Isaiah 30:15 (AMP) For the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel has said this, “In returning [to Me] and rest you shall be saved, in quietness and confident trust is your strength.” But you were not willing
Are you willing? That is always the question. Every time I have said ‘yes’ to God He has brought me to a place I would never have imagined for myself. In a world that tells us to “just do you,” can we find the true meaning of rest? Rest is a position, not an action. Did you see where the rest was found in the above verse? It says to return to Him. This is my position of rest, it is found in Him. Secondly, quietness and confident trust will be found and become my strength.
Isaiah 32:17 (AMP) And the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness will be quietness and confident trust forever.
Thirteen years ago I made a decision to receive this confident trust. I remember where I was. I remember that conversation and the outpouring of His love. Prior, I had allowed fear to be the reason that I could not speak. I was a student of the Word, and will never not be. There was a moment that I told God that I was giving it up to Him. I was going to position myself in His trust. Confidence began to arise. When I get anxious, as I have done at a solo speaking event, I realized that I am more focused on people. I can know all the right words, but I stand outside of righteousness. So let us define righteousness because it has a lot to do with our rest, peace and confidence.
Romans 1:17 (AMP) For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith [disclosed in a way that awakens more faith]. As it is written and forever remains written, “The just and upright shall live by faith.”
Romans 3:22 (AMP) This righteousness of God comes through faith in Jesus Christ for all those [Jew or Gentile] who believe [and trust in Him and acknowledge Him as God’s Son]. There is no distinction
Why are we still looking for a promised land, as believers? All through the Word it points to Jesus. It comes down to a faith issue. My rest is a faith issue. My righteousness is a faith issue. My confidence is a faith issue. My confident trust is a faith issue. Faith is rooted in love. When I know my position then all of these areas that I have striven for become satisfied.
1 John 5:3 (AMP) For the [true] love of God is this: that we habitually keep His commandments and remain focused on His precepts. And His commandments and His precepts are not difficult [to obey].
Are you willing to say ‘yes’ to all that Jesus has to offer you? Are you willing to put your trust in God and not in your own understanding? Are you willing to lay down what you believe to be your limitations and settle into His rest? Are you willing?
Hebrews 3:19 (AMP) So we see that they were not able to enter [into His rest—the promised land] because of unbelief and an unwillingness to trust in God.
Luke 6:46-49 (AMP) “Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not practice what I tell you? Everyone who comes to Me and listens to My words and obeys them, I will show you whom he is like: he is like a [far-sighted, practical, and sensible] man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation on the rock; and when a flood occurred, the torrent burst against that house and yet could not shake it, because it had been securely built and founded on the rock. But the one who has [merely] heard and has not practiced [what I say], is like a [foolish] man who built a house on the ground without any foundation, and the torrent burst against it; and it immediately collapsed, and the ruin of that house was great.”
September is in the middle of hurricane season for our area. This year we have had two form in a small body known as the Gulf Coast. We are in storm alert here in the southeast (I live in central Alabama). So what are we seeing, questions about storm shelters. Many homes in the mid west have them built on their properties because they live in what is known as “tornado alley.” A few years ago we had a tornado go through one of our rural towns, Beauregard, and cause significant damage with casualties. The President of our United States even flew down to survey the damage. Storm shelters have become a big question, especially for those from that area (which is just 15 minutes from my own home).
Storms are going to come. How do I prepare? Last night I had my boys take down everything from the pool area, so that we would not get furniture blown in and cause damage. This summer I had a company come in and cut large limbs away from hanging over my house. My home is on a sure foundation of prayer and faith. My youngest and I get up and start the morning with prayer and devotion before he goes off to school. My husband prays as he drives on the road at four in the morning, on his way to work. Fear is not a part of the preparation plan.
Hebrews 12:26-29 (AMP) His voice shook the earth [at Mount Sinai] then, but now He has given a promise, saying, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the [starry] heaven.” Now this [expression], “Yet once more,” indicates the removal and final transformation of all those things which can be shaken—that is, of that which has been created—so that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, and offer to God pleasing service and acceptable worship with reverence and awe; for our God is [indeed] a consuming fire.
I was given this visual in prayer yesterday about preparing for the storm. Limbs bend when they produce an abundance of fruit. Can they withstand it? Preparation comes in the storm. If the branches cannot hold up to a storm, then how are they going to hold up to the fruit producing on them? Which one weighs more? We cannot fear the storm, but we can prepare for it. How?
John 15: 4-8 (AMP) Remain in Me, and I [will remain] in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself without remaining in the vine, neither can you [bear fruit, producing evidence of your faith] unless you remain in Me. I am the Vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him bears much fruit, for [otherwise] apart from Me [that is, cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in Me, he is thrown out like a [broken off] branch, and withers and dies; and they gather such branches and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you remain in Me and My words remain in you [that is, if we are vitally united and My message lives in your heart], ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified and honored by this, when you bear much fruit, and prove yourselves to be My [true] disciples.
John 14:27 (AMP) Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.]
