Modes of Progress: Deliverance and Conquest?

All Scriptures ESV

Acts 2:22-24 

22“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— 23this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 24God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.”

Romans 8: 31-39

God’s Everlasting Love

31What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can beh against us? 32He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.i 35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Revelation 12:11
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“And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.”

Deliverance is a popular concept in today’s church. We hear the testimony of all the things that God has done, healings, financial rescue, relationships restored, clarity of mind, increased influence/status and numerous other things that improve our earthly lives. These things are lauded and held up to be the most exemplary examples of saints getting it right for God. Not so fast. Take a look  again at the list above.  Are these scriptures the examples held out to the masses? Could we fill our churches with these truths? That’s not to say the previous things are not good. They certainly are and I am thankful that I have experienced them. However, I’m convinced that we have fallen in love with the seasons of men’s favor in this life. Deliverance and overcoming are modes of progress in scripture, but we have neglected to put things in perspective.

It’s a strange and even bizarre thing that has taken place in the church since the fathers of the faith (Apostles) died out. The clear teaching of scripture indicates that one of the prime characteristics of a saint is their disposition toward this life. They do not love the things of this world and all of its trappings. They push forward with a deeply devoted love for the Father and are assured that they will be delivered from the second death, which is the eternal judgment of God in the lake of fire. With this in mind, they press forward reaching others by the power of their witness, not their words — their lives.

Revelations 2:7

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.”

So saints, let us press on beyond the trappings of this age toward the great and high calling of God. Let us move forward to embrace an eternal kingdom and tear our hearts away from the transient, fleeting things of this life. Perhaps our hearts need to be delivered from idols, and we must overcome them as well. This is the paradox of faith. It is not one or the other — it’s both.

 

 

The Fortress of Gratitude

Acts 16:19-40

From Biblos.com English Standard Version (ESV)

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19 But when her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers. 20 And when they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, “These men are Jews, and they are disturbing our city. 21 They advocate customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to accept or practice.” 22 The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods. 23 And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely. 24 Having received this order, he put them into the innerprison and fastened their feet inthe stocks.

The Philippian Jailer Converted

25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, 26 and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened. 27 When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” 29 And the jailer[a] called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. 30 Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. 34 Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God.

35 But when it was day, the magistrates sent the police, saying, “Let those men go.” 36 And the jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, “The magistrates have sent to let you go. Therefore come out now and go in peace.” 37 But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men who are Roman citizens, and have thrown us into prison; and do they now throw us out secretly? No! Let them come themselves and take us out.” 38 The police reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Roman citizens. 39 So they came and apologized to them. And they took them out and asked them to leave the city. 40 So they went out of the prison and visited Lydia. And when they had seen the brothers, they encouraged them and departed.

Gratitude and Mindset

Saints we are approaching Thanksgiving — my favorite holiday. One of the reasons is because it sets the tone for a mindset of reflecting on what we have been given. Ultimately Christmas and Easter are — rather should be — holidays of gratitude and reflection as well.

As I reflect on the scripture passages above, I come away convinced that I have work to do in regards to my attitude. The saints in the early age of the church were in conflict with the devil,  the religious leaders of the day and the nation states they belonged to. Defiant, rugged and wonderfully compliant toward the Father, are some of the ways they could be described. In contrast, we have been trapped and seduced by the institutions of the day: religious, commercial and political. When these things are stripped away — and the scriptures tell us they will be — where will we stand, and upon what will we stand? Paul and Silas stood with God. And most amazingly, they did all of this without one visible complaint or recorded act of grumbling against God. They stood with one another as James has instructed us to do. (“Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.” James 5:9 ESV)

Grumbling: The Inverse

Grumbling reveals a sense of powerlessness and ignorance. Powerless in the sense that you have been deceived into believing something or someone is working against you and you have no options, so you vent in a way that is neither helpful or instructive. The truth is God is for us and if you don’t sense this, you are out of alignment. Ignorance is simply the unknown. (Which by the way is a condition everyone other than God is subject to.) It frustrates and paralyzes some people and they refuse to trust the Creator or others so they constantly harass with questions and sabotage godly work. Although they are seeking to assuage their fears, they are instead fortifying them. These approaches are signs of insecurity and cowardice. God never leaves us powerless in regards to how to do things or ignorant in regards to what we need to know. He gives us his power and wisdom as we trust in him. God was seeking to address these things early on and gave the people instructions regarding how to worship him and how to relate to one another.

