A Sons of Issachar Anointing Part Five

The kingdoms of this world have been, and will be shaken, for they are the kingdoms of men. But His kingdom is one eternal, not of men, but of God Himself. An unshakeable kingdom of which we who believe are all a part of.

A kingdom with promises like:

Isaiah 54:17 No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, And their righteousness is from Me," Says the LORD.

Who said this? The Lord! This is not a hokey political promise He needs to make for us to elect Him to high office.

He sits on the throne of heaven itself, the earth is His footstool! He has no need to be popular, He has no need for constituents. His throne is steadfastly secure and not even Satan himself can remove Him from it.

When 1/3 of the angels followed Lucifer in the rebellion to take the throne, God put them down with ease. No major difficulty for the Almighty of heaven.

I am here to bear witness today that an election here in the U.S did not phase the Almighty and catch Him off guard.

God is not wringing His hands and saying to Jesus what are we going to do now?

God is still in control!

Psalms 2:1 ¶ Why the big noise, nations? Why the mean plots, peoples? 2 Earth-leaders push for position, Demagogues and delegates meet for summit talks, The God-deniers, the Messiah-defiers: 3 "Let’s get free of God! Cast loose from Messiah!" 4 Heaven-throned God breaks out laughing. At first he’s amused at their presumption; 5 Then he gets good and angry. Furiously, he shuts them up: 6 "Don’t you know there’s a King in Zion? A coronation banquet Is spread for him on the holy summit." 7 ¶ Let me tell you what GOD said next. He said, "You’re my son, And today is your birthday. 8 What do you want? Name it: Nations as a present? continents as a prize? 9 You can command them all to dance for you, Or throw them out with tomorrow’s trash." 10 ¶ So, rebel-kings, use your heads; Upstart-judges, learn your lesson: 11 Worship GOD in adoring embrace, Celebrate in trembling awe. 12 Kiss Messiah! Your very lives are in danger, you know; His anger is about to explode, But if you make a run for God—you won’t regret it!

I believe we can put all our trust in our God during these difficult times.

A Sons of Issachar Anointing Part Four

In Hebrews 11 we are introduced to men and women of faith. The father of faith was a man who had eternal vision. He had a heart for the kingdom of God! He could see far into the distance!

Hebrews 11:8 (NLT) It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. 9 And even when he reached the land God promised him, he lived there by faith––for he was like a foreigner, living in tents. And so did Isaac and Jacob, who inherited the same promise. 10 Abraham was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God.

I believe we are entering an hour of trial in which the Holy Spirit will use the situation to begin turning the eyes of the church back to the kingdom of God, and not so much on the kingdoms of men.

Hebrews 12:28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.

This is not an hour to despair over who will be in the White House. It is an hour to look unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith!

God has been in the business of turning the hearts of wicked leaders to serve His purposes for all of history. It is time the church saw things through different glasses and began to realize that prayer is what we have been given to accomplish things in this earth.

I agree that it would be nice if whoever held the White House, the Senate and the Congress were all born again, Spirit filled, Bible believing, Christ honoring people.

But is that the only hope for this nation?

Was that the only hope for early believers who were saved while under the rule of the Roman Empire? An empire where Caesar was considered to be God? Where idolatry reigned, where lust and greed, and sexual perversions, and blood sports and debauchery was common place?

Brothers and sisters we must beware that we do not become engulfed with a love for America, over our love for His kingdom. It is perfectly fine to be patriotic, I encourage such, but not at the expense of seeking His kingdom first.

A Sons of Issachar Anointing Part Three

Although the candidate of my choice was not elected and the overall election did not turn out as I had hoped I am not dismayed.

Something is taking place in our nation and there has obviously been a major spiritual battle waged in this election.

Issues hit the front page that our generation found challenging.

Issues like the possibility a vice presidential candidate that may have spoke in tongues, wanted schools to allow both creation and evolution taught side by side, and believed life begins at conception.

Faith was a little more at the center in this election and we witnessed two candidates being interviewed in a church setting about their Biblical values and how they would influence their decisions.

Like the sons of Issachar we need to understand our times if we are to know what the church should be doing. We need our vision corrected!

I have good news today. God is still on His throne and His kingdom cannot be shaken!

Although we are citizens of these United States we are first and foremost citizens of His kingdom!

We must understand this for we belong to a kingdom that cannot be shaken! We have had close up vision far too long. We could only see the things right in front of us but could not see beyond.

A Sons of Issachar Anointing Part Two

It is tough times when Paul writes young Timothy and says,

1Timothy 2: 1 ¶ Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

We must realize that early Christians had it difficult as it pertained to leadership.

I know many if not most were not excited over the outcome of our recent elections and I have heard people speak as though America as we know it is coming to an end.

Early Christians had no say in who would govern them yet they were being told to make supplications, prayers, intercessions and giving of thanks for all men, for kings and all who are in authority!

Now before we say that is just too difficult an instruction lets consider the instruction that says,

Matthew 5:43 ¶ "You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 "that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 "For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?

So lets not assume here that this instruction Paul gave Timothy to give to the church is based on ideal circumstances. Paul does not say that if you have a godly government leader pray for him. He says all men, for kings, and all in authority. That would have included Emporer Nero who was insane and killed Christians!

Now that puts this in better perspective in light of our own times.

A Sons of Issachar Anointing

In 1Chronicles 12 it lists all the tribes that came to David at Hebron to acknowledge him as king after Saul died. In that list it speaks of the sons of Issachar who understood the times and knew what Israel needed to do.

Like the sons of Issachar we too need to know what to do at a time when it appears the rest of our nation seems to be in a fog.

This brings us to the need to look at 1Timothy for a moment. But first let me give a background here.

It is believed that the first letter to Timothy was written around 63 –64 AD. Timothy had been left in Ephesus to labor in the church there. Paul had already prophesied that there would be wolves rise up even among their ranks, and it appears this came true because there were false teachers Paul named who were apparently men once noted as leaders in the church. What about Ephesus?

Ephesus was the central hub for Diana worship. It was a city filled with perversion, superstition and ungodliness. There is in Ephesus a real wrestling with the demonic powers due to rampant idolatry there, they even sacrificed children to appease the gods.

Sound familiar?

So here is young Timothy in a place where he is having to battle cultural immorality, false teachers from the churches own ranks, and demonic powers all at a time when Emperor Nero is about to unleash what will become know in history as Neroean Persecution and regarded as one of the most violent and horrible times of persecution against Christians due to the brutality of his methods.

James and Peter have already been put to death for their faith.

At the writing of 1Timothy it is believed Paul is enjoying a short reprieve from his house arrest and is in Macedonia. By the time of 2Timothy Paul is back under house arrest and will not have to wait too long to be beheaded for his faith.

The Second Greatest Gift in My Life

Twenty Two years ago I stood at the front of Trinity Chapel of Knoxville and watched with eager anticipation as the most beautiful woman I had ever laid eyes on approached from the back in a flowing white wedding dress. What a glorious gift she is! My Sheila with deep green eyes, tremendous wit, wonderful humor and incredible innocence. She was so full of God and on fire but on this day I was all caught up in her beauty and the Lord delighted in it.

There is only one thing in all my life that tops the gift this became to me and that was when I met Christ and received the Holy Ghost.

God was so good to me Twenty Two years ago, to give me such a gift as a wife. Her beauty has not diminished, her love for the Lord has grown, her love me is stronger today and our relationship together is something we both rejoice over. We love to have alone time just the two of us, in fact we welcome it at every opportunity we get.

Having four children together, the oldest ones being 21 and the youngest 15 we didn't have much time at the beginning of our lives just the two of us. I am thankful that it has always been easy to be together and I look forward to when it is what we enjoy most of the time and find we must schedule in opportunity to be with others.

The grace of God has been rich in our relationship and for that I am extremely grateful for I can boast of no magic formula that makes us who we are together and makes loving each other such a thing of rest. I can only give credit to God for His grace and His active role in our relationship.

Of course part of that worked itself out in giving me a woman of great depth that He knew would smite my heart. So today we celebrate twenty two years and should Jesus tarry His coming we look forward to the years ahead. It's so nice to be in love with such an incredible gift.

