The Helmet of Salvation
The Roman soldiers used several types of helmets worn. Most of the helmets consisted of bronze. They designed them to cover the back of the neck and having metal cheek guards to protect the sides of the face. The helmet had a reinforced ridge along the forehead to protect against downward slashes.
Paul tells us, in Ephesians 6:17, to, “take the helmet of salvation . . .” I find it interesting that Paul links salvation with the helmet. The helmet’s design and purpose were to protect the head of the soldier. Salvation is to protect the head or mind of the Child of God.
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
4(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds ;)
5 Casting 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; (2 Cor. 10:3-5 KJV)
The battle or warfare of the Christian soldier takes place in the mind. Satan, the enemy of our soul, will wage war upon us by attacking our mind. The control center of the body is the head or the brain, the mind. The same is true spiritually in that our spiritual control center is our mind. Our thoughts and our thought process determine who we are and how we respond in all situations. If our enemy can attack our minds and gain control of them, he is then able to disable us. In fact, he will eventually destroy us.
Paul tells us that our spiritual weapons are powerful, through God, to the pulling down of strong holds. Strong holds would be fortresses or castles that the enemy has control of. Paul speaks of them, spiritually, as imaginations or those things that exalt themselves against our knowledge of God. He goes on to call our thoughts controlled by Christ.
The word imagination, used here, is speaking of reasoning of evil intent. It is the contemplation of actions because of the verdict of the conscience. In other words it is reasoning that is hostile to our Christian faith or teachings. It is thinking about things that are contrary to the Word of God. Our conscience says it is all right to do, what we are thinking about, so we go ahead and do it.
The helmet of our salvation is our protection against those evil thoughts. Let’s take a few moments and try to break this down a bit more. Salvation speaks to us of deliverance, safety, security, refuge and sanctuary. When we think of our being saved, we think of a defender or deliverer. In fact, we could actually use the word savior in place of the word deliverer. We also know that in Luke 2:11 the angel of the Lord told the shepherds in the field that Christ the Lord was their Savior. The angel told Joseph that the baby, Mary would have, would be named Jesus, because He would save His people from their sins. Of course many more scriptures confirm that our Lord Jesus Christ is our glorious Savior.
Paul says to the Church of Ephesis, “Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.” (Eph. 5:23 KJV) As the head and as my Savior or salvation he is protecting me. When I allow Christ to be my head or the authority of my life I bring myself into His protection. With Christ in authority I now have the advantage when in battle. Those strong holds of my mind will crumble before Him. The thoughts, which are ungodly and destructive, will be brought into captivity to Christ. I can live victoriously!
“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8 NIV)
The wildebeest is the most fierce of all hoofed animals. Even a lion will not attack a healthy adult wildebeest. However, every animal has its nemesis or their adversary. The nemesis of the wildebeest is a fly. The information that they gave me says this fly will crawl down into the ear canal of the wildebeest and lay its eggs. When the eggs hatch, the maggots crawl even farther into the ear canal. They begin to eat the brain of the animal from the inside. It isn’t long until this causes the animal to be in intense pain.
What will happen next is sad, but try and picture it. The wildebeest will be eating and suddenly the pain in its head becomes so intense it is like the animal goes crazy. Trying to get rid of the pain they will suddenly jump straight up in the air and then spin around in circles. They are trying to get rid of the pain in their heads. After a few moments they will resume their eating. Until this all, happens repeatedly. It becomes more frequent as the fly’s progress farther and farther into the brain.
Lions are predators and will lie around the herd of wildebeest. They remain just on the fringe waiting and watching. Because of the fierceness of the wildebeest, the lion will not attack a healthy alert one. So they wait for one that has become ill and weakened by the attack of the flies on their brain. When they have spotted an animal that repeatedly goes into frenzy, they creep as close as possible, watching and waiting. Eventually the wildebeest will come out of his frenzied spinning totally confused, bewildered and even dizzy. This is the moment his enemy has been waiting for and with a roar the lion launches himself through the air in attack. The wildebeest is bewildered and befuddled. He is having a hard time standing. His world is spinning around. There is a loud confusing noise, a roar, but where is it coming from? He doesn’t know and then it is too late.
Let’s consider a couple of interesting things we can learn from this. We all know we have an enemy or adversary who is Peter likened to a roaring lion, (1 Peter 5:9). Beelzebub is a Bible name for Satan. In fact, Matthew 12:25 calls Beelzebub Prince of devils. In Luke 11:15 called Satan the chief of devils. The word, according to the dictionary, is a Latin word taken from a Hebrew word and means “Lord of the Flies.” In the Greek Beelzebub means the “dung-god.” It was actually the name of an Old Testament idol that Israel often worshiped, (2 Kings 1:2-3,6,16) In John 8:44 Jesus called Satan the father of all liars.
Now think of this. Beelzebub, the Lord of the Flies, comes to us and whispers in our ears. He tells us lies, whispering those little “flies” into our ears. God doesn’t love us or we would be experiencing so much pain. God doesn’t care what happens to us, He could change things if he wanted to. Go ahead and sin a little, it won’t hurt. God deserves it if you sin, He hasn’t treated you right. You can’t make it! You are a failure! You are a loser! Look at all the mistakes you have made! You aren’t worthy of God’s love! Do I need to go on? Do I need to say more? Lies that come from “The Lord of the Flies” and attack our minds. Little flies that land and creep farther and farther into our minds. They lay their eggs in our minds.
These eggs lay there and eventually hatch. They begin to eat away at our minds. The lies grow and destroy. It destroys us of our spirituality, our faith, our hope and finally our life. It is just as Jesus said, the thief comes to steal, kill and destroy. That is just what Beelzebub is trying to do. The pain becomes intense, to the point it is unbearable. We find ourselves bewildered. We become confused. We become disillusioned with everything. We are dizzy, dazed and befuddled! Then in the midst of this, the devil roars “like” a lion. We don’t know where the roar is coming from and we give up to his attack.
