A Nibble From The Bread

Never Forget

2011-10-07T07:52:00.000-04:00

One very interesting thing about David's response to Saul when questioned about his ability to defeat Goliath was that he went straight back to the past victories. He recalled the lion and bear that had threatened his flock and how he defeated them, then he extrapolated or projected those victories to the current situation by telling Saul the Philistine would be just like the lion and bear (see I Samuel 17:34-36).

All too often we forget what God's done for us, or at least we fail to transfer the help, comfort, and miracles of the past into the present situation. Why? I think it's because we human beings tend to focus on our present situation. I know when I am going through some trial or tribulation, be it financial, social, etc..., it could be big or small, it doesn't matter, at that moment even the most trivial thing can be the end of the world. Often we'll even sacrifice things of the past and future by damaging long-lasting relationships, making foolish financial decisions, destroying our health, or possibly even ruining future generations' hopes for a better life, simply because we fail to take into consideration things outside the present...

But David was able to focus and say within himself, "God's helped me before, and He'll do it again." Sure, the giant was bigger and meaner than the other trials, but he knew God was unchanged, and would see him through just like before. God healed a headache, He can take care of this cancer. He mended a friendship, He can put a marriage back together. He provided $20 to fill the tank up with gas, and now He'll help when payments are 3 months behind on the mortgage...

Never forget the prelude to one of our most important and wonderful scriptures,

"It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him."

(Lamentations 3:22-23)

This is a powerful scripture, full of promise and comfort, but take some time to read what the author wrote just prior. He was in torment and anguish; pain, doubt, and fear were taking a hold on him, but he was able to lift his eyes and speak from what he knew, that God had always been faithful and true...

Remember these scriptures the next time you're going through something terrible. If you're in a trial now, just remember that we can cast all our cares on Him because He cares for us (I Pet 5:7). That has always been true, and always will!!!!

God is Good

2011-09-20T06:56:00.000-04:00

Just remember no matter what you're going through that God, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, is always there, always triumphant, always loving, always watching, always guiding, and always available...

Often we go through trying times, a death or sickness in the family, financial hardship, and the list goes on and on because, after all, this is life isn't it? Many times we bring trouble and tribulation on ourselves (in times of honest, candid, lucidity we'll admit this to ourselves), and in those times we need God's help as well as a change in our own thinking or actions...However, sometimes trials and tribulation come from an outside source, maybe a co-worker who's just got it out for us, or perhaps a friend who's betrayed us, maybe even a spiritual leader or mentor who's genuinely done us wrong....

No matter the circumstance, no matter the situation, the resounding scripture that rings true throughout ages is this, "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you" (I Peter 5:7). Coupled with Jesus' promise to never leave nor forsake us (see Mt 28:30 and Heb 13:5) we understand that our hope and comfort has always and WILL ALWAYS be in Him alone...

So when life has you down, when you're weary with your fellow man (and remember you're one too), when you are tired, afraid, alone, and in need......Remember, Jesus Christ, the lover of our souls, the beautiful one, the righteous one, our King and Saviour is only a prayer away...Lean on Him and He will bring you through!!!

God bless you in Jesus Name....

Serpents of Brass

2010-11-24T06:13:00.002-05:00

So, the story goes something like this: children of Israel really tick God off (what else is new right?), He sends fiery serpents into the camp, Moses hears from God and makes a brass serpent, the serpent is risen in the camp, all who look on the serpent are healed, and everyone lives happily ever after. Right?

Actually WRONG!!! Would you believe they ended up taking that brazen serpent and making a god out of it? Yeah, they offered incense to it and worshiped the thing (2 Kings 18:4). Now what exactly went through those people's minds? It's crazy, but then you really have to step back and think about it...

We do the same thing all the time...Just look at the history of the progressive revelation of truth throughout the ages. First, Martin Luther came out of Catholicism and was able to return to more Biblical truth. But he didn't continue on. Instead, he took the truth that was right and good and made a god out of it instead of letting it lead him into further and deeper understanding and revelation...

It goes on throughout history. Men were led of God to a point, but then the buried their stakes in the ground and established a "structure" around the revelation given them instead of continuing to allow God to lead them further and further into fullness of truth.

We MUST NOT allow ourselves to get bogged down in the traditions of men, but rather be thankful for everything we've been given and we've received of God, but at the same time we must always be ready for God to lead us into more and more understanding, knowledge and revelation of HIM....

Lead me on Jesus, lead me on...

Hide And Seek

2010-11-18T20:31:00.001-05:00

Remember the good old days, running around the playground or house, not a care in the world, playing games and having a great time? There was always that kid who cheated when you played. He'd always be moving during Freeze Tag or peeking while folks hid when you played Hide and Seek...

Well, the whole thing really gets me thinking...Jesus really gave us a way to "peek" when it comes to our lives and the salvation that He's so graciously provided. Just look what Paul says in 2 Corinthians 4:3:

But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

If the truth of God's Word and the saving power of the death, burial, and resurrection is hidden from anyone, it's from those that are lost...But through Jesus Christ, we can see the truth, after all, Jesus said it was His job "to seek and to save that which was lost." (Luke 19:10) Now we're able to understand we can't be saved without obeying the gospel through repentance, baptism in Jesus name, and the infilling of the Holy Ghost...

But let's look a little further...

John 9:5 - Jesus said as long as He's in the world, He's the light of the world

Matthew 5:14/Philippians 2:15 - Jesus and Paul both show the saints are the light of the world

The man, Christ Jesus, in bodily form is no longer in the world, but He remains in the world through the church, filled with His Spirit (the Holy Ghost), so now it's our job to be the light that finds people, shines the light of truth, and calls people out of darkness into His marvelous light!!!

Riding With Strangers

2010-11-18T20:28:00.002-05:00

Hebrews 13:9 warns, "Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines." It's crazy how even while the apostles were still alive so many false doctrines, false Christs, and false teachings were running rampant. Paul warned of people teaching "another Jesus" in 2 Corinthians 11:4, as well as "another gospel" in the same verse and in Galatians 1.

With so many religions and denominations to choose from out there, it almost feels like we're in the buffet line at Morrison's. So how do we know who's right? After all, they vary in so many ways, it's IMPOSSIBLE that everyone's right...

The important thing to remember is to stay in the Word of God. The Bible is our benchmark and according to Ephesians 2:20, we're built on the foundation of the apostles, so their teachings are what should guide us.

But even that can be difficult, right? Even old Satan quoted scripture when tempting Jesus (see Matthew 4:6). And since the truth is not in him, we understand fully that even the Bible can be a lie when taken out of context or used in the wrong manner...So what's the answer?

2 Timothy 2:15 says to study while Ephesians 5:10 says to find out what pleases the Lord (NIV). Finally, Romans 10:14 asks how they can hear without a preacher...

God has given us the Word of God and His Spirit to lead and guide us; He's also provided godly men and women to help show us the way. The important thing is to never feel you've "arrived" and are unwilling to accept more of God. If the Bible says it, study it, look into it, and DO IT!!!

This is the only way we can truly decipher the truth among the tantalizing schmorgesborg of strange doctrines...

Multiplication

2010-11-12T06:00:00.001-05:00

Be fruitful and multiply; it's the first thing God told man to do. It's the first thing He gave living creatures the ability to do (bring forth after their kind). It's the thing He expects every newborn babe in that enters the Kingdom of God to do...

No, I'm not talking about fulfilling some quota for population growth, at least not naturally, but rather I'm talking about Jesus' charge in Matthew 28:19 (NIV), "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations." Truly, God is all about multiplication...

The job of EVERY saint of God is to reach out to this lost and dying world and give them what we have. In fact Jesus said two things that underscore this point emphatically:

Hey said, "freely ye have received, freely give" in Matthew 10:8...

He instructed that "For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required" in Luke 12:48.

All throughout the scripture we see the apostles going into the world and making disciples, just look at the book of Acts, they were on fire!!! Look at the language Peter used in Acts 3:6 when the lame man was healed:

...such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

First, we see it's important to have something to give, but we'll cover that at another time, but look what he did, he gave it away just as Jesus said in Matthew 10:8...

So take some time today, tomorrow, next week, and at every opportunity (Galatians 6:10) to reach out to this world and give Jesus away in prayers, blessings, and encouragement. You never know who that next DISCIPLE may be...

Heavy Sleepers

2010-11-08T09:14:00.004-05:00

Okay, we all love sleep in some way, shape or form, but have you ever seen (or are you) the type of person who is a REAL sleeper, I'm talking the type that you need an air horn and ice water to wake up in the morning? I know one person who, while sleeping, had someone trip and fall on top of them and they still didn't wake up...Crazy...