“How long shall this wicked congregation grumble against me? I have heard the grumblings of the people of Israel, which they grumble against me.” Numbers 14:27 (ESV)

The Lesson for Us

God grew intolerant of the self centered ways of his newly freed people. They preferred the predicable life of slavery to freedom, and viewed both the Liberator and the instruments of liberation as new chains. Gratitude was far from them and their minds yielded to all of the negative influences presented to them. They proved ill equipped for the challenges ahead, and so they never entered into the promises. In fact the people wilted under just about every challenge, preferring to indulge their fears and doubt.

Gratitude as a Fortress

Gratitude will prove to be a fortress to your mind. I’m not suggesting the maxim, count your blessings alone. I am emphasizing bringing into remembrance the things God has done and recounting them in His presence and the presence of others. In this way we magnify our God and minimize our concerns. As always, we have to make sure we are in his will and not simply presuming favor for our own actions. Leaders expect opposition, internal and external. They deal with it and continue to move on until they accomplish what they have set out to do. Armed with gratitude, they insulate themselves from the idolatry of self-seeking. They have learned to appreciate all things that come from the Father, including the difficult lessons he has made part of their training exercises.  If we realize this early on in whatever journey God assigns us to, we not only embrace opposition, we will give thanks when it comes and be honored we were entrusted with the task. If we succeed or fail — we will learn something from it.

 

 

 

 

 

An Enduring Kingdom

Friends the election is over. Many in the Body of Christ have cast their ballots. It is time to look anew to the kingdom of the living God. We will all be accountable for how we have been stewards of the nations we live in, but even more so for the assigned roles God has given us in his.

Keep these words in mind as we move forward and look to a kingdom not of this world:

Isaiah 9:6 – 7

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Toward this kingdom, I earnestly seek and look.

 

The Hired Hands

Their leader dropped his head

He cried out one last time in the midst of battle

“It’s too much!”

The lions roared and the hired hand took flight

As he fled, he felt encumbered and cast off the belt of truth

And lust moved in

The breastplate of righteousness was too heavy

With it cast aside

Lawlessness was free to fill his heart

His flock of men followed

Removing peace from their feet

They quarreled with one another

Over the remaining rations

They sold their shields

Having doubt about the usefulness of these
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“We are no longer at war.”

(Nodding their heads in agreement)

Their helmets of salvation obscured their well groomed hair

“Perhaps some fair maidens —

Will take us in if we are presentable.

No need for these helmets”

Lastly the flaming sword of the spirit of truth was tossed

Into the sea of apathy

The maidens opened the gates

To the Fortress of Probability

And so they remain

Warning all who would dare to leave this comfort!

And telling tall tales of valor

Concerning the battles of days gone by….

When Satan Blinks First

“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”  1 Peter 5:8 (NIV)

“Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what iis lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.”  Hebrews 12:12-13 (ESV)

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7 (ESV)

Over the years I have experienced both triumph and failure. What is most disheartening is this, when I reflect on the amount of time I have spent achieving triumph in diverse areas of my life, I must conclude that the delays were unnecessary. I was hindered by my own reluctance and disobedience.
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Satan defeats us because he knows the key to hindering us lies in our proclivity to cling to self-deception/justification, and fear — two areas that he is quite skilled in bringing before us. We are deceived by the things we desire and our fears. We justify our actions accordingly. They gain salience in our thoughts and push away our concern to please God. The enemy will stoke our fears (with our full cooperation) and paint worst case scenarios in our thinking when we don’t comply with the desires of the flesh or natural man. Bondage follows once we yield to these influences.

The mature Christian does not give into these weapons. He/she knows the scriptures and just as Christ resisted in the wilderness, they know that if they submit themselves, they can effectively resist him. Obedience is their shield and a weapon that is especially crucial in these fiery trials. We have been set free and we are not children of subjugation to enemy powers. However, we often find ourselves being bullied by the thoughts and insecurities that are brought to our minds in the heat of battle and we blink, signaling weakness. If we depend on God during these times, we will always overcome.

Saints when we stand firm, Satan will blink first — even more, he will flee! It’s time for us to stand firm. All of the amount of prayer, counseling, encouragement, inspirational words, and gifts of the spirit — will not cure a weakwilled, cowardly heart. The devil knows this. The remedy?

