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God is “Not Trying”

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This article was written by a friend.

This morning God revealed to me some perception issues we have about Him and how we see and hear or rather don’t see and hear. In my conversation with my wife this morning, she stated “I think God is trying to help you do….…..” I responded “what if He is Not trying?” She said what do you mean? Are you saying God is not trying to help you?” I responded “say the same statement leaving out the word trying.” She said “I think God IS helping you do……” I was not trying to pick apart the obvious intention of my wife’s statement, but I discerned how our words reveal our mindset, in this case the outcome. I realized the Lord was revealing how many times I incorrectly use the word trying when I describe what He is doing, revealing my own mindset. The Lord many times will cause me to experience what He experiences from me, so I know what it feels like. Our clear perception of His truth makes it operational in our lives.

God has already overcome the world, He already finished His work. He is not unable to deliver what He promised. He is renewing our mind and He is leading us to truth. Despite my inability to perceive or receive does not change that He will bring His promises to pass. I believe that when we are using the word “trying” in our description of what God is doing, we reveal uncertainty in our mind about the outcome or finished result. If we have uncertainty in our mind we entertain the possibility of a different outcome than God’s promise.

Matthew 4:19 (NKJV) Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

Matthew 25:21 (NKJV) His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

God is not trying to make you, He is making you! It seems a subtle difference of words, but reveals a huge difference in mindset. Can we believe He will rather than He is trying? Does that difference change our expectation and confidence in the midst of tribulation and trial? Does that change our perception of the steps He ordered for us and why we are standing where we are standing? I realized how subtle wrong perceptions can hinder the peace and confidence in the way we walk, whether knowing or hoping. The Lord spoke to me clearly on one occasion saying “your kingdom walk is in your “knows”, and what you speculate about I will bring to your knowing when you need to know it.” God knows we cannot be shaken from what we know. We walk confidently in what we know. However knowing His truth and love is paramount in walking in His truth in love.

Consider that God is not trying to make you like Him; He is making you like Him.

HEART & BLOOD

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HEART & BLOOD

We are “cleansed by the Blood of Jesus” the “sacrificial love and heart of the Lamb”.  For what is the heart without “The Blood”?  It is the heart and Spirit of The Lord that is life giving!  The heart and blood of Jesus are inseparable.  “The Blood of Christ Jesus” is cleansing and “The Loving Heart of Christ” is what sustains us!  His love is enduring!

 

Love covers a multitude of sins, love from the heart where the “Blood of Christ” is flowing in righteousness, holiness and purity. The word became flesh and Jesus’ whole body was a living sacrifice.  

 

John 6:53 (NKJV)

53 Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you.

 

1 John 1:7 (NKJV)

7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

 

1 Thessalonians 3:13 (NKJV)

13 so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.

 

1 Peter 4:8 (NKJV)

8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”

 

 

The heart is the foundation where the “Blood of Jesus” is applied through a confession of faith by believing in your heart that Jesus died on the cross for us.  

 

Romans 10:9–10 (NKJV)

9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

 

The heart is the place of intimacy, relationship and passion.  Out of the heart of a man so he speaks.  The heart is the “birth place” of experiences. The Lord loves to give us experiences of His loving kindness, mercy and grace.  Through these encounters and experiences is the renewing of our heart and mind.  Jesus is the way, truth and life and when we experience the truth of who Jesus is in our hearts it breaks away the strongholds, hurts, pains and the earthly experiences we are subjected to.  The TRUTH IS TO BE EXPERIENCED for the truth shall set you free!   There is power in the blood, testimony and truth of Jesus Christ.  The power, presence and Spirit are in Truth for we worship The Lord in Spirit and Truth.  

 

Luke 6:45 (NKJV)

45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

 

Proverbs 4:23 (NKJV)

23Keep your heart with all diligence,

For out of it spring the issues of life.

 

John 14:6 (NKJV)

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

 

 

The love of Christ is to be embraced in the fullness of the persona of Christ Jesus.  Love WITHOUT righteousness, truth, holiness and purity of heart is not the “Heart of Christ”.  The love of Christ Jesus is the love of redemption and reconciliation not the love of bondage, hurt, illnesses and diseases, etc.  Jesus proclaimed Isaiah 61 the day of The Lord setting the captives free!  The love of Christ Jesus does not leave people in bondage, sin, and darkness. The love of Christ sets people free! 

 

The love and truth of Christ Jesus is always moving, seeking, restoring and delivering His children transforming them into sons and daughters, it is not passive in nature!  It is not complacent, defensive, manipulating, controlling or stagnant.  

 

We commonly hear statements such as:  “See people with the eyes of Jesus” and don’t judge them.  Statements like this make me reflect on Revelations 3:16 and leaving people hurting, wounded and in bondage.  Why is it so many desire the gift of discernment but deny the discernment of the Spirit from others?  Why do people preach the Gospel but deny the power of the Gospel?  (2 Timothy 3:1-5) Perhaps it is because of their complacency, tolerance and reluctance to minister truth setting people free through the heart, mercy and grace of The Lord.  

