Nov 23, 2008


Vain Imaginations

Yesterday I wrote a blog entitled, "The WORD is Worth 1,000 Pictures" and in that blog I talked about the power of our imaginations. We operate, whether realizing it or not, based upon the mental pictures we paint with our thoughts.

In Chapter 1 of the book of Romans, the Apostle Paul lays out some very sound reasons why our imaginations can actually begin to work against us rather than for us, or better said, against the ways of God rather than in agreement with His master plan.

First, Paul writes:

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

What I see from these verses is that God has placed, or created, within every living creature an intuitive knowledge of right and wrong. When it talks about His wrath "is" revealed I believe it could be said that His wrath "has" been revealed for God "hath" shown it to them. People know when they are outside of God's way of life, there are no excuses.

But Paul goes on immediately after this and begins to list out, what I believe, is a set of progressive steps people can take that can lead to being turned over to a reprobate heart. In other words, steps that cause our own separation from God, not Him separating from us.

In verse 21 he describes what I consider to be four very crucial elements:

Because that, when they knew God,

(1) they glorified him not as God,
(2)neither were thankful;
(3) but became vain in their imaginations, and
(4) their foolish heart was darkened.

In connection with yesterday's blog, I want to talk for just a moment about No. 3, becoming vain in our imaginations. I found several dictionary definitions of the word vain that speak to my heart this morning.

To list a few:


  • excessively proud of or concerned about one's own appearance, qualities, achievements, etc.; conceited
  • ineffectual or unsuccessful; futile
  • not yielding the desired outcome; fruitless:
  • characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance; "a conceited fool"; "an attitude of self-conceited arrogance"; "an egotistical disregard of others"; "so swollen by victory that he was unfit for normal duty"; "growing ever more swollen-headed and arbitrary";
  • naving no real substance, value, or importance; empty; void; worthless; unsatisfying
Ouch! I have got to publicly state that at times, I see myself in some of those definitions. Quite often I am painting the wrong picture with my mind. But here's the point that I am trying to make through all of this. I believe, we cannot get to step No. 3, becoming vain in our imaginations, unless we have first committed the critical errors as shown in steps No. 1 and 2.

When we fail to glorify, or magnify God, and place the utmost value on Him, then inevitably, we will begin to fail to give thanks. We live in a world that is predominately thankless and according to this verse, that all started when they, or we, began failing in our glorification of God. In Timothy we read where a lack of thanks is one of top signs of the end of time, or the last days. We enter into the very gates of God with thanksgiving, and we enter His courts with praise. I guarantee when the former, glorifying God, really and truly becomes our primary focus, then the latter, having an attitude of thanks, will become virtually automatic.

Likewise, when we have failed to do the positive aspect of either of steps No.1 and 2, then, it is inevitable that we begin to become vain in our imaginations, No.3. A lack of praise and a lack of thankfulness are the first two signs that we are: (pick any definition of vanity from above), ouch!

As I mentioned yesterday, God's creativity will extend as far as your imagination will allow. But is it so very, very important that the pictures we paint, step No. 3, are a result of our obedience to the positive aspect of steps No. 1, and 2. It is then, and only then, that our thoughts begin to come in line with His will, His plan, and His loving perfection.

I hope to, at a later date, compose a blog on the issues related to item No. 4, but for the time being, my brain has enough to chew on. Thank you brethren for allowing me to express my thoughts and thank you in advance for your encouraging and challenging comments.

In closing, I would like to exhort you in the way of pointing you back to these ever-so-critical keys to remaining full of God which Paul has eloquently documented for us. I can assure you that no matter where you are in your walk with the Lord, no matter how far you may have drifted away, the keys to drawing yourself back closer to His presence are listed right here. God loves you immensely and He is never the one who withdraws from us.

I encourage you to go back to step No. 1 and begin from there. Glorify, magnify and praise His Holy name. Then begin to thank him for all He is, and has done, is doing, and for the things He shall do. Then you will begin to think thoughts that are in accordance with His will and as a man thinks in his heart, so is he.

In love,
Michael

at 12:31 PM 1 comments

Nov 20, 2008



The WORD is Worth 1,000 Pictures

For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he......
Proverbs 23:7 KJV


Imagination is a powerful force. Whether we realize it or not, we are constantly operating in the power of our imaginations. In other words, we think in the pictures.