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

The Art of Ameliorating the Truth

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Tributaries

 

A tributary, from a geographical perspective, is a stream that feeds a larger stream/river or lake/pond. Streams and rivers continue to flow and connect with other moving bodies of water, while lakes and ponds stand as surrounded, isolated bodies of water. In life we make choices that will move us forward to a station that is permanent and settled or destinations that are dynamic, fluid, and transformative. Early in life most people embrace a seize the day approach, moving along great tributaries, watching in wonder and awe. Some of these tributaries lead us to stations (lakes and ponds) that are wonderful and beautiful to behold such as: employment, marriage, family, lifelong friendships and other blessings. But not all lakes are positive and soon we grow tired of the scenery and we sense a need to move on, with or without the people we arrived with. Keep in mind that some rivers and lakes can be man-made in a literal or spiritual sense. We may feel trapped there. If that’s the case, you are deceived and predestined to go where the architects take you – if they decide you are worthy of keeping around.

Plants used stimulants are ginkgo biloba, horny goat until the jack, levitra 20mg uk ginseng saw Tribulus Terrestris, Palmetto, Damiana and Hawthorn. You can do Kegels through squeezing the pubococcygeus muscles, hold it for about additional info tadalafil online ten second then relax. The blood vessel will release nitric oxide in order to get rid from such a situation the best option is to go for continue reading now viagra rx. L-citrulline is believed to help in such situations, where you are not able to get their prescriptions without all of the http://respitecaresa.org/kabb-celebrates-respites-new-car/kabb_news_respite_care/ get viagra from india hassle. As I age and gray, I’m convinced that people lose their sense of childlike awe, faith, zeal for life and a quest for destiny. They arrive at man-made lakes and ponds; settle there; build a life, and flee from introspection. This they believe is as good as it gets. If they are bold enough to move out they look to other great lakes that will give them rest from their journey, but in spite of these promises their hopes are often dashed. Many of the architects behind these lakes will promise them the world, extract all of their time, hours, and faith – convincing them that their cause is the most worthy and secure one that they should invest in. The truth, is only you can determine your cause; no one outside of God should convince you otherwise.

Who are the people who take the helm of their life? What are they like? Well they are usually prodded by a deep instinct and conviction to continue their journey. They have the courage and conviction to leave the less troubled waters. They have learned to resist the arguments of others they followed to the lake. Such people expect a fusillade of guilt trips, insults, lectures or false indifference to follow them when they set sail again. If you are this type of person, then move! We all have made decisions that have led us to our current destinations in life, and we can make choices that lead us to new ones. Proverbs 16:9 states (ESV): “The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.” So welcome new tributaries into your life and the lakes you have settled in, and pray, plan and question! Plan according to all you know, have prayed about and consulted with others over and be bold in what you seek!  But question the lakes in your life. Question the associations. Question the things that have brought you to your current state. If you are persistent in these three you will see it follows Jesus’ model of “ask seek and knock “(Matthew 7:7), which is an attitude of constant inquiry. I wish you well on your new journeys.

Endemic Norms: Good Enough?

 

Tom Pomeranz is a nationally recognized trainer that I respect and have learned a great deal from when it comes to dealing with people with disabilities and barriers. He has a phrase called G.E.M. — which means, “Good Enough for Me” He encourages us to treat people with challenges in a way that is good enough for us. No doubt he has the Biblical model “Do unto others as you would have done unto you.” (KJV Luke 6:31)in mind when he teaches this, as many secular theorist do. It is certainly an axiom that at least raises our level of moral concern for others to the bare minimum of what we would expect for ourselves.

Here is the problem that we  run into over and over again when dealing with folks, they all have their own endemic norms that are good enough for them, but certainly would not be good enough for me. I would shudder to think what would happen if I were to pass on their dysfunctional ideas to others. Here is the definition of endemic:

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  1. restricted      to one place: describes a disease occurring within a particular area
  2. living      in defined geographic area: describes a species of organism that is      confined to a particular geographic region such as an island or river      basin
  3. characteristic      of area: characteristic of a particular place, or among a particular      group, or area of interest or activity

The word focuses on what takes place amongst people tied to a specific geography, activity interest, profession or other similarities. At the end of the day, what we may want done to us, others may not. We must constantly examine the source of our learned behaviors, the behaviors of those in our social network and those we seek to help before we develop rubrics for best practice or ministry. What’s good enough now, may not be tomorrow. As we evolve and grow – so will our approach to self-care and care for others.  This verse means a lot to me:  “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” (ESV John 13:34) We should certainly seek God’s wisdom on how to love people as He would. Our way of loving is not enough.

