Tue, Feb 28th - 11:29AM
How Shall We Live?
Beloved,
"So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen;
for what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
2 Corinthians 4:18
Is not this eternal moral order a reflection of the character of God? As a Christian we are not to place ethics in a moral order which has been revealed by the Divine Creator? Are we not to answer to a specific moral order; Ten Commandments which acts as the "basic law" for mankind ( not that this is the only law revealed in the Bible).
The Bible went so far as to not only outline the moral order, it introduces us to God Incarnated, Jesus Christ, describing His ministry and teachings, that we might better understand the implications of this order. The greatest example is Christ's ethical teaching is found in the Sermon on The Mount (Matthew 5-7) [Thinking as a Christian written by: David Noebel]
Have we as Christians actually stopped and contemplated what our responsibility is in Christian Ethics? Luke 10:27 reads:
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart,
with all your soul,
and with all your soul,
with all your strength and with all your mind;
and your neighbor as yourself."
Sounds as though this not a choice but a command. Does this not imply that as Christians we have a responsibility to love others; does this not call for an attitude of servant-hood? Not merely compassionate to one another; if we love God, should we not demonstrate it through serving one another. 1John 4:20f refers to an appeal to show the inseparable connection between the love of God and the love of neighbor:
'If a man say, I love God and hateth his brother, he is a liar:
for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen,
how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
And this commandment have we from Him,
that he who loveth God love his brother also'
Let us not forget;
God is love,
and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God,
and God in him'
1John 4:16
Norman Geisler says, "Man is more than a soul destined for another world, he is also a body living in this world. And as a resident of this time-space continuum man has physical and social needs which cannot be isolated from spiritual needs. Hence, in order to love man as he is- the whole man- one must exercise a concern about his social needs as well as his spiritual needs."
We cannot look away and not face the fact that we must be concerned with working to achieve God's will for the world. As God commands it!
"The moral end, or highest good, is the glory of God, this according to William Young whom continues with, "In declaring by word and deed the perfections, especially the moral perfections of the most High, man finds true happiness." Our duties toward God is tied to our other duties as Christians.
Is this not the heart and soul of the Christian ethics?
Christian ethics requires a firm commitment to and an unflagging zeal for what is right and good in the sight of the Lord. Paul said, Christians must "Detest evil; cling to what is good" Romans 12:9
We must draw from this truth and teach it to our youth, as they are being drawn into the many tempting camps of the enemy. Where we lack to be ethical and make a strong clear stand is where the enemy places a foot and lures our youth to a more compromising and dangerous mind set. Where there is no absolute, and the ground (moral standards) is always shifting.
We have entered into the inner court and we have left our children in the outer court exposed to the secular society and their ideas and beliefs... Go back and bring the children with you...We must raise up a generation that will detest evil and cling to good!
Comment (3)
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Sat, Feb 25th - 3:41PM
Vicarious Living ...
Beloved,
There have been many ways I have heard this topic expressed, yet none has made the same impact that J. Bynum did when she wrote: "Jesus came to earth, stepped into your experience before you got here, and lived vicariously through your experience when He went to the cross. In doing this, He took your place and enabled you to get in His space. That is why the Bible says in 1 Corinthians 5:17,"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new."
To come to those words that speak of our Lord stepping into our experiences: was cause for a whole different look at the topic, how more personal could you get? What a great visual picture. Christ lives through every person who proclaims Him. Have you given theLord full permission to to live and walk the earth vicariously through you? As you have the right to walk vicariously through Jesus...That you might do as He did; Casting out demons and laying on of hands, (heal the sick, give sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, life to the dead...)
Come celebrate that which we many times take for granted; our life in Christ. As you call upon the Father in intercession, call with confidence knowing that He who lives within you,knows the heart of the Father, all you have to do is speak it into exsistence...Be still and know He is God!
Comment (2)
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Thu, Feb 23rd - 11:07AM
Robe of Righteousness...
Beloved,
Have you ever noticed how the Word of God tells us that we are accountable for what we know, and that we must be mindful of what we say and do? Consider the fact that if we have been called to be an intercessor that we are spiritually responsible for everyone we know? What this is saying is that we become responsible to live righteously so that if there is ever a need for prayer those watching us will ask for prayer. Allowing us to pray prayers that receive an answer on their behalf... We need to put on righteousness so we can have an answer for any who ask it of us.
