THAT'S MY BOY! (Part II)

THAT’S MY BOY! (Part II)

When Isaiah revealed that Jesus Christ “was wounded for our transgressions (and) bruised for our iniquities,” he had received a prophetic view of our SPIRITUAL JUSTIFICATION. (Isaiah 53:6-7)
In a word, we who have received the Lord Jesus Christ have been JUSTIFIED by God.

Having come “boldly to the throne of grace,” (the place of our unmerited favor), ALL of our sins have been covered by the redemptive blood of the Lamb of God. (Hebrews 4:16)  To wit, we, who were unquestionably UNRIGHTEOUS, have now become “THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD.”  That means we have been JUSTIFIED (by grace through faith), and Heaven evaluates us JUST-AS-IF we have never sinned in the first place. (Ephesians 2:8 – John 1:29 – Romans 3:22)

From that point onward, whenever GOD looks at us, He sees redeemed sons and daughters who have been blood-washed and blood-bought.  How I love the praise chorus that says, “The only view God has of me is through the blood of Jesus!”  Hallelujah, what a Savior!

Just as the person whose body had been invaded by cancer, but now exists in a medical state of REMISSION, all of our sins are remitted and we are guilty no more! (John 20:23)  GOD, Himself, testifies concerning us, “Their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.” (Hebrews 8:12 – Hebrews 10:17)

So here’s an important question for all of us:  “If GOD has bestowed His pardon on us, due to our faith-filled response to the redemptive work of Christ on the cross, WHY do we sometimes seem to be knee-deep in guilt, recrimination and condemnation concerning OUR PAST?”

We must remember this mission-critical Kingdom truth: “There is therefore now NO CONDEMNATION to them which are IN CHRIST JESUS, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Romans 8:1)  Instead of wallowing in regret about the past, all of us should ask the Savior for a PERSONAL HEALING OF THE MEMORIES so we can declare beyond any shadow of doubt, “GUILTY NO MORE!”

Stay tuned…more to come tomorrow!

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

THAT'S MY BOY! (Part I)

THAT’S MY BOY! (Part I)

Some years ago, my two sons were enrolled in the Pop Warner Football League.  At the risk of sounding like an overly proud father (which, admittedly, I am), it was sheer delight to attend their games and witness their moments of excellence on the gridiron.  It is highly likely that I am somewhat lacking in objectivity, but I always considered Wayne II and Michael to be football prodigies.  So whenever one of them did anything that was remotely exceptional, whether a solid block, a robust tackle, or a spectacular touchdown, I sprang to my feet with unbridled enthusiasm and shouted “THAT’S MY BOY!”

It occurs to me that GOD, THE FATHER, must have experienced similar feelings about GOD, THE SON.  After all, JESUS CHRIST accomplished extraordinary achievements in such a short span of years!  Because Jesus overcame every human temptation in a corrupt world system and lived a life of sinless perfection in perfect submission to The Father, it would have been no surprise (to me) for the gathered assembly to hear a booming voice from Heaven declaring “THAT’S MY BOY!”

Can I take you back to the WATER BAPTISM of THE SON OF GOD to demonstrate my point?

At Jesus’ baptism, we are afforded concrete evidence of THE TRIUNE GODHEAD, also known as THE HOLY TRINITY.  JESUS CHRIST, The Anointed One, stands waist-deep in the murky waters of the Jordan River, about to be immersed in water by his cousin, John the Baptist.  As Jesus emerges from the water, THE HOLY SPIRIT descends from Heaven in the bodily shape of a dove to reveal that this being is entirely unique and distinctive from any other who had traversed this mortal plain.  For he is VERY GOD and VERY MAN, that is, he is just as much MAN as he is GOD, and he is just as much GOD as he is MAN. 

As a matter of fact, he is THE LOGOS, or THE LIVING WORD which was WITH God and WAS God, and thereafter became flesh for our souls’ salvation. (John 1:1;14)  He is EMMANUEL, signifying the close intimacy and communion actualized by GOD WITH US.  The witnesses of this water/spiritual baptism in the Jordanian wilderness not only experienced THE SON OF GOD and THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD, but they actually heard the voice of GOD, THE FATHER, speaking from above: “THIS IS MY BELOVED SON!”  Wow!  “THAT’S MY BOY!” (Matthew 3:1-17)

The Father’s declaration is very significant and relevant for us as believers because of the fact that WE are “ACCEPTED (by The Father)…IN THE BELOVED (Son).” (Ephesians 1:6)  Although we are entirely deserving of death, which is the justifiable wage of sin, JESUS CHRIST, the ‘gift’ of God, becomes our ‘doorway’ to eternal life. (Romans 6:23 – John 3:16 – John 10:10)  And now, as the Apostle Paul declares, “If any man be IN CHRIST, he is a NEW CREATION; old things are passed away and behold, all things are become new!” (II Corinthians 5:17)

The Prophet Isaiah puts it this way, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.  But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:6-7)

Stay tuned…more to come tomorrow!

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!

GOD IS BIGGER THAN YOU THINK! (Part IV)

GOD IS BIGGER THAN YOU THINK! (Part IV)

To briefly recap yesterday’s devotional, my original reading of Zechariah 4:1-4 led me to believe that ZECHARIAH’S VISION WAS INCOMPLETE!  This was Zechariah’s situation: God had shown him a divine lamp that was designed to produce LIGHT and FIRE, but noticeably ABSENT from the vision WAS one essential thing, FUEL.  Not one drop of OIL was mentioned in the vision, not one!  However, my failure to SEE OIL is in no way a reflection on GOD’S ABILITY TO PROVIDE OIL.  The reason why Zechariah’s vision SEEMED SO INCOMPLETE to me is only due to my failure to discern what GOD is up to behind the scenes! 

