Friday, May 30, 2008
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Seed for May 29
“The Lord gives and the Lord takes away…” so goes the verse in Job 1:21, and yet in all that was taken from Job, wife, children, servants, flocks, health…yet let’s hear how Job reacted. “Blessed be the name of the LORD!” Now, I must ask, is that my attitude? If Jesus is in me, and working for my very own good, then what I receive must be from Him and what I lose must be from Him. Faith is all about trusting Him in what ever situations in life I find myself. What I have, the Lord Jesus has given me, and what I lose, or is taken from me is what is “suppose” to happen! I am warned in the Word to “think it not strange” when I am tested. Don’t be surprised when trials and tests come, but count it all joy. It is so “easy” to rejoice in the Lord and be “all” happy when everything is going my way. But let the pressure be applied to the grape (me) and let’s see what the juice inside really taste like. Does it taste like the Lord Jesus, sweet? Can I rejoice when I lose out? Can I rejoice when I come up on the bottom. Can I really rejoice when things don’t go my way? Can I rejoice when rejected and abused and taken advantage of? That is the sweet juice of the Lord Jesus.
“ Lord, when I am tested, let them taste of Your sweet juice and not my bitterness. I reckon myself dead to this world and You alive in me. Live in me and thru me and show the world of Yourself, living in me. Blessed be the name of the Lord!” And that name is Jesus. Be blessed.
“ Lord, when I am tested, let them taste of Your sweet juice and not my bitterness. I reckon myself dead to this world and You alive in me. Live in me and thru me and show the world of Yourself, living in me. Blessed be the name of the Lord!” And that name is Jesus. Be blessed.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Seed for May 28
Job 14:1
1 Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.
(KJV)
It doesn't take long in life for trouble to come. It comes to everyone, old, young, tall, short, Christian or not. Life is full of trouble. The question is not "Will I face trouble"? The question is "How much trouble will come my way today"? I think that we need to be prepared in our lives for problems, but you must put the problem in right perspective. Have you ever noticed how problems affect a man in a coffin? It doesn't matter what you say, or do, or what happens to a man in a coffin, the problems that come seem to have no affect. Why is that? Well, obviously he is dead, so problems don't affect him. That brings me back to a certain Christian reality that we in Christ have. We are dead. We died in Christ, when He died. We were buried with in baptism and then rose as a new creation. The old man was crucified with Christ. Unless you see what really happened on Calvary 2000 years ago, the enemy, Satan, will fool you into believing problems are yours to deal with. Satan will try to convince you that you are very much alive...forget what God says, and deal with these problems. They are not yours to deal with, if you are dead! We need to see ourselves dead and lying in that coffin and Jesus alive and well in our mortal bodies. That is the fact of the Word of God. It is not a matter of how I feel...but is it a matter of what God says. Let's read it together:
Rom 6:11
11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
(KJV)
"Reckon" is an accounting term, just like 1+1 =2. So reckon it so, why? Because God's word says so.
Now when problems come...and they will. Remind yourself you are dead to them, and remind the Lord that all problems are His to deal with. Be blessed.
1 Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.
(KJV)
It doesn't take long in life for trouble to come. It comes to everyone, old, young, tall, short, Christian or not. Life is full of trouble. The question is not "Will I face trouble"? The question is "How much trouble will come my way today"? I think that we need to be prepared in our lives for problems, but you must put the problem in right perspective. Have you ever noticed how problems affect a man in a coffin? It doesn't matter what you say, or do, or what happens to a man in a coffin, the problems that come seem to have no affect. Why is that? Well, obviously he is dead, so problems don't affect him. That brings me back to a certain Christian reality that we in Christ have. We are dead. We died in Christ, when He died. We were buried with in baptism and then rose as a new creation. The old man was crucified with Christ. Unless you see what really happened on Calvary 2000 years ago, the enemy, Satan, will fool you into believing problems are yours to deal with. Satan will try to convince you that you are very much alive...forget what God says, and deal with these problems. They are not yours to deal with, if you are dead! We need to see ourselves dead and lying in that coffin and Jesus alive and well in our mortal bodies. That is the fact of the Word of God. It is not a matter of how I feel...but is it a matter of what God says. Let's read it together:
Rom 6:11
11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
(KJV)
"Reckon" is an accounting term, just like 1+1 =2. So reckon it so, why? Because God's word says so.
