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.