In Isaiah the 58th chapter the Lord rebukes His people because they were fasting with the wrong motives.
Isa 58:3 'Why have we fasted,' they say, 'and You have not seen? Why have we afflicted our souls, and You take no notice?' "In fact, in the day of your fast you find pleasure, And exploit all your laborers.
Isa 58:4 Indeed you fast for strife and debate, And to strike with the fist of wickedness. You will not fast as you do this day, To make your voice heard on high.
They would fast thinking that just because they made themselves abstain from one of man’s most basis needs… food, God would “take note” feel sorry for them and answer their prayer. They actually believed that fasting in and of itself would cause God to hear them. That has never been and will never be the purpose of fasting.
Our heavenly Father has already given each of us everything that pertains to life and godliness (2 Pet 1:3). If you are born again (accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and savior (John 3:16)) then the Holy Spirit lives in you (1 Cor 3:18) and He teaches us (reveals to us) all things (John 14:26, 1st John 2:20, 27). Sometimes we struggle to hear what the Spirit is saying because of distractions and this is where fasting can be a great aide. When you fast it helps to remove hindrances caused by the flesh. It quiets the ‘voice’ of the flesh (those annoying thoughts, concerns & worries) that try and bombard our mind as we seek to hear and receive the wisdom of God concerning things we may be faced with. When you remove the craving of the flesh it automatically makes hearing from the Holy Spirit easier because you’ve quieted a major distraction.
Act 13:2-3 As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, "Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.
The men of God would fast and pray for clear direction and once they heard from the Spirit of God they would act upon it. Fasting also has benefits for the body naturally. When we stop eating for an extended amount of time it gives our bodies a chance to rest. Our bodies will even begin to consume dead cells that are in us which is a cleansing for our bodies. Think about it… you stop eating at night and as you sleep you ‘are in a sense’ fasting. Once you wake up in the morning you break your fast. We call it breakfast. As you look through the bible, Old or New Testament you will see different kinds of fast but the God-Kind of fast begins with the right motive.
Isa 58:6 "Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke?
Isa 58:7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; When you see the naked, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from your own flesh?
As we seek God we can clearly hear His instructions for our life. Fasting helps the child of God to seek God with all his heart and as we seek the will of the Father He gives us insight and solutions for life. He shows us how to walk in His blessings and how to bless others and deliver them from captivity. He reveals to us the call He’s placed on our lives and we receive the direction we need for the victorious life He’s laid out for us (Eph 2:10). Look at the reward for the person who seeks God’s will.
Isa 58:8 Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.
Isa 58:9 Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; You shall cry, and He will say, 'Here I am.' "If you take away the yoke from your midst, The pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,
Isa 58:10 If you extend your soul to the hungry And satisfy the afflicted soul, Then your light shall dawn in the darkness, And your darkness shall be as the noonday.
Isa 58:11 The LORD will guide you continually, And satisfy your soul in drought, And strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.
Isa 58:12 Those from among you Shall build the old waste places; You shall raise up the foundations of many generations; And you shall be called the Repairer of the Breach, The Restorer of Streets to Dwell In.
This is the reward of those who seek God. We began to see more clearly what God has provided (as we meditate in His word and pray) as we seek His face. Fasting doesn’t make God do something for us but helps us to hear (discern) more clearly the things God has already ordained for us. It’s a good thing to be on the path that our heavenly Father has laid out for us before the foundation of the world.
How to Fast: (Remember, always consult your doctor if you have any medical conditions and get confirmation from your Pastor if it is for an extended number of days & you’ve never fasted before).
a. Make a commitment to fast and pray; declare it! Prepare spiritually, mentally and emotionally. This is seeking God.
b. Prepare physically; reduce the number of times you are eating leading up to the fast so that your body won’t go into shock. If you eat 3 meals a day, cut down to 2 and then 1. If you drink coffee, cut back so that you won’t get headaches.
c. During the first days of your fast, don’t ask God for anything. Pray for the heart of God and pray for others, unless the Lord gives you specific directions.
d. Get into the word! Don’t spend time with vain amusements. Don’t neglect the prayer aspect of fasting. Use this time to communicate with the Father and not wrestle with the enemy. Seek God! Praise Him! Worship Him! Don’t let the enemy dominate your prayer time. Get your mind and focus on God. If you are married, consider sleeping apart from your spouse while you are fasting (1st Cor 7:5)
e. Drink plenty of water even before you start. Your body needs an adequate supply of water and it helps to flush the toxins out of your body.
f. When your fast has ended, begin eating lightly. Don’t gorge.