The helmet of salvation is to protect our minds against such attacks. It is the knowledge and understanding of God that will keep and protect us during the attack on our minds or our thinking. The attacks will be focused on exalting the enemy against the knowledge of Christ. This is what Paul spoke about in 2 Corinthians 10:5.
The prophet Hosea wrote that Israel was destroyed because of a lack of knowledge. They had rejected the Word of God and God rejected them. (Hosea 4:5) They had forgotten the Law of God and God forgot them. The wise man of Proverbs warns us to:
“Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge.” (Prov. 23:12 KJV)
A few verses later he stresses that we pay the price for truth and refuse to sell it. Along with truth we should get wisdom, instruction and understanding.
“Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.” (Prov. 23:23 KJV)
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of all wisdom. With wisdom we need to get understanding. Understanding is going to help us to overcome the attacks of the enemy.
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” (Prov. 9:10 KJV)
“And this is what he says to all humanity: 'The fear of the Lord is true wisdom; to forsake evil is real understanding.' " (Job 28:28 NLT)
When I use the helmet of salvation, I am trusting in the wisdom, knowledge and understanding that I have received from God. I am protecting myself against the lies of the enemy that would have me to doubt God. My mind is protected, because of my awesome respect for God. My knowledge and understanding of Him guard my mind against the lies of the enemy. I recognize what the enemy says as lies and reject them, before they can harm me. Before the enemy can build a stronghold in my mind, I can tear it down and destroy it.
It is vital that I constantly reaffirm what I have already learned of God. I need to strengthen it by constantly adding to that knowledge. I also need to seek the face of God and ask Him to help me to increase in knowledge, wisdom and understanding.
Showing posts with label Word.Tabernacle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Word.Tabernacle. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Momma's House, Daddy's at Home!
I drive a bus for a day school here in the city we live in. I have passengers who are over the age of eighteen and under the age of four or five. All of these are developmentally disabled for various reasons. One of the four year olds on my bus has cerebral palsy. A couple of the children are autistic and others have behavioral problems. At first I was a bit apprehensive about working in this environment because they tell you a lot of the bad things that you will have to deal with, however, I have been touched in many ways be the sweetness of these people.
The other day, at about 6:55 AM we pulled up in front of a home to pick up a little two year child. The child was standing out front with their mother and when they saw the bus approach they got so excited the child was jumping up and down. I stopped and then tooted the horn to make the child laugh. This child struggled to climb up the steps with their little short legs and stopped beside me to show me their new shirt. One of the aides took the child back to their seat and got them strapped into their car seat. The mother stood on the steps and watched the process, talking to me for a moment. Then her child stretched out their arms toward her indicating they had to have a kiss good-bye. Momma went back and gave them a kiss then climbed off the bus and headed toward the door of the house. As we rolled down to the end of the road to turn around the little one began to cry and say “Home! Home! Home!”
I looked over at the house that the child lives in. It is an old mobile home with unpainted wood siding. It sets in the trees and never sees the sun at all. The side that is visible from the road is the north side and it is cover with green moss. The yard is neatly kept with a few interesting landscape additions. As I looked at the house and its kind of dismal appearance I thought to myself, “Why would anyone want to go to that home?” Then just as quickly I realized it wasn’t the house they were talking about. The child wanted to be where Momma was. That was home.
I have another three year old who is adopted from the foster care system. This child’s mother or father brings them out to the bus every morning and again there is a big production of goodbyes after they are in their car seat. I love to see the love and care they show this child. I also love to see the adoration this child has for the parents. This child thinks that the father “hung the moon.” When we return in the evening as we pull up to the house the child begins to watch to see if the father’s truck is in the drive way. If it is there the child begins to holler, “Daddy home! Daddy home! Daddy home!” This happens so often that now all of the children will holler with him, “Daddy home!”
It is amazing, some of these children can barely talk, even at four years old, but when it comes time for them to be the next stop they know they are getting close to home. One of the students cannot speak at all. I noticed that she shows her happiness and stress by voice inflections not words. One afternoon, right after she began to ride my bus, I had to run to route a little different and failed to turn on her street but drove past it. She immediately began to holler and carry on. I realized she knew where home was. I am now careful to take her home the same way everyday and she is happy.
The other day another child’s mother went on an out of town field trip with an older sibling. This child stayed with a grandparent who met us each morning at the home to put the child on the bus. The first morning the child was fine, Momma had just left and they had Grandma. However, the next morning it was a different story. The child was crying when they got out of the car. Grandma promised them the world if they would stop crying. She said, “I will take you anywhere you want to go tonight, just don’t cry!” It didn’t matter they kept on crying. As we were pulling away I was surprised to hear the child saying, “I want my Momma!” I had thought they were crying because they didn’t want to leave Grandma, but it was Momma who was being missed. There just isn’t a substitute for Momma, not even grandma.
Someone once said, “Home is where the heart is.” I would have to say this is very true. I would also have to say that with these children, home is where the loving parent is, and be it Momma or Daddy. They are what make it home. It isn’t the appearance of the house that makes it home. Neither is it the location of the house but it is the recognition of who and what is there, Momma and Daddy and lots of love.
I have found the same to be true in my relationship to God. Home is where Momma is. The Church is our spiritual mother. It births us. It nourishes us. It is where we are fed. It is where we go when we hurt. It is where we go when we need loving. It doesn’t matter so much what the house looks like. It can be a store front or it can be a beautiful edifice. I have seen it housed in garages, school houses and exquisite buildings, it really doesn’t matter as long as Momma is there. Momma is going to make it all right!
Of course Daddy provides the security and provides. He is there with His strength and power. That quite strength that reassures us the world can be shaking on the outside, but as long as Daddy, our Heavenly Father, is home, everything is going to be alright!
I love to drive up to the house and begin to feel the anticipation of knowing that Momma is there. All of the problems and pressures of the day and week will be shared with her. Those bumps, scrapes and boo-boos are going to be doctored. The emptiness inside me is going to be replaced with satisfaction. The loneliness I am feeling will leave with the sweet fellowship of Momma’s loving care.