 

Revelation 3:16 (NKJV)

16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.

 

“The walk and testimony” of Jesus is not complacent or stagnant in nature.  He is always moving about setting captives free, preaching the gospel.  Are we to believe that Jesus didn’t know the hurts, bondage, strongholds and the hearts of His people?  That is totally absurd.  In fact The Holy Spirit reveals ALL TRUTH and reveals the motives and intents of the heart.  

 

All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirits (the thoughts and intents of the heart). Proverbs 16:2 Amp Bible.

 

John 16:13 (NKJV)

13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.

 

2 Timothy 3:1–5 (NKJV)

Perilous Times and Perilous Men

 

3 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

 

The Blood and Heart of Jesus are inseparable just as we must be partakers of His Body and Blood.  The fullness of His love is the passion, purity, righteousness and holiness of the Blood of Jesus pumping through our hearts like the wellsprings of life as our hearts become one with the heart of the Lord!

 

 

1 Corinthians 13:4–7 (NKJV)

4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

 

Heavenly Father we give you thanks and praise for giving us your “Beloved Son”, for everlasting life and for loving us first!  Thank you Father for seeing the innermost parts of our hearts and for the redemptive love and blood of your Son Jesus Christ. 

 

John 3:16 (NKJV)

16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

 

MATTERS OF THE HEART

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Matters Of The Heart

 

Proverbs 4:23 (AMP)

23  Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life.

 

The Spirit of The Lord is a matter of the heart and through the heart is the renewing of the mind.  There is no greater or deeper love than the love of our heavenly father.  There is no greater strength than the river of life that flows abundantly from a heart, a heart sanctified through the love, atonement, resurrection and grace of Jesus Christ.

 

John 3:16 (AMP)

16  For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life.

 

The heart is where the fruit of life comes from.  For out of the heart are the issues of life.  Emotions and expressions are manifestations of the heart.  Emotions are reflections of experiences from our heart and what you reflect from your heart is directly related to those experiences.  I often say that people are one encounter away from radical change and transition in their lives.  We all know that these encounters or situation can be good or bad, healthy or unhealthy.  When Christ is the center of your heart, soul, mind and spirit transformation happens and spiritual encounters with the Lord Jesus changes our hearts thus renewing our minds according to His will and divine nature.

 

We must not confuse spirit with body (soul, flesh, temple), as God is a spirit. Jesus was God in the flesh.  Flesh and spirit are separate and the apostle Paul clarifies this in Ephesians 6 that we do not war against flesh and blood.  

 

Ephesians 6:12 (AMP)

12  For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.

 

We must remember that the love of Christ is redemptive not complacent and that grace is the empowering presence of God to transform us into sanctified vessels transforming us into the image and likeness of Christ.  Grace doesn’t cover your sin it eradicates sin by submission, faith and allowing the Holy Spirit to work through us sanctifying our hearts and renewing our minds.  Christ died because of our sin and as our sins and to believe that we are not to see or discern what is sinful as Christians is heresy.  Love is redemptive not complacent and truth spoken in love and grace sets people free.

 

Hebrews 4:12 (AMP)

12  For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart.

 

 

John 4:24 (AMP)

24  God is a Spirit (a spiritual Being) and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth (reality).

 

2 Corinthians 3:17 (AMP)

17  Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (emancipation from bondage, freedom). [Isa. 61:1, 2.]

 

1 Corinthians 15:45 (AMP)

45  Thus it is written, The first man Adam became a living being (an individual personality); the last Adam (Christ) became a life-giving Spirit [restoring the dead to life]. [Gen. 2:7.]

 

Matthew 16:16 (AMP)

16  Simon Peter replied, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.

 

 

Romans10 tells us that if we confess with our mouth and believe in our heart that Jesus suffered, died and was resurrected that you will be saved.  In the book of John 15:5 we are told that if we abide in Christ and Christ abides in us we will abide in His word.  Hebrews 8:10 says the Lord will write it upon our hearts.  We must give the fullness of our hearts to the Lord.  

 

Mathew 11:28-30 talks about us casting our burdens upon the Lord for we are not meant to carry those burdens.  Jesus paid the price and suffered the wrath on our behalf why would you want to carry what the Lord has already paid for and overcome? The apostle Paul says he dies daily and that he is crucified with Christ and we must also do this.  Each day we must cast all of our worldly pressures upon the Lord and in thanksgiving praise Him for bearing our pain and paying the price of our salvation.  We must put our trust and faith upon the Lord and stand on the truth of the full atonement of Christ Jesus.

