-
Jesus Breaks Every Chain
Break Every Chain
words/music by Will Reagan
unitedpursuitbandThere’s a story in the Bible about a madman, a demon-possessed man, who could not be chained, shackled, suppressed, controlled, or tamed by anyone. My how they tried! They might get the shackles on for a moment, but before long, SNAP! The chains would fly off, and the man would be on the prowl again.
IF, I repeat, IF, you wanted to find him (though I’m not sure why you would want to), he usually hung out at the local cemetery. No chains, no clothes, no hassles. Unless, of course, someone came along to pester him.
While it’s true no one could shackle him, it is just as true he was not a free man. He was bound by a much stronger force than anything man could create or concoct. He was bound by evil spirits whose sole desire was to steal, kill, and destroy.
He was bound, shackled and tortured by demonic chains! Though he lived “free” among the tombs, and though no one could control him or even communicate with him, he was not a free man.
How did all this happen? When did this change “come over” the man? What was he like before he became bound by the devil? Scripture doesn’t give the answer for those specific questions. The best we can do is surmise a guess based on principles revealed in the Word.
For instance, Proverbs reveals, “Pride goes before destruction…” (16:18). We know that was one of the issues the prince of darkness, The Rebellion’s Leader, had problems with. Pride opens the “door” for thoughts, actions, and even manifestations of the evil one.
Isaiah 14 reveals another aspect of Lucifer’s problem. It wasn’t just pride, but a discontented heart. He wasn’t content with the ministry the Most High gave him. No, he wanted elevated to THE Highest place. He felt he could do better than the One Who created him. Discontented and Anointed with Power, Authority, Beauty, and a following of others spelled trouble, division, and ultimately a change in Heavenly leadership. A new worship leader had to be found.
This could be the reason the madman was like he was. It’s possible. He could have been an associate rabbi at a local synagogue. He could have felt his messages were far better than those of the senior rabbi. The more he thought about it, the more others reinforced those ideas with words like, “brother, you really are a great teacher/preacher. You ought to have your own church. We get much more out of your messages than our rabbi,” then the more he was convinced. Things like that can turn many a head. And, turn the head far enough, it just might fall off.
Something else might have happened. Someone could have really upset him. Maybe made him the laughingstock of all their jokes. Maybe they lied about him and ruined his reputation. Maybe…maybe he felt like others were putting him down, ridiculing him and not appreciating him enough.
How do you handle the words of others, aimed as arrows at your heart, words you know are untrue? Do the actions of others draw you into feelings of retaliation, or extreme depression?
What did Jesus do when people attacked Him like that? He did just what James said to do. “So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (4:7)
There are other things that might have been the reason the man was being controlled by demons. Maybe raised in a home that worshiped everything EXCEPT the One True God. I’m not saying his parents were evil personified, but just “living for the almighty dollar”, or “living and working for the weekend, for recreation, for football, for a party, etc” is a form of worship many in this day and age ascribe to. Worshiping anything or anyone other than God Almighty and His Son Jesus Christ will only leave a void in one’s life. That void CAN be filled with habits or spirits that bind a person with unbreakable bonds.
But this blog isn’t just about how chains can be applied, or how a man can lose control of his life. This is about FREEDOM. It’s about Jesus, and His ability, desire, anointing to break EVERY chain!
The Kingdom of God isn’t just about words. It’s about Heaven’s Authority AND Power changing things on earth. Jesus said, “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth as it is in Heaven.” And He meant it.
The madman was changed by the Kingdom of God. The woman at the well was changed by the same power. The Widow of Nain’s son was raised from the dead by the Word of Heaven!
And, regardless of the reasons for your chains, you can be free as well.
Free! Jesus breaks every chain. There’s IS power in the Name of Jesus!
-
Sing A New Song…or Three or Four
A good friend of mine, Greg Doll, and I got together today just to play some music,
encourage each other, and bless the Lord. Enjoy!There Is A Love by Jan Grace
The Robber by Greg Doll
A Place Set For Me by Jan Grace
You Are The Reason by Greg Doll
My Passion, Purpose, Reason by Jan Grace
I will set the Lord always before me, for He is my Strength, my Joy, my Life.
-
Some “Friendly” Advice
I really miss watching Bob Ross on television. Besides being one super artist, he was fun to watch and listen to. He’d talk about “friendly” clouds, trees, streams…he was one of the most “friendly” guys ever to be on the tube.