The Clothes Make the Man Part Six

The clothes make the man.

1Peter 5:5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble."

2Chronicles 6:41 Arise Oh GOD, enjoy your new place of quiet repose, You and your mighty covenant Chest; Dress your priests up in salvation clothes, let your holy people celebrate goodness.

Christ came to change what we wear so we can be ready to enter the great wedding feast in the proper garment!

Isaiah 61:1 ¶ "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, Because the LORD has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; 2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, 3 To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified."

No more filthy rags! No more arrogance! No more being known as sinner! No more the garment of depression and hopelessness!

Praise the Rock of our Salvation!

What clothes are you wearing?

Are you still trying to merit friendship?

If you have been clothed in righteousness why would you act like one outside the camp?

It is time to believe! Time to rejoice! Time for the world to see your great reveal and know that you are clothed in His salvation!

Hallelujah! Let’s give Him the praise for what He has already done!

The Clothes Make the Man Part Five

Romans 5:1 ¶ Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. 6 ¶ For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

The point in all this utterance is the matter of glorious reconciliation.

I hear “worship” songs today sung by people with no understanding of this glorious doctrine of reconciliation through justification. Songs that speak of wanting to be a friend of God as though even after receiving Christ something else must be done before friendship can be guaranteed. People sing these kinds of songs with great passion in the hope that God will see their desire and somehow make it possible for them to live uprightly enough to feel like a friend. They are songs of doubt, not faith.

Brothers and sisters that is an offensive ideology to God because it is ignorant of the glorious reality of justification by faith alone.

Christ died for us while we were yet sinners! While you and I were wearing the garment of the sin nature and were called the enemies of God Jesus died for us. He did not decree a set of formulas we must follow to deserve this glorious atoning and reconciliation.

When we received Christ through faith we immediately became the friends of God, we were justified and reconciled that very moment. Better yet, Jesus is called the friend of sinners for this very reason.

Jesus didn’t do something to get us to the starting line so we could now finish what He began. His work was complete!

Glorious salvation, marvelous reconciliation, joyous justification is mine and yours through the finished work of Christ!

The Clothes Make the Man Part Four

The Message

Romans 5:12 You know the story of how Adam landed us in the dilemma we’re in—first sin, then death, and no one exempt from either sin or death. 13 That sin disturbed relations with God in everything and everyone, but the extent of the disturbance was not clear until God spelled it out in detail to Moses. So death, this huge abyss separating us from God, dominated the landscape from Adam to Moses. 14 Even those who didn’t sin precisely as Adam did by disobeying a specific command of God still had to experience this termination of life, this separation from God. But Adam, who got us into this, also points ahead to the One who will get us out of it. 15 Yet the rescuing gift is not exactly parallel to the death-dealing sin. If one man’s sin put crowds of people at the dead-end abyss of separation from God, just think what God’s gift poured through one man, Jesus Christ, will do! 16 There’s no comparison between that death-dealing sin and this generous, life-giving gift. The verdict on that one sin was the death sentence; the verdict on the many sins that followed was this wonderful life sentence. 17 If death got the upper hand through one man’s wrongdoing, can you imagine the breathtaking recovery life makes, sovereign life, in those who grasp with both hands this wildly extravagant life-gift, this grand setting-everything-right, that the one man Jesus Christ provides?

Now this is glorious revelation that stirs deep joy and rejoicing in those who get it! This is the source of our life and joy!

Adam clothed us with the sin nature which made us enemies of God. It separated us from God. But in Christ we are clothed with the very righteousness of God so that we are no longer enemies but friends having the very life of God at work in us.

The Clothes Make the Man Part Three

This disease of sin has taken over every cell in the human body and under the scrutiny of God it is clearly seen. But men are blind to it so the law came and like an MRI it revealed what men otherwise may not see.

All the Law did was reveal what was already there. For those without the law God granted conscience and it revealed what may not have otherwise been seen. But what they reveal are just symptoms of the greater problem.

If I sneeze it reveals something is irritating my sinuses. It might be an allergic reaction, or it might be the symptom of a head cold.

If it is a head cold and I treat it like an allergy I am unlikely to effectively see it cured, and vice versa.

So, if I am to effectively get it treated I must first understand what is the cause of the symptom I have experienced. How we approach the remedy determines the effect of any cure we seek.

If I come because I am only convinced I have told a few lies then my reason for seeking help is to mask a symptom. Masking the symptom does not heal the problem at it’s source.

If I think I need to exchange my lying garment for a truth one I still have on the wrong garment. The garment of salvation is designed to replace the sin nature garment of the old man.

This is why referring to the lost as sinners is not a racial, or derogatory term meant to insult another human being. The Bible refers to the human race as sinners because the whole human race is infected and the symptoms of the root cause vary from person to person. But the Bible concludes all are dead in sin.

Romans 3:9 What then? Are we better than they? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin.

Galatians 3:22 But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

What set Jesus apart from all other men is that He had no earthly father, He was virgin born and thus the Son of God. This kept the nature of sin from clothing him from birth and this is why He is referred to as the second Adam. He faced temptation and resisted it. He refused the garment of sin.

Adam clothed us with sin and death but Christ came to clothe us with righteousness and eternal life through His obedience and sacrifice.

The Clothes Make the Man Part Two

Ever heard the saying, “the clothes make the man?”

Jesus spoke a parable of a man who sneaked into the weeding feast and was mingling when he was asked how it was that he got into the wedding feast without the proper garment.
Until a man or woman is born again through faith in Christ they’re clothed in the garment of the sin nature. It is not so visible to family, friends, or coworkers even. They may say that the person in question is a really good person they give money to charities, they volunteer at the rescue mission, are really polite and kind.

But God sees what man cannot. He sees what it is we are clothed in spiritually. The clothes make the man!

Isaiah 64:6 All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.

This means the most seemingly decent person on the planet is spiritually dressed in filthy clothing before God unless he has received a new garment from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Knowing this is of utmost importance because otherwise we think of salvation in a wrong manner. For us to understand the value of what Christ has done we must know the depth of the effect of the sin nature we inherited as human beings.

Outside of Christ we are not just prone to sin, we are sin.

The Clothes Make the Man Part One

Did you know we are all part of the ultimate statistic: Ten out of ten people die?

Death isn’t prejudice, it knows no social boundaries is not gender sensitive it simply is a fact of life.

Death of course is the result of one man’s sin at the beginning of the human race. It was through Adam that death entered humanity.

Death is the direct result of sin. Not just a sin but the very nature of sin. Often when someone thinks of sin they think in terms of an act committed that violates a commandment and although it is true that the violation of a commandment is a sin, the Scripture addresses a much more profound problem in the human race.

The problem is that sin is inherent in all human beings from birth.

In other words we all are born with the nature of sin embedded in our being. That doesn’t simply mean we are capable of choosing to sin, it means we are by nature sin.

The commandments easily prove all are guilty before God on the basis of an actual sin committed. But it is the sin nature that made us enemies of God. It is the sin nature that will be judged by God.

This is why the law was unable to save. It relied on the power of the flesh to become righteous before God but since it could do nothing to change the very nature of a man or woman it cannot forever remove the enemy status every lost man or woman has.

Count it All Joy Part Four

From the midst of his trial in Psalms 73 David discovered His God in a more intimate way. What was his trial? It appears it was economically and success related. He was perplexed at how the wicked can do anything and somehow still seem to prosper while he was trying to keep the rules and do right and not making it as well as they were.

His complaint does not turn to praise until he discovers the nearness of God to himself the futility of the ones he was once envying. He calls himself a dumb ox in the presence of God and then speaks of how the Lord took his hand while in His presence.

When we stand and complain and carry on about how bad we have it we are like a dumb ox in the presence of the Lord.

We are in the presence of the Lord the whole time even though it seems difficult and disastrous God is still with us we just aren’t holding His hand because we are too caught up in the moment.

God wants to wisely and tenderly lead us through our trials before He blesses us. The blessing is reaching the place where all we want in heaven and on earth, is Him!

We do o not want to become like those who were discouraged and decided to turn away from the Lord blaming Him for their difficulties, David says they’ll never be heard from again.

We want to be the ones who being refreshed in the very presence of God, and even though things look bad we find we want to tell the world about what He does.