I love to walk into the house and recognize that Daddy’s home. The fear and uncertainty is gone, Daddy’s home. There is safety and security now because Daddy’s home. Those around me can also feel the excitement from with in me and they too come to recognize that Daddy’s home.
There just isn’t a substitute for Momma! There is nothing in the world that can ever take her place. When you are away from Momma there is something inside your soul that cries out for her. There are a lot of things that try to take her place in our lives, but nothing and no one can take the place of Momma!
No, it doesn’t matter where it is nor does it matter what it looks like on the outside, just as long as it’s Momma’s house and Daddy’s home! That is where my soul longs to be…
Just a Thought! God Bless…
The other day, at about 6:55 AM we pulled up in front of a home to pick up a little two year child. The child was standing out front with their mother and when they saw the bus approach they got so excited the child was jumping up and down. I stopped and then tooted the horn to make the child laugh. This child struggled to climb up the steps with their little short legs and stopped beside me to show me their new shirt. One of the aides took the child back to their seat and got them strapped into their car seat. The mother stood on the steps and watched the process, talking to me for a moment. Then her child stretched out their arms toward her indicating they had to have a kiss good-bye. Momma went back and gave them a kiss then climbed off the bus and headed toward the door of the house. As we rolled down to the end of the road to turn around the little one began to cry and say “Home! Home! Home!”
I looked over at the house that the child lives in. It is an old mobile home with unpainted wood siding. It sets in the trees and never sees the sun at all. The side that is visible from the road is the north side and it is cover with green moss. The yard is neatly kept with a few interesting landscape additions. As I looked at the house and its kind of dismal appearance I thought to myself, “Why would anyone want to go to that home?” Then just as quickly I realized it wasn’t the house they were talking about. The child wanted to be where Momma was. That was home.
I have another three year old who is adopted from the foster care system. This child’s mother or father brings them out to the bus every morning and again there is a big production of goodbyes after they are in their car seat. I love to see the love and care they show this child. I also love to see the adoration this child has for the parents. This child thinks that the father “hung the moon.” When we return in the evening as we pull up to the house the child begins to watch to see if the father’s truck is in the drive way. If it is there the child begins to holler, “Daddy home! Daddy home! Daddy home!” This happens so often that now all of the children will holler with him, “Daddy home!”
It is amazing, some of these children can barely talk, even at four years old, but when it comes time for them to be the next stop they know they are getting close to home. One of the students cannot speak at all. I noticed that she shows her happiness and stress by voice inflections not words. One afternoon, right after she began to ride my bus, I had to run to route a little different and failed to turn on her street but drove past it. She immediately began to holler and carry on. I realized she knew where home was. I am now careful to take her home the same way everyday and she is happy.
The other day another child’s mother went on an out of town field trip with an older sibling. This child stayed with a grandparent who met us each morning at the home to put the child on the bus. The first morning the child was fine, Momma had just left and they had Grandma. However, the next morning it was a different story. The child was crying when they got out of the car. Grandma promised them the world if they would stop crying. She said, “I will take you anywhere you want to go tonight, just don’t cry!” It didn’t matter they kept on crying. As we were pulling away I was surprised to hear the child saying, “I want my Momma!” I had thought they were crying because they didn’t want to leave Grandma, but it was Momma who was being missed. There just isn’t a substitute for Momma, not even grandma.
Someone once said, “Home is where the heart is.” I would have to say this is very true. I would also have to say that with these children, home is where the loving parent is, and be it Momma or Daddy. They are what make it home. It isn’t the appearance of the house that makes it home. Neither is it the location of the house but it is the recognition of who and what is there, Momma and Daddy and lots of love.
I have found the same to be true in my relationship to God. Home is where Momma is. The Church is our spiritual mother. It births us. It nourishes us. It is where we are fed. It is where we go when we hurt. It is where we go when we need loving. It doesn’t matter so much what the house looks like. It can be a store front or it can be a beautiful edifice. I have seen it housed in garages, school houses and exquisite buildings, it really doesn’t matter as long as Momma is there. Momma is going to make it all right!
Of course Daddy provides the security and provides. He is there with His strength and power. That quite strength that reassures us the world can be shaking on the outside, but as long as Daddy, our Heavenly Father, is home, everything is going to be alright!
I love to drive up to the house and begin to feel the anticipation of knowing that Momma is there. All of the problems and pressures of the day and week will be shared with her. Those bumps, scrapes and boo-boos are going to be doctored. The emptiness inside me is going to be replaced with satisfaction. The loneliness I am feeling will leave with the sweet fellowship of Momma’s loving care.
I love to walk into the house and recognize that Daddy’s home. The fear and uncertainty is gone, Daddy’s home. There is safety and security now because Daddy’s home. Those around me can also feel the excitement from with in me and they too come to recognize that Daddy’s home.
There just isn’t a substitute for Momma! There is nothing in the world that can ever take her place. When you are away from Momma there is something inside your soul that cries out for her. There are a lot of things that try to take her place in our lives, but nothing and no one can take the place of Momma!
No, it doesn’t matter where it is nor does it matter what it looks like on the outside, just as long as it’s Momma’s house and Daddy’s home! That is where my soul longs to be…
Just a Thought! God Bless…
Monday, February 16, 2009
TEAM Ministry in Salem, Arkansas
This past Sunday TEAM Ministry ministered in Salem, Arkansas with Pastor and Sister Art DeAscentis.
We ministered Sunday morning with Jared preaching of how God wants to refreshing our souls and spirits. God touched the hearts of both young and old alike. (Sorry we forgot the camera!)
Sunday night God met with us again as we ministered of the signs of the Apostolic Church and how God wants to start making a difference in our lives.
There was a tremendous resposnse to the manifestation of the power of God. Young people began to touch God and allow Him to begin working in the spirits.
As it began to slow a bit there was a such sweet spirit that swept over us and we began to sing that old song, "Jesus...there's just something about that name..." God spoke to us again, confirming His Word with tongues and interpretation confirming His love to His children.
