One body, useful & purposeful

"And king David said, Call me Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada. And they came before the king." 1 Kings 1:32 

Think about this... King David was a man after God's own heart, deep love, respect, reverence and honor before Him; as well as constant communion. He was after the heart of Jehovah! 

Yet even being so, he was still surrounded by those who were like minded. Here, he called for the priest and the prophet. 

Lately I've wondered "why"? Why did he still need these people being so close to the Living God? 

The answer: 

"For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another." Romans 12:4-6

You may seem "alone" in your walk or calling, yet The Lord will bring those whom you will need to fulfill His Will and complete His tasks. 

Neglect not so great companionship nor the words given by these to share. We, in Christ the Messiah, are of one body, useful and purposeful for His Kingdom, glory and gain! 

"For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked. That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it." Romans 12:24-26

King David, high in stature and still humble in service, knew the value of those who helped him in his walk with The Lord. 

How do you view other members of the same body? Are they warmly received or bitterly rejected? 

Despite the sifting, will you stand?

A message of HOPE!

In times of trouble, you're not alone. 

"And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren." Luke 22:31-32 

The enemy is doing all he can to steal our joy, rob our hope and misplace our focus! 

So many are enduring situations they've never thought they'd find themselves in... Sorrow, sadness, deep pain, heartache, grief, etc. in great magnitudes! God knows our trials, temptations & sufferings...

"For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." Hebrews 4:15 JESUS RELATES because He HAS been there too!!!

Cry out to Him, even if there are NO words. "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God." Romans 8:27-28

"Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time." Revelation 12:12

"Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy." 1 Peter 4:12-13

There IS hope IN your situation... IN CHRIST alone! Will you lay your troubles at His feet?

It was His Love

Man has created a fluffy pillow cloud Jesus. One who is love according to man's standards & expectations. Completely refusing to acknowledge His righteous balance. 

It was His Love for His Father that invoked anger in the temple! Turning tables, exposing corruption and rebuking those who indulged in defaming His Father's house. 

It was His Love for truth & holy righteousness that exposed the man made ways of religion. He called the "religious" Scribes and Pharisees names! Hypocrites! Vipers! He spoke truth, yet this "name calling", is rebuked today! "To each his own" people say. WRONG! 

Rebuke this false system that adds chains to chains and increases bondage to bondage! Jesus came to set the captive FREE!!! 

It was His Love that lead Him before Pilot, resulting in beatings, whippings, mockery, a crown of thorns and carrying a tree; up a mountain called Golgotha where He cried out "My God, My God why have you forsaken Me."? 

It was His Love that exposed our sin for what it is and our need for the Perfect Lamb to pay our sin debt that we could NEVER repay! 

It was His Love that inevitably said, "It is finished!", as He gave up the ghost. 

It was His Love that caused Him to storm the gates of hell; defeating death and taking the keys! And rising again three days later, proving He IS the Risen King! 

It was His Love not to abandon us, but to send His Comforter; His Holy Spirit to lead us and teach us along the narrow way! 

It IS His Love that will call for His Bride to meet Him, for the dwelling place He has prepared. As well as the marriage feast and celebration we will partake in with Him! 

It is ALL by His Love that He mends the broken bridge to His Father, that we may know Him! That we may be healed and set free. 

Which side of Love do you see, admire, adhere and follow? A fluffy Jesus who comforts souls in sin or the real Jesus who convicts & corrects souls from sin who was sent to saved?

Life or knowledge?

Life or knowledge?

"And out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die."

Genesis 2:9,17

After an enticing conversation man was persuaded and chose knowledge over life; causing spiritual death. 

Think about that... Life IS to know God, personally! This IS the reason for our existence. Man was made for communion with God; fellowship. Yet by choosing knowledge by the forbidden fruit produced on that tree, sin entered and divided this beautiful union. We were created with a deep seeded hunger and thirst for Him, He IS Truth; His presence!

