Beware The Enemy

        The Word tells us that we are not ignorant of Satan’s devices (or his influences).  When we read the Word with understanding, we come away with knowledge and insight to detect the enemy at work within our jobs, our homes, our community, and our nation. 

The enemy’s job is to steal, kill, and destroy; he is the father of liars and a master of deception.  And since we know that God is not the author of confusion, guess who is?  If he can confuse, he can delude (tricking people) into seeing what is not or what is not, is.  Know your enemy well; recognize him for who he is and how he influences.  Don’t attempt to war with flesh for the Word tells us that “the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God in pulling down strongholds, casting down imaginations (delusions) and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:4,5). 

         Do you recognize these traits illustrated in your loved ones:  Are they stealing your joy by their behavior and conduct; are they killing the desire within you to promote the Gospel of Jesus Christ; are they attempting to destroy everything you have accomplished or dreamed; are they lying to you every chance they get, and are they attempting to deceive you with tricks because they think you’re stupid? 

        Don’t get mad at them, get mad at the devil and stomp on his head!  Put your foot squarely on his neck and remind him that he has already been defeated and that you’re going to make sure he stays that way.  Pray, praise, and pray some more.  Pray in the natural and pray in the spirit—and teach your children how to recognize him as well and have them join in the prayer and praise fest—at home, in the car, on your job, in their school, wherever people are—expect the enemy’s influence to be present—but don’t give in to it. Recognize him at work and call him out on it.  No weapon—none—that he can toss our way can in any way hurt us—unless we allow it.  Glory to God in the highest!  We praise You for the victory—in all things at all times.  Hallelujah!

I Just Don't Understand

How on earth can we as human beings disregard the life of another?
How can we maim, disfigure, and kill children and those we say, we once loved?
Why do we need an assault weapon to defend our homes when the truth of the matter is, if someone breaks in while we're at home, the first shot will (for those with any sense) scare off any others?
Why does any sane person need more than gun in one household?
Are we so insecure within ourselves that we have to prove something to others?
What do we have to prove and why do we need to prove anything to anyone else?
Why would a mother leave two young children alone in a home at night?
Why couldn't a neighbor be trusted to look after the children?
Are we so wicked that none can trust us to look after children to keep them from harm?
Why can't fathers take care of their children?  After all, the children did not make that decision to be created or born?
Why can't mothers love and nurture the children they brought into this world?
Why must the media report everything so that everyone will know exactly how to undermine whatever is being planned?
Why can't we--just love one another--care for one another--be respectful of one another--regard all life as sacred--be mindful of the fact that however we live our lives and how we do it, will determine our fate and what we will receive from others?

"Beloved, let us love one another."  If we love, we won't hurt, discourage, kill, or disparage others.  If we love--we will be loved.  Tell someone today that you love them, while you yet have a chance!

Holiness

Not a Look—a Lifestyle

            How does one live holy?  As much as some people attempt to make it difficult or impossible, living holy is possible or God would not have asked us to do so.  “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy” (I Peter 1:15,16).
            How does one define holiness?  True holiness is defined by being as much like God as we can.  We exhibit love for all, compassion for all, and a right relationship with God so that He may guide us in all that we do.  If we refuse to obey His Word, we cannot be in a right relationship with God.  We must also remember that we are not gods and we do not have the right to tell God what He can or cannot do either with others or through others.

            Holiness is not defined by man’s inept legalism. If a woman is truly holy, her clothing will completely cover her extremities, her hair will be covered, and she will be void of make-up and jewelry. There are no specifics as to how to define how a man is holy as to how they should dress. So says legalism.

            What is legalism?  Legalism is the way of the Pharisees and the Scribes.  These are the rules by which leaders determine who is holy and who is not.  Legalism is another word for bondage.  Bondage hinders and prohibits the Holy Spirit from directing and guiding an individual and keeps people controlled by other people.  Jesus warns us in The Word when talking about the Pharisees, ”Thus you are nullifying and making void and of no effect [the authority of] the Word of God through your tradition, which you [in turn] hand on. And many things of this kind you are doing” (Mark 7:13 Amplified).  In this particular passage He is referring to how the Pharisees attempt to control men as it relates to the care of their parents.  It also holds true for much of the church world. 
            How many rules does a church have?