The reason why the vision seemed so INCOMPLETE is the mere fact that my sensory perceptions were dominating my understanding.  OUR GOD is never confined to what we can see, hear, smell, taste, or touch.  In fact, GOD is never limited by our PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES.  The truth of the matter is this: GOD IS A FUTURE SPECIALIST!  It seems that, like Lot’s wife, you and I are always fixated and focused on THE REARVIEW MIRROR. (Genesis 19:26 and Luke 17:32)  To wit, we seem to be TODAY SPECIALISTS, but our GOD is a FUTURE SPECIALIST!

THE OMNISCIENT ONE, who knows the ending from the beginning, is A FUTURE SPECIALIST.  He has KNOWN US and CHOSEN US, long before the foundation of the world. (Ephesians 1:4 and Jeremiah 1:5)  He has already walked out our LIFE’S STEPS.  “The STEPS of a good man are ORDERED BY THE LORD.” (Psalm 37:23) 

Question: What does God DO in order to bring us into alignment with His perfect will, i.e. to actualize His “hope and future” for us? (Jeremiah 29:11)  Answer: GOD shows us a VISION of our future.  Much like Zechariah (and much like me), all of us can only “see through a mirror, DIMLY.”  We only “KNOW IN PART.” (I Corinthians 13:12)  So when we look at GOD’S VISION, we are limited by our knowledge of WHAT IS and our thoughts of WHAT LOGICALLY SHOULD BE.  GOD imparts the VISION, the genuine hope for all of our tomorrows, but we SEE only an EMPTY BOWL, without OIL.  We see only EMPTY LAMPS, with NO OIL.  And our frail human spirits somehow always motivate us to ask GOD, “WHERE is the OIL?”

But let’s take a closer look at the VISION that GOD imparted to Zechariah.  I love this part!  Along with the lampstand made of solid gold, along with the BOWL, along with the SEVEN PIPES and the SEVEN LAMPS, OUR GOD had included something else, something vital, something mission critical to the MANIFESTATION of divine blessing.  Alongside everything else in Zechariah’s vision, GOD HAD DIVINELY PLACED TWO OLIVE TREES!  These twin olive trees had been DIVINELY POSITIONED, one on either side of THE BOWL that only SEEMED to have NO OIL.

Now hear this!  TREES DON’T JUST SHOW UP OR SPRING UP OVERNIGHT!  TREES MUST BE PLANTED!  Bottom-line: Long before this PROPHETIC VISION was imparted, OUR ALL WISE AND SOVEREIGN GOD had ALREADY PLANTED AND POSITIONED OLIVE TREES which would become THE SOURCE OF THE OIL that would flow through the pipes and fill the bowl and go into the lamp that would SHINE THE LIGHT!  What a MIGHTY GOD we serve!  GOD IS BIGGER THAN YOU THINK!

So stop all of that doubting, fretting, worrying and complaining about your present circumstances.  Although your PRESENT might appear to be EMPTY…GOD HAS ALREADY SUPPLIED YOUR LIFE’S OIL!  He has already destined FAVOR and designed BLESSING – in, over, around and through YOUR LIFE!  I don’t care what it LOOKS LIKE!  WINNER-BELIVER, YOU are the head, not the tail.  You are a lender, not a borrower.  You are above, and not beneath.  You are blessed in the city.  You are blessed in the field.  You are blessed when you go out.  You are blessed when you come in.  Your body is blessed.  Your basket is blessed.  Your storehouse is blessed.  And GOD says, “I WILL COMMAND THE BLESSING ON YOU!” (Deuteronomy 28:1-14)

One of my favorite hymns advises you to “take your burden to the Lord, and leave it there!”  My favorite line is, “If you trust and never doubt, HE WILL SURELY BRING YOU OUT.  Take your burden to the Lord, and leave it there!”  God’s got YOU…don’t worry.  OUR GOD IS BIGGER THAN YOU THINK!

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!

GOD IS BIGGER THAN YOU THINK! (Part III)

GOD IS BIGGER THAN YOU THINK! (Part III)

The story of Joseph (referenced in yesterday’s devotional) is proof positive that we cannot suffer permanent loss or defeat when GOD is on our side.  In a word, whatever life has gotten us INTO, our GOD can get us OUT OF: “And I WILL RESTORE TO YOU the years that the locust has eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm…and you shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, that has dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed.” (Joel 2:25-26)

The Prophet Zechariah set forth another example of the Kingdom principle which assures us that OUR GOD is always working (behind the scenes) for our restoration, renewal, favor and blessings.

Zechariah 4:1-4 (NKJV)

¹ Now the angel who talked with me came back and wakened me, as a man who is wakened out of his sleep. ² And he said to me, “What do you see?” So I said, “I am looking, and there is a lampstand of solid gold with a bowl on top of it, and on the stand seven lamps with seven pipes to the seven lamps. ³ Two olive trees are by it, one at the right of the bowl and the other at its left.” ⁴ So I answered and spoke to the angel who talked with me, saying, “What are these, my lord?”