As Juanita expresses in her book (The Threshing Floor), "If you train and discipline your flesh to walk in righteousness, the Bible promises that God will hear your cry and deliver you out of ALL your troubles."
"The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears,
and delivers them out of all their troubles."
Psalm 34:17
When we walk in righteousness of God, no weapon that has been formed against us by the enemy shall prosper....
"Lord, who shall dwell in Your tabernacle? Who shall dwell on Your holy hill? He who walks and lives uprightly and blamelessly, who works rightness and justice and speaks and thinks the truth in his heart, he who does not slander with his tongue, nor does evil to his friend, nor takes up reproach against his neighbor; in whose eyes a vile person is despised, but he who honors whose who fear the Lord; who swears to his own hurt and does not change; and who will not take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved."
Psalm15:1-5
Do we find ourselves satisfied with going to a building to worship God; do we not desire to dwell on the holy hill with the Lord permanently? If we answer yes, then we need to allow God to cover us with His righteousness and build a solid tabernacle in our spirit. Many are happy with dwelling in His tabernacle -temporarily; yet it is the righteous- that's us- that shall dwell on the holy hill forever. Is not God birthing righteousness in us, so that we can dwell in that permanent place, the place of authority and victory over the devil?
Is not our destiny "On the hill"?
'Lord, clothe us in Your righteousness...Take us to the holy hill. Do whatever it is You desire to with us, whatever it takes to keep us on that hill...That we might be holy. Train and discipline our flesh unto Your righteousness, so we might become the intercessors You have called us to be...In Jesus name we pray, Amen.'
Comment (1)
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Tue, Feb 21st - 11:17AM
Garment of Obedience...
Beloved;
Upon reading "The Threshing Floor" by Juanita Bynum a few things have stood out more then others... "It is said that anyone can enter into the outer court through salvation, but not everyone honors God by being obedient. Only the obedient will be able to receive their priestly garments and ultimately enter the holy place in prayer.
"Many are called, but few are chosen." Matthew 22:14
It is the path of obedience that requires that we enter the gate, wash at the laver, and sacrifice at the altar in obedience to God's pattern of prayer. That path of obedience allows us to pass from death into life and prepares us to clothed for victory in intercessory prayer. Jesus spoke of this path of obedience in John 5:
"Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, Who has sent Him.
I assure you, most solemnly I tell you,
the person whose ears are open to My words
and believes and trust in and clings to and relies on Him Who Me has eternal life.
And he does not come into judgment,
but he has already passed over death into life."
John 5:23-24
Obedience, this word seems to be one of the most difficult words for man to swallow. There are a few areas in life that first be untangled before obedience becomes less difficult. First, one must drop kick that spirit of pride, that desires to be something more then it was created to be... secondly one must die to self, for in humility we are able to not focus on being right, but on how to serve the Lord God... Obedience is looking outside of self, and the desires of the flesh... To submit, a total surrender of your will... Many of us believe that we are in total submission unto the Lord, until He requires of us to give up that which is attached to our heart...a parent, a spouse, a child, a possession, an opportunity, a day.... We seem to forget that the Lord sees the full picture, we are seeing only a small portion yet, we believe we are right... Be serious God would not ask me to give up my parent or spouse or child... Shall we look back at Abraham, His obedience gave him nations... We seem to not trust that when the Lord requires something of us, that He will provide for it also...Does He not know what lies ahead? Does He not desire the best for you, so that He in return receives the best...
It breaks my heart to hear Christian say they are satisfied with where they are in their walk and they are not willing to give God their all, yet, they received His all... We should repent and fall upon the ROCK of our salvation; do not wait for the ROCK to fall on you, and then walk around wondering why?
"And did all drink of that same spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness."
1 Corinthians 10:4-5
Come and prepare yourself for the holy place; lay aside that which keeps you from entering in, and embrace the glory of the Lord as He rejoices in your humility, and dance within the victory of your obedience to His will for you...
Comment (5)
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Thu, Feb 16th - 11:17AM
Horn of Salvation...
"Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,
because He has come and brought deliverance
and redemption to His people!
And He raised up a Horn of Salvation for us
in the House of David His servant..."