That’s why I used his “likeness” when I decided to write about “friends”.
Friends. Not just Facebook kind of friends, mere “followers” or acquaintances, but friends.
Friends. The dictionary defines “friend” as “one attached to another by affection or esteem”. Another definition says, “a person who has a strong liking for and trust in another”.
Friends. One of the most valuable “things” a person can have. A person could have all the money, power, land in the world; in fact, they could even own the moon. But without a friend, who can they share it with? Who can they trust?
The Word of God has much to say about friends. Who would know better than God? After all, He created the heavens and the earth. Everything seen and unseen was created by Him and for Him. But after 5 days, He wasn’t satisfied. He had no one to share His handiwork with. Pigeons and elephants were great, fish were wonderful, and birds were something else!
But the animal kingdom couldn’t attach themselves to Him by affection or esteem. Not like someone created in His image. So He made man, His best forever friend.
Studying the friendship between God and Adam should give us some advice about how friends should treat one another.
For instance, God gave Adam free reign of the garden, with one exception. One tree. A friend will have boundaries and a true friend will respect them. Manipulating your “friend”, making them feel bad or coercing them, because they have something you want but can’t get, is violating your friendship. God never laid a guilt trip on Adam, even though He told Adam some tough things.
God allowed Adam to be involved in God’s business. He let Adam set up the garden, name the animals, and look for a friend he could connect with. I think Adam and God talked about this issue, with the discussion sounding something like this:
Adam: “God, You’ve really created quite a world. Everything is neat and orderly, so majestic and beautiful. You’re quite good, you know. All these friendly trees, and birds, and animals, and…”
God: “But you’re not happy, are you, Adam?”
Adam: “No, really God…”
God: “Adam, I can tell. All these things are wonderful to see, but you need something more. I know you, Adam. You’re too much like Me to want to live life without a friend.”
Adam: “Yes, Lord, You’re absolutely right. I need someone besides You, no offense, God; but I need someone else I can attach myself to.”
God: “I tell you what I’ll do. If you’ll show yourself friendly, I’ll make you a forever friend. Give of yourself and see. Release part of yourself, just a rib will do. Give and it will be given to you, pressed and formed together. Something that will capture your heart, mind, and body.”Well, Adam agreed and the rest is history.
The Word says, “He who desires friends, must show himself friendly.”
Real friends stick together, through thick and thin. Loyal to one another, despite the peril one may be facing. Could this be why Adam ate of the tree, after seeing Eve succumb to the slimy words of the serpent? Did Adam watch Eve change from life to death and decide to stay with her? Is that why he ate the fruit? Just wondering out loud.
Friends aren’t afraid of the advice a friend gives them. Trust is the reason why. Friends confide in each other. Yes, because of trust.
Friends would rather take a beating, than give up on a friend. A true friend will even, if necessary, give their life so a friend can live. Friend, I’m not just referring to Jesus!
Friends guard what they say about their friends, and defend the honor and reputation of their friends when necessary. The words they speak to and about their friends are healing, uplifting, guarding, and redemptive words.
As with the paralytic and his 4 friends mentioned in Luke chapter 5, friends grab hold of their friend’s need or problem. They work in harmony with other friends to help their friend rise up from their problems to live a life of joy and productivity.
Of course, I’ve described Jesus ministry as a Friend to the world, to you, to me.
But the Lord has made it clear, “You are My friends if you do what I’ve told you to do.”
What did He tell us to do? To “follow in His steps.” In other words, do likewise. “As He is, so are we in this world.”
Be a friend indeed.
-
Walk Like An Egyptian?
Interesting song, this one called Walk Like An Egyptian. For some goofy reason, I found myself thinking about it this morning as I set my feet down on our bedroom floor. (Couldn’t handle the Michael Jackson dance, so I went Bluegrass with the Cleverly’s)
Egyptians. Seems like there is a story or two in the Bible about Egyptians. I’m thinking of the one where God sent Moses to deliver the Israelites from Egypt, out of slavery and bondage.
You see, God heard the groaning and cries of the people He loved and sent a deliverer equipped with the necessary authority and power to make the Israelites free indeed. He told them, and showed them, that He would bring them out of bondage into a land of abundance and freedom.
Well, after a few miracles, plagues, and the like, the Israelites were on their way! No more would they have to deal with the evil antics of the Egyptians! All they had to endure was God’s love, provision, instructions, AND, their cravings.