We were blessed with a surprise visit from Jarus David from Colton, California. We have known Jarus and his family for over twenty years. It was wonderful to be with an old young friend.
There is nothing as beautiful as young people who have been worshipping, praying and allowing God to touch their lives. We appreciate Shelisa's intercession for the service.
What a wonderful time we had in the precense of the Lord! Please keep this church in your prayers. A year ago this week their building was destroyed in an arson fire. They are now worshipping in what will be the fellowship hall of their new building and need a financial blessing to be able to finish the work.
God Bless!
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Forgiveness is NOT an Option!
Don’t you just love those evenings when for some odd reason you have nothing that you have to do? You can stop and ask yourself the question, “What am I going to do tonight? Will I read a book? Should I listen to some music? What am I going to do?” Aren’t those rare occasions great?
Several years ago I remember having one of those nights. At that time they were very rare. We had all three of our children at home. We were pastoring two churches and had a daughter work also. Between those responsibilities, along with teaching Home Bible Studies, being the principal of a Christian School and trying to be a husband, father and a son, there were not a lot of evenings when I didn’t have something that was demanding my attention. On this particular evening, not only was it free, but I was home by myself, which meant I could pretty much do what I wanted to do.
I remember deciding I wanted to have someone preach to me. I felt I needed to be spiritually fed, I needed some input. I went to our preaching tape library and just grabbed a tape and put it in. I wasn’t really caring who I was going to listen to or what subject they would preach on, I just was going to relax and say, “Pour it on!” Then let whatever happened happen. Needless to say, God obviously had something totally different in mind!
I don’t believe there are any accidents with God. You might have an accident while driving. You might even have an accident in that you drop a glass of water. However, I don’t believe it is an accident when you hear a message that is from God and it makes a difference in your heart. I believe these are actually “divine appointments.” Times when God desires to mold and shape us into the person He wants us to be.
The message that I listened to that night was about “Forgiveness.” As the title was given and the message started I kind of sat back in my chair and thought, “Well there is no problem here, I will get some good information for a message. However, I don’t have anyone that I need to forgive.” Yet as the message began to unfold I began to get uncomfortable. So much for a night of relaxation! I began to get a good old case of conviction, to the point I had to ask God who I needed to forgive. I went down the list in my mind and couldn’t really think of anybody and so I told God that.
Can you imagine my shock when I felt God speak to me and tell me, “You have forgiven everyone else but you haven’t forgiven me?” My response was first shock and then it was horror. I quickly moved just in case fire came from heaven just for the thought that I might have something against God! As I began to converse with God about this He led me to understand that I had feelings that I was afraid to admit, because of disappointments and failures from my past. In my heart I felt that God had let me down and I had failed to forgive God. This started me to begin to study forgiveness. Let me share a few thoughts with you.
In Matthew chapter 18 Jesus likens the Kingdom of Heaven to a king who takes inventory. In doing so he finds there is a servant who owes him a large sum of money. The king sends for the man and asks to be paid. The servant explains he doesn’t have the money, we have all been there, but will do his best to raise it. The king feels the man has had enough time and commands that he, his wife and children all be thrown into prison. The servant falls on his knees and begs for mercy and the king is merciful. The king doesn’t give him more time, he completely forgives the servant of the debt that is owed. One writer says he canceled what was owed.
The servant leaves the kings court. He walks down the street and it reads as if he is on the prowl, looking for someone who owes him money. He finds a fellow servant who owes him a few dollars. He grabs the man and demands payment. The fellow servant says he also doesn’t have the money to pay the debt. Now the servant pays no heed to the promise of payment or the plea for mercy. He has the fellow servant thrown into prison for the owed debt. The amazing thing is the servant was forgiven ten thousand talents and he was owed only one hundred pence. In today’s money and I mean as of 9:11 PM Central Time on September 23, 2008, this man was owed $11,594.99 and he owed the king $3,580,532.19. He had been forgiven an incredible debt yet couldn’t find it in his heart to forgive a fellow servant a debt that was owed him.
There are a couple of things I would like to bring to our attention. It is obvious the king is likened unto God. It is also obvious that Jesus is talking about forgiving our brother when He is speaking of the two servants. Peter has asked Jesus how often a person is required to forgive someone who sins against them. Jesus said we are to forgive seventy times seven and then Jesus goes on to say the Kingdom of heaven is like a king and then tells the story. He ends by saying so likewise shall my heavenly Father do unto you.
The first thing we need to understand is God has forgiven a great debt that we owe. Each and every one of us owed Him a debt that we could have never paid. The only hope that we had was damnation. Yet God was merciful to each of us and forgave us that debt. He did not just give us time to try and figure out a way to pay it, He forgave it. That means He pardoned us. We were absolved from the debt. We have been exonerated or completely set free from what we owed. It is gone and forgotten.
On the flip side, we have been done wrong. We will have people do us wrong again. We will even feel if we are honest with ourselves that God hasn’t completely done right by us. Yet, no matter how big the wrong which someone does to us it will never compare to the debt we owe! The debt I owe is far greater than any and all debts owed to me. So, with this in mind, the key to feeling forgiveness is forgiving. I didn’t think this up, someone shared this with me and I put it into practice and it works.
Watch this! The servant is forgiven by the king. He is feeling good, in fact it seems as if he has found a new power in life in that when he finds the fellow servant he grabs him and demands payment of the debt owed to him. Now when he refuses to forgive the debt owed to him he is brought before the king a second time. The king reminds him of the mercy that is showed to him regarding his great debt. Then the king reinstates the debt and the Bible says he has the servant turned over to the tormenters. What had been forgiven was no longer forgiven because of the forgiven would not forgive.
When I fail or refuse to forgive then I lose the privilege of being forgiven. I come to an altar of repentance and confess my sins and feel God cleanse me of those sins. I am free! I feel so good and refreshed! Yet a day or so later, it may even be a week or so, I begin to deal with the same feelings of guilt, shame and condemnation. It is inner torment! Why? Because I have not forgiven those who I feel owe me, who have done me wrong.