Now when problems come...and they will. Remind yourself you are dead to them, and remind the Lord that all problems are His to deal with. Be blessed.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Seed for May 27
Ps 23:5
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
(KJV)
What exactly does that verse mean? To me it profoundly expresses God's divine provision, and my "rest" in Him. Can you imagine your enemies on every side waiting for the chance to destroy you? Just like Israel in the desert. And in the midst of all danger and threat, God has you to sit down and eat a meal in the sight of all your enemies. The Lord doesn't just prepare a sack lunch, but a table spread full of all delights. You think to yourself, "I should be watching for destruction". And the Lord is saying, "Sit here, let Me feed you, and enjoy!" To me that is exactly what it means to "rest" in God. No matter what faces us, mountains on 2 sides, a sea before us, and the enemy closing in on our rear, we sit down to a table prepared by God Himself and we eat a feast of victory! Is anything too hard for our God? Call on His name, Jesus, and watch Him move and manifest His presence in the midst of the storms of life, or the raging sea, or the presences of our enemies! Glory to the highest name that can be named, Jesus! Even the devils are subject to us in that name! Be blessed.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
(KJV)
What exactly does that verse mean? To me it profoundly expresses God's divine provision, and my "rest" in Him. Can you imagine your enemies on every side waiting for the chance to destroy you? Just like Israel in the desert. And in the midst of all danger and threat, God has you to sit down and eat a meal in the sight of all your enemies. The Lord doesn't just prepare a sack lunch, but a table spread full of all delights. You think to yourself, "I should be watching for destruction". And the Lord is saying, "Sit here, let Me feed you, and enjoy!" To me that is exactly what it means to "rest" in God. No matter what faces us, mountains on 2 sides, a sea before us, and the enemy closing in on our rear, we sit down to a table prepared by God Himself and we eat a feast of victory! Is anything too hard for our God? Call on His name, Jesus, and watch Him move and manifest His presence in the midst of the storms of life, or the raging sea, or the presences of our enemies! Glory to the highest name that can be named, Jesus! Even the devils are subject to us in that name! Be blessed.
Seed for May 27
Ps 23:5
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
(KJV)
What exactly does that verse mean? To me it profoundly expresses God's divine provision, and my "rest" in Him. Can you imagine your enemies on every side waiting for the chance to destroy you? Just like Israel in the desert. And in the midst of all danger and threat, God has you to sit down and eat a meal in the sight of all your enemies. The Lord doesn't just prepare a sack lunch, but a table spread full of all delights. You think to yourself, "I should be watching for destruction". And the Lord is saying, "Sit here, let Me feed you, and enjoy!" To me that is exactly what it means to "rest" in God. No matter what faces us, mountains on 2 sides, a sea before us, and the enemy closing in on our rear, we sit down to a table prepared by God Himself and we eat a feast of victory! Is anything too hard for our God? Call on His name, Jesus, and watch Him move and manifest His presence in the midst of the storms of life, or the raging sea, or the presences of our enemies! Glory to the highest name that can be named, Jesus! Even the devils are subject to us in that name! Be blessed.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
(KJV)
What exactly does that verse mean? To me it profoundly expresses God's divine provision, and my "rest" in Him. Can you imagine your enemies on every side waiting for the chance to destroy you? Just like Israel in the desert. And in the midst of all danger and threat, God has you to sit down and eat a meal in the sight of all your enemies. The Lord doesn't just prepare a sack lunch, but a table spread full of all delights. You think to yourself, "I should be watching for destruction". And the Lord is saying, "Sit here, let Me feed you, and enjoy!" To me that is exactly what it means to "rest" in God. No matter what faces us, mountains on 2 sides, a sea before us, and the enemy closing in on our rear, we sit down to a table prepared by God Himself and we eat a feast of victory! Is anything too hard for our God? Call on His name, Jesus, and watch Him move and manifest His presence in the midst of the storms of life, or the raging sea, or the presences of our enemies! Glory to the highest name that can be named, Jesus! Even the devils are subject to us in that name! Be blessed.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Seed for May 26
Matt 26:7-9
7 There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat.
8 But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste?
9 For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.
(KJV)
I would like for you to pay special attention to the word "waste ". I believe this to be the key to this verse. This ointment cost a year's wages, and was freely poured out on Jesus. Then the disciples ask, “What's the meaning of this waste”? This is exactly the attitude of the world about a life that is poured out and surrendered to Jesus. Why would you waste your whole life by serving the Lord? But let me say what ever is offered to the Lord is not a waste. By spending my life on Jesus, by losing my life, I have gained everything. Not only the promise of abundant life but of eternal life.
The attitude of the world is that anyone who serves the Lord is “wasting” their life. But Jesus said, “He that loses his life actually finds it.” And I have found that to be true. Before I knew the Lord, I really didn't have a life, I was just existing. But I really began to live after I allow Jesus to come into my life, and I offered Him my old broken down life, so that he could live out His life in me. Now instead of a wasted life I have abundant life. Now you need to ask yourself, is Jesus worth wasting your life for? A life without Jesus is a wasted life, not a life spent on Jesus. Be blessed
7 There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat.
8 But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste?
9 For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.
(KJV)
I would like for you to pay special attention to the word "waste ". I believe this to be the key to this verse. This ointment cost a year's wages, and was freely poured out on Jesus. Then the disciples ask, “What's the meaning of this waste”? This is exactly the attitude of the world about a life that is poured out and surrendered to Jesus. Why would you waste your whole life by serving the Lord? But let me say what ever is offered to the Lord is not a waste. By spending my life on Jesus, by losing my life, I have gained everything. Not only the promise of abundant life but of eternal life.