EXAMPLES:
• Daniel 10:3 (3 weeks: Brought revelation through a vision & angelic presence.
• Luke 4:1-2 (Jesus 40 day fast in the wilderness.)
• Acts 10:30-31 (Prayer & Fasting brought salvation to Cornelius household.
• Acts 13:2 (by Prayer & Fasting instruction came for Paul & Barnabas concerning their call to the mission field.
• Luke 2:36-38 (Insight/Wisdom. Anna was sensitive to the “times & seasons”).
• Acts 14:23 ( Prayer & Fasting for appointing Elders in the church).
• Ester 4:16 (a 3 day fast for crisis. Haman wanting to kill the Jews)
May God richly bless you.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Deliverance from Depression
Why do Christians get depressed? The same reason that the world gets depressed… thinking (meditating) on things we have no business thinking about. You might think it’s simply because of something you did but in reality it’s what you think about what you did! Now I'm not speaking about medical conditions that may bring on depression but I'm referring to those of us that find ourselves depressed over situations that have taken place. Take a look…
In 1st Sam 29 we find David in the land of his “once” enemies because he had fled from Saul. He offered to go and fight along with the Philistines but they refused his help not knowing whether or not David would turn on them during the battle. When David returned to his camp in Ziklag this is what he discovered.
1Sa 30:1-3 Now it happened, when David and his men came to Ziklag, on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the South and Ziklag, attacked Ziklag and burned it with fire, and had taken captive the women and those who were there, from small to great; they did not kill anyone, but carried them away and went their way. So David and his men came to the city, and there it was, burned with fire; and their wives, their sons, and their daughters had been taken captive.
Can you imagine, when you left everyone was having a good time, healthy and not a care in the world, but by the time you get back all hell had seemed to attack you without mercy. Yes, you know exactly what I mean. Here David is faced with a hopeless situation… that is in the natural, but remember …you serve the Lord God who is not bound by the natural. (see my teaching “the unseen option”). As they think about what has happened the result is depression. It’s not based on what happened but how they judge what happened.
1Sa 30:4 Then David and the people who were with him lifted up their voices and wept, until they had no more power to weep.
Our thoughts control our imagination.
1Sa 30:6 Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.
David went from being ‘depressed’ because of the loss of everything too being ‘distressed’ because of the threat against his life. What we meditate on controls our emotions. It’s not what happens but how we judge ourselves in what has happened. When we allow our thoughts to condemn us we get depressed… it is in our control. In the message bible the end of that 6th verse says “David strengthened himself with trust in his GOD”.
How can we walk free of depression? By 1st remembering our value in God’s eyes (not in our own eyes). Think about it. The only way to measure your own self worth is to look at how much you cost. Jesus said “Father, if there is any other way to get your children back to you let this cup pass from me”. But there was no other way. You see… Jesus was the precious price for God’s precious prize… You and Me! Stop measuring yourself by yourself and don’t allow anyone else to dictate to you what your self-worth is. God is your maker!
Rom 8:31-34 What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since He did not spare even His own Son but gave Him up for us all, won't He also give us everything else? Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for His own? No one—for God Himself has given us right standing with Himself. Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and He is sitting in the place of honor at God's right hand, pleading for us.
Even though terrible events may have occurred that you are responsible for, mistakes have been made that could have been avoided, God is not holding those things against you. Did you deny Christ? I didn’t think so, but even if you did so did Peter. Peter repented and became a pillar for the church! God saw everything we were going to do even after we got saved and still chose us. “Even before He made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes”. (Eph 1:4 nlt)
As you read on you’ll find that God gave David a solution in the midst of a terrible situation because David took the time to seek God. God has given us a precious promise… Heb 4:16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
God’s instructions for deliverance from depression is as follows:
Phi 4:6 Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done.
Phi 4:7 Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Phi 4:8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
Be Blessed.
In 1st Sam 29 we find David in the land of his “once” enemies because he had fled from Saul. He offered to go and fight along with the Philistines but they refused his help not knowing whether or not David would turn on them during the battle. When David returned to his camp in Ziklag this is what he discovered.