 

Where are the “over coming” sermons, where are the “victory” sermons and where are the warriors in Christ.  We must stand in the victory, declare the victory and speak the victory of Christ Jesus.  If the victory is the Lords’ then whose battle is it?  Jesus overcame the world and through Christ we too shall over come the world. 

 

Romans 10:9–10 (AMP)

9  Because if you acknowledge and confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and in your heart believe (adhere to, trust in, and rely on the truth) that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

10  For with the heart a person believes (adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Christ) and so is justified (declared righteous, acceptable to God), and with the mouth he confesses (declares openly and speaks out freely his faith) and confirms [his] salvation.

 

John 15:5 (AMP)

5  I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing.

 

Hebrews 8:10 (AMP)

10  For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will imprint My laws upon their minds, even upon their innermost thoughts and understanding, and engrave them upon their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

 

Matthew 11:28–30 (AMP)

28  Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.]

29  Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls. [Jer. 6:16.]

30  For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good—not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne.

 

Matters of the heart are real and our feelings and expressions of our hearts are real but if we are to rejoice in all things we must rejoice in Christ our redeemer, strength and fortress.  The Apostle Paul was an educated man and a scholar.  Yet just one encounter with the resurrected Christ and he was knocked of his horse, blinded and the living truth was revealed in the flesh the resurrected Christ.  This was a life-changing experience providing revelations of Christ.   In the epistles of Paul he elaborates that he now speaks not on his knowledge but on the revelations of Christ for everything Paul once embraced as truth he no longer considered as he now spoke on the revelations of Christ.

 

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (AMP)

18  Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will].

 

1 Thessalonians 5:16 (AMP)

16  Be happy [in your faith] and rejoice and be glad-hearted continually (always);

 

Psalm 18:2 (AMP)

2  The Lord is my Rock, my Fortress, and my Deliverer; my God, my keen and firm Strength in Whom I will trust and take refuge, my Shield, and the Horn of my salvation, my High Tower. [Heb. 2:13.]

 

 

Christ sacrificed his life in love so that we may have eternal life, are you willing to release your heart in fullness to receive the fullness of His love?   Yes, release and share you heart in fullness with humility admitting your weaknesses, faults and shortcomings.  Are you willing to pray in faith submitting to His grace and mercy so that He that began a good work will complete it?  

 

Philippians 1:6 (AMP)

6  And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you.

 

 

The process of sanctification is a battle between flesh (soul) and spirit and we must crucify the flesh submitting to the spirit.  Your struggles are no different than those of others but each of us must go through our own process submitting our will and hearts to the Lord.

 

Romans 7:13–25 (AMP)

13  Did that which is good then prove fatal [bringing death] to me? Certainly not! It was sin, working death in me by using this good thing [as a weapon], in order that through the commandment sin might be shown up clearly to be sin, that the extreme malignity and immeasurable sinfulness of sin might plainly appear.

14  We know that the Law is spiritual; but I am a creature of the flesh [carnal, unspiritual], having been sold into slavery under [the control of] sin.

15  For I do not understand my own actions [I am baffled, bewildered]. I do not practice or accomplish what I wish, but I do the very thing that I loathe [which my moral instinct condemns].

16  Now if I do [habitually] what is contrary to my desire, [that means that] I acknowledge and agree that the Law is good (morally excellent) and that I take sides with it.

17  However, it is no longer I who do the deed, but the sin [principle] which is at home in me and has possession of me.

18  For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot perform it. [I have the intention and urge to do what is right, but no power to carry it out.]

19  For I fail to practice the good deeds I desire to do, but the evil deeds that I do not desire to do are what I am [ever] doing.

20  Now if I do what I do not desire to do, it is no longer I doing it [it is not myself that acts], but the sin [principle] which dwells within me [fixed and operating in my soul].

21  So I find it to be a law (rule of action of my being) that when I want to do what is right and good, evil is ever present with me and I am subject to its insistent demands.

22  For I endorse and delight in the Law of God in my inmost self [with my new nature]. [Ps. 1:2.]

23  But I discern in my bodily members [in the sensitive appetites and wills of the flesh] a different law (rule of action) at war against the law of my mind (my reason) and making me a prisoner to the law of sin that dwells in my bodily organs [in the sensitive appetites and wills of the flesh].

24  O unhappy and pitiable and wretched man that I am! Who will release and deliver me from [the shackles of] this body of death?

25  O thank God! [He will!] through Jesus Christ (the Anointed One) our Lord! So then indeed I, of myself with the mind and heart, serve the Law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.

 

Galatians 2:20 (AMP)

20  I have been crucified with Christ [in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ (the Messiah) lives in me; and the life I now live in the body I live by faith in (by adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in) the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

 

Let us submit our hearts in prayer:

 

Father I come to you in faith embracing your love, mercy and grace.  I pray in faith that you will create in me a clean heart Lord sanctifying me and edifying me to live a more Godly life glorifying your holy name.  Father I thank you for your sacrificial love and your beloved son my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Father create in me a passion for the lost, reverence for your sovereignty and holiness and a purpose for your divine will in my life.  I ask this in Jesus name my Lord and Savior.

