Archive for December, 2016

Paul’s Secret

Tuesday, December 6th, 2016

Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT in Philippians chapter 4:

10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity.

11 Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.

12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.

13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

14 Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction.

15 You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the Gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone;

16 for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs.

17 Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account.

18 But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.

19 And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

20 Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Throughout Scripture there is a theme of overcoming obstacles we face in our lives.  Truly cheerful giving is one of the greatest obstacles of all.  We are all grateful for Jesus giving His Life on the cross for us but many do not want to let go of wealth and possessions on His behalf.  All believers want the Gospel spread but only as long as there is little personal inconvenience.  Jesus fed thousands as a result of one willing giver… a young boy.  His return was immediate and overflowing.  He displayed a principle that many have failed to grasp- give (not grudgingly) and it shall be given unto you.

The Kingdom economy is different from the world’s economy.  In FATHER’S Kingdom there is no scarcity and based on Truth and reality whereas the world’s economies are based on scarcity and perception.  Paul learned the secret of being able to flourish no matter what state his finances are in.  Seedtime and harvest is a law of the Kingdom thus you will reap what you sow.  If you sow nothing, you will reap nothing.  If you sow sparingly, you will reap sparingly.  However if you sow generously and with a cheerful heart, you will receive according to what Jesus spoke in Matthew chapter 13:

23  “And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the man who hears the word and understands it; who indeed bears fruit and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty.”

I can personally attest to the manifested reality of the secret Paul revealed.  We purposed to give cheerfully and according to the leading of THE HOLY SPIRIT over the years and FATHER has been faithful to meet all our needs.  There were times when finances seemed to dry up yet we continued to remain steadfast and FATHER always met our needs.  It is important to realize that our time in this current world is temporary in nature and we should treat finances and “things” accordingly.  While we are here we should be doing business according to FATHER’S economic laws, not man’s.  Hoarding is not a Kingdom principle but exchange is.

It is important to learn Paul’s secret of Kingdom giving, not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account.   Some will read this and interpret it with selfish motives thus they will continue to walk in scarcity for fear of losing what little they have.  Others will partially receive and receive an equivalent reward.  There will be a few who fully embrace the Word and begin to operate accordingly.  This writing is the seed they needed and MY GOD will supply all their needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.  Amen!

Walking By Divine Inspiration

Monday, December 5th, 2016

Each of us tries to predict the future every time we change lanes in traffic hoping to pick the right lane to make progress toward our destination.  Investors pay “financial experts” for their newsletter in hope to select the correct investments for the greatest return on investment while protecting the principle (or return of investment).  There is a better way.

Genesis 41:1 Then it came to pass, at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh had a dream; and behold, he stood by the river.

2 Suddenly there came up out of the river seven cows, fine looking and fat; and they fed in the meadow.

3 Then behold, seven other cows came up after them out of the river, ugly and gaunt, and stood by the other cows on the bank of the river.

4 And the ugly and gaunt cows ate up the seven fine looking and fat cows. So Pharaoh awoke.

5 He slept and dreamed a second time; and suddenly seven heads of grain came up on one stalk, plump and good.

6 Then behold, seven thin heads, blighted by the east wind, sprang up after them.

7 And the seven thin heads devoured the seven plump and full heads. So Pharaoh awoke, and indeed, it was a dream.

8 Now it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled, and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt and all its wise men. And Pharaoh told them his dreams, but there was no one who could interpret them for Pharaoh.

FATHER gave Pharaoh the dream concerning the next fourteen years before him.  The dream was so troubling Pharaoh knew that it had meaning relevant to his situation thus he looked toward his experts of the past for counsel.  Their counsel yielded nothing in this case for the world had no past history to relate to this particular dream.  This was uncharted territory.  FATHER orchestrated the situation where Pharaoh’s butler would have a history with Joseph who had walked in Divine Inspiration and interpreted his own dream which was fulfilled:

9 Then the chief butler spoke to Pharaoh, saying: “I remember my faults this day.

10 When Pharaoh was angry with his servants, and put me in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, both me and the chief baker,

11 we each had a dream in one night, he and I. Each of us dreamed according to the interpretation of his own dream.

12 Now there was a young Hebrew man with us there, a servant of the captain of the guard. And we told him, and he interpreted our dreams for us; to each man he interpreted according to his own dream.

We are once again being presented with world events which have placed us in uncharted territory.  The financial system is leveraged with debt beyond what any “expert” could have predicted.  Mathematically speaking, the debt cannot be repaid under the current system so something must “give”.  What worked in the past is not working now and people are blind to the brevity of the situation just as they were in the time of Pharaoh’s dream.  Only those who are led by THE HOLY SPIRIT and walk according to Divine Inspiration will have the answers required in the coming turbulent times.  Now is the time to press in and focus on being in FATHER’S Presence.  Without delay we should redirect our priorities and be cleansed and purified by HIS Word.

