Thursday, April 24, 2014
Brokenness...
Oftentimes, we've been told to, "pick up the pieces and move on." However, we somehow never seem to realize that we'll only be moving in a broken state. They neglected to tell us that those broken pieces would be our fears, hurts, pains, disappointments and broken hearts. They neglected to tell us that those pieces would actually be fragments of ourselves, shattered by the toils, trials & tribulations of life. What they didn't tell us was that Jesus said, "Take My yoke upon you, for My yoke is easy, and My burden is light." They told us to, "pick up the pieces and move on," yet gave no further instruction, nor direction, leaving us to attempt moving forward in brokenness. Perhaps if they'd have said, "Pick up the pieces, and take them to the Lord in prayer." Or maybe even, "Move on and cast your cares upon Him, because He cares for you." Perhaps that would have proved to be more effective, sparking and reigniting the flames of deliverance, healing, hope, overcoming that which moved us, and guiding us to victory in the Lord Jesus Christ. Consider this... Whatever it is that we were, are, or will go through, by keeping our eyes on Jesus, firmly standing and meditating on the Word of God, He will bring us out... Be encouraged. Be blessed.
Sunday, April 20, 2014
Shut the Hell Up: Conquering Through Christ
"And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season." - Revelation 20:1-3 (KJV)
We all have a purpose to fulfill. Many of us, being ministers of the Word of God, are commanded to "Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you." - Titus 2:15 (NKJV) However, in order to do so, we must not only know who we are, but we must know Who's we are. It is written, "Jesus said to them, (the Jews who desired to kill him,) “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it." - John 8:42-44 (NKJV) Hence the phrase, "The devil is a liar." In study, we notice that when Jesus was tempted by Satan, with his offers of all that "this world" had to offer if He would just submit to him, the first three words of Jesus' responses were, "It is written..." Most of us have been taught, "For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." - Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV) Herein lies the power and authority accessible to ALL of us whom believe, through Christ Jesus. Though we shall sometimes fall short or fall into temptation, (James 1:2-4,) we've been given the gifts of repentance (to completely turn away from sin,) along with the mercy & grace of God, that we may not be condemned, (Romans 8:1,) but justified by faith, in and through Christ Jesus (Romans 3:20-28.) There's an old adage that says, "When all hell breaks loose..." But I'm here to tell you that we have been given the authority through Christ to shut the "hell" up.
Jesus said, unto ALL of them that believe on Him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it." - John 14:12-14 (NKJV) Likewise, "Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven." - Luke 10:19-20 (NKJV) When the enemy attacks, we're to use that two-edged sword, the Word of God, and declare what thus saith the Lord over and in our lives. This is the way that we overcome by the Spirit of the Living God.
When all hell breaks loose... When oppression, confusion, condemnation and judgment come against us, we're to declare Isaiah 40:31 - It is written, "NO weapon formed against us shall prosper, and every tongue that rises against us in judgment we shall condemn, for this IS the heritage of the saints, and their righteousness is of Me." Thus saith the Lord." And shut the hell up.
When all hell breaks loose... When we feel tormented, frightened and fearful we're to declare 2 Timothy 1:7 - It is written, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."... And shut the hell up.
When all hell breaks loose... When sickness and disease, heartache and pain arise we're to declare Isaiah 53:5 - It is written, "But He was wounded for our transgressions: He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and with His stripes we are healed."... And shut the hell up.
When all hell breaks loose... When all people can seem to see and be reminded of is what we've done, who we were, or the sin that so easily besets us; those things we may struggle with, we're to declare Romans 8:1 - It is written, "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit."... And shut the hell up.
When all hell breaks loose... When it seems that we're at odds with the entire world, and it feels as if there is no one on our side, we're to declare Romans 8:31 - It is written, "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" ... And shut the hell up.
"Jesus asked, “Do you finally believe? But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when you will be scattered, each one going his own way, leaving me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” - John 16:31-33 (NLT)
Take Heed... When all hell breaks loose... SHUT THE HELL UP!!!
We all have a purpose to fulfill. Many of us, being ministers of the Word of God, are commanded to "Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you." - Titus 2:15 (NKJV) However, in order to do so, we must not only know who we are, but we must know Who's we are. It is written, "Jesus said to them, (the Jews who desired to kill him,) “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it." - John 8:42-44 (NKJV) Hence the phrase, "The devil is a liar." In study, we notice that when Jesus was tempted by Satan, with his offers of all that "this world" had to offer if He would just submit to him, the first three words of Jesus' responses were, "It is written..." Most of us have been taught, "For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." - Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV) Herein lies the power and authority accessible to ALL of us whom believe, through Christ Jesus. Though we shall sometimes fall short or fall into temptation, (James 1:2-4,) we've been given the gifts of repentance (to completely turn away from sin,) along with the mercy & grace of God, that we may not be condemned, (Romans 8:1,) but justified by faith, in and through Christ Jesus (Romans 3:20-28.) There's an old adage that says, "When all hell breaks loose..." But I'm here to tell you that we have been given the authority through Christ to shut the "hell" up.