I believe we actually have at least three sets of eyes. We have these outward physical eyes that allow us to see things that are in the physical realm. Additionally, we have these spiritual eyes that allow us to see glimpses of the heavenly realm, or through the Eyes of Our Heart. And then we have this internal set of eyes that is forever painting elaborate mental pictures, deep within our minds. It is with these eyes, in my opinion, that our lives go in the direction in which they do.

If I were come to your city and stop you on the street for directions, you would visualize, in your mind, the steps required for me to reach my desired destination. You would see, internally, each of the turns and roads required to get me there. You would not have this information instantly available. You could not immediately recite the directions without thought. You would have to dig into the internal photo album of your brain and bring to the forefront the picture, or map if you will, in accordance with your previous travels.

Thankfully, we have the ability, or the choice, to decide or control which pictures we keep on display. I know in my own life, there are some really dark photographs from a former life, that I have chosen to obliterate. Maybe I shouldn't use the word obliterate, because in actuality, they still remain, but I have chosen to no longer view those photos. They remain locked up and tucked away in an old unlabeled box way back in the corner of my attic. Covered with dust and worn by the elements, may they forever lay dormant, never used to give faulty directions again.

Occasionally, the enemy will start flipping through my photo album in an attempt to duplicate or replicate a picture of who I used to be. But I have come to realize that he, and the dark-toned brushes of his deception, are precisely that, deception. Sex, lies, and videotape. That's old news. I can't imagine following that worn out blueprint any longer.

One of the words that was used to translate imagination in the Old Testament is conceived. Our ear-gates and eye-gates are two major avenues of conception in our lives. From these venues come many of the internal slide shows which constantly play over and over again in our minds. While we cannot stop the reels from turning, we can however choose the film. We can grab the real reel, so to speak.

Our lives are going to go the direction of our most dominant thoughts. We are the cartographers that layout the navigational guidelines for this journey called life. As a man thinks in his heart, so is he. We cannot go anywhere in the natural that we have not first been in the mind. If we can see it, then we can be it.

That sin that so easily besets you, and those weights that continue to slow you down, they didn't just come upon you like a seizure. You've just been watching the wrong movie. James put it like this:

Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.


Thoughts produce actions. As a man thinketh so is he. I guess you could say that in accordance with your internal eyes, or as a result of the photos you see, there you are and there you go. Life achieved from thoughts perceived.

But how many of you know that our God is far greater than any Hollywood producer will ever be. He is the Master Artist. He always colors between the lines. God has created for us, in His Word, a powerpoint presentation like no other in history. He has composed multitudes of extraordinary, full color, and high resolution images and put them on his FTP site, available for all to download, free of charge.

If we load these images up in a slide show and watch them over and over again. Soon we will be able to impersonate Him. We can take on His expressions. We can quote lines from His movie. We can call all of our friends and tell them about some of our favorite scenes. We can even imagine what it would be like to have a role in the movie. We may even be called in for an audition. And, we can definitely pull up the map with our internal eyes and give impeccable directions to those that are lost, amen?

In closing, I would just like to encourage you to consider the pictures that are running through your mind today. What is it that is directing your life? Is it thoughts of who you were once were? Is it thoughts of all the things you are not, especially when you look in the mirror? Is it sex, lies, and videotape from days long since gone by?

Or, is it that you are seeing in the spirit that you are the very righteousness of God in Christ Jesus? Can you see yourself seated with Christ in the spirit realm? Can you see that you have already been blessed with every spiritual blessing? Can you see yourself healed? Can you see yourself as a conqueror, no, more than a conqueror? Can you see that you have been sanctified, set apart, filled with the Holy Ghost, and that all things have been made new?

There is one very consistent picture painted over and over again throughout the scriptures. The love of God. And that is a picture of an all-powerful, all-knowing, ever-present, and all-mighty God with His arms reached out and ready to embrace you. God's love for you is immeasurable. Get a picture of that. Paint your own picture of that. Use lots of colors and textures. Be creative. Be imaginative. Recreate the masterpiece.

And when you do, save that all important digital image using the greatest number of pixels possible, only limited by the amount of room you make available. And then, gather up some of the highest quality print paper you can find, load a brand new cartridge in to your high-tech printer, and print that bad boy out. Once printed, I recommend using thumb tacks, super-glue, and duct tape to permanently affix that image to the inside of your forehead.

