The Gift

The Gift

1 John 3:16

Hereby perceive we the love [of God], because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down [our] lives for the brethren.

               Jesus said in John 15:13, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. “  The greatest gift we can give one another is ourselves, our life, our time and our love.  Often, we equate love with what monetary gifts we can give.  Those gifts are good and loving expressions, but they should be in addition too and not in place of the others.  Many of us don’t realize that we are a gift to someone else that loves and needs what we have to give.  Far too often we end up withholding our gift or using it on the demands that life puts on us, rather than on those who really need and would appreciate it.  Our quality time can be of more value than we can realize.  Our personal love and attention are often the only things that can meet the needs in others.  Especially in our society, we tend to try and use a lot of substitutes, but there are hurting and lonely people for whom the greatest gift is our personal time, attention and love.                

               I know I have often been guilty of being so involved in my work or interested in other things, that I have neglected the greater needs in my family.  Many of us realize that we have done this.  When we come to the end of our lives it will be the relationships that we have built through the investment of our time and our lives that will matter most.  We all seem to think there will always be tomorrow, but tomorrows will run out and we will have never lived and loved for today. 

               The greatest reward we have in life is the satisfaction we have in giving, in making another’s life a little better, a little richer and ministering to those little personal needs that we all have.   Jesus gave us the most precious and priceless gift that anyone has ever given, His life.  That gift has perpetuated life now through millenniums of time.  It is the gift that keeps on giving.   God has placed a gift in us that we must be faithful in giving.  The more that we give it, the greater the increase.  Someone needs the love and personal attention that only you can give.  Let us not deny those needs wherein we rob not only them, but ourselves as well.  Give out the love that Christ has placed in your heart.  It is not for keeping, but for giving.

This is an attachment with this writing that a friend had sent and I thought it so illustrated this point:

I walked into the grocery store not particularly interested in buying

groceries. I wasn’t hungry. The pain of losing my husband of 57 years

was still too raw. And this grocery store held so many sweet memories.

He often came with me and almost every time he’d pretend to go off and

look for something special. I knew what he was up to. I’d always spot

him walking down the aisle with the three yellow roses in his hands.

He knew I loved yellow roses. With a heart filled with grief, I only

wanted to buy my few items and leave, but even grocery shopping was

different since he had passed on.

Shopping for one took time, a little more thought than it had for two.

Standing by the meat, I searched for the perfect small steak and

remembered how he had loved his steak.

Suddenly a woman came beside me. She was blonde, slim and lovely in a

soft green pantsuit. I watched as she picked up a large package of

T-bones, dropped them in her basket.. hesitated, and then put them back.

She turned to go and once again reached for the pack of steaks.

She saw me watching her and she smiled. “My husband loves T-bones, but

honestly, at these prices, I don’t know.”

I swallowed the emotion down my throat and met her pale blue eyes.

“My husband passed away eight days ago,” I told her. Glancing at the

package in her hands, I fought to control the tremble in my voice. “Buy

him the steaks. And cherish every moment you have together.”

She shook her head and I saw the emotion in her eyes as she placed the

package in her basket and wheeled away.

I turned and pushed my cart across the length of the store to the dairy

products. There I stood, trying to decide which size milk I should buy.

A Quart, I finally decided and moved on to the ice cream. If nothing

else, I could always fix myself an ice cream cone.

I placed the ice cream in my cart and looked down the aisle toward the

front. I saw first the green suit, then recognized the pretty lady

coming towards me. In her arms she carried a package. On her face was

the brightest smile I had ever seen. I would swear a soft halo encircled

her blonde hair as she kept walking toward me, her eyes holding mine.

As she came closer, I saw what she held and tears began misting in my

eyes. “These are for you,” she said and placed three beautiful long

stemmed yellow roses in my arms. “When you go through the line, they

will know these are paid for.” She leaned over and placed a gentle kiss

on my cheek, then smiled again. I wanted to tell her what she’d done,

what the roses meant, but still unable to speak, I watched as she walked

away as tears clouded my vision.

