Pastor
Barry's Blog
2010-03-05WATCH FOR THE SUBTLE TRAP!
What side of the "fence" of life are you trying to stand?
When you try to stand on both sides at the same time you will end up straddling the fence, and the obvious result of "straddling" the fence is injury.
When we attempt to live on both sides of the line that separates God's kingdom from the kingdom of this world, we sustained spiritual damage.
When a moth gets too close to the flame its wings get singed -- and it is no longer able to fly.
The burn on its wings prevents it from doing what it was created to do: fly!
So, too, the lives of Believers who have gotten too close to the warmth of worldly attraction soon find that they no longer can do some of the things that they were able to do before they "flamed-out".
They also find that their appetite for the things of God is waning.
James 4:4 speaks of this as getting "so cozy with the world that we lose our spiritual vision and hunger for the things of God" (my paraphrase).
Rather than attempting to see how close to that line we can get, let's choose to stay as far from it as possible!
2010-02-25In a world of ongoing change that produces constant pressure in our lives, people are looking for an anchor; a stabilizer for their lives, especially during these times of uncertainty.
There is no more reliable anchor than Faith in the Word of God. This is the God of the Bible, Who does not change and Who cannot lie. These two truths alone should provide enormous comfort for our hearts. It means that what God said is true and can be relied on -- much like a bank guaranteed check.
Add to these characteristics the fact that God is love, and therefore He always will have my best interests at heart. Understanding this we, like Paul, will be able to say: "I have learned that no matter what state I am in, therewith to be content" (Philippians 4:11).
Paul basically is saying: "Whether I have, or don't have, things don't make me happy. Knowing intimately the One who is the source of all I need -- wisdom; peace; reassurance; the source of provision of every kind " whatever -- makes me more than content!
I never feel lonely or discouraged. In fact, I view my times of greatest stress as opportunities to prove Him to be what I need at that moment and what He promised to be!"
If know that if I do my part and trust Him, He will take care of me.
So, the question that begs an answer is: Is He your anchor now? " or are you being blown about by waves that produce uncertainty for your tomorrows?
Dispel fear and uncertainty and commit yourself to trusting Him fully today " and for your future!
2010-02-12As I sit and watch the falling snow I realize afresh the great goodness of God.
Have you ever felt insignificant? You know, like “I don’t matter or count”?
At the start of Psalm 8 (v 4), David reinforces that thinking, but he doesn’t leave us floundering in despondency at our seeming ineptness to handle life.
If we will read further (v 5, 6) we will find that he leads us to a level of thinking that gives us fresh encouragement and insight regarding the heart of our Father God concerning us.
“A little lower than Elohim” the God of all creation? And “given dominion over all the works of His hands”? And “put all things under our feet”?
That is what God’s Word says about us, His creation, made in His image and likeness!
As you navigate through the next hours and days of this week dealing with the challenges of life, ask the Holy Spirit to help you see yourself as God sees you and created you to be in this earth, and to walk the ways He leads you with His thinking.
This is how we bring glory to Him.
We are intended by God to be “the head and not the tail” " victorious in all situations"and Jesus has made this a possible experience for every Believer!
This week READ and PONDER: Is 55: 8-11.
2010-01-29I was thinking about the power of our words, and why they are so influential in our lives, and have come to the realization that the reason they have that importance is because words are spiritual.
I'm not talking about superficial ramblings, but about the words we speak that are reflective of what is in our hearts; the things we hold as persuasions, even convictions.
These words, both negative and positive, fashion the framework of all our tomorrows.
To gain further understanding, consider the circumstances of your life today and I think that you will discover how the things that you have said in the past have produced what you are living today.
An example of this is the Believer who always is confessing his sins, limitations, and weaknesses. By doing this he builds into his conscience weakness, limitation, and a sin-awareness called sin consciousness.
1 John 1:9 says that "if we confess" that "He is faithful and just to forgive."
Therefore, when confession has been made and forgiveness has been received -- we never again have to refer to our sin!
It no longer is "our sin".
It is not history, because history can be remembered. You must position yourself as God does -- "and remember them no more"!
