My Story

I want to share with you my story and the reason for some very important changes in my life.  I want to say right off the bat that I am not telling this story to boast or to offend anyone, but rather to help someone who maybe is struggling with their physical body.
I was born with a genetic condition called Spastic Paraplegia.  This condition is not always genetic, but my great grandmother, grandfather had it and my mom and daughter both have it.  All it means is that it is the deterioration of the muscles as you get older.  I realize everyone's muscles deteriorate, but ours just do it a little faster then everyone else’s.
As a kid I never really let it bother me too much, I would play and run with all my friends as if there was nothing wrong and at that age it was a little less of an issue.  I just got fired a little faster then the rest of the gang and I had no balance, so I couldn’t play ice hockey like I wanted to.  That did not stop us from playing road hockey and in the winter there really wasn’t much difference than being on the ice.  Sure was fun.
In 1992 I was in Bible School and there was a guy who claimed that God no longer healed or did miracles.  I do not believe that.  An evangelist was home visiting his family and was asked to preach a revival while he was home.  He is well known for being used in the Gifts of the Spirit.  I went one night to the revival to prove to this guy that God does indeed still heal and do the miraculous.  God  did not disappoint.  I noticed a difference in how I walked the next day.  I can’t explain it but I do not believe I received a full healing, but I do claim that I received a partial healing to the point that I was walking much different than I did before.
As time went on, unfortunately I did not take care of my body like I should have.  I allowed myself to begin gaining weight.  When I got married in 1995 I weighed in at about 210.  This did not help me with my legs and being able to get around well.
Let me stop and just say for a minute that if you are asking Jesus for a healing in your body, He is more than able to do it, but if you are not willing to change your bad  habits, He may not be willing to heal just to see you go back to doing the same thing again.  This is why on a couple of occasions He told people He ministered to, to go and sin no more.  One of these occasions was someone He had healed.
In 2013, we moved to Nashville, TN.  When we left Minnesota I weighed about 230 pounds.  After living here for two years I weighed 235 pounds.  Yes, the food in the South is awesome.
In 2015, my mom began having a hard time breathing and I was concerned about her so Bonnie and I made a trip home to see her.  Mom was about to turn 70 years old.  I saw a lady who had congestive heart failure but also couldn’t move or get around very well on her own.  As I watched this, I realized that in just another 28 years I could be in the same situation if I did not change my ways.
So, in the fall of 2015 I began the process changing some very had habits.  I started walking more and trying, though not very successfully, eating better.  In the summer of 2016 I had gotten down to 188 pounds.
Now comes the extremely hard problem.  I gained about 24 pounds back.  What I realized is that it is not really that hard to lose weight once you make up you mind to do it.  It is more difficult to keep it off.  You have to have a determination.  So, I am now back down under 200 and plan on getting down to 180.
So, here are some take aways
1. God has given you a body and He expects you to treat it well and be faithful with it.  For my Apostolic friends, as much as outward appearance is Holy worship to God, so is being healthy and taking care of your body.
2. You have to have a point that is a wake up call to you to get the weight off and be healthier.
3. You have  to do more than just exercise, you have to eat right or eat less.  You may have a favorite food, but you don’t have to be gluttonous about eating it.  Have small amounts and savor it.
I am sure there are more, but these are the ones I have come up with so far.

I will be posting pictures on Facebook for the friends I have on there to see.

A Biblical Way to be Successful at Work

I think everyone at some point wants to be Successful.  We strive to do what we can to get to the next level.  I have worked in organizations in which those who would go out and drink and party with supervisors and managers seem to be able to get the promotion's and next levels, and it seems as though those who didn't were looked over for the job that they were qualified for.