I was looking up the strongest trees in the world and it said that the olive tree is the most resilient. There are some in existence from thousands of years. Their root system holds up. What are you rooted in? I am rooted and grounded in the love of Christ (Ephesians 3:17-19). His roots run deep and they are secure. When we are abiding in Him and rooted in Him we have built that house on the rock and cannot be shaken, because the storms will come. Have great courage and prepare for the storm. Do not let fear be a part of your preparation plan.
Here is Psalms 91. Make it personal as I have: The Brogdon family (put your own family name in) dwells in the shelter of the Most High will remain secure and rest in the shadow of the Almighty [whose power no enemy can withstand]. They will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom we trust [with great confidence, and on whom we rely]!” For He will save the Brogdon’s from the trap of the fowler, and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover us and completely protect us with His pinions, and under His wings we will find refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and a wall. The Brogdon’s will not be afraid of the terror of night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor of the destruction (sudden death) that lays waste at noon. A thousand may fall at our side and ten thousand at our right hand, but danger will not come near us. We will only [be a spectator as we] look on with our eyes and witness the [divine] repayment of the wicked [as we watch safely from the shelter of the Most High]. Because the Brogdon’s have made the Lord, [who is] our refuge, even the Most High, our dwelling place, no evil will befall us, nor will any plague come near our home. For He will command His angels in regard to us, to protect and defend and guard us in all our ways [of obedience and service]. They will lift us up in their hands, so that we do not [even] strike our feet against a stone. The Brogdon’s will tread upon the lion and cobra; the young lion and the serpent we will trample underfoot. “Because they set their love on Me, therefore I will save them; I will set them [securely] on high, because they know My name [they confidently trust and rely on Me, knowing I will never abandon them, no, never]. “They will call upon Me, and I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble; I will rescue them and honor them. “With a long life I will satisfy them and I will let them see My salvation.”
1 Peter 5:8 (AMP) Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour.
“Be sober,” this is not talking about you being under the influence of recreational drugs and alcohol (as it does address that in the Bible as well). This is talking about your mind. It comes directly after Paul is telling us to cast all of our cares on Christ. What are some things that can intoxicate our minds? How about rehearsing a hurt? How about having conversations and arguments with someone who is not even around, just because you “felt attacked” on social media? How about looking for the ones to let you down, or keeping account of it (I know who is for me proclamations)? The enemy is looking to devour us and we serve it up a nice meal by making people out to be our enemies. Here are two scriptures for you:
Ephesians 6:12 (AMP) For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places.
Matthew 5:43-45 (AMP) You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor (fellow man) and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for] your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may [show yourselves to] be the children of your Father who is in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on those who are evil and on those who are good, and makes the rain fall on the righteous [those who are morally upright] and the unrighteous [the unrepentant, those who oppose Him].
It is a sad time that we see anyone who does not have the same views as ourselves as our enemy. It is even sadder that when we feel challenged that we believe it is because we have come in contact with an enemy. I am going to challenge you with this. Why? I believe that challenge brings growth. Branches do not bend just because they are going through a storm, they bend when there is heavy fruit on them. I am wanting to see the fruit. Unfortunately when we feel challenged we think it is a storm and have to fight back. We pray against the storm (a person) and do not realize that we have voluntarily gone under the influence of the Adversary.
Job 2:2 (MEV) The Lord said to the Adversary, “From where do you come?” And the Adversary answered the Lord, saying, “From roaming on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.”
Hear me out. You have to renew your mind daily (Romans 12:2). You have to cast down those imaginations (2 Corinthians 10:5). Remember the first part of 1 Peter 5:8 says, “Be sober.” The Adversary, Satan, is roaming around looking for someone to devour. I have to be vigilant with my thought life. I am not fearful, but I am learning more and more the triggers that cause me to be intoxicated with negative thoughts.
John 10:10 (AMP) The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows].
Here is a good test for myself: Did that thought cause me to lose my joy? Did that thought cause me to lose my patience with my brothers and sisters in Christ (Ephesians 42)? Am I struggling to see the best for them? Did I lose my peace and now in fear of being found out for how a truly feel about someone? Did I respond with kindness or defense? Did I exhibit self control or was I my just being my true self? If I am having a hard time exhibiting qualities of compassion for someone, it is because of me, not them. Christ said to pray. So that is what I am doing. I am praying for God to give me such a deep love for them, so that it is all that flows out of me. Unselfish love does not hold words, thoughts or feeling against one another.
Philippians 4:8 (AMP) Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart].
None of us have finished the race, as long as there is breath in our lungs (1 Corinthians 9:24). I am transforming more and more each day into His image (2 Corinthians 3:18). So that means I need to test my sobriety against the Word. I cannot be tested unless I am challenged. I will not grow the best fruit unless I submit to the pruning (John 15:1-8). I do not want to become stagnant and have a fixed mindset (Zephaniah 1:12), then I will start to stink up the areas of influence I once had and kill off others fruit. I want my thoughts to align with His thoughts (1 Corinthians 2:16). Just because something was true about someone ten years ago, does not mean it is true now. Allow growth in others, just like you would like for people to see growth in you also. Be sober minded.