I looked down at the beautiful roses nestled in the green tissue

wrapping and found it almost unreal. How did she know? Suddenly the

answer seemed so clear. I wasn’t alone.

Oh, you haven’t forgotten me, have you? I whispered, with tears in my

eyes. He was still with me, and she was his angel.

Every day be thankful for what you have and who you are.

(Please read all of this, it is really nice)

This is a simple request. If you appreciate life, send this to your

friends, including the person that sent it to you.

Even though I clutch my blanket and growl when the alarm rings. Thank

you, Lord, that I can hear. There are many who are deaf.

Even though I keep my eyes closed against the morning light as long as

possible. Thank you, Lord , that I can see. Many are blind.

Even though I huddle in my bed and put off rising. Thank you, Lord, that

I have the strength to rise. There are many who are bedridden.

Even though the first hour of my day is hectic, when socks are lost,

toast is burned, tempers are short, and my children are so loud.

Thank you, Lord, for my family. There are many who are lonely.

Even though our breakfast table never looks like the picture in

magazines and the menu is at times unbalanced.

Thank you, Lord, for the food we have. There are many who are hungry.

Even though the routine of my job often is monotonous. Thank you, Lord,

for the opportunity to work. There are many who have no job.

Even though I grumble and bemoan my fate from day to day and wish my

circumstances were not so modest.

Thank you, Lord, for life.

Pass this on to the friends you know. It might help a bit to make this

world a better place to live, right? A friend is someone we turn to when

our spirits need a lift. A friend is someone to treasure.

For friendship is a gift. A friend is someone who fills our lives with

Beauty, Joy and Grace and makes the world we live in a better and

happier place.

YOU ARE MY FRIEND!

God bless you and yours.

#kentstuck

The Stone Cut out of the Mountain

The Stone Cut out of the Mountain

Daniel 2:45

Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream [is] certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.

In Daniel 2, the Lord reveals to Daniel a dream of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon.  Basically, the dream dealt with a mighty statue whose head was of gold representing his kingdom and then decreasing in the quality and value of material substance.  The outstanding thing that the Lord revealed through this dream was that from a stone cut out of the mountain without hands, it would brake in pieces the kingdoms of the earth.  It becomes quite evident through the scriptures that this stone is Christ and the Kingdom of God. 

Matthew 21:22-24 Jesus reveals Himself as the cornerstone, “Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes? Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.”  This scripture really affirms what Daniel wrote.  Man can build his kingdoms and go his own way, but he will never prevail against the “Stone cut out of the mountain”.   It may appear that way for a season and a time, but there will come a time when “For it is written, [As] I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.  So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. (Romans 14:11-12)” In that day nothing of the flesh, the goodness or the greatness of man will stand.  Everything and everyone must give account to God.  Whoever the stone falls upon in judgement will be ground to powder, there will no justification be found of the flesh.  Those who have fallen upon Christ will be broken.  When we came and put our faith and confidence in Christ, He began a process of breaking in our lives at that point in time that brought us to the realization that He is everything and we are nothing.  Our lives are only complete in Him.   Our reliance is no more on the flesh, our abilities, strengths or goodness.  Our self-life was broken at the cross when we fell upon Jesus and He began the process of purging the old that He might reveal the new life. 

               This stone cut out of the mountain didn’t just represent Christ, although He is the head and the cornerstone of its foundation.  It is comprised of many living stones that comprise the Kingdom of God and His Temple.  1 Peter 2:4-10 describes this Stone and our part in it, “To whom coming, [as unto] a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, [and] precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe [he is] precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, [even to them] which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: Which in time past [were] not a people, but [are] now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.”  You and I are a part of that kingdom which shall know no end and its glory no bounds, but it shall preside eternal, over the affairs and hearts of men.  God is forming you to be His administrators of righteousness, justice and authority in the earth and throughout His Kingdom.  We are a part and substance of that Stone cut out of the Mountain of God.   Let us not fear what is coming upon the earth.       

