Be Strong in the Lord

Ephesians 6: 10 – 11 - NKJV
 (10) "Finally brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.
 (11) Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil".

The word "wiles" is defined by Webster as:  "to trick or entice somebody into doing or not doing something".

Genghis Khan, "the Barbarian", used a tactic or used his "wiles" to conquer, just as much as he used brute force. One of those tactics was to send spies disguised as ordinary citizens to the city/town/territory that he wanted to conquer. The spy’s job was to infiltrate the society and spread talk or rumors about the terrible and awesome power of Khan. They were effective enough so that the people were stricken with fear or terror, and would not try to defend themselves, surrendering themselves to be slaughtered or enslaved by a brutal and evil tyrant.

You may say that we are too smart and powerful (the USA) to allow such a thing to happen to us. As a matter of fact, we would even step in and try to stop that kind of thing from happening to most countries. Perhaps, the UN and or NATO would not allow such a thing to take place.

Think about this. There's something going on today in this country and around the world that's similar to the tactics used by Khan.  A religion exists today that is trying to conquer the world through words and acts of terror. While some say they are peaceful others perform terrible acts, killing others and themselves, all for the sake of this religion. (Not our God) Bombs in Baghdad, London, Spain, America, Yemen, and etc. Threats of nuclear bombs from Iran weigh heavy on the minds of many government leaders. They infiltrate, dilute and divide with fear tactics; confuse with double talk, "we're a peaceful religion... those others are extremists." Yet the common goal is to conquer and bring all people under this religion. Some of our government leaders are almost "shaking in their boots", and are willing to try man's diplomacy to "change their behavior". The only way to see change is to bring Jesus on the scene. He's the only one that can change hearts, not through fear but through love and Holy Spirit power.

As Christians or believers, we should recognize this tactic. We should see it for what it is..."the wiles of the devil", and our formidable and awe-withstanding power is the "armor of God".  We stand fast in prayer, believing God, and observe HIS awesome power unfold. Since this "religion" is not of Him, then it cannot stand. Anything that is not of "faith" (in God through Jesus Christ) is sin, period. And, that alone cannot stand against God our Father. It will perish and be destroyed.  That is where your faith belongs! Do not cower down to fanatics who are already doomed, lest you go with them. God tells us to put on the whole armor of God, and then STAND!  It takes faith to stand... it takes courage to stand… it take trust to stand!!!

1 John 5: 14 - 15
 (14) "Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
 (15) And if we know He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him."

God is saying this to you, to us and every believer. You either believe it or you don't. There is no middle road. If God wanted the believer to be conquered by evil, then He would not have given us armor to withstand it. God would not have sent His only Son to die for our sins and to conquer satan on our behalf so we could have eternal life with Him, if he wanted us bow to the devil.

 What is your part in this grand plan of our creator? How do you make sure you don’t fall victim to satan? You have to be born again, filled with the Holy Spirit, and then transformed by the “renewing of your mind” by the Word of God.

The next step is to confess, or better yes “profess” that you are a born again believer and you are saved by faith in Jesus Christ.  Begin to realize that God has translated you out of darkness into His marvelous light in Jesus, and that satan has no more power over you. Renewing the mind is not a ”one time” event. It takes constant meditation and study and spoken affirmations over a long period of time, in other words, in is process that takes focus and God’s Holy Spirit.

Then you take a stand.  Stand up for Jesus and refuse to be conquered by fearful thoughts, and thoughts of doubt and unbelief. (they come to all of us). Say “no” to tyrants who uses their wiles against you with seducing thoughts of advertising, or promises of fortune and fame. Joy and peace comes sometimes when you have stood your ground and have seen the power of God move… when you know in your spirit that God is with you every moment of the day… He is for you in every endeavor, in your work, in your family. Know that He is in you through the Holy Spirit who brings to you His divine nature (God’s creativity, wisdom, knowledge, understanding).  Once you “know” this, satan will have no opening in you that you and God cannot close and seal forever.

Be blessed!!