When James says count it all joy, he is encouraging us to tap into a faith that is rooted in the person and work of Christ?

He is likely remembering the words Jesus spoke when He was being tried in the wilderness by Satan, Jesus said in,

Luke 4:4 But Jesus answered him, saying, "It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’"

James is saying we can count it all joy because we get the chance to demonstrate to everyone around us that our confidence is in Christ our Savior and we are not in need of the trappings of this world to have joy?

If your joy and my joy is in Christ Jesus then a difficult situation cannot take that away from us. It can inconvenience us and make us uncomfortable, it can even make life difficult for us, but it cannot separate us from His love!

We need to tap into the life that we have been given in Christ!

I know these are tough times but we are not as the world is. We have hope! Count it all joy!

Count it All Joy Part Three

How is it that the Holy Spirit through James admonishes a scattered people to count it all joy? Could it be He knows something we do not?

James 1:3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.

Patience is mentioned. Implied is the idea that these people are standing in faith towards someone, or something and in doing so these trials they face are designed to test their faith to see if it is real or not.

When we have reconciled ourselves to His will for our lives and we have embraced the call to give glory to God with our lives the idea of this testing can bring about great joy when we understand it is the means of proving to the world His life in us is real.

If we exhibit joy only when things are running smoothly in our lives how are we any different from those without Christ, do they not do the same?

The real test comes when our faith is tried. Have we forgotten how great salvation is ours?

David was being tried and needed some encouragement in Psalms 73
1 ¶ No doubt about it! God is good—good to good people, good to the good-hearted. 2 But I nearly missed it, missed seeing his goodness. 3 I was looking the other way, looking up to the people 4 At the top, envying the wicked who have it made, 5 Who have nothing to worry about, not a care in the whole wide world. 6 Pretentious with arrogance, they wear the latest fashions in violence, 7 Pampered and overfed, decked out in silk bows of silliness. 8 They jeer, using words to kill; they bully their way with words. 9 They’re full of hot air, loudmouths disturbing the peace. 10 People actually listen to them—can you believe it? Like thirsty puppies, they lap up their words. 11 What’s going on here? Is God out to lunch? Nobody’s tending the store. 12 The wicked get by with everything; they have it made, piling up riches 13 I’ve been stupid to play by the rules; what has it gotten me? 14 A long run of bad luck, that’s what—a slap in the face every time I walk out the door. 15 ¶ If I’d have given in and talked like this, I would have betrayed your dear children. 16 Still, when I tried to figure it out, all I got was a splitting headache… 17 Until I entered the sanctuary of God. Then I saw the whole picture: 18 The slippery road you’ve put them on, with a final crash in a ditch of delusions. 19 In the blink of an eye, disaster! A blind curve in the dark, and—nightmare! 20 We wake up and rub our eyes. …Nothing. There’s nothing to them. And there never was. 21 ¶ When I was beleaguered and bitter, totally consumed by envy, 22 I was totally ignorant, a dumb ox in your very presence. 23 I’m still in your presence, but you’ve taken my hand. 24 You wisely and tenderly lead me, and then you bless me. 25 You’re all I want in heaven! You’re all I want on earth! 26 When my skin sags and my bones get brittle, GOD is rock-firm and faithful. 27 Look! Those who left you are falling apart! Deserters, they’ll never be heard from again. 28 But I’m in the very presence of God—oh, how refreshing it is! I’ve made Lord GOD my home. God, I’m telling the world what you do!

In part four we'll break down what David is saying and what God is doing. Take hope in the anchor of your soul, the rock of Salvation Jesus Christ. He has no equal and ever lives to intercede for us. He knows what you're going through.

Count it All Joy Part Two

I really looked into this James 1:1 passage because this is a troubling Scripture when I am in the midst of my pity party and feeling justified in being there. I wanted to know what it meant by using the word joy. Surely it can't mean gladness.

This is the same Greek word that is translated as joy in other passages such as:

Hebrews 12:2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

1Peter 1:8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,

1John 1:4 And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.

3John 1:4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

In our passages the word translated as joy in the Greek is: chara; meaning- cheerfulness, i.e. calm delight:— gladness, X greatly, (X be exceeding) joy(-ful, -fully, -fulness, -ous). 1) joy, gladness

Knowing this now we ask again how is it that the Holy Spirit through James admonishes these scattered people to count it all joy?

Could it be He knows something we do not?

It causes me to marvel that the Holy Spirit knows the work of Christ so completely that it has made a way for me to count it all joy! Jesus finished the work He came to perform and He left nothing undone. That means His life in me prepares me for anything if I will look to Him.

Count it All Joy Part One

Have you ever run into a Scripture that just really grabs you and makes you have to wrestle while you are in the middle of things?

I mean you are in real difficult battle and there is a Scripture that hits you like a 2x4 in your head and says don’t forget me! To me that’s James 1:2

James 1:2 is just that sort of Scripture, it says: “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,”

Is he saying there is such a thing as “all joy,” or is he saying all that you are going through is to be counted joy?

If we read it “all Joy” then we treat it like it is a detergent meant to be used to wipe away all our trials. But if it says that whatever trial we find ourselves in we are to count it as joy that is different.

You mean I am supposed to count all my difficulties joy?

“But you don’t know how bad my stuff is, you haven’t walked a mile in my shoes and had to deal with all I am having to deal with.”

I didn’t write this Scripture the Holy Ghost did. So let’s consider just who it is James is speaking to and how bad they have it when he says this.

James 1:1 ¶ James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings.

These are displaced people who have been driven from their homes! They’ve been separated from friends and family because they were scattered, now that is a pretty tough place to find yourself.

There is a reason the Holy Spirit is just in admonishing us to count it all joy when we are in the middle of trials. I hope you will return for the rest of the story as it develops on this blog through the week, you will be encouraged.

Learning to Walk With God Part Five

Becoming a father in the body of Christ involves walking with God in relationship to the degree that you are not known for panicking and jumping to wrong conclusions. You learn to see beyond the circumstances in life and you are able to see the Lord at work instead.

When you begin to exhibit this type of maturity others will look to you for advice.

2 Kings 6:21 When the king of Israel saw them, he said to Elisha, "Father, shall I massacre the lot?"

When you discover others seeking your advice it will not go to your head. Neither bad circumstances nor great successes will overcome you. You will know how to respond in either situation.

Elisha did not let this success go to his head, nor did he give in to the idea of popularity. He kept a level head about him.

2 Kings6:22 "Not on your life!" said Elisha. "You did not lift a hand to capture them, and now you’re going to kill them? No sir, make a feast for them and send them back to their master."

Because of the wisdom gained from walking with God, Elisha had more than a formula to offer. His calm response to the providential working of God rendered a lasting fruit for the nation.

2Kings6:23 So the king prepared a huge feast for them. After they ate and drank their fill he dismissed them. Then they returned home to their master. The raiding bands of Syria did not bother Israel anymore.

Elisha passed the test, the servant learned a lesson and the people experienced a time of peace. How are you handling your problems?

Are you able to see your God at work, or are you too busy looking for your own solutions it blocks your ability to see God at the moment?

The most wise counsel I could ever give you is, now is the time to seek Him. Now is when you need to become more acquainted with His ways and His heart.

Looking unto Jesus the author and the finisher of our faith!

Learning to Walk With God Part Four

2Kings6:18 When the Syrians attacked, Elisha prayed to GOD, "Strike these people blind!" And GOD struck them blind, just as Elisha said. 19 Then Elisha called out to them, "Not that way! Not this city! Follow me and I’ll lead you to the man you’re looking for." And he led them into Samaria. 20 As they entered the city, Elisha prayed, "O GOD, open their eyes so they can see where they are." GOD opened their eyes. They looked around—they were trapped in Samaria!

Not only did the Lord grant Elisha a good nights rest, and peace in the midst of his circumstances, but He also delivered the enemy into Elisha's hands. God was setting a trap the whole time and it was meant not just for Elisha’s benefit, but for the benefit of the servant, and all of Israel. If Elisha had been ruled by his emotions and ran from the situation he would have never had the opportunity to see the enemy humbled.

God ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts and we will never discover them if we live by the impulses and logic of our soul alone. Our soul is always busy seeing things according to the circumstances and trying to scheme our way out of them.

Remember Elijah’s response to this type of threat? When Jezebel threatened him he fled into the wilderness and became depressed. He asked God to let him die. Elijah had powerful miracles and amazing exploits in his ministry just as Elisha later did. But Elijah didn't have the calm and quiet confidence. Elijah seems more emotional and impulsive.

Elisha asked for a double portion of what Elijah had. Some think it meant he was asking for twice as many miracles. But that is not what we find when we look at these two men. What we do find is that Elisha had calm where Elijah did not. Where Elijah became depressed and was ruled by his emotions at times, Elisha is steady and resolved. The double portion was to know how to be confident when problems arise. Many want miracles as if miracles is what will grant them the confidence they need. But you can have miracles without deepening your walk with God, just as you can have gifts without deepening your conformity to Christ. Just look at the Corinthians.

When we walk according to the Spirit we are walking in relationship and we can look to Him from whence cometh our help!

Only God knows what He is up to and only through seeking Him can we know which path is right and what step is next.

Learning to Walk With God Part Three

VS 17 Then Elisha prayed, "O GOD, open his eyes and let him see." The eyes of the young man were opened and he saw. A wonder! The whole mountainside full of horses and chariots of fire surrounding Elisha!

Elisha does not offer a formula for how to escape this problem. He offers a prayer for spiritual vision. When we seek to only solve someone’s problem through counseling we do them a disservice because we stagnate their spiritual growth. Spiritual growth is the direct result of growing in our knowledge of God, not our dependence on the ability of others to solve our problems. They simply need to see Jesus.

When you and I are in the storm we do not need a list of solutions, we need eyes to see the One who is our help in time of need. We need to be able to see what God sees!

If we can just see our help is in Christ and become personally acquainted with Him in the midst of our storm then we will know what steps are ours to take.

In a situation that appears hopeless according to logic Elisha because of his knowing his God is able to respond to the situation in a sure and confident manner. There is no panic in this man of God.

Learning to Walk With God Part Two

In the morning when the servant of Elisha awakes and goes out he sees the circumstances, his understanding is not as developed as Elisha’s. He sees they are surrounded by an impressive enemy army.

So what does this servant do? VS 15 Early in the morning a servant of the Holy Man got up and went out. Surprise! Horses and chariots surrounding the city! The young man exclaimed, "Oh, master! What shall we do?"

He does what anyone who lacks maturity in their walk with God is subject to do. He sees according to his soul and he is at a loss as to what to do as a result. The servant is in training and has not yet reached maturity in his development.


The man of God has been trained in something. He has been trained not to the specific situation, but to the God he is called to serve. Elisha knows his God.

Today we want a workbook on how to turn around economic storms, how to end trouble in your marriage, how to change rebellious children, how to never be sick, etc. We want formulas for success, and formulas for escape.

This story is not about a formula on how to escape in a situation where the enemy has you surrounded.

This story demonstrates two different types of people. One who trusts his God and knows Him intimately and one who is learning his way but because his knowledge of God is limited, his trust is limited.

So what does the man of God do for the panicked servant?

First, he admonishes him not to worry and assures him that they are not alone.
VS 16 He said, "Don’t worry about it—there are more on our side than on their side."

He is saying this to someone who can only see the circumstances. If I were to say to someone in a struggle that they need not worry but know that God is on their side I would be accused of being insensitive and uncaring. Most counseling today is only able to appease mans soul because it is more concerned with sympathy in the moment than helping someone see their God at work.

Finite suggestions lead to finite sources for help. Finite sources offer finite solutions. God is infinite, it only makes sense to look to Him.

Learning to Walk With God Part One

I would suggest you read the whole story in 2Kings 6:8 -23 I will use the Message in my posting.

It will be helpful as well to recall how Elijah when threatened by Jezebel ran away into the wilderness. Contrast that with how Elisha handles his situation. The King of Syria has been giving Israel trouble and trying to set ambushes for them but Elisha is telling the King of Israel all the plans of the King of Syria and it is ruining all of Syria's plans. Naturally the King of Syria is outraged and thinks there is a spy in their midst. When he is told it is Elisha who knows everything the King says and is the one derailing him, he wants to know where Elisha is, and he sends out an impressive fighting force to take him captive.

There are several things we should note about this story if we are to learn the lesson the Holy Spirit desires for us to learn.

Elisha knew everything the king of Syria was up to. VS 12 But one of his men said, "No, my master, dear king. It’s not any of us. It’s Elisha the prophet in Israel. He tells the king of Israel everything you say, even what you whisper in your bedroom."

Why is this so significant? We could assume that Elisha knew the King of Syria was up to and yet Elisha stayed at Dothan and slept.

Elisha did not run away or pray to avoid the plot, he stayed put and rested there. He lost no sleep over it. A man of God does not need to run from his problems because he has what it takes to face them. If he has heard from God he can rest in the midst of it.

This is a picture of knowing your God and trusting Him in whatever it is He has prescribed for you. Elisha knows that whatever is going on had to be allowed of the Lord and He is able to see the work of God unfolding in it as a result.

How much do you trust that the Lord is overseeing your affairs in this life?

I Apologize

It's been a while since I posted on my blog due to my need to tend to other things for a short season. I will be posting again soon. I know for those who follow a blog it get's old to go to it and find nothing has changed. I apologize for boring you with the same old stuff for the past couple of weeks. But please stay tuned there is yet more to come.

Beware Affluence Part Four

I have learned to be content in whatever state I find myself in.

Paul echoes this sentiment in a sense in:

1Timothy 6:6 ¶ Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 11 But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

If God has blessed you, be generous with He has given you. But do not make life decisions based on obtaining wealth.

Throughout the New Testament the rich are admonished to be generous and they are warned. Being rich will not send a person to hell. But neither is it a virtue when it is unaccompanied by generosity. We do not need a government to take what the rich have and distribute either. All will give an account for their actions to God. Each person stands or falls before Him.

It is not spiritual or magnanimous to steal from the rich and give to the poor. Just because a person can take someone else’s money and give it away to someone in need it doesn’t rid them from being a thief.

Our dependence on a government to do what individuals are responsible to do themselves will not wash with God at the judgment.

We do not get to claim we cared for the weak and poor because we paid taxes which sponsored government programs.

There are no spiritual points for being rich or poor in the Kingdom, because poverty nor wealth are the goal in the kingdom, the Kingdom itself is the goal.

Christ being central to all we are and hope to be is the core of our existence.

If we make “more” the goal of our living then we will have less time to invest where it counts the most.

We will sacrifice the most meaningful things in life and find ourselves comfortable here and now as far as possessions go, but miserable and impoverished as far as eternal and weighty things are concerned.

We need to learn to be thankful and be content.

Do you have a job? Be thankful.

Do you have a roof over your head? Be thankful.

Do you have clothes to wear? Be thankful.

Do you have food to eat? Be thankful.

Do you have all these things and time with God? Be especially thankful.

Do you have more than enough? Be thankful and share it with others.

Do you have good solid relationships? Be especially thankful.

Let’s make choices that free us to do the thing we were created for. Let’s seek first the Kingdom and His righteousness.

Let’s choose things that allow for time with others, time to do what we are called to do, time to seek Jesus, to learn of Him.

It is when we do this that we find our testimony is that, “God is our help!”

Beware Affluence Part Three

So, how do we deal with this innate drive to have more? How do we avoid going deeper into debt until we work ourselves into a frenzy, find that our emotional fuses are short with those we say we love, and discover we have spent little time seeking the Kingdom and His righteousness?

Hebrews 13:5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." 6 So we may boldly say: "The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?"

Just how content are we? I know I have struggled many times with this myself. I’ve also noticed that my struggle kicks in whenever I am failing to seek the Kingdom as I ought.

Believe it or not this not merely an avoidance Scripture. Most will read this and think, “if I just avoid covetousness I’ll be doing good.” Well that is short sighted thinking. One of the ten commandments dealt with this issue already from an avoidance perspective and it was proven we cannot stay away from it from that angle. We need something noble to pursue.