Blessings,

#kent

On Guard

1 Corinthians 16:13-14

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. 14Do everything in love.

On Guard

               As part of the final exhortations and comments to the Corinthians in this first epistle Paul writes, he gives  them this exhortation.  Verse 13 is everything a military commander might speak to his men who are in the midst of a war zone and faced with the intimidation of the enemy. 

               This is not unlike the exhortation that he gives to the Ephesians in Ephesians 6:10-18. There he exhorts them, “10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind,, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.” 

Here our enemy is identified.  He is not flesh and blood although he may manifest himself in and through the lives of others, but our real adversary is the ruler, authorities and powers of darkness, it is not even in the smaller demonic opposition you face in daily life.  These are nothing before men who know who they are in Christ and His authority.  The stronger adversaries you can face in confidence as well, but you must know that you must be equipped for them. 

               First of all, you must always be on your guard, for they look for your moments of weakness and vulnerability.  The weaknesses of our flesh are often the doors of opportunity that the devil uses to gain access as he attempts to kill, steal and destroy our faith and standing in Christ.  Paul exhorts us here to put on the full armor, because you are only as strong as your weakest link.

               When the day of evil or spiritual assault comes to us, it is imperative that we know who we are in Christ, because He essentially is our armor and weaponry in different aspects.  Our authority in His Word is what we stand upon and it is the belt and buckle of our integrity.  If we are holding fast to the truth we will not be found with our pants down, vulnerable and exposed.  The breastplate of the righteousness of Christ is what protects our heart.  With arrows of condemnation the enemy attempts to pierce our hearts with our shortcomings, failures, former sins and unworthiness.  The breastplate of His righteousness is in knowing that we are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus, not because we are anything, but because we have chosen to make Him everything.  Through His blood He has imparted His righteousness to us and His blood is the breastplate of righteousness that covers and protects our heart and vital organs. 

Our feet have been fitted with the readiness to carry out the gospel of the kingdom of God.  The gospel of Christ’s kingdom is not only in our talk, but it is in our walk and we carry it wherever we go. 

The shield of faith is what quenches these fiery darts of condemnation, death, discouragement, fearfulness and unbelief.  That shield keeps fear and doubt out that would endeavor to undermine our faith and confidence in Christ.

The helmet of salvation is putting on the mind of Christ, being not conformed to the world, but transformed through the renewing of our minds in Christ Jesus and His Word. 

The sword of the Spirit is the power of enacting the mighty Word of God against the assaults of the enemy.  The Word of God, anointed and empowered by the Spirit of God is a formidable weapon against which there is no match.  It strikes down the ignorance and foolishness of men and cuts through the lies and darkness of the enemy.   It cuts to the quick and lays bear the true motives of the heart. 

Last, and perhaps most powerful is our prayers unto God through the Spirit.  Our prayers are the lifeline, connection and relationship with God’s strength and power.  It is through prayer that He empowers us with victory and is able battle on our behalf.  It is prayer that not only enables us to stand, but reinforces and upholds our brothers who fight with us in the battle. 

               So, we are reminded as men and women to be on our guard, always in a state of readiness for battle. Stand firm in the faith, do not compromise or be moved in your convictions.  Be men of courage who are strong and not intimidated by mockery, provocation and the varied assaults the enemy wages against you.  Don’t back down, but don’t respond out of the flesh, with hatred or retaliation of anger, but out of the Spirit of Love.  It is God’s love through us that will set us apart from the rest of the world.  This is what God has called us too as men and women of God.

Blessings,

#kent

On a Positive Note

Philippians 4:8

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

On a Positive Note

               Where our mind and thoughts abide is so pivotal to the outlook and way that we live our lives.  It is often so easy for us to identify the faults and shortcomings of others while overlooking their good qualities and attributes.  In this scripture we have a strong exhortation to focus on the good, the noble, the true, the admirable, the excellent and praiseworthy things of life. 

