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Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Can I change?

Lord, Why Can’t I Change?
By Charles F. Stanley

Have you ever vowed to put an ungodly habit behind you, only to fall again soon after? Feelings of guilt can lead to a renewed commitment to never do something again. But the very next day, the cycle repeats itself as we give in to the same temptations. Our defeat leaves us wondering, What’s wrong with me? Our despair at repeated failure produces a sense of hopeless resignation and confusion. We want to know, Lord, why can’t I change?
All of us have experienced the problem of wanting to honor God and yet reverting back to old, sinful ways almost immediately. Isn’t the Christian life supposed to be more liberating and victorious than this? After all, the Bible says, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come” (2 Cor. 5:17). Why, then, does habitual sin take hold of us? Wasn’t Christ supposed to change all this? If we are new creations, why do we still act like old ones? We feel as stuck as a ship run aground.
So how do we shake free from our sinful behaviors? First, we need to examine the way change occurs in the Christian life. Salvation is an instantaneous work of God, which happens the moment we receive Jesus as Savior. But from that point on, we enter a continual process of transformation called sanctification. The Lord’s goal is to mold us into the image of Christ, but this process requires our cooperation. That’s what the Bible means when it says, “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil. 2:12). If we neglect this responsibility, we’ll find ourselves struggling with the same issues over and over again. But if we submit to the Holy Spirit, He’ll exert His influence in every area of our lives. Old sinful habits will pass away and be replaced with new godly behavior.
The path to transformation

Becoming the people God created us to be is an inside-out process. Because our thoughts govern each area of our lives—emotions, decisions, actions, attitudes, and words—any lasting transformation must begin with the mind. If all we want is to modify our conduct, we’ll never experience long-term success. What we need is a new way of thinking.
This can be accomplished only by what the Bible calls renewing the mind (Rom. 12:2). It’s not a sudden transformation but a lifelong process. At the moment of salvation, the Lord doesn’t erase all our negative and sinful thought patterns any more than He automatically removes our physical imperfections. If you had a scar on your arm before you received Christ, most likely you will still have it afterward.
We are all a reflection of whatever we’ve been thinking throughout the years. From early on, we are taught to respond to situations in a certain way, with a particular response pattern, and this impacts every area of our lives. In some cases, we can see how people’s expressions reveal the way their minds have developed throughout their lifetime—etching continuous worry, pain, and guilt on their faces.
Take a look in the mirror. Do you see the joy of Christ in your eyes? Or are the destructive effects of sin betrayed by your appearance? The good news is that whatever your thoughts have been in the past, God can teach you to think differently. He gives His Spirit to lead you through a process that produces real healing and lasting change.
Where thoughts originate

So, what triggers negative thought patterns? The Lord has given us physical senses so we can interact with each other and our world. The capacity to see, hear, touch, taste, and smell is an amazing gift from God, which affects how our thoughts develop and what we think. However, because we are continually being influenced by the fallen world around us, we don’t always use these abilities in a way that honors Him. We experience a sight, sound, smell, flavor, or touch that gives us momentary pleasure and we begin to think, What would it be like if I…? This begins the downward spiral—our senses trigger thoughts, which elicit destructive patterns of behavior.
James 1:14-15 explains, “Each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.” That is why we must be discerning about what we listen to and watch. It is also why the apostle Paul tells us to lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted, and instead be renewed in the spirit of our minds—to put on the new self which is created in God’s likeness (Eph. 4:22-24).
A second source of sinful thoughts is from the Enemy of our souls. Have you ever been thinking about some plan or task, only to have a vile, ungodly idea pop into your mind? You may wonder, Where did that come from? These are Satan’s attempts to distract us with his ideas and twist the truth, inciting us to disobey God. His purpose is to destroy our character and lead us astray.
The way we respond determines whether we fall to his enticements or stand strong against him. Will we, as Paul says, dwell on “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute” (Phil. 4:8), allowing our minds to be transformed by these things? Or will we take the bait?
No matter how our minds are bombarded by unwanted temptations, we must remember that as believers, we do not have to be enslaved by sin. We are not helpless victims, but sons and daughters of almighty God. We have within us the Holy Spirit—a positive, powerful influence that is mightier than the Enemy can ever hope to be. Because we are indwelled by God’s Spirit, we have the power to extinguish the Enemy’s flaming arrows (Eph. 6:16). We are also able to know the mind of Christ, take our thoughts captive to Him, and have victory over every temptation.
How your mind is renewed