Men’s hearts will fail them as their past logic and assumptions no longer work.  The only answers will be found in those who walk in Divine Inspiration and no longer look to trends and signs which worked in recent history.  Only FATHER knows the future for HE is not restricted to time.  Why seek counsel from any other source?

Be Not Anxious

Sunday, December 4th, 2016

Paul wrote by THE HOLY SPIRIT in Philippians chapter 4:

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to GOD;

7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Each of us came into this world by the Divine Intent of FATHER for none were born by accident or beyond HIS awareness.  HE knew us before we were formed in the womb and HE knows us after we physically depart this earth.  The challenge set before each of us is to fully embrace our calling and faithfully execute that calling with the gifts we have been given.  When we are on that ordained path we experience peace no matter what is transpiring around us.  All the circumstances that arise are temporary in nature and we must look to HIM WHO is Eternal and Everlasting for our answers.

There are questions and challenges each of us face that may test our Love, faith, and hope.  We must not be moved by anything which may create anxiety in our hearts but each of us must guard our hearts through Christ Jesus.  IN HIM we have our being.   By His Word He calmed the raging sea and we should expect no less.  By His Word He healed the sick and cast out devils thus we should place our trust IN HIM rather than the circumstances before us.

We must not let traditions of men which oppose FATHER’S Word invade our thinking.  Men will impart a word which is designed to support their bias and motive based on their limited understanding.  Why settle for less when we have access to THE ONE WHO is the Great I AM.  We must purpose to put our trust in FATHER and HIS Most Holy Son who is our Perfect Example.  Let us pattern our thoughts, intents, speech, and actions after Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Compromise is the enemy of total success.  We are told to press in and expect good fruit to come forth in our lives.  Paul urges us by THE SPIRIT in Colossians chapter 1:

9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;

11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy;

12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.

Dwell, meditate, proclaim, personalize, and memorize this passage for it will serve you well on a daily basis.

“I walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;

strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy;

giving thanks to the Father who has qualified me to be a partaker of the inheritance of the saints in the light.”

Amen!

Participate Not

Saturday, December 3rd, 2016

By THE MOST HOLY SPIRIT  Paul wrote in Ephesians chapter 5:

1 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.

2 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.

3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints;

4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.

5 For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

7 Therefore do not be partakers with them.

We are to set the standard of Love for others and that standard does not participate in the impure acts of the world.  We all were sinners at an earlier age but the Word has the power to purify us from our past… thankfully!  We must no longer live in that sinful past and trust FATHER that HE makes all things new.  HIS Word existed before the worlds were formed and thus it has preeminence over all of creation.  HIS Word is greater than any condition, situation, or past thus IT can remove any spot or blemish for behold all things are new, even you and me.

Our conversation must not insinuate anything that would include vulgarity or demeaning others but instead should reflect thanksgiving in our hearts.  Every person is at a different station in life and we must give FATHER thanks for where HE has placed us and what HE has taken us through.

When one enters into conversation unbefitting of our nature, we open ourselves up to deception and temptation.  We must protect or eyes and ears as we stay away from the door which leads to death and destruction.  There need not be a list of do’s and don’ts but simply walk in Love and let our conversation reflect the Love in our hearts for all mankind.

I find that as I continue to read, study, mediate, and dwell in THE WORD it changes my heart and my speech.  My thought patterns begin to correct and I no longer think as the old man.  My priorities change and so do my corresponding actions.  This has an impact on my relationships as well.  Some will flourish and others will diminish depending on whether our priorities are in alignment.  We cannot fellowship in any area where there is no light prevailing.  This does not mean we don’t minister to those where there is no fellowship.  On the contrary, we must minister to those who are open to the Gospel.  We should not isolate ourselves from the sons of disobedience but be willing to deliver them out of destruction.  When Jesus ministered all the world was in need of salvation.

Let us be imitators of FATHER in every way.  In order to do that we must focus on HIS Character and take on HIS Attributes.  Let us immerse ourselves IN HIM and let HIM cleanse us into purity and full maturity.  Only then will we be assured that we no longer participate in any form of darkness no matter how subtle.

Who Is Hindering You?

Friday, December 2nd, 2016

By THE SPIRIT Paul wrote in Galatians chapter 5:

7 You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?

8 This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you.

9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump.

10 I have confidence in you, in the Lord, that you will have no other mind; but he who troubles you shall bear his judgment, whoever he is.

11 And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased.

12 I could wish that those who trouble you would even cut themselves off!

13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!