David even saw this same thing happening and had some questions:

Psalms 73:2‭-‬12 KJV

But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.  For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.  For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.  They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.  Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.  Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.  They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.  They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.  Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.  And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?  Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.

http://bible.com/1/psa.73.2-12.KJV

Psalms 94:3‭-‬7 KJV

Lord , how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph?  How long shall they utter and speak hard things? and all the workers of iniquity boast themselves?  They break in pieces thy people, O Lord , and afflict thine heritage.  They slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the fatherless.  Yet they say, The Lord shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it.

http://bible.com/1/psa.94.3-7.KJV

It is easy to get discouraged at work when you are doing all the right things and it seems as though you can't get ahead.  So, the question is, what can you do to get ahead without giving up your convictions?  There is an answer to this question in the Bible.

There is a story in the Bible that helps us know what we can do to become successful.  This story is found in Daniel 2.

Daniel 2:1‭-‬11 KJV

And in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, wherewith his spirit was troubled, and his sleep brake from him.  Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, for to shew the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king.  And the king said unto them, I have dreamed a dream, and my spirit was troubled to know the dream.  Then spake the Chaldeans to the king in Syriack, O king, live for ever: tell thy servants the dream, and we will shew the interpretation.  The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, The thing is gone from me: if ye will not make known unto me the dream, with the interpretation thereof, ye shall be cut in pieces, and your houses shall be made a dunghill.  But if ye shew the dream, and the interpretation thereof, ye shall receive of me gifts and rewards and great honour: therefore shew me the dream, and the interpretation thereof.  They answered again and said, Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will shew the interpretation of it.  The king answered and said, I know of certainty that ye would gain the time, because ye see the thing is gone from me.  But if ye will not make known unto me the dream, there is but one decree for you: for ye have prepared lying and corrupt words to speak before me, till the time be changed: therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that ye can shew me the interpretation thereof.  The Chaldeans answered before the king, and said, There is not a man upon the earth that can shew the king's matter: therefore there is no king, Lord, nor ruler, that asked such things at any magician, or astrologer, or Chaldean.  And it is a rare thing that the king requireth, and there is none other that can shew it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.

http://bible.com/1/dan.2.1-11.KJV

The king (supervisor/manager) has a situation comes up that he cannot find an answer for.  The king calls a meeting of his employees asking for answers to the problem.  They begin to explain the problem is too big for them to be able to come up with a solution.  The king becomes so frustrated and angry because he cannot get an answer to the problem.

Now we have our scenario.  What do you do to come up with a solution.

Daniel 2:14 KJV

Then Daniel answered with counsel and wisdom to Arioch the captain of the king's guard, which was gone forth to slay the wise men of Babylon:

http://bible.com/1/dan.2.14.KJV

1.  You have to use wisdom in how you answer the people you work with.  You may not have an immediate answer, but if you use wisdom in discussing the issue.  In other words don't be negative and talk bad about the king, but rather be positive and talk about solutions for the issue.

Daniel 2:17‭-‬19 KJV

Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions:  That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.  Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven

http://bible.com/1/dan.2.17-19.KJV

2.  It is time to ask God for help but also ask those you know have faith to pray about the situation.  It is nice to have a support group to back you up with prayer.

Daniel 2:20‭-‬23 KJV

Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his:  And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:  He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.  I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king's matter.

http://bible.com/1/dan.2.20-23.KJV

3.  Once God reveals to you the answer, it is time to worship and praise the Lord for giving you the answer.  By giving God the praise and honor for the answer, it frees you to understand that you did not come up with the answer yourself.

Daniel 2:28 KJV

But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these;

http://bible.com/1/dan.2.28.KJV

4.  Be bold when providing the solution, but give God the credit.

So, don't be afraid to ask God for help on your job.  He does care that you are successful.  He will give you the answers you need.

Thankful For What You Have

I was born with a condition called Spastic Paraplegia or in my case Familial Spastic Paraparesis.  This is a condition that is a progressive weakness and stiffness of the legs ("National Institute Of Neurological Disorders And Stroke", 2014).    There are days when I can hardly move because of the stiffness in particular and the pain that comes with it.  It is a progressive condition that, even at this point I sometimes need the assistance of a cane, will eventually need the assistance of a walker or wheelchair.  The important thing to do is to stay active and try to keep the muscles in my legs strong.  I try to work out or go for a walk as much as possible. 