But on the same token, there are so many people, good people who, in their own way love God, but they've slipped into a deep slumber...It's not really all that difficult; it can happen to anyone. The cares of life, just the day-to-day activities of work, family, school, etc..., can creep in and lull us into spiritual sleep sometimes. Mix that with the spirit of error that's enticed many people into very appealing, yet false doctrine, and viola!!! You have a bunch of sleepwalkers.

But Ephesians 5:13-15 warns us:

But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

The apostle warns us here to awake out of our sleep (which is really leading to spiritual death)...And then he says to walk not as fools but in wisdom...

That's really what it takes to live for God, walking in wisdom, soberly as I Peter 5:8 tells us...So stop hitting that spiritual snooze button, awake, arise, and let your soul LIVE!!!

Little Foxes

2010-10-15T11:26:00.003-04:00

We've all heard the phrase, "big things come in small packages," and most of us are aware that sometimes it's the little things that can really stack up, for better or worse, and end up having an enormous impact...

Song of Solomon 2:15 states, Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.

Now most of us have heard this scripture preached on and taught on, and we understand that for the most part, it's those little things that go unnoticed that can bring us down.

It's kind of like the frog: throw him into boiling hot water and he'll immediately jump out, but slowly turn it up while he's already sitting in some lukewarm water and he'll sit there until he's cooked...

Or maybe it's like the great Sequoia's of northern California; they can weather the fiercest of storms, but fall prey to the tiniest of foes--the termite...

Still, the scripture in Solomon goes deeper. First, it says our vines have tender grapes. Truly, our lives and our souls are tender when you really think about it. There are so many things out there that can affect us, so we have to guard ourselves with fervor. Second, there's no indication that the foxes would intentionally harm the vines. They're just after some food, the grapes, but in there effort to just do what's natural for them, they'd destroy the vine altogether...

So we can see that we need to watch out for not only those things that would come against us to destroy us, but also against those things that might creep in unawares, with no intent to do damage, but that may end up causing our tender vines to become spoiled.

Apply it in YOUR OWN situation. That relationship that's keeping you from being where you need to be in God, that job that's dragging you down, the entertainment that you thought you had under control, that attitude you know's there but haven't had time to tackle, that temptation, that weight, etc...

God has given us power in the Holy Ghost to be overcomers!!! Let's not slay the giant only to succumb to the flesh during our time of war. Let's lay aside the sin and the weights and run this race all the way to the finish!!!

Ignore The Circumstantial Evidence

2010-10-12T10:24:00.003-04:00

The Bible tells us in Hebrews 12:2, "looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith;" that's how we are to run this race we're in. However, at times there are those "issues" in life, be it financial, familial, medical, or otherwise, that intrude and distract. But Jesus Christ has given us a remedy, Himself.

When Peter began to sink into the sea (Matthew 14:30), it was because He started to look at the evidence around him, telling him he was crazy for stepping out of the boat. The wind and the waves were matters of circumstance that distracted him from Jesus Christ. That's when he started to fall.

Could it be that we face the same test? When problems arise, it's not that we should ignore them and pretend they're not there, but we should NEVER lose our focus, we should never lose our relationship with Jesus Christ. Rather, we should cling to Him all the more and He will see us through the circumstances of life.

The psalmist wrote, "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber." (Psalm 121:1-3).

Keep your eyes on Jesus, and ignore the circumstantial evidence, His witness is true and He will see you through!!!

Don't Quit Your Day Job

2010-10-11T08:35:00.003-04:00

John 9:4 says, I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. Jesus has put us in this world for a purpose, He saved us through the gospel, the death, burial, and resurrection, but when we are saved through repentance, baptism in Jesus name, and the infilling of the Holy Ghost, we aren't immediately translated to glory...Why not?

Because we become Jesus' hands and feet in this world. It's up to us to accomplish His purpose, to seek and save that which was lost (Luke 19:10). But let's be honest, sometimes life can get a hold on us, the day to day routine can sink in and we find ourselves losing focus or falling out of touch with our purpose...

That's why the Bible warns us, And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. (Galatians 6:9). Don't quit, don't give up, don't give in. Not only does your soul depend on it, but there's a lost, hurting, and dying world that's depending on you too!!!

Overcoming The Wilderness

2010-10-09T10:17:00.008-04:00

Ever been through a trying time? Ever walked through a valley that seemed to go down and down forever or been tested to the point where you thought you couldn't handle it any more? Ever felt as though the weight of the world was on your shoulders like a rising tsunami about to crush you?

Don't give up hope or loose out with God during those dry, lonely times, it's just test of the wilderness!!!

You see, when Israel came out of Egypt, they were purged, tested, and tried in the wilderness for 40 years before moving into the land God promised. There was a lot of cleansing and fashioning that had to happen...

Likewise, before Jesus was fully launched into His earthly ministry, He fasted 40 days in the wilderness, and was tried and tested by Satan himself!!!

I Corinthians 10:11 says, Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

We have a scriptural example we can follow to understand what's really happening when we find ourselves in the wilderness. During those difficult times, that's the opportunity to weather the storm and see if you're really built on the Rock (see Matthew 7:24-27), and when you pass through the test, you'll come out as fine gold, tried by fire!!!

Gone Fishin'......For Men

2010-07-26T09:44:00.003-04:00

Pastor Jason Varnum preached a passionate message on Sunday morning and it really got me thinking. Have you ever talked to people that fish? Have you ever been fishing yourself? It's amazing what people will do sometimes, just to "have a good time." Get up at the crack of dawn, load up with tackle, bait, rods, etc..., get the equipment and boat out on the water, fish for hours at a time, and sometimes have nothing to show for it but a dirty boat, a stomach full of half-eaten snacks, and a sunburn...

Yet, they'll do it all over again the next day, the next week, the next month, over and over again because they know the fish are out there, but "maybe they just weren't biting today."

What if we had the same attitude about souls? What if we would launch out into the deep (Luke 5:4) at God's word, and not worry whether the outcome is everything we'd hoped? After all, our job isn't to MAKE people come to church, involve themselves in a Bible study, or save a soul. No, no, no, our job is to bait the hook, toss the line, and fish for men...

I think it's time for more of us to take on the mentality of Jesus Christ--everything He did was to try and reach the lost. Whether He was healing someone of blindness, casting out a demon, or feeding thousands of people miraculously, His purpose was to win the lost...

It's time for more of us to be............fisher's of men!!!

The Comeback

2010-07-23T09:48:00.006-04:00

Irony has a very special place in the realm of literature, poetry, and even in the realm of television and film-making, but nothing is quite so amazing as some of the incredible instances in the Bible, the ironic turnarounds that God orchestrates for His people...Over and over again, throughout historical accounts in the Word of God, the seemingly inevitable plight of the children of God had a way of turning into great victory (can anyone say, "Red Sea crossing?").

The story of Esther is no exception, in fact, it's one of the most elaborate instances of a great comeback of all time.

Haman couldn't stand the fact that Mordecai wouldn't bow to him and pay him homage, even though the entire rest of the kingdom did so. He got focused on the one "problem" and decided to do something about it. He planned not only to kill Mordecai himself, but also to annihilate all the Jews in the land. During the ordeal, Haman boasted greatly about three things in particular: his riches, his children, and is position in the kingdom (Esther 5:11).

But it was all downhill from there. Over the next three chapters, Haman's estate was given to Esther, his sons were all killed, and his position was given to Mordecai. To top it all off, Haman himself was hanged on a gallows that he had just built to hang Mordecai.

Talk about a comeback!!! If God can work it out for Mordecai, Esther, and the Jews in this account, He can work it out for you. Hang in there and don't lose your faith. Stay true to God's Word and in love with Jesus and He'll bring you through victorious!!!

Diplomatic Immunity

2010-07-20T14:25:00.003-04:00

It's such a great feeling to know that as children of God, as ambassadors of Jesus Christ (2 Cor 5:20), we are able to walk in freedom and liberty in this world. 2 Corinthians 3:17 tells us where God's Spirit is, there is liberty, and Romans 8:2 tells us we're free from the law of sin and death.

So, in effect, our ambassadorship gives us diplomatic immunity here in this world. When we walk in the Spirit, we don't have to fulfill the desires of our human "rules of engagement," according to Galatians 5:16. We're free, traversing this land as pilgrims and strangers because, in the end, this place is not out home (1 Peter 2:11).

So live for God strong, live in the freedom and liberty His Spirit provides, deny your flesh and human way of thinking, and claim your place as an ambassador for Jesus Christ!!!

What's Behind Door Number 2?

2010-07-19T15:49:00.002-04:00

Isn't it funny, in a cynical, somber, not-so-funny-at-all kind of way, how we so often ask for God's will or seek godly counsel, only to turn around and reject it for something else altogether? Well, the fact is sometimes it's difficult for God to overcome the herculean strength of man's will.

Just look in Jeremiah 42:1 - 43:7...