The attitude of the world is that anyone who serves the Lord is “wasting” their life. But Jesus said, “He that loses his life actually finds it.” And I have found that to be true. Before I knew the Lord, I really didn't have a life, I was just existing. But I really began to live after I allow Jesus to come into my life, and I offered Him my old broken down life, so that he could live out His life in me. Now instead of a wasted life I have abundant life. Now you need to ask yourself, is Jesus worth wasting your life for? A life without Jesus is a wasted life, not a life spent on Jesus. Be blessed
Friday, May 23, 2008
Seed for May 23
“And what shall be the signs of your coming?”
There will be earthquakes, starvation, disease, signs from the heavens (weather), and fearful events. Oh, the scoffer says, there has always been these things, since time was. Yes, all these things have been happening, but if anyone does the research they will find that they now happen with a greater frequency and intensity than ever before. Coupled with Israel being re-born, nuclear destruction capability, computers that can number every person in the world, the decline of the West, and the revival of the EU as a world power (money is power), you should be able to see, His coming is near. It is like a woman about to give birth. The contractions come more and more frequent and more and more violent until the time of birth. So we see earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, starvation, disease, and fearful weather events more and more. A woman in labor about to give birth. The earth is about to give birth to the “Dead in Christ”. For they shall rise first! Be blessed.
There will be earthquakes, starvation, disease, signs from the heavens (weather), and fearful events. Oh, the scoffer says, there has always been these things, since time was. Yes, all these things have been happening, but if anyone does the research they will find that they now happen with a greater frequency and intensity than ever before. Coupled with Israel being re-born, nuclear destruction capability, computers that can number every person in the world, the decline of the West, and the revival of the EU as a world power (money is power), you should be able to see, His coming is near. It is like a woman about to give birth. The contractions come more and more frequent and more and more violent until the time of birth. So we see earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, starvation, disease, and fearful weather events more and more. A woman in labor about to give birth. The earth is about to give birth to the “Dead in Christ”. For they shall rise first! Be blessed.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Seed for May 22
“And what will be the signs of your coming?”
The Bible says that the Lord will put a hook in the jaw of Russia and bring her to the hills of Israel and there slay 5/6 of the Russians. What could possibly be the hook in the jaw? Oil is the hook bringing Russia into alliance with Iran (enemy of Israel).
"It may be the mother of all doom and gloom gas price predictions: $12 for a gallon of gas is “inevitable.”
Robert Hirsch, Management Information Services Senior Energy Advisor, gave a dire warning about the potential future of gas prices on CNBC’s May 20 “Squawk Box”. He told host Becky Quick there was no single thing that would solve the problem, due to the enormity of the problem."
When there is not enough oil to go around, wars will be fought to control energy. Without oil our country, with an oil based economy, is in great need of a Saviour. We see all the dominos being lined up in a row for His coming. The stage is being set and we are about to witness the greatest event ever seen by man. Be blessed.
The Bible says that the Lord will put a hook in the jaw of Russia and bring her to the hills of Israel and there slay 5/6 of the Russians. What could possibly be the hook in the jaw? Oil is the hook bringing Russia into alliance with Iran (enemy of Israel).
"It may be the mother of all doom and gloom gas price predictions: $12 for a gallon of gas is “inevitable.”
Robert Hirsch, Management Information Services Senior Energy Advisor, gave a dire warning about the potential future of gas prices on CNBC’s May 20 “Squawk Box”. He told host Becky Quick there was no single thing that would solve the problem, due to the enormity of the problem."
When there is not enough oil to go around, wars will be fought to control energy. Without oil our country, with an oil based economy, is in great need of a Saviour. We see all the dominos being lined up in a row for His coming. The stage is being set and we are about to witness the greatest event ever seen by man. Be blessed.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Seed for May 21
2 Pet 3:4
4 and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation."
(NAS)
“Where is the promise of His coming?” The signs are everywhere. Famine (Black Horse of Revelations) where a man will labor all day for just enough to eat for that day.
We have an inflated “paper” money system, that up to this time set the bench mark for all world currency, because oil was only bought and sold in American dollars worldwide. Now the system has changed, and the Euro (of the EU) has gained a 50% value above our American dollar and oil is now being bought in Euros. The immediate threat to America is Inflation and the worst case is Hype-Inflation, where it takes a barrel full of money to buy a day’s worth of bread.
What keeps our system going? Debt. What is the greatest enemy we face? Our own debt. My suggestion is? Be ready, the signs of His coming are everywhere! Get out of debt, and trade your “shrinking” American dollars for some silver and gold coins. Not all and not in a panic. But at least have something of real value incase our money becomes devalued, like Mexico and Brazil. In one day my friend’s $14,000 became only $7,000 in a Mexican Bank. Paper money has no real value, without faith in the “system” that prints that money. World faith in the American dollar is eroding away every single day. Be blessed.
