Our first inclination when we sense danger is to run and hide. We want to flee the threat of danger! Our pulse begins to race! Our adrenalin begins to pump! Fear grips our heart! The first thought we have is to make a retreat and save ourselves.
Fear is a controlling, amazing thing. The cause of fear doesn’t even have to be real, it can be something we have imagined or someone has told us. Experiences can cause fear in our lives that are either real or imagined. Fear will control you. Let me give you an example.
I was driving home from Church one Sunday with my mother. We exited the Interstate and came to a stop sign at an intersection. Across from where we sat, about a hundred feet away and to our right, we could see the shore of a lake. My mother looked at the lake and said, “That makes my stomach hurt!”
Not sure what she was referring to, I asked, “What are you talking about?” To this she replied, “That water! Looking at it makes my stomach hurt!”
Now I was very curious how the lake’s water could make her stomach hurt, so I asked her. To this she replied, “Well, when I was two years old I almost drowned. So when I look at water, it makes my stomach hurt.”
I was surprised and said, “Mom, you can’t even remember when you were two years old. How can that experience make you afraid of water to the point it makes your stomach hurt to look at it? You are just going on what someone told you.”
Mom replied, “I don’t care! It makes my stomach hurt to look at water.” I then began to recall how afraid she had been all of my life whenever water was involved. She had never, in my lifetime, gone swimming. In fact, I don’t ever remember her going wading or standing in the waves at the ocean. When we were kids, we would beg to go swimming at the river. When mom would finally give in and would take us we could only get in the water up to our knees. I was eighteen years old when I learned to swim. A fear that someone had told her about, had controlled her life for seventy-five years.
The same thing happens to us spiritually. We often deal with fears that things that we have experienced in our past have caused. Sometimes the enemy of our soul will whisper lies in our ears that will breed fears into our lives. Our imaginations begin to expand on the lies, making them larger and more real in our minds to the point fear controls us.
Paul tells us, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2 Tim 1:7 KJV)
John also writes and tells us, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” (1 John 4:18 KJV)
Fear is the root of so much of our spiritual troubles. It is the cause of much of the conflict we have with our brothers and sisters in the Lord. We can find ourselves going through life responding to the fears of what others think about us. We are afraid of what someone else will do or say if we dress a certain way or fail to respond in a certain way. Too often we find ourselves bound by things we are sure others are saying about us. Fear and condemnation can blind us until we become helpless.
When fear sets in it brings torment! Torment will result in the victim becoming self centered. Not because they are egotistical! This happens because they become consumed by the fear that has overtaken their lives. Everything becomes centered on this fear and how it affects them.
The “Good News” is that God hasn’t given us the spirit of fear. He has given us the “Spirit of Power.” Power is the opposite of fear. Fear leaves you feeling weak. Fear causes you to feel vulnerable and helpless. However, power is strength, ability and authority. “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you,” (Acts 1:8a KJV).
The “Good News” is that God hasn’t given us the spirit of fear. He has given us the “Spirit of Love.” Love is the opposite of fear. Fear causes you to feel alone. It will make you feel that no one cares and no one is listening to your cries for help. Fear will make you feel that no one will be there to take care of you. Love, on the other hand, is the assurance that someone is there and they do care. It is the knowledge that there is someone you can call to and they will respond and wrap their arms around you in a loving embrace. Peter admonishes us, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” (1Peter 5:7 KJV)
The “Good News” is that God hasn’t given us the spirit of fear. He has given us the “Spirit of a Sound Mind.” Several translations use the word discipline here. A mind that is undisciplined will cause fear. They allow the imagination to be in control. However, when we control or discipline our mind, fear is no longer able to rule over us. Paul admonishes us, “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. 10:5 KJV).
When I recognize that I have protection from fear I am free to walk in peace. I will enjoy peace that is beyond understanding in my life. I will know peace with my fellow man. It is then that I will be free to spread the “Gospel of Peace” in a world that is searching for peace. As Jesus said in His last words to His disciples, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me” (Acts 1:8 KJV).
