I have been compiling a series of these videos from God's Promises For Your Every Need. This one presents scriptures for meditation when troubles have hit your life. I hope you will let these verses speak to your heart.
Jul 28, 2009
God's Promises For Your Every Need - Troubles
Apr 14, 2009
Eve Had Second-Hand Word
Eve Had Second-Hand Word
Most of us are quite familiar with the story that describes the temptation of Eve. We know how the devil used his tactics of deceit to get Eve to doubt what God had said. But what I aim to point out in this little blog is that Eve, didn't really know God's word. Eve was relying on second-hand information.
Here's a very familiar passage:
Here's a very familiar passage:
3:1Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? 3:2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: 3:3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
What I ask you to pay particular attention to is Eve's reply to the serpent in verses 2 and 3. Eve said, "We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. "
Sounds like a legitimate response does it not? There's only one small problem that I notice here. God never said "neither shall ye touch it". Where in the world did she get that from?
Eve either made that up all on her own, or that's the way Adam had explained it to her. Either way, that's not exactly what God had spoken. The command not to touch the tree was never given, at least not to the best of my knowledge.
Here's the original command as given to Adam:
2:16And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 2:17But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
God didn't say, "neither shall ye touch it", Eve said that.
Now this may seem like it's not really a big deal. But I say that it is a great big deal. Anytime we add something to, or take away from the word of God, we have imparted traditions and doctrines of men and thereby made the word of God of no effect. Religion is famous for that.
I believe that the added or additional contingency about not touching the tree played a big part in why Eve eventually did eat of the tree. Take a close look at the following verse:
3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
Eve got deceived in to thinking that eating of that tree would somehow make her more like God. The truth is that she was actually more like God before she ate of the tree than after. But the point I am trying to make is, that according to the way this verse is punctuated, what did eve do first before she ate of the tree? She touched it. She, "took of the fruit thereof".
It's very possible that Eve, having already been deceived, first reached out to touch the tree and held it for a while. And when she realized that touching the fruit didn't kill her, she wrongfully assumed right there that God's word must not be true. The problem with that is the word she thought she had, wasn't really God's word.
Only after touching it, and continuing to live, then did she eat thereof. Had Eve known the truth, I am certain that the truth would have set her free.
6:23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!
It's very possible that Eve, having already been deceived, first reached out to touch the tree and held it for a while. And when she realized that touching the fruit didn't kill her, she wrongfully assumed right there that God's word must not be true. The problem with that is the word she thought she had, wasn't really God's word.
Only after touching it, and continuing to live, then did she eat thereof. Had Eve known the truth, I am certain that the truth would have set her free.
6:23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!
I am going to cut this blog off right here cause I already feel like I could write a few pages from this point. But hopefully you can see from this example why it is ever so important that we, as individuals, get into the bible and discover for ourselves what it says. Too often we just take someone else's interpretation. I am certainly not trying to condemn anyone here, that's for sure. Because I myself have been, and still am guilty of this to some extent. It's so much easier just to listen to some audio message or watch a few videos. Maybe read a daily devotional or live the entire week just based upon what your pastor said. We need to have God's true word written on our hearts.
Eve really didn't know what God's word said. Eve had a form of truth, but it wasn't the whole truth. Had she know the real truth, perhaps she would have been that much more reluctant to to finally eat of the forbidden fruit.
Don't take man's word as basis for your doctrinal truths. Please, take some time today and every day to let the Word of God speak directly to you.
7:13 Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.
In love,
Michael
Related Blogs: 999 Trees, Thank God for Death
Apr 11, 2009
My Wonderful Life
My Wonderful Life
A couple of ways that the dictionary defines the word wonderful is that which is fantastic, extraordinarily good, or great. When I speak of how my life is absolutely wonderful, I can't honestly say that it finds it's home in either one of those definitions. Yet, I say that my life is wonderful because I am, and may always be, full of wonder.
So what does that mean? Here's how the dictionary defines the word wonder:
So what does that mean? Here's how the dictionary defines the word wonder:
- have a wish or desire to know something; "He wondered who had built this beautiful church"
- the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
- place in doubt or express doubtful speculation; "I wonder whether this was the right thing to do"; "she wondered whether it would snow tonight"
- something that causes feelings of wonder; "the wonders of modern science"
- be amazed at; "We marvelled at the child's linguistic abilities"
- curiosity: a state in which you want to learn more about something
Now here in these definitions I can see some of myself. Particularly in the last definition. "curiosity: a state in which you want to learn more about something". God has placed within me this marvelous desire to know more about Him. It's fantastic!
The bible has much, much to say about knowledge; knowledge of God and His Son. In fact, Jesus himself said that knowing, or having knowledge of God and the One that He sent, is in and of itself, eternal life. Eternal life is knowing God.
