distraction. Look here not there! See what's in the right hand while the left hand is behind his back! When the Gibeonites were attacked Israel came to their defense and could not destroy them because they made a treaty.
Centuries later when there was a famine for three years, King David sought the Lord for the reason. The Lord said it was because King Saul killed the Gibeonites (2 Samuel 21:1). The remedy was to kill King Saul's sons (except one who David spared) as retribution and shortly afterwards, the rains fell.
We need not to be bound in serving the Enemy even if we were foolishly deceived by his schemes. Galatians 3:13 says, "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree". Christ broke the back of sin and defeated our foe!
Understand this beloved, as Christ confronted the Devil, "It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." (Matthew 4:4, KJV). God's bread is the very word of God that give us freedom, life and strength. It will makes us discerning and wise when the enemy comes to our door with moldy bread and a tale of lies.
Saturday, March 15, 2014
Right Offering
Genesis 4:5 says, "But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell." (KJV). In the original the word respect means to gaze. God's eyes turn away from Cain's offering. He would not let His eyes rest on such an detestable offering.
While Cain and Abel brought the first fruits of their labor; their attitude and heart were very different. As a result, Cain's countenance fell and he became angry. After all he was the first born but here God showed favor to the younger brother's offering.
Scripture tells us, "For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God." (James 1:20 KJV). When someone is given to an angry spirit, they are walking unrighteously. Any sacrifice they offer to God is defiled by this sin of anger. Long before Cain brought his offering he was an angry man.
Even today we are warned in I John 3:12, "Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous." (KJV). Just how many Christians are walking around angry at God, at co-workers, their spouse and children and angry at how their lives at turned out. Some are like ticking time bombs ready to explode (or implode). Sadly, some don't recognize they are angry because they have lived with it for such a long time. They can't see clearly how it effects their relationships around them.
Psalms 4:4 instructs us, "Don't sin by letting anger control you. Think about it overnight and remain silent. Interlude. Offer sacrifices in the right spirit, and trust the LORD." (NLT). Beloved, we need to ask God when we are tempted to give way to anger for the calming, soothing touch of His Spirit. To have him take the heat out our spirit when we are offended and grant us an increase of peace.
We will know freedom when we ask the Lord to go to the real source of our anger. How we respond is often telling of a deeper, unresolved issue (s). For the most part we know what makes us angry but don't understand what to do with such an overpowering desire to lash out, become destructive or make people pay for crossing lines that wounded us.
The right offering starts with an honest cry to the Lord we are angry and we desire to respond rightly. Ecclesiastes 7:9 says, "Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools." (NIV). Impatience is often the match to start a bonfire of anger. We feel pressed to take matters in our own hands or otherwise someone will get the upper hand.
Only God can take our pitiful offering - the root vegetables of anger - and exchange it with a heart of forgiveness and love. He instructs us to be patient and long suffering assured that He will vindicate and bring justice on His terms, not ours. Lastly, remember we must take on the Lord's character, "The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy." (Psalms 103:8, KJV).
While Cain and Abel brought the first fruits of their labor; their attitude and heart were very different. As a result, Cain's countenance fell and he became angry. After all he was the first born but here God showed favor to the younger brother's offering.
Scripture tells us, "For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God." (James 1:20 KJV). When someone is given to an angry spirit, they are walking unrighteously. Any sacrifice they offer to God is defiled by this sin of anger. Long before Cain brought his offering he was an angry man.
Even today we are warned in I John 3:12, "Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous." (KJV). Just how many Christians are walking around angry at God, at co-workers, their spouse and children and angry at how their lives at turned out. Some are like ticking time bombs ready to explode (or implode). Sadly, some don't recognize they are angry because they have lived with it for such a long time. They can't see clearly how it effects their relationships around them.
Psalms 4:4 instructs us, "Don't sin by letting anger control you. Think about it overnight and remain silent. Interlude. Offer sacrifices in the right spirit, and trust the LORD." (NLT). Beloved, we need to ask God when we are tempted to give way to anger for the calming, soothing touch of His Spirit. To have him take the heat out our spirit when we are offended and grant us an increase of peace.