After that, when the devil tries to find that old box of pics in the corner of your attic, and when things in this world begin to get you down, just simply look up, on the inside, and absorb the beauty of who God says you are, and what God says you have. God's creativity will extend as far as your imagination will allow. But don't stop there. God's love is the big picture, and that one picture is all you need to be forever entertained, sustained. And, as there is no limit to His love, likewise His love is not the limit. There is always more yet to be seen.

The WORD is Worth 1,000 Pictures


What is it that you want to see?

And that's a wrap! Now, on with the show!

In love,
Michael



at 7:17 PM 1 comments

Nov 14, 2008

Get Spirit = Get Holy
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Galatians 5:16 KJV

I love this verse. But almost as much as I love what it says, I love what it does not say. It does not say, that if we do not fulfill the lust of the flesh, then we will be walking in the Spirit. It just doesn't work like that. That is not a kingdom principle. Flesh-less, does not ensure Spirit-full. However, Spirit-full enables flesh-less.

"God can't fill a dirty vessel" Oh really? Well, I have news for you. God has no other type of vessel to fill. If we could get Holy on our own, then we would not need the Holy Spirit.

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

If we keep the commandments, then we have the love of God, right? Wrong. But if we love God, then we will keep the commandments!

You can live a holy life and not love God.
But you can't love God and not be holy.

We can preach about sin from now till doomsday. Being sinless is the fruit of knowing God and not the root. Big difference.

Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?


Wrath, smath....that's the wrong path. It is the goodness of God that leads a man to repentance!


The New Testament formula is:
Get Spirit = Get Holy

It's not Get Holy = Get Spirit





at 1:16 PM 0 comments

Oct 21, 2008

Out Of Order


Out Of Order


Something is terribly wrong. Things are out of order. The world is in chaos. But not for long!

As I wrote in a previous blog, I am thoroughly enjoying the book "Heaven" by Randy Alcorn. It has completely changed my perspective on eternity and the future state of the believers. I have come to a greater revelation that this future state is however, not only for believers. Well, let me rephrase that, it's not only for humans that believe. But a closer look at the Word of God teaches that it is all of creation that fell when sin entered the world, not just humans.

Everything is completely out of order. Nothing is as it should be. Life for not only us, but also for the animals, the plant life, the atmosphere, the galaxies, even the entire universe, since the fall of man, can be likened to fitting a square peg into a round hole. While it can be done, it often just takes too much effort and never feels quite right.

Often when we think of "creation" our thoughts are immediately drawn to thoughts of people. While God is most definitely the creator of people, He is also the creator of all things. Everything. Things we can see and things we cannot see.

For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:


All of creation cries out with an invisible cry, longing to be returned to the state in which they were designed to dwell. You can see this in the sad eyes of a puppy dog, or the squinted gaze of a cat perched in a window, longing for that which once was. You hear in the loud cracks of thunder that rumble the earth or fierce waves of the sea as they crash violently against a barrier wall. You can also see it by the fact that entire species of plants become extinct, extreme changes in weather patterns, or perhaps as a fallen star shoots across the sky. Everything is completely out of order.

Paul speaks in detail of this:

Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children,including the new bodies he has promised us. We were given this hope when we were saved. (If we already have something, we don’t need to hope for it. But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.)it.

You see, people, or believer's, are not the only ones that are groaning. Nor are we the only thing that is going to be redeemed. All of creation is. Notice these passages say "the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children ". It also says, "creation has been groaning......And we believers also groan" We are not the only ones suffering as a result of the curse. All of creation is. But not for long!

Here's the Good News!

And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

and......


Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.


Thank you Jesus!

The redemptive work of Christ goes way, way beyond the salvation of our souls. It extends to the renewal of all things. We shall live and move and breath on a brand new earth. And even greater than that is the fact that the new heaven itself will come and join itself with us and we shall live forever in the very presence of God.


Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

So my friends, take heart. You may have been starting to feel as though life has passed you by. Maybe physically or emotionally you are growing weary and you feel like your best opportunities are behind you. Perhaps dreams you once knew have crumbled, you marriage has fallen apart, or you have lost all hope.

I encourage you today to set your sights on eternity. Life on this current earth is but for a moment. While this world we live in can be filled with evil, deceit, and decay, the earth itself and all of creation was never intended to be that way. The great news is that we get to enjoy forever the wonderful experience of a brand new life on a brand new earth in brand new bodies and in the very presence of a God that will never ever change. Isn't that awesome news?