Ephesians 3:17 (AMP) so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through your faith. And may you, having been [deeply] rooted and [securely] grounded in love
About seven years ago I found myself really drawn to this part of Ephesians. Ephesians 3:16-20 began to come alive to me during a part of my life when I was going through something really difficult. I had been fired from my job, and my character had been tarnished. I was made out to look like a villain. What did I do? I went to the Word. I surrounded myself in the Word every day. I sat in the Word as much as I could. It was not about God changing their minds about me, it was about God who I am to You. I was going to be better than fine.
Ephesians 3:17 (MSG) that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite Him in. And I ask Him with both feet planted firmly on love
Ephesians 3:17 (TPT) Then, by constantly using your faith, the life of Christ will be released deep inside you, and the resting place of His love will become the very source and root of your life.
I had a faith growing moment. I had to decide if Christ really had residence. This became a moment of deeper surrender in my life. I explained it this way on Sunday. A guest gets a room and we have prepared a place for them, but we have the expectation that they stay within the boundaries that we have set, because they are our guest. A resident has the ability to move around furniture and to make our place comfortable for living to them. They have unlimited access to the home. When I asked Christ to dwell, He was not there to keep things looking the way they were when He arrived. I gave Him governing authority. It is not me making sure that everything stays clean, we reside together, so we are doing the chores of maintenance together. It is now our home. If I see something that needs to be cleaned up, in my maturity, I know what needs to be done and I do it. I am not saying I am waiting on Christ to do this in my life, He has empowered me when He took up residence in my home (my life).
Which means that I do not have to set a particular place for Him. I have a spot that I like to do my studies and read. My dog knows when I am at my spot and it is her favorite time of day. I will put my worship music on and she will come running. However, that is not the only place that I meet with God. As I am riding in the car I can be meditating on a scripture or a moment and talk to God about it. While I am at the gym I can be meditating on something and receive this amazing revelation, and cannot wait to get back to my Bible to confirm it in His Word. While I am on the walking track and I have someone catch up with me and we start talking. There is always a moment to encourage them to keep going and to point them to Jesus, the Word.
I do not have a prayer closet. I do not pray a certain way every day. I do not have an altar in my home. I can meet with Him anywhere because He has residence. I do pray (in my personal time and corporately). I do speak words of thanksgiving throughout the day. I do turn my thoughts to what the Word says on a situation. I am mindful of my own thoughts. I am mindful of others needs and not just my own. This is what it looks like when He has taken residence. I am rooted in love, which is a result of surrendering to Christ. I love that we have the ability to have the Word at our fingertips with the You Version App. Download it on your phone. You can now carry your Bible with you every where you go.
Hebrews 4:16 (AMP) Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God’s gracious favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment].
There is no certain place or person I have to go through to meet with God. I can come boldly right where I am into His Presence. I do this through my faith in Christ. I do this with reverence and not with religious rituals (man made ideals). We have been given these wonderful imaginations and can create ideals on how God wants us to meet with Him. He just wants us to meet with Him. He has prepared a place for us, so that we do not have to. He wants residence so that our hearts and minds are prepared. That is my altar.
Abba, my Father, You are Marvelous and Holy. Thank You for Your Son to create a home within me. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit as our Teacher as the Word becomes more and more of a revelation of who You are. We repent for trying to create ways to meet with You when all You desire is a heart of surrender. Thank You for Your mercy and grace. Thank You for drawing near to us as we draw near to You. We choose forgiveness today. We choose hope today. We choose joy today. We choose love today. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Colossians 1:9-10 (AMP) For this reason, since the day we heard about it, we have not stopped praying for you, asking [specifically] that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom [with insight into His purposes], and in understanding [of spiritual things], so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord [displaying admirable character, moral courage, and personal integrity], to [fully] please Him in all things, bearing fruit in every good work and steadily growing in the knowledge of God [with deeper faith, clearer insight and fervent love for His precepts]
My husband and I have been pastoring our church for going on twelve years this January. It has been one of joy and sometimes sorrow. Our joy is seeing the spiritual growth in others. We love it when we see people grab onto the Word of God and start growing in the revelation knowledge. We especially love it that they get in and study it for themselves.
Ephesians 1:18 (AMP) And [I pray] that the eyes of your heart [the very center and core of your being] may be enlightened [flooded with light by the Holy Spirit], so that you will know and cherish the hope [the divine guarantee, the confident expectation] to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints (God’s people)
There are many precepts in the Bible for us a believers to grab a hold of. It is up to each one of us to discover them. My job as a pastor is to equip you to do so. That means I need to point you back to the Word, the Holy Spirit and Jesus. The Holy Spirit is the one who brings the revelation knowledge, not me. I have been attending church regularly since I was sixteen years old. I have been under some amazing teaching, and took notes, even early on in my journey. The most knowledge I received has been when I got in the Word for myself. When I desired a real knowledge of who God is and not just what He could do for me. Many times we want to know what He can do for us. Paul’s prayer was that we would grow in the knowledge of God, with a deeper faith into who He is and His fervent love for us. That is the same prayer for my church.