We will know freedom when we ask the Lord to go to the real source of our anger. How we respond is often telling of a deeper, unresolved issue (s). For the most part we know what makes us angry but don't understand what to do with such an overpowering desire to lash out, become destructive or make people pay for crossing lines that wounded us.
The right offering starts with an honest cry to the Lord we are angry and we desire to respond rightly. Ecclesiastes 7:9 says, "Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools." (NIV). Impatience is often the match to start a bonfire of anger. We feel pressed to take matters in our own hands or otherwise someone will get the upper hand.
Only God can take our pitiful offering - the root vegetables of anger - and exchange it with a heart of forgiveness and love. He instructs us to be patient and long suffering assured that He will vindicate and bring justice on His terms, not ours. Lastly, remember we must take on the Lord's character, "The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy." (Psalms 103:8, KJV).
Saturday, March 8, 2014
You Are A Wonder
When we hear or read the testimonies of those the Lord delivered from sin, we are in wonder that they are still sane and alive. They are so completely different from how they they lived that we wonder if we are talking about the same person.
The writer of Psalms 71:7 says, "I am as a wonder unto many; but thou art my strong refuge." (KJV). The word wonder in the original means, "sign, portent, wonder". Likewise Psalms 40:3 says, "And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD." (KJV).
Beloved, we are a walking illustration of God's mercy to change us from the inside out that causes people to look at us with wonder. Never should it be the past sins and failures of one's testimony that makes us wonder rather it's the depth and riches of God's grace.
We are not only a wonder to those around us but to spiritual powers. Paul says, "For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like those condemned to die in the arena. We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to human beings." (I Corinthians 4:9, NIV). The word spectacle in Greek is the word for theater. Think of Job's life who was a spectacle. His life was an unfolding drama not just to his friends but the Devil who tested his integrity to see if he would curse God.
Beloved, we do a great disservice to the name of the Lord that out of a fear of rejection we mimic the world's attitudes and thinking. We should never allow the world's culture to shape our life so that we are seen as less dissimilar. It's because we are different the world is attracted to us. They long to see people at peace not falling to pieces. People who can still smile when suffering rather than grow bitter and cold.
We must remember our lives are a wonder not just to our neighbors, family and friends but to spiritual powers. The apostle Peter says in I Peter 1:12 that angels long to look into this gospel of salvation. It's a mystery to why the God of the universe died out of love for His fallen creation. And the Devil is full of rage that Christ lives in us knowing his time is short (Revelation 12:12).
So be encouraged beloved that even on our worse days we are a wonder to more than what we see in the natural. Angels and Devils are watching a fleck of dust, our lives, become transformed by the power of Christ to be like Him.
The writer of Psalms 71:7 says, "I am as a wonder unto many; but thou art my strong refuge." (KJV). The word wonder in the original means, "sign, portent, wonder". Likewise Psalms 40:3 says, "And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD." (KJV).
Beloved, we are a walking illustration of God's mercy to change us from the inside out that causes people to look at us with wonder. Never should it be the past sins and failures of one's testimony that makes us wonder rather it's the depth and riches of God's grace.
We are not only a wonder to those around us but to spiritual powers. Paul says, "For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like those condemned to die in the arena. We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to human beings." (I Corinthians 4:9, NIV). The word spectacle in Greek is the word for theater. Think of Job's life who was a spectacle. His life was an unfolding drama not just to his friends but the Devil who tested his integrity to see if he would curse God.
Beloved, we do a great disservice to the name of the Lord that out of a fear of rejection we mimic the world's attitudes and thinking. We should never allow the world's culture to shape our life so that we are seen as less dissimilar. It's because we are different the world is attracted to us. They long to see people at peace not falling to pieces. People who can still smile when suffering rather than grow bitter and cold.
