Love: Attitude vs. Action

We are all familiar with the commandment from Jesus to love the Lord our God with all our hearts, soul, mind and strength. And the second is this;  to love our neighbor as ourselves. Mark 12:30-31. The natural man thinks about love in two ways. One way is "eros". This type of love is a romantic love between a man and a woman. Another form of love is "phila", brotherly love. Brotherly love has many forms and extensions. These feelings are comprised of kindness, the deep desire for a well being of another, family, friends, and afar off. The highest form of God's love for humanity is "agape" love.  This love is selfless, sacrificial and unconditional. We are commanded to have this type of love for humanity.

How then do we attain this kind of "love" without any prior knowledge, prejudice or relationships? How can we adjust our attitudes toward our neighbors that we don't even know near or far? I would often run into this snare because when I hear the word love, I think of intimacy or promoting the highest form of good for another person within various scopes of my relationships. How can I solve the love problem because in my flesh my love has it's limitations.

There were times when I would cry out for the God's type of love. So many questions, condemnation and hearing the voice of the enemy not whispering in my ear but blaring words "YOU ARE NOT WALKING IN LOVE" because I didn't have any feelings attached. This included my love for the Lord. To sing songs and quote scriptures and hear other exuberantly express their love to the Lord. Then my questions came. Do you love the Lord? Here I was again looking for a feeling, but then I went back to scripture where the Lord said "if you love me, keep my commandments" John 14:15 As I read Romans 13: 8-11 it was made clear "for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For this, thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not kill. Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet and if there be any other commandment in this saying; namely. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.. When we keep these commands the "agape" love of God is on display. As we walk in these commands our neighbors near or far will experience our expression of love as we keep His commandments. 

DOCE (Department of Church Efficiency)

As of late, the current administration in the White House created a new federal cabinet known as the DOGE (The Department of Government Efficiency). Any type of efficiency is meant to rate the quality of operation measured by a comparison of production that may cost energy, money and time. As I reflected on the pros and cons of this advent it has unequivocally affected thousands of Americans.  Simply put, the workforce has been audited. 

Every new church leader has a responsibility to rate church efficiency. He measures the quality of the operation of leading God's people by the original comparison (the leading of the Holy Spirit) measured by the Bible which is our constitution. It is an iron clad agreement between God and man through Christ Jesus. If you think about it, isn't that what Jesus came to do? He came in the likeness of man to show us the Father. His discourse among his Jewish brethren who has held down the religious quarters, created traditions and extensions. Through these measures, the benefit only served those who built and ruled the establishments. 

Far too long, has the institution of church life checks and balances has gone awry. Traditions of men (Mark 7:7), ministries and programs that has neglected, rejected and refusal to submit to God's authority has diminished the efficiency of God's church. Secular government has proposed a buyout. The Lord wants us to buy-in. I believe the Lord ministered a word to me saying, "I am dismantling old structures" and as their is an uproar in the natural, so there is in the Spirit. "The Kingdom of God suffers violence, and the violent take it by force" Matt 11:12. Therefore, church efficiency is concluded in this manner, " from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies according to the effective (efficient) working by which every part does it share, causes growth of the body for edifying itself in love" Ephesians 4:16 Welcome to the DOCE.

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.

It's Pruning Season

       "John 15:2" Every branch (in me) that bears not fruit is taken away.

It is a dreadful thing to be connected to God and still not bear fruit. The scripture says "We are to be in the world but not of it" Is it possible to be in the "church" (body of Christ) but not of it".

When a branch fails to produce, it is pruned in order for it to make room for new growth, with the hope. For when a branch ceases to produce, it no longer benefits the vine and must be disconnected.

The body is in a pruning season. We must allow God to cut off every dead thing in our lives, yes; anything that keeps us from producing good fruit.