When you confess anything regarding you, your family, loved ones, or your future, confess what God's Word says: "you are blessed; you have wisdom and favor with God and with man; you stand complete in Him; and whatever you put your hand to prospers"!
As long as I keep confessing weakness, limitation, sickness, failure, and pain I still have them.
By doing this I am taking the witnesses of my senses as being more significant, reliable, and of greater substance and influence than the Word of God.
Confess His Word over every aspect of your life -- and you will start experiencing a life that you've never known before!
2010-01-14Ecclesiastes 3:1: "To everything there is a season..", and it thereafter continues to list various experiences and cycles of life.
So, there are times to contemplate and times to evaluate; times to assess and times to reassess. But also these times prove futile unless their findings are acted upon.
"Action" is the manifestation of life.
When truth dawns on our spirit it should be like sitting on a tack -- it should cause us to jump up and do something!
John L. Mason said: "No one ever stumbled onto something great while sitting down."
"Believing" is an admirable quality that should characterize the life of every "believer". However, the church is filled with "unbelieving" believers, and this is the reason the church in America accomplishes relatively little.
The word "believe" carries the distinct idea of strong conviction that causes a person to act on that inner persuasion. This is what the Bible calls Faith: Acting on what you believe because you are convinced it is truth -- which is the highest form of reality.
How many times did one person express an idea only to find 10 people who thought of it before -- but never took action because there was no conviction.
At the beginning of this year, make the decision to act on what truly you believe -- and you will move above the herd and learn to "Stand on the Promises" instead of "sitting on the premises."
2010-01-05“An optimist stays up until midnight to see the New Year in. A pessimist stays up until midnight to make sure the old one leaves” " Bill Vaughan
The negative-bias of our thinking keeps us looking at the past year and wishing that we could alter some of what we said or did.
Whilst there probably will be regrets, we need to realize:
1: Nobody is perfect, so learn to forgive yourself and move on with life;
2: Everything is worthwhile provided it ultimately results in us becoming better people through the lessons we learn from the experience.
So, as we enter this New Year don’t expend time on “what might have been”, or on the things that we now cannot immediately fix.
Rather, expend your physical and mental energies on the lessons learned and build them into your life so that they become the foundations on which your future is built.
Remember: what you dwell on in thought is what you ultimately will see yourself as being.
God put it this way: “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he”!
This is the time to develop the habit of thinking thoughts that will take you to victory, blessing, and overcoming in your future!
Think in line with what God has said about you!
2009-12-31I came across the following statement the other day: "Preach the Gospel at all times… if necessary use words".
There is something appealing to everyone when they are presented with a gift. The wrapping hides what the real gift is, and the anticipation grows as the gift-wrap is stripped off, layer by layer.
Our lives are "gift wrapped", many times with veneers and coverings to hide from others what we see in ourselves as limitations or faults.
We fail to remember that Jesus made us unique; different from everyone else. Why don't we this season take to Him those "limitations and faults" so that He can start a work in our lives that will repair and heal those seeming deficiencies.
Is He not the master craftsman and we "His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works"(Eph 2:10)?
Paul told the church of his day that their lives were the gospel that people read every day (2 Corinthians 3:2).
We too are having our lives read by the people round about us.
When people unwrap what we have presented to them as our lives, will they find a gift that blesses them? Or will they be disappointed -- the gift not being consistent with the promise the wrapping holds?
2009-12-15YES, YOU HAVE A MINISTRY!
Hebrews 3:13 tells us individually to “exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.”
Anybody who wants to fulfill God’s plan for their life must ensure that they never “forsake the daily fellowship and encouragement of other believers.”
But what does it mean to “exhort”?
The word for “exhort” that is used in this verse comes from a Greek compound word that describes the Holy Spirit’s function in a Believer’s life: “Parakaleo”.
This word gives the picture of someone who has come closely alongside of another person for the sake of speaking to him, consoling him, comforting him, or assisting him with instruction, counsel, or advice.
Many of us have had times when we wished someone cared enough about us to speak a word of encouragement or consolation.