We must remember our lives are a wonder not just to our neighbors, family and friends but to spiritual powers. The apostle Peter says in I Peter 1:12 that angels long to look into this gospel of salvation. It's a mystery to why the God of the universe died out of love for His fallen creation. And the Devil is full of rage that Christ lives in us knowing his time is short (Revelation 12:12).
So be encouraged beloved that even on our worse days we are a wonder to more than what we see in the natural. Angels and Devils are watching a fleck of dust, our lives, become transformed by the power of Christ to be like Him.
Saturday, March 1, 2014
Fiery Darts Of Memories
Ephesians 6:16 says, "Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked." (KJV).
One fiery or flaming dart the Enemy hurls at us is sinful or painful memories.
When we confess and repent of our sins God forgives and forgets our transgressions. Out of His mercy and sovereignty He chooses to forget. It says, "I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins." (Isaiah 43:25, KJV).
While God forgets, our fallen human condition can't help but recall failures, sins and offenses. Especially when some of us had cultivated a life of living in our heads - we feed our imagination with sensual imagery, we plotted schemes and plans to get what we want at any expense, or we are haunted by traumatic events - all that locked us in a mental prison. Rather than taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, we are in bondage to our troubling thoughts.
Beloved, we are take up the shield of faith that will quench the fiery darts of the Enemy. Why faith? Until we can truly trust in God's power to forget our sins - that He will not use it against us - to know it's under His blood, we will find a flaming dart embedded in our minds that will set us on fire. The Enemy wants us to believe we are still filthy and long for the things that brought us into darkness, pain and separation from God. If he can scorch or sear your thinking that the past was not as bad as you first thought, his arsenal has accomplished it's wicked intent.
When Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness, He often used the words, "It is written." When we raise the mighty shield of faith we essence say to our thoughts and spiritual powers present, "It is written". It is written that we will think on things that lovely, pure and holy. It is written that God has given us a sound mind. It is written that God has forgotten our sins.
Beloved, let me encourage you that any time the Enemy hurls a fiery dart of a memory take it to the Lord. Don't be afraid to be honest with Him that the thought tempts you and old feelings began to rise. The Lord will use this as an opportunity to go deeper in the heart to uproot anything that is still attached to the memory. Over time the fiery dart is quenched even before it reaches you because it will have no effect on you - indeed this is our shield - "Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him." (Proverbs 30:5, KJV). Trust Him with your memories.
One fiery or flaming dart the Enemy hurls at us is sinful or painful memories.
When we confess and repent of our sins God forgives and forgets our transgressions. Out of His mercy and sovereignty He chooses to forget. It says, "I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins." (Isaiah 43:25, KJV).
While God forgets, our fallen human condition can't help but recall failures, sins and offenses. Especially when some of us had cultivated a life of living in our heads - we feed our imagination with sensual imagery, we plotted schemes and plans to get what we want at any expense, or we are haunted by traumatic events - all that locked us in a mental prison. Rather than taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, we are in bondage to our troubling thoughts.
Beloved, we are take up the shield of faith that will quench the fiery darts of the Enemy. Why faith? Until we can truly trust in God's power to forget our sins - that He will not use it against us - to know it's under His blood, we will find a flaming dart embedded in our minds that will set us on fire. The Enemy wants us to believe we are still filthy and long for the things that brought us into darkness, pain and separation from God. If he can scorch or sear your thinking that the past was not as bad as you first thought, his arsenal has accomplished it's wicked intent.
When Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness, He often used the words, "It is written." When we raise the mighty shield of faith we essence say to our thoughts and spiritual powers present, "It is written". It is written that we will think on things that lovely, pure and holy. It is written that God has given us a sound mind. It is written that God has forgotten our sins.
Beloved, let me encourage you that any time the Enemy hurls a fiery dart of a memory take it to the Lord. Don't be afraid to be honest with Him that the thought tempts you and old feelings began to rise. The Lord will use this as an opportunity to go deeper in the heart to uproot anything that is still attached to the memory. Over time the fiery dart is quenched even before it reaches you because it will have no effect on you - indeed this is our shield - "Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him." (Proverbs 30:5, KJV). Trust Him with your memories.
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