Here we find the account of Azariah, Johanan, and a remnant of Judah, left behind after king Nebuchadnezzar conquered them. They ask Jeremiah to seek the will of God to see whether they should stay in the land or go into Egypt. Jeremiah comes back and tells them God wants them to stay. They accuse Jeremiah of lying and subsequently go into Egypt anyway.

Of course, Egypt is consistently a type or allegorical representation of the world. So often we pay lip-service to desiring God's will, but really we want someone to confirm that the plans we have for ourselves are the way to go. When it doesn't happen, we rationalize and justify our actions so that we can feel somewhat good, even though we know deep down we're resisting God.

Let's challenge ourselves to pray and seek God objectively. Let's seek to pray the prayer that Jesus prayed in the garden before He faced the cross: "not my will, but thine be done" (Luke 22:42).

After all, when we examine the lives of the people of God during the time of Jeremiah, we clearly see that God's plans for us are for good and not for evil, He loves us with undying love and will set us on the path that is best for us!!!

Rejected Silver

2010-07-09T08:32:00.004-04:00

Pure silver, refined to it's fullest, is a beautiful thing, not to mention valuable, and really the idea behind the process is quite basic: take silver and remove all the impurities. However, sometimes the silver refuses to "let go" of these impurities, no matter how hot the fire, so it becomes labeled as rejected silver and is tossed aside. We, as Christians are to be purified by God's refining process (I Peter 1:7), but all too often, we refuse to let go of the impurities.

Jeremiah 6:16-21 describes people in this wholly undesirable state, telling us that they rejected the direction of the Lord, refused to hearken to the watchmen placed in their lives, and turned away from God's Word and laws. So, later in the chapter, the prophet states, "They are called rejected silver, because the LORD has rejected them." (Jer 6:31, NIV).

Even though these people still offered "sacrifices" to God, they were not what God truly wanted. He doesn't desire sacrifice more than obedience to His Word (I Sam 15:22), and too often we want to give Him what we want to sacrifice rather than what He wants us to sacrifice, and that's exactly what they were doing.

Oh, what a tragedy for those who've allowed themselves to get to the place where God can't speak to them through His Word...But it doesn't have to be that way; He has given us hope:

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. (I Chr 7:14)

Humbling ourselves in the sight of God (I Peter 5:6), and obeying His Word (John 14:5), will set us on the right track, on our way to being blessed by Him once again!!! I don't want to be rejected silver, I want to be a vessel of honor (2 Tim 2:21), useful for His service!!!

Power In The Name

2010-06-10T17:25:00.006-04:00

Why does Colossians 3:17 tell us that no matter what we do in word or in deed we should do ALL in the name of Jesus? Why is the Bible so cristocentric, or Jesus-only, as some people say? Have you ever wondered what's so special about that name?

The Bible teaches us that all power in Heaven and Earth was given to Jesus Christ (Mat 28:18), so invoking the name of Jesus Christ calls upon all the authority vested in the name. Acts 4:12 teaches us that Jesus is the only saving name, and Philippians 2:10-11 shows that every knee will bow and every tongue will confess at the name of Jesus. Finally, Mark 16:17-18 speaks of the mighty works that believers will do in Jesus name.

But why this persistent focus on Jesus? What about the Father? What about the Holy Ghost? It seems they get pushed to the shadows and Jesus gets to soak up all the limelight doesn't it?

Actually, the confusion comes because people don't realize who Jesus truly is. Let's look at what He said about Himself:

1) I and my Father are one. (Jn 10:30)
2) ...he that hath seen me hath seen the Father... (Jn 14:9)
3) I am come in my Father's name... (Jn 5:43; see also Heb 1:4)
4) I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you (Jn 14:18)
5) the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name... (Jn 14:26)

The list truly goes on and on........and on........and on.....But the focus here is on the words that Jesus specifically used when describing His relationship within the Godhead (Father, Son, & Holy Ghost) and the attachment of His name to the Godhead.

Notice that Jesus is the name of the Father (Jn 5:43) as well as the Son (do we really need to go there). Additionally, Jn 14:26 emphasizes that the Holy Ghost is sent in the name of Jesus...

So the reason to be so focused on Jesus name is because when you call that name, you are actually calling on the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; they are one and the same, and thus, all have the one and selfsame name!!!

Knowledge Is Power

2010-06-07T12:51:00.003-04:00

Ever heard that old adage, "knowledge is power?" It just seems so cliché sometimes, right? But when you actually sit down and study scripture, it's evident that knowledge truly is power. Yup, in fact God puts a high premium on knowledge...

The opening of the book of Proverbs lists one of its purposes as "[to give]...to the young man knowledge and discretion." God wants his people to be knowledgeable in His ways, wise to spiritual things. Just look at what Paul says:

...I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil (Rom 16:19).

So there are some things we should be "ignorant" of, but other things where God expects us to grow. In fact, according to the Bible, we can't even begin gaining knowledge without a fear and respect of God (Prov 1:7).

God even took it a step further and said that His people were destroyed and rejected because of their lack of knowledge (Hos 4:6).

So the answer is to get our noses into the Word of God. Study, ready, consider, and apply God's Word to our lives. Additionally, we MUST NOT discount the effect and need for good teachers and preachers in our lives who can assist us as we learn and grow in knowledge...

Here are a few additional scriptures that may incite some to gain this valuable commodity:

Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. (2 Cor 2:11)

...but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. (Daniel 11:32)

Eyes on the Prize

2010-04-29T16:02:00.005-04:00

Dear child and saint of the Most High, whether brand new to the things of God or a seasoned veteran in the Word and Spirit, hear this brief word of encouragement--keep your eyes on the prize!!!

All too often we allow our circumstances and situation to predicate our spiritual condition. Not that it's always because of negative conditions, rather, sometimes simple "life" can cause us to lose our focus.

But we are warned in Proverbs 29:18 that without vision, the people perish. Likewise, Jesus warned adamantly against putting our hand to the plow and looking back (Luke 9:62) and Paul said we don't focus our attention on the temporal but the eternal (2 Corinthians 4:18).

Yet, in living our lives each and every day it's often difficult to keep our focus where it needs to be. The world and our natural, carnal mind have a way of "lulling us to sleep" as it were, and in so doing our eyes start to waiver, just like Peter's did when he was walking on the water toward Jesus. What happened to him? He starting looking at his surroundings and lost sight of Jesus (see Matthew 14:25-31).

So we need to keep our relationship with Jesus Christ fresh and vibrant. Anyone that tells you that task can not be daunting at times is doctrinally incorrect, and often in danger, because once that feeling comes on them, or once they go through a dry place, they may fall away.

How do we keep it alive? How do we continue to look to Jesus, as the writer of Hebrews says (Hebrews 12:2)?

The answer is through our relationship with Him. We must pray EVERY DAY, whether we FEEL like it or not. We must get ourselves in the Word of God EVERY DAY, whether we FEEL like it or not. We must get around the people of God (Bible study, church, fellowship, etc...) consistently, not hit and miss here and there. In doing so, we can keep our love for Him alive and fresh, thereby preserving our focus and keeping it in the right place and on the right things...

Relationship with Jesus Christ is the ONLY thing that will truly keep us. Without it, the spiritual high and hype of a great Sunday service (which we need) will wear off, and eventually we'll find ourselves cold and indifferent. But a true love relationship with our wonderful Savior will save us, keep us, and deliver us....Keep your eyes on the prize!!!

It Began and Ended at a Tree

2010-04-03T15:00:00.006-04:00

Long ago, at the foot of a tree, a man disobeyed God. Because of his choice, sin entered into the world and a great divide was formed, a schism separating mankind from the glorious presence of Almighty God...

Adam and Eve learned, as we often do today, that the only thing necessary to reap the wages of sin is simple disobedience to God. The Bible tells us that because of one man's disobedience we were made sinners (Rom 5:19).

But that's not the end of the story. Thank God for His mercy and grace. In His divine love, and infinite foreknowledge, He planned for a way to bridge that gulf created by the fall of man. He came to earth, robed in humanity (I Tim 3:16), and because of the obedience of that man (Rom 5:19 & Phil 2:8), the man Christ Jesus, we can now reunite with the lover of our souls and walk in relationship with Him.

Jesus, stretched out on the cross, cried out, "It is finished" (Jn 19:30), and allowed for the construction of a bridge by which man and God could be reconciled and commune once again. Sin began at a tree, the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, but it was conquered at a tree as well, that tree was precious Calvary!!!

Who's Side Are You On Anyway?

2010-03-23T13:32:00.007-04:00

Have you ever tried to objectively referee an argument, and after you offer some advice or council somebody asks, "who's side are you on?" Well, would you believe that unlike that situation, where you could be neutral, Jesus said there's no such thing as neutral.