The situation: In the middle of the Babylonian captivity, this prophetic vision was shared by the Lord’s angel with Zechariah.  During the reign of King Cyrus, approximately 538 years before the birth of Christ, more than 50,000 captured Jews were allowed to return to Jerusalem to rebuild God’s temple.  However, we must be mindful that every open door of ministry is accompanied by significant challenge and opposition.

Let’s take a closer look at the VISION that was revealed to the Prophet Zechariah. 

Question: What did Zechariah see?

Answer: He saw a LAMPSTAND made of gold.  On top of the LAMPSTAND, there was a BOWL.  Connected to the LAMPSTAND were SEVEN PIPES which led directly into SEVEN LAMPS.

This is a powerful revelation, because in the midst of overwhelming trouble, OUR GOD ALWAYS SHOWS UP with revelation and restoration!  In Zechariah’s case, these divine blessings came in the form of a VISION.  The practical application is this: We must obtain a crystal-clear VISION of what GOD is doing in our lives, despite our current situations or our sensory perceptions, which only tend to highlight and magnify our troubles.  King Solomon said it succinctly: “Where there is NO VISION, the people perish.” (Proverbs 29:18)

This is the reason why staying in GOD’S PRESENCE is vitally important for every believer.  Because “IN HIM we LIVE, and MOVE, and have OUR BEING.” (Acts 17:28)  Just as Jesus taught, the quality of one’s spiritual life is determined by a CONSTANT CONNECTION to THE TRUE VINE.  We are nothing, and can do nothing, without HIM!  In fact, ONE WORD FROM HIM will forever change our lives and circumstances!

When I originally read this scripture passage, my first thought was this: ZECHARIAH’S VISION IS INCOMPLETE!  God showed His prophet an unusual device –a divine instrument designed to produce LIGHT and FIRE – a heavenly instrument that would somehow be a blessing to His people.  However, noticeably ABSENT from the vision (at least from my point of view) was one essential thing.  The missing ingredient was FUEL.  Not one drop of OIL was mentioned in the vision, not one!  If I were in Zechariah’s shoes, I might have fallen into complaining: ‘Lord, I see the PIPES that will carry the OIL.  I see the BOWL that will hold the OIL.  I see the LAMPS that will burn the OIL.  I see the LAMPSTANDS that will support the OIL.  But, Lord, WHAT I DO NOT SEE IS ONE SINGLE DROP OF OIL!’

However, my failure to SEE OIL is in no way a reflection on GOD’S ABILITY TO PROVIDE OIL.  The reason why Zechariah’s vision SEEMED SO INCOMPLETE to me is only due to my failure to discern what GOD is up to behind the scenes!  Here’s a clue to ponder.  GOD IS BIGGER THAN YOU THINK!  Stay tuned to learn what GOD was up to in Zechariah’s vision…more to come tomorrow!

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!

GOD IS BIGGER THAN YOU THINK (Part II)

GOD IS BIGGER THAN YOU THINK! (Part II)

There can be no doubt.  No matter how long you have known God, or how well you have known God, or how great you perceive Him to be, GOD IS MUCH BIGGER THAN YOU THINK!  In fact, OUR GOD “is able to do EXCEEDINGLY ABUNDANTLY ABOVE ALL that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.” (Ephesians 3:20, NKJV) 

Positionally speaking, we are IN CHRIST and in full command of THE KEYS OF THE KINGDOM. (John 14:6 and Matthew 16:19)  Our spiritual authority in Christ is a clear demonstration of the largeness and largess of GOD.  God’s supreme love motivates Him to always be ‘up to something’ behind the scenes to enlarge and empower us.  Here is the grace part: Unquestionably, we are undeserving of His “manifold mercies,” His “manifold wisdom,” and His “manifold works.” (Nehemiah 9:19; Ephesians 3:10; Psalm 104:24)  Nevertheless, GOD continually invests love and trust in us.

Although we revere Abraham as ‘the father of faith,’ just like our own lives, Abraham’s life is a portrait of the grace and goodness of a great God who mercifully chooses undeserving human vessels to enact His sovereign will in the earth.  After God summoned Abraham from Ur of the Chaldees and dispatched him to walk westward (by blind faith) toward the Promised Land, He changed his name and destiny via a series of divine promises. (Genesis, chapter 12) 

God declared to Abraham…

-I will make you a great nation.

-I will bless you, make your name great, and cause you to be a blessing.

-I will bless them that bless you, and curse them that curse you.

-I will bless all families of the earth through your seed.

-I will multiply you and make your seed like the stars of the sky and the sands of the sea.

-I will be your shield and exceeding great reward.

However, after the endowment of such precious promises, it is fascinating to note that (due solely to sin) a much darker and more troubled future was (also) in store for Abraham’s descendants.  The same God who had promised a grand and glorious future declared that a time would come when Abraham’s seed would become servants and strangers in a strange land for 4 centuries.  Nevertheless, in the midst of a divine decree of judgment, God always reserves a ‘footnote’ of future blessing for those who are His own.  According to the Word, “and also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and AFTERWARD SHALL THEY COME OUT WITH GREAT SUBSTANCE.” (Genesis 15:12-14)

The sovereign will of God must and shall be accomplished, one way or another.  One proof that God is bigger than we think is His ability to carve out favor, blessings and miracles in the middle of mess!