Now you may be asking yourself, why is he telling us this?  I want you to know this because all of us have something that we battle.  There are obstacles in our lives that we have to try to overcome or just accept.  These can be either physical or emotional obstacles.  They can be obstacles that we brought on ourselves, someone caused it, or something that was completely out of our control. 

The easiest thing to do is to run and hide or look at these things as negatives in our lives.  We focus more on the obstacle and the more we focus on it, the bigger it seems to get. 

Lately, I have been doing a lot of thinking and considering the obstacle in my life.  I was reflecting on something that happened to me many years ago.  I was invited to go to a camp for disabled children when I was about ten years old (http://www.camprotary.ca/index.php/en/page/home).  It was one of the most eye opening experiences I have ever had.  I saw kids who were in wheelchairs.  There were kids who were mentally disabled. There were kids who were blind, deaf, or who couldn't speak.

After going to this camp for a few years, I realized that I was not as bad off as I thought I was.  I still could not do what all my friends could do, but there were plenty of things I could do.

This brings me to my main point.  I have recently been thinking about my condition and today as I was walking down the stairs to get some water from the kitchen, I began to thank God for all the things I can do.  I took my focus off all the things I can't do and began to realize I can still walk and talk.  I began to praise God for all the things I can do. 

The problem is that we often times look at the things we can't do and think we are disabled either physically or emotionally.  You are extremely able to do more than what you think you can do.  Stop focusing on the things you can't do, and start focusing on the things you can do.  God has given you abilities and strengths, utilize them. 

In the parable of the talents, the master gave ten talents to one servant and five talents to another servant and one talent to another servant.  The servant who received ten talents doubled his talents.  The servant who had five talents doubled his talents.  The servant who had one talent looked around at all the other servants and said I better hide this one talent because it can't do what the ten or five can do.  Could it be if the servant who had one talent had taken it and began to work with what he had that perhaps he would have tripled it or done even more than that? 

So the next time you start thinking of that obstacle in your life, turn it around and begin to thank God for the things you do have. 

References:

 

 

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. (2014). Retrieved from

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/hereditary_spastic_paraplegia/hereditary_spastic_paraplegia.htm  

 

How Desperate Are You

 

I wanted to share some thoughts that I have recently had and keeps coming back over and over.

There was a promise given to Abraham:

Genesis 15:12 (KJV)

[12] And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him.

[13] And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;

[14] And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance.

[15] And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age.

[16] But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.

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Acts 7:6 (KJV)

[6] And God spake on this wise, That his seed should sojourn in a strange land; and that they should bring them into bondage, and entreat them evil four hundred years.

[7] And the nation to whom they shall be in bondage will I judge, said God: and after that shall they come forth, and serve me in this place.

[8] And he gave him the covenant of circumcision: and so Abraham begat Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat the twelve patriarchs.

[9] And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him,

[10] And delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favour and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house.

[11] Now there came a dearth over all the land of Egypt and Chanaan, and great affliction: and our fathers found no sustenance.

[12] But when Jacob heard that there was corn in Egypt, he sent out our fathers first.

[13] And at the second time Joseph was made known to his brethren; and Joseph's kindred was made known unto Pharaoh.

[14] Then sent Joseph, and called his father Jacob to him, and all his kindred, threescore and fifteen souls.

[15] So Jacob went down into Egypt, and died, he, and our fathers,

[16] And were carried over into Sychem, and laid in the sepulchre that Abraham bought for a sum of money of the sons of Emmor the father of Sychem.

[17] But when the time of the promise drew nigh, which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt,

[18] Till another king arose, which knew not Joseph.

[19] The same dealt subtilly with our kindred, and evil entreated our fathers, so that they cast out their young children, to the end they might not live.

