WHO IS THE ENEMY?

As I consider the lives of those around me, who mock the existance of God, my heart is greatly troubled. I see adults who once proclaimed that Jesus is Lord and worshiped in the House of God with me; participated in some of the most anointed dramas I've ever experienced and today are living lives that very much identify with the morally bankrupt lifestyles of most movies and television productions and the people that produce them.
Out of their mouths now, they are saying they have been liberated from the 'lies of the past' and are free for the first time in their life. And their children now reflect the parent's new lifestyle and every manner of evil choices are being done openly, without fear of consequences.
How can this be? Did some great trauma happen and suddenly everything changed overnight for them? Did they ever really have a relationship with the Lord? Was all they experienced in the Lord, an act? Was Jesus Christ ever real to them? Can't they see how their choices are now shaping the lives of their children?
It can be so subtle, going unnoticed as deception begins to creep into a life. We can blame it on the enemy of our soul if we choose. He definitly plays a role in the deception that will drag us off into a devil's hell but the Word of God tells us that we are drawn away by our own lust.
James 1:14-15 says, "Each one is tempted when, by his own desire, (lust) he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full grown, gives birth to death."
For the most part, we deceive ourselves, so that we can satisfy our own lusts without the complication of having to be held accountable. We throw away the Truth and say it was a lie, so we can bow down at the altar of a self-directed, self-gratifying lifestyle; gods unto ourselves.
The enemy knows, that once we have started down the path of a lukewarm relationship with Christ, we need little help from him because life is all about us at that point.
And, even more deadly than these who are up front, in your face with their sin, is the one who is keeping all the rules, plays the perfect role, looks the perfect part, but under the surface, they are living another life inside their heads.
"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature, will reap destruction." (Galatians 6:7-8)
The grim consequences? "Don't you know that the wicked will not inherit the Kingdom of God?" (1 Corinthians 6:9)
Who is the enemy?

IS ANYONE LISTENING?

Is anyone listening? That's an odd question to be asking when starting to write a blog. After all, you read a blog, you don't listen to it.....or do you?

Some of us think we are compelled to share what is in our heart....and then we may begin to question that drive to do so when there is no input, no reaction, no "Amen", no one listening....

Let me encourage you, as I encourage myself. Never, ever think that what you do does not impact someone's life, for better or for worse. We do not live in a bubble, separated from the world, but rather, we live in a fish bowl.

Inside the fish bowl we only see the plants and deep sea artifacts that may have been placed in it for looks, but outside the bowl, others are watching every move we make. It may just be the cat, but someone is watching and therefore we are affecting the lives of others. Especially the cat who may be hungry and is trying to figure out how to get his paw in the bowl and retrieve you...

Life is very much like this. We come and go, move about in this culture, and may never feel sure that we are contributing or making a difference. The fact is, whether we realize it or not we are making a difference, one way or the other.

When it is all over, and we draw our last breath, I hope we can know that we did the best we could to fulfill our purpose in this life. And, yes, we each have a purpose and we only have a brief moment in time to complete it...

Make it count. Don't wait another moment. Say what you have to say now....someone is listening.

"Let us not be weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Galatians 6:9

WHO ARE YOU WATCHING FOR?

Today many are looking at the condition of the nation and the world and wondering, "How much longer can this go on?" Even those who do not know the Word of God are questioning, "How much longer can things continue to spiral downward without complete chaos and collapse of everything as we know it?"
There is an answer found in the Word of God. Matthew 24 tells us that everything we are now witnessing is the prelude to the end of time.
Many are looking for the one called the antichrist. That one who will seem to have the solution to everything. Then, once he is in complete control, he will reveal his true agenda, which is to dominate the world.
Here is a Word for the world and the Church: Stop looking for the antichrist and start looking for Jesus!
Just like John the Baptist was sent to prepare the way for Jesus, we now must prepare the way for His return. There is much work to be done because many still do not know how much He loves them.
Soon, He will call the Church out of here and then He will return again, bringing the Church with Him. When His feet touch down on the Mount of Olives, in Jerusalem, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord.
We have work to do. Let's go-->

IT"S THE BLOOD!

I am amazed at how, over time, we lose sight of very profound truths. Truths that are an integral part of our faith, that somehow slip away into the shadows, only to be re-discovered.

Of late, it seems, I am going through a 'renaissance' period. I have been reading books written by Watchman Nee, specifically the "Normal Christian Life" and one by Arthur Katz, "Ben Israel, Odyssey of a Modern Jew.

Both of these guys from two entirely different cultures and perspectives, but their stories have touched deep within my soul and brought to light some precious truths of God.

I have not completed Watchman Nee's book yet, but out of the shute, he speaks of the power of the Blood of Jesus! He helped me to understand that Jesus took His Blood and sprinkled it upon the Mercy Seat in the Holy of Holies. Much like the high priest did each year, on the Day of Atonement. Jesus, as the True High Priest, took His Blood( that of the True Pure Lamb of God) into the Holy of Holies, once and for all, to wash away the sins of the world.