 

Psalm 51:10 (AMP)

10  Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me.

 

HAVE YOU GIVEN YOUR HEART TO CHRIST JESUS?

LOVE BEARS ALL

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LOVE BEARS ALL

 

Many of us have often wondered why is love so painful at times?  Why am I not worthy of love, why am I not accepted?  Are you feeling heartfelt pain, dealing with rejection, feeling unworthy or dealing with brokenness?  Are you feeling abandoned or all alone? Have others made you feel this way? 

 

This may sound shocking to you but the very fact that you are able to feel hurt is because you desire love, seek love and are able to love.  Talk about a paradox and a roller coaster of emotions that flood our hearts and minds.  A hardened heart is unable to put the thoughts, hearts and intentions of others first and is often self-centered operating in a mode or method of “self protection” which inflicts and causes pain to others.  The simple fact that you desire love from your family, siblings, friends and others is because of your ability to love and desire to feel loved.  Oh how the human heart desires love, intimacy and spiritual awakening and nourishment.  The bible tells us to guard our hearts above all.  So how do you love those that hurt you and guard your heart at the same time? Isn’t this what all of us believe we were actually doing; yet the pain continues and our hearts are filled with unhealthy thoughts and emotions.  Don’t confuse what is true with the TRUTH.  It is true that you feel hurt but the TRUTH is you need not feel that way.  To guard your heart you must abide in Christ Jesus and He must abide in you.  Jesus must become your primary source for love, truth and intimacy.  You must learn to walk in the Spirit of The Lord.  

 

Proverbs 4:23 (NKJV)

Keep your heart with all diligence,

For out of it spring the issues of life.

 

The heart is the very “treasure chest” that feelings, emotions, pain, suffering and passion flows from.  The very hurts, wounds, scars and emotions that this world and daily life create can corrupt, distort, pervert and attempt to block the purity, sovereignty, glory, intimacy and healing power of real love only found through Christ Jesus and the Father.  The simple truth is that man is inherently evil and that the world (earth) is of spiritual darkness.  To overcome we must focus and stand on the Living Word and Christ Jesus.  Jesus is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.  The love of Christ never fails for He never changes.  We are truly blessed that in a world that constantly changes that the Lord never changes and His word will not return null and void.  He is the “Rock” and “Cornerstone” and when we abide in Christ Jesus we will be able to stand in His Truth, His Righteousness, His Holiness and walk in the fruits of the Spirit.

 

Hebrews 13:8 (NKJV)

 

8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

 

Genesis 1:27 (NKJV)

27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

 

Mark 7:21 (NKJV)

21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,

 

 

 

 

Oh how a child so wants to feel love from their parents, siblings and friends yet we can only obtain pure uncorrupted and Godly love from Christ Jesus and the Father.  We often feel persecuted by the very people we seek love from.  We so want to be accepted, embraced and loved from those we hold dear to our heart but the very people we are seeking love from may very well be suffering from their own burdens and feelings of inadequacies of perfect love.  We can only obtain perfect love from He who is perfected, He who redeems us and reconciles us and through His grace sanctifies us in His grace, mercy and love.  

 

Oh how humanity longs for perfect love yet seeks it in a dying and corrupt world never to feel fulfilled, complete or embraced in the measure or divine love that only Christ Jesus can give us.

 

I often reflect on the proclamations Jesus made in Isaiah 61 that He was here to set the captives free and exchange mourning for gladness, mending the brokenhearted and open the hearts of the imprisoned.

 

Isaiah 61 (NKJV)

The Good News of Salvation

 

61      “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me,

Because the LORD has anointed Me

To preach good tidings to the poor;

He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,

To proclaim liberty to the captives,

And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;

2      To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD,

And the day of vengeance of our God;

To comfort all who mourn,

3      To console those who mourn in Zion,

To give them beauty for ashes,

The oil of joy for mourning,

The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;

That they may be called trees of righteousness,

The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.”

 

4      And they shall rebuild the old ruins,

They shall raise up the former desolations,

And they shall repair the ruined cities,

The desolations of many generations.

5      Strangers shall stand and feed your flocks,

And the sons of the foreigner

Shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers.

6      But you shall be named the priests of the LORD,

They shall call you the servants of our God.

You shall eat the riches of the Gentiles,

And in their glory you shall boast.

7      Instead of your shame you shall have double honor,

And instead of confusion they shall rejoice in their portion.

Therefore in their land they shall possess double;

Everlasting joy shall be theirs.

