Today is the day of days. This is the day in which we stop to remember the ultimate and perfect sacrifice that was given for all mankind that we may finally come into full relationship with the Creator of all. He gave to us His son who revealed the path that we are to take in order to live a life that is worthy of being called into His kingdom.
On this day of days, the curtain was torn at the Holy of Holies and the Great I Am allowed all to come into His presence. No longer would the presence of God be shrouded. His spirit was now living the temple and would soon be indwelt among the many believers.
As this day was about to end, another celebration was about to commence, the Feast of the First Fruits. This feast recognized that Jehovah God asked for first portion of one’s harvest as a sacrifice and in faith, He would provide the remainder of the harvest. He asked that the best was brought to be sacrificed. Christ was perfect in all accounts and the best that could be offered. Many would argue that as the day ended, Christ was not buried but He was rather planted. Paul declared, “Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep.” (1 Corinthians 15:20)
After this day of days, things would forever change in this world. The true revelation of Jehovah God was complete. Christ tells us, “Come and follow Me.” Are you ready to give up all this world has to offer in order to live for the King of Kings?
Friday, April 6, 2012
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Pure Religion
Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. –James 1:27
To be pure means that something is free from that which would contaminate its being. Christ in His teachings makes it very clear that we are to care for those within our midst who are unable to care for themselves. When we allow the Holy Spirit of Christ into our lives means that we have submitted our being to something that is far greater than our self. Christ is very clear in His intentions for our life but we allow our faith to become polluted by the world and try to formulate a faith based upon our belief system rather than that which Christ has called us to do in His name.
In our society, orphans and widows do still exist. Sadly, many have turned a blind eye to their distress and we too often fail to reach out as we are commanded. There are too many men who have turned their back upon their responsibility of caring for the women with whom they have fathered children. Many single mothers and their children are living on the edge of our society but too many are more content with allowing themselves to be stained by the world.
Most of Christ’s calls against those living a life of sin were against the religious leaders who would exercise their authority over others in an un-Godly and sinful way. However, Christ does reserve a condemnation for the sinner who simply wants to build bigger and bigger barns. In the parable of the rich landowner, Christ tells of how the man said, “I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my goods.” (Luke 12:18) We have become a society in which our goods are more important to us than those who Christ is telling us to serve. Our stain is that we have allowed ourselves to believe the lie of the world that we deserve all that we have accumulated and we are not to use this blessing for others. We have been blessed with homes but we are not content and we need to build a bigger home and then we need more and more stuff to fill that larger home. One care is not enough for us so we need another one for no other reason to display our greed.
Christ reserves His sharpest rebuke for the church of Laodicea where He tells them that their actions make Him want to vomit. We go around believing that His command to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19) is only reserved for just a few. We allow ourselves to believe that Christ did not mean me. Christ is not telling us to go permanently but He is indeed telling us to GO. There are simply too many orphans and widows in this world in distress that need to be cared for in His name.
How much longer will God allow this nation to exist? We sit around and bemoan that things are not going well and we look to the false promises of man to lift us up but we ignore the truths and promises that God has revealed to us in His written word. Dedicate yourself to understanding that which God is calling you to do in His name and then GO and DO IT!
To be pure means that something is free from that which would contaminate its being. Christ in His teachings makes it very clear that we are to care for those within our midst who are unable to care for themselves. When we allow the Holy Spirit of Christ into our lives means that we have submitted our being to something that is far greater than our self. Christ is very clear in His intentions for our life but we allow our faith to become polluted by the world and try to formulate a faith based upon our belief system rather than that which Christ has called us to do in His name.
In our society, orphans and widows do still exist. Sadly, many have turned a blind eye to their distress and we too often fail to reach out as we are commanded. There are too many men who have turned their back upon their responsibility of caring for the women with whom they have fathered children. Many single mothers and their children are living on the edge of our society but too many are more content with allowing themselves to be stained by the world.