Once man believes and receives Jesus Christ as the Sacrifice for his sin, he becomes a child of the Most High God and now has access to Him. However, it can feel intimidating to approach Him in prayer and we can question how He could even look at us or hear us.

Watchman Nee, who was imprisoned the last 20 years of his life because he refused to deny Christ, explains that we can enter into the Holy of Holies with boldness, as the Word instructs us, because we go through the Blood everytime. The Blood is covering us each time we bring our petitions before the Lord. The Righteousness of Jesus Christ is all the Father sees.

It does not depend on how good we have been. We do not need worry when we have failed Him. The Blood covers us as we surrender to Him. All the time, everytime. Nothing can separate us from the love of God.

I praise Him for the Blood of Jesus that washes my sin away, that allows me to stand before Him in prayer, without fear, and know that He hears my petition: not because I deserve it, but because Jesus has covered me.

WHAT IS YOUR 'REALITY'?

Today, as I have spent several hours with the Lord ministering to me, I have come to realize a great gap in what I perceive my 'reality' to be and how the Lord sees it.
I recognize, and admit, that as long as I dwell in this house of clay, I am subject to faults and even sin, because of the choices I make based on my perception of 'reality'. Does it sound complicated? It really is quite simple.

We perceive our 'reality' based on how it relates (relative morality) to our core beliefs, standards set individually or by society or by the paradigms by which we govern our lives. In other words, we basically write our own 'reality'. The atheist or unbeliever and even the Church buy into the following: there are no absolutes; if it feels good, do it; if it doesn't hurt anyone, do it; there is no God, do it; there is a God but He is love, do it; everyone is doing it; there are no consequences....etc.

The Truth is there are absolutes that govern our life here on earth, beginning with: there is a God. We want to hide from this absolute, so that we do not have to experience guilt and can continue to satisfy our own lusts, of which there are many. It's just easier to go with the flow, than to follow the Truth, which was placed in all of our hearts at conception

The Truth died and was resurrected two thousand years ago, so that we might have life and that more abundantly. Not for us to squander it upon ourselves, but to let the Truth live through us.

We need to consider the way we interpret our 'reality'. God has placed Eternity in the heart of every man/woman. Whether we accept this or not is irrelevant. What His Word says is relevant and what His Word says is the guideline for being 'real'; how we must define our own 'reality'.

"You draw near to me with your mouth, and honor me with your lips, but your heart is far from me." (Matthew 15:8)

WHAT IS YOUR REALITY?

ONLY DEAD FISH FLOAT

From the title of this message, you could probably preach your own message and would not need any assistance!

We all know that in the real world of all things fishy....only the fish that are alive are swimming and they are not always going with the flow. They work their way in and out of the current, always searching for just that right tidbit of food or just that right shady spot to keep away from the summer's hot sun. Maybe, even more importantly, evading the enemy above the water who is using a well concealed hook to catch them and end their life.

Using this analogy representling the life of the Followers of Christ, we can see that we must be continually on the move, looking, searching for that purpose we were created for and continually executing that purpose, being aware of the tricks of the enemy who would like to lure us into a place we do not want to go and even ending our purpose here on earth if he can.

If we are sitting by, just waiting for a special move of God before we get out there and do what we are called to do from the moment of conception, we are actually operating in disobedience and are in danger of getting hooked by one of the tricks of the enemy that cause us to just sit idly by while he is free to move about, looking and searching for whom he may devour.

This is our opportunity to shine for Jesus, using every opportunity afforded us to pray, comfort, encourage, strengthen, restore and rebuild and help the Body stay focused on our mission and our homecoming. It may never be convenient for us to fulfull this calling, but neither was the cruel death that Jesus submitted to convenient for Him.

This is the time that we need to empty our schedules and make sure that things of Christ and the souls of men are our priority. If we are otherwise occupied, it's only a matter of time before we will no longer have the option to do so.

What bait is the enemy using on you? Is he luring you into slothfulness, apathy, hardened heart? What is it that stops you from fulfilling God's call upon your life, that stands between you and a heart that breaks for those who do not yet know how much He loves them?

Only dead fish float!

HOW PRECIOUS ARE THE CONVERSATIONS OF THE RIGHTEOUS!

Sometimes we, as Followers of Christ, tend to think in terms of our life here on earth as separate from the life to come, but recently, I have discovered that God has, perhaps, a different opinion.

We have many conversations throughout any given day: with other Followers; with family members; with people in the market place; with people on the internet; with ourselves in our heart of hearts, and hopefully, with our Heavenly Father.

We all know that God knows everything about us. He knows our deepest secrets, nothing is hidden from Him. He knows every motive behind everything we do and in that final Day of Judgment, all that we have done, thought or said will be tried by fire, some to be burned up, others to be rewarded.

