Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely manipulated among us, Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning I am a eyewitness of the following move of God:
It was the kind of revival pastor’s like to relate to their ministry friends:
“We had a Holy Ghost explosion last night! 20 saved and 7 baptized in the Spirit! How many are ya’ll running now?”
“Well to be honest, we are—”
“Do you know a good contractor? Our board has given me the go ahead . . .”
Can you blame the pastor for being exuberant? A statistic quoted by a Pentecostal pastor is infallible. One of the "7 baptized in the Spirit" was a girl Lori and I were living with as house parents. Up until this experience, “Emily Jane” was sexually active and a habitual liar—so convincing that she could persuade you that you did not hear what she said clearly in your hearing.
But that was before the revival, the one where she went up to receive the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in other tongues at a fashioned altar:
“Just let go and let God,” Sister Johnson exhorted.
“Hold on and believe,” Brother Bullard encouraged.
“Oh Lord, give her what I got,” Aunt Bessie, intercessor extraordinaire prayed.
In that kind of atmosphere who can’t believe? And it wasn’t long before the sinus’ started pumping and the jaw jiggling began in earnest . . . and then the pastor came by and laid his hand on Emily Jane and . . . she went down like a rock!
And started speaking in tongues as there was some kind of utterance.
Later that night she would say, “It’s been a long time since I have prayed in the Spirit." Three days later I asked her, “Are you ready? It’s time to go to church.”
“No I’m not going; I have to study for a test.”
About a year later she was kicked off the “Ranch” for taking a car to meet a boy and trying to start a family. Two years later she got pregnant and recently she has become an advocate for gay rights.
Please understand: I believe in the baptism of the Holy Ghost with the evidence of a heart bent on following Jesus . . . the Wednesday after and forever more. I do not believe Emily Jane received anything other than a delusion.
And a jiggled up jaw.
As pastor B.H. Clendennen says much better than I ever could, “We don’t need no none of that!”
Friday, January 29, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
THERE IS NO ETERNAL LIFE IN THE DEVIL
“And the serpent said . . .” (Genesis 3:4).
Mr. Hugh had money, owned some 250 acres of prime timberland . . . and hoarded every penny he had ever made. Noticing that two of his pine trees were dying, I went to ask him about cutting them for pulpwood. When I arrived at his home, I was led to his bedroom where he lay shriveled up on his death bed:
“Hey Mr. Hugh, how ’bout letting me cut a couple of your trees, I think bugs have got in ’em.”
“Naw, I think I’ll hold on to ’em a little bit longer.”
Before the fall of man in the garden, man’s thoughts were a clear reflection of God’s goodness. His voice birthed within Adam thoughts of peace, righteousness, and joy: all with corresponding actions. When the devil planted his seed of pride and disobedience within Adam, his voice produced thoughts of hate, anger, and greed: all with devastating actions. Along with a maddening pursuit for that which is fading, carried along by the constant flood of filth that proceeds from the devil’s mouth.
This river of evil, though it overflows its banks, has no high watermarks, only low.
What else could the devil produce? There is no eternal life within him; everything he puts his hand to dies and comes to nothing. Concerning that which is good, he is deaf, dumb, and blind and the blinder of all born after him. Which is the whole human race outside of Christ: “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience” (Ephesians 2:1-2).
That is why man must be born again. Only then, empowered by the Holy Ghost, can he choose the “tree of life” over that which is inherently evil, and temporal. Only by the Spirit of Christ within us can we choose that which is eternal.
"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." --Jim Elliot
Mr. Hugh had money, owned some 250 acres of prime timberland . . . and hoarded every penny he had ever made. Noticing that two of his pine trees were dying, I went to ask him about cutting them for pulpwood. When I arrived at his home, I was led to his bedroom where he lay shriveled up on his death bed:
“Hey Mr. Hugh, how ’bout letting me cut a couple of your trees, I think bugs have got in ’em.”
“Naw, I think I’ll hold on to ’em a little bit longer.”
Before the fall of man in the garden, man’s thoughts were a clear reflection of God’s goodness. His voice birthed within Adam thoughts of peace, righteousness, and joy: all with corresponding actions. When the devil planted his seed of pride and disobedience within Adam, his voice produced thoughts of hate, anger, and greed: all with devastating actions. Along with a maddening pursuit for that which is fading, carried along by the constant flood of filth that proceeds from the devil’s mouth.