After just a short while, they began to forget what they were delivered from. They moaned and complained about how God was treating them. Instead of walking like they were free, they started acting as though they still were wearing chains.
Same is true for us. 1 Corinthians 10 tells us that the things that happened back then were written for our instruction, so we wouldn’t lose out with God like the Israelites did. One of the main reasons they lost out? They wouldn’t change their walk.
They still tried to walk like the Egyptians on the way to the Promised Land!
Many believers today are trying to do the same thing. Trying to walk as a slave while walking the path of righteousness. It doesn’t work.
It’s time to set and keep our sights on the new life, the new walk, and the Promises of God.
No more Walking Like The Egyptians…
It’s time to WALK LIKE THE REDEEMED!
AMEN !
I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh (Galatians 5:16 NKJV)
See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil (Ephesians 5:15 – 5:16 NKJV)
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another (Galatians 5:25 – 5:26 NKJV)
And now I plead with you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we have had from the beginning: that we love one another. This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it (2 John 1:5 – 1:6 NKJV)
Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (Ephesians 5:6 – 5:8 NKJV)
And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. (Ephesians 5:2 NKJV)
This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind (Ephesians 4:17 NKJV)
If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth (1 John 1:6 NKJV)
Can two walk together, unless they are agreed? (Amos 3:3 NKJV)
-
“God Has Favorites” A Story – chapter one
I believe my parents had favorites!
I have two brothers and two sisters. Some of them could do no wrong. They got away with everything!
If you’ve had brothers or sisters, you probably know what I’m referring to. I’m not bitter nor am I casting stones. I’m not even saying I’m right in my belief. I’m only stating a fact, as perceived by me. Why do I believe they were favorites? Because they seemed to get away with more wrong doing than I.
Whether God has favorites or not, this fact remains; we perceive God has favorites because He seems to talk with others more, show more interest in what they’re doing, give them bigger allowances (allowing them to get by with more stuff), or He has them in a bigger, better, more lucrative ministry or job than us.
It isn’t fair, is it?
However, one doesn’t have to read very much scripture to understand even God’s “favorites” weren’t perfect, and were held accountable to doing things God’s way. Let’s look at a few of God’s “favorites” and see if there are some things we may identify with.
The first one, of course, is Adam.
Gen 1:26-28
26 Then God said,”Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them,”Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”Gen 2:7
7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.Adam was created by the Triune God, after Their likeness (spirit, soul, and body – 1 Thes. 5:23). God’s best creation was given authority over all the earth as God’s representative. God blessed Adam and his wife with everything that pertained to life and godliness. All they had to do was walk in the instruction of the Lord God.
Imagine how proud Father God must have felt! Walking around the garden with Adam, hearing the angels say to Him, “my, Adam looks just like You!” “A chip off the ol’ block”. “I do believe Adam has his Father’s eyes.” You know, things you like to hear as a parent.But Adam failed to obey completely. Genesis 3 states that Eve was tempted by the serpent and, giving in to the suggestions and insinuations the serpent made, took the fruit from the forbidden tree, took a bite, then gave the fruit to her husband who was standing right beside her. This may not mean much to you, but I believe that while Eve was tempted, Adam sinned willingly. He knew what God had said to him and disobeyed anyway. Ever done anything like that?
Anyway, their wrong doing started mankind on a course of destruction which has affected every human being since. Paul wrote that “death reigned from Adam…”(Rom 5:14), and so it is still today.
The next favorite of God’s we’ll look at is Moses. The great prophet of God, Moses. The leader of the children of Israel. The mighty deliverer, worker of miracles, signs, and wonders. The one whom the Lord spoke with face to face (Ex. 33:11). The one commissioned by the Lord Jehovah to bring the children out of bondage into a land flowing with milk and honey. Moses, who stood boldly before Pharaoh and said with Heaven’s authority, “Let My people go!”
It was this Moses who killed an Egyptian, hiding him in the sand. Wrong number one. And in order to keep from standing trial, Moses took off to the back side of the desert. Wrong number two. Later on, he did wrong number three and had to finish his ministry a little early.
Our third example of a favorite of God is Jonah, the prophet. The Lord had used Jonah as a prophet before his great Nineveh crusade (2 Kings 14:25). Jonah had grown to recognize the voice of God and the heart of God. As a matter of fact, because Jonah knew the heart and nature of God, he decided to not have any part of the Nineveh revival.