God calls us to be watchful and guard our minds at all times. If we don’t, worldly values and purposes will subtly creep in and influence our lives. Whenever we allow ourselves to be conformed to the world, the Enemy gains a foothold in our thinking. And the more we yield to those thoughts, the stronger his hold becomes.
We must wisely choose which thoughts we will accept and which ones we’ll reject. It’s not enough just to resist the Enemy’s lies; we must also deliberately fill our mind with truth from God’s Word. Jesus used this technique when Satan tempted Him in the wilderness (Matt. 4:1-11). He countered each challenge with Scripture, saying “It is written . . .” When we are ready with a verse that refutes one of Satan’s falsehoods, we have the most powerful spiritual ammunition possible.
So consider: How diligent have you been about guarding your mind? Have you permitted the world to influence your thoughts? Or are you allowing God’s Word to shape your reasoning and values? You cannot coast through the Christian life. An unengaged mind is an open invitation for sin. If you’re distracted, having trouble praying or reading the Bible, your thoughts are not where they should be.
Perhaps you feel as if you’re the rope in a tug of war between God and sin, constantly being pulled in two opposing directions. Don’t beat yourself up when you fail. Rather, confess and repent as quickly as possible (1 John 1:9). During those times, remember that you are engaged in a long process, and that you cannot renew your own mind. Trying harder and making promises to God will only discourage you, because in your own strength, you will never be able to change. True transformation is the work of the Holy Spirit—and it takes time. Therefore, submit to His leading, heed His warnings, and obey His voice.
Four Requirements for a Renewed Mind

Fill your mind with Scripture—focusing on the Lord’s character, ways, and commands.
Resist temptation and flee from it by understanding the thoughts and feelings that trigger a sinful response in you.
Check the source of your thoughts—are they from God, your flesh, the world, or Satan?
Rely on the Holy Spirit to empower you to resist sin and break free from its bondage.
Begin today

As believers, we can expect this process of transformation to continue until we reach heaven; however, the important issue is that we begin today.
Just as your area of struggle began with one act of yielding to temptation, so your path to victory can begin with one act of submission to God. Through the power of the Spirit, start saying no to thoughts that don’t belong in a believer’s life. At the same time, say yes to appropriate thoughts. When you fill your mind with truth from God’s Word, you’ll gain discernment and be able to more readily identify the thoughts and feelings that cause you to sin.
As you persevere in choosing which thoughts to allow, the bondage of sin will diminish and your mind will be renewed. This transformation, which began internally, will now be worked out externally as behavior changes. When you think right, you’ll act right. Areas of your life that you were powerless to adjust on your own will be refashioned. And Christ’s victorious life will be beautifully demonstrated through you so that others will see and be drawn to Him.
Questions for Further Study

Ephesians 4:22-24 gives three steps for change. What are they? Which words are used to describe the old self? The new self? How does renewing the mind enable us to “put on the new self”? What would happen if you skipped that step?

Read James 4:7-10. As you think about an area in your life that needs to change, what does God command you to do, and what does He promise to do in return?
You don’t have to fight your battles alone. Jesus Christ died on the cross to free you—mind, spirit, and body—from the grip of sin. And through the power of His resurrection, He offers an abundant new life in Him.
No transgression is too great for the Lord to forgive. Scripture tells us that if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Invite Jesus into your life, and let the transformation begin. You can use the following prayer or your own words:
Lord Jesus, I believe You are truly the Son of God. I confess that I have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed. Please forgive all my wrongdoing, and let me live in relationship with You from now on. I receive You as my personal Savior, accepting the work You accomplished once and for all on the cross. Thank You for saving me. Help me to live a life that is pleasing to You. Amen.