This river of evil, though it overflows its banks, has no high watermarks, only low.
What else could the devil produce? There is no eternal life within him; everything he puts his hand to dies and comes to nothing. Concerning that which is good, he is deaf, dumb, and blind and the blinder of all born after him. Which is the whole human race outside of Christ: “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience” (Ephesians 2:1-2).
That is why man must be born again. Only then, empowered by the Holy Ghost, can he choose the “tree of life” over that which is inherently evil, and temporal. Only by the Spirit of Christ within us can we choose that which is eternal.
"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." --Jim Elliot
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
EASY AS PRIDE
Ol’ Ned was about to die of thirst on July 3, 1863. But it was so needless, all the neighbors said: after all, there was a gallon of water sitting before him in the middle of a field.
“Why doesn’t he just get out of that ditch,” Mr. G.I. Dunn said. “God helps those who help themselves.”
“I know I would never put my kids through such heartache,” replied Mrs. Nellie Patufnic.
“It’s obvious he just doesn’t have faith,” Reverend Copenhagen claimed. “I gave him my six steps to six gallons of water in six days and he still just sits there.”
An earth shaking explosion, too close for comfort sent them scurrying for shelter . . . in the foxhole with Ned.
At the Battle of Gettysburg.
Did this really happen? No, but the point is clear: what may seem as easy as pride for you, may be anything but simple for someone else, because of the battle arrayed against them. Paul was hindered from going to Rome while for others it was no big deal to go spend the day at the Roman Mall. David fought battles in his flesh that Saul seemingly never struggled with—it appears that Saul was the husband of one wife. And yet David was "head and shoulders" above Saul in matters of faith and repentance.
“Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12).
“Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savor of his knowledge by us in every place” (2 Corinthians 2:14).
“Why doesn’t he just get out of that ditch,” Mr. G.I. Dunn said. “God helps those who help themselves.”
“I know I would never put my kids through such heartache,” replied Mrs. Nellie Patufnic.
“It’s obvious he just doesn’t have faith,” Reverend Copenhagen claimed. “I gave him my six steps to six gallons of water in six days and he still just sits there.”
An earth shaking explosion, too close for comfort sent them scurrying for shelter . . . in the foxhole with Ned.
At the Battle of Gettysburg.
Did this really happen? No, but the point is clear: what may seem as easy as pride for you, may be anything but simple for someone else, because of the battle arrayed against them. Paul was hindered from going to Rome while for others it was no big deal to go spend the day at the Roman Mall. David fought battles in his flesh that Saul seemingly never struggled with—it appears that Saul was the husband of one wife. And yet David was "head and shoulders" above Saul in matters of faith and repentance.
“Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12).
“Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savor of his knowledge by us in every place” (2 Corinthians 2:14).
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
SELF MADE MAN
“What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not” (1 Corinthians 4:7)?
A certain man who had acquired 60 restaurants was purported to be a self made man. Interesting . . . seems like it would take more than that to join the exclusive club of one.
To be a self made man, there are several things you need to do:
1. Hire someone to kill you and cremate your body.
2. Have a rocket propel your ashes into the distant space.
3. From there raise yourself from the dead.
4. Create an original world with all that is needed to sustain life.
5. Create a new species of man and animals being careful not to copy what God has already done.
6. Sustain it.
Jesus Christ is the only self made man there is, who upholds all things by the word of his power. Every one else is totally dependent upon him.
Even the one who has 60 restaurants.
A certain man who had acquired 60 restaurants was purported to be a self made man. Interesting . . . seems like it would take more than that to join the exclusive club of one.
To be a self made man, there are several things you need to do:
1. Hire someone to kill you and cremate your body.
2. Have a rocket propel your ashes into the distant space.
3. From there raise yourself from the dead.
4. Create an original world with all that is needed to sustain life.
5. Create a new species of man and animals being careful not to copy what God has already done.
6. Sustain it.
Jesus Christ is the only self made man there is, who upholds all things by the word of his power. Every one else is totally dependent upon him.
Even the one who has 60 restaurants.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
GOT HINDRANCES?
“Now I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that I often planned to come to you (but was hindered until now), that I might have some fruit among you also, just as among the other Gentiles” (Romans 1:13).
