Christ, the sin cure

WHAT IF people could see sin like Ebola, AIDS, Polio, or COVID? Difference here? Physical illnesses that lead to death verses spiritual death which is eternal... People fear sickness and disease yet not the God who grants life to the soul.

Jesus said, "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." Matthew 10:28

Think of the many preventative measures taken for one who is transported with any of these ailments in effort to control or contain the spread... Yet sin is more catastrophic to the soul than any of these are to the human body.

What preventative measures are being taken against this destructive spiritual disease we are all born with, SIN?

Yes, we are all born with it.
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" Romans 3:23

Knowing we are a fallen humanity, God Himself provided the sin cure. Christ is the antidote!

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil." John 3:16-19

While there are many who seek to cure or treat human viruses and disease, people try to fix themselves apart from God. This is no different than sweeping a dusty floor in an enclosed room. Sure, there will be evidence of efforts, but when the dust settles once again there's proof not all was cleaned up!

While these diseases are terrible and can be deadly, our sin nature does carry eternal consequences... separation from God for eternity. Our efforts only carry so far. Which do you fear, that which kills the body or the One who grants life to the soul?

Are you struggling in your own efforts to do what only Christ can?

Center of the Centurion

Center of the Centurion

"And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour." Matthew 8:13

For the full story, read Matthew 8:5-13. I love this account. What was the at the center of the centurion? PURE FAITH!!!

He, being a military commander knew the power of authority... speak it and it's done! This man had no problem asking Jesus to speak healing over his servant. Jesus was amazed at his faith and granted his petition. Isnt that amazing!?

This story should resonate with every believer in Christ! Sure, we pray. We ask for deliverance and healing, for peace and protection. We ask even for the impossible! How often though are we asking in PURE FAITH? We need to take a serious look, not necessarily at what we are asking for, but more so at the level of our faith.

James reminds us, "But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord." James 1:6-7

Did you catch that KEY ingredient? "Nothing wavering"! What does that mean exactly? It means that we MUST cast away any doubt. Often times, we know God is able. We KNOW He can, but we 1/2 heartedly give it to Him.

In every petition, may we too have FAITH as the centurion. God knows, He sees. He knows the needs and He sees if we come to Him fully believing and trusting Him or if we kinda want to give it to Him, but allow doubts to excuse our holding on to the issue.

Heart check, can you see situations you've fully surrendered in faith? Now, consider the things you want to hold on to and in essence doubt God's ability, His timing and His authority. Can you see where doubt has won and where faith has had the victory?

The grave cost of backsliding

Have you ever known anyone beyond the Lord's deliverance? Isn't that a scary thought?

"O LORD, though our iniquities testify against us, do thou it for thy name's sake: for our backslidings are many; we have sinned against thee." Jeremiah 14:7

Here the prophet is pleading with the LORD for the backslidden state of the people. *Notice*, he included himself in this plea using "us", "we" and "our". He knew they were in desperate need of deliverance! He asked that the Lord do it for no other reason than for His own name's sake. Oh but here's the Lord's response... He was fed up! 

"Thus saith the LORD unto this people, Thus have they loved to wander, they have not refrained their feet, therefore the LORD doth not accept them; he will now remember their iniquity, and visit their sins. Then said the LORD unto me, Pray not for this people for their good." (Verses 10-11)

The Lord didn't even want to hear it. His people had stomped on His heart so long in backsliding rebellion that He told Jeremiah, "Pray not for this people..." 

That's serious stuff! Wow! Woe to those whom the Lord has turned over to their own ways and granted a reprobate mind! Indeed, "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." Hebrews 10:31 Has the Lord ever stopped you from praying for good for anyone?

It's a DO IT day!

Wanna turn a manic or mundane Monday into a marvelous Monday?

Let go and let God!

"But as for me, my prayer is unto thee, O LORD, in an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear me, in the truth of thy salvation." Psalm 69:13

"The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous." Proverbs 15:29

May we not be self absorbed, but be mindful of the needs and trials of others...

"Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." James 5:16

Focus on the King of kings. Seek Perfect Peace by seeking the Prince of Peace! You'll be astonished & amazed when you lay down the day, its tasks and the week ahead PLUS those around you, lay it ALL at the feet of Jesus!

Are you going at it alone or surrendering it all before it begins?

Calming waters due to other's chaos

When Jonah fled the presence of the Lord, others were severely affected. Have you ever experienced this?

"Then said they unto him, What shall we do unto thee, that the sea may be calm unto us? for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous.

And he said unto them, Take me up, and cast me forth into the sea; so shall the sea be calm unto you: for I know that for my sake this great tempest is upon you.

Nevertheless the men rowed hard to bring it to the land; but they could not: for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous against them." Jonah 1:11-13

Have you ever known someone that carried about their own stormy waters wherever they went? So much so that your life is or was affected by their choices? What did you do to bring peace to your world again? These men on the boat with him not only threw Jonah off the boat, but they also cried out unto the Lord God! 

Many of us have been on both sides of the Jonah experience, whether giving or receiving, however we can see that seeking the Lord and our obedience to Him is key to peace and reprieve! Can you see this 2-step solution? We must continually seek the Lord and willingly obey Him!

If you're going through tempestuous waters, are you seek the presence of the Lord with an obedient heart? 

Discernment is vital!

Notice too, after Jonah gave them instructions to cast him overboard, they refused? They did! They put more effort into rowing harder against the stormy waters. If the storm you're experiencing is due to someone else in your life, how long will you endure it before casting away the one who is responsible? There are times we have to heed the Lord, even when  we don't want to and walk away from these people. Are you willing to obey the Lord as He leads?

Praise, the Power to Stand

"For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand;"   Psalm 149:4-6

With all that is corrupt in this world and the gross darkness that seemingly is darker and more destitute by the day, its been my pleasure to plea with the Almighty in what His beloved is to be doing. Over and over throughout the Scriptures I'm reminded there is great power both in prayer and in praise!

What are we to do in such tumultuous times? Stay focused on the King of kings by seeking Him in prayer and praising Him in and through it all! In this there is deliverance, the joy of our salvation, peace, hope and even contentment!

Was it not PRAISE that opened the jailers gates to free Silas and Paul in prison!? See Acts 16:16-23 for the full account. They weren't simply put in prison, they were 1st beaten an then placed in the INNER prison!

Today, what do we see under brutal attack by heavy handed governments across the country and likely around the world? That's it, demands to cease from singing! Why? The enemy knows the power within!

In Psalm 149:6, what do God's people possess? Not only do they have PRAISE IN THEIR MOUTH, but also a TWOEDGE SWORD in their hand! Believers! We know the greatest defense we have IS THE WORD OF GOD! Are you properly equipped for the battle? Are you focused on pain, problems and prison or upon the Problem solver, the Way Maker, and the prison Chain Breaker?

Has the enemy used governments, maybe your church leaders, or even friends, family or neighbors to steal your joy, focus and perfect peace? If so, its past time to get your praise on, to hit them knees in prayer and dig into that blessed Sword of the spirit (Read Ephesians 6:10-18), the Word of God!

We don't have to be defeated. Armor up friends, this battle isnt over yet. Are you doing all to stand in these last days?

There stood a man

Sometimes things aren't as bad as they appear. 

"And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?

And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant?

And the captain of the LORD'S host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so." Joshua 5:13-15

Isn't that an incredible portrait!? The initial thoughts when seeing this man would've been quite intimidating. Yet, Joshua didn't run or hide, he didn't even let his thoughts wonder. He went straight to him. 

I've been hit recently with a tidal wave of unexpected things. We know that this is a part of life, especially for a believer to be challenged and tried. I'm praising the Lord in these things, knowing like Joshua the Lord will use them for His good and His purpose!

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

When looking at life's challenges, are you allowing thoughts to intimidate and overpower or are you trusting in the Living God?