Here’s another example.  Without knowing it, Joseph would be instrumental in fulfilling God’s promises to Abraham.  But he had to go through extraordinary challenges to get there.  Father Jacob endowed him with a coat of many colors after perceiving a special grace and anointing on young Joseph’s life. 

Would you permit me to hypothetically ‘speak’ to Joseph for a few moments? 

Joseph, you probably felt that you were headed nowhere – fast.  Your Technicolor coat of destiny (that is, your early ability and anointing) did not seem to be taking you where you thought it would.  But I beg to differ.  If God had never given you a dream, Joseph, and if you had never shared your dream, your brothers would never have despised you and planted you in a pit.  And if your brothers had never despised you and placed you in the pit, you would never have been discovered by a caravan of Midianites.  And if the Midianites had never kidnapped you and carried you away from your homeland, you never have landed in Egypt. 

And if you had never arrived in Egypt, you would never have been employed in Potiphar’s house.  And if you had never gotten a gig in Potiphar’s house, you would never have met Mrs. Potiphar, who tried to make a move on you.  And if Mrs. Potiphar had not tried to make her move, you would never had wound up in prison.  And if you never were an inmate in prison, you would never have met Pharaoh’s chief baker and butler.  And if you had never met the baker and butler, you would never have the opportunity to interpret their dreams.  And if you never interpreted their dreams, you would never have the opportunity to interpret Pharaoh’s dream.  And if you had never interpreted Pharaoh’s dream, you would never have risen to power in Egypt.  And if you never had such political power in Egypt, you would never have been able to feed your starving family and nation.  And if Israelites had never been fed in famine and had perished, then the lineage that brought JESUS CHRIST into this world would have been cut off BEFORE the whole world had the opportunity to be saved!  I’m talking about THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD!  From PIT to PRISON to PALACE to PROVISION to PARADISE – for all of us who would believe!

GOD IS BIGGER THAN YOU THINK!  Stay tuned…more to come tomorrow.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!

GOD IS BIGGER THAN YOU THINK! (Part I)

GOD IS BIGGER THAN YOU THINK! (Part I)

Friend of mine, no matter how long you have known God, or how well you have known God, or how great you conceive Him to be, GOD IS SIGNIFICANTLY BIGGER THAN YOU THINK!

According to the Apostle Paul, OUR GOD “is able to do EXCEEDINGLY ABUNDANTLY ABOVE ALL that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.” (Ephesians 3:20, NKJV)  That’s actually ALL we need to know about God’s supernatural capabilities and the power THAT we possess IN HIM!

One intriguing aspect of God’s power is the simple fact that GOD KNOWS and GOD PLANS our ENDING from the BEGINNING.  Through the Prophet Jeremiah, our God declares “I KNOW THE THOUGHTS THAT I HAVE TOWARD YOU, THOUGHTS OF PEACE AND NOT OF EVIL, TO GIVE YOU AN EXPECTED END.” (Jeremiah 29:11)  Isn’t that absolutely amazing?  Isn’t it both awe-inspiring and comforting to know that GOD makes plans and set purposes for us long before our conception and birth?  God affirms this fact through His Prophet: “Before I formed you in the womb I KNEW YOU; before you were born I SANCTIFIED YOU [I set you apart].” (Jeremiah 1:5)

Why is this so significant?  Well, the Word declares that we have an adversary, Satan, a.k.a. the devil.  So we must diligently “guard our hearts” against “his devices.”  (Philippians 4:7 and II Corinthians 2:11)  Now hear this!  Allowing satanic impressions to fester and grow in our minds is typically the result of two things: lacking knowledge of (and faith in) God’s Word. 

Allow me to illustrate.  As Moses describes Satan in the biblical book of Genesis, he strolls into the Garden of Eden as a SLENDER SERPENT.  When the Apostle Paul characterizes him (millennia later), Satan is now like a ROARING LION, seeking whom he may devour.  Indeed, he seems to be greatly growing and developing – all the way from the guise of a slender serpent to the appearance of a roaring lion!  By the time the Apostle John gains a glimpse of him (in the biblical book of Revelation), Satan is portrayed as a GREAT DRAGON!

Consider that for a moment.  If Satan is growing and gaining in strength and power, somebody must be FEEDING HIM!  I’ll let you in on the menu of his satanic buffet.  Satan is sustained, satisfied, nurtured and nourished by FEAR.  Listen with your spirit!  FEAR is not only the polar opposite of FAITH; in its own twisted and distorted way, FEAR WORKS EQUALLY AND EFFECTIVELY AS FAITH!  How so?  Because FEAR is A CREATIVE FORCE that CULTIVATES and GROWS a HARVEST of DOUBT and UNBELIEF.  This principle is so important that it must be repeated.  FEAR WORKS EQUALLY AND EFFECTIVELY AS FAITH because FEAR is a CREATIVE FORCE that CULTIVATES AND GROWS A HARVEST OF DOUBT AND UNBELIEF!

Although that could be our current situation, here is our solution.  “GOD has not given us the SPIRIT OF FEAR, but of POWER and of LOVE and of a SOUND MIND.” (II Timothy 1:7)  Remember this: “GOD IS LOVE.” (I John 4:16)  So when we rest and reside in GOD, that is, INSIDE HIS LOVE, there is no space or place for fear.  According to the Apostle John, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment.” (I John 4:18)  God’s bottom-line favors us.  For the believer’s heritage is lasting freedom from doubt and anxiety.  No chronic worries!  FREEDOM FROM FEAR!  WOW!