4 and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation."
(NAS)
“Where is the promise of His coming?” The signs are everywhere. Famine (Black Horse of Revelations) where a man will labor all day for just enough to eat for that day.
We have an inflated “paper” money system, that up to this time set the bench mark for all world currency, because oil was only bought and sold in American dollars worldwide. Now the system has changed, and the Euro (of the EU) has gained a 50% value above our American dollar and oil is now being bought in Euros. The immediate threat to America is Inflation and the worst case is Hype-Inflation, where it takes a barrel full of money to buy a day’s worth of bread.
What keeps our system going? Debt. What is the greatest enemy we face? Our own debt. My suggestion is? Be ready, the signs of His coming are everywhere! Get out of debt, and trade your “shrinking” American dollars for some silver and gold coins. Not all and not in a panic. But at least have something of real value incase our money becomes devalued, like Mexico and Brazil. In one day my friend’s $14,000 became only $7,000 in a Mexican Bank. Paper money has no real value, without faith in the “system” that prints that money. World faith in the American dollar is eroding away every single day. Be blessed.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Seed for May 20
2 Pet 3:3-4
3 First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.
4 They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation."
(NIV)
“Where is the sign of His coming?” Here is the answer. The Lord promised Israel when He gathered them together again, no man would pluck her up ever again. A small nation can, today, be destroyed by Atomic or Biological weapons. Iran has vowed to destroy Israel, and seeks Atomic weapons and a delivery system to so do. The President of Iran believe he is to begin the WWIII to bring destruction of Israel and the return of their Muslim prophet (won’t they be surprised!).
Watch Israel, for that is the sign of His coming to rescue her from certain destruction. If the days were not cut short, no flesh would survive, the Bible says. Be blessed.
3 First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.
4 They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation."
(NIV)
“Where is the sign of His coming?” Here is the answer. The Lord promised Israel when He gathered them together again, no man would pluck her up ever again. A small nation can, today, be destroyed by Atomic or Biological weapons. Iran has vowed to destroy Israel, and seeks Atomic weapons and a delivery system to so do. The President of Iran believe he is to begin the WWIII to bring destruction of Israel and the return of their Muslim prophet (won’t they be surprised!).
Watch Israel, for that is the sign of His coming to rescue her from certain destruction. If the days were not cut short, no flesh would survive, the Bible says. Be blessed.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Seed for May 19
II Ki 6:15-1715 When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. "Oh, my lord, what shall we do?" the servant asked.16 "Don't be afraid," the prophet answered. "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them."17 And Elisha prayed, "O LORD, open his eyes so he may see." Then the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.(NIV)This is a perfect example of us being deceived by what we see or hear, rather than trusting the Word of the Lord! The enemy wants us to believe what we see, or to believe a bad report (what we hear), when the Word of God is settle forever and cannot fail or change. So the question is, “Whose report will you believe?” When it looks like and sounds like the Lord has forsaken you, isn’t it time for your eyes to be opened to the Truth of God’s Word? “I will never leave nor forsake you”. Now what are you worrying about? Be blessed.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Seed for May 16
It is the Lord's good pleasure to give us the Kingdom. It is He that blesses us with blessing. It is He that lifted the curse, and brought us out of darkness into light. I am amazed in those that think they have earned the "blessings" of God. The blessing of God cannot be bought or sold. They are freely given to us by His grace. Grace means that they were not deserved or earned. It is not for something that I have done that God gives me all things pertaining to life and godliness. Nor for anything that I have done that He has made me to sit in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Jesus became the curse, so that I could enjoy the blessing. I was not there when Adam sold out to Satan, yet I suffered, and I was not there when Jesus bought it all back, and yet I enjoy. So you see the way of the Lord is right. There are those that teach God has blessings on a string. You do good you "earn" a blessing. You do bad and you "earn" a curse. That is not "Good News," and that is not the gospel Paul preached. Jesus said it like this, "Freely you have received, so freely give." That is why I want to share what Jesus has given to me, with you. Be blessed.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Seed for May 15
What was wrong with the Jew’s religion? The Jew thought in keeping his religion and his teachings he had the Truth. But his religion and teachings, only pointed the Jew to the real truth, and that was Jesus. Everything that the Jew did in his religion was to be done in faith looking to Jesus, but some how the enemy tricked the Jew into believing, by keeping the Law he was perfecting himself. Wrong! The Bible says by keeping of religious law shall no flesh be declared “Not guilty”. It is only by faith in Jesus and His sacrifice can we be made “acceptable”.
Now modern religion has beguiled us in the same manner. We think by keeping our religious traditions we make ourselves “clean”. Wrong! What ever we do “religiously” we should do in faith towards the real Truth, Jesus. It must be done in faith, and that faith must be in the sacrifice of Jesus, to make us, and keep us clean. If we think we can add one thing to the finished work of Calvary, we have been deceived. Many go about trying to establish their own “holiness” by not touching, tasting, handling, this or that…and have fallen from grace, just as the Jew did, when he exacted all his labors. Remember to keep your eyes upon the real truth, and that is Jesus. What ever you do, religiously, remember it is the blood of Jesus that makes you and keeps you clean, not your religious efforts. You are not better because you do this or that, for the Law concluded all guilty, so that all would need the same Jesus to be made whole.