There are those who would try to convince you to walk another path other than the one FATHER has you on.  Man’s doctrines and beliefs are like adding unnecessary weight to you when you are running a race.  They will attempt to manipulate you into accepting their doctrines and thus their words will act as leaven and if given time will compromise your path and destiny.  Each of us must guard our hearts and minds from those who would throw us off track.  Be assured, they will try.

By Divine Inspiration Samuel spoke in 1 Samuel chapter 15:

22 So Samuel said:

​​​“Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,

​​As in obeying the voice of the LORD?

​​Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,

​​And to heed than the fat of rams.

23 ​​For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft,

​​And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.

​​Because you have rejected the word of the LORD,

​​He also has rejected you from being king.”

It is critical we pursue the path which encourages us to hear FATHER and settle for nothing less.  There are not just a few special people who can hear and respond to FATHER for HE has made HIMSELF available to all mankind.  HIS mercies are greater than all the failures of men combined.  We must not let men convince us that we are unable to hear HIM.  We must no longer accept the words of men which are contrary to the Gospel.  Their words surely lead to destruction.  Men would have us believe their traditions which produce little or no fruit at all.  They are rebellious to the Word of Love or they would be encouraging us to seek FATHER’S Face and Voice.

We are to minister life to others and healing to their lives if they will accept the true Gospel in their lives.  We are called to walk in liberty and let no man weight us down as we run the race.  Excess baggage will only keep us from crossing the finish line and suffer defeat.  You would ask if we should be ministering to all who come across our paths?  Let us be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and minister to those who are ready to hear HIS Word.  FATHER will point those people out to us.  Each man and woman will receive the Gospel in his or her time.  FATHER is the ONE WHO oversees the increase.  We simply plant the Word as HE directs.  In the meantime, let us be examples unto men which in itself speaks volumes.  Let us lead righteous lives of Truth and Love thus setting the standard for all to see.  Let no man or woman be a challenge or hindrance to that standard.

Jesus Warned

Thursday, December 1st, 2016

In Mathew chapter 16 Jesus spoke:

8 But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, “O you of little faith, why do you reason among yourselves because you have brought no bread?

9 Do you not yet understand, or remember the five loaves of the five thousand and how many baskets you took up?

10 Nor the seven loaves of the four thousand and how many large baskets you took up?

11 How is it you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread?—but to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

12 Then they understood that He did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

The Pharisees and Sadducees they were formalists, tradition-worshipers, and self-righteous.  A formalist is a person who focuses on strict adherence to or observance of a prescribed tradition.  Church history shows us what was once a revelation has slowly turned into a tradition.  A miracle may have happened once given a particular set of circumstances and people have since created a formula hoping to get FATHER to bring forth another miracle.  Consider the pool at Bethesda in John chapter 5:

2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches.

3 In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water.

4 For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had.

5 Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years.

The tradition formed after the miracle occurred.  People began to focus on the location of the miracle rather than the Miracle Giver.  Only the first one to step in the water after being stirred could receive?  Really?  Do miracles only occur to those who have fully worked the formula prescribed by men?  FATHER’S mercies are greater than any level of man’s performance or strict adherence to a set of rules or conditions.  Jesus exposed the emptiness of that formality:

6 When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?”

7 The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.”

8 Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.”

9 And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked. And that day was the Sabbath.

10 The Jews therefore said to him who was cured, “It is the Sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry your bed.”

11 He answered them, “He who made me well said to me, ‘Take up your bed and walk.’ ”

A tradition-worshiper is one who reverences and protects a tradition against any challenge, information, understanding, or opposing revelation.  Instead of rejoicing over the miracle which just occurred, men were more interested in the tradition of doing nothing on the Sabbath.  A man who had suffered for thirty-eight years was healed yet their tradition was more important?  Self-righteousness is a feeling or display of (usually smug) moral superiority derived from a sense that one’s beliefs, actions, or affiliations are of greater virtue than those of the average person.  Jesus exposed the Pharisees when He spoke in Matthew chapter 15:

1 Then the scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying,

2 “Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.”

3 He answered and said to them, “Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?

4 For God commanded, saying, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’

5 But you say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God”—

6 then he need not honor his father or mother.’ Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition.

7 Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying:

​8 ​‘​These people draw near to Me with their mouth,

​​And honor Me with their lips,

​​But their heart is far from Me.

9 ​​And in vain they worship Me,

​​Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’

It is easy for us to see what others are doing by custom and tradition but the challenge is to look in the mirror and see if we are guilty by our own preferences or actions.  Are we making excuses or building walls keeping us from ministering to the needs of others?  Love looks beyond self to find out how to be a blessing to those in need.  Self-sacrificing acts can be found among those who walk in Love.  Jesus warned the disciples and us as well to beware of the leaven.  A little bit of selfish motive can grow into a major issue.  Let us remove that little lump before it takes over.