Do Not Be Deceived

Saints! Some of you will recoil at this message. It may seem harsh; it may not apply to you; it may not register in your thinking or your belief system. You may not believe the content at all, so I invite you to read, check out what I've said. If there is error, please let me know. I’m willing to adjust my thinking along the lines of scripture and the leading of the Holy Spirit. However, if you see truth, you may want to adjust your thinking by seeking more truth from our only teacher and
counselor, The Holy Spirit.

James 1: 16 - 18 NKJV
(16) "Do not be deceived, my brethren. (17) 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. 
(18)    Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be the first fruits of His creatures."

Make no mistake about it. God, Jesus came to bring abundant life; to heal the sick; to bring sight to the blind; to set the captives free. But, "the devil comes to kill, steal, and destroy." Jesus draws the contrast between Himself and the adversary, and makes it clear here, and every other place in the Gospels that the Father is good, and He loves us, based on who He is. Faith is the key to it all. The Kingdom of God is the place where peace and joy abounds. And, Jesus says that the only way you can get to the Father, to the Kingdom of God, is through Him.

When calamity or trials come into our lives, the human (sin nature ruled) side wants to find someone or something to blame, (except us) after all WE could never be at fault!! And, of course, we as Christians are good people, and we know that we don't listen to satan. We have NOT allowed the devil any foothold in our lives, because we go to church, we pray, we do this and do that, and so on....  Since it wasn't "me" or "us" or satan (we refuse to believe that he could influence us), then it must be God. Who better to blame than God, after all everything is under His control, right? He can do whatever He wants whenever He wants, anytime He wants, to anyone He wants, right? Maybe there is another answer.

Some church leaders would have us believe that God is waiting and watching us, looking for ways to teach us lessons; waiting for the right time to bring hardships and trials, and all sorts of “tests” (contrary to His goodness) to see if we will slip up, so that we can learn various lessons.

This kind of behavior puts God in the same category as satan, meaning that God uses deceit or deception to trap us so that He can then “teach us a lesson”. That kind of thinking is from a mind that has already been deceived by the adversary. Harsh? Indeed! If this is true, then Jesus came to save us, but at the same time, put us into a place where God and the adversary bring trouble and sickness, and all sorts of afflictions to us. To follow this line of thinking, it would bring us to the conclusion that now, with Jesus, we're in more bondage than before He arrived. We're not free at all, but now trapped between God and satan. Less freedom, more bondage, and now “way” out!

Since God knows the human heart and mind, He understands that you will get in trouble, because your thinking is not perfect like HIS! He also knows that we have an adversary whose agenda is set against us in every way.

John 14:6

6) Jesus said to him, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me.

So He provides a way out of every situation that is not of Him. That is His great love for us. Not to test you, but to offer you a better way through the Lord Jesus Christ, "Delivering you in the time of trouble." And, I add trouble from the one who "comes to kill, steal, and destroy", and he does it through every means possible,
even through the deception of "blaming God" for our problems.

God has given us a Name that is above every name. All the power and authority that Jesus had, is invested in that Name.

John 14: 13-14 (NKJV)

13) And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.

John 15: 16

16) You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.

We are to use it against trials and difficulties in our daily lives, calling on Him by Name to deliver us. If we have the right to use the Name of Jesus, and we use it in the time of trials (which some blame God for bringing), then we're going against God by using the Name of His Son who came to deliver us from the hand of satan. Confusing? You bet, and to think that God brings trouble into our lives means that Jesus, James, Paul, and John are all liars? I choose to believe that God is the God of Love, not of trouble; The God of Peace, not calamity; The God of eternal life, not damnation!!! The God of Love, not hate!!

The God of abundance, not lack!

I pray that the God of Love, who is Love, will open your spiritual eyes that you may see the truth of who He really is. That your heart will venture into His shelter of loving-kindness, where despair is replaced by hope; where doubt is replaced by faith; where all things are possible; where goodness and mercy follows you; where the blessings of the Lord overtakes you, and you live the life He has destined for you.

Do not be deceived by the glitter and glamor of the “world”. If it is of the devil (the father of lies: deception) then there is no truth in it, only the consequences of the law of sin and death.