Paul said it best…”Oh foolish Galatians…who has bewitched you?”. They thought they could be made holy by keeping their religious law…and were falling from grace. Be blessed.
Now modern religion has beguiled us in the same manner. We think by keeping our religious traditions we make ourselves “clean”. Wrong! What ever we do “religiously” we should do in faith towards the real Truth, Jesus. It must be done in faith, and that faith must be in the sacrifice of Jesus, to make us, and keep us clean. If we think we can add one thing to the finished work of Calvary, we have been deceived. Many go about trying to establish their own “holiness” by not touching, tasting, handling, this or that…and have fallen from grace, just as the Jew did, when he exacted all his labors. Remember to keep your eyes upon the real truth, and that is Jesus. What ever you do, religiously, remember it is the blood of Jesus that makes you and keeps you clean, not your religious efforts. You are not better because you do this or that, for the Law concluded all guilty, so that all would need the same Jesus to be made whole.
Paul said it best…”Oh foolish Galatians…who has bewitched you?”. They thought they could be made holy by keeping their religious law…and were falling from grace. Be blessed.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Seed for May 14
Rom 6:6
6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin--
(NIV)
In simple terms: We were crucified with Christ, we died with Him to break the power of sin in our lives! That is a “truth” revealed in God’s Word, that we rarely hear preached, or taught. Why? It is rarely taught or preached either because of lack of knowledge or lack of faith. Once we see the “truth” in His Word and “reckon” it so, and put our faith in that revealed fact, then we operate under the power of God in us. It now becomes Him in me, the risen Jesus, living in me, planted by faith, and growing up into Him in all things! (I am to grow up into Jesus in all things, the Bible says) When I see me dead to sin, Him alive in me, then it is His power in me, transforming and empowering me, to live! I live, yet not I, but it is Jesus in me. The question is not will power, but “source”. Is it me living, working and doing, or is it really, as the Word declares, God in me? If it is God in me, then the power of the Universe is resident in me. If it is only me, then my faith is useless and worthless.
6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin--
(NIV)
In simple terms: We were crucified with Christ, we died with Him to break the power of sin in our lives! That is a “truth” revealed in God’s Word, that we rarely hear preached, or taught. Why? It is rarely taught or preached either because of lack of knowledge or lack of faith. Once we see the “truth” in His Word and “reckon” it so, and put our faith in that revealed fact, then we operate under the power of God in us. It now becomes Him in me, the risen Jesus, living in me, planted by faith, and growing up into Him in all things! (I am to grow up into Jesus in all things, the Bible says) When I see me dead to sin, Him alive in me, then it is His power in me, transforming and empowering me, to live! I live, yet not I, but it is Jesus in me. The question is not will power, but “source”. Is it me living, working and doing, or is it really, as the Word declares, God in me? If it is God in me, then the power of the Universe is resident in me. If it is only me, then my faith is useless and worthless.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Seed for May 13
Two trees in the Garden of Eden represented the choice of every man and woman ever born on this earth. There was the Tree of Life and the Tree of Knowledge. From these two choices that faced Adam, (humanity) the choice was clear which one natural man would always choose. We have always tried to be like God, eating from the Tree of Knowledge.
Facing every Christian in this world today, are still only two choices. Will we live by the will of God (Tree of Life) or will we live by our own independent actions (Being like God). If we could see that living by the Tree of Knowledge is walking in the flesh, and living by the Tree of Life is living in the Spirit, then perhaps it would be made clear to us. But we have been bewitched by “Religion” to believe that we have the right and duty to decide for ourselves right and wrong. “Read the Bible and interpret it for yourself, etc.” We live our “own lives” and invite God along to ride with us, as we drive (so to speak).
Abandonment of self will and independent actions is to live of the Tree of Life (the will of God). Leaning all our weight and trusting in Him completely to lead and guide our lives by that still small voice within is the goal. Playing God by using our own “knowledge” to decide what is right and wrong was forbidden from the very beginning in the Garden.
The choice is still ours today. “Lord have your own way in my life and I choose you and abandon all my own independent self willed action and religious tradition, just to see you in me!” Be blessed.
Facing every Christian in this world today, are still only two choices. Will we live by the will of God (Tree of Life) or will we live by our own independent actions (Being like God). If we could see that living by the Tree of Knowledge is walking in the flesh, and living by the Tree of Life is living in the Spirit, then perhaps it would be made clear to us. But we have been bewitched by “Religion” to believe that we have the right and duty to decide for ourselves right and wrong. “Read the Bible and interpret it for yourself, etc.” We live our “own lives” and invite God along to ride with us, as we drive (so to speak).