1Sa 30:1-3 Now it happened, when David and his men came to Ziklag, on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the South and Ziklag, attacked Ziklag and burned it with fire, and had taken captive the women and those who were there, from small to great; they did not kill anyone, but carried them away and went their way. So David and his men came to the city, and there it was, burned with fire; and their wives, their sons, and their daughters had been taken captive.
Can you imagine, when you left everyone was having a good time, healthy and not a care in the world, but by the time you get back all hell had seemed to attack you without mercy. Yes, you know exactly what I mean. Here David is faced with a hopeless situation… that is in the natural, but remember …you serve the Lord God who is not bound by the natural. (see my teaching “the unseen option”). As they think about what has happened the result is depression. It’s not based on what happened but how they judge what happened.
1Sa 30:4 Then David and the people who were with him lifted up their voices and wept, until they had no more power to weep.
Our thoughts control our imagination.
1Sa 30:6 Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.
David went from being ‘depressed’ because of the loss of everything too being ‘distressed’ because of the threat against his life. What we meditate on controls our emotions. It’s not what happens but how we judge ourselves in what has happened. When we allow our thoughts to condemn us we get depressed… it is in our control. In the message bible the end of that 6th verse says “David strengthened himself with trust in his GOD”.
How can we walk free of depression? By 1st remembering our value in God’s eyes (not in our own eyes). Think about it. The only way to measure your own self worth is to look at how much you cost. Jesus said “Father, if there is any other way to get your children back to you let this cup pass from me”. But there was no other way. You see… Jesus was the precious price for God’s precious prize… You and Me! Stop measuring yourself by yourself and don’t allow anyone else to dictate to you what your self-worth is. God is your maker!
Rom 8:31-34 What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since He did not spare even His own Son but gave Him up for us all, won't He also give us everything else? Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for His own? No one—for God Himself has given us right standing with Himself. Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and He is sitting in the place of honor at God's right hand, pleading for us.
Even though terrible events may have occurred that you are responsible for, mistakes have been made that could have been avoided, God is not holding those things against you. Did you deny Christ? I didn’t think so, but even if you did so did Peter. Peter repented and became a pillar for the church! God saw everything we were going to do even after we got saved and still chose us. “Even before He made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes”. (Eph 1:4 nlt)
As you read on you’ll find that God gave David a solution in the midst of a terrible situation because David took the time to seek God. God has given us a precious promise… Heb 4:16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
God’s instructions for deliverance from depression is as follows:
Phi 4:6 Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done.
Phi 4:7 Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Phi 4:8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
Be Blessed.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Got Wisdom?
God has made wisdom readily available to all who would seek her. It is through the wisdom of God that the world itself was framed (Pro 8:22-31). But wisdom must be discerned. It cries out but only to those who have ears to hear. Let me share with you from “The Book”.
Pro 8:1-3 “Can’t you hear the voice of wisdom? She is standing at the city gates and at every fork in the road, and at the door of every house”.
So you see, right when we need wisdom (at the fork of the road) she is there to give us instruction about which way we should go. Wisdom is at the city gates so before you enter in that job interview or that courtroom or wherever the place that you need wisdom, she is there to give instruction. Isn’t that exciting! We are encouraged to ask God for wisdom as often as we need it (Jam 1:5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking). Let’s continue…
Pro 8:6-7 “Listen to me! For I have important information for you. Everything I say is right and true, for I hate lies and every kind of deception.
So the way to discern the wisdom from God is ‘everything it says is true’. In other words, it can stand the test of being brought to the light because there are no shadows in it. So when you are contemplating a decision you can know whether the way you are considering is from God because there will be nothing hidden in it that would make you ashamed if someone knew. Okay, let me break it down. Say you are trying to figure out how to get out of a debt. The thought comes “why don’t I just call the company and tell them I just can’t pay them… the bill is to high etc”. But if that company looked at what you’ve been spending money on you would be ashamed because of the clearly unnecessary stuff you’ve been buying. That would not be the path of wisdom.
Pro 8:8-9 “My advice is wholesome and good. There is nothing of evil in it. My words are plain and clear to anyone with half a mind --- if it is only open!”