Paul’s desire to minister the gospel to the Roman’s was in order to “impart some spiritual gift” that he might have “fruit among them.” For this he had prayed, more than once; but he was hindered time and again.
Too bad he did not know that under the New Covenant you don’t have to put up with such. You pray once, claiming it by faith. Sure the devil hindered Daniel, but that's Daniel, not us. We’re a “New Testament Man.”
If only Paul had been one.
He wouldn’t have been hindered and he wouldn’t have had all this gospel in him that he wanted to share, and he might not have been compelled to write it all down in a letter . . .”
To the Romans.
And then we wouldn’t have known “that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
Got hindrances?
Paul’s desire to minister the gospel to the Roman’s was in order to “impart some spiritual gift” that he might have “fruit among them.” For this he had prayed, more than once; but he was hindered time and again.
Too bad he did not know that under the New Covenant you don’t have to put up with such. You pray once, claiming it by faith. Sure the devil hindered Daniel, but that's Daniel, not us. We’re a “New Testament Man.”
If only Paul had been one.
He wouldn’t have been hindered and he wouldn’t have had all this gospel in him that he wanted to share, and he might not have been compelled to write it all down in a letter . . .”
To the Romans.
And then we wouldn’t have known “that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
Got hindrances?
Monday, January 18, 2010
PENNYCOST
Can someone provide me a link to where I can become a “fan” of the church found in the book of Acts? Are they on Facebook? Do they offer lots of fun for all who would “sacrifice” their time to come? After all, Jesus realizes that they could have gone to the local bar, and instead they chose to come worship him to the tune of songs “you would find on an IPod.” I’m sure he wouldn’t want to disappoint them.
Would he?
Since he is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and since it is Jesus who is in absolute control of what is being promoted today as his church, then surly the early church is the model for what we see today:
And when the day of Pennycost had come, there came a sound from corporate America as the best business minds formulated a plan to reach the lost. And those that played in the clubs, and acted in the R rated movies, and manipulated the masses heard the church speaking in their own tongue and glorify the good things of this world.
And Peter lifted his voice and said, “This is that which was spoken from the surveys you graciously answered for us. We are here to provide you with the latest cutting edge technology, the hippest youth groups, and a sound business plan. All guilt was paid for at the passing away of Jesus and he loves you just the way you are. He died so that he could be your leader and financier. Now it might be a good idea for you to make some life improvements, but that is totally up to you. We would never pressure you in any way and you are welcome to serve just as you are according to your abilities.
And the crowd upon hearing this was shocked beyond measure: “Do you mean I can have Jesus and keep all this too?” asked a soap opera star.
“Of course!” Peter assured her. “Come as you are.”
Barabbas Bundy’s mother asked, “My son, Ted, has a burden for young coed’s . . .
Can he teach the college class?”
Would he?
Since he is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and since it is Jesus who is in absolute control of what is being promoted today as his church, then surly the early church is the model for what we see today:
And when the day of Pennycost had come, there came a sound from corporate America as the best business minds formulated a plan to reach the lost. And those that played in the clubs, and acted in the R rated movies, and manipulated the masses heard the church speaking in their own tongue and glorify the good things of this world.
And Peter lifted his voice and said, “This is that which was spoken from the surveys you graciously answered for us. We are here to provide you with the latest cutting edge technology, the hippest youth groups, and a sound business plan. All guilt was paid for at the passing away of Jesus and he loves you just the way you are. He died so that he could be your leader and financier. Now it might be a good idea for you to make some life improvements, but that is totally up to you. We would never pressure you in any way and you are welcome to serve just as you are according to your abilities.
And the crowd upon hearing this was shocked beyond measure: “Do you mean I can have Jesus and keep all this too?” asked a soap opera star.
“Of course!” Peter assured her. “Come as you are.”
Barabbas Bundy’s mother asked, “My son, Ted, has a burden for young coed’s . . .
Can he teach the college class?”
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
WE ARE WHAT WE EAT
With his beady eyes darting to either side, Lydel—a crafty old “chicken” snake— sidled over to Adam and Eve in the stillness of the day.
Leaning up against the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, he popped in a stick of “Dentyne Fire” and asked Eve, “Has God forbid you to eat the fruit of these trees?”
