Bring It

As I sat listening to my morning devotional, I heard the speaker declare what we as Christians have heard since the beginning of our journey, "ye shall suffer persecution".  It is an election year in the U.S.  Internal political civil unrest and the tensions between nations are high and wars remain unresolved. Crime is at an all time high, more emboldened and brazen acts of violence across the nation and abroad. The attack on the Christian faith remains at an all time high globally.

As I listened to the dreary forecast, the word came out of my mouth "Bring It". This is one of many idioms, or cliche's often used to describe a feeling of readiness to respond at all cost. I experienced a Holy Spirit filled induced boldness at that moment to face and endure the persecution for the cause of Christ at whatever cost.  In that moment, I was ready for the battle. Jesus often spoke about losing our reputation, names and even our lives for the sake of the Gospel. He also said some of us will face death, but to endure to the end.

In this Laodicean age of Christianity, were living your best life is promoted instead of dying to self. Pleasures are fulfilled and doctrines of demons are on the rise without being challenged. Perversion  has tipped the scales and God's people love it so.  That expression that was vehemently purported from my mouth was the Holy Spirit. I felt like I was going to a fight in the natural (Bring It). 

As tensions remain high in the Spirit realm, as Christians we should remain on high alert, fighting the good fight of faith. I've often said "we profess that we'd die for Christ, but can't live for Him". An oxymoron at most. However, what remains is our resolve to "live as Christ and to die is gain" Phil 1:21. Should this be our fate? Stephen's stoning is only a precursor yet a preview to a grace that only God can provide to His elect during such a time. May these sufferings and challenges encourage us and give us faith to endure. Unlike Peter who stated " this shall not be unto thee" Matt 16:22. May we declare to the enemies of the cross "Bring It!"

That's the Way it Goes...Almost Doesn't Count

 

Some years ago a secular song popped in my mind. I had no intentions on dwelling on it, searching the content as I endeavored to renew my mind. meditating on thins that are true, noble, praiseworthy of a good report: Phil 4:6. After rehearsing the lyrics, for each stanza I could hear the heart of the Lord:

Songstress: Almost made you love me, Almost made you cry, Almost made you happy, didn't I.

The Lord: Would not God find this out? For He knows the secrets of the heart. "Psalm 44:21

Songstress: You almost had me thinking You were turned around But everybody knows Almost doesn't count

The Lord:  Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold. "Matthew 24:12” Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: "Behold, a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them. Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" Matthew 13: 3-9

Songstress: Almost heard you saying You were finally free What was always missing for you, You found it in me But you can't get to Heaven Half off the ground Everybody knows Almost doesn't count

The Lord: “No man that goes to war entangles himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier" 2 Tim. 2:4, And he that endures to the end shall be saved" Matthew 24:13

Songstress: I can't keep on loving you one foot outside the door, I hear a funny hesitation of a heart that's never really sure, Can't keep on trying If you're looking for more than all that I could give you than what you came here for.

The Lord: "Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do" James 1:8

Songstress: Gonna find me somebody Not afraid to let go Want a no-doubt-be-there kind of man, You came real close, But every time you built me up, You only let me down, But everybody knows  Almost doesn't count 

The Lord: “Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me” Matthew 16:24

Songstress: Maybe you'll be sorry, Maybe you'll be cold, Maybe you'll come running back from the cruel, cruel world Almost convinced me You're gonna stick around But everybody knows (everybody knows) Almost doesn't count

The Lord: "And because sin will abound the love of many will wax cold" Matthew 24:12,  Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them,  but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.  But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming. Matthew 25

Songstress: That's the Way it Goes Almost Doesn't Count

The Lord: Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates "Rev: 22:14

Therefore, my beloved brethren. Make your calling and election sure  2 Peter 1:10. That’s the way it goes….ALMOST DOESN’T COUNT

"Love" the Litmus Test

As we know our Lord has declared from His time here and His instructions before leaving that as Christians we love one another. He started off by saying it was a new commandment. "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another" John 13:34-35.  To think about my spouse (his) love for me is one thing. That is a one to one relationship. I don't expect for my husband to love other's the way he loves me.  In essence, his love toward others has boundaries.