The Line Between Good and Evil

 In the world around us, we can see the evidence of good and evil. From our local neighborhoods to across the nation, whether it is crimes against family members, neighbors, businesses, or by governments, it’s there. Sometimes it is our own thoughts of revenge and justice that are evil. It becomes even harder to accept when our local and national leaders practice corruption openly, and hide behind the laws they passed to give their actions legitimacy. They do evil and call it good, and sometimes it looks like they are getting away without penalty, and we, law-abiding citizens are destined to reap the consequences for their “sins against mankind”. It seems as if we are all victims of a world gone mad. How can we manage our lives when we have to be on guard against the evil “out there” contaminating our own hearts? What can we do to keep our own beings free from corruption?  Will the perpetrators of evil see justice?

Behold! Our God is a just God. His Great Love is just, yet merciful! Even though the situation may look to be dismal, God has set the laws of this world according to His justice system.  His justice prevails!!!

Read on!!

Proverbs 11:27

He who earnestly seeks good finds favor, But trouble will come to him who seeks evil.

Proverbs 13:21

Evil pursues sinners, But to the righteous, good shall be repaid.

Proverbs 17:13

Whoever rewards evil for good, Evil will not depart from his house.

Proverbs 17:20

He who has a deceitful heart finds no good, And he who has a perverse tongue falls into evil.

“…. It was only when I lay there on rotting prison straw that I sensed within myself the first stirrings of good. Gradually it was disclosed to me that the line separating good and evil passes not through states, nor between classes, nor between political parties either, but right through every human heart, and through all human hearts. This line shifts. Inside us, it oscillates with the years. Even within hearts overwhelmed by evil, one small bridgehead of good is retained; and even in the best of all hearts, there remains a small corner of evil.” … Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

I was eight years old when I first experienced evil in my heart. The playground bully had gone too far, and I set about to settle it, once and for all. So, we fought! We rolled around in the red clay most of the lunch hour. The thoughts of this angry eight-year old were on how to annihilate this enemy; to make sure he wouldn’t bully me or anyone else again. It was not until after the teacher separated us, and I was back sitting in the classroom, that I realized the difference in my emotions once the anger subsided.

I thought about the inevitable whipping I was going to get, because my sister was sure to tell mom, and would enjoy every moment of that most deserving discipline. But more than that, was the horror I felt inside of the “evil” desire to rid the planet of this boy, for good. That almost unbearable shame was almost more than I could take. The whipping from Mom, although painful, was a welcome instrument of repentance for the subsequent guilt I felt from allowing myself to get angry enough to fight. That line between good and evil was in my heart, and I had to deal with it. I promised to never, ever let anger get the best of me again, and never to get in another fight. I have kept that promise from then throughout my adulthood.

The summer following that incident, I was saved in Vacation Bible School, which proved to be the defining moment throughout my life. Yes, I did get angry many times while growing into adulthood, but never beyond reason. Somehow, that anger transformed into positive energy, and used for self-improvement.

I am sure this story is familiar to many of readers. How many times have you been faced with situations when anger rises up, and seems quite difficult to control. Your thoughts wade over into retaliation, revenge, and destruction. Yes, there is a line in the human heart, although invisible, that seems to be quite sensitive to external stimuli, which pulls that door open to evil thoughts, and if entertained for any length of time, sometimes leads to actions. Yes, just like sin, without God we are helpless to fall prey to this type of behavior. Without God we cannot help but sin, but with Him we don’t have to... we have the power to withstand the instigator of sin and all its corresponding behaviors, by inviting Jesus into our hearts by faith.

There are two major laws that control human life; The Law of Life (love) and the law of sin and death (selfishness). From these laws every condition of human heart-life exists. The sad part is this. One lives in Law of Love, or the law of sin and death. There is no in between. The Law of love trumps the law of sin and death. The Law of love overcomes selfishness; overcomes evil; overcomes hate; overcomes anger, actually Love overcomes “sin nature”, then nature we are born with.  It sets you free from all the forces of evil. By submitting to God (God is Love), being “born again”. embracing His love for you and in you, “He has poured His love abroad in our hearts”. Sin and its corresponding behaviors have NO MORE power over you. You are free!!

