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Archive for the ‘Inspiration’ Category

Rid Yourselves- Of Your Old Sinful Nature

10 Sep

1 Peter 2:1-3 –1Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 2Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

In order for us to grow spiritually, we have to die to our sinful nature.  It’s tough to do and impossible without God.

What is the idea of a chiropractor?  He tries to get your muscles next to your spine to get used to being in a certain position.  If it has been awhile since your spine has been in alignment, it can take a few times to train those muscles to be back in alignment.  At that time you are to ice your back and get the swelling down and then exercise those muscles making them stronger in the new CORRECT position.

What happens when you get sloppy or neglect your back?  Your back out of alignment, in pain and not functioning correctly.

This analogy is the same for your spirit.  We need to stay in line with the Spirit of God.  Doing all the evil things of your fallen nature tweaks your spirit and keeps you out of alignment with God.

What is spiritual milk?  It’s the Word of God.  We need to crave it and want it. 

We need to train ourselves to practice good habits.  If you rid yourself of an old habit, you will replace it with something.  If it isn’t a good habit, it will be with another bad one, or you will just fall into the old one you got rid of temporarily.

You won’t grow in God unless you continue to walk towards Him.  You’re not walking towards Him, unless you’re trying to rid yourself of the old and filling yourself with the new.

Let’s rid ourselves of the old sinful nature and do our best everyday to start new habits in Him, now that we know the Lord is good.

 
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How Old Were They? Noah – Part 2

09 Sep

Once again the inspiration for this post is to remind you you’re never too far along in life to get started in your ministry for the Lord.

Noah was also a man that wasn’t influenced by ridicule.  He was building a boat for a flood and rain.  It hadn’t rained yet on earth as far as we know.

Genesis 2:4-6 – 4 This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created.         When the LORD God made the earth and the heavens- 5 and no shrub of the field had yet appeared on the earth and no plant of the field had yet sprung up, for the LORD God had not sent rain on the earth and there was no man to work the ground, 6 but streams came up from the earth and watered the whole surface of the ground-

 So a guy is building a humungous boat with no water nearby.  Must have been quite a site?  Who were his mockers?  Men that we’re so evil that God came to the conclusion they needed to be wiped off the face of the earth.

Chuck Missler does a great study on the Nephilim talked about in Genesis 6:4.

Genesis 6:4 – 4 The Nephilim were on the earth in those days—and also afterward—when the sons of God went to the daughters of men and had children by them. They were the heroes of old, men of renown.

Son’s of God, Fallen Angels?  Whatever they were, they were creating a super evil, super fallen race. 

Noah stuck to his guns and built an Ark.

Genesis 6:15 – 15 This is how you are to build it: The ark is to be 450 feet long, 75 feet wide and 45 feet high.

 Did he have any other help other than his sons?  I suppose they could have paid some of them and they may have help, but they didn’t get a ride when the waters came.  I have a feeling had anyone volunteered to help build it for free; God would have rewarded that kind of faith.  So I’m going to say Noah and his family were the ones who built on it without being paid, if they had help at all.

We know the rest of the story.  The floodwaters came and only Noah, his family, and the animals on the ark survived.

At 500 years old Noah began the peak of his ministry.  If you’re not 500 yet, you’re starting before Noah. 

All kidding aside, Noah walked with God a long time before this and on a violent and evil man covered earth.  His obedience allowed mankind to continue on from that point till now.  Pretty important ministry?

You have a ministry to serve God!  Everyone has a ministry to serve God!  It won’t fail if you earnestly seek God and it’s 100 percent for the Kingdom of God.  All you have to do is continue to prepare and say, “Here I am Lord, use me.”

Would you rather stand in front of Him knowing you did what you could, or do you want to continue to spend time on yourself?

If you doing it all for yourself then you will have wood, stubble, and hay to present to the Lord.  Nothing left of that when it gets tested by fire.

1 Corinthians 3:12-15 – 12If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. 14If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. 15If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.

 
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How Old Were They? Noah – Part 1

08 Sep

We’re going to do a series called, “How Old Were They?”

What’s the reason for this post?  To remind you, that you are never too far along in life to be a great worker for the Kingdom of God.  For those who are younger it’s time for preparation and to do what the Lord has planned for you.

For our first example we will start with Noah.  Let’s look at Genesis 6:8.

Genesis 6:8 – 8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.

In the scriptures before this one it says that man was so evil all the time that they grieved God.

I won’t examine those scriptures today as I will do separate posts on them.  One man found favor on earth, just one.  How old was he?  Well we know that he was stated to be 500 in the scriptures right before the ones that state God was sorry He made man.  We also read Noah was 600 before the flood came.  I can do some math and figure Shem was born when Noah was about 503, the others weren’t probably born too many years right behind him, so Noah would probably have been in his early 500s when instructed to build the boat.