Heb 3:13 makes it abundantly clear that we need to both give and receive encouragement from other believers on a daily basis.
This is such a vital principle of the Christian life that the tense used in the Greek language calls for continual action.
In other words, we are not to just encourage one another once a week but we are to make this a lifestyle. We must get into the habit of encouraging one another, doing it so often that it becomes a daily practice!
Think how encouraging it is when someone cares enough to take you to lunch, call you on the telephone, write you a note, or go out of his way at school, college, the office or church to come to you and ask how you are doing.
It is especially very strengthening to know that someone really cares about you if you’re going through challenging times!
We are entering the season of “giving” and, apart from Jesus, there can be no greater gift than that of giving time to encourage others. That is what His ministry is all about.
By giving our time we are giving ourselves. By giving encouragement we are helping others get -- and possibly keep -- direction in their race.
Some Christmases ago I sat looking at the unopened gifts people had blessed us with, and the Lord said to me: “Do you realize that someone thought you important enough to them for them to spend their time and money looking for a gift that you would be pleased with.”
From that moment onward every gift with which I am blessed brings that same truth back to me afresh. It is a very humbling thought.
At this Christmas season let us value anew two things:
(1): the gift of people that God has put in our lives; their mere presence enriches us; and
(2): His exhortation to us to minister our ministry of daily encouragement to those who are walking the same road as we are.
Today think of someone you know whom you can strengthen by coming alongside them to speak words of comfort, consolation, or bravery. Maybe you can take that person to lunch; call him on the telephone; drop him a note; or go out of your way to see how he is doing. Remember, you’re not the only one who needs encouragement!
2009-12-02“Every man must do two things alone in life" said Martin Luther.
“He must do his own believing and his own dying".
When you compare yourself with others, you will become bitter or vain because there always will be greater and lesser persons than yourselves. Making personal comparisons is a sure path to frustration " and perhaps ultimately to failure.
Joan Welch said: “You can't clear your own fields while counting the rocks on your neighbor's farm".
"The grass may appear to be greener on the other side of the fence, but you probably will find it to be astro-turf” (me).
What a waste of energy, time and effort when you compare your place and plan with that of other people.
Success in someone else's life does not hurt the chances for success in yours; neither does their failure mean you cannot succeed.
Success really is simply a matter of doing what you have been called to do by the Lord, knowing that He already has provided all you need for success (2Pet 1:3).
You carry success or failure within yourself. It does not depend on outside conditions. Obstacles in life " no matter what shape or form they take " are merely opportunities to excel for God.
Make sure you know what you really want, not what someone else wants for you.
You must allow the Lord to help you create your own system and plan, or you will be enslaved by another person’s vision.
Every person who trims himself to suit everybody else will soon find himself whittled away.
We are only supposed to compare our place and plan with God's will for our personal life " and make the necessary adjustments to it as the Spirit directs.
Because a thousand people say a foolish thing, doesn’t change it from being a foolish thing; it is still a foolish thing.
Direction from God is never a matter of public opinion. A wise man makes his own decision under God’s directing; an ignorant man follows public opinion.
Don't think you're necessarily on the right road because it's a well-beaten path. The greatest risk in life is to wait for and depend on others for your security.
Don't judge yourself through anybody else's eyes but God’s.
Learn to live your life before an audience and for the approval of ONE!
2009-11-19THE SIGNIFICANCE OF “A LITTLE”
Bring to Jesus all you have " whether little or much " and watch Him multiply it for His glory.
It was a big miracle with a LITTLE beginning; Jesus multiplies the loaves and fishes of a young boy’s lunch.
A 'loaf' in scripture was much smaller than what we call a loaf today. Not only that, but these small loaves were made of barley, which was considered inferior to wheat (Rev. 6:6; Ezek. 13:19).
We don't know the details. But, perhaps the boy’s mother packed his lunch that morning to send with him. Little did she realize that later that day that small lunch would feed thousands of hungry people!
A little is a lot when God is in it!
Jesus likened faith to a little mustard seed which, as it grows, becomes a plant many times as large (Matt. 13:31, 32; 17:20).