It get's greater later!

That's all I can share for today and besides this blog is growing too long already. The heart cannot absorb what the attention span cannot endure. Let me leave you with the following quote which I borrowed from Randy's book:


I once scorned ev'ry fearful thought of death,
When it was but the end of pulse and breath,
But now my eyes have seen that past the pain
There is a world that's waiting to be claimed.
Earthmaker, Holy, let me now depart,
For living's such a temporary art.
And dying is but getting dressed for God,
Our graves are merely doorways cut in sod.
-Calvin Miller

I love you brothers and sisters,
Michael

at 6:25 PM 1 comments

Oct 12, 2008

The Sun Rising in the West



Greetings brethren,

Grace and peace to you from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.

I have spent much time over the past several weeks following the Presidential campaign, listening to messages, and watching news videos. Normally, I would not consider myself one who follows politics nor can I say that I have honestly ever supported one particular party or another. However, recently I was given a message that was preached by Perry Stone and that very message has opened my eyes to some very frightening truths.

Friends, I encourage you with every fiber of my being to set aside some time and prayerfully listen to this message. It may be one the most important messages you have ever heard. Due to the size of the file, I have broken this message down into three parts and posted them at the end of this blog.

I have been self-debating on whether or not to attempt a post on this topic, but there is this voice deep inside of me that says every Christian and his brother needs to be aware of the bigger picture behind this election.

For many of the things I am about to say, I am unable to cite the original source. For this reason I have been reluctant to post this. However, Perry does cite many of them in his audio message and I will again encourage my readers the listen to it in it's entirety.

So what brother Michael, you may ask, is it that you are trying to relay? Well, I am glad you asked. What I am prayerfully asking you to consider is this: Is it possible that the current Democratic candidate for the the President of The United States of America is or has Muslim influence? Is there a bigger agenda that what the public wants us to see? I believe if you listen to the message and pay attention to the facts, that you cannot, beyond the shadow of a doubt, answer that question no.

Is there proof beyond a shadow of a doubt on this issue? Not that I have been able to gather. But the information does in fact present reasonable doubt as to his authenticity.

Consider that it has been stated by Islamic leaders that they intend to have complete control over the United States of America within the next 100 years. They also have stated that they will have people in places of power within the next 25 years. It is part of their overall agenda to get someone seated in the White House as soon as possible. Could it be that Obama has been groomed for a very long time now for this very purpose?

Supposedly he has had a lot of financial support from Islamic organizations. I have heard it said that they contributed substantially to his education. Again, I don't have proof of that but it has been said.

And then there are all those ties with the former Reverend Wright with many Muslims and Islamic leaders. I heard it stated that Reverend Wright himself was a former Muslim. Perry claims he has seen photos in which the Reverend Wright is posed with Islamic leaders and guess who also appears in those photos? That's right, Barrack Hussain Obama.

While I am not claiming that Obama is definitely a Muslim, the possibility does in fact exist. He does claim to be a Christian. And supposedly he has publicly stated that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. I suppose that could cause him some serious trouble if he were in fact a Muslim. But what bothers me is that the rest of the world sees him a a Muslim.


I have heard it said that in other parts of the world they believe that if your father was a Muslim you are automatically a Muslim. Supposedly, other parts of the country are in awe at the fact that we are about to elect a Muslim for president.


Too risky my friends. This candidate is much too risky.

There is so much more I wanted to share. But again, I don't have enough information to speak on this authoritatively. But before I finish. Let me present to you the following which is a quote from http://www.pakistanlink.com/religion/2000/05-12.html:

" The Qur’an and Sunnah tell us that this world is not a permanent place. It will end. Just as individuals die, so this cosmic order will die. Every thing will be destroyed and then the Day of Judgment will take place. Allah will then create a permanent or eternal world. There are many Surahs of the Qur’an that speak about the end of this world. But only Allah knows when the end will be. Allah says in the Qur’an, “Verily the Hour is coming - My design is to keep it hidden - for every soul to receive its reward by the measure of its Endeavor.” (Taha 20:15) Even the angel Gabriel (Jibril) and Prophet Muhammad -peace be upon both of them- did not know about the exact time of the Last Days. In the famous Hadith of Jibril, the Prophet -peace be upon him- was asked about the Last Hour and his answer to Jibril was “the one who is questioned does not know more than the questioner.” But the Prophet -peace be upon him- told us many signs of the Last Days and the Last Hour. Some are minor signs and some major signs. The scholars have collected from the Qur’an and Sunnah more than seventy signs of the Last Days. Some signs are ominous or disastrous. One of the disastrous signs is the “rising of the sun from the West”. When this will happen it would indicate the end is very near. There are many Ahadith in almost all books of Hadith that speak about this sign of the Last Hour. There are many reports in Al-Bukhari and they all agree that this will be a terrible sign. There are many people, who when they will see this sign, would rush to believe in Allah, but it will be too late for them. "