1)     There are rules for dressing in order to come into the sanctuary. 

2)      There are rules for committing a portion of one’s income to support the church.

3)      There are rules for what one can do outside the church building. 

4)     There are rules for whom one can hold associations or affiliations. 

5)     There are rules for when to come to church.

6)     There are rules for who can teach or preach. 

7)     There are rules for where one can sit in the church. 

8)     There are rules for the women. 

9)     There are rules for the men. 

10) There rules for the young people.

11) There are rules for the rules. 

On That Day!

Without a conscience--the soul has no chance on That Day. When we leave here--the earth realm--our spirit goes back to God, our bodies return to dust, and the soul is preserved for judgment on That Day. Seek God and invite the Holy Spirit in to dwell within the temple (your body) so that a conscience is developed and a soul is saved on That Day--for all eternity. Help us Holy Spirit to hear Your sweet, gentle voice so we may give a hearty praise unto The Lord--always! Glory to God!

Loving Parents Cry for Their Children When...

How many times have we cried for our children when we were disappointed with their behavior, their lifestyles, their public conduct, their choices?

If we cry about the things that our children do that disappoint us, is God crying when we disappoint Him?

I posted something earlier today about, I made God cry, and I was going to end it there, but the Holy Spirit would not let me rest.  A few days ago, while teaching a class, I had an opportunity to witness to a young lady who is struggling with sexual sin.  After the class was dismissed, she told me that something I had said during the class had ignited something within her, but she didn't know how to change her desires--which apparently overruled her sense of righteousness.  I listened and tried to explain how I had overcome by finding something else--something constructive to do when those urges plagued me.  That wasn't enough.  Finally, I had to share something with her that I had not shared with anyone before.  I had reached a place in my walk of faith and in my relationship with God (my Daddy) where I realized I did not want to see Him crying over me.  I explained to her that I had actually visualized my Daddy, sitting on His throne, shaking His head sadly and I watched the tears fall.  He was commiserating over my behavior.  While I watched Him cry, I understood the tears were because He loved and only wanted the very best for me.  Since then, I have not wanted my Daddy to cry over the things I do.  I want Him to rejoice over the things I do and for that reason--I try with everything in me-to be obedient--whether it makes my flesh feel good or not.  I have learned that obedience is better than sacrifice. Before we left the classroom--her face was bathed in tears--but she said she had never felt happier or lighter (burdens lifted).

I will not sacrifice my relationship with my loving Father in order to pacify flesh or fleshly desires.  We are all coming to a place where on That Day...we will stand before Him and receive the pronouncement that indicates the type of ambassador we truly were.   I don't know about you, but all I want to hear is "well done, my beloved child."

When we love our children, we cry over their mistakes made in life, their choices, and pray that they will come to a place in their lives where they realize--they must make better choices--and they can only do that if they have a right relationship with God.  I'm not talking about just going to church or being in a certain ministry.  I'm talking about having a loving relationship with God that requires us to acknowledge when we screwed things up and to receive correction.  When we acknowledge where we are--God can and will guide us lovingly--to the path of correction and blessings He has for us.

I don't know about you, but I love my children and I have cried myself to sleep many nights--concerned and disappointed by the choices they made--and I have not stopped crying or praying, yet.  They know I love them, I just hope I live long enough to see them love me that much in return.  It is really, all about love.  When we truly love--we do not wish to hurt or cause pain to the one who loves us.

How much do you love God today?  Enough to cease making Him cry?  I hope so.  Because He loved us enough to die for us, we should love Him enough to live (righteously) for Him!

