Many of you may remember that Elvis had as a motto: "Taking Care Of Business". He wore a famous ring that contained the initials TCB, along with a lightening bolt.
It seems that many people of the world have embraced this philosophy, even if they didn't make an emblem out of it, as did Elvis.
Question: Don't you think that it's time for Christians to start "taking care of business"? After all, we have been appointed to the greatest business in the history of mankind! We have been given the power of the Holy Spirit to energize us for the task at hand, and we have clear marching orders in the word of God!
Yet, people perish at the rate of hundreds per hour, entering a Christ-less eternity without any hope whatsoever! Society is putrefying before our eyes! The devil ensnares billions of souls, and the Church looks on as if we are powerless to d anything about it!
Dear saints of God, it is time to take care of business! We have an arsenal of weapons that are mighty through God to the pulling down of the strongholds of the enemy! We are commissioned by Heaven to bind, to loose, to cast out devils, to set the captives free in the mighty name of Jesus Christ!
But this will never happen until a righteous indignation wells up within us and compels us to use all that God has given us.
Maybe this will help to stir us: Satan is trying to poison and destroy your family, your marriage, your children, your grandchildren, your health, your finances, your church, your freedoms, your job, your....., well, you get the point.
And, while he is working 24/7 to accomplish all of this, he successfully keeps Christians so "entertained" that they don't even know what he's up to!
Do you think that satan is bothered by "full-Gospel" people "falling out"? or, getting "blessed" in fits of "holy laughter"? BOLOGNA!
Here's the need: Christians pray up, hit the highways and hedges with the love of God in their hearts and the word of God in their mouths, and begin to pull down the walls of hell!
Well- how about it? what say we begin taking care of business!
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Sunday, July 18, 2010
God's Plan For You
One of the greatest truths that anyone could ever know is that God has a plan for every life! In fact, Ephesians 2:10 tells us, that as Christians, God had a plan in place for us before we were ever born!
Can you imagine that? The One who spoke the universe into existence and sustains it by His awesome power has a personalized plan for you and I!
By this we can understand that our arrival in the Kingdom, via salvation, did not take Him by surprise, nor is He scrambling about trying to find a slot for us in His eternal plan. He knew that we would come to faith, and there is a special place in the Church, the Body of Christ, for each and everyone of us!
That being true, the greatest thing that we can do is find and fulfill our unique place in the Body! A place where our particular giftings and talents will fit, and they will mesh with those around us in order to accomplish His purpose for all involved.
I've talked with many people who are anxious about finding the will of God, and, I suppose that every Christian struggles with this to some degree. Here is what I have found through observation and personal experience: God's will is made clear to those who simply "show up", and stay faithful to that which we know to do. In other words, honor the Lord by obedience to what you already know and, in His time, He will give further revelation and direction.
If you will recall the parable of the talents, in Matthew 25, you will see that the Lord doesn't have the same position for all of us. Neither does He expect the same results from all of us. What He does require is that we be faithful with what He has given us!In light of this we can see that no position or task in insignificant if it is God's will. My contribution may look smaller, or larger, than someone else's, but if I am faithful to the call and purpose of God for my life, then eternity will show that He is as pleased with my results as He is with others who may have accomplished things on a larger scale.
So, "show up"! Be faithful and obedient to the Lord, don't be anxious about how your role may compare to that of someone else. If you are serving the Lord where He has placed you then there is nothing greater that you could be doing! And, doing something else, even if considered greater, will only meet with His displeasure in the day of judgment.
In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and the result will be righteousness, peace and joy!
God Bless
Can you imagine that? The One who spoke the universe into existence and sustains it by His awesome power has a personalized plan for you and I!
By this we can understand that our arrival in the Kingdom, via salvation, did not take Him by surprise, nor is He scrambling about trying to find a slot for us in His eternal plan. He knew that we would come to faith, and there is a special place in the Church, the Body of Christ, for each and everyone of us!
That being true, the greatest thing that we can do is find and fulfill our unique place in the Body! A place where our particular giftings and talents will fit, and they will mesh with those around us in order to accomplish His purpose for all involved.