               Do we always see and bring out the best in others?  How many of us have been in an atmosphere of gossip, backbiting, backstabbing where someone was getting roasted and criticized?  Perhaps after a while we found ourselves adding comments to those of others as we became caught up in this spirit of criticism and faultfinding.  Sometimes we were even afraid to speak the good things about a person in that atmosphere for fear that this spirit would turn on us. 

               A part of us being the light of God to others is in how we look upon others and speak about them.  I have been around people that were very critical and demeaning.  They would always make others feel stupid or inferior by their catty and condescending tone and comments.  These are not the people we like to be around, because they are the anti-thesis of this scripture.  On the hand we may have been around others who were always building us up and speaking positive and encouraging things to us.  We don’t want to be patronized or falsely praised, but sincere compliments and praise help us to be encouraged and feel self-worth.  It encourages us to press on in the face of adversity and opposition.  Proverbs 25:11 says, “A word fitly spoken [is like] apples of gold in pictures of silver.”  We are God’s life givers.  Our minds and hearts should always be optimistic and positive, even the midst of a pessimistic and cynical world.  We have the hope of all of creation already within us.  We have the answer that others are still seeking.  We demonstrate the spirit of what we have within us by where we have our minds, our thoughts and our outlook on life.  Our words should always be positive and life giving.  They should instill hope, inspiration and faith in others.  People don’t need condemnation.  They have enough of that already.  They need something to believe in that is greater than them.  They need to know that there is a God who truly loves them, even the way that they are, and that He wants to offer them His salvation and a relationship with Him.

               Proverbs 29:18 says, “Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the law.”  Our vision gives us hope, direction and purpose for our lives.  When we lose that vision, we err in our ways and we cause others to err also.  People want to follow someone who knows where they are going and how they are going to get there.  They are looking to those who have true faith, integrity, conviction and hope before them.  This scripture encourages us to have our thoughts and mind in a place where we are seeing the best in things and in people.  It is a mind that is fixed upon the things of God and His Word.  It is a mind of Christ that is fixed upon Life and brings that Life into the atmosphere where they are.  There are so many negative things to look upon and dwell upon, but this is not the will of God concerning you.  Look at your world through His eyes and know that His Love and His Life are the only things that can change it.  We are His candlesticks.  We can bring that light into our world that others may see and have vision.  Think upon the things of God.  See the good in others.  Flavor your words with blessing and encouragement.  Remember, that what God sees in us is His Son. 

Blessings,

#kent

Peacemakers

James 3:18

Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

Peacemakers

               The Amplified version says it this way, “And the harvest of righteousness (of conformity to God’s will in thought and deed) is [the fruit of the seed] sown in peace by those who work for and make peace [in themselves and in others, that peace which means concord, agreement, and harmony between individuals, with undisturbedness, in a peaceful mind free from fears and agitating passions and moral conflicts].” 

               This scripture that God just dropped into my heart makes me meditate upon the correlation of peace and righteousness.  Righteousness is the fruit of what is sown in peace.  Peace speaks to rest, confidence, assurance, freedom from fear, agitation, worry or discord.  Peace is not the result of contention, warring, factions, control or being right.  It is the result of right being in relationship with the Lord and His purpose in our lives.  Our circumstances aren’t the condition of our peace.  Jesus had complete peace even in the midst of a great storm that threatened to take His life and the life of His disciples.  Peace comes in the assurance of what your identity is in Christ, your position “in Him” and the divine purpose and destiny He has planned for you.  If we truly be walking “in Christ” and living out of His life, then our lives are no longer in our control, but His.  It is usually when we take back control that we lose our peace.   If we are walking in faith, obedience and in the Spirit then the fruit is going to be righteousness. 