Abandonment of self will and independent actions is to live of the Tree of Life (the will of God). Leaning all our weight and trusting in Him completely to lead and guide our lives by that still small voice within is the goal. Playing God by using our own “knowledge” to decide what is right and wrong was forbidden from the very beginning in the Garden.
The choice is still ours today. “Lord have your own way in my life and I choose you and abandon all my own independent self willed action and religious tradition, just to see you in me!” Be blessed.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Seed for May 12
Gal 5:1616 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.(KJV)When we walk in the Spirit we do not (by nature) fulfill the evil desires of the flesh. Some people think that not fulfilling the lust of the flesh is walking in the Spirit, but not so. Just because you don't do something bad does not make you good. That is how religion has fooled us. The Hebrews thought just by keeping all the Law, they were made righteous. Wrong! It is living by the Life of the Spirit with in. Living in and walking in faith, of that new divine nature, that causes us to keep perfectly all the Law of God. God is the Law giver, and Jesus the Law keeper inside us. If I hang my life completely upon Him, and depend upon Him as my source, then I do not fulfill the lust of the flesh. You see it is a matter of source, not deeds. They that are in the flesh cannot please God. It is not a matter of good or bad, but a matter of "source" (Jesus or me). We live and draw our lives from the Spirit, that is walking in the Spirit, and doing thus causes us to live a life well pleasing to God. Not I, but He in me that does the work...what a blessing to know. Be blessed.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Seed for May 9
Heb 8:10
10 This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.
(NIV)
What does it mean to be Spirit-led or to “walk in the Spirit”? It simply means to be governed by the Law of God within, as opposed to be governed by religious laws without. God’s people were once governed by laws without, because of sin, the Bible says, but God promised a day when His law would be written in our heart (mind) and it would be that law we would follow. There are many who attempt to know and serve God by following external rules, man made religious rules, or even the 10 commandments. They are walking in the flesh. They are not spiritual. They are just like natural Israel. But there was a day coming, promised God, that His people would be governed by His law written inside their conscience (mind).
Someone can exactly follow man’s law, or religious law, and not possess one iota of what spirit-led life is all about. If you are being governed by religious rules, which only try to perfect the outward man, you have been “bewitched”. Religion in vain attempts to perfect a man from the outside (by rules), while God’s promise was that He would change our minds, and our hearts, and direct us from within. Are you walking in the Spirit? Are you governed by the conscience of God, written in your heart? Or are you walking in the flesh, trying to keep 10,000 commandments of men and religion? Are you trying making the old man better? Or have you decided that the old man is good enough only for death, so that Jesus Christ can live in your mortal body and manifest Himself to the World? Be blessed.
10 This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.
(NIV)
What does it mean to be Spirit-led or to “walk in the Spirit”? It simply means to be governed by the Law of God within, as opposed to be governed by religious laws without. God’s people were once governed by laws without, because of sin, the Bible says, but God promised a day when His law would be written in our heart (mind) and it would be that law we would follow. There are many who attempt to know and serve God by following external rules, man made religious rules, or even the 10 commandments. They are walking in the flesh. They are not spiritual. They are just like natural Israel. But there was a day coming, promised God, that His people would be governed by His law written inside their conscience (mind).
Someone can exactly follow man’s law, or religious law, and not possess one iota of what spirit-led life is all about. If you are being governed by religious rules, which only try to perfect the outward man, you have been “bewitched”. Religion in vain attempts to perfect a man from the outside (by rules), while God’s promise was that He would change our minds, and our hearts, and direct us from within. Are you walking in the Spirit? Are you governed by the conscience of God, written in your heart? Or are you walking in the flesh, trying to keep 10,000 commandments of men and religion? Are you trying making the old man better? Or have you decided that the old man is good enough only for death, so that Jesus Christ can live in your mortal body and manifest Himself to the World? Be blessed.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Seed for May 8
I Jn 5:14-15
14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
15 And if we know that he hears us-- whatever we ask-- we know that we have what we asked of him.
(NIV)
The secret to having every prayer answered is in the above verse. “Ask anything according to the Will of God and you have it”. Problem is most don’t live by the will of God, or the Tree of Life, but by their own desires and directions, trying to persuade and beg God to go along with them!
Watchman Nee put it this way. The Lord will not lead you without making provision for you. So when I seek the will of God, I am watching for provision. (example) “God really wants me to go and preach in Africa, but I don’t have any money and no way over there. When I pray I still have no provisions. I keep praying but nothing happens, and no way to Africa is made.” Answer to this prayer “Africa is not God’s will for me.” No provision was made. There is no open door.
No Army is going to send a soldier into battle and not equip him, transport him, and feed him. Neither will the Lord Jesus lead us by His own Spirit where He will not provide everything necessary to perform His will. We should be looking for open doors when we pray, and not trying to pray for “closed” doors to be opened. Be blessed.