I've talked with many people who are anxious about finding the will of God, and, I suppose that every Christian struggles with this to some degree. Here is what I have found through observation and personal experience: God's will is made clear to those who simply "show up", and stay faithful to that which we know to do. In other words, honor the Lord by obedience to what you already know and, in His time, He will give further revelation and direction.
If you will recall the parable of the talents, in Matthew 25, you will see that the Lord doesn't have the same position for all of us. Neither does He expect the same results from all of us. What He does require is that we be faithful with what He has given us!In light of this we can see that no position or task in insignificant if it is God's will. My contribution may look smaller, or larger, than someone else's, but if I am faithful to the call and purpose of God for my life, then eternity will show that He is as pleased with my results as He is with others who may have accomplished things on a larger scale.
So, "show up"! Be faithful and obedient to the Lord, don't be anxious about how your role may compare to that of someone else. If you are serving the Lord where He has placed you then there is nothing greater that you could be doing! And, doing something else, even if considered greater, will only meet with His displeasure in the day of judgment.
In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and the result will be righteousness, peace and joy!
God Bless
Friday, July 16, 2010
Abiding In The Love Of Christ
The love of God is available to everyone, but not everyone is receiving His love. There are some things that requisite to living in the love of the Heavenly Father, and Jesus plainly tells us exactly how to abide in His presence.
In John 15:10 Jesus says "If you keep my commandments, you shall abide in my love; even as I have kept the Father's commandments, and abide in His love."
Many people would have us believe that any mention of keeping commandments, or rules, is an expression of "legalism" that is to avoided at all costs! Granted, our good deeds will never garner us favor with God, to believe so cheapens the whole concept of grace- unmerited favor.
However, There is a great gulf between working to secure God's favor, and walking in obedience to His clear direction.
If I may paraphrase the words of Jesus: "The commandments which come from the Father, and from Me, define, or outline, the pathway upon which our love flows. As you stay on the proper pathway, then you are in confines in which the love of God manifests."
Look at the word of God as a guidebook filled with signposts that clearly mark the way of blessing. We have learned this truth as it pertains to the natural world. We observe warning signs because we believe the warnings that they convey! And, by doing so, we avoid many perils, possibly even death, and abide in safety.
So, as we can see, legalism has absolutely nothing to do with our obedience. We obey the Lord because we love Him. And as we walk in obedience, we are recipients of His love and blessings.
Sounds pretty good, doesn't it?
God Bless.
In John 15:10 Jesus says "If you keep my commandments, you shall abide in my love; even as I have kept the Father's commandments, and abide in His love."
Many people would have us believe that any mention of keeping commandments, or rules, is an expression of "legalism" that is to avoided at all costs! Granted, our good deeds will never garner us favor with God, to believe so cheapens the whole concept of grace- unmerited favor.
However, There is a great gulf between working to secure God's favor, and walking in obedience to His clear direction.
If I may paraphrase the words of Jesus: "The commandments which come from the Father, and from Me, define, or outline, the pathway upon which our love flows. As you stay on the proper pathway, then you are in confines in which the love of God manifests."
Look at the word of God as a guidebook filled with signposts that clearly mark the way of blessing. We have learned this truth as it pertains to the natural world. We observe warning signs because we believe the warnings that they convey! And, by doing so, we avoid many perils, possibly even death, and abide in safety.
So, as we can see, legalism has absolutely nothing to do with our obedience. We obey the Lord because we love Him. And as we walk in obedience, we are recipients of His love and blessings.
Sounds pretty good, doesn't it?
God Bless.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Prayer Of Jesus
I'm preparing to teach on prayer this evening. Ever since I came to Christ I have known that prayer is an absolute essential to living the Christian life, but even after almost 37 years, I am more convinced than ever that I am just playing around the fringes of what God means for prayer to be in, as well as through, the life of His children!
The 17th chapter of John is often called the High Priestly prayer of Jesus Christ. In this portion of Scripture we get a marvelous glimpse into the prayer life of our Lord, and we see the results of this prayer yet today! In fact, if you are truly saved, then this prayer was and is mighty in your behalf!