So Jonah did wrong. He ran.
The last favorite we’ll look at, for now, is Peter. One of the first disciples handpicked by the Lord Jesus. Peter was the one who gave his boat to Jesus’ ministry. He’s the one who stepped out of that boat and walked on the water to Jesus. Peter is known to many as the loud mouthed disciple; the one who always said more than he should. But Jesus didn’t see him that way. He saw Peter as someone who was beginning to understand who He was and how Jesus fit into his present world view. Peter is the one who said, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” Jesus didn’t rebuke him for shooting off his mouth. No, He blessed him.
But Peter did wrong. He denied the Lord.
Each of God’s favorites had a time in their life when they failed Him. They did wrong. But wrong won’t necessarily keep you from God. Oh, I realize He is Holy and dwells in the light no man can approach, but read this again and mark it down.
Wrong won’t necessarily keep you from God.
Of course, none of the favorites can hold a candle to King Manasseh, where wrong doing is concerned. Neither can we. That should make us feel real good about ourselves since we’re not as bad as someone else. But just because there’s someone “worse” doesn’t guarantee us good standing with the Lord. God doesn’t grade on a curve.
There’s a phrase I’ll use throughout this book; a phrase to help us approach God with faith and humility. The phrase:
“there is no one too good to not need Him, and no one too bad to receive Him.”
Whether Manasseh, Peter, or your sweet, godly old grandmother; everyone needs God. Including you and I.
Have you ever stopped to consider that YOU are one of God’s favorites? If you are alive and living on planet earth, YOU are a favorite of God. How do I know? God showed us by the offering of His Son.
I understand that truth now. But for a good while I didn’t. I was frustrated, jealous, sometimes just plain mad. I felt others were getting a better deal from God than I was. I felt they were the favored ones. Guess what? Just like a kid acts up to get attention, I’ve had my times of acting up, though maybe unconsciously, to try and get Father’s attention or approval.
Bad thing. It feeds the flesh and sows seeds of doubt, bitterness, and discord. Trouble is inevitable.
Trouble is very much a part of my story, but not the whole story. My story includes me acting out my longing for attention, whether the attention of my parents or my God. It can be seen through the life of the younger prodigal, trying to make it big but living small. Trying to be everyone else’s favorite but not realizing I had a place in God’s heart all along.
I was well on my way to throwing away everything for the approval of a few, not understanding the offer God really had for me. Not realizing my value, my place in Him.
The story of the prodigal is next. I want each of us to know how the Father looks at each of His kids. The good ones and the bad ones. Take a good look at the One Who keeps looking at us. How does He see us. How far can He see us? Can we run too far for Him to see? How far can He reach? How do we treat those worse than us, when it appears God’s not seeing things correctly? How come others get the goodies, and we’re stuck with all the work?
A Story continues…
-
The Worship Leader
I felt prompted to share some thoughts regarding the ministry of the worship leader. Almost every Christian church has one, though they have varying titles. Some are called Song Leaders, while others could be referred to as Worship Pastors, Music and Arts Pastors, Psalmist, or maybe one I haven’t heard of. I’ll use the term “worship leader” though, for the purpose of this blog.
I’ve been a Christian for 37 years. I’ve been a worship leader for about 30 years. I’ve led songs for 37 years. What? Why the difference in years? Because leading songs and leading worship are two different things, the same way singing and worshiping are two different things.
Remember when King David brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem? It took him two tries before he was able to “secure” the Presence of God. The first attempt (read 2 Samuel 6) was very festive to begin with, but resulted in fatality. They attempted to carry the Presence of God using the latest vehicles, gadgets, most people in the choir, service scheduled to the minute second, everyone wearing the best robes Israel had ever seen, and the instruments were second to none. But even with all they had going for them, they didn’t follow God’s instructions. They didn’t find out what He wanted. They presumed to know, presumed to believe that God would “show up” just because they did. Wrong.
Dead wrong.
David was a man after God’s own heart, according to Acts 13:22. He desired to not only sing to the Lord, or about the Lord, but he desired to worship the Lord. To me, the difference between singing and worship is this: singing to or about God is simply using my physical and mental faculties to express something. Worship comes from my heart, the deepest part of my being. I may use my mind and thoughts to help express what my heart wants to say, but worship comes from the heart.