In His pattern of prayer, Jesus prayed, “Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.” If we don’t forgive, can God forgive us? It is a small price to pay for freedom, for peace. You see forgiveness is not an option. We must have it to live free from torment. We also must give it to live free from torment.
Forgiveness is not an option. Neither is it something we will only have to do one time. I have had to go to my knees many times and ask forgiveness and also forgive. I have had to seek the face of God for help in forgiving. I have had to forgive God and make sure things were right between me and God. I have had to forgive others who have knowingly and unknowingly hurt me. I have to make sure things are right between us. Yes, I have also had to forgive myself. I have hurt myself so many times. I have let myself down and disappointed myself many, many times. Yet, if I want peace in my heart and a relationship with my Savior, forgiveness is not an option!
Just a Thought! God Bless!
Several years ago I remember having one of those nights. At that time they were very rare. We had all three of our children at home. We were pastoring two churches and had a daughter work also. Between those responsibilities, along with teaching Home Bible Studies, being the principal of a Christian School and trying to be a husband, father and a son, there were not a lot of evenings when I didn’t have something that was demanding my attention. On this particular evening, not only was it free, but I was home by myself, which meant I could pretty much do what I wanted to do.
I remember deciding I wanted to have someone preach to me. I felt I needed to be spiritually fed, I needed some input. I went to our preaching tape library and just grabbed a tape and put it in. I wasn’t really caring who I was going to listen to or what subject they would preach on, I just was going to relax and say, “Pour it on!” Then let whatever happened happen. Needless to say, God obviously had something totally different in mind!
I don’t believe there are any accidents with God. You might have an accident while driving. You might even have an accident in that you drop a glass of water. However, I don’t believe it is an accident when you hear a message that is from God and it makes a difference in your heart. I believe these are actually “divine appointments.” Times when God desires to mold and shape us into the person He wants us to be.
The message that I listened to that night was about “Forgiveness.” As the title was given and the message started I kind of sat back in my chair and thought, “Well there is no problem here, I will get some good information for a message. However, I don’t have anyone that I need to forgive.” Yet as the message began to unfold I began to get uncomfortable. So much for a night of relaxation! I began to get a good old case of conviction, to the point I had to ask God who I needed to forgive. I went down the list in my mind and couldn’t really think of anybody and so I told God that.
Can you imagine my shock when I felt God speak to me and tell me, “You have forgiven everyone else but you haven’t forgiven me?” My response was first shock and then it was horror. I quickly moved just in case fire came from heaven just for the thought that I might have something against God! As I began to converse with God about this He led me to understand that I had feelings that I was afraid to admit, because of disappointments and failures from my past. In my heart I felt that God had let me down and I had failed to forgive God. This started me to begin to study forgiveness. Let me share a few thoughts with you.
In Matthew chapter 18 Jesus likens the Kingdom of Heaven to a king who takes inventory. In doing so he finds there is a servant who owes him a large sum of money. The king sends for the man and asks to be paid. The servant explains he doesn’t have the money, we have all been there, but will do his best to raise it. The king feels the man has had enough time and commands that he, his wife and children all be thrown into prison. The servant falls on his knees and begs for mercy and the king is merciful. The king doesn’t give him more time, he completely forgives the servant of the debt that is owed. One writer says he canceled what was owed.
The servant leaves the kings court. He walks down the street and it reads as if he is on the prowl, looking for someone who owes him money. He finds a fellow servant who owes him a few dollars. He grabs the man and demands payment. The fellow servant says he also doesn’t have the money to pay the debt. Now the servant pays no heed to the promise of payment or the plea for mercy. He has the fellow servant thrown into prison for the owed debt. The amazing thing is the servant was forgiven ten thousand talents and he was owed only one hundred pence. In today’s money and I mean as of 9:11 PM Central Time on September 23, 2008, this man was owed $11,594.99 and he owed the king $3,580,532.19. He had been forgiven an incredible debt yet couldn’t find it in his heart to forgive a fellow servant a debt that was owed him.
There are a couple of things I would like to bring to our attention. It is obvious the king is likened unto God. It is also obvious that Jesus is talking about forgiving our brother when He is speaking of the two servants. Peter has asked Jesus how often a person is required to forgive someone who sins against them. Jesus said we are to forgive seventy times seven and then Jesus goes on to say the Kingdom of heaven is like a king and then tells the story. He ends by saying so likewise shall my heavenly Father do unto you.
The first thing we need to understand is God has forgiven a great debt that we owe. Each and every one of us owed Him a debt that we could have never paid. The only hope that we had was damnation. Yet God was merciful to each of us and forgave us that debt. He did not just give us time to try and figure out a way to pay it, He forgave it. That means He pardoned us. We were absolved from the debt. We have been exonerated or completely set free from what we owed. It is gone and forgotten.
On the flip side, we have been done wrong. We will have people do us wrong again. We will even feel if we are honest with ourselves that God hasn’t completely done right by us. Yet, no matter how big the wrong which someone does to us it will never compare to the debt we owe! The debt I owe is far greater than any and all debts owed to me. So, with this in mind, the key to feeling forgiveness is forgiving. I didn’t think this up, someone shared this with me and I put it into practice and it works.
Watch this! The servant is forgiven by the king. He is feeling good, in fact it seems as if he has found a new power in life in that when he finds the fellow servant he grabs him and demands payment of the debt owed to him. Now when he refuses to forgive the debt owed to him he is brought before the king a second time. The king reminds him of the mercy that is showed to him regarding his great debt. Then the king reinstates the debt and the Bible says he has the servant turned over to the tormenters. What had been forgiven was no longer forgiven because of the forgiven would not forgive.
When I fail or refuse to forgive then I lose the privilege of being forgiven. I come to an altar of repentance and confess my sins and feel God cleanse me of those sins. I am free! I feel so good and refreshed! Yet a day or so later, it may even be a week or so, I begin to deal with the same feelings of guilt, shame and condemnation. It is inner torment! Why? Because I have not forgiven those who I feel owe me, who have done me wrong.