Matthew 12:30 - He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.

That's pretty intense!!! This is literally telling us that if we're not seeking after God and putting our shoulder to the plow for the kingdom, that Jesus considers you against Him...

I don't know about you, but I want to be with Jesus, not against Him. A closer look at the Word of God confirms that this has been God's position all along. He's never really seen a "neutral" position.

Moses: Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the LORD's side? let him come unto me. (Exodus 32:26)

Joshua: ...choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve...But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD. (Joshua 24:15)

Paul: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. (Ephesians 2:3)

So strictly speaking, "God just don't play." You're either on His team or you're working against Him. If you say, "well, I'm just gonna do my own thing" and think you're not affecting or hurting anyone else, THINK AGAIN. The Bible says if you're not with Jesus, you're against Him.

And don't forget, even though the Bible speaks of multitudes in the valley of decision (Joel 3:14) remember that if we've not made the choice to be with Jesus, we're against Him...

Stop waiting!!! Get on the winning team (because we know the church is triumphant), dig in, plug in, go deep, and set this world on fire for the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ!!!

What Are You Waiting For?

2010-03-16T10:51:00.004-04:00

Have you ever wondered what went through Lot's thick skull? What was his problem? He sat in the middle of the worst circumstances imaginable, dawdled and dilly-dallied until it took a literal act of God to get him moving, and because of his inaction, his family ended up wrecked beyond repair. Why? What exactly was he waiting for?

You see, Lot didn't have to end up that way. He walked with Abraham according to Genesis 12:4-5, but when it came time to make a choice for himself, he leaned toward Sodom and Gomorrah because it was like the land of Egypt (Gen 13:10). Without getting too abstruse or abstract, just remember that Egypt is a type of the world all throughout the Bible. So it's safe to say that Lot decided to lean toward the world and worldliness rather than stay in the presence of God and his people. He made a decision to take his family away from the things of God.

One thing that's perplexing about Lot is found in 2 Peter 2:8: (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)

Honestly, this scripture lets us know that Lot KNEW the issues and problems of the choice he'd made and hated what was going on around him, yet he DID NOTHING ABOUT IT. What was he waiting for?

You probably know the story; in the end, his wife ended up dead (turned into a pillar of salt), his daughters had incestuous relations with him, his family was completed destroyed, and Moab and Benammi (the boys born of the incidents with his daughters) ended up being a thorn in the side of the people of God.

All this came about because Lot made a terrible decision to live in Sodom and Gomorrah, and then waited until it was too late to get out. What would have happened if he'd not made the choice to follow after the things of the world, or even still, while his daughters were still toddlers, what if he would have prayed through and got his family out before the mindset of the world had taken hold? Who knows. All we know is what did happen.

So let's ask ourselves today, "what are we waiting for?"

Saint of God, you want more of Him, you want to be used, you want to impact your world. What are you waiting for?

Backslider, you know Jesus is there, arms opened wide, ready to take you back into the fold. You know the church is praying and fasting and waiting for your return. What are you waiting for?

You who don't know God, or you don't know Him in fullness of truth, but you feel that tug at your soul, you feel that there's more to life than what you have right now. There's an inexplicable emptiness deep down inside that gnaws at you in the night. What are you waiting for?

Let's learn from the account of Lot and his family. Let's act before it's too late. Let's stop waiting and turn wholeheartedly to God. Forget about the unknown, forget about how comfortable it may be in your familiar surroundings, forget about the things of this world that pull at you. Let's stop waiting and plug into God. Let's launch into the deep and see how far He'll take us!!!

The Miraculous Middle Man

2010-03-11T09:31:00.004-05:00

Job, during his time of trial and hardship, sought for a mediator that could bring God and him together to reconcile what was happening (see Job 9:33 & 16:21). As it turns out, no such mediator came to deliver Job out of his plight.

But we read in 1 Timothy 2:5: For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

Jesus Christ stepped into the gap to fill the role as mediator for us. God robed himself in human flesh (1 Tim 3:16) just so He could become the middle man, taking upon Himself the sin of the entire world (Jn 1:29).

Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not:" (Luke 22:32).

Jesus Christ is ALWAYS there to step onto the scene and deliver us...

When the Devil accuses us, Jesus is there - Rev 12:10
When the enemy rushes in, Jesus is there - Isa 59:19
When the world has had its way in us, Jesus is there - 1 Cor 6:11
When our own heart condemns us, Jesus is there - 1 Jn 3:20

Finally, we read in Ephesians 2:1-7 that though we were dead in trespasses and sins, following the world and our souls' enemy to destruction, Jesus stepped on the scene yet again. By His rich and endless love He wedged Himself between us and the looming judgment set before us, bringing us to life again through grace and by His great salvation...

Thanks you JESUS for being our mediator, thank you for being the Miraculous Middle Man!!!

Men & Women of God

2010-02-18T12:39:00.004-05:00

As it turns out, there's no mystical, magical method to becoming or being a man or woman of God. Anyone who wants to enter the kingdom of God can do so, according to scriptures like John 3:16 and Romans 10:13. Unfortunately, many people miss the point of these verses and use them to try and explain HOW to be saved rather than WHO can be saved. However, through these passages it's clear that salvation is to everyone.

But beyond salvation, the Bible lets us know there is no partiality or respect of persons with God (see Romans 2:11). This means anyone and everyone can be mightily used of God. In fact, Paul, in I Corinthians 12:31, tells us to "covet earnestly the best gifts" during his discourse on the various gifts of the spirit. God uses ordinary men and women who are willing to step up to the plate, sacrifice, consecrate, and do His will...

Let's look at one example: a prophet named Elijah.

James 5:17-18 - Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.

This scripture is telling us that the great prophet Elijah was just like you and me. He had desires, doubts, troubles, questions, issues, etc... Yet, he was incredibly used of God. Just look at one time in his life when he was feeling particularly low:

1 Kings 19:4,14 - ...he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers...I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.

Elijah's attitude changed after he got into the presence of the Lord, much the same way David's did when he said, "my steps had well nigh slipped" in Psalm 73. But when he got into God's presence, he understood and his heart and thinking were cleansed...

If you desire to be used of God, don't wait until you get all your "ducks in a row." Chances are there will always be some excuse why you can't be used of God. Rather, start praying, studying God's Word, fasting, plugging into fellowship, church, worship, and Bible studies. Begin to let yourself be used as God sees fit.

God uses ordinary men and women to accomplish His purpose in this World. We, the church, are the body, according to Colossians 1:18, so let's get mobilized!!!

Divine Nosedive

2010-01-13T12:51:00.003-05:00

To truly be effective as Christians, we've got to get everything out of the way and put Jesus Christ first in our lives...

I Samuel 5:3-4 - And when they of Ashdod arose early on the morrow, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the earth before the ark of the LORD. And they took Dagon, and set him in his place again. ⁴And when they arose early on the morrow morning, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of the LORD; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off upon the threshold; only the stump of Dagon was left to him.

A very interesting account indeed. Look at the power that this idol had when put into proximity with God--absolutely none. In fact, first the idol fell down, and, get this now, they had to pick their own "god" up and set it back where it had fallen from. Next, the power of God destroyed the idol by cutting off its head and its hands, leaving it without authority or power.

Now, we may not have idols made of wood, stone, gold, or silver propped up on the fireplace of our homes next to our kids' graduation pictures or on the mantle by those Christmas picture-cards we get every year, but we often do prop up idols in our hearts and minds.

Idolatry is simply putting anything before God in our lives. That doesn't have to be some figurine we bow down to, but can be something innocuous such as a job, a relationship, etc...In fact, the greatest form of idolatry is self-worship, putting ourselves before God. That, unfortunately isn't all that difficult to do...

But as with Dagon, the answer lies in the power of God. Through His Spirit and our own determination and effort, we can break down the idols in our lives, just as Gideon tore down the idol of Baal in Judges 6:25-31. Those things we put into God's position as first in our lives can be taken away, but it takes effort on our part.

II Corinthians 10:4-5 - (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) ⁵Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Take this as a challenge. Look at the thing that is most difficult to give to God and start telling that thing "no." Maybe it's hard to be faithful to the house of God, maybe you know you should be attending that fellowship group or Bible study group, perhaps your job is taking a little too much focus or there may be some friends whom you know you should pull away from in order to get close to God. Whatever the case, start giving that thing to God, start tearing down those things and watch them take a nosedive from their high place in your life. Then, put Jesus Christ in that place of high authority in your life and watch the incredible results that ensue!!!

Myth-Busting Moment: The Sabbath

2009-12-30T08:20:00.002-05:00

Many people get confused when it comes to the Sabbath Day. The primary question is rather simple: "Do we still have to honor the Sabbath Day?" The answer is not so simple: "no, but yes". That is to say we do not have to observe the literal day any longer, but the principle of sabbath (or rest) is still something we must obey.