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As you can see in the highlighted verses above, there was a promise that there would be conflict and evil done to the children of Israel. 

Thought #1: There is no promise that tribulation will not come when you live for God.

John 16:33 (KJV)

[33] These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

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What Jesus said was; there will be problems and tribulations, but I am bigger then things that cause these problems and tribulations. 

Matthew 5:10 (KJV)

[10] Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

[11] Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

[12] Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

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Nowhere in Scripture will you find that God promises man that there will not go through tough times or hard times. He did promise that He would help in times of trouble.

Psalms 46:1 (KJV)

Psalm 46

[46:1] (To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth.) God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

[2] Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;

[3] Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.

[4] There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.

[5] God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.

[6] The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.

[7] The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

[8] Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth.

[9] He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.

[10] Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

[11] The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

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I want to tell you that no matter how big your problem is, or how evil our world becomes, God is bigger than us and our problems. 

Thought #2:  God will help you, but you have to get desperate for His help. 

Exodus 3:7 (KJV)

[7] And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;

[8] And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.

[9] Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto me: and I have also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them.

[10] Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt.

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You see the children of Israel began to call out to God when they became desperate.  They called out to God when the torture and trials became more than they could handle.

1 Corinthians 10:13 (KJV)

[13] There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

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So, you have to ask yourself not why am I going through this temptation or trial, but rather how desperate am I for God to help me get through this trial or temptation. 

Thought #3:  Our temptations and trials are not done out of spite, but rather to draw us closer to our God.

Sometimes our problems are caused by things we have done. Other times problems come from things out of our control.  Nonetheless, all problems should draw us closer to God.

The  problem is that we often times allow our problems to draw us away from God and we blame God for our problems. 

James 4:7 (KJV)

[7] Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

[8] Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

[9] Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.

[10] Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

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There is a promise from God that He will lift you up, but give your tribulation and trials to God. 

Thought #4: You need to know who you are and you need to know who God is. 

You need to know you are an adopted child of God.  There is a huge difference between a child that is born into a family and a child that is adopted into a family.  Both are loved, but when you realize you are adopted you have been chosen. 

I have known many children who were adopted.  The parents were looking for a child because they were unable to conceive a child for themselves.  They became desperate for a child.  When they found that child that had no home or family, they became compassionate and desired that child.  They wanted to hold that child and nurture the child. 

So, when we realize that we are sought out, desired, and loved by a Father, we can cry out Abba Father.  The Father is waiting to hear our cry to bring us out of our bondage and tribulations.

 

Romans 8:15 (KJV)

[15] For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

[16] The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

[17] And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

When we were children of sin and this world, we were in bondage of fear.  But when we were adopted into the family of God, we can cry out Abba Father and fear is gone because of the love of the Father. 

1 John 4:16 (KJV)

[16] And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

[17] Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

[18] There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

[19] We love him, because he first loved us.

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When bondage comes and fear rears its ugly head, we can call out to God and say Abba Father.  We become more than just a servant to God, we become His child. 

I remember times when my kids were younger that in the middle of the night they would have a nightmare or were scared of something.  When they cried out for dad to come and save them, I didn’t twiddle my thumbs, I ran to them.

See the biggest problem we have is when troubles come, we don’t get desperate for God and cry out Abba Father, we cry out saying why did you do this to me or why is this happening.  Don’t ask questions, cry out for His help. 

Thought #5: Hang on, what you are going through is no comparison to the promise.

[18] For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

No matter how bad things get right now, just remember, we have a blessed hope.  Don’t take your eye off the goal.  Don’t take your eye off the prize.  Your troubles don’t compare to what you are about to receive. 

Exodus 3:8, God said, I am going to bring the children of Israel up of the land they are in, into a large land full of milk and honey. 

In the same way God is wanting to bring you out of a land of bondage and fear into a glorious land.  Just hang on and get desperate for God.  There is a blessed hope.