“Just the one you’re standing under. He said the day we eat the fruit from this one, we would surly die.”
“Die!” Lydel exclaimed incredulously. “Trust me, you will not die; truth is you will become just like God.”
“Well, what can one bite hurt? Looks good . . . feels good . . . hey! This is good.”
“Here Adam, take a bite.”
Adam, who had said nothing to this point, remained sinfully silent.
“Come on sweetie, if you love me, you’ll prove it.”
Adam took the fruit, “Your right, this is great! Sort of tastes like—”
“Honey? . . . what’s wrong?” Eve asked.
“My stomach is killin—”
We are what we eat; what Adam ate has been eating us all ever since. Ever since that fateful day man’s life has orbited around the three things that make up the essence of the forbidden fruit:
1. It became our nature to willfully disobey. This sin is fueled by the hot air of pride that supposes we can be like the most high God.
2. It became our nature to entertain vain imaginations because we lost the eternal image of God. How much of what you think about has actually come to pass? If it has come to pass, how much have you been able to hold onto?
3. It became our nature to choose the temporal over the eternal. From French Fries chosen over celery sticks, to porn over purity, we eat ourselves to a early grave.
The only remedy for this food poisoning is the cross of Christ. The essence of the Blood of Christ is the Life and Light of God: His thoughts, His purity, His wholeness. Be washed in the Blood of Jesus today!
Leaning up against the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, he popped in a stick of “Dentyne Fire” and asked Eve, “Has God forbid you to eat the fruit of these trees?”
“Just the one you’re standing under. He said the day we eat the fruit from this one, we would surly die.”
“Die!” Lydel exclaimed incredulously. “Trust me, you will not die; truth is you will become just like God.”
“Well, what can one bite hurt? Looks good . . . feels good . . . hey! This is good.”
“Here Adam, take a bite.”
Adam, who had said nothing to this point, remained sinfully silent.
“Come on sweetie, if you love me, you’ll prove it.”
Adam took the fruit, “Your right, this is great! Sort of tastes like—”
“Honey? . . . what’s wrong?” Eve asked.
“My stomach is killin—”
We are what we eat; what Adam ate has been eating us all ever since. Ever since that fateful day man’s life has orbited around the three things that make up the essence of the forbidden fruit:
1. It became our nature to willfully disobey. This sin is fueled by the hot air of pride that supposes we can be like the most high God.
2. It became our nature to entertain vain imaginations because we lost the eternal image of God. How much of what you think about has actually come to pass? If it has come to pass, how much have you been able to hold onto?
3. It became our nature to choose the temporal over the eternal. From French Fries chosen over celery sticks, to porn over purity, we eat ourselves to a early grave.
The only remedy for this food poisoning is the cross of Christ. The essence of the Blood of Christ is the Life and Light of God: His thoughts, His purity, His wholeness. Be washed in the Blood of Jesus today!
Monday, January 11, 2010
THE IMAGE OF GOD
“As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God? My tears have been my food day and night, While they continually say to me, Where is your God?" (Psalms 42:1-3).
Not only does the deer pant for the water brooks for the essential need of thirst, the water brooks provides the deer with its only view of itself. It is there, via the reflection afforded by the water, that the deer see’s its own image. Without this grace of nature a doe would never know whether or not she was ready to meet Mr. Buck Masters.
“Then God said," Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness . . .” (Genesis 1:26). Image means, “a shade, a reflection, a representation.” Just as a shadow is silhouette of a tree—its shade—man is made in the image of God. When Adam fell, he along with all of mankind lost this image.
And no longer had a clue as to who he was.
And so began this maddening pursuit of “Looking for love in all the wrong places, Looking for love in all the wrong faces.” This pursuit of fulfillment rarely extends past the theater of mans mind—where images broadcast 24/7—and when obtainment is secured, it is always only so much sand sifting through our fingers.
It is never enough.
And so begat the amazing pursuit of God. He sent his only begotten {unique, one of a kind} Son who was not only the image of God: He was God. This last Adam bought back and restored man to the image of God: And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him” (Colossians 3:10). This grace can be clearly seen within the reflection one sees when gazing into the living waters of the Word of God. It is here, and here alone, man can clearly see who he is in Christ and be fulfilled . . . yet ever thirsting for more.