God is so with us, even now, on this earth that He keeps an account of our conversation: "Then those who feared the Lord, talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A book of remembrance was written in His presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored His name. "They will be mine", says the Lord Almighty, "in the day when I make up My treasured possession. I will spare them, just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves him. And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not." (Malachi 3:16-18)

Those conversations that we have had between ourselves, lifting Him up and expressing our devotion for Him to each other, He will remember. When we stand before Him, He will recall the times when we have reminded another of His faithfulness even in the dark hours we have faced. The times we have spoken just that Word that lifted our faith and the faith of others to trust and believe that all His Word has spoken is true and that through it all, He is faithfull and full of mercy and grace. The times we have spoken that warning, in love, that turned a wandering one around and back to Him. He will remember the comfort that we received as one or the other spoke of the Life to come.

What is your conversation?

HAVE YOU LOST YOUR WAY?

How does it happen? We know Jesus, we know the Word, we have walked in the power of His Holy Spirit, then one day we find ourselves on the outside looking in! Did it happen all at once? Did we not see it coming? Can we ever find our way back?

Sometimes it comes through an injury, delivered by someone we loved and trusted; sometimes through our own neglect, pride. We can't forgive them and we can't forgive ourselves. And then the true enemy begins to reveal himself, and make it personal, as he speaks to us regarding: all the time you have wasted; how could they have done this to you?; you deserve better than this?; what has this life ever gotten you but grief?; where was God when you needed him?; you have been a fool! And then, as you continue to allow him to speak to you, he convinces you that God is not who He claims to be and how could you ever hope that He would ever want you or use you again!

All of this takes place on the battlefield of your mind. Now is the time to stop the enemy with the Word of God. All of these things happened to Jesus but He used the Word of God on the enemy. No matter what you have done, no matter what you have thought, even denying that God exists, you do know the Truth!

God had no illusions about you when He called you. Do you think this day was a surprise to Him? He knew the roads you would take and the twists and turns you would be confronted with but He still called you anyway.

Your gift and calling is without repentance. Turn back to Him and repent. He is faithful and just to forgive you and you must forgive yourself. Who do we think we are in believing that we can't be forgiven? Is anything too hard for God? The Word is in you and you will never be able to expunge it from your spirit. God knows the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. That's why Jesus came here, in the form of a man, and suffered every temptation that is common to man, yet He sinned not. He gets it, beloved!

Don't let the enemy win! You are still a King and a Priest! Do not give your Authority away!
He is not mad at you and He is waiting for you to turn and say, "I'm sorry! Help me!

WHAT'S IT GONNA' TAKE?

In this life, we spend so much time searching for what seems to always illude us. We are never quite satisfied; we are unsettled; we create busy-work/activities; always seeking what seems, in the end, to escape us.

It takes many forms such as: knowing the 'right' people; driving the 'right' car; participating in the 'right' social activities; dating the 'right' man/woman; having the 'right' house; wearing the latest fashion; belonging to the 'right' clubs. The list is endless and yet, nothing satisfies.

C. S. Lewis said, "If I find myself a desire which no experience in this world will satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world."

There it is! We were known before we were every formed in our mother's womb! We were called into this world, by whatever process, for a purpose and when that purpose is our focus, we will find satisfaction in this world.

What is it going to take?

THE LATEST DECEPTION

The latest deception, written by Dan Brown, is out and getting all the media coverage that he desires. It's amazing to me, how diligently and how relentlessly the evil forces in this world pursue their convictions while we, who are given to a kinder, gentler opinion, sit silently.
We live in a country that is blessed with freedom of speech and that is as it should be. We do not protest the fact that others speak of their different opinion, but we are too hesitant to speak the truth in the face of a lie.
Followers of Christ know the 'source' of all deception and do not see the individual delivering the lie as the enemy, but do certainly believe that person has become an instrument in the hands of the one who would do harm to the Kingdom of God. Sometimes, what sells influences what we believe.
The enemies of God know just enough of the Truth to weave it into their deception. In the Garden of Eden, the serpent used this tactic skillfully.
Are we guilty of sitting silently by while the enemy pours out his lie to the innocent and unsuspecting who have not yet met with the Holy One of Israel?
The Dan Browns of this world are working. Are you?

MAKE IT WORTH WATCHING!

Today, most of us are going through the motions, day after day, not realizing what a gift life is, and what an opportunity we have to make a difference in this world of sorrow and saddness.
Some may respond that their world is not filled with sorrow and saddness, and that is wonderful, but to ignore that the world of many is just that, is extremely selfish.
They say that when the end of life comes that the life we have lived flashes before our eyes........make it worth watching! Get up in the lives of those less fortunate than you, love them up, bring them along. Let them know that they matter and that you love them.
Jesus said, "They will know you are Mine, by the love you have one for another."
Don't waste it.....burn it up for Him!

JUST KEEPING IT REAL

In the day we are living in, too many of us are just going through the motions. We live as if this is all there is with no hope for tomorrow.
Some of us put on a 'show' to be seen and read by others but we are numb inside. The 'show' will take us places we don't want to go and the price will be more than we can pay!
What is your passion? What motivates you to live life every day? Discover it and follow it! Follow that passion that consumes you and know one thing; YOU WERE BORN TO BE REAL, NOT TO BE PERFECT.