 

8      “For I, the LORD, love justice;

I hate robbery for burnt offering;

I will direct their work in truth,

And will make with them an everlasting covenant.

9      Their descendants shall be known among the Gentiles,

And their offspring among the people.

All who see them shall acknowledge them,

That they are the posterity whom the LORD has blessed.”

 

10      I will greatly rejoice in the LORD,

My soul shall be joyful in my God;

For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation,

He has covered me with the robe of righteousness,

As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments,

And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

11      For as the earth brings forth its bud,

As the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth,

So the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.

 

 

 

 

Have you ever stopped to realize that humanity crucified Jesus Christ Who IS perfect love?  We didn’t recognize, embrace or appreciate the perfect love of Christ Jesus even when He stood before us as God in the flesh.  Jesus bore the sins of the world and the wrath of the Father for our behalf.  Jesus endured persecution, rejection, chastising, beatings and abuse unto death on our behalf.  (Isaiah 53)

 

 

Romans 3:24–26 (NKJV)

 

24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

 

Oh how the hearts and souls of mankind yearn for perfect love yet we seek it from the wrong places, from a dying and dark fallen world of hurting and troubled people.  We seek earthly pleasures to compensate for genuine undefiled love yet we are left feeling incomplete, inadequate often still feeling unloved. The simple truth is that only Christ Jesus can fulfill the love, intimacy, soul and spirit that our hearts long for.  Earthly possessions will never fulfill the essence of our original created state of being, the very image of God and Spirit.

 

Genesis 1:27 (NKJV)

27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

 

I have traveled across this nation witnessing the pains, hurts and troubled hearts of humanity that is longing for a love that will edify, sustain and complete the essence of our original created being, the image and likeness of God who is perfect love. I have ministered to the hearts of hurting people longing for uncorrupted and undefiled love, a love that is true, genuine, sustaining and beyond earthly perception.  There is only “One” that is perfect love and that is Christ Jesus.

 

While counseling is often helpful it may still leave us with feelings of emptiness, still feeling a void and yearning for acceptance, genuine undefiled and pure love that is only found in Christ Jesus. Humanity embraces programs and methodology over biblical principles, truths and Jesus Christ.  We unknowingly and unintentionally, often out of desperations seek the wisdom and counsel of men/women when we truly need the Godly undefiled counsel, truth and life through Christ Jesus.  The worldly methods often leave us constantly coping rather than overcoming.  Jesus overcame the world and through Christ Jesus we too can overcome the world.

 

John 16:33 (NKJV)

33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.””

 

John 14:6 (NKJV)

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

 

 

 

The soul (self-will/flesh) of humanity will always battle with the Spirit until the soul (self-will/flesh) becomes surrendered or overcome by the Spirit of The Lord.  We must not let emotions or feelings rule our thought or actions.  We must focus on the Truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the cross and resurrection of Christ Jesus.  We must be “born again” living in the Spirit of the Lord giving our hearts to the Living God Jesus Christ, truly make Him Lord of our lives leading us into conviction, repentance, redeeming and restoring us through His grace and mercy.

 

Romans 8:7 (NKJV)

 

7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.

 

I’d like you to take a moment to reflect on John 2:19 and Mark 14:58 to seek revelation and insight from the Lord.

 

John 2:19 (NKJV)

19 Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”

 

Mark 14:58 (NKJV)

58 “We heard Him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.’ ”

 

Here we have Jesus Christ, God in the flesh crucified and resurrected.  Even God in the flesh had to be crucified as man and resurrected, why are we any different that Jesus?  Have you ever considered that we too must fully die to the flesh and that the very trials, tribulations, hardships and emotional scars must die fully to be resurrected fully, being transformed into a new creation through Christ?  Have you ever considered that the measure of pain and suffering that Jesus suffered is a direct correlation to the very depth of His love for us?  Now let us reflect on our own hurting hearts bearing the inflicted pains from others and realize that the very fact that we feel pain is a direct correlation to our ability to love and desire love.  Longsuffering is a fruit of the Spirit which many do not teach upon, but it is the very spiritual strength/substance of Love that embraces and desires undefiled genuine love, seeks/stands in righteousness through a hurting and spiritually dying world. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for a brother or sister, love bears all and forgives a multitude of sins.  This can only be accomplished through abiding in Christ Jesus.

 

Galatians 5:22 (NKJV)

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

 

John 15:13 (NKJV)

 

13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.

 

John 15:5 (NKJV)

5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

 

Galatians 5:22 (NKJV)

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

 

 

May the Lord bless you with revelations of His love, grace and mercy and may you embrace your imperfections so that you may surrender them in humility to Christ Jesus.  Share the depths of your heart; surrender the hurts, pains, and brokenness with a full barren and open heart so that The Lord may bring healing, fullness and restoration.  