Sunday, December 8, 2013

What God Created for us

God’s Creation what and why.  His purpose for us. 
These are notes I make from my general biblical study that I am going through.  I have added my notes and thoughts from questions that I have seen and read.  I first want to start with a small prayer.
Dear Lord,
I ask that you please open my eyes so I may see Your Word and open my mind so I may absorb and learn Your Word the way you want me to.  Please be with me and fill me with the fire of Your Holy Ghost as I read and learn.  I want more understanding.  I want the right understanding.  You are a great and merciful God.  I love you for it.  I would never be able to live my life without You and I thank you for it.  Thank you for accepting me for what I truly am.  I so understand that I am a sinner and I am not even close to being worthy to sit with the trash outside Your kingdom Gates.  But You sent Your loving Son down to the earth and sacrificed Himself for me I thank You.  Be with me Lord and again thank you.  In Christ’s name I pray.
Amen
I read and reread Genesis Chapter 1 over and over many times for a long time.  I did understand that God was the Creator of this Earth but there is more there and maybe you know this and maybe you don’t but either way I will share this anyways.  Not only did God make things but I finally saw His plan first and formost.  Yea I know everyone says He has a plan but really you need to understand how far back His planning stage happens.  Part of His plan was order.  Things didn’t just happen all at once but it did happen in a certain order.  What I like to say the ‘Order of Life’.  Keep in mind this order happens after our Earth (The ball dark planet) that He so carefully placed in the most perfect place in the galaxy.
God’s Order is as follows:
1.       Light – We need light to see.  Not just us but everything else needed light to see.  I mean really think about this.  All those guys with work benches or sheds or Garages that we all work in or even an office we need what?  We need good lighting so we can do our good works right.  So we first what turn on a light.  Why not God?  So yea His first was light.
2.       The first separation – this was something to be put between the waters.  Now remember that was waters known as the oceans and the waters from above or in some cases the mist from the above.  He called this sky.  So now we have an above and below.  At times I tend to look up and admire the awesome artwork that floats above us in the sky.  Such as the clouds and the colors.  It is really magnificent if you take the time to look.  I mean why not.  He took the time to make it for us.
3.       Second separation – This is where He wanted a smaller separation between the bodies of water on the earth and that is where our Land appears.  It keeps things where they need.  We needed that otherwise we would all be fish.  So there tells you his plan to make different things on this earth.  I personally am glad I am not a fish.  I love my place in His plan.  Not that the fish are on important.
4.       Third and final separation – This is where He adds time in my opinion.  Otherwise how would we really know when one day begins and ends?  I tell you I am grateful for this because there are days that I am glad ended and new begins. 
5.       Creation of Creatures of both Sky and Water – How great is that.  Now we have water and land and things to swim in the water and things to fly in the sky.  Have you actually ever stopped to look at these things?  Taken a trip to the aquarium or a bird sanctuary and seen His creations.  How magnificent and the past part they do not worry about anything.  At least not like we worry.  They survive knowing that they will find what they need.
Now let’s look at what He creates next.  Not just what but how much love was put into the next Creations?
Gen 1:1 – In the Beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
We all know this to be true and fact and without dispute.  Here is the best part and I will start off with –
Gen 1:27 – So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female he created them.
Wow how awesome is that.  To create us in His image is so awe inspiring in itself.  When in doubt of what God looks like well you should look in the mirror.  He is there in you.  He is a part of you.  He made His likeness in His image. 
Ps 51:10 – Create in me a pure heart, O God and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
When I see that I see that before sin He did give us a pure/clean heart but Sin took over and darkened our hearts and that is why we became unclean.  We can choose to ask Him to change us back to a pure heart.  No it is far from easy because we have spent years following our flesh and not our pure hearts.  There are people who say follow your heart.  Well I will risk saying I so disagree with that.  Because I followed my heart for years and look where it got me.  I need to follow a pure heart a heart that can only be cleansed by God.  That makes a very large difference in how we feel and how we treat and look at others.
His love for us is again shown in one of my favorite verses.
Is 41:10 – So do not fear for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God, I will strength you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Please tell me that is not a God or Creator who doesn’t care for us and our well-being.  I say it is and I challenge anyone to say different.  I have first-hand experience that He has given me strength to make it through my trials that are set before me.  He is also there for me when I feel weary.  Why would a God put so much into things for us if there was no love for us?  I tell you that He does love us.
He uses the the word “good” at least 6 times in chapter 1 and one “very good” in vs 31 and He said this after he finished his work.  How amazing is that for God to say something was good that is and awesome complement.  I am glad I was part of this works.  I am glad He saw good not only in the things he created but also the beings He created.  I am so very blessed.