Understanding that we don’t live that long today, still 500 years is a long time before the major portion of his ministry took place.

Genesis 6:3 – 3 Then the LORD said, “My Spirit will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal; his days will be a hundred and twenty years.”

So Noah was a man who found favor in God’s eyes.  I can imagine he must have been a man that was pretty tuned into God.  Why, because I draw a lot of my strength from the encouragement and teaching of others.  He didn’t have any of that.  It says man was evil and only Noah found favor at the time.

Genesis 6:9 – 9 This is the account of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God.

Tomorrow we will continue with this post.

 
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Loving and Just

06 Sep

I was listening to John Hagee while driving in my car at lunch.

He was talking about how when the Egyptians were chasing after the Israelites across the Red Sea.  I think most people at one point when they either read that or see it on television, think to themselves, wow God just allowed a lot of water to come down and drowned a lot of people.

How do you feel about that?

I can tell you that I have never questioned God about what He does, because as you continue to study the Bible and get to know Him, you later understand why more and more every day.

I was reminded about a group of people that were also drowned it that same river.  It was a bunch of Jewish male babies, because the Egyptians were worried that they were getting too numerous and powerful.  So they rounded up all the male Jewish babies and drowned them, except Moses.

How would you feel if they grabbed your baby boy and drowned him?

Who would be your guess that gathered up these children and then drowned them?  The maids?  The farmers?  The bakers?  No.  I am guessing here, but I’m going to say the soldiers.

We serve a Loving God.  In fact we can’t comprehend how loving He is.  His grace is sufficient to save us by the blood of His Son on that cross.  As Americans, we got that part.  That part is the only part most churches have been preaching for a few decades to over a half century now.

We serve a Just God.  In fact we can’t comprehend how Just He is.  He tells us that He wants relationship with us.  He explains that He wants to be worshipped and is a Jealous God.  He tells us to sin no more.  He tells us to turn to Him.  The Bible is full of His warnings to those who are not going to seek Him. 

The Book of Revelation is God’s greatest wrath and it’s coming.  It’s for mankind that has rejected Him and also has set their face against his people He has a promise with Israel.

Revelation 6:16-17 – 16They called to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! 17For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?”

His mercy and grace are beyond comprehension.  Don’t toy with it.  Don’t take it for granted.  And most important, God didn’t supply Grace so we could discover it and live like hell until it’s time to be with Him.  He supplied it so we could be forgiven and turn from our wicked ways and forever be with Him starting immediately. 

If you’re living your own game of beat the clock and your worried about what you have to do for yourself before you check out, you’re not living for God.  Today is the day we start living for Him and not for us.

 
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Quote Reflection – Dwight L Moody

04 Sep

“The Bible will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from the Bible.”
~Dwight L. Moody

This is why it is so important to stay in the Word of God.  The Word is what continues to feed you Light!  Light and darkness quarrel.  Jesus is the Light and Satan is the most notorious character of darkness. 

Just point out to a Christian brother or sister that what they are doing isn’t healthy for them spiritually. You will have a very defensive upset individual.  Why?  Because that part of the spirit which isn’t in the Light isn’t going to go down without a fight. 

We need to be in the Word, because the Word is the flashlight which illuminates the dark places we put ourselves.  You start reading the Word and that light starts shining on things which you didn’t even realize were there.  Wisdom comes from hearing the Word of God.  Fill your day with it.

 
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Can You Know What The Future Of Your Personal Life Will Be?

02 Sep

No.

Actually I really believe that is a protection device for each and every one of us.

Sure there are predictions such as I am covered by the Blood of the Lamb and will be with Jesus forever.  God is with me know matter what.  These are both true, but to predict even that you will be eating dinner tonight in your house isn’t guaranteed.

We don’t know what the future brings, all we can do is prepare.

The unsaved prepare by planning their life as if they will be here tomorrow, the next day, and some until they are 100 years old, although nobody ever puts much thought into that, because it isn’t that appealing.  Many of them also live like they got to get it all in before they die.  In essence they’re running a race just like Christians are supposed to.  However, this one is for themselves.

As Christians we should be preparing to be the best servants we can for our Lord.  If we don’t know what to expect for the future, how should we prepare?

One obvious way and one that you will hear from me until I can’t remind you no more, is reading and studying the Word of God.  To be a help at anything you do, knowledge is a must.  Two, allow God to use you.

2 Timothy 4:2 – 2Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.

That verse has both prepare and execute in it.  When it is used with the scripture before and those after, there’s potential for about 10 posts, but we’ll stay on task.

Once we prepare and allow God to use us, we simply need to trust in the Lord.  Listen to His voice.

You remember up above when I told you it is a protection device not to know the future?  If we as fallen humans try to make things right, we would mess them up and can even detour the efforts.