So wisdom tells us that no matter how dumb or smart we think we are, wisdom is available. Once you pray and ask God for wisdom you must open your heart to hear. Many times what wisdom will instruct us to do is not comfortable to our flesh. Wisdom will say “go back and tell them the truth” after we fabricated some story or ‘enhanced’ another but our pride doesn’t want to budge. Well, look at this…
Pro 8:13b “For wisdom hates pride, arrogance, corruption and deceit of every kind”.
When it says “wisdom hates pride” it means that if you are in pride you cannot discern what wisdom is telling you to do. Many times the issue is not whether I have wisdom but rather am I willing to follow wisdom. But look at the rewards.
Pro 8:10 “My instruction is far more valuable than silver or gold. For the value of wisdom is far above rubies; nothing can be compared with it. Wisdom and good judgment live together, for wisdom knows where to discover knowledge and understanding.
When we make up in our minds to seek and to follow wisdom it will bring better results than you getting a load of money! The bible says “in all your getting get an understanding” (pro 4:7)… well wisdom knows where to discover understanding! Stop worrying about what people will think or say when you finally decide to follow wisdom. The people who will criticize you when you make those “hard” decisions because of wisdom don’t like you anyway. It’s time to “MAN UP” (or woman up depending on your gender) and follow wisdom!
Pro 8:17-21 “I love all who love me. Those who search for me shall surely find me. Unending riches, honor, justice and righteousness are mine to distribute. My gifts are better than the purest gold or sterling silver! My paths are those of justice and right. Those who love and follow me are indeed wealthy. I fill their treasuries.
Go ahead with your plans to follow wisdom. Don’t let the pressure turn your head from the path you know you should take. Walk in wisdom.
Pro 8:1-3 “Can’t you hear the voice of wisdom? She is standing at the city gates and at every fork in the road, and at the door of every house”.
So you see, right when we need wisdom (at the fork of the road) she is there to give us instruction about which way we should go. Wisdom is at the city gates so before you enter in that job interview or that courtroom or wherever the place that you need wisdom, she is there to give instruction. Isn’t that exciting! We are encouraged to ask God for wisdom as often as we need it (Jam 1:5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking). Let’s continue…
Pro 8:6-7 “Listen to me! For I have important information for you. Everything I say is right and true, for I hate lies and every kind of deception.
So the way to discern the wisdom from God is ‘everything it says is true’. In other words, it can stand the test of being brought to the light because there are no shadows in it. So when you are contemplating a decision you can know whether the way you are considering is from God because there will be nothing hidden in it that would make you ashamed if someone knew. Okay, let me break it down. Say you are trying to figure out how to get out of a debt. The thought comes “why don’t I just call the company and tell them I just can’t pay them… the bill is to high etc”. But if that company looked at what you’ve been spending money on you would be ashamed because of the clearly unnecessary stuff you’ve been buying. That would not be the path of wisdom.
Pro 8:8-9 “My advice is wholesome and good. There is nothing of evil in it. My words are plain and clear to anyone with half a mind --- if it is only open!”
So wisdom tells us that no matter how dumb or smart we think we are, wisdom is available. Once you pray and ask God for wisdom you must open your heart to hear. Many times what wisdom will instruct us to do is not comfortable to our flesh. Wisdom will say “go back and tell them the truth” after we fabricated some story or ‘enhanced’ another but our pride doesn’t want to budge. Well, look at this…
Pro 8:13b “For wisdom hates pride, arrogance, corruption and deceit of every kind”.
When it says “wisdom hates pride” it means that if you are in pride you cannot discern what wisdom is telling you to do. Many times the issue is not whether I have wisdom but rather am I willing to follow wisdom. But look at the rewards.
Pro 8:10 “My instruction is far more valuable than silver or gold. For the value of wisdom is far above rubies; nothing can be compared with it. Wisdom and good judgment live together, for wisdom knows where to discover knowledge and understanding.
When we make up in our minds to seek and to follow wisdom it will bring better results than you getting a load of money! The bible says “in all your getting get an understanding” (pro 4:7)… well wisdom knows where to discover understanding! Stop worrying about what people will think or say when you finally decide to follow wisdom. The people who will criticize you when you make those “hard” decisions because of wisdom don’t like you anyway. It’s time to “MAN UP” (or woman up depending on your gender) and follow wisdom!