Not only does the deer pant for the water brooks for the essential need of thirst, the water brooks provides the deer with its only view of itself. It is there, via the reflection afforded by the water, that the deer see’s its own image. Without this grace of nature a doe would never know whether or not she was ready to meet Mr. Buck Masters.
“Then God said," Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness . . .” (Genesis 1:26). Image means, “a shade, a reflection, a representation.” Just as a shadow is silhouette of a tree—its shade—man is made in the image of God. When Adam fell, he along with all of mankind lost this image.
And no longer had a clue as to who he was.
And so began this maddening pursuit of “Looking for love in all the wrong places, Looking for love in all the wrong faces.” This pursuit of fulfillment rarely extends past the theater of mans mind—where images broadcast 24/7—and when obtainment is secured, it is always only so much sand sifting through our fingers.
It is never enough.
And so begat the amazing pursuit of God. He sent his only begotten {unique, one of a kind} Son who was not only the image of God: He was God. This last Adam bought back and restored man to the image of God: And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him” (Colossians 3:10). This grace can be clearly seen within the reflection one sees when gazing into the living waters of the Word of God. It is here, and here alone, man can clearly see who he is in Christ and be fulfilled . . . yet ever thirsting for more.
"ARE YOU DESPERATE ENOUGH TO BELIEVE THAT CHRIST NEVER FAILS?"
This, in part, is from Voice In The Gap by Gary Gulledge. for the complete blog go to the recommended link.
This leader of a religious assembly of his day had been brought to the end of himself! His position, his status, nor his ability was able to give him hope!
Read the words: " and when he saw Him (Jesus), he fell at His feet.
Mark 5:22 And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet,
As long as we have the slightest possibility of being able to handle the situation we are in, we will continue to try everything we know to do.
People who are desperate are brought to a humbling place where they aren't intimidated by those around them. They are fearful of no man! They regard not their own lives! They are transported out of the many voices and things that get their attention so easily!
"God allows us to be placed in such situations of desperation with the desire to bring us to a surrendered trust to Him!"
What you are faced with right now isn't a happenstance, it has been allowed to come upon you for a purpose.
It may well have been brought on by your own doing, or by someone else but you can be sure that God knows all about every detail of the cause and why is has come!
"God is working in the hearts of multiple millions of people in this very hour!"
Every person will respond in one of two ways: Either their hearts will be humbled in their time of desperation and look to Christ. Or either they will reject Christ and be hardened in their hearts to the purposes of God!
Mark 5:23 And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.
Jairus was humbled, the Bible says that he besought Jesus greatly!
No longer was his response to Jesus passive! It was with great intense feeling that he besought Jesus!
"When we are truly humbled before God , our feeling toward Jesus doesn't remain passive."
In his hour of confusion, Jairus has the ear of Jesus!
His desperation has brought him to the place of total surrender to the source of his need. He doesn't yet have the manifestation of God's supply but he has totally disregarded himself from getting in the way of Christ coming and putting His hands on his daughter!
Oh! Today if we would learn what God is saying to us. If we are just willing to lay our life down and let the life of Christ live in us!
Mark 5:24 And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him.
And Jesus went with him.
If we will get right in our approach to God, Jesus will go with us!
It doesn't matter the greatest of the trouble that you may find yourself in today, Jesus will always respond to a heart that is contrite and when our spirit is broken to do God's will!
No sickness, no disease, no trouble that can pile upon you so high that Christ cannot get to the root of the problem and bring you the answer!
If He's going with you, you must believe!
"Sometimes your need is slow to come, don't lose heart, Jesus is still there!"
This leader of a religious assembly of his day had been brought to the end of himself! His position, his status, nor his ability was able to give him hope!
Read the words: " and when he saw Him (Jesus), he fell at His feet.
Mark 5:22 And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet,
As long as we have the slightest possibility of being able to handle the situation we are in, we will continue to try everything we know to do.
People who are desperate are brought to a humbling place where they aren't intimidated by those around them. They are fearful of no man! They regard not their own lives! They are transported out of the many voices and things that get their attention so easily!
"God allows us to be placed in such situations of desperation with the desire to bring us to a surrendered trust to Him!"
What you are faced with right now isn't a happenstance, it has been allowed to come upon you for a purpose.