What is that which is more noble? Contentment. Taking solace in the fact that the Lord is with us! What fruit will this produce?

The Lord is my helper; I will not fear! What can man do to me?

Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

We like to quote I can do all things for things other than having the ability to be abased or having abundance.

Paul was at a place of being content in his circumstances but these Philippians felt they wanted to bless him and they did so. He was appreciative for this act of love on their part but he also wants them to catch the lesson he is living out before them.

I have learned to be content in whatever state I find myself in.

Beware Affluence Part Two

The more time it takes to maintain our lifestyles, the less time we have to spend for the things that matter most.

In light of all the fearful predictions being circulated we should take note of what Jesus said,

Matthew 6:31 "Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 "For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

After these things the Gentiles seek. The Gentiles spent the bulk of their time in that culture striving for affluence. Social status was of great importance to them and having these things was the motivation of their lives.

Here we have a readjustment of priorities for any true believer in Christ. Seek first! Seek what? A better career, a higher position of authority in the corporate world, a better home, a brand name wardrobe, the best there is to offer in possessions? No!

The Kingdom of God and His righteousness. Some of the most relationally challenged and miserable people on this planet are people with lots of nice things and plenty of money.

Under the current secular mindset you would think they should be happy. But the fact is, it required a lot of sacrifices and time to get where they are.

Some of those sacrifices were relationships that should not have been put on hold until they reached the financial plateau they were striving for. Some of them were relationships that stood in the way of their goals and thus were deemed worthy of sacrifice.

This is not foreign to those who possess ambition in ministry either. Ambition will step on whoever it must to advance it’s own cause.

Beware Affluence

There is something that is rather appealing about simplicity. The first thing is how much less stressful it is.

Second is how much time it grants us to invest in the important things of life, such as the Kingdom of God and relationships.

Currently the modern church suffers due to a lack of time in the lives of the followers of Christ. People feel overloaded in life.

It seems that Christ’ children are so preoccupied with making ends meet they have no time left to do the things the Lord has told them to do.

Some of you may or may not fit into this category. However, it is likely many have and are experiencing this on some level.

Ever said to yourself, “I would like to get involved but I just don’t have the time?”

We’ve been discussing belief, and being persuaded and how that we do not do anything until we are. But what happens when you become persuaded and find that you have too much on your plate already?

What should you do to get things at a place where you can actually obey?

Well, this has to do with our priorities in life. Although it is both Biblical and important to work to provide, did Jesus ever say anything about what level or means we should seek to maintain?

Our culture of affluence has robbed us of a great deal. Right now Washington and Wall street are reeling from the effects of affluence.

Francis Schaffer spoke of the effects of affluence in his series on “How shall we then Live.”

He uncovered the parallels of Roman society during it’s peaks and fall and demonstrated how it’s own affluence led it to ruin.

Our own country is in financial crisis over this very issue today. We are there due to being in too deep in borrowed resources .

What happened? Someone wished to have more and found a way to get there.

More often than not we want more home than we can keep up with, more car than we can afford, more this, or that, without realizing that with each desire comes stewardship, payments, etc.

All this equates into time being lost as we work more hours, more jobs, and spend more time in upkeep etc. Life is being sacrificed at the altar of affluence.

The Cantrell's

What a blessing this couple and family have been to mine and to Harvest Church.

More affectionately known to our kids as Uncle Doug and Aunt Wendy these two have been close friends since before Harvest began.

On the flip side my wife and I are affectionatley known to their children as Uncle Tim and Aunt Sheila.

No we are not blood relatives in the natural, just in the Spirit.

Doug journeyed with us from the trials involved in the birth of our first son till now.

This family has been consistently faithful and provide encouragement to many as they live a lifestyle of serving others.

Always eager to make a difference but never really aware of how much they did. Noah, Katie and Bethanie are refreshing to watch. Noah the athlete of the family, Katie the quiet one and Bethanie taking all the cuteness awards when around everyone.

Harvest has been enriched by having this family in our midst. They have served in too many areas over the years to list. The best way to describe them is how I already have, faithful!

My Faith is My Destiny Part Four

Paul approached the Centurion because Paul was convinced by God. But the Centurion was not a man who reasoned by the Spirit. He was not a man of faith and thus could not go with Paul’s advice.

Human reasoning tends to go against faith. In the case of the story we just read from Acts that is what we find.

(JB Phillips) 1Corinthians 2:14 But the unspiritual man simply cannot accept the matters which the Spirit deals with—they just don’t make sense to him, for, after all, you must be spiritual to see spiritual things.

Ironically though when someone is willing to walk in faith towards God those around us who aren’t spiritually minded will eventually get a chance to see how the Lord truly was leading us.

Remember how we left Paul and his sailing companions getting ready to leave the harbor when the soft south wind picked up?

Acts 27:14 But not long after, a tempestuous head wind arose, called Euroclydon. 15 So when the ship was caught, and could not head into the wind, we let her drive. 16 And running under the shelter of an island called Clauda, we secured the skiff with difficulty. 17 When they had taken it on board, they used cables to undergird the ship; and fearing lest they should run aground on the Syrtis Sands, they struck sail and so were driven. 18 And because we were exceedingly tempest–tossed, the next day they lightened the ship. 19 On the third day we threw the ship’s tackle overboard with our own hands. 20 Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be saved was finally given up. 21 ¶ But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, "Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss. 22 "And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23 "For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, 24 "saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ 25 "Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me. 26 "However, we must run aground on a certain island."

I love verse 21 "Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss."

This is what I call a godly I told you so. Paul is not gloating here, he is reminding them about who got it right because now he wishes to encourage them and it is important that they see he hears from the Lord.

Notice now he adds to why he feels the journey will be completed. His God has a certain destiny for him that all these other men are now caught up in.

Paul must go to see Caesar and these men are in the boat with him. These men will be spared for Paul’s sake.

It is possible when we are walking with God in faith for others to get caught up in our wave of destiny.

God really is that big and that at work in us. The question is will we walk in our own understanding, or will we walk in faith with God?

Our influence grows as we begin to put our trust in the Lord and speak about where our confidence comes from.

That is what happened for Paul.

After they left harbor they ran into trouble as we read, and then later they have even more trouble and the sailors are about to abandon ship. When Paul tells the soldiers to not let anyone off the ship or else the promise does not stand the soldiers cut the ropes to the small boat and trap everyone on board.

The number of people on the ship is 276 and now all of a sudden everyone is taking their lead from Paul.

The road to influence is not knowledge itself. It is a walk with God.

Effective witnessing begins at our walk and then our talk confirms who and what we are about and as others see us yielding to God as opposed to human reasoning, they are able to eventually be impacted according to the work of the Spirit.

This is why we can do our daily lives and still carry the impact of God’s kingdom with us wherever we go.

But this will require that we seek God out of relationship and not out of duty.

Paul knew what he did because he sought the Lord out of relationship.

Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.

The word made alive t us is what persuades us.

If we are not feasting on His word from a desire to know Him we will be persuaded by culture, entertainment, peers, etc.

Knowing Him is what positions us to be persuaded of Spiritual things that carry the weight of eternity with them.

I want to be persuaded like Paul was.

2Timothy 1:12 For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.

If we are persuaded of Him will we not be ashamed of Him.

I promise you all who the Spirit reveals Him to will not find us strange. They will find common ground.

2Timothy 1:5 when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.

What are you persuaded of? Whatever it is when others are asked about you that is thing that will mark you the most.

Paul and Timothy were marked by their faith. They were persuaded men who lived out what they believed. My prayer is that we will be persuaded of Him and draw closer as a result.

My Faith is My Destiny Part Three

In our story from Acts 27 Paul was over ruled by human reasoning.

Paul approached the Centurion because Paul was convinced by God. But the Centurion was not a man who reasoned by the Spirit. He was not a man of faith and thus could not go with Paul’s advice.

Human reasoning tends to go against faith. In the case of the story we just read from Acts that is what we find.

(JB Phillips) 1Corinthians 2:14 But the unspiritual man simply cannot accept the matters which the Spirit deals with—they just don’t make sense to him, for, after all, you must be spiritual to see spiritual things.

Ironically though when someone is willing to walk in faith towards God those around us who aren’t spiritually minded will eventually get a chance to see how the Lord truly was leading us.