Pro 8:17-21 “I love all who love me. Those who search for me shall surely find me. Unending riches, honor, justice and righteousness are mine to distribute. My gifts are better than the purest gold or sterling silver! My paths are those of justice and right. Those who love and follow me are indeed wealthy. I fill their treasuries.
Go ahead with your plans to follow wisdom. Don’t let the pressure turn your head from the path you know you should take. Walk in wisdom.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Water Baptism: The confirmation of your Faith.
Mar 16:15 And He (Jesus) said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.
Mar 16:16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.
Jesus declares that once a person believes he needs to be baptized in water. There are many different beliefs and religions throughout the world. Most say they believe in God (or should I say “a god”) but once you name the name of Jesus it separates you from every other religion in the world. When a person confesses Christ as their Lord and savior they are saying that they no longer depend on their own works to save them or give them favor before God, but they are saying that they wholly depend on Jesus and His sacrifice on the cross for salvation.
Eph 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.
When a person confesses Christ they are saying they believe in their heart that God sent Jesus as a sacrifice for their sins and God raised Him up from the dead on the third day.
Act 10:40 Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly,
Rom 4:24-25 but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, (v25) who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification.
(Also see: Acts 3:13-15, 4:10, Gal 1:1, Eph 1:19-20, Col 2:12, 2Tim 2:8).
What part does water baptism play in your confession? Once a person is baptized they are making a public confession before God and man that they believe the gospel of Jesus Christ. It’s irrefutable and God honors it. Its part of our obedience to Christ, the one who we say is Lord over our lives. Take a look as Peter gives instructions to those who heard and believe the gospel.
Act 2:36 "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."
Act 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?"
Act 2:38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Baptism is like putting your name on a membership role. You decide you want to be a part of a group and you sign your name on the membership role to make it official. Now everyone knows that you are a part of that group because with your signature comes your commitment to the laws that govern that group. If it’s a bowling league you are saying you’ll be there when called upon according to their requirements. Baptism is like signing a marriage certificate. Yes, you loved your spouse before you got married but the certificate made it legal. The ring comes with the certificate that says to you and everyone else that you’ve made a commitment and you are not ashamed of it. Take a look at Paul as he talks to those whom John the Baptist had ministered too.
Act 19:3 And he said to them, "Into what then were you baptized?" So they said, "Into John's baptism."
Act 19:4 Then Paul said, "John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus."
Act 19:5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
To be baptized simply means fully wet. To be immersed in water. What does it show? As you go down in the water you hold your breath. You stop breathing for a moment which signifies you died with Christ. When you come back up out of the water you begin to breathe again which shows you are risen with Him. It’s an outward sign of an inward decision.
Col 2:12-13 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses.
Act 8:35-38 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, "See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?" Then Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him.
Haven’t been baptized since you believed? Then get baptized in the name of Jesus.
If this teaching has been a blessing to you, please let me know.
Mar 16:16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.
Jesus declares that once a person believes he needs to be baptized in water. There are many different beliefs and religions throughout the world. Most say they believe in God (or should I say “a god”) but once you name the name of Jesus it separates you from every other religion in the world. When a person confesses Christ as their Lord and savior they are saying that they no longer depend on their own works to save them or give them favor before God, but they are saying that they wholly depend on Jesus and His sacrifice on the cross for salvation.
Eph 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.
When a person confesses Christ they are saying they believe in their heart that God sent Jesus as a sacrifice for their sins and God raised Him up from the dead on the third day.
Act 10:40 Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly,
Rom 4:24-25 but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, (v25) who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification.
(Also see: Acts 3:13-15, 4:10, Gal 1:1, Eph 1:19-20, Col 2:12, 2Tim 2:8).
What part does water baptism play in your confession? Once a person is baptized they are making a public confession before God and man that they believe the gospel of Jesus Christ. It’s irrefutable and God honors it. Its part of our obedience to Christ, the one who we say is Lord over our lives. Take a look as Peter gives instructions to those who heard and believe the gospel.
Act 2:36 "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."
Act 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?"
Act 2:38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Baptism is like putting your name on a membership role. You decide you want to be a part of a group and you sign your name on the membership role to make it official. Now everyone knows that you are a part of that group because with your signature comes your commitment to the laws that govern that group. If it’s a bowling league you are saying you’ll be there when called upon according to their requirements. Baptism is like signing a marriage certificate. Yes, you loved your spouse before you got married but the certificate made it legal. The ring comes with the certificate that says to you and everyone else that you’ve made a commitment and you are not ashamed of it. Take a look at Paul as he talks to those whom John the Baptist had ministered too.