It may well have been brought on by your own doing, or by someone else but you can be sure that God knows all about every detail of the cause and why is has come!
"God is working in the hearts of multiple millions of people in this very hour!"
Every person will respond in one of two ways: Either their hearts will be humbled in their time of desperation and look to Christ. Or either they will reject Christ and be hardened in their hearts to the purposes of God!
Mark 5:23 And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.
Jairus was humbled, the Bible says that he besought Jesus greatly!
No longer was his response to Jesus passive! It was with great intense feeling that he besought Jesus!
"When we are truly humbled before God , our feeling toward Jesus doesn't remain passive."
In his hour of confusion, Jairus has the ear of Jesus!
His desperation has brought him to the place of total surrender to the source of his need. He doesn't yet have the manifestation of God's supply but he has totally disregarded himself from getting in the way of Christ coming and putting His hands on his daughter!
Oh! Today if we would learn what God is saying to us. If we are just willing to lay our life down and let the life of Christ live in us!
Mark 5:24 And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him.
And Jesus went with him.
If we will get right in our approach to God, Jesus will go with us!
It doesn't matter the greatest of the trouble that you may find yourself in today, Jesus will always respond to a heart that is contrite and when our spirit is broken to do God's will!
No sickness, no disease, no trouble that can pile upon you so high that Christ cannot get to the root of the problem and bring you the answer!
If He's going with you, you must believe!
"Sometimes your need is slow to come, don't lose heart, Jesus is still there!"
Thursday, January 7, 2010
EVER SEEN AN ATTITUDE?
Have you ever seen an attitude walk into the room? A teen-age one? One named Sharon? It may fly under the radar of sight but it always reveals itself in delusional discourse:
“Stop treating me like I’m a kid! I’m grown!”
“You’re all of fifteen for God’s sake.”
“You don’t understand me, you don’t trust me!”
“Trust has nothing to do with it . . . look at me—”
“I don’t want to look at you . . . I need my space and—”
“Let me tell you what space is young lady; space is when you pay the light bill, the water bi—“
“All I’m asking to do is see a movie with Booger.”
“What’s it rated?”
“Um . . . I don’t know . . .R?”
“Well you can mark this down, you ain’t and you ain’t seeing that boy!”
You got that right, done seen ’em, Sharon thought. “STOP TRYING TO CONTROL MY LIFE!!!!”
“I’M NOT TRYING TO CONTROL—“
“Mama.”
“What?”
“Um . . . I need $20.”
Have you ever seen an attitude walk into the room? A “grown up” one? One named Jeb? It may fly under the radar of sight but it always reveals itself in delusional discourse:
“I’m going to do this!”
“I’m going to do . . .”
Do I pay the light bill? What I mean is, “Did I create the light and place it in the exactly the right place in the universe so that all might see?
Do I pay the water bill? Did I create the oceans, the rivers, the underground water system, and the rain clouds and the fronts that carry them?
Am I so grown after all?
“Stop treating me like I’m a kid! I’m grown!”
“You’re all of fifteen for God’s sake.”
“You don’t understand me, you don’t trust me!”
“Trust has nothing to do with it . . . look at me—”
“I don’t want to look at you . . . I need my space and—”
“Let me tell you what space is young lady; space is when you pay the light bill, the water bi—“
“All I’m asking to do is see a movie with Booger.”
“What’s it rated?”
“Um . . . I don’t know . . .R?”
“Well you can mark this down, you ain’t and you ain’t seeing that boy!”
You got that right, done seen ’em, Sharon thought. “STOP TRYING TO CONTROL MY LIFE!!!!”
“I’M NOT TRYING TO CONTROL—“
“Mama.”
“What?”
“Um . . . I need $20.”
Have you ever seen an attitude walk into the room? A “grown up” one? One named Jeb? It may fly under the radar of sight but it always reveals itself in delusional discourse:
“I’m going to do this!”
“I’m going to do . . .”
Do I pay the light bill? What I mean is, “Did I create the light and place it in the exactly the right place in the universe so that all might see?
Do I pay the water bill? Did I create the oceans, the rivers, the underground water system, and the rain clouds and the fronts that carry them?
Am I so grown after all?
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
WHAT'S IN YOUR WALLET?