Now, there are about 60 instances in the New Testament where the word sabbath is used. However, there is NEVER a command given, either directly or implicitly, to continue in the Old Testament tradition of observing the Sabbath Day. For those who don't know, the Sabbath is from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday. It was intended as a day of rest (Exodus 31:15), and was instituted for the benefit of man.

Jesus came to fulfill the old law, and in so doing, let the Pharisees and Sadducees know that He was Lord of the Sabbath and that the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath (Mt 12:8, Mk 2:27-28, Lk 6:5). Jesus gave us a more excellent rest through the Holy Ghost.

The Sabbath was intended as a rest for the people of God, and Hebrews 4:1-11 lets us know that the rest we now have is no longer relegated to a specific day, but rather, is a place we can enter into. Isaiah 28:11-12 records the prophecy of the Holy Ghost and makes reference to it in two ways: "this is the rest" and "with stammering lips and another tongue." So, this stammering lips and another tongue is the rest and refreshing promised, according to Isaiah.

Then we see in Mk 16:16-17, Jesus (Lord of the Sabbath) tells us that believers will speak with new tongues. Acts 2:4, 10:46, and 19:6 all record people speaking with new tongues when they received the Holy Ghost.

So, Hebrews lets us know it is not simply a particular day, Isaiah prophesied that the rest would be stammering lips and another tongue, Jesus said those new tongues would be a sign of the believers, and the evidence of the Holy Ghost is speaking with other tongues. You do the math. Our rest is no longer a specific day, but rather, the infilling of the Holy Ghost, something we can experience all the time!!!

Some Q&A:

Question: But wait, wasn't the sabbath part of the Ten Commandments?

Answer: Yes, it was part of the Mosaic law, but as mentioned earlier, Jesus came to fulfill and make perfect that old law. Each of the Ten Commandments was reestablished in the New Testament, save one: the keeping of the Sabbath Day.

Question: Did the early church keep the Sabbath?

Answer: There were times the apostles and even Jesus met on the Sabbath. Of course they would. If you were trying to convert and save a bunch of Jews, what better time than on the Sabbath in the synagogue where there were many gathered together. But the early church gathered together on the FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK (I Cor 16:1-2).

Some try to say that the first day was really the Sabbath, but that's a misconception. Look at Acts 20:7-11. Paul intended to leave on the following day (verse 7). Then in verse 11, it says he left at daybreak. So, the NEW DAY was brought about by daylight, not sunset. This lets us know that Luke was writing Acts according to the Roman calendar which uses midnight to midnight as each new day rather than the Jewish calender's sunset to sunset. Thus, the first day of the week was Sunday, not Saturday.

Question: Is keeping of the Sabbath mentioned anywhere in the Epistles?

Answer: Yes, in Colossians 2:16-17 it says not to let people judge in keeping of sabbaths, or any other holy day for that matter. This word sabbath is the exact same as those elsewhere in the New Testament, so it's not differentiating it as some special sabbath or feast. Also, Galatians 4:8-11 warns against those who desire to serve the old law and keep special days, months, & years. Finally, Romans 14:5-6 says that people can either choose to observe special days or choose not to, but that they both do it to the Lord. Where the Sabbath is mentioned in the Epistles, it generally warns against those who taught it must still be observed as a special day.

Summary

In short, we do have to keep the Sabbath in a spiritual sense, as the infilling of the Holy Ghost is that rest we now have in God, and it is essential for salvation. The keeping of the Old Testament Sabbath Day is not a salvation issue. If people wish to keep it, there's nothing wrong with doing so, but it's no longer a command from God.

Slow & Steady Wins the Race

2009-12-17T09:45:00.003-05:00

Remember the fable of the tortoise and the hare? The hare, a much faster and somewhat cocky character, is challenged to a race by the tortoise. In the end, the winner is the tortoise. Though the hare was much faster and had the tools one would think necessary to win, he neglected to keep focused on what he was doing, he started out in a blaze of glory and ended with nothing but a puff of smoke.

There are just too many people who's walk with God is little more than a flash in the pan. You see, we really are in a race:

I Corinthians 9:24-25 - Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

The race for the souls of men is not a sprint, but a marathon, it's a long distance test of endurance and stamina. The real kicker is that only the finish counts. We can all obtain a crown for our race, but we must finish. Jesus said that only those who endure to the end will be saved (Mark 13:13).

There are a lot of shooting stars starting out in God's kingdom, but shooting stars, though they're flashy and awe-inspiring, are generally inconsistent, unstable, short-term. In fact, they're really just falling stars, spinning out of control until they burn up or crash.

There are a lot of cheetahs starting out in God's kingdom, but cheetahs, though they're sleek and fast, generally have a tough time adapting to new environments, are only able to handle short bursts of speed, and often need to rest. Typically, they'll give up on a chase if they don't catch the prey in about a minute or so.

Nobody starts out in God intending to be a shooting star or cheetah. No one says, "I think I'll start gloriously and then fizzle out after about a month or a year." Yet, many people do just that. Let me encourage anyone and everyone to push for endurance and stamina. We need to plug in and have a slow and steady walk with God. We need to "run with patience" (Heb 12:1) this great race for the salvation of our souls.

Let's get a hold on God like never before. Let's develop some tenacity and get a little never-give-up in our spirits. A good start won't suffice; we must finish strong. According to Hebrews 12:2 Jesus is both the Author and Finisher of our faith!!!

Fair Trading

2009-12-11T14:01:00.002-05:00

God's grace and mercy are so incredible!!! Here we are, we come to God with what? Troubles and addictions? Broken homes, lives, and dreams? Maybe we're fortunate enough to "have it all together" when we come to God or perhaps we were raised in a Christian or church atmosphere. No matter where we start out in life, we really don't have much to offer God. After all, He's the Creator (and Owner) of all that's known and unknown.

Yet we see how God looks at his blessings and what He gives us in exchange for what we can offer Him:

Isaiah 1:18 - Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Wow!!! We bring Him our sin and he washes us in salvation...So why would anyone turn from God? Or better asked by Jesus Himself: "what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" (see Mt 16:26).

Actually, there are very, very few people who would actually sell their soul to some ghostly figure who offered them whatever they wanted in exchange, even if they were offered the entirety of the world. Most would gladly stand firm and say, "No". But rather, in our everyday decisions, many, many people "sell" out their salvation for much less.

Friends and family pressure us just a little too much. We don't want to "give up" some vice or habit or pleasure. Maybe we're comfortable feeling some Holy Ghost goose bumps every now and then, but in the end we don't know how to truly commit to God.

So what's the price for you? What's the price for me? Would we exchange our souls because we just didn't have time to fit church, prayer, Bible study, and a relationship with Jesus into our busy schedule? Will we trade our relationship with God and our salvation for the "freedom" to go out with friends we shouldn't be hanging with, doing things we know we shouldn't be involved in? Shall we barter for the almighty dollar or because our family doesn't understand why we'd want to change our lives so drastically?

I say NO!!! I say no matter the opportunity that affords itself, we need to hold on to Jesus Christ. Paul said he counted the cost and everything added up amounted to a pile of dung compared to knowing Christ (Phil 3:8). Was he mad or using Enron-onomics? I think not. I believe he understood that knowing and having a relationship with Jesus is worth it all...We have a treasure in earthen vessels (2 Cor 4:7) and nothing, NOTHING, is worth trading for that treasure...

Take this whole world but give me Jesus!!! Is that your attitude?

Men At Work

2009-11-17T12:13:00.003-05:00

There is so much confusion today over the alleged conflict between faith and works. Too many Christians see them as mutually exclusive concepts and divide into schools of adherence: those that believe in works as a means to salvation, and those who believe it's all in God alone without any effort on the part of man (or woman, of course).

The fallacy is in trying to separate faith and works. They work together, in stride, in unity.

The Bible says we are saved through faith (Eph 2:8), and without faith, we can't please God (Heb 11:6). So one may jump to a conclusion and say, "Aha, faith is all we need since salvation is a God thing anyway."

But not so fast, in the same Bible we're told to save ourselves (Acts 2:40) and work out our own salvation (Phil 2:12). And just in case the "works crowd" gets too excited, please reread the previous paragraph.

Jesus and John the Baptist both advocated works. Jesus said, "If ye love me, keep my commandments" (Jn 14:15) and John said to "Prove by the way you live that you have repented" (Mt 3:8 NLT). This is how we prove ourselves to God, how we show God our love, through our actions, deeds, WORKS...After all, didn't God so love the world that he GAVE (as in action or works) according to John 3:16?

So we see that in salvation, both faith and works are present. We repent of our sins (works/man) and God forgives us (faith/God), we get baptized in Jesus name (works/man) and God washes us in His wonderful blood, cleansing us from our sin (faith/God), finally we seek after the Holy Ghost and speak in tongues when filled (works/man) while it's God who actually fills us with His Spirit and gives us the utterance to speak in tongues (faith/God).