Paul encourages us in to, “Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:6-7 NLT)
(An excerpt from the second chapter of the book I am presently writing.)
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Is Your Nose Pressed Against The Window?
It was so funny, one night at Church, you know that some of the funniest things happen at Church! I had to start laughing and shame on me. We were having an awesome move of God in service. I was standing up front playing the guitar and looked over to the side. My brother, Tim, was in the fellowship hall doing children’s ministry. He had come to the door and was peaking in to see what was happening. All I could see was one eye and his nose. I couldn’t help but laugh because it looked so funny.
I remembered an incident back many years ago. You can only remember many years ago when you get old. I was preaching a revival in a little town in Oregon. The revival was only for the weekend, so I had invited one of the young men from the church to accompany me so I wouldn’t have to travel alone. On Monday morning the pastor left early for work and we left, when he did, to head home. We stopped at a little restaurant in town to have breakfast. We were seated right at the window, which looked out over the street. The restaurant was right on a corner which also served as a school bus stop and there were several children standing waiting for the school bus. As we were setting at the table eating, I looked over toward the street and much to my surprise there were three little boys standing at the window with their noses pressed against the glass watching us eat.
You can imagine how funny that looked! We started laughing and they start laughing as well. I couldn’t help but think of those three little boys when I saw the big boy looking through the door. It was as if his nose was pressed against the glass and he was wishing he could have some too. If you know Tim, you know that is exactly what he was wishing!
The Psalmist tells us, “Oh taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him.” (Ps. 34:8)
How many times have we stood back and watched others get blessed while we wonder how good it tastes?! How often have we looked in, with our noses pressed against the window, wishing we could have some of that?! All along each of us has the opportunity to “taste and see” for ourselves. We don’t have to be a spectator; we can be a participator in everything God offers to the believer.
I have observed as different ones plunge their dipper into the “well of living water” and take a taste. I have watched as the “well of living water” began to bubble up within them and the blessings began to purge away the pressure of the week. I have watched as some were healed, just as a result of worship. I have watched others as the weariness of life was washed from their faces. Some weep with relief. Others have responded with jubilation. They “tasted” and found for themselves the Lord is good. There is a special blessing when we realize we can place our trust in the Lord!
Each and every life is created with a hunger in it that can only be filled by God. Jesus stopped one day at a well and talked with a woman who had come to draw water to meet her natural, physical needs. Jesus offered her water that would meet the longing that was in her soul. In fact, Jesus told her, “But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” (John 4:14 KJV)
How many times have I wanted to buy a type of food that I was hungry for only to realize it was too expensive? At the price of beef today you need to mortgage your home to buy a steak! There have been times in my life, when we have lived on very simple, basic staples because of a lack of finances. I remember one time when I was young and times were hard, as Dad and Mom were pastoring a home mission Church, we lived on pancakes for several weeks. In the morning we had pancakes with homemade syrup. In the evening we had pancakes with jelly. That was all we could afford and were thankful for it.
However we have this invitation, “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.” (Isa 55:1 KJV)
I don’t have to stand outside the window and press my nose against the glass. I have a standing invitation to come inside and eat and drink until I am full. What a blessing to be invited to come in and sit down to eat at the king’s table. What a great opportunity is available, to have the assurance that satisfaction is available to each and every one of us.
Let me encourage you to step back from the window and come on in! Pull up a seat and place your trust in God, you will find out He is GOOD!
It’s just a thought! God Bless
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Words of Delight
As the bus pulled away from the stop, this morning, a passage of scripture came to my mind. I was very upset! Actually, to be honest, I was very angry! I was angry enough, now I am just telling you how I felt, that I wanted to take someone out behind the woodshed and give them a beating. Whoa! Now I have some folk’s attention.