That’s why it is important to hear His voice, prepare, trust and obey, and know that He is God.

 
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Freewill – Ultimately It’s A Responsibility

30 Aug

Freewill.  Clearly the Lord didn’t want robots when he created the human race.

God wanted man to be able to enjoy the creation, mingle amongst others, but most importantly have relationship with Him. 

Then the fall happened.  Houston, we have a short circuit.  The spacecraft seems to be out of control.

Many people feel that since they are allowed to do anything that God must want them to exercise that power.  God’s Word warns us a thousand times plus against that theory.

God knows man is fallen.  He knows how he acts.  He knew without His interceding on our behalf, were destined for hell.  I believe God knew at the time of the fall about his plan for redemption.  If there wasn’t one I don’t think he would have allowed us to keep us coming into this world for that hopeless destruction.

Why did I just say all that?  I believe that all indicates that man’s freewill can choose redemption 100 percent of the time if it is presented to him.  I believe we are created in his image and if it isn’t presented (heard the gospel) our freewill still could choose God. 

However, man since the fall has been choosing either his own selfish desires or God ever since.

So how did Adam and Eve fall?  Disobedience with their freewill.

Just because we have freewill and grace, doesn’t mean it’s a license to sin.

Hebrews 10:26-27 –   26If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, 27but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.

Key word here is deliberately. 

We have a freewill that we inherited from God.  That freewill won’t give you a free pass. 

You have freewill to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior.  You have freewill to also choose not to.

That same freewill is choosing your destiny, creating files of good or poor things that you will be accountable for in front of the Most High.

Jesus’ sacrifice is a free gift.  You must freely accept it with your freewill for it to be official.

 
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Quote Reflection – Billy Graham

28 Aug

“It’s not our job to raise doctors, dentists, schoolteachers, homemakers, mechanics, entertainers, and so forth.  It is our job to raise children who give their lives to God and commit their lives in service to Him.” ~ Billy Graham

Billy Graham, Living a Legacy (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2007), 6.

I couldn’t agree more.  You can raise a doctor that finds a cure for AIDS or ALS, but if that child dies in their sins and doesn’t serve God, how is that going to fare with the Most High?

The report card of eternal life isn’t going score well based on worldly accomplishments without God as the focus.

Mark 9:41-42 – 41I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward.

 42“And if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around his neck.

Christ first, worldly plans second.  Not a bad way for all of us to start from this day forward.

 
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Because I Didn’t Have Time Lord

27 Aug

Staples came out with a button that you push and it says, “That was easy.”

As Christians, especially in today’s world, need a button that says, “Because I didn’t have time Lord.”

That way when we stand in front of God and he asks us how come we didn’t do things for Him, we can push the button.

“Because I didn’t have time Lord.”

How come you didn’t take the time to go and worship me at least once a week?

Click the button.  “Because I didn’t have time Lord.”

How come in your lifetime you didn’t read the bible from front to back and stay into it?

“Because I didn’t have time Lord.”

Why didn’t you take time to pray to me at night, before meals, or praise My name when I came to your mind?

Because…whoops…I guess that one doesn’t take as much time.

Psalm 34:1 – 1 I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.

Do we have enough time to watch television, movies, extracurricular activities, or recreational fun?

Are we too busy trying to build an empire on this earth?

None of these explanations will be fun for anyone when it’s time to stand in front of the Lord.  Yet most will be doing just that.  Why?  Because we have overdosed on a case of worldliness.  We even justify every action.

Romans 12:1-2 – 1I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

 2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

How do we break that cycle of worldliness?  Get into God’s word.  Not just Christian books only, because quite a few of them are pretty worldly themselves.  Start listening to Christian radio and television.  Be selective as many of them can get away from the Word of God.  Fill your spirit, with God, not the world.

You will see God more clearly and have a better understanding of why we’re here.

 
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Create In Me A Clean Heart

26 Aug

Remember that song or remember that Psalm?

Psalm 51:10-12   10Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 

11Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.  12Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

Many different Christian singers have sung it.  One of those was Keith Green.  I remember singing it around the campfire at camp as a kid.

When you’re a kid you realize a clean heart is a good thing, but were unaware that aside from God it’s really impossible.  You think that there are good people and not so good people.  As you get older you realize that upon inspection were all messed up.  The question is, “How Much?”

We need to be in touch with the Holy Spirit and constantly reading God’s Word.

1 Corinthians 2:12-14 –  12We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. 13This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. 14The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.

So the clean heart comes not from any human wisdom, but from the Spirit of God.  One of the most important things to working on a clean heart is to realize you are not going to do it without God. 

A clean heart is achieved by less you, more Him.  Not me, He.  To get the renewed Spirit we need to seek Holiness and God.

 
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Posted in Encouragement, Inspiration

 
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