Remember how we left Paul and his sailing companions getting ready to leave the harbor when the soft south wind picked up?

Acts 27:14 But not long after, a tempestuous head wind arose, called Euroclydon. 15 So when the ship was caught, and could not head into the wind, we let her drive. 16 And running under the shelter of an island called Clauda, we secured the skiff with difficulty. 17 When they had taken it on board, they used cables to undergird the ship; and fearing lest they should run aground on the Syrtis Sands, they struck sail and so were driven. 18 And because we were exceedingly tempest–tossed, the next day they lightened the ship. 19 On the third day we threw the ship’s tackle overboard with our own hands. 20 Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be saved was finally given up. 21 ¶ But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, "Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss. 22 "And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23 "For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, 24 "saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ 25 "Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me. 26 "However, we must run aground on a certain island."

I love verse 21 "Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss.

This is what I call a godly I told you so. Paul is not gloating here, he is reminding them about who got it right because now he wishes to encourage them and it is important that they see he hears from the Lord.

Notice now he adds to why he feels the journey will be completed. His God has a certain destiny for him that all these other men are now caught up in.

Paul must go to see Caesar and these men are in the boat with him. These men will be spared for Paul’s sake.

It is possible when we are walking with God in faith for others to get caught up in our wave of destiny.

God really is that big and that at work in us. The question is will we walk in our own understanding, or will we walk in faith with God?

Our influence grows as we begin to put our trust in the Lord and speak about where our confidence comes from.

That is what happened for Paul.

My Faith is My Destiny Part Two

In the previous post we established the first example of how human reason operates, now we move on to the remaining three examples in our story. Another attribute of human reasoning is:

2. Our circumstances. Acts 27:12a

And because the harbor was not suitable to winter in,

These guys were convinced the harbor they were in at the present was not fit to winter in. They are being pressed by their circumstances.

How many times have we launched out in a decision about something simply based on the inconvenience of the moment, the uncomfortable circumstances we find ourselves in, a situation gone bad, or even what may be perceived as everything going right?

Human reasoning wants to consider the angles and then make the decision.

3. Popular Opinion or Numbers. Acts 27:12b

the majority advised to set sail from there also, if by any means they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete opening toward the southwest and northwest, and winter there.

The majority advised. How often have we been at a place where we heard the truth but a majority of dissenters persuaded us not to believe it.

Or, perhaps we were getting it wrong and the majority was in agreement with it?

Either way when it comes to human reasoning these things tend to be the criteria for knowing what is right and acting on it.


4. Immediate circumstances confirming the decision. Acts 27:13

When the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their desire, putting out to sea, they sailed close by Crete.

When a south wind blew softly! Sometimes after we have reasoned the matter out it appears that all is going well and things are running smoothly. It’s at these times that we begin to brag about the soundness of our decision. We become convinced we did the right thing.

But remember that when we set out on human reasoning although everything looks right at the start, if all starts to go wrong where will our reason takes us then?

Anytime we rely on our own reasoning and do not act in faith we have already began a process that is wrong.

Hebrew 11:6 It’s impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that He exists and that He cares enough to respond to those who seek him.

My Faith is My Destiny

I never get tired of laughing at football fans who although their team has no hope of winning the coveted prize they still hold up their index finger to the camera and scream we’re number one.

They are persuaded that their team is the best. What are you persuaded of?

Our destiny in the Lord is only realized through faith and those around us on our journey are impacted by the things we are persuaded of. I want us to examine how human reason persuades us if we are not walking by faith in our relationship to Christ. Human reason can ruin not only our lives but the lives of others.

Acts 27:9 Now when much time had been spent, and sailing was now dangerous because the Fast was already over, Paul advised them, 10 saying, "Men, I perceive that this voyage will end with disaster and much loss, not only of the cargo and ship, but also our lives." 11 Nevertheless the centurion was more persuaded by the helmsman and the owner of the ship than by the things spoken by Paul. 12 ¶ And because the harbor was not suitable to winter in, the majority advised to set sail from there also, if by any means they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete opening toward the southwest and northwest, and winter there. 13 When the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their desire, putting out to sea, they sailed close by Crete.

More Persuaded! A powerful expression because when someone is persuaded of something, that is what they act on.

Outlined for us are the reasons why the centurion was less persuaded by Paul than the other two men, and it reveals the process of human reasoning.

1. The sources from which the information comes. Vs. 11

Nevertheless the centurion was more persuaded by the helmsman and the owner of the ship than by the things spoken by Paul.

Human reasoning naturally considers the source providing information. Paul is not a sailor he is a man of God. What could he possibly know about sailing?

But Paul’s comment isn’t based in any knowledge of sailing, it is based on His walk with God.

Human reasoning cannot go there.

Established in the Lord! Part Three

Every time we become wise in our own eyes and lean to our own understanding we destroy faith, we crush our belief in God.

Just like Israel’s sources for input had a negative effect, the source of our input matters as it pertains to our faith for obedience.

When we allow belief to be crushed by wrong input and bad sources we become unable to move forward.

Just as rebellion is the fruit of unbelief. Honorable and good accomplishments are the fruit of believing the right things. Victory is the fruit of believing God.

2Chronicles 20:20 So they rose early in the morning and went out into the Wilderness of Tekoa; and as they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, "Hear me, O Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: Believe in the LORD your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper."

Jehoshaphat is a leader with a really strange battle plan. He is promising the people they will not have to fight. He wants to go out and face an enemy that greatly outnumbers him and he wants to send out standard bearers and singers as his front lines.

Now either Jehoshaphat hates musicians and banner carriers or he believes something. God’s people in Jerusalem had to believe and their belief was based on their input.

We need to recognize two significant promises uttered here.

1) Believe in the Lord your God and you shall be established! This is personal stuff here. This is not believe in the Lord my God. Jehoshaphat makes sure they understand they belong to the Lord. Being established is a personal relationship matter with God. We need to be able to trust Him on the basis of being His.

2) Believe in His prophets and you shall prosper. The word prosper could easily be interpreted as succeed. Prophets spoke the word of the Lord. They were the mouth piece of the Lord as it were. A more accurate modern understanding and application would be to place emphasis on believing the Word of God. We still have prophets today as well but even more than that we have the tested, proven, and inspired Word of God.

The battle for Israel was not Ammon and Moab on that day. It was what they would believe.

By arresting any thoughts that opposed what Jehoshaphat said, they were able to move forward in an obedience born of faith, and thus witnessed a great grace and victory from the Lord.

Is your faith moving you forward or are you standing still in your obedience towards the truth today?

Established in the Lord! Part Two

Our hearts are moved by what we believe. This effects our emotions. This is why sometimes it takes time for something to sink in before the emotions catch up to us.

I know now that my belief effects my emotions, just as I know that when I do not believe what I hear I have no feeling about it.
Our emotions are equally effected by both belief, and unbelief.

Something else in us is greatly effected by these two forces at work in us. Our actions!

Perhaps this is best demonstrated by what we see regarding Israel in the Bible. Israel had come up out of Egypt after 400 years of cruel bondage and witnessed many miracles, even the destruction of their captors. But, that generation refused to believe God.

Deuteronomy 1:32 "Yet, for all that, you did not believe the LORD your God,

Rebellion is the poster child of unbelief.

Kids who begin to think that their parents just want to spoil their fun cease to listen to their parents advice and instruction and will even oppose their parents. What is the problem? What the child believes about mom or dad and their motives.

If you change what is being believed, an issue no longer exist. Rebellion ceases. Our obedience is directly effected by what we believe.

Deuteronomy 9:23 "Likewise, when the LORD sent you from Kadesh Barnea, saying, ‘Go up and possess the land which I have given you,’ then you rebelled against the commandment of the LORD your God, and you did not believe Him nor obey His voice.

Moses is cataloguing Israel’s rebellion against the Lord in this chapter. Why did they rebel? They did not believe!

They did not believe so they did not obey. But not believing is no excuse when we give an account to God. God still held them responsible for their lack of obedience, He just let’s them know that He knows why they did it.