This blog is not very long, but I hope it encourages you to depend on the Holy Spirit more. My hope is that we are not so dependent on just one person to do all of the revealing of the Word in our lives. The Bible has been made so available to us that we can now carry it along with us every where we go. It is just as simple as downloading an application with our favorite translations (I recommend reading it in more than one to get the fullness). Do not put all of the pressure to know God’s precepts on your pastor. That would be the your job with the Holy Spirit in partnership. So why do you go to church? How can you put into practice what the Holy Spirit is revealing? How can we know that we are in unity without the body? How can we be challenged for more growth? Also, it was ordained by Christ (read Ephesians).
Matthew 13:44 (AMP) The kingdom of heaven is like a [very precious] treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid again; then in his joy he goes and sells all he has and buys that field [securing the treasure for himself].
Lord, my prayer is that those reading this will have a deeper desire to know You more. Thank You for Your Son, the Word made flesh. Thank You for the Holy Spirit, our Teacher. Thank You for the revelation knowledge that comes when we open up our Bibles. In Jesus Name, Amen.
James 1:2-3 (AMP) Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace].
What happens when the saints start serving their emotions and are led by them? This was my question yesterday during prayer. Then I thought about this ad that came across my social media thread. It was regarding the benefits of somatic yoga, that they would help you release pent up emotions. I do stretches because I lift weights and exercise. I believe in emotional healing. So a couple of months ago I thought I would look up a You Tube video and give it a try. I had a deep grievance in my spirit and turned it off immediately. Why? God does not need my help in my emotional healing, He just needs my surrender. I believe sometimes we need a good cry and/or a good laugh. There is both godly sorrow and the joy of the Lord. You can walk in both and at the same time. I might hit on that in another blog.
1 Peter 5:6-11 (AMP) Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God [set aside self-righteous pride], so that He may exalt you [to a place of honor in His service] at the appropriate time, casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully]. Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour. But resist him, be firm in your faith [against his attack—rooted, established, immovable], knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being experienced by your brothers and sisters throughout the world. [You do not suffer alone.] After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace [who imparts His blessing and favor], who called you to His own eternal glory in Christ, will Himself complete, confirm, strengthen, and establish you [making you what you ought to be]. To Him be dominion (power, authority, sovereignty) forever and ever. Amen.
I have been in ministry for over two decades now. Although, I have had only one senior pastor, there have been many other leaders that I have had to submit to. I remember that I had someone tell me that I had a look that could bite a car in half. I laugh at it now, because although it hurt in the moment (and they could have used a little more grace in the correction) I did not use it as an excuse to hide. It does not matter that they may still use the same presentation and that they never saw the error in how they speak to people, it matters what I do. I have a choice in how I feel. No one can make me a feel a certain way unless I allow them to. I have a choice on how I correct after that. I have a choice to forgive.
A lot of the New Testament epistles are about our character development. I am not talking about a character in a story that we want to root for. They are talking about the change within to die to ourselves. We are still living beings and we have to make choices every moment of every day. One of the biggest choices is whether we are out for self preservation or willing to surrender to Christ. Our hearts have to be aligned with His.
2 Peter 1:5-8 (AMP) For this very reason, applying your diligence [to the divine promises, make every effort] in [exercising] your faith to, develop moral excellence, and in moral excellence, knowledge (insight, understanding), and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, steadfastness, and in your steadfastness, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly affection, and in your brotherly affection, [develop Christian] love [that is, learn to unselfishly seek the best for others and to do things for their benefit]. For as these qualities are yours and are increasing [in you as you grow toward spiritual maturity], they will keep you from being useless and unproductive in regard to the true knowledge and greater understanding of our Lord Jesus Christ.
What happens when our emotions become our god? We use terms like “God said” or the “the Lord told me to” quite loosely. I say that because we do not understand the reverence behind doing what God tells us to. It changes day to day, because we make different choices. I can talk to someone about something that God told them to do, and when they did not show up they tell me God told them to do something else. In reality they have been led by their emotions. However, I cannot say that to them because who I am I to question what God says. I do know His character and nature. If I was not stable in my relationship with Christ, and notice that it is their own immaturity, it could make me waiver in my faith. That is why it is so important that we have reverence in saying “God told me.” It reminded me of the prophet, Jeremiah (read Jeremiah and Lamentations). The King was wanting a favorable prophecy for the nation, other prophets would give it to him, all but Jeremiah. He was steadfast regarding the word of the Lord and it cost him physically and emotionally. We are given so many choices, what choice will you make.
Joshua 24:15 (AMP) If it is unacceptable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you live; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
In our deep need for wholeness, let us not forget that Christ paid the price for it all. It is in Him that we are rooted and grounded. There is a work that needs to be done within us. There is a character development that He wants us to go through. He wants us to imitate Him as He imitates the Father. It takes time and it takes patience. We are not going to get it right all of the time. It matters that we are growing and we appreciate the growing moments. The roots have to grow deep in Christ. Abide in Him (John 15). We are going to make it through. He cares deeply for us.