Remember that Jesus said, “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks”? He also said, “God is Spirit. They who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth.” Again, Paul wrote in Romans, “if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” In other words, a person cannot worship with only their mind and voice, just like one can’t become a Christian because they repeat the “sinners” prayer. It’s a matter of the heart.
Worship is a matter of the heart.
David took a little time and rethought the matter. Somehow it dawned on him that God must have some thought on the subject. David discovered he had been wrong. So he assembled the procession again. This time he would lead the worship procession in spirit and truth. His whole being, spirit, mind, and body, became involved in “leading worship”; making a place of honor for the Lord. The priests, the “worship team” if you will, accepted the responsibility for carrying the Ark of the Covenant. David was in front of the procession worshiping with all his might. Not everyone liked what David was doing, but God did. David led worship by worshiping.
Remember, worship is a matter of the heart.
I’ve listened to and seen a lot of different worship leaders over the last 37 years. God used several to show me and teach me how to worship and lead others in worship. I’m not saying I’ve learned it all, not by any means. I just know what I know. And, I’ve heard some say that leading worship has changed, and it’s totally different than it used to be. I disagree. Leading worship has not changed. Leading songs, has. Songs have changed, instruments have changed, all the outward stuff is different, more hi-tech, etc.
But worship is a matter of the heart.
It was that way when Abraham walked up the mountainside with Isaac to “go and worship”(Gen.22). It was a matter of the heart when David sat on the hillside, watching over his sheep, singing, “the Lord is my Light, and my Salvation…”
Worship has ALWAYS been a matter of the heart.
So, if you are going to be a worship leader, take a tip or two from David. HE worshiped, He led as HE worshiped. You cannot drive people to worship. You can’t beat them into worship. Worship isn’t submission to the worship leader, it’s submission to GOD. You can’t pick just the right songs to get people to move a certain way, because worship can’t be coerced or manipulated.
As David did, you have to worship if you are going to lead worship. Even if the guitar is out of tune, the projector burns out, the microphone is crackling, you have to worship.
Worship is a matter of the heart, not the sound system. If necessary, throw away the stuff so you can worship!If you are the only one worshiping, great! Don’t stop and scold the congregation! Be kind of like the doorman in a fancy restaurant. Every time he opens the door for a customer, the fragrant aroma of the restaurant invades the parking lot. So, as a worship leader, worship; hold the door open and allow the fragrance of God draw the whole congregation in.
When you minister out of your heart, a heart full of worship to your God, it will affect others. Because…
Worship is a matter of the heart.
-
Developing the Faith of a Champion
This post is from one of my best friends, actually, my spiritual dad. My wife and I have known Dr. John and his wife, Rebecca, for close to 40 years.
For more information about their ministry, please go to http://www.rfiusa.org.Developing The Faith Of A Champion
By: Dr. John Polis“And David said to Saul, Let no man’s heart fail because of him; thy servant will go
and fight this Philistine”. 1 Sam. 17:32Young David went to face the “champion of the Philistines”. As the “unofficial champion” of Almighty God, he had a “champion faith” which enabled him to “take out his adversary”. You and I will need that kind of “champion faith” in these last days as well, because Jesus said in Luke 21:26 that “…men’s hearts will be failing them for fear” as they look upon their adversaries.
Think about David as he looked at all of Saul’s army hiding in the trenches, shivering with fear because of Goliath’s roar of blasphemy. He wasn’t overcome because everyone else was, but on the contrary, their cowardice made him angry and more determined to destroy the enemy whom he knew was already a defeated foe. “ And all men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him, and were sore afraid”. I Sam 17:24. “And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel?” vs.26. David had one thing on his mind and that was the fact that this was not just “ his enemy”, but Goliath was defying Almighty God and therefore in deep trouble. David knew that God would need someone to use executing vengeance upon His enemy, so he stepped up to the plate and said it might as well be me.
Praise the Lord. We should remember that our enemies are God’s enemies because we have a covenant with God. He will defeat them by using one of us as His Champion, just like He did with Jesus when he walked this earth. Jesus was God’s Champion, who through the Holy Ghost, defeated every enemy he faced who was threatening the future of the people of God( Acts 10:38).
YOU CAN DEFEAT THAT WHICH STANDS IN OPPOSITION TO GOD”S PLN FOR YOUR LIFE!
What are some of the steps we can learn from David that will help us develop this championship faith as well? What made David different from all the rest of his contemporaries that brought him to his great destiny in God?