Now why would he do such a thing well Isaiah 43:7 states for His glory.
Isa 43:7 Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.
I don’t know about you but here it tells me that we were pre-ordained to call upon him. We were made to worship him.  Just like a child worships his father.  God is everyone’s father so why not worship Him. 
Is 60:21 Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.
Again it is stated that we were made to glorify him.  Now I will tell you the meaning of glorify and see if it is something you do or are willing to do for the one who created you.
Glo·ri·fy – ˈglôrəˌfī/Submit (verb) – 1. Reveal or make clearer the glory of (God) by one's actions.
"God can be glorified through a life of scholarship"
Praise, extol, exalt, worship, revere, reverence, venerate, pay homage to, honor, adore, thank, give thanks to; More
2. Describe or represent as admirable, esp. unjustifiably or undeservedly.
"A football video glorifying violence"
Synonyms:  ennoble, exalt, elevate, dignify, enhance, augment, promote (taken from google search definitions) Honestly I love the first meaning how it talks about my God not the fake god’s or ones who try to claim they are.  I am just blown away by this.
Col 3:16 – Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
Do you do this? Is this how you live your life with this purpose in mind?  I do everything within my power to do this but I don’t always succeed that is why I am so grateful for His mercies in me because I do not always succeed at least not without Him.
How do we relate or talk to our Father (God) well Ps 33: 1-9 says what we should do. 
(Psa 33:1)  Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.
(Psa 33:2)  Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings.
(Psa 33:3)  Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.
(Psa 33:4)  For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth.
(Psa 33:5)  He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.
(Psa 33:6)  By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.
(Psa 33:7)  He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses.
(Psa 33:8)  Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.
(Psa 33:9)  For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.
To sum it all up we need to pray, worship, sing, and praise Him.  Again we must Glorify our Creator the one who loves us so much and see and respect what he has made for us.
Is 40:28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? (Wait for it) The Lord is the everlasting God. The creator of the ends of the earth.

His existence is reviled to us by just looking all around.  What do you see?  I know what I see.  I see God in everything.

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

The Human Willingness In Illumination Principle

The Human Willingness In Illumination Principle    The Principle of Human Willingness in Illumination is that principle by which God's Truth is guaranteed to willing souls. (John 7:17)    The Bible reveals that man's understanding is blinded by sin and that only God can open man's eyes. Only the Holy Spirit can unveil the truth. The Holy Spirit, only, gives the understanding. "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." I Corinthians 2:14.     Although Simon Peter was with Jesus Christ 3 years, the revelation of Jesus as the Son of God had to be revealed to him by God. "And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven," Matthew 16:16, 17.       Man cannot understand the deep mysteries unless they are revealed by God, for man is blind. "At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight. All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father, save the Son, and he to whosoever the Son will reveal him," Matthew 11:25-27.ISAIAH 29:10-18-A learned man and an unlearned man find the Word sealed to them. Why? Because of sin the Word is sealed to them! There must he an intellectual honesty on the part of man, and he must say, "THIS IS THE WORD OF GOD." You must, yourself, submit to it.     TRUTH IS NOT WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN TAUGHT! If this statement is not true, then those of you who have been taught Mormonism, Unitarianism, etc., bow to their teachings as being the truth. In the Universities, Modernism is truth, but this is not so. Remember, TRUTH IS NOT WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN TAUGHT!     CAIN AND ABEL-Most people have been taught, and thus believe, that the reason why God chose one and rejected the other was that Abel was a good man and Cain was a bad man. This is false! Neither was good; they were both bad; they both offered sacrifices for their sin. A fallen man (Adam) cannot beget an unfallen man. God accepted Abel because of his FAITH, FAITH in the right kind of sacrifice, a sacrifice of blood. God rejected Cain because of his UNBELIEF - UNBELIEF in the blood of a lamb. The Bible is the WORD OF TRUTH, and thus, IT must be rightly divided.     Do not ever take any man's word for anything. The teacher can never take the veil off your eyes; only the Holy Spirit can do this.     When one comes to the WORD, he must come as a learner: Mary sat at the feet of Jesus. Don't be like Peter when the Lord said, "I must be crucified," Peter said, "No." Jesus answered, "Get thee behind me, Satan." Sir Thomas Blackwood has given this outline: 1. Admit Let the Word of God in. Have an open heart for its truth. Preconceived errors only pave the way to more errors. 2. Submit There must be willingness to obey it. “If any man do his will, he shall know...” (John 7:17). 3. Commit The Word must be memorized. It can then be used as an offensive weapon of the Christian, the Sword of the Spirit. 4. Transmit One cannot afford to hoard it; it must be shared; it must be delivered; it must be preached.