Most of Christ’s calls against those living a life of sin were against the religious leaders who would exercise their authority over others in an un-Godly and sinful way. However, Christ does reserve a condemnation for the sinner who simply wants to build bigger and bigger barns. In the parable of the rich landowner, Christ tells of how the man said, “I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my goods.” (Luke 12:18) We have become a society in which our goods are more important to us than those who Christ is telling us to serve. Our stain is that we have allowed ourselves to believe the lie of the world that we deserve all that we have accumulated and we are not to use this blessing for others. We have been blessed with homes but we are not content and we need to build a bigger home and then we need more and more stuff to fill that larger home. One care is not enough for us so we need another one for no other reason to display our greed.
Christ reserves His sharpest rebuke for the church of Laodicea where He tells them that their actions make Him want to vomit. We go around believing that His command to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19) is only reserved for just a few. We allow ourselves to believe that Christ did not mean me. Christ is not telling us to go permanently but He is indeed telling us to GO. There are simply too many orphans and widows in this world in distress that need to be cared for in His name.
How much longer will God allow this nation to exist? We sit around and bemoan that things are not going well and we look to the false promises of man to lift us up but we ignore the truths and promises that God has revealed to us in His written word. Dedicate yourself to understanding that which God is calling you to do in His name and then GO and DO IT!
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Living Stones
As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” and, “A stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall. They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for. But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. –Peter 2:4-10
Opening our hearts to Christ forever changes who we are. We have been divinely created, each of us, in a specific and unique way. That uniqueness is the spiritual DNA that God has placed in each of us. He has made each of us to be stones as no two stones are alike. Each of us has a specific place where each stone is to be placed in order to build up His kingdom. All of these stones, when properly placed, are all held together by the perfect capstone, Jesus Christ.
God did not create us to be bricks. Bricks are all made to be the same. It was the vanity of man that believed that they could build a tower of bricks that would allow man to be the equal of God. God destroyed their plans as they were trying to build the tower of Babel. Bricks also represent bondage as Pharaoh kept the ancient Israelites enslaved for no other reason than for them to make bricks for his worldly kingdom.
When each of God’s unique stones are properly placed, we strengthen one another as we build upon one another to support each other in His structure of the church. We strengthen ourselves, we become a mighty force that cannot be moved.
Each of us has a story to tell. Each of us can be used by God to do amazing thing. We just simply need to let God lead our hearts to be that building stone that He has called us to be in His name. He just asks each of us to Go and take that step of faith in His name. We cannot waste any more days and we simply need to acknowledge that we are indeed His hands and feet.
To him who overcomes, to him I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it. –Revelation 2:17
That day when each of those who were to the right hand of Christ receives their unique God given name will be an incredible day of great joy. I envision that after each of us pass through the gate, we will be lead to that place that Christ has prepared for each of us. At that place will be our white stone with our specially chosen unique name. Each of us after learning our name will return to the throne room of Jehovah God and all will bow down and worship Him in unison.
Opening our hearts to Christ forever changes who we are. We have been divinely created, each of us, in a specific and unique way. That uniqueness is the spiritual DNA that God has placed in each of us. He has made each of us to be stones as no two stones are alike. Each of us has a specific place where each stone is to be placed in order to build up His kingdom. All of these stones, when properly placed, are all held together by the perfect capstone, Jesus Christ.
God did not create us to be bricks. Bricks are all made to be the same. It was the vanity of man that believed that they could build a tower of bricks that would allow man to be the equal of God. God destroyed their plans as they were trying to build the tower of Babel. Bricks also represent bondage as Pharaoh kept the ancient Israelites enslaved for no other reason than for them to make bricks for his worldly kingdom.
When each of God’s unique stones are properly placed, we strengthen one another as we build upon one another to support each other in His structure of the church. We strengthen ourselves, we become a mighty force that cannot be moved.
Each of us has a story to tell. Each of us can be used by God to do amazing thing. We just simply need to let God lead our hearts to be that building stone that He has called us to be in His name. He just asks each of us to Go and take that step of faith in His name. We cannot waste any more days and we simply need to acknowledge that we are indeed His hands and feet.
To him who overcomes, to him I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it. –Revelation 2:17
That day when each of those who were to the right hand of Christ receives their unique God given name will be an incredible day of great joy. I envision that after each of us pass through the gate, we will be lead to that place that Christ has prepared for each of us. At that place will be our white stone with our specially chosen unique name. Each of us after learning our name will return to the throne room of Jehovah God and all will bow down and worship Him in unison.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Journey
Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart. –Psalm 37:4
Delight is defined as an overjoyed ecstasy and rapture, an overwhelming feeling of true joy. God has laid some deep desires upon my heart and has indeed placed me at the crossroad of my life. I stand before this path trying to discern the best way to proceed. Both paths will take extreme diligence. Once I start out upon this new path I know there is no turning back. I pray daily for discernment, patience and peace. God is faithful in His promises and I know that He indeed will make a level path for me to tread upon.