Thought #6:  You may not know how you should pray for you situation, so, let the One who knows you best take over your prayers. 

No matter how hard it is to pray, just rest in God and let Him do the praying.  Too many times we want to keep talking and God is wanting us to be quiet and let Him do the talking.  He knows what we need more than we do. 

Not only does God know you best, He also knows what you need the most.  It may not be what you wanted or what you thought you needed, but what He gives you is always exactly what you needed.

Romans 8:26 (KJV)

[26] Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

[27] And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

Thought # 7:  It will all work out exactly the way it is supposed to.

[28] And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

[29] For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

[30] Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

God has a plan. Sometimes, He has to recalculate His plan because we like to try to take over, but He always gets us back to where we need to be going.

This past weekend, we spent some time traveling through Florida to see family and friends.  We were using a GPS system.  There were times when the GPS needed to recalculate because we had to take a detour or two.  It was out of our control that there were obstacles in our way, but we made the decision to take the detour anyway.

However, there are times in our lives that we think there are obstacles in the way, but the truth of the matter is that God is directing our paths.  When those obstacles come, we think we should go a different direction and God is still trying to get us to the promise He has given us.

Don’t look at the obstacles like they are bad things, look at them as though God has a plan.

Thought # 8:  God is for you.  That’s all you need to know.

[31] What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

[32] He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

[33] Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.

[34] Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

So God is for you to the point that he would robe Himself in this flesh, dwell among us for 33 ½ years, die, be buried and rise again on the third day so we could have a promise. 

No matter how bad your situation is, there is a promise.  Jesus showed that we could have victory over our trials and tribulations.  We just have to be patient.  Jesus is still powerful and mighty to overcome the things in our lives that could cause us spiritual death.

It is important to realize that in those times when heaven seems to be quiet Jesus is not dead, but is overcoming the grave for us.  Let me make it a little more clear, when our prayers seem to hit the sealing and bounce back down, Jesus is overcoming the grave and death that is trying to take hold on you. 

Don’t give into those things that will destroy you because you think God doesn’t care for you anymore.  Jesus is fighting for you.  Let Him have the battle.

Thought #9: No matter how bad it gets, it won’t separate you from the love of Christ.

[35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

[36] As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

[37] Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

[38] For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

[39] Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

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No matter how bad it gets, God will always love you.  He cares about you and is asking you to cast your cares upon Him.

1 Peter 5:7 (KJV)

[7] Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

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You must release your cares to God, and He will take care of you.  You see He cares for you.  You are His child. 

So, how desperate are you?  Do you still think you can handle it completely on your own?  Are you willing to give up those things you have been hanging onto yet? 

Until you give up those things, they will continue to grow and get worst, not because God doesn’t care, but because He does care.  He wants you to give it to Him. 

You see God is bigger than anything you can bring to Him.  No matter how big it looks to you, to Him it is a small thing.  It has to do with the point of view.  Your view of the tribulation or trial is it is bigger than you.  God’s view of the tribulation and trial is He is looking down on it. 

Again, how desperate are you?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I Will not Boast in My Works

Ephesians 2:4 (KJV)

[4] But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, [5] Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) [6] And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: [7] That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. [8] For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [9] Not of works, lest any man should boast. [10] For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

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Lately, I have been reminded again how often we as Apostolics can become a little too much like the Pharisees and Sadducees of Jesus day. We look at how we look and act and don’t consider the reason for us doing the things we do.  Then when someone questions us as to why we do what we do, we consider them a heretic and look our noses down at them.  Jesus gives the Pharisees warnings and even condemns them for their lack of understanding.  We would be wise to listen to these warnings.  See the following:

Matthew 23:13 (KJV)

[13] But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. [14] Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation. [15] Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves. [16] Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor! [17] Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold? [18] And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty. [19] Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift? [20] Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon. [21] And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein. [22] And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon. [23] Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. [24] Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. [25] Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. [26] Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. [27] Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. [28] Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. [29] Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous, [30] And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. [31] Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets. [32] Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers. [33] Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?