Act 19:3 And he said to them, "Into what then were you baptized?" So they said, "Into John's baptism."
Act 19:4 Then Paul said, "John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus."
Act 19:5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
To be baptized simply means fully wet. To be immersed in water. What does it show? As you go down in the water you hold your breath. You stop breathing for a moment which signifies you died with Christ. When you come back up out of the water you begin to breathe again which shows you are risen with Him. It’s an outward sign of an inward decision.
Col 2:12-13 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses.
Act 8:35-38 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, "See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?" Then Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him.
Haven’t been baptized since you believed? Then get baptized in the name of Jesus.
If this teaching has been a blessing to you, please let me know.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
The Tithe: God’s protection for the home.
Gen 2:9 says "And out of the ground the LORD God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil".
Gen 2:16-17 says "And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, "Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die."
I want you to use your imagination... Say God gives you a home, furnished, puts a lamp in it and says, “everything in the house is yours but the lamp belongs to me. Keep in the midst of your home”.
What does He mean by saying “keep it in the midst of your home”? Keep it where it can’t be missed.
Why would He have something in the midst of your home that he says leave it just the way I put it? Well consider this. It would be a constant reminder to you that He was the one who gave you the entire house.
Keep on imagining. Satan appears in the form of a house decorator. The 1st thing he says… “the lamp really doesn’t fit in this home. You need to get rid of that”.
The one thing in your house that is a reminder of God's provision (the whole house and furnishings) Satan wants you to get rid of. Why? Well what if someone broke in. If they thought to take everything they would be taking God’s stuff also, so God Himself would have the right to rebuke the devourer and you would benefit from it.
So the promise from the word of God...
Mal 3:11 "And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field," Says the LORD of hosts;
Concerning offerings: That’s something you give that show’s your heart toward whatever you give to. When it comes to God He wants you to do it out of love of a desire to help concerning things He loves also. Such as missions, giving to the poor etc, but it’s your stuff. You can give if you want but you don’t have to. God just gives us a promise.
Pro 19:17 He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD, And He will pay back what he has given.
2Co 9:7amp Let each one [give] as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for God loves (He takes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without) a cheerful (joyous, "prompt to do it") giver [whose heart is in his giving]. [Proverbs 22:9]
2Co 9:8 And God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be self-sufficient [possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation].
And a law goes into effect… 2Co 9:6 msg Remember: A stingy planter gets a stingy crop; a lavish planter gets a lavish crop.
But the tithe is different. It belongs to God. You take that out of your house and God has no right to rebuke the thief because He no longer has any personal possesions in your home.
Leave the lamp alone. In other words, The thithe belongs to God.
Mal 3:8 "Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, 'In what way have we robbed You?' In tithes and offerings.
(By the way... robbing God in offerings is making a pedge and then not fulfilling it. (see Acts 5:1-10)
Gen 2:16-17 says "And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, "Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die."
I want you to use your imagination... Say God gives you a home, furnished, puts a lamp in it and says, “everything in the house is yours but the lamp belongs to me. Keep in the midst of your home”.
What does He mean by saying “keep it in the midst of your home”? Keep it where it can’t be missed.
Why would He have something in the midst of your home that he says leave it just the way I put it? Well consider this. It would be a constant reminder to you that He was the one who gave you the entire house.
Keep on imagining. Satan appears in the form of a house decorator. The 1st thing he says… “the lamp really doesn’t fit in this home. You need to get rid of that”.
The one thing in your house that is a reminder of God's provision (the whole house and furnishings) Satan wants you to get rid of. Why? Well what if someone broke in. If they thought to take everything they would be taking God’s stuff also, so God Himself would have the right to rebuke the devourer and you would benefit from it.
So the promise from the word of God...
Mal 3:11 "And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field," Says the LORD of hosts;
Concerning offerings: That’s something you give that show’s your heart toward whatever you give to. When it comes to God He wants you to do it out of love of a desire to help concerning things He loves also. Such as missions, giving to the poor etc, but it’s your stuff. You can give if you want but you don’t have to. God just gives us a promise.
Pro 19:17 He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD, And He will pay back what he has given.