 

Matthew 11:28–30 (NKJV)

 

28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

 

Isaiah 9:6 (NKJV)

 

6      For unto us a Child is born,

Unto us a Son is given;

And the government will be upon His shoulder.

And His name will be called

Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

 

Imagine how people desire to be loved perfectly yet these very people torture, crucify and persecute perfect love.  We seek love through imperfect people who are also processing their own shortcomings, hurts and the pressures of earthly influences.  The only way to overcome is with a life surrendered and abiding in Christ Jesus.  A life of abiding in Christ transforms you into His very essence and persona. God is love, God loved us first and God desires us to love Him.  Give yourself the greatest gift of all to yourself, the gift of eternal and everlasting life only obtained through abiding in Christ Jesus, make Jesus the Lord of your life by abiding in the Lord so Jesus can abide in you.  

 

1 John 4:7–10 (NKJV)

 

 

Knowing God Through Love

 

7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

WORTHINESS vs. ENTITLEMENT

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WORTHINESS vs. ENTITLEMENT

 

In a lawless society many confuse, twist and pervert “free-will” with personal liberty.  Liberties come with a cost that most are not willing to pay and one’s actions have consequences to self and others.  Ask a veteran the cost of liberty/freedom as they freely and willingly serve(d) to protect the very liberties you proclaim and desire.  Everything comes with a cost, the problem remains when others pay the cost for your “free-will”. 

 

We are all worthy to receive Christ Jesus. We must embrace that worthiness in Christ Jesus, however the truth is many will not embrace Christ Jesus.  Society has twisted, manipulated and perverted “worthiness” into “entitlement”. I am all for helping people truly in need, down and out and in need of assistance but we must also assist them in becoming self sufficient and empowered.  So many people are struggling with severe issues of rejection, abuse and trauma which inhibit their sense of worthiness to become self sufficient.  These people may very well need counseling and spiritual assistance along with provisional assistance until they can become self sufficient.  My focus is on those which are healthy and able to work and not those people that become unemployed, physically/medically challenged, etc.  

 

We must remember what is witnessed/manifested in the natural is first birthed in the Spirit.  A short time ago the Lord spoke to me and said to me just as society has perverted worthiness with entitlement so have many whom preach, teach and proclaim to follow Christ Jesus.  

 

Our passion, motivation and free will to advance the Kingdom of God and the salvation of Jesus Christ must be birthed, manifested and maintained abiding in the genuine reciprocated love of Christ.  The love of Christ is compelling, motivating, passionate and pure energy motivating us to share the love of Christ with others.  The Agape love of Christ is moving, alive and sustaining and His grace and mercy is sufficient.

 

While it is true that Jesus desires all of mankind to have salvation our worthiness is not entitlement.  True salvation comes at a cost and Christ Jesus paid the price.  Baptism reflects a death and resurrection.  Have you truly died to self to be fully resurrected in Christ?  Attempting to obtain salvation without making Jesus Lord renders no real conversion or sanctification.  

 

Galatians 2:20 (AMP)

20 I have been crucified with Christ [in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ (the Messiah) lives in me; and the life I now live in the body I live by faith in (by adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in) the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

 

We must remember salvation is a confession of the heart and not to be reduced to words without commitment, action and perseverance.  

 

 

Salvation through Christ Jesus if a “free gift” and not by the works of the flesh because Jesus paid the price, yet each of us must work out our own salvation.

 

Philippians 2:12–16 (AMP)

12 Therefore, my dear ones, as you have always obeyed [my suggestions], so now, not only [with the enthusiasm you would show] in my presence but much more because I am absent, work out (cultivate, carry out to the goal, and fully complete) your own salvation with reverence and awe and trembling (self-distrust, with serious caution, tenderness of conscience, watchfulness against temptation, timidly shrinking from whatever might offend God and discredit the name of Christ).

13 [Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight.

14 Do all things without grumbling and faultfinding and complaining [against God] and questioning and doubting [among yourselves],

15 That you may show yourselves to be blameless and guileless, innocent and uncontaminated, children of God without blemish (faultless, unrebukable) in the midst of a crooked and wicked generation [spiritually perverted and perverse], among whom you are seen as bright lights (stars or beacons shining out clearly) in the [dark] world,

16 Holding out [to it] and offering [to all men] the Word of Life, so that in the day of Christ I may have something of which exultantly to rejoice and glory in that I did not run my race in vain or spend my labor to no purpose.

 

It’s the Christmas season and people buy and exchange gifts with family, friends and loved ones.  Why overlook the real meaning of Christmas and the birth of the Messiah by distorting/eliminating the Cross on Calvary to merely focus on the gift of salvation and redemption overlooking the price Jesus paid for our redemption?   Every gift comes with a price that others have paid; don’t let the death of Christ be in vain.