First we should note that David was a “youth”, a mere boy of about 15 years. This tells me that David didn’t wait until he was an adult to get to know God. David was not a “time waster ” when it came to his spiritual life. During those early years while herding his fathers sheep, he developed qualities that enabled him to “step up to the plate” when his opportunity for advancement came.
Many people are unprepared for the day of opportunity because they have wasted so much time after becoming a beliver. Instead of pressing in while a “spiritual youth” through prayer, fasting and study of God’s word, many have allowed the cares of life and an unbiblical value system rob them of time needed for preparing themselves for God’s plan in the future. God is preparing you for the day of battle, because the day of battle is also the day of advancement. Don’t forget that after this battle (David & Goliath) a nobody became a somebody!
Did you ever wonder why you have had the seemingly “tough training” during your formative years as a Christian? This could be the reason, Satan will be there to “defy you” when it your time for promotion. You will not get to your destiny without defeating the Goliath that stands in your way, therefore, you will need “championship faith” in that hour.
What are the four qualities David developed that enabled him to win his “big battle” and “breakthrough to destiny”?
1. He was faithful in his “fathers house”.
2. He had a tender heart of worship.
3. He understood covenant concepts.
4. He understood faith principles.David was “tending his father’s sheep. He learned to be “faithful in the house of a father”. Submission and obedience are implied in this message. We see David being faithful to duty at this time in his life obeying the assignment his father had given him; to watch the sheep and to take “lunch” to his brothers on the battle front. It is important that believers learn to be faithful to duties in the local church right away and develop the ability to stay under authority and do a good job while there. Many people downplay this important part of “preparation” and roam about “looking for opportunity” that never comes. David was called “the sweet singer of Israel” because he developed “intimacy” with God while tending the sheep. He learned to draw near to God through praise and worship allowing his heart to become tender to God. This tenderheartedness is what caused him to be so grieved when he sinned, and to immediately seek restoration with the Lord. Many today have no “grief” over their sins, but continue in hardheartedness and denial of their wrongdoing. A tenderhearted worshipper cannot stay out of fellowship with God for long, but will repent and seek God’s presence.
David also learned the key of “covenant relationship” while a youth. He understood that Goliath was an “uncircumcised” Philistine. Circumcision was the entrance to covenant in Israel. No uncircumcised person could partake of the covenant blessings of God promised to the people. God is “cutting away the flesh” that hinders us from entering “covenant” with others that have been placed in our lives for further maturity and impartation. Have you allowed “circumcision” in your life at the hand of a “skilled work man” who takes the “sword of the spirit” delicately to those areas that need “cut away”?
Lastly, David learned to “speak the word” in faith when he faced the enemy. He said,
“The Lord delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, HE WILL DELIVER ME OUT OF THE HAND OF THIS PHILISTINE”. I Sam. 17:37 “So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him. AND THERE WAS NO SWORD IN THE HAND OF DAVID” VS. 50. But there was a SWORD IN HIS MOUTH.When we have learned these four indispensable traits, we will be ready to both defeat our adversary and move into promotion.
-
Introduction to… A Story
Stories.
Everyone has one. Not everyone can or would even want to tell theirs, but everyone has one.
Some stories are so easy to hear, easy to believe, easy to relate to, easy to tell. Others are the complete opposite.
No one’s story should be left untold. No one’s. There is something to be learned from each. Something to help lift someone else out of despair and hopelessness. Something to bring understanding to a life of confusion. Something to identify with; to help someone else realize they are not alone. Even a story of “total failure” can be used to help someone else.
For A Story to be told, there must be three things.
First, the story. Truth. What really happened? Why did it happen? When it happened isn’t so important, because people really haven’t changed much down through the ages. The story’s main participant would be the “who”. How did it happen? The story will detail what’s really important.
Secondly, the storyteller. Possibly the subject of the story, but not necessarily. The storyteller must adhere to the story. Truth. For a story to connect with others, truth is paramount. Hope will not grasp fantasy for long. Fantasy will never bring about lasting change. Truth will. So the storyteller must stay with truth, which is the story.
Finally, the reader. Each reader is in the process of living their own story. One reader’s story may be full of darkness, hopelessness, confusion, perversion. Someone else may have a story of riches and beauty, a wonderful childhood, direction in life, faith in God. There may be any number of life situations in one story. But one thing is certain with every reader. Their final chapter hasn’t yet been written.
