Oct. 6, 2021

The enemy within
Roman's 7: 9-17
I once lived without a clear understanding of the law, but when I heard God’s commandments, sin sprang to life and brought with it a death sentence. The commandment that was intended to bring life brought me death instead. 11 Sin, by means of the commandment, built a base of operation within me, to overpower me[a] and put me to death. 12 So then, we have to conclude that the problem is not with the law itself, for the law is holy and its commandments are correct and for our
13 So, did something meant to be good become death to me? Certainly not! It was not the law but sin unmasked that produced my spiritual death. The sacred commandment merely uncovered the evil of sin so it could be seen for what it is. 14 For we know that the law is divinely inspired and comes from the spiritual realm,[b] but I am a human being made of flesh and trafficked as a slave under sin’s authority.[c]
15 I’m a mystery to myself,[d] for I want to do what is right, but end up doing what my moral instincts condemn. 16 And if my behavior is not in line with my desire, my conscience still confirms the excellence of the law. 17 And now I realize that it is no longer my true self doing it, but the unwelcome intruder of sin in my humanity.

Chapters 7 of Romans depicts our struggle with our inherent sin nature. We, as people, have been born with an inherent rebellious nature. By default we are prone to break God's laws and bring judgment on ourselves. Many times we are our own worst enemy. Before becoming discouraged we should continue reading the book of Romans 8. This states that through Christ we can have victory over our own carnality. We are more than conquerors through Christ who strengthens us. We have to conquer our pride, selfishness, greed and a whole host of character traits that are contrary to God's word. Just a quick word of encouragement from God's Word to not lose heart in your battle with your carnal nature. The Lord has equipped us to be overcomers and many times we need to overcome our disobedience to God's word. An exhortation this morning to read Romans 8 and be strengthened in your battle with your carnal nature. We can all overcome the enemy within through the power of God's Holy Word and His Spirit.  Amen 

Sep. 19, 2021

Big bad wolf

John 10:12
But the worker who serves only for wages is not a real shepherd. Because he has no heart for the sheep he will run away and abandon them when he sees the wolf coming. And then the wolf mauls the sheep, drags them off, and scatters them.

The above verse refers to the enemy,  satan, as the wolf. We as believers in Christ are the sheep. When we are under the care of a Godly pastor, he watches over his sheep fold and drives the wolf away.  Jesus is the ultimate Good Shepherd. As long as we stay as part of His sheep fold, the enemy flees away. Our responsibility is to be united with the sheep fold of God. His responsibility as a Shepherd is to protect us. A sheep isolated from the fold and wandering on it's own is easy picking for the wolf. Although the Bible says that the Good Shepherd goes after the lost sheep, we as sheep will save ourselves a lot of trouble by staying united with the family of God. While watching any wildlife show on television, you will notice that the strategy of the predator is to isolate the weakest member of the herd in order to separate them from the fold in order to eat them. In other words in order to avoid being lamb chops on the wolf's platter, stick together with your flock and stay close to the shepherd. Jesus is the Good Shepherd, and He will protect His sheep. In closing, I reflect on Psalm 27. The first few verses are copied below. Please review the entire Psalm at your leisure. "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.
3 Though an army should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war should rise against me, even in this will I be confident.
4 One thing have I desired of the Lord; that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in His temple.". Amen 

Aug. 30, 2021

He is able
2Timothy 1:12
For I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that Day.
AMP
for I know Him [and I am personally acquainted with Him] whom I have believed [with absolute trust and confidence in Him and in the truth of His deity], and I am persuaded [beyond any doubt] that He is able to guard that which I have entrusted to Him until that day [when I stand before Him].
TPT
And my faith in him convinces me that he is more than able to keep all that I’ve placed in his hands safe and secure until the fullness of his appearing.

Let us take time today to reflect on the verse above 2Timothy 1:12. As it says in the Amplified Bible We have put our confidence on our Lord to guard and protect all that we have committed to Him and He is well able to care for what we have entrusted to His capable hands until the day of His return.  The Holy Spirit refreshed my memory with this verse while interceding for unsaved family. We commit ourselves, our endeavors, our health, our faith and our family to Him and continue to trust that He is well able to guard and protect everything and everyone whom we have committed to His capable hands. As it says in Mathew what is impossible for man is possible for God. Peter asks Jesus who then shall be saved to which Jesus replies what is impossible to man is possible for God. All Christ was saying was that no man can save themselves either by what they do or whom they are. (Please read the section entitled Calling all sinners) Each and every person has to put their trust in Christ in order to be saved. The Bible says that no one can come to Christ unless the Father draws them. Also, it is the goodness of God that draws men to repentance. Having said that, it is important to note that true repentance has to precede true salvation. One has to repent of one's disobedience to God and trust Christ to change the course of their life's in order to be saved. Christ is the author and perfector of our faith. He who began a good work in us is faithful to complete it in us. Christ does not throw in the towel and abandon any of us. We may have strayed from the strait and narrow several times over the course of our lives, however Christ's rod and staff always redirected our footsteps back into the highway of holiness. What Christ has done for one, He will do for another. Reflect on how patient Christ has been with us over the course of our lives. His grace and mercy prevailed over our lives instead of His judgment. I have previously written how God chose to speak to Moses over the mercy seat, not over the judgment seat. Christ's blood was poured over the mercy seat for an atonement of our sins. Now God's wrath has been appeased and His mercy prevails. The book of Jonah is a testament to God's mercy. The genuine repentance of the Ninevites led to their lives being spared and the destruction of their land was overturned. God is looking for repentance to spare our lives. Chronicles says: If my people who are called by my name shall humble themselves and pray and turn from their wicked ways, surely I shall hear from heaven and heal their land.  God is calling for repentance in the land in order to pour His mercy. This world needs an outpouring of God's grace and mercy. This has to be preceded by repentance. In order to tie it all together, let us as God's children humble ourselves and repent for the sins of our land, and appeal for an outpouring of His mercy. Let us commit our unsaved family over to His capable hands. Let us trust in His ability to save the uttermost to the guttermost. Let us plead for His mercy and grace. As the Bible says His mercy triumphs over His judgment. Amen