Abba, our Father and our Creator, we honor You today with our thanksgiving and praise. You are a full of Mercy and Loving Kindness. You are Holy. Thank You for Your Son to bring us back to You. Jesus redeemed us to Your Presence. Thank You for the Holy Spirit to be our Comforter and our Teacher. We are sorry for the times we have made self preservation our goal. We repent for keeping the focus on ourselves and allowing our emotions to dictate our choices. We want to abide in You. We want nothing else but You. We know that trials are a part of our growth. You are developing us, not that we were not made perfect, but that we are being renewed in our thinking. You are Holy, and you desire us to be holy. We surrender to who You are. We choose forgiveness today. We choose joy today. We choose hope today. We choose love today. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Proverbs 1:7 (AMP) The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the beginning the preeminent part of knowledge [its starting point and its essence]; But arrogant fools despise [skillful and godly] wisdom and instruction and self-discipline.
How do you start your day? Do you start with thoughts of not really wanting to get up? Do you start with grabbing your phone and checking emails and social media? Do you start off with grabbing a cup of coffee? Do you start with stretches? I wish I could say that I start my day off in the Bible, but I am the one who is looking back at all of the posts that I made in my memories via Facebook. They are reminders of where I was a year, two years or even ten years ago. The good thing is that I post mostly about the Bible or my family. I never want to be separated from God nor my family. God is the priority, so that I can love my family well. I make it a point to pray over my mind to think on things that He wants me to think on, and to read to receive from His revelation knowledge.
I was in prayer over a statement my husband made on Sunday: “The church is being led back to a place of reverence. Reverence: a gesture of profound respect mingled with love, devotion, or awe.” In a ‘me’ centered culture the church needs to be led back to Him focused. We only worship (I use that term loosely, it is more like attend) where we can be seen, where our talents can be used or we only attend when there is nothing else going on. That is not a fear of the Lord. He brought back to remembrance the above scripture. How we regard God is how we are going to revere Him.
2 Corinthians 7:1 (AMP) Therefore, since we have these [great and wonderful] promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, completing holiness [living a consecrated life—a life set apart for God’s purpose] in the fear of God.
Just before Paul reminds the Corinthians what God had revealed to Moses, “I will dwell among them and walk among them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. (2 Corinthians 6:16, Leviticus 26:12).” His Presence is the promise. The promised land was provided through Christ. Maybe I am a bit radical in this, but when I do not look at attending church with a reverence of who I am ministering to, then I should be questioning why I am doing such. Just to let you know, we are ministering to Him when we serve. If I keep my focus on the people (the ones that benefit) then I am serving His created and not Him as the Creator.
Hebrews 12:26-29 (AMP) His voice shook the earth [at Mount Sinai] then, but now He has given a promise, saying, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the [starry] heaven.” Now this [expression], “Yet once more,” indicates the removal and final transformation of all those things which can be shaken—that is, of that which has been created—so that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, and offer to God pleasing service and acceptable worship with reverence and awe; for our God is [indeed] a consuming fire.
This is where I want to be. I want God to be the consuming fire in my life. This is why I am constantly laying down the imaginations and arguments in my mind (2 Corinthians 10:4-5). This is why I join in with the body of Christ (Ephesians 2:22). In Ezekiel 37:26-27 is says,“I will make a covenant of peace with them; it will be an everlasting covenant with them. And I will place them and multiply them, and will put My sanctuary in their midst forever. My dwelling place also will be with them; and I will be their God, and they will be My people.” His sanctuary is not just made up of me, it is with people joined together in unity (Ephesians 4:13). To realize this is to revere Him. This is a part of my fear of the Lord. To not be separated from His Presence. We grow more with those we have been placed in a body with. I stagnate our growth when I choose myself over His Kingdom. I halt the growth of the body when I hold onto an offense. I halt the growth of the body when I do not see the importance of the body.
1 Corinthians 12:12, 14, 26-27 (AMP) For just as the body is one and yet has many parts, and all the parts, though many, form [only] one body, so it is with Christ. For the [human] body does not consist of one part, but of many [limbs and organs]. And if one member suffers, all the parts share the suffering; if one member is honored, all rejoice with it. Now you [collectively] are Christ’s body, and individually [you are] members of it [each with his own special purpose and function].
We stop revering the Lord when we do not think the body is a part of what He wants for us. When it becomes ‘me’ focused and ‘doing what is best for me,’ then we have lost trust for the Father. I know I am stomping on some toes, but sometimes that has to be done in order for us to wake up from the slumber the enemy has laid out for us. It takes humility to come back to where you left. Sometimes we want a fresh start, I understand that. However, what is going to keep you from falling into the same trap or pit again? Do you see a cycle in your life? Reverence is a gesture of profound respect and devotion. That means laying down my rights and my pride. Most of the times we feel hurt is just because someone held us accountable, or we did not like that growing moment. The body has to grow (not talking just about numerically) in order to mature. So do not just look for a place to attend, look for a place that will join in with your spiritual growth (a seeking of His face). Then you will desire to see growth in others. That is called making disciples. That is joining in on your part of the ministry of reconciliation. Let us reverence Him.