So here’s the question.  WHY, then, are we so afraid?  Here’s another question.  WHAT are we so afraid of?  KINGDOM NEWS FLASH: SATAN IS ALREADY DEFEATED!  As a matter of fact, through the spiritual authority that you now possess as a disciple of The Risen Christ and a citizen of the Kingdom of God, Satan is already “under your feet.” (Romans 16:20)  Tell that devilish critter to take a thousand seats and talk to the shoe leather on the soles of your feet!  He is already doomed, damned, destroyed, cursed and cast out.  And GREATER IS HE that is in YOU than he that is in the world! (I John 4:4)

Positionally speaking, we are IN CHRIST.  Therefore, we are in full possession and command of THE KEYS OF THE KINGDOM.  Jesus Christ who cannot lie, JESUS CHRIST who is ‘THE TRUTH,” declares unto us: “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”  (John 14:6 and Matthew 16:19)  Believer, you already have your KINGDOM KEYS.  USE THEM!  Stay tuned…more to come tomorrow!

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!

LIVING BY THE VOICE OF GOD (Part V)

LIVING BY THE VOICE OF GOD (Part V)

In the final segment of this devotional series, we remind you that It is extremely urgent for every believer to be totally ‘tuned-in’ and ‘turned-on’ by THE VOICE [THE NOW WORD] OF GOD.  In fact, our success and survival depend upon our ability to hear an accurate, anointed and life-changing Word from the Lord.

Did you notice that when GOD speaks, it is never a debate.  Technically speaking, it really isn’t a dialogue.  God is sovereign.  Therefore, we must hearken (immediately and completely) to the voice of God.  When the Holy Spirit transmits a warning to us, “Do not go through that door,” and we do so anyway, we are opening ourselves (and those around us) to the presence and power of destructive forces.

Here is an important question: “HOW DOES ONE KNOW THAT S/HE IS LIVING BY THE VOICE OF GOD?”

Such knowledge is imparted at the intersection of FAITH and THE WORD.  Indeed, “FAITH comes by hearing, and hearing by THE WORD OF GOD.” (Romans 10:17)  Whenever we take the limits off God, i.e. whenever we willingly remove our human preconceptions about who GOD is and WHAT GOD WILL DO, we open our mortal senses to immortal and immutable truth.  In connection with this, the Apostle Paul prayed diligently for the Church of Ephesus and, by extension, for us:

Ephesians 1:17-21 (NKJV)

¹⁷ That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, ¹⁸ the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, ¹⁹ and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power ²⁰ which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, ²¹ far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.

Sisters and brothers, TAKE GOD OUT THE BOX in which you have unwisely and unwittingly placed Him.  Why is this so vitally important?  Because GOD IS BIGGER THAN YOU THINK!  In the words of the Apostle Paul, “Now unto HIM WHO IS ABLE to do exceedingly abundantly above ALL THAT WE ASK OR THINK, according to the power that works in us.” (Ephesians 3:20)

And I love the scriptural witness of the Apostle Peter:

II Peter 1:3-4 (NKJV)

³ His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, ⁴ by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature.

No wonder Paul declared, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13, NKJV)  WOW!

In light of these powerful revelations, it is of paramount importance that we examine ourselves, i.e., that we do REGULAR FAITH-CHECKS TO ALIGN OURSELVES WITH CHRIST AND HIS WORD.  Because in the absence of true trust in God, there is an EMOTIONAL AND SPIRITUAL Restlessness, an INWARD ANXIETY that systematically attacks and erodes the faith and confidence of believers.  This is due to one thing, and one thing only.  DOUBT means we are not allowing GOD to exercise His perfect will in our lives because we are operating under the influence of satanic suggestions and deceptions.  SISTERS AND BROTHERS, WE MUST LIVE BY THE VOICE OF GOD – not our own.  Bottom-line: CHRIST IS ALL! 

There is a GOD-SIZED HOLE in the human heart that ONLY GOD can fill.  Neither pleasure, prestige, power, nor positions are sufficient to fill it.  ONLY CHRIST can both save and satisfy!  One of the early church fathers who was actually a black man, St. Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, lived an incredibly lurid life during his pre-conversion years.  You name it – Augustine did it!  But on the day of his dramatic conversion, Augustine came to the end of himself and realized this: “Lord, you have made us for Yourself – and our hearts are restless until they find rest in Thee.”

Now hear this!  The only way we can walk in peace and productivity is to make up our minds that we must (and shall) always be LIVING BY THE VOICE OF GOD.

In closing, allow me to share the saga of the eagle.  Over the passage of time, this phenomenal bird experiences a life-threatening problem.  Its beak become overgrown and the eagle is unable to eat and provide essential nourishment for his life.  However, the eagle does not surrender to the status quo; he does something entirely unexpected.  Somewhere deep inside, He hears a voice.  Some call it instinct; I call it the VOICE OF GOD.  It calls to him and causes him to rise in flight to a higher place.  And with brutal force, the eagle thrusts his beak against a rocky crag again and again, until it is completely broken.  Now hear this!  IN ORDER TO HEAR THE WORD AND LIVE BY THE WORD, WE MUST BECOME BROKEN!

Incidentally, it takes quite a while for the eagle’s beak to be fully restored.  AFTER ALL IS SAID AND DONE, GROWTH AND MATURATION TAKE TIME!  In the interim, having no beak, the eagle looks extremely odd to others and his weight is dramatically diminished; BUT he patiently waits.  In due time, he again realizes and regains his created power – and the eagle takes off in flight, to be nurtured again!