Isn't it amazing that the Lord would say that He set the pattern for us to follow? That those who believe in Him would do like works as He did? How in the world can this be possible?
By studying and emulating the prayer life of our Lord and Savior we will find ourselves born along by the very same Spirit that enabled Him during His incarnation! By having our mind transformed by the Word, and having our hearts challenged and changed by His indwelling presence, we will be conduits, or channels of His authoritative power that binds and casts out the enemy, bring healing virtue to bear upon the physical needs of humanity, and proclaims the Gospel with a power and anointing that will penetrate hard and doubting hearts!
Jesus prayed for me! As a result, I am saved! A new creation in Him! Now, He sends me forth to share His love, compassion and power with a lost, hurting and dying world!
Oh, by the way; He is sending you also. Will we say "yes Lord"?
God Bless
The 17th chapter of John is often called the High Priestly prayer of Jesus Christ. In this portion of Scripture we get a marvelous glimpse into the prayer life of our Lord, and we see the results of this prayer yet today! In fact, if you are truly saved, then this prayer was and is mighty in your behalf!
Isn't it amazing that the Lord would say that He set the pattern for us to follow? That those who believe in Him would do like works as He did? How in the world can this be possible?
By studying and emulating the prayer life of our Lord and Savior we will find ourselves born along by the very same Spirit that enabled Him during His incarnation! By having our mind transformed by the Word, and having our hearts challenged and changed by His indwelling presence, we will be conduits, or channels of His authoritative power that binds and casts out the enemy, bring healing virtue to bear upon the physical needs of humanity, and proclaims the Gospel with a power and anointing that will penetrate hard and doubting hearts!
Jesus prayed for me! As a result, I am saved! A new creation in Him! Now, He sends me forth to share His love, compassion and power with a lost, hurting and dying world!
Oh, by the way; He is sending you also. Will we say "yes Lord"?
God Bless
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Needed: An Army Of Pray-ers
Do you ever read of the exploits of the saints of old, those in the Bible, as well as others across the pages of history, and then consider the current state of the Church only to see a tremendous disconnect between the two?
Just think about those who are mentioned in Hebrews chapter eleven, those who shook kingdoms, turned their world upside down, even saw their dead restored to life! Consider godly individuals such as the Wesley brothers, who founded Methodism and stirred continents with the powerful Gospel of Christ! Such are the spiritual greats from whom we descend!
Brothers and sisters, it is in our spiritual DNA to accomplish things of significance for the Kingdom of our God and His Christ! We are in this world with divinely appointed destiny attached to our lives!
But, unless we pitch out tent in the fertile fields of God's promises and become people of fervent prayer we will see precious little, if any, of the results that our ancestors in the faith experienced!
Please consider this: If you are a Christian then you are commissioned and equipped to carry on the very works that Jesus Christ did! He came into this world to destroy the works of the devil! To liberate captive souls! To heal sick and infirm bodies, and to make know the love of the Father to a lost and dying world!
I fear that the Church, that powerful, world-wide organism enlivened and empowered by the very Spirit of the living God, has been distracted, sidetracked, preoccupied, mesmerized and deceived by the god of this world! It has become entangled with the affairs of this life and the deceitfulness of riches to the point that multitudes perish without a Spirit filled presentation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
The call comes forth from the Throne room today; a call to sacrifice and service! A call to self-denial and intercession for others! A call to take up our individual cross and to follow Jesus Christ in the highways and hedges of the world, seeking out those who are held captive by the great enemy of all that is good!
All who will hear and obey join the ranks of an elite army that is marching toward an assured victory of unimaginable proportions! A victory that will reach its climax at the very throne of the eternal God, and He will commend those who are called, chosen and faithful with the words "Well done, good and faithful servant."
Can you hear the call? Can you sense the Spirit beckoning us come away from the things of the world and join Him in the arena of prayer and of service?
He is calling! May we have ears to hear and hearts to say "Yes, Lord."
God bless
Just think about those who are mentioned in Hebrews chapter eleven, those who shook kingdoms, turned their world upside down, even saw their dead restored to life! Consider godly individuals such as the Wesley brothers, who founded Methodism and stirred continents with the powerful Gospel of Christ! Such are the spiritual greats from whom we descend!