There is a large sect of the Muslim society that believe this passage is speaking prophetically of the spreading of Islam into the western cultures, particularly the United States of America. They believe that the "sun" represents a new leader who will shed the light of the Muslim beliefs.

Did you happen to notice the image of the current Presidential Seal I posted that the beginning of this blog? It is quite patriotic, would you agree? Well, take a look at the newly self-designed seal of the democratic candidate:




Looks a quite a bit different, would you agree?

So what's the point I am trying to make? Well, take a look at the very center of that seal. It's Obama's campaign logo. Do you see it? Let me blow it up a bit for you:

Does that look patriotic to you? Look again. What is it a picture of?

It's a picture of the “rising of the sun from the West”.


Pretty scary stuff.


My friends, please don't take this election lightly. This election goes way beyond race. It's not a black and white issue. It's not really even about the issues. It's certainly not about one particular party over another. This race is about us being One Nation Under God! Not Allah, but God. The one true God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, The Anointed One!

2:21And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:



May God Bless America!


Note: The enemy has been doing everything he possibly can to prevent me from posting this blog. Twice I have lost content prior to being able to save. I have had one heck of a time finding a site to host the files so that I could provide a link to them. And once I did find one, the files disappeared twice again. What a liar he is!

Also, I wanted to find a way to add these files to a playlist embedded within this blog but have not been successful in doing so. If you have some information you can provide as to an simple way to accomplish this it would be greatly appreciated. In the meantime, you will have to download the audio files from the following link. Once downloaded they will open right up in Media Player or some other device.



at 7:42 PM 0 comments

May 24, 2008

Who Made Satan?


Who Made Satan?

Recently I have been listening to an interesting message about who made Satan. I want to try and explain the basic concepts of this message in hopes of getting some input and or feedback from the body. I like this message. If this is true, it only proves even further that we serve a loving, caring God.

Before I begin to try and relay this theory, let me explain that the author of this message does in fact admit that some of his idea is speculatory. But it seemed to strike a chord of truth with me and I want to see if others have heard teachings along this same line.

Then there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon and his angels. And the dragon lost the battle, and he and his angels were forced out of heaven. This great dragon—the ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, the one deceiving the whole world—was thrown down to the earth with all his angels.

Most of us have grown to believe that Satan rebelled against God in Heaven and was thrown to earth along with one-third of the angels, right? While this has certainly been my belief according to Revelations chapter twelve, that story has never sat real well with me. Why would God place two innocent creatures in the middle of the Garden with this evil, demonic being? Just to see what their chances of survival would be? I don't think so. That's not The True Nature of God.

There is so much about about God's Word that I have yet to gain an understanding of. The book of Revelations especially. Like the author of the message I am speaking of says, he is not certain whether this passage is speaking in symbolism or not. One thing that strikes me about the verses posted above is the fact that Satan is described as being the one already deceiving the whole world. According to the way I was taught, and if Satan was cast out of Heaven before mankind was created, then how could he have been deceiving the world already? The "world" did not yet exist. I don't know. Maybe I am just reading that wrong. But anyway, for the purposes of discussion, let's put these verses aside for a moment and let me continue with these thoughts according to the message. By the way, I am posting a link to this audio message at the end of this blog for those of you who would like to listen to it for yourselves.

Here's the basic concept:


God didn't create Satan. God created Lucifer. Man made Satan.

Lucifer was created as an angelic being. He was the anointed cherub.

And God never said to any of the angels,

“Sit in the place of honor at my right hand
until I humble your enemies,
making them a footstool under your feet.”

Therefore, angels are only servants—spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation.


Angels were created to care for people.

So what if Lucifer was still in his perfect anointed state when God sent him to the earth? Is it possible that the transgression did not happen until after the creation of Adam? Could it be that God's plan was to send Lucifer as a ministering spirit for them?