               Paul says some interesting things in Romans 14 when he is dealing with the Christian disputes over diet and days of worship.  He conveys that our faith is so much more than everyone fitting in your box or believing and thinking just like you.  He says this in Romans 14:7-9, “For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. 8If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. 9For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.”  Life is not about our dogma and doctrine, it is about living and dying for the Lord.  If we are focused on getting everyone to believe just like us, we are never going to have peace.  The Holy Spirit deals with the seasons and the changes of our lives.  The important thing is being in right relationship with Him and communicating that gospel of peace to all who will receive. 

               Paul also makes mention a little latter in Romans 14:17, “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”  Isn’t it interesting that two of the attributes we are talking about are attributes of the kingdom of God and where they are found, joy is close by. 

               When we have a revelation of walking “in Christ” then our identity is no longer with ourselves.  Our purpose is simply to become the expression of the Lord in each situation.  That means we don’t have to get caught up in the flesh and in other people’s drama.  Obviously they aren’t enjoying peace in the state that they are in.  God’s love in and through us is the peacemaker.  If we see life from God’s perspective and allow the Holy Spirit to have control of each situation, then our response is to the Lord, not to opposing circumstances before us.  When it is not about us, then it can be all about Him.  Walk in the freedom of God’s peace for your life.  Allow Him to have every concern and worry.  Walking in the peace of God, brings forth the righteousness of God.

Blessings,

#kent

The Right to be Taken Advantage of

Matthew 5:38-42

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ 39But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

The Right to be taken Advantage of

               The message Jesus gives to us here doesn’t follow the natural law and thinking.  We, as Americans, are very aware of our rights and often we will go to great lengths to fight and defend them.  We have seen many cases where a person’s rights went beyond the boundaries of common sense and others were made accountable for their mistakes or mishaps.  Even the Law of Moses allowed for justice to be served in like manner, as an offence was committed against another.  What Jesus is compelling us into here is a higher law that is contrary to conventional wisdom. 

We are a very possession-oriented people.  We have our lands, houses, properties, cars, bank accounts and so on.  We are very possessive of what we own, because our possessions, position and properties have come to define who we are.  What Jesus is proposing here is that we not only give up our rights, but that we give up beyond our rights and give beyond what is asked of us, required of us and taken from us.  Now everything within our natural man cries foul and unfair, but it reveals to us whose mind and values we are operating out of.  Jesus says, if you want to find your life, you must lose it.  Very few of us are in a place where we can operate in these principles that Christ gave to us.  We have worked very hard for what we have and we don’t want to give it up.  “It’s ours, we earned it.”  Yet in that thinking we can begin to see how our possessions and our rights begin to possess us, rather than us possessing them.  When we are truly living out of a kingdom economy and mind set then what we possess only serves for us to give and bless.  We acknowledge with our heads that all that we have and are is because of God’s goodness and blessing to us, but then we aren’t willing to give it back to Him when it is required of us.

               As we read through the Beatitudes of Christ and try to fit who we are into what Christ teaches, most of us will find we are not Cinderella trying on the glass slipper.  It doesn’t fit.  We want what it represents, but we aren’t willing to pay the price to possess it.  If we fully allow His light to shine within our hearts then we realize that we need much more of a heart change and value adjustment.  Walking no longer after the flesh, but after the Spirit requires a death in us and many of us don’t want to die to a lot of things in our lives.  God never takes something from us that He doesn’t give something greater in return.  These are days that He is bringing us and encouraging us into the higher principles of His Life and Word.  Every day we must be stretched as we are crucified a little more.  What that death seems to be taking away from our natural man is really bringing us into the freedom we have in Christ.  Just because we are imprisoned in a candy house, doesn’t make it any less of a prison.  2 Corinthians 3:17-18 tells us, “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”  The paradox of Christianity is that you must lose your life to find it and you must give up your rights to find the rights and the authority that you have in Christ.  Jesus gave and lost all and yet owned and possessed all things.  Christ is the one possession we don’t want to lose or give up on. 