Luke 1:68-69
What is it that happens when we lay at the altar of sacrifice? Are we expected to to sacrifice without the help of the Lord? It is upon a closer look that one might find that there was a provision made for us; on this brazen altar are four horns: one at each corner- they represent salvation,strength and power. Those who lay self upon the altar of sacrifice, there would find salvation, strength, and power from Him, that they might do His will. It is only when the flesh is being consumed in the fire of God, that prayers are not hindered.
So it is that here upon the brazen altar, lays "Self" desiring nothing more then to taste the oil of the Horn of Salvation; requesting the true sacrifice of the fire of Heaven to engulf, in an all encompassing manner all that lays it's self upon this altar. Allow the flesh to be consumed, that what ever remains of it's spirit might experience this salvation, strength and power provided by the Cross and Resurrection of the Son of God, Jesus Christ. It is in willingness that this Christian walks into the purifying fire of God with faith that Christ will help ...
"Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God:
on those who fell, severity;
but toward you, goodness,
if you continue in His goodness.
Otherwise you also will be cut off."
Romans 11:22
Comment (2)
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Tue, Feb 14th - 11:12AM
Priestly Duty...
"For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword,
piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow,
and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
And there is no creature hidden from His sight,
but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who passed through the heavens,
Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession."
Hebrews 4:12-14
For those of us that have read this verse many times over, the next few words seem very familiar; We are a royal priesthood, joint heirs with Christ.Yet, many times that is where we stop, today let us take it to another level of understanding...because of this position we must move through this stage and pray by way of His sacrifice.Juanita Bynum in her book "The Threshing Floor", writes: "Like the bread and wine of communion, Jesus' body was broken and His blood was shed to "perfect" (mature) our spiritual walk. It becomes our priestly duty of prayer to do this in remembrance of Him, as this demonstrates the works He has already done. It is time to move from the acknowledging of His works to the demonstrating of them...
It is true that as often as we do our priestly duty of prayer, we do share in communion with Him. We also are found to be reaffirming our love, trust and commitment to Him- He transforms us into the image of God by way of His mighty Word...
"For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes."
1 Corinthians 11:26
Comment (1)
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Mon, Feb 13th - 4:19PM
The Father Knows Best...
1: And he said unto me, Son of man, stand upon thy feet, and I will speak unto thee.
2: And the spirit entered into me when he spake unto me, and set me upon my feet, that I heard him that spake unto me.
3: And he said unto me, Son of man, I send thee to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that hath rebelled against me: they and their fathers have transgressed against me, even unto this very day.
4: For they are impudent children and stiffhearted. I do send thee unto them; and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD.
5: And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, (for they are a rebellious house,) yet shall know that there hath been a prophet among them.
6: And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house.
7: And thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they are most rebellious.
8: But thou, son of man, hear what I say unto thee; Be not thou rebellious like that rebellious house: open thy mouth, and eat that I give thee.
9: And when I looked, behold, an hand was sent unto me; and, lo, a roll of a book was therein;
10: And he spread it before me; and it was written within and without: and there was written therein lamentations, and mourning, and woe.
Ezekiel 2:1-10
It is noticed that the Lord has made it very clear the purpose and plan of God concerning the "Son of man" in this chapter of Ezekiel. Being sent out to a rebellious and stiffnecked people... and there is a strong warning to not become rebellious like these people; to not fear their words, nor that which they would attempt to intimadate him with... His meat was to be the Word of God.
Somehow this reading sounds as though it could have been given today; for here it is a rebellious people stiffneck about their ways...even in the Church...yet there is a warning that fits well for this time...to not be rebellious, and eat that which the Lord gives thee...Yes, we should daily be in the Word...our spiritual food is as important as physical food...Are you spiritually sluggish and out of shape...too many snacks and not enough of the solid meals that He offers daily, to sustain throughout the day...Come and partake in His meal, allow Him to feed you; as God knows what is best for where you are; bless Him bring glory to His name, as He prepares that which you are to enjoy through Him...
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Thu, Feb 9th - 11:46AM
Your Alabaster Box....
"Now one of the Pharisees was requesting Him to dine with him.
And He entered the Pharisee's house, and reclined at the table.
And behold, there was a woman in the city who was a sinner;
and when she learned that He was reclining at the table in the Pharisee's house,
she brought an alabaster vial of perfume,
and standing behind Him at His feet,
weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears,
and kept wiping them with the hair of her head,
and kissing his feet, and anointing them with the perfume.