2Co 9:7amp Let each one [give] as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for God loves (He takes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without) a cheerful (joyous, "prompt to do it") giver [whose heart is in his giving]. [Proverbs 22:9]
2Co 9:8 And God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be self-sufficient [possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation].
And a law goes into effect… 2Co 9:6 msg Remember: A stingy planter gets a stingy crop; a lavish planter gets a lavish crop.
But the tithe is different. It belongs to God. You take that out of your house and God has no right to rebuke the thief because He no longer has any personal possesions in your home.
Leave the lamp alone. In other words, The thithe belongs to God.
Mal 3:8 "Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, 'In what way have we robbed You?' In tithes and offerings.
(By the way... robbing God in offerings is making a pedge and then not fulfilling it. (see Acts 5:1-10)
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
What does the wind have to do with it?
In Mat 14 chapter we find Peter in an interesting predicament, sinking in the water he had been walking on.
Mat 14:28 And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water."
Mat 14:29 So He said, "Come." And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.
Jesus gave the word to Peter… “Come” and because it was a word from God, the power of that word (and Peter’s faith in that word) cause him to defy natural law. Heb 1:3 says Jesus who being the brightness of God’s glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power…
Peter was being upheld by the power of the word!
What happened next is what happens in all our lives. Whenever you take a step of faith the enemy of your soul, Satan, stirs up circumstances to distract you.
Mat 14:30 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!"
Please tell me… what did the wind have to do with God’s word? Is the word He’s given you governed by outside circumstances?
What does that pain have to do with God’s word to you… “You Are Healed” (Is53:5, Ps 103:2-3)?
What does that past due notice have to do with “My God shall supply all your need’s according to His riches in glory” (Phil 4:19)?
What does a thousand lay off’s have to do with the good work He already prepared for you to do (Eph 2:10)?
What does your feeling alone have to do with His promise to you “I’ll never leave you or forsake you” (Heb 13:5)?
Stop being distracted! Remember…
Mat 24:35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.
Jer 1:12 amp…I am alert and active, watching over My word to perform it.
Isa 55:11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
Look at what happened as soon as Peter got back in the place he had left.
Mat 14:32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
The enemy of our soul simply wants us to stay in the place that we are. If we get out he’s knows we will tell others that they can get out too and he can’t afford to lose people he’s been controlling by fear to wake up. When we wake up to who we are and what we can accomplish by the Holy Spirit within us we destroy (bring to nothing) Satan’s kingdom (his influence, his programs).
Jesus is asking you the same thing he asked Peter… Mat 14:31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"
Be sure to let me know if this is a blessing to you.
Mat 14:28 And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water."
Mat 14:29 So He said, "Come." And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.
Jesus gave the word to Peter… “Come” and because it was a word from God, the power of that word (and Peter’s faith in that word) cause him to defy natural law. Heb 1:3 says Jesus who being the brightness of God’s glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power…
Peter was being upheld by the power of the word!
What happened next is what happens in all our lives. Whenever you take a step of faith the enemy of your soul, Satan, stirs up circumstances to distract you.
Mat 14:30 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!"
Please tell me… what did the wind have to do with God’s word? Is the word He’s given you governed by outside circumstances?
What does that pain have to do with God’s word to you… “You Are Healed” (Is53:5, Ps 103:2-3)?
What does that past due notice have to do with “My God shall supply all your need’s according to His riches in glory” (Phil 4:19)?
What does a thousand lay off’s have to do with the good work He already prepared for you to do (Eph 2:10)?
What does your feeling alone have to do with His promise to you “I’ll never leave you or forsake you” (Heb 13:5)?
Stop being distracted! Remember…
Mat 24:35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.
Jer 1:12 amp…I am alert and active, watching over My word to perform it.
Isa 55:11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
Look at what happened as soon as Peter got back in the place he had left.
Mat 14:32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
The enemy of our soul simply wants us to stay in the place that we are. If we get out he’s knows we will tell others that they can get out too and he can’t afford to lose people he’s been controlling by fear to wake up. When we wake up to who we are and what we can accomplish by the Holy Spirit within us we destroy (bring to nothing) Satan’s kingdom (his influence, his programs).
Jesus is asking you the same thing he asked Peter… Mat 14:31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"
Be sure to let me know if this is a blessing to you.
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