The prophet Isaiah must have known about this process.  He wrote,

Isaiah 40:28-31 (KJV)

²⁸ Hast thou not known? Hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? There is no searching of his understanding.

²⁹ He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.

³⁰ Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:

³¹ But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

It does not matter where you have been, or what you have been through, or the present-day circumstances of your life.  According to the Word of God, there is hope for you.  There is a future.  “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11, NKJV)

BE ENCOURAGED.  RIGHT NOW, You are ALIVE IN HIM…and you are LIVING BY THE VOICE OF GOD!

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!

LIVING BY THE VOICE OF GOD (Part IV)

LIVING BY THE VOICE OF GOD (Part IV)

It is mission critical that we become ‘tuned-in’ and ‘turned-on’ by THE VOICE [THE NOW WORD] OF GOD. In certain situations, our very survival will be predicated on our ability to hear from Heaven.

Our ‘microwave society’ challenges our capacity to wait on the Lord for direction and results. In truth, there is an inherent resistance to living in accordance with GOD’S WILL and GOD’S TIMETABLE. But check this out: COAL never rushes or resists its process. The submission of the coal enables TIME and PRESSURE to partner and produce a magnificent result that we call DIAMOND.

In our helter-skelter hurry to get where others expect or proclaim we should be, we take-off down the runway of life under our own power and volition; and, our faces are shrouded with surprise and consternation when we go down (predictably) in flames. Think about it.

Thirty-four years ago, I served as director of staff and outreach for a well-established church in Atlanta, Georgia. The senior pastor asked me to host an eight-day Hawaiian Retreat for 50 leaders and laity. We spent most of our days on the beautiful island of Maui. On the day of our return to Atlanta, the captain made an unexpected announcement while we were sitting on the tarmac, ready to head down the runway for take-off. “There will be a major delay,” he stated over sounds of moaning and groaning in the jet cabin. “We have RADAR PROBLEMS that must be fixed before we can safely cross over the Pacific Ocean for our stop in San Francisco.”

Immediately, several of my fellow members started complaining. “Why should we have to WAIT so long – why can’t we go RIGHT NOW?” I could scarcely believe my ears: “Reverend Bass, can’t you DO something about this? We need to get back in Atlanta on-time!” My thought at that moment: ‘We need to get back to Atlanta in ONE-PIECE and ONE-PEACE!’ My response in that moment: “Look folks, if this 747 has a problem, then let’s sit patiently until the issue is handled. We’re not in that big of a hurry." As far as I was concerned, the voice we had just heard over the intercom (that SOUNDED like the pilot’s voice) was really THE VOICE OF GOD speaking through the pilot – telling US that it would be far better to WAIT! From my perspective, within the framework of our pilot’s decision and announcement, we were actually LIVING...BY THE VOICE OF GOD.

One of my favorite scripture passages is Psalm 51:1-4.
1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.

What was David saying in verse four? GOD is JUST WHEN HE SPEAKS and GOD is CLEAR WHEN HE JUDGES. In simpler terms, GOD IS ALWAYS RIGHT...GOD IS NEVER WRONG!

Prayerfully consider this. If GOD is ALWAYS RIGHT and NEVER WRONG, why do we have the tendency to scrutinize and analyze and debate His decrees and directives? How is it that we (professed believers) have such difficulty honoring and adhering to “EVERY WORD the proceeds out of the mouth of GOD”...if GOD is ALWAYS RIGHT and NEVER WRONG? (Matthew 4:4)

Perhaps, we have become victimized by what I term “WILE E. COYOTE SYNDROME!” Allow me to paint a picture here. Have you ever seen that cartoon character - who so often appears to be WALKING CONFIDENTLY through what you and I know to be THE WRONG DOOR?

The cartoon creator allows us a view that reveals beyond any shadow of doubt that WILE E. COYOTE is just about to walk through the wrong door. Although he enters it with a smile, mere seconds later we witness him emerging through the other side – looking scared and scarred, whipped and worn, ragged and ridiculous – with hair flying in every direction, lips half-off and half-on, teeth shattered, with his head split clean-down-the middle and his entire body blown a mile high in utter terror!

Here's the thing. WILE E. COYOTE is a SERIAL SELF-DESTRUCTOR! That is, he will MAKETHE SAME DESTRUCTIVE DECISIONS over-and-over-and-over-and-over-again until we just want to shout through the television screen, “WILE E. COYOTE, would you please just leave MR. BEEP-BEEP ROADRUNNER alone! Enough with all of those Acme products and your continuous cycles of pain and humiliation! LEAVE ROADRUNNER ALONE!” As silly as his situation might seem, isn’t this cartoon scenario a true-to-life, practical portrait of you and me?

BECAUSE WHEN GOD’S VOICE SPEAKS SO CLEARLY TO US: “Do NOT go through that door!” OUR SELF-DESTRUCTIVE RESPONSE IS THIS: “Come on Lord…give me a break…I’ve been going through that door all my life...and I’m still here!” And via our messy condition, GOD speaks in SIGN LANGUAGE (SITUATIONAL LANGUAGE) saying, “Yes you have, and that’s your problem! You’re in that SAME OLD CONDITION because you’ve been going through that SAME OLD DOOR – all of your life – again- and-again-and-again-and-again!”

Stay tuned…more to come on Monday!