Have you ever watched fruit ripen on a tree?
When you first notice the fruit it looks like a tiny green marble. But as it continues to grow it becomes a large, lovely, fruit.
What it looks like at first is not what it is destined to become (cf. Heb.11: I).
We can see God in the big things"like the sun, moon, and stars. But He can also be seen in little things: a tiny snowflake; a leaf; a fingerprint; or the human eye. All are wonders of His creation.
Water, when heated to 211 degrees is hot! But just one degree more causes it to boil. At 212 degrees it can produce steam and power a locomotive. A little thing"just one degree"makes the difference!
At the Indy 500 the winner might take home a million dollars, while the one in second place will take home much less, even though mere seconds may have separated the two.
Even a tiny ant"mentioned as one of the "four things which are little upon the earth" (Proverbs 30:24, 25)"is amazing. An ant can wander far from its "home" in search of food and find its way back as though it had a built-in GPS!
We should not despise the day of small things (Zech. 4:10).
Do you recall David, who was little in comparison to the giant, Goliath?
It was when Saul was little in his own eyes, he was exalted by God (I Sam. 15:17).
If we are faithful in little things, God can make us faithful in big things (Matt. 25:23: Lk. 16:10).
It was only a "small cake" the poor widow baked for the prophet Elijah, but the result was that her food supply never ran out, even in drought times (1 Kings 17:13-17).
It was "a cloud as small as a man's hand" (1 Kings 18:44) that signaled the end of the drought and the return of God's blessings to Israel in the days of Elijah.
God's wrath is described as "little" and for a "moment," but His kindness and mercy are everlasting (Is. 54:8).
When Jesus was born into this world, He had a little beginning, of course. Even the town where He was born was little: "Bethlehem...little among the thousands of Judah" (Micah 5:2).
Yet this little baby, born in this little town, would in time impact every town and city in the world, little or large, and every generation from the day of His birth!
The point we can glean here is that, in doing what may seem like a little thing, if done for Jesus, can be significant.
The little offering given by a poor widow woman, in the sight of God, was bigger than the large offerings given by the rich (Mark 12:42).
"A little that a righteous man has is better than the riches of many wicked" (Psalms 37:16).
Even a little thing, like providing a "cup of water" to one who is thirsty, is not without its reward (Matt. 10:42).
God does not overlook little things; even a sparrow that falls to the ground is noticed by him (Matt. 10:29).
Have your visions for life, and your dreams for success, but do not neglect the “little” things of life that never escape the Lord’s attention!
2009-11-09Who Is Creating Your World?
Ed Cole said: "Don't let someone else create your world for you, for when they do they will make it too small."
God didn't write solo parts for us in life. He has divine connections and associations that will, over time, bring out the best in us.
Our future many times is influenced by the people we closely associated with in the formative years of our lives.
Have you ever known a backslider who didn't first hang around the wrong kind of people? The devil knows that strangers don't have enough influence to deter you, so he will orchestrate the forging of associations for you with elements that leave you filled with doubt, fear, confusion, criticism, and insecurity.
So, who is creating your world?
Understand the following:
-- Never receive counsel from unproductive people
-- Never discuss your problems with someone incapable of contributing to their solution.
Those who never themselves succeed are always the first to tell you how.
-- Not everyone has a right to speak into your life
-- Don't follow anyone who is not going anyway.
With some people you spend an evening; with others you invest it.
Be careful where you stop to inquire for directions along the road of life.
2009-11-02One of the most effective weapons "formed against us" -- is our words we speak!
Jesus said that when we speak words really meaning what we say, those words are an indication of what we have in our hearts “in abundance” (Matthew 12:34).
Once these words have been released from our mouths they set in motion in the spirit realm the things we have said.
If, at that moment, our hearts are filled with fear, when we speak we will need to govern and moderate our words so that the fear inside us is not released and communicated through our words.
The same principle applies to unbelief, doubt, questioning of God's Word, -- or any of the other things with which we often battle.
Remember however, if this principle works in a negative way, it also will work in a positive way.