No, I wasn’t angry at any of the passengers on my bus, they have all been well behaved and quiet this week. No, I wasn’t angry at any of the children’s parents. We all get along very well. No, I wasn’t angry with any of the co-workers on my bus, there was only one on there at the time and he was upset also. No, I wasn’t angry at a thoughtless driver. The road was empty. However, I was very angry and it was because of the thoughtlessness of a parent.
As we were loading a child on the bus I had asked their parent if they were ready for Thanksgiving in a couple of days. The parent looked at me and said, “If it were just my child and I having it together I would be ready. But we will be going to my Dad’s and I would just as soon not go there.”
I was a bit taken back by their honesty and wasn’t sure how I wanted to respond. My co-worker said something to the effect they should be happy to be with their parent and enjoy the time together. To this statement the parent replied, “I would and understand what you are saying, however, I am not looking forward to being called stupid and many other names. That is how my dad is and I will deal with it but I would rather not.”
I looked into the eyes of this forty-year-old parent and could see the raw pain in their eyes and recognized they were speaking from their heart. In just that moment I was given a glimpse of years of pain caused by thoughtless words that hurt beyond belief, leaving wounds that are open and bleeding. I saw years of compounded damage and pain.
After a few more comments about Thanksgiving day, the parent turned and left. I shut the bus door and looked in the mirrors before pulling out into the empty street and said, “That makes me so angry! How can a parent be so cruel to their children as to call them stupid?”
As I seethed at the thoughtless deeds of the unknown parent a passage of scripture came to my mind, “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer” Psalms 19:14. As it ran through my mind I focused on this part, “Let the words of my mouth . . . be acceptable in your sight, O Lord!”
It is amazing how powerful words are! They can be destructive, tearing down and destroying a person. Words can also be constructive, building and strengthening someone. It is our choice in how we use them. Words can hurt and words can heal. Again, it is our choice how we use them.
The words that comes from my mouth need to be words that would be acceptable as far as God is concerned. The word “acceptable” comes from the Hebrew word “ratson” and means delight. So if my prayer is, “Lord let my words be acceptable to you,” I am actually praying, “Lord, let what I say bring you delight!”
I realize that there is nothing I can do about the thoughtless father who spoke words that have hurt and scarred his child. That is beyond my control. My anger was only for a few moments and quickly turned to tears as I felt the pain of that child. Still, there is little I can do to erase the damage that has been done. However, one thing that can happen, and I am praying it will, and that is I can be much more careful how I speak to others in the future.
God, let the words of my mouth be acceptable in your sight. Let what I say bring delight to you. May the words that comes from my tongue be words that lift up and encourage. Help me to speak words of blessing and promise, words of life. Let my words be words of delight!
Well, it’s just a thought! God Bless . . .
No, I wasn’t angry at any of the passengers on my bus, they have all been well behaved and quiet this week. No, I wasn’t angry at any of the children’s parents. We all get along very well. No, I wasn’t angry with any of the co-workers on my bus, there was only one on there at the time and he was upset also. No, I wasn’t angry at a thoughtless driver. The road was empty. However, I was very angry and it was because of the thoughtlessness of a parent.
As we were loading a child on the bus I had asked their parent if they were ready for Thanksgiving in a couple of days. The parent looked at me and said, “If it were just my child and I having it together I would be ready. But we will be going to my Dad’s and I would just as soon not go there.”
I was a bit taken back by their honesty and wasn’t sure how I wanted to respond. My co-worker said something to the effect they should be happy to be with their parent and enjoy the time together. To this statement the parent replied, “I would and understand what you are saying, however, I am not looking forward to being called stupid and many other names. That is how my dad is and I will deal with it but I would rather not.”
I looked into the eyes of this forty-year-old parent and could see the raw pain in their eyes and recognized they were speaking from their heart. In just that moment I was given a glimpse of years of pain caused by thoughtless words that hurt beyond belief, leaving wounds that are open and bleeding. I saw years of compounded damage and pain.