14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
15 And if we know that he hears us-- whatever we ask-- we know that we have what we asked of him.
(NIV)
The secret to having every prayer answered is in the above verse. “Ask anything according to the Will of God and you have it”. Problem is most don’t live by the will of God, or the Tree of Life, but by their own desires and directions, trying to persuade and beg God to go along with them!
Watchman Nee put it this way. The Lord will not lead you without making provision for you. So when I seek the will of God, I am watching for provision. (example) “God really wants me to go and preach in Africa, but I don’t have any money and no way over there. When I pray I still have no provisions. I keep praying but nothing happens, and no way to Africa is made.” Answer to this prayer “Africa is not God’s will for me.” No provision was made. There is no open door.
No Army is going to send a soldier into battle and not equip him, transport him, and feed him. Neither will the Lord Jesus lead us by His own Spirit where He will not provide everything necessary to perform His will. We should be looking for open doors when we pray, and not trying to pray for “closed” doors to be opened. Be blessed.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Seed for May 7
James 1:5-8
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
6 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
7 That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord;
8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
(NIV)
What does “Double-minded” mean? Wishy washy. Leaning one way and then the other. Unstable thinking. We are to let that kind of person know that he will not receive anything from the Lord.
What does it take then to get prayers answered? Faith! Faith is believing in the invisible, unseen. Faith is trusting without seeing. Faith is leaning all our understanding and weight upon Him without wavering. Faith speaks of those things that are not, as though they already are. “Abraham you will be the father of many Nations”.
When we served the Lord we become as little children in faith. We trust and believe Him to provide the best for us in all situations. Often we get ourselves in a “tight” by our “independent” actions and then God has to “bail” us out. He is faithful, but we must trust and believe He is leading, guiding and providing, even in the hard times! Be blessed.
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
6 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
7 That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord;
8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
(NIV)
What does “Double-minded” mean? Wishy washy. Leaning one way and then the other. Unstable thinking. We are to let that kind of person know that he will not receive anything from the Lord.
What does it take then to get prayers answered? Faith! Faith is believing in the invisible, unseen. Faith is trusting without seeing. Faith is leaning all our understanding and weight upon Him without wavering. Faith speaks of those things that are not, as though they already are. “Abraham you will be the father of many Nations”.
When we served the Lord we become as little children in faith. We trust and believe Him to provide the best for us in all situations. Often we get ourselves in a “tight” by our “independent” actions and then God has to “bail” us out. He is faithful, but we must trust and believe He is leading, guiding and providing, even in the hard times! Be blessed.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Seed for May 6
Heb 10:5-75 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.(KJV)
This is one of the most dynamic verses in all the Bible. The whole plan of God is revealed in just 3 verses. You rarely hear it preached, but let me see if I can give meaning to the above verses that make sense. The Lord does not want sacrifice. We often promise the Lord if you will do this or that, then I will offer you this (sacrifice). I will start going to church, I will put the money in the offering, I will stop this or that...etc. We are offering the Lord sacrifices. But as you see above the Lord does not want sacrifices, but He wants some"body" to do His will. We want to do things for God, but He wants someone to offer a body (a living sacrifice) to do His will. Israel wanted to offer a goat, a lamb, a dove, but He wanted a Body. Next time we try to bargain with God over something....if You will do this, then I will do that....Remember He wants a body (yours and mine) to live out His will in the earth. He does not want us to do things, but to present ourselves, our bodies for Him to do His will thru.
Powerful thoughts when they sink in! Be blessed.
This is one of the most dynamic verses in all the Bible. The whole plan of God is revealed in just 3 verses. You rarely hear it preached, but let me see if I can give meaning to the above verses that make sense. The Lord does not want sacrifice. We often promise the Lord if you will do this or that, then I will offer you this (sacrifice). I will start going to church, I will put the money in the offering, I will stop this or that...etc. We are offering the Lord sacrifices. But as you see above the Lord does not want sacrifices, but He wants some"body" to do His will. We want to do things for God, but He wants someone to offer a body (a living sacrifice) to do His will. Israel wanted to offer a goat, a lamb, a dove, but He wanted a Body. Next time we try to bargain with God over something....if You will do this, then I will do that....Remember He wants a body (yours and mine) to live out His will in the earth. He does not want us to do things, but to present ourselves, our bodies for Him to do His will thru.
Powerful thoughts when they sink in! Be blessed.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Seed for May 5
Rev 3:17-18
17 You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.
18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.
(NIV)
Problem with the 7th Church, the church age of the “lukewarms” was that they could not see. They had the clothes, money in the bank, new house, new cars, and everything else money could buy, but could not see. They thought they had no needs at all. They attend the fine church building, at the “First” church, fine congregation, fine respect in society, yet unable to see their true spiritual condition. Every verse in this book is written for our admonition, teaching and instruction. But yet many still cannot see, they live in the age of the Lukewarm church. They are neither hot nor cold for Jesus, they have settled into “normalness”. The Bible says they can’t see their own condition, because of abundance. That my friend is America and her churches for the most part.