Romans 8:2

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.

Yet, the Father of lies, “the devil who comes but to kill, steal, and destroy”, can and will attack us in our thoughts. Instead, we are wise enough to know how he operates; we can see through his attempts to cause us to fall away from “good”. We have a way out of every temptation of evil, by using the Word of God to defeat the adversary at every attempt to sway us away from God.

Ecclesiastes 12:14

For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil.

Matthew 12:35

A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.

Romans 12:21

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

1 Thessalonians 5:15

See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.

3 John 1:11

Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.

Romans 8: 31, 35

 What then shall we say to [all] this? If God is for us, who [can be] against us? [Who can be our foe, if God is on our side?]

Who shall ever separate us from Christ's love? Shall suffering and affliction and tribulation? Or calamity and distress? Or persecution or hunger or destitution or peril or sword?

A reminder:  God is FOR us; WITH us; and IN US. Let us be reminded throughout the day that God never leaves us, even when we forget Him, (and just because we do forget him) He is still and always there… ready love, mercy, and grace.  God is always present, everywhere. All of His nature (love, peace, joy, healing, grace, mercy, kindness, forgiveness, freedom) is always available, all the time.

From E. W. Kenyon (God Inside-Minded)

We are linked up with Him. He is now our very own Father.

We are utterly one with Him.

He is in us. We are in Him

He is a part of us. We are a part of Him.

We are His children by nature. We are born of Heaven.

We are begotten of the Holy Spirit. The Word has given us life

“Of His own will He brought us forth”.

This union with the Master and with the Father is beyond human intelligence.

The natural mind cannot grasp it.

We stand in the presence of it, yet unable to fathom it, and yet it is ours.

We are tied up with Him. We are partakers of His Nature. We are born of His Spirit.

We are indwelt by His Word. We are kept by His grace.

We are controlled by His Love.

What more could you ask?

Abide in Me

From John 15:7 

Jesus is speaking to the disciples about the "True Vine and His Father the vine dresser".
(4) "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
 (5) I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me bears much fruit; for without me you can do nothing."

I am inspired to explore at least one view or interpretation of what Jesus is saying regarding that spiritual connection of Him abiding in us, as a branch to a vine. What is it that flows in a vine that brings life to its branches? All that is necessary for a branch to grow, and in due time produce the intended fruit of the vine. Then one can ask the question, "What is it that flows from Jesus (the vine) to us (spirit, soul, body) that causes us to grow and produce fruit?

Jesus also said: John 15:7

“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.

The most important of all is the Holy Spirit, who enables us to produce the fruit as intended by the vine.

John 16:7, 20 (Amplified Bible)

“However, I am telling you nothing but the truth when I say it is profitable (good, expedient, advantageous) for you that I go away. Because if I do not go away, the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you [into close fellowship with you]; but if I go away, I will send Him to you [to be in close fellowship with you].”

“But when He, the Spirit of Truth (the Truth-giving Spirit) comes, He will guide you into all the Truth (the whole, full Truth). For He will not speak His own message [on His own authority]; but He will tell whatever He hears [from the Father; He will give the message that has been given to Him], and He will announce and declare to you the things that are to come [that will happen in the future].”

Ask and He answers. The responsibility is His and He alone is able to assume it, and to do so is His function. Our function is to refer questions to Him.  Aren't you glad that you have a Teacher who cannot make a mistake? His answers are always right! Can we say that of our answers? (I've had to really pray about this next statement; even muse over this for several days) His solutions are always for our best interest, and so much better than we could accomplish on our own. We ask Him for deliverance from a certain “thing” He has already delivered us from the adversary and his cohorts “forever”. We ask for this and that, picking and choosing, and He has already given us everything. We ask for forgiveness for our sins, He says “what sins?” It’s already done!!