As I said, everyone has a story and everyone’s story should be told. This is my story; not my whole story but a segment of it that others, I believe, need to know. A Story others may relate to, draw hope from. A Story that may help others rewrite their own.
I chose to use this medium, my blog, to tell the story. I’ll write a number of chapters over the next several weeks. I pray each reader that is not satified with their story, may find the necessary courage to begin the rewrite process.
Look for truth. Truth makes the story. Truth connects the story with each reader. Truth helps the reader rewrite their own story. Truth is what changed mine.
Stories.
As I said, this one is mine, though it’s not just about me. It’s also A Story about a King named Manasseh, a Father with two prodigal sons, a few of God’s favorite people, and what He does with people gone bad. A Story about failure, family and friends. It’s about Encouragement, Hope and Restoration. It’s about Truth. It’s A Story about Jesus.
And, it’s about you.
-
God’s Ultimate “Yes!”
“As surely as God is faithful, our word to you does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” For Jesus Christ, the Son of God, does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” He is the one whom Silas, Timothy, and I preached to you, and as God’s ultimate “Yes,” he always does what he says. For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory. It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us, and he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything he has promised us” (2 Corinthians 1:18-22 NLT)
Ultimate-“of the greatest or highest degree or quantity”.
If you would, if you could, try and remember all the promises God has EVER made to ANYONE at ANYTIME. How about one or two? Such as the Promise God gave to Noah. He promised that He would never again destroy the earth by flood. “As long as the earth remains, there will always be “seed time and harvest…” (Gen.8) Or how about the word He spoke to Abram (Gen.12) saying, “I will bless them that bless you and curse them who curse you.”
There’s something about the promises of God we must understand. If it is a promise, it is as good as done. Whether or not you or I see it fulfilled.
Okay, let’s try another one. If you would, if you could, try and remember EVERY PROMISE God EVER made to you. Alright, one or two. How about, “believe on The Lord Jesus Christ and be saved.” Or, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, a Christian, they are a new creation; old things passed away, all things are new.”
Again, let’s talk about the promises of God, including ones we may have a hard time “seeing”.
Have you noticed we don’t have a hard time believing the promises we can understand? Or, if we can somehow have a backup plan, just in case the promise doesn’t work, we don’t seem to get so worked up trying to “believe.”
I know I haven’t always trusted the promise He’s made to me. I haven’t always understood how He could possibly keep His promise for my predicament.
But the passage in 2 Corinthians is a good one to grab hold of. It says to me that there is only ONE PROMISE that I need to believe and remember. Only ONE PROMISE that I must declare above all the rest! “For Jesus Christ, the Son of God, does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” He is the one whom Silas, Timothy, and I preached to you, and as God’s ultimate “Yes,” he always does what he says. For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!””
The ONE PROMISE is God’s Ultimate “YES!”. Jesus Christ. Whatever the need, whatever the situation, Christ! He is the “YES” for each and every promise. He is the “YES”, whether I can figure Him out, or my situation out.
The Lord did not make believing Him a hard thing, though at times it appears to be. I think it’s because we get our eyes, our reasonings; all of our senses, onto the things happening around us. But God’s ultimate “yes” made it so there’s only ONE PROMISE we must keep our eyes on…yes, I’ll say it again, Jesus.
“Looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith…”
We can do this! The ULTIMATE “YES!” says we can.
Say Amen, somebody!
-
Do You Need A Miracle?
Do You Need A Miracle?
words and music by Jan GraceDo you need a miracle?
The miracle worker is here.
He’s cleansed the lepers
And made the lame to walk
Do you need a miracle
Jesus Christ is here.Do you need a miracle?
The miracle worker is here.
The blind have received their sight
The dead have been raised up
Do you need a miracle
Jesus Christ is hereJesus Christ, God’s anointed
Delivered from sin, sickness and shame
And all He’s done, He will do for you today
Cause He’s still the same, our God will never changeDo you need a miracle?
The miracle worker is here
He’s changed my life
He’s changed my life
He’s changed my life
He’ll change your life
He’ll change your lifeDo you need a miracle?
The miracle worker is here
He’s taken your sin away
And offers eternal life
If you need a miracle
Your miracle is here
He’s taken your sin away
And offers eternal life
If you need a miracle
Your miracle is here
Jesus is here.copyright 2012 Jan Grace
Jan Grace
adding God's Word into my world…