“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee” (Proverbs 23:7). “The real you is the one that carries on conversations in your mind—very apt to butter toast you have no intention of eating” (Jeb 23:7).
Somewhere this weekend in America, someone is planning to get drunk, act the fool, and commit adultery with someone’s wife. These plans are contained within a very detailed set of blueprints that are rehearsed over and over in the mind—the secret place where all sin originates. This explains the ease with which these sins are brought to "life”.
Practice makes perfect.
There is not one killer locked up in prison that didn’t first murder the victim in their head before actually shooting him dead. Thoughts conceive in the mind and if acted upon become sins in the flesh which affect our spirit, soul, and body, and for which we are responsible. No wonder the first message Jesus preached in essence was: “Change the way you’ve been thinking: My way of thinking—my perspective and power concerning all situations—is available, as of now because I have come to re-unite you to your God.” Apart from him we can not possibly think right because he is the originator of all right thinking/action: “Apart from me you can do nothing.”
Does not the Bible teach that the abstract—lusts, pride, greed, selfishness, envy—leads to the concrete: adulteries, murders, robberies, and fights? Jesus put it this way, “O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things” (Matthew 12:34-35). It is clear that our thoughts become our actions: change what is eating you—your thought diet—and you change everything about you.
“So this I say and solemnly testify in [the name of] the Lord [as in His presence], that you must no longer live as the heathen (the Gentiles) do in their perverseness [in the folly, vanity, and emptiness of their souls and the futility] of their minds” (Ephesians 4:17).
You are what you eat, physically and spiritually. You have looked into the world’s greatest mirror when you look into the thoughts of your heart and see the image they reflect.
Imagine that.
What’s in your wallet?
Somewhere this weekend in America, someone is planning to get drunk, act the fool, and commit adultery with someone’s wife. These plans are contained within a very detailed set of blueprints that are rehearsed over and over in the mind—the secret place where all sin originates. This explains the ease with which these sins are brought to "life”.
Practice makes perfect.
There is not one killer locked up in prison that didn’t first murder the victim in their head before actually shooting him dead. Thoughts conceive in the mind and if acted upon become sins in the flesh which affect our spirit, soul, and body, and for which we are responsible. No wonder the first message Jesus preached in essence was: “Change the way you’ve been thinking: My way of thinking—my perspective and power concerning all situations—is available, as of now because I have come to re-unite you to your God.” Apart from him we can not possibly think right because he is the originator of all right thinking/action: “Apart from me you can do nothing.”
Does not the Bible teach that the abstract—lusts, pride, greed, selfishness, envy—leads to the concrete: adulteries, murders, robberies, and fights? Jesus put it this way, “O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things” (Matthew 12:34-35). It is clear that our thoughts become our actions: change what is eating you—your thought diet—and you change everything about you.
“So this I say and solemnly testify in [the name of] the Lord [as in His presence], that you must no longer live as the heathen (the Gentiles) do in their perverseness [in the folly, vanity, and emptiness of their souls and the futility] of their minds” (Ephesians 4:17).
You are what you eat, physically and spiritually. You have looked into the world’s greatest mirror when you look into the thoughts of your heart and see the image they reflect.
Imagine that.
What’s in your wallet?
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
A SIGNS AND WONDERS REVIVAL
“And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul” (Genesis 2:7).
Ron Green was a gifted baseball player with a strong arm, good power at the plate, and a bent for women, gambling and drugs. Ultimately his career was cut short by a shoulder injury; tragically his life was cut short by being framed for a murder he did not commit and cumulative affect of drugs, both prescription and illegal.
Now suppose Ron, right after he hurt his shoulder, had gone to a Signs and Wonders conference. During this meeting the evangelist gets a word of knowledge, “Someone here has a shoulder problem and the Lord wants to heal it.” (He discerns this by virtue of the sudden pain in his own shoulder.) Ron comes forward, the music crescendos, he performs a “throw from left field”, and . . . falls down backwards!!!!
If that’s not revival I don’t know what is. You know what I’m talking about, the kind we glibly report to our friends, “It’s not a revival of people getting born again; it’s a healing revival!”
The evangelist is happy, the dream team is happy, the sheep are fleeced . . .I mean freed, and the devil is calling 911.
Does it get any better than this?
Ron goes on to a productive career and his women and his drugs and his gambling.