I can draw to me and my life all the things -- be they experiences, or finances, or healings to manifest in my body, or material blessings, that God says in His Word are mine by covenant.
When I teach this truth I many times have the following response: "Well, I tried that, but…."
My answer to you is: when you first got into fear and started speaking it from your mouth ("We’re going under; we'll never make it; we'll always live from hand to mouth’; we’ll never have enough money, etc), how long did you wait for failure to manifest?
A day? A week? A month?
No, you were convinced, no matter how long it took, that your failure would become a reality in your life.
Why not give God's Word the same confidence and the same period of time to manifest in success?
Why not adopt the same attitude to God’s Word as you did with failure?
"No matter how long it takes -- a day; a week; a month -- I am going to keep confessing God's Word until the manifestation of what I'm wanting or needing, becomes manifest in the natural.”
Make God more than an equal-opportunity Provider!
2009-10-22In our worship service on Sunday we sang: "I will not be satisfied with anything ordinary ".
Why? Because we are called to walk "supernaturally" -- and that is not ordinary to most people!
The challenges that confront us are not what goes on roundabout us, but what goes on in our heads!
Paul warns us in 2 Corinthians 10:4, 5 about strongholds. There were two kinds of strongholds: rational and irrational.
The rational strongholds are the most difficult to deal with -- because they usually make natural sense!
The word "imaginations" is taken from a Greek word from which we get the word "logic", as in "logical thinking."
We thank God for a good, sound mind, but even a sound mind must be submitted to the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. Failure to submit our minds to the Lord will enable it to develop a stronghold of natural reasoning that starts dictating all kinds of lies to our lives.
Our logical mind will always try to talk us out of obeying God. In fact, if we don't take charge of our minds, they will begin to completely dominate and control our obedience to God.
Our mind tells us that we cannot afford to obey the Lord; that it isn't a good time to step out in faith; and, “when last did God do anything of substance for you?”
Irrational strongholds have to do with completely unrealistic fears and worries, such as a fear of contracting a terminal disease, a fear of dying early in life; and abnormal fears of rejection, etc.
These types of irrational strongholds in the mind, emotions, and imagination will normally run their course and then dissipate. But if those thoughts should persist to harass you in your mind and insist on controlling you mentally and emotionally, you must deal with them straightforward with the Word of God.
Paul instructs us to "take every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ" because, if we do not, then our thoughts will take us captive!
When I take my thoughts and submit them to "the obedience of Christ", I am comparing what I am thinking with what God's Word tells me Jesus has done for me and further, what is mine through the Covenant that I have with Him.
Any time there is a variance between my thinking and what the Word of God says I have learned to obey the Word of God, because His Word is Truth.
My logical thinking may have difficulty understanding what I am doing, but my re-created spirit will be at peace knowing that I am doing the Word of God -- which is the will of God.
This is how we keep our lives in submission to the Word of God: not through works programs, but by constantly checking to see whether what I am hearing in my head is consistent with what God says.
I then accept what the Word of God tells me.
It is interesting to note that Paul says nothing about bringing the devil into captivity.
Satan’s attempted invasion of my life (most times) comes through my mind " and your experience is probably no different.
So, today start taking your thoughts captive!
2009-10-15Getting the right perspective in the situations of life is vitally important as to our success or failure.
How many Christians haven't you heard thanking God for the fact that they were experiencing a tough situation at that moment in life?
By doing this they are attributing to God (who is Love) the contriving of circumstances to make them battle, and perhaps even suffer, in life.
These precious people don't realize that God is not their problem, and nor is He the One who made their life difficult at that time.
1 Thessalonians 5:18: "In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
Do you see the first word "In"? It has been wrongly interpreted by many people to read "for", but it is the word "in".
Life is fraught with challenges -- accept this as truth. How are the muscles of your faith as a believer to be strengthened without opposition?
Our responses to the challenging encounters in life are to be
1: Determine their source: is it my Heavenly Father wanting to teach me a lesson, or the enemy trying to steal, kill and destroy?
2: Every circumstances that is not consistent with God's Word (which is His will), we are to stand against by faith, and change with our confession, which is an expression of our belief and trust in God.