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These are known as the seven woes of Jesus Christ.  I will attempt to go through each woe and provide a commentary on them

  Matthew 23:13 (KJV)

[13] But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.

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1.       The scribes and the Pharisees made it too difficult for people to be saved.  They laid heavy burdens on people and said it was a salvation issue when there was no scripture for what they were saying the person had to do.  It virtually became impossible for any man to be saved.

The sad part is that we as Pentecostals have done much the same thing.  We say that unless we dress a certain way or do our hair a certain way, we can’t make it to heaven.  The problem is that we base this on one Scripture and call it a salvation issue.  Those who do this, I truly believe will stand in judgment before God one day for the heavy burdens they placed on people.  Be careful what you say is a heaven or hell issue.  It better be based on the Word of God, not your own personal conviction or preference. 

It is my opinion that the United Pentecostal Church International has not seen the revival it did prior to 1960 because we made it more difficult for people to be saved without doing things that were unbiblical.  These things were put in place out of fear due to the hippie movement and the advent of television.  These are weights that are too heavy for people, and we put these weights on people when we should have taught people to be careful how or what they do and to do all things in moderation.

Matthew 23:14 (KJV)

[14] Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.

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2.       The next woe Jesus mentions here is that of how the Pharisees and Sadducees took advantage of other people, especially those who had already lost everything, for financial gain.  Here Jesus mentions that the Pharisees went in and gained the trust and affection of those they should be helping and basically stole from them.  Here Jesus condemns the Pharisees for their actions.  The saddest part here is that after doing this evil act of stealing from the widows, the Pharisees try to act all spiritual by being great prayer warriors. 

Instead of taking advantage of God’s children, we need to bless and help those who are left behind after they have lost someone they have loved.  We need to be people of compassion.  We need to be helping the widows and those who have little.  It is the responsibility of the church to take care of those who cannot take care of themselves or who are in need.  We need to be people of compassion.  When we gain an understanding of who we are and who our fellow man is in God’s sight than we understand our responsibilities to our fellow man.  Jesus instructed us to first of all love him with all our hearts, souls and minds.  Then we are to love our neighbor as ourselves.  

Matthew 23:15 (KJV)

[15] Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.

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3.       Here Jesus gives it to the Pharisees for going out of their way to get converts, not a bad idea, but then they teach their converts to look down at other people who are not doing what the Pharisees think they should be doing. 

We best be careful not to teach new converts things that are not Biblical.  In other words, we better be sure that we are not teaching new converts to boast and become arrogant in works that are not Bible based. 

We need to teach new converts on how to study the Word of God and have a relationship with Him instead of just listening to the rhetoric that comes from an evangelist trying to get a shout or a pastor who is so domineering that they have become lord over God’s heritage instead of shepherd of the sheep God has given them to protect.   

 

Matthew 23:16 (KJV)

[16] Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!

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4.       Jesus here warns the Pharisees of not taking an oath based on the gold of the temple.  In other words, the Pharisees had forgotten about the Temple and the God of the temple and began to focus on the gold of the temple and how they could get gain based on it.

It is understandable that our churches need money to pay the bills.  The problem lies in catering to the givers instead of ministering to everyone equally.   It becomes a sad day when pastors will spend more time with those who have given the most and less time either in prayer or ministering to people who are struggling.  Keep in mind of something, the riches of this world pale in comparison to the richest our heavenly father has.  Too many times we are so worried about the gift or the money that we lose sight of the face that the giver who gives the most  is Jesus and we lose out on financial blessings because we focus on temporal and financial gain from this earth.  This is why Jesus said, lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven where moth and rust can’t corrupt. 

We also need to be very careful not to look at those who do not have as much as we do as being of lesser value than we are.  God loves everyone equally, no matter how much they have or have not.  Jesus taught a pertinent lesson on this in the parable of Lazarus and the rich man.  God takes notice of how we treat those who do not have as much as we have.  