After a few more comments about Thanksgiving day, the parent turned and left. I shut the bus door and looked in the mirrors before pulling out into the empty street and said, “That makes me so angry! How can a parent be so cruel to their children as to call them stupid?”
As I seethed at the thoughtless deeds of the unknown parent a passage of scripture came to my mind, “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer” Psalms 19:14. As it ran through my mind I focused on this part, “Let the words of my mouth . . . be acceptable in your sight, O Lord!”
It is amazing how powerful words are! They can be destructive, tearing down and destroying a person. Words can also be constructive, building and strengthening someone. It is our choice in how we use them. Words can hurt and words can heal. Again, it is our choice how we use them.
The words that comes from my mouth need to be words that would be acceptable as far as God is concerned. The word “acceptable” comes from the Hebrew word “ratson” and means delight. So if my prayer is, “Lord let my words be acceptable to you,” I am actually praying, “Lord, let what I say bring you delight!”
I realize that there is nothing I can do about the thoughtless father who spoke words that have hurt and scarred his child. That is beyond my control. My anger was only for a few moments and quickly turned to tears as I felt the pain of that child. Still, there is little I can do to erase the damage that has been done. However, one thing that can happen, and I am praying it will, and that is I can be much more careful how I speak to others in the future.
God, let the words of my mouth be acceptable in your sight. Let what I say bring delight to you. May the words that comes from my tongue be words that lift up and encourage. Help me to speak words of blessing and promise, words of life. Let my words be words of delight!
Well, it’s just a thought! God Bless . . .
Thursday, October 6, 2011
The Belt of Truth
The Apostle Paul in, Ephesians 6:13-14, tells us that when we have done all that we can to stand, we need to stand, “having your loins girt about with truth.” There are times when we have done everything we can possibly do to stand and it is at this time we have to put on the armour of God and stand. The first piece of equipment mentioned is the girdle or belt of truth. This wide belt is wrapped around the loins of the soldier. The loin, externally, is the hip area of the body. Internally, the loin is the procreative power. The girdle or belt was made of leather and studded with nails. It was used to protect the loins and it was also used for supporting the sword.
One of the ways that the enemy attacks us, is by speaking lies into our lives. These lies don’t have to make sense and many times they don’t. They are just things the enemy of our souls will speak to weaken and destroy us. In doing so he is able to cripple us and is often able to put a stop to our fruitfulness. As Jesus said he is a thief and has come to steal, kill and destroy!
It is from the belt that the weapon of the soldier is secured. Suspended from the belt, the sword is close to the hand of the soldier. It is always ready and available for him to use it. It is ready to swing into action! You will also notice that the sword is tied to the belt. When we discuss the sword, we will find it to represent the Word of God. Truth and the Word of God are tied to each other. To try and separate them is impossible.
Truth is so vital to our survival! Truth is what will keep us pure. Jesus, while praying for His disciples to be kept pure said, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” (John 17:17)
Truth is what will keep us from stumbling along the path of life. “Great peace have they which love thy law and nothing shall offend (cause to stumble) them” (Psalms 119:165) (words in brackets added by author).
Jesus told his disciples, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth”: Truth is given to us for a guide or a teacher. When we are filled with the baptism of the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of truth becomes a part of us. As we wrap truth around us, we are allowing the Spirit of truth to teach us. As the enemy attacks us with his lies from hell, the Spirit of truth recognizes the lies and reveals them as such to us. It protects us from the lies of the enemy.
When we have wrapped ourselves in truth, we allow our lives to become fruitful. Paul tells us we are light in the Lord so we should walk as children of light. Why? “For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth.” If we are wrapped in truth, we will produce truth in our lives! (Ephesians 5:9) Our lives will be a reflection of Jesus Christ and will cause others to want Him. If we fail to protect ourselves with truth then our lives will be destroyed as well as our testimony.
