Year: 2017

Believe That!

If you believe, say Amen! And don’t just say it with your words — you are no longer powerless against the wiles of the enemy! Testify with your life, your love, for God and for others! Let the refining fires burn hot, let the refreshing waters flow cold, and let your light shine bright in your children, OH LORD!

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. – Psalms 23:1‭-‬2 ESV

You have a Good Shepherd,  Children of God. And He walks with you and caresources for you. Those of you who have ears to hear, You are His and He is yours! He will not abandon you,  and nothing and no one is powerful enough to overcome Him, He is the LORD!

He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.  Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. – Psalms 23:3‭-‬4 ESV

We will have valleys to walk with Him. We will encounter trials. We will feel the rich of his correction and guidance. Do not be afraid, little lamb, He will keep you from the wolves because He is no hireling or wolf in sheep’s clothing – He lays down His life for the sheep. You can trust Him completely. He proves Himself faithful and true. 

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. – Psalms 23:5‭-‬6 ESV

He is not leading you to the slaughter, but returning you to your place at the table. He is restoring you to that right standing with your Heavenly Father. He is leading you in the Way, the Truth, and the Life set before you that you are called to walk – following in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. Come, take up your cross and follow Him, and find that His commandments are not a burden but a blessing. He will teach you love, because He loves you, Child of God.
Go, tell the world of this great love that He has for you! Praise His Holy Name and see the enemies flee. They shall not overcome, because He already has!  Amen!

Victim or Victor

Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades. In these lay a multitude of invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed. One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?”  The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.” Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.”  And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked. Now that day was the Sabbath. So the Jews said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to take up your bed.” But he answered them, “The man who healed me, that man said to me, ‘Take up your bed, and walk.’ ” They asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?” Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place. Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you.”  The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him. And this was why the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because he was doing these things on the Sabbath. – John 5:2‭-‬3‭, ‬5‭-‬16 ESV

Jesus asks a simple yes or no question,  “Do you want to be healed?” and the man’s answer comes with a story about how others don’t help him and step in front of him. Blame is his first response to the prospect of healing.

But even in the face of this “victim mentality” of seeing the imperfections in those around him instead of the perfection of the LORD before him,  Jesus heals the man and uses this as a lasting testimony.

But the LORD doesn’t stop at healing, the LORD addresses the topic of the man’s sin and advises him with a reminder of what should be his focus – not the shortcomings of others but the upright obedience in his own life. His choice – die in his flesh as a victim or live with Christ as a victor.

Have you found yourself feeling like a victim? Have you found yourself forgiving someone in hopes that it will spur their admitting their guilt so you might feel vindicated in your considering yourself a victim? Have you found yourself pointing out “how much I do” compared to someone else you think should do more? Do you take pride in feeling like you are better or stronger than “them”?

I have been there, and it is dangerous ground – it is sinking sand.  
It is passive aggressive pride trying to hide under the mask of “having a story that justifies my…” bad attitude, unforgiveness, lack of love,  etc. It is the foolishness of blaming my own circumstances on someone else. And it stems from thinking much of ourselves — that “we deserve better” from others. Victim mentality involves lots of finger pointing with little self examination, learning, or growth.

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. – Romans 12:3‭-‬8 ESV

Victim mentality is usually accompanied by our demeaning another, saying “they should have”, or “because they did that”, etc. It is nothing but a deflection from our accepting that God has us here – yes, God. And He has us here for mighty good reason. So we aren’t blaming those others even nearly as much as we are God – for making them this way – or for leading us here into this trial – or for allowing us to face discipline, discomfort, suffering, or even persecution. 
LORD, have mercy on me, and upon any of my brothers and sisters who have fallen into this trap. Come and rescue us, LORD, for yours is the victory. We are singing your praises even now as we know your purpose, your will,  your plan is playing itself out even now. You will see us through to the end. You are faithful and true. Amen.

Who do we trust to fulfill our needs?

Who do we trust to fulfill our needs?

God.

Who is sent to be a blessing and to meet the needs of others? 

Christ in Us. If He indeed is in us.