 

Matthew 23:23 (KJV)

[23] Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

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5.       Here Jesus states that the Pharisees pick and choose which laws to obey and which laws not to obey.  They boast in that they pay their tithes to the Lord, but refuse to show judgement, mercy and faith.  It is easy to see someone put a tithing envelope in the basket on Sunday, but harder to see how they act on Monday. 

Too often we want to talk about certain things as “holiness” and not mention other things.  A good example of this is moderation.  We always want to talk about our “outward holiness” but we don’t like talking about gluttony.  We want to say that drinking and doing drugs is a sin, but we fail to mention over eating.  We want to talk about the importance of tithing, but we don’t mention the importance of paying our bills on time as well.  Be careful, our actions and our words will be judged by those outside of the church.  They see us not just on Sunday but all through the week.

Matthew 23:25 (KJV)

[25] Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.

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6.        Jesus here instructs the Pharisees not to  try to get the outward appearance cleaned up before the inside is cleaned. 

There are a couple of considerations here.  First, get your heart right with God.  We focus so much on our appearance that we forget that if we are not doing it for the right reasons, we might as well quit wasting our time.  God wants us to do what He asks out of love for Him, not out of our own pride.

The second thing to notice here is that Jesus never says not to get the outside cleaned up.  He just says get the inside clean first. 

So often we get a new convert in the door and pray them through and then start trying to get the outward fixed up to look like everyone else. The problem with this is that their heart needs to have an understanding of it first.  When a baby is born you don’t put a pair of big boy underwear on them and expect them to go to the bathroom like an adult.  You have to put a diaper on them and then change the diaper periodically.  It is a process and a maturing.  There must be understanding before a change is made. 

 Matthew 23:29 (KJV)

[29] Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous,

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7.       Jesus here says that you build up the tombs of the prophets and make statements such as, if we had been there, we would not have done this.  Yet, they will turn around shortly and do the exact same thing to Jesus.  They would not have killed the prophets of old, but will kill Jesus. 

We shouldn’t judge anyone.  It is not our place.  These Pharisees judged their forefathers for killing the prophets.  When we start judging, we are placing ourselves in a much higher place and we will be judged based on how we have judged others  Romans 1:32-2:1 explains how we better be sure not to judge others because what we could end up doing the same thing.  It is easier not to judge others, therefore you have not set a baseline by which we ourselves will be judged. 

 The key thought here is what we do should not be boasted about.  A good example of this from Scripture is Hezekiah.  God says set your house in order.  Hezekiah prays and God hears his prayer and adds an addition 15 years to his life.  Hezekiah becomes proud that God would listen to him and it becomes a stumbling block in Hezekiah’s life. We need to be very careful that we do not become prideful or arrogant for who we are or what we do.  If we are only doing things so we can look our nose down on someone else, we are doing it for the wrong reasons.  If we do something, it should be because God says so in His Word and we want to be pleasing to Him.

We must be different from the world.  It is instructed to us in God’s Word:

 2 Corinthians 6:14 (KJV)

[14] Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? [15] And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? [16] And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. [17] Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, [18] And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

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But the warning still remains, do it because of our relationship with God, not out of arrogance.

Don't Grow Up.

1Co 14:20 20 Brethren, do not be children [immature] in your thinking; continue to be babes in [matters of] evil, but in your minds be mature [men]. (AMP) We often tell our children to grow up when someone or something happens and they don't know how to deal with it. We as parents try to help them mature and deal with difficult situations. I remember my seventh grade teacher often saying "grow up" to a student who was telling on another student for something extremely not worth the time to be concerned about. Paul tells the church in Corinth to grow up when it comes to spiritual things but to stay naive when it comes to wicked things. We need to gain knowledge of the right things. Study the bible and not the things of the world. We are admonished to set our affection on things above not on things of the earth. So today learn and grow in heavenly things and have the childish knowledge of the worldly things.