While we are standing in the situation we give thanks to Him that He is our Lord, and that He will provide us with the strength and wisdom to go through that challenging time and come out victoriously.
Every situation in a believer’s life is "temporal" i.e. it is subject to change (2 Corinthians 4:18) -- but we are the ones who change the situation with our faith!
Give them Heaven!
2009-10-07Don't "Take Care"!
Like many people I hear statements and comments, but pay little attention to most of them at the time that I hear them. But, there are exceptions.
Recently I again heard a statement that I have heard before, but this time I gave time to thinking about it. The statement was:
"Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday."
My mind immediately went to two Scripture verses. The first is 1 Peter 5:7 where we are told to "Cast all your care on Him."
"Worry" (which is the product of "taking Care") is a sin to the Believer because the reason we worry about the future is we think we are not sufficiently prepared, or feel inadequate to handle it.
The question then is: Who is handling your "today"?
"Care" results from giving too much thought to a situation or circumstance that we haven't even yet encountered!
We start anticipating -- not what could go right and bless us, but almost always what will go wrong, -- and it still lies in our future!
Jesus wants to bring us to a place where our concerns about the future remain "still-born" inside us.
We give life to our thoughts by speaking them out. That is the reason in Matthew 6:31 Jesus says: "Take no thought saying..."
Paul tells us how to handle these thoughts without giving life to them.
In 2 Corinthians 10:5 we are instructed to "Bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ", which means to bring every ungodly thought (which is not only sinful thoughts, but thoughts of failure, lack, personal inadequacy, etc) into obedience of what we know Jesus has said and provided for us through His resurrection.
He said that He would "never leave us nor forsake us", which tells me that no matter what I encounter tomorrow, Jesus is bigger than my tomorrow!
So, don't "take care" -- it could be the avenue the enemy uses to kill you!
2009-10-02The "circle of life" is filled with change; it is something everybody can count on experiencing.
At this moment we are experiencing seasonal changes in Virginia: Summer into Fall and Fall into Winter. Our lives consist of ongoing change.
We experience weather changes, economic change, physical changes, geographical change -- and, of course, political change.
Throw into the mix of these changes the fact that we change as we get older (and, hopefully, a little wiser), and it is small wonder that people feel confused, overwhelmed, and even a little lost.
Much like the flotsam and jetsam on the high seas, many are adrift on life's sea, and are searching for substance and a sense of permanency.
The truth is that THE ONLY CONSTANT IN AN EVER-CHANGING WORLD IS GOD.
Despite teachings to the contrary God is never angry at you. He loves you. He is Love, and Love "understands all things" -- even you and me.
God does not withhold blessing from us because yesterday that old, besetting weakness in our life won the battle of the day.
God never has a "blue Monday" or a "bad week".
He loves you and me with a love that does not waiver, never changes to any degree, nor does it stop because we stopped our obedient following of Him.
As Believers we have this kind of love inside us because He lives in us -- but still we cannot comprehend it.
Don't attempt to! It's past human understanding. Simply receive the fact of it being extended to you -- and enjoy it!
A FREE gift from a NEVER-CHANGING, EVER-LOVING GOD.
2009-09-23Where you are looking determines what you will experience. John Barrymore said: "A man is not old until regrets take the place of dreams."
Our present-life situation is determined by where we are looking. REGRETS look at the past. WORRY looks around. BELIEF looks forward, and FAITH looks upward.
John Mason said: "Use the past as a launch-pad, not a lawn chair."
If you are living a "present-past" life, you never will experience the "present-future" life that God has for you.
Your past is neither your potential nor your destiny, so never build your future on it.
You have more gifting and ability in God than you ever have realized.
Shed your past like a snake shedding skin and break out into your future, confident that God has more for you than you have ever dreamed possible!
2009-09-10Talk is not cheap; in fact it can prove to be very expensive.
We are told that we have influence in at least 250 peoples' lives during our life-time. So, the words we speak have varying degrees of impact on at least 250 people.
What we say affects what we get from others, and what others get from us.