However, the Lord meant it quite the opposite.  No boundaries! Is that what he meant? I can't say that this is the degree where the love factor is extended among strangers. We have been grafted into the vine, adopted and accepted by Him who shed His blood to pay the ultimate price for our sins, and to create a new family. Through a series of circumstances I unfortunately ended up in foster care. At least 4 homes to my knowledge.. From my experiences the children came and went. There were other people in the household but we weren't close to them. We stayed  in our rooms most of the time and obeyed the new rules that these families had established. 

We never knew when we'd be uprooted. The families may have gotten tired of us or benefits may have run out. Jesus' family is the opposite. We have been accepted by Him into a heavenly family.  It is not without it's challenges. We have to get to know one another, be forgiving, suffer long with our brethren.  Easier said than done right? Yes. But this is the Litmus test "love".It's a work. It is a willingness to suffer long as we grow in holiness unto the Lord.  We were meant to be like the Sequoia tree, whose roots are entangled one with another.

Unfortunately, tradition and religion has created a plethora of reasons why we neglect to love one another by scripture. We have been taught only to love when things are going well  We are easily offended and many walk away with unresolved issues, even though the Lord has given us the prescription for ought and offenses.  Nonetheless, we walk away, put each other away as if we never knew each other.  I am concerned, how about you? We (the church) isn't defined by any other measures (i.e gifts, talents, miracles, signs and wonders)  other than love, that's the Litmus Test.

The bible says "in the last days, the love of many will wax cold".Matt 24:12. Let that not be said of us. Let's continue to run this race together, encouraging each other as we continue in fellowship. In Jesus name.

Sacrificial or Superficial

During a morning time routine in prayer, as I begin to cry out to the Lord and made my petitions known to Him, I paused.  I did this only to reflect on what I had just previously prayed.  During that time I wondered had I surrendered anything in my walk with the Lord as a sacrifice or had my prayers been superficial.

What do you mean by sacrificial?  When a sacrifice is made, it is with the intention that something will be developed, instilled, or resolved in the life of a person who has considered oneself dead although the process of mortification had not yet wielded itself but the person has yielded themselves to a cause regardless of the outcome.  The outcome is based upon the one who has required it.

What do you mean by superficial? To be superficial is to be on the surface only. It's not real, it carries no weight and is easily penetrated.  It can easily be detected by others who are authentically bearing witness to themselves one way or the other.  Jesus was able to resonate with the church of Ephesus "who left their first love" Rev:2, and the church of Sardis, who had a reputation of being alive but they were dead. Rev 3. 

Dear God, may our times spent with you out of delight turn into something tangible by revelation,  His presence, impartation of some spiritual gift, an anointing, and much more as the Spirit gives. May our walk be sacrificial, even as you sacrificed your life for us.  You carried the cross willingly for our sins.

Let our walk with you no longer be superficial. You said when you return our works will be tested, whether it'd be wood, hay or stubble.  We desire to be that sacrificial church without spot, wrinkle or any such blemish.  Ephesians 5:27. Today, we examine ourselves to see whether or not we be in the faith proving ourselves (sacrificial) how that Jesus Christ is in you, except you be reprobates (superficial)? 2 Cor. 13:5

Pencils Down

As a former student at many different levels of education I wasn't the most studious student. The thought of taking test were arduous and stressful at best.  The first time I ever heard of an open book test was the most exhilarating good news I've ever heard.  This would be easy, so I thought.  I didn't do as well as I thought because I was running out of time.  Well, one would say "how did you run out of time, it was an open book test"?  The answer is, I wasn't familiar with the text and didn't know where to go immediately for the answers. Therefore searching for the answers took up most of my time.

Oh Christian! This new life in Christ is an open book test. The Lord our God has given us everything pertaining to life and godliness. We are to be students of the Word. The Lord commands us to "study to show ourselves approved unto God, workmen being not ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth" 2Tim.2:15. 

