Matthew

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Know the Spiritual

I will be the first to admit that I don’t know everything about the Bible. Even though I have read it, there are parts of it that just escape my knowledge and understanding.

However I recognize there are many more people that know less than I do. I have made it a lifetime priority to study God’s word and live accordingly.

Many others have loosely dabbled with the Word and are living accordingly. Some do not know anything about God or only know some very basic things like the crucifixion.

As a result I can get blank stares from people when I speak of the spiritual.

Matt 22:29 You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God.

I recall several years ago sitting with a family as a psychologist was talking to them. One of the girls in the family was having some problems.

The psychologist asked my opinion.

I told her that this family was under a generational curse that included some demonic activity.

You can guess how that went over. I got a blank stare from the psychologist and I’m sure she would have liked to recommend a psychiatrist for me.

She did not understand the scripture and the power of God.

It’s time for the church to stop thinking in the physical and begin thinking in the spiritual. There is much more to life than what is merely seen and heard.

Abba, Your word is strength and power. It is understanding and life. It is hope. Increase my knowledge and understanding that I may rightly teach others. In Jesus name, YES&AMEN

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Affirming Sin

A few days ago I watched a video debate called “Can you be Gay and Christian”.

The debate is between Dr. Michael Brown and Matthew Vines.

Mr. Vines is very intelligent in his pro-gay part of the debate. He does not deny the what the Bible says in Leviticus 19 and Romans 1. But his main debate is that today people are capable of a caring and loving gay relationship as Christians.

Something Dr. Brown said caused me to think about myself.

He quoted Matthew 16:24:

Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.”

Dr. Brown says you must deny yourself – not affirm yourself.

Wow! I’ve never thought of it that way.

It makes the following verses take a whole new meaning.

Matt 16:25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.

Anyone that affirms their sin is trying to save their own life – trying to make the sin of no affect. They will lose.

It is not by my standard or yours. It is by God’s and His word is the standard.

Abba, I am guilty of affirming myself. Forgive me for not denying myself and affirming no other but You. In Jesus name, YES&AMEN

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Light in the Darkness

On Wednesday night at church camp a storm rolled in just as the preaching started. The lights flashed once and a few moments later went out completely.

It didn’t take long for 455 people to get noisy in the near pitch black room. Some were a little disconcerted about what to do. Others were a bit nervous because of the dark.

The speaker calmed everyone and gave many something to do – get out your cell phones and turn on the light.

A majority of the congregation had a cell phone and did just that. It was one of the most awesome services I have ever witnessed.

Alter call brought many forward to pray and seek God.

It is written let your light so shine before men, Matt 5:16

Each born-again believer has the Light inside them – a light that needs to shine in the darkness of this world.

Your Light drives away darkness and calms the fear of those that see it.

Share the Light of God’s word with someone today!

Abba, I will let my light shine today. In Jesus’ name, YES&AMEN

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Big Promise

My promises to others are small. I try not to commit to what I cannot do. And sometimes I forget something, so I try to keep notes in my iPhone.

You don’t want to promise what you cannot deliver to begin with. Time and effort work against promises

I know I have broken promises, both intentionally and unintentionally. And promises have been broken to me.

God is the opposite of you and me.

Gen 15:5 Then He brought him outside and said, “Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.”

God’s promises are big. I mean to say your descendants will be as numerous as the stars is a huge commitment. It’s happened! How many descendants of Abraham have there been through the ages – both born naturally and adopted and grafted in!

It’s not the only promise He has made!

Isa 1:18 “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.

Matt 28:20 “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Rom 10:13 “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Heb 13:5 “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Ps 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.

1 John 1:7 the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

Acts 1:11 This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.

Rev 22:20 “Surely I am coming quickly.”

Abba, I have yet to see a broken promise from You. I believe them all, in Jesus name, YES&AMEN

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What will You give me?

Gen 15:2 Abram said, “Lord God, what will You give me…

What did Abram already have?

The Bible reports he was rich in gold, silver, and cattle. He had a beautiful wife that was desired by other men even though she was in her 70’s.

He had trained servants that could take on the armies of four different kingdoms. He had the promise of possessing all the land.

And most importantly, he had God!

It’s not what you have from God that you are concerned about – it’s what you don’t have.

Though Abram was a rich man with a lot to be happy about, he had no children.

Gen 15:2
Abram said, “Lord God, what will You give me, seeing I go childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?”

Abram had one other thing – God’s promise of an heir from his own body, but it was one promise he struggled to patiently wait on.

Look around your home at all the things you possess. It’s proof that people are never satisfied. Garage sales are further proof of too much around the house.

Can your possessions compare to the gift of eternal life from God?

Matt 16:26 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?

How much of your life can you give God credit for having?
Are you coming to Him and asking for more?
Can you wait for God’s promises to be fulfilled?

Abba, I am rich because of You! My greatest possession is my salvation. Every day I only ask that I can encourage someone else, in Jesus name, with the Good News.YES&AMEN

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Do not be afraid!

Abram’s concern over 4 different military forces seeking revenge is soothed by God Himself.

Gen 15:1 After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.”

God first told Abram, “Do not be afraid!”

There are several things that can bring on fear.

Sin can bring fear. After sinning in the Garden of Eden Adam hid in the bushes because he was afraid! It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Heb 10:31
Meeting God with sin on your hands is a fearful thing.

The unknown can cause fear. Not knowing what tomorrow holds. Not knowing what is in the closet or not knowing what animal is growling in the dark. David said,

“Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.” Psalm 23:4

Though he did not know what was lying ahead or what was unseen in the shadow.

Fear can also be caused by doubt. If a mustard seed of faith can move a mountain then I think a mustard seed of doubt can keep it there.
The night Jesus came walking on the water only one man had the faith to get out of the boat – Peter!

But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink. Matt 14:30

He did the impossible but then doubted and became afraid that he could not do it.

Any fear you have doesn’t come from God.

God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Tim 1:7

Maybe your response is you are afraid of snakes, spiders, or swimming at the beach.
That’s not fear, it’s just common sense. It is best to have respect for those things.

A Christian should never be afraid of spiritual matters.

Abba, with You I have no fear. You give peace. You give life. You give comfort. In Jesus’ name, I receive that! YES&AMEN

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Defiled

Matt 15:18-19 Those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. Continue reading →

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Dog

Matt 15:26 He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.”

I remembered being called a dog. I was in the fifth grade or so. I didn’t like it. Though dogs are wonderful creatures and can be very loving and useful – being called a dog is not a compliment.

It’s hard to imagine Jesus saying something like this. But this was a Canaanite woman and perhaps it is in reference to the curse of Noah on Canaan. (Gen 9:25)

Despite the fact that she is Canaanite, she has done what very few of the children, that is, the Jews have done – she came and worshipped Him. (vs 25)

Her response was not one of rebuke or anger. She did not get mad and argue back. Perhaps her answer is in reference to the promise given to Abraham that all the nations would be blessed through him. (Gen 18:18)

She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.”(vs 27)

She persisted in faith believing that Jesus was the only answer for her problem.

And He was. And He is!

No matter who you are faith in Jesus is the answer to your problems and your prayers.

Abba Father, even dogs are precious in Your sight. You have given salvation to everyone that comes by faith in Jesus’ name. YES&AMEN