The Seven Dispensations

THE SEVEN DISPENSATIONS

The Scriptures divide time (by which is meant the entire period from the creation of Adam to the "new heaven and a new earth" of Rev. 21:1) into seven unequal periods, usually called dispensations (Eph. 3:2), although these periods are also called ages (Eph. 2:7) and days, as in "day of the Lord."

These periods are marked off in Scripture by some change in God's method of dealing with mankind, or a portion of mankind, in respect of the two questions: of sin, and of man's responsibility. Each of the dispensations may be regarded as a new test of the natural man, and each ends in judgment, marking his utter failure in every dispensation. Five of these dispensations, or periods of time, have been fulfilled; we are living in the sixth, probably toward its close, and have before us the seventh, and last: the millennium.

1. Man innocent
This dispensation extends from the creation of Adam in Genesis 2:7 to the expulsion from Eden. Adam, created innocent and ignorant of good and evil, was placed in the garden of Eden with his wife, Eve, and put under responsibility to abstain from the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The dispensation of innocence resulted in the first failure of man, and in its far-reaching effects, the most disastrous. It closed in judgment: "So he drove out the man." See Gen. 1:26; Gen. 2:16,17; Gen. 3:6; Gen. 3:22-24.)

2. Man under conscience
By the fall, Adam and Eve acquired and transmitted to the race the knowledge of good and evil. This gave conscience a basis for right moral judgment, and hence the race came under this measure of responsibility-to do good and eschew evil. The result of the dispensation of conscience, from Eden to the flood (while there was no institution of government and of law), was that "all flesh had corrupted his way on the earth," that "the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually," and God closed the second testing of the natural man with judgment: the flood. See Gen. 3:7, 22; Gen. 6:5,11-12; Gen. 7:11-12, 23.)

3. Man in authority over the earth
Out of the fearful judgment of the flood God saved eight persons, to whom, after the waters were assuaged, He gave the purified earth with ample power to govern it. This, Noah and his descendants were responsible to do. The dispensation of human government resulted, upon the plain of Shinar, in the impious attempt to become independent of God and closed in judgment: the confusion of tongues. (See Gen. 9: 1, 2; Gen. 11: 1-4; Gen. 11:5-8.)

4. Man under promise
Out of the dispersed descendants of the builders of Babel, God called one man, Abram, with whom He enters into covenant. Some of the promises to Abram and his descendants were purely gracious and unconditional. These either have been or will yet be literally fulfilled. Other promises were conditional upon the faithfulness and obedience of the Israelites. Every one of these conditions was violated, and the dispensation of promise resulted in the failure of Israel and closed in the judgment of bondage in Egypt.
The book of Genesis, which opens with the sublime words, "In the beginning God created," closes with, "In a coffin in Egypt." (See Gen. 12:1-3; Gen. 13:14-17; Gen. 15:5; Gen. 26:3; Gen. 28:12-13; Exod. 1: 13-14.)

5. Man under law
Again the grace of God came to the help of helpless man and redeemed the chosen people out of the hand of the oppressor. In the wilderness of Sinai He proposed to them the covenant of law. Instead of humbly pleading for a continued relation of grace, they presumptuously answered: "All that the Lord hath spoken we will do." The history of Israel in the wilderness and in the land is one long record of flagrant, persistent violation of the law, and at last, after multiplied warnings, God closed the testing of man by law in judgment: first Israel, and then Judah, were driven out of the land into a dispersion which still continues. A feeble remnant returned under Ezra and Nehemiah, of which, in due time, Christ came: "Born of a woman-made under the law." Both Jews and Gentiles conspired to crucify Him. (See Exod. 19:1-8; 2 Kings 17:1-18; 2 Kings 25: 1 -11; Acts 2:22-23; Acts 7:51-52; Rom. 3:19-20; Rom. 10:5; Gal. 3: 10.)