Brothers and sisters, it is in our spiritual DNA to accomplish things of significance for the Kingdom of our God and His Christ! We are in this world with divinely appointed destiny attached to our lives!
But, unless we pitch out tent in the fertile fields of God's promises and become people of fervent prayer we will see precious little, if any, of the results that our ancestors in the faith experienced!
Please consider this: If you are a Christian then you are commissioned and equipped to carry on the very works that Jesus Christ did! He came into this world to destroy the works of the devil! To liberate captive souls! To heal sick and infirm bodies, and to make know the love of the Father to a lost and dying world!
I fear that the Church, that powerful, world-wide organism enlivened and empowered by the very Spirit of the living God, has been distracted, sidetracked, preoccupied, mesmerized and deceived by the god of this world! It has become entangled with the affairs of this life and the deceitfulness of riches to the point that multitudes perish without a Spirit filled presentation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
The call comes forth from the Throne room today; a call to sacrifice and service! A call to self-denial and intercession for others! A call to take up our individual cross and to follow Jesus Christ in the highways and hedges of the world, seeking out those who are held captive by the great enemy of all that is good!
All who will hear and obey join the ranks of an elite army that is marching toward an assured victory of unimaginable proportions! A victory that will reach its climax at the very throne of the eternal God, and He will commend those who are called, chosen and faithful with the words "Well done, good and faithful servant."
Can you hear the call? Can you sense the Spirit beckoning us come away from the things of the world and join Him in the arena of prayer and of service?
He is calling! May we have ears to hear and hearts to say "Yes, Lord."
God bless
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Back..... For Now
Some interesting events transpired last December that made it difficult to keep up regular postings here. But I do have a burden to communicate Biblical teachings via this avenue. So, hopefully, I'll be able to update here on, at least, a semi-regular basis.
Events of "Biblical proportion" have been unfolding over the last few months: Nations are tottering economically, rumblings of war are increasing in various parts of the world, and, right here in our own nation we are witnessing an ecological tragedy that may well prove to be the most devastating to ever touch the United States of America!
So, my desire is to stir up, or to instill, a sense of urgency in the hearts and minds of all that I can reach, to challenge them to consider all of these events in light of Bible prophecy. Folks, we are rushing toward the consummation of this age! Jesus really will come again!
All of this is extremely interesting, and it all make for stimulating conversation; but, the crucial consideration is this: Are we truly ready for His coming? Are we Bible saved? Have we acknowledged and repented of sin, and have we asked Jesus Christ to come into our life as Lord and Savior?
Are we pursuing a life of holiness? Or are we among those who believe that we can live as worldlings and still be acceptable to Him when He comes?
Have we embraced popular religious views that never mention sin, and only speak of all that Lord wants us to have? Or are we earnestly contending for the faith once delivered unto the saints?
Beloved, in light of all that is transpiring, seeing that eternity is swiftly coming at us, let's follow the example of the Apostle Paul and press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus!
God Bless.
Events of "Biblical proportion" have been unfolding over the last few months: Nations are tottering economically, rumblings of war are increasing in various parts of the world, and, right here in our own nation we are witnessing an ecological tragedy that may well prove to be the most devastating to ever touch the United States of America!
So, my desire is to stir up, or to instill, a sense of urgency in the hearts and minds of all that I can reach, to challenge them to consider all of these events in light of Bible prophecy. Folks, we are rushing toward the consummation of this age! Jesus really will come again!
All of this is extremely interesting, and it all make for stimulating conversation; but, the crucial consideration is this: Are we truly ready for His coming? Are we Bible saved? Have we acknowledged and repented of sin, and have we asked Jesus Christ to come into our life as Lord and Savior?
Are we pursuing a life of holiness? Or are we among those who believe that we can live as worldlings and still be acceptable to Him when He comes?
Have we embraced popular religious views that never mention sin, and only speak of all that Lord wants us to have? Or are we earnestly contending for the faith once delivered unto the saints?
Beloved, in light of all that is transpiring, seeing that eternity is swiftly coming at us, let's follow the example of the Apostle Paul and press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus!
God Bless.
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