Delight is defined as an overjoyed ecstasy and rapture, an overwhelming feeling of true joy. God has laid some deep desires upon my heart and has indeed placed me at the crossroad of my life. I stand before this path trying to discern the best way to proceed. Both paths will take extreme diligence. Once I start out upon this new path I know there is no turning back. I pray daily for discernment, patience and peace. God is faithful in His promises and I know that He indeed will make a level path for me to tread upon.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Seasons
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven. –Ecclesiastes 3:1
As I move through this thing called life, I realize that God blesses me with new things that build upon one another. I have developed new passions that drive me to understand in a more profound way why it is that God made me the way that He has chosen. I do know that the reason for my life is to give Him all honor and glory. How I do that though is what gives me hope in seeing His glory.
I have been reminded of how I have grown and changed through the years. Recently, I have been reminded of a season of my life from my youth. Although I did not follow God during that season, I am able to look back at that time and realize that God was indeed using me during that time for a reason and a purpose. Some of my experiences from that season of my life are what motivate me today to be a true difference maker for the body of Christ. I realize that even though I had turned my back upon my Savior during that season, He still loved me and only desired that I turn to Him.
God has put different people in my life at different seasons for a reason. Those relationships are important to me and more important to God. I must strive to be a catalyst in any and all relationships to point someone towards our creator as He desires that all come to know Him.
As I look at where I stand today in this season, there is no way that I would have chosen the life that I now live several season back but I know that is alright. What is important is that I use my lessons from my various seasons to grow and learn and to be that man that I have been called to become.
As I move through this thing called life, I realize that God blesses me with new things that build upon one another. I have developed new passions that drive me to understand in a more profound way why it is that God made me the way that He has chosen. I do know that the reason for my life is to give Him all honor and glory. How I do that though is what gives me hope in seeing His glory.
I have been reminded of how I have grown and changed through the years. Recently, I have been reminded of a season of my life from my youth. Although I did not follow God during that season, I am able to look back at that time and realize that God was indeed using me during that time for a reason and a purpose. Some of my experiences from that season of my life are what motivate me today to be a true difference maker for the body of Christ. I realize that even though I had turned my back upon my Savior during that season, He still loved me and only desired that I turn to Him.
God has put different people in my life at different seasons for a reason. Those relationships are important to me and more important to God. I must strive to be a catalyst in any and all relationships to point someone towards our creator as He desires that all come to know Him.
As I look at where I stand today in this season, there is no way that I would have chosen the life that I now live several season back but I know that is alright. What is important is that I use my lessons from my various seasons to grow and learn and to be that man that I have been called to become.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Patiently
I waited patiently for the LORD; He turned to me and heard my cry. –Psalm 40:1
I find myself seeking His answers for my life. I seek to understand why I exist in this place and in this time. What is my purpose? Why is it that I struggle to find that sweet spot in my life? I know that place exists and I know that He desires that I fully place myself within that spot.
As I struggle to obtain answers, I also find myself with a trapped feeling that I will never come to the full realization of what I am to do in His name until it is too late. I know that this is the time when I must take action and take a risk for my faith in my Savior.
I am very attracted at this point in my life to those writers who have a deep insight into their personal sweet spot. I find a deep sense of satisfaction that they have found their way and are executing their plan for their life while journeying the direction of the path that has been laid before them. They have taken that risk and are being rewarded. I know that the idea of taking a risk also has the connotation of possibly failing but it is far better to have risked something and failed then to have never taken a risk and be enslaved by the mediocrity of what this world deems as safety and security. I have been in that place of safety and security for too long and I know that it sucks the very marrow out of your existence.
I know that my step of faith will be rewarded. I know that all is required is to take that first step and do so in His name. As I embark upon that journey, I must do so boldly and not in fear. I must be prepared for any eventuality that will result. My journey is my faith and by not taking that step, I am declaring a weakness in my faith in what He desires for my life. LORD, please just help me to figure this out.