“And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the  Amen,  the faithful and true witness,  the beginning of God’s creation.   “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot.  Would that you were either cold or hot!  So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.  For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.  I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.  Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.  Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.  The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’” – Revelation 3:14‭-‬22 ESV​
Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord , and he will repay him for his deed. – Proverbs 19:17 ESV

“Beware of  practicing your righteousness before other people in order  to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.   “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may  be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have  received their reward.  But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,  so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. – Matthew 6:1‭-‬4 ESV
I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.  Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. – Philippians 4:10‭-‬20 ESV
And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings.   “One who is  faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.  If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?  And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own?  No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” – Luke 16:9‭-‬13 ESV
If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. – 1 Timothy 6:3‭-‬10 ESV

Things spinning out of control? 

When it seems like things are spinning out of control and you can’t even see your own worth or purpose or direction,  remember – there is a hand at the wheel… 

An imperfect people, 

loved by a perfect God — 

We don’t even know how 

to love each other —

or even how to love ourselves —

But He’s willing to teach us, 

He’s already shown us, 

That we are worth the cross,

We are worth His blood, 

Not because we are much at all,

But because His touch changes that, 

We are no longer just broken vessels of clay, 

We are carriers of the Holy Spirit of God,

We are called and sent,

His hands, His feet, His body going forth. 

He calls us precious.

He calls us beloved.

The guilt and shame and pride whispers lies,

But He is faithful and true. 

You are precious. 

You are beloved.

Today’s Bread, Today’s Testimony

Too often in the past we have relied only upon the blessed assurance of a “yesterday’s testimony” not in our actively living out a testimony TODAY. Too often in the past we have relied only upon a Word imparted to us on a Sunday to feed us for our Monday through Saturday. I say, “No more! Too much blessing, too much anointing,  too much life, too much service unto others, too much love, and too much sharing of this Good News is being left untouched on the ground each day! Too many are feeding on the worms and decay of old bread when TODAY is here and waiting for us!” LORD, forgive us and lead us into repentance and into life, TODAY, and for every TODAY until TODAY is no longer called TODAY. Amen.
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not. On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather daily.” So Moses and Aaron said to all the people of Israel, “At evening you shall know that it was the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt, and in the morning you shall see the glory of the Lord , because he has heard your grumbling against the Lord . For what are we, that you grumble against us?” And Moses said, “When the Lord gives you in the evening meat to eat and in the morning bread to the full, because the Lord has heard your grumbling that you grumble against him—what are we? Your grumbling is not against us but against the Lord .”  Then Moses said to Aaron, “Say to the whole congregation of the people of Israel, ‘Come near before the Lord , for he has heard your grumbling.’” And as soon as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the people of Israel, they looked toward the wilderness, and behold, the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud. And the Lord said to Moses, “I have heard the grumbling of the people of Israel. Say to them, ‘At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall be filled with bread. Then you shall know that I am the Lord your God.’”  In the evening quail came up and covered the camp, and in the morning dew lay around the camp. And when the dew had gone up, there was on the face of the wilderness a fine, flake-like thing, fine as frost on the ground. When the people of Israel saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. And Moses said to them, “It is the bread that the Lord has given you to eat. This is what the Lord has commanded: ‘Gather of it, each one of you, as much as he can eat. You shall each take an omer, according to the number of the persons that each of you has in his tent.’” And the people of Israel did so. They gathered, some more, some less. But when they measured it with an omer, whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack. Each of them gathered as much as he could eat. And Moses said to them, “Let no one leave any of it over till the morning.” But they did not listen to Moses. Some left part of it till the morning, and it bred worms and stank. And Moses was angry with them. Morning by morning they gathered it, each as much as he could eat; but when the sun grew hot, it melted.  On the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, two omers each. And when all the leaders of the congregation came and told Moses, he said to them, “This is what the Lord has commanded: ‘Tomorrow is a day of solemn rest, a holy Sabbath to the Lord ; bake what you will bake and boil what you will boil, and all that is left over lay aside to be kept till the morning.’” So they laid it aside till the morning, as Moses commanded them, and it did not stink, and there were no worms in it. Moses said, “Eat it today, for today is a Sabbath to the Lord ; today you will not find it in the field. Six days you shall gather it, but on the seventh day, which is a Sabbath, there will be none.”  On the seventh day some of the people went out to gather, but they found none. And the Lord said to Moses, “How long will you refuse to keep my commandments and my laws? See! The Lord has given you the Sabbath; therefore on the sixth day he gives you bread for two days. Remain each of you in his place; let no one go out of his place on the seventh day.” So the people rested on the seventh day.  Now the house of Israel called its name manna. It was like coriander seed, white, and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey. Moses said, “This is what the Lord has commanded: ‘Let an omer of it be kept throughout your generations, so that they may see the bread with which I fed you in the wilderness, when I brought you out of the land of Egypt.’” And Moses said to Aaron, “Take a jar, and put an omer of manna in it, and place it before the Lord to be kept throughout your generations.” As the Lord commanded Moses, so Aaron placed it before the testimony to be kept. The people of Israel ate the manna forty years, till they came to a habitable land. They ate the manna till they came to the border of the land of Canaan.