               What are your rights today?  Are you willing to give those rights up to love and serve even the unlovely and those who would take advantage of you?  Are we willing to give even beyond what they would ask, take or even desire? 

Blessings,

#kent

Hearing the Voice of God

1 Samuel 3:1-7

The boy Samuel ministered before the LORD under Eli. In those days the word of the LORD was rare; there were not many visions.

2 One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. 3 The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was. 4 Then the LORD called Samuel.

Samuel answered, “Here I am.” 5 And he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”

But Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down.

6 Again the LORD called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”

“My son,” Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.”

7 Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD : The word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him.

Hearing the Voice of God

               One thing that we all long for, as God’s people is to hear, recognize and discern the voice of God in our lives.   Often it is hard for us to discern His voice from thoughts of our own.  Yet often with His voice comes a knowing that it is He that is speaking into our hearts. 

               Sometimes God is quiet or we are hindered in our spirit from hearing His voice.  When that happens it is best to seek His face as to why and not speak what He is not speaking to you.  Right now I am not sensing the Holy Spirits’ anointing and direction in what I am writing.  So it is best that I be quiet until I do.   If we only speak our own mind then it just the flesh and the flesh can not produce Spirit life.  One of the lessons we learn is to speak when He speaks and don’t fake it when He doesn’t.   Maybe that is the lesson that God has for us today.  Speak in the name of the Lord, only when spoken too.

Blessings,

#kent

The Crossroads of Life and Death

The Crossroads of Life and Death

John 5:24

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

               We have discussed how Adam’s sin and fall brought all of mankind into a state of spiritual death and separation from God and the tree of Life.  Not only was it manifested in spiritual separation, but also the spirit of death worked to bring corruption and decay to all of creation.  That spirit of death is at work in every creature from the time that they are born till the time that it consummates in the cessation of physical life. 

               When we come to the cross of Jesus Christ, we come to a crossroad and intersection of Life and Death.  It is a place and a valley of decision that leads us to a turning point in our lives where we believe in Christ and pass from death to Life or we continue down the road to spiritual death.  Jesus Christ stands as a doorway to Life and faith is the key to enter in.  When we make the choice to enter into Him a couple of things should happen.  When we enter the Master’s door and come into His house we need to remove our outer garment of the body of sin.  We hang it there on the cross where Jesus died, as we identify with His death.  Where we have now come too, that outer garment of self is but a hindrance and unacceptable apparel in the house where we now abide.  Not only do we take off the outer garment or our former self-centered ways, but also, we remove our shoes, for now we are standing on Holy ground.  We no longer walk in those former ways that we walked in when we walked down the pathway of death.  Now, instead we have shod our feet with the preparation of the gospel wherein we carry and communicate the life of God to all men.  “And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; (Ephesians 6:15).”

When we come into the Father’s house through our faith in Christ, the blood of Jesus has washed us from the filth and stain of sin and death.  In the place of our garment of sinful flesh, we are given the spiritual garments of the righteousness of Christ.  In these garments we now have right standing and restored fellowship with the Father.  When He now beholds us, He no longer sees the sinful man or woman that we were.  He sees the righteousness of His Son, because His blood has washed us clean of all unrighteousness.  1 Corinthians 1:30 says, “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.”  Also at the door we are given a white turban upon our heads called the mind of Christ.  Along with this cleansed body we are given a new mind as it exhorts us in Romans 12:2, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”  Clothed with spiritual apparel and now abiding in the place Christ has prepared for us we begin living in the Life He has given us.  Formerly we did not discern between life and death.  All we knew was the natural dimension of life and death.  Now at the juncture where we have made a right turn into the way of Life we begin to choose the ways of Life.  More than a right and wrong issue of our moral choosing, our life in Christ becomes choices of life and death.  We know that His Word and His Spirit are Life.  The spirit of the world is selling death and calling it life.  In as much as our eyes are open to the Spirit of Life and godliness we perceive the lie, rejecting it and making our choices for Life.  Proverbs 23:7 warns us, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so [is] he.”  It is warning us that things and people are not always as they appear on the surface.  The truth is in their heart.  What is in our hearts today?  Are we feeding from the tree of Life?  Many of us are still planting the seeds of death and bearing it’s fruit in our lives because we are not choosing and living in the Life we proclaim to have.  We are experiencing spiritual defeat and we wonder why?  What are we continually abiding in?  What is the focus of our lives?  Which tree are we feeding from, the tree of Life or the tree of the knowledge of good and evil? The Lord doesn’t want us to be double minded in our living and our choices.  He has called us to abide in the Spirit of Life and to choose Life and not death.  “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. (Galatians 6:7)”