Father, Abba, our Creator and Banner, You are so Wonderful and Awesome. We stand in awe of Your Holiness. Thank You for Your Son, to join us together as one body and to be made saints in Your Household. Thank You for the Holy Spirit, for without Him we would not be able to have Your revelation Knowledge and to know what the fear of the Lord really means. We love Your Word and do not take it for granted. Search within us and take out any unclean thought that is within us. We repent for making it all about us and for being self serving. We repent for not revering You properly by not taking your body as precious. Christ is the head and we need to see Him as such. We need to see each other as important parts to the growth of Your Kingdom, not ours. Let us lay down the weights of discontent and offense so that we may walk in the greater purpose. We desire Your Kingdom. We desire Your Presence. We choose forgiveness today. We choose hope today. We choose joy today. We choose love today. In Jesus Name, Amen.
James 1:22 (AMP) But prove yourselves doers of the word [actively and continually obeying God’s precepts], and not merely listeners [who hear the word but fail to internalize its meaning], deluding yourselves [by unsound reasoning contrary to the truth].
We live in a time that information is coming at us from all avenues. Less than 100 years ago, we got our information from newspapers and the few channels that we on our television sets. In the past 30 years information has steadily become at a speed that we never had imagined. Now we can stream movies whenever we want. We can watch something going on across town through someone live streaming it on their device. We can even look up different peoples interpretations of the scriptures, without even knowing them as a person (1 Thessalonians 5:12).
Matthew 24:10-14 (AMP) At that time many will be offended and repelled [by their association with Me] and will fall away [from the One whom they should trust] and will betray one another [handing over believers to their persecutors] and will hate one another. Many false prophets will appear and mislead many. Because lawlessness is increased, the love of most people will grow cold. But the one who endures and bears up [under suffering] to the end will be saved. This good news of the kingdom [the gospel] will be preached throughout the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end [of the age] will come.
Colossians 2:8 (AMP) See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception [pseudo-intellectual babble], according to the tradition [and musings] of mere men, following the elementary principles of this world, rather than following [the truth—the teachings of] Christ.
The world has taken over the interpretation of the scriptures and so many have been deceived. Jesus warned that many false prophets will appear and mislead many. A prophet in this sense is not the office of the prophet, but the speaking of the word of God. Anytime we are speaking the Word (taking scriptures into conversation) we are prophesying. A false prophet twists the Word of God. By a quick google search I found that as of February of this year, TikTok users post 34 million videos per day. There is quite a bit of content out there.
Here is my point. Do not be deceived. There are many voices out there to talk you out of being doers of the Word of God, because you want to be seen as good. We can often get dragged into political causes that take our focus to a person who is not our savior. We can get so entrenched in our kids and their kids that we neglect the call to be ministers of reconciliation. We choose sports over church attendance. I was reading a book and it was talking about the different people in our churches, the author referred to them as sheep, goats and wolves (I know a little outdated but still relevant). A sheep loves their church, loves their pastor and loves the people in their church and cannot be moved from where they are getting fed, they have to be at church every time the doors are open. A goat is constantly looking for something better, they are always questioning the motives of the pastor (draws people to them to do the same) and causes agitation when they are held accountable, they will find every excuse not to be at church. A wolf is seeking out position, cannot be trusted, they will try to keep separation between you and the pastor and will devour anyone they can get alone, they are at church for only what they can gain.
Every one of us wants to be seen as good (Isaiah 5:20). How about obedient to the Word of God? According to Jesus in the book of Matthew, “at that time many will be offended and repelled [by their association with Me] and will fall away [from the One whom they should trust] and will betray one another [handing over believers to their persecutors] and will hate one another.” I believe we are in the times of this. Right now I am in a time of separation, but it is due to standing on the Word. I am not going to compromise what Jesus redeemed me from so that I can be accepted. To do so would be a deception.
Love is not agreeing. Love is wanting the best for people, and He is Jesus. I do not try to indoctrinate, that would be wrong. I really try to do what James 1:22 says, to be a doer of the Word and not just a hearer. The next couple of verses say, “For if anyone only listens to the word without obeying it, he is like a man who looks very carefully at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he immediately forgets what he looked like.” I am a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), a part of a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9), rooted and grounded in the love of Christ (Ephesians 3:17), created for good works (Ephesians 2:10), placed in a body (Ephesians 2:21) with Christ as our cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20). I am a minister of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18) and an ambassador of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20). Which means I cannot compromise this Word or twist it to make things fit that do not belong.
I know it may seem extreme, but radical obedience to the Word is where I want to be. As for as relationships with people, they do not have to accept me, as long as I am accepted by my Jesus. I have a family and I love them, but they are not my salvation. They are not where I get my identity. They should not determine how my emotions are. No one should. So get in the Bible and study it for yourself. Get in a powerful church (with people that are growing in Christ) and submit to grounded pastor (Titus 2:15). Do not be swayed by all the information that is coming at you. Do not be deceived. Stay the course and peace will abound in you (John 14:27).