Some people believe that the following passages found in Ezekiel are actually speaking about Lucifer. Let's take a look:

13 You were in Eden, the garden of God;
 Every precious stone was your covering:
The sardius, topaz, and diamond,
Beryl, onyx, and jasper,
Sapphire, turquoise, and emerald with gold.
The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes
Was prepared for you on the day you were created.
 14 “ You were the anointed cherub who covers;
 I established you;
You were on the holy mountain of God;
 You walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones.
15 You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created,
 Till iniquity was found in you.


He was in Eden, the Garden of God. Who else was in the Garden? Timbrels and pipes? Wasn't Lucifer the worship leader? Could this be speaking of musical instruments built into this angelic being? Was Lucifer in the Garden in his perfect created state? Was he there to minister to Adam and Eve?

Is it possible that the transgression against God happened after the creation of man?

1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the heavens, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 1:27 And God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. 1:28 And God blessed them: and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the heavens, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.


As we see in these verses God granted great authority to mankind. We were created to be the gods of this world:

82:6 I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.


Isn't it possible that Lucifer became jealous of man? Did he see this as an opportunity to finally gain the power and recognition that he had always wanted? Angelic power is a designated power. In other words, God could remove that power anytime he saw fit. But the power and authority He gave to man was irrevocable. He gave mankind dominion over this earthly realm and He would not go back on that promise. It became a law of God. (That's why Jesus had to come as a man by the way) Because man had authority over this earth it took a human body to house God's spirit and regain control. But that's another blog.

Is it possible that Lucifer saw the innocence of Adam and Eve and recognized their vulnerability and it was at this point that he rebelled against God?

And if this is so, could it not be said that because man fell for his deception that at this point we turned over our earthly authority to him unknowingly and, because of this it was actually man that made Satan?

Satan is operating on human authority only. He has no supernatural powers. The only power Satan has is that which we allow him. He cannot do anything without our cooperation. The old saying "the devil made me do it" is nothing but a cop-out.


The devil is a punk!
Anyway, that's all I have time to write for now. I thought this was a very interesting concept. How about you? What do you think? I would love to hear your thoughts, beliefs, arguments, or any other comments.

Here's the link to the audio file. I would suggest right-clicking it then choose "save as". Once it downloads it will open right up in Media Player.









Type rest of the post here

at 8:47 AM 3 comments

Apr 25, 2008

Jesus, The Great Mediator

One of the dictionary definitions of a mediator is "one who intervenes between two disputing parties"

There a several great examples of mediators in scripture. One of the ones that amazes me is found in the the book of Exodus, Chapter 32. The people had resorted to worshipping hand made gods and were offering sacrifices unto them. But Moses stood in as a mediator to negotiate with God against His wrath. Let's look as a short passage of that chapter:

32:7 And the LORD said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted [themselves]: 32:8 They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These [be] thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. 32:9 And the LORD said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it [is] a stiffnecked people: 32:10 Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation. 32:11 And Moses besought the LORD his God, and said, LORD, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand? 32:12 Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people.32:13 Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit [it] for ever. 32:14 And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people.


Wow! Look at Moses in verse 12 asking God to repent. And then look at verse 14, And the Lord repented! I would have to say that Moses did a pretty good job of mediating, wouldn't you?


The Lord repented! Wow!


Another famous mediator was Abraham. This is a familiar passage of scripture to most. Abraham was negotiating with God when He was about to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah.

Let's look at a brief passage of that exchange of dialogue.

18:22 And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the LORD. 18:23 And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked? 18:24 Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that [are] therein? 18:25 That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? 18:26 And the LORD said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes. 18:27 And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which [am but] dust and ashes: 18:28 Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for [lack of] five? And he said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy [it]. 18:29 And he spake unto him yet again, and said, Peradventure there shall be forty found there. And he said, I will not do [it] for forty's sake. 18:30 And he said [unto him], Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak: Peradventure there shall thirty be found there. And he said, I will not do [it], if I find thirty there. 18:31 And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord: Peradventure there shall be twenty found there. And he said, I will not destroy [it] for twenty's sake. 18:32 And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy [it] for ten's sake.