Jesus said, unto ALL of them that believe on Him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it." - John 14:12-14 (NKJV) Likewise, "Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven." - Luke 10:19-20 (NKJV) When the enemy attacks, we're to use that two-edged sword, the Word of God, and declare what thus saith the Lord over and in our lives. This is the way that we overcome by the Spirit of the Living God.
When all hell breaks loose... When oppression, confusion, condemnation and judgment come against us, we're to declare Isaiah 40:31 - It is written, "NO weapon formed against us shall prosper, and every tongue that rises against us in judgment we shall condemn, for this IS the heritage of the saints, and their righteousness is of Me." Thus saith the Lord." And shut the hell up.
When all hell breaks loose... When we feel tormented, frightened and fearful we're to declare 2 Timothy 1:7 - It is written, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."... And shut the hell up.
When all hell breaks loose... When sickness and disease, heartache and pain arise we're to declare Isaiah 53:5 - It is written, "But He was wounded for our transgressions: He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and with His stripes we are healed."... And shut the hell up.
When all hell breaks loose... When all people can seem to see and be reminded of is what we've done, who we were, or the sin that so easily besets us; those things we may struggle with, we're to declare Romans 8:1 - It is written, "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit."... And shut the hell up.
When all hell breaks loose... When it seems that we're at odds with the entire world, and it feels as if there is no one on our side, we're to declare Romans 8:31 - It is written, "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" ... And shut the hell up.
"Jesus asked, “Do you finally believe? But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when you will be scattered, each one going his own way, leaving me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” - John 16:31-33 (NLT)
Take Heed... When all hell breaks loose... SHUT THE HELL UP!!!
"And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death." - Revelation 1:17-18 (KJV)
Sunday, April 6, 2014
If You Only Knew...
If you only knew you the thoughts that run through my head when you cross my mind... They're innocent, harmless, yet purely heartfelt.
If you only knew that I sometimes close my eyes, (like now while I'm writing this,) and imagine embracing you, looking into your beautiful eyes, gently sliding the back of my index finger down your cheek, as if an invisible tear were being wiped away, only to feel the softness of your skin.
If you only knew that I desire, with the help of God to heal your pain, to not carry, but to completely toss your baggage away.
If you only knew that I see so much more in you than you may even see in yourself. It's not potential I see, for we all have potential... But I see your heart, I see the love, the pain, and the fear of the unknown because of the past disappointments. I see your love.
If you only knew that like our Savior, I would never leave you, nor forsake you, but only Love you as he Loves the church.
If you only knew the petition I've prayed, that a woman every bit as lovely, every bit as precious, every bit as strong, and every bit as willing to put her foot down, speak her mind & indirectly cause me to check myself, that a woman such as you, would one day become my helpmeet.
If you only knew that I'm careful to tell you that I love you, yet also careful not to tell you just how much, but keeping it under the realm of a Christian, brother & sister-in-Christ Love... Agape Love
If you only knew just how often I wonder if you'll one day be mine to have & to hold, that you be my Ruth, and I your Boaz, to refer to you my as wife, to salute you as my bride.
If you only knew that I as much as I write, and as open as I am, I'm not at liberty to say more, bridling my tongue, awaiting His Word to enlighten or inform you, being still, patiently waiting on the Father, that His will be done. You may not ever be my wife, though my desire may be strong. However, I'm blessed just as well to call you my friend, my sister-in-Christ.
However, there is something that you do know, and can definitely be sure of... And that is that I love you.
If you only knew that I sometimes close my eyes, (like now while I'm writing this,) and imagine embracing you, looking into your beautiful eyes, gently sliding the back of my index finger down your cheek, as if an invisible tear were being wiped away, only to feel the softness of your skin.
If you only knew that I desire, with the help of God to heal your pain, to not carry, but to completely toss your baggage away.
If you only knew that I see so much more in you than you may even see in yourself. It's not potential I see, for we all have potential... But I see your heart, I see the love, the pain, and the fear of the unknown because of the past disappointments. I see your love.
If you only knew that like our Savior, I would never leave you, nor forsake you, but only Love you as he Loves the church.
If you only knew the petition I've prayed, that a woman every bit as lovely, every bit as precious, every bit as strong, and every bit as willing to put her foot down, speak her mind & indirectly cause me to check myself, that a woman such as you, would one day become my helpmeet.
If you only knew that I'm careful to tell you that I love you, yet also careful not to tell you just how much, but keeping it under the realm of a Christian, brother & sister-in-Christ Love... Agape Love
If you only knew just how often I wonder if you'll one day be mine to have & to hold, that you be my Ruth, and I your Boaz, to refer to you my as wife, to salute you as my bride.
If you only knew that I as much as I write, and as open as I am, I'm not at liberty to say more, bridling my tongue, awaiting His Word to enlighten or inform you, being still, patiently waiting on the Father, that His will be done. You may not ever be my wife, though my desire may be strong. However, I'm blessed just as well to call you my friend, my sister-in-Christ.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)