 

John 3:16–17 (AMP)

16 For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life.

17 For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him.

 

 

This Christmas even if people do not give you a gift or send you a greeting card let us remember the greater gift is the love you hold for them within your very own heart.  Just as Jesus, we can love them first.  

 

1 John 4:10 (AMP)

10 In this is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation (the atoning sacrifice) for our sins.

 

1 John 4:19 (AMP)

19 We love Him, because He first loved us.


Knowing Him and Trusting in His Love and Goodness

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Yesterday my niece and her husband lost their 10 month old baby girl.  In our grieving the Lord impressed upon me the words He spoke to me several years ago; “Your kingdom walk is in your knows and what you speculate about I will bring to your knowing when you need to know it.”  We cannot understand why we suffer such tragic loss in our life, but we know our Lord and that He is with us and we must rest in what we know in Him.  My wife Sherry felt impressed to write the following concerning the loss of little sweet Cate. I am posting these words because I believe they may be a salve to open wounds and a heavenly perspective for those suffering their own loss. This is the Facebook post she made:

“I by no means have been appointed official spokesperson by my wonderful family.  No one even knew I would post, nor did I know I would be posting anything on Facebook today.  The Lord has been dealing with my heart as Scott and I have been praying for sweet Brittany, Lane, Olivia and Ava, Kenny, Rhonda, Hayley (the most amazing Aunt in the world) and the entire Thompson, Baker and Roberts families.  I would first like to say that we love and appreciate everyone so much for your prayers and words of encouragement.  Where would we be without the Lord, and where would we be without all of you rallying around us so lovingly and prayerfully at the sorrowful passing of our beloved Baby Cate.  Cate was truly a precious gift from the Lord, as are all of our children.  As James says in scripture, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.”  Baby Cate is a perfect gift that we have been so blessed to love and cherish and will continue to love and cherish as we remember her sweetness and beautiful face full of smiles.  Can anyone explain why things like this happen?  I sure cannot, and I will not try.  What the Lord has been dealing with me about is to trust who He is and know that there is no variation or shadow of turning with Him.  He is good all the time, His mercies are new every morning, His love and faithfulness is great and everlasting,  and there is nowhere we can go nor any pain we can go through that He does not cherish us and hold us in the palm of His hand.  We do mourn, as right now, Brittany and Lane would love nothing more than to have their little family together again, but we do not mourn as those who have no hope.  Our hope is in you Lord and the promise that we will see you, Cate and all of our loved ones in you again.  As you tell us in Isaiah, it is you, Lord, who gives us a crown of beauty instead of ashes and the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.  We will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor.  If you do not know this wonderful loving Jesus we serve, you can.  Please seek Him today with your whole heart, and He will meet you right where you are.  We love you all.”

God Bless you, and thank you Lord for allowing us to have each other and the precious gift of our time with baby Cate. We are grateful she is with you and we will be with her again because of you Lord.

 

Contend for Christ in Your Thoughts

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The Lord has been putting on my heart the issue of our thought life.  Our thoughts reveal our heart.

Proverbs 23:7 (NKJV) For as he thinks in his heart, so is he…….

If entertaining evil thoughts precede and lead to the action of sin, conversely entertaining Godly thoughts lead to the action of love and confidence in the kingdom truths which leads to our kingdom walk.  Thoughts are not ours until we agree with them.  When we agree with heavenly inspired thoughts we produce Christ in us, while thoughts of worry, bitterness and strife produce despair.

Philippians 4:8 tells us:

[Meditate on These Things] Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

In any vacuum of heavenly thoughts the seeds of despair are being sown.  We must sow seed of life and life more abundantly.  Our own intimacy with the Lord is increased as a result of our heavenly thought life, the choice to cast down ungodly thoughts and rest in what we know in Him. Our heart is the soil for His word and we can prepare our soil to grow the goodness of Christ in us by choosing a heavenly thought life.

Entertaining wrong thoughts birthed the sin we were washed clean from, but we still have to contend for holiness.  We must align our thought life with Christ to be overcomers and eliminate the distractions which hinder our sensitivity to the Holy Spirit and cause us to fall short of walking in a pure gospel of Christ.

Renewing our mind is essential to believe the truth of Christ to the point of trust and obedience when our natural reasoning may bring a thought or conclusion in conflict with the word of God.

Romans 12:2  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

My Prayer for you:

Dear Father in heaven, I ask you in Jesus name to quicken to our spirit the thoughts which are not yours and the desire to cast them down, to live in the truth of your word and your hope.  May our hearts be purified so that we release pure love in which the world will see Jesus Christ in everything we say and expression of our behavior and choices.  Amen.

LOVE THAT IS LONG SUFFERING

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Love & Longsuffering

 

 

Over two thousand years ago the Lord Jesus was crucified and died what should have been our deaths as Jesus bore the sins of the world to free mankind and reconcile us with the Father thus defeating the works of Satan.