Three times in James chapter two we're told that faith without works is dead (see Jas 2:17, 20, 26). So put your money where your mouth is, step up to the plate and show God your faith through the works that you do. Faith and works must operate in unison to have the affect that God intended in our lives!!!

Resistance Is Futile

2009-11-05T11:40:00.002-05:00

Most people know that God has our best interest at heart. Just look at what He said through the prophet Jeremiah:

Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

When we resist God and His will for our lives, we literally turn our back on a more fruitful life, not to mention life eternal. Yet, even when we do turn away, God is always right there, waiting for our return. Remember the parable of the lost son in Luke 15? What about this scripture:

Revelation 3:20 - Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

God wishes nothing but the best for our lives, so why resist Him? On the other hand the Bible tells us to resist the devil:

James 4:7 - Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

We must fight four our souls with everything we have, but again, our resistance to the devil is futile if we don't first submit to God. Without God's help, strength, and direction, we don't have the capacity to truly resist the wiles of the devil. Why? Because our flesh naturally veers toward the things of sin, the things the devil would entice us with....

Don't resist God in your life. As He calls, draw nearer and nearer, then you'll have what it takes to make your resistance to the devil effective...

Perfect Is As Perfect Does

2009-10-13T11:01:00.003-04:00

There are many instances in the Bible that speak to the perfection of the saints. Let's look at just a few:

Mt 5:48 - Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Eph 4:11-12 - And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

II Tim 3:16-17 - All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

Obviously, God does not intend for us to be perfect in the absolute sense of the word, Mt 5:48 says to be perfect even as God is perfect. To take that literally would cause frustration because none of us can be as perfect as God.

So what's the deal? Perfection, in the sense that we can attain it, pertains to completion or maturity. Those things we can obtain. First, we are complete in Christ, according to Colossians 2:10, and perfection can come through study of scripture and through the teaching, instruction and guidance offered to us by elders, leaders, and ministers within the body of Christ.

In I Corinthians 9:24-26, Paul talks about striving for the mastery. That's what being "perfect" in God is all about. Through study, prayer, relationship with Jesus, guidance from those leaders in our lives, and perseverance, we can continue on the pathway of perfection to obtain a completeness and maturity in God.

So keep it up, hang in there, be diligent in God and He'll lead you into Biblical perfection. Establish a daily prayer life, a regular time of study and meditation of God's word, and be faithful to those gatherings of believers (church, fellowship, Bible study, etc...) where you can both impact and be impacted by others.

Remember, perfect is as perfect does!!!

Follow the Leaders

2009-10-05T11:46:00.003-04:00

Many Christians forget that we are the light of the world, according to Matthew 5:14. This world, our families, our fellow believers, they all look to us as an example. We DO NOT live in a box or a vacuum, so we need to make sure our lives exhibit the life of Christ so that we are good example to follow.

I Corinthians 11:1 - Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

I Peter 2:9 - But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

This scripture says it all: we are to show forth. Be the Book of Acts example that you're supposed to be. That means we need to have the fruit of the spirit flourishing in our lives. We are Jesus Christ's hands and feet in this world, like it or not, so we have to pray, study, and live close to Him.

Why? Because somebody is watching you. You may not like it, but they are watching. The "do as I say, not as I do" mentality doesn't cut it. We have to be the Book of Acts church, not only when we're at church, but while were at home, at school, at work, etc...

Be the church, fellow believers, and we'll impact this world like never before. Be the leaders that you need to be. Remember, someone is watching you...

The Breadbreakers Breakdown

2009-10-02T09:09:00.005-04:00

What is Breadbreakers? Why does it exist? Who can get involved? How can people get in touch? Where are the meetings? When should people come?

There are a lot of questions surrounding the ministry called Breadbreakers, a small group ministry of Souls' Harbor FPC, so this blog posting is meant to answer...

First, let's list what Breadbreakers IS NOT:
1) BB is not a ministry for ONLY new converts
2) BB is not a Bible study ONLY
3) BB is not the ministry of a single person

Now, let's see what Breadbreakers IS:
1) BB is for anyone and everyone
2) BB is seeing the infilling of the Holy Ghost, healings, & miracles at the meetings
2) BB is includes youth, adults, new converts, seasoned saints, couples, & singles
3) BB is a ministry of Souls' Harbor FPC that has been thriving for over 3 years
4) BB is a group for Bible study, fellowship, prayer, outreach, & ministry
5) BB is meeting on Wed nights at 7:30pm in various locations
6) BB is meeting on Fri nights at 7:30pm at my house for fellowship, prayer, & Bible study
7) BB is available online at www.breadbreakers.com where you can watch & interact online, via Facebook, and via MySpace

We have a phenomenal group of people with dynamic fellowship, sweeping works & moves of the Spirit, incredible discussion/study of God's Word, and a place for all, whether new to the Lord or those who've served him for years...

And what do we need? We need more people to catch onto our Bishop's and Pastor's vision for the future for our church and get involved!!!

Warning in Watching the Wicked

2009-09-25T06:52:00.003-04:00

We know the Bible says the Father makes it rain on the just & the unjust (Matthew 5:45) and in the parable of the wise man who built his house on the rock, the storm battered both homes (Matthew 7:24-27). Yet, so often we look to those who are prosperous, though they may be of the world, and wonder how it is that God allows blessing to flow their way when so many of His people are suffering.

The psalmist had this same issue in Psalm 73. "But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped." (Ps 73:2). This is a very popular passage of scripture, and yet many people don't know the reason why he was having so much trouble:

Ps 73:3 - For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

This very next verse shows us that the issue was looking around and seeing the prosperity of the wicked. He goes so far as to say "I have cleansed my hands in vain" in verse 13. He was having serious doubts trying to reconcile how the wicked could flourish.

However, the key to overcoming this battle of the mind is in verse 17:

"Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end."

Getting into the presence of God, maintaining our relationship with Jesus Christ is the antidote for a mindset that veers away from keeping the main thing the main thing. Good and bad times come to us all, but as Christians we have that "Rock that is higher than I" (Ps 61:2) and that "refuge from the storm" (Isa 25:4).

Let's keep our focus on Jesus Christ--His mind, His passion, His will--in both the good and bad times. Let's put our trust in Him...

Pencil & Ink

2009-08-26T09:14:00.002-04:00

Far too often we allow our plans, our desires, our will to get in the way of what God wants to do in our lives. Just ask Jonah what the consequences can be if we decide to run from His plan for our lives, or inquire of Jacob what the results may be if we try to accomplish God's plan by doing it our way and on our timetable. I think you'll find they would agree, we need to write down our plans in pencil, but allow God to write them in ink.

Jer 29:11-12 - For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. (NIV)

Lk 22:42 - ...not my will, but thine, be done.

Jas 4:14-15 - Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. 15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.

We don't need to sit around on our bums just hoping that God's will is done, rather we need to make prayerful decisions for our lives: what career will I choose, who will I marry, what will be my place in the kingdom? However, these plans need to written not in ink, not as a permanent, uncompromising position, but rather they should be written in pencil. Set, but ready to be erased and changed as God sees fit. We need to hand over the pen of our lives to the author and finisher of our faith, Jesus Christ, and let His will be done in our lives...

The Search for Truth

2009-07-30T11:18:00.002-04:00

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. (Jn 16:13)

Many people are under the mistaken impression that either all truth becomes evident immediately when the Holy Ghost is received or that somehow the Holy Ghost will always speak and tell or reveal things they need to know. Both of these belief systems are appealing, but dangerously misleading. They each fail to recognize that the Holy Ghost leads us to truth; it doesn’t always just tell us. There's a leading and guiding involved, but we have to accept it, no matter whether truth comes from a person God sends our way, the Word of God revealing truth to us, or some other means.

Let’s put on our thinking caps for a bit and look at this logically. If the Spirit of God just revealed everything to us that we need to know to please God and walk with Him, why in the world do we need the epistles? The epistles make up 21 of the 27 books of the New Testament. These are letters written to saved people to tell them how to live and act in order to please God, take care of the body of Christ (the church), and endure in the world. Why exactly would these folks need this if the Holy Ghost just revealed all truth to everyone who received it? Answer, the Holy Ghost guides people to truth. When Paul, or Peter, or John wrote to a church and said “do this” or “don’t do that”, the Holy Ghost inside those people was saying, “There, I put you into contact with them so they could tell you what you’re supposed to do to be pleasing to God.”

Now before any righteous indignation flames up, let me say that the Holy Ghost does sometimes completely reveal truth to people. I know people who knew certain things were displeasing to God long before they read it in scripture, and I’m not talking rape and murder here, I’m referring to things that most people don’t even realize displease God. How is that possible? Because the Holy Ghost can speak to us and reveal things to us, but generally, it guides us into truth rather than openly reveals truth.