"Good fruit" is not just good deeds or gifts of the Spirit. It’s not only feeding the poor or giving to the needy, these things the world do. It's not just speaking in tongues, prophesying, casting out devils or laying hands on the sick". "Many will say they did these things, yet Jesus will still say to them depart from me you worker of iniquity (I never) knew you". "Matthew 7:21-23". "If you keep my commandments you shall abide (remain) in my love. John 15:10. "For it is not the hearers of the word that’s justified before God, but the doers". Romans 2:13.

To bear good fruit means the Lord recognizes you. It's not just us saying we know him, but more importantly him saying he knows us.

If the lord was an apple tree, your branches should be producing apples, not oranges. "You shall know them by their fruit"(character) for every tree is known by the fruit it bears. Matt 7:16-20.

-Pastor Ronal Harris

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Hanes

We have been taught through scripture how our righteousness is as a filthy rag (Isaiah 64:6).  This scripture has two spectrums. We can go too far to the left and use it as a scapegoat and disobey the Lord when He tells us to "be ye perfect, even as your father in heaven" (Matt 5:48). So," I asked the question, what was the Lord trying to convey? As I pondered on this, the only thing I could think of was Hanes. Hanes has been the embedded commercial of a t-shirt that is white, clean, and durable for almost 4 decades.

Because we are born in sin and shaped in iniquity, our purest form of worship is still filthy compared to God who is the purest form of holiness, and righteousness. He can never be tainted.  The Lord showed me the t=shirt in a sense of "the original form".  When that t-shirt is in the bag, once it is released it is now susceptible to all the elements in the atmosphere (dust, lent, spills). Even after washing it, after wearing it only one time, it has already lost it's original color. No form of bleach, detergent or dry cleaning will restore its original color..  We call it "dingy". Yes we are "dingy"  Our righteous acts can oftentimes be tied to our motives.  If I do a good deed, no one knows the motive but the Lord. It could be tied to pride, competition, jealousy, self-exaltation, self-will, self-glorification and the list continues. Why?  Because "there is none that is righteous, no not one" Psalm 14:1-3.   

Therefore, I thank the Lord through Jesus Christ our righteousness, and through His blood the purest form which has no "blood borne pathogens". We can obtain mercy and find grace in the time of need.  One day He will present us faultless; a pure bride (His Church), without spot or wrinkle or any blemish (Jude 1:24).  Even as David declared "As for me, I will behold His face in righteousness, I will be satisfied when I awake in His likeness" (Psalm 15:17)

My First Convert

A few years ago, I had recalled a time when I was about 8 years old, living with my dad and siblings. I didn't have a religious background other than, going to church as a foster child prior to. There were extenuating circumstances that led to the uprooting of our unstable family environment.  My paternal side of the family was known in this church, which I had no regular affiliation other than attending under the care of a foster parent or special days.. I remember saying a speech on one Easter Sunday.  After that, life went on tossed to and fro with parenting irregularities.

My dad eventually finally had full custody of us.  My dad was an awesome provider. The holidays were the best. We celebrated them all. One day, unbeknownst to why I did this, I remember standing in my sister's iron handle 1970's high chair in the kitchen with and instrument in my hand. I used it as a mic. Ii was around the time of Easter. We've always celebrated Easter with bunnies, eggs and baskets.  However, this particular day as I stood in the high-chair, I began to share about Jesus who was the reason for the season and how we didn't need to celebrate with baskets etc.   My dad was leaning on the  wall in the kitchen quietly listening as my siblings begin to lash out and berate me, telling me to shut up while screaming at me.  But my dad stood silent.  A few days later Easter came and no baskets.  I became public enemy number one in my home. I was even surprised we didn't celebrate it in our former fashion. 