Luke 7:37-38
What is it about this story that many of us are able to relate to? What is it about this woman? Take another look at her, is she your friend, sister, mother, or maybe even your spouse? This not just any woman spoke of, this is a particular woman... a woman who knew her sin and the forgiveness needed; she was very much aware of the stares and the whispers, the accusations that tore at her very heart, the very depth of her being... the damage done to her spirit. Yet, this was to be the night that she would receive the greatest gift of all; a gift that she may have thought was far from her ever experiencing. This was no place for her, yet she knew that this man Jesus held all she ever desired; to be loved in a way that no human had ever given to her. This woman came to pour out the oil from her alabaster box as a offering of her response to His forgiveness. What must this have cost her?
Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this,
he said to himself,
"If this man were a prophet He would know who
and what sort of person this woman is who is touching Him,
that she is a sinner."
And Jesus answered and said to him,
"Simon, I have something to say to you."
And he replied, "Say it Teacher."
A certain money lender had two debtors:
one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.
When they were unable to repay, he graciously forgave them both.
Which of them therefore will love him more?
Simon answered and said, "I suppose the one whom he forgave more."
And He said to him, "You have judged correctly."
And turning toward the woman,
He said to Simon,"Do you see this woman? I entered your house;
you gave Me no water for My feet, you gave Me no kiss;
but she has wet My feet with her tears, and wiped them with her hair.
You gave Me no kiss;
but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss my feet.
You did not anoint My head with oil, but she anointed My feet with perfume.
For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven,
for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little."
Luke 7:39-47
And yet man stand to judge and look down upon this woman, finding reason to stand on her sin so to look better in the eyes of our Lord? How many times has this picture been played out; today, in churches, small groups, neighborhoods, among friends? May we take note of how the Lord brought truth into the light and exposed the hidden sin of the accuser before his own eyes...
May you find that place within your relationship with our Lord, that you would not shy away from giving Him the praise and worship due Him, as oil from your alabaster box...consider the day He found you, and put His loving arms around you...there is no one who knows better then you what your alabaster box cost you... Do you love Him a little or much?
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Tue, Feb 7th - 11:08AM
Know God and Be Strong...
"And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries;
but the people that do know their God shall be strong , and do exploits."
Daniel 11:32
To know your God, not just by name or works; but by the intimacy of a relationship that allows one to walk within His presence no matter the place nor the time. This type of relationship comes out of a submissive and obedient life toward Him... The life that dies to self daily and desires to be filled with the Holy Spirit; to see the glory of the Lord. To live with the understanding that: "it is not about me... It is all about Him".
It is important at this point to ask where one stands on this understanding; you see the god served is the god that others see... One must stop and consider what is being projected as their god; Food, drink, entertainment, self, or religion. Is the god served the same God that Jesus served; would He recognize the thumbprint of His Father on that which is said to be done in His name? Whose name is being used, that of self or that of the Creator, the Author and Finisher of life?
Daniel makes mention in this verse that; "those who do wickedly against the covenant shall be deceived by flatteries." There are many examples brought into the world's view of those who have fallen within this arena of being corrupted by flattery, where they have turned all focus inward...
Yet, there is another part to the verse: "But the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits." Here within the words of Daniel lies a wonderful nugget of truth, a ray of Light to dispel the darkness and any shadow it desires to cast upon it... Those that do know their God shall be strong and do exploits. Exploits: a remarkable deed. He that profits from this exploit will be the Lord God Himself. It is not for our glory, but for His... It is not that others will turn their eyes upon those Christians, but that others would see Jesus, that there would be a sense of the very presence of God, experience a touch from the Holy Spirit...
Come, partake in this meal: breaking of bread and drinking of the drink offering that Jesus so willingly gave so that we might be saved, redeemed, made whole...
"And He said, 'Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.
Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried: but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand."
Daniel 12: 9-10
"the Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot."
Psalm 16:5
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Fri, Feb 3rd - 11:23AM
Not Ashamed...
"I will bless the Lord at all times:
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul shall make her boast in the Lord:
the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.
O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together.
I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
They looked unto Him, and were lightened:
and their faces were not ashamed."