 

John 3:16 (NKJV)

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

 

1 John 2:2 (NKJV)

 

And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.

 

 

The Damascus Road: Saul Converted

 

In the book of Acts Chapter 9 we read about the story of Saul (Paul) on the road to Damascus have a personal encounter with the Lord Jesus. Saul (Paul) was persecuting Christians.  Jesus said to Saul, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”

 

As we continue to read Acts Chapter 9 we know that Saul was blinded and the Lord told him to continue on his journey to Damascus.  

 

We know that Ananias had a vision from the Lord Jesus that Saul was on his way to Damascus and that Ananias was to lay hands on Saul for restoration of his eye sight as well as be filled with The Holy Spirit.

 

So we know that over 2000 years ago Christ was crucified yet still today Christians are being persecuted and innocent blood is being shed similar to the days of Saul (Paul).  Abortion is at record numbers and innocent lives have been taken!  Have you ever wondered how many Apostles, Prophets, Evangelist, Teachers or Preachers may have been aborted pregnancies?   

 

Just as Saul was persecuting Christ over 2000 years ago so it is today.  We know that it is “the Spirit that convicts” and yet innocent people get persecuted and martyred.  Have you ever thought about Jesus still being persecuted thousands of years after He paid the price and died on our behalf?  

 

John 16:8 (NKJV)

And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

 

 

The Lord Jesus is merciful, slow to anger and loving towards us desiring that none should perish. Jesus is still being persecuted today.  Yet Jesus is longsuffering, loving, righteous, just and holy. Jesus died for us freely as Jesus said that He freely gave His life for us.  

 

John 10:18 (NKJV)

No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.”

 

 

 

Numbers 14:18 (NKJV)

‘The LORD is longsuffering and abundant in mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression; but He by no means clears the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation.’

 

Psalm 103:8 (NKJV)

    The LORD is merciful and gracious,

    Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.

 

 

 

We all face persecution, yet imagine the Lord Jesus being persecuted even today after paying the price for all of us and being crucified/dying on our behalf even though He was without spot or blemish.  Imagine what it must be like for the Lord to witness humans killing humans and the great persecution that is taking place yet loving us unto repentance desiring that no one should perish.  There is no greater love that the love of Christ Jesus and the Father.  

 

We know that the Lord will return for His bride, He will rule and reign for 1000 years ending the shedding of innocent blood and rid the world of evil.  No one knows the day or hour but we must recognize the seasons and the signs we are given.  

 

Are you ready for the Lord Jesus to return and has the bride prepared herself for the Bridegroom?  

 

Matthew 5:10–12 (NKJV)

10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

 

11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 

 

12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

 

 

 

Imagine how loving the Lord Jesus is that He would long-suffer on our behalf desiring that no on perish and that all would have everlasting life.  That is love that is longsuffering!  Thank you Jesus for loving us first!

 

1 John 4:8 (NKJV)

8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

 

1 John 4:19 (NKJV)

19 We love Him because He first loved us.

LOVE – FAITH – TRUST

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LOVE – FAITH – TRUST

“THREE STRAND CORD”

 

 

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given:

and the government shall be upon his shoulder:

and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God,

The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

(Isaiah 9:6 KJV)

 

 

While there is much transpiring in the natural and spiritual realms I believe that the Lord is building and solidifying a three strand cord within His people.  I believe this season of refinement is underway and is of vital importance to prepare us for the days ahead.

 

This three stranded cord consists of Love, Faith and Trust in the Lord and His Word.  Picture our lives as a three stranded cord that has become frayed at the end.  Sometimes our “strand” of Love is over burdened and stretched while other times perhaps Faith or Trust is stretched or over burdened.  When this happens to a stranded cord we often take a lighter, torch or match and burn the ends to make them solidified in strength and unity.  The fire is the refinement and now many of us are being refined and going through “the fire” of refinement.  

 

I feel in the Spirit that those who are passionate and humble before the Lord are being refined and edified in this three strand cord of Love, Faith and Trust. This three stranded cord is being unified, strengthened and prepared for the times ahead.  

 

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

(Philippians 4:7 KJV)

 

We must have all three “strands” working in harmony in strength, power and unity which will create within us an overwhelming personal and spiritual peace.   As the Lord’s people submit humbly to this refinement process of this three stranded cord of Love, Trust and Faith. We will have the overwhelming peace of the Lord which surpasses all understanding.

 

The season is upon us and we must take personal accountability regarding our own spiritual journeys and salvation.  Be transformed into disciples!  We are called to disciple the nations and preach the gospel.  Perhaps you will be the “spark” that creates a fire of passion in others.  Embrace the refinement process as you draw closer to the Lord and remember, ministry happens through us not because of us! 

 

 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do:and the God of peace shall be with you

(Philippians 4:6-9 KJV)