I find myself seeking His answers for my life. I seek to understand why I exist in this place and in this time. What is my purpose? Why is it that I struggle to find that sweet spot in my life? I know that place exists and I know that He desires that I fully place myself within that spot.
As I struggle to obtain answers, I also find myself with a trapped feeling that I will never come to the full realization of what I am to do in His name until it is too late. I know that this is the time when I must take action and take a risk for my faith in my Savior.
I am very attracted at this point in my life to those writers who have a deep insight into their personal sweet spot. I find a deep sense of satisfaction that they have found their way and are executing their plan for their life while journeying the direction of the path that has been laid before them. They have taken that risk and are being rewarded. I know that the idea of taking a risk also has the connotation of possibly failing but it is far better to have risked something and failed then to have never taken a risk and be enslaved by the mediocrity of what this world deems as safety and security. I have been in that place of safety and security for too long and I know that it sucks the very marrow out of your existence.
I know that my step of faith will be rewarded. I know that all is required is to take that first step and do so in His name. As I embark upon that journey, I must do so boldly and not in fear. I must be prepared for any eventuality that will result. My journey is my faith and by not taking that step, I am declaring a weakness in my faith in what He desires for my life. LORD, please just help me to figure this out.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Light
Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise the Father in heaven. –Matthew 5:16
I have a place that I enjoy spending time at which is in a heavily wooded area. I refer to this place as my God Spot as when I am there, I spend my time simply reflecting upon His being and my part within His kingdom. This time of year, a canopy has been created by the many trees from the new growth. As I sat there this day, there was a portion of light that was shining through the trees. As I gazed into this light, I was able to see things in that beam of sunlight that I was not able to see when they were not in the light. A gentle breeze was blowing that was moving stuff from other plants through the aire. This stuff became visible to my eye as it passed through the light.
Christ calls us to be the light of the world. When we open our hearts to His being, the light of Christ will radiate from us for all to see. Light has many great properties that have a positive effect. Light will shine the way in darkness and reveals the way we are to go in order to get out of a dark area. Light creates warmth. Without light, nothing would be able to grow. When we expose our bodies to light, it helps our skin to produce vitamin D which helps our body maintain an emotional balance.
I spent a year in a very northern part of the world. During the summer months, daylight extended past 11 pm. I enjoyed that time of the year as the opportunity to be in the light for extended time was quite enjoyable. However, during the winter months it was dark by 4 pm. I noticed a difference in my overall attitude and emotions. I have read that during that time of the year in these parts of the world, there is a problem with depression due to the limited time of light.
When we are the light of Christ, we allow others to see Christ through us. When we are radiating His light, we are allowing ourselves to be used for His glory to make a true difference in the lives that we touch.
I have a place that I enjoy spending time at which is in a heavily wooded area. I refer to this place as my God Spot as when I am there, I spend my time simply reflecting upon His being and my part within His kingdom. This time of year, a canopy has been created by the many trees from the new growth. As I sat there this day, there was a portion of light that was shining through the trees. As I gazed into this light, I was able to see things in that beam of sunlight that I was not able to see when they were not in the light. A gentle breeze was blowing that was moving stuff from other plants through the aire. This stuff became visible to my eye as it passed through the light.
Christ calls us to be the light of the world. When we open our hearts to His being, the light of Christ will radiate from us for all to see. Light has many great properties that have a positive effect. Light will shine the way in darkness and reveals the way we are to go in order to get out of a dark area. Light creates warmth. Without light, nothing would be able to grow. When we expose our bodies to light, it helps our skin to produce vitamin D which helps our body maintain an emotional balance.
I spent a year in a very northern part of the world. During the summer months, daylight extended past 11 pm. I enjoyed that time of the year as the opportunity to be in the light for extended time was quite enjoyable. However, during the winter months it was dark by 4 pm. I noticed a difference in my overall attitude and emotions. I have read that during that time of the year in these parts of the world, there is a problem with depression due to the limited time of light.
When we are the light of Christ, we allow others to see Christ through us. When we are radiating His light, we are allowing ourselves to be used for His glory to make a true difference in the lives that we touch.
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