6. Man under grace
The sacrificial death of the Lord Jesus Christ introduced the dispensation of pure grace, which means undeserved favor, or God giving righteousness, instead of God requiring righteousness, as under law. Salvation, perfect and eternal, is now freely offered to Jew and Gentile upon the acknowledgment of sin, or repentance, with faith in Christ.

"Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent" (John 6:29). "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life" (John 6:47). "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." (John 5:24). "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish" (John 10:27-28). "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast" (Eph. 2:8-9).

The predicted result of this testing of man under grace is judgment upon an unbelieving world and an apostate church. (See Luke 17:26-30; Luke 18:8; 2 Thess. 2:7-12; Rev. 3:15-16.)

The first event in the closing of this dispensation will be the descent of the Lord from heaven, when sleeping saints will be raised and, together with believers then living, caught up "to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord" (1 Thess. 4:16-17). Then follows the brief period called "the great tribulation." (See Jer. 30:5-7; Dan. 12:1; Zeph. 1:15-18; Matt. 24:21-22.)

After this the personal return of the Lord to the earth in power and great glory occurs, and the judgments which introduce the seventh, and last dispensation. (See Matt. 25:31-46 and Matt. 24:29- 30.)

7. Man under the personal reign of Christ
After the purifying judgments which attend the personal return of Christ to the earth, He will reign over restored Israel and over the earth for one thousand years. This is the period commonly called the millennium. The seat of His power will be Jerusalem, and the saints, including the saved of the dispensation of grace, namely the church, will be associated with Him in His glory. (See Isa. 2:1-4; Isa. 11; Acts 15:14-17; Rev. 19:11-21; Rev. 20:1-6.

But when Satan is "loosed a little season," he finds the natural heart as prone to evil as ever, and easily gathers the nations to battle against the Lord and His saints, and this last dispensation closes, like all the others, in judgment. The great white throne is set, the wicked dead are raised and finally judged, and then come the "new heaven and a new earth." Eternity is begun. (See Rev. 20:3,7-15; Rev. 21 and 22.)

Where do you walk

Psalm 1:1-3 ()Book One 1:1 Blessed is the manwho walks not in the counsel of the wicked,nor stands in the way of sinners,nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord,and on his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a treeplanted by streams of waterthat yields its fruit in its season,and its leaf does not wither.In all that he does, he prospers. #Bible http://mydailybible.org/dv/esv/2013-12-03.htm

Sunday, December 1, 2013

Our Life or God's Life for Us - Part 1

We so need to understand that we did not start our lives.  If you think you are living than you are truly fooling yourself.  It all starts and ends with God.  There really is no other way to explain it.  Some people will most likely disagree with that but it is the truth. 
In whose hand [is] the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind? – Job 12:10 (KJV)
Acts 17:28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

God is our creator our Abba Father.  He is the only one who can show us what our purpose on this earth can be.  Others believe we control our own life and what we do and what we have.  I will agree with them with that because our Lord God has given us freewill to our own lives.  But that is where a lot of people make the mistakes by choosing our own things.  We have a bad habit of doing what we think is right and what we want to be happy.  But the only one who can guarantee our happiness and security is God. 

Rom 8:6-9 For to be carnally minded [is] death; but to be spiritually minded [is] life and peace. 7 - Because the carnal mind [is] enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 - So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.  9 - But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you.  Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

We need to understand one very important fact and that is WE WERE MADE FOR GOD and not any other way.  If we don’t understand that and go our own ways it tends to lead us down a dark dead end street.  You will also be surprised at how many people know this and choose not to follow it.  I do have good news about this.  It goes the other way too.  Look further into Romans 8:10-12
Rom 8:10 And if Christ [be] in you, the body [is] dead because of sin; but the Spirit [is] life because of righteousness.
Rom 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Rom 8:12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.