Many people look at truth as only knowledge. I have seen people shout when something is preached that they have a revelation of. I actually had an individual come to me one night after church and say, “I got so excited when you got to preaching truth! I had to dance me a little jig!” I asked him, “When wasn’t I preaching truth? What I preached came right out of the Bible!” He had knowledge and understanding of one part of the message and became excited when what was preached agreed with what he knew. Yet he failed to open his heart and mind up to more truth as it was being revealed to him. He should have been shouting because God found him worthy of more truth.
Jesus said, “Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free,” (John 8:32). However, He is speaking of more than knowledge. He is speaking of action as well. The verse above says, “If ye continue in (obey) my word, then are ye my disciples indeed”; In John 3:21 Jesus also said, “But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” Again, Jesus is speaking of action when He is talking about truth. It is more than just the knowledge of the scriptures and how to apply them. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life”: (John 14:6) (Words bracketed were added by the author.)
When we wrap truth around us, girting up our loins with truth, we are doing more than just learning the scriptures. We are living truth or we are living the scriptures in our daily walk. When the enemy tries to attack us, we are protected because truth is what we do, rather than it being just what we know.
This is a portion of chapter two of the book I am currently writing.
One of the ways that the enemy attacks us, is by speaking lies into our lives. These lies don’t have to make sense and many times they don’t. They are just things the enemy of our souls will speak to weaken and destroy us. In doing so he is able to cripple us and is often able to put a stop to our fruitfulness. As Jesus said he is a thief and has come to steal, kill and destroy!
It is from the belt that the weapon of the soldier is secured. Suspended from the belt, the sword is close to the hand of the soldier. It is always ready and available for him to use it. It is ready to swing into action! You will also notice that the sword is tied to the belt. When we discuss the sword, we will find it to represent the Word of God. Truth and the Word of God are tied to each other. To try and separate them is impossible.
Truth is so vital to our survival! Truth is what will keep us pure. Jesus, while praying for His disciples to be kept pure said, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” (John 17:17)
Truth is what will keep us from stumbling along the path of life. “Great peace have they which love thy law and nothing shall offend (cause to stumble) them” (Psalms 119:165) (words in brackets added by author).
Jesus told his disciples, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth”: Truth is given to us for a guide or a teacher. When we are filled with the baptism of the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of truth becomes a part of us. As we wrap truth around us, we are allowing the Spirit of truth to teach us. As the enemy attacks us with his lies from hell, the Spirit of truth recognizes the lies and reveals them as such to us. It protects us from the lies of the enemy.
When we have wrapped ourselves in truth, we allow our lives to become fruitful. Paul tells us we are light in the Lord so we should walk as children of light. Why? “For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth.” If we are wrapped in truth, we will produce truth in our lives! (Ephesians 5:9) Our lives will be a reflection of Jesus Christ and will cause others to want Him. If we fail to protect ourselves with truth then our lives will be destroyed as well as our testimony.
Many people look at truth as only knowledge. I have seen people shout when something is preached that they have a revelation of. I actually had an individual come to me one night after church and say, “I got so excited when you got to preaching truth! I had to dance me a little jig!” I asked him, “When wasn’t I preaching truth? What I preached came right out of the Bible!” He had knowledge and understanding of one part of the message and became excited when what was preached agreed with what he knew. Yet he failed to open his heart and mind up to more truth as it was being revealed to him. He should have been shouting because God found him worthy of more truth.
Jesus said, “Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free,” (John 8:32). However, He is speaking of more than knowledge. He is speaking of action as well. The verse above says, “If ye continue in (obey) my word, then are ye my disciples indeed”; In John 3:21 Jesus also said, “But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” Again, Jesus is speaking of action when He is talking about truth. It is more than just the knowledge of the scriptures and how to apply them. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life”: (John 14:6) (Words bracketed were added by the author.)
When we wrap truth around us, girting up our loins with truth, we are doing more than just learning the scriptures. We are living truth or we are living the scriptures in our daily walk. When the enemy tries to attack us, we are protected because truth is what we do, rather than it being just what we know.
This is a portion of chapter two of the book I am currently writing.
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