Exodus 16:4‭-‬35 ESV

My Everything

Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.  

I say to the Lord , “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.”  

As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.  

The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply; their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out or take their names on my lips.  

The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.  

The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.  

I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me.  

I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.  

Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure.  

For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.  

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Psalms 16:1‭-‬11 ESV

Huge thanks to Mr. John B. Burgess Sr for this song. A wise, loving friend to so many.

The Day of the LORD

Woe to you who desire the day of the Lord! Why would you want the day of the Lord? It is darkness and not light; It is as if a man fled from a lion and a bear met him, or went into the house and leaned with his hand against the wall and a serpent bit him. Shall not the day of the Lord be darkness, not light? Even very dark with no brightness in it? I hate, I despise your feasts, and I will not smell a savor or take delight in your solemn assemblies. Though you offer Me your burnt offerings and your cereal offerings, I will not accept them, neither will I look upon the peace or thank offerings of your fatted beasts. Take away from Me the noise of your songs, for I will not listen to the melody of your harps. But let justice run down like waters and righteousness as a mighty and ever-flowing stream.

Amos 5:18-24 AMP

http://bible.com/8/amo.5.18-24.AMP

Thus He showed me, and behold, the Lord stood upon a wall with a plumb line, with a plumb line in His hand. [II Kings 21:13; Isa. 34:11.] And the Lord said to me, Amos, what do you see? And I said, A plumb line. Then said the Lord, Behold, I am setting a plumb line as a standard in the midst of My people Israel. I will not pass by and spare them any more [the door of mercy is shut]. And the [idolatrous] high places of Isaac (Israel) shall be desolate and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste, and I will rise with the sword against the house of King Jeroboam [who set up the golden calf shrines]. Then Amaziah the priest of [the golden calf shrine at] Bethel sent to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, Amos has conspired against you in the midst of the house of Israel; the land is not able to bear all his words. [I Kings 12:31, 32.] For thus Amos has said, Jeroboam shall die by the sword and Israel shall surely be led away captive out of his land. Also Amaziah said to Amos, O you seer, go! Flee back to the land of Judah [your own country], and eat your bread and live out your profession as a prophet there [as I perform my duties here]. But do not prophesy any more at Bethel, for it is the king’s sanctuary and a seat of his kingdom. [Luke 10:10-12.] Then Amos said to Amaziah, I was no prophet [by profession]! Neither was I a prophet’s son; [but I had my occupation] I was a herdsman and a dresser of sycamore trees and a gatherer of sycamore figs. And the Lord took me as I followed the flock and the Lord said to me, Go, prophesy to My people Israel. Now therefore listen to the word of the Lord: You say, Do not prophesy against Israel and drop no statements not complimentary to the house of Isaac. Therefore thus says the Lord: Your wife shall be a harlot in the city and your sons and your daughters shall fall by the sword, and your land shall be divided up by line; you yourself shall die in an unclean and defiled land, and Israel shall surely go forth out of his land into exile.

Amos 7:7-17 AMP

http://bible.com/8/amo.7.7-17.AMP