Our lives are enhanced or diminished by words; words spoken by other people about us, and what we say about ourselves.
When we speak negative words they will not be consistent with God's words, and our negative confessions -- concerning others or our own lives-- lessen our ability to see and hear the will of God.
2009-09-03The Danger of Comparison Living
We live our lives on a basis of relativity i.e. we always tend to relate one thing to another in order to establish value.
"This is easier than that"; "this is prettier than that"; "this is more expensive than that".
We always relate a thing to something else. But God has nothing with which to compare Himself; nothing to relate to. If you possess all power you cannot say one thing is easier to do than another.
A major problem we have is living life by relativity, i.e. to the things around us.
We say: "We could have a good service if so-and-so is present"
"Good " compared to what?
"Good" compared to "their " not being present.
"Good" compared to " this"; or compared to "that".
But when we stop living our lives relative to what is around us, and live it relative to what God has said, and what He has promised, we will begin to see God do more than we've ever seen Him do before.
Our continual living by equating one value against another; -- one situation against another; -- one preacher against another; -- one person against another, can easily bring us to a place of low self-esteem -- or pride.
God says we "err (i.e we are in error) comparing ourselves one to another".
We wonder if we've "done enough" by comparing what we've done with what the person next to us has done. If it looks like we've done more than them then we've done enough!
But, the amount they have done is not the standard by which we are to measure ourselves!
The standard by which we measure our endeavors is what God has told us personally to do, and not the production of somebody else.
2009-08-27I was thinking as I was dressing today just how much time we spend in front of the mirror, touching this, changing that, until we are satisfied that what we present to people is as close to what we want to look like as we can get.
When we start out our daily preparations we have an idea of we what we want people to see.
But, what about our "inside"? Most of us have an image of ourselves on the inside that is vastly removed from what we present to the world. This doesn't mean that there is bad or wrong on our inside -- just a distorted image when compared to how God sees us.
Proverbs 23:7 tells us that the way we see ourselves is what people will pick up on in everyday life -- regardless of what we do with the outside. It tells us: "As a man thinketh in his heart so is he ".
So, what do you think about yourself "in your heart"?
Let's start addressing the part of us that actually tells people what we think we are -- and the outside will catch up.
Allow God's Word determine who you are, what you can do, and what you have -- and everyone will see the real you -- just as God created you to be.
2009-08-19The 23rd president of the United States Benjamin Harrison reminds me so much of many Christians.
He was in office when the White House first was wired for electricity but, it is reported, that both he and his wife were afraid of being shocked by the light switches on the wall, so they continue to use the old, inefficient, traditional lighting system -- gas.
I thought: how like so many people today: stuck with a traditional, inefficient spiritual lifestyle, when a really effective one is available to them through the Holy Spirit -- and all they need to do is "throw the switch"!
2009-08-12On a visit to New York some time back a friend of mine returned with an "imitation" purse which she had purchased.
It looked like the genuine article, even felt like it -- but it wasn't genuine even though it carried an identical design in the fabric to the genuine article. Only an expert, perhaps looking at the stitching used or the clasp on the purse, might have known it was not the "real deal".
It reminded me of so many of us who have facades and cliche's and actions looking like Christians, but are not the "real deal" -- although we so desperately want to be it.
After more than 25 years in ministry I have learned that there are only two things that definitely will identify the genuine from the false: the cost and time.
As time passes the fake purse will wear quicker than the genuine, and the fake Christian will not be able to maintain the imitation of his lifestyle forever.
It costs to be a genuine Christian and the price we pay is honesty, both with God, Whom we serve, -- and with ourselves.
Let us make the decision to be genuine -- even about our limitations and failures, and the times we have been fake and artificial -- and take them to the Lord for healing and wholeness -- so that we can become the genuine article. Before Time catches up with us!
2009-08-05Despite the best planning in the world, things don't always work out the way we want.
How well do you handle these "callenges of life" All people either react or respond, but what we do has an affect on the eventual outcome of the situation.
Most people immediately get negative - which is a reaction. "I knew it was too good to be true"; "I had a feeling that..."; "I knew we should not have..." This approach spirals the situation even further out of control.