In His pattern of prayer, Jesus prayed, “Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.” If we don’t forgive, can God forgive us? It is a small price to pay for freedom, for peace. You see forgiveness is not an option. We must have it to live free from torment. We also must give it to live free from torment.
Forgiveness is not an option. Neither is it something we will only have to do one time. I have had to go to my knees many times and ask forgiveness and also forgive. I have had to seek the face of God for help in forgiving. I have had to forgive God and make sure things were right between me and God. I have had to forgive others who have knowingly and unknowingly hurt me. I have to make sure things are right between us. Yes, I have also had to forgive myself. I have hurt myself so many times. I have let myself down and disappointed myself many, many times. Yet, if I want peace in my heart and a relationship with my Savior, forgiveness is not an option!
Just a Thought! God Bless!
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Where are You Sleeping Tonight?
Have you ever gone camping and slept in a tent? When our kids were growing up, camping was our family activity. We really enjoyed it for several different reasons. We could get away, seemingly far away, and yet be within thirty miles from home. We could relax and never hear a phone ring or anyone knock on the door. It was inexpensive yet lots of fun. Most of all, we spent time together as a family.
I remember one of the first times we went camping. Everyone went to bed, all was quiet and I opened my eyes to see the shadow of someone standing right outside our tent. My heart raced! I was wishing I had thought to bring a gun! Then he moved away. I quietly got out of the sleeping bag, unzipped the tent and realized the man who was standing next to my tent was actually in another campsite a hundred feet or so away. He had just walked between the camp fire and our tent making it seem he was right there.
I was recently talking to someone and a passage of scripture came to my mind. It is the twenty-seventh Psalm. The psalmist speaks of the Lord being his light and salvation. There is no need to be afraid because we can depend on Him. No matter how great the enemy is that comes against me and even if I am surrounded, I don’t have to be afraid, I can keep my confidence in the Lord.
The part of this psalm that actually came to my mind is when the psalmist said that in the time of trouble God would hide him in His pavilion. It is my understanding the pavilion was the tent in which the king or captain of the army slept in when they were at war. It was placed in the center of the army’s encampment with the whole army surrounding it. If the enemy wanted to get to the king, they had to go through the whole army. Their chances of survival were very slim if they were to try this. Yet the chances of the king surviving were very great. The psalmist said in the time of trouble God would hide us in his pavilion. In the center of his protection!
Peter speaks of the child of God being a “peculiar people.” A lot of people like to use that to say it is ok for Christians to be weird because we are peculiar. That word doesn’t actually mean odd, strange or weird. What it actually means is to be set apart because of value. God looks upon us as being valuable to Him, as being special to Him so He sets us apart.
It goes a little further in its meaning to speak of being inside a circle of protection with God. He has surrounded us with His love and protection and as long as we remain within that circle nothing can get to us without His permission.
We read about a time when the Lord was meeting with the host of heaven. As they were conversing Satan came before the Lord also. God asked where he had been and Satan’s reply was he had been to and fro through the earth. The Lord knew what he was doing and asked him if he had considered God’s servant Job?
Satan said he had checked out Job but God was protecting Job so that Satan couldn’t get to him. God had great confidence in Job and allowed Satan to come against Job to prove the faithfulness of Job was because of devotion not just blessing. Satan returned a second time and a second time God allowed Satan to afflict Job.
You will notice in both cases God protected Job. In both cases Satan was unable to get close to Job. In both cases God limited the access Satan had to Job. Job was in the pavilion of God.
We often wonder why we deal with some of the things in life that we must deal with if God really loves us. There are more than one answer to these questions, however, let me try to keep it simple. One reason is sin, both our sins and the sins of others. The second reason is our imperfections. God allows things to happen in our lives to bring these imperfections to our attention so we can remove them from our lives, thus making us more like him.
Let me show you. When Job began his trial he was a righteous man. So much so that God brought him to the attention of Satan by saying, “Have you considered Job?” Job was so careful in his relationship with God and his family that he offered sacrifices for his children just in case they forgot to offer the sacrifices. Many times during the trial Job was firm with his assurance that he had not sinned. He was falsely accused by his friends of sinning, but he was firm in his innocence.
He even brought that to the attention of the Lord. He wanted to know why God was allowing this to happen to him. Yet in one place he actually answers his own question when he tells us that although he couldn’t find God, God knew where he was a when it was finished he would be purified as gold.
God finally lets Job know that although he is a righteous man God is still God. He asked Job where were you when I did all of this…? After Job and God have this discussion Job realizes he has stepped out of place and gives God the right to do what he desires in Jobs life. He actually forgives God.
God had been protecting Job, only allowing in just enough of the temptation and trial to help Job to realize his shortcoming. Not allowing enough to destroy him, but allowing enough to make him stronger if Job would seize the opportunity. Job forgave God! Job forgave his friends! As a result God tremendously blessed Job in his latter days more than his earlier days. I can’t help but think that is a spiritual blessing also.
So, my question is, “Where are you sleeping?” Have you allowed God to hide you in His pavilion? Are you sleeping in His tent? Are you in the protection of His love and mercy? Where do you run when you feel the enemy is surrounding you and trying to overwhelm you?
The servant came running to his master with a look of dismay! He is sure the end has come. He is sure it is all over now! He had just taken a look out the window and then out all of the windows and the sight was the same. They were completely surrounded by the enemy! It was surely a hopeless situation. However, that all changed when Elisha took him again to the window and he was now able to see the army of the Lord had surrounded the army of the enemy!
If we look at life and its situations through our natural eyes we will be overwhelmed. If we look at our mistakes which we have made and the results of those mistakes through natural eyes we will be overwhelmed. It is at this time that we need to run to his pavilion. It is at this time that we should allow God to surround us with his blessings of protection and love.