What's Love Got to do With it

This morning I read from I Corinthians 13.  This chapter is considered the "Love Chapter" of the Bible.  However, I found that it was more instructive as to how the Gifts of the Spirit operate in I Corinthians 12. 

I Corinthians 13 basically tells us that we can have the Gifts of the Spirit but without love it makes the Gifts void.  So love trumps the Gifts. 

As I sat and read this chapter the thought popped into my brain that had the question, why do we seek the Gifts of the Spirit?  Do we do this because we want to bless and help others or do we do it to try to elevate ourselves.  I must be honest, this made me think very strongly concerning my own motives.  We cannot be truly effective in being used in the Gifts of the Spirit if we do not have the right motivation. 

The Bible has one main theme and that is LOVE.  God instructs us to:

1.  Love God

God desires to be loved by us.  We were created to love God not out of obligation but because we want to and get to.

2.  Love Ourselves

It is important to have a good self esteem and love ourselves.  However, we have to becareful not to have pride. 

3.  Love Others

We need to love others and care about their well being and look out for the best of that person. 

So today, go forth in love.  Love God, love yourself and love others and when God works through you it will mean something. 

http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/story/21137291/devin-aryal-oakdale-random-shooting-victim.

This story happen just up the road not far from Apostolic Bible Institute where I used to live just 8 months ago. This is a sad story for our country and our world. 

In the past year we have seen violence arise in our country that involve children.  It is unnecessary violence.  Violence that is filled with ignorance and psychosis.  After doing some thinking about what happened yesterday here in Minnesota and not far from where I live and did live, I have come up with three reasons for this type of violence.

1.  Gun safety.

We do not have enough people who lock away their guns securely.  Those who have psychosis should not be able to know where guns are or know how to gain access to the guns.  The problem is not the guns.  The problem is the access to the guns.

I recently went to the firing range with a friend of mine.  I noticed that on his gun case he had a padlock. This makes it safe so that the guns cannot get into the wrong hands.  Only he and his wife know where the key is at.

2.  The media

When I mention the media I am not just talking about television and movies.  There is so much violence on the television and then if a person goes to the movies they are bombarded by horrible violence.  However, this violence goes beyond television and movies. Our children and many adults spend hours playing video games that have become so realistic that there is no disconnect from what is reality and what is play. 

The media needs to be held accountable for the unnecessary violence that it produces and broadcasts in every medium.

3. Political correctness and the hatred of religion

The last reason is that we have become too politically correct in our nation.  We can't say anything for fear of hurting some one's little feelers. We can't call a spade a spade anymore.  God forbid that we call this person who shot people, including a nine year old boy who died in his mother's arms at the Rainbow Foods store that I pass on my way to church every Sunday, a psychotic freak.  He does not deserve to be called a normal human being.  He has problems and he needs to be called out for it.

However, the other problem with political correctness is that we have taken God out of our society for fear of hurting the atheist's little feelers. Well, when you take God out of any situation all that you come up with nothingness including not know right from wrong.  We have stopped placing God in our world because of a few who don't believe in God.  Well fine, don't believe in God if you don't want to, but don't try to stop me from believing in God. 

The reason an atheist doesn't want to believe in God is because they do not want to have an authority figure in their lives.  They want to do whatever they want without having to answer to anyone. 

To the atheists let me tell you something, you will always have someone to answer to in life.  For instance you have to answer to yourself for the things you do.  How do your actions affect you?  You have to answer to your fellow man.  How do your actions affect the people around you? 

Let me tell you that we need to be talking about God more.  We need not be afraid of offending people.  We need to be afraid of offending God and having His judgment fall on us.  We need people to turn back to God and God become an intricate part of our daily lives so that people will know the difference between good and evil. 

So, in conclusion, please pray for the people in Oakdale.  Tonight I will be going to a vigil in Oakdale to pray and commemorate the life of this nine year old boy.