Kaleo: A Wonderful Truth in an Age of Confusion

(All Verses ESV and From Biblos.com)

“But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” Isaiah 43:1

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27

I feel deeply for new Believers and burned out Christians. Many are confused about what God wants from us and how to do his will when so many different denominations and their leaders are in conflict and onfused about it themselves. Over time people become frustrated and even depressed over what they see taking place among believers. If you are going through this please continue to read.

What is the church? Is it an institution, assembly, gathering, movement? Well, yes and no. In short, it is defined by the above sentence in part, but not in totality. Let’s have a look at this from a well known concordance, Strong’s:

{Strong’s G1577 – ekklesia – From a compound of G1537 (ek – “from out of”) and a derivative of G2564 (kaleo – to call aloud or call forth); a calling out, that is, (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both): – assembly, church.}

The church in its purest form is a group of called out by name people who are dispersed all over the globe and throughout all of history. You see, God created, sought and secured a covenant relationship with us. He ransomed and purchased us with the blood of his Son. The price for salvation was paid in full, given away for free. This is the message of the true gospel. Unfortunately there are venal profiteers who have found a place within the church. They have marketed salvation and the benefits of faith for personal gain. Those leaders, more than anyone else, have contributed to the confusion of the day. Passive believers are also to blame for not speaking out. But take heart, God described this in both the Old and New Testaments, and He will deal with it.

Jeremiah 5:26-31  Cult of Personality

26 For wicked men are found among my people; they lurk like fowlers lying in wait.a They set a trap; they catch men. 27 Like a cage full of birds, their houses are full of deceit; therefore they have become great and rich; 28 they have grown fat and sleek. They know no bounds in deeds of evil; they judge not with justice the cause of the fatherless, to make it prosper, and they do not defend the rights of the needy. 29Shall I not punish them for these things? declares the Lord, and shall I not avenge myself on a nation such as this?”

30 An appalling and horrible thing has happened in the land: 31 the prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule at their direction; my people love to have it so, but what will you do when the end comes?
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Matthew 13:24-30  Who’s Authentic?

24He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, 25but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weedsc among the wheat and went away. 26So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also. 27And the servantsd of the master of the house came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?’ 28He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ So the servants said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ 29But he said, ‘No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. 30Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.’”

The Parable Explained: Matthew 36-43

36Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples came to him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.” 37He answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. 38The field is the world, and the good seed is the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, 39and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the close of the age, and the reapers are angels. 40Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the close of the age. 41The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, 42and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.

There it is; no need to be consumed with the question of wheat and tares. It’s not important to focus on every area of doctrine a person holds or their hypocrisy. God knows who he has called, and you don’t. However, the scriptures clearly state we will know people by their fruit. This is emperical! Actions will demonstrate whether or not you should follow. When something is out of line with the fruit of the Spirit or the clear teaching of scripture, don’t be confused; reject it! Your life and path will be easier. We are free to serve in spite of all the confusion of this present age.

 

 

 

 

The Power of Godly Pathos

Matthew 9:36-38   ESV   (From Biblos.com)

” 36When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

It is impossible to overstate the depths of God’s compassion and mercy for people in general and his people in particular. Compassion always moved him into action and it should move us as well.

Mirriam Webster defines pathos these ways:

1 : an element in experience or in artistic representation evoking pity or compassion

2 : an emotion of sympathetic pity

Grace flows from godly compassion and God is ready to give it to whomever ask it of him. What about us and what about forgivenesss? I know that some will dwell on the past and all of the ways that they have been burned by people or taken advantage of, but that is not the point here. If we are honest with ourselves we will detect that our compassion has not always been pure. When we have true, godly, compassion on people, we are not looking for a square deal or repayment. We are simply meeting needs, no strings attached. Notice the instruction here.

Luke 14: 12-14
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12He said also to the man who had invited him, “When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothersb or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid. 13But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”

Jesus instructs our compassion to be without even a hint of expecting future favors.

A Warning>Matthew 7:6

“Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.”

Jesus expects us to be wise and discern between people who are manipulating us for their own ends and those who are truly in need and hungry for the truth. If we don’t, we can expect to be turned on and ridiculed. No room for a blind approach here. We need to distinguish between the godly compassion that God stirs in our souls and our natural inclinations to simply pity people and meeting secondary needs. If we follow natural compassion we will become ensnared in their messes. God give us the wisdom and softness of heart to have your pathos.