Where are you sleeping tonight? In a tent that is close to the fire of the enemy so that he can frighten you with his shadow? Will you sleep outside the protection of the power for God? Are you going to sleep in His pavilion, in His protection? Where are you sleeping tonight?
Just a Thought! God Bless
I remember one of the first times we went camping. Everyone went to bed, all was quiet and I opened my eyes to see the shadow of someone standing right outside our tent. My heart raced! I was wishing I had thought to bring a gun! Then he moved away. I quietly got out of the sleeping bag, unzipped the tent and realized the man who was standing next to my tent was actually in another campsite a hundred feet or so away. He had just walked between the camp fire and our tent making it seem he was right there.
I was recently talking to someone and a passage of scripture came to my mind. It is the twenty-seventh Psalm. The psalmist speaks of the Lord being his light and salvation. There is no need to be afraid because we can depend on Him. No matter how great the enemy is that comes against me and even if I am surrounded, I don’t have to be afraid, I can keep my confidence in the Lord.
The part of this psalm that actually came to my mind is when the psalmist said that in the time of trouble God would hide him in His pavilion. It is my understanding the pavilion was the tent in which the king or captain of the army slept in when they were at war. It was placed in the center of the army’s encampment with the whole army surrounding it. If the enemy wanted to get to the king, they had to go through the whole army. Their chances of survival were very slim if they were to try this. Yet the chances of the king surviving were very great. The psalmist said in the time of trouble God would hide us in his pavilion. In the center of his protection!
Peter speaks of the child of God being a “peculiar people.” A lot of people like to use that to say it is ok for Christians to be weird because we are peculiar. That word doesn’t actually mean odd, strange or weird. What it actually means is to be set apart because of value. God looks upon us as being valuable to Him, as being special to Him so He sets us apart.
It goes a little further in its meaning to speak of being inside a circle of protection with God. He has surrounded us with His love and protection and as long as we remain within that circle nothing can get to us without His permission.
We read about a time when the Lord was meeting with the host of heaven. As they were conversing Satan came before the Lord also. God asked where he had been and Satan’s reply was he had been to and fro through the earth. The Lord knew what he was doing and asked him if he had considered God’s servant Job?
Satan said he had checked out Job but God was protecting Job so that Satan couldn’t get to him. God had great confidence in Job and allowed Satan to come against Job to prove the faithfulness of Job was because of devotion not just blessing. Satan returned a second time and a second time God allowed Satan to afflict Job.
You will notice in both cases God protected Job. In both cases Satan was unable to get close to Job. In both cases God limited the access Satan had to Job. Job was in the pavilion of God.
We often wonder why we deal with some of the things in life that we must deal with if God really loves us. There are more than one answer to these questions, however, let me try to keep it simple. One reason is sin, both our sins and the sins of others. The second reason is our imperfections. God allows things to happen in our lives to bring these imperfections to our attention so we can remove them from our lives, thus making us more like him.
Let me show you. When Job began his trial he was a righteous man. So much so that God brought him to the attention of Satan by saying, “Have you considered Job?” Job was so careful in his relationship with God and his family that he offered sacrifices for his children just in case they forgot to offer the sacrifices. Many times during the trial Job was firm with his assurance that he had not sinned. He was falsely accused by his friends of sinning, but he was firm in his innocence.
He even brought that to the attention of the Lord. He wanted to know why God was allowing this to happen to him. Yet in one place he actually answers his own question when he tells us that although he couldn’t find God, God knew where he was a when it was finished he would be purified as gold.
God finally lets Job know that although he is a righteous man God is still God. He asked Job where were you when I did all of this…? After Job and God have this discussion Job realizes he has stepped out of place and gives God the right to do what he desires in Jobs life. He actually forgives God.
God had been protecting Job, only allowing in just enough of the temptation and trial to help Job to realize his shortcoming. Not allowing enough to destroy him, but allowing enough to make him stronger if Job would seize the opportunity. Job forgave God! Job forgave his friends! As a result God tremendously blessed Job in his latter days more than his earlier days. I can’t help but think that is a spiritual blessing also.
So, my question is, “Where are you sleeping?” Have you allowed God to hide you in His pavilion? Are you sleeping in His tent? Are you in the protection of His love and mercy? Where do you run when you feel the enemy is surrounding you and trying to overwhelm you?
The servant came running to his master with a look of dismay! He is sure the end has come. He is sure it is all over now! He had just taken a look out the window and then out all of the windows and the sight was the same. They were completely surrounded by the enemy! It was surely a hopeless situation. However, that all changed when Elisha took him again to the window and he was now able to see the army of the Lord had surrounded the army of the enemy!
If we look at life and its situations through our natural eyes we will be overwhelmed. If we look at our mistakes which we have made and the results of those mistakes through natural eyes we will be overwhelmed. It is at this time that we need to run to his pavilion. It is at this time that we should allow God to surround us with his blessings of protection and love.
Where are you sleeping tonight? In a tent that is close to the fire of the enemy so that he can frighten you with his shadow? Will you sleep outside the protection of the power for God? Are you going to sleep in His pavilion, in His protection? Where are you sleeping tonight?
Just a Thought! God Bless
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Do You Love Miracles?
Have you ever seen a miracle? I mean a real live miracle like you read about in the Bible? You know a miracle where the lame walk, blinded eyes are opened, or deaf ears are unstopped. Not a miracle that we title that way just to hide our surprise. “Wow, she made it to church on time, what a miracle!” Or, “I couldn’t believe I found a parking spot next to the door of the mall, God worked a miracle!”
I love it when God shows off with a miracle. I remember one service in which we had several miraculous healings all at once. We were worshipping God and a lady had her foot healed, broken bones mended right there. She began to scream “I’m healed!” She jumped up and down on that foot. About that time another person let out a shout they also had been healed. They felt God touch and heal their heart! Miracles are awesome!
I recently read a book by a well known evangelist who said the day of miracles were past. I thought, friend you and I need to have a little talk because I have seen some miracles in my life! I love miracles.