There are so very many verses that prove this all important truth about knowing God. Knowing God is the answer to the worlds problems. It's that powerful. What the world needs is God's grace. And not only His grace, but the peace that comes along with it. I believe that both grace and peace are truly a free gift from God. They are both imparted into the spirit of every born-again believer. But that my friends is not where this knowing God issue is to end.
If we like the grace and the peace that comes from the born-again experience, then continuing to know God and His Son more and more, only magnifies, or amplifies if you will, those two ever crucial and ever so desirable gifts.
Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
And that brings me a new definition for which I present. The word marvel. Here are a few ways the dictionary defines it:
- wonder: be amazed at; "We marvelled at the child's linguistic abilities"
- express astonishment or surprise about something
- wonder: something that causes feelings of wonder; "the wonders of modern science"
To me those seem like rather worldly definitions. But I can relate to "something that causes feelings of wonder". Knowing God is marvelous. And the more we know, the more we want to know. He most definitely causes within us feelings of wonder.
The word marvel from the Greek is the word tamahh{taw-mah'}. It means:
- to be astounded
- be stunned
- be amazed
- be dumbfounded
Based upon those definitions, I can honestly say that I often marvel over the things of God. His amazing love is at times more than my peanut-sized brain can fathom. He is truly amazing.
I also find it quite interesting that I find in scripture only two occasions when Jesus himself marvelled over something. One time he marveled over the unsuspected faith of a Roman soldier:
We read:
8:5And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, 8:6And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. 8:7 And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. 8:8 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. 8:9For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. 8:10 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. Matthew 8:5-10
Jesus was astounded, stunned, amazed, and dumbfounded by the level of understanding that this man had. Jesus literally marveled at his faith.
The second time I see that Jesus was marvelled comes from a not-so positive instance. Jesus had entered back into His own home town to teach but He could do no mighty work there because they knew Him. But they knew Him not according to who He was in the spirit, but only according to who He was in the flesh.
Let's read:
6:1 And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him. 6:2 And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this [man] these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands? 6:3Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him. 6:4 But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. 6:5 And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. 6:6 And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.
Jesus was astounded, stunned, amazed, and dumbfounded by their level of unbelief.
So what does this tell me? This tells me that there are only two things that really cause Jesus to stand up and take notice. Great faith and great unbelief. I really don't think He even sees a middle ground. There is no gray area. Maybe that's why He told us that he would rather we either be hot, or cold, not lukewarm?
3:16So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
Friends, I title this blog, "My Wonderful Life" because knowing God, and getting to know Him more and more is what makes this life wonderful. When I think of His wonderful love and his amazing plan I am astounded, stunned, amazed, and dumbfounded. It really and truly is marvelous.
Therefore I wonder. I wonder How Jesus sees me. I certainly hope that He would see me as marvelous. Not marvelous because of my unbelief, yet marvelous because of my unwavering faith. Have you ever asked yourself that question? What do you think his viewpoint of you would be?
In love,
Michael
Feb 2, 2009
God's View Of Those Who Gossip
God's View Of Those Who Gossip
How does God feel about people who gossip? Ephesians 4:29 says:
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
And then the following verse says:
And grieve not the holy Spirit of God........
The implication is that when "corrupt communication" comes out of a believer's mouth, it causes the Holy Spirit to be grieved.
You see, gossip is a sin that grieves the Holy Spirit. Did you notice that Paul calls it "corrupt communication"? This phrase comes from the Greek word phaulos, which refers to something that stinks or to something that is rotting, such as meat that is full of maggots. This kind of communication is dead, decaying, and it stinks. It is offensive to the Spirit of God and it grieves Him.
Gossip is so destructive and offensive that Paul forbids gossip in Second Corinthians 12:20. In this verse Paul says:
For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall notfind you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:
Did you see the word "whisperings"? This is the the Greek word psithurimos, which means gossip! To make sure we know how evil gossip is, Paul lists it side by side with several other horrible attitudes and actions. Gossip is right smack dab in the middle of that list. So what does that tell you about what God thinks of gossip and those who are involved in the act of gossipping?
Let's be sure we understand what the word "gossip" describes. It describes a person who habitually reveals personal or sensational facts, rumors, or reports of an intimate nature that are none of his business.
For instance, gossip would include:
Talking about other people's business and things that do not concern you.
Repeating what someone else said, even though you don't know whether or not it's true.
Talking to others as if you were an authority about matters that are other people's business, when in reality you don't know what you are taking about.
In a certain sense gossip is like a deadly poison. It hurts people; it kills relationships; and it destroys trust. In the workplace, "gossip" usually happens between two employees who have become friends and feel like they can truly "share"with each other. They are often people who have been offended or hurt by the one who is the subject of their gossip. Therefore, every rumor they hear becomes a "choice morsel" to share with the other offended party. This is what Proverbs 18:8 is talking about when it says:
The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man's inmost parts.
Gossip is usually based on hearsay; it is usually inaccurate; it creates suspicion; and it divides people. It is so evil that we, the body of believers, should absolutely forbid it in our lives.