Blessings,

#kent

Despair of Life

2 Corinthians 1:8-11

8We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. 9Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 10He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, 11as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.

Despair of Life

               There are times in our life when we can come to the place that we just don’t want to live any more.  Untreated depression is one of the major causes of suicide.  The pressure and trials of life can sometimes become overwhelming.  It can come through illness, divorce, loss, abuse, low self-esteem, the feeling of failure, chronic pain, even genetics, along with many other factors which can all bring despair, despondency, depression and hopelessness.  Even the apostle Paul describes a situation in his life where things became so hard that it seemed beyond his ability to endure.  He says that the pressure was so great that they even despaired of life.  He says that in their own hearts they felt the sentence of death.   I believe there are some of us that have been in this place and the Spirit of the Lord is wanting to minister to some that may be in it right now.  God sees your pain and feels your heartbreak.  He has heard your cry and He is here to tell you and show you like He did Paul that your reliance is not upon yourself, but upon God, who raises the dead.  Even though you have felt the sentence of death upon you, God is going to raise you up.  He is able to deliver you from such deadly peril and He will deliver you.  Continue to set your hope upon God even in the midst of your desperation and despair.  He is your deliver and He will bring you through the valley of the shadow of death.  Gather other believers around that can pray for you and minister to you.  You don’t have to be alone, God has provided someone that can help you, but you must reach out to them. 

               The Father, who is the author of life, is the one to decide when our life is done and as long as we have life He is able to give us the grace to endure it’s hardships and abuses.  Let faith arise in your heart and confidence that you are not alone, but the hosts of heaven surround you and His angels will minister to you. 

               There is someone today that needs this encouraging word so that you can go on and not give up.  God knows who you are.  He so loves and cares for you.  When you don’t have the ability to endure, He becomes your ability.  In this place you are going to come to know, like the apostle Paul, that your reliance is upon God and not upon yourself.  Place your life in His hands, trust Him and hold fast.  He will see you through your dark hour and bring you again into the sunshine of His love and presence.  He is able to supply all of your need according to His riches in glory.  He is your life and you live for Him and not for yourself.  God is able to take seemingly hopeless and negative situations and turn them for good.  He does it all the time.  As long as you have breath He is not through working in your life and as long as there is breath, there is hope. 

               The enemy has such a way of clouding and distorting the truth.  He can fill your head with every thought of why we should not live, but then he came to rob, steal and destroy.  Christ came that you might have life and that more abundantly.  Choose life.  Choose Christ to be your life.  He is with you even in the darkest hour and He sticks closer to you than a brother.

               Father, help us in those times in our life when things look so bleak, so hopeless and so unbearable.  Help us in those times to enter into You and into Your hiding place where You would cover us with Your wings of mercy and protection.  Lord surround us in those times with Your power and love.   Encourage us and lift us up.  Set our eyes back upon You and restore the hope that we have lost.  You are our Hope, oh Lord, our Redeemer and our Deliver.  Just as David found consolation and strength as he reminded himself through the Psalms of Your greatness and Your faithfulness, even as he gave praise and worship back to You, he was strengthened in his inner man and given the courage to continue on.  Let all that are troubled and in despair find that in You today.  Amen.