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

LIVING BY THE VOICE OF GOD (Part III)

LIVING BY THE VOICE OF GOD (Part III)

If we ever expect to attain ultimate success in life on the level GOD has designed for us, we must be ‘tuned-in’ and ‘turned-on’ by THE VOICE [THE WORD] OF OUR GOD.  In certain situations, our continued existence (our very survival) will be directly impacted by our ability to hear, or not to hear.

Case in Point: Some years ago, our friends, Clinton and Sarah Utterbach of Redeeming Love Christian Center in Nyack, New York, shared an intriguing testimony.  Their story is a ‘poster-child’ for the importance of being tuned-in to the voice of God.  It goes something like this.

After preaching in their church service, Clinton was completely exhausted.  So he was reclining and resting as they headed homewards in the car.  Sarah was driving.

As they sat at an intersection waiting for the traffic signal to change to green, THE LORD SPOKE into Sarah’s spirit: “When the light changes, don’t move!”

The light changed to green, and Clinton spoke up: “Sarah, the light’s green.”  She just sat still.  “Baby are you sleep?  The light’s green!”  Sarah just sat there.

In a split second, a huge mac-truck careened out-of-control through that intersection, due to failed brakes!  Wow!

Sarah simply turned to Clinton and gave him that look with which every husband is entirely familiar.  All Clinton could do was to whisper, “Amen!”

Sisters and brothers, our ability to hear from God may cause us to either save or lose our very lives!  Indeed, every believer is LIVING BY THE VOICE OF GOD.  “For in Him we live and move and have our being.” (Acts 17:28)

We will have to admit that there is a fundamental skepticism that presents itself when someone says “I have been talking to God.”  Am I right?  Would you agree with me that MOST people doubt the possibility of true, genuine, bona fide communication with GOD?  Do you know why?  Our sanitariums are full of people that claim that God is constantly in direct conversation with them.  And sometimes, in the room adjacent to the one who says ‘I’ve been talking to God’ is one who declares “I AM THE GOD YOU’VE BEEN TALKING TO!” 

It’s humorous, but it is a clear illustration as to why our society discounts and doubts whether (or not) it is really possible to be in direct communication with God.  Sometimes, even in THE CHURCH, among the body of baptized believers, there is a fundamental skepticism that God still dialogues with man.  Many are totally skeptical about the authenticity of the gifts of the Spirit, which are set forth in I Corinthians, chapter 12. 

So even when God does speak to us (by way of His indwelling Holy Spirit), we tend to display hesitancy and/or an overabundance of caution when disclosing it to others.  In such situations, we are more prone to pronounce, “SOMETHING told me to do (or not to do) such and such a thing.”  Ladies and gentlemen, please allow me to inform you that THE ALMIGHTY GOD, The Creator and Sustainer of Universe, The Alpha and the Omega, The Great I Am, The King of Kings and Lord of Lords does not like to referred to as ‘SOMETHING” by His children!

GOD DOES SPEAK TO US!  THE FATHER DOES SPEAK TO HIS CHILDREN!  Many of us can testify truthfully that ‘GOD DID SPEAK TO US, and if it had not been for hearing His Holy Spirit within our human spirits, all would have been lost!  GOD HAS SPOKEN…LET THE CHURCH SAY “AMEN!”  Stay tuned…more to come tomorrow!

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!

LIVING BY THE VOICE OF GOD (Part II)

LIVING BY THE VOICE OF GOD (Part II)

A young frog in the jungles of Africa had just finished his delicious desert of flies when his mother hopped lovingly into the kitchen.  “Mommy,” he inquired, “are there other animals in the bush besides us?” 

“Sure, Kerm,” Mother Frog answered, “just go out and meet them for yourself – but be very careful!”

So young Kerm hopped on down the pathway and came across a monkey.  Since Kerm was awfully proud of his ancestry, his greeting sounded a little like bragging: “Hello!  I’m Kerm, a w-i-d-e mouthed African frog…and I eat flies!  What on earth do you eat?”

“Well, Kerm, I east BANANAS!” replied the monkey cheerfully as he sailed away on a tall tree branch.

“Sounds good!” Kerm shouted out as he hopped on down the path.  Soon he came across a giraffe and issued a similar greeting and introduction: “Hello!  I’m Kerm, a w-i-d-e mouthed African frog…and I eat flies!  What on earth do you eat?”

“Well, Kerm, I eat LEAVES from the tallest trees!” responded the tall giraffe as he gracefully loped off into the jungle.

“Sounds good!” Kerm shouted out as he hopped on down the path.  Soon he arrived at the river.  Spotting a CROCODILE on the river bank basking in the sun, he issued a similar greeting and introduction: “Hello!  I’m Kerm, a w-i-d-e mouthed African frog…and I eat flies!  What on earth do you eat?”

“Hmmm,” slowly answered the huge hungry crocodile, “I eat w-i-d-e mouthed African frogs!”  Chomp!  Chomp!  Chomp!

The moral of the story is this:  You must be CAREFUL who you TALK TO as you proceed along the road of life!  Some folks have a knack for making a beeline (naively and foolishly) to the wrong people, for the purpose of gaining personal insight and perspective on life. If they are fortunate, they might pick up a bit of useless-but-harmless information.  If they are not so blessed, they could lose something much more valuable, their spirituality, their stability, their substance, their sanity, or even their life!  You see, it’s a life-or-death matter to learn how to consistently LIVE BY THE VOICE OF GOD.  Stay tuned…more to come tomorrow!