If we had read the whole story Moses spoke we would discover that each offence he mentions involves Israel listening to and believing the wrong people. They listened to rebels when they made the calf, they listened to rebels when they followed after Korah’s rebellion, and they listened to the wrong spies about the land God wanted to give them.

They listened to everyone but God and God’s appointed leadership for them.

Established in the Lord!

Whenever we struggle to overcome something in life we usually seek to know why we cannot seem to overcome it. In such cases the tendency is to run to human reasoning for answers which usually leads to blaming others, or finding some excuse for why change cannot occur.

Sometimes the answers are so simple they allude us. I want to demonstrate from the Word of God how one simple truth reveals what it is that hinders us most of the time, if not always.

Have you ever felt emotionally numb when an occasion should have really stirred some sort of response such as remorse, or sadness, or joy and excitement in you?

Jacob loved Joseph dearly. He had many years before been told that Joseph had been killed, and shown a bloody coat of many colors as proof.

Jacob believed the story he had first been told by his other sons regarding Joseph’s death and he mourned greatly over it. Now, many years later, good news comes in. “Joseph is alive!”

One would think that Jacob would dance a jig and throw a party!
But look at how Jacob responds to such good news.

Genesis 45:26 And they told him, saying, "Joseph is still alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt." And Jacob’s heart stood still, because he did not believe them.

What exactly does it mean that Jacobs heart stood still?

It means that Jacob felt nothing. Jacob was numb to such news. There was no response, no emotion, nothing.

Why is Jacobs response to such good news hindered? It tells us. “Because he did not believe them.”

We have no real response to things when we do not stand in faith believing the report we receive. We are unable to rejoice, or to shed tears of joy, or tears of sadness when we do not believe.

Our hearts are moved by what we believe. This effects our emotions. This is why sometimes it takes time for something to sink in before the emotions catch up to us.

I know now that my belief effects my emotions, just as I know that when I do not believe what I hear I have no feeling about it.
Our emotions are equally effected by both belief, and unbelief.

The Bailey Family

This great family started with us as Matt Bailey and Kelly Reese. The two met and married and have become a wonderful family over the years.

Matt & Kelly serve our youth by leading our Living Stones Teens group, and I might add doing a great job. We are so blessed to have them with us.

On September 9th they added an addition to their family. Little Hannah Grace was born weighing in at 7lbs and 14oz.

The Bailey's are loved at Harvest Church. Matt, Kelly, Lydia, David and now Hannah Grace are appreciated for all that bring to us, but even more so for who they.

There is a such a grace on their lives. Hannah Grace literally means grace, grace.

I don't have time to go into the journey leading up to this gift, but I will tell of how a Scottish Prophet named Joe Ewen came and laid hands on Kelly's stomach and declared grace grace not knowing what this child would be named. God knows the little ones even in the womb by name! How great is our God!?

This family's existence is a testimony of His goodness and grace and we are grateful and proud to have them at Harvest Church.

Congratulations on your new addition Bailey's may she bring abundant joy into your home, and may she live up to her name throughout her life. God's grace be with you.

What Does My Way Of Life Say About My Faith Part Three

Matthew 21:31b Jesus said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you. 32 "For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him; but tax collectors and harlots believed him; and when you saw it, you did not afterward relent and believe him.

These men were not looking for this! They thought this was a safe question unlike the first one asked.

They probably thought that having the right answer would prove they knew their stuff, and would disarm Jesus.

Jesus confronts these leaders on the basis of obedience to the truth. He just destroyed their religiously correct views by making it a matter of what one does, not just what one says.

John came to you in the way of righteousness...

What does that mean? John came to you with a walk to match the talk and he spoke the truth in step with Scripture to you.

These leaders heard a righteous man but did not act on what they heard. More than that, lives had been changed by the truth John had spoken and they were witnesses to this, and still would not believe.

Why did they not act on it? They did not believe.

Bottom line is simply, God is not moved by good words He is moved by obedience to His word.

James 1:22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

If we hear truth and do not walk in it we become deceived.

Matthew 12:35 "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. 36 "But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. 37 "For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."

Beware a talk without the walk. Idle words are those things spoken but not acted on.

It is what we do with our lives that tells the truth about who we are, and what we really believe. God is all about obedient faith.

Ephesians 4:28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.

If we say Jesus is Lord without acting on His word to us, how are we any different than these leaders Jesus rebuked? We are still in unbelief and unable to produce the fruit of repentance.

Matthew 7:21 "Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.

Luke 6:46 "But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do the things which I say?

Doing the truth is not optional to the true believer.

If you are like the first son who said no I will not go, you can also be like the first son and choose to repent and go after all.

It’s not too late to obey.

What Does My Way Of Life Say About My Faith Part Two

Matthew 21:25 "The baptism of John––where was it from? From heaven or from men?" And they reasoned among themselves, saying, "If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ 26 "But if we say, ‘From men,’ we fear the multitude, for all count John as a prophet." 27 So they answered Jesus and said, "We do not know." And He said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.

If they lived what they talked they could have answered instantly without hesitation. But they live for popularity. Beware when reasoning must take place before answering a simple question. These men were weighing the outcome. They knew the right answer but rather than give it and become accountable they would rather avoid it to try to save face. These men knew what was at stake.

You cannot run from the truth forever. Beware your sin shall find you out. Being religiously correct will betray a person in time. God knows how to get at the heart of any person no matter how much they try to hide what they really believe.

Matthew 21:28 ¶ "But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go, work today in my vineyard.’ 29 "He answered and said, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he regretted it and went. 30 "Then he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, ‘I go, sir,’ but he did not go. 31a "Which of the two did the will of his father?" They said to Him, "The first."

Answering a question about John the Baptist is too risky for these popularity loving leaders. So Jesus made it easier for them.

No one can catch us in a lie better than God. That is exactly what happens here. These leaders are living a lie. They are not walking in faith and obedience.

They thought they dodged the very pointed first question, and likely feel they hit this second one out of the park. This second question seems safe to answer for them, but it reveals that they have knowledge and just do not wish to act on it themselves.

Find out in our next post how Jesus responds to their lack of obedience to the truth.

What Does My Way Of Life Say About My Faith

As Americans we understand the term politically correct. It is when an idea whether wrong or right has the masses behind it and thus it becomes popular to speak about it to gain their support.

It comes from the desire to be popular, to appeal to the masses. Having a record of acting on it isn’t as important as speaking about it. But this is not isolated to only politically driven issues.

It is possible to fall into being religiously correct. A person can say the right things, like things heard in church, and have no actions to prove they truly believe what they are saying.

Matthew 21:23 ¶ Now when He came into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people confronted Him as He was teaching, and said, "By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority?"

Unlike the religiously correct chief priests and elders Jesus is a doer of the word. Doers of the word create problems for the religiously correct.

Obedient people intimidate those who live in theory. These big talking leaders aren’t happy with the obedient teacher in their territory. So they decide to confront him.

"By what authority, are you doing these things?" You should underline doing these things in your Bible. They acknowledge Jesus is walking the talk.

I love the wisdom in how Jesus handled this.

Matthew 21:24 But Jesus answered and said to them, "I also will ask you one thing, which if you tell Me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things:

Jesus sets up a situation that will reveal the hearts of these leaders who are challenging His teaching and work. His question will is meant to respectfully expose their religiously correct ways and disarm their opposition to Him.

In our next post we will see how He handles their deception.

The Buyck's

Let me introduce you to a great couple who have been part of Harvest for six years. Tim & Delana Buyck! Their family came to us from Martinsville, Virginia through a series of circumstances that just seemed to be orchestrated by God.

We have enjoyed getting to know them over the years and have been in their home having gatherings and simple fellowship. They are truly fun to be around and easy to be with.

Their hospitality has touched many and there are those who have been touched by this couple behind the scenes. They have never sought out the applause of others in serving, they just enjoy being a blessing.

I am sad to announce that they will be leaving us soon for Charleston SC as Tim has a new job awaiting him there. This couple will be sorely missed by our fellowship. They are greatly loved by all.

We give thanks to the Father for the time He allowed us together and we pray for their continued blessing in life.

Tim & Delana we love you!