A simple prayer: Father, help me today to be a doer of your word, and not just a hearer. Help me be obedient, even when it is hard. I do not want to be seen as just good, but as faithful to you. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Acts 20:26-27 (NLT) I declare today that I have been faithful. If anyone suffers eternal death, it’s not my fault, for I didn’t shrink from declaring all that God wants you to know.
Acts 20:27 (AMP) For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose and plan of God.
2 Timothy 1:8 (AMP) So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord or about me His prisoner, but with me take your share of suffering for the gospel [continue to preach regardless of the circumstances], in accordance with the power of God [for His power is invincible
Mark 8:38 (AMP) For whoever is ashamed [here and now] of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.
Luke 8:16 (AMP) Now no one lights a lamp and then covers it with a container [to hide it], or puts it under a bed; instead, he puts it on a lampstand, so that those who come in may see the light.
How do you act when you go somewhere that no one knows you and probably will never see you again? How should we act, for those who are in Christ? My husband and I just came back from a six day trip to Peurto Plata, Dominican Republic. We had never been before. The draw was that it was an inexpensive trip for the two of us, and I would not have to worry about having to find our place around. We were staying at an all-inclusive resort. The stay was relaxing and we had beautiful scenery. We also met some wonderful people. We visited the sites with a local we met working at the resort. He brought his wife who spoke English. We also ate meals and talked for hours with another couple from the Washington, D.C. area.
Many years ago there was a slogan to visit a very famous city here in the United States. It was “what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.” The ideas was to promote freedom and empowerment in a place that has become known as “Sin City.” Would you know it that we met a man from Vegas in the Dominican? We had found us a nice breezy spot to look over the water and relax for the day. For some reason he was drawn to my husband. He shared of his plans for this trip. He did not travel with his wife, because no one was going to tie him down (mind you I am right there listening to this whole conversation). He was talking about the women he was looking at. He talked for hours with my husband and somehow the man brought up church. That was something my husband started to join in on. Then the man started to weep. He knew he was not right with God. Come to find out that when he got up that morning he was asking God for forgiveness. Why was he drawn to our section of the resort? Even though we were far away from home, Christ still dwells in us, He is our true home. We could not hide it. We could not vacation from it. We can try to ignore it, but who we truly are is in Christ will burst out of us. My husband got to pray with this man right there.
Many years ago, I volunteered at a clinic that we got to share the gospel with every person that walked through the doors to receive their services. It grew me in ways that I could never have imagined. One year someone decided to start a count. I had not realized how many people allowed me to lead them in a prayer of salvation. I was not keeping count myself. I still stumbled over my words when speaking publicly. Yet someone was in awe that I had the most in that year, actually they were pretty shocked…not as shocked as I was. However, that showed me that if I could do that, anyone could. Now my role has been moved to the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry (Ephesians 4:11). My primary ministry is the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18).
Do you know the name of Mordecai Ham? I sure did not. In 1934, Mordecai was leading a revival in rural North Carolina. In attendance was Billy Graham. At the age of 16, Billy Graham accepted Christ as his savior and started his journey to become the household name in Christian evangelism. They believe that more than 3.2 million people have responded to the call of salvation through the Billy Graham Crusades. Do you know that the abundance of salvation comes when we are obedient? My number was 15 that year. I do not know the numbers for Mordecai Ham. I do know that he is credited for every one of Billy Graham’s leading.
Matthew 6:19-21 (AMP) Do not store up for yourselves [material] treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in and steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart [your wishes, your desires; that on which your life centers] will be also.
There is nothing more gratifying than fulfilling the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19). Our Father in Heaven loves to hear us talk of His goodness, grace, mercy and loving-kindness. He loves for us to draw each other closer to Him. If I can tell someone about His goodness, it is a good day. Look for the opportunities. Ask Him for the opportunities. You may be the answer to someone’s cry that day. Just like our friend from Vegas, who was persistent in talking to my husband (Luke 11:5-10), he met someone who invited him to a closer walk with Jesus. Jesus cared enough for this man for him to see two people from Alabama who knew of the mercy and grace of our Lord.
What do I pray? How do I lead someone in this prayer? You cannot lead anyone deeper than you are yourself. Do you have a relationship with Jesus as Lord of your life? If not, pray this prayer with me:
Lord Jesus, I invite you fully into my heart. I acknowledge that You were born as a man, died for our sins and rose from the dead, now sitting at the right hand of the Father. I give you full access to my life. I surrender my will to Yours. You are not just my Savior, You are Lord over my life. I will do my best to chase after you. I will submit myself to a pastor for the equipping of the ministry of reconciliation. I will tell others of the goodness, grace, mercy and loving-kindness of our God. I will pull on that grace to keep sin out of my life. I will allow the Holy Spirit to lead me. Thank You for loving me. Thank you for allowing me into this right relationship. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Isaiah 61:1 (AMP) The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed and commissioned me to bring good news to the humble and afflicted; He has sent me to bind up [the wounds of] the brokenhearted, to proclaim release [from confinement and condemnation] to the [physical and spiritual] captives and freedom to prisoners
This is the verse Jesus read from the scroll in Luke 4. I am in the process of putting all of my notes together for the message this Sunday. For the past six years I have brought the message on Mother’s Day. This year I plan on sharing a little about my past and where I believe the root of abandonment, rejection and feeling unloved came from. Yet Jesus came to set the captives free. How do we get free from things we had no control over from happening in the first place?