When Light Touches Darkness

2009-07-14T16:57:00.002-04:00

In the very beginning, God established the principle that light is greater than darkenss. Genesis 1:16 says, "And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night:"

Here we see that light, is given the preeminence. Darkness, by very nature, is secondary to light. Think about it. In the blackest of midnights, all you need to do is light a simple candle and it will push back the darkness, illuminating outward, and can be seen from a great distance...

Ecclesiastes 2:13 - Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness

Isaiah 9:2 - The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.

We are the light, the people of light, those who walk in God's light. Just read scriptures like I Peter 2:9, Ephesians 5:8, and I Thessalonians 5:5. We should never be afraid to do as Jesus said and let our light shine in this dark world (Matthew 5:16).

When light steps on the scene, darkness has to give way, roll back, and submit to its power. As long as that light shines, the darkness can't overcome it. Remember, greater is He that lives in us than he that is in the world (I John 4:4).

So get out there and let your light shine in this dark world. They need to see the light!!!

Emulating Excellence

2009-06-17T09:31:00.003-04:00

In a world so saturated with icons, stars, and idols, Christians must make every effort to portray the right picture to others and follow after men and women of God who exhibit solid Biblical principles and cultivate the fruit of the Spirit in their lives. In our walk with God we should strive to both emulate those who have gone before us and be an example for those who would follow us. Both of these concepts are set forth in scripture.

God wants us to follow the right example:
John 13:15 - For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

I Corinthians 11:1 - Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

I Peter 2:21 - For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

God wants us to be a good example to others:
I Timothy 4:12 - Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

I Peter 5:3 - Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock.

God expects us to learn from others--both the good and bad:

I Corinthians 10:11 - Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

James 5:10 - Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.

Jude 1:7 - Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.

Let's be the light we need to be for this lost and desperate generation. We need to follow after those who are doing the right things, emulating excellence and walking in the Spirit to impact our world with apostolic revival!!!

Leaving the Leaven for Leftovers

2009-06-05T09:39:00.003-04:00

All too often, we allow little things to creep into our lives that hinder or even prevent us from getting all that we need from God and being all we need to be for the Kingdom.

Hebrews 12:1 challenges us to lay aside the sin and the weights that hinder us. Likewise, Galatians 5:9 let's us know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump. For those who don't know what leaven is, here's the basic Wikipedia breakdown:

Leaven or leavening agents such as yeast are often used in baking/cooking. The chemical compound of such agents creates gas, usually carbon dioxide that gets trapped as bubbles in the dough, causing the dough to "rise." Generally, very little of such agents is necessary to permeate throughout a batch of dough to affect the entirety.

What this translates into for us, is that we need to watch out and guard ourselves from not only those big nasty sins that might tempt us, but also from those little things that inhibit our prayer lives, personal devotion, Biblical study, and general relationship building with Jesus Christ. Why? Because those "little" things can be difficult to spot and sometimes even appear harmless when and if we are able to identify them. However, the Bible lets us know that the little things can cause us to stumble and fall just as much as the big things.

If it's the little foxes that spoil the vine (Song of Solomon 2:15) then we need to pay close attention to those seemingly insignificant habits, activities, etc...that may be preventing us from being all we need to be in God. The tricky part about it is that what may be a hindrance for me may have no affect on you and vice versa. So it's up to us to search ourselves and weed out those things that might be the "leaven" in our lives so we can impact this world with red hot REVIVAL!!!

Keep the Change Part III

2009-05-18T17:19:00.002-04:00

In this final installment of Keep the Change, we’ll be looking at the most difficult adversaries of our soul—the world and our flesh. With the devil, we can resist him and he’ll flee, but with the world, and to a greater extent our flesh, it’s not quite so easy to ward them off. However, through the power of the Holy Ghost we can tell even these formidable foes to keep the change!!!

Telling the world to keep the change:

I John 4:4 reads, “because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” Through scriptures like this one we understand that we have power over the temptations of this world through the power of the Holy Ghost. Just look at these verses:

and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand (John 10:29)

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. (I Corinthians 10:13)

This world throws a lot at us in the way of temptation. The spirit of the world would do anything and everything possible to get us to give up, throw in the towel, and change (for the worse). However, through the power of God and the blood of Jesus Christ we are able to tell this world to keep the change!!!

Telling the flesh to keep the change:

Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh (Galatians 5:16)

This verse written by the apostle Paul is the key to overcoming our sinful nature. There is no shortcut to being able to deny our flesh; we must walk in the spirit through prayer, fasting, the Word, holiness, godly fellowship, and assembling together.

Notice what Paul says in II Corinthians:

let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. (II Corinthians 7:1)

We must cleanse ourselves. This is not saying that we do the cleansing per se; obviously it’s the blood of Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost. However, we must nail ourselves down to the cross and deny ourselves when temptation arises. We must perfect holiness, as said in this verse…

For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. (Romans 8:13)

Our flesh doesn’t like to be denied. But by doing so, we mortify or kill those deeds through the Spirit. It’s not always an easy thing to do though, just read Paul’s discussion in Romans 7:18-25. Yet, when we submit to God and walk in the Spirit, the rewards are greater than anything we can imagine.

I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. (John 10:10)

And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life. (I John 2:25)

Our flesh constantly tries to change us in ways that would be displeasing to God, but what better reward could there be to deny and crucify that flesh than abundant life in this world and eternal life in the world afterwards? What better reason to tell our flesh to keep the change?

Keep the Change Part II

2009-04-17T08:22:00.000-04:00

In Keep the Change Part I, we spoke of the necessity of cultivating, and keeping the intial change that God makes in our lives when He washes us and cleanses us through His blood and when He gives us power through the infilling of the Holy Ghost (see I Corinthians 6:11).

In this second installment, the focus is on telling others to keep the change when they would try to distort, detract, or destroy what God has built up in us. The focus in Part II will be on keeping the change against the spiritual attacks in our lives.

Isaiah 59:19 says, "When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him."

We have no need to fear when our enemy, be it our flesh, opposition from humanity, or spiritual resistance swoops in to try and steal the things we received from God. Jesus said in John 10:10 that the enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy, but that He (Jesus) came that we might have life and have it more abundantly. Likewise, in Luke 22:31-32 Jesus warned Peter that the enemy desired to sift him as wheat, but Jesus said that He prayed for Peter. Such power in the fact that we have a covering in Jesus!!!The devil and his minions will no doubt try to attack us and try to get us to turn back from the change God worked in us. Indeed the Bible says in I Peter 5:7-8 that the devil goes around like a "roaring lion" seeking those he can devour. But this passage also says we can cast all our cares on Jesus because he cares for us. Remember, Jesus always gives us the opportunity for victory, no matter how dark the storm. Actually, we have much more power than the devil:

Ephesians 4:27 says not to give place to the devil.
Ephesians 6:11 says to put on the armour of God to stand against the devil's whiles.
James 4:7 says to submit to God and resist the devil and he will flee.
Isaiah 14:12-19 says those who see the devil in his true light will “narrowly” look at him and scoff at him.

We have complete authority and dominion over the devil and all the forces of hell through the power of Jesus name!!! Listen to the awesome words of Jesus Christ:

"...upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18).

Gates are not designed or built to be an offensive weapon, they are defensive. Jesus is telling Peter and the apostles that the church will be on the front lines, attacking the gates of hell itself, and that hell.......................doesn't stand a chance.....

Keep the Change Part I

2009-04-09T17:03:00.003-04:00

Matthew 25:1-13 gives us the parable of the ten virgins, five wise and five foolish. Here Jesus reveals to us the scenario where ten individuals start off with oil. We know from the scriptures that oil signifies the anointing, so these ten virgins all had a great starting point.

However, only five of the ten actually made it all the way to the wedding. Five of the virgins, whom we refer to now as the foolish virgins, didn't prepare and store up enough of the oil to last. Though they all ten started off with lamps burning, only five "endured 'til the end."

This treasure we have in earthen vessels (II Corinthians 4:7) must be nourished, cultivated, protected. We can't allow the cares of this world (Mark 4:19) to choke out the precious change that God worked in us when we were saved and received His wonderful Spirit.

We are new in Christ according to the following scriptures, having put off our old man, our former self, and put on the new man, the one that seeks God and follows the Spirit:

II Corinthians 5:17
Ephesians 4:22-24
Colossians 3:9-10

The things of God and a walk with God truly come as a gradual process. Jesus asked, in what we refer to as "The Lord's Prayer," for daily bread (or sustenance), and in II Corinthians 4:16 Paul said our inward man is renewed "day by day." Finally, II Corinthians 3:18 says we are changed from glory to glory.