There is another, very important reason in referring all our questions and decisions over to the Holy Spirit with increasing frequency. To follow the Holy Spirit's guidance is to let yourself be absolved of guilt. Included also is the fact that fear disappears, after all He is always right! He is always for you, and not against you! He is truth, the light, the love of God in action… flowing through your being. Self or selfishness should wane as dependence upon the Holy Spirit increases.

This truth alone should lead us to say, "Of myself, I can do nothing."

Blessing to all

Consider the Lilies

 

My purpose for writing is always to encourage you and provide some “food for thought” in your Christian journey. I hope that these thoughts will be seed for reflection and eventually produce lasting fruit, in your life and mine.

Luke 12: 27 - 32 Jesus speaks (27) ".....Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon  in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. (28) If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith. (29) And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. (30) For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. (31) BUT seek the kingdom of God, and all these things will be added to you. (32) Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's pleasure to give you the kingdom."

The Gospel of Luke records the many teachings of Jesus, such as the fear(reverence) of God, confessing Christ  before men, not to worry, the faithful servant, and many more teachings. His insight into human behavior, even the religious leaders of the day was truth and very pointed. He reached down into the soul of man and exposed the nature of "self" and the need to be right; the need to live by "righteous laws" that no one could live up to; and the inevitable condition of man to depend on himself , excluding God. Yet, deep within the being of mankind  is that empty place that God himself created, that can only be filled by His Spirit. A spiritual hunger is forever burning in man that only God can satisfy. We search and we search.

In the Christian community and born out of that hunger, is man's on creation of religion, based solely on different interpretations of the Bible, or maybe even a book, or chapter, or even one verse. From that conflict comes confusion and separation, and another denomination is born. Churches pop up everywhere, because of error born in "self" exultation.

We seek external things or situations that we think will satisfy that hunger, even houses, cars, clothing, food, POWER, and even the stock market (money), and etc. Self or ego sees no need to learn more because the "need to be right" out weighs the "truth of God".  God brings light to His Word every day, and sometimes it stomps down heavy on our beliefs that we have held onto for years. The exposure is too much, and we simply refuse to accept it because, like Dudley Hall says, "we have enough light and just can't take any more." Or, even better, we're comfortable where we are in our own belief system and don't want to see anything else. Its funny how we talk about God's power, and how wonderful Jesus is, yet we still suffer in our own limiting thoughts. We have bodies that need healing; minds that need deliverance; children and family and friends that need to know Jesus, and yet by our own mouths, confessions, we have built walls and limits, which are hindrances to the very things we need or pray for.

To be clear, Jesus the Master, our Savior, our High Priest, our Mediator, the Son of God, tells us plainly without ambiguity to seek the "kingdom of God", and that it pleases God to give it to us. Jesus preached the "kingdom of God" everywhere he went. This is the place or "Spiritual Domain" where Jesus lives; where Adam and Eve lived before the fall; the Father lives.

He came to show us the way, the truth, and the life in that kingdom; and if we accept Him as our Lord and Savior, He shows us "the way" there, through "the truth", and "the life" we will live in love, grace, mercy, and power. One cannot get to God (in the Kingdom of God) accept through Jesus. However, getting into the kingdom is the ultimate goal.

Outside of Jesus, one cannot live there (Kingdom of God), but in Him one cannot not live there. Who will dare to live there? Who will dare to be certain of Jesus? Of God the Father? In Him there is no conflict or confusion! No unbelief! Who will be bold enough to move past self (self righteousness) and proclaim that Jesus is Lord to the world. Who is tired of shrinking back in weakness and fear (yes that's right), and is ready to step up on the platform of absolute faith in God? Who is ready to accept the truth that "its" not about us, BUT about God? Who is ready to lay self aside, and be immersed in the "Love of God" to the point where love for God and others takes the place of selfishness? Who is ready to sacrifice being right, for being the "righteousness of God"?

It is up to you. Every decision or choice you make, is your perceptions of who and what you are. Either you chose to be held hostage by the “ego” (the world’s view), or you chose to be host to God.  You choose worldly living or the Kingdom of God, which is eternal life. You choose the world’s view of who you are, or God’s truth about you…. the Righteousness of God in Christ Jesus!!