Another thing that I really love is the way God provides for us. He does this in so many different ways. I remember when I was very young my Dad preached a revival in a country Church. The last night of the revival we went to get in the car to go home and the people had filled our car with groceries. The trunk and back seat were stacked full of home grown provisions. The monetary offering was fairly small but the food offering was incredible. There were several dozens of eggs in the offering. It took several weeks to go through all of them. I remember when Mom opened the last dozen there was a ten dollar bill lying right on top. Finances were tight, at that time, and you could buy a lot for ten dollars. What was amazing is the money was in the last carton, not the first or middle. Provision when we needed it.
I love the word of God. I love to read it! I love to hear it preached! I can remember messages I heard preached decades ago because something from the Word of God blessed my soul. I can remember scriptures that I read years ago and for the first time something in the passage spoke to my soul. Many years later I remember the time and the place. The Word of God is powerful!
When God spoke to Moses about building the Tabernacle it was to be a place where Israel could come to meet with God and God would meet with Israel. It was placed in the center of the camp of Israel; every tent was to face the Tabernacle. God was very detailed and specific in the instructions to the Tabernacle. He detailed its location, dimensions, materials to be used and furnishings. Even with the furnishings he was as detailed in His instructions, even to the point of their placement within the Tabernacle itself.
When God spoke to Moses about building the Tabernacle it was to be a place where Israel could come to meet with God and God would meet with Israel. It was placed in the center of the camp of Israel; every tent was to face the Tabernacle. God was very detailed and specific in the instructions to the Tabernacle. He detailed its location, dimensions, materials to be used and furnishings. Even with the furnishings he was as detailed in His instructions, even to the point of their placement within the Tabernacle itself.The Tabernacle was a type for the New Testament. It represents our relationship with God. The Tabernacle was located in the center of Israel with all of Israel focused upon it. God is to be the center of our lives with our focus on Him.
The Tabernacle was covered with badger skins on the outside, yet on the inside, hidden and revealed only to those who entered, it was beautiful. The colors of the drapery and covering were scarlet, purple, and white accenting the gold of the furnishings highlighted by the flickering lights of the Golden Candlesticks; it must have been breath taking. This is typical of our spiritual relationship with God. To the outsider it might seem unattractive but when you enter into the Spirit of God it is so beautiful words are so inadequate to explain its splendor.
As you approached the Tabernacle you saw the Altar of Sacrifice and the Brazen Laver. This was where the priest offered the sacrifice for the sins of the people. They would then wash themselves at the Brazen Laver before entering into the Tabernacle. This is a type of repentance and baptism. We must repent and be baptized before we can enter into a relationship with God. We also need to repent and allow God to cleanse us each time we come to worship Him.
Entering the Tabernacle you stepped into a room called the Holy Place. In this room there were three articles of furniture. These pieces were The Table of Shew Bread, The Golden Candlesticks and the Altar of Incense. They were a type of the Word of God, the Holy Ghost and our worship to God.Behind the Altar of Incense was a thick curtain or veil. In the room behind that, called the Holiest of Holies, was one piece of furniture which was called the Ark of the Covenant. This room was only available to one person in Israel and that was only one time a year. Moses could not enter here nor could Joshua or any other man. Only the High Priest could come in and only when it was time to apply the blood offering to the mercy seat on the Ark of the Covenant. This is a type of Jesus Christ obtaining mercy for us. This was where God met with man and showed his mercy. It is also a type of you and me entering into a worship attitude that takes us beyond the veil of this flesh into communion with God in the Spirit! We no longer have to have a man represent us; we can come boldly before God and obtain mercy and help. We can fellowship directly with Him.
The Ark of the Covenant was a type of God being with man. It was not God, but represented several things about God. On the cover of the Ark were two cherubim facing one another. Between then was the Mercy Seat. Inside the Ark there were three things: Aaron’s rod that budded, this was an almond stick that had budded although it was dead, a testimony of God’s miraculous power and authority. There was a pot of manna from the wilderness which was a testimony of God’s miraculous provision. There was also the table of stone on which the Covenant had been recorded that was between God and Israel. It was a reminder of God’s promise to Israel and what God expected of them. It was His Word.Many years later Israel carried the Ark of the Covenant into battle as a “good luck charm.” However they lost both the battle and the Ark of the Covenant to the Philistines. The Philistines put it in the temple of their god’s and much to their dismay God destroyed their gods and wrecked havoc in their temple. They moved it from place to place with continued disastrous results until finally they put it on a cart and sent it back to Israel.
Generations later Solomon has built a temple to God. At the dedication of the temple he brings the Ark of the Covenant into the temple and bestows upon it its place of honor. The Bible tells us that at this time all that was in the Ark of the Covenant was the “two tables which Moses put therein” or the Word of God. The Philistines had taken out the rod that budded and the pot of manna.
You know, that is like so many people in our world today. They want God to do miracles and they want God’s provision but they will leave behind the Word of God. Give us something that sparkles! Give us something that makes us feel good! We don’t need the Word it is tough and boring! It isn’t for us today!Take a moment to notice this. The Philistines were afflicted in their secret parts! They had the miracles and the provisions but they couldn’t get rid of the Ark fast enough because they couldn’t handle the power it brought. Paul speaks of these types of people in 2 Timothy 3, they want to look good, they want the miracles and provision, however, they deny the power that brings it about and makes it real. They don’t want to live by the Word of God. They don’t love the Word of God. Paul said to get away from these types of people! You can’t run fast enough, spiritually!
Miracles are wonderful but God gave them to the Church to confirm His Word. Provision is wonderful and needed, however it is a physical manifestation of God’s love for His people which He tells us of in His Word. When the Ark came back to Israel, it came back with out the rod or the pot, but the Spirit of God was still with it. You can know God without the miracles or the provision but you can never know Him without His Word!
Today, as never before, I pray God give me a love for you Word. Job put it this way: “Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food,” Job 23:12
Do you love miracles? Do you love God’s provision? I do! However, I love His Word more than all else!
Just a thought! God Bless.
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