I Made God Cry

"I made God cry--I saw His tears, and felt His heart breaking--when I chose not to obey His Word." When I didn't know any better, and was living life any way I wanted to, I didn't realize that God loved me so much...that when I committed a sinful act (my, my, my), that it would actually cause Him to pain. Now that I know better, I don't want to cause Him pain because I love Him; I don't want to see Him cry over the things I do; and when I see Him on That Day, all I want to hear is..."well done, my beloved child". Are you making God cry? It's never too late to turn things around, to know He is smiling upon us, just because He loves us and wants only the very best for us. No more tears--not on my behalf! Hallelujah!

Light in a Dark World

"The Word of God is a lamp unto our feet and a lamp upon our path" (Psalm 119:105). Is the Word of God lighting the way for us today? Does His Word brighten our darkest hour and dreariest day? Can we hope in His Word and see the light at the end of the tunnel of guilt and shame? He is light and in Him is no darkness and whatever is done in darkness will come (to be seen) in the light. Lord, thank You for being the Light in our lives--that we may see and know Truth and have hope in a world that appears to be hopeless. Glory to God--for the hope we have in Christ Jesus!

Uniquely (excerpt--I Am All That)

Let’s face it—there is only “one” T.D.Jakes,  Joyce Meyers, Creflo Dollar, Kenneth Hagin and you.  One can be a lonely number, but with our Father, one is intended to be that one-of-a-kind person who is truly dependent upon God for developing their own unique style of doing business—whatever that business is.

            I remember when I tried to “practice” preaching when I first understood that calling on my life.  I stood in the front of the mirror trying to “make the sounds I’d heard” from other preachers.  I ended up with a sore throat and having difficulty speaking.  I decided I didn’t want to preach like other folks because that was too much work.  What I didn’t understand then, but soon learned, is that God had implanted a teaching spirit in me—one that had been with me all of my life and that was the tool I used to do what He wanted me to do.

            Teaching—in order to be effective—must be understood.  We have our example from Jesus with all of His messages—from the mountaintop to the sea.  If he had not been understood, there wouldn’t have been a record for us to study in order to become more Christ-like.  Jesus did not whoop, He did not screech, He did not moan unintelligible sounds; He spoke clearly so even a child could understand.  Therefore, since I understood teaching, I was able to present messages that were taught rather than preached, messages in which people gained understanding of God’s Word because His Word was the focal point, not my ability to entertain or emotionalize the audience.   I used the same techniques and strategies to prepare for a message that are used to prepare in a classroom.  After all, a church should be a classroom—one in which people come to learn The Word—and so every speaker ought to know how to teach. 

            What was just said probably won’t be very popular with a lot church leaders, but that’s okay.  Not many people would have the guts to say what was just said, but then, I’m different—I am fearfully and wonderfully made-God’s unique being—created for His glory and not my own.  My secular students often tell me how different I am from other teachers.  I simply smile and say, “God has given every one of us a means and methods to get the job done.  This is mine.”  What is that method?

Finally Free

Finally Free

Today, I took the first step

One of many on my way

To being what God intended

No matter what others say.

Today, I took a deep long look

Within, without never flinching

At truth unfurled, my life’s book

Written in tears and pain,

And sometimes, blood stains

Caused by others and self-hatred

Deeply embedded and engrained

Into my soul, spirit, and mind

Taking its toll in life and relationships

Creating dark holes of nothingness

Trapped, no cage, bars or rope

Just loneliness, abandonment, with no hope,

Leaving me feeling unworthy

Of love and kindness and care

Daring to believe that love conquers all.

Today, I have shaken the shackles

That tried to bind me to a past

The devil hoped would last until

I moved from earth to heaven which is

Where I am bound—free to see

All the goodness in me, formed from the beginning

No matter what happened or how it turned to be

I know I am fearfully, uniquely, and wonderfully made,

With God going before me, He is more than enough

For me to conquer all past mistakes and woes

And live fully the life that He chose

For me from the beginning.  Today, yes today,

I am finally free to live and love and hope,

No longer trapped by my past—

I am free at last!