How great is that?  I know I would rather let God control me than my flesh.  I have been trying to control myself for many years.  What I thought was the best for me.  Who am I to know what I really and truly need and want?  Who am I to know what is best for me?
We need to know and understand God is not the starting point but He is the source of our purpose of life.  We think that accepting Christ is the first and foremost thing and then it is easy peasy from there.  Well I got news for you it is just the beginning.  I have said this before and I will continue to say it.  Accepting Christ is an awesome step.  But there are a lot more steps you need to take.  I pray daily for His wisdom and power to make it through and I thank Him at the end of the day for Him being there for me.  We need to keep this in mind yea you are saved by Christ.  But the devil is still around and still wants you to mess up and keep your eyes off of God.  And he will work harder than he ever worked before to keep you away.  Duh…the daily battle. 
Read Eph 6:10-20 and that will explain the work needed.  But remember there is great rewards after.  For one having the knowledge that you are a Child of God.  Also to know He has a place for you.  But before we go there let’s look at
Eph 1:11 – 12 11- In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: [NET Notes, TSK] 12 that we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

Eph 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places].
Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Eph 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
Eph 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Eph 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Eph 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Eph 6:19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
Eph 6:20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.



Keep in mind the last part.  V 18 really we must Pray and pray some more.  When we are tired of praying we must get up and pray more.

“O that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men.” Psalm 107:8

“O that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men.”
Psalm 107:8

If we complained less, and praised more, we should be happier, and God would be more glorified. Let us daily praise God for common mercies—common as we frequently call them, and yet so priceless, that when deprived of them we are ready to perish. Let us bless God for the eyes with which we behold the sun, for the health and strength to walk abroad, for the bread we eat, for the raiment we wear. Let us praise him that we are not cast out among the hopeless, or confined amongst the guilty; let us thank him for liberty, for friends, for family associations and comforts; let us praise him, in fact, for everything which we receive from his bounteous hand, for we deserve little, and yet are most plenteously endowed. But, beloved, the sweetest and the loudest note in our songs of praise should be of redeeming love. God’s redeeming acts towards his chosen are forever the favourite themes of their praise. If we know what redemption means, let us not withhold our sonnets of thanksgiving. We have been redeemed from the power of our corruptions, uplifted from the depth of sin in which we were naturally plunged. We have been led to the cross of Christ—our shackles of guilt have been broken off; we are no longer slaves, but children of the living God, and can antedate the period when we shall be presented before the throne without spot or wrinkle or any such thing. Even now by faith we wave the palm-branch and wrap ourselves about with the fair linen which is to be our everlasting array, and shall we not unceasingly give thanks to the Lord our Redeemer? Child of God, canst thou be silent? Awake, awake, ye inheritors of glory, and lead your captivity captive, as ye cry with David, “Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.” Let the new month begin with new songs.

Psalm 74:17

“Thou hast made summer and winter.”
Psalm 74:17

My soul begin this wintry month with thy God. The cold snows and the piercing winds all remind thee that he keeps his covenant with day and night, and tend to assure thee that he will also keep that glorious covenant which he has made with thee in the person of Christ Jesus. He who is true to his Word in the revolutions of the seasons of this poor sin-polluted world, will not prove unfaithful in his dealings with his own well-beloved Son.

Winter in the soul is by no means a comfortable season, and if it be upon thee just now it will be very painful to thee: but there is this comfort, namely, that the Lord makes it. He sends the sharp blasts of adversity to nip the buds of expectation: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes over the once verdant meadows of our joy: he casteth forth his ice like morsels freezing the streams of our delight. He does it all, he is the great Winter King, and rules in the realms of frost, and therefore thou canst not murmur. Losses, crosses, heaviness, sickness, poverty, and a thousand other ills, are of the Lord’s sending, and come to us with wise design. Frosts kill noxious insects, and put a bound to raging diseases; they break up the clods, and sweeten the soil. O that such good results would always follow our winters of affliction!

How we prize the fire just now! how pleasant is its cheerful glow! Let us in the same manner prize our Lord, who is the constant source of warmth and comfort in every time of trouble. Let us draw nigh to him, and in him find joy and peace in believing. Let us wrap ourselves in the warm garments of his promises, and go forth to labours which befit the season, for it were ill to be as the sluggard who will not plough by reason of the cold; for he shall beg in summer and have nothing.