As I have been meditating on how to put this all together, my sleep last night was disturbed. I had pictured myself in an old gymnasium. There was a microphone in the middle of the room and I was to share from that point. There were faces that I recognized and some I did not. The funny thing was as I was trying to teach I was also cooking a meal. I started to feel overwhelmed and could not finish. I was trying to do too much. Then fear came upon me.
2 Timothy 1:7 (AMP) For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control].
The fear was not of God. It never is when it comes to something like that. To reverentially fear God is completely different from the fear that will try to paralyze you. What God is telling us is to slow down and keep the focus on Him. We can be doing all the right things, teaching and cooking are good, but it took my focus off of what He wanted. When we do that we can start to feel overwhelmed. Why? I am doing things in my own power. I have stepped back into captivity. My mind is not calm, well-balanced and in self-control.
Ephesians 2:1-2 (NKJV) And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience
Ephesians 2:1-2 (AMP) And you [He made alive when you] were [spiritually] dead and separated from Him because of your transgressions and sins, in which you once walked. You were following the ways of this world [influenced by this present age], in accordance with the prince of the power of the air (Satan), the spirit who is now at work in the disobedient [the unbelieving, who fight against the purposes of God].
When that feeling of being captive comes back up, we have to remember what we have been set free from (Galatians 5:1). A lot of people like to focus on the enemy, the prince of power of the air. How about we also look at the ways we once walked. We cannot forget what we have been set free from. What I have been set free from is different from what the church of Ephesus has been set free from. They did not walk the course of this world like I do. We are from a different time, place and generation. However, the same promise to them is the same to me. I do not have to be a product of the times, customs and societal pressures of this age.
In my generation we had to take care of things ourselves. Our parents worked and we were left home alone for hours at a time. We spent long hours outside. During the summers, we had to make our own breakfast and lunches, we even had to get dinner started. I did not have someone to take me to a friends house, if we wanted to see them we had to ride our bikes. There were no cameras to keep an eye on things. If we called our parents, while they were at work, too much, to ask for permission, we got in trouble. We are the generation that knew what it was like to be in the analog era and what it was like to be in the digital age.
All of this could hold us captive. Why, because it is the ways of the world that influenced us. Once we are in Christ, we have a new way of living. I am to remember where I came from, so that I can press on to where I need to be. When some of those old ways try to hold me captive, knowing where they came from can help me take them off and put on the new way.
Ephesians 4:21-24 (AMP) If in fact you have [really] heard Him and have been taught by Him, just as truth is in Jesus [revealed in His life and personified in Him], that, regarding your previous way of life, you put off your old self [completely discard your former nature], which is being corrupted through deceitful desires, and be continually renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh, untarnished mental and spiritual attitude], and put on the new self [the regenerated and renewed nature], created in God’s image, [godlike] in the righteousness and holiness of the truth [living in a way that expresses to God your gratitude for your salvation].
So what can hold us captive? Our minds. Our minds reverting to the course of this world that Jesus set us free from. I have to renew my mind and remind myself that just because that is what I came from, does not mean I have to live there. Just because I had to take care of everything on my own, does not mean I have to keep doing it that way. I am a part of the body of Christ. It is no longer MY responsibility, it is OUR responsibility. He has placed me in a family. I no longer have to survive this life, I get to thrive in this life. I do that by functioning according to this new way. I live in a way that expresses my gratitude to God. No longer isolated, but now a part of the Light shining out of the darkness (John 1:5). Recognize what captivity looks like and allow the work of Jesus to take you out of it. We do this in our surrender.
Father, our God and our Creator, we want to honor You today with our thoughts, our words and our actions. You are so Marvelous and Wonderful. All that we have is Yours. Thank You for Your Son. He set the captives free, that means He set us free. Thank You for the Holy Spirit, the seal of our freedom. We repent for going back into captivity, by living the ways from the course of the world set before us. We know now that Your Son set us free from living that way of life. We are choosing to take off that old nature and putting on the new by the renewal of our minds. We thank You for the Word and the revelation of Your Word. Many times we go through this life thinking we are just going through the motions. We recognize that is part of the captivity that the prince of this world set in motion. We are free. As free people we want to see other captives set free. As we walk in our freedom, let us be the light out of the darkness for others. Our desire is not to abuse our freedom. Let no unwholesome talk come out of our mouths. Let us see others with compassion. Let us be the people that tells others of the Way, the Truth and the Life. We choose forgiveness today. We choose hope today. We choose joy today. We choose love today. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Desiring for More 