If we, however, treat the situation as a challenge to overcome and as an opportunity for God to work, we can learn from the situation. He will give us whatever we need: patience, wisdom, understanding, favor, etc.
Here are two recommended courses of action to follow when things don'tturn out as planned:
1: Bring God on the scene; He should have initiated the endeavor from the outset, and He knew all about the challenge before it arose.
2: Watch your confession. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you remember what God's Word says, and get in agreement with Him -- not with the potential failure in the situation!
2009-07-30How important is what you hear?
Having recently pondered this question I came to this conclusion: it depends on two things:
1: What the circumstances in my life are at that moment; and
2: Who is doing the talking.
When the events of 9/11 were at their height people were "glued" to TVs and radio sets, wanting accurate, up-to-date information.
But, three to four weeks later, although the event was catastrophic, there wasn't the same degree of interest that there was when the event occurred.
40 years ago this month, Neil Armstrong stood on the moon and made a historic pronouncement. We all hung on every word that he said. Yet many people this month didn't realize forty years had passed since that event.
Here is the "rub" for me: Jesus, the son of God, speaks to us through God's Word and also into our hearts by the Holy Spirit -- and He does so regularly.
How importantly do we rate what He says to us?
I recently was challenged by this thought.
When God's Word says: "And Jesus said..." just how important to me is what He said, knowing that those words came from the Father God.
And, in the light of Isaiah 55 which tells me that God's Word, once released into the earth, will not return void, how obedient am I with what He has told me?
I am learning to pay more attention when He speaks, understanding just how significant what He says is to my race in this life.
2009-07-15Jesus used many "every day" objects to illustrate lessons for life for us.
"Salt" is one of these objects that we often take for granted. The cliché "being worth our salt" is often quoted, but I feel very few know it's origin.
During the many years that Rome ruled the world soldiers were paid (in part) with salt, which was a scarce commodity at that time.
Have you ever had an "under-salted" meal? Do you remember how insipid it tasted? Just like it needed a little "life"?
Salt will provide that "life" to food. And, as salt, Jesus is believing that we will add that "life" to the world around us.
This practice of part- payment in salt gave rise to the question: "Are you worth your salt?" This questions whether or not you are a good worker and a person who has proved himself to be of value to whatever endeavor you are engaged in.
So, let us ask ourselves this question: Am I worth my salt to - my loved ones; -- my boss; -- my community; -- my church; -- Jesus; -- and the kingdom?
Have I proven myself to be conscientious; diligent; faithful; teachable? In other words -- Am I an asset?
2009-07-08"The early bird catches...the Word!"
The early bird is the one that gets results.
The spiritual importance of personally meeting with the Lord at the beginning of the day cannot be over-emphasized. Knowing that He is with us all the time is very re-assuring, but getting direction from Him for the day is vitally important to our accomplishing what He wants us to achieve for the Kingdom that day.
Sometimes, for a variety of reasons, we do not have the time to spend as we would like. On these occasions (which should be the exception and not the rule), pack a spiritual lunch bag: CD, IPod, MP3, etc, to feed the Word to your spirit on your early commute - but make every effort to get with Him at the early part of the day.
Some habits are worth cultivating and should not be "kicked!"
2009-06-29What would you do if you knew that you never would be found out? How different would you live from your present lifestyle?
Remember, CHARACTER is who you ARE no matter who is watching!
2009-06-24The effectiveness of light -- no matter how seemingly insignificant -- lies in it's ability to repel darkness, and it is never overcome by darkness unless it stops shining.
Jesus said that believers are the light of the world ... so - SHINE!
2009-06-11I stood in the dark office in the basement of my home, feeling my way to where I thought a box of matches would be found. The storm had come in so rapidly that no preparation could be made. Within minutes the electricity had been knocked out and we were in pitch darkness. Oh, for a little light was the greatest need for the moment.
The situation made me think of two things:
1. Jesus said, “You are the light of the world” – no need for light if there was no darkness!
2. Paul said, “the whole world groans, waiting for the manifestation of the Sons of God.”
Shine!