Blessings,

#kent

Who am I?

Judges 6:11-16

11One day an angel from the LORD went to the town of Ophrah and sat down under the big tree that belonged to Joash, a member of the Abiezer clan. Joash’s son Gideon was nearby, threshing grain in a shallow pit, where he could not be seen by the Midianites.

12The angel appeared and spoke to Gideon, ” The LORD is helping you, and you are a strong warrior.”

13Gideon answered, ” Please don’t take this wrong, but if the LORD is helping us, then why have all of these awful things happened? We’ve heard how the LORD performed miracles and rescued our ancestors from Egypt. But those things happened long ago. Now the LORD has abandoned us to the Midianites.”

14Then the LORD himself said, ” Gideon, you will be strong, because I am giving you the power to rescue Israel from the Midianites.”

15Gideon replied, ” But how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest one in Manasseh, and everyone else in my family is more important than I am.”

16″ Gideon,” the LORD answered, ” you can rescue Israel because I am going to help you! Defeating the Midianites will be as easy as beating up one man.”

Who am I?

               When trying to gain God’s mind, wisdom and will in a large decision in my life I was reminded of Gideon.   As I struggled with my decision and prayed about it I could see that my greatest fears, doubts and reservations were of myself.  I fear failure, making the wrong decision, the changing world and economy and so the doubts continue to race through my mind.   My greatest reservations are not of God, but of myself.  I, like Gideon of the Old Testament, see that in the natural I have no great qualities or strengths of my own to boast in.  What we see in Gideon is that sometimes it is people like us that are nothing in ourselves, but simply trust and love God, who are the ones he can use.  The Lord saw and spoke something into Gideon that he didn’t see or believe about himself.  The reason God can use us nobodies in the world’s eyes, which are not particularly gifted, or smart or successful is because God has the opportunity to be the One who is mighty in us.  In verse 14, “Then the LORD himself said, ” Gideon, you will be strong, because I am giving you the power to rescue Israel from the Midianites.”  What I felt the Lord speaking into my heart was that your decision will not be without some adversities and trials, but I am your strength, your might and your provision is through Me in the midst of your adversity.  We really have no certainties in this life except our faith and confidence in our God and His truth.  Bottom line, what we must rely upon, is Him.   I know that in this fleshly mortal body of mine dwells no good thing.  I have nothing to brag about or boast in.  Yours and my success in life comes from what we allow the Lord, our Christ, to be within and through us.  It is by his might that our enemies will fall and He will bring deliverance through us.  It is by His might that we will do things that in our natural man we would have never dreamed possible.  The key is that our eyes have to get off of the natural man and onto the spiritual man.  We have to walk in the peace of God for our lives.  We must walk in humility and a constant attitude of submission and obedience to His will and not our own.  Most of us won’t have an epiphany like Gideon did or hear an audible voice, but we must grow ever more attuned to that still small voice in our spirits that says, “this is the way, now walk in it.”  Often times God may say no to our request and close the doors and sometimes when He says Yes, it is hard to believe that He would bless us and give us the things that He does.  The only thing we know for certainty is that we want to be in the center of His will and purpose for our lives.  You may get a lot of opinions from others about what they think God’s will is for you, but only you can really hear, know and have the peace of God for what He wants for you.  It is good to have a multitude of counselors, but let God’s council be the final word.  

               Gideon’s might was in the spiritual man he became as he put His confidence and obedience in the Lord.  Who I am isn’t dependent upon what I have been, it is dependent upon who I am becoming in Christ. 

               Rest in God that He is allowing your life to be the instrument of His using and enabling.  It is relinquishment of your will to His, allowing Him to take your hand and your life to write with it the living words of His purpose and expression.  You learn to cease from your efforts and works and become comfortable in fully allowing the Holy Spirit’s direction through your life.

Blessings,

#kent