This separation has created a gap unquenchable by any other person, place or thing. Today, information & technology has increase more than ever yet the distance between man & God is just as outstanding! Man continues to know more, learn more and still just as the Word of God says, "Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." 2 Timothy 3:7 

So why can't we come to this desired knowledge by ever learning? No college, seminary, university nor vast amount of endless researching can fix a spiritual problem by human means! 

Only One perfect man can quench a thirst far beyond anything within worldly reach or understanding. Jesus said, "I am the way, the TRUTH and the life..." He IS God in the flesh! Those who find Him, find life & truth! He also said "

But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." John 4:14 "...he that believeth on me shall never thirst." John 6:35

Still to this day every person has the opportunity to accept Christ who died upon a tree, so we can be set free. How long will you thirst? Will you come to His well and thirst no more? 

Will you choose life?

Confronted by Grace

Jesus loves the homosexual, BUT hates the sin... Laying with the same sex goes against His divine order of 1 man & 1 woman. 

Jesus loves the murderer but hates the sin... This violent act robs life He has given. 

Jesus loves the liar but hates the sin... Lies are opposite of His Truth which is Who He is. 

Jesus loves the envious person but hates the sin... Jealousy and envy reveal discontent with His provision in our lives. 

Jesus loves the robber but hates the sin... Taking that which belongs to another without permission brings pain to the victim. 

The list goes on and on. Jesus LOVES the sinner BUT He hates the sin. Why? It separates us from God. Each sin bears it's own consequences. Jesus paid the price for all who believe & call on Him. Truth is "ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." 

When Jesus met the woman at the well, He knew her lifestyle. Many men, living in adultery. He didn't condemn her, but did rebuke her choice. What did He say to her? "Go and sin no more." He didn't give her a hug and depart saying, "as you were", He commanded her to CHANGE! 

How do you react when your sin is confronted? No sin is greater than another in Jehovah's eyes. Each is the same regardless of man's degrees. 

Jesus loves you! However His Love is for those who choose to let go of their lives and trade it for His cross. Has He confronted you with His grace?

Mean spirited people prosper not

Mean spirited people prosper not...

"He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction. He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief." Proverbs 17:19-20 

Froward means: false, crooked and perverse. Is it any wonder the froward heart finds no good? I always thought of a foul mouth when I heard "perverse", but it actually means: marked by a disposition to oppose and contradict, resistant to guidance or discipline and marked by immorality; deviating from what is considered right or proper or good. A perverse tongue indeed is destructive! 

"Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!" James 5:5

We've all felt the effects of a mean spirited person; the one who regards none but self. Think how destructive a hurricane is. Similar cataclysmic results the victims endure. Yet God is much greater! "The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good." Proverbs 15:3 Nothing escapes His watchful eye. 

Instead of dwelling on the ruinous aftermath, trust God both with the clean up and His just dealings with the wicked. Pray for them and He will not only reward you but bless the mess! Will you fix your eyes on Jesus? 

Tainted Waters

Do you understand "wolves in sheep's clothing don't appear poisoned, dangerous or deadly. They take on a "form of godliness" yet in their ever so subtle suggestions deny God's power thus elevating man & man's ways! Jesus warned of these saying, "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves." Matthew 7:15

Anyone who thinks they have a better idea to do the Lord's work other than God's directions written within the pages of His Word works contrary to His ways! 

"Woe to the rebellious children, saith the Lord, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin:" Isaiah 30:1 

Do you understand most wolves in sheep's clothing don't even RECOGNIZE themselves as wolves but rather see themselves as godly men and women DOING God's work?

How else do you think deception has crept into the church? It's presence has SATURATED most church walls in America and through "American missions" has spread a false gospel and another Jesus" contrary to God's word. Praise GOD for the few untainted that remain and the TRUE Gospel of Jesus Christ that is still taught and spread worldwide. 

No doubt we are in the days long foretold... There IS a famine in the land! 

Do you truly understand a PINT of lies in a lake of truth is still TAINTED waters?