Psalm 34:1-5
To read the Word of God, is to eat daily bread; a way of having Communion with Him. To seek His face, to know of His goodness, mercy and grace... To experience His deliverance of you from that which held you far away from Him. Look unto Him and be not ashamed; allow His glory to shine forth from you...
"This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him and delivereth them."
Psalm 34:6-7
How many testimonies have you heard of those who have also experienced His touch, and now speak of their release? Do these testimonies grow old and stale, or do we just forget the many blessings and healing's given to us?
When will we embrace the truth, and stand in the assurance of His promise to us; to never leave us, nor forsake us? Yet, we many times find ourselves once again doubting fearing and pleading for His release, healing or blessing... Is there such a place that keeps our feet from slipping; His peace about us, that abiding place that hides us from the sight of the enemy or is this also just words written in a book? When do we as Christians begin to live a victorious Christian Life, no matter the circumstances that surround us?
The answer is in His written Word; the Word that was in the beginning, was with God, and is true today that the Word was God...Within His Holy Spirit...
Come and taste...
"O taste and see that the Lord is good:
blessed is the man that trusteth in Him.
O fear the Lord, ye His saints:
for there is no want to them that fear Him."
Psalm 34: 8-9
Come enter into His presence...
Comment (2)
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Thu, Feb 2nd - 11:00AM
Great Care Needed...
"He spoke also this parable;
A certain man had a fig tree planter in his vineyard;
and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.
Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard,
Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree,
and find none:
cut it down;
why cumbereth it the ground?
And he answering said unto him,
Lord, let it alone this year also,
till I shall dig about it, and dung it:
And if it bear fruit, well:
and if not, then after that thou shall cut it down."
Luke 13:6-9
How great and merciful is our God! That He would allow for correction, not only within the nature of a tree, but within the very nature of man! Was this parable not used to teach repentance, to those who looked to entrap our Lord?
There seems to be an understanding of how the condition of the roots has to do with the production of the fruit. Sometimes the soil that the tree is planted in does not have enough of the nutrients that is needed for it to be productive; so fertilizer needs to be placed about the roots...the soil must first be loosened about it, before the fertilizer may reach the root system. Consider this when you take an account of your own walk with the Lord. If the Lord is holding a spade or shovel in His hand know; that there is root work to be done, much love and care is taken in this process, because if the roots are disturbed too much it could put the tree in shock, and leave it vulnerable to many other things...
This is not the same as the pruning seasons, where there is the cutting away of dry and dead limbs or branches...yet, both of these works are to allow the tree to be more fruitful, and to allow the condition of the tree to become stronger. So when the water is gentle allowed to soak about the trunk of the tree, it is a refreshing time...
If we would but remember that the Vineyard-dresser, Creator loves us, and desires the fruit produced from our lives to be seen as a testimony of His power, authority and love for us; we may be less likely to run from His presence, and more likely to be still within it.
How Great and How Awesome is He....Holy is the Lord!
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Wed, Feb 1st - 11:12AM
Rooted, Built Up, Established...
"As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord,
so walk ye in Him:
Rooted and built up in Him,
and established in the faith,
as ye have been taught,
abounding therein with thanksgiving."
Colossians 2:6-7
To be rooted in something is to have roots that go deep and receive nutrients from that which surrounds them; When one considers the roots of a mighty tree, where the roots run deep, and are always reaching for that source that feeds them... roots have the strength to creep into pipes, raise up and distort sidewalks and driveways, even the foundation of a house...
Yet, here is the very verse that speaks of being "rooted and built up in Him..." the healthier and deeper the roots, the stronger the tree. The longer a tree is left in a good environment with the proper amount of nutrients and sunshine, the more established this tree becomes; the less likely it is to be destroyed by parasites, disease or even drought... These things might leave scares on it, but it will not destroy the tree...A well established rooted tree will be able to with stand many storms without fear of destruction.
So Christians should be rooted and built up in Him, established in the faith...abounding with thanksgiving...As a trees roots tend to disrupt the area about them; so should the roots of a Christian...So it is the question to be asked:
How are the condition of your roots? Could it be said that they are deeply emerged in the Word of God, with Worship like sunshine streaming down upon your leaves and fruit? Are you known for your faith (established in Him)? Do your roots get a good soaking of the Living Water? If your roots were to be exposed would they be found cemented to the Rock, the Rock being Christ Jesus?
"As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him:"
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Name: Mrs. Taitano