Too many professing believers on average struggle to read and study the word of God.  The book which we are admonished to meditate on it day and night.  Jesus said "my people perish because of the lack of knowledge and they err not knowing the scriptures" We were told to hold fast to the word of truth. How do we hold fast if we have no interest in the person who has went to prepare a place for us?  Jesus told us to search the scriptures and in that we will find eternal life.  It reminds me of the the five wise and five foolish virgins. The five wise had oil in their lamps (the word of God) and the five foolish were empty.  Beware Christian of the snare and the sin of slothfulness.  It's subtle, yet popular among professing Christians today.  I heard of an old adage; the Bible is B-I-B-L-E.(Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth).  

O Christian, one thing is for sure one day the Lord will say "pencils down". Hebrews 9:27 declares "it is appointed unto man once to die and then the judgement.  Don't neglect so great a salvation saints.

My Last Post

It has been a while since my last post. I've never wanted to write from an empty well or residue. As I read and study the word of God, I often jot down insights, asking the Holy Spirit is this the springboard in which He would speak. I would then leave off from my thoughts and continue in my thoughts with no certainty or action behind it. It wasn't until recently after the death of my son I felt no use for my platform (ministering the word of God) whether it was blogging or Social Media.  

One may say, "of course that's natural, it happens and you'll heal".  It wasn't whether or not I'd write, post, or Blog again. It was whether or not I would live again in the realm of the spirit where I know for certain the gift that was birthed in me wasn't meant to die because my son did.  I would find myself drifting into an unknown space apart from God. Here I could edit, backspace, cut and paste but there, the hole in my heart is forever etched. So I say now unto Him (Jesus) who is able use this thorn, even as the Apostle Paul prayed 3 times for it to be removed, God's answer to him as it is to me "my grace is sufficient", in writing, ministering, teaching as the Holy Spirit give several abilities.  So I yield my tongue as a ready writer to continue to avail myself even in the midst of it all.  Selah....Coming soon.... 

The Bait of Satan

 Be careful that your own desires don’t become the bait Satan uses. 

To be tempted is not sin; to yield to the temptation is sin. All temptation is common, it’s nothing new; God is able to make a way of escape; the key is not to entertain the temptation but to look for the escape route. There are many voices in the world and none are without significance or meaning [1 Corinthians 14:10]. . Each voice has a message and every message has a direction, you have to be able to discern the voice and choose the right direction. My sheep know my voice and a stranger they won’t follow [John 10:4-5]. If our desires (motives) aren’t right, that stranger’s voice you follow can be our own. 

Many times we blame the devil, when things don’t turn out the way we want, but if the truth be told many times it’s us. Every man is drawn away by (his own) lust and enticed [James 1:14]. Many times it’s the wrong intentions and motives working in us that cause us to be snared. The adversary just simply manipulates what’s already in us. 

We often study God and his word, we even study the adversary and how to do warfare against him, however, the person we study the least is us. We must know what’s in us and be honest with ourselves. Ask yourself is there anything in me that the enemy can use to manipulate; greed, selfish ambitions, unbelief, bitterness, disappointment, loss, failure, discouragement, loneliness, rejection, and un-forgiveness. These are some of the things the enemy will use to taint our desires.

Things in you the enemy will study and use against you. He will use what he knows about you to bring you into bondage. He speaks to your desires. There is nothing wrong with desiring a thing; it’s the motives behind the desire that causes the problem. In whatever we do, we must make sure our motives are sincere. 

In [John 14:30] Jesus, talking to his disciples says “After this I won’t be talking to you much longer, because the ruler of this word is coming, but he finds nothing in me”. Another translation says “because he has no power over me”. Jesus is simply saying there is nothing (in me) that the enemy can use against me.

The enemy is looking for something to use against you, make sure the weapon he uses is not found in you. When he comes have the testimony of Jesus, “the enemy comes but he has no power against me

-Pastor Ronald Harris.