It is interesting to note that the Greek word for gossip means to whisper. This means that gossip almost always takes place in secret. Just think about it - where does gossip usually take place? If you have engaged in gossip in the past, you probably listened to someone tell you the information or hearsay about other people, which you then whispered to someone else:
In the women's or men's bathroom at the office.
In your office when the doors were closed and no one was watching or listening.
In the lunch-break room when it was only you and the person to whom you were talking.
In a prayer meeting, where people often whisper about others under the camouflage of "prayer".
In a corner where the boss, director, pastor, or subject of your gossip couldn't hear what you were saying.
Or maybe even right here on MyChurch in private messages to others.
You need to know that gossipers usually attract to each other like magnets. When they get together, they see things alike and therefore begin to think they are right. Thus, they form a little faction right inside the office or church, often concluding that they are doing God's business as they meet together to discuss all the problems going on in other people's lives, even though it isn't their business to discuss or solve these problems or to meddle in other people's affairs.
Since the word gossip really means to whisper, it would be good when you are about to tell something you've heard to first ask yourself: Would I say these things publicly? Would I say this in front of the person I am talking about? If your answer is no, you can conclude that you shouldn't say it privately either.
So I urge you not to allow the devil to snag you and drag you into the sin of gossip. James 3:8 tells us:
But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
But you can refuse to be the source of gossip or to participate in it when it takes place. If you really love Jesus, why would you want to participate in something that will poison people's opinions and ultimately divide and hurt others? Think of it - if it were you whom people were talking about, wouldn't it be hurtful to you to discover that they were talking this way behind your back?
It's too hurtful to get into this business! If you have to whisper it, then you probably shouldn't be saying it at all. In fact, a good rule to live by is this: If you can't say it publicly, don't say it at all! Make that decision today to refrain from gossip and to stay away from those who practice it!
My Prayer For Today
Lord, I admit that I'm guilty of occasionally talking behind other peoples backs, and I'm wrong for doing it. I ask You to please forgive me for allowing the devil to use me in this way. I am asking You to help me keep a tight reign on my tongue and to refrain from gossiping about other people. When I find myself in a situation where the conversation turns to gossip, help me know how to graciously dismiss myself from the conversation so I can avoid participating in this sin and falling back into this trap. I repent for my activity in gossip, and I turn from it in Jesus name!
Questions For You To Consider:
2. Sometimes gossip happens during prayer meetings. Have you ever witnessed a moment when a prayer request turned into a gossip session, and you felt guilty for talking so badly about that person before you prayed for him or her?
3. If you've been involved in gossip, have you sensed the conviction of the Holy Spirit trying to tell you to stop this activity?
In love,
Michael
Note: This message was taken in part from Sparkling Gems From The Greek by Rick Renner
Jan 6, 2009
Recycle That Tree
It's been several years since I brought a Christmas tree into my home and decorated it. It's not that I think there is something wrong with it, it's just that I personally don't celebrate Christmas in that traditional fashion any longer. I want to remind you, if you have still not removed your tree from your home, by now I am certain that it has become dry and brittle, and because of that, it is an extreme fire hazard, My advice would be to get that tree out of your home and into a recycle center ASAP!
I mention this because while on my morning train ride today, as I was reading in Psalm Chapter 1, the thought occurred to me that it is God's desire for us to be evergreen. There really should be no time in our lives when we are dormant and bearing no fruit. Not only are we to be prosperous, but our leaves, our experiences, circumstances, and life situations, even life itself, are not to ever wither, yet they are to be green and full of life all year long.
And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
Out of curiosity, I went to the dictionary this morning in hopes of getting fresh new insight into the word "evergreen". There are some very interesting definitions indeed, but the one that spoke most to my heart was as follows:
"having green leaves throughout the entire year, the leaves of the past season not being shed until after the new foliage has been completely formed."
Wow, to me that definition, particularly the ending statement, speaks volumes. There are so many ways to apply that directly to our walk with the Lord. Does that line also speak to you? I encourage you to read that last part again, only slower, and then feel free to share what the Lord speaks to you. I'd love to hear your thoughts.
The tree you see in the first photo is in pretty rough shape, would you agree? It's in a terribly risky state and in extreme danger of being burned to a crisp. What happened to this tree to cause it's leaf to wither, for it to dry up and die. The answer is ever so simple. It became severed from the vine. Chopped down at the roots. Jesus said it like this:
Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned.
Throw away that dead tree as soon as you possibly can my friend. Your own life and the lives of all those around you are in extreme danger because of it's dry, brittle, and withered state. One little spark and your entire world could be up in flames, and I assure you, you do not want that to happen.
Speaking of your own life, I ask you, are you becoming withered, dry, and brittle? Is there a chance that you are on the verge of being burned? Does the thought of even one little spark frighten you and send chills up your spine? The answer to that problem is simple beloved. The answer remains in the vine!
In love,
Michael
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