That was pretty bold of Abraham to keep on pushing the limit, would't you say? Now we all know from further on in the story that not even ten righteous people could be found and God ended up destroying Sodom and Gomorrah and only one person escaped that destruction, and that was Lot. This is my opinion, and it's the only opinion I have, is that Abraham could have negotiated and got God down to one. I believe God would have agreed to save that city if even one righteous person could be found. But Abraham did a very good job of mediating, don't you agree?


And then, with one last example, I want to speak of an even greater mediator. His name is Jesus!

Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.
Hebrews 8:6 KJV


And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions [that were] under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.


And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than [that of] Abel.


For [there is] one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;


Jesus is the mediator of the new covenant. He is the greatest mediator of all times! He is the link between us and God!

I hear people speak about how God is going to judge America. That God is about to pour out His wrath on us because we have drifted so far away from Him. While I completely agree that we have drifted away, and that we are self-destructing, I disagree that God's judgement and His wrath are about to be poured out on us.


If Moses can beg God to repent from His wrath and spare the people and becaue of this, God repented. And Abraham can negotiate with God to spare the people of Sodom and Gomorrah, and nearly succeed. Don't you think that Jesus can do at least that good of a job mediating with God on our behalf?


Believing that God is about to judge America is a great big slap in the face of Jesus. It's like saying, "thanks, for all you've done, but it wasn't quite enough" Ouch!

Friends, God's wrath was poured out on Jesus, Every bit of it. He is well pleased. Not with us. Not because of our own good deeds, But because His Son took the punishment that we deserved. All of it!

Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put [him] to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see [his] seed, he shall prolong [his] days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. 53:11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, [and] shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.



God is not angry! God loves you! God is Love!
Praise Him for that!
Worship Him for that!
Exalt His Holy Name!

1:10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, [even] Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.


5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
1 Thessalonians 5:9 KJV



Jesus, I thank you and praise you for what you have done, are doing, and will continue to do for me. Thank you for not giving us what we deserve. You are my King!

Amen!

at 1:56 PM 2 comments

Apr 22, 2008

I Am Glad I Didn't Walk With Jesus



I Am Glad I Didn't......
walk-jesus.jpg picture by MichaelATL42
Well, Sort of....

Of course I am speaking here about walking with him in the natural, walking with Him in the flesh. In other words, walking with Him during His earthly ministry.

Walking with Jesus would have been an incredible experience. Watching Jesus perform miracles. Watching Him teach the multitudes. Watching Him spread love and rebuke religion. That would have been amazing. Just being in his presence on a daily basis would have been unforgettable. But would it have been better than what we have available in Jesus today? Would it have been better than walking with him in the Spirit?

Think about it. The disciples had to deal with Jesus in his flesh. They saw him get hungry. They saw him sweat. They saw him get tired. They saw him sleep. They saw him use the bathroom. They had to see the human side of Jesus. I can imagine that Jesus even stunk. I know that sounds bad but they didn't have Motel 6's back then. No one was leaving the light on for Him. As much as they traveled in the heat with no change of clothes and no place to bath, I can imagine you could smell Jesus coming a mile away. I believe it is for some of these exact reasons that some, if not all of them, had to deal with periods of unbelief.

But we have an even greater means of knowing Jesus. We can develop even greater levels of belief. We have the Written Word to study and meditate on. We have the privilege of learning from others who have gone before us. The prophets of old longed to have the ability to see and hear the things we can see and hear today.

For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

Not only do we have the privilege of the written Word and the knowledge of those that have gone before us, but we have an even greater gift from whom we gain understanding. The Holy Spirit of God! Jesus in fact said that it would be to our advantage if he leaves.

But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou? But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart. Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

What a great gift it is to have the spirit of God available to each of us, and within each of us who believe. To teach us and guide us. To reveal things of the future and give us understanding of things of the past. Yes, walking with the physical Jesus would have been just awesome, but what we have, because he went away, is even greater!

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

We are to walk by faith and not by sight. Blessed is he that has not seen, yet still believes! I have often thought how great it would be to hear an audible voice from God. But now that I think about it, it just might ruin me. For if God spoke to me today, and then tomorrow silence, I would be devastated. I would be wondering what in the world I did to cause Him to leave. I would be spending the rest of my natural life trying to perform just to get God to speak to me one more time! But he speaks to me every day right now, he speaks through His Word.

For we walk by faith, not by sight!


Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.


Thank you Jesus for revealing yourself to us in your Word and by the power of your Spirit. It's great walking with you!


What a man! What a plan! What a God!


at 11:55 AM 1 comments

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