Slippery Road

Given October 29, 2007
While walking back to my truck from my Monday night class last night, I was talking to God about the times I mess up. You all mess up too, don't you? Well, I do sometimes and I was asking God why I slip and fall occasionally. His answer was simple and one, that if someone else would have said it to me, I would have said, "Well, duh!".

God's answer was, "You slip and fall because you choose to walk on a slippery road.". I had to say, "Yeah, that's right.". The times when I slip and fall are the times when I venture into areas that I know are slippery. The slippery surface doesn't just suddenly appear in front of me, unavoidable. I usually make a choice to go there or not, to think something or not, say something or not, or to do something or not. My choice!

God has told me from His Word, "And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, Isaiah 30:21". God constantly tells me which way to go but it's MY choice whether to follow His path or go off on my own. " In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:6". When I wander off the path, I'm onto slippery ground and will probably slip and fall.

But, because He loves me so much which I don't really understand why, God is always there on the right path waiting to take me back and continue the journey. But again, it's MY choice whether to repent and get back on track or not. With God's help, I will not set foot on those slippery surfaces today. Amen?

Rain For All

Given October 27, 2007
"That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. Matthew 5:45". God's sun shines on everyone and His rain falls on all as well. Here's what I was shown on this scripture today: For instance, if I pray for rain for my crops, it will also rain on my neighbor's garden too. They will be blessed because of God's favor toward me.

In addition, if my unjust neighbors know that I am one of "the children of your Father which is in heaven", because I've stepped out of my comfort zone and reached out to them, they are more likely to hear what I have to say. If I show God's love and help them when they're in need, that will open the door a little wider the next time. When this situation develops, God will give me what I need to reach them. Maybe they won't let Him in but thy will me and God will supply me and use me as the "go-between" to get His message to them.

Here's the point: always show the love of God to your neighbors no matter how bad they are and they will see your good deeds and soften up to the Gospel. "In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16". Do this and God will supply you with whatever resources you need to get the Word to them. But it starts with living the Christ-like life before them.

Raise The Standard

Given October 19, 2007
There are lots of things wrong in our country, no doubt. We can read the paper, watch TV, or look on the magazine rack at the grocery store and see the influence of evil everywhere. It seems there is a flood of lawlessness growing stronger every day. Who will stand up for what is right?

"When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him. Isaiah 59:19". I heard this scripture today and it reminded me of the men and women through the years who have taken a stand against spiritual wickedness in high places. Many will complain about the problems but few will do anything about them. But when someone does stand up for what's right, others are more willing to get in line behind them.

We, as Christians, should be the ones taking the stand, stepping out from between the pews and encouraging others to join in. If we don't, our freedoms will slowly and methodically be taken away. We can all agree that the enemy is coming in like a flood so why isn't God raising a standard against him? The revelation for today is that Isaiah 59:19 says, "the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard". Where is the Spirit of the Lord today? He's in us!

We, as Spirit-filled Christians, are the ones who must raise up the standard of righteousness in the face of the flood and turn this country back to God. Just like in facing a natural flood, we will get wet, dirty, maybe injured, maybe even drowned but when we make the commitment, others will get behind us. Someone has to step out and raise that standard high! Will it be you?

Faith AND Patience

Given October 16, 2007
Faith and patience. The Bible says we all have a measure of faith, Romans 12:3, and patience is one of the fruits of the Spirit. We, however, think of patience as something we need to help us endure a trial or wait out some hard time. And maybe that's true to a point. But I've gotten another view of faith and patience.

When we pray, we are to pray in faith, nothing wavering, "But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. James 1:6". That means that no matter how things look or feel, after we've prayed, we don't waver or doubt the Word of God for our situation. Sometimes our answer comes quickly and we rejoice but what about the times when we don't readily see the answer. What about those times when we wait and wait but it seems God is silent. That's where patience comes in!

Remember Daniel? He prayed for an explanation to a vision he'd had concerning the people and the answer didn't come right away. He prayed and fasted for three weeks! He didn't give up but exercised patience in the matter. Then, after three weeks, he heard from an angel, "Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia. Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the future, Daniel 10:12-14".

Since the first day Daniel prayed, his prayer was heard and the angel was dispatched according to his words. But there was resistance in the heavenlies and Satan tried to mess things up. What if Daniel had quit? What if he'd said, "Ah, just forget it!"? His words would have canceled the answer. Daniel used patience and kept with it, fervently continuing in prayer until the answer came. He mixed his faith with patience and got his answer. We need to do the same.

The Filth Of Sin

Given August 21, 2007
What if, when you sinned, it showed? When you told a lie, gossiped, lost your temper, looked at something you shouldn't, what if you were instantly covered with filth for all to see? That would be bad, wouldn't it? It's there you know. God sees it. "For though you wash yourself with lye and use much soap, yet your iniquity and guilt are still [upon you; you are] spotted, dirty, and stained before Me, says the Lord. Jeremiah 2:22 AMP".

Do we think God's going to send us on a mission for Him looking like that? Of course not! He's looking for those who are spotless to send into the world as His ambassadors. "He who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious will have the king for his friend. Proverbs 22:11". And, "In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16. We must stand out, look different in the crowd of the world to bring glory to our Heavenly Father. We can't do that covered with the filth of sin.

I mentioned earlier that God sees our sin. Well, He only sees sin we haven't repented of and asked forgiveness for. When we mess up, we must admit it instantly and ask Him for forgiveness. Then we will no longer wear the filth of sin. "For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more." Hebrews 8:12. And, "as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us". Psalms 113:12. Man, it feels good to be clean.

Show Your Faith

Given September 7, 2007
"When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. Mark 2:5". Remember this story? The friends of the sick guy went to the trouble of making a hole in the roof to get their buddy to Jesus, and Jesus noticed their faith. We have to ask ourselves, 'How does Jesus see our faith?'.

He's given us all a measure of faith, Romans 12:3 , so we all have some, right? I think we need to exercise our faith and increase it so it will be visible. Just like our muscles...we all have muscles but those who regularly exercise them cause them to grow and people will notice. Have you ever seen a muscular guy and thought, "You can tell he works out!". It's the same with our faith. We should exercise our faith by learning who we are, what we have, and what we can do from the Word of God then practising it in public.

I know it's misguided but almost every day we see the radical Islamist's faith. Determine in your heart to not be a "Sunday morning only" Christian but show your faith wherever you go. The Bible says signs and wonders will follow you, Mark 16:20.