Jesus said in Mark 13:13 that only they which endure until the end will be saved. Our initial change, out with the old and in with the new, must be kept. We must fight to keep the change that God has made in our lives.....

Power in the Name

2009-04-03T15:36:00.002-04:00

There is awesome power in the name of Jesus Christ. Mark 16:17-18 lets us know that the believers can do many incredible things when they invoke the name of Jesus.

The important thing to remember is that we must be people of the name and in order to truly do that, we must have a relationship with the original owner of the name. Both John 5:43 and Hebrews 1:4 make it clear that Jesus received His name by inheritance. When we read Ephesians 1:10-11 we understand that we also receive an inheritence through Christ.

So be encouraged to walk in the name of Jesus, pray in the name of Jesus, believe in the name of Jesus. In fact, accordng to Colossians 3:17 we should do all in the name of Jesus.

What are some examples of the power in that name? I'm glad you asked:
Acts 3:6-healing
Accts 4:12-salvation
Acts 16:18-deliverance
Philippians 2:10-11-dominion
Philippians 4:19-financial blessing

Let's Rock Our World

2009-02-26T09:54:00.004-05:00

I've heard it said that wherever the apostles went there was either revival or a riot, and it's true. It’s amazing when you read through the book of Acts and see the kind of persecution the apostles suffered for the name of Jesus and for preaching the gospel. A closer look at several particular instances also reveals something quite interesting about the source of the opposition—they typically only resisted the new doctrine because of their own human shortcomings…

Just look at Acts 16:16-19. Here’s where Paul is in Philippi and heals a girl by casting a demon out of her. Now, you’d think there would be rejoicing for such a miracle, but unfortunately, the human spirit got in the way in the form of greed. Instead of rejoicing, they through Paul and Silas into prison as it reads in verse 19:

And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers

A similar situation occurred in Ephesus in Acts 19:23-28. Here a man named Demetrius stirred up the crowds against Paul, again because of greed.

24For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen; 25Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth. 26Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands: 27So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth. 28And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.

It doesn’t seem they were too worried about the great Diana until they realized they’d lose money in their trade of selling idols because of Paul’s teaching…

All throughout the book of Acts, we see this common theme—people attached the gospel and the messengers of the gospel because of pride, greed, jealousy, politics, and many other selfish reasons. Very rarely was the opposition sincere in their attacks, but typically had ulterior motives for not believing the gospel (i.e. they would lose their wealth, position, or status).

So we shouldn’t be discouraged when people don’t seem to want to hear about the salvation message today. We should pray and seek God’s direction in finding those who are hungry and willing to accept the gospel, just as they did in the book of Acts. After all, in the midst of all the turmoil, they had some of the most incredible revivals on record.

So let’s get out there and rock our world just like the apostles did, for even some of the naysayers recognized the power of the gospel in Acts 17:6 where they said, “These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also.”

A Time To Pray

2009-02-20T12:57:00.002-05:00

II Chronicles 7:14 says, "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."

I don't think there's anyone who can debate the fact that we are in troubling times. Recession, depression, economic downturn, or whatever other colorful phrase we've been hearing over the last couple of years, it really makes no difference. The point is this country needs to turn back to its roots, the Judeo-Christian principles on which it was founded.

It's been the blessing of God that has allowed our prosperity over our history, and the implementation of Biblical principles that has made our nation strong. Ideals like freedom, individual responsibility, a good work ethic, and people working together for the common good are not newfangled or contemporary concepts, but tried and proven pillars on which a society can be built. And no surprise, each of these basic values, and additional ones, can be found in the Bible.

So what we need is a spiritual renaissance. As one of my former high school teachers used to say, "America needs a moral rebirth." At the time, I thought it was a funny little saying he always mentioned in our morning devotion, but now I see the magnitude of the need. Indeed, America and Americans need to turn back to God...

So who leads the charge? Should we look to our new President, Barack Obama, to start us down a path toward the revival across the land? Somehow I doubt it. What about our elected representatives in Congress? No, for some reason I believe they're just as lacking. So who can lead this country onto the right path?

The answer is the same as when the words were penned in II Chronicles. It's the people of God who must take up the banner and lead this country on the right course. "If my people," is what the Bible says. So we need to lead the way in prayer, in seeking after God, in humility, and in repentance. We can't expect the world around us to jump out there and steer us to the healing of our land. Indeed, the policies and "stimuli" that this world offers are simply more of the same old useless ideas that got us here, and will exasperate the problem further.

No, fellow people of the most High, those called by Jesus name and purchased by His precious blood. We must stand up and attend to the problem. We must begin to pray in humility. We must seek relationship with God and find His will. We must repent, for ourselves, our leaders, our nation. We must turn from our wicked ways (let's say our lackadaisical, stagnant, mediocre, ways). It's time to start praying, walking with God, and being on-fire, Apostolic (book of Acts) Christians...

I think if we will start doing this en masse, along with doing the human things we know to do like voting, getting involved with our communities, etc..., we can watch God turn these hard times around....

Going Deep (Part 2)

2009-01-28T16:45:00.002-05:00

As a follow up to Going Deep Part 1, let's look at some folks who chose not to go deep and contrast them with those who chose to go deep...

Mark 10:17-22 tells us that the rich young ruler had gone to a certain depth, after all, he said he had "observed [the commandments] from my youth up." The Bible even says Jesus looked at him and loved him, but he also told him he needed to go deeper by selling his riches and following Jesus to have treasure in Heaven. The rest, as they say, is history. The young man chose to remain at that depth and go no further.

II Timothy 4:10 speaks of Demas. An apparent traveler/companion of Paul, hence, there was a level of depth. However, this verse lets us know that Demas forsook Paul, "having loved this present world." The digging, searching, growing stopped, and Demas turned back.

Acts 24:25 tells us that Felix trembled (probably from feeling the power of the Holy Ghost as Paul spoke) when Paul testified to him, but told Paul to come back when it was convenient. Again, he came to a point where he said 'I'm fine with this and I think I'll just stay here.'

On the other hand there were many people that went deeper in God:

Acts 13:22 speaks of David as "a man after mine [God's] own heart."
James 2:23 says Abraham was "called the friend of God."
Acts 10:1-6, 44-48, 11:13-14 tells of Cornelius, a man that had apparently gone to some depth in God, but still needed to be saved.
Acts 18:24-26 records a similar situation for Appollos. He was a mighty man of God, yet didn't have the fullness of the truth.
Acts 19:1-7 records the account of believers who'd been baptized, but still didn't know about Jesus name baptism or the infilling of the Holy Ghost.

Each situation shows us people who were just as human as you and me, yet when the call came for them to move deeper, to go further in God, they rose to the occasion.

Let's purpose in our hearts and minds that we aren't going to be satisfied with a shallow walk with God. Let's go deep, and when we arrive at the next level, let's push to go to the next....

Going Deep (Part 1)

2009-01-27T13:30:00.000-05:00

As Christians, it's important that we continually grow and seek after more of God. It can be very dangerous to grow lackadaisical in our walk with God as this often leads to complacency and stagnation...

Ezekiel 47:3-6 illustrates the point very nicely:

3 And when the man that had the line in his hand went forth eastward, he measured a thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the waters were to the ankles. 4 Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through the waters; the waters were to the knees. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through; the waters were to the loins. 5 Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over. 6 And he said unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen this? Then he brought me, and caused me to return to the brink of the river.

Here we see three different levels of depth-ankles, knees, loins, and waters to swim in. After the vision the prophet is taken back to the brink (the shore). Here we see that though the vision allowed him to see how deep he could go, he still had to be the one to walk it off.

So it is with our walk with God. Even the initial revelation of the kingdom of God and salvation is something that must be sought after. Matthew 13:44 is where Jesus likens the kingdom to a treasure hid in a field. Also, if you read Isaiah 28:10-13 you see that God's Word is line upon line, precept upon precept.

So God doesn't hand us a manual with a nice glossary and index, rather, He expects us to search the scriptures out for ourselves (as Jesus told the religious leaders to do in John 5:39).

Isaiah 55:9 tells us that God's ways and thoughts are higher than ours and Romans 11:33 tells us his ways are past finding out.

So how can we go deep and really know God? The beauty is that God allows us to know his mind, his Word, and His ways. I Corinthians 2:9-12 reads:

9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

So through God's Spirit, we can get to that deep place in God where He can reveal to us the things that were before unknowable and unattainable. THANK YOU JESUS!!!

So the onus, the obligation, is on us to go deep. How do we go deep? Two of the greatest ways to go deeper in God are through prayer (see Romans 8:26 and Jude 1:20) and Bible reading (see Psalm 119:11 and II Timothy 2:15).

Thank you wonderful Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, for the gift of your Spirit, for the opportunity to dig deep, find you, and know you...