Why did I share this story? Why did the Lord bring this scene back to me some 40 years later. I had not been born-again. Life took it's toll prior to salvation in my own personal life. I believe the Lord wanted to show me what conversion meant "to make a decision, the adoption of, a turning".  Why that happened on that day, I have no explanation other than Jeremiah 29:11 "Before I formed thee, I knew thee and called thee". But it reminds me of Peter. He had walked with the Lord, did miracles, walked on water etc.  Surely this evidence should have spoke volumes to his relationship with the Lord, but quite the opposite. "And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold Satan hat desired to have you , the he may sift you as wheat, but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when you are converted, strengthen thy brother" Luke 22:31-34

Perhaps the Lord has spoken to you or used you to validate His word at some point in your life. Whether it was age 8 or 88, but you have not been converted. As believers we are instructed to be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2). My dad’s decision was evidence of a renewed mind (as it related to Easter baskets). I believe Peter had his own terms which caused him to despair at times in his faith, that lead to the denial of his master.  But the Lord prayed for Peter, even as He lives to make intercession for us (Hebrews 7:25). After Peter wept bitterly he came to know the Lord and through the power of the Spirit he turned from a 180 degree (being zealous in his own strength), to a 360 degree posture on the Lords terms. He was then able to share the way of the Master “Repent, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord” Acts 3:19. Be encouraged friends, even as Peter did, after you have been converted go and strengthen thy brethren.

UNO

How many of you have ever mastered the game of UNO? We know the ultimate goal is to be the first one to have the last card, hoping to say UNO and OUT!. But there is a strong possibility you can get hit with a Draw 4 etc. Over the years the goal hasn't changed but perhaps the rules have. For some reason the rules keep changing.  My son has his own rules, my daughter has her own rules.  Therefore, the exit turns into controversy.  How about heaven? Are you competing according to the rules "established by God"? According to Paul the Apostle he likened our Christian journey to a race. In this race, if you compete as an athlete you won't win the race if you break the rules (2 Tim 2:5).  Throughout history we can see where the Word of God has been taught/preached contrary to scripture.  For example, the "Doctrine of Election" that says, God has predestined some for heaven and some for hell (Calvinist). The "Doctrine of Eternal Security" teaches that once saved always saved (Baptist).  This allows for continual sin (those who practice unrighteousness) Just like the UNO game comes with instructions, so does the Bible. We are admonished not to err from the faith (1 Tim. 6-9) and to take heed lest we depart from the truth (stop following the rules) Hebrews 3:12. If you notice, these are doctrines named after men.  We are warned "if anyone preaches any other doctrine other than the one we've been taught, through the Word of God rightly divided let him be accursed....(Galatians 1:8). The believers continued in the Apostles doctrine (Acts 2:42)  God's Plan for Salvation has come through Jesus Christ. It's salvation by Grace not our own works (rules). He has given us everything pertaining to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3) and the last card is endurance (those who endure until the end shall be saved (Matthew 24:13).  The rule book will always confirm or disqualify us.  The game UNO is our cards, the Plan of Salvation is our souls. "There is no other name under heaven by which man must be saved" Acts 4:12. Is your last card the right card? 

Wrong Answer

 

There are times in the scripture where one scripture seems to contradict  another.  However, if you read, cross reference, look at the historical context, and the audience to which the scriptures are speaking, you will find that they actually compliment and bring validity to itself. For example, Luke 14:18 -21 refers to Jesus preparing a banquet and sent out invitations.  In the reply section of an invitation you typically RSVP or decline. Jesus' invitation was declined. Here were some of the reasons why people couldn’t come.  “But they all begin to make excuses. The first said, “I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Another said, I just bought a yoke of oxen. "And another said, I have recently married a wife, and for that reason I am unable to come"  In the natural, these are legitimate claims.  To sum it up, the man just got married, bought a house and got a new job. Jesus’ reply is stated further in vs. 20 “Wrong Answer” Jesus' disappointment seemed to contradict “a man who doesn’t work he won’t eat" Thess. 3),  "if a man doesn’t provide for his household he’s worse than an infidel" (I Tim. 5:8),   You may say, the timing was wrong. It wasn’t the wrong time, it was the Wrong Answer.  What was Jesus, saying?  The one who created all things, is before all things.  Jesus was testing their allegiance, their willingness to put Him first. Sentiments can cause us to stumble.  In Him all our cares are sustained.  He bids us to come. It's Supper Time !

-Tiffanie Andoh