Band Aids for Gaping Wounds Part Five

Today you are unlikely to hear popular preachers use the word sin and make any attempt to call anyone to repentance from sin into eternal life in Christ Jesus. They will cry and speak of wanting to improve peoples lives or make them better, but never mention sin.

If we think heart disease or cancer or aids is bad we have not even began to understand the curse and horror of sin. Sin is what will be judged by God on the great day of His wrath.

Eternal life and eternal damnation are real! Hell and Heaven are not just fairy tale stories that are designed to stir up fear or pleasant thoughts.

The most revered message ever preached in American history was the one delivered by Jonathan Edwards in early American history. What was his title?

Sinners in the hands of an angry God. There’s a book title for you.

This man was so moved by the plight of sinners should they die in their sin without Christ that he would rather risk unpopularity than have their blood on his hands.

So powerful was this pure gospel message that it is recorded that people screamed out as they experienced visions of hell and even claimed to feel the flames of hell reaching up to snatch them.

What was the fruit? Hundreds repented with the fruits of a changed life to follow.

Habits and issues are nothing to repent of. They may or may not be bad for you, and have little or nothing to do with your separation from God.

It is our sin that has separated us and every man that has yet to put his faith in Christ for deliverance from sin is under the very curse of sin from birth.

We are sinners by nature, from birth. There are no alternative cures for this condition, there are no natural remedies for the spiritual death that resides in all mankind apart from Christ.

People all around us are under the very wrath of God. You may walk by someone in the mall this week who is passing you with the invisible cloud of God’s wrath on their shoulders.

Jesus was aware of this, How aware are we?

John 3:36 "He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."

Hell rejoices over the numbing effect of business and ignorance so rampant in churches today.

Every time a popular preacher stands and speaks of anything but the curse of sin and the remedy of Christ it is the demons of hell who rejoice, not the angels of heaven.

Modern Christianity thinks it takes hundreds at an altar call for ambiguity before heaven can rejoice, but the Scripture still teaches us that the angels of heaven rejoice over one sinner who repents and turns to Jesus Christ!

Why?

They know for certain that one sinner could not have come unless the Father was at work and they ever live to glorify the work of the Father and of Christ!

Hope for a better life has never been the message of the gospel. Hope for a better end in eternity has. Jesus invites sinners to come to Him with no guarantee that doing so will iron out all the wrinkles of difficulty and hardship in this life.

He does promise though to lift the wrath of God from them, to give them eternal life, and to release them from the just punishment of hell and grant them that they might forever be with the Father in heaven when this life is over.

All are under sin, the Father does the drawing, the truth does the seeding, the Spirit waters and Christ gives life. Have you come to Him for life?

Have your sins been blotted out?

Band Aids for Gaping Wounds Part Four

We live in a society filled with an avoidance gospel. A gospel that is not the good news as a result of learning that my sin is sending me into Hell, and that Jesus took on my sin debt so that the wrath of God could be removed from my life.

The false prophets of our day think that making people feel good, or better about themselves is what improves their lives, as if that is what the gospel is about.

The gospel is about what it cost God to cure the disease of sin in man.

Our generations more popular preachers are literally putting band aids on life threatening, gaping wounds, and thinking they are doing people some sort of good!

Peace, peace they say! Sin is too harsh a word, they say. It’s not mine to judge they cry. I just want to help people feel better about themselves they proclaim.

Well we can give a cancer victim more morphine to ease their momentary pain, but it will not rid them of the very disease that is taking their life away.

Listen to what Jesus says, (Message)
Matthew 7:13 "Don’t look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don’t fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. 14 The way to life—to God!—is
vigorous and requires total attention. 15 ¶ "Be wary of false preachers who smile a lot, dripping with practiced sincerity. Chances are they are out to rip you off some way or other. Don’t be impressed with charisma; look for character. 16 Who preachers are is the main thing, not what they say. A genuine leader will never exploit your emotions or your pocketbook. These diseased trees with their bad apples are going to be chopped down and burned.

What would you think about a doctor, who had a patient dying with cancer and only days to live, and he smiled and told that patient, “there is a small issue in your body that is hindering your better health now. I know it is just a small issue, but wouldn’t you like to have your better health now?”

Peace, peace! Band aids for life threatening gashes! Where is the awareness of death, of life, of eternity?

When was the last time you heard a message from a TV preacher that even mentioned hell in it?
Jesus thought this subject was so important that it was one of his most mentioned truths.

Eternal life and eternal damnation are important issues needing to be addressed in our time just as they were in any other.

Band Aids for Gaping Wounds Part Three

We hear the heralded preachers on TV address habits, hindrances and issues, but seldom ever do they address sin. They call people to respond to messages of better living, but fail to address mans true need which is deliverance from sin. They are like those in Jeremiahs day.

Jeremiah 6:13 "Everyone’s after the dishonest dollar, little people and big people alike. Prophets and priests and everyone in between twist words and doctor truth. 14 My people are broken—shattered!—and they put on band-aids, Saying, ‘It’s not so bad. You’ll be just fine.’ But things are not ‘just fine’!

Israel had been in rebellion against God for years. The nation was sinning against God. They had left off those things which mattered to God, and had adopted their own sense of right and wrong. Meanwhile, there were prophets and priests who were telling the people how much God loved them and was going to bless them. Peace, peace they were crying.

Jeremiah was trying to warn the nation that unless they repented judgment would come upon them. Jeremiah was letting them know the true state of their condition. Jeremiah was attempting to get them to see their great need for repentance and faith in God.

The false men, however, were contradicting Jeremiah. They likely discredited him by labeling him a cynical, unloving and judgmental man. But Jeremiah was willing to address the real issue that was stealing the soul of Israel and sending the nation into captivity.

The people wanted momentary peace at any price. They wanted the feel good messages of the false prophets of their day, and the false prophets wanted popularity over truth. It was a perfect mix for deception. They did not know they were diseased with sin.

Isn’t it odd that many of the diseases that take the lives of so many today can go undetected in the body? Heart disease is known as the “silent killer.”

I’ve known of people who went most of their lives not knowing a cancer was developing in their body until one day all of a sudden a sharp pain, or regular doctors visit revealed the truth.
Sometimes there a small warning signs, but we largely ignore them because we do not want to hear what we think is bad news.

We want Peace, peace! But there is no true peace. Just deeply buried reality beneath the shifting sands of ignorance and flattery.

Until I know the disease is there how do I do know to deal with it? How do I know to call on the Lord for His help against it?

Band Aids for Gaping Wounds Part Two

Luke 6:20 ¶ Then He lifted up His eyes toward His disciples, and said: "Blessed are you poor, For yours is the kingdom of God. 21 Blessed are you who hunger now, For you shall be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, For you shall laugh. 22 Blessed are you when men hate you, And when they exclude you, And revile you, and cast out your name as evil, For the Son of Man’s sake. 23 Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven, For in like manner their fathers did to the prophets. 24 "But woe to you who are rich, For you have received your consolation. 25 Woe to you who are full, For you shall hunger. Woe to you who laugh now, For you shall mourn and weep. 26 Woe to you when all men speak well of you, For so did their fathers to the false prophets.

Because we have the Spirit we know that Jesus is dealing with those who live for the now. Those who want to have heaven on earth in a sense. We don’t find Jesus making elaborate attempts to clarify His communications with the people. He let what He said stand just as He said it. If they were able to receive it then the Holy Spirit was at work in them making them able. If they were not able, then they were without the Spirits revelation. Jesus did not dumb it down, or repackage it for them in an effort to reach more of them.

The fact is there are people who know they need something and those who think they have it already.

Jesus was not conducting a felt needs ministry when he was stating these things. He was teaching us that those who have not discovered their true needs will not find His offer of any value. The Holy Spirit makes us aware of the truth and reveals to us Christ.

To rightly speak the word takes faith on our part. It takes faith to believe that the word rightly spoken and kept true is all the Father needs to work in the heart of someone He is drawing to Christ.

John 6:37 "All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.

John 6:44 "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.

Can anyone come to Jesus without the Father drawing him?

A change of tactics, or twisting of words will not produce the fruit of salvation. The Holy Spirit works through the truth of God’s word in the heart. Either the Father is working in them, or He is not. This frees us to simply speak the truth in love and let God do the work of bringing in those who are meant to come in.