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!

THE SPOUSE OF YOUR DREAMS

THE SPOUSE OF YOUR DREAMS

One relationship that is unquestionably valued by God is the covenant of marriage. It is the centerpiece of the family unit, which is the BASIC BUILDING BLOCK OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD. Marriage is (at once) the most fulfilling and the most challenging of life experiences. It provides a rare and precious opportunity for the highest degree of intimacy, integrity and self-awareness. Because no one knows you like your spouse does; and, no one can cause you to know yourself as completely via intricate daily life experiences. Marriage is inherently wonderful and it is bountifully blessed when both partners share abiding love and loyalty to one another, when both hold fidelity to their sacred vows and when both live out the commitment to hold their relationship and covenant above all others.

However, some people don’t quite see marriage this way. Their view of marriage is an extremely negative and constrictive portrait of obligation and bondage, more so than mutual sharing and agape love. In fact, some men even see their wives as a burdensome “PAIN.” Recently, I read an interesting story involving that sort of perspective. It goes like this: In Sunday School, they were teaching the children how Almighty God created everything, including human beings. Little Matthew, a five-year-old in the Beginners Class, seemed especially attentive when they revealed how Eve was created out of Adam’s side, from his rib. Later that week, Little Matthew’s mother observed him laying down on the sofa. He appeared to be ill, so she inquired with maternal concern, “Matt, what’s the matter?” Matthew had eaten too much. Remembering his Sunday School lesson he responded: “I have a pain in my side. I think I’m going to have a wife!” Hmmm. It’s a cute and humorous story, but it is also a clear illustration of the unfortunate image that some have of their spouses.

Eventually all married persons discover a core truth, i.e. there are no perfect partners and no seamless relationships. Marriage involves rigorous and intentional work. Sometimes it’s hard. Sometimes it’s easy. But always, it requires dedication, discipline and a firm commitment to unconditional love. Over the years, I have attended numerous anniversary celebrations, and I’ve heard two or three spouses say something like this: “We have been together for x number of years, and we have NEVER had a disagreement.” While I am usually not prone to emotional outbursts, at times such as these I am sorely tempted to jump up and shout the infamous recitation of children-at-play: “Liar, liar, pants on fire!” Keep on smiling, but know this: NO marriage, however healthy and loving and strong - NO marriage - escapes times of testing and moments of uncertainty when either or both partners question the validity and wisdom of their original decision.

Admittedly, I am far from a pro in the arena of marriage, but I want to share what some might consider to be valuable and strategic life-lessons:
1. Your spouse will become what you affirm through your words, deeds and prayers, (or) your spouse will become what you confirm by your criticisms, put-downs and negative commentary.
2. You will get through the toughest of times if you continually pray, communicate and make the unalterable commitment that failure is not an option.
3. Since disagreements will inevitably occur, it is important to learn how to ‘fight fairly.’ That is, to learn how to focus on the issue at hand and not to bring up other issues/problems from either the past or present. Address them separately, and in another setting, and certainly not during the ‘heat’ of conflict.
4. When tempers flare, please take a ‘chill pill.’ That is, stop talking for a few moments, breathe deeply, and (if need be) take a time-out in another room so cooler heads can prevail and so regrettable words will not be spoken.
5. The most intimate details of your relationship (whether bright or dim) should stay in your special and sacred space of marital privacy.
6. Mutual trust is mission critical to success; allow space for it and do not break it because it is extremely difficult to repair.
7. Forgiveness is a vital component of marriage. Maintaining a record of past hurts is a destructive and counterproductive force for any marriage.
8. Satan wants your marriage to fail; so do your enemies. Make all of them liars.
9. The grass sometimes looks greener on the other side of the fence, but it never is.
10. Covenant prayer is so essential that you should consider dedicating a room or a space for daily prayer with your spouse.
11. Keep doing all the things you did to ‘win’ your spouse in order to ‘keep’ your spouse. Open the proverbial ‘windows of creativity’ in your relationship and keep freshness and newness alive.
12. Spend quality time together daily, and not always in front of a television set.
13. Listen carefully when your spouse highlights the events of the day. Show interest. You are her/his sounding board. Don’t rush in to solve the problem that is presented; just be a good listener and your advice will be sought.
14. Try to make money and take good care of your household, but never allow money to make you. Be wise stewards of whatever you earn or receive.
15. Husbands, show kindness to your wife and be willing to listen to her God-given wisdom; don’t ever ‘lord’ over her. Wives, remain open to the God-given leadership of your husband and make him feel special and needed.

I hope these insights are helpful for you; they have certainly strengthened Belinda and me, and our sacred marriage covenant. My friends, God honors marriage so much that He compares the marriage covenant to the sacrificial love of Christ. Hear now the witness of the Word:

Ephesians 5:21-33
21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

In closing, the “Spouse of Your Dreams” is no fantasy or fairy-tale persona, not at all. S/he does not have to be the brightest, the most articulate, the best looking, the best cook, the best handyman, the best lover, or anything else one might rate and rank as “best.” But s/he must surely be a lover of God, s/he must live out the higher dimensions of love specified in I Corinthians 13, and s/he must be totally dedicated to you and your mutual covenant. Engage and enjoy the spouse of your dreams. Cherish, honor and love her/him as Christ cherishes, honors and loves you.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING! Maranatha!