What do we need to do? Anoint our eyes to see what Jesus sees. Put on His righteousness, and buy the spiritual gold things that count in the Kingdom. Stop going to “church” and start being the Church (the Body of God in the earth). Are we on fire for God all the other days of the week or just on Sundays? Be blessed.
17 You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.
18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.
(NIV)
Problem with the 7th Church, the church age of the “lukewarms” was that they could not see. They had the clothes, money in the bank, new house, new cars, and everything else money could buy, but could not see. They thought they had no needs at all. They attend the fine church building, at the “First” church, fine congregation, fine respect in society, yet unable to see their true spiritual condition. Every verse in this book is written for our admonition, teaching and instruction. But yet many still cannot see, they live in the age of the Lukewarm church. They are neither hot nor cold for Jesus, they have settled into “normalness”. The Bible says they can’t see their own condition, because of abundance. That my friend is America and her churches for the most part.
What do we need to do? Anoint our eyes to see what Jesus sees. Put on His righteousness, and buy the spiritual gold things that count in the Kingdom. Stop going to “church” and start being the Church (the Body of God in the earth). Are we on fire for God all the other days of the week or just on Sundays? Be blessed.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Seed for May 4
Heb 4:2
2 For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith.
(NIV)
Have you ever had someone to come to you with a problem, and when you give them the Word of God on the matter, they just look at you like you are crazy? Saying to themselves, “I want something, and answer, that will work, not some fairytale”. You see, they hear the same Word of God as we do, but not being able to mix it with faith, or just failing to mix the Word of God with faith, it does them no good. It seems a myth to them. You might as well be speaking to them in a foreign tongue! It does not profit them at all. Unless you take the Word of God, as a promise, and embrace it, and call it your own, and unless you lay claim to God’s Word as your very own unique promised solution to your very own problems, the Word will do you no good! I am not saying “hyper-faith” “name it claim it”, but I am saying take the real Word of God and apply it to your life and believe Jesus to be the God of His own Word, and then when your faith is mixed with His Word…then it works! Be blessed.
2 For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith.
(NIV)
Have you ever had someone to come to you with a problem, and when you give them the Word of God on the matter, they just look at you like you are crazy? Saying to themselves, “I want something, and answer, that will work, not some fairytale”. You see, they hear the same Word of God as we do, but not being able to mix it with faith, or just failing to mix the Word of God with faith, it does them no good. It seems a myth to them. You might as well be speaking to them in a foreign tongue! It does not profit them at all. Unless you take the Word of God, as a promise, and embrace it, and call it your own, and unless you lay claim to God’s Word as your very own unique promised solution to your very own problems, the Word will do you no good! I am not saying “hyper-faith” “name it claim it”, but I am saying take the real Word of God and apply it to your life and believe Jesus to be the God of His own Word, and then when your faith is mixed with His Word…then it works! Be blessed.
Friday, May 2, 2008
Seed for May 2
The question in the Garden of Eden was, would Adam and Eve live of the Tree of Life, or would they try to be like God, and make their own decisions? The question for us is still, will we live of the Tree of Life, or spend our whole lives deciding for ourselves what is right and wrong? The Lord never intended for His people to have to be burdened with trying to decide is this right or is this wrong, can we do this or not do that. But instead His plan was for us to live of the Tree of Life (the will of God). Still in our world today, most religious people are running around saying "This is right and this is wrong..." and they make whole denominations that specialize in "taste not, touch not, handle not". You hear the debates all the time, gay marriage, abortion, liquor, gambling, sex, TV, music. It is as if we are trying to legislate morality. The only thing that will work, or has ever worked, is having the Spirit of the Living God inside us guiding us into His will. You can keep all the "rules" and still be “wrong”, that is lost (without Life). So why does the Church spend so much time trying to decide right and wrong (eating of the tree of knowledge), instead of teaching the people to follow the leading of the still small voice within...that is, if He really is in you? Be blessed.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Seed for May 1
Not everyone saying Lord, Lord...but he that does the will of God. Many in that day will seek to enter in, but will be disappointed. So the verses go. How can we know assuredly? What is that infallible proof that we are to have part of the Kingdom? We can know now by our living relationship with Jesus. It will not be a flip of a coin, or the weighing of our good and bad deeds, but the Word of God says, "He that has the Son (Jesus) has life, and he that has not the Son (Jesus) has not life." Is He resident Master in your life? Or do you have God in a small compartment of your life. (Something you take out and do on Sundays?) Or is He your Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday....., etc., God? Is He your everyday source of Life? If we live of the Tree of Life (Jesus) then we have Life, for the Life is in the Son. Sorry, not in my religion, not in my stars, not in my saints, not in my church, but Life is in Jesus. Eating of the Tree of Life is living of the will of God, and making God your source of life. "Except your eat my flesh and drink my blood, you have no Life in you." And many who heard that, walked away, disgusted, for you see, they only wanted to go to “church”. Be blessed
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