But he was healed, right?
Or was he?
Ron Green was a gifted baseball player with a strong arm, good power at the plate, and a bent for women, gambling and drugs. Ultimately his career was cut short by a shoulder injury; tragically his life was cut short by being framed for a murder he did not commit and cumulative affect of drugs, both prescription and illegal.
Now suppose Ron, right after he hurt his shoulder, had gone to a Signs and Wonders conference. During this meeting the evangelist gets a word of knowledge, “Someone here has a shoulder problem and the Lord wants to heal it.” (He discerns this by virtue of the sudden pain in his own shoulder.) Ron comes forward, the music crescendos, he performs a “throw from left field”, and . . . falls down backwards!!!!
If that’s not revival I don’t know what is. You know what I’m talking about, the kind we glibly report to our friends, “It’s not a revival of people getting born again; it’s a healing revival!”
The evangelist is happy, the dream team is happy, the sheep are fleeced . . .I mean freed, and the devil is calling 911.
Does it get any better than this?
Ron goes on to a productive career and his women and his drugs and his gambling.
But he was healed, right?
Or was he?
Monday, January 4, 2010
THE KINGDOM OF GOD
The all powerful, all knowing, all seeing God has come to dwell on the earth through his church: “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you” (John 14:16-17).
This great God, who is the Holy Ghost, has one main focus: “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you” (16:13-14).
Surly since he is all powerful and no purpose of his can be hindered, there are great benefits to be reaped everyday in the believer. This is beyond dispute and has been proven, beyond theory, in the book of Acts. And since his primary purpose is to reveal Jesus within the believer, it could not be more glorious—everything else must take a secondary role.
This is the rule of God.
But if you look only with natural eyes, you are sure to miss it. Just like Israel missed his first coming because it was looking for a sword of flesh instead of the sword of the Spirit. Because the kingdom of God is not steak and potatoes and an extra large sweet tea; the kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. The one satisfies your appetite and leaves you unfulfilled; the other gives you an appetite and leaves you ever craving and thirsting for righteousness.
And filled.
Have you seen the church in Acts? Without a doubt they turned the world upside down, but they never took over town hall—it was Missionary Peter, not Mayor. They healed the sick, even to the point of their shadow and handkerchiefs being a point of contact, but they themselves were beaten and run out of town—I do not see where they ever became Christian celebrities.
For sure God blessed them financially but you can only retain so much when you’re crucified upside down. Guess it ended up the way it started, “Silver and gold have I none . . .”
They saw the miracle of the lame man healed at the gate Beautiful, but only briefly referred to that miracle in the sermon that followed, choosing rather to expound on the absolute wonder of Jesus.
This is the Kingdom of God.
. . . By the way, I’m sure Peter is way past being a mayor now—now that he is in the world to come.
This great God, who is the Holy Ghost, has one main focus: “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you” (16:13-14).
Surly since he is all powerful and no purpose of his can be hindered, there are great benefits to be reaped everyday in the believer. This is beyond dispute and has been proven, beyond theory, in the book of Acts. And since his primary purpose is to reveal Jesus within the believer, it could not be more glorious—everything else must take a secondary role.
This is the rule of God.
But if you look only with natural eyes, you are sure to miss it. Just like Israel missed his first coming because it was looking for a sword of flesh instead of the sword of the Spirit. Because the kingdom of God is not steak and potatoes and an extra large sweet tea; the kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. The one satisfies your appetite and leaves you unfulfilled; the other gives you an appetite and leaves you ever craving and thirsting for righteousness.
And filled.
Have you seen the church in Acts? Without a doubt they turned the world upside down, but they never took over town hall—it was Missionary Peter, not Mayor. They healed the sick, even to the point of their shadow and handkerchiefs being a point of contact, but they themselves were beaten and run out of town—I do not see where they ever became Christian celebrities.
For sure God blessed them financially but you can only retain so much when you’re crucified upside down. Guess it ended up the way it started, “Silver and gold have I none . . .”
They saw the miracle of the lame man healed at the gate Beautiful, but only briefly referred to that miracle in the sermon that followed, choosing rather to expound on the absolute wonder of Jesus.
This is the Kingdom of God.
. . . By the way, I’m sure Peter is way past being a mayor now—now that he is in the world to come.
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